By: Terri Hughes-Lazell
RV Business
Friday, August 6, 2004
Even though it’s part of the "happiest place on earth," Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, a 700-acre, 784-site park operated by Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla., still faces the same challenges as many private campgrounds and RV parks.
That means providing more space for slideouts as well as offering high technology access. Fort Wilderness Marketing Manager Taylor Meringolo said wireless Internet, or Wi-Fi, is something the park’s staff is currently considering at Fort Wilderness.
“We are evaluating our options but haven’t decided which technology would best satisfy our guests,” she said, noting the park opened in 1971.
Park staff also is looking at ways to improve the space around sites for satellite dishes and slideouts, Meringolo said. While site space and configurations continue to be tested, some spaces have been changed to accommodate big rigs, offering hookups for water, sewer, 50-amp electricity and barbeques, Meringolo said. In addition, preferred sites have cable TV.
Part of the work to make site size adjustments includes a tree relocation plan that allows for turn radius and slideouts by moving trees to other areas of the resort, while keeping privacy with trees around the sites. Pull-thru sites also are being tested.
Unlike some of the high-end RV resorts, however, Fort Wilderness also offers accomodations for smaller campers. Travel trailers, popup campers and tents coexist with high-end trailers with slideouts and Class A motorhomes. In addition to Fort Wilderness’ 784 sites, there’s also a primitive group camping area.
All sites have level, paved pads with a coquina rock bed, charcoal grill, picnic table and hook-ups for water, electric, sewer and cable. The sites are all located near air-conditioned comfort stations with restrooms, private showers, laundry facilities, ice dispensers and pay phones.
There are also 409 “Wilderness Cabins” – luxury park model cabins – that come equipped with daily housekeeping services.
Link to original article
RV Business
Friday, August 6, 2004
Even though it’s part of the "happiest place on earth," Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, a 700-acre, 784-site park operated by Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla., still faces the same challenges as many private campgrounds and RV parks.
That means providing more space for slideouts as well as offering high technology access. Fort Wilderness Marketing Manager Taylor Meringolo said wireless Internet, or Wi-Fi, is something the park’s staff is currently considering at Fort Wilderness.
“We are evaluating our options but haven’t decided which technology would best satisfy our guests,” she said, noting the park opened in 1971.
Park staff also is looking at ways to improve the space around sites for satellite dishes and slideouts, Meringolo said. While site space and configurations continue to be tested, some spaces have been changed to accommodate big rigs, offering hookups for water, sewer, 50-amp electricity and barbeques, Meringolo said. In addition, preferred sites have cable TV.
Part of the work to make site size adjustments includes a tree relocation plan that allows for turn radius and slideouts by moving trees to other areas of the resort, while keeping privacy with trees around the sites. Pull-thru sites also are being tested.
Unlike some of the high-end RV resorts, however, Fort Wilderness also offers accomodations for smaller campers. Travel trailers, popup campers and tents coexist with high-end trailers with slideouts and Class A motorhomes. In addition to Fort Wilderness’ 784 sites, there’s also a primitive group camping area.
All sites have level, paved pads with a coquina rock bed, charcoal grill, picnic table and hook-ups for water, electric, sewer and cable. The sites are all located near air-conditioned comfort stations with restrooms, private showers, laundry facilities, ice dispensers and pay phones.
There are also 409 “Wilderness Cabins” – luxury park model cabins – that come equipped with daily housekeeping services.
Link to original article
