camping during spring break

[TiffJ]

We have never been to Ft Wilderness and now that we have a popup, I soooo want to go camping there. DH thinks its a long way to tow(11 hrs) I think we have made that drive enough times that it isnt a big deal. My kids love just hanging around the regular campgrounds we go to so I know they we be enchanted with FW. I want to just go a few days in the parks & spend the rest of the time enjoying the campground. The last time we were at WDW was last Thanksgiving so DH swore he will never go at peak season again. DS spring break starts 3/14 and ends right after Easter this year. I figure if we go to the parks at beginning of trip the crowds shouldnt be too terrible. Anyone have any experience with this. We have never been in spring before. How is weater in March? Not worried about heat/cold, more concerned with rainfall. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[We4mickey]

We were there for our spring break in April. If you want to go make your ressies asap. We had a hard time piecing together 2 weeks of availability. Weather wise it was beautiful. The parks were packed and we didn't get to see a lot because the lines were so long. We haven't been there at peak season in a long time and I think it will be awhile before we go at that time again.

 

[LMC]

We tow our 35'tt from Pell City and it takes us 12-14 hours! Depending on bathroom stops for the 3yr plus we have to gas up the bus every 150 miles or so. Been one time at spring break (year & 1/2 ago) that lead up to Easter; I have read on these posts that the week before Easter is one of the busiest. Needless to say, we probably won't be going back at spring break for a while. I would love to go in '05 as we are giving AP's for Christmas but I don't know if we can stand the crowd. Another GREAT time to go is right when school gets out in May. It is still value season and not as many people as say, spring break. Our plan this next year is January, May, October or Thanksgiving, then right before Christmas again to finish up on our AP's. Any long weekend trips, we will stay at a resort (too far to tow for 3 nights!).

 

[TiffJ]

I was thinking it would be pretty crowded. DS gets out of school the Thur B4 Memorial Day weekend. Not sure if I want to camp in June. I want to be able to enjoy the campground & not sit in the pop up too much. When we were there last year in May it was HOT HOT HOT!! Did not want to be outside more than necessary. Might think about taking him out of school in April after spring breaks are over.

 

[rapriebe]

LMC,

Wow, I just noticed your projected dates for FW trips in 2005. Look at my signature block and you'll see that's exactly what we did this year. We definately made use of our annual passes by getting in four trips. Can't wait for our October trip - we have never been at that time before.

Your ride is alittle longer than ours - we have 10 hour drive.

 

[LMC]

Not sure if our distance is farther than yours but I know it takes 12-14 hours to do the trip. Now we break it up into 2 days down and 2 days back. We loved October! Wish we could go this year but must wait for Christmas to give the AP's! We are going to spend 7 nights there in January; I won't take the tt unless it's at least for a week. Otherwise, we'd stay at a resort.

 

[tink'smom2B]

We live near Chicago and have driven to WDW (2 12 hour days)nearly every Spring Break (last week in March) for over 10 years! I love FW and the weather is so beautiful compared to here! The crowds in the park are horrible so we spend our days in the campground or water parks and usually go to the parks at night. They are open later the two weeks surrounding Easter. If you really want to go during the day, get to the parks early and go on the big rides first. Then you can leave when the crowds show up (around noon) and come back again later after the crowds leave. If you stay for the fireworks, you will get caught up in a sea of people trying to leave. We did that last time and didn't get back to the campground until nearly 11:30 p.m. even though the Wishes show was at 9:00. I still didn't mind it. It was 75 degrees out and it is still the happiest place on Earth as far as I'm concerned. If you don't get campground reservations call closer to the time you want to go. People cancel all the time. My best trip I got reservations one day out!! Good luck and have fun!

 

[jaxtrip]

Just wanted to add that 'Spring Break' is actually a long season as the 'break' time is different in different parts of the country. I estimate that we are busy late February through the last week of April. That said, the weather here in Florida is super spectacular in the spring (rain is not too frequent, we actually have to water alot in the spring) so we get tons of visitors then. In all best wishes, I would not advise spring break unless you are willing, as other posters have said, to plan your days with huge crowds in mind. It can be a real turn-off and we Floridians want you all to keep coming!

I agree that the best times are October, post-Thanksgiving, and mid-May. Bascially, anytime school-age children are not in school, DW is busy (holidays, three-day weekends, etc.). Work around those days and your trip will be golden! If you can't, plan for paitence or commando-style touring.


All that said, I really have to admit, as a tranplanted New Yorker, that the weather is awesome in the spring...truly a treasure.

Thanks!

 

[TiffJ]

Thanks for the info guys. I have no doubt that the parks would be VERY crowded during that time. I am considering just coming down for the campground, wasn't sure how the weather was that time of year. I want to come when we can really enjoy being outside. We have a/c but dont want to spend all the time at that beautiful campground inside the pop up. But trying to talk my DH into going without doing the parks is difficult. He said its like parking outside the Super Bowl & not going in Maybe we can go for a day or two & then just enjoy the surroundings.

 

[campingcorgi]

We went this last spring the week before and week after Easter and the crowds weren't too bad. I guess we were lucky, but many times the waits for rides were only 15 or so minutes and on Easter Sunday Epcot felt deserted!

Now on a couple of days MK closed for a while, but we don't do the parks commando-style so we were fine. We will usually go for a while in the morning and then enjoy FW (the real reason we go to Disney!) for the rest of the day. Sometimes we will go back to a park in the evenings, but not usually. We were able to do everything we wanted to. It did get a little chilly at the end of our trip, but otherwise the weather was lovely!

 

[LMC]

I think if you hit the parks like campingcorgi says, non commando, then you will be fine. If you have the realization going in that it will be crowded and you will be waiting for everything from rides, to food, then you will be prepared and not disappointed. If camping is your main goal then you will love it! Our trip in May was camping only. This is a great campground for the kids (safe bike riding)! Yes, I was the one constantly telling my 3yo to "brake"! and "Don't hit that wall". You will have fun!