Tell me about loop 600?

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Okay I had to call and add a day at the beginning of our FW reservation- I know, such a bad thing huh? LOL Not......
Well we realized we were going that week with Memorial day and DH already has that day off paid holiday- so that meant one more day he could take off for vacation- so an extra day for the vacation. KWiM?

So anyway, while I was on the phone I put in some "requests" for loops- like a first and 2nd choice. I put 600 first choice, 500 second choice.

Can you tell me about 600? I chose it because it seemed more in the "middle" of all the "stuff" (pool, campfire, pretty close to a bus stop, etc.- but not TOO far from the marina?) after that the 2nd choice was between 400 and 500... I chose 500 because it seemed closer to a bus stop and also on the 400 loop it appears on the map that to get out of that loop you have to go the OPPOSITE way then turn around and backtrack if going to pool/etc.

Anyway, can anyone tell me their thoughts on loop 600? Or if it's one of the ones that were renovated recently? etc? Should I have made 500 our first choice instead of 2nd? Any opinions welcome!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Okay does no response mean loop 600 stinks and I should change my first choice to loop 500?

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Loop 600 is the one they are adding the new sites to right now. It's close to Meadows Trading Post, Chip and Dale nightly movie, s'mores gathering, the pool, which will be opened by then and it's not to far from the marina which has the Hoop Dee Doo, Trails End buffett, pony rides, etc. It's one of the smallest loops, but has lots of trees and charm.

I think you would really like the 600 loop if you can get a site there. Good luck.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Loop 600 is the one they are adding the new sites to right now. It's close to Meadows Trading Post, Chip and Dale nightly movie, s'mores gathering, the pool, which will be opened by then and it's not to far from the marina which has the Hoop Dee Doo, Trails End buffett, pony rides, etc. It's one of the smallest loops, but has lots of trees and charm.

I think you would really like the 600 loop if you can get a site there. Good luck.

Thanks- I appreciate it!
I just had the lady on the phone tell me which were premium sites and figured which one would be my top choice going by the map. Seemed that one was more "in between" so that either direction/place we were going wouldn't seem TOO far, plus seemed kinda close to a bus stop in case we felt like using the bus to get somewhere. Was hoping there wasn't any "bad" things about that loop. LOL
Small loop doesn't mean a bad thing, right?
I may end up in 500 though- or wherever. That's my 2nd choice I gave the CM but who knows- I might end up getting some other random loop. We'll see!

 

[auntie]

We stayed in the 600 loop back the end of Sept. and I'd request it again. It was nicely located between both the Meadow area and the Settlement areas. I think you'll be happy with your choice.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

After going thru EVERY loop this past trip, I was very impressed with the 1200 loop, the 1100 loop and the 700 loop. The 800 loop is also a favorite of mine, the very first loop we stayed in back in 1973. All these loops have plenty of trees, close to the activities and friendly neighbors. The 500 loop seemed to be rather cramped. Check this out.

There are 4 sites crammed in here....Geez. Me thinks they should be charged 1/2 price.

What are you staying in, big rig, TT, 5th wheel????

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Wow, that does seem kinda up close and personal without trees between or anything. Well there are trees but tall skinny ones so only a little "trunk" of a tree is between them. LOL
That looks like parking in a parking lot or something! wow...

We have a TT. I think 28ft long TT

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Wow, that does seem kinda up close and personal without trees between or anything. Well there are trees but tall skinny ones so only a little "trunk" of a tree is between them. LOL
That looks like parking in a parking lot or something! wow...

We have a TT. I think 28ft long TT

I'm sure there are fans of the 500 loop out there, but, ugh. Here's a shot of one of the 1200 loop sites.

Site 1201

IMHO, I'd shot for this loop, large sites or the 700 or 800 loops too if you can't get in the 600 loop. Although if you do stay in the 600 loop, you will have to file a trip report with photos for all to see.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Okay that one looks like what I was expecting. LOL (but um, where's the grill?)

What happens if they assign you when you arrive and you get there and it's like the first pic you showed? Can you go back and beg for something non-parking lot like instead? LOL
I think 1200 is way too far from the marina for us..... non-golf cart people here. LOL And we're planning on making many trips to our TT to eat and then later take advantage of evening EMH and all that- so we don't want to be so far from the marina area!
Does your comment about the report mean no one here has ever stayed at 600 loop?!?

 

[Shan-man]

In defense on my favorite loop (500) the "parking lot" picture above is the worst case in the whole loop, and it is not as bad as the picture makes it look. Those sites are on a tight bend in the road so even though the drives merge at the road they fan out dramatically. There are bushes between the sites also, as can be seen just above the Cruiser's roof.

Though there are some nicely wooded sites there, I don't much care for 1200. It is not very convenient to facilities and it is in a wedge between two roads at the entrance to the CG so you get not only bus traffic, but every RV and car coming in or leaving drive by on these roads. JMO

 

[FlaFortCampster]

In defense on my favorite loop (500) the "parking lot" picture above is the worst case in the whole loop, and it is not as bad as the picture makes it look. Those sites are on a tight bend in the road so even though the drives merge at the road they fan out dramatically. There are bushes between the sites also, as can be seen just above the Cruiser's roof.

Though there are some nicely wooded sites there, I don't much care for 1200. It is not very convenient to facilities and it is in a wedge between two roads at the entrance to the CG so you get not only bus traffic, but every RV and car coming in or leaving drive by on these roads. JMO

Like you know anything about the different loops... (Making note to revisit 500 loop for reaccessment )

Thats why I asked what bibbidy was camping in. Those who have like equipment will have a far more educated view on the loops best for them. I watched a guy pulling out of one of the 1400 sites with a big rig, about the size of a school bus. OMG, it took at least 10 minutes and several close calls and 4 people helping. And I thought backing a popup into a spot was tough.


Actually, someone already said this, what loop isn't great as long as you are at the Fort???? It's just some are better than other for certain types of camping.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Okay that one looks like what I was expecting. LOL (but um, where's the grill?)

What happens if they assign you when you arrive and you get there and it's like the first pic you showed? Can you go back and beg for something non-parking lot like instead? LOL
I think 1200 is way too far from the marina for us..... non-golf cart people here. LOL And we're planning on making many trips to our TT to eat and then later take advantage of evening EMH and all that- so we don't want to be so far from the marina area!
Does your comment about the report mean no one here has ever stayed at 600 loop?!?

No, loop 600 is one of the original loop and a favorite of many folks. It's going through some changes right now and should be finished by the time your trip comes around. (See TCD's most recent trip report and look at the pics of loop 600).

So if you stay in 600, you need to report back so folks can see the changes.

Shan-man says 500 is great too, but he didn't like my 1200 loop, . Of course, I stay in the 2000 loop which is the furthest loop from anything, but I love it.

That's one of the great things about the Fort and this forum, so many different and interesting opinions.

What you should do is tell the reservation folks exactly what you have and what you would like, ie. size of your rig, want to be close to marina, want a large, easy to get in site, etc. They are pretty good about getting a site that will fit your needs. You might not get the loop you want, but your site should be to your liking. If not, you can call the Outpost from the Comfort Station house phone and request a different site. They should be able to help.

I wouldn't worry too much about this. You'll be fine and once you have been there, you'll get a much better feel for your favorite loops.

The grill in the 1201 site is just behind the picnic table. Still like the 1200 loop..

 

[Shan-man]

As I said recently in another thread, there really is no such thing as a bad loop at the Fort... there are just different benefits to different loops. I love 500 and 1800, and there really couldn't be two loops that are much different. 1800 is quiet and isolated, making for a very relaxing vacation. 500 is convenient to everything and has tons of atmospheric sounds, and right in the middle of the biggest Christmas displays. Making for a fun, active vacation. I love em both.

We each have our own criteria. For instance, I'm too big to comfortably use our moho bathroom so we use the comfort station a lot. For that reason alone I would prefer to never stay in 700 (or at least, not until we get a bigger moho) because the CS is far removed from most sites and is across a major road. The quiet half of 1400 is too far away from the CS too, and I don't want to be on the loud half because we are early to bedders and don't want the noise from the campfire. 1100, 1200 and 1700 are all too far from facilities but without the benefit of being away from traffic (unlike 1800 and 1900).

In the end, the idea of what makes a loop "best" is highly subjective. All we can do is share our likes and dislikes and hope that the person asking is able to identify whose preferences his own align with best.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Shan-man, I totally understand and sure do appreciate all the info everytime you help me out with info. LOL
Okay so what about comfort stations/laundry areas -how far are they from loop 600? We're a family of 5.. one tiny TT bathroom isn't always going to cut it- plus I did want to do some laundry before we check out since we're going on the 7nt cruise after the week at FW. It would be nice if I didn't have to lug dirty/clean clothes a long way or heaven forbid have to get on a bus to get where I can do laundry! Unfortunately our TT isn't big enough to fit a washer/dryer- that's the one thing I wish it had! LOL

 

[Shan-man]

600 is another loop that doesn't have its own comfort station, guests have to cross the bridge and walk around the campfire area to use the CS at 1400. Or go about the same distance, crossing Fort Wilderness Trail to 800s CS, which I'd only pick if the campfire is going on, since the campfire guests use the 1400 CS. From the lowest numbered 600 sites this is about 510 feet. That's quite a hike at 2am (which is about the time most beer rentals come due, right?). Once you get to 612 you are about 660 feet to either 1400CS or 500CS, so take your pick. Higher than 612 and 500's CS will be the closest, with the highest number (624) being about 500 feet away.

Oh, laundry... each CS has coin-op washers and dryers. You might want to bring a RadioFlyer to help carry the load.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Hmm, is loop 500 closer to a comfort station? Maybe I should switch my first/second choice. LOL I doubt we'll need it at 2am (if someone has to go at 2am they can use the one in the TT!) but still it would be nice not to be TOO far from a comfort station when more than one of us "needs to go" if you know what I mean- and also not to have to lug clothing very far to wash/dry clothes.
hmm?
(thanks again!)

 

[Shan-man]

500 has a CS on the loop. If you are expecting to use the CS much I would stay away from 600 and 700 personally.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Thanks- that's the same thing TCD said! I'm going to take the experts opinions- thanks!