Opinions please....

[AshtonsMom99]

Next year I turn 40 and I was thinking of going camping in October at the campgrounds......Do you feel its a hassle to get ready in the morning to go to a dining reservation or to get to a park? Is transportation from the campground readily available? Does it take forever to get anywhere? We will not have a car and be renting an RV?


Thanks in advance everyone...

 

[davettewellmaker]

You will love camping at the Fort! We use the bus transportation and just add about an hour total time to get from our site to where we need to be.

 

[AshtonsMom99]

Are there particular areas that are closer to the bus terminal than others?

 

[North of Mouse]

Next year I turn 40 and I was thinking of going camping in October at the campgrounds......Do you feel its a hassle to get ready in the morning to go to a dining reservation or to get to a park? Is transportation from the campground readily available? Does it take forever to get anywhere? We will not have a car and be renting an RV?


Thanks in advance everyone...

We've never had any problems with the transportation getting to ressies, or to the parks. Wouldn't think it would be any different than getting around from any of the other resorts as far as time wise.

 

[North of Mouse]

Are there particular areas that are closer to the bus terminal than others?

There are internal buses that will take you to the 'Outpost' to catch buses to the parks or Downtown Disney. You could 'technically' walk, but there are no loops that are real close.

The exception is the loops closest to the Settlement area where you catch the boat to MK - those are easily walkable - loops 100-500, depending on how far you want to walk - 5-10min. walks.

 

[KristinU]

I'd say about a similar wait as one of the moderates or OKW - those you don't have to transfer and wait again but it is about the same amount of time in my experience. Or, if you'll have bikes with you, you can easily ride to the Outpost and skip the internal bus.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Do you feel its a hassle to get ready in the morning to go to a dining reservation or to get to a park?
. . . the park creates ZERO hassles in the mornings when getting ready
. . . of course, at 40, you might be slowing down a little

Is transportation from the campground readily available?
. . . Youbetcha
. . . very convenient and very frequent

Does it take forever to get anywhere?
. . . forever is a subjective term
. . . but, it does take 15-20 minutes longer than if at other resorts
. . . you need to get the internal bus to get to the main buses

We will not have a car and be renting an RV?
. . . many, if not most, people do not use cars when at The Fort
. . . the WDW transportation is that good


PS - WELCOME TO OUR FORT !

 

[PEC]

Are there particular areas that are closer to the bus terminal than others?

Within the campround loops they are some sites closer to the internal bus stops. You can request a site during your early check-in. Give the process at least an hour and you should be OK.

 

[Teamubr]

Others have done a good summary. Rusty was spot on.

The fort is a big place and it depends on which park you want to get to or where your dinner ressies are.

We stayed at Saratoga Springs last year over spring break. I felt like travel times to the parks or other resorts was about the same as getting there from the fort. There are a couple of exceptions.

Magic Kingdom is a breeze from the fort. There is a boat from the marina near the Settlement that goes straight there. 20-30 minutes, sometimes less if you hit the boat just right.

EPCOT is a fun trip for us. Instead of the buses, we take the resort boat from the fort to the Contemporary (boat also stops at Wilderness Lodge) and catch the monorail from there to get to the TTC and switch to the EPCOT monorail. It does take a while 45 minutes or a little longer depending on how you catch boats and monorails.

The rest of the parks seemed to be about the same staying at SSR. Downtown Disney (Disney Springs- has the name changed yet?) being the exception since you can walk there from SSR.

There are several campground loops that make it a bit easier. Loops close to the Settlement (100, 200, 400, 700) make it an easy walk to the marina or the Settlement bus stop. From the Settlement stop you can catch a bus to Wilderness Lodge and get the park/resort buses or you can take the FW internal buses to the Outpost and get a bus to any park or resort.

We are there during busy times- summer or spring break. As others said, if you plan an hour to get someplace, you should be good. That is what we did at SSR and it worked well. Anything less than an hour is a bonus.

j

 

[Napria]

Where are you planning to have your celebratory dinner? If you're a "foodie" or just like a higher-end, well-prepared, creative meal in a unique and special environment I highly recommend California Grill at the top of the Contemporary resort. Book your dinner ressies timed so the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom go off about 45 minutes to an hour later. You'll have an incredible view and the music is piped in to the restaurant. Even if your table doesn't look out over the Magic Kingdom, there are observation areas you can go out to and watch, then return to your meal.

The ride over to the Contemporary from the Fort is nice. Just head down to the beach and take the boat.

Getting ready in a camper is no problem at all. We are usually celebrating something when we're at the Fort and we get ready in our camper, head over to California Grill and have a great time!

Our other special celebratory restaurant is Kimonos at the Swan. It takes a little longer to get to than the California Grill but it's still doable from the Fort.

 

[whitney37354]

We had no transportation problems at The Fort. We did rent golf carts, but we walked from our campsite to the beach the first night with no problem.

 

[AshtonsMom99]

Because we are not going until October of next year, I am trying to get all of my ducks in a row, because I plan, thats what I do. I am a TA so I do an insane amount of research for everyone and anyone that is going to one of the parks or resorts. All of you have been gracious enough to answer my questions....Thank You! I am so looking forward to the trip now that I know answers! Is it to early to start a Trip Report?


For those who may be wondering...my 40th is in June, but I refuse to go to WDW in June because heavens to mergatroid its hot! and I live in the flipping desert! its 108 today folks!

My husband, son, and I are all foodies so we kinda love the Food and Wine Festival....so excited to be going again in October....where does everyone think I should go for the birthday dinner? I am a fan of Fulton's and Le Cellier, but would like to try something different....Thoughts?

 

[AshtonsMom99]

TheRustyScrupper - Thanks for the welcome! I appreciate it.....I am excited to be 40, mostly because I never thought I would live long enough to see it! SO yay!!!! Who cares if I am getting older, to me its a victory! Bring on 40!

 

[articfox676]

We really like Artist Point at the FW Lodge.

 

[Disneylovers2000]

Next year I turn 40 and I was thinking of going camping in October at the campgrounds......Do you feel its a hassle to get ready in the morning to go to a dining reservation or to get to a park? Is transportation from the campground readily available? Does it take forever to get anywhere? We will not have a car and be renting an RV?


Thanks in advance everyone...

ME TOO!!!!!
We are going in July though!! I know, hotter than mergatroid! We live in Northern Alberta and have NO IDEA what hot is but we thought camping would be the greatest in such warm weather! I hope you have a wonderful birthday!
We are celebrating my 40th as well as our 20th anniversary! We are renting an rv from Greenberg Rv along with a golf cart. We booked 2 months ago for July 2015 thinking things May book up fast and I am an uber planner lol!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Who cares if I am getting older . . .

I don't care about getting older (I am already "old).
. . . as long as I look DOWN and see the green side of grass
. . . and look UP and see the brown side of the grass

 

[RVMH]

We never move the car after we get in a site. Bus transportation is good; bikes are a good idea, and walking is pretty easy (and we're a couple of decades past the 40th birthday mark)

Agree with Artist Point
Also like Narcoossee's scheduled for fireworks or water light parade
Keep us posted on your planning; we plan to be there in Jan. by ourselves and in Oct. with kids and grands for Halloween.