OT: DVC & Fort Wilderness Campground

[mickeymouse1017]

I posted this on the DVC site but would also like to know if anyone on this thread can help me too. We are ready to buy into the DVC but would mostly like to use our points for our stays at Fort Wilderness campground in our personal motor home. How difficult is it to use DVC points to stay at the campground?? We don't want to buy into the DVC and then have to pay out of pocket for our stays. Thanks!!!!

 

[tim5055]

You can book nights at Fort Wilderness using your DVC points, but I have been told that sites available for DVC are limited. As of 2008 there is a $95 booking fee, plus nightly points.

2008 DVC Points for the Fort:

Value Season: Jan 1 – Feb 13 and Aug 3 – Dec 18
Sun-Thurs 6 points/night
Fri-Sat 11 points/night

Regular Season: Mar 30 – Aug 2
Sun-Thurs 8 points/night
Fri-Sat 14 points/night

Peak Season: Feb 14 – March 29
Sun-Thurs 9 points/night
Fri-Sat 16 points/night

Holiday Season: Dec 19 – 31
Sun-Thurs 10 points/night
Fri-Sat 19 points/night

I will note that I am not a DVC member, and this program is subject to change.

 

[Escape Artist]

...As of 2008 there is a $95 booking fee, plus nightly points...note that I am not a DVC member, and this program is subject to change.

I read on the DVC boards a few days ago that they waive the $95 fee for campsites. Yippee!!!!

Sue in Texas

 

[daddyscooltv]

Yes, the $95 fee for Fort Wilderness is wavied, not sure if there ever was one for the Fort I've never paid it. As far as getting a reservation at the Fort using points GOOD LUCK it hit or miss. I've tried booking the 11 months out and still have not had much luck at all. I have more cash reservations than I do DVC reservations right now. It's almost a 2:1 ratio. The points are nice to use at the Fort as you points go alot farther than the other resorts.

 

[tim5055]

I read on the DVC boards a few days ago that they waive the $95 fee for campsites.

The operative word is "waived". I have heard from a few folks that they were charged it and if Disney starts to look for additional sources of income, waivers may become a thing of the past.

Let's jsut put it this way, I would not base a DVC purchase (as the OP was asking about) on the fees being waived.

 

[Donna]

They never really got a chance to charge it alot cause it was waived before people really used it. i think there were some cases in the beginning. Apparently, via phone calls and emails, members complained enough that they finally realized how ridiculous it was to charge $95 fee for a $50 something campsite and the same 95 fee for a grand floridian point stay! So that is that and i'm really happy about it.

as far as buying in to dvc to use at the fort, that is really not the best use of points if that is your only intention for those points. You would be better off renting out those points and using the money to stay at the fort. any time you stay outside of DVC to use points, its not the best use. You figure, the going rate for renting out is around $10 a pt, so you can do the math. But what you consider best use might be different than others think, i am talking financial use. NOW, that being said, i use some of my points for staying there just to stretch the time at the fort, the last couple years. I have never NOT been able to get the days and time and a preferred site that i wanted. The rest of my points are usually at disney's hilton head resort or OKW. I've been a member for 12 years now and my membership has long paid for itself since i've only used it for DVC stays up until the last couple years.

I would say if you mix your stays with a DVC resort in there once in awhile, it would be a good idea. The way the campsites are going up, DVC may look like a better option too!

 

[bradisgoofy]

I have used my point for FW and like Donna, I have never had a problem getting the date I wanted. I have read many times about the "loss of value" by using your DVC points at FW, I use the points as I want to use them, that is my right. If I was worried about value I probably wouldn't own 690 points. I have rented out points and I have used points for a Disney cruise, too. BTW, to use DVC points at FW, they become "reservation points", so if you cancel the FW reservation they don't go back into your regular DVC account but are held as "reservation points" and must be used within the current "use year" at a location OTHER then DVC resorts. Have your DVC Guide clarify that for you.

Just so you don't misunderstand my comments, I LOVE the DVC!

 

[Donna]

I have used my point for FW and like Donna, I have never had a problem getting the date I wanted. I have read many times about the "loss of value" by using your DVC points at FW, I use the points as I want to use them, that is my right. If I was worried about value I probably wouldn't own 690 points. I have rented out points and I have used points for a Disney cruise, too. BTW, to use DVC points at FW, they become "reservation points", so if you cancel the FW reservation they don't go back into your regular DVC account but are held as "reservation points" and must be used within the current "use year" at a location OTHER then DVC resorts. Have your DVC Guide clarify that for you.

Just so you don't misunderstand my comments, I LOVE the DVC!

thats just it, you have to do whats good for you and what works for you. thats the beauty of the flexibility of DVC. the points are relatively low for the fort. i wouldn't have bought points FOR the fort but i am glad i have them to use there, if that makes sense, lol. I also used them for the cruise and at that time was really the only way i could have afforded the cruise. Good point to make about the reservation points. there are some guides that will push using them outside of DVC and never mention the reservation points rule. i've had to cancel before and ended up using them at the Yacht Club and also at the Poly.

 

[Escape Artist]

I did a few quick calculations when this came up yesterday, and agree that in my circumstances, I'd save 50% by renting out my points and paying cash for my campsite. Hey, that would cover my maintenance fees for the year and the cost of my campsite, and I'd get a free campsite at FW!

But, I have two questions: First, can they change the total number of points required at FW? As I understand it, at the DVC resorts, they can shift around the points required between days of the week and various seasons, but the total has to stay the same. I'm guessing they're free to set whatever points they want to for a non-DVC resort?

My other question is, on a points stay at FW, do you have to pay tax? Or once you've used your points, you're all paid up?

Thanks,

Sue in Texas
...DVC newbie this year, only 100 OKW points so far...

 

[Donna]

I did a few quick calculations when this came up yesterday, and agree that in my circumstances, I'd save 50% by renting out my points and paying cash for my campsite. Hey, that would cover my maintenance fees for the year and the cost of my campsite, and I'd get a free campsite at FW!

But, I have two questions: First, can they change the total number of points required at FW? As I understand it, at the DVC resorts, they can shift around the points required between days of the week and various seasons, but the total has to stay the same. I'm guessing they're free to set whatever points they want to for a non-DVC resort?

My other question is, on a points stay at FW, do you have to pay tax? Or once you've used your points, you're all paid up?

Thanks,

Sue in Texas
...DVC newbie this year, only 100 OKW points so far...

Yes, you are paid up, no add'l charges, not even the $5 fee for pets! as far as changing the number of points, good question. since i've been using points, the points have actually gone DOWN from last year to this year. for example, this year, for aug 3-8, it is 30 pts, it was a little more last year cause when i was estimating the point cost, i used 2007 pts and it was higher. This is full hook up and you can request a preferred loop with no add'l point cost, they only have the one category.

 

[mickeymouse1017]

Thanks everyone! I am very excited about joining but just want to be certain that I have all the facts before making my decision. From what you have all told me, it sounds like I can't lose. Thanks again!!!

 

[Escape Artist]

Yes, you are paid up, no add'l charges, not even the $5 fee for pets! as far as changing the number of points, good question. since i've been using points, the points have actually gone DOWN from last year to this year. for example, this year, for aug 3-8, it is 30 pts, it was a little more last year cause when i was estimating the point cost, i used 2007 pts and it was higher. This is full hook up and you can request a preferred loop with no add'l point cost, they only have the one category.

Cool!!!!!! Thanks for letting me know!

Sue in Texas

 

[heartsy77]

I know this thread is really old but is the below info still good? We also want to buy DVC but may end up using them mostly @ FW on campsites.

 

[bxtx]

I'd like some up to date information please too!