Preferred vs Premium sites

[totallytigger]

I am bringing my 5yo DGD to WDW in May for a one on one trip with "Granny". We stayed in a cabin at the Fort last Dec and LOVED it!! This time I was thinking about renting a camper since we won't need so much room for just the two of us. What is the difference between a preferred site and a premium site? Will we be ok without a golf cart? We rented one last Dec but I noticed that the buses seem to run frequently. Thanks for the help.

 

[North of Mouse]

I am bringing my 5yo DGD to WDW in May for a one on one trip with "Granny". We stayed in a cabin at the Fort last Dec and LOVED it!! This time I was thinking about renting a camper since we won't need so much room for just the two of us. What is the difference between a preferred site and a premium site? Will we be ok without a golf cart? We rented one last Dec but I noticed that the buses seem to run frequently. Thanks for the help.

The preferred sites are generally smaller and have a smaller concrete pad, but they are somewhat closer to the settlement/boat dock area than the closest premium. We always get preferred and have plenty room even with a mh.

As for a cart, we have never gotten one and find that walking or taking the bus has never been an issue, in fact, that's what we prefer. Think I can say that nobody 'needs' a cart, but lots of people enjoy them, so it's definitely a personal preference.

Have a great granny/g'daughter trip!!

 

[bama_ed]

totallytigger,

What a nice thing to do for DGD.

Premium sites are more expensive by a few dollars per night over Preferred sites because they are 18 feet wide paved (Prem) versus 12 feet (Pref) to accommodate bigger rv's with slide outs, etc. They are also longer/deeper paved than the Pref (mainly because years ago WDW paved over where the sand pad had been). Prems are also in the central area of the Fort close to the Pool, Meadow Trading Post, campfire area which is a popular destination as you know. Prems have a square picnic table and a lid for the grill where the Prefs are the typical rectangle table and no lid on the grill (if that matters).

We stayed in a Premium this past March (requested a Preferred but they were literally all full) but they put us in a loop (400) very near the Preferred loops. Since you will be renting a camper, I don't think it matters too much really since someone else will be backing the trailer in and taking it out. I like the Preferred location down by the beach for easy walking to the boats to MK, Contemp (monorail over to EPCOT), and Wilderness Lodge. Plus I can check in on the hubbub each night with the HDDR folks, Crockett's Tavern, and the fireworks over the beach and light show.

So it's up to you. Basically since the price for the two are nearly the same now, it comes down to what location I want on that trip. BTW, lots of folks rent the campers and they seem to enjoy it (I bring my own and wouldn't do WDW any other way).

Bama Ed

PS - IMO carts are an expensive convenience. I'd rather spend that money on some dinner shows like HDDR, a nice dinner out, or on souvenirs. But that's just me.

 

[Teamubr]

Oopps! Wrong topic.

j

 

[hummingbird149]

Even though we have camped at FW twice, we have always had very nice loops. 500 loop one time and 100 loop one time. So I should know the answer to this but I don't. Are all the sites either Premium or Preferred? Or are there sites that are just "regular" sites - neither Premium or Preferred? We are camping with friends in January. They have a 40 ft 5th wheel with 3 slides and we have a 29 ft TT with 1 slide. We didn't request a specific type site and now I'm beginning to think we should have. Any thoughts?

 

[ColleenFL]

We usually get prem. Site 40' class A with 4 slides, we like the extra room for sitting outside. We have our own golf cart and always bring it. Depending on how many buses are running the wait for the bus can be a long wait.

 

[North of Mouse]

Even though we have camped at FW twice, we have always had very nice loops. 500 loop one time and 100 loop one time. So I should know the answer to this but I don't. Are all the sites either Premium or Preferred? Or are there sites that are just "regular" sites - neither Premium or Preferred? We are camping with friends in January. They have a 40 ft 5th wheel with 3 slides and we have a 29 ft TT with 1 slide. We didn't request a specific type site and now I'm beginning to think we should have. Any thoughts?

Premium sites are larger, and I would say with a 40' 5th wheel it would be a tight squeeze on 'most' preferred sites. We have a 34'mh 3 slides and always get in the 100 loop and on some sites can be tight. The biggest problem is not so much the length, but 'backing' a long trailer into the site. There are trees, posts, and other vehicles that 'take' part of the road that are the main problems.

Yes, there are just 'full hookup' sites available, but again all of them could not accommodate a long trailer. Make sure they have the correct type, length and # of slides - they 'should' not put you in a site you wouldn't fit - but it 'has' happened!!

Unlike the pp, in the many years of going to FW, we have had very few long waits for buses - we enjoy them, just part of the experience for us.

 

[Teamubr]

We didn't request a specific type site

If you already have reservations, you have selected the type of site. If you made the reservation online, the system shows you what types are available. It may be there was only 1 type available when you reserved. Check on your reservation. It should say the site type.

There are 4 types:

Tent/Popup- 90 sites- Used to be called Partial. These have water and electric only. They have a shorter paved drive. A Cocina (sp) (crushed shell) pad for a tent.

Full- 156 sites- These are smaller sites. In the woods. They have water, electric and sewer. Also have the crushed shell pads for a tent.

Preferred- 123 sites- Also have water, electric and sewer. Loops 100, 200, 300. These are preferred due to the proximity to the Settlement and the marina, not due to size. These sites are generally narrower and shorter than the Premium sites. They do have a crushed shell pad.

Premium- 430 sites- Water, electric, sewer. Larger sites, wider paved and longer drives. Less pesky trees close to the roads and edges of sites. No crushed shell pad.

j

 

[hummingbird149]

Thanks for all the information! It has been very helpful. I checked our reservation and it did say full hook-site. I'm not worried about us so much, but our friends that have the 40 ft 5th wheel. Our TA had all the info regarding our camper sizes to pass along.