First time to FW...some questions

[kimber23ks]

We've been to DW several times, but just bought our first travel trailer and reserved a trip for end of Oct/beg of Nov 2010.

Tried for a "preferred" but wound up with premium. Also, got a package to include park tickets and dining plan, but not so sure we are going to stick with this.

First, is loop 1400 a good spot to stay? Wanted to be near pools and rec center for kids, but not too far from store, restaurants, and boat launch. My Mom also has a site for her new trailer next to us and at times had knee troubble from arthritis. Wondering if this will be too much walking for her?

Regarding site - wanted to book site alone and get my AAA discount, wondering how much of a discount this is and is it worth it to try to get each thing separately on my own?

Tickets - same as above.. Debating to get hoppers or base. Know will do MK, Epcott and Hollywood, but also to go to Universal for a day. Not really sure if we will have to time to be in more than 1 park per day...so is it worth it?

Food - plan majority of breakfast and lunch on our own, but would like to treat ourselves to a sit down dinner on some of the days we are in the parks all day. Is the dining plan worth it or should we just pay OOP?

What other tips for newbies to camping...we need all the help we can get !!!

Thanks

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

The 1400 loop is fairly centrally located. You can take the internal bus if the walk is too much.

AAA will get you 10% off maximum, I think.

We never get hoppers. We are more 1 park per day people, but a lot of people enjoy going to a different park in the evenings.

For your described eating arrangements I don't think the dining plan would be worthwhile. You really need to eat lunch and dinner every day to make it work out. Plus, planning around ADR's can be frustrating.

 

[retired and happy]

Welcome to the board and to the world of camping at the Fort. I can give you some of my family's preferences, but they are just that...preferences, and ours. Most every family thinks theirs ar best.

We love the 1400 loop for its convenient location. We do not do a dining plan because of having to plan around it. We do most of our morning and evening meals in our MH, and mid-day meals in whatever park we're in, with counter service. We buy annual passes which lately have been good for 15 months. With those we get hopper privileges, again for the freedom to move about as we desire. We have a golf cart for moving around in the Fort, and that greatly eases mobility problems for Fort activities and laundry, although the internal bus system is also very good. The AP's also give us incentive to return more often.

You don't say where you are coming from, but I am sure you will find a pattern that fits your wants and needs.

 

[Skyw]

We stay at the cabins so I can't comment on the site stuff...

We get the hopper pass because we like to get on the boat and go to MK at night. Sometimes just to hang out and get an ice cream. So for us it is worth it.


Dining plan- I have not done the DP. We have decided not to because there isn't many choices at FW and you will need to travel to get food. Plus we enjoy grilling out and going off WDW to other places. It is cheaper too.

have fun!!!

 

[kimber23ks]

Thanks for the tips and suggestions. We were leaning toward getting each aspect piece meal and simply paying OOP for whatever meals we buy while out at the parks. Still thinking we will end up going this route for site, tix and eats.

We are coming from southern New Jersey. We drove down to DW last in 05/2007, but in our mini van and we did just fine. Crazy DH drove straight through and we were there in roughly 16 hrs. We know it is going to take a bit longer towing the trailer, but accounted for that and took an extra day off from work/school

If anyone has any frugal sites or ideas for tickets or good eat ideas please pass them on. We are looking forward to site 1400, it does seem centrally located. Kids will have their bikes to get around, and so will we. Will have to talk Mom into biking as well, the golf carts are a good idea, but a bit expensive.

Thanks
Kim & gang

 

[U.P. North]

Hi,

We just had our 1st trip to FW last June and I requested and stayed in the 1400 loop. We loved it! We did take our bikes and it was a quick ride to both the pool and Meadow Trading Post. It is also a short ride to the Marina and Trails End. when we return, 1400 is for us!!

Enjoy your trip!