First Time Campers...help us!

[The3Ds]

Hi everyone,

My husband, son (4 years old) and I are camping at Fort Wilderness for the first time (actually, it's also the first time we've ever taken our son camping EVER!) in December. We live in Florida and go to New Jersey every year to see family...this is the first year we're not going, and we wanted to do something special with our son down here instead. Decided on Fort Wilderness, but haven't been able to get a site for the last month or so. I am soooooooooooo excited! I was wondering if anyone could help answer the following questions:

1. Most fun things to do with a 4 year old at Fort Wilderness? Pony ride, boats, wagon ride, playgrounds, pools (in December???), Campfire/movie, special dinners...what is worth it and what should we skip? If we're going to spend an entire day at the Fort, would it be worth getting a golf cart (if we can even get one?)

2. Would you recommend a certain loop? We are tent camping.

3. We're not sure if we're going to get park tickets. Any fun things (Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, etc.) that you would recommend outside of the parks that are close to the Fort? Can we use the Wilderness Lodge pool?

4. Do you have a favorite tip for camping with kids? We don't have anything fancy, and we'd welcome any "tricks of the trade" that you'd like to share! Thanks so much!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1. Most fun things to do with a 4 year old at Fort Wilderness? Pony ride, boats, wagon ride, playgrounds, pools (in December???), Campfire/movie, special dinners...what is worth it and what should we skip? If we're going to spend an entire day at the Fort, would it be worth getting a golf cart (if we can even get one?)
. . . don't skip any of it
. . . The Fort has so many activities that you and your child can come home exhausted
. . . personally, I would rent a golf cart from an off-site vendor
. . . however, I know several people that just bring their bikes and pedal their way around the resort
. . . the roadways are pretty flat, so no hard-pedaling

2. Would you recommend a certain loop? We are tent camping.
. . . any "partial hookup" site would be good, as they have sand pads for tents

3. We're not sure if we're going to get park tickets. Any fun things (Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, etc.) that you would recommend outside of the parks that are close to the Fort? Can we use the Wilderness Lodge pool?
. . . you cannot use the Wilderness Lodge Pool, it would be considered "resort hopping" and not allowed, except in some DVC instances
. . . as for parks, MANY folks come to The Fort and never step into a park

4. Do you have a favorite tip for camping with kids? We don't have anything fancy, and we'd welcome any "tricks of the trade" that you'd like to share! Thanks so much![/QUOTE]
. . . at The Fort, we tend to be more friendly than at the "hotel" resorts
. . . your kid can almost roam-free on his bike
. . . kids can EASILY meet other kids and just-have-fun
. . . in fact, many kids come back year-after-year and meet the same friends

 

[2goofycampers]

Welcome to the camping board. If you're trying for a reservation near Christmas time it's doubtful you'll get in. Even though you can't pool hop you can resort hop. We love doing this. Go to the CR and hop on the monorail and get off at each resort. The decorations are beautiful all over WDW.

 

[stpetedisneydad]

If you are there in December be sure to visit the Grand Floridian to check out the giant gingerbread house. How big is it you ask? Big enough that a couple cast members sit inside to sell assorted goodies. Also the Boardwalk Resort has a life size replica of a Jersey Shore concession stand made of gingerbread in the lobby and the Beach Club Resort has a mini gingerbread carousel.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Even though you can't pool hop you can resort hop.

1) Wait a minute.
2) Do you mean to say there are resorts other than The Fort?

 

[KristinU]

How long will you be there? That would come into play on the decision for park tickets or not for me. I'd lean towards park tickets if you will be there more than a few days, but there is plenty to do outside the parks as well.

Here's a short blog post from our trip to the Fort when my DS was four: http://alineradventures.blogspot.com/2008/12/fl-disneys-fort-wilderness.html If you guys bring bikes, consider something like a tag-along (or DS's was called a Tail Gaiter I think, it allowed us to use his own bike), the Fort is big for little legs to pedal all over. In addition to what I posted in our blog, I remember DS playing on the various playscapes at the Fort quite a bit and really enjoying the WDW bus system - he loooooved the busses!

Away from the Fort, you may want to hit the Lego store at Disney Springs (Downtown Disney) if your DS is into Legos.

As for resort hopping for decoration visiting, we did that last year and some pics are in the blog post linked in my signature. We had a great time with that! However, thinking of DS at four, I don't know how much he would have appreciated it (heck, he didn't want to join us this year at age 11, nor did my dad at age 65 LOL!)

 

[5stljayhawks]

1. Most fun things to do with a 4 year old at Fort Wilderness? Pony ride, boats, wagon ride, playgrounds, pools (in December???), Campfire/movie, special dinners...what is worth it and what should we skip? If we're going to spend an entire day at the Fort, would it be worth getting a golf cart (if we can even get one?)

A)Dig in the sand, throw it in air, get in hair then climb in bed with mom and dad...
B) Yes golf cart - 1-2 day do Disney if available. otherwise kenny tee time. A+
C) fishing rod, Chip & Dale movies(bring smores kits from home) , hanging out with mom and dad riding the boat to monorail and exploring. swim trunks.

2. Would you recommend a certain loop? We are tent camping.

If you are golf cartless - near central trading post of up high by dock. Otherwise I would be closer to a comfort station.

3. We're not sure if we're going to get park tickets. Any fun things (Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, etc.) that you would recommend outside of the parks that are close to the Fort? Can we use the Wilderness Lodge pool?

No on WL pool, but people do resort hope. Poly has a pretty cool pool. could hit boat to monorail, then grab snack downstairs and walk out to pool.

4. Do you have a favorite tip for camping with kids? We don't have anything fancy, and we'd welcome any "tricks of the trade" that you'd like to share! Thanks so much!

The biggest and bestest tip is to practice camping in the back yard or a few overnight at local state park. This will get you accustomed to setting up tents, working out kinks, ...... (there are other threads on this or PM and I will detail) I would find a thermorest/sleeping pad or air mattress or borrow. Most of the sites have crushed sand/coral but you will be warmer and more comfortable on air. A extension cord and LED shop light or flashlights. it will be getting dark at 5:30 or so? I spent 2 weeks in a tent in December, while my DW, DM(mom) and kids slept in camper. I hooked myself up with TV, cot, light and night stand(boxes of food)... Also have a small brush and dust pan, tarp and rope or Pop up cover to get out of rain and stretch legs.

There is are alot of unknown from your post, but we are more than happy to help.
What size is your tent
Also are you cooking at your site?
How long are you there?

 

[tltay2005]

I also recommend resort hopping to look at all the Christmas decorations, they are amazing. There is also putt putt golf (two separate courses) on Disney property. Disney Springs, they have some really cool Christmas decorations and some amazing musicians. Bring your bikes, lots of fun to ride around the campground. Fishing is always a good bet. We also like to just take the boat rides and monorail just looping around, not going into the parks. You will have a great time. We are annual pass holders, but for our December trip to the Fort, we only plan on doing non park things.

 

[snowmedic]

Last year we took a bus over to Animal Kingdom Lodge and looked at all animals roaming around.

 

[Chickp]

I agree that you should do a practice run or two to see how everybody's gear works. You don't want to spend precious fort time making a walmart run (though we did it a few times, haha).

I'd recommend the 1500 loop because it's close to the pool and chip and dale, and a short bike ride from the ferry.

My kids had a blast at the fort just riding around, swimming, and playing. We didn't go to the parks at all and were there for five days! We did resort hop, kind of a kid friendly monorail crawl where we stopped at the hotels and got drinks or a snack.

 

[bama_ed]

There are also daily activities for kids (most of them are free but a few like tye-dying tshirts have a charge) around the pool area in the afternoons. They are listed in our monthly movie listing thread. http://www.disboards.com/threads/october-movie-schedule.3449455/

One of the frequent comments we hear from first-timers is they don't leave enough time to enjoy the Fort. So between theme park hopping, shopping, and dining, leave a couple hours here and there to bike, walk, swim, and relax at the Fort.

Bama Ed

 

[The3Ds]

You guys are so amazing! Thank you for all of your replies!

We are there close to Christmas for 2 nights. So it's a short trip, but I'd love to add a 3rd night to have 1 night to explore the Fort, and another to do a park. We'll see....but we'll keep our fingers crossed!

I should have added that I did the Disney College Program about 8 years ago, and we only live a little over an hour away...so we are very good at doing Disney on the short/cheap! Usually, I meet a friend (Disney is our halfway point...how cool is that?), we head to a resort to grab lunch and just tour around with our kids. Whether we end up on the Poly Beach, or the playground at the Fort, etc...we've not really had the money to stay there, or do the parks since our son was born (but we did splurge for 1-day tickets and he had his 1st hair cut at the barber shop on Main Street!

I appreciate so many of your responses...we will definitely take some time to resort hop and check out the Christmas decorations, explore the Fort and all of the fun activities...and we will test-drive our equipment before we go! I am not worried about camping basics...my husband is an Eagle Scout and has that down. We've just never camped with our son, so I appreciate the tips...especially the funny ones, lol!

We are trying to save up in order to splurge on one fun meal out...preferably a character/show meal...our times are totally flexible so we're hoping something will open up. Would love to stay in the vicinity of Fort Wilderness (Contemporary, Poly, Grand Floridian)...any favorites? Is Hoop De Doo worth the money? How about the Backyard BBQ? The Luau? In general, character breakfasts are cheaper, so maybe I should stick with one of those?

I know that my son will love whatever we do...just trying to plan as much as I can. Hoping for the perfect weather! : )

 

[2goofycampers]

Whispering Canyon Cafe at WL is fun and good food.

 

[Tinkerbelljean]

We always make one stop for Dole Whip at the Poly.

 

[bama_ed]

We always make one stop for Dole Whip at the Poly.

Jean, where EXACTLY does one get a Dole Whip at the Poly these days?

TIA,

Bama Ed

 

[5stljayhawks]

We did the family dinner/sit down (not luau) at poly - hands down one of the best we have had, worth the $$$, not sure if they charge for little people. Also California grill at contemporary is really good. took wife on date night there !!!

FW pizza and or fried chicken to go , with bottle of wine or six pack at site is a great way to relax, cost around $15 -$20 for food and you will have enough.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

DAILY ACTIVITES at THE FORT:
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 ($)
. . . arcade games
. . . charades
. . . evening Chip-n-Dale campfire
. . . viewing holiday campsite decorations (Halloween, Christmas, July 4th, etc)
.
Self-Paced Activities:
. . . boat rental ($)
. . . basketball
. . . tether ball
. . . bike rental ($)
. . . shuffleboard

NOTE: And, if you are lucky, you might see TheRustyScupper officiate at a Wedding or Vow Renewal!

 

[storyteller]

But most of all, have a magical time.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

But most of all, have a magical time

When staying at The Fort, this is not a tough assignment.