Cabins again soon! Questions for campers...

[stacie_d]

Stayed last summer for a few days at the start of our vacation...and doing it again soon! Spending the first 4 nights in a cabin starting May 31 before moving to saratoga. My kids loved the atmosphere and DH and I did too. This little community is as inviting and enticing as the DVC (just finally joined a couple years ago).

We are looking to add on points to DVC, but in addition to or in the alternative, we are thinking of getting a camping trailer. I can see us wanting to be at Fort Wilderness 3-4 days once a year. We just love the atmosphere. (We live in WV so maybe that is a given.) Means we have to drive, instead of fly...but we seem to drive more anyway.

Anyone ever started their camping experiences at Disney? We would be complete newbies (with the exception of a couple tent trips in the mountains as a kid). Are the campgrounds as inviting as they seem? Cabins seemed pretty quiet last time. We really didn't see many people around outside.

I'm so excited to be back at the fort again.

Please give me your pros and cons...

 

[becky1960]

I bought a Popup in about 1972 with the intent of going to FW, which we did and have been going every since. We did take a break for a few years to the onsite hotels and then returned to FW and still go every year. To us it is more relaxing and the people from all walks of life seem to be more friendly. We are presently planning a 12 day trip in June which may be the last as my bones are just about worn out. We now have a 5th wheel which we lug down from Texas so its a good drive.

 

[gillenkl]

Our maiden camping voyage was to the Fort in 2007 towing about 21 hours. We specifically got a camper because DH said it would allow us to do Disney for 2 weeks yearly. Disney is top of the line camping and not necessarily the norm. We normally camp 3 full weeks a year plus 5-6 weekends. I wouldn't get a camper just to camp at the Fort for 3-4 days a year unless you plan on camping elsewhere - there are rental campers you could use for just those few days. The owner sets up the camper for you on your site.

 

[WDWFWfan]

The Fort is great! We've been to the Fort many times, but stayed at an onsite hotel last fall due to free dining (which isn't available at the campsites). Anyway...pros and cons...

Pros

• Cheaper
• Sleep in your bed
• The Best Atmosphere!
• Peaceful and serene
• Friendly people
• Save money by cooking some of your meals
• Campfire program
• Campstores
• Activities
• Bike riding
• etc.

Cons

• Lots of extra work to camp
• More difficult to get where you're going - unless you drive
• No maid service
• Fewer food options in campground
• Bad weather can be a problem

I'll admit that it was nice to have a room to return to at night versus the popup and the "free" food was great (the only reason we stayed at the Pop), but we also missed the Fort. Now, if they would put the campsites on free dining and build a nice food court...

 

[Mcert01]

Pros

* FW is a great place to be introduced to camping
* Sleep in your own bed
* Have your own transportation when you need or prefer it.
* Quiet - I love Disney, but getting a quiet break every once in a while on the trip is a good thing - but you know that staying in the cabins.
* It can be less expensive, depending on how you travel and what hotels you are staying in.
* Cheaper cocktails and snacks at the end of the day.
* Beautiful State Park campgrounds in WV
* Cheap non-Disney vacations.
* Feels like home rather than a hotel.
* Shower houses (very nice at FW) means no waiting for a shower.
* Campfires at your site - non Disney, though you can bring your own firepit to FW now as I understand it.
* Coffee and the newspaper on the patio in the morning.
* Walking a campground at night. The atmosphere is incredible.
* Friendly people


Cons

* Need a tow vehicle
* Drive instead of fly
* Maintenance

Bad weather has never been an issue for us. My SIL asked what we do when it rains. I told her we do the same thing people do who are staying in hotels.

Are you thinking about a pop-up or hard side travel trailer? We loved our pop-up, but the travel trailer is much more convenient.

 

[5mouseketeers]

Anyone have suggestions for getting around? We have 5 little ones coming along - 2 sets of twins. I've heard there can be long walks and waits for the buses....is this true? Our first time ever staying on disney property! Is this a good choice for the first time around?

 

[Wetherdad]

Anyone have suggestions for getting around? We have 5 little ones coming along - 2 sets of twins. I've heard there can be long walks and waits for the buses....is this true? Our first time ever staying on disney property! Is this a good choice for the first time around?

I am at the Fort now......we are in the cabins in the 2200 loop. Where we are it is not a long walk to the bus stop but if our cabin were further into the loop it could be a hike. The bus service seems ok, but we have a cart from Kenny (wicked good service by the way I highly recommend him!) The boat service is ok.....and i have sen some really long lines waiting for the boat. Overall though, I don't think I would rather stay anywhere elose.....I love the feel here....

 

[5mouseketeers]

I am at the Fort now......we are in the cabins in the 2200 loop. Where we are it is not a long walk to the bus stop but if our cabin were further into the loop it could be a hike. The bus service seems ok, but we have a cart from Kenny (wicked good service by the way I highly recommend him!) The boat service is ok.....and i have sen some really long lines waiting for the boat. Overall though, I don't think I would rather stay anywhere elose.....I love the feel here....

Thanks for that! Very helpful...I will try to put in a request

 

[bama_ed]

Back to what the OP asked,

I would advise getting the trailer versus adding on to DVC.

The reason being that my camper is -

my cabin in the mountains...

my timeshare at WDW...

my condo at the beach...

my home on wheels when I visit far away places like the Grand Canyon...

Ok, you're in West Virginia and might not go as far west as the GC.

But you get the idea.

You can "hitch it up and go" for a weekend or longer.

Something to consider anyway.

Bama ED