?s FW, Fireworks, & other camp activities in early June w/ a 4yo

[ilovemickeymost]

Many moons ago, DD & I tent camped at FW in October. The weather was perfect & we had a wonderful time at the parks. But the only reason we were at FW is b/c I was broke & it was cheaper than the value resorts. While I thought the campground was beatiful, we didn't spend anytime there. Our priorities were elsewhere.

In May, I will be taking my 4yo DS on his 1st camping trip. I already have the tent, sleeping bags, & air matresses packed in our suitcases (yes I'm really excited). He's knows we are going camping, but not @ WDW. I only purchased 4 day hopper passes w/ water park b/c I want the main focus to be the camping experience. I'm actually going to try & hide the fact that we are @ WDW for a few days (wish me luck).

What would you suggest I do w/ him (activities, trails, attractions) @ FW that will instill in him a love of camping, not just WDW? Also, can any of the parks' fireworks be seen from FW? I was thinking MK, but wan't sure. I want to pay for the cheapest site possible, any suggestions on great loops or sites. I'd prefer to be close to a bathroom & bus stop (or dock) & everything else LOL. Also, I'd really like to do Hoop De Doo, but not sure if he will sit still & only likes to eat grilled cheese, plain cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets, mac & cheese and anything w/ sugar. Is it worth the cost?

Thanks so much for all your help & suggestions in advance. I really want to make this a super special Mommy & Son trip. His best friend (his dad) will be deployed & want him to have fun & forget about missing him for a bit.

 

[ilovemickeymost]

Also, anything you can suggest to keep the heat bearable in the tent.

 

[beagles7278]

You should be able to find plenty to do at the campground. The campfire singalong with Chip and Dale, the movie following the sing along. Visit the horses at and let him take a pony ride. The new pool with slide should be hit for a 4 y/o.

As far as Hoop De Doo, we chose to pass last year with our kids. We did a buffet for dinner and one of them ate corn, that was all she would eat. The was some expensive corn. I would plan the Trails End for breakfast, my kids love the Mickey Waffles. You will hear bad things about TE but for breakfast I don't think it is that bad.

You can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beach, at least most of them anyway.

Others who are more experienced will be along with more ideas, good luck with your trip.

 

[ilovemickeymost]

When I was there w/ DD, we ate at TE & had a very good meal. I didn't know they had pony rides & horses. And a new slide for the pool fun. Is that the pool by the shops & bike rental?

 

[jenscourt]

Since you're staying in a tent, request the 1500 loop. It is smaller and right across from the Meadows trading post/swimming pool/campfire area/bike barn/etc. You are not guaranteed whatever you request, but it is worth a shot. At the bike barn, you can rent bikes (obviously), canoes, and am not sure what else. You can see the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom from the boat dock...where you can rent boats/jetskis (I think)/etc. They also have daily activities that are offered (you will get a schedule when you check in). Hope this helps and have a great time!

 

[beagles7278]

I thought others would have chimed in to help you by now.

Check out these websites, they are links in the FAQ sticky:

http://home.hiwaay.net/~jlspence/faq_fw.htm

http://www.title-3.com/FWFacts.htm

http://disneycampers.com/Disney/default.html

These should keep you busy for a while, you should find more options.

PS - Thank you for the sacrifice that your husband and your family are making for our country.

 

[ilovemickeymost]

beagles - Holy Information Batman. thank you so much. do you have any favortie things to do at FW?

 

[beagles7278]

beagles - Holy Information Batman. thank you so much. do you have any favortie things to do at FW?

Like to loop(ride around in golf cart), consume large amounts of alcohol(bring your own, it is expensive there), explore the trails around the campground, fish, take the kids to the playground, etc. Those are not in order, but alcohol would definitely be near the top.

 

[bord1niowa]

Check if you can add AAA to your campsite. It saves me twice or more what I pay for it yearly. Pretty good discount this June too! We're saving almost $300 on the site for 13 days stay.

 

[ilovemickeymost]

thanks so much. does anyone have anymore ideas. I'm trying to figure out how to keep our tent cooler.

 

[Disneylitch]

I know someone has posted that they use a small air conditioner in their tent. Just not sure where the post is, but I'm sure someone does. Dont's for the water parade before the fireworks. Instead of the Hoop de Doo, you could do Mickeys Backyard Barbecue. The kids there really seem to have a great time. It's a country band and there's plenty of dancing and even line dancing lessons and a short show. I think it is more kid friendly than the Hoop de Doo. We have done it a couple of times and have had a great time. If you have room, bring your bikes. There is the playground also and he will definitely enjoy the renovated pool. You can't swim at the beach, but it's fun for kids to play in the sand too. Hope this helps.

 

[2goofycampers]

If you can't do A/C, definitely fans. I would bring our dehumidifier and try it also.

 

[acenorm]

We use 2 tower fans in our tent. I put each one in opposite corners and let them oscillate and it keeps the tent cooler. A plus is that they are easy to pack, slim, don't take up too much room in the tent, and they are usually about 3 feet high, so the breeze they put off is a wider span. You can pick them up at Wal-Mart for a decent price.

Best Regards,
Norm

 

[beagles7278]

Instead of the Hoop de Doo, you could do Mickeys Backyard Barbecue. The kids there really seem to have a great time. It's a country band and there's plenty of dancing and even line dancing lessons and a short show. I think it is more kid friendly than the Hoop de Doo. We have done it a couple of times and have had a great time.

I will 2nd Mickey's Backyard Barbecue. I have been researching our trip in Nov/Dec and we are going to try the Backyard Barbecue. The menu includes hot dogs and hamburgers along with the chicken and ribs so I think my kids will eat something. Plus there are more side dish options.

Look into Downtown Disney, we spent a day there on a previous trip and the kids did not get bored. There is a lego store where they can play with legos and other things to keep the kiddies busy.

You can also rent a small 2 seat boat or a canoe.

Someone on the board here mentions fishing occasionally, maybe you could try that.

 

[PrincessNana]

For a great camping experience, you can have a weinie roast at the campfire sing a long and then make S'Mores for dessert. We take our own graham crackers, hershey bars and marshmallows. We also have telescoping marshmallow roasters, but wire coat hangers work just as well. Our grandkids, ages 4 and 9, think that every camping trip should include the weinie roast, S'Mores, bacon and eggs cooked outdoors and a nature hike....with leaves, acorns, feathers and animal sightings. We also vote for Mickey's Backyard BarBque. Its a much more relaxed atmosphere for the kids.

 

[Teamubr]

You've gotten lots of great ideas. My DS was 4 the first time we took him to WDW. It is amazing. He is 13 now and we'll be back the end of May, first week of June.

Until our last trip we didn't spend much time at the Fort. It was a nice convenient and cheap place to stay to hit the parks. Last trip my DS was 10 and we spent time doing "Fort" stuff.

Here's my favorites. Camp Fire sing along w/ Chip and Dale (My DS still wants to do that at 13), renting a canoe, the beach, renting the 2 seat boats, the playground, bike riding (I had a tow trailer he rode in when he was little). We haven't done Mickey's Backyard BBQ but it looks like a lot of fun. We have done Hoop D-Doo. It's probably a little more than a 4 yo would enjoy. Horses (petting or riding) if your DS is interseted. My DS was scared of them when he was little. Walks, fishing.

Downtown Disney is a lot of fun too.

Overall, 4 year olds are great. Almost anything new and stimulating is entertaining. And you get to do it together.

As for keeping a tent cool? That's why I have a camper... There were some neat ideas on the forum here on putting a small window air conditioner in the tent door. Since it would mainly be for night, it would probably work great once the sun went down. You could probably find a cheap used one on CraigsList or e-Bay.

j

 

[beagles7278]

You can also ride the monorail to the various resorts and check them out. At one time your little one could ride up front with the driver, but I think I read somewhere they stopped doing that. My daughter thought it was great when she rode up front.

You can also spend time at the Fort exploring for the old railroad. There are a few spots around that you can still find old railroad ties. I remember we were in the 800 loop last time and when you cross over into the 700 you cross a small bridge and then you can find some rail road ties from the old train. I think our next trip I will take the kids exploring and see if we can find more.

 

[YellowXterra]

The Fort is not a normal "Camping" trip per say. To instill camping take him to a local state park. I love the Fort but it's not what I consider "real" camping, heck you can't even have a campfire. Ok Now let the Flaming begin

 

[ilovemickeymost]

You can also ride the monorail to the various resorts and check them out. At one time your little one could ride up front with the driver, but I think I read somewhere they stopped doing that. My daughter thought it was great when she rode up front.

You are correct, no one is allowed to sit up front now. One of the monorail drivers died. It was so sad. Last time we were there, the cast members were wearing pins of rememberance for their friend.

 

[beagles7278]

You are correct, no one is allowed to sit up front now. One of the monorail drivers died. It was so sad. Last time we were there, the cast members were wearing pins of rememberance for their friend.

Yes, I remember reading about that, but I am not sure that was the reason for not letting kids ride up front.