Newbie Help - Preferred Loops

[eeyoreluvr77]

While planning our June 2016 vacation DBF says "Why don't we camp at Fort Wilderness?" Me being me, say "OF COURSE!" and jump in with both feet. I really want to put our reservation in soon but in information overload. I am leaning towards preferred, but am wondering what season veterans of the Wilderness think of these loops.

We are borrowing a friend's RV - do not plan on using a golf cart, but will have bicycles. It will be DBF, DD1 , DD2, and DBF's Niece (12,8,11) and of course ME

Ready, set, share!

 

[jbrostek]

What is the general plan for the trip? Mostly parks? A mix of park and campground? If you look at this map http://www.totaldesign.net/_CLIENTS/**********/FortDocs/FortMap-New131113.jpg you will see the preferred loops which are 100, 200 and 300 are in the top corner. The 300 loop is a pet loop but the bust stop if right at the end of the loop.

The 100 and 200 loops are non pet loops and a walk to the marina for the boat to MK. Everything else would require a bus ride down to the outpost depot to catch a bus to the other parks.

I would say any of the loops would be great, I would actually request to be closer to a comfort station with 3 kids and only one bathroom in the RV.

 

[peg110]

I suppose much of it could depend on how much you are planning to stay at the site (versus the parks or other facilities). If you are going to be doing more at the campsite, I might lean towards the premium sites as some things are better (size, grill, picnic table) but if it's just a place to lay your head and you are not going to do much at the site maybe a full hook-up is enough.

Really it does depend on your itinerary and what you want and desire. We have stayed at the campground twice. Once in preferred and once in premium. Each had their pros and cons, but even the "Cons" were minimal (for us). As another thread said, there really are no "Bad" sites at the Fort so you really won't go wrong, again, unless you have a specific need (Location to pool or outpost or something like that).

The last time we were in Premium at the 1400 loop. It was nice (albeit crowded) as we were close to the pool, outdoor theater, the meadows, and really not that far of a walk to the Settlement. We had our 27' TT with us and it was great.

 

[eeyoreluvr77]

The majority of the time will be spent in the parks - but the suggestion about requesting to be comfort station is a great one and duly noted.

DBF and I are only in disagreement as to which type to get - I want premium, he wants full ... cheapskate LOL

 

[JETS70]

We have stayed in the 100, 200 (both preferred) and 900 (premium). We really liked the proximity of the 100 and 200 loops to the Settlement area. (Hoop De Doo, trading post, Trails End, (highly recommend the Trails End breakfast and dinner buffet) and marina boat launch to the Magic Kingdom). Really nice if you do not have or plan to rent a golf cart. There is also a bus stop at the entrance to the Hop De Doo area. A short walk from 100 and 200 loops. A short walk to the marina to watch the MK fireworks and the water pageant parade is always a relaxing time. One issue with these loops is that they can sometimes be small. A large travel trailer and tow vehicle and you could have a full site. You might even get a note on your tow vehicle to keep it parked on the pavement area. With that being said, we really enjoyed our time on these loops.

We just returned from a stay in the 900 loop (premium loop for the first time). These sites are large and all concrete as compared to the preferred loops crushed shell area at the rear of each site. There is a comfort station that is shared with the 1000 loop. My family had no problems with shower availability. There is also a bus stop at the entrance to the 900 loop. Having kids on the trip, the location of these amenities is nice. Another advantage to this loop and also the 800 or 1000 loop is its proximity to the Meadows Trading Post as well as the Meadows pool and Chip and Dale's Campfire Sing a Long. The pool and the sing a long are always kid favorites. All of these are just a short easy walk for kids and adults.

Both the preferred and premium sites are full hook up sites with water, sewer, electric and cable.
Also, when you book your site, make sure you tell the CM the particulars about your RV such as length and slide outs. This could have a bearing on your site assignment.

 

[jbrostek]

Biggest difference between the premium and preferred is not just location, but premium also are 90% concrete and generally a little wider or at least the vegetation is cut back further. while preferred are usually a big enough pad to level on but the rest of it is a sand/shell mixture. I have stayed in both, but due to the new trailer there are fewer preferred sites I can fit into. This year we went back to premium sites for both trips.

 

[eeyoreluvr77]

Thank you all!!! The information y'all have provided has helped me make him understand why I'm willing to pay the little bit extra for premium. He's in agreement that the 90% cement pads are a must.
As far as which loop, we won't be too picky since there really isn't a "bad" site. I'm just excited to be going back so soon!

 

[bama_ed]

Yes, the Preferred/Tent/Full driveways are 12 feet wide paved with a sand pad at the back.

The Premiums are 18 feet wide paved and with no sand pad (essentially it was paved over) so the Premiums are over 50 feet deep total and as jbrotek said, well cleared out around the edges to allow for all the possible slideouts various units might have. They do feel "BIG".

You didn't mention if you were bringing a toad behind the RV (a towed vehicle) where you might need the extra long site if you were.

Preferred sites are a short walk to the Fort beach for the boat to the MK and you can boat to the Contemporary and monorail over to EPCOT. For the other parks you have to drive to, use an internal Fort bus and transfer to an external bus to AK or EP. We tow a trailer so we drive to all the parks except MK but Preferred give you the MK boat advantage. Two Premium loops, 400 and 700, are close enough to the Preferred loops to also get the same benefit.

Bama Ed

 

[peg110]

Preferred give you the MK boat advantage

Well to be clear, all the fort gives you the "Boat Advantage" it's just some sites (like preferred) make it easier as the Boat launch is walking distance versus having to take an internal bus to get to the drop off for the boat launch (and there is still a short walk from the Bus terminal at Settlement to the launch) But yeah, it's nicer to not have to rely on the internal buses if you don't need too.

We also do similar. We use the Boat for MK but will typically drive our truck to the other parks.