F.W. Magic Disappearing ??

[mickey98]

I never thought I would say these words.. BUT is the Magic of Ft. Wilderness disappearing. We recently returned from a 9 night stay at the Fort. We stayed in the 200 loop.. Guess what, we had pets in our loop.. Security said the guests had " special permission " from the front desk.. How do you receive special permission in a non pet loop ???. Campers were washing their motorhomes in the campsites.. especially the one next to us that flooded our campsite.. security watched and said nothing, Campers had blazing fires in the outside grille and again security watched and said NOTHING.. This trip was a BIG disappointment.. We can not believe that Disney is allowing this kind of RULE breaking to go on.. Rules are for the safety and comfort of the campers.. BUT I guess If you know someone you can get special permission to do just about anything and disregard the rules.. We will seriously think about going back again next November for our yearly vacation.. Maybe it's time to visit another theme park.. Maybe they uphold the rules...

[faline]

Sorry to hear you had a disappointing experience.

[WDWdriver]

I hope you expressed your concerns to a manager at checkout. No one (that I know of) cares more about guest satisfaction than Disney. I have seen countless procedures and policies changed as a result of guests comments.

[ibrowse17]

I wondered the same thing after our last trip back in Feb. They had a church group that took up 3 sites on our loop, and were having services each evening in one of the sites. Also, a huge group of kids (100 or so) stayed on our loop, and just ran wild the entire time. They had scavenger hunts, and were going through people's sites None of the parents with them did anything to control them. I informed the front desk of this, but nothing happened. I hope that all of this is not a sign of things to come at our beloved FW.

[TinaAndGlenn]

We always wash our 5th wheel at least once when we camp at FW. It gets filthy on the trip from Illinois. We are mindful of our neighbors, and would never flood their site! It sounds to me like FW is really not to blame, but other rude guests. Where were the parents (or adults) in charge of those kids running wild? Seems to me that the rudeness we experience in the 'real' world is spilling over to DW overall. People (not all people) are rude. They feel that they should be first, their kid is special, the rules do not apply to them. You see these people everyday at your local grocery store, library or even your job. And like the real world, those of us who follow the rules suffer. We are going to FW at the end of December, hopefully we will not encounter the same issues as you. Maybe they should put all the 'rule breakers' in a loop together!

[mickey98]

We always wash our 5th wheel at least once when we camp at FW. It gets filthy on the trip from Illinois. We are mindful of our neighbors, and would never flood their site! It sounds to me like FW is really not to blame, but other rude guests.

You do realize that washing your camper is against the rules ???

[mickey98]

I hope you expressed your concerns to a manager at checkout. No one (that I know of) cares more about guest satisfaction than Disney. I have seen countless procedures and policies changed as a result of guests comments.

And yes Ron I expressed my concern with allowing pets who were directly across from us who barked all hours of the day and night and the owner who did NOT clean up after the dogs. I was told that they received SPECIAL authorization from the front desk to be in a non-pet loop. ?????

[TheMartellFamily]

Make it known of what happened there during your visit. I feel if you do not let upper management know the non management is not going to say anything and nothing gets done. I have seen some things and had no problem to let management know of what is going on. It is sad that people feel no matter where they are they think they can get away with anything. I agree when there are large groups of kids they must implement more adult coverage for groups because I too have seen problems with that and unrulely misbehaving children. Do not be affraid to contact them and let them know what you had seen.

[BobB]

Last year my inlaws joined my wife and I at FW.They have a small dog (6 pounds) that travels with them in their motorhome. They requested a pet loop at the time they made their reservation and was told no problem. Upon arrival they were told that they did not have to stay in a pet loop as small dogs that stay in the camper were ok in any loop.

[LKCEmom]

I just have to wonder if there would be complaints too if someones motorhome or trailer were covered in dirt.

I'm sorry sometimes you just have to wash them off, now if your neighbor was washing the camper every day that would be a problem.

The rules are there for a reason that being said realize that some rules are more important that others. There are so many different people that we need to be more tolerant of each others needs and maybe look at the gray area before getting angry.

I'm on my way out the door right now, heading to Ft Wilderness, we learned over the years to make our own magic.

JMHO (not intended to offend in any way)

[vicster]

Our camper gets dirty on the way to WDW, also, but we found a great truck stop with a car wash large enough for campers that worked great. As for the dogs, we got stuck one year in a loop for dogs and we nagged Disney until they moved us. (Constantly barking dogs is not my cup of tea.) As far as I know there are still loops specified for people with pets.

Other than that we've always had good luck at FW.

[DNS]

We don't wash our whole motor home, but during love bug times, we do wash down the front right after we get there. We've talked to others who do the same. My understanding is that squished love bugs will ruin the paint on a vehicle. We've never even thought twice about doing that. Although we use very little water.

[tys_mommy]

I was under the impression that washing a trailer/motor home at your site was considered the same as dumping gray water and considered illegal in most states.

[LONESTAR]

Disney must not mind you washing your RV to much because we were just there and and we saw a company in there that details RV's. They were washing them. I dont wash my 5er while we are there but I would not care if my neighbor washed theres. Now all the tree triming and the gas powered blowers every morning I could have done with out. Plus there was a water leak in our loop so we had bad water pressure for about 4 days. The sewer was backed up in the restrooms by the Hoop De Doo one night . But none of this really bothers me because I am on vacation and it sure beats being at work and there still is no other place like FW. No place is perfect. But the magic is still there for me and my DW.

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Word came down last May -
. . . the campground is full most of the time
. . . don't bug the guests
. . . too many campers for security to police
. . . if you get complaints, let them fall
2) I couldn't believe, nor could others.
3) At that time, everyone basically said,
. . . "what the heck, let them go"
. . . "let them do what they want"
4) After that, security has done little rules enforcement.
. . . open fires
. . . washing of campers (against law and the rules)
. . . pets in non-pet loops
. . . huge ATVs, instead of mandated small ones
. . . parties at late hours, just not too raucous

NOTE: In my opinion, dumb, really dumb. CM's were told to not worry about the rules, so guests wouldn't complain. The word came down that "EVERY GUEST DESERVES THE BEST WDW VACATION, EVER". And, woe be the CM that prevents that.

[mickey98]

1) Word came down last May -
. . . the campground is full most of the time
. . . don't bug the guests
. . . too many campers for security to police
. . . if you get complaints, let them fall
2) I couldn't believe, nor could others.
3) At that time, everyone basically said,
. . . "what the heck, let them go"
. . . "let them do what they want"
4) After that, security has done little rules enforcement.
. . . open fires
. . . washing of campers (against law and the rules)
. . . pets in non-pet loops
. . . huge ATVs, instead of mandated small ones
. . . parties at late hours, just not too raucous

NOTE: In my opinion, dumb, really dumb. CM's were told to not worry about the rules, so guests wouldn't complain. The word came down that "EVERY GUEST DESERVES THE BEST WDW VACATION, EVER". And, woe be the CM that prevents that.

So, Now this makes F.W. no different than any other campground. RULES are what has set F.W. above everyone else, Like them or not the rules are made for a reason not to just " upset " someone. If you want to party all night, have open fires, have pets in a non-pet loop, wash your camper in your site and make a mess in your neighbors campsite, them I guess you should jump right on the telephone and call W.D.W reservations, because NOW F.W. is no longer the ELITE Campground.. This disappoints me severly.

[RocklandRVers]

Well relaxed rules were not the order of the day when we last visited (April 2007). We once again got hassled over using our Electric Gem Car in areas where other golf carts go. I even protested to the manager of Fort Wilderness/Wilderness Lodge on the phone but was told that security had ruled that Gem Cars are not golf carts. So much for the princess who drove one on the golf course in a Disney movie I guess.

Fires are a different story. I like a roaring campfire as much as anyone but I can see from the flammable tinder that surrounds every FtW campsite that fires are a common sense no-no.

Also common courtesy has to take over for rules enforcement. Never invade someone's campsite or let your water, smells, noise, etc ruin your neigbors' vacation.

[DNS]

Fires are a different story. I like a roaring campfire as much as anyone but I can see from the flammable tinder that surrounds every FtW campsite that fires are a common sense no-no.

I totally agree. About the time a horrible fire breaks out and destroys millions of dollars in motor homes, and I think security will become an issue again. I liked feeling that my motor home was safe while we're at the parks.

[Camping Mom]

Security??? I have never seen security at Ft.W. Where have I been? We were behind a lady who was driving her SUV thru the park way too fast, running stop signs and honking at people in front of her. Where was she going? To the Meadows to pick up some food. We followed her in because she was dressed like an employee. I asked for the manager and told him how she was driving and that she was going to hurt someone. I don't know if he did or not, but I saw NO security.

There was a big rig next to us that had detailing done two days in a row and that water pressure hose is LOUD!

We nearly always have a site next to someone with dogs. I wondered the same thing about why they are not in the pet loops. I guess to bend the rules to make that camper happy? What about those of us who DON'T take our furry friends and would like a site where we don't listen to someone elses?

Sounds to me like Disney is afraid to follow their own rules. Listen, when most of us who camp go to any campground, there are rules we know to follow. Why should this be any different?

And to those who ride your golf carts fast because you like the wind in your hair, remember there are those of us who don't walk as fast as we used to...or we are too small to know that thing you drive can hurt us...and oh, please know that even if security won't stop you, the sidewalks are NOT a speedway. Ok, I feel better. I just wish the guy who drove his golf cart WAY TOO FAST, on the wrong side of the road because he couldn't stay under the speed limit and played rap music as loud as possible so we all knew he was around (like we could have NOT noticed?) knew what a nuisance he was being to the peace loving campers at Ft. Wilderness!!

Venting sure feels good...thanks for listening!

[RocklandRVers]

Security does not always drive around in a marked security vehicle. We got pulled over by a CM in a van while driving our own golf cart (not a rental). My son was driving and was 15 and I was in the passenger seat. (he is an excellent driver) and the CM checked to see if he was 16 and had a license. She made us switch before allowing us to drive on.

Security is not always everwhere to be sure, but I know that they do drive around the loops even in the wee hours. Once our dog woke us up when he needed to go out in the early morning (about 3:00 am) and a van drove around our loop.

Overall I feel safe at FtW, but also know that some of the guests may not share the same sense of responsibility as I and others do so I keep a cautious eye out for them. We have all seen the golf carts whizzing through paths shared by pedestrians and big RVs barreling around the campground so we remain vigilent.

FtW is like any diverse "town". Some of the folks obey the "letter of law" while others flaunt it totally with most of us landing somewhere in between. In my many trips I have seen some real morons but mostly I see some of the most friendly people I have ever met. All in all I still find it the best vacation spot and will continue going.