Just back from 8 nights at the Fort

[Befferk]

Just back from 8 days at the Fort (and 3 at Key West). Being from Wisconsin, I thought the week (5/7 - 5/15) was VERY hot and humid, so much that I almost didn't enjoy it . The campground (our loop anyway) had very few campers compared to what I expected. But it was very peaceful. We were in loop 1400 and there was never more than 5-8 other campers in the entire loop.

My 4 year old had a blast, but I was exhausted trying to do everything. The drive was a bear. Especially on the way back since we were coming from Key West. 39.5 straight hours in the truck = not fun. We had to stop a lot to let our 4 year old burn off energy, get fuel, and eat our meals. We didn't want to burn up an extra night on the way there and back to stay over half way, and it was very hard to do it straight through because my husband had a VERY hard time trying to sleep in the truck when it was my turn to drive. He just couldn't get comfortable. We did stop for about 2 hours each way at a truck stop to sleep when we were both tired at night.

Overall it was a great experience, just overwhelming. Definitely needed more time to see everything. I had everything planned out, but we had to work around our 4 year old's wants and needs too. I am glad to be back home actually. The heat and the crowds of people (and the insane way they drive there) made me appreciate where I live

Will try to get some pictures posted soon.

Beth

 

[Gillian]

Are they still doing canal work in the 1400 loop? It was practically empty when we were there in April (except for the weekend we were leaving).

I'm glad you had fun! Lookoing forward to the pictures!

 

[John VN]

The canal around the 1400 loop looks like it did back in the '80s. Nice and clean only problem is water level is way down. Not much water left under bridge by Meadows.

Got back yesterday and was very happy to see the improvement.

They are currently pumping water out of the east canal into Bay Lake.

 

[Gunner]

Befferk, Just curious, what type of camping were you doing? I assume you were either in a TT or a 5er. and what is your tow vehicle? Would you do this trip again? The reason I am asking is that I am thing about pulling our TT to FW in the spring, but want to know other midwesterners thougts on doing so.

 

[Befferk]

Befferk, Just curious, what type of camping were you doing? I assume you were either in a TT or a 5er. and what is your tow vehicle? Would you do this trip again? The reason I am asking is that I am thing about pulling our TT to FW in the spring, but want to know other midwesterners thougts on doing so.

Hi there. We have a 27 foot travel trailer. We pull it with a 2004 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Diesel. Pulling the camper was fine, this trip was only my 2nd time driving w/the camper and I did at least 1/2 of the driving over the entire 4300 miles. Most of the time I didn't even know the camper was back there.

I don't know if I would do it again though because of the time involved, and we even went straight through. We didn't stop for more than an hour or 2 at a time. It was just very draining. I think it was worth it for our circumstances this time though. My son liked having his own stuff and his camper, I am terrified of flying, and we saved money by cooking most of our meals. And I really wanted to camp right on the water down in Key West.

Beth

 

[auntie]

Boy..if you thought May was hot and humid..you'd really HATE August! We used to vacation at that time of year for quite a few years. Our last two trips were in May, and we thought the weather was great. Much less humid than August. Glad you had a good time.

 

[Befferk]

Boy..if you thought May was hot and humid..you'd really HATE August! We used to vacation at that time of year for quite a few years. Our last two trips were in May, and we thought the weather was great. Much less humid than August. Glad you had a good time.

I'm not sure if anyone else on here can verify, but I was told by a couple people there that it was much more unseasonably hot and humid than normal, so maybe that was the problem Any Key West was 90+% humidity when we got there. Either way, you won't catch me down there any time from May-Sept any time in the future, just to be sure

Beth

 

[cruisinbeagle]

We have travelled cross country twice in the past to Fort Wilderness towing our 24" trailer with a Suburban and plan to do it again next May. We love to travel and luckily our 2 kids were great while doing it so that helps. We're anxious to try out our brand new vehicle next time which is also a 2500 HD Silverado Diesel. We have taken 5 to 6 days to drive across and back and I wouldn't swap anything for what we have been able to see while doing it. I just hope next May won't be as hot and humid as this year!

 

[We4mickey]

Hey Befferk.
What part of WI are you from? When you drove which way did you go down?
I was just wonder,And yes you should drive down agian,and take 2wks and it won't be so bad.When we where there in april for 14days it was great.

 

[Befferk]

What part of WI are you from?

We are near Dorchester

When you drove which way did you go down?

51/39 to 74 to 57 to 24 to 75 to the Turnpike

And yes you should drive down agian,and take 2wks and it won't be so bad.

We did have 2 weeks for the entire trip. Wouldn't have made the drive for any less.

Beth

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

We drove down from MI in March for 8 days, thats about the bare minimum that I would pull the trailer down for considering the price of fuel. Anything less than that and you could stay in a moderate for what you you save in fuel cost. The only problem would be that we would have to drive over to the Fort every day cause its so much fun.
We have been driving down since 93 (flew a few times when airfare was cheaper) so we were used to it, we have a routine that we follow on trips so that we dont waste time. We found a nice campground in Perry GA on this last trip, since that was our usual stopping point for the trip down it works out great. On the way back we just stop at a Flying J or a rest area and sleep for 6 hours or so. That way we can make it back in 1 1/2 days and I am not a total wreck when we get home.

Scott

 

[karenr518]

Your post made me laugh Befferk, just because I know what you mean about the crazy drivers! I don't think they know what signals are on their cars in Fla. I'm sorry, I don't mean to diss Florida drivers, because I'm sure there were a lot of people from all over the country and Canada on the roads in rental cars. Also, I'm from southern Ontario, and when I went to Disney last August, I felt that the weather was just like it was at home....hot and humid, so I was ok with that. It does exhaust you though, especially waiting in lines for rides. I'm going back there this August just because I have holidays at that time, and I don't really like taking my kids out of school to travel (they're teenagers in high school).

 

[dizneydiva2005]

I'm not sure if anyone else on here can verify, but I was told by a couple people there that it was much more unseasonably hot and humid than normal, so maybe that was the problem Any Key West was 90+% humidity when we got there. Either way, you won't catch me down there any time from May-Sept any time in the future, just to be sure

Beth

Well, I was there the same week and it was HOT and HUMID ... and I was told it was unseasonably hot, as well. I'm from NC and know hot summers... but wasn't prepared for the weather we had. I was a grump!
But of course, it was cooler on the 2 days we went to the water parks and were chilled for much of the day.
I still had a great trip but I told the family to remind me next time I wanna go in May to make sure to hide the checkbook so I can't book a trip!
We're going back in Nov and hoping for cooler weather!!!

Oh we stayed in a cabin~ loop 2500.

 

[dizneydiva2005]

Boy..if you thought May was hot and humid..you'd really HATE August! We used to vacation at that time of year for quite a few years. Our last two trips were in May, and we thought the weather was great. Much less humid than August. Glad you had a good time.

I wouldn't go in August if the trip was free!

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

Yikes, at hearing how hot & humid it is already. What did you find to be the coolest parts of the day. We were planning on doing what is suggested, going to the parks early & then coming back around mid-day then going back. Now I'm wondering if we should just wait until around 4 pm to go to the parks. Any thoughts?

 

[DURANFAN2]

I am a Floridian and we did have some VERY hot and humid weather that week. In May, it can be cool one week and hot the next. But yes, don't come in the summer if you thought that was hot!!! LOL
Far, as the driving, OK as a native Floridian I will tell you its a combination of things you have tourist from all over who have no idea where they're going (remember alot of those Florida tags ARE rental cars). If you think Orlando traffic is bad, never ever go to Miami are where half the drivers don't have a license and drive like they're in a 3rd world country.

 

[Donna]

Yikes, at hearing how hot & humid it is already. What did you find to be the coolest parts of the day. We were planning on doing what is suggested, going to the parks early & then coming back around mid-day then going back. Now I'm wondering if we should just wait until around 4 pm to go to the parks. Any thoughts?

For my summer trips, i can tell you, the key to having a good time is to get to the parks early, as early as you possibly can. if you're eating in the park that day, leave the parks right after that meal, head back to swim and/or nap and then go back out after the sun goes down. You will get to experience more attractions by avoiding long lines (will get primo fast pass times), you'll miss the heat of the day and when everyone else is dragging their hot and sticky bodies out of that park, you will just be arriving all freshened up and ready for the late night hours. Sure it'll still be humid but the sun is down and it's much cooler temps as well as TEMPERS. i use this strategy for summer mainly cause of the late night hours. other times of years, you don't have that luxury. so your original plan is a good one!

 

[Befferk]

I am a Floridian and we did have some VERY hot and humid weather that week. In May, it can be cool one week and hot the next. But yes, don't come in the summer if you thought that was hot!!! LOL
Far, as the driving, OK as a native Floridian I will tell you its a combination of things you have tourist from all over who have no idea where they're going (remember alot of those Florida tags ARE rental cars). If you think Orlando traffic is bad, never ever go to Miami are where half the drivers don't have a license and drive like they're in a 3rd world country.

Good point about the rental cars w/Florida tags. Never thought of that.

Beth

 

[hatchmo]

Regarding the drivers - have you noticed on Disney property that when you see a rude and speeding driver, it is usually a car with one person in it and Florida tags? I think Disney needs to remind cast members that they are on duty until they leave Disney property.

 

[stinkerbelle's mom]

Thanks Donna!