camping at the disney

[ninos]

As anyone ever camped at disney? Thinking about going there for a week for early spring any advise would be appreciated, rates, how are the sites, any info? Thanks to all Joe.

[Meandering Retiree]

We camped at Disney World last fall. We used our AAA discount and were able to premium site at a lower price. They have an off season which we have used for the last two years. We were there over Halloween and then for two weeks afterwards. The sites have been redone since the hurricane went through there. They have added more concrete and made the sites wider. Wifi is where they get you as they charge to use it. Check at the front desk at the campground and see if you can get a hookup for the TV cable as their wireless is iffy at best. We use a Mifi card so there was no problem for us. Check the dates for spring and see if they have a lower cost time. Spring break can be a zoo. We used to take the children during the first two weeks in June before the schools got out down south. That way we did not have the long lines. We have camped there ten times over the years and the campground just gets better....and more expensive. Enjoy!

[Wizard]

Great CG. We love it. Easy to get to all attractions and areas.

Get reservations as early as possible as they fill up fast.

[RVThere]

Was there in early 90s with a tent (you DO NOT fit in with the crowd at Ft. Wilderness when you are in a tent...), in 2004 and last summer for a quick weekend on the way to the Keys.

Try to do some activities other than the theme parks:
- rent boats and fly around the lake
- see the Hoop De Do Review
- play the most challenging mini golf I have every seen
- ride your bike to the Wilderness Lodge
- if warm enough, Blizzard Beach water slides are great

It is expensive and last summer was pretty empty with the economic downturn. Not sure how this summer will shape up.

[RovinOn]

Camped at Fort Wilderness back in the late 70's and it was really great back then.
Will be visiting there in March and I'm really looking forward to it!

Regards,
RovinOn
05 Southwind 37C

[TURBODOG1000]

Its great, just like any Disney property you just catch a bus or the ferry to go to the park of your choice.

[HD4Mark]

We were there Feb 2005. Like anything Disney it is nicely done, extremely clean and fun. Also like Disney everything is expensive so bring along some of your own food if you don't mind cooking at your site.

At the end of each "loop" there is a pavilion to wait for the bus to take you to the main terminal that gets you to anyplace there. Also at the other end you can take a paddle wheel boat to the Magic Kingdom.

If you have pets make sure to reserve in the "pet loops".

[RV LYONS]

We stayed at Fort Wilderness this past July,everything is 1st. class,we stayed in a pet loop,and walked the dogs down to the kennel for the day while we went to the parks,and picked them up at the end of our day.they have a super clean shower room w/laundry.You can rent a golf cart, we took the loop bus to main terminal and bus to park.

well worth it, but July was to HOT for me

Rick & Robin

[Bill Adams]

All of the posters are assuming you mean Disney World (Orlando) and not Disneyland (Calif). I suspect that they are correct but clarification may be necessary.
If Disney World then I highly recommend this campground. While it is VERY pricey, it is just somewhere everyone needs to add to their list of "places I have stayed".
It has A LOT of trees so your satellite may not work but otherwise I can't find any drawbacks. Some of the sites are a bit tight to get into and out of but not so much so as to avoid. Get into your site, take the boat ferry to DW, return at your leisure. Stay for the fireworks (or not). Watch the Disney movie in the outdoor amphitheater (or not). Have a campfire (or not). Have a meal on the grounds (or not)! It's just a great place with lots to offer without feeling like you are obligated to do it all (or any).
If you want to have a great meal where others miss, go to Disney Boardwalk and have dinner at the Flying Fish. If you want excellent food where everyone else goes, select any restaurant in Epcot Center. Then, be there for the parade and the fireworks and head back home again.

[D in Davie]

There are a lot of wed sites that dedicate themselves to camping at Ft. Wilderness. Most who stay there admit it is the best resort they have ever been to. As you can tell we go there at least 3 times a year and will be back in April. We started when our kids were small and now we go with the grand kids. While there are many camp grounds that are less expensive and a few that are more expensive there are none better. IMHO

Denis

[mudpuppy]

Here is a link to our trip report to Fort Wilderness in January. We loved it and are making it a yearly event.

David & Teresa's 2010 trip. - The DIS Discussion Forums - DISboards.com

[Ron & Dee]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVThere (you DO NOT fit in with the crowd at Ft. Wilderness when you are in a tent.

I don't understand

I have stayed at Fort Wilderness in a tent, popup, and MH. I enjoyed it just the same whether I slept on the ground or in a nice soft bed

People still use tents at Fort Wilderness and seem just as happy as if they were in the most expensive MH you could buy.

Disney World's Fort Wildernes is a great place to stay no matter what you are in JMHO

Ron

[ninos]

Thanks to all of you it is so nice To have all this information before I even make reservations. Does anyone know the sites well enough to know where the satellite will work this way when I call up I will request the sites that I can get satellite (site #) thanks to all again, joe.

[smlranger]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninos Thanks to all of you it is so nice To have all this information before I even make reservations. Does anyone know the sites well enough to know where the satellite will work this way when I call up I will request the sites that I can get satellite (site #) thanks to all again, joe.

Joe, that will be a gamble. On our first visit to FW, we were in the 500 loop and my Kingdome was under trees. So, I had to get out the portable dish and I was able to find the satellite with some effort. This past November, we were in the 1400 loop and my Kingdome found the bird easily. If you get a site with cable, you will have limited programming....lot's of Disney channels and other family-friendly channels.

If you have a dog, they now have a really nice fenced dog park. If you ask to be near the dog park, they may do that. We did last time and they said they would, but then put us a long ways from the dog park.

Disney discourages driving around the RV park in your own vehicle. They suggest you use your vehicle to drive into/out of FW. They have only a few parking spaces at the two trading posts and limit parking to 15 minutes. I highly recommend bikes....you can get most anywhere in FW on a bike. You can rent a golf car ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ - Mickey is a greedy little rat) or take your own. I saw many folks with their own golf cars. They have wonderful bus service. Their buses run from very early in the AM until about 2 AM and stop at all the campground loops, trading posts, etc. You will never wait long for a bus.

Frankly, we've stayed in nicer RV parks in terms of landscaping, quality of the site, etc. However, FW is very nice and it is certainly part of the total Disney experience.