Staying at Fort Wilderness

[ntsammy5]

I’m curious about how often and how long people stay at WDW and more specifically at FW. Since 2000, I’ve had 12 trips to WDW, 3 of them at FW with DSis and another FW trip coming up in November/December staying with DSis & DBil in their RV again.

When I come down with other family members, we always stay at a WDW resort or SoG and almost always visit FW because DSis is usually there with her RV and we all enjoy looping, especially during the holiday season. We generally stay about 10 days, give or take a few days. Another random thought, it was kind of a tradition that each of the kids went with me to WDW to celebrate their 21st birthday. None of them complained about that. No more of those trips left.

DSis, on the other hand, is at FW more than once a month, if only to ride a bike. A few years ago, when she and her DH were selling one house and building another, she was at the Fort for about 8 months straight (she’ll correct any inaccuracies here). I’m sure there are people who have stayed continuously for longer than that, but probably not many. I can’t think of a better place to stay for a long period than FW.

Since I haven’t stayed at the Fort with DSis for a couple of years, I’m looking forward to the trip. Last year we were down for a wedding in late September and stayed at ASMo which was great because we were on free DDP. Surprisingly enough, no one else at the wedding took advantage of that! Lots of food, but I’ll never do it again. The entire trip was about food. The wedding was a lot of fun and I’ve never seen that many drunks in one place at WDW before (excluding F&W). It was my kind of crowd. Having said that, I’m looking forward to staying at the Fort again after a 2 year hiatus. I haven’t been looping since December 2005. OH BOY!

 

[drafthorsecrazy]

We've only ever stayed at FW while vacationing at WDW. When the kids were in school we stayed the week before Xmas. We took several yrs off from vacationing at Disney because we had another temporary addiction ..... raising and showing horses. The demand on our time was too great to get away. Sanity has returned and we now make one trip per yr to FW staying 8wks in Jan. & Feb.

 

[Colson39]

I've been visiting the Fort since I was first born with my parents back in 1975. We used to take about 1-3 trips a year, but back then we would stay for at least a week or more, mainly because it was ridiculously cheap. I basically grew up with the Fort, which is where my obsession lies.

Zoom forward to today. We go to the Fort now probably about the same amount, 1-3 times a year. Of course, once the wife and I get our own RV, we'll probably go a lot more. For now, when we go we either are staying at the cabins or staying with my parents in their RV. We normally stay a week at Thanksgiving, and the other trips are normally just longer weekend trip (3-4 days).

Of course, that is not how many times I actually visit Disney itself. We go to Disney about 5-7 times a year now (averaging normally around 5-6). I am a big fan of all the resorts at Disney, even though the Fort is way above and beyond my favorite. However, I do like to stay at the other resorts. We are planning on staying at the Grand Floridian for our one year anniversary in January, we'll be staying at the All Star for the Food and Wine trip (since we have a bunch of people going and we won't be spending any time in the room), and in between that we have two trips to the Fort planned. We're kind of like NTSammy, we have I believe about 4-5 reservations at the Fort over the course of the rest of this year and next year.

It's easier for us obviously because we are located so close to Disney. I really just can't wait to get our own RV and we will make tons more trips to the Fort. Of course, baby first

The longest I've ever gone without being to the Fort was about a year and a half in my early to mid 20's. I can guarantee that will never happen again as long as I live in Florida And as my signature implies, a year without Disney at all, well, that will never happen. And I AM thankful for that....lol.

It's about an hour and 45 minute to 2 hour trip for us to get to Disney. Since we are in the process of starting our family, there might end up being a bunch more day trips as well!

 

[clkelley]

I go to the Fort at least once per year and try to stay two weeks.

I think 6 months in one calender year is the longest you are allowed to stay. (Otherwise they would have to give you voting priveledges).

 

[AlyLynn]

Up until about 2 years ago, we were averaging 1-2 Disney trips a year. And we drive from PA--the kids hate to fly. FW quickly became a favorite for our family, which is amazing that all 4 kids, ages 2-13 agreed. 2 years ago, we began going to Disney 4-6 times per year! We finally bought AP passes this year, and just bought a new trailer, primarily for all of our trips to the Fort!

 

[Us3]

Dh and I fell in love with WDW during our first visit together in 1997 (as young adult's and both experiencing Disney for the first time). He proposed to me on that trip and we haven't looked back since.

Our first trip to FW was last year during spring break. We love camping, although we don't get to do it enough. FW is just our kind of place. We've decided to make it down to FW at least once a year. We're planing on making the Fort our spring break tradition. I also enjoy the other Disney resorts and what each one of them offer...but for me that's like comparing apples to orange...the Fort is just a complete different "experience".

Dh and I will be down at CSR for our 10 yr annivesary next week. We're attending the F&W Fest and MNSSHP. We'll be back down with the family at FW for spring break next year!

Sonya

 

[des1954]

If I could, I would live at the Fort!!

Our longest length of stay was 11/15/02 to 3/15/03, followed by 10/24/03 to 2/28/04. I enjoyed every minute of it! During the 02/03 stay, my DH retired while I still commuted to Tampa daily to go to work. THAT was a long commute (72.6 miles each way), and I was pelted by all sorts of things daily when I left the office and announced "I'm goin' to Disney World"!! I retired in 10/03 - and that began our second long stay.

Before retirement (we lived in Bradenton, FL; 1 1/2 hours away), we would go camping about once a month for a 4 day weekend, and would vacation for 10 to 15 days twice yearly. Now, we live about 25 miles west of the Fort and try to go there once a week with our bicycles & just ride around. Due to the fact both of us retired from our first careers at a young age, we are still forced to work for a living until we reach the magic age of 59 1/2 - or until we win the lottery! The bad part about starting careers all over again is that you have virtually no vacation time built up - so - we are rather limited to weekends here and there & we will stay 10 days this year from 11/29 to 12/9 (waaaaaahhhh! I want more)

Disney will allow you to stay up to nine months each calendar year at the Fort. We know one couple from West Palm, FL and one single lady from Mississippi that do this. I don't know if this is a state regulation or a Disney policy. Either way - I would take nine months!! Forget about June, July & August - it's too danged hot anyways!

DH & I began our married life in 1974 by honeymooning at the Fort & virtually all our camping equipment through the years has been used almost exclusively at FW. Would you say we're hooked?

 

[Shannone1]

First of all- I have to say that I am totally jealous of those that are able to go so frequently !!

We went this year over Easter and we enjoyed that time of year. It was rainy and unusually cold, but only once did it rain ALL day. The crowds weren't bad at FW and the parks (we thought) were manageable.

Next year we are going over Christmas because we thought it would be FUN to do something totally different for the holidays. I've heard nightmare stories about the lines and crowds...but we are going to chance it. My mom is already giving me a hard time about not being with her for Christmas {first time in my whoooole life } They can't afford to come with us, nor do they want to.

I think after that trip, we are going to try to make it an annual Easter tradition. My inlaws want to move to FL and we usually spend that holiday with them anyway. We will probably only be able to spend 7 nights...but if we are going every year we will know exactly how/where we want to spend our time

 

[des1954]

My inlaws want to move to FL and we usually spend that holiday with them anyway.

Tell your in-laws that if they want to move here, now would be a great time to do so. Homes are at "give-away" prices, and interest rates are still affordable if they need to take out a mortgage.

I've lived in Fla all my adult life (since I was 19 & am now 53) and the only thing I've never gotten accustomed to is a year without fall colors. On the bright side...from central Fla, the Smokey Mtns are only about 7 hours away...so in late October thru November, you can easily make a long weekend trip to see some beautiful fall colors!

I lived in the Sarasota/Bradenton area up until 2002 & have lived just west of Disney since then. I will take the inland area of Fla, anytime!! (Especially after the 2004 hurricane season) Once you get away from Orlando, traffic and congestion eases quite a bit. Anywhere on the coasts of Florida, you live in traffic all times of the year. So...to shannone1's in-law's "Come on down!"

 

[LarryJ]

I've been visiting the Fort since I was first born with my parents back in 1975.

Our eldest son is two years older than you if 1975 was when you were born.

Man talk about feeling old ... I shouldn't even know what the internet is or how is access it.

To the OP we now try and stay at least 30 days once or twice on one AP. When the kids were in school it was like 2 to 3 weeks in the fall and then 2 to 3 weeks over the summer the next year also again for the dual AP usage. Been doing this since late 1980's.

Larry

 

[FloridaTeacher]

As a child I went to Disney about once a year. Then there was a period of several years when my husband and I first married that we simply could not afford Disney. I took him for his (and our children's) first trip in 1997.

He was hooked!!! Since then we have gone an average of twice a year. We first stayed at Ft. Wilderness with my parents in their motorhome in 1998. Again, he was hooked! We bought a fifth wheel then a motorhome and we've stayed at the Fort every time!!!

Love Disney. Love camping. Love not being as broke as we were during those early married years. So blessed and thankful to be where we are today!

 

[Shannone1]

Tell your in-laws that if they want to move here, now would be a great time to do so. Homes are at "give-away" prices, and interest rates are still affordable if they need to take out a mortgage.

Houses are like that too up here, unfortunately. My MIL has been sitting on her house for 2 years trying to sell it. It's now listed at $40,000 LESS than she paid for it 4 years ago. All of the money they've put into it was for nothing at this point. Michigan has one of the biggest foreclosure rates in the U.S. right now. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for her...even though it means she won't be an active part of her grandkids lives

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

I’m curious about how often and how long people stay at WDW and more specifically at FW.

Since 2001 we've averaged at least 1 trip/year ... sometimes 2-3 trips. Usually stay the week after Thanksgiving for 10-14 days. Wish it was longer!! Before we got our Outback, we stayed with my dad in his RV, in FW cabins or offsite at my mom's timeshare.

 

[Cndrsgrl]

I didn't start coming to Disney and the Fort until 97 when I was invited by my parents and sister's family. My parents have an RV and my BIL drives since DDad had a stroke. My parents and sister had visited the Fort in 96 and raved about it. They were so right. They usually go down to Florida about once or twice a year and stay for about 10 days at a time. They love Disney so much that my Dnephew went to the college program last year. I'm not able to go as much as they are but I love the fort better than most resorts. (althought there are usually 9 of us in an RV on the way down to Florida) Oh and now cause the kids are grown we've had to add a tent!


BTW I had been looking forward to coming down at Christmas with the folks but I started a new job and can't get off.

 

[kimluvswdw]

We stayed at the Fort 4 times last year. It is a good distance from Virginia Beach. We are supposed to go in December, but may have to cancel if I can't sell my car before then. Can't do the large payment and a vacation.

 

[loveDmouse]

Our first trip to the Fort was just last year. We get to come for 7 nights once a year. Would love to do more but just can't take off all that time from work at once.
Before that it was more spread out. Usually every couple of years or so for about the same time.
I think it is great people who get to stay for such long times. Maybe someday we will be right there with ya. It will be a while before we can retire unless we hit the lotto.

 

[mrsgus06]

We move in some time in June and move out in Aug every summer. Also, we go at least once a month for all the other months in the year. Our next camping trip is scheduled for Dec 26th. Word out on the street is Bigdisneydaddy has a new home and we want to see it!

 

[stacktester]

We move in some time in June and move out in Aug every summer. Also, we go at least once a month for all the other months in the year. Our next camping trip is scheduled for Dec 26th. Word out on the street is Bigdisneydaddy has a new home and we want to see it!

I hear there might be a party planned sometime during that stay from a reliable source. I also hear it's invitation only. So how does one get an invitation?

 

[Mr Man]

We have been going to WDW twice a year since around 2002. We break it up into two 1 week vacations. At least one of these weeks is always at FW.

I would stay both weeks at FW but DW likes the DVC thing (mainly the washer/dryer ).

I would love to do longer stays but the real world intrudes badly (work, scouts, kid kung fu, soccer, piano lessons, family......the list goes on).....

Someday.......