Fort Wilderness Campground gripe

[DRC68]

Hi all,

Recently returned home from a week-long stay at FWC. Overall, the campground is, by far, the nicest campground I've even seen. Everthing was very well kept, peacefull, and quiet. We were located in the 200 loop, just steps from the Settlement Outpost. The only real "noise" we ever heard were the nightly fireworks from MK and the floating water pagent out on the lake, which we NEVER minded hearing. Our site was more than big enough for our 23' pull-behind camper, though a little more width would have been nice.

Now, for the gripe...After driving from CT, and having a fantastic stay, I went into the Outpost Trading Post to just snoop around at the resort merchandise. After searching all over the place for something as simple as a bumper sticker, I finally asked a CM where they were located. She told me, "Sorry sir, even though FWC has the best guest return rate of any of the resorts, they don't make specific merchandise any longer. All we have is a couple postcards and some pins...that's all they make."

Now, you mean to tell me that the company that has made BILLIONS of dollars selling merch. for every rock, tree, character, attraction and store they can come up with, that they can't spent a few bucks to produce a FW window sticker or license plate? Come on, suits. What are you thinking?

Thanks for listening to my minor rant. Like i said, overall, we all (In-laws, wife 3 mo. old and 3 y.o.) had the absolute BEST time ever. We will GLADLY stay there again!

 

[tigsmom]

seems that all the merchandise is generic nowadays. :shrug:

 

[SMRT-1]

Hi all,

Recently returned home from a week-long stay at FWC. Overall, the campground is, by far, the nicest campground I've even seen. Everthing was very well kept, peacefull, and quiet. We were located in the 200 loop, just steps from the Settlement Outpost. The only real "noise" we ever heard were the nightly fireworks from MK and the floating water pagent out on the lake, which we NEVER minded hearing. Our site was more than big enough for our 23' pull-behind camper, though a little more width would have been nice.

Now, for the gripe...After driving from CT, and having a fantastic stay, I went into the Outpost Trading Post to just snoop around at the resort merchandise. After searching all over the place for something as simple as a bumper sticker, I finally asked a CM where they were located. She told me, "Sorry sir, even though FWC has the best guest return rate of any of the resorts, they don't make specific merchandise any longer. All we have is a couple postcards and some pins...that's all they make."

Now, you mean to tell me that the company that has made BILLIONS of dollars selling merch. for every rock, tree, character, attraction and store they can come up with, that they can't spent a few bucks to produce a FW window sticker or license plate? Come on, suits. What are you thinking?

Thanks for listening to my minor rant. Like i said, overall, we all (In-laws, wife 3 mo. old and 3 y.o.) had the absolute BEST time ever. We will GLADLY stay there again!

you would figure after the thousands of dollars you give to them for your trip they could include a free sticker in the deal.

either way, it's horrible what they have done with the lack of resort merch or none at at all which seems to be the case here. you are giving them free advertising by driving around with a FW sticker on your car. doesn't make sense.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Unfortunately resort specific merchandise in itself is starting to disappear...you can really only find a few items here and there. I would suggest looking to ebay where you will probably be able to find something.

Also...I am not quite sure about the CM's statement about the resort having the highest return rate. Could be wrong, but I don't think that is accurate.

 

[mickeysshoes]

i was very upset when i found that out in August. We were at the WL and i got a t-shirt that say WL and the CM told me that it was a good thing i got this now as they are doing away with all restort merch. They are the only resort left that she knew of with anything left. Just crazy.

 

[Phonedave]

I get luggage tags from each resort - Or at least I USED to get luggage tags from each resort.

I wanted to get a new one from WL last time I was there (beacuse my youngest kid purloined mine for her bag) and I was told "Sorry, we sold the last of those, and some magnets, and other Wilderness Lodge stuff at sale prices to clear out inventory a few weeks ago. All we have now is Walt Disney World stuff"

I didn't buy anything by the way, in case anyone from Disney Marketing is reading this. But I WOULD have bought WL specific stuff.

-dave

 

[MickeyKimmy]

Yeah it isn't just FW. I was at YC in July for my first stay there and was looking for a magnet and the CM said they weren't really doing resort-specific merchandise anymore except at the GF I think. I was really disappointed as DH and I have bought magnets from every resort we have stayed at....guess we will have to discontinue our little tradition.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

Hi all,

Recently returned home from a week-long stay at FWC. Overall, the campground is, by far, the nicest campground I've even seen. Everthing was very well kept, peacefull, and quiet. We were located in the 200 loop, just steps from the Settlement Outpost. The only real "noise" we ever heard were the nightly fireworks from MK and the floating water pagent out on the lake, which we NEVER minded hearing. Our site was more than big enough for our 23' pull-behind camper, though a little more width would have been nice.

Now, for the gripe...After driving from CT, and having a fantastic stay, I went into the Outpost Trading Post to just snoop around at the resort merchandise. After searching all over the place for something as simple as a bumper sticker, I finally asked a CM where they were located. She told me, "Sorry sir, even though FWC has the best guest return rate of any of the resorts, they don't make specific merchandise any longer. All we have is a couple postcards and some pins...that's all they make."

Now, you mean to tell me that the company that has made BILLIONS of dollars selling merch. for every rock, tree, character, attraction and store they can come up with, that they can't spent a few bucks to produce a FW window sticker or license plate? Come on, suits. What are you thinking?

Thanks for listening to my minor rant. Like i said, overall, we all (In-laws, wife 3 mo. old and 3 y.o.) had the absolute BEST time ever. We will GLADLY stay there again!

Join the club. Resort specific merchandise is (literally) non-existent, and attraction specific merch isn't far behind (though it has gotten a little better recently). Even park specific stuff requires a decent amount of searching, and when you do find it in the back corner of a shop somewhere, there's maybe two or three shirts, a mug or two, maybe a magnet, a few other little do-dads, and thats it.

Merchandising variety has been gutted over the last decade or so. Everything is the same these days; same characters, same designs, same Walt Disney World Resort/Disney Parks branding. When all the shirts and stuffed animals are exactly the same in every store, it follows that there's no reason for someone to buy multiple items; you bought one shirt, you bought them all. And yet, Disney still wonders why it isn't generating as much revenue these days from merchandise. :brick:

 

[SMRT-1]

the main problem is they don't produce anything that is great and or unique anymore.

for instance at the poly...wouldn't it be great if you could buy a tiki god with the poly logo on it. or a tiki mug with the poly logo like these guys produce http://www.tikifarm.com/

 

[wm49rs]

We stayed at the Beach Club a few months back, and the only items I could find with the name of the resort on them were associated with the DVC.

 

[mrtoad]

As mentioned seems like all the merchandise is now generic. Years ago not only did the resorts have their own merchandise, but the parks all had stuff you could only find in a particular location. Now it seems like all the same stuff is for sale everywhere.

I have a vinyl cutter and have resorted to cutting my own decals for my car for resorts as well as resort shirts. I recently did a Port Orleans French Qtr shirt for myself that I was quite happy with...

As a kid I had a brown ringer tee from the campgrounds with Mickey in his coonskin cap. I loved that shirt.

 

[mrtoad]

the main problem is they don't produce anything that is great and or unique anymore.

for instance at the poly...wouldn't it be great if you could buy a tiki god with the poly logo on it. or a tiki mug with the poly logo like these guys produce http://www.tikifarm.com/

As a kid we used to stay at the Polynesian all the time (I can't afford to now or at least to be able to go as often as we like to go and afford it) and always loved the tiki stuff. I purchased on eBay a few years ago an old frosted cup that has a happy tiki face carved on one side and an angry one on the other side. It also has above one face the old WDW logo and on the other side the Polynesian Village logo. I love it, brings back fond memories.

I plan on making a shirt for myself with this logo on it soon.

I love the tiki's in it...

 

[jakeman]

The best thing everyone can do is mention it when you get your card in the mail requesting a survey.

Merchandising at WDW is not good. I want to spend more money than I do. The lack of variety and the monotony of the stores really is what limits my families spending power.

 

[mp2bill]

We stayed at the Beach Club a few months back, and the only items I could find with the name of the resort on them were associated with the DVC.

That's rough

 

[kstella]

Sometimes the streamlining of the product line is not a good idea. WL and FW used to have the cutest resort specific merchandise.

 

[wesTcoastY]

Merchandising at WDW is not good. I want to spend more money than I do. The lack of variety and the monotony of the stores really is what limits my families spending power.

In a nutshell!!! Right on. ITA!!!!

 

[kapeman]

We stayed at the Beach Club a few months back, and the only items I could find with the name of the resort on them were associated with the DVC.

That's funny because in Oct I couldn't find anything that had BCV on it, just Beach Club Resort.

I bought the hat anyway!!!

Love that place!

 

[SMRT-1]

As a kid we used to stay at the Polynesian all the time (I can't afford to now or at least to be able to go as often as we like to go and afford it) and always loved the tiki stuff. I purchased on eBay a few years ago an old frosted cup that has a happy tiki face carved on one side and an angry one on the other side. It also has above one face the old WDW logo and on the other side the Polynesian Village logo. I love it, brings back fond memories.

I plan on making a shirt for myself with this logo on it soon.

I love the tiki's in it...

by far my favorite logo i was also thinking they could do limited edition tiki's.........

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I had a brilliant polo from FW, when we went back two years later what little they had was poorly made and had disappointing designs.

I would love to know what twonk with a spread sheet worked out that generic merchandise would make more money in the long run. I know I am not alone in having not purchased anything for nearly4/5 trips.

 

[mrtoad]

I had a brilliant polo from FW, when we went back two years later what little they had was poorly made and had disappointing designs.

I would love to know what twonk with a spread sheet worked out that generic merchandise would make more money in the long run. I know I am not alone in having not purchased anything for nearly4/5 trips.

I hardly ever get new WDW merchandise anymore either due to the lack of diverse items. I do spend money in World Showcase but not much anywhere else. My kids however do still get some stuff but they also tend to like to shop in WS as well...