Looking for some advise from seasoned FW campers...

[Lauramarc1]

Hello!!

I've lurked on this site on and off since August (when our trip was booked) and have gotten a ton of great information. I still have a few questions and am looking for some advise from "the experts". My family will be driving from Maryland in early June for an eight night stay.

1.) loop choice - This question has nagged at me for MONTHS!! My family are seasoned campers, but we have never stayed at FW. I have poured over maps, youtube videos, etc and still can't make a decision. I didn't want to pay for a preferred site, and we are traveling with no pets (but have no issues being on a loop with them). I am looking for a site that is dry during crazy rain (we're been buried in water before at other campgrounds and it's no fun!), not terribly far from a bus stop, but is still far enough away from the hustle and bustle. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!)

2.) We are a rope drop family, and like to arrive at all parks at least an hour before the park opens. Does the boat from FW to MK run this early? Would you recommend driving vs taking the bus for arrival at the parks, I've heard the buses at the fort can be very crowned early in the am.

This was a little long, sorry! Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read and reply!

 

[Teamubr]

LauraMarc,



Not a long post at all. You should see some of mine. I don't think any of the sites are bothered by hustle and/or bustle at the Fort. That's the nice thing about it. Tell us what kind or rig/camper/tent you will be staying in. That helps point you towards the best type of site and then the best location or loop.
I love the Preferred sites (Loops 100, 200 and 300) They are slightly cheaper than the Premium sites and are closest to the Settlement and the boat dock. Some love that you can hear the boat whistles and the train from the Preferred sites. Others think it's a little "busy."

I'm not a rope drop person. From others, I hear the large boat to MK will get you there in time for rope drop, but not an hour before. I think the resort launch to WL and CR runs earlier and you can get to MK early enough. AK and maybe EPCOT may require a drive to get there that early. Others that like to get up early will jump in and update this any minute

j

 

[Lauramarc1]

LauraMarc,



Not a long post at all. You should see some of mine. I don't think any of the sites are bothered by hustle and/or bustle at the Fort. That's the nice thing about it. Tell us what kind or rig/camper/tent you will be staying in. That helps point you towards the best type of site and then the best location or loop.
I love the Preferred sites (Loops 100, 200 and 300) They are slightly cheaper than the Premium sites and are closest to the Settlement and the boat dock. Some love that you can hear the boat whistles and the train from the Preferred sites. Others think it's a little "busy."

I'm not a rope drop person. From others, I hear the large boat to MK will get you there in time for rope drop, but not an hour before. I think the resort launch to WL and CR runs earlier and you can get to MK early enough. AK and maybe EPCOT may require a drive to get there that early. Others that like to get up early will jump in and update this any minute

j

Oops!! We are camping in a 29' travel trailer. We reserved a standard full hook up site.

 

[PaHunter]

We took the resort launch to MK for the drop, we took the buses from the outpost to any other park and we were there 45 minutes before opening on most days. We would leave our site around 7am -715 am catch the internal bus to the Outpost then from there take the bus we needed. Was never overly crowded when we were there, sometimes we were the only ones on the bus, especially the internal bus. Sure during the summer is busier. One morning we had to take the bus to MK as the boats were fogged in and could not travel. Still made it well before opening even that time. The resort launch to Contemporary is nice as from their you can walk about 10 min to MK or take the monorail around the loop to MK, would add a good 20-30 mins. EPCOT we would take the bus there then come back via monorail to TTC get the Resort monorail to the Contemporary then take the boat back to the Fort. But we were never pressed for time, and just depends on how you want to travel. Internal buses start running at about 630 am from the Settlement to the Outpost, from their take either your boat or bus.

 

[bama_ed]

Oops!! We are camping in a 29' travel trailer. We reserved a standard full hook up site.

I have never camped in a Full site but have ridden my bike back there plenty of times. Loop 1900, while it doesn't flood, can get a little marshy. The sites seem to stay dry so you won't be under water but you may be surrounded on 3 sites with some standing water for a day or two. 1800 is nice because it has some sites that back up along the canal (waterfront property). If I did stay in a Full it would be 1600 near the 1500 Comfort Station (the CS is between the two loops with a sidewalk connection to each) because it would be any easy walk to the Pool, Meadow Trading Post, Campfire/Movie ring, etc. Some loops are really quiet in the far corners, some are up near the main road and bus stops, etc, so it depends on what you want.

For rope drop, the small boats (right hand side of the Fort pier) start early (like 630am) and make a circle run to Wilderness Lodge and Contemporary Resort then back to the Fort. We have taken it to the CR, walked to the MK entrance from there, and been at the front of rope drop before. You can also drive, bus, just leave in plenty of time (variable). The big boat from the left side of the Fort pier will get you starting about 30-40 minutes before rope drop and its first run will get you there in time but you won't be at the front.

We boat to MK and drive to all the other parks. Your Fort parking pass for the car dashboard gets you free parking at all Disney theme parks. You can also boat to the Contemporary, walk in, and take the monorail to EPCOT (with a transfer). Again, it would take an early departure to guarantee front of rope (variable) but it's an option. I did it once mid-day and it took 40 minutes once the boat got to the Fort pier to start the journey.

Bama Ed

 

[2goofycampers]

Welcome Laura.

Our first choice for full hook up is 1800 and 1600. You can definitely make all rope drops by being on the first bus/boat. Be there 15 minutes before they start running. Have fun!

 

[KristinU]

Yep, we've been fine for rope drop on the first big boat, including Christmas and Thanksgiving weeks. We love rope drop!