disneylitch......Debbie

We are going to be mounting our 36 inch spare tire on our motorhome and would like to purchase a Disney tire cover.  Does any one know where one can be purchased?  We would like something Fort Wilderness related if possible.  Thanks!!

Look at the fortfiend app.  Also, there is a drive by you tube video of the sites.

We are from Maryland too!!  Don't forget to bring your bikes and we have never rented a golf cart.  We will be there the end of May.

I prefer a full hook up site.  However, for a premium, we like the 1100 and 1200 loops.  I don't drive the MH, it's a 40ft diesel, but my husband said they are easy to back in to.  You are about equal distance from the outpost and the marina.  We have walked and biked to both.  Hope this helps.

On ‎2‎/‎12‎/‎2016 at 1:29 PM, tim5055 said:

 

This thread has been on track way too long, time for a side trip.  Is he going to be stationed at PI after he finishes or are they sending him to San Diego as he is already on he left coast?

If PI, the best place around to camp is Hunting Island State Park.  Right on the ocean and during the winter dogs are allowed out on th ebeach....

 

http://southcarolinaparks.com/huntingisland/introduction.aspx

He will be stationed at Parris Island.  Thanks for the tip for camping.

1 hour ago, swimmarz said:

to me I cant put a cost to the memories that i made as a kid growing up at the fort.
I know my mom and dad worked OT, or second jobs to make it work and for that I am grateful.

That being said, I have made it, camping at the fort, a priority for my kids.

I am a Disney fan like most others, and it came to the realization that staying at a Disney property was going to be expensive, but the benefits about the transportation/ planning out weigh staying anywhere else( unless were there for 1 night)

back in 2014 we spent 27 nights in Disney hotels, and that set me back just over $6,000 for just the sleeping portion, that didn't include food/ drinks , add in tickets/ food and drink and I am sure It was over $10,000
The decision was made to skip 2015 and save money, I used that money to purchase our first pop up, something i never had as a kid growing up, I was in class C's at a young age and then transitioned to a trailer as we camped less and less.  
we have now camped at the fort 2 times for a total of 7 days and were only in 2 months in to using it, my kids faces light up when they see dad backing the truck up to the garage to hook up the camper, and for that I can not put a price on it.   
on our most recent trip, this just melted my heart...

he was so excited to be back at the mouse house.
so to answer the question, at what point does the fort become not worth it, Id have to say it will be at the point you stop making memories....

mom and dad told me you can always make more money, but you cant always make more memories

 

I agree with you!!!  me, To me Disney is just magical and Fort Wilderness is just the icing on the cake.  I love going as much now as the first time my parents took us.  That was opening year.  My Dad loved Disney and he passed his love of Disney to me.  My 2 sisters just don't get it.  They think Disney is fun, but can't understand the fact that I keep going back.

We now take 3 of our grandkids and they love Disney.  Their Dad is a Marine so they are stationed at Camp Pendleton is California.  They went to Disneyland 47 times last year.  So I guess we did a great job with giving them the love of Disney!!!  Right now, their Dad is at Parris Island training to be a drill instructor.  So they will be closer to us and about 250 miles from Disney World, but not as close as they are to Disneyland.  They are only 45 minutes from Disneyland.

So the bottom line is that I don't know when it will be too expensive to visit Fort Wilderness.  The problem is that Disney knows that too!!!!!

Sorry, I will be at The Fort!

29 minutes ago, tim5055 said:

 

There is no beach at River Country and the only pool they could reopen is a small kidney shaped pool in the middle of the property.

Any modification to try to use the old River Country site for Fort Wilderness guests is just too expensive for them to even consider IMHO.

 

So sad!!  The pool used to have a nice slide and the beach was really nice too.  Such a shame.

14 hours ago, geoffdaddy said:

 

Yeah, I understand that, I'm not advocating opening the natural water pool back up, but surely they could put a new chlorinated pool in its place.

They could just reopen the pool that is already there.  The beach could be for relaxing, no swimming, just like every other beach at Disney World.

We were there over Christmas because we were lucky enough to get a last minute reservation.  We paid $145 a night for a premium site, something I said that I would never do.  However, we still have our annual passes and didn't eat out.  This saved us lots of money. 

We didn't have any plans to visit Disney again in 2015.  We were there for 3 weeks in September/October with our daughter and 3 grandkids.  The motorhome was winterized and put away for the winter.  Then I got this brilliant idea for visiting Disney.  My husband said I you can get reservations, we will go.  This was December 18.  Well, I called and there was an opening.  Guess it was just meant to be.

Now to get back on topic.  I priced a campground in Ocean City, MD and your stated rate is for 2 adults and children under the age of 10.  Additional adults are $12 per person and kids 11-17 are $6 per person or $8 per person, different campgrounds.  This can really add up if you have a large family.  They also only allow 1 vehicle, same as The Fort. 

At this point, I don't know when The Fort will be too expensive.  I hated paying for a premium site over Christmas, but it was that or nothing.  We usually stay for at least 2 weeks since we travel 1000 miles.  Now that fuel is affordable, a week stay isn't out of the question.  We could stay at a campground off property, but I don't want to fight the traffic getting into the parks.  Maybe in the future, we might have to consider this.

I understand everyone's concern with some of the issues at The Fort.  However, we have to remember that there are people reading these posts and we don't want to paint an extremely negative picture of The Fort.  Yes, things have changed over the years and not everything has been a change for the better.  With that being said, I love coming to The Fort and can't wait until my next visit.  It is very relaxing and much better than staying in a hotel.  I like not having to worry about dining reservations and can enjoy my stay on my own schedule.  Yes, there are things that I would like to see changed:  a way to enforce golf cart rules as well as the other rules in general, a better reservation system, improvements to the playgrounds, Wifi at all sites, and discounts comparable to the value resorts.  Hopefully we will see some improvements, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that.

There is a big problem with the way The Fort is booked, but I don't think there is anything we can do about it. 

If The Fort caters, so to speak, to week end travelers then it will be very difficult to book a longer stay.

If The Fort caters to guests that want to book a longer stay, then it is very difficult to book a week end.

I don't know how they can remedy the situation.  We travel 1000 miles, so we obviously need a longer stay.  If we lived closer, hopefully we will in the future, then we would want to be able to book for weekends.

Also, I don't begrudge anyone that is able to stay at The Fort for months.  We have met many very nice couples that do just that.  Quite a few of them are also seasonal workers for Disney.

I do wish The Fort would crack down on golf cart use, or misuse!!!  We were at The Fort and saw golf carts parked everywhere.  Many were driven by underage drivers.  We were almost run over by an underage driver.  When I confronted the parents, they told me to mind my own business.  I told them it was my business when I am paying to stay at The Fort.  In my opinion, this should be a top priority.  Unfortunately, they can't hire enough security to handle the amount of golf carts.  If they did, our rates would skyrocket.

I just don't understand why people can't follow the rules:

cars, golf carts, etc. must be parked on the pad

16 years of age with a valid license to drive a golf cart

plus the misc. other rules

If you don't like the rules, then stay someplace else!!!!

Yes, price is a concern, but you can stay with 10 people on your site.  For us that is important.  We usually have my husband, myself, daughter, sometimes son in law, and 3 grandkids.  It would be costly to add on that many people at other campgrounds.  Also, there are some campgrounds that don't allow over 5 people.

For first time visitors, The Fort is definitely magical.  For me it still is, especially when we bring our grandkids.  The love it!!!

I need a Snarky sweatshirt!!!

Love the design!!

We will be at The Fort May 29 to June 11.  Hope to see you there

If you want to go further, stop at Jacksonville North / St. Marys KOA. It is on the Georgia/Florida border. We drive it from northern Maryland. They have free pancakes and waffles for breakfast. My husband loves the pancakes and I love the waffles. They make the batter from scratch. Believe it or not, we drive there for the breakfast. The owners are great and you are personally escorted to you site, even at 10:00 at night.

Ours will be out when we check in

Will be at The Fort December 26 to January 3. Hope to meet some of you!!!

I don't know how large your rv is, but there are many very large rv's in the full hook up sites.

Welcome!!  I can't be of any help because I live in Maryland, but just want to say welcome. 

Also, my son-in-law is an active duty Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton.  He should be

heading to Parris Island for drill instructor in the spring.  Thank you for your service and maybe

we will run into each other at The Fort!!!

We have stayed there and would definitely stay there again.  Great rates and it's clean.  If you want something fancy, don't stay there.  If you want to be able to relax for the evening and take a load off your vehicle, then definitely!!

I will look at the submarine base. Thanks

She is definitely with us and has her military ID. I will look at the Fayetteville RV resort also. Thanks

Now, we aren't stopping at Parris Island.  We will leave on September 11 and arrive at The Fort on September 13.  We are thinking about staying at Jacksonville North/St Mary's KOA in Kingsland, GA on Saturday night.  Anyone know anything about this campground.  Now we are trying to find a decent campground about 375 to 400 miles from out house in Street, MD.  It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just a pull through site because we are towing a small trailer.  South of the Border is a little too far.  This is the first trip with all 3 grandkids, 4, 2 1/2, and 15 months,  and we are trying not to push them too much.  Our plans changed again because our son in law can't get leave to join us.  Thanks for the suggestions.

We have to change our Halloween reservations.  So, maybe somebody will get luck enough to get them.  My son in law can't get leave and starts training on October 12.  Our new reservations will be September 20 to October 3.  We are really disappointed, but the Marine Corps tells him what to do and there is no way around that.  Maybe next year.

This might be covered under your insurance