Many empty sites at FW?

[1derfultigger]

We just returned from out long-awaited trip to FW. We stayed on the 700 loop and thought the location was perfect for us and will request it again when we go back.

During the first couple of days we were there (there for 8 days), it seemed that everytime someone left, the site was immediately filled by someone else. However, as days went by, more and more sites seemed to open up (not only on our loop) and never got filled by someone else for days on end. I'm just curious about this because, even though it's not prime season, I thought ressies at FW were very hard to get. I've read several posts over the last few months from people that seemed to have difficulty getting reservations.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Like hotel rooms, it is nearly impossible to have 100% occupancy at all times. Length of stays vary, and overlaps are common which would prevent sites from being continuously occupied.

 

[Whosemom]

Forgive me for being off topic, was all of the 700 loop a reasonable walk from the marina when you were tired?

 

[1derfultigger]

Like hotel rooms, it is nearly impossible to have 100% occupancy at all times. Length of stays vary, and overlaps are common which would prevent sites from being continuously occupied.

I understand that but they either have availability or they don't. Many sites sat empty for days and some, just on our loop, were still empty when we left. I understand if a site was vacant for maybe a day or two.

Oh well, it was just something I noticed that I thought I'd bring up/

 

[1derfultigger]

Forgive me for being off topic, was all of the 700 loop a reasonable walk from the marina when you were tired?

Not at all. I walked down there several times just to get out and about for a bit even after we'd been in a park all day. We usually rode our bikes to the meadows post and pool but even that was walkable. But the marina, pioneer hall area was easily walkable from the 700 loop. I felt like, from that loop, I could walk to anything I wanted to see without it being too much of a walk (and I'm not much of a walker).

The only knock I could think of for the 700 loop is it doesn't have its own comfort station. But the one across the street in another loop was very close and there was even a walking path to it from the middle of the loop. We were concerned that the comfort station might be too crowded all the time given that it's shared but that was not the case at all.

We stayed in FW all day one day during our trip and rented a cart. We rode through every single loop, including the cabins, to look around and were happy with our choice in the 700 loop. We would have been okay with some of the others as well but when we go back, we'll request 700 again.

 

[big kahuna1]

Whe3n we were there just this past June we tried to get one more day and they kept stating they had no sites yet there were at least a hal dozen sites in our loop alone that were vacant...some for days at a time. I guess they could have been booked for that day we wanted but who knows.

 

[Nickimouse]

We were just there also,July 15-21st in loop 500. We also noticed empty sites which surprised us. Monday or Tuesday as we walked around the loop we counted 18 sites vacant. Maintenance was in and out of our loop clearing brush, so maybe that was why. By the time we left on Sat. there were a handful open.
We noticed a lot of bush and branches being cleared in most loops. It really seemed to open up a lot of sites. I'm not sure if it is a safety issue or they are making them more accommodating to larger RVs. Part of what I enjoy about FW is the buffer between sites.

 

[1derfultigger]

Whe3n we were there just this past June we tried to get one more day and they kept stating they had no sites yet there were at least a hal dozen sites in our loop alone that were vacant...some for days at a time. I guess they could have been booked for that day we wanted but who knows.

I thought about that too but what are the chances that all the empty sites are booked that day and all of the people don't show?

I've also seen posts here about people trying to get an extra day or two while they are there and how hard it is to do. That's part of why it puzzled me. At first, we were amazed how one RV would pull off and, sometimes within the hour, another would take its place. We started to assume that's the way it was and then people started disappearing and nobody took their place. It was fine by me but I just thought it curious given how difficult some have seemed to find it to get reservations there.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Here's a hypothetical situation. Suppose all sites are occupied except one, which was vacated today and will not be occupied for 5 days. Now suppose you call looking for a site for 6 days. That site won't show as available since it will be occupied within the timeframe you are looking for, but will remain unoccupied for 5 days. It is very hard to arrange rooms or sites to coincide with everyone's vacation schedules and maximize utilization of the resort.

 

[1derfultigger]

We were just there also,July 15-21st in loop 500. We also noticed empty sites which surprised us. Monday or Tuesday as we walked around the loop we counted 18 sites vacant. Maintenance was in and out of our loop clearing brush, so maybe that was why. By the time we left on Sat. there were a handful open.
We noticed a lot of bush and branches being cleared in most loops. It really seemed to open up a lot of sites. I'm not sure if it is a safety issue or they are making them more accommodating to larger RVs. Part of what I enjoy about FW is the buffer between sites.

I thought all the trees made it nice too. We didn't have any clearing going on in our loop but we did see it in others. However, I don't think that kept the sites closed because I saw plenty of clearing going on and even heavy-duty electrical work right beside some occupied sites.

I suspect the clearing is going on for both of the reasons you stated. RV's are getting longer and wider and the branches can sometimes become a safety issue in thunderstorms.

 

[1derfultigger]

Here's a hypothetical situation. Suppose all sites are occupied except one, which was vacated today and will not be occupied for 5 days. Now suppose you call looking for a site for 6 days. That site won't show as available since it will be occupied within the timeframe you are looking for, but will remain unoccupied for 5 days. It is very hard to arrange rooms or sites to coincide with everyone's vacation schedules and maximize utilization of the resort.

As I said - it's fine by me either way - just thought it curious. But, with all due respect, "I ain't buyin' your scenario in this case". There were way too many sites open for that to be the explanation in every case. I would think that at least some people would do as I did when I made my reservations. I found out, based on how long I wanted to be there, what day I'd have to arrive on even if I had to arrive or leave in the middle of the week - which I did end up having to do. Some would also settle for 5 days if they couldn't get 6 vs. staying off-site or not going at all. We had several sites on our loop alone that were vacant long enough for a decent length stay byt someone. A couple of days before we left, I remember riding bikes through "little bear loop" or something like that, can't remember the number and ALL but 2 sites were empty. Now, that's a very small loop but that's still a lot of empty sites.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Ah, forget it.

 

[1derfultigger]

I agree.

I also agree with your theories/explanations but they just don't seem to hold up given what I saw. But then, what do I know, it was only my first visit.

 

[motherof4]

I have heard, that people also book sites to get packages, dinning etc., but stay off site??? Would that explain empty campsites???

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I don't think that practice is really widespread and for the most part, those who do it are booking the partial hookup sites which are the least expensive so they get the most for their buck.

 

[ZoomZoom22]

I am staying in the 800 block all this week.

When I arrived I was intially put in the 1300 block but alas no sat signal so I moved to a preferred site with cable and I am now in 866. Go figure my sat works in this spot

Anyway when I pulled into initially 1324 and then to 866 I was hard pressed to find more than 1 or 2 "slots" open in either loop. This was on day 1 (Sat) and day 2 (Sun).

Late Sunday people starting pulling out and I would estimate that by my golf cart ride last night all loops are only 50% full.

 

[motherof4]

Just a thought!

 

[mickeymouse1017]

We just left FW today after a week there and were also surprised at the empty sites throughout the campgrounds. We were in the 500 loop and there were several sites that stayed empty for days. The farther back you went in the campground there were plenty of empty loops. This morning one loop had only about three or four campers in it. But, value season does start for the campgrounds in the next few days. We had a wonderful time this week. The weather was HOT but the crowds were great. We didn't wait longer than 20 minutes for anything that we did. My only complain was the person that moved in to the site next to us at 2:15 in the morning. He was able to wake our entire family which did not make us too happy. I asked at the front desk about them having a time when they don't let people set up at the sites and they said that it was 10 - 7. I don't know, maybe they didn't enfore it???? Oh well, vacation is not a time to worry about the small stuff!

 

[catalexander]

My only complain was the person that moved in to the site next to us at 2:15 in the morning. He was able to wake our entire family which did not make us too happy. I asked at the front desk about them having a time when they don't let people set up at the sites and they said that it was 10 - 7. I don't know, maybe they didn't enfore it???? Oh well, vacation is not a time to worry about the small stuff!

I'm sure they were just as unhappy about arriving at 2:30am as you were to hear them!

I've not had any experience with a campground (much less Disney) that would not allow someone to come in "after hours". As a matter of fact, it's typical to just pick up something at the office or look at an "availabilites" map and pick an open spot! When traveling, it's not out of the ordinary to arrive after closing hours.

At least, Disney has someone at the main gate to Ft. Wilderness to check you in... if they didn't want you setting up, they certainly wouldn't let you in at all hours!

I think what the CM meant was, the Fort has "quiet hours". However, getting in a site is something that is generally overlooked with regard to noise... unless of course, they back in, pull out the chairs, crack the keg and proceed to relive the adventures of the day under the awning! That would be a bit much. But just the regular "getting in a site and getting set up"? that's part of camping!

Just like you expect a hotel to allow check-ins after a certain hour.. after-all that day is already paid for... it doesn't matter much how many hours of that day you use!

 

[disneymom04]

1derfultigger,
I have a question about the 700 loop. I remember last time we were there thinking that loop would be great if we got a site closer to the marina. As I remember it, it is a long loop. Do you remember the numbers that would be closer to the loop? We usually take our showers in the TT so not having a comfort station would not bother us. But our son is in a wheelchair and being close to the marina is a must.
Thanks for the info.