First time Campers

[nickih87]

Hello all,
My family and I are camping for the first time at Fort Wilderness the week after Easter (i know, its' going to be crazy. but we've been in DW over Christmas and weren't scared off) so i'm not too worried! lol
Anyway, this is all very new to us so I have a few questions if you don't mind?
1. Does it really take forever to travel to the different parks from the campground, I'm talking about the big 3 parks? Not sure if it's pertinent but we will be in a preffered site (i.e. loop 100-300).
2. I keep seeing everyone talk about watching the fireworks from the beach. What beach is it? Looking at a map i see at least two 3 bodies of water.
3. Along with question #2 is it a good place to watch the fireworks? I really prefer not to watch them in the park; my kids don't do well with lack of sleep and it's usually at least an hour from the park till you can get back to your room...or anywhere for that matter.
4. Do i need to make reservations for the campfire sing along? Or is it first come first serve?
5. I saw that there is fishing. Do i need to obtain an permit or license?
6. Is there a good amount of sandy beaches, space wise I mean? Can my kids swim/wade in the water?
7. Any cute ideas for decorating our campsite or travel trailer?

Thank you so much in advance for any answers. I'm a little bit of a control freak...lol and I just like to know what I'm walking into.
Nicki

 

[staceyrhood]

Hi! You will have a blast! The Fort is the best! I will try to answer all I can...

1) It is a quick boat ride from the settlement marina to the MK, you could also get to EPCOT by taking the boat to the MK then the monorail from the MK to the TTC then to EPCOT to avoid the buses. THe settlement is a quick walk from loop 100-300. For MGM and AK you would either have to take the internal bus to the Outpost to catch a bus to one of those parks or drive if you have a car (it is much faster to drive.)

2) You can see the MK fireworks from the beach at the settlement. You can also see the water parade from there nightly which is fun.

3) It's an ok view of the fireworks...you can see them over the trees of Discovery Island.

4) No need for a reservation for the campfire...it can get very busy but we have never had a problem getting a spot to roast marshmellows. You can also stay for the movie after too!

5) No need for a fishing license at Disney... it is catch and release, and there are a ton of fish...as a side note they love hot dogs! (and fried chicken)

6) There is a beach, you can play in the sand, but no going in the water. WHen I was a kid you could swim/wade in Bay Lake, but not for about the last 14 years or so. You can however rent boats which is fun!

7) It is so fun to decorate at the Fort and most people do! We hang lights and bring flamingos...last year at Easter I got some cute decorations that we hung up in the dollar isle at Target.

You will have a great time!

 

[nickih87]

Thank you so much for the reply. That is great info!!!
We are so excited!
Thanks again

 

[tina.tina]

This might be a good read for you. There are also some links at the bottom that you might find useful.

http://allears.net/ae/issue520.htm

 

[nickih87]

Thanks Tina

 

[Teamubr]

I'll jump in on the travel time question. We have stayed at Saratoga Springs in a friends villa over spring break and also at CBR. I found the times to the parks using the buses about the same as at the Fort. The Fort advantage is having the boats to MK and the resort launches to WL and CR. We take the resort boat to CR and catch the monorail there when we are going to EPCOT. Something special about a nice boat ride at the end of the day instead of a crowded bus.

j

 

[nickih87]

Thanks for the reply "J". I am pretty excited to take the boat and I'm sure my kids will be all about it too.
I have another question. What is the TTC? We have never taken the monorail or the boat because we stayed at Coronado Springs last time and took the bus everywhere.

 

[Teamubr]

The TTC is the "Ticket, Transportation Center." It's the connection of the monorail lines (MK, resort, EPCOT) and the ferry boats to MK from the MK parking lots. When there was only 1 park (like my first visit), this was where the magic started. You drove to WDW, parked in "the" parking lot and decided if you wanted to take the ferry or the monorail to MK. Part of Walt's magic to "take you to a different world". Both went across the lake to "The Magic Kingdom".

The buses are ok and will get you from point A to B, but the boats are still part of the magic for me.

j

 

[nickih87]

Oh okay, that makes sense.
Yes, I agree. We are really looking forward to taking some different transportation types. I swear my kids had more fun riding the buses to and from the parks, than at the actual parks themselves...lol Of course they were 2 and 4 at the time, so I'm hoping that's not the case this year...

 

[nickih87]

Sorry about all the questions. I really appreciate you guys taking the time to answer me.
I was wondering If the boat (From fort wilderness campground) start running an hour before the parks open too? I saw that the buses do but wasn't sure about the boat. For instance, If I'm going to MK for magic hours that start at 7am. Will the boat start going at 6am?

 

[2goofycampers]

6:30ish, we usually get there at 6:15.

 

[nickih87]

Great 2goofycampers. Thank you!

 

[Chickp]

Hi there, we are staying there the week after Easter too! We are veteran campers but have never camped at FW, so are very excited. We aren't doing any parks this time unless it's warm enough to do a water park. Maybe we'll see ya! Are you tent camping or RV? It's tents for us.

 

[nickih87]

Chickp That is so great...I'm really excited too. We'll be in a travel (pull behind) trailer. I hope it's nice weather too! We are not hitting any of the water parks, but It would be nice to at least have some pool weather. We'll be in loop 100-300 on ef the preferred ones. But obviously don't know what number yet. If we don't get the pleasure of meeting you guys, have a wonderful trip and travel safely!!

 

[Chickp]

Thanks, you too!

 

[tina.tina]

Chickp That is so great...I'm really excited too. We'll be in a travel (pull behind) trailer. I hope it's nice weather too! We are not hitting any of the water parks, but It would be nice to at least have some pool weather. We'll be in loop 100-300 on ef the preferred ones. But obviously don't know what number yet. If we don't get the pleasure of meeting you guys, have a wonderful trip and travel safely!!

We went to WDW on 4/7 a few years ago. The highs were mostly in the 80's and lows in the 60's. It even got up to 93 a day or two. That's summer here in the mountains. It only rained for 10 minutes one day on our 10 day trip. I hope your weather is that great!

 

[nickih87]

Oh Tina, I hope we have weather like that. After this winter...and last winter. I could do without cold for a week...or...ya know...a couple years maybe?! lol
And thank you, I'm trying not to get too excited too soon. But who am I kidding, planning is most of the fun!

 

[nickih87]

This may be a little late, hopefully someone is still around to respond to this. Could we take the resort launch to Contemporary and take the monorail from CR to Epcot? Would it be faster to go to MK and catch it or CR and catch it?
My other question is the TTC how far is that from Epcot? I guess I'm just kinda confused, is it right outside of Epcot or am i transferring monorails at TTC to get on another monorail to get to Epcot. Jeez that was exhausting...hopefully it makes sense. I'M 7 DAYS OUT GUYS...SO EXCITED!!!!!
Thanks
Nicki

 

[Goofy14sure]

I think it is easier to go to the MK. The boat dock there is closer to the monorail station and the the transfer to the Epcot Monorail is shorter. You can't beat getting on the monorail in the CR tho just a longer trip.

How long are you staying? We are coming in on the 11th!

 

[bama_ed]

This may be a little late, hopefully someone is still around to respond to this. Could we take the resort launch to Contemporary and take the monorail from CR to Epcot? Would it be faster to go to MK and catch it or CR and catch it?
My other question is the TTC how far is that from Epcot? I guess I'm just kinda confused, is it right outside of Epcot or am i transferring monorails at TTC to get on another monorail to get to Epcot. Jeez that was exhausting...hopefully it makes sense. I'M 7 DAYS OUT GUYS...SO EXCITED!!!!!
Thanks
Nicki

Nicki,

I did this trip before last and took the boat to the Contemporary (the smaller one off the right side of the dock that also stops at Wilderness Lodge). From the time the boat arrived at the Fort pier it took 40 minutes before I was at the turnstiles at Epcot. Boat to the CR pier, walk inside and up to the monorail deck and take the short ride over to TTC. You have to go down a ramp, over, then back up a ramp to get on the other monorail line to Epcot (it is well signed so it's easy to follow). It's about a 3 mile ride to Epcot and you loop around Spaceship Earth before it comes back out front to the station.

Obviously there are a few variables. How long do you have to wait on the Fort dock for a boat? Dunno, but I would take the first boat available (either the big one on the left to MK or the little one on the right to CR). My gut says the monorails probably run more often than the boats. Once at TTC, you may have to wait some for an Epcot bound unit to come in so that's another unknown.

Personally I wouldn't want to use this method if I was trying to be first in line for Epcot rope drop but if you're okay with that, I think it's a neat way to go. Certainly more interesting than bussing. Driving over is fine if you want full control over arrival and departure times.

So try it and take the first available boat.

Bama Ed