Kids and the Fort

[neffernie]

My DH and I usually take a short camping trip each year with out DD9 and we thought it was about time she got into the fun. (She has a Gramdma and me week while we're gone just in case anyone thinks we are horrible and just abandoning her. We come back and she has more new toys and clothes than at Christmas. )

We have decided to take both her and her cousin (13 y/o boy) to FW before school starts back up. They are both pretty tough/out-doorsy kids so I am not to worried about them handling tent. What I am worried is that as much as DH and I enjoy camping, after days of wandering the parks, showering at the Comfort Stations, dealing with bugs, and NO TV, will the kids resent not having a hotel room to go back to? Is there enough to keep them occupied when we are not in a park?

Any advice or tips will be greatly appreciated.

BTW: did I mention we will be there in July...CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

kids and fort wilderness are synonymous. given the choice, my kids would always opt for a camping trip to the fort than a hotel room anyday.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

We bring a small portable tv, but to be honest...it usually just serves as a nightlight....and never really gets watched (except for by me, I love my Family Guy reruns late at night!!) The bugs are almost non-existant....my kids would NEVER choose a hotel over a campground. Hotels are just so confining.

 

[ntsammy5]

kids and fort wilderness are synonymous. given the choice, my kids would always opt for a camping trip to the fort than a hotel room anyday.

Yeah but your kids probably deplete you beer and kungaloosh stash too much! Just like mine......

 

[ntsammy5]

Kids LOVE Fort Wilderness! Comfort staions and showers are great -- much more civilized than most places we've camped at -- don't sweat it.....

 

[2goofycampers]

pool, horses, carriage rides, campfire & movie, fireworks, EWP, looping, people watching, bikes, play ground, tether ball, tennis, basketball and of course FISHING.........bored I don't think so.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Oh, by the way...ya may want to invest in a portable airconditioner, or at least a small window unit and rig it to your tent if youre going in july.

We JUST returned from a 10 day stay at the fort...we only spent 2 days at Universal and Islands of Adventure....the rest of the time was Fort time...my kids NEVER got bored......there are literally a ton of activities for kids to enjoy.

 

[Us3]

I have a dd9, and she LOVES FW! She just made the comment last week "Mom, this is better than going back to a hotel room, because I can ride my bike and meet other kids". The Fort is a great place for kids to unwind after a day in the parks!

 

[neffernie]

Thanks everybody! I feel much better now.

I didn't think of fishing. Their grandfather owns some comercial fishing boats and has a dock behind his house (right next to where the boats come in to unload their fish) that the kids fish off of sometimes. I am sure we can find a way to fit the poles and everything in with all the camping stuff. I am guessing it is strickly catch and release?

The air conditioner idea is a good one. We have some fans that we usually take, but we also usually go in September or October (though still florida, so you never know how hot it is going to be.)

 

[2goofycampers]

I am guessing it is strickly catch and release?

It sure is, save some for us.

 

[Shannone1]

Oh, by the way...ya may want to invest in a portable airconditioner, or at least a small window unit and rig it to your tent if youre going in july.

I was going to suggest the same thing It gets awfully hot in July in Florida and after a full day out in the sun it would be nice to come back someplace cool for the evening. You could start the a/c up while everyone is showering and it should be cool by the time you are all done. If you can sleep well at night you'll have a lot more fun during the day I'd also look into air mattresses.

 

[AlyLynn]

We have 4 kids, ages 2, 6, 11, and 14. We have stayed in every type of Disney resort from value to deluxe, and our kids kept asking to go back to FW. As my 11 year old said on our 1st camping trip in our new tt "I make more friends here than I ever did in a hotel". That's exactly what we were hoping for for them. Our 14 year old is just as addicted to Disney as our 2 year old. You'll have a great time with the kids!