Need Help!

weich1001

Wendi
Joined
Jan 7, 2008
Messages
399
My parents have to be in Orlando area over Thanksgiving next year. They will have their MH.

Instead of them driving back to PA and then flying them down a couple days later, we plan to have them check into FW on Monday November 28-they will then depart Sunday December 4th to go on their first ever DCL Cruise with us.
After the cruise, they will then check back into FW from Thursday December 8th and leave Sunday December 11th to drive back to PA.

The important stuff:
It is a 32 ft Dolphin MH--Dad can back into spots just fine-they have a dog-they are mid 70's, they can walk short distances--but longer ones aren't good-Mom will have her wheelchair with her for the simple things and on park days after the cruise-we'll get her an electric one--they have an handicap placard---AAA--Good Sames Club--they'll be using ME for transportation

So here is what I need to know...
1./When should I make the reservations?
2./What are the deposits needed?
3./What are good locations for them-considering the above?


Thanks,
Wendi
 
I would make the reservations now as long as you know the dates. Their check in date is the Monday after Thanksgiving, so there should be availability. (If it was Thanksgiving week itself you might already have issues). It only takes a deposit of one night to make a reservation, so if you make 2 seperate reservations you might need to make 2 nights' deposit. The deposits are fully refundable up until 5 days before the check in date, so if plans change you are fine there. You might want to note on the reservations that a site near a bus stop would be helpful due to mobility concerns. The buses are all wheelchair friendly, so getting around that way should work fine.
 
I agree with everything Dave said.

As far as what to reserve, there are four different levels of campsites at Fort Wilderness. Based upon your mom's mobility issues, I suggest that you reserve a Premium Pet site. I suggest that you request a site near the entrance of the 900 loop. That will put your folks near the comfort station and bus stop, and the Meadow Trading Post is right across the street.

Also, where will the dog go during the cruise?

Do your folks plan on leaving the motorhome in the Fort Wilderness lot, or are they driving it to the port? If you are on a Disney Cruise, you can get permission to leave the motorhome in the FW lot, but you will need to get a parking permit for that purpose.

Sounds like a great trip for your folks!

TCD
 
I would make the reservations now as long as you know the dates. Their check in date is the Monday after Thanksgiving, so there should be availability. (If it was Thanksgiving week itself you might already have issues). It only takes a deposit of one night to make a reservation, so if you make 2 seperate reservations you might need to make 2 nights' deposit. The deposits are fully refundable up until 5 days before the check in date, so if plans change you are fine there. You might want to note on the reservations that a site near a bus stop would be helpful due to mobility concerns. The buses are all wheelchair friendly, so getting around that way should work fine.

That's good that I only need to pay 1 nights deposit, that is x2 as I am assuming a different set of dates will = a 2nd reservation!
 

I agree with everything Dave said.

As far as what to reserve, there are four different levels of campsites at Fort Wilderness. Based upon your mom's mobility issues, I suggest that you reserve a Premium Pet site. I suggest that you request a site near the entrance of the 900 loop. That will put your folks near the comfort station and bus stop, and the Meadow Trading Post is right across the street.

Also, where will the dog go during the cruise?

Do your folks plan on leaving the motorhome in the Fort Wilderness lot, or are they driving it to the port? If you are on a Disney Cruise, you can get permission to leave the motorhome in the FW lot, but you will need to get a parking permit for that purpose.

Sounds like a great trip for your folks!

TCD

That all sounds good!

The Dog...Wolfers...aka "the King" he'll be pampered in style at the new Pet Facility :rotfl2:...while in the meantime ours will be at a kennel back home :sad2: Poor guys!!!

I didn't know about the FW lot and getting a permit though!!! That would really be awesome...then they could ride over with the rest of us!!! Do you know, does that permit cost anything?

They are really looking forward to this trip!!! They will be celebrating their 55th Wedding Anniversary while watching me married on the boat (okay so I didn't get it right the first time around...maybe this time!) Glenn's parents will also be celebrating their 45th Anniversary on the boat (his parents anniversary is only 10 days different then my parents)

Thanks for all the info!
 
It's only a four day cruise, and usually just after Thanksgiving week, prices drop back down to value rates. Would it be possible to make one reservation all the way through?? That way there's no breaking down of camp, and they can keep their same site.

I'd highly suggest the 900 loop. While you can only make a request over the phone, when they proceed to check in, tell them to go inside. When I did the check in at the "toll booth lane" I had a hard time with this. If they go inside, they can make their request for the specific loop that they want. When I check in, I always ask for the specific loop I want. If nothing is available in that loop, I ask what is. Then i'll pick the site number I like. Ok, so I'm picky and I like getting my way, but it's worked every time. Haven't had a bad site since the time they tried to put me next to the CS they were remodeling in the 2000 loop, which was also being used as truck parking for the construction guys.

I'd ask for the 900 loop first, then 800, 1000, 1300. After that, I'd take just about anywhere.
 
It's only a four day cruise, and usually just after Thanksgiving week, prices drop back down to value rates. Would it be possible to make one reservation all the way through?? That way there's no breaking down of camp, and they can keep their same site.

I'd highly suggest the 900 loop. While you can only make a request over the phone, when they proceed to check in, tell them to go inside. When I did the check in at the "toll booth lane" I had a hard time with this. If they go inside, they can make their request for the specific loop that they want. When I check in, I always ask for the specific loop I want. If nothing is available in that loop, I ask what is. Then i'll pick the site number I like. Ok, so I'm picky and I like getting my way, but it's worked every time. Haven't had a bad site since the time they tried to put me next to the CS they were remodeling in the 2000 loop, which was also being used as truck parking for the construction guys.

I'd ask for the 900 loop first, then 800, 1000, 1300. After that, I'd take just about anywhere.

Right now I'm just looking at all my options for them. We have considered just keeping the MH at it's site It would be the easiest. But does it make the most $$$ sense. 4 nts @$60 = $240 but if they drive over at 6-8 MPG and 120 miles RT to Pt Canaveral-thats 20 gal of fuel @ $3.00 = $60 + parking at the ship $25/day x 5 days = $125 + $60 = $185 for a savings of $65..which in my book is a round of Mickey Bars for everyone...including the dog! But I'm trying to get more information on rates right now--so if the rate is less, it will probably make sense! :thumbsup2

Thanks for the hints on the loops!
 
I agree with everything Dave said.

As far as what to reserve, there are four different levels of campsites at Fort Wilderness. Based upon your mom's mobility issues, I suggest that you reserve a Premium Pet site. I suggest that you request a site near the entrance of the 900 loop. That will put your folks near the comfort station and bus stop, and the Meadow Trading Post is right across the street.

Also, where will the dog go during the cruise?

Do your folks plan on leaving the motorhome in the Fort Wilderness lot, or are they driving it to the port? If you are on a Disney Cruise, you can get permission to leave the motorhome in the FW lot, but you will need to get a parking permit for that purpose.

Sounds like a great trip for your folks!

TCD

I called directly to the campground to find out anything I could about the permit and no one knew anything about it? In fact they said if you leave the MH in a parking lot overnight it will be towed and you can pay the towing expenses! I wonder if this is yet another case of Mickey's left doesn't know what his right hand is doing? Has anyone else heard or done this???
 
it's a case of not knowing the left from the right. It's possible to get a parking pass to leave your vehicle in the lot. One time, the truck died in the over flow lot. We managed to find a ride home, so we went to the front desk. They gave us a parking pass, so nothing would happen to it overnight. We weren't even staying at the campgrounds, but we'd have to wait till morning to tow it to Car Care.

And many other people have stated leaving the MH in the overflow lot. Then using the DCL bus for their cruise.
 
They are really looking forward to this trip!!! They will be celebrating their 55th Wedding Anniversary while watching me married on the boat (okay so I didn't get it right the first time around...maybe this time!) Glenn's parents will also be celebrating their 45th Anniversary on the boat (his parents anniversary is only 10 days different then my parents)

Not much help on the FW end, but you will LOVE the wedding cruise and we did the same thing for our oldest back in 2002 with both sets of parents and all the siblings along for the cruise. Make sure you get good pics of the ceremony and the newlyweds leaving on the golf cart on their way back to the ship after the ceremony. You do know you will be offically "married" in a civil proceeding in the terminal before the ship leaves on the cruise so you will have to decide when your actual anniversary is.

Enjoy and at least when we did it DISNEY DID IT RIGHT with all the bells and whistles with chocolates for the newlyweds on the pillows, flowers, etc.

It was a very private memory that will last us our inlaws and everyone else for a life time. Tell or get the private massages on Castaway Key for the parents/in-laws maybe as a wedding "THANK YOU" if they don't seem keen on that idea since that was just out of this world in the open air breezy and private cabanas. They do couples in the same cabana within feet of each other will never forget looking over at DW during this with that special smile we each had on our faces .... priceless. Only downside is getting up and leaving you needed 3 or 4 min to get the strength back in them old legs going again and no even at 55 or older it's still worth it since I was 54 when I got the "TREATMENT".

Larry
 
We left ours at the site during our cruise. Yes, it cost, but it definitely seemed worth it to us just to come back from the cruise and not have to set up again.
 
I called directly to the campground to find out anything I could about the permit and no one knew anything about it? In fact they said if you leave the MH in a parking lot overnight it will be towed and you can pay the towing expenses! I wonder if this is yet another case of Mickey's left doesn't know what his right hand is doing? Has anyone else heard or done this???

it's a case of not knowing the left from the right. It's possible to get a parking pass to leave your vehicle in the lot. One time, the truck died in the over flow lot. We managed to find a ride home, so we went to the front desk. They gave us a parking pass, so nothing would happen to it overnight. We weren't even staying at the campgrounds, but we'd have to wait till morning to tow it to Car Care.

And many other people have stated leaving the MH in the overflow lot. Then using the DCL bus for their cruise.

Well, it's worse than the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing.

When you call the "front desk" of FW, the phone is often entered by someone at a call center who is not at FW, and in most cases, has never been to FW.

You need to speak to the manager of the Fort, because parking passes are most definitely given for guests going on a Disney Cruise.

This very issue was discussed on this thread: Camping and cruising

And, here's a couple photos of an actual motorhome in the FW overflow lot:

fw101509241.jpg


Here is a closer look at the pass on the right in the photo above:

parkingpass.jpg


(Photo taken in FW overflow lot on 10/16/09).

(name of guest redacted to protect the innocent)

TCD
 












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