Spring Break camping!

[jgdsoarin]

Just booked a trip to the Fort for spring break 2015! My first trip to WDW ever was to FW in the 80s. We've been to Disney many times since, but this will be the first time back to the Fort. Trying to decide if I'm brave enough to tow my camper or if we'll just take the tent. Most of our recent trips have been in December, so I'm really excited about April weather and the Flower show at Epcot. I'll be reading the camping threads a lot between now and then!
Funny...we bought our camper used and it's been to FW several times.

 

[bama_ed]

to the DIS Camping Board.

Spring is a great time to tent camp at the Fort. If you look at my signature you can see the last several trips we've made have been in the spring time. The weather is very nice late March and even better in April. This past March it got a little cool one night (used our electric blankets in the popup).

How far away to you live from the Fort? Is it THAT far that you would consider leaving the trailer at home? Being able to "sleep in your own bed" while on vacation is a wonderful benefit.

Folks also might be interested to hear what type of camper you have and your buying experience (if it was recent).

Bama Ed

PS - you will love being at the Fort. Don't know how much you might have hung out around your resort hotels in the past but leave some free time during your days to sleep in, walk, bike, use the pool, or enjoy the campfire/movie at night. If you are a theme park warrior (in the parks every day from rope drop to closing), you will miss the magic of the Fort.

 

[jgdsoarin]

We bought DVC a few years ago and are not theme park warriors anymore! Although, we did do 4 parks in 2 days last New Years...quick trip and wanted to see all the holiday decorations! I used all my 2015 points this past summer on an extended family trip to Vero Beach, so I thought this would be a perfect time to head back to FW. I have an Aliner, so it's easy to tow. We're 12 hours away, straight down 95. I could easily tow if I broke it into 2 parts. I wouldn't feel comfortable towing 12 hours at a stretch. I'll probably put the kids in a tent...teens like their privacy!

 

[cousineddie]

We've been twice (2011 and 2014) and stayed at the Fort both times during Spring break. In 2011 we were in a popup and the weather was crazy, there were even some trees downed during one of the storms. The second time the weather was better, but depending on where you're from, it was a little cool in the morning. Some mornings we had jackets and carried ponchos just in case.

Bring the new camper and we'll all watch and be jealous together.

 

[jgdsoarin]

In looking through the threads, it seems that loop 1500 will be the best fit for our needs. I reserved a tent/popup site and it seems that 1500 and 2000 are the ones...is this right? I want to be close to the main pool, etc. Will there be room for my Aliner, a large tent, and maybe a canopy or screen room? I couldn't tell from a video I watched exactly how large the sand pads are. Does it matter if I request a loop now or wait until closer to April? This forum is amazingly helpful!!

 

[bama_ed]

jgdsoarin,

I just got my Aliner last April, an Expedition model. I traded in my much loved and used Jayco highwall popup to get it because my two older boys have left the nest for college and my daughter will be gone soon too. So it's nice to know there's another Aliner owner out there. What model do you have?

The tent pads in the Tent/Partial sites vary in size - some are small and irregularly shaped while others are wide and quite deep. There is no standard size. We advise people if you are planning for a camper and a tent on a site to list the size of the tent as a note on the reservation. That information will flow downstream to a Fort Cast Member a few days before your arrival who pre-assigns you a site number based on planned availability and any notes (requested loop number, tent sizes, etc.). Unless your tent is really big (say bigger than 10x10) it should fit on most sites with an Aliner and screen room.

Lots of folks like 1500 over 2000 for its location so it can be hard to get into. 2000 has about 3X as many sites as 1500 also so the odds are not in favor of 1500. The thing you can do to help get 1500 when you check in if it's not been pre-assigned for you is to get there as early in the morning and request it at check-in. Offer to wait for it if someone is checking out that day. Of course that may mean you get a site that makes the tent-camper-room squeeze a little questionable.

I put this thread together a few trips ago about pad sizes in 1500 which may help.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2901476

Bama Ed

PS - WHEN you make a loop request makes no difference as long as it is on your reservation when it downloads for pre-assignment of a site number. If you add the tent size to your ressie, do it then. I think when you use My Disney Experience (the whole Magic Bands, FP+, dining reser etc) there is an "early check-in" option that opens up a few days before arrival which, IIRC from last time, included some limited loop request options. But I have always phoned it in or made the request when making the initial ressie and it was always attempted to be honored.

 

[jgdsoarin]

Thank you! Great advice and information!! I have a 2008 Scout model. I bought it a couple of years ago after getting tired of wet canvas and cranking up the roof of my popup. I love the Aliner's simplicity. I looked really hard at the Expedition last year along with the new Rpod 179. In the end, my little Scout still works just fine for my needs. I tow with a Honda Pilot, so I like keeping the weight low. I will cross my fingers to get the 1500 loop. We won't have bikes or a golf cart, so being closer to the pool will be important to the kids. I'm really looking forward to this trip! Thanks, again!!

 

[amcc]

Hi!

We are tent camping for the first time in Spring Break mid-march also! We've camped in an RV there several times but this will be a brand new experience for us. I like Loop 1500 very much since we are used to the full hook-up loops on that side. I don't think we will be using the pool much in March (Floridians here!) and we will have bikes so it won't make that much difference to us where we end up. Can't wait!

I hope I like tent camping as much as I've loved RV camping. Fingers crossed

 

[jgdsoarin]

My first trip to WDW was in a tent at the Fort! It was a great time! I would not hesitate to stay in a tent there again.