How many full (no park) days would you recommend for a first time fort visitor?

[discorsner]

We have stayed at WDW many times but never at the Fort!

We are thinking of adding a quick trip in where we stay at the Fort a few days and don't even go to the parks. We just want to explore the fort and it's offerings. We would want to swim in the pool some and probably would at least head out of the fort to wander around some different resorts or go to DTD or a character meal.

How many days would you suggest for a first time fort visitor?

What fort activities would be musts?

Thanks everyone!

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

I can't honestly say I've ever gone to WDW with no park days -- but I know others here have done so. Hopefully, they'll be able to give you more specific guidance. I'd say it really depends on your interests and inclinations. (not particularly helpful, huh?)

For kids, the pool and horseback riding is fun. The marshmallow roast and movies are too. We always make a point of watching Wishes and the Water Parade from the beach.

Typically on one our our trips, we have two days out of six or seven that we just hang out. We take some pictures, sleep in, eat a leisurely breakfast at Trails End, do some swimming, and generally just veg out. Very relaxing.

 

[CCIntrigue]

Who is "we"? Do you have children?

If so, two full days at the fort is enough ... without kids, I'd be bored with more than one day at the fort without the parks. Personally, when we had the kids with us we never went a day without visiting at least one park. Fort Wilderness is great for afternoon breaks, but I wouldn't ever go there just as a destination unto itself.

 

[NHcampers]

We have spent 3 weeks at the fort and only visited parks 3 days. We always bring bikes and ride to Wilderness Lodge. You can also take boat to Contemporary and take monorail to resorts. With pool and evening movies and many activities you can easy spend several days and wishing you had more time.

 

[2goofycampers]

We stayed 14 nights and visited parks only 3 days and never got bored. So I say as many days as you can spare but at least 2 full days and nights. The fireworks, electric water pageant, hay ride, loop through all the sites to look at the decorations, campfire/movie are some musts.

 

[thegooftroopfla]

yeah i agree. i have spent 12 days there and only went to 3 parks. there is just to much to do. and we have been thre countless times when we just want to hang around. it is a great campground to just chill.

 

[blessedwithfour]

We have stayed at FW for 7 days with our 4 children and not visited any other resorts or parks. They are 12, 12, 12, and 10 now and we are going for 10 days in April and are only doing two park days. They always find things to do and I love just relaxing there. Great place!

 

[Joe's Girls]

We've been going to the Fort every year for the last 12 years. We usually stay 8 days and do 1 or 2 days at a park. There is so much to do at the Fort, we always wish we can stay longer.

 

[Sunshine1987]

We just returned from 5 days at the Fort (in a cabin) with only 1 park day. To be honest, MK was sooooo crowded that my kids would have been just as happy to stay at the Fort. Almost every few minutes since we have returned my youngest has asked when are we going back to Fort Wilderness!

We enjoyed the campground so much. We ended up renting a golf cart (or a "mini jeep" as my 6 year old called it). The highlight of the trip!!! We went to the campfire/sing-a-long/movie twice during our stay. We ate at Wilderness Lodge and walked back on the nature trail (really nice walk). We also spent a day at DTD but came back to the fort and ate dinner at Trails End buffet (which was pretty decent too). One night we took blankets, got our hot chocolate from the trading post, then watched the MK fireworks and light parade from the beach! We also swam at the pool 2 afternoons. My kids loved the pool/play area and slide too. I think 5 days at the Fort without park tickets would have been fine! If we had more time we might have done the archery or canoes (my kids asked to do both).

Have fun! Wish we were headed back to the Fort soon. It was wonderful!

 

[stillh2o]

Last year we stayed at the Fort for 6 months only went to the parks mybe 15 times

 

[dudelydude]

This really sounds like a matter of personal preference. I have not been to the Fort yet (first visit is in Aug), but I know that I could not spend multiple, consecutive days there. At this point in my life (I'm 40), I need to be at a park at least every other day. In my past trips to WDW, my off-park days are spent relaxing, but relaxing for me is touring other resorts, strolling at DTD (and on this next trip), doing stuff at the Fort.