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According to the Orlando Sentinel Disney is undertaking a massive improvement programme over at the Fort Wilderness Campground. The improvement plans include extra large pads for recreational vehicles, a cable-TV and Internet service, Segway tours, a dog park and a mini-water park.

“The fort is a treasure at Walt Disney World. There really is so much history with the success of Walt Disney World that stems back to Fort Wilderness,” said Jean Gallagher, general manager of both Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort Campground. “And because of the nature of this property, and the theming, we really haven’t done a lot of changes. … We have not made a lot of investment from a site perspective in the 37 years we’ve been open. So this opportunity to meet what our guests are asking for, and how the industry has changed, this is more than we could expect.”

Several years ago Disney installed TV and Internet cable to select areas of the campground - they also created three Wi-Fi hot spots. But more and more people bring their laptops on vacation - from business people who cannot leave their work behind to teenagers who think that going without the Internet is a step too far.

Asked whether adding TV and Internet hookups detracted from a desire to get away from it all, Linda Profaizer, president and chief executive officer of the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds commented: “Campers’ appetite for Internet service and cable TV has been growing for several years. People want to be connected no matter what. You have to offer what the people expect.”

Disney is taking the opportunity to create a number of ‘premium campsites’ which will meet the needs of today’s larger RVs with larger paved pads and upgraded amenities - such as BBQ grills and picnic tables. These new sites could cost $66 to $116 a night depending on the day of the week and the season.

The Meadows area pool is also due an exciting revamp with a water slide and splash zone attraction - perhaps featuring the signature water tower from Disney’s River Country.

Of course given the rising gas prices there is a question mark over the larger RV and whether consumers will continue to buy them. Profaizer suggests this is a moot point: “There are plenty of house-size RVs on the road, so campgrounds need to accommodate them.” Chief Executive Officer Bob Iger seems to agree with Profaizer’s perspective. During an earnings call last fall Igor told investors: “We have a big RV park in Orlando, and I would think that they would be hit the hardest, because it’s pretty expensive to fill up a tank in one of those babies, yet those parks have been completely full. And there’s demand going forward from a bookings perspective.”

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World and fancy something slightly different to the usual hotel room then Fort Wilderness may well be the place to stay.

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