Campsite vs. Resort

[Gabkatt]

My family enjoys tent camping but always stays at one of the resorts when at Disney. We are go in Jan. or Feb. and have been considering camping this year at FW. We're from Ohio and have never camped in Florida. As much fun as this all sounds...reading everyone's posts, seeing your pictures...I want to know the pros and cons. We enjoy the luxury and convinience of the resorts but do like to camp.

So first: the heat!!! We have a A/C for our tent (I know...I know...we really rough it!!) But I'm concerned about condensation with the humidity.

Second: Bugs! We've been in the chaos of the Sept. love bugs but what about mosquitoes. Are all you guys getting attacted or does Disney have that somewhat under control?

Third: Snakes!! My kids have been freaked out since our last trip when a huge black snake crossed right in front of us on the sidewalk in POFQ. Can't control the snakes, I'm not that concerned, but has anyone had problems with them coming into campsites getting under tents?

Forth: Convinience! Or lack of! My wife and I stayed in the cabins once (very nice) but not convinient at all. Whats your campsite/loop suggestions with kids. Close to restrooms, pool, busses, store...We don't sound much like campers do we!!

Fifth: Campsite vs. Resort. I've been playing "devils advocate" here. It dosen't cost much more to stay at a value resort, so I'm looking for someone to give some of their reasons for choosing FW over one of the resorts and help push us in that direction!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Hey Big Mike- Welcome to the camping board. I'll take a stab at answering your questions, although you probably can get most of the info you need by just browsing around the posts here.

OK, here goes:

So first: the heat!!! We have a A/C for our tent (I know...I know...we really rough it!!) But I'm concerned about condensation with the humidity.

A: In Jan./Feb. you are more likely going to need to be concerned about cold rather than heat. I would leave the A/C at home and bring a space heater and a fan. That should cover you. I'll warn you that it can get pretty cold in central Florida in Jan. and Feb. But, it can also be really nice. We camped last MLK weekend, and it was warm the whole weekend- I wore shorts and a t-shirt all weekend. On Presidents' Day weekend in Feb., there was a freeze warning (although I am not sure the temp. actually went that low- but it was cold!).

Second: Bugs! We've been in the chaos of the Sept. love bugs but what about mosquitoes. Are all you guys getting attacted or does Disney have that somewhat under control?

A: I don't think that you need to worry about bugs, especially in the winter. WDW has a huge pest control program for the entire property, not just the Fort.


Third: Snakes!! My kids have been freaked out since our last trip when a huge black snake crossed right in front of us on the sidewalk in POFQ. Can't control the snakes, I'm not that concerned, but has anyone had problems with them coming into campsites getting under tents?

A: I can't even accurately count the number of times that I have camped at the Fort. This year alone, we visited in Jan., Feb., March and August (so far). I have NEVER seen a snake at the Fort. I have seen plenty in everywhere else in Florida, but never at FW.

Forth: Convinience! Or lack of! My wife and I stayed in the cabins once (very nice) but not convinient at all. Whats your campsite/loop suggestions with kids. Close to restrooms, pool, busses, store...We don't sound much like campers do we!!

A:Well, on this one I have to say that if you found the cabins inconvenient, then you might think the same thing about the campsites. The only thing is that the campsites are closer to the trading posts, marina, campfire area, playgrounds, etc. But the bus transportation is the same. If you want to be close to as much as possible, then ask for a preferred campsite. Ft. Wilderness is a big place, and getting around the whole place does take some degree of patience. But, hey, you are on vacation, so slow down and enjoy the slower pace.

Fifth: Campsite vs. Resort. I've been playing "devils advocate" here. It dosen't cost much more to stay at a value resort, so I'm looking for someone to give some of their reasons for choosing FW over one of the resorts and help push us in that direction!

A: I can't say that staying at the Fort is always cheaper than staying in a Value resort. Plus, when you stay in a resort, you get your own private bathroom, nice heat and air, maid service, towels, ice, a TV with cable, a phone, etc. You don't get any of that at the Fort. But, cost is not everything. We have stayed at the Value resorts, and there is nothing wrong with them. They are a good value. But, there are so many intangibles to the FW experience: Fresh air, wide open space, peace and quiet, the campfire/movie program, the playgrounds, the close proximity to MK, being able to prepare your own meals, etc. that make is so much more desirable for my family over a value resort.

Camping takes a lot more planning and effort than staying in a hotel room, no question about that.

I'll tell you what-try the Fort. I guarantee your family will enjoy and remember your experiences there much more than being crammed into a room at one of the All Star resorts.

TCD

 

[des1954]

TCD said it all!!! We've primarily been Ft. Wilderness campers since 1974, but was about 4 years without any camping equipment and had to "settle" for resorts. It just wasn't the same!!! (And we even stayed at the Poly & Contemp & Cabins). There is just something about camping at Ft. Wilderness that cannot compare with any of the resorts!!

I agree with TCD - leave the A/C at home (I've actually seen other people bring A/C's with tents - too funny!) and make sure you have a fan and a tent heater for January. In 1982 we camped in a pop-up & had a sheet of ice on the outside of our canvas in the morning!

Whatever you decide, I hope your vacation is memorable!!

Debbie

 

[Gabkatt]

Thanks for the responses! I think we'll do it! Have you been satisfied with the sites you were assigned or have you ever had a layout that didn't work with the size of your equipment and needed to move?

Sorry for all the questions, I have seen some generic answers on here but I like personal opinions on specific questions.

Do you bring your own grill or use the ones on site? Or for that matter, do you not even mess with cooking and just eat at restaraunts?

When they say "no vehicles driving around unless you are coming or leaving" does that mean only when you are checking in and checking out? Or any time we are leaving the resort? I guess I'm saying...we don't like to use Disney Busses to get to the parks, we drive. Is that permitted or are you forced to park for the week and use their transportation for everything?

 

[ftwildernessguy]

You can use your vehicle to go to the parks. You just can't drive to the pool, TE, etc. There is only one small parking lot by the Meadows trading post within the fort itself, and that is supposed to be for 15 minute parking only to pick up some supplies.

 

[SunshineCamper]

We cook at our site mostly and do take-out at TE one night. We eat in the park for dinner if we're there. For us cooking at our site is fun. Like everyone has mentioned-you're outside, close to MK, watch the fireworks at the marina, ride the monorail and take the boat, campfire, smores, sing along, ride your bikes, ride the horses, hayride...I'll stop while I'm ahead-can't do these things easily at the resorts.

I ditto what everyone else has said....try the FT.

 

[clkelley]

I agree in Jan/Fed you don't need the AC, but you will need a fan, and a heater or electric blankets.

I don't cook at the Fort, too many great restaurants, but I would recommend bringing a mini fridge. The ice is expensive at the Fort and it's not "hard frozen", so melts easily.

Since you are tent camping, then all you need is a partial hookup site. Those are located in Loop 1500 and 2000. Loop 1500 is great for location, location, location, as you are right across from the Meadows Pool, trading post, bike bark, and movie, and since it is a small loop, the comfort station is very close to even the farthest site, BUT it is older and on some of the sites, the sand area can be small. Site 1506 in particular is very narrow and the grill and a tree are in weird spots. 1503 is a great site and a good size and so is 1517.

Loop 2000 is a bit isolated, but the sand areas are quite large, and the grill is set up in a little side area where it does not interfere with tent location.

 

[Kanda]

We camped at the fort this Feb. for the first time and loved it. I recommend the heater, we used it every night. It was great weather during the day but it dropped down to 42 at night. Another benefit of the fort is using it instead of a park day. We were there for 7 days, we set up one day, went to 3 parks for 3 days and stayed at the fort for 3 days. There is plenty to do at the campsite, and within the camp ground. So we got a week's vacation and only used 3 days on our park passes. We stayed in the 2000 loop and thought it was great. You'll have a great time. We're going again in Feb 08, I need to change my sig. to reflect that!

 

[dtum]

We love to use the buses and parking our truck and not moving it is a luxury of staying on site. We do breakfast at the site, try and eat one lunch at the buffet and just a very light dinner. Don't need a lot at night if you eat big at lunch! The best part of FW is the relaxation...take a nap in the hammocks (if they are out in Jan/Feb). Have to say, we've never tried the resorts...almost did ALMu, but just can't leave the Fort. It's a place where you can do things on your time and don't have to rush around the the hussle bussle of a hotel.