Just Received a Survey from the Fort

[Judy in Texas]

This morning I sent comments to the Contact Us link on the Disney website My Vacation page. This afternoon I received my survey, as mentioned above, from The Cast of Disney's Fort Wilderrness Resort Campsites. The post card has a nifty Fort Wilderrness Resort and Campground logo. It will be interesting to see how free form the survey is.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Well, that all depends on your approach. If you expect it to actually be taken seriously by Disney and result in positive changes in FW, then yes, it most likely is a waste of your time. If, however, you are interested in the deeper psychological benefits of venting your frustrations, then it is of some use. It is, however, about as effective as writing down your problems on a piece of paper, wadding it up and throwing it out. Symbolically, you have gotten rid of your problems. Realistically, they still exist and the simple act of throwing the paper out doesn't really do anything at all.

Well, since you put it that way Dr. Feud......

 

[FlaFortCampster]

It could be, since the capacity is WAY lower than normal, even for off season, that someone really does care and more of you will receive surveys. Yes, it might be that they care about the bottom line, but then WDW is a business.

Being an optimist, I believe Disney does care to a certain extent. They must be doing something right cause I know I can't wait for my next trip.

I took the survey and had plenty of opportunity to expressive my opinions on River Country, Swamp Trail, Trails End, golf cart rental prices, campsite prices and a few other areas. Also kudos to CM's like Ken at TE and Jean at check in.

So, I'll try TE one more time as I'm sure changes are being made as we speak.....maybe....it could happen.

 

[disney4dan]

I don't know about surveys from the Fort, but I was asked to fill out an on-line survey after our stay in February 2003. At the time we were annual passholders and were working to schedule a return trip in the fall with another family. After reading on-line about the discounts that had been offered to AP holders, we had been waiting for a long time to book this second trip in anticipation of the AP rates, but we were missing deals on airfare. I added that comment to the form and offered my cell phone number as a way to contact me. I actually got a call one day at work from Disney, and was so surprised that I did not catch his name, but he was a VP from some division and he let me know that he appreciated the feedback, had heard similar comments from AP holders in other parts of the country, and that they never announce discounts to the general public in advance; but that I might want to get on the phone to CRO at 6:58 the next morning and see if there were any AP discounts being offered for when we wanted to return . That was how we were able to score good rates for Port Orleans Riverside and our first magical stay at the Fort in a cabin.

 

[mdoc]

I've never gotten a survey, but even if I did get one and let them know about the handful of things that make my experience less than magical (Trail's End, "premium" sites that aren't big enough for our motorhome, lack of counter service at the Fort, lack of free dining and other good specials notwithstanding the $100+ prices for premium sites), I'm sure the only thing Disney will notice is that we continue to drive our camper 21 hours each way to spend a week plus at Fort Wilderness two times a year. We stay at peak times and it's always difficult to get a reservation if I wait too long (I've now learned the lesson that it's easier to cancel than to reserve late), so I doubt they'll be hurting if we don't come.

That said, when we first heard the starting date for the Osborne Lights this year, I fired off an e-mail to Disney letting them know that the ONLY reason we endured the T'giving crowds every year was to see the Christmas decorations, including the Osborne lights, and if we couldn't see the Osborne Lights during our stay, we weren't coming. I'm sure it had nothing to do with my e-mail, but the Osborne Lights are going up much earlier than originally announced, and we'll happily be making our T'giving week trip.