New to this board...

[ChrisinNJ]

So we went to the RV show at Six Flags Great Adventure, and we have a hold on a Tiffin Phaeton. Pending a test drive, we should pick up our very first motorhome within a week or two

I am nervous an excited!

So how far in advance can you book the Fort?? And is is true that if you book room only you can change it up to a week or so before you go??

The Fort will be our first time on Disney property as we have always rented at Windsor Hills.

What advice would you give a Newbie? What loop should I request for a premium space? What else should I know before I book??

Also, we like to Kayak. Is kayaking available at the Fort, or is that a bad idea with the alligators???

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[angelmom27]

Welcome!! I can say that you book a spot at the fort the same as the hotels room. Right now you can book for the yr of 2013. I am still new so I can't answer all of your questions. Our first trip will be in Dec. I know you can make changes to your reservation like adding tickets a wk before just not sure there might be a fee for doing that.

 

[2goofycampers]

Welcome!
You can book site only 499 days out. You can cancel 6 days prior with no penalty. You can add a package up to 2 days prior to arrival.

There is kayaking, no need to worry about alligators.

400 thru 1400 are premium. Do you want a designated pet loop? Do you want to be close or far away from something? Answering these questions will help you decide which loop is for you.

If possible leave yourself some time to enjoy all the Fort has to offer.

 

[retired and happy]

Better check on the kayaking. There are Disney canoes for rent, and I don't think private boats are allowed. But check before you go.

 

[bama_ed]

Chris, welcome to the DIS Camping Board

Congrats on the new RV. The Tiffin Phaeton is a beautiful machine.

When to book the Fort depends on when you want to visit. Busy times are Christmas-New Years week, spring break time (mid-Feb to Easter), Halloween weekend, and probably Thankgiving time. During those busy periods, book a year out to be sure to get what you want.

If you plan to come in the shoulder times (spring time not in the window above) or fall) you can probably go 6 months out but understand that weekends in spring/fall are popular with locals so while mid-week times are easy (Sun-Thurs nights) to get, the weekend nights fill up. The max time out is indeed 499 days.

Summer months (June-Sep) and winter (Jan-mid Feb) there is usually availability.

What some of us do is play Disney's system.

The Disney system is predisposed to discourage short visits and encourage longer (more $$$$) visits. So you can plug in a weekend (Fri-Sun) and it might come back with no availability. But if you plug in a 30-day stay (the max allowed) which includes the weekend desired you will find it available. Take what you can get (always) then call back later in a few days and drop the unwanted/unneeded days. A room-only (site-only) ressie (not a package with tix and dining) needs only one night's cost as a deposit regardless of how many nights are reserved so you can book long, cut it short, and work it to get what you want.

You will probably want a Premium site with your RV to handle that big, beautiful machine. If you are not a AAA member you should join because AAA discounts at the Fort can often pay for the membership cost. Book early to get the discounts if they are available.

BYOK (bring your own kayaks) are not allowed. But as others said, the Fort does rent canoes and sit-on-top kayaks to paddle around the Fort canals at a nominal cost.

How else can we help you?

Bama ED