Why is a tent site on 3/18 $80??

[MouseinMelbourne]

I'm trying to book a one night stay for our Girl Scout troop at FW. I've stayed at FW a lot, but always in a cabin. The girls would like to tent camp. Great! Cheap, right? NO! Why is it $80 (with tax) to book a tent site on March 18th? It's not peak season. Pop century is available for $69 the same night! Any ideas?

And just so no one thinks I'm nuts, here is the fine print:
Secluded Tent/Pop-Up Campsites include hookups for power and water, as well as picnic table and charcoal grill. All campsites are bordered by lush green wilderness and are only steps away from Disney magic. Nearby, you will find deluxe, air-conditioned Comfort Stations with restrooms, private showers, ice dispensers, laundry facilities and pay phones. This campsite category is restricted to tents and vans or pop-up type vehicles only. Motorhomes and fifth-wheels cannot be accomodated in this category. For those and other types of RVs, please select one of our other well-appointed campsite categories.

 

[Colson39]

That's just the way it is I guess. Nothing much we can do about it. Camping sites in the Keys are going for $120 a night right now, go figure :/

 

[MouseinMelbourne]

That's just the way it is I guess. Nothing much we can do about it. Camping sites in the Keys are going for $120 a night right now, go figure :/

I know. Weird. Do they often go do off-season rates for just one specific resort? They're charging Peak rates in regular season. Actually, in value season, since they're running specials.

I may just cram the girls in a cabin. For the price difference, it's worth it.

 

[Colson39]

Cabins are a great place to stay!

 

[mjmoon]

I'm trying to book a one night stay for our Girl Scout troop at FW. I've stayed at FW a lot, but always in a cabin. The girls would like to tent camp. Great! Cheap, right? NO! Why is it $80 (with tax) to book a tent site on March 18th? It's not peak season. Pop century is available for $69 the same night! Any ideas?

Isn't Spring Break usually throughout March and April? Perhaps the rates reflect that? What weekend does Easter fall on this year? Could it be that?

It does seem kind of pricey for a one night stay in a tent.

 

[MouseinMelbourne]

Isn't Spring Break usually throughout March and April? Perhaps the rates reflect that? What weekend does Easter fall on this year? Could it be that?

It does seem kind of pricey for a one night stay in a tent.

Easter! Hadn't thought of that. Just checked though, and it's April 12th.

Spring Break according to Disney is April 4th thru mid-April. In Brevard, Orange & Seminole Counties of FL, we're in the March 30th thru April 10th range.

I'm just really stumped why it's so much.

 

[Tricializ]

It's the day after St. Patrick's Day and I bet they raise those rates to deter young, college kids from bunking up in a tent and having a rip roaring fun spring break/ St. Paddy's Day party. Otherwise, it might attract a bunch of kids and trouble might ensue. LOL
Tricia

 

[Brer Bear]

Check out this thread on the group sites... might be cheaper depending on how many girl scouts

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2063422


$80 is pricey for a tent site, for sure! We're staying in a preferred site the next week and I think it is running in the high $90's.

 

[Shan-man]

Seasons for the campground don't align with rate-seasons for the other resorts, and Mid-Feb through early April are Peak season. $71-73 per night for partials plus 12.5% tax. Cabins are $355-370 + 12.5% for the same timeframe... that's a big step up.

 

[tim5055]

The dates you have picked are during "Peak Season"

Peak Season: 2/16 - 4/3, Sunday - Thursday $71 Friday - Saturday $73 plus tax.

The group camping area is $10 per person per night, but I think there is a minimum number of people necessary to book as well as it being a sanctioned trip for a recognized group (i.e. Girs Scouts, Boy Scouts, church groups & things like that.)

 

[tinkerbell34]

Spring Break according to Disney is April 4th thru mid-April. In Brevard, Orange & Seminole Counties of FL, we're in the March 30th thru April 10th range.

I'm just really stumped why it's so much.

We only live two hours away and my children's spring break is the first week of March. Remember....all counties are diffrent and spring break through out FL covers March AND April. The local counties may not be having spring break but those that are within driving distance (like us) could very well be. Also, Like Shanta pointed out....it is peak season. I'm paying that peak rate for a tent also the first week in March but I decided it was worth it this time. I hope your troop can get the group site and will have a magical time!

 

[FlaFortCampster]

It is indeed Peak Season, in the heart of Spring Breaks, which covers ALL Spring Breaks, not just Florida K thru 12 and colleges, but our northern friends as well.
The weather is generally wonderful, perfect for camping thus....Peak Season.
The economic downturn certainly doesn't seem to be effecting the Fort much.

 

[Cindy F]

As long as people will pay it, Disney will charge it. I know how you feel, I had a big 'ol


When I heard it too. BAHAHAHA $80 for a electric socket and a water hose so I can sleep in a tent? ....ummmm...no thanks.

But, we've been to WDW a ridiculous amount of times, we like to be able to go 3-5 times a year, and like to go on 4-6other trips throughout the year so I'm a bit of a tightwad when I feel I'm not getting what I pay for (in my opinion).

Considering I can rent a 3 bedroom house with private pool for $100 a night, no I wouldn't pay that. To each his own!

Have you checked out Turkey Lake? We really like it there, no it's not Fort Wilderness but it's still nice.

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Just checked out AAA South and they have the site for $63 (pre tax) so that would be a little better. Anyone in your group belong to AAA?
Also, I think one of the moderators on this forum is a travel agent. They might be able to get a better rate for Girl Scouts. Maybe group camping even though you only need one tent would be available.
Just a thought.

 

[AuburnJen92]

PM Rhonda. She can try to work something out for you.

 

[OK GRUMPY]

Have you looked at the dicount board? I know we got a full hookup the end of March for cheaper then that. We used the military discount. Good Luck!

 

[bxtx]

Why is it $80 (with tax) to book a tent site on March 18th? It's not peak season. [/I]

It's Spring Break week in Texas....

 

[WendyBirdGirl]

I hate to break it to ya, but pretty much all of March and April is considered Spring Break season at WDW... sorry!

 

[des1954]

They charge $80/night because people will pay it. They will eventually hit a price threshold that will cut way back on occupancy. That amount has yet to be determined.

Disney & all Florida theme parks are feeling the hurt of the economy. Our Fox affiliate in Tampa had a segment on the Thursday evening news regarding park cut back's in hours, certain rides being closed on slow days, shows/parades being limited to the weekends, you get the idea. Universal is really feeling the crunch. In-Bev is looking to sell Sea World and Busch Gardens - good luck on that one. They nixed the free beer at the Busch parks effective January 1.

(26 posts till I hit 4000!)

 

[Cindy F]

They charge $80/night because people will pay it. They will eventually hit a price threshold that will cut way back on occupancy. That amount has yet to be determined.

Disney & all Florida theme parks are feeling the hurt of the economy. Our Fox affiliate in Tampa had a segment on the Thursday evening news regarding park cut back's in hours, certain rides being closed on slow days, shows/parades being limited to the weekends, you get the idea. Universal is really feeling the crunch. In-Bev is looking to sell Sea World and Busch Gardens - good luck on that one. They nixed the free beer at the Busch parks effective January 1.

(26 posts till I hit 4000!)

I just don't get it, they do all this cutting back but then offer discounts that people won't use . They won't allow us to renew our passes at the same rate as the past 7 years....we're not Florida residents anymore so I really do understand that-but, wouldn't they rather get the Florida rate for 3 passes than nothing?

I received 2 PIN codes the other day that I know I won't use seems like they would develop some kind of "pick your own discount" if they wanted to get people to come or maybe a deep discount on annual passes to get people to come again and again (trust me-it works LOL)

I feel bad for all of the entertainment indsutries and people who will lose jobs. The balloon has burst though and maybe some of the insane salaries/bonuses for movie stars, music mogels, CEO/COO/CFOs, and sports figures will be brought under control by the economy and things will become a bit more affordable.....one can hope.