camping for kid's first Disney trip

[rideswithchrist]

We plan on heading to Disney for a last-minute trip the last week in Feb.
We were thinking of getting a pop-up and hauling it from Texas and camping instead of staying in a little room with our 3 kids.

For our kids very first ever trip, would camping be the way to go over staying at Pop-Century or All-Star Movies?

Kids are 7/5/2.
We know we would miss out on the awesome colorful decor of the resorts but honestly... we are paying good money to be IN the parks and my kids love the idea of a campfire smores roast with Chip and Dale.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . For our kids very first ever trip, would camping be the way to go over staying at Pop-Century or All-Star Movies? . . .

1) Absolutely.
2) But, I am, admittedly, bias.
3) Sure, the resorts have bright colors.
4) But, there is so much more to do at The Fort.
5) Plus, how often at resorts do kids (or adults)
. . . find other kids and make friends for the whole week?
. . . have other kids to run around with during the day or evening?
. . . meet others who actually stop to say hello --- and even talk?
. . . get to run and jump and play?
. . . get to roam such a huge resort?
6) And, we haven't even touched upon the Fort's own activities !

 

[KristinU]

Have you camped before? I'm super all for camping, especially at the Fort, but if it will be your first time camping and first time towing, setting up a pop-up, etc. then I might lean toward a hotel to avoid extra stress. But if you guys are already campers then TOTALLY go for it!

You will get plenty of Disney theming and Disney feel at the Fort, you will not be missing out on that aspect for sure. What you'll get is some room to breathe and for the kiddos to run off some steam and not be sitting on top of each other on hotel beds in your down time. Nothing like kicking back and throwing a line in the water and letting the kids hit a playscape and interact with peers after some time in the parks with crowds!

ETA: you can always get some fun Disney print beach towels, pillow cases, flashlights, etc. to make the inside of the camper more Disney themed

 

[rideswithchrist]

Ok- you had me at the kids meeting other kids and being able to run around.
And I am sure Hubby would love to get up early and fish at least one day before we heard out to the parks.

We are campers...tent campers, so this will be our first towing/pop-up set up. (We are going to make a dry run when we pick up the camper and tow it back 3 hours from where we are buying it)

My husband's family camped when he was a kid, at FT Wilderness in fact so we are extending a tradition.

It sounds like the set up hassle and towing will be worth it, just to be able to let the kids sprawl more in between parks.

I do have a question though, when is check-out? Should we plan an off day and stay a day longer? With the hotels, we can just check out, pack the bags, hit the park for a half day and leave from there but I don't see that being a good plan when we have to pack up a camper!

 

[bama_ed]

rides,

fellow popup owner here. It's not clear if you already have a popup, are getting a popup just to go to disney, or what.

One option to consider is to rent a popup trailer from http://www.fortcamperrental.com . They are a local Orlando small business who will rent a popup for $69 per night plus your cost of the campsite. This would avoid the towing from Texas and the setup and takedown. It will be there when you drive up to the Fort and when you leave to go home you just lock the door and take off. That's pretty sweet.

I looked at their calendars and after Valentines Day weekend they have plenty of availability (limited before that). You can use the search tool here on the DIS on them but folks have generally had good experiences. It's just an option to consider to bringing your own pup from home.

Bama Ed

PS - I bet the kids will LOVE camping under canvas at the Fort. Mine did growing up. You can hear the fireworks, boat whistles, etc. so popups add to the sensory experience.

PPS - checkout is 11am. we did parks from rope drop till close but we did an off-day around the Fort or Downtown Disney for every day we were at the parks. We did the pools, campfires, movies, rode bikes, putt-putt, so the Fort is a place to relax and not be a theme park kamikaze.

 

[rideswithchrist]

We are buying the pop anyway so it made sense to just get it before the trip and have it to camp from here out.

I looked into just renting from there too- silly thing is, that is MORE expensive than staying at a value resort in February because of the late winter offers right now. Interesting how FW is MORE to camp in Feb than it is in June

If we don't do our own pop-up this trip, we will stay at All-Star Movies and then prep to camp next time because we are also looking at what is the most cost effective trip.

We are already driving the trip anyway, so why not go slower and lug a pup ?!

 

[Flametamr]

If you are campers then you already understand the family bonding time involved. You will love Ft Wilderness and the kids will too. There is so much to do there and also it's a great place to just relax and unwind. At Disney I have stayed in luxury (Boardwalk), moderate (Port Orleans French Quarter) and value (All Star Movies). By far our best times are the two stays at the Fort. If you like to be pampered and immersed in Disney get a hotel. But if you value time spent with family in a cool Disney like setting the Fort is your place.

As a previous tent and Popup camper I suggest you practice setting up the camper several times before you go and if possible go local camping to get used to the limited space of your camper. You have to learn and get creative with what you pack. The trip should be no problem. Hope you enjoy your vacation and keep us posted.

 

[iheartpeterpan]

My first camping trip in my new to me popup 2 summers ago was to the Fort. I towed it almost 700 miles for my first camping trip! (We had popped it in camp driveway, but that's it). I wouldn't trade that trip for the world.

We have been life-long campers but it was my family's first popup we owned ourselves. I camped with my father in a popup growing up, and went with him every summer to the smokies in his popup, but this was my first experience in a camper I was buying anyway and we have used the heck out of since.

There is SOOOOO much to do at the Fort, not counting the obvious Disney parks. I think I could make a trip out of the Fort and not even hit the parks. I say go for it, you will love it, and your kiddos will have a ton more runaround room than they will at any other resort. (Sick of the camper? Go outside. Sick of the hotel room? ???)

 

[rideswithchrist]

Thanks! This sounds more like us and we will be able to breathe in between parks.

We plan on camping the week we get the pup to get a feel for it, plus we will stop midway at a campsite... Hopefully we can hit Tallahassee from Austin, leaving around 5am.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . I think I could make a trip out of the Fort and not even hit the parks . . .

1) Many people spend their whole vacation at The Fort without hitting a park.
2) Or do the parks for just 1-2 days.
3) Some of the daily activities:
CM-Led or Monitored Games and Activities:
. . . temporary tattoos
. . . build-a-button ($)
. . . pin trading
. . . design your own ($)
. . . lawn games
. . . goofy bingo
. . . giant games
. . . dodge ball
. . . memory games
. . . name that tune
. . . hoedown dance party
. . . swimmin' hole jamboree
. . . disney trivia
. . . musical shapes
. . . bingo
. . . notable quotes
. . . what's in your beach bag
. . . chalk art
. . . mickey tie-dye ($)
. . . arcade games
. . . charades
. . . evening Chip-n-Dale campfire
Self-Paced Activities:
. . . boat rental ($)
. . . basketball
. . . tether ball
. . . bike rental ($)
. . . shuffleboard


NOTE: And, if you are lucky, you might see TheRustyScupper officiate at a wedding or vow renewal!

 

[Nan P]

Another adventure for us when we are at the Fort is a visit to the stables behind Trails End restaurant. You are allowed to walk into the stables and see the horses that pull the carriages and wagons, and right outside are the white ponies that are used for wedding carriages and in MK parades. Nice photo opportunities in this area too. If the timing is right, you can see the horses getting new shoes by the Farrier, or getting a bath and hooves cleaned from the stable attendant. The cast members are always friendly, and ready to give information about the horses. Last October, we met the big horse who transported the Headless Horseman at MNSSHP parade. Also have pony rides ($) for the kids. Just more fun at the Fort.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We plan on heading to Disney for a last-minute trip the last week in Feb.
We were thinking of getting a pop-up and hauling it from Texas and camping instead of staying in a little room with our 3 kids.

For our kids very first ever trip, would camping be the way to go over staying at Pop-Century or All-Star Movies?

Kids are 7/5/2.
We know we would miss out on the awesome colorful decor of the resorts but honestly... we are paying good money to be IN the parks and my kids love the idea of a campfire smores roast with Chip and Dale.

My first overnight at the World was via a rented camper when I was about 6 or 7. I say it was quite memorable and helped foster my fondness for the Fort.

I say don't even consider the hotels.

 

[blu]

My argument to get DH to start camping started with "kids don't make friends when you stay in a hotel" then went on to "my vacation ends when we get to the room" and ended with "when camping, the dirt the kids get into is dirt, not bodily fluids on a hotel bedspread".

 

[kcp1377]

We did the same thing a few years ago. We had been talking about getting a popup for years, and were looking into taking all the kids to Disney (only had 5 at that point) and what we saved over a suite more than made it worth it for us. We got it in August, did a few local trips and took it to Disney in Sept. (I will say that DH has been towing boats for years, so that part of it was easy for us.) We had the greatest trip and loved every second of it. A few months after getting back we upgraded to a 30' camper. We love the fort and try to go back every 18 months or so. We love having our own "second home" with us and there are so many benefits to staying at the fort.

Everyone has already covered the reasons to stay at the fort. I totally agree that you won't regret it.

 

[rideswithchrist]

well, BOO - the pop-up isn't going to pan out in time for our trip.
We will make sure we hang out at FW one of the days though and plan for the NEXT trip to be camping ONLY.

We will be getting the pup later this summer though, so that's alright

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Sorry the pop up isn't going to work out. You know a couple tents could work We brought or RV last year and for several reasons ( the main one being we sold it..lol) we are coming back with two large cabin style tents. We could have easily booked a disney hotel but opt for tents at the Fort because of the Fort

Everyone has already listed why one chooses the Fort over a hotel.

 

[kcp1377]

Boo. I'm sorry it won't work our in time, but thrilled for you to get one later next,t year! We homeschool too and couldn't imagine living any other way!

 

[rideswithchrist]

I REALLY considered the tents, but DH is not going to agree with that one haha.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

well, BOO - the pop-up isn't going to pan out in time for our trip.
We will make sure we hang out at FW one of the days though and plan for the NEXT trip to be camping ONLY . . .

1)Why not stay in a Cabin?
2) Best of both worlds.