Let's Virtually Build WDW's Next RV Resort

[MrKTI]

We have neighbors that used to be regular "winter settlers" at FW. At a meeting for winter settlers, the question was asked about FW expanding. They we told (by Disney folks), that for every acre they use to expand, they have to give two or three acres back to someone ... either the state, or some entity.

No idea what this about, but I believe them when they say they were told this. No clue if the Disney source had a clue. This was not a casual comment from a bus driver BTW.

Just passing this on ... maybe someone could comment.

I would like to see more FW, but just like it is. Maybe bigger sites for us with big rigs (they could certainly charge more). The golf carts have to stay, just enforce the rules.

John

 

[tim5055]

They we told (by Disney folks), that for every acre they use to expand, they have to give two or three acres back to someone ... either the state, or some entity.

The vast majority of undeveloped Disney property is considered "wetlands". Basically the way the system works is if they disturb an acre of "wetlands" they are required to "mitigate" that wetland destruction by re-creating wetlands in some other location. This mitigation may require 2 acres for every one disturbes etc.

Dredging and filling in the surface waters of Florida has been regulated since the early 1970's. This program was established under Chapter 403, F.S., to protect our surface waters from degradation caused by the loss of wetlands and from pollution caused by construction activities.

Alteration of wetlands and other surface waters may have a detrimental impact on the environment. That impact could extend beyond the limits of the work site, affecting other public or private property. Polluted waters can be conveyed off-site through connecting waterbodies. The elimination or degradation of wetlands will cause a reduction of beneficial functions provided by the wetlands.

Wetlands provide a number of important and beneficial functions. During periods of heavy rainfall, wetlands serve as flood storage areas, where water can spread out without damage to developed uplands. As the water passes through the wetlands, pollutants are filtered out. Wetlands also stabilize shorelines, thereby preventing the harmful effects of erosion. Wetlands produce the basic food material used by many fish and other aquatic life. Some wetlands also serve as nursery grounds for fish and rookery areas for birds. Many wildlife species, some of which are threatened or endangered, need to live in wetlands for all or part of their life.

Filling wetlands can increase on-site and off-site flooding. Dredging and filling can also degrade the quality of water during and after construction, and can reduce the populations of fish and wildlife. In fact, it has been estimated that as much as 80% of our recreationally and commercially important fish species are dependent upon wetlands for at least some portion of their life cycle.

What is Mitigation?

Through the Environmental Resource and Wetland Resource Permit programs the Department and the water management districts work with applicants to avoid or minimize adverse impacts to wetlands and surface waters. However, when these impacts are unavoidable, the applicant may have the option to restore, enhance, or preserve comparable habitats in the area in order to offset those impacts. This is known as mitigation.

So, while I don't think they have to "give property away", they do have to give up dry land to create more "wetlands" in some other location.

 

[MrKTI]

Wow ... good info as always ...

Would this be a deterent to expansion ... I think this was the jist of the message I got from my neighbors.

John

 

[disneyophile]

We really enjoy FW and I really don't think there needs to be a second campground; just update, upgrade and expand FW.

Improvements

Add new loops with larger campsites, some pull-thru, for larger rigs. Reconfigure some existing loops to provide larger sites.

I agree that the buses are too noisy. A quieter, more environmentally friendly alternative should be introduced.

Update comfort stations.

Upgrade the existing pool to make it larger and themed like the other resort's pools.

Restrict traffic to cars / trucks for setting up and tearing down purposes only. At other times, they should remain in a parking lot. This would enhance the overall atmosphere and add safety for families with small children.

Bring back the peacocks! One persons nuisance is many others atmosphere!

The pedal boats have to be the ones that FW opened with. New ones would be nice.

Offer organized family activities, in the same spirit as the campfire, sing along and movie but during the day (i.e. crafts, volleyball, softball, nature walks, scavenger hunt).

I'm sure that there are many things that I haven't thought of. Please feel free to add to my list.

 

[LadyJanel]

Create a new park or keep the old -- my biggest problem is getting a space. When I call to book it is always booked solid but when I'm down there I see empty spaces or loops that are closed. I realize maintenance needs to be done but spaces are at a premium there. I want to stay at the campground but the reservations lines always push me towards the "budget" resorts.

I finally got so fed up after staying at Pop Century when I really wanted to stay at the campground that now when i call and find it booked solid, I either don't go at all or I switch over to the Hilton near Pleasure Island. It's cheaper than the campground and the budget hotels, we still get the extra magic hour and transportation to/from/between the parks and the hotel rooms are bigger and nicer. Either way, Disney loses money at least 4 times a year from me that they could be getting because there aren't enough spots at FW and it isn't their priority to create more.

Even with all of that, I would still rather use my RV and stay at Fort Wilderness Campground -- I just can't get a reservation.

As for the wider roads and parking problems, I found out that they actually have "professional" backers that will come and park your RV for you if you don't want to or have trouble. They are at no cost but I tipped the one that did it for us when we were in a tight squeeze with a new camper.

 

[stillh2o]

After being in FW over New Years FW need a lot of work. The woods had a lot of dead trees and scrub I fear one day a small fire could realy get out of control and burn down the whole campground taking all the RV’s with it. I hope they will fix that soon. For the first time in 20 years we have no more trips planned to FW.

 

[Live4FW]

Ya Know StillH20, I am starting to feel the same way. The day after I returned from Thanksgiving this year I tried to make ressies for next year. No doing, completely full even though this year there were several empty sites all week. I have also been following the XMAS '06 thread and they are saying the same thing. We spend a lot of money going and the prices just keep going up. With this demand, it will be cheaper to stay in a nice hotel soon not considering food. Over the last few years the quality has been declining (one exception is the expanded activities - bingo, etc) and we are starting to wonder if it is all worth it. There, I said it. I can't believe I am thinking of giving up the Fort????

 

[house_of_princesses]

I like RocklandRVer's ideas! The transponders and such leading you to your destination. They do something similar w/ Pal Mickey now. FW would be kept for the minimalist/naturalist, while the hi-tech area for the mondernites. Personally, I'd go the naturalist way, but that's another story.

If it were at AK, theme it as if you were on safari. A photo safari. Tall grasses, some palms at the oasis (sites), outposts for comfort stations that look like the Jungle Cruise or Kilimajaro rides. Different loops representing different areas of the world where one would safari. A zero depth pool w/ sand somewhere near, pool could have camel fountains (same vein as the Flying Carpets). The stores could be colored brightly like the silk tents you see on Indiana Jones. (Don't know how authentic that is, but it looks nice!)

In other words, if it's at AK area, has to go w/ safari/animal theme.

FW has a great theme going. Now they just need to carry it through to the pool areas. And since the activities are done mostly outdoors, we should be more environmentally aware and get the busses out and put trams in. (Great idea, whoever said that!)

Perhaps there is more to the peacock story than we know, but as it stands, Bring them Back!! How many years did those birds grace the grounds? And here we go,shuffling them off. I don't want to be known as the generation who booted the peacocks. Or any other animal (well, we could always re-locate any alligators! ).

New or old, the campground should have internet access 24/7. Preferrably free access. A daytime activity to counter the campfire would also be nice. Or how about a 'day camp' for little campers. They could sign up for morning or afternoon. This would be a fee based program, but could include all manner of activities. DCL has this on thier ships, why not at the CGs?

I know they're reading these threads, I hope they're listening!

 

[tim5055]

After being in FW over New Years FW need a lot of work. The woods had a lot of dead trees and scrub I fear one day a small fire could realy get out of control and burn down the whole campground taking all the RV’s with it. I hope they will fix that soon. For the first time in 20 years we have no more trips planned to FW.

Last years hurricanes took a toll on the trees and shrubs at FW. While they are clearing up as much as they can as quickly as they can it is difficult to get into many of the wooded areas without creating "logging roads" all over the place

FW has a great theme going. Now they just need to carry it through to the pool areas. And since the activities are done mostly outdoors, we should be more environmentally aware and get the busses out and put trams in. (Great idea, whoever said that!)

The only problem with this idea is that the trams use the same diesel engine as the busses They would have to come up with an entirely new electic vehicle to avoid any of the noise. Back in the 70's they did use the trams at FW and I remember the sound of them from a campsite, it was very similar to the sound of the busses.

New or old, the campground should have internet access 24/7. Preferrably free access.

I can agree with this one!

A daytime activity to counter the campfire would also be nice. Or how about a 'day camp' for little campers. They could sign up for morning or afternoon. This would be a fee based program, but could include all manner of activities. DCL has this on thier ships, why not at the CGs?

FW already has free daytime activities Tuesday - Saturday. I guess it is not as well known as the campfire because most folks are thinking about the parks during the day. Here is the last schedule I have:
Daily Activities 2PM - 3PM
Tuesday Adventrue Day Meadow Pool
Wednesday Fantasy Day Meadow Pool
Thursday Fun with Music day Meadow Pool
Friday Tall Tales and Legends Meadow Pool
Saturday Talent Day Campfire Area

 

[stillh2o]

I know about the hurricanes I lived in south Florida. But they have had over a year to fix this problem. All it takes is one fast moving fire no more campground no more RV’s. A fast moving fire can burn up an acre every 8sec. No time to get everyone out.

 

[stillh2o]

The FW Trams ran from Late 70's until 1989 when they moved them to the studios. Thats when the buses started.

 

[house_of_princesses]

The only problem with this idea is that the trams use the same diesel engine as the busses They would have to come up with an entirely new electic vehicle to avoid any of the noise. Back in the 70's they did use the trams at FW and I remember the sound of them from a campsite, it was very similar to the sound of the busses.

I didn't realize the trams were diesel. Well, let's think futuristic thoughts and hope they come up with an electronic model!

Figured they had some kind of activity during the day, but meant something more day campy. Of course, I say this not knowing what Adventure Day, etc. entails.

Back to the imaginearing!

 

[Disney711]

The pedal boats have to be the ones that FW opened with. New ones would be nice.

Offer organized family activities, in the same spirit as the campfire, sing along and movie but during the day (i.e. crafts, volleyball, softball, nature walks, scavenger hunt).

The pedal boats currently there came in ust a few months ago.

And for about the past six months, they've been running 3-4 activities a day. Before that, it was just one a day, but it was the same kind of things you just named. The scedules for this are always up at the comfort stations and at the Bike Barn.

FW already has free daytime activities Tuesday - Saturday. I guess it is not as well known as the campfire because most folks are thinking about the parks during the day. Here is the last schedule I have:
Daily Activities 2PM - 3PM
Tuesday Adventrue Day Meadow Pool
Wednesday Fantasy Day Meadow Pool
Thursday Fun with Music day Meadow Pool
Friday Tall Tales and Legends Meadow Pool
Saturday Talent Day Campfire Area

This activity schedule hasn't been accurate for about a year. Activities are every day and the only one that still exists on that list is talent day.

 

[poohbearwithme]

I think a themed campground would be fun:
Hundred Acre Wood Section (Tigger Loop)
Seven Drawfs (or the PC term the Vertically Challanged) Forest section
Song of the South section: (Camping In Zippy DoDah Loop)
And on and on...
The Comfort Stations would also be themed with the sections they are in: like in the Hundred Acre Wood Section would have Pooh and Friends decorations all over the comfort station. The sites would also be themed. You get the jest.
Disney has enough stories and movies that they could more than come up with enough names for the sections. The Check-in area could be shaped like a mini-Cinderella Castle. And the pool... I think Toy Story Themed...
Okay maybe this is far fetched but it is Vitrual...So I say dream big.

 

[auntie]

The two biggies for me:

Update and theme the pool.

For internal transporation, ditch the busses and provide the much-quieter trams. You could have a bus stop at either end of the campground to then go on to other WDW destinations, but boy would it quiet things down in the campground itself!!!

Ditto for me! Boy the idea of the trams sounds nice. I was told by a friend and neighbor that during the 80's when she went to FW that how they got around..open air trams...no busses..except to leave FW to the parks..and now of course to the other resort areas..water parks..and Downtown Disney and the like. But in the campground the trams..much easier to get on and off of with strollers also.

 

[clukayle]

Covered outdoor cooking areas at each site. Time shares would be great, or seasonal sites. Built in covered firepits at each site. A fenced in dog playground. Definately peacocks and lots and lots of brown bunnies!

 

[Karenj2]

Ok, I don't normally come to the campground board, but I was looking around for info on the cabins and I stumbled on this post and had to add my idea...

In some of the campgrounds near me, some of them offer Yurts, which would fit in well with the AKL theme.

They're a little more than a tent, but less than a cabin...