bama_ed
It's kind of fun to do the impossible-Walt Disney
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2004
- Messages
- 13,676
Got back from 8 nights at FW on Friday June 2. Although this was my 10th trip to FW, my thanks to those on this board for the advice I picked up in preparation. Here are some impressions:
Pulled a pop-up from Alabama: a Jayco 12HW with Chrysler T&C van with tow package. Me, DW, 2 DS, and and 1 DD. Got about 16 mpg. Went down I-75 in South Georgia and had a bad episode in a Tifton gas station where there were too many cars, no room to turn around, no vacant pumps, oh it was terrible. Took about 20 minutes to sort out. After that I didn't look for the cheapest gas, but a station with plenty of space is worth an extra penny or two!
First real opportunity to use the prorac bicycle rack on the front of my pup. Took a while to get front wheels off, load on the front with the rear wheel resting on my storage box, and strap them down. However, it was a pleasure riding them around FW and over to WL. Since we have 5 bikes in the family, this solution works fine. I did not want to put holes in the roof so the prorac was a good solution.
Checked into FW about 3pm. Had requested loop 900 in my ressie and also faxed a request 4 days before arrival. Lo and behold, got site 928. This time I wanted location, Location, LOCATION. Easy access to Meadow Trading post, campfire/movie, pool, etc. Short walk, no bad bus noise, short walk to shower house. Put up a 10x10 standalone screen room over the picnic table for extra space and bike coverage in rain.
Bought a FW spare tire cover at the Trading Post (TP)! They had 28- and 30-inch sized available at the same price ($50 plus tax). They have a black background. I put it on right away but covered it with my standard Jayco cover for the drive home (the temptation might be too great for some). They also had big FW beach towel with the coonskin cap Mickey (and walking stick, no more musket, so PC) on sale half price for $10. Saw several of those at the pool.
Bought groceries at the Winn Dixie Marketplace on Hwy 535. Take a left out of the FW entrance, follow the road through two lights, one 4-way stop, to a T with Apopka-Vineland road. They have finally finished 4-laning this road. Turn right, go down to Hwy 535, turn left, and WD is about 3 blocks down on the right. Took 8 minutes from the FW entrance and avoids most of the traffic on 535. It keeps you away from the Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island/Lake Buena Vista traffic. I loved it - so convenient. After we set up we went to WD, got some fried chicken from the deli, some garlic mashed potatoes to microwave, and green beans - it was so good.
Went to the campfire 3 nights. First night Ms. Sundee did the sing-along with Chip & Dale. She still has the same great enthusiasm and she is a favorite of the kids. To them the campfire is C&D and Ms. Sundee. It appeared she had slowed down some and had a little more trouble walking but it wouldn't be the same without her. The second night another lady did it (not as good as Ms. Sundee). The movie was "National Treasure", which I forgot how much fun the movie was. The third night the kids wanted to cook hot dogs over the fire and marshmellows so we waited till "Herbie 2" or whateveritscalled started before we pulled out the dogs.
No more pheasants walking around but there is a female turkey roaming around loop 900. Saw it up close on two different occasions walking among the campsites. It was spooked easily. Plus so many bunnies, a turtle, and 4 deer on an early morning bike ride on the exercise trail to WL. Did a pony ride for DD too at $4.
Of the 7 days we were there we had 2 full days to relax around FW, plus a day at Blizzard Beach, and a day in all 4 parks. Parks were crowded but with prudent FastPass management never stood in line for more than 15 minutes. We got to the parks early each day which helped. I know this is a camping board so that's all I'll say on crowds/parks. Weather was 90/70 and got hot by end of the trip. Rained fast, hard, and briefly during supper on second day there, then nothing until day 7 (mid-day brief showers) which then evaporate with wilting humidity. The rest of the time was no rain. The canals and lake by the TP was low, about 3-4 feet lower. No one was renting canoes or peddle boats.
I rented a pontoon boat at the FW marina on one morning of our off days wich was pleasant. The cost is $42/half-hour so I paid about $70 for 50 minutes. I puttered around Bay Lake, through the channel by the Contemporary and into the Seven Seas lagoon. Circled by the Magic Kingdom, GF, Poly, looped around again one more time, then back through the channel. I would recommend it for a relaxing change of pace (though they restrict top speed pretty severely).
Finally, did Hoop De Doo for the first time ever and it was great. Finally bit the bullet on the cost but after I thought about it $50 for an adult includes all the chicken and ribs plus sides I could eat, tax+tip, all the Bud Lite I wanted, plus a fun, entertaining show. I think it is an excellant value plus convenient to us campers. We did the 5 pm show so we could do the campfire afterward. It lasted almost 2hours 15minutes.
I could go on and on (I feel like I have). Thanks for the help to all!
Bama Ed
Pulled a pop-up from Alabama: a Jayco 12HW with Chrysler T&C van with tow package. Me, DW, 2 DS, and and 1 DD. Got about 16 mpg. Went down I-75 in South Georgia and had a bad episode in a Tifton gas station where there were too many cars, no room to turn around, no vacant pumps, oh it was terrible. Took about 20 minutes to sort out. After that I didn't look for the cheapest gas, but a station with plenty of space is worth an extra penny or two!
First real opportunity to use the prorac bicycle rack on the front of my pup. Took a while to get front wheels off, load on the front with the rear wheel resting on my storage box, and strap them down. However, it was a pleasure riding them around FW and over to WL. Since we have 5 bikes in the family, this solution works fine. I did not want to put holes in the roof so the prorac was a good solution.
Checked into FW about 3pm. Had requested loop 900 in my ressie and also faxed a request 4 days before arrival. Lo and behold, got site 928. This time I wanted location, Location, LOCATION. Easy access to Meadow Trading post, campfire/movie, pool, etc. Short walk, no bad bus noise, short walk to shower house. Put up a 10x10 standalone screen room over the picnic table for extra space and bike coverage in rain.
Bought a FW spare tire cover at the Trading Post (TP)! They had 28- and 30-inch sized available at the same price ($50 plus tax). They have a black background. I put it on right away but covered it with my standard Jayco cover for the drive home (the temptation might be too great for some). They also had big FW beach towel with the coonskin cap Mickey (and walking stick, no more musket, so PC) on sale half price for $10. Saw several of those at the pool.
Bought groceries at the Winn Dixie Marketplace on Hwy 535. Take a left out of the FW entrance, follow the road through two lights, one 4-way stop, to a T with Apopka-Vineland road. They have finally finished 4-laning this road. Turn right, go down to Hwy 535, turn left, and WD is about 3 blocks down on the right. Took 8 minutes from the FW entrance and avoids most of the traffic on 535. It keeps you away from the Downtown Disney/Pleasure Island/Lake Buena Vista traffic. I loved it - so convenient. After we set up we went to WD, got some fried chicken from the deli, some garlic mashed potatoes to microwave, and green beans - it was so good.
Went to the campfire 3 nights. First night Ms. Sundee did the sing-along with Chip & Dale. She still has the same great enthusiasm and she is a favorite of the kids. To them the campfire is C&D and Ms. Sundee. It appeared she had slowed down some and had a little more trouble walking but it wouldn't be the same without her. The second night another lady did it (not as good as Ms. Sundee). The movie was "National Treasure", which I forgot how much fun the movie was. The third night the kids wanted to cook hot dogs over the fire and marshmellows so we waited till "Herbie 2" or whateveritscalled started before we pulled out the dogs.
No more pheasants walking around but there is a female turkey roaming around loop 900. Saw it up close on two different occasions walking among the campsites. It was spooked easily. Plus so many bunnies, a turtle, and 4 deer on an early morning bike ride on the exercise trail to WL. Did a pony ride for DD too at $4.
Of the 7 days we were there we had 2 full days to relax around FW, plus a day at Blizzard Beach, and a day in all 4 parks. Parks were crowded but with prudent FastPass management never stood in line for more than 15 minutes. We got to the parks early each day which helped. I know this is a camping board so that's all I'll say on crowds/parks. Weather was 90/70 and got hot by end of the trip. Rained fast, hard, and briefly during supper on second day there, then nothing until day 7 (mid-day brief showers) which then evaporate with wilting humidity. The rest of the time was no rain. The canals and lake by the TP was low, about 3-4 feet lower. No one was renting canoes or peddle boats.
I rented a pontoon boat at the FW marina on one morning of our off days wich was pleasant. The cost is $42/half-hour so I paid about $70 for 50 minutes. I puttered around Bay Lake, through the channel by the Contemporary and into the Seven Seas lagoon. Circled by the Magic Kingdom, GF, Poly, looped around again one more time, then back through the channel. I would recommend it for a relaxing change of pace (though they restrict top speed pretty severely).
Finally, did Hoop De Doo for the first time ever and it was great. Finally bit the bullet on the cost but after I thought about it $50 for an adult includes all the chicken and ribs plus sides I could eat, tax+tip, all the Bud Lite I wanted, plus a fun, entertaining show. I think it is an excellant value plus convenient to us campers. We did the 5 pm show so we could do the campfire afterward. It lasted almost 2hours 15minutes.
I could go on and on (I feel like I have). Thanks for the help to all!
Bama Ed
We will be pulling our Coleman popup down from Atlanta and taking our time to get there and back.
