Tell me about the full hook-up sites and loops

[MudQueen22]

We stayed for the first time at the Fort in July 2019. We absolutely loved it, but said we probably wouldn't go back because of the cost of the sites + the cost for us to haul our camper from Texas.

We stayed in a premium site. I read quite a bit before booking, and I booked a premium site and requested 400 loop (ended up in 500) due to the proximity to the marina. A large group of people say that they HAAAAAAAAVE to have a golf cart, but we were pleasantly surprised that the walk to the marina and bus service to the pool and outpost weren't bad at all. We averaged 13 minutes to the marina on foot (and we're overweight and out of shape with two children who don't get in a hurry). We never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus to the outpost or the pool.

I'm trying to determine if our next WDW vacation should be at the Fort or at Pop Century. I know most here will vote Fort, but we aren't ones to hang out at the Fort; we will likely spend 8-12 hours per day in the parks with only two down days out of 10 for washing clothes and swimming. (And we won't cook in our camper while at WDW; we learned that on our last trip. lol)

How do you like the full hook-up sites? How do they compare to the premium?

Were they quiet, or were they party-central? Were they spacious enough? Did you like staying in them? Did you have any trouble? Were the bathrooms crowded? How was the walk to the bus stop?

Any info you can give about your experience will help so much.

 

[WeLovePluto]

I stayed in 1600 during Mardi Gras 2018. I thought the loop and comfort stations were just fine. I don’t recall any issues with noise/party atmosphere. I generally didn’t wait for the bus because we had a double stroller and it was easier to push it to either end of the campground than to break it down an extra time and deal with it in the bus. Walking to the bus stop was short and I was usually passed by a bus while walking. With your magic band, you can drive to the (non-MK) parks and don’t have to pay to park. I didn’t know this at that time.

I’ve done 2 stays in preferred loops (in 100 and 200) and that’s where we’re going to stay for our next trip.

 

[Teamubr]

We were in loop 2100 last September. It has recently been converted from cabins to a Full loop. It was very nice. It is NOT an easy walk to the marina or Outpost, so you will be using internal buses or a cart.

I liked the loop and the sites. No noise or "groups". The sites feel open and had plenty of room. The CS was fantastic. Never busy, although I was there in a slower time.

Overall, I prefer the Perferred sites (Loops 100, 200, 300). They are the closest to the Marina and don't cost quite as much as a Premium. Full sites are cheaper, but they are not in a convenient location.

j

 

[Tallis]

I would always pay more to stay at the Fort. It's my preference even though we are most often at a tent/pop up loop. Never had a problem with any kind of party atmosphere, or anything less spotless comfort stations. Considering most of my experience is a rung below full hook-ups, I can't imagine that being different.

Just a quick thought since you said you don't cook in your camper - have you considered preparing and freezing meals ahead of time so you would just have to heat up? I know many people just like to eat out all the time when they are on vacation, but figured I'd throw it out there since it's a huge cost saver. We never eat out, other than once or twice at Yorkshire County Fish Shop each visit.

I should add that we have never rented a golf cart either. Never had to wait more than five minutes on an internal bus.

 

[MudQueen22]

Just a quick thought since you said you don't cook in your camper - have you considered preparing and freezing meals ahead of time so you would just have to heat up? I know many people just like to eat out all the time when they are on vacation, but figured I'd throw it out there since it's a huge cost saver. We never eat out, other than once or twice at Yorkshire County Fish Shop each visit.

Our plan during the last trip was to average two meals per day in the camper. We enjoy a lot of the restaurants at WDW, and since we don't get to go often, we like to experience them while we're there. I had meals all planned out, but we scrapped all but two or three non-breakfast meals, either because we were having so much fun in the parks and didn't want to leave to get a meal or there was somewhere we wanted to try.
We did pack a breakfast every morning to eat on our way to the parks, but we also did that when we stayed in a value. To us, it's easier to bring granola bars, yogurt cups, fruit, and juice boxes from the room and eat while waiting on buses than it is to go to the resort QS cafeteria and order food from there.

On normal camping trips, we tend to prepare all of our meals at the campsite. Its more convenient for us, and it's what we prefer. We might go out to eat a few times, but it's mostly eat at the trailer as if we were home. Disney is just different; their food and restaurants seem novel to us.

 

[MudQueen22]

I should add that we have never rented a golf cart either. Never had to wait more than five minutes on an internal bus.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one with this experience. I was worried that the internal buses would cause us problems, but they were great.

 

[cmrdgrs]

subscribing -- I've always wanted to stay at Fort Wilderness, but the cost seems so high!

 

[Sjm9911]

For me , the fort was cheaper then the resorts. We only had 3 people. But the cost of the hotel room was way more. All the sights were fine. Even at halloween it was pretty quite at 9 pm. Tallis put me on to the frozen food. So , lasagna, chicken cutlets, etc. All easy and ready to go. We ate most meals at the campsite, if your on a buget its the way to go. We packed lunch for the parks. It was more about speed , and food allergies. I could eat in line for a ride and we didnt need to stop for lunch. If you are flying in its way more money. For me the fort was the way cheaper option. Plus depending on when you plan to go, i see renovations being made to some of the value pools. So for me thats a no go.

 

[Sjm9911]

For me , the fort was cheaper then the resorts. We only had 3 people. But the cost of the hotel room was way more. All the sights were fine. Even at halloween it was pretty quite at 9 pm. Tallis put me on to the frozen food. So , lasagna, chicken cutlets, etc. All easy and ready to go. We ate most meals at the campsite, if your on a buget its the way to go. We packed lunch for the parks. It was more about speed , and food allergies. I could eat in line for a ride and we didnt need to stop for lunch. If you are flying in its way more money. For me the fort was the way cheaper option. Plus depending on when you plan to go, i see renovations being made to some of the value pools. So for me thats a no go.

 

[MudQueen22]

For me , the fort was cheaper then the resorts. We only had 3 people. But the cost of the hotel room was way more.

Do you live close? We drive regardless, but the gas is double when we pull the trailer.
Also, the roads going through Louisiana were brutal on our trailer. Others we've talked to have had the same experience, so that could create another expense.

I think if we lived in SE Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, or Florida, it would be a slam-dunk better deal to stay at the Fort. Much of the reason it is such a debate on cost is our location relative to WDW.

 

[MudQueen22]

subscribing -- I've always wanted to stay at Fort Wilderness, but the cost seems so high!

I'm not sure where you live. Your location relative to WDW makes a difference on cost. I think, if you can swing it, it's worth it to go at least once. It's a nice experience.
We live in Texas. To make it worth it in fuel costs, we needed to stay 10 nights. We did 7 park days, and two full down days. Our arrival day was also a down day for swimming and exploring.

 

[Sjm9911]

Im in nj , so 1100 miles. Yes , it wasnt the most fun towing , but i split the drive up over 3 days. 3rd day pulled into the fort at 11 am. Gas was not cheap and pulli g the TT was like 9 mpg. Lol. Still by far cheaper, considering we ate breakfast and most dinners in the camper. We also stayed for 2 weeks. I figured if i was towing all the way down , i might as well stay for a bit. Definitely ask here for the best roads and such, a lot travel that way frequently.

 

[PaHunter]

subscribing -- I've always wanted to stay at Fort Wilderness, but the cost seems so high!

Cost seems high compared to what exactly ? I mean campsites are not getting cheaper by no means. I just priced the week 19 -25 July, Premium Site 1038.38, Little Mermaid Room at AOA was 1636.88 and a standard room at ASM was 1103.25 all for the same dates. No packages, just rooms.
So the 2nd most expensive campsite is still better cost wise.
My biggest comfort is I get to sleep in my bed, on my sheets with my pillows.
Fuel when towing is usually the big expense, one can find cheap campgrounds on the way or even places to "camp" for free. We love being able to return Home at the end of the night, reach in the fridge, which has our favorite foods and beverages and relax.
We did the DDP plan one year, because we commando'd the parks from RD to close. It was worth it that trip. Usually we come back make dinner, and head back to somewhere for the night.
We also use our camper besides Disney, so when we travel, it feels like home.
I used to travel as a Commercial Diver and when you are spending weeks or months in a hotel room, they all look the same, and in the end, they are not very homey in feel.

 

[Tallis]

I think if we lived in SE Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, or Florida, it would be a slam-dunk better deal to stay at the Fort. Much of the reason it is such a debate on cost is our location relative to WDW.

As far as us, we live in FL, less than a two hour drive to Disney. We go a lot, or at least we did .... I suppose that's why the food is not a big deal to us. If it was a destination we didn't go to often, we would probably eat out more.