Help for a Needie newbie

[geishagirl81]

Ok so I am sure you get tons of new ppl pleaing for advice. I am sorry to be among the masses It is just that I FINALLY got my dh to agree to a vacation in Florida, and I want to do a little bit of Disney. But I am only into one hour of internet research and I am hyperventalating.



So my scenario: we'd be on a budget. A strict budget $1K to 1.5K including travel. We will be drivining from OH. We are planning on going in mid August due to the lower rates on a partial hook-up site and I'd get into a park for free on my birthday. We'd have a 2.5 year-old and a nine month old. It would be our first trip to Disney and will be going to the Kingdom one day and then taking advantage of the campground and other nonadmission activities at the resort on another day. Maybe SeaWorld? It will be our first big camping trip. Dh and I have camped with borrowed gear for a night or two, but we recently went all out and spent $$ on our own new gear. (Target had a 75% off blowout on camping stuff).

So do any of you seasoned Fort Wilderness pros have any tips and advice? I am also looking through MouseSavers. What is there to do at the resort that is free? Any tips on camping there in general? AM I COMPLETELY CRAZY, LOL? ? Really anything useful will be a help to me. I am freaking out.

 

[Shan-man]

Rather than write you a novel, let me refer you to the FAQ (click me). Read that and then come back with any remaining questions.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

And a BIG OL'WELCOME

Shan's right...TONS of useful info on the FAQ page...well organized by the thread Moderator Scott. and ..NO...a resounding..NO...you're NOT crazy at all....the Fort has TONS of free activities that will make an inexpensive vacation seem like its a million dollar blow out!!

 

[LONE-STAR]

If you are tenting it in August you will need a small A/C unit in that tent. You are not crazy. There are lots of great things to do at FW. Every night there is a campfire and movie outside, swimming, you can watch fire works from the beach, and there is a light parade on the water every night that you can watch at the marina. Don't forget to bring bikes FW is a great place to ride.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

True LoneStar...but if an A/C unit puts you past what you can fit into your budget...a well placed fan would suffice just fine. Plus, plenty of visits to the, by then, newly renovated pool with new slide will help keep you cool.

 

[geishagirl81]

Thanx I will go through the FAQs page. I didn't see it before. We will be tenting. It's pretty big. 2 rooms and tall enough to stand in. (we're really tall). But no a/c just a box fan and a couple of those Coleman tent fans.

I am sure that I will come back with lots of more questions. TIA.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Bring it on, girl...thats what we're here for!

 

[geishagirl81]

Do the parks let you bring in sealed drinks etc?

are there any promos for the campground ever? we'll be going off-peak.

should we do 2 disney parks or go to seaworld? if 2 disney parks then is it cheaper to buy both days at once? i will have 1 day free. (my b-day)

a strictly camping question. we have one of those 7 day coolers. should i freeze the hotdogs and burger patties though? i have never camped in roasting temperatures before and I do not know how the cooler will preform.

TIA. I know I will have more Q's if anyone is up to answering them.

 

[geishagirl81]

oh another q- has anyone bought the orlando entertainment book, and if so is it worth it?

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I wouldnt waste time on Seaworld or any other theme park..your disney ticket prices get cheaper the more days you buy, and the other theme parks are always a little disappointing after a Disney park. I would highley Suggest 2 days in Disney Parks..at least one Magic Kingdom day, and one at Hollywood Studios...Hollywood Studios has alot of kid friendly shows that are held INSIDE (with air conditioning) as well as a few outside shows.

A 7 day cooler will keep your thawed burgers and hotdogs safe for at least 4 days, I would think. If frozen...youve got no worries other than making sure they are thawed in time for cooking.

The Orlando Entertainment Book is great if you've got money to spend outside of Disney...really good for some discounts at restaraunts near disney.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Do the parks let you bring in sealed drinks etc?

are there any promos for the campground ever? we'll be going off-peak.

should we do 2 disney parks or go to seaworld? if 2 disney parks then is it cheaper to buy both days at once? i will have 1 day free. (my b-day)

a strictly camping question. we have one of those 7 day coolers. should i freeze the hotdogs and burger patties though? i have never camped in roasting temperatures before and I do not know how the cooler will preform.

TIA. I know I will have more Q's if anyone is up to answering them.

Yes, you can take drinks and food into the parks. Great way to save major $$$$.

Promos for tent camping are non exsistent. The best I've done is get reservations thru AAA. They often times beat Disney's rates. After the first week of Aug. you will be in Value Season, which means the kids are back in school.

It probably will be less money to go to Sea World.

I would freeze those items as you can thaw them out in about 30 seconds in Florida during August. There is ice available at every Comfort Station aka restrooms, so you can keep things iced down.

Keeping em coming.....

 

[geishagirl81]

yeah i read mousesavers review on sea world. according to them, since the free beer pavilion is closed, it is no longer worth it. i am science teacher though, so the park seemed interesting. plus i was there as a kid in florida and the sea world that was here near home in ohio. oh well, we plan on going to cape kennedy, i should get me nerd fix there, lol! as a kid i loved that place better than the magic kingdom!

omg i am sooo happy that we can bring food and drinks in the park! my dh drinks coke-cola like it's going out of style, he'd cost me $50 a day to buy it from the park!

 

[geishagirl81]

not the right discussion board i am sure, but since you all ae so nice so far, another question. admission- my son will be 2 years and 6 months. will he get in free? do i need a birth certificate. (he is TALL, me and dh are over 6 feet ourselved) TIA

 

[BradyBz12]

Yup - under 3 is still free!
Unlikely they'll give you any trouble on his age, but if you wanted to be on super safe side, you can bring along a certified copy of his birth certificate.

 

[geishagirl81]

thanks i love free!

I read the fact guide, but here's another- Hoop De Doo or Backyard BBQ? Which is better. I am leaning towards Hoop included beer, lol.

 

[2goofycampers]

HDDR is better by far.

 

[geishagirl81]

thanx

 

[BigDaddyRog]

lol...this is a Q that can only get you opinions as answers......Ive done the BackyardBBQ with 4 daughters...wasnt HORRIBLE...but I will never feel the need to do it again. I havent done the Hoop yet...but like you said...FREE BEER & WINE is a definate plus...and from all of the opinions Ive heard here...the show is much more entertaining thaan what I witnessed at the BYBBQ....I couldnt wait to get outta that mess!!!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

G'mornin' Denise!!!

 

[Grumpy92]

Definitely, the Hoop de doo. Best show and longest running in the world.
AAA really has the best discounts unless you are willing to buy an Ap. Since you are on a budget I wouldnt suggest that. The Trails End is a very good value. For meals consider sit down lunches as that saves you money. The menu is pretty much the same but the prices cheaper. Try to stay away from purchasing the items at the Trading post because the groceries do have disney prices.
As for parks Mk and AK might be the best for you. Sea World is nice but I think you will be stretching it with too much to do. When you get to FW you are going to find that there is so much to do there. The stables, the petting farm, the nightly campfire movie with chip and dale. We love to go sit on the porch at PH and people watch or just ride the boat launch to CR/WL or MK. I know you are going to love this resort and have a magical time.

You also might want to go to the Disboards Dis Unplugged podcast. You can listen to it on the computer too. The group just did a visit to FW and did a great review. It will really help you. it will be the Feb 4th podcast.