Disney Upgrading Fort Wilderness RV Park

[Tim5055]

Terri Hughes-Lazell
RV Business
Friday, August 6, 2004

Even though it

[Miss-Teri]

Veddy interesting!

Sounds like they're keeping privacy a priority.  Good for them!  That's one of Ft Wilderness' number one assets.

[mike4947]

We first camped there in 1975 IIRC and every year since then They have done work on the park. We stopped down when we got married 2 years ago and since I hadn't been down to camp in quite a few years I could really see the difference they'd made. This isn't a one time thing, they've put a ton of improvements/money into FW over the years.Of course they do have the high fees and Walt's deep pockets to fund improvements.

[campinmom]

We stayed there about five years ago and really enjoyed it! I thought it was perfect then, I'd love to see it when its been "re-done"! I keep saying that I'm going back down when my dd turns 13, but now that its NEXT year... well, we'll see. Thanks for the update!

~Erin

[Tim5055]

We stayed there about five years ago and really enjoyed it! I thought it was perfect then, I'd love to see it when its been "re-done"! I keep saying that I'm going back down when my dd turns 13, but now that its NEXT year... well, we'll see. Thanks for the update!

~Erin

If you are thnking about next year, now is the time to make reservations.  For popular times they book up fast.

The nice thing is that if a discount comes out you can call back and ammend your reservation to get the discount.

Keep an eye on Mousesavers.com.  Mary does a wonderful job of keeping up with all the discounts out there.

[Tim5055]

We first camped there in 1975 IIRC and every year since then They have done work on the park. We stopped down when we got married 2 years ago and since I hadn't been down to camp in quite a few years I could really see the difference they'd made. This isn't a one time thing, they've put a ton of improvements/money into FW over the years.Of course they do have the high fees and Walt's deep pockets to fund improvements.

Mike,

MOst of the changes they have made through the years have been more maintenance then improvements or adding loops.  Here is a little history:

Fort Wilderness opened November 1971 on 750 acres between the Contemporary Resort and the Walt Disney World Village. At that time it had 231 camping sites including loops 100 - 600.

June 1973 added 481 sites, loops 700 - 1900
April 1974 Pioneer Hall opened
June 1976 added 113 sites, loops 2000 - 2100
June 1976 River Country opened
April 1979 added Creekside Meadow group camping area
December 1986 added 383 trailer sites*, loops 2200 - 2800
* the current sites of cabins had rental Terry Trailers on them

Basically other than loops, they have added very little; if nothing else they have taken things away.  The two biggest missing items are the Fort Wilderness Steam Train and River Country.

Each resort hotel has gone through at least one major rehab in the same number of years, and some have had two.  At the resorts, plain jane swimming pools have been replaced with themed pools.  All the while FW has remained basically the same.

You will have to admit, camping and the RV industry has changed a lot between 75 and now. The size of RVs (OK coaches for the really big guys) have steadily increased.  Awnings and slide outs have now become the norm, even in pop ups.

I noticed the beginnings of the changes last year as they began to convert back in spaces to pull through spaces.

I just hope the pool is on tap for a re-work as well as maintaining the "woodsy" atmosphere.

[Wild Wild Qwest]

Of course they do have the high fees and Walt's deep pockets to fund improvements.

That would be COLD cash, right Mike?

We have never been to Disney, but FW would make the trip worth while. Camping and seeing Goofey would make my day!

[aw738]

I'm taking my mom in October. I hope I picked a good time to go.

[Fuzzymike]

Lisa and I drove from Illinois to Florida tis past May to get married. Sarasota then the key then our third leg was Fort Wilderness.  We liked it alot.  Very nice and clean and the sites offered room and woodsy feel.  They do make bcaking in the stop a chore.  Not much manuvering room.  Our pop up was not too bad getting in.  Lots of trees getting the way to close to the road.  Big rigs and long tailers have a bad time getting in.   If you do go make a reservation for the Hopp-De-Doo Review [dinner & show].  It was great.  Fun for all especially the kids.  Make you reservations early it fills up fast.

[mowalker]

We camped there in April of this year with Chasd60, had a great time even though the cost took most of our summer vacation $$ it was well worth seeing Charlie and his family again.
 
I wish they would open up River Country back to the folks there since the resort does not have a theme pool, that would make it complete!
 
All in all a nice park but kinda pricey, but do get a golf cart, you wont regret it.

[griffsmom]

I wish Disneyland out here had something like this.  I don't think they'd have trouble filling it up.  Instead, we just have parking lots.