Trying to plan ahead...

[SandrA9810]

So a few years ago, I only had to book a couple months out to get Halloween Weekend. 2008 I had to do two bookings, one with a discount for the first part of the stay, and then pay full price for the 2-3nights surrounding the 31st. They did allow us to stay at the same site (even though the first part was given an upgrade to full hookup site)

Why is it so difficult to book a whole year away??? I gave up in about may/june for getting anything this year. I ain't paying full price for a whole week. I'll only pay full price for just the 31st...

I usually try to find if there's anything on the net before calling to book. And well they get annoyed when you call the cast line to make a booking.... well hello, i wouldn't need to call you if the stupid site was working or giving me what I want.

It's my favorite time to be there. And every year I'm trying to think of something that would win the pumpkin carving contest. I haven't won yet...

 

[SandrA9810]

I'm not even talking about this year, I want NEXT year.

The hardest part, is I'm able to pull up an availability for partial hook-up, and we only have a tent, but I don't like leaving the dog in the kennel anymore. I'm not a fan of the new company. So I need a preferred, but I'm wondering if I book partial if they'll still give me the pet loop. And I've got to start from the dates I want and work my way out till it will give it to me. Like I start with the 29-1... 28-2... 27-3. It's so frustrating that they want everything to be done online....

 

[BradyBz12]

we only have a tent, but I don't like leaving the dog in the kennel anymore. I'm not a fan of the new company. So I need a preferred, but I'm wondering if I book partial if they'll still give me the pet loop.

Can't find it at the moment, but someone recently posted here that FW has updated their policy on pets and it now specifically reads that dogs are not allowed in tents or camping vehicles that do not have a/c.

 

[SandrA9810]

That's been the rules for a very long time. If you have a soft sided camping set up, no dog is allowed to be left unattended.

But we camp with AC anyways.... that's besides the point.

 

[BradyBz12]

Not looking to argue with you, and I know Disney sometimes doesn't enforce it's own rules, but this is what was posted back on 7/28 in this thread...

...Disney now states teh following on the Fort Wilderness web page

"Pets

Since pets like to go on vacation too, pet-friendly campsites are available. Pets are not permitted in tents or vehicles without air-conditioning."

Old posted rule was that pets weren't allowed in pop-ups or tents.... this seems to at least make accommodations for popups with a/c.

Again - not looking to argue - just passing along info.

 

[SandrA9810]

Our first camping trip in 2004 to the fort was in a tent, and every year since. I used to keep her in the kennel when it was disney during the day, but now when we go to the Fort, we generally don't leave the fort.

At check in, they've asked if we had a pet with us, and what kind of camping set up we've had. I've never "snuck her in" or not paid the pet fee, and I've never lied about the set up we have.
Until I'm told no at check-in, I'm not changing the way we camp. And I refuse to pay 12$ a night for the stupid kennel when I'm only paying 20$ a night to camp.

 

[dtum]

Track down Rhonda (she's mod) and works for Dreams Unlimited...link at very top of page. If there's anything out there, she will find it and do all the work for you. It has saved us hours of aggravation and it's the only way we go to FW and Disney now.

 

[tlh0726]

So if you take your dog and camp in a tent, you or someone must stay with the dog 24/7 otherwise the dog needs to be put in the kennel?

So when do you get to have any fun?

 

[SandrA9810]

The fun is being in the campgrounds. I think you're not paying attention to my info below my screen name too.

Straight from the horses mouth, yes I stopped by the campgrounds and the lady at the desk spoke with some managers to verify. You may keep your pet with you with any set up, as long as the pet is not left unattended.
Yes that means that one of us needs to stay with the dog 24/7 or (for most) it's to the kennel. Generally if we don't plan on doing anything, she stays with us. If like on Halloween where we want to go to the campfire program, we'll just drive her home in the evening, feed her, and then pick her up in the morning. It's a little much for us to do daily to leave her at home. So it's about 75% at the Fort with us, 25% at home.
It's cheaper in gas for me to take her home than it is for me to leave her at the kennel. And besides one guy that worked at the Epcot location, I have never been pleased with thier service or the price. She's getting to be an old doggie and I just don't want to put her in the kennels anymore, even though she's always been a very good dog at the kennels, the two ladies that used to work at the Fort location absolutely adored her.

Here's a couple pictures of her at the Fort in the field next to the kennel taken 7/29

 

[m1tchells]

I'm not even talking about this year, I want NEXT year.

The hardest part, is I'm able to pull up an availability for partial hook-up, and we only have a tent, but I don't like leaving the dog in the kennel anymore. I'm not a fan of the new company. So I need a preferred, but I'm wondering if I book partial if they'll still give me the pet loop. And I've got to start from the dates I want and work my way out till it will give it to me. Like I start with the 29-1... 28-2... 27-3. It's so frustrating that they want everything to be done online....

AS far as I know, dogs have never been allowed in tents....no matter what type of site you stay on. I think is is a matter of them possible being able to escape. We have been there before when a dog chewed his way of out the tent section of a pop up.

 

[Shan-man]

I hate to beat a dead horse, but the rule is spelled out crystal clear... pets are not permitted in tents or vehicles without AC. It is right there on the reservations page. When you check in and sign the indemnity release you also agree that pets may not be left unattended except in a hard-sided RV? (I don't recall the exact wording) which precludes leaving a pet outside, in a tent, or in a pop-up unattended. Disney, of course, reserves the right to ignore their own rules, but I wouldn't want to count on it!

 

[SandrA9810]

You people are getting way off topic here. I'm not doing anything that isn't allowed. I'm not leaving her alone at the campsite. Geez... Plus she's not a chewer, never chewed a thing in her life besides food, so I'm not worried about her in our tent.

My question is, has every one already booked up for Halloween next year?? I thought they just opened up the reservations for next year... I've never had so much trouble getting a site. Are they changing the way you can book Halloween now?? I get that people like to book without setting up for fun holidays. But I don't know many people that want to stay 2 weeks for just one weekend.

 

[Memph1s]

On line is showing availability for next year now. But I have been trying for this year since late May with no luck.

 

[dtum]

You people are getting way off topic here. I'm not doing anything that isn't allowed. I'm not leaving her alone at the campsite. Geez... Plus she's not a chewer, never chewed a thing in her life besides food, so I'm not worried about her in our tent.

My question is, has every one already booked up for Halloween next year?? I thought they just opened up the reservations for next year... I've never had so much trouble getting a site. Are they changing the way you can book Halloween now?? I get that people like to book without setting up for fun holidays. But I don't know many people that want to stay 2 weeks for just one weekend.

Again, contact Rhonda ( rhonda@dreamsunlimitedtravel.com). She is at Dreams Unlimited (sponsors of this forum) and ask her. If you don't want to book with her you don't have to, but i guarantee when you see how easy she is to work with you will want to. Last trip we had to actually change our ressie three times and she always came through. Stop trying to find out why online won't let you do it and just ask her! Really you won't be sorry.