Disney Fort Wilderness Alternative ?

[Jim Clark]

Alternative campground to Disney Fort Wilderness

My son has a long weekend for Mardi Gras and it his 13th birthday. We offered to let him ride in a Mardi Gras parade but he would prefer to go to Disney. The dates are Feb. 17th thru the 21st. Dose anyone have any suggestions for a good alternate campground in the general area of Disney

Thanks Jim

[moosetags]

We have stayed at the KOA in Kissimmee. We spent a week there last August while attending a trade show. It is fairly close to Disney, and is very accessable to shopping in the immediate area. Their sites in the front are paved, but there are no trees. We stayed in the back and had a very nice tree-shaded site, but it was not paved. The back sites cost a little less.

[Jim Clark]

Brian, that sounds good I will give them a call. We have a KOA discount card for what ever that is worth.

Thanks Jim

[ljmiii]

My parents have stayed in the Kissimmee KOA and have liked it as well. Based on their recommendation, we'll be staying there in April.

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by ljmiii

My parents have stayed in the Kissimmee KOA and have liked it as well. Based on their recommendation, we'll be staying there in April.

Thanks for the infromation. I could even be there in April as that is when my son has spring break.

Jim

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

Brian, that sounds good I will give them a call. We have a KOA discount card for what ever that is worth.

Thanks Jim

Last time I booked with them, it was worth 10% off. Be aware, this is Snowbird season here, and all our Northern friends will be filling the campgrounds.

[rseagle]

So why is Fort Wilderness not the place to stay while going to Disney? Is their prices so much higher than KOA? Don't they offer a shuttle to the park?

[overlander63]

I THINK he's looking for something less than $100/night.

[Minnie's Mate]

Ft. Wilderness is less than $100/night. However, the peak weeks like Spring Break and Easter are probably booked solid. Christmas week, well that is close to $100/night and will be booked soon. Oh, they do offer a shuttle to each of the parks.

We got our Airstream in May and Ft. Wilderness was already booked for Christmas week so we checked with the Kissimmee KOA and they were less than $100/night...they were $95/night during Christmas. We stayed at the Walt Disney World Swan instead. If you're going to do Disney, you need to stay with Disney, or in this case a close facsimile.

We will be at Ft. Wilderness President's Weekend and we are paying a lot less than $100/night. I think we are paying $67 or $69, but I could be wrong. That is for a preferred pet loop (has cable and is closer to boat docks and restaurant).

[clancy_boy]

I agree with Minnies Mate - Take a closer look at Fort Wilderness and some of the aminities they offer over staying offsite. The transportaion alone to the parks is free vice paying to enter the park each day and the fuel costs. Additional "FUN" stuff offered at no charge at FW are also good for some fun - movies, campfire stories, heated pool, beach view of fireworks at night, etc all add up. Additionally, if you stay onsite in a Disney Resort and have pets - the pet daily rate at the Disney Kennels is $9 ALL DAY with late pickup available and $12 overnight - VERY CHEAP and safe for the pets instead of in the camper all day. I don't think you could go wrong in staying in FW - but I am sure it's worth it.

[nilesrob]

Ditto Clancy Boy. Fort Wilderness is one of our top campgrounds. We just close our eyes when we pay the bill - that strategy seems to work OK.

Hail Caesar!
Krewe of Caesar

[Jim Clark]

I want to move this back to the orginal question. Alternative campground to Disney Fort Wilderness. I am not looking for a cheaper campground I am looking because the dates I have chosen are Mardi Gras in New Orleans and FW is booked and I can't get a site. The KOA is not that much cheaper than FW. I am concerened about quality not cost.

I stayed at FW for 2 weeks after Katrina,

1. 2 Security Gates Disney Main Gate FW Gate
2. EMT to your site in 2 min.
3. Defibrillator on walls of comfort stations.
4. Bus System
5. Everything else mentioned above.

We stayed 2 weeks went in the parks twice the day Katrina Hit and the day before we left to return to New Orleans. It is the best RV park you will find. Topsail is the 2nd best so far.


Thanks Jim

[leefields]

there are a couple of alternatives....

Sherwood Forest, ....Tropical Palms, .... Encore Super Park Lake Magic, ....KOA Fort Summit, ..... Theme World Rv....all have shuttle service to the parks....

and are cheaper then Fort Wilderness although not as nice...but Tropical Palms is close....

[bjond]

Ditto on Tropical Pines. It is about 5 miles from the Disney entrance on 192 and is in back of Old Town (another tourist attraction).

[Jim Clark]

Thanks to everyone for all the tips on other camp grounds I will do some research tonight. 65GT I did call FW this morning and will try again before I go to work thanks for the encouragement..

Jim

[Minnie's Mate]

Originally Posted by leefields

there are a couple of alternatives....

Sherwood Forest, ....Tropical Palms, .... Encore Super Park Lake Magic, ....KOA Fort Summit, ..... Theme World Rv....all have shuttle service to the parks....

and are cheaper then Fort Wilderness although not as nice...but Tropical Palms is close....

Thanks leefields, I was trying to remember Tropical Palms. I have heard of them, but can't remember if it is good or bad.

Since FW is booked, I'll check with my Disney forum and see if there is any recommendations there.

[Minnie's Mate]

Got a good report on KOA, some sites have shade (most likely no paved parking pad though) and some don't (most have paved parking pad). Cost for your time frame about $78/night.

Got a good report on Tropical Palms. Cost should be between $49-$59/night depending on Standard or Premium site. Photos on website looked nice. Walt Disney World Tropical Palms Funresort - Kissimmee, florida RV Parks

[Jim Clark]

Still trying to get into FW. I am leaning towards Tropical Palms if I can't get in FW. I like the trees at Tropical Palms.

Thanks for alll the information.
Jim

[Minnie's Mate]

When we got our Airstream Memorial Day Weekend we tried to get a reservation for FW for the 4th of July and all we could get was one night in a partial hook-up. Turned out that they wouldn't even let a travel trailer in a partial hook-up site but I didn't find this out 'till later. I kept calling back until I got the second night added, then changed to a full hook up, then a pet loop, then the third night added. It may take persistence, but you might be able to get all the nights you want. You might also see if you can get some of the nights in one loop and move to another later in the trip. I know this is not what you want to do, but it might make it possible to at least get a reservation for all nights and then as the date draws nearer you can check to see if there are cancellations in the loop you start off in. You can always make a reservation at both and cancel FW if things don't go like you want them and go with the remaining reservation off property. Otherwise, Tropical Palms does look nice from their website if you just want to have things settle once and for all. I believe they are part of the Encore network. Don't know what that means if anything.

[Minnie's Mate]

Another alternative I've been advised of is Sherwood Forrest. It is owned by the same chain as Tropical Palms. During Christmas week it was $100/night. They don't have cable but do offer activities and wireless internet for $15/week. This may be another alternative for you.