Ok, I'll try it again, but I have questions.

[adamsloco]

Yep, even though I said I would not return to WDW after a terrible trip in 2007, I have decided to give it another try, Call me crazy ...

But, the high point of the trip for me was Fort Wilderness. It was the one relaxing place in the whole park. We stayed in a cabin last time, this time we are going to go camping. But, I have questions, both about Fort Wilderness and about the parks as a whole.

First off, I guess I should say that we are currently hoping for (if we save enough) a stay between Oct 20 and Oct 28. We can cut that down if we haven't saved enough $$$ in time. We will be tenting it, (which me and the wife have done before, but the kids DS - 12, DD - 8 , DD -4 and DS - 0 have only done one overnight with us.) and we will be driving down from Toronto, ON, Canada.

So the saving procedure has begun, and we will have to get the passport applications in. So, now my questions.

1. We have a LARGE family tent. It is roughly 21' by 15' if assembled fully. Is this going to fit on any spot? As a secondary option, the tent is modular in design, with the central area being 9' x 9', and three 6' x 9' sleeping tents. Each of these can be set up on its own.
2. Which loop should we be aiming for? We are thinking one of the partial hookup loops, 1500 or 2000. Does it matter greatly?
3. I am concerned that if we are at the bottom of the 2000 loop, a golf cart will be necessary. Is that the case?
4. I don't like crowds, nor does my eldest son. We found that early December was almost too crowded. How are the crowds?

I am sure that I will have more questions, but these are the pressing ones.

 

[mnsprk]

Yep, even though I said I would not return to WDW after a terrible trip in 2007, I have decided to give it another try, Call me crazy ...

But, the high point of the trip for me was Fort Wilderness. We stayed in a cabin last time, this time we are going to go camping.

Questions?

 

[OK GRUMPY]

Awesome FW is fun in it self! So when are you going? I think its more of adventure! Congradulations on your decision!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

My favorite part of WDW is the Fort too...if I didnt have kids...Id probably never go to the parks except for the newest additions..but, for me...if youve seen or done it once....no reason to really see or do it again at those prices!!

 

[adamsloco]

Ok, the questions (and the rest of the post) are now there. Silly me hit the return key too soon.

Yeah, BigDaddyRog, I agree wholeheartedly. But the kids were aghast at the idea of being at Disney World and NOT going into the parks. Mind you the looks on their faces when I suggested it was priceless.

 

[mnsprk]

First, I would make my reservations (site only) now it only costs you the first night (roughly $50.00 deposit) then you can get an early loop request in. It doesn't always work but never hurts.

I would go for the 1500 loop it puts you closer to the Meadows, pool,Trading Post and Campfire.

That week in October, shouldn't be overly crowded. The Halloween "rush" will be the weekend you are leaving.

Getting a Golf Cart makes getting around more convenient but not sure if you can get a 6 seater from Kenny, haven't seen any in the Disney fleet.

Can't answer the "tent fit" question.

Hope it all works out and have a great time. Too bad your leaving on the 28th a group is arriving on the 29th-30th for Halloween.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

....

First off, I guess I should say that we are currently hoping for (if we save enough) a stay between Oct 20 and Oct 28. We can cut that down if we haven't saved enough $$$ in time. We will be tenting it, (which me and the wife have done before, but the kids DS - 12, DD - 8 , DD -4 and DS - 0 have only done one overnight with us.) and we will be driving down from Toronto, ON, Canada.

You may find it fairly crowded being that close to Halloween. But Halloween is a GREAT time to be at the Fort...its crazy fun!!!

1. We have a LARGE family tent. It is roughly 21' by 15' if assembled fully. Is this going to fit on any spot? As a secondary option, the tent is modular in design, with the central area being 9' x 9', and three 6' x 9' sleeping tents. Each of these can be set up on its own.
2. Which loop should we be aiming for? We are thinking one of the partial hookup loops, 1500 or 2000. Does it matter greatly?

request the 2000 loop...the sites are larger than in the 1500 loop.

3. I am concerned that if we are at the bottom of the 2000 loop, a golf cart will be necessary. Is that the case?

It IS pretty far from everything...but not unbearably...you can survive without a cart easily...the bus system is very convenient...and walking isnt all that bad in October...although last October was hot as balls!!!

4. I don't like crowds, nor does my eldest son. We found that early December was almost too crowded. How are the crowds?

see above answer

I am sure that I will have more questions, but these are the pressing ones.

Bring 'em on.....theres lots of answers on this board!!!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Sorry mnsprk.....I didnt mean to contradict your loop suggestion.....the sites are larger in the 2000 loop, but youre right, 1500 would be more convenient without a cart.

 

[nana2tots]

We are planning on pulling our camper, 33' to the Wilderness for the first time and was wondering what site should i request in the Premium section that would be close for the Teens.
We have never been to the Wilderness and would love to hear all the things that would make it Amazing, we have always stayed on Disney's Resorts, but wanna camp this time, that's if i can learn to help the DH pull the camper, which i am going to have to learn in the next 12 months, lol
Thanks
Nana

 

[Tri-circle-D]

You are getting excellent advice, so far.

With regard to what type of site to reserve- definitely go for a partial.

That means you will be either in the 1500 or 2000 loop.

The 1500 loop only has 21 sites. The 2000 loop has 69. Obviously, your chances are greater that you will be assigned to the 2000 loop, even if you request the 1500 loop.

As you noted, you have a large tent (21' x 15').

The shortest tent pad on the 1500 loop is on site 1506. But the total pad is 15' x 27', so your tent could fit there. A few of the sites on the 1500 loop have trees growing in the sand pad (e.g. 1509), so this could present you with a problem, but otherwise, your tent should be able to fit on any site in the 1500 loop.

The shortest tent pad on the 2000 loop is on site 2004. This pad is 22' x 16', so your tent would fit on there too. In general, the pads on the 2000 loop are larger than those on the 1500, and I am not aware of any that have obstructions, like a few do on the 1500 loop. Some of the pads on 2000 are huge. For example, the pad on site 2048 is 35' x 22'.

There might be only one or two sites on either the 1500 or 2000 loop which would not accommodate your tent fully set up.

When you make your reservation, make sure to note that you will need a site large enough for your tent (go ahead and give the dimensions). You should not have a problem with this.

Because of its size and location, the 1500 loop always feels more crowded than the 2000 loop.

A golf cart is not necessary in the 2000 loop. You can get to where you want to go by bus, bike, or on foot. Admittedly, it is in a less convenient location than the 1500 loop, but in exchange for that, you will feel less crowded, and the location is definitely quieter.

Have fun.

TCD

 

[BigDaddyRog]

... wondering what site should i request in the Premium section that would be close for the Teens.

Hey nana.....I havent seen you post in quite some time...good to see you again. Half the fun for the teens is wandering around the campground unsupervised. And even though its tough for a parent or guardian to allow them some freedom, the Fort is fairly safe, for the most part. Of coarse you can never be too carefull, and weirdos are everywhere....but allowing the teens to explore on their own is fun for them. They are always on the "prowl"....looking for cute guys or girls that they can innocently flirt with...and their are lots of kids their age there to get to meet who all have that same "I just had to get away from the parents for a little while...they are sooo lame" excuse in common. Dont worry so much about where you are placed, every loop has its advantages and disadvantages...the teens will make the best of wherever they are. That being said...my oldest that is still willing to travel with us is 13 this year....I think I'll wait till she's 14 to let her roam freely!!!! Its so much easier said than done!!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

We are planning on pulling our camper, 33' to the Wilderness for the first time and was wondering what site should i request in the Premium section that would be close for the Teens.
We have never been to the Wilderness and would love to hear all the things that would make it Amazing, we have always stayed on Disney's Resorts, but wanna camp this time, that's if i can learn to help the DH pull the camper, which i am going to have to learn in the next 12 months, lol
Thanks
Nana

Would your teens want to be close to the pool and the activities there, or closer to the Settlement area, which provides easy access to the boats to the Magic Kingdom and the Wilderness Lodge and Contemporary Resort?

Will you have a pet along on this visit?

Your answers to those questions will help me make a suggestion for you.

TCD

 

[nana2tots]

Thanks Tri-Circle-D And BigDaddyRog, yes i think close to the Settlement would be to my advantage since i have walking issues, especially, lol, since i'm getting old.
Yes the girl's will be 12 and almost 17 when we go. I haven't been on the boards posting, just looking, don't have much time since i'm playing the Mama, Nana, and most of the time the Dad role to these girl's. It's a very hard job, but that is what my Sandi would have wanted.
Other than doing all that and going to my Grieve Sessions every week, and running for the girl's not much Nana time at all.
Thanks for all your help, and am looking forward to our first visit at the Wildnerness.
Nana

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Thanks Tri-Circle-D And BigDaddyRog, yes i think close to the Settlement would be to my advantage since i have walking issues, especially, lol, since i'm getting old.
Yes the girl's will be 12 and almost 17 when we go. I haven't been on the boards posting, just looking, don't have much time since i'm playing the Mama, Nana, and most of the time the Dad role to these girl's. It's a very hard job, but that is what my Sandi would have wanted.
Other than doing all that and going to my Grieve Sessions every week, and running for the girl's not much Nana time at all.
Thanks for all your help, and am looking forward to our first visit at the Wildnerness.
Nana

If your trip is a year away, you might want to try for a preferred site, rather than premium. The 100 loop, which is preferred, is as close as you can get to the Settlement. Your 33' trailer will fit in any of those sites.

If you have to reserve a premium site, then the 400 loop is the closest premium loop to the Settlement. The next closest would be the higher numbered sites in the 700 loop, say from 725 to 734.

And, as Rog said, I wouldn't worry too much about where you end up. Your teens will have fun wherever you are!

TCD

 

[adamsloco]

Thank you to everyone for their response, and a special thanks to Tri-Circle-D for the campsite dimensions. That put my mind considerably at ease. I will make sure to mention that we are tenting, and that we need a large spot for our large(ish) family and tent when I actually make the reservation.

I wish that we could bring our bikes for travel, but there is absolutely no room in (or on) the car. Also, with the age spread, cycling could be difficult. So next question. Worst case scenario: We are in the 2000 loop, in the site the absolute furthest from the bus stop. How long a walk are we talking?

And along the same lines, what is the worst "I gotta go to the potty" walk? (In other words what is the furthest away from the comfort stations you can get?) We will want to be close as possible, of course. But it is best to be prepared.

Thanks again to all the wonderful people willing to share their knowledge.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

4 minutes....6 if you have a kid who wants to kick every pebble on the way there!!

 

[adamsloco]

4 minutes....6 if you have a kid who wants to kick every pebble on the way there!!

For which? To the bus stop, no big deal.

To the bathroom, well .. (potty dance) Didn't make it

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Nana,,I agree with Rog,,wandering is good for the teens.

So I would recommend settn up camp as far away from everything as possible,











kidding !!

 

[Disneylitch]

Thanks Tri-Circle-D And BigDaddyRog, yes i think close to the Settlement would be to my advantage since i have walking issues, especially, lol, since i'm getting old.
Yes the girl's will be 12 and almost 17 when we go. I haven't been on the boards posting, just looking, don't have much time since i'm playing the Mama, Nana, and most of the time the Dad role to these girl's. It's a very hard job, but that is what my Sandi would have wanted.
Other than doing all that and going to my Grieve Sessions every week, and running for the girl's not much Nana time at all.
Thanks for all your help, and am looking forward to our first visit at the Wildnerness.
Nana

You are going to have a great time at The Fort. At 12 and 17, they will certainly be safe together. Like was said, The Fort is basically safe, but you still have to be careful. We always made our 2 daughters stay together. As they got older, they even went into the parks together and had a great time.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

For which? To the bus stop, no big deal.

To the bathroom, well .. (potty dance) Didn't make it

LOL....no...to the bus!!! They have 2 comfort stations in the 2000 loop just for avoiding those kinds of accidents!!!!!