Open Pre-trip report for June 2014 arrivals

[connor2002]

40 days and counting!


We are arriving no later then June 1st and are requesting for loop 600 even sites 602-614 (water side). We reserved 30 days to have maximum flexibility but will most likely stay around 3 weeks or so. We are driving from Arizona and can only make it to the fort every couple of years so we want to get in the vacation zone so to speak. Let's create a list of dis member arriving in june like Bama Ed did and lots of pictures as well so all the dis members can enjoy like I did during the spring time. It helps pass the time for everyone. I have some jumbled thoughts / lists below

1. Should I stop in Gainesville to grocery shop? looking for quality meats and non tourist pricing
2. Anyone check in late at the fort on a Saturday (10 pm)? Long lines?
3. I am leaving Wednesday at 10 am and shooting for the panhandle of Florida
Thursday night with a 1-2 day layover, Anyone stay in Camp Gulf? Is the beach front site worth the premium? I have a reservation at Destin West RV currently.

4. Still have some maintenance to do on the RV. led lights, cargo door shocks, LOF change and genny service. Plan on doing that Memorial Day weekend. I have a big itch to trade in the rv and get a bigger one as our family of six is getting to big for the current 32. I have put a few low ball offers out to the local rv dealers but no deal yet. I did get a call from one salesman and he asked "what it would take to get the deal done".....I responded with "will get back to you"...

5. I hope we can pack everything in the rv, last trip was 2 years ago and we have added two more bikes ,2 more scooter, bbq smoker... Kids are bigger...

Steve (connor2002)



CONNOR2002 family of 6 Arriving June 1st!
ROX in June
Sinceday1 in June
stljayhawks in June
Mfisc * * 6/20- 6/27*
WDWCP96 6/25








our current transportation to the fort

 

[4077]

Great looking family...can't help with questions much, but wanted to wish a safe and wonderful trip!

 

[snowmedic]

3. I am leaving Wednesday at 10 am and shooting for the panhandle of Florida
Thursday night with a 1-2 day layover, Anyone stay in Camp Gulf? Is the beach front site worth the premium? I have a reservation at Destin West RV currently.


I have not stayed at Camp Gulf, I drove by a couple of years ago when visiting my parents and sister that live in Destin. It looked like a nice place and a lot of fun to be parked right on the beach with your RV. I would suggest doing a search for reviews. I did and there were a lot of negative reviews. Just a little heads-up. Have a safe trip

 

[bama_ed]

connor2002,

Nice looking family you have. Understand that since you come so far that you're staying for 3 weeks. Now THAT'S what I call a vacation.

I hope you and the family end up in the 600 loop that you're looking for. I bet if it's not available the day you check in, if you take what you can get and do a minimum setup, you could probably get it the second day if you let the front desk know early that you want to move.

I'm not a good reference for camping in the FL panhandle. We go to the Alabama Gulf Coast at Gulf State Park (The Redneck Riviera we call it). It's across the road from the beach so probably not a good option if you don't have a toad.

So I'm in.



Bama Ed

 

[clmhood]

I'm booked for Camp Gulf this summer, but not until June 12--so I won't be able to help you much. The negative reviews I saw were purely based on how strict their rules are about 'no wheeled anything (including bikes) after dark. It seems like they're all purely safety based which I'm totally fine with.

 

[AnnMarie3]

We have visited friends staying at Camp Gulf 2x. It is a beautiful campground! With sites literally next to the beach, it's awesome. Nice sites, great pools, activities, and friendly people. Visiting them at Camp Gulf and Fort Wilderness has convinced us to buy our own RV soon.

 

[jbrostek]

I would actually tell you to get online and search the local grocery stores down there. But even shopping at a publix outside the tourist areas, prices where way higher. Having a large fridge and only 2 week stay we can buy and freeze enough meat on special to last the meals we plan.

 

[mightyexplorers]

Love the RV. We travel in a Bounder as well. Yours looks like a very similar layout to ours.

We will be leaving, about the time you are coming. We will wave on the way by.

 

[connor2002]

Yes we are leaving in 30 days still have a big list to do.....

 

[rml0win]

Dw and I began staying at Camp Gulf in the early 80's. It was then named Holiday Travel Park. Dw worked at an insurance company and I a bank so we had every long weekend to go to the beach and we did often. The price then was $22 off beach and $26 on beach. We always got on beach and it is truly the only campground we have found where that is true. Some advertise on the beach but they are across a road or behind a berm.
I say try it and decide for yourself. Yes the price is now over $100 per night but if you like being truly on the beach treat yourself at least once.
At the very least enjoy your trip.

 

[ruthies12]

We are going to Destin in July and will be staying at Topsail State Park which we chose over Camp Gulf based on a drive through my cousins did last summer of both places. They thought Topsail looked like much nicer of a campground and it was much, much cheaper. However, at topsail your campsite is a bit away from the beach so if you want to be right on it I believe Camp Gulf is your only option. I think it's really dependent on which is more important to you- closer to beach or cheaper price? Also keep in mind the beachfront sites are not full hookup from what I understand.

I'll be following along on your trip report, my next trip and our first stay at the fort won't be until December 2015 so I have a lot of time to pass............

 

[connor2002]

We are going to Destin in July and will be staying at Topsail State Park which we chose over Camp Gulf based on a drive through my cousins did last summer of both places. They thought Topsail looked like much nicer of a campground and it was much, much cheaper. However, at topsail your campsite is a bit away from the beach so if you want to be right on it I believe Camp Gulf is your only option. I think it's really dependent on which is more important to you- closer to beach or cheaper price? Also keep in mind the beachfront sites are not full hookup from what I understand.

I'll be following along on your trip report, my next trip and our first stay at the fort won't be until December 2015 so I have a lot of time to pass............

My pre-list to do is growing everyday it's seems. I need one more day to service the Rv and that won't happen till Memorial Day because of my picky hoa. I am stashing supplies in the garage as I accumulate them for the trip. For this trip I created and shared a google doc for me and the wife. I have for tabs setup below.

1. Pre trip loading and things to do list
2 road grocery list and meal plan for the trip out and a few days at camp gulf
3 ft wilderness meal ideas and schedule
4. Orlando grocery list


As we get closer I hope we can start crossing things off the list and as we each do the list will update.

 

[clmhood]

I forgot when you're leaving...but Camp Gulf was/possibly still is flooded after the storms earlier this week. Check their FB page for details! Maybe it'll be resolved by the time you get there!

 

[rox]

We will be arriving June 17 for a few days. My daughter is graduating from high school so we will be celebrating. Her grandmother is flying up from FL for the graduation. Grandma doesn't like to fly so we are taking her back to titusville after graduation. We have planned a week in Titusville and then a few days at the Fort. Trying to not get too excited in case work decides...oh no, you can't take two weeks of vacation together..... We are excited about seeing grandma, it's been two years and can't wait.

Have already de-winterized the camper. Starting to make lists. Purchasing special items and placing in the take to the camper pile.

My daughter never asks for anything...when we asked what she would like for graduation she said some time with you and dad at Epcot.

 

[JETS70]

The DW and I will be returning to the Fort on June 21st. This time we will have our DS and DD with us. They will be staying in a tent with a portable AC. This will be their first time staying at the Fort. We have attended Hoop Dee Do as a family on an earlier trip to Disney. I am excited for them to stay at the Fort. The DW has started our FP+ planning and we have passes for the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride. This will be the first time for them to eat at Trails End. We have a reservation for breakfast and dinner. I believe that Trails End is one of the best buffets Disney offers.

 

[connor2002]

Can't link our tickets to the bands until we arrive at the fort

 

[jbrostek]

How did you purchase your tickets? I did will call and had no problem linking them using the will call order number.

 

[connor2002]

How did you purchase your tickets? I did will call and had no problem linking them using the will call order number.

We purchased and linked our 10 day "no expiration" tickets at the fort in 2012. I tried emailing but was told they could only link them up when we arrive. I am 2100 miles away... Not too happy but we are lucky to be able to have an extended trip to work on the fast pass when we arrive. I might still let Disney know my displeasure.

 

[jbrostek]

I assume you have already tried to link them and it would not work. It sounds to me like you have the older tickets which cannot be added on their own. That does stink, but we did not use FP+ ahead of our trip instead we found that planning 24-36 hours ahead worked well for us and got us the FP we wanted for rides.

 

[WDWCP96]

We arrive on June 23rd so might be missing you as we are staying at Pop Century for 2 nights before moving to the Fort on the 25th.