Anyone stay at FW and decide to go back to reg. resorts?

[dreambound]

I know there is a camping forum, but as I post there frequently, I know everyone there loves FW so I don't think I'm likely to get any responses there.

I'm wondering if anyone has ever had a bad FW experience, or if camping at FW while also doing parks ended up being a much less enjoyable experience or if you've camped at FW and just decided it wasn't quite the same (good) as the other resorts.


Oh, if so, where else have you stayed and where did you decide to stay after your FW trip?


Thanks!

 

[AllyGirl_79]

We stayed at FW many times since 1991. We loved it there, but the real reason we camped was to manage the expense. Camping made it possible on our budget to go every year and to do all the other stuff we wanted - dining, tours, etc. In 2001, we got a fabulous discount on a cabin, and we had a great time enjoying FW that way. We certainly never had a bad experience, and FW brings back great memories for us. The theming is great, we loved the boat to MK, I love trading posts, and Trails End for breakfast can't be beat. It's nice for everyone to have their own bed in a cabin (or tent/camper), too. I can't say I ever missed out on anything - we certainly used all the EMH and other special event options like we would have anywhere else. And I was a teenager during most of those trips, so I was probably the most critical eye of anyone there.

Since those family trips, I've stayed with friends at the Poly and the BC, and I've gone once with my family to WL. It's definitely a different experience. Because I can now afford to go with a different resort, I do for several reasons. Notably, I don't need to spend time setting up. Also, I like trying the different themes and being closer to different parks for variety in transportation options. We also tend to spend a lot of time waiting for my brother, so really cool lobbies and common areas within walking distance of the room are a nice feature.

I am sure we will go back to a FW cabin on a future trip, and, if camping were our only option some year, I would do it without hesitation. I guess I would say there are big advantages to both FW and other resorts, and it depends on your preferences.

 

[Poohbear123]

And her family camp there when there is no room available at the Value Resorts. They live an hour and a half away, so they enjoy it. Its not for ME I need a REAL bed to lay in.

 

[teacher31]

We stayed at FW cabins several years ago because it was the only thing available on short notice. We loved the cabin: great room, kitchen was well stocked and I didn't have to do the dishes!, loved the bbq outside my door, thought parking right at my cabin was wonderful. HOWEVER, I did miss a hotel feel. We couldn't get around easily because we didn't get a golf cart. I didn't understand that you couldn't drive down to the settlement. It was the last day or two where we noticed that there was another place to get a few things and had 15 minute parking. We didn't care for the pool at all, especially when the large pool closed and everyone hit our second pool. Crowded! We went back to POR and feel like we're on vacation.

 

[DavidHobart]

I have tent-camped at FW twice and loved it. Wife and son hated it, and will not camp at FW again. They love camping, and love WDW, but do not like the combination--to them it's like putting ketchup on ice cream...

 

[TammiMcMan]

We've gone back and forth between camping and resorts, it depends on our budget. I can say that we've never had a bad experience and find FW to be one of the cleanest campgrounds that we've ever stayed in. I love having the golf cart option, playground for the kids and watching fireworks on the beach. The pools are nothing to write home about, but after a hectic day of running around the parks, it's really nice to come back to FW and have peace and quiet. Just walking along the paths and seeing rabbit, racoons and deer, it's easy to forget that you're in the middle of Disney World.

Typically, each one of our vacations ends up being different. Either we're travelling with just DH and myself, or maybe the kids in tow, or other family members. Again, depending on budget and what we're looking for during that particular vacation, we've easily slipped back and forth between FW and the deluxes.

 

[minnie61650]

We stayed at the Campgrounds in our RV in 1976 with our 2 older children and we had a nice time.
Ten years later when we returned in 1986 ,our family had grown and we had 4 children so our choice was 2 rooms or the cabins.
We stayed in the cabins.
They did not have an internal bus system at that time so we walked everywhere. We tried to rent a golf cart but they were sold out.
We did not know about them ahead of time.
Since then we always stay at hotel or resort when we visit Disney.
I have just never had any desire to stay at the campground again.
I am sure the transportation is better now than it was then.

Have fun at Disney wherever you choose to stay!