Anyone ever camp at FW and not do Parks?

[Poohbeck]

We are planning a trip to Florida in April which is not to include Disney. We will be doing Discovery Cove, the beach and Sea World. We are considering taking our new camper (still need to purchase) instead of staying at a condo or hotel. After looking at campgrounds in Orlando, I thought staying at FW might be an option. I know we probably won't be able to get a site, but, I was curious if anyone has ever stayed and not done the parks???

If we do get a site and decide to do this, we could spend the day at the pool and do other campground activities... What kind of activities do they offer?
Thanks.

 

[mkrober]

Hello! Easter 2007 we stayed at FW and did not go into the Parks and had a BLAST!!! We went around to a lot of the Spring Training baseball games- but we really enjoyed staying at FW. You can still enjoy the campfire at night and the movies, the pool and take the Disney transportation to Downtown Disney. There is plenty to enjoy without going to the parks. Have fun- and we have never had a hard time getting in to FW around Easter. Good luck and Happy Camping!!!

 

[retired and happy]

You don't say what your family make up is, but we went in June with the intention of seeing Sea World and Universal. We decided the Fort was as convenient as any place, so we set up there and went where we wanted to. As it turns out we spent some time at WDW as well as the other Orlando attractions. We often see campers who do not go to the parks or do so on a limited basis. We will be there for 3 weeks for Christmas/New Years and will likely spend many of those days at the Fort.

There is a nightly campfire with marshmallows (and other goodies for sale) and a free movie (see August listing above in this forum). Frank will tell you there is catch and release fishing. There is a nightly water parade and fireworks can be seen from the beach. If you have bikes or a golf cart there is looping to see who else is there and how they have decorated. Carriage rides, trading posts, boat rentals, a couple places to eat, etc. Every site has a grill and there are a couple of pools, including one just refurbished and enhanced.

If you've never been there, you should go. You won't find too many people who have ever visited who did not enjoy the experience. Most come back on a regular basis and appreciate sleeping on their own beds, with their own kitchens and bathrooms. If you have kids, you will appreciate the openness and freedom of the area as opposed to cramping in a hotel room.

Don't wait too long to make a reservation. There will be a lot of Spring Breakers there in April.

 

[Sisdy]

We were at the fort the week before 4th of July. We did not do parks and went to camp, eat, swim, bike, walk, fish, etc. It was GREAT! You will enjoy it just as much without parks if you are like us.

 

[shasta31]

Having lived within an hour from the parks since they opened, my wife and I both have been to the parks literally hundreds of times, my wife even worked at MK while in college, that being said, we go to the campground 3-4 times a year and almost never go to the parks and find plenty to do (or not do) each and every time we go. Even my teenage daughter doesn't mind.

Donny

 

[Born 2 Fish]

OMG !! What is wrong with you people !! OF COURSE YOU HAVE TO DO THE PARKS IF YOU STAY AT THE FORT !!
IT'S UN-AMERICAN NOT TOO !!!!
I simply could not live with myself if I stayed at the Fort and didn't do the parks,,,,it's,,,it's,, just the right thing to do !!


Oh crap,, who am I kidd'n,, we've stayed at the Fort many time and not do the parks.
And yes we have even done the unthinkable,,we have stayed at the Fort and done the OTHER theme parks in Orlando with out doing Disney,,,AND HAD A GREAT TIME TOO !!

and if you go, take your fish'n poles, April is a good time to fish the Fort,

 

[marble96]

We go to the FW twice a year and we don't always do a park. We has DD 5 and DS 2 between boat rides, monorail rides and the Campfire etc..... who has time for a park!! LOL!!! To much else to do at the Fort ... see everyone in November...

 

[daddyphat808]

Our family just did this a couple of weeks ago. I will say I did miss some of the action of going to the parks it was awesome! We got to enjoy so much more at the Fort than we normally do! Well worth it!

 

[Atlanta WDW Fan]

My DW and I went and spent five very relaxing days in FW and never went to the parks. And, we love the parks! But as everyone else is pointing out, there is so much to see and do you really can have a great time and never leave. Bring your bikes, it is a great place to ride. FW truly is a destination type resort all its own.

 

[DaveInTN]

What everyone else said. We've done that a few times, and really enjoyed ourselves. The Fort would be my campground of choice even if there were no parks.

 

[PrincessNP]

The Fort is amazing even without the parks. If you are like us you are fortunate enough to go to Disney a few times a year and some visits are more for the parks while other visits are more for the R&R (and of course work which is how we get to go so often---for conventions)

Also dont forget Downtown Disney and Giordano's----the most bestest pizza joint in the world! Lots of options to the parks on and off property.

 

[ntsammy5]

Yes, but not me.