camping or value hotel

[kekee]

I was planning on taking a road trip down to FW with my kids but I can't decide if it is a good value or not. We are planning on going the last week in August and the rates for the value resorts are equal to the price for camping. I realize that with our camper we will be able to make our own dinners and will save money that way but if the value resorts are offering the free dining plan then we really aren't saving any money. I do like the idea of sleeping in my own camper and not worrying about my kids being too noisey for the other guests in the hotel. I guess I just can't decide!!! I really want to do the road trip but think it may be too much to ask for my kids to be able to handle the long trip from Massachusetts.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

When we go to the Fort, we have no doubts about anything.
If you have any doubts about one,,then I'd say do the other.
Just my opinion.

 

[Judy in Texas]

You don't say how old your kids are. If everyone is prepared, the kids know what is expected of them, and you hold them to the expectations, they will be fine.

If they are preschool aged, then you can check out the family forum on the main Dis Discussion Forums list for activities other families have used.

If they are school aged, then they can review the activities listed on the family forums and help decide what would be fun. I used to live in New England and school started early in August then. Do you home school or are you taking them out? If you home school, use it as geography/history lessons as you travel through the various states. If you are taking them out, maybe the teachers will assign homework they can work on while in the car so they don't have to take time away from being at Disney to get it done.

Either way, you will all have a good time.

 

[kekee]

Thank you Judy,

My kids are 8 & 5 and after reading many different threads I have decided to take them down and stay at FW. We will take our time going down and back so that it will be more of an adventure for them. My kids start school after Labor Day so we will go around the last two weeks of August. I know it will be hot but hopefully less crowded than when we stayed at Animal Kingdom last Christmas!

Thank you again for your useful advice.

 

[CampingBandit]

You made the right choice - we did ASM last year and the Fort this past week and I wouldn't if given the choice choose AS after having experienced the fort. There is so much to do there you can visit the fort and not any of the parks and never be bored.

 

[mdoc]

We don't stay at the Fort to save money. During the busy times of year when we go, the sites are over $100 and campers don't get things like free dining. If there were only 4 of us, we'd definitely be better off at a value resort. However, IMO the Fort experience beats the All Stars/Pop experience. If you're ambivalent, especially about the drive down, stay at the hotel. But if you prefer sleeping in your own bed and having your own "stuff" handy, the Fort is really fun. What kind of camper do you have? I have to say that I would not even consider going to the Fort in August in a camper that didn't have air conditioning.

 

[blm2003]

I completely agree, just prepare for the trip with the kids and things will be fine. We went down in APril 08 (from Mass) with 6 and 5 year old and it was an awesome time. We took 4 days down and 4 days back, so it wasn't real long days in the car, but we did have a mechanical problem with the truck on day 1 that had us stuck in PA for 4 extra hours, that was fun, but the kids were great! Portable DVD players, headphones, and some sort of tray for their lap for activities will make it much better!

Good luck and have a great time!

 

[PrincessNP]

We don't stay at the Fort to save money. During the busy times of year when we go, the sites are over $100 and campers don't get things like free dining. If there were only 4 of us, we'd definitely be better off at a value resort. However, IMO the Fort experience beats the All Stars/Pop experience. If you're ambivalent, especially about the drive down, stay at the hotel. But if you prefer sleeping in your own bed and having your own "stuff" handy, the Fort is really fun. What kind of camper do you have? I have to say that I would not even consider going to the Fort in August in a camper that didn't have air conditioning.

I have to agree here! We got to the Fort for the experience. I am not sure anyone can go to Disney and "save money". Its just not about that. Staying at the fort and being in your own "home" is awesome. (Apparently as long as you dont get mowed over by a golf cart!)

 

[CampingBandit]

We took 2 1/2 days down and are planning the same for the return. 8 hours of driving per day is about all we can take, the kids just get so bored they get slap happy. We bring it all, car games, DS's, DVD players, a Laptop/cell card, books etc. and still, it's a long day.

We stayed at ASM last year and paid for the dining plan and paid over twice what we paid for camping on a premium. Of course the dining wasn't free then, but still I think it was only an extra $1K or so for the DP and our package was over $4k for a family suite.

We loved having our own stuff, the drive down was the only part I don't enjoy. Wish we were closer, there's no place else like it on earth.