Fort Wilderness closed to day visitors Oct 26-Nov 2

[champagne&disney]

We have a Cabin reservation for next week, made almost a year ago. Love the experience of the Fort, look for Mando on wheels. However how do they manage grocery deliveries? Have one planned for Sunday, no car.

For grocery deliveries, guests must meet the delivery person at the check-in area - they don't let them deliver right to cabin.

 

[Jimsig]

I have had past luck adding names to my Fort reservation when I checked into the Fort in person before but I don't know if that will be allowed during this period listed above. You can put up to 10 names on a reservation.

Last year I think they started restricting/checking access to the Fort (such as at the MK boat dock) about two days before Halloween but I would have to check my trip report to be sure. On the other side, I'm surprised they extended the shut down into November like that but that will cover the weekday period but I assume the crowd will be leaving by Friday November 3.

Looping around to see decorations gets crazy sometimes with too many cars doing so, all the golf carts, and foot traffic. Other guests try to get a Halloween/Disney experience at the Fort and not buy a MK party ticket (or they're sold out). So I support the management action plan.

Maybe guests in the other Disney resorts and those who disagree with this policy should start decorating THEIR room doors and/or THEIR balconies/windows and make THEIR resorts decoration destinations as well.

Bama Ed

PS - thanks Peach for putting this info out there.

I read where they will not even let you add a guest just for the day during this time.

One issue with adding guests to your total reservation (I don't think it affects added day guests) comes if you have a room and ticket package. All guests on your reservation must have the same package with the same amount of days and type of ticket. If you don't have a package it's not an issue.

 

[bama_ed]

One issue with adding guests to your total reservation (I don't think it affects added day guests) comes if you have a room and ticket package. All guests on your reservation must have the same package with the same amount of days and type of ticket. If you don't have a package it's not an issue.

Not an issue for me as I don't do a package, Jim, but your point is a good one. Folks need to be aware of the consequences of their actions and not blindly follow what any one person (like me) sez.

And personally, I'm not surprised that Disney will clamp down on last minute additions.

But I can still think of a legitimate way to get to the Fort that hasn't been discussed. We've covered theme park bus rides, Disney Springs bus rides, MK boat rides, and drive-up-to-the-door-of-the-Fort attempts. Like I said, if Disney is clamping down this hard, they probably already have covered the one option I'm thinking of and just not let THAT CAT out of the bag yet.

Ed

PS - and @StormyCA, I had not considered the various possible "Seal Team 6" approaches to the Fort (you left out parachuting in during sleep time) but that's also a option, I suppose.

 

[SL6827]

Disney should treat the Fort like this during the holidays. They don't just let everyone into Storm Along Bay.

 

[AprilsZoo]

Perhaps instead of “no day guests”, Disney should say no uninvited day guests, thus limiting it to registered guests, people that those guests have specifically invited & identified to the resort ahead of time, and those people with HDDR or activity ressies (idk—can anyone pay to do the trail rides, etc… or do you have to be a Fort Wilderness guest? I’d assume anyone could.).

The resort could impose a small fee to cover the extra security needed to check the invite list and check identification of those guests of guests. If you are there for a paid activity or ADR, the fee is waived.

I think it seems reasonable if you want to have family or friends over to your cabin or campground while you are staying there. I mean, you could if you were staying at other resorts. If you are a grandparent staying at FW with no car, it’s more difficult for you to leave than for your guests to come to you.

Plus, sometimes family come separately & meet at Disney from around the country… maybe part of them come to stay in cabins or campground and others are at AoA or DVC villas elsewhere. They should be able to meet at any one of their resorts to spend time together not in a park. (Our kids always loved to go visit the grandparents at the RV park rather than them only coming to our house when they came to town… never at Disney, unfortunately, but I’m sure they would’ve liked it better than them coming to our villa to play uno, or make rice krispy treats or caramel corn.)

I get the issue of being FW being overrun with too many people there on Halloween for “free” entertainment that’s actually paid for by the guests. I just don’t see that happening from invitations extended by registered guests. It’s going to be a much smaller subset than being open for just anyone to come thru.

 

[Teamubr]

Perhaps instead of “no day guests”, Disney should say no uninvited day guests, thus limiting it to registered guests, people that those guests have specifically invited & identified to the resort ahead of time, and those people with HDDR or activity ressies.

Plus, sometimes family come separately & meet at Disney from around the country…

I get the issue of being FW being overrun with too many people there on Halloween for “free” entertainment that’s actually paid for by the guests. I just don’t see that happening from invitations extended by registered guests. It’s going to be a much smaller subset than being open for just anyone to come thru.

In the past, those with ADRs to Hoop or a trail ride/Segway reservation were allowed in. I'm sure that will be the same this year. For the family coming in at different times, this is where adding them to your reservation comes in handy. I don't know if the package rules apply when adding people after you are checked in.

The problem around Halloween with all the traffic is a safety issue. The volume of cars, golf carts and people looping after dark is amazing. The loops are pretty dark and anyone walking to see the sites really has to pay attention. The people driving the cars are busy looking at sites and not looking for you. If there was an emergency and CMs or emergency equipment needed to get through, it would be almost impossible with all the traffic.

I can sympathize with other resort guests and locals wanting to see all the decorations, but it has grown to the point of being a big problem.

j

 

[bama_ed]

Perhaps instead of “no day guests”, Disney should say no uninvited day guests, thus limiting it to registered guests, people that those guests have specifically invited & identified to the resort ahead of time, and those people with HDDR or activity ressies (idk—can anyone pay to do the trail rides, etc… or do you have to be a Fort Wilderness guest? I’d assume anyone could.).

The resort could impose a small fee to cover the extra security needed to check the invite list and check identification of those guests of guests. If you are there for a paid activity or ADR, the fee is waived.

I think it seems reasonable if you want to have family or friends over to your cabin or campground while you are staying there. I mean, you could if you were staying at other resorts. If you are a grandparent staying at FW with no car, it’s more difficult for you to leave than for your guests to come to you.

It's always been open to "invited and identified" Fort guests and the way to do that is to .....

...... < dramatic pause > ......

...... add them to your reservation! Glad to have you agreeing with us, @AprilsZoo .

Of cour$e, people who PAY in advance for Fort activities (archery, segway, horse rides, HDDR, etc.) are alway$ welcome to come and $pend $ome time and drop $ome buck$ at the Fort.

But to review, the Fort is first and foremost for people staying OVERNIGHT at the Fort (sites/cabins).

Day vi$itor$ are $econdary which I propo$e a $100 per per$on per day depo$it (although I may be a little low on that amount) to $imply enter during this $hut-down period. (one has to $peak the language that Di$ney under$tand$).

Or maybe charge 2X the price of that night'$ MK Halloween party night amount which would di$courage many except those Fort Lover$ from coming to our outdoor re$ort room$.

Bama Ed

PS - @Teamubr is correct in that the crowds at the Fort for H have become a problem and I'm waiting to see how many of the detractors will want to pay for a Disney stay at THEIR resort and have their vacation overrun by day trippers. This is not rocket science, ya'll.

PPS - and the way to add guests to visit you during busy periods for the last few years has been to have them on your reservation WHEN the reservation is MADE. I've learned that lesson the HARD way the last few years. I've been burned, learned, and moved ahead with those lessons. If thoze are de rulze, then so be it.

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

Question for next year: can you add guests to your site if they are staying at another Disney resort? Wondering if the grandparents should book at a non-Disney resort if they want to be added to our reservation at the Fort. I thought I read somewhere that Disney only allows each person to be on 1 room reservation.

 

[Stratman50th]

I'm in a bit of a different situation. This is for Christmas not Halloween but the same issues apply. We are on a friends site for their Christmas stay. If we decide to go over I'm considering trailering the golf cart and parking in the overflow, (if there's even space). I don't want to add another full size vehicle to the nightmare traffic situation if I don't have to. Plus, It'd be easier to park in their site with a golf cart. So in a nutshell, do I add to the full size vehicle traffic in the loops and possibly have a tight fit in our friend's site? Do I trailer the golf cart there and take up a overflow spot? Or, do I just not go at all, which would probably disappoint our friends (don't know why though... I'm a cranky old get off my grass kind of guy! ). I figure this thread would be as good a place as any for opinions.

 

[Mle8308]

Question for next year: can you add guests to your site if they are staying at another Disney resort? Wondering if the grandparents should book at a non-Disney resort if they want to be added to our reservation at the Fort. I thought I read somewhere that Disney only allows each person to be on 1 room reservation.

I don't think this is the case. I currently have 2 separate reservations for the same dates at two Disney resorts and the names are the same on both of them. I will be cancelling one soon, we have to decide what one!

 

[champagne&disney]

Question for next year: can you add guests to your site if they are staying at another Disney resort? Wondering if the grandparents should book at a non-Disney resort if they want to be added to our reservation at the Fort. I thought I read somewhere that Disney only allows each person to be on 1 room reservation.

I have definitely been on 2 reservations at once including right now.

Edited to add: And I've added friends to the FW Cabin resy who were at another Disney hotel so that they could come hang out!

 

[Teamubr]

Do I add to the full size vehicle traffic in the loops and possibly have a tight fit in our friend's site? Do I trailer the golf cart there and take up a overflow spot? Or, do I just not go at all, which would probably disappoint our friends (don't know why though... I'm a cranky old get off my grass kind of guy! )

I say go, take the cart and enjoy! And you are always welcome on my site. We can sit and yell at people to get off Disney's grass together.

j

 

[bama_ed]

I'm a cranky old get off my grass kind of guy!

 

[SL6827]

Add them at the time the reservation is made, that makes the most sense.

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

I'm in a bit of a different situation. This is for Christmas not Halloween but the same issues apply. We are on a friends site for their Christmas stay. If we decide to go over I'm considering trailering the golf cart and parking in the overflow, (if there's even space). I don't want to add another full size vehicle to the nightmare traffic situation if I don't have to. Plus, It'd be easier to park in their site with a golf cart. So in a nutshell, do I add to the full size vehicle traffic in the loops and possibly have a tight fit in our friend's site? Do I trailer the golf cart there and take up an overflow spot? Or, do I just not go at all, which would probably disappoint our friends (don't know why though... I'm a cranky old get off my grass kind of guy! ). I figure this thread would be as good a place as any for opinions.

You could boat over from MK or bus from another park or Disney Springs, if you don’t have to take the golf cart.

 

[StormyCA]

Not an issue for me as I don't do a package, Jim, but your point is a good one. Folks need to be aware of the consequences of their actions and not blindly follow what any one person (like me) sez.

And personally, I'm not surprised that Disney will clamp down on last minute additions.

But I can still think of a legitimate way to get to the Fort that hasn't been discussed. We've covered theme park bus rides, Disney Springs bus rides, MK boat rides, and drive-up-to-the-door-of-the-Fort attempts. Like I said, if Disney is clamping down this hard, they probably already have covered the one option I'm thinking of and just not let THAT CAT out of the bag yet.

Ed

PS - and @StormyCA, I had not considered the various possible "Seal Team 6" approaches to the Fort (you left out parachuting in during sleep time) but that's also a option, I suppose.

I've got my 'option' sorted if it's ever an issue for me. DH is a hang glider pilot. We'll get an aero-tow up 'tandem' and land in the great scar left by 'TDVCTMNBN'. Still haven't figured how we'll depart. I assume they'll be so impressed by us that we'll get a 'private escort' out. Now if we can just evade the 'escort' for a few hours.

 

[Teamubr]

we'll get a 'private escort' out. Now if we can just evade the 'escort' for a few hours.

They may even be so impressed that the "escort" will have pretty flashing lights to get everyone's attention.

j

 

[Stratman50th]

You could boat over from MK or bus from another park or Disney Springs, if you don’t have to take the golf cart.

I'll be coming from home, straight to the Fort just to visit friends. I'm already listed on their site so wouldn't be at MK or Disney Springs. I've been in the Fort during Halloween and Christmas and the roads and loops are always packed. That's why I prefer the golf cart option to the taking the truck in option.

 

[DISNEY FIX]

I'm afraid to ask...how's the lock down going...everyone have their papers???

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I couldn't agree more with this policy

1. I also agree.
2. When I worked at The Fort, there were many complaints about strangers.
3. Camper rent A SITE - strangers just intrude.
4. Campers are entitled to their privacy and aspects of friendly camping.

5. When you rent a hotel room, do you want strangers walking through?
6. Sounds weird, but it is not.
7. At home, do you want Trick-Treaters strolling across your lawn?
8. Besides privacy, guests create a danger on the roads.
9. And, many do not care for The Fort, and leave trash everywhere.