Preferred vs Premium ?

[liv luvs disney]

There is only a $10 difference per night between the preferred and premium sites. We are staying 6 nights, so is $60 worth the difference? In the description of the sites, I could only tell that the premium has an extra large concrete parking pad. Are there other differences? Is the premium worth the little extra $?

 

[tim5055]

IMHO, no. If you don't need the additional space for a larger rig don't spend the extra money.

 

[clkelley]

The preferred does have some sand pad in the back. So if you want to set up an extra tent, it will be much easier in a preferred.

Preferred will also guarantee you Loop 100, 200, or 300, so if you like being near the Marina and Pioneer Hall, that is a plus.

If you would rather be closer to the pool, campfire, bike barn, etc., then reserving a premium would be a better choice.

 

[liv luvs disney]

IMHO, no. If you don't need the additional space for a larger rig don't spend the extra money.

The camper is 35', so it's not enormous. We are not planning on setting up any tents. There will only be 3 or 4 of us and we will fit comfortably in the camper. I think I'll use that $60 on food instead.

 

[liv luvs disney]

The preferred does have some sand pad in the back. So if you want to set up an extra tent, it will be much easier in a preferred.

Preferred will also guarantee you Loop 100, 200, or 300, so if you like being near the Marina and Pioneer Hall, that is a plus.

If you would rather be closer to the pool, campfire, bike barn, etc., then reserving a premium would be a better choice.

Well, I've never camped at FW, so I am not sure what I am going to like being near. The kids and I will have no trouble getting around. My Mom, who may stay with us, has a lot of physical problems that restrict her comings and goings. We may just have to get a golf cart for her, though she usually just stays pretty close to the camper. Honestly, I would like to be a little secluded.
Does the internal transportation system (or whatever that is called) take you to the pool, campfire, etc.? If so, should I just make sure we get near a pick-up/drop-off point?

 

[Shan-man]

If you like a little seclusion and will have a golf cart anyhow, you might want to seriously consider a Full instead. They are further off the beaten path, whereas the preferred loops are the definition of the beaten path! You'll save even more money to put toward the golf cart rental.

 

[rapriebe]

If you like a little seclusion and will have a golf cart anyhow, you might want to seriously consider a Full instead. They are further off the beaten path, whereas the preferred loops are the definition of the beaten path! You'll save even more money to put toward the golf cart rental.

That's exactly what I was going to say. If you want to be secluded, the full hookup sites (1600-1900) are great especially if you are going to have a golf cart.

 

[Shan-man]

I also thought I might mention that being secluded and being close to transportation are antithetical. If you want seclusion, you would do well to get a golf cart (especially with a party member with limited mobility). If you want to be close to transportation you would want to be near the entrance to the loop, which means a lot of foot traffic and being close to the road (i.e. less secluded). But, with money you'd save getting a Full instead of a Premium you are almost half way to paying for a cart from an off-site rental company! Best of both worlds.

 

[liv luvs disney]

If you like a little seclusion and will have a golf cart anyhow, you might want to seriously consider a Full instead. They are further off the beaten path, whereas the preferred loops are the definition of the beaten path! You'll save even more money to put toward the golf cart rental.

That's exactly what I was going to say. If you want to be secluded, the full hookup sites (1600-1900) are great especially if you are going to have a golf cart.

Hmmmm....now I have something else to consider?!?!? I cancelled my reservations at Pop this morning and want to make reservations at FW later today or tomorrow.

 

[liv luvs disney]

My Mom just informed me that their 5th wheel is 40' long. Is that too big for a Full?

 

[Shan-man]

There are some Full sites that will be hard to get into with a trailer that big, but that's the same story as Preferred sites. There are even some Premiums it might be hard to do (1400 loop comes to mind). If the site you're assigned is too tight, just call up front and they will either reassign you or send someone to help you get in. I saw a guy in 1800 who pulled a sign out of the ground to get his huge trailer into his site. Oddly, he was able to get out without pulling the sign, so the skills of the driver also come into play. I would book Full, personally, and tell them that you have a 40' trailer and describe the tow vehicle as well (especially if it's a Quad Cab longbed!). That way, it's on Disney if they assign you too small a site.

 

[liv luvs disney]

There are some Full sites that will be hard to get into with a trailer that big, but that's the same story as Preferred sites. There are even some Premiums it might be hard to do (1400 loop comes to mind). If the site you're assigned is too tight, just call up front and they will either reassign you or send someone to help you get in. I saw a guy in 1800 who pulled a sign out of the ground to get his huge trailer into his site. Oddly, he was able to get out without pulling the sign, so the skills of the driver also come into play. I would book Full, personally, and tell them that you have a 40' trailer and describe the tow vehicle as well (especially if it's a Quad Cab longbed!). That way, it's on Disney if they assign you too small a site.

Will do.
I have looked and it is possible that I am overlooking or not typing in the correct verbage, but is there anywhere I can find what campsite types belong to what loops. I have even looked on the WDW site and can't seem to find this information there either. I know once we go and I get a "feel" of things there, I'll know better for our next trip. I do have a map of FW with the loops, but not what is Full, Preferred, Premium, etc.
I tried to do your google earth thing and um, either my computer is too old or I am too stupid to figure it out. Actually, it's probably a combination of the two.

 

[rapriebe]

My Mom just informed me that their 5th wheel is 40' long. Is that too big for a Full?

I believe you would have difficulty getting that unit into most of the preferred sites. Since preferred sites are only in the 100-300 loops, they tend to be the smallest and tightest to get into since they are the oldest section and have not been renovated. Most of the full hookup sites 1600-1900 are spacious and you would have no problem. Sure there is probably a few that would be tight but the majority are larger. We have a 37' Fifth Wheel with a 4-door long bed dually so we need the length also but we have not had a problem yet in full hookup sites. You can always back your fifth wheel onto the hard packed sand stuff behind the concrete pad. We always put our unit all the way back into the site to give us plenty of room out front. Plus it's more private with all the trees.

 

[rapriebe]

Will do.
I have looked and it is possible that I am overlooking or not typing in the correct verbage, but is there anywhere I can find what campsite types belong to what loops. I have even looked on the WDW site and can't seem to find this information there either. I know once we go and I get a "feel" of things there, I'll know better for our next trip. I do have a map of FW with the loops, but not what is Full, Preferred, Premium, etc. . . .

Here's the status of which loops are what -
100 - Preferred
200 - Preferred
300 - Preferred
400 - Premium
500 - Premium
600 - Premium
700 - Premium
800 - Premium
900 - Premium
1000 - Being converted to premium now
1100 - Next one to be converted to premium
1200 - Premium
1300 - Premium
1400 - Premium
1500 - Partial
1600 - Full
1700 - Full
1800 - Full
1900 - Full
2000 - Partial

Hopes this helps!!!

 

[liv luvs disney]

I believe you would have difficulty getting that unit into most of the preferred sites. Since preferred sites are only in the 100-300 loops, they tend to be the smallest and tightest to get into since they are the oldest section and have not been renovated. Most of the full hookup sites 1600-1900 are spacious and you would have no problem. Sure there is probably a few that would be tight but the majority are larger. We have a 37' Fifth Wheel with a 4-door long bed dually so we need the length also but we have not had a problem yet in full hookup sites. You can always back your fifth wheel onto the hard packed sand stuff behind the concrete pad. We always put our unit all the way back into the site to give us plenty of room out front. Plus it's more private with all the trees.

Here's the status of which loops are what -
100 - Preferred
200 - Preferred
300 - Preferred
400 - Premium
500 - Premium
600 - Premium
700 - Premium
800 - Premium
900 - Premium
1000 - Being converted to premium now
1100 - Next one to be converted to premium
1200 - Premium
1300 - Premium
1400 - Premium
1500 - Partial
1600 - Full
1700 - Full
1800 - Full
1900 - Full
2000 - Partial

Hopes this helps!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! After taking all of this into account, I do believe I will make reservations for a Full. I definitely do not want to pay the extra for a Premium site and it appears Preferred sites are not a good choice right now. There will be many more trips to FW to come, so we can sample other sections later.

You guys are awesome and you're the main reason I decided to stay at FW instead of Pop w/ free dining in September! I can't thank you enough!!

 

[liv luvs disney]

I believe you would have difficulty getting that unit into most of the preferred sites. Since preferred sites are only in the 100-300 loops, they tend to be the smallest and tightest to get into since they are the oldest section and have not been renovated. Most of the full hookup sites 1600-1900 are spacious and you would have no problem. Sure there is probably a few that would be tight but the majority are larger. We have a 37' Fifth Wheel with a 4-door long bed dually so we need the length also but we have not had a problem yet in full hookup sites. You can always back your fifth wheel onto the hard packed sand stuff behind the concrete pad. We always put our unit all the way back into the site to give us plenty of room out front. Plus it's more private with all the trees.

If you don't mind my asking, which loop do you prefer out of the 1600-1900?

 

[rapriebe]

If you don't mind my asking, which loop do you prefer out of the 1600-1900?

We prefer either the 1700 or the 1900. They are the most spacious and private, in my opinion. We like to be "tucked away" and not be bothered by all of the day-to-day noise so the 1900 loop is best for that. However, if you want to be close to the pool, trading post and the bus stop, then the 1600 loop is the best. Alot of the sites in the 1900 loop are private but there is not alot of useable camping space, if that makes sense. There use to be hugh gullies between the sites and they half-way filled them in with sand so they are better than they were; however you can still have some pretty good drop-offs in the 1900 loop.

Just my opinion, I'm sure others have their too.

 

[Shan-man]

I really like the 1800 loop as it is removed from the road by the width of the 1600 loop, so it is quiet and very shady. It is also adjacent to the canal walk, which is convenient for us with dogs.

 

[ms_missy66]

Here's the status of which loops are what -
100 - Preferred
200 - Preferred
300 - Preferred
400 - Premium
500 - Premium
600 - Premium
700 - Premium
800 - Premium
900 - Premium
1000 - Being converted to premium now
1100 - Next one to be converted to premium
1200 - Premium
1300 - Premium
1400 - Premium
1500 - Partial
1600 - Full
1700 - Full
1800 - Full
1900 - Full
2000 - Partial

Hopes this helps!!!

Thank you for this awesome info! We're newbie campers and you've just helped me so much!

 

[liv luvs disney]

I DID IT!!!!! I made my reservations for FW!! I requested the 1700 loop, but will be fine with whatever Full site we get. I told the CM that the camper was 40' and we were pulling it with a big truck. All we have to do now is wait! I am sure I'll have all kinds of questions in the next 4 months so ya'll are not rid of me yet.