October/Halloween Trip Reports

[Stanley Holliday]

We were there last year but we left a couple days before Halloween so we missed all the fun.
I just hope it cools off some we went to Wine and Food Festival yesterday and it was a 103 heat index.

 

[2goofycampers]

We were there last year but we left a couple days before Halloween so we missed all the fun.
I just hope it cools off some we went to Wine and Food Festival yesterday and it was a 103 heat index.

and have a great time at Halloween.

 

[peg110]

This is my first post.

We will be at the Fort October 23rd to November 1.

To the camping forums.... Hope you have an awesome time at the Fort and hope you keep us posted with your adventures here on the forum.

 

[tltay2005]

Ugh, Fall starts this Thursday, but I think Mother Nature forgot to tell Florida ( she better put the memo in before our trip in October). Went to the MK yesterday, and the crowds were very low but the heat was off the charts. Was fun to see all the people coming in for the MNSSHP all dressed up in costumes (wouldn't be surprised if some don't have heat stroke). One year I will break down and buy tickets. Just so hard to spend that extra cash when you have annual passes. Wish they would do more decorating. Mostly only Main street and Liberty square have any decorations. Would love to see the Jungle cruise and a few other attractions decked out for fall and Halloween. I have been to the Magic Kingdom more time than I can count, but have never watched the flag retirement ceremony. Really impressed that Disney does this every day. It was also neat that they give the flag to a retired veteran. Was nice to see the guest that stopped and respected the flag and the ceremony. Tried to ignore those that didn't have a clue.

 

[mich1073]

I got a Jack Skeleton today.... I think I found my theme

 

[sambuster]

Forgive me if this has already been asked, but on Halloween how many trick-or-treater's should I expect. Don't want to be the guy who runs out of candy 1/2 way thru the night. thanks Steve - sambuster (10-28 to 11/10/2016)

 

[Flametamr]

Steve you will probably run out unless you have stock in Walmart or a candy company. I'm guessing we had well over 300 kids before I ran out last year and started riding around on the cart. We buy more each year but the kids also seem to multiply. One reason we discovered is a lot of local groups like home schoolers are advertising it as a free event and are coming en mass taking advantage of the the generosity and density of us campers. We have complained to management and maybe they will do something to curtail the freeloaders this year. If not it's going to be over run and ruin it for those of us that pay to camp and buy all the candy to pass out.

 

[tltay2005]

I bought two jumbo bags (400 pieces total). Will hand it out till it's gone. . Like Flametamr said above, not sure if you could actually buy enough to hand out to every kid who will be Trick or Treating. Just buy what you want. I am sure there will be plenty of sites handing out candy and no kid will be left without plenty of fuel for a good sugar rush.

 

[peg110]

I can't help to think that if I was a kid, I'd love to ToT at the Fort. As mentioned, the "Density" would make short work to get bags full.

Alas, those years are far (FAR) behind me now.

 

[Flametamr]

I believe last year we bought eight big bags and several smaller ones. We give out one small candy bar or two other items. I wish I had kept a count of kids and candy. But I got distracted and it goes fast with so many kids. We were in the 700 loop and will request the same again if we don't end up cancelling. I have a pending job offer that may bring me out of retirement and stop our trip for Halloween.

 

[mtnminnie]

According to fb, management is notified and replied that they are aware of the problem and will be working on a solution. It is also reported that other resorts tell their guests to come to the fort to ToT.

 

[tiggerdad]

Last year there was pics of local sheriff's Dept present at front entrance of FW turning away non-guests.

 

[Flametamr]

The problem is the Fort is open to guests as well as the public due to the restaurant and movie. They only turned away non Fort guests due to the lack of parking. These outside groups are hatching plans to park at other locations and take the buses in. I for one don't understand why Disney invites other resorts to come in. We are not allowed to use other resorts amenities. But I don't own Disney and I am probably in the minority on this. Personally we love Halloween at the Fort and enjoy making kids happy with unhealthy sugar treats. It's just that last year got pretty overwhelming and if it gets worse then we probably won't participate. I hate having to add large amounts of candy and safe storage to my budget and plans. A few bags are not a problem but keeping 20 large bags from melting while towing 500 miles is a challenge.

 

[Judyfun]

We have to leave on the 30th and so will miss all of this. But I can understand the concern. I love Halloween at the Fort, I love bringing my give away bags (have sewed up 80 this year), love the decorating (have a new RV Halloween inflatable) and the general mood of the camp grounds. Even without being there on the 31st I will still decorate the old golf cart.

 

[peg110]

We are not allowed to use other resorts amenities.

Not entirely true... You can use the amenities at other resorts, just not the pools. Just like other resorts can use the amenities at the Fort (but not the pools). That's why there are now fences going up (or already up) around the pools with a MB reader attached.

A few bags are not a problem but keeping 20 large bags from melting while towing 500 miles is a challenge.

No doubt there... Even in the cooler months the TT can get pretty warm as we travel down.

I think a partial solution will end up being a Magic Band Reader on the transportation too. You will have to MB on the bus and boats. I don't think it's much to require either a reservation at TE or the HDDMR (and check them) for the non-fort guests. Then have the ToT hours such that they don't conflict with other Fort activities (such as the movie)

It's sad that things get like this. We had this at our one house we lived it. Our house was across from the School parking lot. Many out of towners would come in and park at that lot. We did well over 300 treats in about an hour.... then we ran out. Plus, our town (at that time) only allowed ToT from 6PM - 8PM (yup... Max of 2 hours) and it was still crazy. You'd stand in line at houses to get your treat. It got so bad that residents that used to give good stuff (i.e. big candy bars or candy "Bags") would give ONE miniature candy bar (think Hershey's or similar) to each child because it was too many.

We usually go (well not so much any more) up where my In-laws live. Small town, not a huge amount of ToT's but each house would give you a plethora of goodies. My DD would get more in 30 minutes there they we would in the 2 hours in our old hometown during it's 2 hours.

 

[SamRoc]

Well i found the site that the home schoolers are using. They are calling us holiday crazy campers, which i actually don't mind as i am crazy about Halloween. What i don't like is that they are using the pools all day and the movie at night and some are not even paying to stay there! I realize the person who wrote this said that they usually rent a campsite for the night, but gave info to others to tell them how to get around it. This is what they wrote, and yes i did send an email to guest relations.

For several years, we have gone out to Fort Wilderness Campgrounds to trick-or-treat. It is a LOT of fun, because the holiday-crazy campers descend on Fort Wilderness and decorate their RV's with elaborate halloween displays. (It gets even crazier at Christmas, btw!)

Usually, we rent a campsite for the night. There is no parking area inside the campground for visitors, so if you don't want to get a campsite ($79 as of today) you just have to park at the entrance and ride the bus into the campgrounds.

If you want to come out early and hang out with us at the pool, we'll be there all day. There is no entrance feel We'll get ready to trick-or-treat around 4-6ish. After trick-or-treating, there is a free sing-along, movie and marshmallow roast at the outdoor amphitheater.

 

[peg110]

That is part of the reason that Fences are going up around all the pool areas. When we were at the Fort in August, they were nearing completion. They were working on the fences that go by the Snack bar and the actual Gate areas. I suspect that when we get down there in November (Thanksgiving) that they will have them working. Might even be done now, that's how close they were when we were there.

 

[tiggerdad]

Well i found the site that the home schoolers are using. They are calling us holiday crazy campers, which i actually don't mind as i am crazy about Halloween. What i don't like is that they are using the pools all day and the movie at night and some are not even paying to stay there! I realize the person who wrote this said that they usually rent a campsite for the night, but gave info to others to tell them how to get around it. This is what they wrote, and yes i did send an email to guest relations.

For several years, we have gone out to Fort Wilderness Campgrounds to trick-or-treat. It is a LOT of fun, because the holiday-crazy campers descend on Fort Wilderness and decorate their RV's with elaborate halloween displays. (It gets even crazier at Christmas, btw!)

Usually, we rent a campsite for the night. There is no parking area inside the campground for visitors, so if you don't want to get a campsite ($79 as of today) you just have to park at the entrance and ride the bus into the campgrounds.

If you want to come out early and hang out with us at the pool, we'll be there all day. There is no entrance feel We'll get ready to trick-or-treat around 4-6ish. After trick-or-treating, there is a free sing-along, movie and marshmallow roast at the outdoor amphitheater.

This, is why I really don't try and make a Halloween trip fit into our schedule. This is totally unfair to those staying at the Fort during that time. Sad really, I could see doing this for those camping there and, to an extent, other Disney guests, but the off-site folks make this out of hand each year. The pictures are always a mob, just not appealing to me. Maybe one day they'll do something to control this and I'll include late October in my "things to do".

 

[Flametamr]

Peg fences are a start but unless they have a CM checking bands and limiting outside guests it's just a waste of time. This home school person could just open the gate for as many people as they wanted. Also how many of us nice people would hold the gate for someone walking up with kids or stuff in their arms ? Michael it has gotten much busier each year. Four years ago on our first Halloween is was manageable but last year was basic pandemonium. Now we know why. We love the Fort and love Halloween. It's just sad that greedy people take advantage of situations and Disney turns a blind eye. I'm really on the fence about canceling because of this and some other reasons.

 

[peg110]

Peg fences are a start but unless they have a CM checking bands and limiting outside guests it's just a waste of time.

Oh, no doubt about it. I think it will stop the "Blatant" abuse and force them to be "Sneakier" in getting in. Funny thing is, that on our trip in August, while we were visiting the Wilderness Lodge for the first time ever (for dinner), we went to check out the pool (just looking, not using of course). They had the gates up, and as "Good" guests, although I wanted to go in and check it out, we stayed outside of the gate. That said however, it looked like there were a couple of folks willing to come open the gate for us. Go figure... right?

As for the crowds during ToT at the Fort... If I were to participate, I'd bring the amount of goodies that I would any other time... When it's gone, it's gone. That's what I do at home too. Hopefully (and eventually) the Fort management will get enough complaints and do something to address the concerns. Particularly if it impacts the bottom line during that season.