Staying at FW in Oct - Maybe (help)

[3tiggerstoo]

Our family of 6 loves to camp. We have an RV and go on at least 4-6 trips a year. We are planning a trip to WDW in Oct. and would love to stay in our camper at FW - BUT we're going with my parents. We have a house off-site already booked but our family has never stayed offsite and we're really spoiled to using Disney transportation to split up and go our separate ways when we want to. So, I'm trying to convince my mom that she would enjoy staying at FW in our camper with us! My dad would be fine with camping. Mom has agreed to spend a night in our camper to "try out the beds" when we go camping in Sept. My question is two-fold:

First, what would you suggest to help make this first camping experience better? Are there things I can to do help convince her? She's not so sure about 8 people sleeping in such close quarters (our RV officially sleeps 10, but a few of those "beds" are not as comfortable).

Second, am I crazy for even trying to convince her? Should I just deal with the inconvenience and expense of having to drive 2 cars onto Disney property each day and possibly still not being able to split in as many directions as we're used to doing? (Not to mention missing out on the ambiance of being on Disney property).

I REALLY want to stay at FW, but not if it's going to make my mom miserable. So...what would you do?

 

[Running_Bell]

Can you suggest to your mom that her and your dad stay off property and you stay at FW? My mother-in-law doesn't enjoy camping so when we've gone to WDW... she stays in hotel and we meet up throughout the day. That way we are all happy.

 

[retired and happy]

How about changing the off-site house for a FW cabin? Some are close to the RV sites and would accomodate more people and be close together.

 

[AuntBJ]

Well, if it is anything like my family, it depends on your willingness to give up the "good" bed I think you have be willing to give your mom the best and most private bed. I also ordered a good memory foam topper from amazon and added to the rv mattress and it now sleeps better than my bed at home.

What part of camping do you think she might not like? If you have some idea, maybe we can think of ways to alleviate any problems she could be worried about.

Another option is to book her and your dad either at another resort or nearby off-site. I don't know the nearest value but Port Orleans is very convenient to the fort.

 

[photogal06]

I was also going to suggest renting a cabin for your parents....that way you could be near each other but not quite so close as all being in the same RV! Or maybe renting a trailer setup and getting two sites next to each other? I know some locals have businesses where they rent out fully stocked trailers and will come and set it all up for you at the Fort and take it down afterward.

 

[3tiggerstoo]

We've priced FW cabins and Value resorts and it is definitely more expensive than the offsite house. Unfortunately, this trip we're trying to go an inexpensively as possible. We got YES tix which is the whole reason for this trip in the first place. It's an "extra" trip which is why we looked at the offsite house since it's cheaper than on-property.

I really think her main concerns are the close sleeping quarters and not have much room to get ready in the mornings. We won't be in our camper except to sleep and get ready in the mornings. I'm hoping the trial camping trip in September goes well. If it doesn't, I may give up the FW idea until our next trip. Funny thing is, I said after our last trip that the NEXT trip we would stay at FW and here we are putting it off again - but this one doesn't work out then next trip we WILL camp at Disney

 

[AuntBJ]

Tell her you will request a site close to the comfort station and some of you can get ready there. I think Disney has some of the best bathhouses around.

Don't give up on the idea of a site & a value room too soon. I don't think the room only discounts are out for October yet are they? A discount on the room could tip it towards staying on property especially if you factor in parking for two cars each day.

 

[WalkingintheFog]

Are you allowed to have a tent on your site as well?
I'm guessing the other 4 of the 6 are your children... are they old enough to sleep in Tent by themselves? Or would you and spouse consider sleeping in a tent?

Or even just bring a screen room to have another "official" living space. That could be another spot to get ready in the mornings as well.

I'll be there tent camping 6 nights including the long weekend! Haven't camped at the fort (nor in The States) before! Can't wait!

I hope you manage to pull this off and that mom will have an amazing time!

 

[manning]

How about a short weekend camping trial?