Why Fort Wilderness

[ash901]

Finding this forum has made my day!
DH and I have been considering buying a TT for awhile now, and it never occured to me that we could camp AT DISNEY, if we did have one. We live in Louisiana so it would be a lengthy drive. I'm just curious why most people choose Fort Wilderness? Is it a love of camping and the quietness, or is it cheaper vs a hotel stay?

 

[rav4lcrv]

We can bring our dog camping with us at the Fort, I've talked to a lot of people that don't go into the parks at all while staying at the Fort, might be best camp ground in the country

 

[connor2002]

We can bring our dog camping with us at the Fort, I've talked to a lot of people that don't go into the parks at all while staying at the Fort, might be best camp ground in the country

We drive from Arizona because I have yet to find something as nice as this campground.

 

[bama_ed]

It is less expensive but don't call it cheap - the only more expensive campgrounds I know of are in Key West.

Your trailer (my popup) is like my home. I have familiar surroundings that are comfortable. How else can you sleep "at home" and go to the theme parks? The Fort has lots of activities but still maintains a relaxing vibe. To appreciate it you have to spend just a day at least hanging out.

Lots of folks come to the Fort to camp and don't even go in the theme parks (which upsets some folks on the Resorts Board).

Bama Ed

 

[North of Mouse]

Finding this forum has made my day!
DH and I have been considering buying a TT for awhile now, and it never occured to me that we could camp AT DISNEY, if we did have one. We live in Louisiana so it would be a lengthy drive. I'm just curious why most people choose Fort Wilderness? Is it a love of camping and the quietness, or is it cheaper vs a hotel stay?

Hi fellow 'Pelican' - southern LA girl here!

We have been 'campers' since 1968 and have stayed at the Fort off and on since they opened in '71. It's just a very special place to us. Yes, it can save money at Disney, but that's not why we stay there now.

We just prefer the quiet outdoor atmosphere of the Fort, plus being all immersed in 'Disney'. We have our own 'home away from home' with us which gives us comfort and relaxation that 'no' hotel (Disney, or not) can give us.

So, it's really not 'one' thing for everybody. Some really do stay there, cook all (or most) of their meals because it can be a cost saving factor. But, I think I can say that we all have a love of the outdoors, quiet peacefulness, and all the other ambiance that the Fort provides.

But, be 'very' careful - it is very addictive there, and most times one trip will 'hook' you! You may not be able to stay away!

Good luck on finding a trailer!

 

[Napria]

But, be 'very' careful - it is very addictive there, and most times one trip will 'hook' you! You may not be able to stay away!

X2!

I love having my other home at WDW, and as others said it's the nicest campground. Fort Wilderness is truly in a class by itself. You'd be hard pressed to find a campground as nice. The other campers, for the most part are a great bunch too!

Good luck finding the right trailer! It's fun looking at all the possibilities

 

[veraletta]

I've alway loved to camp, but my husband wouldn't hear of it.
So my daughter and I booked fort wilderness cabin a few trips and we won him over, at staying at the fort.
Next we told him how much the cabins were costing and that we would love to have an pop up or trailer to help save and he told us he wouldn't have it.
He didn't want to pull any thing, so he said the only thing he would buy was a motorhome class a or c so while we had him in the yes mood, we took him out to look at Class C, so as you see, we slowly worked him into an RV. lol

Last Christmas was his first time camping in our RV, he loved sitting outside at the campsite. He was a truck driver for over 32 years for a bread company. So he was used to driving a small truck.
First time I drove the RV was last July-August and I never ever drove anything larger than a mini van. I loved it.

I love sleeping in my own bed, and not having to look for bedbugs at hotel or resort, also not having to pack up and unpack stuff into hotel or cabin.
I still do have a little unpacking like chairs, firepit, ez up tents.
We save by eating in RV on the way down to Florida, as we also have a long drive from Ohio. We have tons of room for grandchildren while we drive down.

I've always dreamed of having my own RV and I would have been happy with even a pop up, as I love camping..

 

[ash901]

Thanks for all your responses. Some type of camping is in our future. I grew up camping, and my parents still camp frequently. My children 6 and 3 LOVE it. We just need to decide what trailer is right for us!

 

[Disneypeach]

For me, camping at the Fort is like having 2 vacations for the price of one...you get the theme parks and camping...love it!
Peach

 

[Napria]

Thanks for all your responses. Some type of camping is in our future. I grew up camping, and my parents still camp frequently. My children 6 and 3 LOVE it. We just need to decide what trailer is right for us!

My kids were 5 and 7 when we bought our first camper. We started with a pop-up and three months later traded it for a fifth wheel bunkhouse. That bunkhouse served us so well for nine years. We had many happy trips in it. I know you'll find just the right camper for your family too! Good luck

 

[ChrisinNJ]

It is less expensive but don't call it cheap - the only more expensive campgrounds I know of are in Key West.

Last year we spent 8 nights at Fort Wilderness and 8 nights at Castaways in Ocean City MD. OC was actually more expensive than the Fort, and nowhere near as nice....

 

[JETS70]

Thanks for all your responses. Some type of camping is in our future. I grew up camping, and my parents still camp frequently. My children 6 and 3 LOVE it. We just need to decide what trailer is right for us!

Like you, my family has loved camping since the kids were very young. We started with a driver, then to a pull camper and finally to our first new camper a Coleman Utah. When the kids hit the teen years, time was scarce to go camping. We finally sold the pop up. I like to woodwork and one night cruising the web I came across teardrop campers. Well........6 months later this is what the DW and I camp in now.

This was taken during our first trip to the Fort this past Thanksgiving. Obviously this type of camping is not for everybody. I think the most important thing is just camping whether in a class A or a homebuilt teardrop. The DW absolutely love the Fort. We will be back there in less than a week and again the last week of June and our children are going with us then. They will be staying in a tent with a portable AC. We have been going to Disney regularly for about 14 years now staying at several different resorts from the Contemporary to Wilderness Lodge to Pop Century. I'm not sure we will stay at a resort again. There is just something different about Disney and the Fort that can only be understood by staying there.
Good luck in finding a camper for you and your family and maybe we will meet one day at the Fort.

 

[gillenkl]

The Fort isn't really what I'd call cheap but we save money by cooking most of our own meals. My family loves the Fort at Halloween and looping around in the golf cart (from Kenny), seeing the eletrical parade from the beach, the pool slide and sleeping in our own bed.