Just back from our first FW trip

[JCJRSmith]

Well, back to work after 12 days at FW. This was, without a doubt, the best vacation we have had. This was our first trip to FW, and I would like to make some comments on our experience:

1. I was very impressed with the cleanliness of the comfort stations at FW.

2. We have only stayed in the 900 loop, and would request it again. The site was plenty large enough for our rig and it was dead level - no need to use the leveling blocks for the camper.

3. Whoever designed the sewer hookups for the sites at FW deserves an award for best design. Having the hookup located 6 inches below grade in the bottom of a stainless steel sink (with another drain) is just genius.

4. Trails End is the undiscovered gem of Walt Disney World. We tried it the first time for dinner when we stayed at the Contemporary last year, and, relatively speaking, that is an inexpensive, tasty meal (well, inexpensive for WDW anyway )

5. For the most part, the bus service is great. If you are on the Orange Line and going to the parks, when the bus gets to the Settlement, stay on it - it becomes the bus to the WL and the TTC. When returning, if you take a bus to the TTC, get on the FW/WL bus and it becomes the Outpost Orange bus when it gets to FW.

6. The pool, while nice, could use some updating - compared to other resorts on the property it is pretty sub-par.

7. I would really like to see the Meadow Trading Post open an hour earlier. Campers are generally early risers.

8. Sea Raycers are a LOT of fun

9. The site next to us had a trailer and a tent with a whole BUNCH of people staying there. They also had two vehicles at their site the entire time, and the FW folks never said a thing to them about it.

10. The cost of the laundry facilities is on par with what one would expect at WDW - expensive. $2 to wash a load, and $1/fifteen minutes on the dryers. To was one load of whites and one load of colors and have them completely dry was a minimum $10.

11. The Hess stations have the cheapest Coca-Cola on the property - the same 20 oz bottle that costs $2.50 in the parks is 99 cents at the Hess stations.

12. The Hoop-de-Doo Revue is an absolute scream. It may be expensive and the food may be mediocre, but the service was great and the show was very, very entertaining.

Overall, we had a great time and we DEFINITELY want to go back to FW again.

 

[We4mickey]

Glad to hear you had a good time. The only thing about FW is that it only takes one visit and you are hooked. We have converted a lot of people with that one little trip.

 

[StarPM]

Thanks for the info. Our 1st trip is coming up. While I'm not looking forward to the drive home(I figure on the way down, we have something to look forward to)I can't wait to check it out. Do you do the whole drive straight thru, or do you stop somewhere?

 

[JCJRSmith]

Originally posted by StarPM
Thanks for the info. Our 1st trip is coming up. While I'm not looking forward to the drive home(I figure on the way down, we have something to look forward to)I can't wait to check it out. Do you do the whole drive straight thru, or do you stop somewhere?

We did the trip each way in two days. We drove from here to Florence, SC and stayed at the KOA there. It is at exit 169, about 25 miles south of South of the Border. Level sites, clean restrooms, nice pool and wireless, high-speed internet access (for a fee). The next day we drove to FW. We took the same route and stayed in the same campground on the way back.

As it works out from here in Mechanicsburg, the trip to FW is almost exactly 1000 miles. From here to Florence is about 550 miles and from there to FW about 450. Once you hit the Carolinas, the speed limit is 70 most of the way.

HTH.

 

[mja451]

We live in South Jersey very close to Philadelphia. We always take 2 and a half days to drive down. Why? Because we don't like to get there exhausted. There are 4 of us. DH and DD 11 and DS 14. We have a tv in the van plus have figured out how to hook up a game system. We drive the first day to near the N.C. border. We always get hung up somewhere near Washington. It doesn't matter time of day, time of year. That day is tiring. Then drive to near the Florida border. Get a good nights sleep. Leave a little later and get to WDW around noon or a little after and hope they have a cabin ready. If not, we go to the grocery store and get that done. The drive back is definitely more boring. But we stop and get new tapes for the vcr and hope for the best. You could definitely do it in 2 days, but you would lose that first half day of your ressie. I know people who drive straight through. I can't do that. Hope this helps.

 

[wildernessfamily]

We love Point South KOA in SC. It is close to the end of SC mile marker 33 I think. So the next day drive is not so bad. The pool and hot tub are great, Lots of trees, back off the road but close enough for gas in the morning. They have a small walk to a natural pond where you can see alligators in the wild (no dogs allowed). So lots to do for kids who have been in a car/van all day. It is a nice calm at the end of a long day. Happy travels!

 

[JCJRSmith]

We thought about staying at the Point South KOA, but that would have added about 70 miles to our already 530 mile first day. I have heard that it is very nice though.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

We always stay at the Florence KOA and find it a nice midway point. Nothing fancy and no FW, but clean and easy access to I95. It is especiially nice since they opened that gas station across the road by the I95 entrance which is open 24 hours. It seems to be a pretty common waypoint for FW campers, since we always seem to meet up with people either on their way to or from FW.

 

[jwill]

Sounds like you had a great time and gave some good observations also.

 

[fanofmickey]

Thanks for your report. My family will be camping there for the first time next year, and we are looking forward to the activities offered at FW.