The Fort is full =(

[Shannone1]

I actually convinced Chad we would SAVE money by spending Christmas at the Fort, lol. But of course they are totally full this year from Dec 19th-Jan 4th

I asked when I could book for Christmas '08 and they said August. Wahhh !! That feels like sooooo long from now !! But the good news is that the way Christmas falls that year, we should be able to stay for 11 nights

I just keep telling myself that we have other fun trips planned too (Mt Rushmore over the 4th of July, a week up north with 5 other families, 6 weeks out west to Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Pacific Coast in the summer of 08) But it isn't the same as The Fort. I think I am good and hooked, lol. I spend the whole stupid afternoon reading OTHER people's trip reports on the parks forum, rofl !!

 

[DavidH]

Shannone,

Keep trying. Since you can cancel reservations until 5 or 6 days before, lots of folks make "maybe" resv' (I know I have). It's worth letting WDW hold one nights deposit till I know for sure.

I have read that the system updates overnight and the canceled spots show up the next morning at 7:00.

Good Luck

 

[drafthorsecrazy]

Yep.... I'm one of those holding Dec. Christmas reservations and not sure that we'll be able to make it. If its not possible for us to make WDW this Dec. I will give this board notice that I am cancelling so hopefully a Dis'er can grab it up!

 

[Colson39]

DavidH is right, just keep calling at 7 AM, that's when it will be updated and when you'll have the best chance of getting a cancellation. Even if you can just get a day or two here or there, if you can piece it all together you can turn it into a full reservation by the time you're done.

P.S. My parents work in the national parks over the summers, they worked at Mount Rushmore 3 years ago, and for the last two years they've worked at Glacier National Park in Montana (they live in their fifth wheel for 7 months, now that's camping...heh). My dad is the now the lead Red Bus driver, and my mom ferries hikers up to Canada. And yes, I am very jealous and want to be retired now...lol.

 

[tderonne]

Careful, a first trip in a new motorhome to Fort Wilderness can totally spoil you. Friends of ours are in that boat. They checked out a state park with oceanfront paved sites, 50 amp electric, and water hook ups and commented how rustic it was! No sewer! Imagine roughing it like that.

You sure have some fun trips planned. I know they'll be a blast.

I see you mention December 19th. Definitely a good day to start your trip as it's the last day to get the pre-holiday rates (a preferred site goes from $58 to $96). But you know that, right? Like others have said, keep trying. You have found the toll free numbers to call?

 

[mike k.]

We made our Dec.06 FW res about 4 weeks out and made changes 10 days prior. At 4 mos out, everything was booked and our hopes were dashed. CM recommended trying once a week and we got our wish . If you have the luxury of being able to go on short notice, the trip might be in your future.
I have to say that the Fort was maxed out when we were there for the week(12/9 - 12-16) and at checkout on Sat. morning, the lot was full and they were in line out to the gate:

 

[stacktester]

Ol Lord, somebody call a Dr. Shannone is hooked now. I hate to tell you Shannone but there is no anticdote so go ahead and break out the wallet and tell Chad to hang on lol.

 

[clkelley]

I was playing around with the WDW website a few weeks back and trying to do the same thing you are, book starting the 19th to avoid the holiday rates. Couldn't get anything to come up on the website starting the 19th. (Could get the 19th by itself).

Low and behold, I punched in the 20th through early January and sites became available.

I've also tried weekend dates at various times for Friday and Saturday only, nothing shows up. I add Wed and Thursday to that and I get availability.

Disney does have it's computer system set up to show availability that will give them the best profit margin and the best use of their availability.

I would just keep checking and try to get one night at a time. Yes, you will pay more than a continuous reservation starting on the 19th, but you will have a place to camp!!

 

[magic minnie]

Hi! What are the toll free numbers? Thanks!!

 

[clkelley]

Just played around with the website again.

I could get the 19th by itself for a full hookup site and could get the 20th - checking out on the 24th for a full hookup site, but it would not let me book the 19th - checking out on the 24th for a full hookup site.

The 24th - checking out on the 28th is available with partial hookup site.

The 29th - through 1st nothing is available no matter what combination I use.

The online site won't let me even look for anything after January 1 unless I start the reservation before January 1.

 

[Shannone1]

I was actually trying for the 22nd- 3rd. We tried any combination of 7-10 days from the 21st-5nd and nothing was available. I don't want to be "on the road" on Christmas Eve or NYE. { It takes us 2 days to get there and 2 days to get home}.

We really can't go short notice ( I would want to be able to get a golf cart again and make my ADR for the DDP) and we have to be able to set aside the money ahead of time. It's too long of a trip for us on short notice. Sigh.

I guess we will just have to wait until 08. It's only about 20 months away, right ??

 

[Shannone1]

I was playing around with the WDW website a few weeks back and trying to do the same thing you are, book starting the 19th to avoid the holiday rates. Couldn't get anything to come up on the website starting the 19th. (Could get the 19th by itself).

Can you give me a link of where you check for reservation online just for the Fort?? The main site I have been using takes me through all of the resorts.

 

[clkelley]

Can you give me a link of where you check for reservation online just for the Fort?? The main site I have been using takes me through all of the resorts.

www.disneyworld.com

tickets and reservations

room only

plug in dates # of people, click continue

Then click on drop down menu "show only" cabins and campground

The campground shows up 2nd on the list and it will show what is available

To search again, use the search again features on the right, the campground is the 2nd choice under cabins and campground, just above other deluxe resorts.

 

[snocrossmechanic]

Well my wife and I are trying to add more children to this world and if all goes as planned we will be giving up our reservations too.

We have the 17th - 28th booked. Whomever mentioned checking in on or before the 19th is correct. The difference in price is a ton.

I will let you all know before I cancel so you can scoop them up.

Mark

 

[dopeyprincesses]

good luck Shannone - maybe someone will cancel soon so you can get a trip booked for this year but the bright side is you WILL go in 2008

You also said "I just keep telling myself that we have other fun trips planned too (Mt Rushmore over the 4th of July" -

How coincidental!! We have a trip planned for Mt Rushmore maybe going to Pacific Coast also but in about 5 years

 

[nbodyhome]

Later in the year is more difficult, because of retirees staying for a few months at a time. But something could open up as well!