What path brought you to the "Fort"?

[graciejane]

1976-first trip to WDW. Folks had a pickup camper so away we went for 2 weeks. Stayed at a KOA in Winter Garden with a bunch of snow birds. My brother and I were just about the only kids at the campground. The snow birds treated us great and taught us to play a mean game of shuffle board. My dad decided that we needed to come back down but next time they would look for a campground that might have more kids.

1978-Mom and Dad borrowed the grandparetns avion and we went to the Fort for the first time. My dad was hooked. Mom stretched every dollar and they would bring us down to the Fort every couple years for 2 weeks at a time.

1999- Finally convinced DH that is was worth the time and money to take the boys to WDW. We packed up the yellowstone and mom and dad packed up their avion and off we went. After 2 weeks at the Fort, DH decided that maybe this didn't have to be a "one time only" trip and so we have continued to come every couple years or so.

Bestest part now is listening to my boys (19 and 17) talking about how when they have families of their own, they will be camping at the Fort with them too

 

[thecplusplusguy]

So lets see my path started when I was 6 months old in 1970, my family abandoned me with my Aunt while they went to Disney Land.

They made up 2 years later when we start driving the Motorhome down to the Fort every year. The trips were usually 2 weeks long but we didn't spend it all at the Fort. We did this until about 83. WE were a family of 7 in a 28'-32' MH. Mom Dad and 5 boys. Those were good times.

in 1984-5 or so (the year after Epcot opened) Mom, Dad, and I went to Kissimee for a few days and went to Epcot to check it out.

I didn't go again until 2004 with my brothers and about 25 other friends, we stayed at Port Orleans riverside.

In 2005 went with my then GF to Animal Kingdom Lodge (Savanna view). Her first time we loved it. Went again in 2006 to All Star Music. still liked the trip, but not the resort

Took 2 years in which time we got Married.

In 2009 Fulfilled a dream since I was 13, I went back to the Fort with Mom, 1 bro and wife. We will never stay anywhere else. Going again in November and have the 2011 trip booked as well. Will also be going in 2012 with the whole family, but haven't figured that one out yet.

Dan

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Bestest part now is listening to my boys (19 and 17) talking about how when they have families of their own, they will be camping at the Fort with them too

Awwww, that IS the best!!!!!! My boys say the same thing!

And they say they'll even let us (mom/dad) camp next to them!

My 13 year old has already said that his future wife must love Disney, camping & The Fort! Train up a child ......

 

[MandMLUVMMandDVC]

Maybe DVC will start selling plots outside of the Haunted Mansion.

I'm hoping that someday I'll own enough DVC that they'll agree when I pass on to let me ride in the old horse-drawn hearse. Maybe they'd even let me be the start of the parade thru the MK!!

 

[Solamom]

Wow, these stories are soooooo cool!

Here's mine:

First trip was when I was 4, so around 1978. My mom hated the crowds and heat...she was not well versed on all things disney and did very poor planning.

We moved to the Tampa area when I was 8. My mom got a job at a cable company and was the area coordinator for the disney channel - so we stumbled upon a few free tickets We even visited EPCOT when I was around 10. I remember wanting to stay the night over there so bad but my mom never saw the point since we were only 1 hour away.

My mom moved on to a new job and w/ that we lost Disney access. So for my teenage years, I got my once a year trip to MK at Night of Joy. One time, when I was in 8th grade, my mom got a comp room at the Royal Plaza in Downtown disney for Night of Joy. That is the one and only time I stayed over there.

When DH and I started dating, we took one day trip to MK in 1995 then I took a 7 year hiatus from all things DW. For some reason I thought boats and jet skis were more fun than Disney......very temporary moment of insanity!

But when DD#1 was 1.5 years old, we took a trip to Disney, stayed at the Poly and that started our adventures these last 8 years. We stayed at all the values, one mod, and the Poly. Camping never crossed my mind....

After three kids, two began wanting to "camp" I didn't want to...but I agreed, as long as it was at Disney, so in December 2008, we stayed at FW for the first time (in a tent). I remember dreading the trip, hoping for bad weather so we were forced to switch to a resort. Just a little over a month before our trip, DH and I took a trip alone for our anniversary and stayed at the Dolphin. I didn't think I would like anything like the Dolphin,

to my surprise, I was hooked! I LOVED FW. I loved that the kids could play and not be stuck in a hotel room. I loved riding bikes. Everything!! We went back twice in 2009 (staying in a friend's pop up).

And now....we leave TOMORROW for a solid week at FW in our new TT! I am up early getting ready to pack the TT for its inagural trip. We can't wait

 

[mikeymouse1]

My parents told me that they first knew about me on there stay at the Polly in February 1973. I came along in November 1973. You do the math! I about fell out when I was old enough to figure this one out!

 

[rm0530]

During my first visit to WDW, we stayed at the Fort for a week. It was in '00, I was in 7th grade and my brother was about to graduate high school. We stayed in a preferred site with my parents 32'' class A but we only were at the Fort to sleep. We used the buses for everything and I remember seeing the peacocks everywhere. We had ADRs for lunch and dinner and I didn't realize then how much money that trip must have cost.

I took two more trips with my parents (offsite), a day trip to Epcot with my now-DH during college, and one trip with his family (offsite). One year we spent an entire week at US and Sea World. I was so miserable to be in Orlando and have zero contact with anything Disney!

Flash forward to 2010. We wanted to go visit the Harry Potter park but needed an inexpensive way to do it. We had been camping a few times since we got married and figured the Fort would be best for our needs. We planned a trip during July 4th weekend. I discovered the DIS boards while researching the Fort. Here I am with premium annual passes, 4 Fort trips finished, and two more booked for the year. I think I might need to look up the definition for inexpensive

After experiencing the Fort, we feel there's no place we'd rather stay. It's wonderful to have our own stuff, ability to cook real meals, and have room to spread out. We'd like to get a pop-up in the future but tent camping works for us right now.

 

[hotmamac]

OOOOHHH, this is fun!!!

Let's see...

1980 - age 5, mom, dad, sister, grandma and aunt stayed at FW in one of the trailers they had. Back then there weren't many options for on-site accomodations. And I still remember the campfire with Chip and Dale!

1983-ish -age 8-ish Dad had to go to Orlando for business and we went along. Stayed off site (since Dad's company was paying). It was August and about 8000 degrees. We were only there for a couple of days.

1993 - age 18. Day after my high school prom Mom, Dad, sister and I drove down to Orlando. I was working at the Disney Store back then and got a CM discount. Stayed at the CBR.

1999 - age 24. Honeymooned at WDW. Stayed at Coronado Springs. It was hubby's first time seeing Epcot, DHS, and Animal Kingdom!

2008 - age not telling. My daughter was granted a Make a Wish trip to WDW. Stayed at GKTW. Mom and sister went too and stayed at POR. Had the MOST magical trip to date!!

2011 - planned trip to FW. Back to where I started. Can't wait!!!!

 

[streamerfun]

The long and winding road began in 1973 when I was 12. Hitched a ride to Florida and was give 4 hours to "enjoy" Disney World. I chose well...Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, 20,000 Thousand Leagues, Haunted Mansion back across on the Tramway. Fast forward 22 years and three more lifetimes. Future ex wife's brother got a job doing animation in Disneyworld Studio (used to sit in the "fishbowl" to be watched by the tours). Started the current streak wihich I hope will never end:

1995 Stay with family
1996 Stay with family
1997 Carribean Beach
1998 Boardwalk
1999 Port Orleans
2000 (skipped due to first child)
2001 AllStar Movies
2002 AllStar Music
2003 Pop Century (I think...two more children added..confusing year)
2004 Tokyo Disney and Sea (work travels)
2005 AllStar Movies (first trip for oldest son)
2006 Tokyo Disney & Sea...(work again!)
2007 AllStar Movies with oldest again
2008 Skipped year aquired 76 Airstream..refurb time!
2009 AllStar Movies Suite (First Christmas at Disney, first time for all three boys..last time with wife!)
2010 Allstar movies with all three boys
2010 Planned...Fort Wilderness...we got to camp now!

 

[kampfirekim]

Hmmm...my path to the Fort.

1973 was my first year at WDW, we stayed at the Contemporary. I was 4.

1974 we stayed in a hotel, but I can't remember which one.

1975 Dad couldn't get a hotel room, so the Fort it was. We stayed in a FW Fleetwood trailer. There were no cabins yet, the accommodations were TT's.

The next several years we stayed in the CR and Poly. Of course River Country brought us to Fort Wilderness no matter where we stayed.

By the mid 80's my bro's were getting bigger and the great outdoors was a better fit for them, so that brought us back to the Fort where my parents continued to go through the 90's. I moved out in 1989 so I actually missed a few Disney years......

until I married DH in 1995. We honeymooned at the Wilderness Lodge.

In 1997 we were back at the Fort. That year we shared a cabin w/my parents.

That would be our last WDW trip until after the birth of our first son. In the meantime we'd gotten into camping, decided to sell our house and in the midst of it all we sold our camper.

DS7 was born in 2003. By early 2004, the decision was made. We would buy a new camper and go to Disney World! That year as I watched the July 4 GC parade while holding my 1 year old son (and already expecting my 2nd) with tears of joy streaming down my face...We knew that as long as there was a way, the Fort would be the only way we did Disney from now on.

We've been blessed to be able to go back "home" every year since and have never looked back, or imagined EVER staying anywhere else.

 

[jsmla]

Hmmm...my path to the Fort.

1973 was my first year at WDW, we stayed at the Contemporary. I was 4.

1974 we stayed in a hotel, but I can't remember which one.

1975 Dad couldn't get a hotel room, so the Fort it was. We stayed in a FW Fleetwood trailer. There were no cabins yet, the accommodations were TT's.

The next several years we stayed in the CR and Poly. Of course River Country brought us to Fort Wilderness no matter where we stayed.

kampfirekim-You have the nicest and most generous of parents


My Dad HATED Disney World! Really, really hated it with a passion. (I presume he still does-no one has ever invited him back!) For him vacation=beach. I think we were there for four days and for four days he entered the Magic Kingdom and headed straight for one of the counter service places where he sat and drank iced tea until we were ready to go back to the Days Inn. He never rode a ride, saw a show or ate a funnel cake. I didn't get to go back until I was all grown up and calling the shots.

Jennifer

 

[Lil' Lisa]

kampfirekim-You have the nicest and most generous of parents


My Dad HATED Disney World! Really, really hated it with a passion. (I presume he still does-no one has ever invited him back!) For him vacation=beach. I think we were there for four days and for four days he entered the Magic Kingdom and headed straight for one of the counter service places where he sat and drank iced tea until we were ready to go back to the Days Inn. He never rode a ride, saw a show or ate a funnel cake. I didn't get to go back until I was all grown up and calling the shots.

Jennifer

Maybe he had a bad experience with a mouse when he was young???

What a bummer for you that he never wanted to go back. At least you can go now though, right?

 

[jsmla]

Maybe he had a bad experience with a mouse when he was young???

What a bummer for you that he never wanted to go back. At least you can go now though, right?

My dad is just not a theme park person. If not the beach his ideal vacation would be a week in a tent at some fishing camp, the kind you can only get to by boat. You fish, you eat, you drink some beer and then yougo to bed early-that's Daddy heaven.

Yep I can go to Disney pretty much whenever I want to now and that's a lot! By the end of the year I'll have been 7 times in 2010

Jennifer

 

[kampfirekim]

kampfirekim-You have the nicest and most generous of parents


My Dad HATED Disney World! Really, really hated it with a passion. (I presume he still does-no one has ever invited him back!) For him vacation=beach. I think we were there for four days and for four days he entered the Magic Kingdom and headed straight for one of the counter service places where he sat and drank iced tea until we were ready to go back to the Days Inn. He never rode a ride, saw a show or ate a funnel cake. I didn't get to go back until I was all grown up and calling the shots.

Jennifer

Oh, I think you misunderstand my dad....he would have dragged us kicking and screaming to WDW (and that actually happened to me one year). He LOVES it w/a passion. Walt is his all time favorite hero and he still tears up when watching any documentary on him. For dad a beach vacation is a warm up trip for WDW.

Staying at the Contemporary and Poly were b/c he loved them soooo much (and still does to this day). We were just along for the ride.

He had ruff vacations growing up. His parents used to tell them that the beach closed during certain times of the year and they would just look and point at mountains as they drove past. It was road side stands and junk like that for them. When WDW opened it was like nothing he'd ever seen. He was hooked. The parents have enjoyed many stays at FW, whether in a TT, MH or cabin.

Now you have my parents path to WDW and the Fort.

 

[ftwildernessrick]

First trip to Disney was during July 4th, 1972. My uncle lived about 150 miles away and we drove to Disney during the day (made a couple of day trips).

1973 & 1975 - tagged along with a friend & his family to Disney and stayed with them in their 1971 Holiday Rambler TT at FW. We had free tickets because his Aunt & Uncle had worked for Disney since before they broke ground at WDW.

1976 - 1979 a couple of scattered trips. Stayed at FW in tent and once at Contemporary.

1980 - got married & introduced the wife to FW in a 1977 Dodge Broughm class C.

Been going every year since, normally twice a year. Stayed one time for almost a month while our new house was being completed and we were 'homeless'. Almost wish they did not finish our house.

 

[FWFans]

I've been to WDW so many times I can't recall them all. The first time we went in the early 1970's, my dad sprang for us to stay at the CR. I was amazed to see the monorail travel through the building! At that time the Magic Kingdom was the only park to visit.

From 1980's through the 1990's I have gone numerous times staying off site and the All Star Resort.

In 1997 we bought our first pop-up camper. We took it to the Fort and fell in love with it ! Our kids had so much fun staying onsite and having their bikes and scooters to ride around the loops.

We stayed at the fort 3 times with the pop-up, 2 times with the Outback BH, and 4 times with the MH. I can't wait to return this Thanksgiving and we have reservations for next Thanksgiving!

 

[Magicbus]

1981 1st visit. Wow, cool place, have to work here.
1996, working at WDW.
Although I started in 96, it was part time and for only 6 months. The real world had me most of the time over the last 14 years. I've been hired and left 5 times. They've welcomed me back each time. Six months at a time was enough of a Disney fix. This time though, may be the end of the path. I'm in my 3rd year and probably will stay.

 

[RocklandRVers]

DW and I visited in the week after Thanksgiving in 1985 after finding a fantastic deal on airfare, hotel (outside Disney), car rental and theme park ticket vouchers. When we arrived at the TTC to get our tickets, we took advantage of a deal to turn in our one day @ MK voucher for a 3 day park hopper which no expiration. The 3 day was $54! How things have changed. Of course back then it was just MK and Epcot. Anyway the place was a ghost town. We did not wait for any ride. First day we did MK in the early morning. Then went on the monorail to Epcot. Got to ride up front with pilot on the return trip that evening. What a day! Next day it was rainy so we went to Kennedy Space Center. Saw the Challenger sitting on the pad ready for its tragic ride just 2 months later. Left the lights on the rental car and came back to a dead battery. Luckily KSC had someone to give us a jump. Next day we went back to Epcot. Loved the American Experience. It brought tears to my eyes...still does! The rest of the time we visited DW's cousin and some of her other family down there. Spent a day at Daytona Beach and saved one day on our Park Hopper for a future date.

Finally got to use it in August 1987 when DW's cousin got married to a Daytona Beach police officer. We came down for the wedding and took a day to go to Epcot. By then they had just built the Living Seas. It was great! Also 3D Michael Jackson movie was memorable. I do recall it was HOT HOT HOT!

Live went on and DS was born in 1990. We vowed one day to take him to Disney. In 2002 we bought our own RV and became fanatics...going somewhere every weekend and for vacations. In May 2003, we got our wish to let DS experience the magic of WDW and for all of us to learn what the best campground in the world, FtW was like. We were addicted and returned at Christmas time and again twice a year after that.

 

[testtubes]

1985- Found Fort Wilderness by accident and literally begged for a site for 5 nights and actually got it!!

1987- Had reservations and the scoop on the whole place and led 3 other campers (families) there, and the rest is history.

Other trips followed and the kids are now grown and gone but still manage to fly in to the Fort to meet us via Magical Express

P.S. No more summer trips and Christmas time is now our favorite time to visit. You just can't beat the fort!

See you there in December 2020!!

Love college football and WDW!!

 

[jsmla]

Oh, I think you misunderstand my dad....he would have dragged us kicking and screaming to WDW (and that actually happened to me one year). He LOVES it w/a passion. Walt is his all time favorite hero and he still tears up when watching any documentary on him. For dad a beach vacation is a warm up trip for WDW.

Staying at the Contemporary and Poly were b/c he loved them soooo much (and still does to this day). We were just along for the ride.

MY kids could have written this! They're 25 and 22 and went to Disney World almost every year growing up.


Jennifer