Suggestions for our Fort off day?

[Becky14]

We’ll be spending 3 days at the Fort next week, and it will be our first time there. Very excited!

We will have one off day and we still haven’t decided if we want to spend the whole day at the Fort or part at the Fort, part at Downtown Disney … any opinions?

We know that we want to do the pony rides for the kids and look at all the Christmas decorations. The sing-a-long if we stay that late. What other Fort essentials should we include?

We're a family of 7 – grandparent, 3 parents, and 3 kids (10 YO, 5 YO, 2.5 YO)

- Becky

 

[Bearikens]

First, allow me to say Welcome to the FW DisBoards.

Second, in addition to the activities you've already mentioned, there are many other things to keep one busy at the Fort. There are two pools, basketball hoops, fishing, archery, trail rides, hiking, walking, looping for Christmas displays (concentrate on loops 100, 200, and 300), tennis courts, talking with neighbors, nightly water pageant (at the beach).

Third, if you are interested in exploring, you can take a water launch to the MK or the Contemporary to catch the resort monorail and ride to the Polynesian and Grand Floridian to check out their holiday displays in the lobbies. The GF is especially cool as they not only have a massive Christmas tree, but they also have a full size gingerbread house. Also, check out the MK fireworks from the FW beach, or the Contemporary, or the Polynesian beach, or the GF beach as all are pretty good viewing areas without having to enter the MK.

Fourth, if you are looking for something a little more closer to "home" you can bring board games, frisbee, football, or a video player and a Disney movie to enjoy in your campsite.

hope this helps

 

[bama_ed]

Hi Becky!

Like you I like to duck over to DTD but my advice would be to go early in the day (get there and back before lunch). The construction in the parking area, so I've read, makes it cramped and difficult if it's somewhat crowded/busy.

People like to gather down at the beach/boat marina and watch the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom whenever they are scheduled (Disney pipes in the music - there are speakers in the treeline behind the beach).

The Electric Water Parade (or whatever it's called now) is also off the beach/marina area. It is towed barges with light screens in a crude sort of animation or drawn scenes with VERY loud music. It's been a staple for decades every night in front of all the Bay Lake/Seven Seas Lagoon resorts weather permitting. My memory says 945pm on the Fort beach but consult the entertainment schedule in the data you get when you check in.

You got the singalong/movie which features Chip & Dale (you're never too old to get a pix with C&D). I like hanging out around the Trails End porch which has a good vibe what with people checking in for the HDDR shows etc.

We rode the boats from the Fort to the Contemp and/or MK (different ones in each direction) and hopped a monorail over to EPCOT and back - just because it was fun. We've ridden over to the Grand Floridian via the monorail to see the Christmas decorations and Gingerbread House (Huge in the lobby). They sell bite sized pieces of gingerbread and the smell fills the lobby once you enter the building from the monorail stop. We also like visiting the other resorts (the monorail resorts are the easiest) to view their Christmas decorations.

I'm glad to hear you folks are doing a multi-generational visit. Those will be special memories.

Bama Ed

 

[jayco1]

Late breakfast, early lunch, nap, GAG dinner, looping, fireworks.

 

[Becky14]

Late breakfast, early lunch, nap, GAG dinner, looping, fireworks.

Wow, that sounds relaxing! I had to look up "GAG" dinner - it looks very yummy, despite its acronym.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I should have mentioned that this off day will be our last day at the Fort, then we're driving to another location that's 1.5 hours away. So we probably won't make it to the fireworks ...

 

[jayco1]

Wow, that sounds relaxing! I had to look up "GAG" dinner - it looks very yummy, despite its acronym.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I should have mentioned that this off day will be our last day at the Fort, then we're driving to another location that's 1.5 hours away. So we probably won't make it to the fireworks ...

The GAG chicken dinner is a must have on most campers list.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Hi Becky! You will be arriving during peak Christmas time! I would suggest making time to loop and take in all the decor. Renting a cart makes it easy to see everything the fort has to offer.

What is a GAG dinner?

 

[jayco1]

Hi Becky! You will be arriving during peak Christmas time! I would suggest making time to loop and take in all the decor. Renting a cart makes it easy to see everything the fort has to offer.

What is a GAG dinner?

GAG is Giddyup And Go (or close to that) at the Trails End, is a carry out chicken dinner, family size with choice of sides, a pretty good deal for Disney, and very tasty.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Thank you for clarifying. Yes, that is a must! We love TE to go

GAG is Giddyup And Go (or close to that) at the Trails End, is a carry out chicken dinner, family size with choice of sides, a pretty good deal for Disney, and very tasty.

 

[ColleenFL]

Make sure you go watch the water pageant (some people call it the water electric parade) from the beach. You would have time to do chip n dales sing a long before water pageant parade.

 

[Becky14]

Make sure you go watch the water pageant (some people call it the water electric parade) from the beach. You would have time to do chip n dales sing a long before water pageant parade.

Thanks for all the ideas!