New to the Fort...lots of questions

[kristytru]

In the past we always flew (4 of us) and used our DVC pts to stay in a 1 bedroom villa. This year we bought a 24 ft Class C and are driving down (81S to 77S, etc) from NJ. To save on some DVC pts, we are staying at the fort for the weekend and then to a 1 bedroom villa at the Boardwalk.
1. We always rented a car when we flew. Dh hates waiting for buses. We are not comfortable yet with the RV to even think about towing. Does anyone rent a small car for getting around to the parks, etc?
2. We are planning on leaving at 8AM to get through DC before lunch hour. Hoping to make it to NC. I have heard a lot about where to stay off 95, but since we are taking the alternate route, any thoughts on campground to stay at overnight in NC?
3. What is the most important thing to check on the RV before leaving (DH says fanbelts, I say tire pressure)?
4. What can we not do without at the fort?
5. For DS-Can we rent water sprites at the fort or do you have to do that at the lodge marina?
Thanks everyone for all your help!

 

[stacktester]

In the past we always flew (4 of us) and used our DVC pts to stay in a 1 bedroom villa. This year we bought a 24 ft Class C and are driving down (81S to 77S, etc) from NJ. To save on some DVC pts, we are staying at the fort for the weekend and then to a 1 bedroom villa at the Boardwalk.
1. We always rented a car when we flew. Dh hates waiting for buses. We are not comfortable yet with the RV to even think about towing. Does anyone rent a small car for getting around to the parks, etc?
2. We are planning on leaving at 8AM to get through DC before lunch hour. Hoping to make it to NC. I have heard a lot about where to stay off 95, but since we are taking the alternate route, any thoughts on campground to stay at overnight in NC?
3. What is the most important thing to check on the RV before leaving (DH says fanbelts, I say tire pressure)?
4. What can we not do without at the fort?
5. For DS-Can we rent water sprites at the fort or do you have to do that at the lodge marina?
Thanks everyone for all your help!

There's always deals on mousesavers and others to find a cheap car.

Tire pressure, fluids, belts and the obvious stuff would be a good start. Make sure your spare is good. Whenever I travel a far distance I carry 2 spares just to be sure.

As long as the DS is 16 you can rent him a Sea Ray. Otherwise you have to drive him.

 

[2goofycampers]

In the past we always flew (4 of us) and used our DVC pts to stay in a 1 bedroom villa. This year we bought a 24 ft Class C and are driving down (81S to 77S, etc) from NJ. To save on some DVC pts, we are staying at the fort for the weekend and then to a 1 bedroom villa at the Boardwalk.
1. We always rented a car when we flew. Dh hates waiting for buses. We are not comfortable yet with the RV to even think about towing. Does anyone rent a small car for getting around to the parks, etc?


Instead of renting a car, I would rent a golf cart at The Fort, that way you can drive to the main bus stop and cut out the internal busses for a quicker trip to the parks. Then when you have free time you can go "looping" around the sites and enjoy the decorations people have up.
2. We are planning on leaving at 8AM to get through DC before lunch hour. Hoping to make it to NC. I have heard a lot about where to stay off 95, but since we are taking the alternate route, any thoughts on campground to stay at overnight in NC?
3. What is the most important thing to check on the RV before leaving (DH says fanbelts, I say tire pressure)?
4. What can we not do without at the fort?

Try to remember all you can things are costly at The Fort. here is a packing thread to check out.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1115732


5. For DS-Can we rent water sprites at the fort or do you have to do that at the lodge marina?
Thanks everyone for all your help!

Others have answered the other ?'s and I'm sure someone will help out with a CG in NC.

 

[Disney John]

You can rent a car through Alamo or National at the Car car center, which is only a short shuttle ride away. You go to the front desk or use a house phone to contact Alamo and arrange for free shuttle pickup. They pick you up at the front desk area on the half-hour. (they are usually on time or early). I do this quite often and have never waited more than a couple of minutes for the shuttle. At the end of the rental period, after you drop the car off at the car care center, they bring you back to whatever Disney property you want. (does not have to be the one that they picked you up at)

The most important thing to check IMO, is tire pressure and weight. The wrong tire pressure will really affect your MPG. Also, If this is your first time traveling long distance with your MH, take your MH to a local big truck scale and see how much weight you can safely carry above your vehicle weight. They should weigh the RV totally and then each tire separately.

As far as the buses go:
I have never had to wait more than 10 minutes for an Epcot bus at FW.

If you want to save a couple of dollars, skip the rental car for the first 2 days and use the boat to go to the MK on day 1 (really nice boat ride) and then on day 2, take the other boat to the Contemporary Resort and take the Monorail to TTC , then transfer to Epcot Monorail at TTC. (No buses)

Just my 2 cents,
John

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

For DS-Can we rent water sprites at the fort or do you have to do that at the lodge marina?

Yes, they do rent the Sprites and other types of watercraft at the FW marina so you don't have to go WL.

 

[LarryJ]

In the past we always flew (4 of us) and used our DVC pts to stay in a 1 bedroom villa. This year we bought a 24 ft Class C and are driving down (81S to 77S, etc) from NJ. To save on some DVC pts, we are staying at the fort for the weekend and then to a 1 bedroom villa at the Boardwalk.

I must be lost, but where does I-77 hit I-81?

1. We always rented a car when we flew. Dh hates waiting for buses. We are not comfortable yet with the RV to even think about towing. Does anyone rent a small car for getting around to the parks, etc?
2. We are planning on leaving at 8AM to get through DC before lunch hour. Hoping to make it to NC. I have heard a lot about where to stay off 95, but since we are taking the alternate route, any thoughts on campground to stay at overnight in NC?

Again I-81 goes nowhere near D.C. and the D.C. Beltway (I-495) so I'm still lost with this getting thru D.C. you refer to. BTW I-95 both North and South can still be a nightmare depending on the day of the week with the I-95 East Coast Corridor truck taffic even between 10A.M. and 2P.M. which is when we try and do the beltway polka if we have to from the beltway south to Fredrickburg. Before 9A.M. tune to WMAL 630AM for traffic reports or WTOP 103.5FM any time for traffic reports. Sometimes they are accurate and sometimes not so accurate, but about the best you can do. Our first day going to FW we always spend the first night at the Rocky Mount, N.C. KOA.

3. What is the most important thing to check on the RV before leaving (DH says fanbelts, I say tire pressure)?

In addition to checking their condition I would have a spare set of fan belts and of course you should always check your tire pressure daily when traveling in a heavy vehicle or towing.
4. What can we not do without at the fort?
5. For DS-Can we rent water sprites at the fort or do you have to do that at the lodge marina?

Yes at the marina as long as he meets any age requirements if there are any.
Thanks everyone for all your help!

Larry