FOURTH AT THE FORT!! WE'RE BACK!

[Madonna3]

So I am all too excited.

Some of you may not remember me, but in August of 2014, I introduced myself and my family and explained we were going to Ft. Wilderness for the first time and we were going to TENT camp!! We now realize how stupid we are.

Well, the results of that trip were awful! And it's mostly our fault. I'm not a camper, I told my husband that. Plus we were doing in a TENT! Even though I brought an A/C unit (yes, we brought an A/C unit) it was SO SO hot. We even had a TV in the tent and watched movies a few nights. I did enjoy the mornings, however. I enjoyed waking up to the sound of the trains and the boats. I loved riding the golf cart around just looking at the scenery. Since it was so hot, we would ride it later at night and enjoy just looking at the deer. Camping was SO MUCH work. It was not relaxing at all. The fort was a BLAST!! I loved our time there, but I hated the fact we were in a tent and I wished so badly we were in a cabin. We had planned before we left to tour DVC and after the hell week he put me through I told my husband to sign the DVC papers for the Grand Floridian or he could sign the divorce papers when we got home. (OK, I didn't really say that, but I was thinking it!) However, we did end up purchasing points at the Grand Floridian. So, for the past 2 years, traumatized from my camping experience, we have been staying at deluxe resorts and sleeping in air conditioned beds.

However, every time I pass the fort, I remember that while camping, in a tent, in August is a very stupid idea, I really enjoyed my time at the fort. So, a fantastic passholder rate opened up for that week and I booked a cabin! We're very excited to be going back and I would enjoy anyone who wants to share some Fourth at the Fort ideas with me such as cooking, decorations for the cabin and the cart, and some tips or tricks!

We're not going into any parks. My son is bringing a friend and we are going to bring their bikes and just let them enjoy themselves.

 

[peg110]

Welcome back to the fort. Sorry your first experience didn't work out as well as you wanted, but I bet you created memories that you will remember and even laugh about for the rest of your life.

Camping certainly isn't for everyone, but if you enjoy nature, it's a great thing to get into. It does help to be better prepared. For someone that hasn't done tent camping before attempt to go to the Fort in July, they are bound to have issues (as you found out). Maybe another time you can try a camper. It's certainly not the same as tent camping, but it's a step closer.

Either way, I hope you experience at the Cabins is an awesome one.

 

[bama_ed]

So you're going around the 4th of July?

Watch or compete in the golf cart parade. Here is the one from 2013 for ideas:

Bama Ed

 

[Lildancer]

Are there any other fun activities on the fourth? We aren't going to a park, and just plan to spend the day at the fort! We loved all the Easter activities this year, so looking forward to another Holiday there!

 

[rideswithchrist]

How fun to be there on the 4th!

I agree, if you are not a camper, Disney would not make it any better

 

[Shanti]

Have fun! I think weather is extremely important when tent camping, and agree that Orlando summer (extreme heat, humidity and daily thunderstorms) is terrible weather to camp in. We tent camped at the Fort in March and loved it, so the weather does make a big difference.

 

[Judyfun]

We will be there on the 4th, so excited about it. I have been plotting and planning for weeks now. I am making up 72 give-a-way bags and will be decorating, the RV, the Golf Cart and the entire camp site. I am hoping to be in the 1400 loop, as that is my favorite one.

 

[peg110]

We were in 1401 last time we were there.... I did like it as far as location relative to the pool, the meadows, bus stop, and even the settlement.

 

[Judyfun]

We were in 1401 last time we were there.... I did like it as far as location relative to the pool, the meadows, bus stop, and even the settlement.

we were in 1405 and 1406

 

[skyp4WDW]

We will never go to Fort Wilderness over the 4th of July again. In addition to the extreme heat, humidity, and daily rain; the crowds are the worst we've ever seen there that week. In addition to elevated noise levels and extra long lines for everything, the worst part is that the heat makes you only want to go to the pool but you can't find a chair at the pool; and you can't move in the pool because it is wall to wall people (half of them drunk). It was not the charming experience we were expecting. It was just plain awful.

 

[bama_ed]

Are there any other fun activities on the fourth? We aren't going to a park, and just plan to spend the day at the fort! We loved all the Easter activities this year, so looking forward to another Holiday there!

Lildancer,

Here is the movie and activity schedule from last year for July. The activities on page 2 for the 4th are listed. There is no guarantee that this year will be the same (they obviously didn't ask you or me) but I bet you can use it as a general planning guide.

Bama Ed

 

[bama_ed]

We will never go to Fort Wilderness over the 4th of July again. In addition to the extreme heat, humidity, and daily rain; the crowds are the worst we've ever seen there that week. In addition to elevated noise levels and extra long lines for everything, the worst part is that the heat makes you only want to go to the pool but you can't find a chair at the pool; and you can't move in the pool because it is wall to wall people (half of them drunk). It was not the charming experience we were expecting. It was just plain awful.

I bet some locals snuck in too to fill up the pool.

If you look in my signature below I've never been to the Fort in June, July, or August. Summer in Orlando is off my list. Plus you get the Fort's less desirable elements and as skyp4WDW says, it's not pleasant.

Bama Ed

PS - my favorite is the walk I take early in the morning (before 6am) when I have been there in the warmer months and there are already towels on loungers around the pool to "save" them. Nobody else was around.... hey, I left them folded nicely on the picnic table under the pool pavilion.

 

[Lildancer]

We've tented on the 4th before, but my husband and I are both down for work from the 6-10, so we got s great rate at a cabin this time for a few days before work starts! No parks for our fort days...those will happen during the "work" portion of our trip! Crowded pools are ok, we have a 3 year old, so there is no sitting for us! He doesn't care how crowded the pool is LOL! Thanks for the info Bama_ed!

 

[Madonna3]

We also found a great rate for this same time frame. It's so great in fact, I can't seem to add on another night to the start of the trip.

 

[Madonna3]

Well, despite my best efforts to "hack" Disney's rec calendars, I have made a rough itinerary. So far, the cast of characters consists of myself, my husband, our son, my best friend from NJ, and our son's friend. The last time we went to the fort, our son had a wonderful time, but he kept latching onto other families and while everyone at the fort didn't seem to mind, I felt bad he didn't have a friend of his own. So, we solved that this time. I am bringing the boys' bikes so they can ride around at their leisure. I am hoping to add on another night because the boys want to participate in the parade. My son is trying to decide on bringing his bike or his electric scooter to decorate.

I have a preliminary menu all planned out and I am super excited to being shopping for it, but it's too early yet, so I have to wait

We're having:
Hamburgers and potato salad
Lobster rolls and shrimp skewers
BBQ chicken and macaroni and cheese
Rib eyes w/ Tarragon butter sauce and bacon ranch potatoes
Ribs and beans

I will also be making some unique desserts like:
red, white, and blue rice krispy treats
red, white, and blue strawberry shortcake
red, white, and blue banana sundae bites

of course we'll have the staples of watermelon, lemonade, and corn on the cob!

 

[Madonna3]

Still can't add on for the 3rd. Bummer.

 

[bama_ed]

Your desserts sound very patriotic!

 

[pjpoppins]

We will be there 6/22-7/8 staying in Loop 200. I'm used to camping shenanigans but hope its not too bad or takes away from the Disney experience.

 

[zaccaglin]

We'll be there the forth as well. 40' MH, tent, five adults, two kids, and two dogs. Can't wait.

 

[Madonna3]

And still no luck on the 3rd.