Thanksgiving At The Fort ...

[Maggie62677]

Hello, all!

My family (DH, DS7, DD3, and DD16 months) and I will be heading to the Fort for Thanksgiving this year. Although from Florida, we have camped only one other time at Disney and are definitely looking forward to coming back. Have any of you been around this time of year? What should be expect? We normally camp in our 8 person tent, but since we're staying 7d, 6n we've played with the idea of renting a golf cart - and possibly a pop-up camper. Also, I hear decorating is a must around the holidays, so we're planning on bringing some lights as well ... ok, maybe A LOT of lights!

Welcoming any comments and insight ... thanks!

 

[KimIce]

Thanksgiving is one of the best times to camp @ FW. The decorations are phenomenal. We go just about every year @ that time, we love it. People will have their Christmas decorations up by that weekend. It really is great. I would definitely suggest renting a golf cart so you can go looping & enjoy the decorations. Some sites have so many & you walk thru the site. We watched someone set up their decorations for 3 days. A lot of people put a lot of time & thought into it. It really is a wonderful time. I put up decorations but I always feel under decorated compared to most. It is definitely something I think everyone should experience @ least once. It is amazing. We have never been disappointed. I just can't say enough about how wonderful it is. Of course, just expect it to be crowded.

 

[Maggie62677]

KimIce, do you know if we are 'allowed' to decorate the surrounding trees and shrubs near/on our campsite? I just want to make sure that Disney FW 'police' don't try to hog tie me to their golf cart and personally escort me out of the property!

 

[retired and happy]

You want a regulation answer or a real world answer? The rules say you can decorate your campsite, which is half way toward the sites on either side of you. If your neighbors don't comp[lain, you can go further. The last tow years we were encouraged to put some on a neighbors "property" for them to enjoy. We have always put lights in the bushes and wrapped light strands around trees. If the police say anything, they will just ask/tell you to move/remove the offending items.

We put up 30 inflatables and who knows how many lights.

 

[bama_ed]

Maggie,

We camped in a popup in 1500 loop back in 2009 for Thanksgiving Week.

The weather was warm the first half of the week; it rained midweek, then it was cooler during the last half of the week.

Some campers who are planning to stay thru Christmas are already there and setting up big displays.

The Fort fills up during Thanksgiving week and is full from Wednesday-Saturday of that week. The parks are pretty full as well.

We visitied the SNOW show at the Gaylord Palms just off property across I4 which was interesting. The Palms has a winter ice/snow walkthru each year (they change it up sometimes).

The grocery stores around the WDW area sold out of some traditional Thanksgiving supplies the day before Turkey Day so you might try to get your supplies early in the week.

Disney puts the Fort Christimas Tree up down at Trails End outside early in the morning of the Friday after Thanksgiving (the next day).

Have fun!

Bama ED

 

[luckycharm19335]

We are there every year for Thanksgiving. We arrive the Sunday before.
The weather is typically very nice. Warm during the day and cool at night.
If you are planning on doing the parks, I would try to hit them Monday thru Wednesday. It just gets very crowded starting Wednesday evening.
Make any dining reservations as early as possible..Otherwise, Good Luck.
I decorate for Thanksgiving upon arrival. Then when every one else settles in for the nite after Thanksgiving dinner (always at Artist Point), I go work MY magic and switch my decorations to Christmas.
With a little planning everything will go just fine.
I love being at the Fort for Thanksgiving.