camping in July with family

[Disney crazy mama]

I'm looking for some feedback about camping at FW in July. We have been to WDW twice in September. We camped at FW in a 5th wheel last time. We absolutely loved FW camping. We are planning on going in 2009 in July.

Sept. was awesome. I'm worried about July in comparison. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[4daubers]

We always do WDW in July and have always had a wonderful time...guess we don't know any better. It's hot and humid and the parks are crowded but Fort Wilderness is the oasis in the midst of the Disney madness. We plan our trip with rest days to spend in Fort Wilderness to just enjoy camping. We used Tour Guide Mike's recommendations for the parks and took advantage of fast passes and actually had very few wait times. There were days when we were at park openings and closing and days we didn't hit parks until evening.

It's all good. and better with a golf cart!

 

[Disney crazy mama]

Great news. I have been studying Tour Guide Mikes info. It sounds pretty good. Is there any discounts for the campground in July that you know of?

 

[4daubers]

AAA may have a discount. That's the only one I know of.

 

[Disney crazy mama]

what made your 2007 trip the best ever? How long were you there? What do you recommend for a loop that time of year? Do you know how far out in advance I can make my reservations for July?

 

[4daubers]

Wow, to put it into words! I need Disney music in the background. Best trip ever because we were with family and friends. One friend's son had never been to WDW so it's fun to watch the magic begin for a newbie. He was wide-eyed, grinning and not the least bit embarrassed to wear his mickey ears. He soaked it all in and was a great reminder to the rest of us to enjoy and experience it for all it is.

Our first trip to FW was a 3 week monsoon with swamped sites and many attractions cancelled. This trip had rain but managable and many nice days. We had time to enjoy FW. Our days at FW were nice, easy and memorable for little things...golf cart rides through the loops, sitting out at the camp site, making new friends at the marina while watching fire works, seeing so many different lampposts, boat rides, meadows and settlement shopping, sitting on the porch, visiting with fellow campers. Making friends with a large New Jersey family on the bus one day was priceless. It was instant bonding and a great time when we kept meeting on the buses. We made friends with an older CM at the outpost front office and made a daily trec to visit him for his sage advice and wonderful Disney stories. Great bus drivers. We had drivers who were so personable and made the rides fun.

Our first day at Magic Kingdom, we received a "Million Dreams" surprise. As we exited the train, a CM gave everyone exiting a Fast Pass card on a lanyard which allowed fast passes for 12 attractions...and some let us reuse the FP over and over. It was a great surprise and put to great use.

We opened parks and closed them, rode rides to satisfaction, saw new attractions and revisited our must see agains...no matter how silly or hokey they are. We weren't panicked if the parks were crowded or lines long, we just enjoyed. It's easy to get wrapped up in the planning and negotiating of getting everything done. This trip, we didn't. We stayed organized but not frenzied and it worked.

We had requested loop 900 because of disboards recommendations. We didn't need cable because we have satillite but needed a pet loop. We didn't get loop 900, we were traveling with a family who stayed in a cabin and had requested to be in a loop near the cabins. We waited too late for recommendations I think. We were pleased with the 1700 loop though.

We love camping and actually prefer the mountains but our every 5 year WDW trip is special and I hope our kids and their kids continue the tradition. I can't wait to bring kids and grandkids...well actually I can wait, my kids are 16 but I'm looking forward to many more FW traditional trips.

We were at FW for 10 days. The earlier you make reservations, the better chance of getting the loop, site you want. I'm not sure how early reservations can be made but I usually make them a year in advance.

 

[Disney crazy mama]

wow, i feel the music.

We camped in September 2006 in the 500 loop. We absolutely loved the campground. We were there with our three kids (5, 10 and 11) and our neice (9). We loved the entire vacation.

We were there for 8 days. We did go slower than our first 2003 trip (4 insane days). But this trip we spent much more time just enjoying ourselves.

One of our favorite things to do at the campground was to go get coffee each morning at the meadow trading post. Then we would talk to the two ladies that worked there each morning of our trip. They were great people. But of course I think that is what makes Disney so Great. I also talked and talked to a landscaper. He was trimming trees around the comfort station. He was great, too.

The campground was really empty during our trip. I didn't know how crowded everything was in July. We have been spoiled, but now the kids will be going into high school on the next trip. I have to adjust the plan. I was thinking we will go for 10 days and go at a much slower pace. Only do what we want, not just because its on some list.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[4daubers]

You hit it square on the head...do what you want and not focus on the list. Our first WDW trip was when the kids were 5 y/o. We followed a guide exactly. I know it can't be true but it seemed that the parks were much more crowded. I thought it was because there was only 3 parks then but will all the new hotels, surely the crowds just grow and grow. There wasn't fast past back then, so maybe I just remember lines. We also did all the must do character meals and shows. It was the do or die WDW trip and I think we did see much more because of the guide plus we didn't know if we would ever return. I hope that trip won't be the reason my kids are on a psychiatrist's couch when they're 30.

My kids had a great time and it was fun seeing what they "had" to do, would "rather die" than do and their sense of adventure in seeking out new things to do.

The parks are crowded in July but fast passes are great and the Fort is nice to come back to.