Newbie - Lots of Questions!

[kath1210]

First, thanks in advance for all of your help. We just bought an old RV, and want to try Fort Wilderness for our first trip.

1. We reserved a preferred site for August 12-16, 2007. Are all of the preferred sites close to the Settlement area, Trails End, the pools, etc.? Should we request a particular loop to be close to these amenities?

2. We may want to bring our dog, but there was nothing in the online booking area to state whether or not we wanted a pet loop. Should I call and add this to our reservation, and how will I know if this request has been granted?

3. This may be a really dumb question, but do the campsites have an internet connection? If not, are there any "hot spots" available?

4. Are ADRs necessary for Trails End or can you just walk up most times?

5. Does the camp store have most things we might need in case we forget something?

6. What times are check-in and check-out?

Thanks again!

 

[FloridaTeacher]

Hi and welcome!

1. There are preferred sites throughout the campground. Most of them, however, are the ones closest to the Settlement/Trail's End/Marina area. Our favorites are 700 and 300, which are pretty close to the marina area. It really depends on what you want to be close to. For example, is it more important to be near the pool or the marina?
2. If you want to take your dog, you definitely need to call and add him to your reservations. There is a $5.00 per night fee if you have pets. Most preferred sites are pet loops (700 and 300 are - that's why they are our favorites). Once you change your reservations, they will send you an updated copy through the mail.
3. No freebie internet access, but I've heard you can rent the necessary equipment to access the internet (we don't, so I don't know much about it). I've heard it's kind of expensive??
4. We usually go in the off season when ADR's aren't really necessary, but when we've been there at busier times it's definitely worth it to have an ADR. When we've used an ADR, we've called just a day or so ahead (sometimes even the same day). Another tip is to eat earlier in the day (for dinner) when it's not as crowded.
5. Yes, the camp store has most necessities, but they are pretty expensive.
6. Check in is after 1:00, check out before 11:00.

Happy Camping!

 

[Kellbell3079]

We just came back from the fort and had an awesome time. We were in the 1600 loop which is a pet loop and it was nice. As for AR we say do it in advance. We didnt and ate at the trails end 3 times, plus the HDDR (same food) and our site because we couldnt get Reservations. This was our first time. The trails end we loved and walked right up for breakfast. The dinner we waited 30 minutes (not even that long) and the boy scouts were there. I didnt think that was bad.

I loved the fort it was so clean! It makes everyother campsite look bad! Hope you have a great time.

 

[Kellbell3079]

Kathy,

I just realized you are from Maryland. We are also. Smithsburg - Western MD near Hagerstown and Frederick.

 

[kath1210]

Thanks FloridaTeacher and Kellbell! I am glad to hear that you both enjoy camping at FW. I am still a little apprehensive about the whole camping thing, but am glad we'll be able to bring our dear doggie - that will be fun and will save us $20 per day in kennel fees. Plus, how can anything be bad if we're at Disney World?

Kellbell - We are from Hagerstown! Small world!

 

[Kellbell3079]

Wow that is a small world. Well I hope that you have a great time. Give us a report back. I love to hear the trip reports. I am not a camper but The fort is the way to go. I told my hubby that I wasnt going to eliminate my dinners out just because we had a trailer and can make dinner there. He said that is fine just that I promised one night of dinner at the trailer with Hamburgers and Hot dogs. Oh yeah and smores!! Again have fun we did!

 

[kath1210]

I told my hubby that I wasnt going to eliminate my dinners out just because we had a trailer and can make dinner there. He said that is fine just that I promised one night of dinner at the trailer with Hamburgers and Hot dogs. Oh yeah and smores!! Again have fun we did!

I am with you all the way on the dinner thing. Cooking dinner does not equal vacation to me. But one night for hot dogs, burgers and s'mores sounds great!

 

[DisneyDreamer78]

My family and I have been to Disney World 5 times in the past 6 years and we always stay at Fort Wilderness - we love it there!!. There is something nice about sleeping in your own bed every night, even when you're on vacation. We've never had a "bad" site and once when we were unhappy about where they put us the CM switched us with no problems (it was the off season and the campground wasn't completely full - don't know if they can do that at other times). Anyway, at least one night while you're there make sure to head out to the beach (where the boats are docked) - you can see the Electrical Water Pagent and the fireworks from MK, it's a great, relaxing way to end the day!!

 

[CCIntrigue]

Official check in is 1:00, but last trip we arrived at 8:30 am and were let onto our site immediately. If you're there early be sure and check in. At worst they will let you park your rig in the lot and move it when your site becomes available.

Have a great trip!

 

[kath1210]

Thanks DD and CC! I am definitely looking forward to this trip.

 

[DisneyDreamer78]

No problem - you're going to have a great time!! Wish I was that close to going!!

 

[kath1210]

No problem - you're going to have a great time!! Wish I was that close to going!!

I wish I could go when you are going. The weather will be so much nicer than August! I wonder if we'll be able to sit outside at all. But, with 2 kids in HS now, we just can't afford to pull them out for a week in the fall.