Need some advice - Premium, Preferred, Full-Hook Up - Oh My!!

[alayne]

I was just on the Disney site and it actually brought up a few questions for someone like me who has only stayed at the Fort once before in April 2011. I didn't know that I would completely fall in love with the Fort so I didn't take very good notes. I honestly have no idea what loop we were in and I can't remember what kind of site we had. I do remember we were really close to the bath house and how nice it was. I also remember my Mom had a hard time backing the pull behind 28' camper. It was tight but others around were happy to help. We did include a tent at the site too in April - I don't even have pictures.

This time we will have a 5th Wheeler 38' with three slides. We also might want to put up a tent during a few days if my cousin decides to come but they are last min people so I'm not really going to stress over this.

We are booked for Nov. 23 - Dec. 8th with a Premium site but tonight I started wondering if we really needed a Premium and maybe we would be OK with a Preferred or even just Full-Hook up. I went to the site but I don't see the "descriptions" anymore just the pictures.

So I am praying the experts will voice some advice. What's the REAL difference between the three sites? I would like to save some money but I also want to be comfortable since we are staying 15 nights.

Any advice, tips, suggestions, options!! Thanks so much!!!!

P.S. I don't think I'm going to be an "expert" on the sites before our trip so I'm not looking to request anything specific -loop, site number, etc.. Just tying to pick the type of site that is best for us - not really the location of the site.

 

[BeBeCee]

There will probably be some better answers provided for you, but we loved the pads for the premium sites. With such a large rig and then tow vehicle, I would think that you would benefit from the larger area.

Allears.net has some information too on the sites.

Also, if you are bringing a pet or not should factor into your choice of site.

Happy camping. So exciting!

 

[John VN]

We think the Premium price is worth the extra amount for ease of backing-in and for the overall space provided.

This weekend is Marathon Weekend and I made reservations a LONG time ago but only Preferred and Full were available. Called numerous times to see if a Premium site became available but no luck. DW and I were out training on Sunday and as soon as it turned 0700 I called Disney on the cell. CM said they had one opening and I took it. A little came our way.

 

[2goofycampers]

I'd say premium also, but, not 1400 it's a bit tight for my taste.

 

[BeBeCee]

I'd say premium also, but, not 1400 it's a bit tight for my taste.

I agree. 1400 might be tight for you. We had only a MH in the 1400 loop last time and it was snug yet adequate. Loved every minute since it backed up to the ferns and the fauna.

We are trying out the 1200 loop on our next visit. Hope to try out as many loops as possible. Can't wait!

 

[alayne]

We don't have any pets coming with us. When should I tell them we prefer not to be in the 1400 Loop?

 

[happycamper47]

There's a great smart phone app "Sites at the Fort" it has pics as well as dimensions.

 

[2goofycampers]

We don't have any pets coming with us. When should I tell them we prefer not to be in the 1400 Loop?

If I didn't have a pet, wanted a larger site and didn't care if I was a wee bit from the marina I'd request 1100. Requests should be put on your reservation ASAP.

 

[alayne]

There's a great smart phone app "Sites at the Fort" it has pics as well as dimensions.

Thank you! This is really cool. Except it may have given me too much info.

 

[Goofy-dad]

Check out the new Fort Wilderness section on the Disney Website....there are pictures of all of the sites and this should help you decide.

 

[bama_ed]

alayne,

first, don't overstress about the whole Fort Wilderness site thing.

You said you have a Premium site reserved and you might have someone in the party in a tent. There is no sand pad on the Premiums which are generally used to stake down a tent. You CAN put a tent on the Premium concrete but then have to secure it (tie it down?) by some non-stake means. Or just let it sit on the concrete unsecured.

Premiums are 18' wide and easy to back into (nice wide openings at the road). Fulls and Preferreds are 12' wide and easy enough to back into. All three levels have the same hookups (water, sewer, power, cabletv). Your 38' 5'er will fit on just about any site. Make sure you add a note to your ressie with the length of the 5'er and a guesstimate of a tent size. The Fort assigner, with the info you provide, will ensure you get a site that will fit what you have. If you don't tell him, you won't know. The difference between Full and Preferred is Preferreds are down close to the beach area.

The app with the site info is of limited usefullness IMO since you won't know what site you will be assigned until you actually check in (even if you did request a specific site). If you give the Fort your size info, you'll be fine.

Premiums have an edge on location. When doing Premiums, we prefer loop 900 because it is directly across from the Meadow Trading Post, pool, and campfire area. http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/FWMap.pdf. They are also the most expensive.

Bama ED

 

[JAN HUGHES]

Can a tent be placed off the pad in a premium site?

 

[serenitygr]

I'm curious also if any of the premiums can accommodate a tent off the paved area, or is there too much "vegetation"?

Also- is there a place to easily see a list of which loops are premium/preferred/etc?

 

[JAN HUGHES]

There are several premium sites that have areas for a tent off the pad I just wondered if Disney would allow it off the pad in the grass next to your rv- we have reservations in premium site for Thanksgiving Week and would like to put up tent for kids

 

[FL Ranch Girl]

The site app is great because once you pull in to check in you can look up the site assigned and see if it's for you. If not you can show the cm the pic and ask for another site. We've done this and it works great.

 

[bama_ed]

I'm curious also if any of the premiums can accommodate a tent off the paved area, or is there too much "vegetation"?

Also- is there a place to easily see a list of which loops are premium/preferred/etc?

Sure you can put a tent on a Premium site (or just off the pad) and people do. But sometimes there are bushes in the way; the offsite location may not be level; and I've seen a number of off-pad locations that are in low lying areas that can take on an inch or two of water with a few days of heavy rain. When you get to the site check it out. If you have to switch just make a call from the nearest Comfort Station. It will work out.

We had a list of loop types but here it is. All have cabletv, water, power, sewer unless noted:

100-300 are Preferred loops (close to the marina) with sand pad and 12' wide drive
1600-1900 are Full which are same as Preferred but back in the woods past the Meadow TP (some along the canal)
400-1400 are Premiums (centrally located) with no sand pad and 18' wide drive
1500, 2000 are Partial (Tent/Popup) with sand pad but no sewer.
2100+ are cabin loops

Bama ED

 

[serenitygr]

Sure you can put a tent on a Premium site (or just off the pad) and people do. But sometimes there are bushes in the way; the offsite location may not be level; and I've seen a number of off-pad locations that are in low lying areas that can take on an inch or two of water with a few days of heavy rain. When you get to the site check it out. If you have to switch just make a call from the nearest Comfort Station. It will work out.

We had a list of loop types but here it is. All have cabletv, water, power, sewer unless noted:

100-300 are Preferred loops (close to the marina) with sand pad and 12' wide drive
1600-1900 are Full which are same as Preferred but back in the woods past the Meadow TP (some along the canal)
400-1400 are Premiums (centrally located) with no sand pad and 18' wide drive
1500, 2000 are Partial (Tent/Popup) with sand pad but no sewer.
2100+ are cabin loops

Bama ED

Thank you Bama Ed! This is perfect! Now just one more questions- which loops are pet loops?

 

[2goofycampers]

Thank you Bama Ed! This is perfect! Now just one more questions- which loops are pet loops?

300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1600 1700 1800 1900. They will also place pets in the other loops as overflow.