Talk me into giving up AKL CL for the Fort! UPDATE!

[mapmakerj]

Some backround info: I already have all my ressies in place, 5 nts pirate room at CBR, 6 nts CL AKL and 4 over at RPR at Universal. We were going to splurge for our 40th bds with a special trip. We are currently owners of a 2 yr old pop-up (our 1st camper) and have done many camping trips over the past 2 yrs. We are hooked and have been discussing upgrading in a year or two to a small travel trailer so we can take some camping roadtrips more easily. Now, the dilemma. I was playing around with the cost difference between the current trip and one where we upgrade our camper now and drive down and stay at the Fort for those 15 nites on a preferred site. I was shocked when I found out we would be saving about $3,000! Now my mind is racing. It is myself, DH and DS who will be 9 at the time of travel. I am torn as my DS was looking forward to the pirate room and the cool pools, myself the CL to do the Sunrise Safari. But, we all are leaning toward camping to be able to upgrade our current camper, still stay onsite at DW and save a bundle.(Not to mention all the bedbug threads on the resorts board right now are starting to worry me) Give me some great feedback on camping at the Fort and help me take the leap!

 

[2goofycampers]

Sooo, the bedbug talk wasn't enough to change your mind.

The Fort is a Resort unto it's own. Lot's of people stay there and never set foot into any park during their visit. There is so much to see and do. I've not heard talk like that about other Resorts.

You will not be dissappointed.

 

[Shan-man]

Wow, much as I'd like to talk you into it (and despite the possible alienation I'll likely get from my fellow Fort Fiends) I can't say I'd choose FW over AKL CL! For me, that'd be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience... and doing it and the Sunrise Safari are actually items on my 'bucket list'. Certainly, I see the practicality of taking those savings and reaping long-term, tangible rewards... but talking yourself into just splurging and spoiling yourself is hard to do, and you've done it. I'd say enjoy it. You can always talk yourself into the more practical stuff again later. The big 4-oh only comes around once! Just my $0.02.

 

[christinou]

Well saving $3000 is a lot of money, I bet you could intice your son with some extras for him, with that money, we love the fort and travelling in our own home, I would not like 15 days in a hotel but love 15 days in my motorhome, I also do not like to change hotel, packing and unpacking is no fun.

 

[Shannone1]

Wow, much as I'd like to talk you into it (and despite the possible alienation I'll likely get from my fellow Fort Fiends) I can't say I'd choose FW over AKL CL! For me, that'd be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience... and doing it and the Sunrise Safari are actually items on my 'bucket list'. Certainly, I see the practicality of taking those savings and reaping long-term, tangible rewards... but talking yourself into just splurging and spoiling yourself is hard to do, and you've done it. I'd say enjoy it. You can always talk yourself into the more practical stuff again later. The big 4-oh only comes around once! Just my $0.02.

I have to agree. As much as I love FW....it sounds like you have a great trip already planned. I would stick with your original plans and go to FW when you get a new camper.

 

[KristinU]

Hmmm...initially I thought "give up CL at AKL????" But then my practical side thought about what I'd do - if I got to get a new camper AND still got to go on a nice long WDW trip at an awesome resort (FTW), that's what I'd do...not to mention the $3k saved!!! With that $3k you could even book a single night at AKL CL and do the safari. With that $3k you could also buy a lot of pirate themed stuff to make your DS's bed space in your new camper a proper pirate's lair. Yep, that's what I'd do.

 

[susancl]

CL or no CL, the Fort is a much better resort. The whole atmospere better at FW. You can really unwind at the Fort. Plus, it is really easy to get to the MK AND there is a big lake to boat on.

To me, the transportation is part of the fun. If you don't like the busses, you can take a boat from the Fort to the MK or a monorail resort, then take the monorail to the TTC and another monorail to EPCOT. There are only busses from AKL.

 

[F4disneyfan]

Some backround info: I already have all my ressies in place, 5 nts pirate room at CBR, 6 nts CL AKL and 4 over at RPR at Universal. We were going to splurge for our 40th bds with a special trip. We are currently owners of a 2 yr old pop-up (our 1st camper) and have done many camping trips over the past 2 yrs. We are hooked and have been discussing upgrading in a year or two to a small travel trailer so we can take some camping roadtrips more easily. Now, the dilemma. I was playing around with the cost difference between the current trip and one where we upgrade our camper now and drive down and stay at the Fort for those 15 nites on a preferred site. I was shocked when I found out we would be saving about $3,000! Now my mind is racing. It is myself, DH and DS who will be 9 at the time of travel. I am torn as my DS was looking forward to the pirate room and the cool pools, myself the CL to do the Sunrise Safari. But, we all are leaning toward camping to be able to upgrade our current camper, still stay onsite at DW and save a bundle.(Not to mention all the bedbug threads on the resorts board right now are starting to worry me) Give me some great feedback on camping at the Fort and help me take the leap!

I would not give up AKL CL for camping no way no how. The reporst Ihave read and the pics I have seen from AKL are wonderful. I can't wait to stay in a villa over there once they get Kidani completed. You will not be dissapointed at all with AKL.

 

[mapmakerj]

We had a family meeting over the whole idea. Weighed the pros and cons. DS said he could give up the pirate room if he could get some pirate toys. We have stayed at AKL twice already and have had the pleasure of experiencing that resort before, so I decided I could save CL for a different trip.

So, my DH went and bought the new camper. Fort Wilderness here we come! I was kind of bummed when I called to change my reservations but, now that I have had time to think about it, I am getting excited about trying out the Fort. Not to mention I now have a new camper and extra money in my pocket!

 

[Shan-man]

Well, congratulations on your new arrival. I have little doubt that you will have a wonderful trip and will find the pace of a Fort vacation much more relaxing than any other trip to the World... especially if you use the launches! Hope your new camper has a strong AC since you're going in June. Oh, don't forget to change your siggy to show your coming foray into Fort Fiendom!

 

[Us3]

CONGRATS on the new camper! I think you'll love the Fort! Since you've experienced AKL twice before, I think you made a great decision! I will warn you though...there is a bug that bites you when you go to FW! You wont want to stay anywhere else...and when/if you do, you'll be missing the Fort! At least that has been my experience, haha.

I think your son will love FW too. I have girls and they love it. So much to do w/o even entering the parks. We've stayed at FW for a week w/o going to any parks before....a vacation within itself.

Stick around the camping board for a while and enjoy! Now how about some pics of that camper!

btw, we are celebrating my dh's 40'th at the Fort next month!

 

[Skyw]

Your son will love FW. We stay at the cabins and my family wont consider staying anywhere else. Although next year I want to stay AKL for just one night for that experience but then back to the fort. It is very relaxing. It is possible to relax at WDW!!!! Sometimes we intend to go back to the parks after a nap but never make it back. There is too much to do at FW. I recommend getting a golf cart. Some nights we drive around looking for animals. It sounds simple but we love going. My DH goes fishing too. Have fun!!!!! I love the quiet.

 

[2goofycampers]

Congrats, you won't regret it. Waiting for your trip report.

 

[Shannone1]

We had a family meeting over the whole idea. Weighed the pros and cons. DS said he could give up the pirate room if he could get some pirate toys. We have stayed at AKL twice already and have had the pleasure of experiencing that resort before, so I decided I could save CL for a different trip.

So, my DH went and bought the new camper. Fort Wilderness here we come! I was kind of bummed when I called to change my reservations but, now that I have had time to think about it, I am getting excited about trying out the Fort. Not to mention I now have a new camper and extra money in my pocket!

Well, if I'd have known you had been to AKL twice already I definitely would've told you to get the camper and go to FW instead !! You are going to love it.

 

[KristinU]

Awesome - congrats on your decision and your new camper!!!

 

[mapmakerj]

I only have a stock photo of the camper, but here it is. We actually pick it up tomorrow, so I will add a pic of the real thing to my siggy once we get it home.

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[LONE-STAR]

Congrats and welcome to the FW addiction I know you have not been yet but trust me there is no place like it

 

[musicmama]

I only have a stock photo of the camper, but here it is. We actually pick it up tomorrow, so I will add a pic of the real thing to my siggy once we get it home.

[/IMG]

Congrats! We just looked at some of those in Hershey, PA yesterday (camping show) and were awfully tempted. But we need more info on a tow vehicle - we currently have a Class C and really want to switch over so DD has her own "room".

We really liked the Fort when we were there and we really want to go again - 2010 if schedule and $$ work out.

 

[F4disneyfan]

Mapmaker I hope you enjoy the camping trip. I myself and my family would never give up AKL CL for camping no matter how much my wife and kids love to camp they would have to be drugged and dragged screaming to the fort before they would pass up AKL. Mind you our family is not big on the slow pace and the relaxing of camping well not at Disney. For us the busier the resort and the busier our schedule and day the better. We love a loud racaus resort with lots going on I think even though we own DVC our favourite resorts are the All Stars and POP especially during POP Warner.