New campsites

[Tnbob]

If I were "the guy", I would certainly design it with long pull-thrus (big rig plus trailer), each site with a pavilion including an outdoor fireplace and built-in grill. A full-blown clubhouse with a fitness center, a lounge area, and a bar (complete with bar food!). Comfort stations with extra large showers and dressing area, and dispensers for premium soaps and shampoos (like other DVC resorts). How about a quiet pool with towels provided?! Oh, and FREE ICE, FREE INTERNET, AND FREE PET-STAYS! Sorry, I got a little crazy there!

You forgot heated and cooled floors and toilet seats. Oh yeah and a guy or lady to hand you a towel and other needs.

 

[tderonne]

Lots of fun stuff.

It seems so obvious to me that they need something like we're talking about here. Keep Fort Widerness like it is (was?). Let the folks that complain that the Fort is too small, or doesn't have ______, have someplace.

(Speedway/parking lot location seemed like a nice spot to me: access, use for speedway events, not much to really build, usually empty these days. I wasn't thinking big enough...)

As a few have said, you'll still find me at the Fort.

 

[Brer Bear]

If Disney were to do this, I would think a prime location would be along the stretch of lakefront between River Country and Wilderness Lodge. There is already road access, it could use the Fort's existing infrastructure and services (transportation, registration and maintenance) the view would be exquisite. There is currently only a sandy "nature trail" in this area, and the area seems to be solid ground, not marshy. I think this would be ideal. Matter of fact, I have considered drawing up a proposal and sending it to DVC development.

You know those folks at the Wilderness Lodge don't want the "Trailer Trash" any closer to them!

 

[Shan-man]

Actually, the big rig loop would not have a comfort station. In all of my experience, the folks in the "high end" rigs don't go to the comfort station - they use the facilities in their own rig.

Now, for the free items, yes. This loop should be all inclusive..

No, you misunderstand me... I am not the one who suggested limiting use to those with high-line class A's. I'm just saying I would design the sites to be big enough to handle most any rig, without a trip to the overflow lot to drop the trailer (unless you're a NASCAR driver with a 40' trailer!). So, the comfort stations would be deluxe for all us schmoes who can't really fit in their camper bathrooms. Also, if I were "the man" making decisions, I would probably prohibit all tents and exterior clothes drying in this loop to maintain appearance. Oh, and the pad would be wide enough to park your dinghy beside your trailer. And there would be dense evergreen hedges along the road to hide the back of the sites from view (since trailers and dollies can be eyesores).

(Oh and, yes, I am enjoying fantasizing that I am an Imagineer in a "Blue Sky" planning session!)

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Wait a minute now........A big rig is just a glorified tent with wheels, engine, hard sides, roof, built in beds, bathroom, dining room, living room with sofa and chairs, kitchen, tiled floors, parquet floors, flat screen TV's, stereo system, satellite dish, AC AND HEAT, storage and 50 amp service.
Other than those few minor items, WE ARE EQUAL, so think twice about were tents/pups are allowed.

 

[dtum]

Some of what Shan-Man is suggesting is not that far off the mark. We have a place here in OH that we frequent with an indoor heated pool, jacuzzi, fitness center, free wi-fi, cable TV and---(not sure about men's shower house) each shower in the ladies' shower house is a separate rest room with toilet, sink and shower with heated tile floors. Big pull-thru sites are all concrete and they don't discriminate on what type of rig one has...even tents are welcome. To make it even better, it's in the heart of Amish country and just a beautiful rural area. Only draw back, we usually go home five pounds heavier from all the home cooking and buffets in that area (of course our wallets are five pounds lighter from all the shopping we do). There rates are only $44/night (and they take Good Sam which makes it less) and it's rated 10+ in TL. Seems to me Disney needs to start bringing up their standards to what people are looking for. Don't get me wrong, we love FW, but I think it's starting to look a little shabby for what they charge vs. other private resorts. If you are near Ohio check it out: http://evergreenrv.cc/ Just be forwarned...if you want to come on a holiday they usually book out a year in advance.

As far as always using the facilities in our 5r...a couple times a week we prefer to use the shower house just to get a longer shower with a lot more water pressure.

 

[Shan-man]

Ok, I decided to indulge my little fantasy and blow a couple of hours sketching up my Fort Wilderness DVC plan. What do you think?

All of the roads are 15' wide and one-way, clockwise. All of the cart and walking paths are two-way (lighter grey, 12' wide). The sites are all shown with a quad-slide 45' motorhome with a huge awning, a 25' trailer, and a Hummer-sized dinghy. I only drew the pads for the leftmost sites, but you get the idea. The pavilion (brown square) is 12' square, with a stacked stone fireplace on the back side (which helps block the view of the car and trailer parking). The pavilions would use Flyaway motorized retractable screens to convert from open air to screened porch in a snap (these are REALLY cool).

The transparent green areas are backstage, and would need privacy fencing (a fair amount is already there). The real trick is, to make the DVC loop relate to the Fort's amenities, a cart path would need to traverse River Country. Of course, you could fill the old lagoon and make a huge playground with really cool slides, and renovate the Upstream Plunge pool (blue kidney). This path would make the trip from the furthest site to the marina no further than from the Meadows. The cart path closest to the water is the existing sandy nature trail and would lead to the bike rental at Wilderness Lodge, where there would be cart parking for Fort-folk to use while dining and touring. They could even do hourly cart rentals for Lodge-folk to tour FW.

Ok, my fantasy is pretty well depleted. What do y'all think?

 

[dtum]

That looks great. You must have a lot of time on your hands...and not even snowed in like us Only thought, why does it have to be DVC? We'd like to go

 

[gmflanigan]

Ok, I decided to indulge my little fantasy and blow a couple of hours sketching up my Fort Wilderness DVC plan. What do you think?

All of the roads are 15' wide and one-way, clockwise. All of the cart and walking paths are two-way (lighter grey, 12' wide). The sites are all shown with a quad-slide 45' motorhome with a huge awning, a 25' trailer, and a Hummer-sized dinghy. I only drew the pads for the leftmost sites, but you get the idea. The pavilion (brown square) is 12' square, with a stacked stone fireplace on the back side (which helps block the view of the car and trailer parking). The pavilions would use Flyaway motorized retractable screens to convert from open air to screened porch in a snap (these are REALLY cool).

The transparent green areas are backstage, and would need privacy fencing (a fair amount is already there). The real trick is, to make the DVC loop relate to the Fort's amenities, a cart path would need to traverse River Country. Of course, you could fill the old lagoon and make a huge playground with really cool slides, and renovate the Upstream Plunge pool (blue kidney). This path would make the trip from the furthest site to the marina no further than from the Meadows. The cart path closest to the water is the existing sandy nature trail and would lead to the bike rental at Wilderness Lodge, where there would be cart parking for Fort-folk to use while dining and touring. They could even do hourly cart rentals for Lodge-folk to tour FW.

Ok, my fantasy is pretty well depleted. What do y'all think?

count us in

 

[Cindy F]

You know those folks at the Wilderness Lodge don't want the "Trailer Trash" any closer to them!

I'm thinkin' with all the discounts going on right now...there's probably more "trailer trash" at the Lodge than at the Fort ~grin~

 

[Shan-man]

That looks great. You must have a lot of time on your hands...and not even snowed in like us Only thought, why does it have to be DVC? We'd like to go

DVC gives Disney more "instant gratification" as members buy in to future vacations. The beauty part of DVC is you can rent points from somebody who is a member and stay in the resort without buying in! And, not too many folks know about renting points so availability should be good.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Oh brother, I can see where this is headed.....
Gated loops! But, NO Christmas decorations allowed in gated loops. Haha.

 

[Tigger1966]

If they gate us out does that mean we lock them in?
Wouldn't want any them there high falutin city folks commin over to our fort.

 

[LuckyinGa]

Shan-man, when are you going to submit this plan to Disney? I thinks its a great idea.

I also like the deeded lot idea where we purchase the lot, pay an annual fee and then allow Disney to handle the renting out of the lot for us and they get a percentage of the rental fee. I'm sure there are many folks who would love to own a lot at Disney.