Just returned...

[starbuc71]

We returned from the fort from spending 5 great days there. The weather was perfect and fun was had by all. Sorry I don't have any pics to do a trip report, but as we pulled into the front gate, I noticed I forgot the camera and wasn't ready to buy a new one. The fort was the most crowed we have ever seen arriving on a Wednesday. We got luck and got the loop we wanted (800) and we actually got the last empty site in 800.
The pool was PACKED. My wife was so over the crowds at the pool, she wanted to write a letter to complain, not about it being crowded, but the amount of locals, resort hoppers and an abundance of non-fort guest embarking on the pool. We both overheard many, I mean many people stating that they were not staying at the fort but loved visiting the pool. It came down to one after noon, a huge carvan of about 15-20 people came to the cabin pool all carrying McDonalds bags and staing how they all lived locally. They were pure trash and acted it in every way. The grandmother was even using profanity and letting it all hang out while she tried to dunk the other 15 family members. We had to leave due to the language and the out of control jumping that almost injured our kids.
Besides the pool fiasco everyday. The trip was great. When will Disney wake up and do something about pool hoppers. We pay the large amounts of money to use our resort, they don't. We don't even get towels at our pool where all other resorts do. Sorry I'm venting, but I agree with the wife and are over the issues with the pool

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Sorry bout your trip.
With all that money we pay for the sites , it's good to know that Disney doesn't waste spending it on having real security .


Wonder what they do spend it on,

 

[skyp4WDW]

If you don't say anything; nothing will change. Call the Fort and ask to speak with the General Manager (not the Day Manager). Take the names of everyone you speak with. Follow up with a letter. List the problems and ask them to contact you when changes have been made. (I had a similar experience) We are seeing more and more of this problem. I wouldn't want it to become the "norm". And the current policy seems to be, "Ignore all problems unless someone objects... and even then, do as little as possible to rectify the situation".

 

[stpetedisneydad]

Thank god they moved the drop arm gate to the other end of the road to keep unwanted guests out of the parking lot, LOL!

 

[2goofycampers]

Complaining is a good idea but 1 voice is sometimes lost on deaf ears. I think maybe we should pick a date and fill their inbox with a barrage of complaints. Maybe, that will get some attention.

 

[Disneylitch]

Complaining is a good idea but 1 voice is sometimes lost on deaf ears. I think maybe we should pick a date and fill their inbox with a barrage of complaints. Maybe, that will get some attention.

That sounds like a really good idea. When my kids were teenagers, they always wanted to pool hop, but I told them it wasn't allowed. I don't think there should be a problem with pool hopping if you are a registered Disney guest, but not someone that isn't staying on Disney property. Something definitely has to be done about this. Let me know the date and I will definitely participate. Like was said, if we say nothing, then nothing will be done. If we atleast voice our concerns/complaints then hopefully something will be done.

 

[zakerdog]

I think that you should send a letter as well. We will be there in September and if I experience this type of situation I will be on the house phone to the front desk right then and there!

 

[North7]

I think that you should send a letter as well. We will be there in September and if I experience this type of situation I will be on the house phone to the front desk right then and there!

Agreed!! Starbuc71, the situation you described is totally unacceptable

 

[Disneylitch]

I will also be there in September. Will definitely keep my eyes and ears open.

 

[Running_Bell]

Complaining is a good idea but 1 voice is sometimes lost on deaf ears. I think maybe we should pick a date and fill their inbox with a barrage of complaints. Maybe, that will get some attention.

I'll participate!! We had the same issue this past time in November at the pool. There was a large family "visiting" a camper and lived locally. We heard one of them talking on their cell phone giving directions to others to come. We felt so violated. I would never "pool hop"... I enjoy restaurant hopping. but you pay for that. I know the other resorts have signs that state for resort guests only... I can't remember if FW had them.

I also hate that the movie is open to the public... I know that sounds really selfish, but it does seem that amenities should be for the paying guests and that includes the pool, movie and beach fireworks.

 

[gillenkl]

I am having flashbacks on our last trip to the Fort. We actually watched a group of 10 or so arrive in street clothes, change in the bathroom, swim, eat, etc.....it was obvious they were not staying at the Fort. The real kicker came when they brought out their shower gel and shampoo (I kid you not!) and washed off at the shower near the hot tub in full view. Luckily they kept their suits on. Everyone was watching and finally several of us complained to the lifeguards who basically turned a blind eye and said "there's nothing we can do". They were actually laughing about it. This was at the main pool. If I ever see that again I will be first one dialing up security. It's ridiculous that this is being allowed to continue.

I thought at one of the resorts - maybe Beach/Yacht Club you have to prove you are staying there to use the pools? Is that true?

 

[stpetedisneydad]

I don't think there should be a problem with pool hopping if you are a registered Disney guest, but not someone that isn't staying on Disney property.

When we booked our first ever trip to Disney back in the mid 90's the rep actually told us that as a guest we had use of ANY of the amenities at any of the resorts.

 

[kekee]

Stayed at the beach club a month ago. To use the pool you must produce your beach club room card which gives you access to a wrist band to enter the pool. You must do this each day you use the pool, and each member of you party must produce a beach club room card. I think each resort should have this system, not just the deluxe resorts !

 

[North7]

It came down to one after noon, a huge carvan of about 15-20 people came to the cabin pool all carrying McDonalds bags and staing how they all lived locally.

There was a large family "visiting" a camper and lived locally. We heard one of them talking on their cell phone giving directions to others to come.

We actually watched a group of 10 or so arrive in street clothes, change in the bathroom, swim, eat, etc.....it was obvious they were not staying at the Fort.

How are these large groups of people getting into FW? If they are indeed local, is Fort security letting them past the security checkpoint and allowing them to park at the outpost and hop on a bus? The only other thing I can think of would be for them to hop on a Fort bus at Downtown Disney (or another hub) and then ride back to FW, but that seems like it would be a bit of a nuisance. Anyone know?

 

[gillenkl]

Stayed at the beach club a month ago. To use the pool you must produce your beach club room card which gives you access to a wrist band to enter the pool. You must do this each day you use the pool, and each member of you party must produce a beach club room card. I think each resort should have this system, not just the deluxe resorts !

amen - I would totally be on board with this wrist band system.

 

[Disneylitch]

When we booked our first ever trip to Disney back in the mid 90's the rep actually told us that as a guest we had use of ANY of the amenities at any of the resorts.

I don't remember the exact time frame, but there was a time that you were alowed to pool hop. My kids did this when it was allowed. However, there is a difference between pool hopping and haveing non-Disney quests visiting the pools, movie, etc.

 

[skyp4WDW]

Don't bother with the Lifeguards... they won't do anything about it. Last year I was in the hot tub with 14 kids and no parent. The kids were jumping in and knocking into me and anyone else who tried to get in. The oldest child was about 13 or 14 and encouraged the younger ones to keep it up to make me leave too. (I learned from the kids that they lived in Orlando and just came over for a swim). I then went to one of the Life Guards to point out the fact that there wasn't an adult with all those kids and the numbers in the hot tub were definately over the limit. She answered "We know. But we can't do anything". I suggested that she call Security and she said they couldn't because Disney keeps records on the calls and it would look like they couldn't handle it.
So I called Security. They finally got the kids rounded up and found the woman they all came with; and she began Screaming and refusing to leave. She yelled that it was "discrimination" and that she was going to sue Disney. They were telling her that she needed to leave because they weren't guests. She screamed and swore some more over her shoulder all the way to the bus stop.
So, it's getting to be a regular occurrence, and it's tough for Fort Wilderness to handle because some of these folks just won't go quietly and Disney doesn't like a scene. But the bottom line is, if they don't fix it, I won't be flying down to Fort Wilderness for a visit or swim anymore because if I want to swim in an inner city pool environment, I can just go across town... and the same holds true for alot of other people as well. The guests who were sitting next to me that day said they wouldn't be back.
I want, and pay for a nice, wholesome family resort experience.

 

[Disneylitch]

The bottom line is that we need to complain to someone that cares and or will do something about it. We can complain to each other until we are blue in the face, but it won't really do any good. So, if anyone knows who to write to let the rest of us know. It might do some good. Obviously the lifeguards aren't tell the right people.

 

[zakerdog]

When and if I ever experience this situation and I was not satisfied with the results of a phone call to security then I would write:

Manager Guest Service Operations
Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground
PO Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, Florida
32830-9600

 

[Disneylitch]

Thanks for the information