I need suggestions for NON-park days!

[WannaBeAtDisney]

Hi! My family has been to Disney World every year to year and a half since my kids were born. My DS is 14 and DD almost 12. We've always stayed at an on-property hotel, most recently at Saratoga Springs. I think I may have convinced my DH to fly down in February from frigid Buffalo to WDW for a few days of tent camping at Ft. Wilderness. We've been to FW for the Hoop-Dee-Doo and Trail's End buffet, but never as a camper. I would like this vacation to be as if there were no parks, just camping.

It looked to us like FW was a fun place, but is there enough to do for 3 days without hitting the parks? Am I nuts to even consider tent camping in February? I think anything above 40 will feel like the tropics to us at that time of year anyway!

Any suggestions/stories would be appreciated SO MUCH. One last question: does anyone have any idea where we can rent a pop-up trailer in the WDW area, just in case my husband says no to the tents?

Thanks for your help!
- Katie

 

[2goofycampers]

There is plenty to do for 3 days. Take a look at these sites.

http://allears.net/acc/faq_fw.htm

http://www.title-3.com/FWFacts.htm

One thing not mentioned is riding a gof cart or bikes around to look at the lights and decorations the Rv's have on display.

 

[OK GRUMPY]

Theres plenty to do at the Fort rent a Golf Cart doing the wagon ride the movie, it can be very relaxing just hanging around the Fort and the kid seem to be able find fun things to do. This last trip we rode the Disney Tranportaion system. We went to Port Oreleans took the boat to DTD which is a nice boat ride then we went to HS took the boat to the Boardwalk. It was fun just seeing were you could go but not go to the parks.
As for tenting in Feb I think you should be fine. It might be cold at night but thats the best time in Florida to go camping is when it get a little chilly. CKelly she has alist and might be a great one to ask what to bring when your flying and tent camping.
Good Luck! I'm sure if you stay at FW you won't regret it!

 

[nessz79]

Easily you can spend 3 days out of parks.

Day1- could be to go to different resorts, eat at their restaurants, rent a boat, etc. Ride the monorail and ferries. Then come back to the Fort to do the campfire sing-a-long and movie afterwards.

Day 2- Go to DTD and take your time (and $, LOL, although if you have a strong will you'll be ok). Back to the Fort for a wagon ride.

Day 3- Just do Fort things. Not sure how swimmable it might be, but you can try that. Pony rides for little kids, horse rides for older kids/adults. Rent a golf cart. Rent a canoe with older children (although you could do it with younger children, I don't know if I would). Visit the ponies and horses at the "ranch", eat at Trails End or Hoop-de-doo Revue. End the night with the Electrical Water Pageant and fireworks.

We just went in August and I think we could easily go back for a 3 night trip and ONLY do non-park things.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

The pools are heated at the Fort( as others pools on Disney property) just be sure to keep a robe or towel handy in case its cool when you get out.

Fishing,,you can bring your own fishing equip. or you can rent fishing gear at the Fort, they also have worms. You can fish the canals and the lake but no fishing on the docks.

They also offer guided fishing excursion on the lake. These excursions are 2 hour trips, up to 5 people can go fishing and they provide everything you need to fish,,you just show up at the marina at your reservation time. The trip however is costly, BUT loads of fun and you just may catch a personal record Bass.

 

[Junebugwv]

We just came back from an 11-night stay at the Cabins and I thought I would reply since the boys with us were 15, 15 and 11. They enjoyed exploring outside. The little lizards were a source of interest to them. They searched for them for quite a while and enjoyed watching them. I would suggest allowing them to take a camera with them on a bus ride and let them get on and off whenever they wanted when something caught their interest. Ours did most of the things mentioned here: campfire, travel to DD with a boat ride back to POFQ, a meal there and a bus ride back to the Fort. They enjoyed going to the marina to watch the fireworks, too.

Since it was warm, they swam quite a bit, but I do not know what the weather will be like in Feb. Mine would take long sleeve "UnderArmor" shirts and enjoy the water. I noticed that biking was a great activity that many enjoyed.

You could take a boat ride or walk to the Wilderness Lodge and take a tour of that place.

 

[lisa8200]

The last NO PARK day that we had we went over to Downtown Disney for Disneyquest. It is a little pricey but, we think it is worth it. If you are not familiar with it it is easy to search for( Google ). basically, it is a multi-floor game room and activity building that has something for everyone. all game and activity cost are covered under the cost of admission. There is a place to eat on one floor and you can also leave and come back during the same day. This gives the option of exploring downtown disney our eating at one of the restaurants there. This in no way changes my opinion that there is plenty to do within Fort Wilderness but, it is another option.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

The last NO PARK day that we had we went over to Downtown Disney for Disneyquest. It is a little pricey but, we think it is worth it. If you are not familiar with it it is easy to search for( Google ). basically, it is a multi-floor game room and activity building that has something for everyone. all game and activity cost are covered under the cost of admission. There is a place to eat on one floor and you can also leave and come back during the same day. This gives the option of exploring downtown disney our eating at one of the restaurants there. This in no way changes my opinion that there is plenty to do within Fort Wilderness but, it is another option.