Questions from a newbie...help needed

[jandmmom]

Hi everyone!
I am planning a trip for June 2011 to WDW. It will be me, DH, DS, DD plus my mom and her fiance. My mom's fiance has an RV, so she just told me that they will be driving it down for the trip (from PA). Now I am thinking that for part (or maybe even all) of the trip, I will book a place for them at the Fort. I am totally new to anything camping/RVing related, so I need some help here!

1. Are there ever discounts offered for the campsites? Or should I just book now at the rack rate?

2. Does it make a big difference in which type of campsite I book?

3. How easy is it to get from the Fort to other resorts (WL maybe?). Which is the easiest? We won't be staying at the Fort, but would like to be close enough so we can easily meet up with them.

Thanks so much

 

[mgsmom]

Hi there! I'm a cabinner, not a camper, so I can't answer #1 or #2.
I can tell you that the easiest resorts to get to would be Wilderness Lodge or Contemporary. If you are thinking moderate, Port Orleans is right down the road. Seemed like we passed it every time we went anywhere. Caribbean Beach was just past PO.

I can also tell you that you'll be really jealous when you visit the Fort! Maybe you ought to just rent a cabin...

 

[jandmmom]

Thanks for the reply! I would consider a cabin, but the price was $350, which seemed like a lot. WL would be cheaper, I think. It is something that I would consider though...I have to do more research. Thanks

 

[AuburnJen92]

#1 Book it now and then look for discounts, if you find one, consider yourself lucky.

#2 If you have a golf cart or are going to rent one, get a full. If you want to pay extra and want location, location, book the extra money and get the premium or preferred. The premium has all the concrete. The preferred and fulls do not. The fulls have more over all room in my opinion.

Take a boat to WL.

 

[jandmmom]

#1 Book it now and then look for discounts, if you find one, consider yourself lucky.

Thanks...good to know. I will check with my mom on how many days they want to spend & then book it soon.

#2 If you have a golf cart or are going to rent one, get a full. If you want to pay extra and want location, location, book the extra money and get the premium or preferred. The premium has all the concrete. The preferred and fulls do not. The fulls have more over all room in my opinion.

Uh oh, now I am confused! I need to do more homework about these site types. I don't think that they will get a golf cart, unless it seems like it would be necessary. I would think that location would be the most important factor.

Take a boat to WL.

Great! Thanks

 

[DaveInTN]

If you can get a cabin with a good discount or free dining (if that's your thing), it might be nice to be in the same resort. The Fort is great for extended families! But, for 4 people, I agree that the cost can be prohibitive. They are great for larger groups, as it can keep you from having to book multiple rooms. They are like a villa in that way. But if you are sticking to a hotel, my first choice would be WL. Easy bus or boat ride to the Fort, and you also have the option of biking or walking it. It is about a mile along a paved pathway between the resorts.

 

[AuburnJen92]

Great! Thanks

The only reason why I mentioned a golf cart is that the full hook ups are not right next to everything. You would have to walk. The premium and preferred are, hence the change in price.

 

[BradyBz12]

If you do look into a golf cart, be sure to check out the off site rental companies. Their prices are FAR better than WDW. Info in this thread.

 

[Disneylitch]

The full hook ups are close to the outpost and the preferred are close to the marina. So, it just depends on what you want to be closer to. Also, the full hook ups are closer to the pool. The premium sites have a longer and wider pad, but some premium loops are the same distance from the marina as the full hook ups. We have seen 40ft units in the full hook ups, so it just depends on what you want. If you have a screen house or tent, then you definitely want a full or preferred. The full hook ups, for the most part are larger than the preferred.
Just so you know, you will go to the outpost to get the bus to AK, EPCOT, and DHS. You will go to the marina to go to MK.
I would book now, but only as a site only rate. This means you only have to put 1 night fee down. You can keep looking for discounts after that. There were discounts this past summer that ranged from 20% to 25% for campsites. Keep checking the WDW site and look for discounts. When one comes up, just call the reservation line and they will give you the discounted rate.

 

[jandmmom]

The full hook ups are close to the outpost and the preferred are close to the marina. So, it just depends on what you want to be closer to. Also, the full hook ups are closer to the pool. The premium sites have a longer and wider pad, but some premium loops are the same distance from the marina as the full hook ups. We have seen 40ft units in the full hook ups, so it just depends on what you want. If you have a screen house or tent, then you definitely want a full or preferred. The full hook ups, for the most part are larger than the preferred.
Just so you know, you will go to the outpost to get the bus to AK, EPCOT, and DHS. You will go to the marina to go to MK.
I would book now, but only as a site only rate. This means you only have to put 1 night fee down. You can keep looking for discounts after that. There were discounts this past summer that ranged from 20% to 25% for campsites. Keep checking the WDW site and look for discounts. When one comes up, just call the reservation line and they will give you the discounted rate.

Thanks so much! This is very helpful. I am not experienced with camping or Rving myself, so some of this is very new to me. My mom's fiance has a Class C - I don't know the size, but it isn't huge like some others. They don't use a tent or any enclosure other than just the awning off of the RV. I think that location to a boat that would get to WL (if we stay there) would be important. My mom has MS, so distance can sometimes be an issue for her (although she tends to be very active & have lots of energy, so sometimes it's not too much of an issue). When I make a reservation, will I have to tell them where I am requesting the site? Or just the type? THANKS!!!!

 

[Duane]

Hey why not rent a RV and stay close to your mom and her fiance? From what I have read on here there are a couple of folks that will rent you their camper, set it up on the site, and take it down for you after you leave. All you have to do is enjoy yourselves. I don't have a clue as to what the RV's rent for though...

Who knows?... you just may enjoy it and get the real Fort bug like the rest of us....

Here is a link from a thread of the two companies. I'm sure there are others who post on here who have actually rented from these guys....

Duane