We are planning to be at the Fort for two weeks in October. We have booked one of the new sites which are listed as Premium Sites. They are suppose to be made larger to accommodate the larger RV's. Even with that said we didn't have too much trouble getting into our site with our old 38' fifth wheel.

In our opinion, it's the only way to visit Disney.

Shaun and Amy

quote:

Originally posted by CheetahGirl:
Other than the lack of foliage, how was your experience camping there?
Jo

Jo,

Don't get me wrong, Fort Wilderness is GREAT place to camp. We have camped there every year since it opened and will continue camping there. We have camped in tents, pop ups, and now a motor home and have always enjoyed the CAMPGROUND of all campgrounds. It's just that I miss the seclusion that more foliage offered.

They do now have a dog park that your dog can run freely in. I don't know if they have more than one, but we had to walk about a 1/4 mile to get to the one that was the closest to our campsite. I'm sure they will make more.

Enjoy your camping,

Ron

The foliage is still there. What is missing are the non indiginous vines and plants. These plants have gradualy smutherd the real Florida veriaties. Government incentives are helping to irradicate the south American and Australian veriaties through out Florida.
It won't be long and the original and newly plnted landscaping will grow back and naturaly add to privacy and ambiance of the fort.
There is only one dog park planned for FW.
The recent rains here at FW are helping things grow. You would not believe how healthy the weeds are.

I guess I should have been clearer on my description of foliage removal. I didn't mean they had removed all the trees and everything. IMHO it was ok to remove the Kudzu and other obnoxious vines but I think they should have left the Palmentto and other bushes between the sites.

Our next trip will be in October

Ron

Some people do not like to see native plantings and consider then messy or trash plants. Palmetto is a Sable Palm and is the only palm native to Texas. Yaupon is also a native privit which people plant into hedges. The yaupon readily trims and trains to shrubs. The beauty of native plants is they can survive in local climate with temperature, wet, dry, and bugs.

I would hope that Disney has hired some grounds keeps with a hint of native plant knowledge.

Ken

Disney World is a master when it comes to Horticulture as you can readily see when you enter any of the parks and other facilities of WDW.

They even have Aspen trees, which are quite removed from Florida's evnironment, growing at Wilderness Lodge.

I'm sure they will come up with something to replace what they removed between the sites, I hope

I've camped at FW for 30 years. Things change. I was upset when they removed the old Steam Train but I still came back. It still is the best deal you can find for the money. I've spent more and got less at other places. They are widening most of the sites but I always got into whatever I had. I was there in April just after they cleaned out all the underbrush and I also missed the privacy but on the other hand I have always had great neighbors there. I think the atmosphere of the place makes everyone more friendly. I like to talk to people who like to talk to about their rigs or dogs or kids/grandkids and the place is full of people like that.

There is no intention by WDW to take away from the privacy enjoyed in
the past.
The Palmetto Palms still exist though some may have been cut back. In Florida foests these are the weeds and homes to alotof bugs. WDW is spraying less to not at all because of complaints by a few of alergies to insectacides (bug buggers).
It will eventually all grow back with additional planting.
Many of the planned improvments have not happend as of yet. Money for the campground is tight. Campers even today are not considerd big spenders or purchasers of vacation club memberships.
The head of all the Disney resorts started his career with the beginning of FT WILDERNESS in 1971.
Present management does thier best with what is given them. In the past few years requests for additional sites and improvements have been denied by county goverment.
There is a new 4-Seasons time-share property going up ajacent to the campground. This will make a big difference infuture operations.
Money allotment comes and goes and some things here at WDW never change.

The largest sites in Fort Wilderness are in Loop 700 which is a Premiere Pet Loop. In the past year we’ve been to FW 5 times using Loop 300, Loop 800 and Loop 700. I would suggest that when asked mention that you have a rig over 42 feet which will help get you into Loop 700. We’ve enjoyed our stays their but have no desire to return during this next year. The picture you see of us with our Westie's was taken there as well!