Resort vs Campground Does it Still Feel Like Disney

[Jhuff8181]

We have been making the trip from New Hampshire to WDW almost every year since 1997. We typically stay around two weeks and have always stayed at Disney resorts. We are thinking about buying a motorhome for local trips but I also want to lengthen our stay at WDW to around four weeks each winter. While it is not financially possible in a resort we my be able to swing it in an RV. Here's my question. For those of you who have stayed in WDW resorts and FW, when your at FW do you get the same Disney feel? I know the parks will be the same, DTD etc. but what is staying at the fort like?

Thanks

 

[staceyrhood]

It is great! Very Disney! Soooo much to do there. I had stayed at the resorts for the past 32 years. We got an rv this past summer and now stay at the fort. It is a great place. My son, who is 6, absolutely loves it. We just checked in today for a weekend trip! They have a ton of activities, movies under the stars every night, s'mores and sing a long with chip and dale, you can see the water pageant and fireworks from the beach, horse ride, great restaurants, take the boat to Magic Kingdom and resorts..... Lots of fun!

 

[sippican]

Hello fellow NHer.
Yes, it is just as magical. We have recently begun staying at the Fort in our new RV. Truthfully, I enjoy it even more than a hotel-style park resort! The transportation is as efficient as most other Disney resorts. We love having space, sitting outside, biking the loops, meeting other campers, sleeping in our own bed, having the option to bring our dogs along …. I could go on and on! There is no comparison to being stuck in a hotel room when taking a break from the parks.
We like the option of eating at the campsite, especially for breakfast. We still eat out in the parks if we feel like it, or even do take-out from Trail's End. We never feel like we "are not at Disney". Just watching the fireworks from the beach or the water parade at night is a whole different perspective. IMHO, The Fort is one of the best resorts at Disney, don't think I could ever go back to staying at any other location.
Of course, we have been RVers for over 30 years and love the lifestyle. Some people find it is just not for them Have you thought of staying in one of the cabins to see if you like the Fort experience befor comitting to a motorhome on a campsite for a month?

 

[Napria]

Somehow staying at the Fort is more "Disney" than staying at a resort. It's something about the atmosphere and the other campers. It's hard to pin it down, but I really no longer want to stay anywhere else when we go to WDW.

 

[North of Mouse]

We have been making the trip from New Hampshire to WDW almost every year since 1997. We typically stay around two weeks and have always stayed at Disney resorts. We are thinking about buying a motorhome for local trips but I also want to lengthen our stay at WDW to around four weeks each winter. While it is not financially possible in a resort we my be able to swing it in an RV. Here's my question. For those of you who have stayed in WDW resorts and FW, when your at FW do you get the same Disney feel? I know the parks will be the same, DTD etc. but what is staying at the fort like?

Thanks

To us it has all the magic of Disney and more, if possible! We have been RV'ing for 45 years, started camping at FW in 1972, and would not stay anywhere else - no way!

We love the camping lifestyle, love our own 'little home' away from home and just can't say enough what relaxing trips we have had to Disney and many other places.

The Fort is great for young children especially, but every age can enjoy as much, or as little of the amenities as you desire.

 

[Teamubr]

Somehow staying at the Fort is more "Disney"

Napria said it! I'm not sure why either, but it seems more "Disney" to me too. We stayed at Saratoga Springs with friends in their DVC condo last Spring break. And stayed a couple of nights at Caribbean Beach Club after races at Daytona. Both resorts were nice and you certainly got the Disney feel, but the Fort has so much more to offer and all the activities and different areas at the Fort just add to the Disney themeing.

You'll love it and I know you'll be hooked like the rest of us.

j

 

[Disneysince1982]

We have stayed at many of the resorts but we love the fort. We have been going to the fort since the 80s. It just doesn't feel the same at any of the other resorts. It definitely feels like Disney! My kids are all adults now and they still say they are home when we pull into Fort Wilderness.

 

[madiluvsdisney]

The campground is wonderful!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . For those of you who have stayed in WDW resorts and FW, when your at FW do you get the same Disney feel? I know the parks will be the same, DTD etc. but what is staying at the fort like? . . .

1) Tough question.
2) With only some exceptions, the decor and atmosphere are LESS "Disney" than other resorts.
3) However, due to the attitude of the campers, it feels MORE like "Disney".
4) Difficult to explain, but
. . . the guests are more relaxed than at resorts
. . . the guests are more friendly than at resorts
. . . the guests interact on a personal level with each other more than at resorts
. . . the guests have more Disney apparel and site decorations making it more "Disney" than at other resorts

5) So,
. . . it is less "Disney-fied" than resorts
. . . but, the people make it more "Disney-fied" than resorts

 

[serenitygr]

RustyScupper got it right on with his description. We have stayed at the Fort twice- once in the cabins and once this Christmas in our RV. To me- the Fort is what "Disney" means- it's a happy, peaceful, magical, and friendly place. We have visited some of the other resorts- my mom in fact stayed at one our last trip- and in an odd way I almost found it had this impersonal "cold" feeling. It was just another hotel, in a way. I guess the Fort has spoiled me- having the deer walking down the road only 15 feet away from us.... the wild turkeys at our doorstep every day.... Chip and Dale actually come to the campfire and singalong at night, and then everyone snuggles up in blankets and chairs and watches a magical Disney movie.....just walking or biking around and saying hi to other walkers/bikers- getting to know them a little bit....watching the fireworks at night and then just a few minutes later being able to snuggle into your bed and go to sleep---- yes the Fort is magic.... it truly is

 

[John VN]

You-all just don't get it....

The MORE you talk up FW, the HIGHER the price$$$$$ Disney will have to charge because the Resorts will empty and there will never be openings.

 

[JETS70]

Like many others have said, we first started going to Disney 13 years ago and for us, even though my children had grown up camping in a driver, pull camper and a pop up, we never really thought about camping at Disney. To us, Disney was staying at a resort. We stayed at the Contemporary, Wilderness lodge, Port Orleans, the All Star resorts and Pop Century. We thoroughly enjoyed the resorts. Nobody does it like Disney.
This past Thanksgiving my DW and I camped at the Fort in a teardrop camper that my father and I built last winter.The big (actually little) thing is it is only 5 feet wide, 10 feet long, and 5 feet tall. It has a fully functioning galley with running hot water. It also has a TV and air conditioning. Our teardrop does not have bathroom facilities. We were dependent on the comfort stations to meet those needs. Having camped in many campgrounds we know that bath houses can leave a little to be desired. The comfort stations at the Fort were immaculate. Well maintained and very clean. We were a little concerned going to a place that we truly have come to love and enjoy as a family and staying in a quality resort to now staying in our little camper.
Our children were in constant contact with us during our trip to the Fort. They couldn't wait to see the pictures and hear the stories when we got home.
Well......... DW and I are going back the first week of April and can't wait. As many have said, the Fort is as Disney as any resort we have stayed at. We also have our regular June family vacation scheduled and we asked our children if they wanted to stay in a resort or if they wanted to camp. Without hesitation, they said camping, knowing that they would be in a tent. We will be bringing a portable AC for the tent. I believe once they stay at the Fort, that will become one of their preferred places to stay.

 

[loislane]

Loved the *feel* of the Fort. To us, it felt just as Disney as when we stayed at POP - but less chaotic, which was nice. We've already said that we don't know if we'd want to stay anywhere but the Fort ever again.

 

[seven dwarfs]

My family has stayed at both. From deluxe all the way to value. We do like the resorts. But, camping at the Fort is our favorite. The Fort gives us that warm and fuzzy feeling. It is just so nice to see the beauty of it. The nature of it. The people are always so nice. We love the boat ride to MK. Sometimes your mind wants to go from park opening to park closing but your body just won't go. This is where you end up on the beach watching the light parade and the fireworks. We have such fond memories of this....Love the camp stores....The Rockers on the front porch of T.E. The decorations at the campsites are lovely as you walk to the bus stops. So much more relaxing...

Sighhhh, we are taking a break from Disney for awhile and writing this makes me a little sad.....

 

[sbnewhampshire1]

Hello New Hampshire, We also are from NH and absolutely love the fort. It is so relaxing and peaceful.
We also have stayed at most of the resorts and yes we did enjoy them but not as much as at the Fort. Go you will Love it.
You will love taking the boat to the MK, Sleeping in your own bed, Cooking breakfast (if you want to) etc. Watching the fireworks from the beach, going fishing and enjoying the pools.
There is so much to do there you don't even have to go to the parks(although I don't think your children would like that)!
Simply go and enjoy you will be hooked like the rest of us!

 

[bronk]

We have been staying at the Fort in an RV for the last 15 years. And for us, it combines the best of experiences; camping and Disney. We really enjoy both adventures and spend a lot of time in our motor home other than at FW.

Bronk

 

[Jhuff8181]

Thank you everyone for all the great comments. I'm convinced, now I just need to find that perfect RV.

 

[missourimomof3]

We're staying at FTW this fall for the first time and CANNOT WAIT! I've watched YouTube video tours of FTW and it kind of reminds me of a Chip and Dale cartoon.

 

[Teamubr]

We're staying at FTW this fall for the first time and CANNOT WAIT! I've watched YouTube video tours of FTW and it kind of reminds me of a Chip and Dale cartoon.

You're going to love it! But it won't be a Chip and Dale cartoon. It will be Chip and Dale IN PERSON!

j

 

[RandolphNY]

We leave in 61 days (who's counting) and can't wait. This will be our 2nd time there and honestly, with the kids older, we plan on relaxing more onsite along with walking around the parks instead of rushing all of the time.

Transportation inside the resort along with getting to the parks are awesome.

Once you find your RV, this should be one of your first trips.