Sorry, Magnetgirl25, but the Fort and Disney have been cutting back on discounts or any kind of reduced rates for the campsites.
It's supply-and-demand at work. The last time they added a significant number of campsites was in 1977. Since then the "demand" for campsites has increased as population increased and the boomers started to retire and wanted to winter in Florida (can't say as I blame them), Disney management has realized they don't need discounts or lower rates to fill the campsites today. The "supply" of campsites hasn't changed since 1977 (not counting the few infills they added to the 600 loop a few years ago). When supply is fixed and demand goes up, simple economics tells you the price goes up (the management interns in the WDW bunker have FINALLY learned this lesson).
The cabins are a different story given their price point.
So that means that the rack rate (published daily rate) for any time period is the best you can do. And given the demand, the Fort has raised (and raised and raised...) rates over the last few years including the weekend extra fee. Personally, I've done what I can by staying off-site nearby the night before at less than $30 per night and checking into the Fort early in the morning like 830am (subject to availability of course).
Given the high occupancy rates at the Fort, they could add more "supply" and still not cut too far into their "demand" to have to lower rates. I suggest to them (wait......they monitor this board.....let them find their pencil.....) that they build some extra long pull through sites across the main road from the Fort. (between the Fort and the EPCOT parking lot). Charge a higher rate, build it near the Pet Kennel (a walking trail perhaps back and forth). They could leverage the Fort infrastructure (staff, carts, facilities) just across the road, the pet kennel nearby, and take some load off the "Classic Fort" capacity.
It's a huge win-Win-WIN.
Just sayin'.
Bama Ed,
You are correct there, RV and camping are up something like 600 percent over the last few years as families figure out it is a good way in some places cheaper way to go. Being that myself and the wife are involved in State Parks, we look at all the demographics and surveys when deciding what changes to propose. If Disney has not expanded the Fort since 1977 chances are they are actually missing out on money they could be making. I know infrastructure proposals are always a tough sell to management as it also involves a big chunk of capitol on the front end. Maybe one day they will expand.
Bama Ed
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