Hello from FW/WDW newbie

[Nature Mom]

Hi, I had a few questions that I wanted to ask and it seems like this board is the place to find out anything on FW.

First, I have to say I have never been to WDW and at my old age of almost 40, I thought it was high time to go for myself and my kids, who also have never been. We are very experienced campers, have camped in a number of manners throughout the years, so camping is something we enjoy very much. I am also conscious about money and feel like camping gives me the best bang for my buck and leaves me $$ in other ways. That being said, I am getting a HUGE amount of grief from friends by camping at WDW and not staying in one of the resorts. Am I missing something? Will it make the experience better if we were in a resort? I just hate spending money when I would rather be in as much nature as possible and not stuck in a room. For me, hotels are for romantic get-aways and girl trips, not to be stuck in there with 3 kids who want to argue over the tv channel. lol

I hear great things about the things you can do there at FW, so that, and the amount of money I saved by booking a site with my AAA discount reeled me in to FW and so we are set for Sept. 18-25, no matter what my friends say (most of them are the room service crowd anyway, though, so I need input from REAL campers, lol). Needless to say I am so stoked I have been stalking this board for days, reading and researching every aspect. Now the questions:

1st, Bikes or GC? We have bikes we can bring but depending on which vehicle I bring will also determine how much room I have to add bikes. My kids think the idea of a GC is awesome, but I saw something somewhere that said the rental was almost $500 a week! Is that correct? Wowser! Any suggestions?

2nd, no fires at all or just fires that are contained in a fire pit? I have a small portable, fully enclosed pit, but do I even need it? And if I do bring it, is there wood nearby for sale to replenish? No candles either? How are the bugs down there in September? Should I bring a zapper?

3rd, what else? Is there anything I should know specifically about camping here in FW that is different than camping anywhere else? Sorry if I am going about this all wrong and should have introduced myself somewhere else, but I am just ready to get right to it. lol Did I mention, I have NEVER been to Disney! LOL

Thanks for any input! -Dawn

 

[BradyBz12]

...I am getting a HUGE amount of grief from friends by camping at WDW and not staying in one of the resorts. Am I missing something?

Nope - they are!

... the idea of a GC is awesome, but I saw something somewhere that said the rental was almost $500 a week! Is that correct? Wowser! Any suggestions?

Disney cart rentals are super expensive but there are off-site companies that are a heck of a lot cheaper. Check out the GC thread for info.

2nd, no fires at all or just fires that are contained in a fire pit?

Depends on when you go. If drought conditions are in effect, it's no fires at all.

3rd, what else? Is there anything I should know specifically about camping here in FW that is different than camping anywhere else?

Yes, it's awesome! Where else can you roll out of your camper/tent hop on a boat and be at the MK in 12 minutes??

Seriously, keep trolling these boards, definitely check out the FAQ sticky, and give the search a whirl to turn up threads on specific topics. Loads of good info. here.


Oh and most importantly of all...

40 is not old!!!


Welcome to the camping boards!

 

[mikeymouse1]

Welcome to the Boards!The Fort Rocks! I have been camping here seance I was a kid almost forty years ago. I have stayed in five star accommodations on property and always wished I was at the Fort. As for your friends "There Just Jealous!". Next Fire is a no go bring the bikes and for bugs buy a ThermaCell to keep the mosquitoes at bay(not that they will be bad) To save money when we go we fix our meals at the camper. The only thing is we half to force our selves to go back to eat so we don't spend$$$$$$$$ Its very tempting to say we will just eat this meal in the park! When you go back and eat you also get a chance to kick back and relax. I hope y'all have a wonderful time!
Mike
Mikeymouse1

 

[freshlybarked]

The only other place I would rather stay is WL, however, we don't have the money (we have an RV instead) and most importantly they don't allow dogs. Having said that FW is the best resort for all kinds of great things. We always bring our bikes. Bikes can go a few places GC can't. Also it is a big $$$ savings. There are more things to do at FW than some of the other resorts. You can bike, swim, rent boats, play tennis, basketball, sit on the beach, learn the fine art of archery, watch the campfire movie, watch the fireworks from the beach as well as the electric water parade, ride horses, go to the arcade, eat, drink and be merry and probably many more things.

 

[phnguyk]

We've stayed in hotels and at the fort, and honestly we enjoy the fort much more! Its more relaxed and there's tons to do. That sounds contradicting but its true. If you want something to do, you'll never be bored at the fort, but at the same time it's sooooo realxing just hanging out at your site or cruising around.

I say a golfcart. Bikes are a good alternative, but the campground is faily large and you will be doing enough exercise around the parks that you won't want to pedal your way around the campground all the time. We have done it without either (the campground has internal transportation that fits the bill, but not quite as much fun

I haven't found a campground that is as nice as the fort (if anyone knows any that can compare please let me know, I'd love to try it out ).

Enjoy your trip and be rest assured you and your kids will love it and want to go back again and again just like the rest of us.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

You're going to have a great time if you stay at the Fort. The BEST time you can have at WDW, I think I can say! And with a name like Nature Mom, is there really any question on where you should stay?

 

[ob1quixote]

There is something special about that first morning boat ride to MK after spending the night at the best campground on earth.

 

[Disneylitch]

I definitely would recommend The Fort. We just came back from a 2 week stay. We were celebrating our 30th anniversary and I wouldn't want to stay anywhere else. There is much to do. You can ride bikes, swim in the newly reonvated pool, chip and dale singalong, outdoor movies everynight, and more. When you come back from the parks you can really relax and the kids can have fun too. That's not so easy in a hotel room. We always bring our own food. It saves us lots of money and we are on no one schedule but our own. If we want to visit the parks for extra magic hours and sleep in we can. We have a MH, but we have seen lots of tent campers with small refrigerators and AC's. Also the comfort stations are very clean. We never use the shower in our MH because we used the comfort station showers. We actually mounted an extra refrigerator in its place. Make sure you bring your bikes. We never rent a golf cart. We prefer to ride our bikes, but if your kids like the idea of a golf cart, you could always rent it for just a day and go looping. Your kids will love The Fort and you won't be disappointed.

 

[retired and happy]

You didn't say what type of camping you plan to do, but you will see everything from small tents to LARGE motorhomes. The camp site you get will depend on how you are traveling and what you want to be close to or away from. There are lists around here of suggestions on what to or not to bring. No candles, no citronella, no Tiki lamps. Happy camping. Ask questions if you don't find what you need to know.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Welcome to the Disboards!

A few quick points:

1. Regarding your "friends" who think you are crazy for not staying in a resort . . . Fort Wilderness is a resort. The official name for Fort Wilderness is Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. The Fort absolutely offers far more recreational activities and a nicer pool and splash area than any of the Value and Moderate resorts on WDW property (and I would argue that the Fort's amenities are better than those offered even at the Deluxe resorts- e.g. do you know that the Fort has two hot tubs, and the Polynesian resort has . . .zero? And, FW guest are entitled to all of the same privileges as all WDW resort guests (Free parking and Extra Magic Hours are the biggies).

2. Since you are an experienced camper from Georgia, I assume you have camped in the heat of Summer in Georgia? If so, be prepared for HEAT. It is hot in Florida in September. And humid. A lot of folks rig up air conditioners to their tents. You should look into that if you have not already.

3. Bring the Bikes! Looking at the age of your children, bikes would immensely improve their enjoyment of the Fort. You do not need a golf cart. But, do consider renting one for a day, as it is a fun activity, and will allow you to check out all that the Fort has to offer.

Have fun!

TCD

 

[Trophy Husband]

We stay at resorts and at the Fort. We will be at the WL next week, and at the Fort in December. Just decide what type of experience you want to have and book accordingly. Have the vacation that you want to have.

If you have bikes and are able to transport them, then I would suggest them as an inexpensive alternative to golf cart rental.

Leave the fire pit and citronella candles at home. There is a campfire and movie activity in the evenings behind the Meadows. My suggestion for the bugs would be that you bring DEET.

What is different about camping in Fort Wilderness is the support group. It starts here on these forums, and carries through with the campground staff during your stay. The amenities at Fort Wilderness are some of the best in the country. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask. Also, review some old threads for information. There are some members here who are really good at specific tent camping advice.

TH

 

[thegoofyfamily]

First, I have to say I have never been to WDW and at my old age of almost 40, I thought it was high time to go for myself and my kids, who also have never been.

Thanks for any input! -Dawn

As PPs have said, 40 is not old......coming from a very spry 42 year old. 40 is the new 20! DH is 46 and we all still get bitten by the magic on each and every trip!

You've got the camping thing down, just read all the information here and you'll be set. One trip to the Fort and you'll be hooked! Enjoy your planning!

 

[Lil' Lisa]

Of course you have made the right decision! Your friends are only trying lead you astray because they do not know any better! That is why it is better to rely on the advice from your fiends rather than from your friends. Given the choice of the Fort or any other Disney resort, I would choose the Fort every time. It looks like your other questions have already been covered, but one thing that you don't want to forget is your lime green ears! Otherwise how will the fiends find you to say hello. It looks like your trip will overlap with ours. We'll be looking for you!

I also agree with everyone else 40 is NOT old!!!

 

[Trackey79]

Of course you have made the right decision! Your friends are only trying lead you astray because they do not know any better! That is why it is better to rely on the advice from your fiends rather than from your friends. Given the choice of the Fort or any other Disney resort, I would choose the Fort every time. It looks like your other questions have already been covered, but one thing that you don't want to forget is your lime green ears! Otherwise how will the fiends find you to say hello. It looks like your trip will overlap with ours. We'll be looking for you!

I also agree with everyone else 40 is NOT old!!!

Okay, I keep reading about the "fiends" and lime green ears: can you explain? Can anyone get involved? And just where do I find some lime green ears?

 

[Judy in Texas]

Fort Fiend: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2474147&highlight=fort+fiends

Lime Green Mickey Ears: You make them. No two are exactly alike. The newest one I saw was part of a chalk board that the family made so others can leave them messages. They can be as simple as the lime green Micky paint chips from Home Depot. You could go to the craft store and buy a sheet of lime green paper in the scrapbooking section, cut it out in the shape of a Mickey head and laminate it. Lots of options.

See Trophy Husband's post above this one. He as lime green Mickey ears at the bottom of the post.

 

[MomofSixinSC]

Here is a thread about making lime green ears to post at your site: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2530393

 

[Trackey79]

Fort Fiend: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2474147&highlight=fort+fiends

Lime Green Mickey Ears: You make them. No two are exactly alike. The newest one I saw was part of a chalk board that the family made so others can leave them messages. They can be as simple as the lime green Micky paint chips from Home Depot. You could go to the craft store and buy a sheet of lime green paper in the scrapbooking section, cut it out in the shape of a Mickey head and laminate it. Lots of options.

See Trophy Husband's post above this one. He as lime green Mickey ears at the bottom of the post.

Thanks!

 

[Trackey79]

Here is a thread about making lime green ears to post at your site: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2530393

Thanks!

 

[Nature Mom]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome. I knew I had stumbled into the right place, lol.

More than likely we will be tent camping. We have a Cougar travel trailer, but my husband is not coming this trip and I don't like pulling it by myself. I am more comfortable in a tent anyway, he's the one that precipitated the camper purchase. lol (Although I do admit I love it in the winter and it makes food prep so easy!)

I don't have a small ac for the tent because I have never felt we needed one. We are never there in the hot part of the day, and in the evening turn on the fan and roll open the windows. We just did a 5 day hike-in trip at the 1st of August here in GA and it was hot and humid then, with every day in the mid 90s at least. Will it be worse there in Orlando than that? We can handle that but only to a point. lol

So, bikes are a yes and maybe the cart for a day or two. Sweet! No to fires, the one with Chip and Dale is better anyway. One question I forgot: Should I bring our kayak for the canals? I have a Loon I use on the 'Hooch all the time and down in coastal waters when we are at the beach, but I don't know how those canals are there. I see there is rentals but is that mandatory or can you bring your own?

I will definitely put some green ears up! Thanks for the info!

I am really so very excited about this trip. It is weird too, because it is more for my kids and the fact our new school calendar gives us a break in the off season, (and WWOHP), lol, that I made plans for this trip anyway. But now I am the most excited one! I know, 40 isn't old (I'm really only 38, I just FEEL ancient, lol) but those that hear I have never been are like "What?! You are almost 40 and you have never been?! Go. Go now." My youngest DD and I are planning to thru-hike the A.T. next year and she said we couldn't do that until we have done WDW, and that is how this whole trip began. LOL

Thanks again for the welcome and the advice, I am happy to get to know you all!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

We just did a 5 day hike-in trip at the 1st of August here in GA and it was hot and humid then, with every day in the mid 90s at least. Will it be worse there in Orlando than that?

Probably not. In fact, WDW in September may feel a bit cool to you.

One question I forgot: Should I bring our kayak for the canals? I have a Loon I use on the 'Hooch all the time and down in coastal waters when we are at the beach, but I don't know how those canals are there. I see there is rentals but is that mandatory or can you bring your own?

I have always heard no private watercraft allowed. I have seen an occasional private kayak at a campsite, but I have never seen anyone actually using one. Although I have not seen the rule in writing, I am sure that Disney does not want private watercraft in its waterways.

My youngest DD and I are planning to thru-hike the A.T. next year and she said we couldn't do that until we have done WDW, and that is how this whole trip began.

That is awesome! I presume you have read Bill Bryson's book A Walk in The Woods? If not, get ahold of a copy. It is hilarious! I have hiked parts of the AT, and have vaguely dreamed of a thru-hike. I hope you and your DD get to go!

Thanks again for the welcome and the advice, I am happy to get to know you all!

Hold on a second.

Are you a hippie?

If so, do you now, or have you ever, played the accordion?

Please anwser honestly.

This could be important.

TCD