Free things to do at the Fort?

[MomofSixinSC]

Petroleum in the artificial colors & flavors? Please, tell me more. I'm reading the side of a Crystal Light package and nothing on it even sounds like petroleum - but I'm no chemist. I'm looking at Pink Lemonade & it lists color: red 40 lake. Is this a code for "crude oil"? Seriously - what's up with this and where can I go to research it?

TIA

Here is a great site that can tell you more about petroleum in food and what it can do: http://www.feingold.org/

Here is a blog post I wrote on what happened when I removed petroleum form my family's diet: http://memoirable.blogspot.com/2006/04/feingold-program.html

Feel free to pm me if you have more questions!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Welcome to the camping board, MomofSixinSC

I just took a quick peek at your blog.

Am I reading this right: you home school six children?

There are a few homeschoolers who are regulars around here.

God bless you. I know we could never do it.

I am sure that you and the children will have plenty to do at the Fort and around WDW. I would not worry about being bored.

As already mentioned, there are a ton of recreational activities available at the Fort. I don't think anyone mentioned that you can borrow basketballs, volleyballs, shuffleboard equipment, and even tennis equipment for FREE from the Bike Barn. All you need is your resort ID (a.k.a. the Key to the World Card -KTTW). I echo the recommendation about chalk, bubbles, buckets, shovels, jump ropes, etc. Bring some board games and cards to play as a family. We never have time to do that stuff at home- so it's fun to do it when you camp. If you can't bring bikes, try skates, skateboards, scooters, or anything with wheels that you can pack- there are lots of places to ride these around the Fort.

Also, you didn't mention your exact dates in November, but there is a big art festival every year in November at Downtown Disney. I have never been, but a lot of people seem to like it. And it's FREE. Here is a link to some more information about that:

2010 Festival of the Masters

I know that you will have a blast, whatever you do!

And do us all a favor- give us a little trip report when you get back.

TCD

 

[MomofSixinSC]

TCD -

Yes, I homeschool 6 dc. It's actually a lot of fun! Not every day, but enough days to make it worthwhile. Also, we can travel during off times and make it a field trip!

Also, if you looked around at my blog enough, you saw that I love to write trip reports. I will surely post one here soon after returning from The Fort.

Oh, and we will be there November 7 - 11th, so we will miss the art festival. My dd wants to extend our trip, but my dh is worried about being Disneyed out. He says he gets disneyed out at Home Depot.

Thanks for the info about the items we can borrow from the Bike Barn. We will definitely make use of some of them. I am assuming there are places to play basketball and volleyball? And I really hope to bring bikes.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Thanks for the info about the items we can borrow from the Bike Barn. We will definitely make use of some of them. I am assuming there are places to play basketball and volleyball? And I really hope to bring bikes.

Absolutely! There are basketball hoops scattered around the Fort. They are in the 100/200, 300, 900, 1200/1300, 1400 and 1800/1900 loops. There are sand volleyball courts next to the Meadow Pool, and also by the 1200/1300 loop. The shuffleboard and tennis courts are by the Bike Barn. I also should have mentioned that there are tetherball courts set up around the Fort. Tetherball is fun. Where else can you play tetherball?

And, I also forgot to mention that they set out games on the porch of Trail's End every night. They have giant checker sets, ring tosses and giant Jenga. They set those out for the folks waiting to go in and eat, but anyone can play with them. While you are there, grab a rocking chair and people watch. Do you know they serve all you can drink beer and wine at the Hoop Dee Doo Review? The kids might enjoy the folks walking out of the HDDR and heading to the boat dock- that is usually some good people watching. And there might be teaching moment there too.

TCD

 

[KimIce]

A good time for free? Spend a relaxing day around the fort/campsite with a few cocktails, and wait for the busses to unload all the people coming from a sweltering day at the parks. You will be able to recognize them by the wrinkled/wet clothes, sunburns, crying exhausted children, and Mom & Dad fighting over who's cooking dinner and who is on bathing duties! GOOD TIMES!!

Go to the Animal Kingdom Lodge to walk around and see the animals.

 

[DaveInTN]

Yes, I homeschool 6 dc. It's actually a lot of fun! Not every day, but enough days to make it worthwhile. Also, we can travel during off times and make it a field trip!

Yep, one of the many benefits of homeschooling. It is why we have been able to enjoy Fort trips during early December the last couple of years. That is also an awesome time to visit the Fort...low crowds, nice weather and Christmas decorations!

liv luvs disney, another regular around here, also homeschools, and there are others. I'd caution you about getting camping advice from Liv though. She camps in a boat.

 

[mommyof3grlz]

Your trip sounds so much fun. I am a homeschool mom of 3 girls ages 16,14, and 12. We love Ft. Wilderness. We are staying there this Sat. night May 29 for one night. Then we are checking into a condo I got off skyauction for 7 nights at a great rate of $269 total for the week!!!! Your post encourages me and shows that you CAN experience Disney on a budget. Remember to choose your day at Magic Kingdom to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours. If I were you I would choose the night it was open 3 extra hours for Disney Resort Guest if this falls during your travel time. If not then pick the day it is open the latest. You want to take full advantage of your free day at Magic Kingdom. HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!