Towing Travel Trailer from Phila. PA

[Cyndee]

Hi everyone,

I'm so glad I found this forum! So much helpful information! We are planning on arriving on 4/3 and checking out on 4/9. This is our 9 year old son's very first visit and we've never camped at FT Wilderness before. We're planning to make the trip from PA with 2 nite stop overs each way. Any suggestions on the best route(s) and where to stay on our way? Also what are some don't miss activties at the campground? As far as a schedule, we were planning to have breakfast in the trailer, head over to a park early with a backpack of snacks, maybe come back to the trailer to rest up or swim then back out and grab dinner and more park. Does that sound fesible time wise? I have read that travling times to differnt areas can take an hour or so. Sorry for such a long post. I hope I put it in the right spot. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I come from Allentown, PA. From where you are, you can't get a much more direct route than 95 south. You will have to bypass the tunnel in Delaware (just follow the signs) and the Washington Beltway is hairy (I try to hit it on a Saturday at about 2AM), otherwise it is a pretty good route right to Florida. I do not take the I4 thru orlando. Instead, I keep on 95 and take the Beach Line west which takes you right into WDW and south of Orlando. I can give you more specific instructions if you are interested in this route. There is a KOA in Florence, SC which is a common stopover point for RVer's - easy on and off, clean. Also, there is a KOA in Savannah Georgia which we use as an overnight spot, too. Also easy on/off and clean.

 

[ram101]

I agree!!

Our 1st and only trip so far was in 07 and we took the 95 route ftwildernessguy is talking about. Only problem I had was on the return trip the gps got lost and dumped us in the back streets of DC with a 32' MH!! It's no fun on those streets at 1am!!!
I drove straight through last time and could do it again but, the kids didnt do so well. We will be stopping over once each way on our August trip.

Only suggestion I have for the Fort and WDW is don't try to do it all in one short trip!!! It cannot be done! Have fun!

 

[big kahuna1]

You do not want to miss the Campfire/marshmellow roast/singalong/movie at the Fort. You may also want to consider the Hoop Dee Doo Review since this is your first visit.

You can also rent a Golf Cart at the Fort which is a fun way to get around but they are not cheap.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

It sounds like you have a pretty good plan worked out.

Like big kahuna1 said, golf cart can be a blast, and they help you get around quickly without using the bus system.

Be sure to catch the Light Parade on the Forts beach, its at 9:45 each night.



I would not put it on my must do list if this was my first time to the Fort,,
but bring a fishing pole, if you find yourself with a little free time (not likely) you can wet a line.

 

[disney4dan]

The plans sound great. We made the trip from MA this August and decided to take a more leisurely route down. Nothing like 3 days in the truck to bring that sense of togetherness to a boil!

On our first night we stayed at the Fayetteville KOA, then a couple of nights on the South Carolina coast at Huntington Beach state park. From there we made good time to the Fort the next day (left at 6:00am, 15 minutes cursing at the RV dump station feeding the mosquitoes, and then on our way).

We never made it to the campfire or the movie. This is our second time that we missed those, and I plan on returning just to get to those activities. You'll enjoy the ferry service to/from the Magic Kingdom, and we found that we preferred to take our truck to all the other parks. I really wanted to ride the monorail between the MK to the TTC and then Epcot, but not this trip.

As for other "must do" - get to Hollywood Studios for Toy Story Mania Midway Attraction. That was a blast!

Looking forward to the trip report with photos.

 

[LarryJ]

Hi everyone,

I'm so glad I found this forum! So much helpful information! We are planning on arriving on 4/3 and checking out on 4/9. This is our 9 year old son's very first visit and we've never camped at FT Wilderness before. We're planning to make the trip from PA with 2 nite stop overs each way. Any suggestions on the best route(s) and where to stay on our way? Also what are some don't miss activties at the campground? As far as a schedule, we were planning to have breakfast in the trailer, head over to a park early with a backpack of snacks, maybe come back to the trailer to rest up or swim then back out and grab dinner and more park. Does that sound fesible time wise? I have read that travling times to differnt areas can take an hour or so. Sorry for such a long post. I hope I put it in the right spot. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Just plan out how far you want to go each day and figure about 55mph average with pitstops and fuel stops if you are towing anything. Also, I would add about 60mi to you mileage for the Baltimore and DC beltways (each one so a 120 total). That isn't for extra mileage, but for potential increase in driving time.

The minute you get on I-95 or the Parkway out of Baltimore tune in and listed to either 630AM (WMAL) or IIRC 103.5FM(WTOP) which have periodic traffic reports for D.C.

You can't hit both probably in this time frame and I know nothing about the Baltimore Beltway, but if you hit the D.C. Beltway between 10AM and 2PM is the best IMHO you can do and fortunately you will or should be going against the grain so to speak by traveling south.

If the weather is bad all bets are off since the area around D.C. is really bad and if snowy or icy be extremely cautious of the 10mi around the rest area or truck stop just south of Dumfries on I-95. That stretch is notorious for icing up.

Larry

 

[auntie]

I agree!!

Our 1st and only trip so far was in 07 and we took the 95 route ftwildernessguy is talking about. Only problem I had was on the return trip the gps got lost and dumped us in the back streets of DC with a 32' MH!! It's no fun on those streets at 1am!!!
I drove straight through last time and could do it again but, the kids didnt do so well. We will be stopping over once each way on our August trip.

Only suggestion I have for the Fort and WDW is don't try to do it all in one short trip!!! It cannot be done! Have fun!

Reminds me of the trip the Griswolds took to Wally World.
We've all been there..

 

[Cyndee]

Thank you all for your encouragement and great advice!

 

[cyberdeb]

On our trips down from suburb of philadelphia we took the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel. I wasnt driving so i dont know the exact route. It did help to avoid the Washington DC area. It was a much more scenic drive. We stopped to visit with Family on the Virginia/North Carolina border right off 95. We then drove down 95 to St. Augustine and spent the night in a motel (we had a popup then and didnt want to set up for one night). We then had a short ride to the fort. We took the crock pot and made many meals in that before we headed off to the parks so that dinner was ready.

 

[disney4dan]

On our trips down from suburb of philadelphia we took the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel. I wasnt driving so i dont know the exact route. It did help to avoid the Washington DC area. It was a much more scenic drive. We stopped to visit with Family on the Virginia/North Carolina border right off 95. We then drove down 95 to St. Augustine and spent the night in a motel (we had a popup then and didnt want to set up for one night). We then had a short ride to the fort. We took the crock pot and made many meals in that before we headed off to the parks so that dinner was ready.

I've always wanted to take that route, remember doing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel as a kid. Unfortunately, DW and oldest son just don't like the idea of the bridge or the strong crosswinds while towing the TT.

I second the Crockpot idea. We had many a good meal coming back in the afternoon for a break. Crockpot liners save a lot of cleaning also.

 

[njcamper95]

We do the I-95 route we leave central NJ around 3-4 AM and get to Savanha Ga koa around 8-9 PM makes for a long first day but then its easy on day 2 we leave Ga around 8-9 Am and do I-95 to I-4 then follow signs to the magic kingdom we arrive around 2-3 pm
Of course this all depends on how many stops for rest and or bathroom breaks we also travel with our 2 senior dogs which make for more bathroom breaks also
these also depend on if you bring snacks or food if you stop for meals then the times will be longer we usually bring a small -medium sized cooler and pack drinks and sandwiches to save on cost and time while stopped for fuel or bathroom we will eat also just some thoughts

 

[disney4dan]

Of course this all depends on how many stops for rest and or bathroom breaks we also travel with our 2 senior dogs which make for more bathroom breaks also
these also depend on if you bring snacks or food if you stop for meals then the times will be longer we usually bring a small -medium sized cooler and pack drinks and sandwiches to save on cost and time while stopped for fuel or bathroom we will eat also just some thoughts

One thing we found with traveling with our travel trailer is the convenience of having the bathroom with you at all times, so everyone but the driver can make a pit stop while refueling the truck. Which, because of the truck I have, meant stopping every 200 miles whether I wanted to or not.

Another plus of having the bathroom with you - kids don't have to walk past the gift shop and toys/candy going to the rest stop bathrooms.

 

[njcamper95]

Oh yeah forgot about that also saves time usually bring a jug or two of water instead of putting water in our tank then we can use that to flush especially in winter leaving Nj in winter can be chilly

 

[Cyndee]

Hi all,

Thanks again for all your helpful info. Unfortunately we won't be getting to Ft wilderness anytime in the forseeable future. We were on our way when we were in an accident that totaled our 99 suburban and 06 Coachmen travel trailer. (I lost control after a big truck zoomed past doing way over the speed limit) The trailer jack knifed and we flipped over onto the driver's side. We have been truly blessed that no one was seriously hurt and were the only ones involved in the accident. Hopefully insurance will pay off the trailer, but right now I have no desire to ever be in anything that is pulling something else.

God Bless you all,
Cyndee

 

[Just Beachy]

OMG!! Thank God no one was hurt. I'm very sorry about your vehicle and TT. Those can be replaced though, people can't. What a terrifying thing to have happen. So glad you're all ok!

 

[We4mickey]

So sorry to hear of your accident. Thank God everyone is okay, although I'm sure very shaken. Take care of yourself and family. There will always be another trip.

 

[disney4dan]

I am truly sorry to hear about the accident, happy that everyone got through it OK. I can't imagine what that was like.

On our way back from the Fort last summer we had an idiot young driver speed past us to try and make an exit at the last minute, pulled right in front of us and then slammed on the brakes when he realized he could not make the exit. Thank God for anti-lock brakes and electric trailer brakes. I still don't know how close we got, but I could not see most of the trunk of his car but could see the panicked look on his face in his mirror as our trailer tires were smoking up the highway. Luckily we were only 50 miles from home or I think Nancy would have had a stroke by the time we got home.

Maybe a good way to get back on your feet would be a flight and rent a camper at the Fort? Airfare are going way down right now and there are some great deals on trailer rentals (including one supplied by a fellow Dis'er).

I hope you recover from this financially as well and get a chance to go camping soon.

 

[cyberdeb]

Oh my, how horrible. I am glad you and your family are ok. Very sad that your trip was ruined.

 

[mrsscooter]

I am sorry to hear about your accident....but I am glad to hear that no one was severly injured. Like someone else posted, card and tt can be replaced, people can not. You and your family are in our thoughts. Your dream vacation will happen when your ready......just remember that.