Trying to talk non-camping hubby into trying FW

[mama4]

Hi there. I really want to try FW maybe next March or April. DH is not a camper- I was raised by a Dad who loved to sleep outdoors- in the mountains, beaches in FL, wherever. We used mainly tents but sometimes a pop-up or even our conversion van. Well, dad just bought a fifth wheel and said he would haul it wherever we wanted anytime we wanted to borrow it. What a great opportunity to try FW...or so I thought. Dh said he doesn't know if he'd be comfortable walking around in the parks all day then coming back to campground. He was impressed by the camper and said he may like to borrow it sometime, but still doesn't think Disney would be good place to camp. Can anyone tell me some things about FW that might help convince him? Fun things to do, things you might miss out on if staying in a resort, things you love about the place! I think for a non-camping person, this would be the ideal place to try!! But I've never been there so I can't convince him.... BTW, we will have 4 kids by then -ds's will be 16, 5 and 3 and dd will be 9 or 10 mths. Thanks!

 

[WDW1979]

I have stayed at Fort Wilderness twice (2005, 2006), both times in a cabin. I'm thinking about staying in a Ft.W cabin again in August.

You wouldn't be in a cabin, but you have access to a "fifth wheel" which would be similar to a cabin.

You mentioned that you have four kids, and two of them, aged 5 and 3, are close to the ages of our kids aged 4 and 2. My kids love Fort Wilderness. They love the trees, and the beach (you can't swim in the lake but you can play in the sand and wade into the water), they love the numerous playgrounds around the campground, and they love the free nightly campfire program that includes marshmallow roast, sing-along with Disney guitarist/singer and a Chip and Dale meet and greet, and an outdoor movie projected onto a very large outdoor movie screen.

There is also a convenient boat ride from the Fort Wilderness marina to Magic Kingdom, so you can aviod driving, parking lots, trams and buses (well, if you are in a camping loop far from the marina and do not rent an electric golf cart, you would have to take the internal Fort Wilderness bus from your site to the marina). The boat ride is enjoyable and relaxing.

Another plus for everyone is that after a long day walking with the crowds at a theme park, Fort Wilderness is an oasis of quiet and relaxation.

I have stayed at 7 different Disney hotels, including deluxe resorts and DVC resorts and others, and I enjoyed all of them, and staying in Fort Wilderness was no let down at all! In fact, Fort Wilderness is very enjoyable and very Disney. I love Fort Wilderness.

 

[mama4]

The activities sound like they'd be perfect for my kids...the campfire songs, outdoor movies, playing on the beach- I know they would love it. I'm also glad to hear that it is very "Disney"- something dh and I always appreciate at the resorts. I think the dh will love the quiet/relaxation after the parks- if I can just convince him to try it.
You mentioned a boat to MK- this could be a huge plus. Just one question though. Will we have any trouble bringing our stroller/baby gear along on the boat? We've managed on the busses so far. Not sure how the boats are but I'm guessing they aren't the size of the ferry from that goes to MK. TIA

 

[Gunner]

One negative drawback. For your DH first camping experience to be FW, it will set the bar high. Any other campgrounds after that may be a disapointment. Do it, you will love it.

 

[campingcorgi]

You can easily take the strollers and gear on the boat to the MK. And while it happens only rarely, I've seen the MK ferry go to FW. Yes, FW is that popular!!

 

[6mouskateers]

I'm not much of a camper, but DH finally managed to get me to go camping by taking me there! We even tent camped-a major step for me-and I love it. Of course I loved it-it's DISNEY! We got rained on and I STILL loved it. Admittedly, I'd love it even more in camper.

But you know, I'd do it again in tents if it was the only way I could get to go.

We have stayed at FW a few times in the cabins also. It is so peaceful and you can escape "the mouse fever' if you wish. It was so nice to sit outside in the AM with my coffee, make some breakfast. It was so quiet (except for the PEACOCKS. Don't have to worry about them anymore. I will miss them) and pleasant no having to deal with the rat-race of the food court. The kids had a wonderful time. We wished we had more time and had taken our bikes. Some day we would like to go there for about 10 days and camp--it's kinda scary that I would actually say that.

Hope you have fun!

 

[toytowner]

have stayed in the resorts it's nice but once i stayed in my own rv that's the only way to go because just sitting outside and not rushing for anything or waiting in line to eat is great and if i want steak and eggs at 3 am or a glass of milk i just get it ( in my underwear lol ) only problem i have to do the dishes all 3 of them. do it maybe he'll enjoy it, life's to short not to.

 

[kmccain]

I would show him a price comparison!

Figure up how much it would cost in a Disney Resort (high priced). Don't forget to include all your meals because you can't cook without a stove.

Then figure it out at FW at this years rates and no food because you can eat all your meals in the camper and see if that works!

Don't forget to mention that DS 16 will have a lot more fun there. There are all kinds of things for him to do while the little ones are resting with DH.

Just being able to relax in the outdoors would be great!

Everyone will sleep better! I have heard it is hard to sleep in those motels!

That is the best I can do! Good Luck!!!

 

[mama4]

You gave me some great ideas...cost comparing, eating steak and eggs (or whatever you want) at 3 am in his boxers will both appeal to dh. I do think ds-16 will enjoy it as well. He is an "outdoors" guy all the way. I'm also glad to hear the boats are easy to load the strollers and gear onto.

Oh, and I did think of that too, Gunner, but he has actually camped before (in college with friends- just not in a campground and in a tent instead of a camper) so hopefully the convenience of the fifth wheel and the basic ammenities of most campgrounds would be enough to drag him along to any future non-disney camping excursions. He's not really that picky-just didn't like the idea of camping at Disney. We have mostly stayed at POR and once at POP and although I've never felt crowded at all, I think dh does a little. I believe he would love being able to strech out and to do things on his own time (and seriously- not having to go find something to eat/drink )

Anyway, thanks again! Hopefully we'll be there next March!

 

[ZipaDeeDooDah]

I have to say, I kind of agree with your husband on this one. I don't know why, but camping at Disney just doesn't appeal to me (even though we are regular campers). I think I would probably be more interested in it if we were to go several-times-a-year kind of thing. But if we're only going once every 5 years, I wouldn't want to camp.

Just my 2 cents! Good luck!