No campsites?

[kiltclan]

So, we wanted to bring a group of friends and their kids down to Disney for some Halloween fun, and due to the sheer number of people and the fact that some of the kids have never gone 'real' camping, we wanted to book at the campgrounds. I figured I would start looking now because I know how quickly the Fort fills up for the Holidays. But when I looked, there isn't a single thing available for October 2016.

Am I crazy, or does it really fill up that fast? Or should I just cave and book 2 cabins to secure the dates or hunt around and hope some campsites comes free?

 

[tiggerdad]

Yes, with more and more schools having fall break the normally down time has become quite busy. Did you use online or call? Also, what dates?

 

[bama_ed]

Kilt,

Halloween at the Fort has gotten to the point where you need to act more than a year in advance.

I posted this thread on Oct 30 this year looking at Halloween 2016 and it was already tight.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/if...ake-a-reservation-for-halloween-2016.3459700/

Keep trying for a cancellation.

Bama Ed

Ps - this was regarding campsites. Not sure what the cabin view looks like.

 

[jeeptruck]

Keep trying. I got a last minute (read like 3 weeks before!) 2014 halloween booking by checking whenever I had some free time. I actually had to book 2 reservations...one for checking in way before I was actually going to. The second reservation picked up where the other left off and went until way after I was actually checking out. I called and had the two reservations shortened and joined together. It took 2 phone calls to get that accomplished because the first CM I got told me you can't combine reservations, but if you look around many people have to do that to get a last minute fort booking!

 

[kiltclan]

Did you use online or call? Also, what dates?

I was looking online specifically we were looking over the halloween weekend itself. Oct 28- Nov 1st.

Halloween at the Fort has gotten to the point where you need to act more than a year in advance.

Ps - this was regarding campsites. Not sure what the cabin view looks like.

Geez, I knew it was tough to book the holidays at the Fort, but I thought for sure this year I was planning way ahead of time. I'm wondering if it's just people holding the campgrounds for free magic bands (I've seen people discussing it in other threads) or if it's honestly just that full. Sadly, it seems the cabins have plenty of availability.

Keep trying. I got a last minute (read like 3 weeks before!) 2014 halloween booking by checking whenever I had some free time.

Oh gods, thats crazy! I'm not sure I would have been happy waiting until that close to the trip to be sure we got the affordable place to stay lol.


I'm not sure if it's worth booking the cabin now just to make sure they dont run out too, or waiting until the AP holder discount runs in. Add to that I'm not sure some of the families would be able to afford the cabins even if we split it, and I'm just left feeling lost lol.

 

[tiggerdad]

Oooooh yeah, Halloween weekend is a book 1year+ date for sure.

 

[parrothead64]

I was looking online specifically we were looking over the halloween weekend itself. Oct 28- Nov 1st.



Geez, I knew it was tough to book the holidays at the Fort, but I thought for sure this year I was planning way ahead of time. I'm wondering if it's just people holding the campgrounds for free magic bands (I've seen people discussing it in other threads) or if it's honestly just that full. Sadly, it seems the cabins have plenty of availability.

Weekends are hard to get, period. Disney wants you to stay longer and all the sites were full this year so they aren't throw away ressies.

 

[peg110]

Weekends are hard to get, period. Disney wants you to stay longer and all the sites were full this year so they aren't throw away ressies.

Weekends are VERY hard to get because the "Locals" also will take a weekend trip as well. Many of them may also book well in advance anticipating going, but in the end, decide to cancel. That is why so many folks can get in weeks (even days) before by watching, and continually watching for openings.

 

[kiltclan]

Oooooh yeah, Halloween weekend is a book 1year+ date for sure.

Note to self in case this year falls through. Here I was being all proud and preening because I thought we'd be booking far enough out for sure.

Weekends are VERY hard to get because the "Locals" also will take a weekend trip as well. Many of them may also book well in advance anticipating going, but in the end, decide to cancel. That is why so many folks can get in weeks (even days) before by watching, and continually watching for openings.

Oh, for sure. We are some of those 'locals', we live just a short few hour drive south of the Mouse. But, despite this, the youngest of our troop has never been to Disney. Add to that, his mother doesn't yet know this, but my boyfriend and I are trying to front most of the trip money to celebrate her finally beating cancer! Thats why for us the difference between the campgrounds and cabins are so great.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Am I crazy, or does it really fill up that fast? Or should I just cave and book 2 cabins to secure the dates or hunt around and hope some campsites comes free?

1) Weekends fill up fast due to locals (includes Florida & Georgia people).
2) Always try to book sites from Wednesday or Thursday through Sunday or Monday.
3) Even when The Fort shows "full", there can be longer stays open.
4) For special occasions, like Halloween, book 499-days in advance.
. . . if unable to book that far in advance., keep trying every day
. . . the best time to check in about 8:00pm, as people cancel when they get home from work
. . . mornings are the worst time to check, as so many checked prior to going to bed
5) Halloween is getting more popular than Christmas for the campground
. . . lots of people visit relative at Christmas.
. . . both are full, but we hear more complaints about being unable to book sites for Halloween

 

[kiltclan]

1) Weekends fill up fast due to locals (includes Florida & Georgia people).
2) Always try to book sites from Wednesday or Thursday through Sunday or Monday.
3) Even when The Fort shows "full", there can be longer stays open.
4) For special occasions, like Halloween, book 499-days in advance.
. . . if unable to book that far in advance., keep trying every day
. . . the best time to check in about 8:00pm, as people cancel when they get home from work
. . . mornings are the worst time to check, as so many checked prior to going to bed

Thanks for the advice Rusty and get well soon!
Here I was thinking that since we're FL locals, we'd wouldn't have such a hard time getting in 11 months out. Guess I learned for next year at least to book even earlier. The good news is for us, at least the dates match up with the wed/thurs check-in. I'll definitely have to try around the times you recommended since so far all I've done is seal up all but 1 of the days we needed.

We're actually doing this as somewhat of a surprise for my friend which is why its so important. Her son (8) has never been to Disney thanks to money and his mother's cancer. Now that she's finally beat it/is beating it as we speak, we wanted to do a big gathering of friends and try to pay her families whole way in. My boyfriend and I would cover the campgrounds and the rest of the gang is splitting ticket costs.

 

[Flametamr]

So, we wanted to bring a group of friends and their kids down to Disney for some Halloween fun, and due to the sheer number of people and the fact that some of the kids have never gone 'real' camping, we wanted to book at the campgrounds. I figured I would start looking now because I know how quickly the Fort fills up for the Holidays. But when I looked, there isn't a single thing available for October 2016.

Am I crazy, or does it really fill up that fast? Or should I just cave and book 2 cabins to secure the dates or hunt around and hope some campsites comes free?

Have you tried to book in last day or two ? Previously I was in the same situation. But two day ago something happened and sites opened up. I was able to book a Premium site for Oct 22 to Nov 1st. Check again. You might be happy.

 

[kiltclan]

Have you tried to book in last day or two ? Previously I was in the same situation. But two day ago something happened and sites opened up. I was able to book a Premium site for Oct 22 to Nov 1st. Check again. You might be happy.

I actually just got all the dates! I had to do a few different resos for the dates and combine and cut them down to what I wanted, but we're booked in for Oct 27th - Nov 2nd! Thanks all guys for the help and I hope to see y'all there!

 

[Flametamr]

Glad it worked out for you. Hope we see you there.

 

[bama_ed]

I actually just got all the dates! I had to do a few different resos for the dates and combine and cut them down to what I wanted, but we're booked in for Oct 27th - Nov 2nd! Thanks all guys for the help and I hope to see y'all there!

Good for you! Another success story.

Bama Ed