The fort will reopen on 10/6

[ucf_knight]

I just hung up with guest services as I have a reservation starting on October 6 to inquire about if the resort will be opening on that day or not. They told me for sure the re-opening date is October 6 and my reservation is good.

 

[StormyCA]

I'm sure there is a LOT of debris clean up to do what with all the trees and bushes.

Kudos to the groundskeeping staff!

 

[serenitygr]

Just a word of caution- that date has been given over and over the past few days as the hopeful opening date. But they are also not 100% sure it will be ready. We are hoping and praying that’s true because we are checking in tomorrow- almost there from Minnesota- and have not received any calls or emails from the Fort yet. So we’ll update the October trip thread with what actually happens…

 

[ucf_knight]

Just a word of caution- that date has been given over and over the past few days as the hopeful opening date. But they are also not 100% sure it will be ready. We are hoping and praying that’s true because we are checking in tomorrow- almost there from Minnesota- and have not received any calls or emails from the Fort yet. So we’ll update the October trip thread with what actually happens…

Keep us posted on your arrival but I spoke with Disney guest relations today and they said for sure 10/6 is the reopening date. I’ve kept my reservation and I’m all checked into the cabin already via MDE.

 

[FtW Mike]

My wife just read me a post from FB's Walt's Ft Wilderness Campers where the writer states they just spoke with Guest Services and were told, We have no idea when Ft Wilderness will re-open , at this time we have been unable to access the resort and assess what damage has been done and restoration/repairs are required.
I have no knowledge of the author and offer no assessment of the reliability or credibility of their claims

 

[ucf_knight]

My wife just read me a post from FB's Walt's Ft Wilderness Campers where the writer states they just spoke with Guest Services and were told, We have no idea when Ft Wilderness will re-open , at this time we have been unable to access the resort and assess what damage has been done and restoration/repairs are required.
I have no knowledge of the author and offer no assessment of the reliability or credibility of their claims

I’m curious to know if they posted this today or if this was from a few days ago

 

[Brocktoon]

My wife just read me a post from FB's Walt's Ft Wilderness Campers where the writer states they just spoke with Guest Services and were told, We have no idea when Ft Wilderness will re-open , at this time we have been unable to access the resort and assess what damage has been done and restoration/repairs are required.
I have no knowledge of the author and offer no assessment of the reliability or credibility of their claims

I've also read on some other internet postings that some people with 10/6 to 10/8 arrivals are currently getting contacted and moved to other resorts. I also cannot confirm the accuracy, so just rumors for now.

 

[FtW Mike]

I’m curious to know if they posted this today or if this was from a few days ago

My wife said it was posted less than an hour before she read it to me.

 

[ScarletFire]

Did you see the rain totals? That's a lot of rain! I'm certain FW had/has standing water. There's always some water in the swampy areas. I've looked for pictures with no success.

 

[lanejudy]

I've looked for pictures with no success.

Which kinda gives credence to this report...

at this time we have been unable to access the resort and assess what damage has been done and restoration/repairs are required.

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

Until we get some campers back in, I don't think we will get any photos. Disney sure isn't going to be posting any

At this point I'm unsure about our 15th check in date and we are in Full Hookups, probably the most swampy sites.

 

[ucf_knight]

I just called Disney again as some of the comments on this thread had me concerned to the reopening date I was told. I was just told that there isn’t a reopening date (this took an hour on hold to get a manager to answer the question) and that the fort would contact anyone with reservations booked for 10/3 or after to work out rescheduling. They also told me that they couldn’t look up my reservation as I used a travel agent and that they couldn’t speak to me about anything in regards to it. I reiterated that all I was really wanting to know was if the reopening date I was told a day prior by Disney was accurate or not and the cast member said they have not been given any communication as to when it’d reopen.

 

[Brocktoon]

I reiterated that all I was really wanting to know was if the reopening date I was told a day prior by Disney was accurate or not and the cast member said they have not been given any communication as to when it’d reopen.

The above is what I find most frustrating with the current status. I understand Ian has caused unprecedented circumstances and there have been countless locals left without a home or worse ... but can Disney have some sort of official statement released as to the status of the Fort?

Even if it's just to stay that due to damage assessment the reopening date is unknown. There are so many guests that are left currently in limbo and there appears to be no official/recommended path to follow other than keep calling and get different answers depending on who you talk to. Will Disney try to relocate all incoming guests? At least if future guests know the Fort could be closed for weeks potentially, they can be a bit proactive in their planning. Right now no one knows what to do.

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

We are trading our travel trailer in on a motorhome and this was to be its last hurrah.

 

[ScarletFire]

Until we get some campers back in, I don't think we will get any photos. Disney sure isn't going to be posting any

At this point I'm unsure about our 15th check in date and we are in Full Hookups, probably the most swampy sites.

Us too! Full Hookups and check in the 16th. No emails/texts about rescheduling.

 

[serenitygr]

We just arrived a couple hours ago and drove by the fort. Not sure what the situation is in the actual loops but the reports people are hearing about no one having access are completely false based on the number of vehicles in their parking lot, which I assume are workers.

 

[ScarletFire]

We just arrived a couple hours ago and drove by the fort. Not sure what the situation is in the actual loops but the reports people are hearing about no one having access are completely false based on the number of vehicles in their parking lot, which I assume are workers.

Finally! Someone with firsthand knowledge!! Thank you for the report.

 

[Teamubr]

The above is what I find most frustrating with the current status. I understand Ian has caused unprecedented circumstances and there have been countless locals left without a home or worse ... but can Disney have some sort of official statement released as to the status of the Fort?

Even if it's just to stay that due to damage assessment the reopening date is unknown.

I completely understand. This was the same situation 5 years ago with Irma. Communication was just as vague then. Contradictory messages on the phone (when you could get through) were the norm.

Disney put out a very basic statement last week when it announced the WL Copper Creek cabins, Poly bungalows and SSR treetop villas would reopen. It just said the Fort was to be determined.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels​

• Copper Creek Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and the Bungalows at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort are temporarily closed through Friday, Sept. 30 due to the weather.
• Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will be closed until Monday, Oct. 3
• Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground will remain temporarily closed at this time.

We are contacting Guests with current and upcoming reservations.

I doubt the people doing the clean up can make a guestimate until they get far enough along. As for a call center CM or even manager, they will only have something to pass along to callers when the "boots on the ground" can say they are ready (or know they will be ready in x days). It doesn't sound like the people doing the clean up are far enough along to say an opening date with any confidence. They certainly don't want to over promise on a date and miss it. Or declare a date and be done days early, after everyone has made alternative plans.

It sounds like Disney is making accommodations for people with current arrivals. But I know the waiting and unknown is terrible. I've been there after Irma.

j

 

[ucf_knight]

Disney called me this morning and booked me one night at AoA with checking into the fort on Friday 10/7. They still said 10/7 isn’t guaranteed to be open. We may end up canceling the AoA reservation as we’d rather stay at Gaylord palms for less money and more to do at that resort.

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

Disney called me this morning and booked me one night at AoA with checking into the fort on Friday 10/7. They still said 10/7 isn’t guaranteed to be open. We may end up canceling the AoA reservation as we’d rather stay at Gaylord palms for less money and more to do at that resort.

So they weren’t putting you there at the Fort’s rate?