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[Kelcyn]

Ok, let me try this again. We are planning a trip to disney in Feb 2006. We were thinking of possibly camping at FW. I have been hearing how wonderful it is. My question is this "if your spending all day at WDW, How do you have time to do anything at FW?" Wouldnt you be better off to stay at a cheaper campground, just to have somewhere to sleep for the night and get breakfast??? I have only been to WDW one time, when I was a kid and never been to FW. I am wondering If I should stay a few nights at FW after we go to disney?? Any suggestions or advice would be grateful. thanks.

 

[elastigirlfan]

Welcome!

I think it is totally worth it to stay at FW during your stay at Disney - the campground is awesome. You get all the perks of staying on site (extra magic hours) and free transportation to the parks. It's great taking the boat over to MK. You'll find you will want to go back to the campground & take a swim or grab a bite at Trail's End and then head back to the park. Or after a day at the park you can end it with the nightly campfire. Granted, you could just camp there w/o going to Disney but you can still experience the campground while going to the parks and staying there just makes your trip more magical (IMHO )

Again, welcome - you will love the DIS!!!

 

[minkydog]

Yeah, what she said Fort Wilderness is so wonderful. We're going back at Thanksgiving. I love staying "where the action is" rather than being off site. And if we have a day when everyone is cranky or out of sorts, we can find lots to do at our campsite.

 

[camperhappy]

We stayed at FW for the first time in June. We loved it, but I would rather save the $$ and stay at a cheaper campground. My DH complained that we were never there and never really got to take it all in. I think if you really don't plan on being there I would stay at a cheaper campground, but if you think you will have time away from the parks then it is well worth it. You will definitely need a golf cart if you are planning on doing much and it is worth it to get to the bus stops at the Outpost and Settlement. We didn't have one and I can guarantee if we go back we will.

 

[RescueRanger]

Yes, you can always find cheaper places off-site. That goes for campgrounds just like the other resorts. BUT...the on-site benefits just cannot be beat. Especially (in my opinion) if you are camping. You want to have lunch at the camp?.. just hop on a boat or bus and your there before you know it. You want a quick break from the parks or perhaps a nap?... just do the same. You don't get EMH privileges if you don't stay onsite. We have been to FW 3 times and love it. The first 3 times we went with my parents in their motorhome. We are going back next May and are taking our pop-up camper. Stay at FW. You won't be disappointed. Oh, did I mention that we love FW.

 

[We4mickey]

The best part of going to WDW is staying at FW and taking time to enjoy the campground. We always plan down time to just kick back and relax. Nothing better than cruising around checking out the sites and decorations, taking a swim or watching the water parade and fireworks from the beach. Definately take the time to do the things offered in the campground.

 

[Tortuga Viejo]

We have camped at FW almost every winter for the last nine years and just returned from our first summer trip. And were coming back this winter.
In my opinion there are many reasons to stay on-site.
1) In the winter – the parks close earlier during the week – We always come back to the camp site, cook a “ hearty” winter dinner, go to the camp-fire and movie, or watch the water light parade, or have hot chocolate at the trails end or just relax at our site playing board games and cards.
2) In the summer – we come back from the parks at mid-day, eat a light lunch, get cool, walk the dog, take naps and venture back to the parks again in the early evening.
3) We defiantly take advantage of the extra hours for “resort guests” only. Our older teenagers like to get up early and beat us to the park to get their fast passes or even be 3rd in line for the rockin roller coaster.
4) With 4 kids spanning all ages – we like to split up – and the teenagers like this freedom – and meet back at the campsite or the parks during the day.
5) You don’t have the stress of getting up, getting in the car and making sure everyone is on the same schedule. It was just a less stressful way to spend the day.

We have camped off-site, and there are some nice campgrounds close by. But it just feels more like a vacation when you stay at FW.

 

[QT Pooh]

On the outside, it may seem that the campgrounds are 'cheaper', but there are hidden costs you might not be taking into consideration. There's an $8 charge just to park at the parks if not staying on-site. Then there's the gas and the aggravation of getting to the park with the traffic in the morning and leaving at night (gas $). Where else do you get a petting zoo, an electrical water parade, view of the fireworks, free movies and a chance to see Chip 'n' Dale at a campfire sing-a-long? You get free Disney transportation.

I've stayed at the KOA in Kissimmee and IMHO it doesn't hold a candle to FW.

 

[camperhappy]

FW is great, but we have stayed off-site many times w/out any trouble. We always go back to the time share in the afternoon for some down time and it hasn't been a hassle yet. You only pay once to park each day no matter how many parks you visit. If you really need to save I would stay off site, but if money isn't the issue then stay at FW, it is worth it.

 

[babytrees]

I checked some of the other "area" campgrounds are in a couple of cases more expensive than staying at FW....half the fun for our family of going to WDW next summer is the fact that we can afford to stay at WDW because we are camping....we love the fact that we will camp and be close enough to the World that we can leave the car and never go back in it if we don't want to....I doubt we will want to after a 2 day drive.But we also have the option of having so many opportunities at FW if we don't want to spend the whole day at the world.

 

[wildernessfamily]

One of the PERKS of staying at FW is you do not have to drive to WDW. Some of those roads outside the parks get VERY CROWDED.

 

[lindsey]

Like others, the fact that you are at a Disney Resort Guest is great. We park the car and never move it until we leave. We have never used a golf cart, but I can see where it would be useful. We use bikes sometimes, or just walk to the bus stops. The boat ride to MK is great! It's nice for us to have the ability to make some of our own meals and save a few cents. We took three teens last year and they loved the freedom that they could go on their own and just call in to us ever so often.