Why don't they redo the fort wilderness pool

[cottontail]

Hi: I have never seen it but I have been reading posts about fort wilderness, as I am thinking hubby and I might like to stay there sometime. I have read that many people do not like the pool. What is the problem with the pool theming, old, ...

I can't see why disney does not redo the pool when there are so many people that enjoy that resort year after year. To me that is the least they should do for their guests if the problem is that is is just old and dated. Just wondering.

Deb.

 

[clkelley]

Not sure why. Logically, it could be several reasons.

1. Ft. Wilderness stays full in spite of the poor pools, so "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

2. Even though Ft. Wilderness stays full, their prices are lower than any other resort, and uses a "HUGE" amount of land compared to other resorts, and the cost effectiveness isn't there.

3. There could be some issue with "wetlands, closeness to Bay Lake, environmental concerns"

4. Folks have not complained loudly enough to the front desk staff, guest relations, or in the surveys filled out to warrant changing the pool.

These are all pure speculation on my part, and my opinion only.

Carol

 

[RocklandRVers]

I tend to agree with Carol on all but #4. The reason I say this is because of our experience this December when we took the Wishes cruise. Our CM, whom we saw later working in a shop at Epcot in Great Britain, was very knowledgeable of everything Disney. We asked him about the fate of River Country. This was before the final word was given that it was closed forever. He said that there was some talk about making it a themed pool for FtW since it was needed so badly.

That tells me that Disney has been listening and has gotten the message loud and clear. I think it is dollars. After all why would anyone go to the water parks if they had really great pools to use for free.

 

[elastigirlfan]

I tend to agree with Carol on all but #4. The reason I say this is because of our experience this December when we took the Wishes cruise. Our CM, whom we saw later working in a shop at Epcot in Great Britain, was very knowledgeable of everything Disney. We asked him about the fate of River Country. This was before the final word was given that it was closed forever. He said that there was some talk about making it a themed pool for FtW since it was needed so badly.

That tells me that Disney has been listening and has gotten the message loud and clear. I think it is dollars. After all why would anyone go to the water parks if they had really great pools to use for free.

Wouldn't that be cool if they made a themed pool for us where River Country used to be. I hope they do something there - it's a shame to waste all that space. We will keep our fingers crossed.

Alyssa

 

[NHcampers]

Fort wilderness has a nice pool. It would be nice to have a water slide for kids. FW has so much to offer besides the pool . It is still the best!. I do not have any photos of the smaller pool by the cabins, they were redoing some of the deck around the pool and restrooms in Feb.

 

[auntie]

They absolutely need a new pool. Not that the one they have isn't "fine"..it's quite lovely..but it doesn't compare to the themed pools that are at the other disney resorts. With what they charge for the cabins..sometimes over $300. per night..you'd think they offer a better pool. I think folks that wind up paying those kinds of rates are often surprised by the fact that the pool doesn't compare to those at other resorts.
There has been a real problem of campground guests using the WL pool. I have seen the staff there check for resort id's when the pool is crowded. I have yet to be able to bring our travel trailer to the campground,..hope to do so this summer. Have stayed at the Lodge many times, and I know that my kids would give me a hard time about the campground pool...because they know about the one over at the Lodge. With the closing of River Country the use of the Wilderness Lodge pool by campground guests has increased. I'd think just based on that..Disney would update the campground pool. As the pool at the Wilderness Lodge is small for a resort of it's size to begin with. Rather than having folks feel like criminals for usin the the WL Pool.
Having part of River country be a themed pool for the campground would be a great idea..and for sure stop folks from wandering over to the WL. The area with just the pools..with the three slides..was not connected to Bay Lake at all, and I think would make a nice pool area for the campground guests. Here's to hoping they make the improvement. Either way, FW is a great campground, and I hope to spend some time there soon.

 

[dgaston]

Auntie: I've echoed your thoughts in every survey I've filled out from Ft W. I also think the River Country pool would be great for Ft W. As it is, the Ft W pool is deeper than many of the newer pools. I've had great afternoons on the loungers, and while there's no pool slide or hot tub, we do still love Ft W.

 

[plutospup]

Let's just say they will improve the pool...which one? - The meadows pool which is larger, and accomodates more campers (about $55 site/night), or the smaller pool by the cabins ($150+/night). It would be nice to see both pools improved, but honestly, I don't think it's going to happen. I really don't have an answer, but am curious as to your thoughts.

 

[LMC]

Let's just say they will improve the pool...which one? - The meadows pool which is larger, and accomodates more campers (about $55 site/night), or the smaller pool by the cabins ($150+/night). It would be nice to see both pools improved, but honestly, I don't think it's going to happen. I really don't have an answer, but am curious as to your thoughts.

I say BOTH! I think the pool at the cabins is way too small. And I wouldn't factor in the $55 and night versus $150+ per night. Us campers are paying $55+ for electricity, water and sewer connection. We don't get mousekeeping nor do we put wear and tear on their facility. I know that my December rate is about $90/night right now for a full hook up so they aren't just $55/night. It actually cost me more right now to pull a camper since they don't discount their sites like they use too and fuel is soooo expensive; so it's not as if we are going on the cheap, we just like to camp!

 

[plutospup]

Us campers are paying $55+ for electricity, water and sewer connection. We don't get mousekeeping nor do we put wear and tear on their facility. I know that my December rate is about $90/night right now for a full hook up so they aren't just $55/night. QUOTE]

Good point! Anyone else?

 

[cottontail]

Hi: Thanks for the pic of the pool. It reminds me of one of the quiet pools at the port orleans resort. Maybe like others say they need a theme pool and a quiet pool. I like the fact that there is shade around it though.

I also agree that campers are probably paying as much as an all star resort, for their utilities and camping spot. They really should have a theme pool for everyone at ft wilderness.
I would like to try it sometime, I guess I will have to watch for a deal on one of the cabins.

Deb.

 

[Carrie Ellis]

I would rather that they keep the campsite prices low (or don't keep hiking them up each year) than to have them put in a themed pool. I am afraid that once they start building more, that our prices are going to get to the point that it is just as expensive to camp than to stay at a value resort. I do know in the peak season that is already true. We are paying $37/night for a full hook up in October and that is as much as I would want to pay because gas is so high. I wish they would add more to the petting zoo because to me it really adds to the Wilderness feeling.

 

[We4mickey]

It is a nice pool area, no it is not themed, but you still get wet and are refreshed when you get out. Our DS's don't have any problem with it. I guess when you are used to a plain pool or a lake you can amuse yourselves with a ball or something to dive for. They stay in it for hours at a time. If it was themed would you then have people coming from other resorts to try the new pool? JMO

 

[auntie]

I really don't think you'd have too many folks from other resorts using the campground pool if it were themed. As the people closest would be those at the WL, and they already have a great themed pool. Most of the other resorts already have themed pools. I don't really think it would be huge undertaking to put in a slide. They are so common place now..even our town park pool has put one in. I'd think it would be worth it just to keep the crowds down at the WL. It is a small pool for a resort of it's size..and then you throw the campground mix into it..and you have a problem. It could easily be solved by providing the campground with a themed pool of their own. Especially since they do encourage the folks at the Lodge to visit the campground via the bike trail..you really are tempting the campers to go to the WL with that easy access...and then kick them out when they do. Disney sort of wants it both ways with that one. Make it so that there isn't a need for folks to want to use the WL pool.

I could see when River Country was open and available at a discount to the campers that you wouldn't need to bother updating the FW pool, but now that the decision to keep RC closed has been made, it's time to re-evaluate the pools at FW.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

You know, I've stayed at FW for years, and also WL, during all seasons, and I just have not seen a mass attack on the WL pool from the campground. I mean, it would be pretty obvious if people were doing this - Mom, Dad and the kids on the boat in bathing suits and pool toys. I honestly have never seen this. I think the pool meets the basic requirements for a pool, and is much nicer than a lot of campgrounds. I think if a themed pool is really a priority for someone's vacation, then they should select an appropriate resort. I agree with a previous poster - I would rather they keep the pool as is and keep the campground fees lower.

 

[auntie]

During our last two visits to the WL..both in May, there were folks from campground using pool. We were asked to show our resort id. Certainly we saw the scooters..which folks from the campground used to come over to the lodge via the bike traile. I think that's the sort of thing that tips the pool staff off also..then they start checking id's. Also they look for bikes in the racks that are not the rentals for WL guests. Again, this was in the heat of the day when the pool was crowded. I've never seen them ask for id when the pool area was not crowded. They walk around collecting unused towels that folks lay out to save seats, and ask for id of those in the seats taken. Personally, I don't care if there are folks from the campground using pool. Seems to me that the problem with the WL is that a good many guests, realizing that the pool is not that large for a resort of it's size...put towels out on lounges and table chairs early in the morning and then go out to parks...saving themeselves seats for when they return. Seems pretty selfish to me, alot more so than a campground guest taking a dip.
We know a couple who stayed in the campground, and were visiting and swimming with their who neice was staying at the Lodge..and they allowed them to stay..but they were embarrassed at being asked for id and felt like they were doing something wrong.

 

[bupps123]

i think that that pool is gorgeous i think a water slide would be a plus so the kids could have more fun but i think that u can't really make a pool much nicer than that...... i'm not saying you can't i'm just saying that its a pretty nice one to try and change.

 

[VAN]

I also like the pool at FW. It has always been clean, it is large and also deeper than the pools at the other resorts.

For water fun excitement, we go to the water parks ... other than that we enjoy the FW pool for sunning, reading, lounging, etc.

We usually book a basic site and were just there a few weeks ago. With a AAA discount (for first 10 days only), we paid $60/night ... Then the price went up to $69/night for the remaining 4. This is not cheap ... my DH is also questioning whether it is economically sound to drag our pop-up from Michigan when we are paying those kind of rates.

I can see most of the posters point of view in wanting a themed pool area, but I am personally happy with what's there.

----
There seemed to be a lot of activity going on at River Country ... trucks and stuff. I wasn't able to get a close enough look though.

 

[momxx5]

Question.....

Is there a life guard at the Ft. W pool? I have never seen one there.

I believe most other resort pools have life guards.... I know POP does, WL does, SAB does, POR does, BW does, etc.

With the addition of a themed pool, slide, etc, maybe it would require more life guards in attendance. Maybe that has something to do with it.

Just a thought.

 

[campingcorgi]

The lifeguards are there during the day--and in the busy seasons even later. They will announce when the lifeguard is leaving.

I agree, if they had a slide it would take care of a lot of the complaints about the pool. However, I think it would be a safety issue. It would be very difficult to close the slide completely off when the lifeguard left and the FW pool is often heavily used even after midnight.

Do the value resorts (All Stars and Pop Century) have slides? I know their pools are themed with decorations but I don't recall seeing slides.