wesmitsi
Stillwater, OK
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We are planning a trip to Walt Disney World in October 2004. I'm trying to convince my family to take TT & camp at Fort Wilderness. Money has become the main controversy b/c we could get a hotel for a little more than $30 more a night & not have to deal with pulling TT several thousand miles. What points could I make to convince them that Ft. Wilderness is the way to go?
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edited 07/17/03 01:27pm by wesmitsi *
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jkitch
Aiken, SC
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Spend the money and go to Fort Wilderness. It is probably the best CG we have ever stayed at. It has EVERYTHING and you could stay there without ever attending the parks. By staying there, you can get in the parks one hour earlier (8:00 AM) which can be critical in getting on the favorite rides. We took one set of grandkids there last month for 5 days and are taking the other set next weekend. We stayed at the preferred sites for $65.00 per night and it was worth every penny.
Jim
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finnie
Tallahassee, Fl
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We are going for the first time in August, so this is not from experience but from me having the same dilema. Depending on the age of your kids it could definitely be worth it. We have a 4 year old and with all the activities at fort wilderness we are spending 2 days there. This stuff is free, 2 pools, stocked ponds to fish, playgrounds, and every evening is stories with Chip and Dale, smores (bring your own stuff and you wont have to pay) then a Disney movie. Not free, they have a character dinner show that is supposed to be really good (make reservations in advance). There is transportations to all the Disney parks (leave your car at FW and dont deal with parking), you can even take a boat to Magic Kingdom. I think it will make the whole Disney thing that much better. Good luck and I will let everyone know how it was when we get back.
Also remember that October is in value season, preffered sites are $48(normally $65) with water, electric, sewer and cable. full hookup are $40(normally $60) just doesnt have cable. So you may be saving more than you think.
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edited 07/17/03 02:12pm by finnie *
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corkyb
Murrells Inlet, SC
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Hi
We're Disney people... been to Ft Wilderness about 15 times... Last one being new years 1999 - 2000 (made reservations 7 years ahead)... Tell your family to "Trust your gut feelings" you won't be wrong... When we camp these days, often we don't even go into the parks... the kids do, but my wife and I just love the be in the campground...
If you wish, you can park your truck and not move it except to go to the grocery store... there is a Goodings near the Disney Village and several other less expensive ones close to Disney... The lake is beautiful and the fireworks and electric light parade are unique... even the pizza is good.... My wife and I like to walk the path between the Wilderness Lodge and the campground... especially when it's totally dark and you can hear the animals rustling in the woods...
Two nice pools... lots of ducks and other critters... fishing... small speed boats....Chip and Dale singalongs every evening... horesriding and so on....
BTW, we will also be there in August...
corky
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Leoncyk
NH
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HOTEL!! YUK!!!!!
Who wants to sleep in a bed that thousands of people have already slept in. Sure they change the sheets but the same bed spread goes back on. Just think of all the dead skin thats on the bed. Theres nothing like your own bed, shower and toilet.
When you get there you don't have to get out of you vehicle to check in, just pull up to the booth and do it all right there, I wish every campground was like that. Then once your there just park your F-250 and use the bus service, who wants to sit in traffic waiting to get in or out of the parks. And the most favorite part for me and my is waking up in the AM, sitting outside having a cup of our favorite coffee listening to the birds sing.
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edited 07/17/03 03:12pm by Leoncyk *
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flnative
Melbourne, Fl, USA
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I would much rather pay the extra for the campground than have to fight the traffic in and around the Disney area. The cheaper hotels are in the Kissimee area. Traffic there is horrible.
The campground is everything everyone has mentioned. You wont be disapppointed.
We will be at the campground Aug 1 weekend.
Jeff and Linda
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wdtrain
Pensacola, Florida
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Everything you have heard so far is very true  . We go to Ft Wilderness multiple times a year and never tire of the place.
Along with all the other wonderful points the others have made, there is one more advantage to "bringing your own home". Staying at a hotel requires eating somewhere every night, and yes, dinning in Disney every day can be expensive  . At least if camping, you can bring your own food, and treat yourself to an occasional meal out. Each site has a table and grill.
You will never forget the great experience at Ft Wilderness, and don't forget to sit on the Front Porch at Trails End / Crocketts Tavern in one of those wonderful rocking chairs, and just watch the world go by! 
Always remember, as you travel down life's road,...the size of the potholes you leave behind...determines the smoothness of your ride home!
Terry and Angie
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ldeane
North Carolina
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We went in 2002 for the first time. If was a vacation we will never forgot. We stayed for 10 days, and never got bored. This campground as SO much to offer: the parks with full transportation, 2 pools, bike trails (lots of them), playground, 2 stores, nice restaurant, petting zoo, pea****s roaming around the park, petting zoo, boat rentals, etc, etc. The sites are awesome, fully paved and surrounded by gravel. All of the sites have natural areas between them so that even though you are fairly close to your neighbor, you don't feel like you are. The water/power hookups are molded stumps, and each site has a hose. Even the sewer hookup has a sink, so no spills! The campground is divided into loops, and in the center of each loop is a very nice and clean bathhouse, and washer dryer facilities.
I have 5 young boys, and they spent hours just chasing the lizards while my wife and I relaxed under the awning!
I cannot say enough about this campground and the experience we had there. It will be a vacation that we will never forget. We often joke around when the day has been hectic and wish we were back in the Disney...
One thing though, we went in May/June and MAN WAS IT HOT. When we go again, we will go in the Winter (October-December) timeframe when weather is cooler and rates are cheaper.
- LDEANE
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austinjenna
Columbus, Ohio
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We were there last year and truthfully if you are planning on going to the parks and use the trailer as a base camp then I would probably get the hotel.
By the time we woke up we hit the parks. The plan was that we could always come back to the camper for lunch but realistically if you are at any other park besides magic kingdom that would take too much time to get back, eat and head back out. We were only planning on going to Disney once, so we wanted to get the most in that we could.
By the time we came back to the camper its night time and we are all beat. We did the hoop de do review one night which the kids enjoyed.
As far as the park itself I guess we are lucky where we live because our state parks have community campfires, pools, play movies etc... so it was not that much different then what we are used to already, besides having chip & dale.
The guy I work with has the seasonal pass and they always stay at Hawthorn suites which is close to the gate. The price is like 70 bucks and includes a buffet breakfast which is nice. I don't want to start any disney wars here because I know how people are when you mention ft. wilderness I am just giving you my opinion.
Next time I would stay in the hotel, take my wifes truck which gets triple the mileage from me towing if not more and be able to get there faster because I don't have this big old trailer behind me.
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Junkmanstan
Navarre, FL
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For more in depth info go to www.disboards.com. Click on Trip Planning Forums, then on the topic Camping At WDW. Lots of good info here.
Granted, you can find a motel in the WDW area for as little as $30, but none you would want to stay in.
Stan
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