Camping At Christmas Time

[HoliPoli]

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[North of Mouse]

This will be my first Christmas at FW (arriving on the 16th - 26th) and I'm super excited! I literally can't wait to see all of the decorations at the Fort and soak in the atmosphere and everything that is Disney for 10 whole days.

For those of you who are seasoned Christmas time veterans, does FW still have plenty of activities throughout the colder months? I have a 6 y/o (extremely high-maintenance) DS so the more activities we can dive into, the better.

IMO, there will not be a whole lot of activities for a 6 year old at that time of year there. Swimming will be "iffy" depending on the weather. I wouldn't personally plan on it, but you might get lucky - deep south weather can be fickle
You can bring bicycles, but at that age would be limited to your "in sight" riding.
Not to be a "wet" blanket, but I don't "see" all the activities at the Fort that others are always mentioning, and have been going there since it opened.

Renting a golf cart to "loop" around all the loops seems to be a pass time of many, but that doesn't "burn" much energy for a little boy!

Not sure about the schedule of the campfire movies in Dec.
Also horseback riding - but he would be too young, but you can take him for a tour in the stables to see the horses.
Sleigh rides around the campground - would need to check schedule for those.
The beach is there to play in the sand - no swimming.

The best of luck - maybe someone else can give you more ideas.

 

[photogal06]

We usually go a bit earlier...late November/early December, and there are plenty of activities then. There's the usual singalong/campfire/movie every night, and Wishes and the water parade from the beach each night. Last time we were there in early December there were activities in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon....sometimes it was games on the lawn near the main pool, sometimes bingo or tie-dye or another craft. Some of the things cost a bit (like tie-dye) but many were free. Since you're going even closer to Christmas, there may be even more for you to do. The holiday atmosphere at the Fort can't be beat...have fun on your trip!

 

[disneygoof66]

"For those of you who are seasoned Christmas time veterans, does FW still have plenty of activities throughout the colder months? I have a 6 y/o (extremely high-maintenance) DS so the more activities we can dive into, the better."

We will also be at FW in December - and into January (12/20-1/6) - our longest stay so far and 4th Holiday trip. All Disney pools are heated, so while the out of pool time may be a bit chilly, we have always found some time to swim. The past two years we've been to WDW for Marathon weekend - very cold for FL - and she still managed to get in some swim time. As long as the sun is out, swimming in the pools is an option. Just be prepared to cover quickly when exiting the pool.

Other options include multiple playgrounds, pony rides, bike riding (under your watchful eye!), fishing, we puchased inexpensive wetsuits at the local warehouse club and were comfortable on the mouseboats in December. There is also a Holiday Carriage ride which will take you all through the campground to see all the site decorations. Archery class is also available - not sure on the age requirements. Also, if the parks get to be too much, try visiting some of the other resorts. Everything is decorated and each resort has it's own theme.

We LOVE the holiday time at FW - have spent time in the DVC resorts as well and while they all have their charm, prefer the fort!

 

[HoliPoli]

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[mash]

We camped at Disney a few years ago for Thanksgiving and I remember them having lots of activities for the children to participate in, like bingo, football or volleyball, making t-shirts, etc. Some activities charged a nominal fee.

If you can, bring your bikes! We love bike riding at the Fort and there's always lots to see. Bring lights for the bikes after dark. Our favorite thing is to ride our bikes on the path between the campground and the Wilderness Lodge at dusk or after dark. You usually see deer. We've also seen owls, bobcats and armadillos.

Plan on resort hopping. Take a boat to the Contemporary and hang out in their game room for awhile.

Ask about getting a site close to a playground. We camped next to a playground once when our boys were younger and it was lovely.

Campfire program is always great but the s'mores might amp up your little guy!

Plan an afternoon walking around Downtown Disney. There's a little train ride there that my boys loved when they were little.

A lot of the resorts have special displays for Christmas, like gingerbread houses, carousels and stuff. If he loves trains there are usually some incorporated into the displays. Check the Polynesian and the Yacht/Beach Club.

 

[Boomer1]

We have camped at FW for every Christmas/New Years since 2004. The sing-along campfire and movie is on every evening. On weekends and I believe certain days, Dec. 24,25 and 26 there are two movies.
We usually bring our own snacks.
I am not sure of your plans but there have been many good suggestions. We found our children were " worn out" after a day at the parks.
We bought the Hidden Mickey book and our children enjoyed trying to find the hidden Mickeys at not only the parks but also the resorts.
Have a great trip.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Small world!! This will be our first trip to FW too. Staying the 17th - 28th.

I can't wait to see all the decorations!

 

[HoliPoli]

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[patches4me]

Yep, can't wait to see the decorations. I was hooked once I saw the videos on youtube showcasing some of the Christmas decorations. I was worried that it wouldn't feel like Christmas at all, but now I'm thinking it will feel even more like the holidays than it does at home!

We always go for the Christmas season. It is more festive than at home. No worries, just lots of Christmas fun.

 

[CDNCruiser]

You can see a bit about activities and some
of the seasonal decoration pictures and video
here: http://land.allears.net/blogs/guestblog/guest_bloggers/gary_cruise/

 

[Josiepug]

Yep, can't wait to see the decorations. I was hooked once I saw the videos on youtube showcasing some of the Christmas decorations. I was worried that it wouldn't feel like Christmas at all, but now I'm thinking it will feel even more like the holidays than it does at home!

Is there a time when you can tour the campsites' christmas decorations if you are not staying at the campgrounds? Wondering if they cutoff visitors at 9pm or something like that. THanks

 

[bama_ed]

Welcome JosiePug!

You can come any time.

Obviously they are best observed in the dark.

There is no cutoff time for visitors although it will probably be easier if you get to the Fort on WDW transport (bus or boat).

Enjoy the decorations. As the others said, some folks go all out with their setups.

Bama ED

 

[wdwrroad]

As far as I know, visitors would only be limited by the operating schedules of the boat and busses.

 

[snocrossmechanic]

We go at Xmas most years and we have 3 boys ages 2,4,6. There is plenty to do at the Fort. As mentioned before there are movies, bonfires, fireworks on the shore. If you stop and get a schedule of events you will see there are plenty of activities. Another little secret is that Chip and Dale come out to play with the kids an hour or so before the campfire on select days. Ask a cast member and they should be able to give you the details. My kids had a blast running around with them.

We go to downtown Disney, ride the monorails, and check out the other resorts. In the Fort you should rent a golf cart and go looping. The decorations are great. The pools will be fine for the kids. Mine will swim when it's cold up here in Minnesota so down there it's great.

Last but not least, look us up. We are staying dec 22 to the 31st. My kids love meeting new friends and having fun hanging out.

Take care,

Mark

 

[DznyRulz]

Here are a few pictures to get you in the mood.

Every park has a decorated tree themed to the park. This is the tree outside Hollywood Studios.

This is the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Hollywood Studios. A must see.

All dressed up for the holidays.

Here are a couple of pics of one Fort Wilderness site decorated for Christmas and this was before Veteran's Day and they weren't even finished yet. These folks try for a site at the beginning of the loop closest to the main road so everyone can see the decorations. I believe this is site 701. In order to secure their site for the holidays they begin around the end of September. Imagine, September through January at The Fort. Must be nice.

There are so many sites that decorate for the holidays that you can spend many hours walking the loops seeing them all.

 

[HoliPoli]

Here are a few pictures to get you in the mood.

Every park has a decorated tree themed to the park. This is the tree outside Hollywood Studios.

This is the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Hollywood Studios. A must see.

All dressed up for the holidays.

Here are a couple of pics of one Fort Wilderness site decorated for Christmas and this was before Veteran's Day and they weren't even finished yet. These folks try for a site at the beginning of the loop closest to the main road so everyone can see the decorations. I believe this is site 701. In order to secure their site for the holidays they begin around the end of September. Imagine, September through January at The Fort. Must be nice.

There are so many sites that decorate for the holidays that you can spend many hours walking the loops seeing them all.

Thank you for posting these! I love seeing all things Disney through the eyes of us regular folk and not just what Disney wants to professionally promote.

I am so excited about seeing all the decorations at FWC!!

 

[cyndilou01]

One of my daughter and I's favorite thing to do is ride the boat to the magic kingdom and then get on the monirail and visit each hotel, they are all decorated for the holidays, it is a free adventure, sometimes we stop for a coffee break and just enjoy the atmosphere..... the kids always love riding the monarails... we will be there the first week o December

 

[ctl]

This can also be a lot of fun for the kids to see. Of course you need separate tickets for the event.

 

[HoliPoli]

We go to downtown Disney, ride the monorails, and check out the other resorts. In the Fort you should rent a golf cart and go looping. The decorations are great. The pools will be fine for the kids. Mine will swim when it's cold up here in Minnesota so down there it's great.

Last but not least, look us up. We are staying dec 22 to the 31st. My kids love meeting new friends and having fun hanging out.

Take care,

Mark

Spending the day touring the holiday decorations at the resorts sounds like a fun idea. We say a few in January of last year, but the majority had been removed. Still four months away and so excited.

And we can surely look you up. I have one of those constantly bored kids, lol. He'll be itching for some other kids to play with!


One thing I wanted to ask is how do all of you do Christmas morning at the campground with the kids? I don't figure it'll be much different, but wondered if the "pros" had any tips or ideas.