Camping and NOT visiting parks

[WhereRv]

We did just that last year, stayed for nights in FW, only went into MK on princess and pirate party night. We drive about 20 hours or so to get there, but only in Jan/Feb to get some warmth!
Ride the Monorail, ride the ferrys, go and check out each resort, some really neat ones like the AK resort where you can see the animals. Also the boardwalk and DD. Rent a golf cart, ride bikes, fish, explore, swim during the day or at night, fire and movies at night, it doesn't get much better!
Wish I was there now!

 

[chartle]

To the OP you have to temper some of these replies with who they come from. It seems a few of them have been to WDW a few times so to them just going to the fort is OK because they have been to the parks and they want to explore everything that FW has to offer.

I just can't see going all that way and not going to the parks if you have never been there.

 

[mjmoon]

To the OP you have to temper some of these replies with who they come from. It seems a few of them have been to WDW a few times so to them just going to the fort is OK because they have been to the parks and they want to explore everything that FW has to offer.

I just can't see going all that way and not going to the parks if you have never been there.

I agree with this statement. I guess it boils down to what is acceptable to you and your family. I imagine there are other camping experiences that wouldn't involve driving young children 12 hours but then again, we're talking Fort Wilderness!!

Personally, I can't imagine going to Disney World without going to Disney World..

 

[LONE-STAR]

How far would you drive to camp at the Fort if you were not going to the parks?
I have gone around in circles with planning. We have never been to disneyworld, and have never camped at the Fort. I had planned to do both, but it honestly seems like such a hassle with the number and ages of my children (5 kids, little baby up to 10 years old when we go).
We all enjoy camping, and I am sure we would all enjoy the parks, but I am thinking we may enjoy separate trips. One year for camping (we would use a tent), and do all the fort has to offer, plus maybe the MNSSHP. Then, another year, we could do a park-visiting vacation, staying at a condo or something for ease (laundry, kitchen, etc.)
This would probably be the camping year.
I think we are about a 12 hour drive. Is it worth it for the Fort?

You have had alot of replies but here is my thoughts.
Would I drive 1000 miles (thats how far we are away or 20 hrs) just to camp at FW yes in a heartbeat. However there is noway I could drive that far be that close to the parks and not go to them.

 

[Cindy F]

I don't think you'll be bored at Fort Wilderness with your current plan especially with a trip to the zoo-but, if you are-you can do some fun but less expensive things than Disney for this trip.

Kids seem to really like Gatorland. It was ranked number 8 in Orlando attractions by Tripadvisor-Number 7 was Magic Kingdom


Weeki Wachee Springs/Buccaneer Bay

The Central Florida Zoo has a new "Tropical Splash Ground"

Good luck and you're sure to have a great time at The Fort!

 

[CCIntrigue]

So gimme some! Where are these crazy good campgrounds? We drive 4 hours to get to Asheville, NC, largely because we love a little campground there: Mama Gertie's. We love it, and the comfort stations are better than the Fort... cleaner and better designed. I was hoping some of your favorites might be closer for me, coming from Raleigh. So spill! (thanks in advance)

Try Ocean Lakes in Myrtle Beach or Outdoor Resorts on Hilton Head Island.

 

[Shan-man]

Cool, thanks!

 

[disneydawgs]

My family drove six and a half to seven hours to camp at the fort for four days and 3 nights. Well worth it for us. We did no WDW parks. I will do it again when I have the time and more money. So, its really is how long will you camp after driving 12 hours. If its 5 or 6 nights then I would consider it. Less than 5 nights, I might stay closer to home.

 

[ancfun]

We have camped several times and only gone to the park for the MNSSHP. We have 4 boys and they always find plenty to do at the campground. It is an 8 hr trip for us but we love camping there so it is well worth it to us. Most of the time we do stay for atleast a week but our last trip was a 4 trip and we still enjoyed it.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I just posted a response on another thread that touches on this:

My first Fort trip was just over a year ago, we stayed at the cabins as well and had such a great time that we returned in May to do all the things the Fort offers that we missed out on from our previous December trip. In december we spent too much time at th parks and felt like we shorted ourselves of so much that the fort had to offer, so we did a parkless trip in MAY and enjoyed it even MORE than going to the parks....it was so nice to actually RELAX on vacation.....my younger daughters, then 11 and 5 really looked forward to the campfire everynight, they were amazed that they could watch a movie OUTSIDE and were allowed to set marshmellows on fire!!! They fell asleep during the movie almost every night, a really nice way to end an evening for parents. We also really enjoyed the simple act of riding around the campground for hours on end in the golfcart. And they loved playing on the beach at the marina....so many SIMPLE fun functions that kids DONT get to do very often in our busy lives.

I guess my suggestion is to plan a day or two of NOTHINGNESS....just time to do whatever comes up at the Fort.....sometimes NOT HAVING A PLAN is where the most memorable fun is allowed to happen.

Have a great trip!!!

We really enjoyed the camping without the parks...and its a 10 hour drive for us.

 

[Cockburn Family]

Our family drives over 24hrs from Canada and normally spend about 2 weeks at the fort....we normally only spend a couple of days in the park. There is so much to do at the fort that we would do the drive in a second just to camp!!! Your going to have an excellent time what ever you decide to do at WDW....

 

[cjalphonso]

New member here, but from what I can tell, Disney does not offer any ticket discounts to campers. With that in mind, if you get bored you could always buy tickets to the parks and the price would be the same.

 

[Disbuf]

We will drive about 19 hours from northeast Indiana for a trip to the Fort at the end of March and we are not going to the parks. We have done this the past three spring breaks. We love the weather, love the campground and there is so much more to do at Disney than just the parks.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

When all of my kids are grown...I will rarely visit the parks...I like the parks, but I can sure live without them...maybe I'll do a park-trip every couple of years, but I plan to do a Fort trip at least once a year for as long as I can make it happen. I feel like I get enough Disney Magic at the Fort.

 

[Pinkee77]

Looks like the subject has been covered. Just wanted to add ....

My kids are 5 and 8. Even though we live in Florida, we don't get to the parks that often.

Last July, we stayed at The Fort for the first time. When we were packing to leave my daughter said, "But there is so much more to do here!" So, I promised we'd come back in October and just hang out at The Fort when the weather is cooler.

We did come back in October, but I unexpectedly received some park tickets (a gift from my boss). The kids were actually disappointed!! LOL Here, I thought they would be so thrilled that I had these tickets after telling them we couldn't afford the theme parks. And my jubilant announcement was met with "oh." They really just wanted to hang out at The Fort. Of course, they had fun at the parks, but I still owe them a trip of just hanging out at The Fort. They love it there. And they absolutely can not wait to go back! (and neither can I!)