newbie

[serino4disney]

Hi there,
We go every year for Thanksgiving to Disneyland but this is our first trip to WDW. We are tent camping at FW at the beginning of May. HELP!!! Not only have we never been to WDW but never to Florida. What should we expect as far as rain, temp, crowds in the parks? Any other advice would be great. I've poured over all the wonderful pictures and posts on this site over the last few weeks and finally decided to sign up.

Thanks,
Can't wait!!!

 

[LONE-STAR]

Are you flying or driving?

 

[serino4disney]

Driving. Leaving on 05/01. Will be in Orlando sometime on 05/03. Staying at FW from 05/05 thr 05/12.

 

[LONE-STAR]

I would take bikes unless you can rent a golf cart.

 

[LONE-STAR]

How many days will you be there?

 

[serino4disney]

Our total trip will be two weeks!!! Staying at FW for 8 days, 7 nights. First we're making a pit stop in Emory, Tx to visit my mom and dad. We're leaving our kids with their grandma... (our 2 dogs, that is)

 

[serino4disney]

We talked about taking our bikes. Not sure yet. From what I'v read the bikes and carts are for getting around within FW, right? But, I'm also reading that most things are fairly close, ie: CS, trading posts, etc. Plus, there are buses strictly for travel within FW, so we might not take anything.

 

[LONE-STAR]

I dont know how many days you are planning on spending in the parks. But if you have never been to WDW the parks alone will eat up most of your time and wont leave much for FW. But at FW fire works from the beach, The night time water parade, Camp fire / Movie and looping on a golf cart are a few things we love to to do at FW.

 

[serino4disney]

Yea, we have 8 day park hopper plus water park option. So, we expect to be away from camp most of the time. We are definitely going to spend at least one night at the campfire and movie. Hopefully get to see the water parade show from the beach as well. Can you tell me anything about going in May? We want to know if rain is to be expected, temps?

 

[LONE-STAR]

We talked about taking our bikes. Not sure yet. From what I'v read the bikes and carts are for getting around within FW, right? But, I'm also reading that most things are fairly close, ie: CS, trading posts, etc. Plus, there are buses strictly for travel within FW, so we might not take anything.

FW is big, yes you can walk but you will walk alot. As far as buses it gets old waiting on them. FW is a very nice place to bike. As for stuff being close it depends on the loop you will be in. Bikes and carts are just for use in FW. But you can bike to WL.

 

[serino4disney]

Not up on all the lingo yet... what's WL?

 

[LONE-STAR]

Yea, we have 8 day park hopper plus water park option. So, we expect to be away from camp most of the time. We are definitely going to spend at least one night at the campfire and movie. Hopefully get to see the water parade show from the beach as well. Can you tell me anything about going in May? We want to know if rain is to be expected, temps?

Sorry not my time of year we go in Nov./Dec or Jan./Feb. But I would thank it would be starting to get warm. I would be ready to go buy a A/C at Wal-Mart for the tent.

Being your first time you will need the 8 days in the parks.

 

[LONE-STAR]

Not up on all the lingo yet... what's WL?

Wilderness Lodge.

 

[serino4disney]

Thanks so much! Can't wait to get out there and experience it all. Probably gonna drive DH crazy before these few months are over...

 

[LONE-STAR]

Thanks so much! Can't wait to get out there and experience it all. Probably gonna drive DH crazy before these few months are over...

No problem. Me and the DW are both Disney Nuts we see hidden mickeys everywhere

 

[disney4dan]

I did not see an answer to your question on weather yet, so I went to the "Unofficial Guide" and got the following on page 37:

Average Daily Low (F) = 66
Average Daily High (F) = 88
Average Daily Temp (F) = 77
Average Daily Humidity (%) = 72
Average Rainfall per month (inches) = 3.9
Number of Days of Rain per Month = 9

Based on the chart for each month, May looks like one of the better months to be in Orlando.

My own personal experience for August in Orlando:

Average Daily Low (F) = hotter'nHades in July
Average Daily High (F) = enough to melt roads and children
Average Daily Humidity = makes you wish for rain
Average Rainfall per month = makes you wish you didn't wish for rain
Number of Days of Rain per Month = all of them

Why am I going in August again??????

 

[BigDaddyRog]

My own personal experience for August in Orlando:

Average Daily Low (F) = hotter'nHades in July
Average Daily High (F) = enough to melt roads and children
Average Daily Humidity = makes you wish for rain
Average Rainfall per month = makes you wish you didn't wish for rain
Number of Days of Rain per Month = all of them

Why am I going in August again??????

Dan...you ARE a sucker for punishment!!!


To the original poster....begining of May will be warm, its florida....if you CAN bring a portable A/C or small window unit to rig up to your tent, you'll be glad you did...if you dont, Im sure you will survive without it. But for me, I cant imagine anything worse than spending a long, hot day at the parks and not having some a/c to come home to at the end of the day, but Im also 300lbs!!! So me & heat dont get along too well!!! You may very well get a rainy day or two...but, again its Florida and its pretty warm...you might appreciate a little rain to cool things off...and boy-o-boy, theres nothing like Florida humidity after a nice summer shower(wheez, pant, its like a friggin rain forest)You'll also be fine without bikes or a golf cart, but both beat walking as far as convenience goes...but yes...you can get anywhere you need to go by way of Disney Transportation within the fort or out and about to the parks and other resorts. But, and this is merely a suggestion...rent a cart for at least ONE DAY....they give you a whole other level of enjoying the forts activities and sights. You're going to Disney World....you CANT NOT HAVE FUN!! It just all depends on the level of comfort you prefer to allow yourself.
Hope you have a great time!!!

 

[serino4disney]

Dan...you ARE a sucker for punishment!!!


To the original poster....begining of May will be warm, its florida....if you CAN bring a portable A/C or small window unit to rig up to your tent, you'll be glad you did...if you dont, Im sure you will survive without it. But for me, I cant imagine anything worse than spending a long, hot day at the parks and not having some a/c to come home to at the end of the day, but Im also 300lbs!!! So me & heat dont get along too well!!! You may very well get a rainy day or two...but, again its Florida and its pretty warm...you might appreciate a little rain to cool things off...and boy-o-boy, theres nothing like Florida humidity after a nice summer shower(wheez, pant, its like a friggin rain forest)You'll also be fine without bikes or a golf cart, but both beat walking as far as convenience goes...but yes...you can get anywhere you need to go by way of Disney Transportation within the fort or out and about to the parks and other resorts. But, and this is merely a suggestion...rent a cart for at least ONE DAY....they give you a whole other level of enjoying the forts activities and sights. You're going to Disney World....you CANT NOT HAVE FUN!! It just all depends on the level of comfort you prefer to allow yourself.
Hope you have a great time!!!

Thanks for the advice about the fan or A/C. Hadn't even thought about that. You are right about having fun no matter what. We are going to the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH after all!!! And, we love to camp so this will be awesome. I forgot that the campsites all have electricity. (not use to that at most campsites...) so we'll have to bring our extension cord. Thanks again!!!

 

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

Hi all, I'm new to the board, but been reading for a while.

We actually went camping last Mother's Day W/E, not at FW (they were all booked up!! ), but it was at the KOA in Kissimmee (Citified-Camping ). The weather was wonderful, it actually wasn't too hot, and just the right amount of cool at night. It was the baby's first adventure/experience w/ camping, and he loved it.

After camping in Ohio for a couple of years, it was nice to be able to camp before the middle/end of June.

I'm looking forward to going to FW this year, though!

Can't wait!!! Hope to see some of you there!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

We were in WDW last May3-6. The weather was perfect! Not too hot, nice breeze at night. The flower and Garden Festival was going on in Epcot and the crowds were not too oppressive! You'll have an amzing time!