Price Increases are Going to HURT!

[Nikfour]

Wow! I just made reservations for Feb 2008 and Dec 2009 and my jaw about hit the ground! The price increases at Fort Wilderness are pretty hefty. In Dec. ,I did reserve the new premium site to see what all the fuss is about but that will set us back over $600 for a 5 night stay! We love the fort but our stays are going to have to be few and far between if these prices are here to stay. I know I need to try FL resident and AAA that may help a bit. We reserved basic sewer,electric and water and Feb and had $91 a night! Unfortuantely we will have to limit our stays at the Fort and try other campgrounds. I know we are staying on the beach in a state park for a WEEK for the price of one night in a premimum site. We love the fort but are SAD that they are making it so expensive to stay there! Aren't we being gouged enough with the gas prices??????
Does anybody else feel the same?
We only live 3 hours away....I can't imagine people traveling from out of state!

Nikki

 

[rapriebe]

Yeah, totally agree. The prices are getting out of sight. We already had an extended stay booked this winter but at the new rates, we won't be doing it next year. Over $100 a night is way out of my budget.

 

[jimlin]

I have to agree with you. When is enough , enough. Of course there are people that will describe this park as the best in the country. I'm more inclined to try state and CoE parks when possible. You can't just continue to increase prices when you are such a successful and rich enterprise already.

No I'm not a regular poster but I do read the forums every night. I'm not into it just to collect posting numbers.

Jimlin
Jacksonville

 

[AuburnJen92]

you are not the only ones that feel that way at all...we have scaled way back on trips since they have gone to the new pricing schedule...we will be spending our hard earned camping monies elsewhere

11 loops at premium, 4 loops at full and 3 loops at preferred

not the best strategy to keep my business, plus they have botched the last two grand gatherings we have had for the DIS boards, so my feelings aren't the best right now for fort love...

 

[chilipyro]

Gas prices will be a big expense for our trip next May. We'll use about 150 gallons of gas, between the trip down and side trips while we are there. That will be about $1200, if gas prices stay under $4/gal.

I don't see how you can compare (with a straight face) FDW prices with a state park campground. I generally prefer state park campgrounds to resort campgrounds, but I do understand why resort campgrounds charge much more for the same night stay (other than the fact that the state campgrounds are publicly funded). I think FDW is very good value for what you are getting. As for price increases, there is a web site that shows the price increase history. It seems to go up a few dollars every year, and we didn't find that our 2009 reservation was any different than the trend. They did add premium sites for higher $$, but the preferred sites were only slightly higher than last year.

It all seems very reasonable to me, and still a MUCH cheaper way to do Disney than flying and staying in park resort hotels - even factoring in the gas prices today, and traveling from as far away as New England. I think it is a more fun way to do Disney too!

 

[Shan-man]

Gas prices will be a big expense for our trip next May. We'll use about 150 gallons of gas, between the trip down and side trips while we are there. That will be about $1200, if gas prices stay under $4/gal.

First, some good news, 150 gallons even at $4 full dollars, comes to only $600 not $1200. That ought to help cover some of the price increases. As for the cost to stay at Fort Wilderness, I agree that it seems these price increases are modest enough. An oceanside campground with nearly no amenities in the "middle-of nowhere-NC" can run $70-90, and I would much rather be at the Fort. If the cost goes up much more and I won't be able to take it, but it doesn't seem to be dampening others' enthusiasm... they seem to stay pretty well booked. And that, of course, is their bottom line... "what will the market bear?" Until they find bookings down I think we can expect prices to creep higher. Personally, I think the next plan of attack for Disney will be to realign their rate seasons to capitalize on the high demand times for Fort Wilderness, which are different from the other resorts. At least that's what I would do.

 

[camperhappy]

I have always thought that the Fort was expensive, but that is the Disney way. We considered not towing the camper and staying at a hotel this year, but decided to give it another shot. At least we get transportation to and from the parks and can eat in the camper for most meals, but $90 a night is high when you are bringing your own home.

Have a nice trip!

 

[John VN]

Considering where we are staying, inside WDW, price increases go with the territory.

Years ago camping was more low key and low budget. Now many people go high budget on their accommodations but still expect the ground they set up on to be low budget.

My feelings are that the basic tenter segment of the RVing family should have the lowest camping fees but as for the rest, what ever the traffic will pay.

We might not get Mouseservice but that's our choice. As in retail, every square foot has to produce and if it doesn't then a change has to be made. I'd rather keep on paying a little more every year than see FW go the way of RC.

 

[beagles7278]

First, some good news, 150 gallons even at $4 full dollars, comes to only $600 not $1200. That ought to help cover some of the price increases. As for the cost to stay at Fort Wilderness, I agree that it seems these price increases are modest enough. An oceanside campground with nearly no amenities in the "middle-of nowhere-NC" can run $70-90, and I would much rather be at the Fort. If the cost goes up much more and I won't be able to take it, but it doesn't seem to be dampening others' enthusiasm... they seem to stay pretty well booked. And that, of course, is their bottom line... "what will the market bear?" Until they find bookings down I think we can expect prices to creep higher. Personally, I think the next plan of attack for Disney will be to realign their rate seasons to capitalize on the high demand times for Fort Wilderness, which are different from the other resorts. At least that's what I would do.

The bad news is that he will want to go home at some point. If you read his statement he says he will use 150 gallons on the trip down and side trips. Add in the trip back home and I guess his numbers add up better than yours.

 

[juligrl]

not the best strategy to keep my business, plus they have botched the last two grand gatherings we have had for the DIS boards, so my feelings aren't the best right now for fort love...

How have they botched the grand gatherings? Just curious.

 

[mrsscooter]

How have they botched the grandgatherings? Just curious.

...............Yes, I too are curious, since we booked a grand gathering for next October. Just wondering if I should prepare myself now for a problem.

 

[stacktester]

How have they botched the grand gatherings? Just curious.

I was at the last 2 GG's and the way pretty much they botched it was they didn't put all of us in the same loop. 4th of July was 1000 loop and only 4 of us out of 7 or 8 families got with us.

This weekend I think IBM2010 and a couple others were in different loops. Service is at a low at the fort right now. If I had a few million bucks I'd do my best to duplicate a campground nearby and shuttle people to the parks. It's if they really don't car to be honest. I heard quite a few bad stories this weekend how some people have been treated recently and they're not happy. I did get a managers name this morning of the gal who is the FW and WL senior manager and I at the very least plan on calling her soon.

I hate to be a sour puss but the fort is the red headed step child (no matter how much your coach costs) and it shows. No good pool, no upgrades unil recently. Go to the pool and see how many people get asked for their room key. Go to another resort and you will be asked quickly. It's changed a lot recently and I hate it because we have had many memories there and would like to continue.

 

[AuburnJen92]

Part of the reason for booking a grand gathering is so that the people who are attached to the reservation # for the grand gathering and that have the same reservation are to be put together and twice in a row, within a month and a half of each other, it has not happened. It was really bad over 4th of July. There was no excuse for it this weekend because there were many empty spots in our loop that the others could have stayed in no problem what-so-ever. I agree with Donnie. The service at the Fort has gone way down hill. I admit, I fussed at my DH for not mentioning that we were attached to the GG at check in time. (I was 20 min behind because of errands I had to run in town before leaving for the Fort) However, he made a very valid point. He told me, "Why should I have to mention it to them, they should know because we made the effort to attach ourselves to the GG. This should have already been handled!" He is right. IMB2020 (I think that is right) and MMousketers should have been put in our loop period. They should not have had to walk a country mile to get to the GG. I just have a problem with going through all the effort of getting a GG together only to have it botched every time we go, plus the increase in the prices only makes my blood boil even more.

John posted that what ever the traffic will pay. Well, this traffic is cutting back on what it is going to pay when 2009 boasts 11 premium loops. I do not own a 40+ foot camper, nor will I unless lotto blesses my family. I know that across the board, Disney did not raise rates but a regular amount, but when you only have 2009 access now to 4 full hook up loops at the rates you were used to paying the years before, that makes reservations much more difficult to come by. I, for one, cannot justify the extra expense of premium hookups just for cable and the extra 10 or so feet of concrete if and when they are ever completed.

The first thing they need to do, before they pour an inch of concrete, order a slide, or dig a hole, is control the mosquito population at the fort. Those suckers nearly picked up my big butt and carted me off. I have never seen them so bad. I know we have had a lot of rain, and we have standing water at my house. However, we also have nightly sprayings too, which I never heard at the Fort. Those things were as big as fingernails. Thank the good Lord for Deet.

 

[F4disneyfan]

Wow! I just made reservations for Feb 2008 and Dec 2009 and my jaw about hit the ground! The price increases at Fort Wilderness are pretty hefty. In Dec. ,I did reserve the new premium site to see what all the fuss is about but that will set us back over $600 for a 5 night stay! We love the fort but our stays are going to have to be few and far between if these prices are here to stay. I know I need to try FL resident and AAA that may help a bit. We reserved basic sewer,electric and water and Feb and had $91 a night! Unfortuantely we will have to limit our stays at the Fort and try other campgrounds. I know we are staying on the beach in a state park for a WEEK for the price of one night in a premimum site. We love the fort but are SAD that they are making it so expensive to stay there! Aren't we being gouged enough with the gas prices??????
Does anybody else feel the same?
We only live 3 hours away....I can't imagine people traveling from out of state!

Nikki

Wow you can stay at POP or All Stars for that money I am sure glad we are only staying at the Fort one time.

 

[AuburnJen92]

Wow you can stay at POP or All Stars for that money I am sure glad we are only staying at the Fort one time.

There are going to be many people staying from your neck of the woods at the All Stars if this continues.

 

[Gatordad]

How have they botched the grand gatherings? Just curious.

disney's reservation system stinks, or they only employ simpletons. or a combo of the two.

 

[pjcinderella]

Per the front desk manager, Grand gatherings are not under any circumstance guaranteed. I was there for a 27 days from July-Aug. My husband came down & set us up, left and returned a week later. During that time I had to re-check-in (July 20th). I decided to check the night before to be certain that they would not move me as I had no way to move. The lady at the front desk told me I had to move as there was a magical gathering coming in and they needed my spot (500 loop). After 1/2 hour The manager came out & told me that he personally put the block on my reservation when I asked about not being moved when I checked in. He continued to tell me that NO ONE had the right to take it off as I was there before the gathering and was staying a couple weeks after they were set to leave. He also said he was in the back trying to get in touch with whoever was taking the blocks off for these gatherings and trying to make people change campsites. He then explained to the lady at the front desk that NO Magical gathering is guaranteed. It is clearly on a "what they can do basis". So as far as y'all being together, Per the front desk Manager nothing is guaranteed, just as a loop request isn't guaranteed neither is being next to a specific guest.

 

[AuburnJen92]

Per the front desk manager, Grand gatherings are not under any circumstance guaranteed. I was there for a 27 days from July-Aug. My husband came down & set us up, left and returned a week later. During that time I had to re-check-in (July 20th). I decided to check the night before to be certain that they would not move me as I had no way to move. The lady at the front desk told me I had to move as there was a magical gathering coming in and they needed my spot (500 loop). After 1/2 hour The manager came out & told me that he personally put the block on my reservation when I asked about not being moved when I checked in. He continued to tell me that NO ONE had the right to take it off as I was there before the gathering and was staying a couple weeks after they were set to leave. He also said he was in the back trying to get in touch with whoever was taking the blocks off for these gatherings and trying to make people change campsites. He then explained to the lady at the front desk that NO Magical gathering is guaranteed. It is clearly on a "what they can do basis". So as far as y'all being together, Per the front desk Manager nothing is guaranteed, just as a loop request isn't guaranteed neither is being next to a specific guest.

Be that as it may, the sites I mentioned were empty. If you are going to advertise something and you have the space to accommodate and don't, why bother.

 

[terri01p]

Just curious, what is the purpose of a grand gathering if it's not to be placed all together? Why would people go to all the trouble?

 

[Gatordad]

Just curious, what is the purpose of a grand gathering if it's not to be placed all together? Why would people go to all the trouble?

don't dare ask questions like that to the wizard of disney, pay no attention to the cast member behind the curtain..... didn't you learn your lesson last time???