SOOOOO Excited - I got Halloween :)

[allmydisneydreams]

We had been tentatively planning a trip 10/31-11/5 ... we will be tent camping for the first time at FW

I had seen the discount on the Disney site, but we weren't ready to book (waiting for vacation approval etc) I was so excited because this is to be an uber budget trip - one park day w/ GAD , lots of camping fun and exploring, etc.

Anyway, last week the discounts disappeared for Halloween. Then for a couple of days all I could find even for rack rate was a full hook up site (not that I have anything against them, just looking for the best bargain). Then finally we were ready to book earlier this week and there was NOTHING available. So I was to the point where I was giving up on Halloween and staying in a hotel that night and we were just going to have to camp the four days. I even called today and the CM told me that the only thing that they had for those dates was now a PREMIUM site. She said that they were pretty booked up for Halloween and not to count on getting a site now. She sort of acted like I was crazy to think I'd get one, to tell you the truth. I'm sure premium is great but its not in the old tent camping budget.

So I went online to book 11/1-4, which was still discounted as of yesterday, and even that was gone. I started to panic - Then all of the sudden I clicked something (I think it was the default dates that Disney saved for me) and it came up - 10/31 to 11/5 - a tent site WITH the discount - $37.40 a night ! Woo Hoo!

I quicked booked it ( It was so dramatic, too - I had to run outside in a thunderstorm to get my purse from the car and get my cc ). I just couldn't believe it was true!!!! I guess maybe someone had just cancelled (?)But it went through - I have my confirmation number and my emailed confirmation from Disney, too. I keep going to the Disney site and entering my number and rereading the reservation to make sure that I got what I thought I did

At any rate, I am beyond excited - We're really going to the Fort

I do have some questions :

How is it that you let them know the size of your setup? It just asked me what we had and I clicked tent - it didn't ask me the size and our tent is quite large (20x11).

I clicked both "near transportation" and "near comfort station" - but then I thought - Is it even possible to be near both? I would prefer being close to the cs if I had to choose, esp since we have a one year old.

Am I crazy to even go at Halloween? I thought it sounded so fun, but then some of the stories on the board lately ... I figure we can roll with the punches and if it gets too crazy just take a break or maybe even go to DTD for Trick or Treat ( I know, thats crazy, too, right?)

If I get to FW really early in the morning I can check in, right? I think we might go to Sea World that day and check out their Halloween festivities until early afternoon. What is the likelihood that we would be assigned a site early - or is it usually right at 1 pm when you can start setting up?

I think someone said you can see/hear Hallowishes from the FW beach - what time is that ? How early do you need to go down to the beach to get a spot for your family? Do you bring a blanket or chairs?

My 8 year old is really freaked out by creepy Halloween stuff - how much of the decorating at FW tends to be the graveyard/gory type - as opposed to the cutesy variety?

(Here my paranoid question ) Is it actually possible that ALL of the sites could be booked for Halloween? And if so, could my reservation be a glitch or a mistake? What if I get there are something is wrong - we'll be "homeless" at FW

I'm sorry about having so many questions ... I'm, just so excited about this trip

We've done Disney before and LOVED it - this just feels like a whole new Disney-terrific adventure. And I am SO excited about being on-site again. For $210 for five nights - Wow!!!! It really doesn't get any better than that to a budgeting mama!

Anyway, thanks for any input. I think I'll start a packing list now ...

 

[WeCampDisney]

CONGRATULATIONS! I AM VERY EXCITED FOR YOU! I know it seams too good to be true, but relax, it is very true. You are in baby! Cancellations happen all the time, and the discount availability comes and goes as well. It's always that way. You did it right, just kept trying and it payed off. Relax and have fun getting ready to go.

 

[WeCampDisney]

Don't worry about any of your concerns. I believe that all tent sites can handle your tent. Many people put up 2 or 3 good size tents on one site. You can try to check in early, if a suitable site is cleaned and ready, they will let you check in. You might call the front desk of the Fort a couple of hours before you arrive, tell the CM that you have small children would really appreciate it if your site could be ready for your early arrival. I believe they will try to take care of it. Be optomistic but have a plan B ready.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Congratulations!

You must have been on-line at the exact moment you needed to be.

Halloween is a blast at Fort Wilderness.

I'll take a stab at answering your questions (even though you asked too many) :

How is it that you let them know the size of your setup? It just asked me what we had and I clicked tent - it didn't ask me the size and our tent is quite large (20x11).

That is a big tent. But it's not bigger than any of the tent pads. You will fit. Don't worry about this.

I clicked both "near transportation" and "near comfort station" - but then I thought - Is it even possible to be near both? I would prefer being close to the cs if I had to choose, esp since we have a one year old.

Yes it is possible to be near both. There are sites in both the 1500 and 2000 loops (you will be on one or the other) which are close to both a comfort station and bus stop. If the CS is more important, just ask for that. The bus stops are pretty convenient from any place on the loop.

Am I crazy to even go at Halloween? I thought it sounded so fun, but then some of the stories on the board lately ... I figure we can roll with the punches and if it gets too crazy just take a break or maybe even go to DTD for Trick or Treat ( I know, thats crazy, too, right?)

Halloween at the Fort is great! Do not even thing about leaving and going to Downtown Disney. The craziness you have heard about is concentrated in the 400-800 loop area. The partial loops won't be crazy.

If I get to FW really early in the morning I can check in, right? I think we might go to Sea World that day and check out their Halloween festivities until early afternoon. What is the likelihood that we would be assigned a site early - or is it usually right at 1 pm when you can start setting up?

You can check in early, but I wouldn't expect a site to be ready early. You are arriving on a Sunday on a very busy weekend. The Fort will likely be 100% full on Saturday night. You might get lucky and get your site early, but I wouldn't expect it.

I think someone said you can see/hear Hallowishes from the FW beach - what time is that ? How early do you need to go down to the beach to get a spot for your family? Do you bring a blanket or chairs?

Yes, you can absolutely see and hear the narration for the Hallowishes fireworks from FW's beach. Hallowishes is performed on the nights of the MNSSHP at the MK at 9:30 pm on these evenings. Also, don't forget that the Electric Water Pageant visits the Fort every night, year round, at 9:45. A few people bring chairs and blankets, but most folks just sit in the sand, or on the loungers that are there at the beach already. Kids generally run around in the sand. You don't need to go early for a spot-there is plenty of room, even on the busiest of nights.

My 8 year old is really freaked out by creepy Halloween stuff - how much of the decorating at FW tends to be the graveyard/gory type - as opposed to the cutesy variety?

FW campers do lean toward the creepy and not cutesy variety of decorations. I suggest you do some scouting in the daylight, so you can see what you might want to avoid.

(Here my paranoid question ) Is it actually possible that ALL of the sites could be booked for Halloween? And if so, could my reservation be a glitch or a mistake? What if I get there are something is wrong - we'll be "homeless" at FW

This is highly unlikely. If you have a reservation number and email confirmation, I wouldn't worry about it. And, checking in early would give them plenty of time to resolve any issue, if there is one.

Have a great time!

TCD

 

[allmydisneydreams]

Thanks, WeCampDisney, for the encouragement

And TCD, thank you for the answers to my questions

Yes, you can absolutely see and hear the narration for the Hallowishes fireworks from FW's beach. Hallowishes is performed on the nights of the MNSSHP at the MK at 9:30 pm on these evenings. Also, don't forget that the Electric Water Pageant visits the Fort every night, year round, at 9:45. A few people bring chairs and blankets, but most folks just sit in the sand, or on the loungers that are there at the beach already. Kids generally run around in the sand. You don't need to go early for a spot-there is plenty of room, even on the busiest of nights.

I am SO pysched about this !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FW campers do lean toward the creepy and not cutesy variety of decorations. I suggest you do some scouting in the daylight, so you can see what you might want to avoid.

I suspected this ... I'm thinking maybe the partial loops might have less decorating? I'll check it out --- don't want to scare my little dude away from FW on our very first night. I want my kiddos to LOVE FW

If you have a reservation number and email confirmation, I wouldn't worry about it.

Well, we definitely have a confirmed reservation ( I should know - I've checked on it a hundred times) so I'll stop worrying

 

[owensmama2007]

Woohoo! Congrats on getting a site!

I'm jealous because I just booked a site for next Halloween 2011!

Enjoy yourself and have lots of fun!

 

[OK GRUMPY]

I'm excited for You! Congrats!! Thats some true pixie dust and your trip hasn't even started!