How many days should I keep open for the campground?

[natshaul]

I am throwing out all kinds of questions here! I wondered if a little time here and there before/after parks is enough, or should I reserve an entire day to spend at the campground? I think on check-in day we will skip the parks and spend the evening setting up/wandering around, but I dont want to miss the great stuff that the campground has to offer....I have never camped disney, and have only done a resort.....clueless!

 

[clkelley]

We are VERY frequent travelers, so we spend MORE time at the campground than we do at the parks, but depending on the length of your trip, I would allow at least 1 full day at the campground.

 

[Disneylitch]

We don't go into the parks on arrival day either. When are you coming? If it is summer, you will definitely use the pool alot. In December, you will need time to see all of the Christmas decorations. This is better done at night. I haven't been in October, but I have been told that there are alot of decorations then also. We usually don't take days per say to spend at the campgrounds. We just got back and it was very hot. Not complaining, so we used the pool in the afternoon and rode our bikes in the morning. We didn't go into the parks until about 4 and stayed to closing. We picked the park that had extra magic hours and that is the park that we did. On the night that Animal Kingdom has extra magic hours, you can go to the campfire and movies. There is never enough time to do everything. We drive from Maryland, about 1000 miles, so we like to make the best of everything.

 

[natshaul]

Hmmmmm. I was there last year, did most of the parks twice, did the MVMCP and all the parades and such......maybe I could do 1 day at each park (except of course 2 days at MK), and 1 day at the campground. Arriving on a Friday, leaving on a Friday.....decisions!

 

[natshaul]

Next year, arriving day after Thanksgiving. Same week I went last year....perfect because it's hot during the day, and cooler at night, and all the Christmas decs are up!

 

[jriae2000]

It is nice to unwind from the drive the day you arrive. We usually spend the last night at the parks as late as pos. So, we stay an extra day before leaving to pack slowly and see all the sights one last time. Just dont like getting up and rushing to leave.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Your idea of arrival-day is a good one.
2) But, remember, FW is a TRUE CAMPGROUND.
3) It is not just RV parking for Disney parks.
. . . biking
. . . pools
. . . basketball, volleyball
. . . hiking
. . . canoeing
. . . beach play
. . . boating
. . . visting and talking to neighbors
. . . etc
4) You might find that you spend 50%-parks and 50%-campgrounds.
5) Or, even more campgrounds.

NOTE: Some of above acitivites require fees.

 

[Goofy-dad]

Depending on how little your children are, we try to have a "down" day every other day. We usually do a full day at a park, (open till close), take a day off to relax, do another day at a different park, take a day off to relax...etc.
The kids really don't mind, since they can find enough to do with swimming, biking etc... and we go to Downtown Disney to shop on one or two of those "off" days. So we are never at a loss for things to do.

We go with the one-day pass, not the park hopper, so that may change things for you.

We just find that with 3 little ones (5, 8, and 9) that they are exhausted after 1 full day, that the day to recover before we do it again works great for us!

Good Luck, and have a great time!

 

[doombuqqy]

We were there for a week in Feb ( we go every Feb and multiple times a year)and didn't go to the parks once, I love just being at the Fort. But the first day is a great idea to set up and enjoy yourselves.

 

[mikeymouse1]

We go to the parks about four times a year; and we always stay at the Fort. We also have family in the Orlando area and stay several more times a year with out park visits. The kids both pre teens both enjoy hanging out at the campgrounds

 

[beagles7278]

Next year, arriving day after Thanksgiving. Same week I went last year....perfect because it's hot during the day, and cooler at night, and all the Christmas decs are up!

Hello there fellow Michigander. We will also be there next year, planning on arriving the same day as you. We usually plan a day at the campround every other day or so, but our kids are younger so we try to keep it somewhat tame.

How were the crowds when you were they last year the week after Thanksgiving? We have never been at this time so we are hoping for light crowds.

 

[natshaul]

Hi back Michigander! My kids are younger too...3 and 6 right now. When we were there last year, it was a bit crowded because of the free dining. We had planned that trip for over a year, and then towards the end the free dining came out and everything got a buzzin! In my opinion, and from talking to others....I feel this is the best week to go. Rates are generally cheaper that week, and you have not yet got the Christmas rush but all the decorations are up....bugs aren't bad...days are warm enough for shorts/swimming and nights are sweatshirt weather which we love. Plus, Thanksgiving and the day after are holidays where I work as a Probation Officer, so I don't have to include them as time off! Works perfect! We requested loop 1700....keep in touch over the next year and we will hook up!