JustDucky

For me it depends on the type of trip I want to have. We're going to be at the World next weekend. We're bringing our Grandnephew, and we're doing parks. A hotel makes more sense. We're making a beeline down Thursday evening, getting up early Friday morning, and going hard for 3.5 days, then making a beeline home on Monday evening.
For our longer trips, when it is just us, yes, I will stay at the Fort in a heartbeat. It's more relaxing, we can go looping, hang out with other Fiends, stay at the campground till 2 in the afternoon, etc. We're not pool people, so "hanging out" when we stay at other resorts has no appeal.
I also wish we could still do that for our quick weekends when just going "because", but we just don't have the stamina to do that any more, so we get an All-Star or stay offsite.We can't pull the camper down or home in one 12 hour stretch anymore, set up at 2 in the morning, and have any fun, just to head home on Sunday or Monday again. But we do visit the Fort and visit Fiends, and I kick myself every evening when we have to "go back to our room" But I know realistically it's just not possible.
So, yes, money does play into it some, but there are other factors, such as time, and physical capability. Because the Fort IS expensive, we save it for longer trips when we can truly enjoy it.

Apples and oranges in my mind. THE Fort offers more intangibles that are not $ based. Why not compare the Grand Floridan and the Allstars. They are both rooms with a bed and a television.
More than 4 people can stay
My pups stay with me
My own bed
Parking at my front door.

This is demand pricing, right?  Not my favorite thing.  But, still works out for me as none of the other resorts let me bring the dog.  :)
 

My wife and I walked the paved trail from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness on Saturday.  We noticed the nature trail entrance is no longer blocked off.  So on our way back to the Lodge, we turned down there.  It is still a nice walk and eventually you come upon the cabins.  They really did a nice job in that area and the walk is still enjoyable.

HAHA!  I suppose it could be worse, right?  Our youngest had never had the pleasure of naming the dog and reminded us of that.  He claims Steve is named after Stephen Hawking....but I think it's probably Steven Seagal.  Another of our dogs, Chuck, was named by the oldest after Chuck Norris.  And my first dog out of college was named Falk after Peter Falk.  That was a mistake.  Standing in the back yard and calling his name got some rather odd looks from neighbors who were not quite sure of what they were hearing.  Eventually, he learned to come to "here boy."

HAHA!  I suppose it could be worse, right?  Our youngest had never had the pleasure of naming the dog and reminded us of that.  He claims Steve is named after Stephen Hawking....but I think it's probably Steven Seagal.  Another of our dogs, Chuck, was named by the oldest after Chuck Norris.  And my first dog out of college was named Falk after Peter Falk.  That was a mistake.  Standing in the back yard and calling his name got some rather odd looks from neighbors who were not quite sure of what they were hearing.  Eventually, he learned to come to "here boy."

http://www.instructables.com/id/Inexpensive-Doggie-Ramp/.%C2'> Made this today in a couple of hours after a trip to Home Depot.  Now it is laying in our living room so Steve (that's what happens when you let the kids name the dog!) can get used to it.  Tomorrow we'll start trying to train him to use it.  If I am able to, I'll get a picture of him on it and post it.  This is super easy and very light weight.  Thanks again for the help!

Hoping we're not limiting to east coast/midwest.  FAR west..Arizona...just in case anyone ever takes it into their head to ramble far afield...Kartchner Caverns State Park in Benson, AZ.  Also, Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, AZ.  Kartchner has the caverns of course...and Dead Horse does not have a dead horse..luckily.  But there is water..3 lagoons (ponds by midwest standards).  No motors but there is fishing.  Yes, people do fish in Arizona!  There is a fish cleaning station, day use areas with pavilions and three campground loops with water and electric and decent comfort stations.  Some sites have views of Jerome (clinging to the side of Cleopatra Hill) and Mingus Mountain.  Many hiking trails and mountain bike trails.  Dead Horse is at 3400 feet.  We were there about two weeks ago getting the kinks out of our new Jayco.