Where to camp outside Ft Wilderness?

[Melissa R]

I need some help! We offered DS a trip to Ft Wilderness instead of a birthday party, and then when we checked availability, we found there was nothing open at the campgrounds. (Stupid me for not checking first!)

Has anyone ever camped at any other campgrounds near Disney? We are tent campers, want to have bathrooms available, but don't really want to feel like we're in a tent in the midst of a million RVs. (Nothing against RVers, just like the feel of the "wilderness" and don't want to feel like we've set up tent in a parking lot!)

 

[LegoMom3]

Well, I can't speak from direct experience - we've only been to FW while at Disney - but I can definitely relate about not wanting to be in a sea of RVs! I checked my AAA book and while there are many campgrounds in that area, I was disappointed to find so many described as "RV parks" with "self-contained vehicles only." There was one, however, that might be of interest - it's a KOA and my tenting experience with KOA in general has always been good. They have a website: Fort Summit KOA

Hopefully, too, you'll get some replies from folks who've actually been to a place they can recommend! Hope this helps anyway.

 

[ugadog99]

When is your son's birthday? I would suggest that you call EVERY morning to CRO to check for availability. The Fort is known for last minute spots opening up. I know this because it is what I had to do for my last two trips to FTW. After several phone calls I ended up with just what I wanted. Good Luck!!

 

[Magic_Fan_Bruce]

Dogs right, check every day! But also check at disney.com. I've found campsites on the web site even when CRO said none was available.

 

[firenurse]

Same thing happened to me when I was trying to add a night to our reservation. Would call CRO and they would have nothing, but they would have sites available on line. Booked online and they linked the two together.
Plus it is so much easier to go online, than to call.

 

[Melissa R]

His birthday is during President's Day weekend, and apparently *everyone* in the world is going to WDW that weekend. I've called a lot. Trust me. When the CM today told me to check back, I told her that I'm surprised that my name isn't already noted with a label like "annoying woman keeps calling over and over again!" There's just nothing opening up at FW.

Oh well, I did look at the KOA nearby, but it just doesn't look like it'd have the same excitement as FW would. So I explained to DS that we can camp outside WDW at another campground and go to WDW where it's gonna be sorta crowded, or we can camp in the National Forest and do outdoors stuff - hiking, etc. I was *shocked* that he chose the camping in the National Forest! (He became a Cub Scout this year and has really gotten into camping and hiking, so I got lucky here that I don't have a disappointed little guy on my hands!)

Thanks for all your help. And now I know that if we want to camp for his birthday from now on, we better make our ressies earlier!!