Having regrets about too short of a trip?

[smiths02]

Have you camped with them before? I camped with my 9 year old, DH, DS-3, and DD-3 in October. It was a Cub Scout trip, so I didn't have to cook, but it was exhausting! This was just two nights. I cannot imagine driving 13 hours there, setting up a tent, driving 13 hours back.
Tents are not easy for little kids to sleep in. Add to that possible diapers or potty training issues, and it would be very hard.
Since we were only gone two nights, we didn't shower, but you would have to factor that in as well. Getting ready for Sunday church out of a tent and comfort station?
It sounds exhausting.

 

[amylevan]

We adore Fort Wilderness. They have some of the best comfort stations we've seen in our years camping and there is plenty to keep you busy. And there are plenty of campers on the camping board here who camp at FW without plans to visit the parks. (Which if you have any questions about actually camping at FW, that is the best place to ask...)

That said, you're doing a really long drive for a really short trip. But if you are ok with that...any length trip can be magical.

 

[lynzi2004]

Thank you all for your replies! We have camped with them many times before. Most often in the Smoky Mtns with no running water or electricity. So actually Ft. Wildnerness will be like a deluxe hotel compared to what we are used to! lol The value hotels are actually cheaper than the campsite but since we were mostly concerned with MK, we wanted the option for the quick boat ride. Plus, by FW being a moderate resort, it gave our 2 year old the small kiddie pool with slides and the additional hot tubs, that the value didn't offer. We are looking at the whole trip as an adventure, for DH and I setting up camp is actually something we look forward to while our kids play around us. After reading all the comments, I think we have decided to most likely add an extra day to our stay and either do another park or water park. That way our entire trip would be almost a week. Thanks so much!

 

[KrisHur]

Ditto to people who say skip Studios and focus on MK. Unless your kids are HUGE into Star Wars.

 

[piccolopat]

I would stay longer. You can always have spend mornings and early afternoon in the parks and then back to the resort for rest and pool time. If the kids are up to it, you can hop to a different park or just head back for the evening parade/fireworks. Driving that long for only 3 days wouldn't be worth it for us.

 

[jrathburn]

We are going for DS' first birthday, and live in TN (at least 10 hours away driving non stop). We are leaving on a Friday afternoon to get to Macon GA, Getting to Orlando by end of day (have Hilton points to stay @ DTD fora night and hang out there), and then we are onsite on Sunday, cheking out the following Saturday. Why? We figure we have 3-ish hours in the AM before heading to the hotel for a nap for an hour or 2, then play at the hotel pool and lunch, possibly another nap before heading back out to the parks for maybe 3-4 more hours. Also why we are using our car this time

 

[ktlm]

I don't think any WDW trip is a waste, but if you can add extra days, I absolutely would do so. DD just turned 10 and we have taken her to WDW every year since she was 2. I think the 2 year old trip was my absolute favorite. Everything was new and wonderful to her (plus there is also the benefit that 2 year olds are free). While we do still have fun now that she is older and she still loves the characters, there is absolutely nothing that can beat those preschool trips and watching her interactions with all the characters who were still totally real to her, and the joy on her face with the characters, rides, parades etc. I wouldn't worry about being tall enough to ride the thrill rides. There is plenty to do without the thrill rides. Plus, when people talk about not wanting to go until their kids are older or at least tall enough to ride the thrill rides, they always forget that just because their kids are tall enough to ride the thrill rides does not mean they will WANT to or WILL ride the thrill rides. DD is 10. She rode BTMR once by bribery when she was young and she absolutely hates it- no way is she getting on it again. She also doesn't like Splash at WDW (she only likes the DL version where you sit front to back instead of across on a bench), refuses to even try RNRC, hates TOT, and until she was 8 had to be bribed onto TT, didn't want to ride Space Mountain, and refused to ride EE. I imagine that there are a lot of people out there who wait until their kids are older or at least tall enough to ride the thrill rides only to find that their kids refuse to ride or don't like the thrill rides. All those people miss out on those amazing preschool trips when the characters and magic are absolutely real, and if they have little girls where those girls are in full princess mode and often wandering around the parks in princess dresses in a state of total joy (in kindergarten their friends are enlightening them as to reality and by 1st grade other girls were making fun of my DD for still liking princesses- although luckily my DD is strong willed and told them that she would liked what she wanted to like). I wouldn't give up those memories for anything. Sounds like you are used to camping, so I would go, and if you can add days, I would do that.

 

[Shanti]

I personally wouldn't drive cross-country for a 4-night trip, but then I also personally wouldn't go camping in Florida in late April (too humid for my taste). I like short trips in general, though, & love 4-nights when flying to & from WDW. Keep in mind that the first day you'll be bleary-eyed from driving, and the last day, you'll be thinking about the long drive home. A longer trip (at least 2 days longer in your case, so you can add on those other parks on separate days or visit a Disney water park), will do more to make all of the effort of driving cross-country & setting up camp worth it.

I would definitely not pay for hoppers in advance. Don't overestimate what you & the kids will actually get to accomplish each day- one park will likely be enough for the little ones, and you never know when it will rain. If you choose to hop when you're there, go to guest services anytime during your stay & they'll convert the tickets to hoppers.

 

[Julylady]

If you can stay in a value resort for about the same cost, I would definitely recommend it. Have you ever camped in 90 heat with no air conditioning? I have and its NO FUN! There was no place to go to escape from the heat at night and we hardly slept at all. I would also add another 1-2days on to your trip and go to both MK and AK. I would re-consider the Disney Springs visit unless you have kids who really enjoy shopping.

 

[Ensusieasm]

Can someone help me out here. DH and our 2 kids (DD4, DS2) are planning a trip to WDW at the end of April. Coming in on a Friday and leaving Tuesday. Staying at Ft. Wilderness in a tent. We have 2 day tickets. Plan was to setup and enjoy resort on Friday, MK on Monday, Church, Disney Springs, Resort on Sunday, and back to MK on Monday. Leaving Tuesday morning. We have even toyed with the idea of adding park hoppers as there is a couple things at Epcot and DHS that we would also enjoy doing sometime in our 2 park days.

Our reasoning for the short trip, was that our kids were small (the youngest will be iffy on whether or not he will be tall enough for many of the coasters) and we knew an 8 day blowout in the parks would be way too much for them. Our DD just wants to see princess and buy a princess dress DS just wants to slide at the pool!

We are from Missouri and it will be a 14 hour drive. Are we wasting our time only coming down for such a short time? Ticket prices, etc only seem to be increasing. Plan was to come back in a couple years when the kids were big enough to do everything, no stroller, etc. Can someone with little ones give me any insight as to what the best length of time is with 2 little ones is? I know everyone's opinions will be different. I just don't want to get down there and be too overwhelmed!

Since you will be in a tent 4 nights will be plenty. I like your plan.

 

[mrzrich]

If you can stay in a value resort for about the same cost, I would definitely recommend it. Have you ever camped in 90 heat with no air conditioning? I have and its NO FUN! There was no place to go to escape from the heat at night and we hardly slept at all. I would also add another 1-2days on to your trip and go to both MK and AK. I would re-consider the Disney Springs visit unless you have kids who really enjoy shopping.

I was not only thinking about the heat, I was thinking about the torrential sudden down pours that are common in Florida

 

[happymommy]

I've been over 25 times (and I'm from Missouri!) and honestly, I would choose a value resort over camping (since you stated it's less expensive?). Why? Time to set up and tear down. Room is just easy to drop in and it's got maid service daily - less fuss and time! I just stayed at Pop Century, and it's absolutely adorable!

I also think that that is way too long a drive to go for just a few days. We now live in Maryland, and the one time we drove, we were gone for about two weeks (took two extra nights to drive to Naples one night to see family and then it was two days to drive back - by the way it sucked!). I drive to St. Louis but Naples - never again!

My kids loved all the parks. Animal Kingdom is so fun. Magic Kingdom - of course. Epcot is always the kids' favorite. HS is okay but so many changes going on.

Your husband will be shocked - most popular rides will have wait times - often in busy times the very popular ones have listed 2 hours. I have a rule - ten minutes or no! Use fast pass wisely!

I agree with others - no air conditioning is not a vacation to me! If you can pay less and stay in a hotel room with a/c, I don't get why you'd want to camp at all. And yes, rain is not rain in Orlando. It is buckets coming down. One reason I only wear sport sandals to the parks. Soggy socks and shoes would not be fun.

I'd say, either go camping, or go to Disney and stay in a hotel. Also, the park tickets are less per day the longer you stay. And if you're driving, you can bring a small coffee maker, lots of snacks, a hot pot (if you choose - when my kids were young I'd make noodles or something in the room as they often didn't want much food but just something), etc.... Leave the tent and bring other stuff!

 

[amylevan]

If you can pay less and stay in a hotel room with a/c, I don't get why you'd want to camp at all.

For the record, there are lots of us who love to camp. There are even lots who love to camp at FW without even setting foot in a park. We pay more for our Premium campsite at FW then we would to stay at a value, and we prefer it. (Now, granted we have an RV with A/C, but there are plenty of tent campers at the fort...)

 

[mrzrich]

For the record, there are lots of us who love to camp. There are even lots who love to camp at FW without even setting foot in a park. We pay more for our Premium campsite at FW then we would to stay at a value, and we prefer it. (Now, granted we have an RV with A/C, but there are plenty of tent campers at the fort...)

Yes I am a FW lover, I camp there 2 or 3 times a year myself. But not in a tent for 2 days with 18+ hours of driving on both sides of that stay.

 

[mrzrich]

Florida in humid, hot and rainy.

April in Orlando:

Temperature
The month of April is characterized by rising daily high temperatures, with daily highs increasing from 80°F to 85°F over the course of the month, exceeding 91°F or dropping below 73°F only one day in ten.

Humidity
The relative humidity typically ranges from 41% (comfortable) to 94% (very humid) over the course of a typical April, rarely dropping below 27% (dry) and reaching as high as 100% (very humid).

The air is driest around April 26, at which time the relative humidity drops below 47%(comfortable) three days out of four; it is most humid around April 29, rising above 91% (very humid) three days out of four.


Precipitation
The average probability that some form of precipitation will be observed in a given day is 27%, with little variation over the course of the month.

Probability of Precipitation at Some Point in the Day in April

 

[kyomagi]

If you are driving i would stay more. The only reason The wife and I go for 3 nights when we are not there for 6 is because its stupid cheap to fly from Detroit. Spirit is $100 a round trip. its insane

 

[AJA]

We drive 9 hours and a 4 night stay is short but enjoyable. I would plan another day at the parks instead of Disney Springs and/or hoppers and just come back to the resort late in the afternoon to enjoy the pool.

 

[Tissa]

I just did a short 3 day trip with a 16 hour drive each way. We had a blast! If that is what you want to do, then go for it.

 

[VillainFavs]

I just did a short 3 day trip with a 16 hour drive each way. We had a blast! If that is what you want to do, then go for it.

But did you have two kids 4 and under, was it your first trip, and were you tent camping? I think it's a combination of all those factors together that's overwhelming!

 

[Jaime4004]

I'm in the minority but to me, a 14 hr drive can be done in one day (each way, obviously) so I would totally do it for a short trip. We have about a 24 hr drive, if it were only 14 i'd probably do it a lot more. But personally, there would have to be a hotel at the end of the drive, I'm not a camper