Last Minute Reservation

[Barney Fife]

Right now is pretty much a slow time at Disney. Because of commitments with my lawn care business and the potential of snow, I really can't make a reservation for the Fort during winter because I have to be here if it snows. Before we did snow removal, we did two trips to the Fort in late January (2006 and 2008) and they were great.

But if the weatherman tells me next week is going to be warmer than usual and I can swing it, what are the chances the Fort might be able to accommodate us for maybe 5-7 days? We could be totally flexible because I could leave any day and since we home-school, that's not an issue.

I'm not talking about making a reservation today. These are plans we're considering for next year. Not being able to do big vacations virtually any time of year has taken a toll on the family. We are seriously considering giving up that part of the business because of this and the fact its so sporadic. Huge money but if we stay home all winter and it doesn't drop a single flake, that would really be sad.

 

[2goofycampers]

I'd say your chances are good, better Sunday thru Thursday nights.

 

[bama_ed]

Barney,

I'd say go for it as long as you avoid the MLK weekend. Prices move up pretty high around Valentine's Day weekend as well so anytime in-between the two events would be prime time in my opinion. Here is the rates calendar for 2016 for campsites from Mousesavers and you can see what I mean.

http://www.mousesavers.com/2016-fort-wilderness-campsites-rates-season-dates/

MLK weekend would be tough to do on short notice because as a 3-day Federal holiday weekend, that time probably gets planned more in advance than other days around it.

Also keep in mind you can, as I call it, "throw a reservation out there", pay only one day's rate as deposit, and give yourself up until 5 days before arrive to cancel or push it out (I've pushed out a year in the past - just pay the difference in the deposit rate if the new dates are at a more expensive time).

So maybe you can throw one out there for the time between MLK and Valentines next year and then wait till the last 5 days to see if you use it. I like throwing a ressie out there rather than booking last minute since it's so easy to get a deposit back or pushed out.

Bama Ed

PS - if you were to use the short-term booking this year, if you arrived next Saturday Jan 30 and left Friday Feb 5 (7n) it only shows Tent sites available. That's why I advise the "throw one out there" rather than trying to book last minute. But if you used Denise's strategy of getting Sunday-Thursday nights (5n), for Sun Jan 31 to Fri Feb 5 you can get Tent, Full, and Preferred. Only Premiums are out of availability.