Help with a good 'touring plan' for FW in December, pls.

[klam_chowder]

In an attempt to slow down my commando style touring, I'd like to spend part of a day exploring FW. I've heard so many wonderful things about it!

I'll either have a late start day and go to FW and do the segway tour then onto the MVMCP, or spend the morning at DTD and the afternoon at FW and do the HDDR.

I'd like to "loop" - check out the fab campsites decorated for the holidays. Is it better to do that in the daytime or when it's dark out?

Take the wagon tour or rent bikes?

I'm also considering taking the segway tour:

• does the tour include checking out the campsite loops?
  
• does anyone know what time the 2nd segway tour is? - I've seen 11am and 11:30am listed. It looks like the BBQ Pavillion where the tour starts (& I'm guessing the tour ends) is quite close to Trails End. Is it true that it is quick to get from one to the other?
  
• I ask as I'd like to eat lunch there after the tour but lunch is listed 11:30am to 2pm. If the tour ends at 1:30, will we be out of luck with lunch (i.e., they close the buffet/only dregs left at 2pm or is 2pm the last reservation/seating)?

If we don't do the segway tour, I'm considering doing the HDDR while we are there. If we arrive for a late breakfast at TE, will there be enough for us to do at FW until the 7:15 pm show?

After the show, I'd like to take the boat back to TTC (and hopefully catch the fireworks while on the boat) and take the monorail back to Epcot; we'll likely be staying in an Epcot area hotel.

DH & I will be there mid-December and will only have 1 day for each of the 4 parks, and 1 "spare" day to do something extra (e.g., FW)...what do you suggest? Any input much appreciated!

cheers,

 

[ftwildernessrick]

OK, here's my suggestion, and this may be a little one sided, since I like the Fort.

Do the Segway in the morning at FW at 8:30, this way you can see it in the daylight; or just rent the bikes & do the self guided thing.(http://allears.net/btp/tours.htm#wild) If you arrive early before the Segway tour begins, eat at Trails End, it is full breakfast buffet, or eat after the Segway.

After you see the Fort in the daytime, go to DTD and enjoy the late morning & afternoon there. Return to FW & do the 5:00 HDDR. When that is over, head over to the campfire program, it usually starts at 7:00 that time of year, and do that. If you stay through the whole thing, including the movie, head down to FW landing, catch the electic light flotilla, and watch the MK fireworks from there (music is 'piped in' from MK). Sometime after it is dark, even after the fireworks, check the loops out with the decorations now lighted.

I don't know if the tour goes the same route all the time, I think I have seen them go different routes, but not sure. The Segway does start by the bike barn, which is next to the campfire program area and behind the Meadow Trading Post.

I would schedule MVMCP on a different day.

 

[motherwild]

There are two boats from FW the bigger boat goes to MK and the other Contemporary Resort & Wilderness lodge. You can get the monorail at the Contemporary. to th TTC.
Just another idea is to check out some of the resorts lobbys. We were at the fort last Dec. We went to the GF and saw a demonstration on the ginger bread house. There was a gingerbread tree at the Contemorary.
The decorations at the fort are amazing. Some people go all out.

 

[Shan-man]

Agreed, the campsite décor is a lot less impressive during the day than it is at dusk or later. During the day some sites that are spectacular at night look kinda trashy (dare I say?). If the choice is between the Segway Tour or the HDDR, my vote is solidly for the HDDR... it's cheaper, lasts longer, is very entertaining, good food, and BOTTOMLESS BEER. And it works better with an evening touring plan. Rick's plan is good, except I would skip the movie and do some looping between the end of the Sing-a-long and the fireworks. If you wait to tour after you might miss some of the better displays, CastleDave's comes to mind, since it is set to a soundtrack and has to comply with quiet-hours. PM me and I'll tell you where you can borrow a cart for an hour (for a small consideration). There are a couple of folks who do this, but they would prefer to keep the practice on the down-low.

 

[klam_chowder]

Thx a mint all for your detailed replies to my long post!

ftwildernessrick: Sorry, I should have mentioned we'll be relying on Disney transportation so have to take the later segway tour as the earlier one relies on us getting ourselves there. Your ideas on things to do before the dark looping are great

motherwild: much appreciate the info on the boats as I wasn't really sure how to get back to the Epcot area

Shan-man: the idea of checking out the loops after the campfire...if we stayed for the movie I'm afraid other's kids would run from the zzzz's coming from DH's direction

This info really helps me cobble together my 5-day split stay: 2/cruise/3

cheers,

 

[5stljayhawks]

Klamchow,

The wife and I went to the HDR in feb. Pretty fun, but we both thought for our fam 6,4,2, we would skip the HDR and allocate the funds for something else more kids targeted. Once they get a little order 10,8,6 or so then we would go. Nothing bad in the show, just there would be other things like character breakfast or lunch dinner or princess/pirate dress up.

The segway do go through some of the loops(100) and not sure about others, saw it with my own eyes. I think Sha and others have it right, you want to make sure you go through at night.

You can easly walk at least 4-6 loops that are up front by the marina. 100-300 then there are a few more on the other side of the road. Google FW maps and you will see what I am speaking about.

 

[klam_chowder]

5stljayhawks, thx a mint for the additional info and good to know DH & I sans kiddos will probably enjoy HDDR too!

cheers,