Recommend me a loop

[rab1022]

We're heading down to FW in 10 days for our first stay there, but I don't know much about the loops. When I go to check in online it asks for loop requests, which makes me feel like I should request something...

There are 4 of us: me, DW, DD5 and DD3. We'll be on a preferred site with a popup with full hook ups. Doubt we'll be swimming in January and we want to go to the campfire at least once and watch the parade on the beach. Easy transportation would be nice, close to a comfort station is not a must.

With that in mind, is there a loop that jumps out to request?

Thanks everyone

 

[articfox676]

Preferred are the 100, 200, & 300. 100 close to boat (to MK) and 300 a pet loop and close to dog park.

 

[bama_ed]

I stayed in 127 in a popup back in april. I think 100 is prolly your best bet followed by 200. Be aware 300 is a pet loop.

bama ed

 

[2goofycampers]

I'd go with 200 loop. 100 is to "busy" for me and 300 is a pet loop.

 

[rab1022]

Thanks everyone! sippican - those videos you linked are great!

 

[sippican]

Thanks everyone! sippican - those videos you linked are great!

You are very welcome!

 

[KristinU]

Here's a map of the Fort with the different loop classifications noted that I made in August, current based on info I found here on the DIS and elsewhere on the web. I also noted pet-friendly loops, but I'm fairly certain that I've read that they'll overflow pets into regular loops if the need arises.

I didn't put the cabin loop color in the key, but they're the beige/brown loops.

 

[JDinFL]

We liked the little bear loop when our boys were the age yours are. It was small enough we could watch them ride their bikes all the way around from the camp site. I think it was the 1400 loop.

 

[jbrostek]

Due to my pet loop requirements I like the 300 for preferred sites and 500 for premium. But even without pet loop requirement, I like both of their locations to pretty much everything. Far enough from the busy, but not too far.

 

[retired and happy]

1400 is a double loop, with Little Bear being the inner loop, and Little bear is quite small compared to the other loops. Big Bear is maybe 50 or so sites. 1400 is also a premium loop.

 

[bama_ed]

Here is a website I recommend that condenses the 2014 rates into a nice table and, coupled with KristinU's map above, will be helpful in the decision making process.

http://www.mousesavers.com/2014-ft-wilderness-campsites-rates-season-dates/

Besides our own DIS website on the Fort, this is another good website with Fort information that I would recommend.

http://allears.net/acc/faq_fw.htm



Bama Ed

 

[JETS70]

My wife and I stayed in site 232 and it was close enough to the comfort station for easy access but not so close to have to deal with a lot of pedestrian traffic. We stayed in a teardrop so that was important. The walk to the marina was an enjoyable 10 minute walk. Also close to Trails End for dinner. Short bus ride to Chip and Dales sing a long. We are going back in April and again in June with our children and we are going to request the 200 loop.

 

[wareagle57]

Never stayed at the campgrounds before and am thinking about doing tent camping with some friends. We will probably use the tent sites anyway since they are cheaper, but if we wanted to could we camp in our tents at the preferred/premium sites?

Also, what is the bus system like there and how long is the walk form the tent sites to the dining area, or whatever it is called there? I assume there is some sort of lobby/restaurant?

 

[North of Mouse]

Never stayed at the campgrounds before and am thinking about doing tent camping with some friends. We will probably use the tent sites anyway since they are cheaper, but if we wanted to could we camp in our tents at the preferred/premium sites?

Also, what is the bus system like there and how long is the walk form the tent sites to the dining area, or whatever it is called there? I assume there is some sort of lobby/restaurant?

You can tent camp anywhere, but the rates will be higher in the other categories.

The tent sites would be a little hike from the settlement area (Trails End Restaurant) but there are internal buses that run quite regularly (every 20min. average).

It's a great campground!

 

[nabi]

I think tents are no longer allowed in premium sites anymore (or preferred, I know it's one of the "P" sites)
OP was in a pop-up, just to clarify my comment is a little off topic.

 

[retired and happy]

They SAY tents are no longer allowed in Premium sites, but there were plenty there around Christmas. To be fully factual, I did not see any tents in Premium sites that were not behind a MH or TT. In other words, no tents by themselves in Premium, but that may have been a question of economics. Premium sites are expensive compared to tent sites.

 

[wareagle57]

They SAY tents are no longer allowed in Premium sites, but there were plenty there around Christmas. To be fully factual, I did not see any tents in Premium sites that were not behind a MH or TT. In other words, no tents by themselves in Premium, but that may have been a question of economics. Premium sites are expensive compared to tent sites.

War Eagle!? Depending on which one you are. haha

 

[retired and happy]

I'm a War Eagle 64. You will find a lot of answers on this forum from Bama Ed, but he's a good guy, except for the large red A flag he displays.

1500 and 2000 (see map elsewhere in this thread) are designated as tent loops, and are not very close to the Settlement...the Marina, Trails End, etc. 1500 is closer to the Meadows Pool, tennis courts, and Trading post if you need those things.

The Fort is about a mile long by a half mile wide, so you can get some idea from the map where stuff is. As stated above, the internal bus system is good and runs often. Three routes, Yellow, Orange and Purple. Yellow runs around the east side of the Fort...1500, 500, 300, etc and goes on to the Wilderness Lodge from the Settlement Depot. The Orange goes mostly along the west side of the Fort and through some cabin loops. I've never been on the Purple route, but I believe it runs through most of the cabin loops and approaches the Settlement from the other side. (Yes, the map confirms this.) Busses then return back as Outpost (Y, O, or P) along the same routes. Depending on the Fort population, there might be 2-3 busses on each route, so your wait shouldn't be long, except when they are taking people to/from special events such as the BBQ or HDDR.

All Parks except MK are accessed from the Outpost Bus Depot. MK is accessed from the Settlement and a boat from the Marina.

Enjoy, and don't think about what might have been a few weeks and 13 seconds ago.

 

[tiggerdad]

Somebody say cow college?

No, really...

Give me a second...
(Even as a Bama fan I have to say the first time I saw this on a shirt I laughed...then got sick)

As far as loops go I have experience only on the 400. It was nice and close, I mean really close together. You only had a small amount of room between you and the neighbor. It was shaded and a very short walk to the Trails End and dock. I have a 32 footer, so I book premium.
That said, I did some scouting around and looking at other sites. I think next time I might request the 900 or 700. I seriously would not sweat it too hard. Each has perks all its own. First rule is just get a site booked before some offsiter books a one nighter just to get the ONSITE benefits. For you, it sounds like the 200 or 300 might be more of what you are looking for.

Oh, and wareagle57, welcome to the board. In case ya haven't noticed, we like to friendly pick with each other.

 

[wareagle57]

Enjoy, and don't think about what might have been a few weeks and 13 seconds ago.

Haha, not a problem. I don't even think about it. But I relive the greatest second of my life pretty much on a daily basis. THERE GOES DAVIS!