Disney-experienced but Fort-new- lots of ???

[abcmouse]

Hi guys,

We're taking the family to Disney and staying at the Fort for the first time. I've done the Disney Cruise, stayed at Pop a few times, etc, but never at the Fort. it's with our new pop up camper, and I'm really excited. But, I have many many questions- I hope you'll bear with me! And that none of them are too dumb!

First, we're driving down after the kids get out of school at noon, so if we left immediately after that and drive straight through, we'll probably get to Orlando around midnight or later (potty breaks!). Don't really want to leave the pop up parked at a hotel, so we'd either a) leave the next day or b) get to the Fort really late. Is it possible to check in like at 2 or 3 am? I know it's not the ideal time to be setting up the pop up, but it's possible. Or does anyone know anywhere safe and easy to stop (we're driving from the DC area).

Second, the kids have all been to Disney at least twice the past 2 years, so we're thinking of doing the Fort, maybe one day at the parks, and one or two days at Disney Quest and a water park or two. Any disadvantage to waiting until we get there to buy our tickets- I'm worried if I buy in advance we'll end up buying too many days and feel compelled to run through the parks ... we've always prepaid when we stay at a hotel because it is all ready on our KTTWs. But not sure if that's important at the Fort. is it cheaper when you buy online? easier as far as KTTW card?

We have a PUP with a potty and shower. We also have a donut to connect the sink/shower to the sewer, but we still have to dump the cassette potty manually. The tent/pop up area sounds appealing because I'm not a fan of being smushed between 5th wheels and class As (makes me jealous!) But being able to dump the potty right there and having fewer people using the comfort stations because they are using their own is also appealing (we try to limit use of the potty/shower in the pup during the day, so we still use the comfort stations).

Lastly, firepit. i understand no open campfires- right? What do people do about fire pits? is there one that's recommended?

Also, we have 7 people, 4 under 7 years old (6,6,5,3) and need a golf cart. Should we rent with Steve? I dont know we can smush all 7 in a 4 seater

Thanks all you experts!

Thanks everyone!!

 

[jbrostek]

Welcome to camping at FW!! I would really recommend that you do not try to bonzi your run from DC to Disney. You will pay for it after you arrive. From chantilly, VA to Disney going at a proper rate of speed for towing anything (pop up, 5er, or even my class A) is 18 hours with moderate breaks for food and fuel. 14 if you limit breaks and keep them quick. You are on vacation and as much as getting to the destination is important, having energy to spare is also important.

I would strongly recommend you stop for the night within a few hours drive to disney. Yes it means less time your first day there in the parks, but I think its worth it, I could never think of driving straight through that far from the area.

Look at places like savannah KOA or south of Savannah since it sounds like you will try to push as long as you can. Plan on getting up early in the AM and finishing the trip. From the GA border (we usually stop at Point South KOA in SC) to Disney is about 6-7 hours depending on stops, and youll feel much more relaxed and energized to setup and enjoy your stay.

 

[Tygansmom829121]

From Gainesville, VA it takes about the same amount of time. Try out Bass Lake Campground in Dillon, SC. We pulled in there late last October and the owner came out to help us set up. It was a great overnight stay, we hooked up the electric and water and we were unhooked and out of there in about 10 minutes the next morning. We are definitely staying there again when we head back down to the fort in November.

 

[jbrostek]

From Gainesville, VA it takes about the same amount of time. Try out Bass Lake Campground in Dillon, SC. We pulled in there late last October and the owner came out to help us set up. It was a great overnight stay, we hooked up the electric and water and we were unhooked and out of there in about 10 minutes the next morning. We are definitely staying there again when we head back down to the fort in November.

I think thats a little farther north then they would want to stop. But still something our group will add to the option list for FL trip next winter.

 

[retired and happy]

I can't name any, but i agree that's a little far north to stop and get to WDW early the next day. But i WOULD stop somewhere. And don't even THINK about setting up camp at 2-3 a.m. if you're anywhere close to me. I 'm not sure if you can, but it would not make for good neighbors.

 

[skyp4WDW]

I'll take the Park Pass question. If you you are going to buy two days at DQ and one or two water park days... Your best bet would be to buy an annual Pass for DQ with a Waterpark add on. If I remember correctly, it's only about $130. and then you can come and go as often as you like for the duration of your stay. (We did that last year as my kids got sick of the main 4 parks) You have to call Disney and order them over the phone. They don't advertise these tickets much... you sort of have to know they exist and ask for them. Have fun.

 

[bama_ed]

abc,

I'll chip in as a fellow pop-up owner.

First, I'm with Ken all the way. For the sake of your neighbors please DON'T check in and set up at 2 a.m.. They'll be more friendly if they get a full night's sleep before meeting you.

What's the concern about the pop-up and a hotel? We pull our pop-up to Disney and on half a dozen occasions (like if we leave after school) spend the night at a hotel so we can get in late, leave early, and get a hot breakfast included (we prefer Hampton Inns). I realize 7 people means you need a small suite or two rooms but the pup is no problem. My hitch is locked onto the tow vehicle. I lock all the pup doors. I park it away from everyone else but under a light pole so I can see it from the interior hallway or my room. Never had a problem.

Dumping the casette should not be an issue. The Comfort Stations are the cleanest and best you will find anywhere so I wouldn't even open up the pup potty during the day. Every site is within an easy walk of a CS. If you're like us and set it up for the midnight visit of some it will get some action but not much. The Fort does NOT have a dumping station so when it's time to check out and leave just pull through a full hook-up loop, find an empty and dump there. If you use it only at night for a week or less you shouldn't have to dump during your stay.

Fire pit rules and enforcement are inconsistent at the Fort. Technically pits with a screen lid are allowed but people have been restricted from having them during dry periods/fire bans. Best advice is to call the Fort front desk and check on the latest.

Steve would be the best bet for a large golf cart rental to comfortably and safely fit everyone.

When are you thinking of coming?

Good luck!

Bama ED

 

[gillenkl]

We have a PUP and drive down from Delaware - we have stopped at KOA's (Savannah South) on the way down but now we just stop at a hotel - just don't want to deal with the setup for 1 night and a hotel gets us out much quicker in the morning. Last year we stayed at Springhill Suites by Marriott (Savannah) and will stay there again in June - there were cops patrolling the parking lots at night and we parked so we could keep an eye on it. They also have a nice hot breakfast. As others have mentioned your Fort neighbors wouldn't be too happy with you setting up a PUP at 3AM.

We have a popup site (normally we get a preferred) but this year we could only get a AAA discount with a popup site. I was told we could empty the cassette toilet in the bathrooms or find an empty site and dump there (you can also call the front desk and ask which site closest to you is empty for dumping the toilet).

 

[PrincessNana]

I always wait until we get there to buy our tickets...I personally haven't seen any great savings from buying early and I never know exactly how many people will end up going. Looking at the age of your kids, have you been to DisneyQuest before? My granddaughter was 8 the last time we went, and she didn't really enjoy it (and she does like playing video games). It seemed like most of the games were for older kids. She went there with her parents and they only stayed about 2 hours, but it's possible they didn't know the right areas to go to.

This summer we've reserved a 6 person cart from Steve. There's a thread , not too far back, which has his phone number. He will deliver to your site and pick it up at your site at the end of your stay. His rates were very reasonable, but no credit cards, cash or check only.

 

[abcmouse]

You guys are fantastic! I guess it's fine to keep the PUP at a hotel- it's just new to us and we worry about damage, vandalism, theft- you know, all those FUN things you want to worry about on vacation. We'll check out the Springhill Suites in Savannah- there are only 6 of us driving down. my mom is going to fly to meet us!

Thanks again all for your advice!!!

 

[Teamubr]

it's just new to us and we worry about damage, vandalism, theft- you know, all those FUN things you want to worry about on vacation.

Have a great time at the Fort and don't worry about the PUP. I tow a 48ft race trailer all over the country. On long trips or tracks we arrive the night before, we leave the trailer with two $75,000 race cars and probably $100,000 in spares and tools sitting out all the time. We have never had any problems. Our team manager checks out the area online before she books hotel rooms, but we've even been in some questionable areas without any problems.

Enjoy the trip and have a great time.

j