Newbie and I need help!

[beaded]

DH, my sons ages 4.5 and 2.5, and I will be camping at FW during the latter part of July. We've gone camping with our boys (heck, for 2 years we lived in a 36' rig full time) so I'm not worried about the camping part. I think we can handle that stuff. However the whole Disney thing is new to us. DH and I haven't been to Disney since we were kids. That was a LONG time ago.

So, I am wondering what I can expect while camping on Disney property. We'll be in a basic site with our truck-bed camper and possibly a tent. We tried looking at picts on Disney's site, but it was hard to tell if they all have little grills or concrete pads, etc... Also, how big is FW? I see lots of golf carts. Are my kids going to get tired just walking from the campsite to the boat thing to go to MK?

What tips and tricks have you learned that can make our stay less work and more relaxing? I've been lurking around here for a week or so now, but frankly, this site is overwhelming to me. LOL!

Thanks so very much.

 

[GOBA Mom Lynn]

Welcome to the Dis and the Camping Board!!!

The best place to find out most things about the Fort is the FAQ thread at the top of the list. There is probably a map of the campground in there somewhere, which will give you a good idea of the layout. If you reserved a partial hookup site, there are only 2 loops that you may get: 1500 and 2000. We were in 1500 last year and it was great. Very convenient to the Meadow pool area, (super easy to walk to everything there) and for every place else we took the internal bus.

For the rest of The World, the Theme Parks and Dining threads will have the most information for you. Trying to get a grasp of everything there is to do and see in the 4 parks can be a little overwhelming. I would suggest buying the newest edition guidebook of your choosing and start marking what things you really want to try to do. Pick a couple of places you might want to eat- the guidebooks and the dining thread will have reviews, then make a few reservations. Then you can ask specific questions on the boards, or see what others have been asking. Pretty soon you'll get a good idea of what to expect. My one suggestion is not to OVER plan. Especially when staying at the Fort, you'll want time to do whatever strikes your family's fancy.

Ready, set, GO!

Have a great vacation!

 

[FWFans]

Welome to the camping board. Take a look at this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1419316&highlight=campground+photos.
It has pictures of camp sites in FW that others have posted. Have fun planning your trip to WDW and FW.

 

[des1954]

Welcome!!

We've been going to FtW regularly since 1974 and one thing I can tell you with absolute certainty: you will not come close to seeing everything on one vacation.

Another poster offered you good advice about getting an updated tour book and choosing ahead what you want to do. My biggest pet peeve concerning parents with children the ages of yours is, they push the kids way beyond their limits and everyone ends up angry. July is very hot in Florida and in particular, in the theme parks. It can rain sometime during the course of each day - so bring ponchos with you & don't get stuck overpaying for Disney's ponchos.

Get up early & take advantage of the morning magical hours. Each day selected parks open 1-2 hours prior to general admission for resort guests only. Take the kids into the parks during that time & go back to the Fort by 11am. If the kiddies need naps, now's the time to do it. If not, dress them in their swimmie's and go to the pool for an hour or 2. You can pack a picnic lunch (no glass containers) and take it to the pool with you.

If you can afford the cost of a golf cart rental, by all means get one. The children will probably love this as much or more than the rides in the parks. Look on the FAQ thread for Kenny's Tee Time Golf Carts (outside vendor) and arrange a cart through him. He is 1/2 the rate of WDW cart rental.

Seriously - I would not focus so much on the parks for kids under the age of 6. It's extremely overwhelming for them and when you pay all that $$$ for tickets, you feel compelled to do it all. Trying to do it all makes for cranky kids and even crankier parents. Put simply - you will never do it all at Disney. We've had annual passes for over 20 years, live 30 minutes away, and we've not done it all.

In the evening they have a Sing-A-Long with Chip & Dale and a full feature Disney movie near the Meadow Pool. It's free, you can either sit in their bleachers (uncomfortable) or bring your own chairs.

Bus service runs continually throughout the Fort from 7:00am until 2:00am. If nothing else, spend a day taking the buses, boats, and monorails and go resort hopping. That's a nice way to enjoy WDW without spending any $$$ and it's very enjoying and relaxing.

There are playgrounds scattered around the Fort, and your kids will enjoy them all.

Most of all, this is your vacation! Relax and don't try to power through all that Disney has to offer. The free, overlooked items are the ones that can bring you the most enjoyment with the least amount of stress.

ETA: Downtown Disney has a splash zone area near the bus stop. I highly recommend that for the kids. There are plenty of bathrooms available where you can change the kids into dry clothes when they are done. Again - it's free!! Also - don't forget to stop by Ghiradelli for a free sample of their delish chocolate! Also note - a tour book might show a McDonald's at Downtown Disney. It's no longer there - so don't plan on that. There's a Lego Store at DTD where the kids can play with Lego's for free for as long as they want! If you want to have a lower cost lunch or dinner at DTD, go to Earl of Sandwich! At the Fort, there is a horse stable near the Settlement area that the kids will like & for a nominal fee, you can let the kids take a pony ride.

This hits on just SOME of the things you can do at Disney for little to no money & still have fun. Enjoy!

 

[WeCampDisney]

Howdee and a great big Texas sized welcome to the board! How exciting, your first trip to the Fort! Be forewarned, ya[ll will fall in love with this very special place. The Fort has a huge almost cult like group of folks that just have to keep coming back again and again. It's mostly families just like ya'll. We have had vacations all over the country in years past. Yea we loved the big national parks and state parks and the beaches, but once we experienced WDW and the Fort, thats the only place we want to go. Many folks, like us, get RVs just so we can go to Fort Wilderness. It's about 800 acres of beautiful, peaceful, safe, fun family camping heaven. Man, I am feeling all warm and fuzzy just thinking about it! You will see families walking, riding bikes or in golf carts heading to the pool, a playground , the outdoor movie and campfire show, the marina, Pioneer Hall ( Hoop Dee Doo dinner show) or a bus stop. Except for the buses there is very little traffic and there are sidewalks everywhere for your safety. This resort is very unique. Even if I had tons of money to blow I would not stay at the fanciest Disney hotel.

The most important suggestion I would give you is this: On theme park days get up early, have breakfast at camp, catch a bus or boat (Magic Kingdom) about 45 min to an hour before the park opens and be there before the park opens. Have a plan to go straight to the best rides first. My son in law goes quickly to get us all fastpasses for the best ride while we head to anouther popular ride where we meet him. The idea is to enjoy the most popular rides before the crowds get big and the lines get long. By starting early you also beat the July heat. By noon or 1:00 you will have done all the best stuff and are ready for lunch. Go back to camp for lunch! Again, escape the huge crowds and the heat for the afternoon. Take a nap or go to the beautiful pool. Then if ya'll are really up to it go back to the park late in the afternoon or evening and do a few more attractions, see a parade and certainly see the fireworks show. We sometimes eat a bite just before going back to the park that way we don't have to eat the expensive Disney food. Take water bottles and snacks in a backpack, most people do it. Know this, the price of a 7 day park ticket is almost the same as a 4 day ticket. Do this so you can enjoy the parks for more than one day each not think you have to do it all in one day. This mindset will allow you to take that afternoon break without feeling like you have to stay at the park all day to get your money's worth. Remember, Those extra days are almost free! Most families that stay in the theme parks all day in the summer time get too tired and hot and that drastically takes the fun and relaxation out of your vacation. Also, try to have a day to just stay at the Fort and relax. Bring a golf cart on a trailer if you have one or can borrow one. It's really fun to cruise the resort.

One more thing, I only get the base park tickets. The options are just a waist.

Have a fantastic vacation!

 

[mnsprk]

All I've got to say is and have fun!!!!

 

[Memph1s]

Not sure were ya'll are from but late July will be really really hot and humid. I sure hope your truck camper has AC because you will need it. Plan on plenty of water or Gatorade and put sunscreen on before you head out for the day and reapply often especially on the kids.

All the partial hook up campsites have a paved driveway and a very fine crushed rock area for tents. There is also a grill and picnic table at every campsite. The comfort stations are very well maintained and have AC and a laundry room. (save some money and bring your own soap)

FW is very large, about 1-1/4 miles long and 2/3 mile wide. It's almost 800 acres but there is an internal bus system that will take you anywhere you need to go.

Best advice I can give is to reread des1954's and WeCampDisney's post and take notes, lots of great advise.

Also while at the parks and campground let the kids do what they want, within reason of course. I can't tell you how many times I have seen parents pull kids away from a splash zone or playground or some other simple thing that the kids are really enjoying to go on a ride or see a show that the parents think is better just because they paid for it. Fun is fun whether you pay for it or not.

 

[katiekomo]

Bring your patience! You will be hot, you will be sticky, your feet will hurt alot, you will wait in lines and you will NOT do everything on your list.

We are two able-bodied adults and I thought we'd be able to walk everywhere at the Fort. The first morning we walked from our campsite in the 1500 loop to the Outpost. Oops! Much, much farther than I thought! The walk wasn't bad, but the heat (at 7:30am) was! I needed another shower! We took all bus transportation from then on. We will gladly do that again-- but gee, it would be nice to have a golf cart. A few times we got to our bus station and the sun was beating down on the benches. We walked down to the 1600 bus station and it was a much more comfortable wait.

We didn't have any kids on this trip, but we saw a lot of stressed out parents and crying children. It seemed to come from those who were really concerned with riding another ride or getting the perfect photo. Don't be that family! Your kids will slow you down-- that's ok! There will be a moment when you have just the right angle of the castle and your kids will refuse to smile. Yelling at them to "smile, d**m*t!" won't help.

Listen to the others advice: nap, nap, nap!! If you don't have AC (we didn't in our tent) there are many other places to snooze during the day. We crashed on benches in Port Orleans (not recommended, but worked!) and our favorite-- we pulled the beach chairs into the shade on the FW beach and had a delightful nap! I don't know what your kids' schedules are, but we took a break everyday from 3-7 or so.

Our favorite evening was spent on the FW beach watching the light parade and then the fireworks. We got a beer from the Tavern, then pulled up a chair-- delightful!

Lastly, don't do this on a ride,
"Look, DS, look at the little bunny" (or whatever neat thing you've found that you think your kid would like to see)
"Where? What? I don't see it!"
"It's RIGHT THERE, open your eyes!!"
"WWWWHHHEEERRRE!!?!!"
"You're going to miss it, you're missing it!!"
"WHAAA!"
Meanwhile, lots of other things are passing by that neither of you are looking at because your DS didn't find the bunny. You're both stressed out and feeling like you're missing out and everyone else in the boat is putting their fingers in their ears. Sigh...

Don't get me wrong, we had an absolute BLAST, but I having a lot of patience, a healthy sense of humor (we played count the camel toes) and a "go with the flow" attitude really helped.

 

[beaded]

thanks y'all.

i should have mentioned a few things. i grew up in FL and left promptly when i turned 21, so i know about the heat. we are prepared mentally for that. i think. LOL!

also, we got the 4 day passes because they are discounted military tickets. we only plan on doing MK, AK, maybe epcot. we won't bother with hollywood studios.

and lucky for us, we are BIG fans of naps and not huge fans of crazy rides. i think for us we want our boys to see the magic of disney, see the characters, get to spend a little money on their own (the 4 y.o. at least), and just relax with us.

so i reckon i need to find some ponchos. i've got my 3 bottles of spf 50 ready to go.

thanks so much for the tips on DTD. mmmmm ghiradelli. does the bus take you there? we'll only be bringing the truck (truckbed camper) so once we're set up we won't wanna leave until the vacation is over.

stuff purchased at FW - i'm kinda guessing that it's going to be $$$$. am i right? I just want to make sure that i pack enough charcoal and stuff if they are pretty spendy there.

i'm pretty excited. too bad it's not July 19 yet.

 

[clkelley]

Absolutely, the buses will take you anywhere you want to go in Disney! Many people fly in and don't rent a car. Most definitely bring anything you need food wise/drink wise and and fuel wise with you. It is very expensive at Disney. (Propane refills are about the only bargain.) One thing you will not be able to avoid purchasing at the Fort unless you have a big fridge is ice. It is 2.00 a bag and barely lasts a day in FL.

Another reasonable food outlet is the Hess station across from Downtown Disney. They have soft drinks water,beer, and other snacks at real world prices. Take the bus to DTD, get off at the 2nd stop, and cross the street at the light.

 

[4kids4karen]

The electric carts are great for quick/easy to get around the campgrounds, however, if your destination is one of the theme parks, you will want to utilize the park shuttles.

As someone already mentioned, get up early, eat breakfast, and plan to be at the park before gates open. The opening songs and such are so cute for the little ones. For examhple, at the Magic Kingdom, don't stand up against the gate of the entrance, stand out where you can get a nice view of the upper level where the characters will be upon opening (you can probably look these up on you tube to give you an idea). Also, with your kids age, the earlier the better for getting in line for character pictures or hitting some rides before the lines get long.

If there are 2 adults, this is what I suggest for the Magic Kingdom. As soon as you get there, get in line for a character photo or a photo infront of the castle (castle photo, don't use the first photographer you see... get closer to the castle at the end of main street where it starts to open up). If both mom and dad don't care to be in the photo, send one to powerwalk over to Peter Pan or another favorite ride to get fast passes(they need all people's tickets for fast passes) Then have that person meet you at your next destination. For my family that is usually buzz light year ride or space mountain). Now you are set for Peter Pan (or other ride) for later in the day with no wait! Keep using fast passes throughout the day. When you get the fast passes it will tell you the next time you can get another fast pass. Also, the expiration time typically does not matter, they will let you in after that time has expired. If you don't use the fast passes, as you leave the park... give them to someone else! We always do this and it's apprecaited by the other family to have a little extra magic sent their way.

Also, if you are going for several days, the middle day... plan to just hang around the campgrounds. My kids at that age needed a break to sleep in and just do nothing. And by doing nothing that means seeing what the campgrounds has to offer.

 

[beaded]

thanks. i am even excited about DTD. not that my dh or the boys will probably wanna go there, but maybe i can leave them at the pool and get a little break myself.

now off to read more about fast passes and how they work.

 

[4kids4karen]

I love DTD and there is lots to do there for everyone! Bring swimsuits everywhere, and a towel. DTD has a nice water play area and you can even get spit on by stitch. There is the lego store and lego play areas. Every toy area has a mr. potator head, my little pony, or star wars light saber building station, etc. There is also the carosel and train ride. There are lots of cool things to look at!

 

[4kids4karen]

Fast passes are great and free! Not every ride has them, but most of the popular rides do (FYI - dumbo does not and dumbo tends to be a very long line in the afternoons).

If you have 4 people in your group, just have someone take all 4 of the tickets and go to a fast pass machine, which is located outside the ride, usually not too far from the ride entrance. You stick each ticket in the machine like an ATM card, and it pops the ticket right back out, and it prints a reciept that tells you what your fast pass (or 'reservation') time is to return. Some rides like Soaring in Epcot will be out of fast passes by like 10am, so at Epcot I always powerwalk straight to soaring upon the park opening to get our fast passes and jump on soaring first thing, so we always ride it twice! LOL.

Of all the parks, AK is my least favorite. We never go there anymore. I like Hollywood Studios better. In my opinion, the AK rides are too 'carnival' and there are not many rides for the little ones there at all, what 2 or 3? The animals... not really impressed with them either. The talking garbage can is more interesting to my kid (a man with a robot that looks like a garbage can that talks to the kids and roams the petting zoo area.) I do like the African dancers in Africa... the group I saw there last time I had seen years before in New Orleans before they were hired by Disney.

I would suggest Hollywood studios over AK. I also would recommend you make that a late day park. Go after lunch, then stay to watch Fantasmic. You can see Fantasmic on you tube as well so you can decide if you think your kids will like it.

I am also military... stationed at MacDill in Tampa for the past 7 years, so we have been to disney a lot. Not AP holders anymore though because honestly... we just needed a Disney park break. Now were are into camping at local state parks and FW. We have been to FW once and are going back next week. Last time and this time we will not go to any parks. We just stay at the campground for 3 days and enjoy that. If I get too bored, I go to DTD while the kids fish. LOL. For the most part, it's great family time. I have teens nad little ones so it forces the teens away from the computer, etc. and have family time.

At FW we have only done cabins though. We tent camp at state parks.

Walmart has ponchos for like $.50 - $1.00 each. Check out the dollar store as well.

 

[des1954]

You would be doing your sons a disservice by NOT taking them to DTD. They might like DTD better than any of the parks. Also....be warned about A.K. Thankfully for the animals, Disney designed it more for them than for people. The walk-ways crowd up and it is stinking hot in that park. I swear it's 20 degrees hotter than anywhere else at Disney!! In A.K. RUN for the safari trip first thing in the morning. That's the best time to view the animals because they ain't stupid. As the day heats up the animals take to hiding in their dens.

Other than that, it sounds like you have things under control. Just let the days unfold for themselves and don't over think things!

 

[arielmomma]

Congratulations on your first "adult" trip to WDW! Your family is going to have a wonderful time!

I would like to recommend watching the fireworks from the beach. My children are currently 3 & 6. We have been going since they were babies. we have found that it is much more pleasant for the children to watch the fireworks in a more quiet and peaceful setting at the the end of a long day than trying to battle the crowds after a show (especially in the summer).

I also second the fountains at DTD. There are also fountains in EPCOT that my kids love to take time to play it.

I also highly recommend bringing glow sticks, tatoos, and water fans from home. They are so much cheaper at your local dollar store and/or walmart than they are at WDW and my kids love them!

As of yet, I have no campground advice. I will be staying there for the first time just before you, so I will join in your excitement for a moment - Hurray!

Have a great trip!