Weighing My Options

[Wild about Walt]

So, I'm in the planning stage for our next Disney World trip for next April. I have a couple of questions for my favourite Dis'ers.

1. What are the bugs like camping in Florida (in April)?

2. Is camping over staying at a resort more cost effective.

3. Can you still get dining plans if you camp?

4. Are there any other perks for staying at Fort Wilderness?

Basically just want the ins and outs of camping at Disney. Any info would greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[2goofycampers]

A couple of questions so as to answer your "cost effective" or not.

Will you be bringing your own camper? If so. What will fuel cost you?

If not will you be renting, tenting or a cabin dweller?

How many days will you be staying?

Bugs aren't too bad in a typical April.

Yes you can purchase the dining plan.

 

[SunshineCamper]

In my opinion the perk about staying at Ft. Wilderness is that its a "park" in itself. So much to do at the campgrounds vs. other resorts.

*Wagon rides
*fireworks on Bay Lake
*electric water show
*movies, campfire, smores
*rent a boat, segways, canoes, bikes
*ride bikes
*swim/pool
*tennis
*walk to WL
*jog the campgrounds
*Take out at TE
*pony rides-young ones
*horse rides
*and so much more

* The best is.... I don't have to listen to my neighbors above my head or under my head like in a hotel room. I can go outside and sit on my "porch" (next to my TT) and enjoy the sounds, the kids playing, the campers on a walk (looping), watching tv, cooking at my site, etc. I get to bring my "house' with me and comforts of home.

 

[Wild about Walt]

A couple of questions so as to answer your "cost effective" or not.

Will you be bringing your own camper? If so. What will fuel cost you?

If not will you be renting, tenting or a cabin dweller?

How many days will you be staying?

Bugs aren't too bad in a typical April.

Yes you can purchase the dining plan.

The tentative plan would be to rent a camper either from down there or up here (on the other side of Toronto) DH is a bit of a princess and needs certain 'comforts' so tenting is out. The cabins seemed too expensive.

We normally stay 14 days but that may be too long for camping for DH so maybe 7 at FW and 7 at resort.

Thanks for the info

 

[Wild about Walt]

In my opinion the perk about staying at Ft. Wilderness is that its a "park" in itself. So much to do at the campgrounds vs. other resorts.

*Wagon rides
*fireworks on Bay Lake
*electric water show
*movies, campfire, smores
*rent a boat, segways, canoes, bikes
*ride bikes
*swim/pool
*tennis
*walk to WL
*jog the campgrounds
*Take out at TE
*pony rides-young ones
*horse rides
*and so much more

* The best is.... I don't have to listen to my neighbors above my head or under my head like in a hotel room. I can go outside and sit on my "porch" (next to my TT) and enjoy the sounds, the kids playing, the campers on a walk (looping), watching tv, cooking at my site, etc. I get to bring my "house' with me and comforts of home.

Thats awesome!! And good point about the comparison to a resort.

What time of year would you say is the best to camp in FLA?

 

[SunshineCamper]

I prefer Thanksgiving as the best time. You get the benefits of Christmas decorations but at a much cheaper rate than the Christmas/holiday prices.

January 2nd-thru just before MLK weekend when the prices are the lowest and the parks are not as full. Our kids usually have the week after News Years off of school in our county so we head to the Ft. to basically see many kids that go to school in our county.

If you don't mind the HEAT September is great because most kids are back in school and the prices are low this time of yr. Like I said if you can take the heat.

 

[2goofycampers]

Early spring and late fall would be the best times to camp.
If you're looking for cost effective, renting and driving or renting there would not be.
If you're looking for a new adventure. I'd say renting in Fl and having it delivered and set up would be the way to go.

 

[retired and happy]

We always come for Christmas/New Years and stay a MONTH. I agree with PP that staying in a "resort" would not be my cup of tea. We enjoy the openness of the Fort and the advantages it gives over a hotel room...your own bed, kitchen, and bathroom...

You don't say whether you have kids or whether you plan to visit the Parks. Either of those would lend more evidence toward the freedom of the Fort. Lots to do there when you are not in the Parks....including relaxation.

 

[North of Mouse]

So, I'm in the planning stage for our next Disney World trip for next April. I have a couple of questions for my favourite Dis'ers.

1. What are the bugs like camping in Florida (in April)?

2. Is camping over staying at a resort more cost effective.

3. Can you still get dining plans if you camp?

4. Are there any other perks for staying at Fort Wilderness?

Basically just want the ins and outs of camping at Disney. Any info would greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

FW camping is GREAT! But, having said that------------

The 'truth' is, if you have to rent a TT and have it set up, plus pay the nightly site fee, it *is not cheap*. So asking if it's 'more' cost effective, my answer would be 'no'. If you already own a TT or some type RV set up, then yes, to us, it would be 'cost effective'.

Just check the prices for yourself, and compare. That is the only way you can tell, as only you know what type/size/amenities, etc. that you require. Sounds like you will need *certain comforts* (I personally agree - we're wimps ) so that comes at a price.

FW is the *only* place we have ever stayed at Disney in 40 years so that will tell you how much we think of the Fort.

We've never had any issues with bugs anytime (have never used/needed repellent) but there are some that have had problems (insects seem more attracted to some people for different reasons).

A very big 'perk' to us is having our 'personal' home to sleep in, plus being 'right at' one of the parks.

Just weigh your options after researching your needs and checking/comparing prices, then you can make an informed decision. Only you will know if it's worth it to your family personally.

 

[DisneyDiva8401]

Very cost effective for us. If not for FW we wouldn't be able to go to Disney very much. If you have more than 4 people, think about how much you would spend at resort for a suite. You can fit way more people on a site than you can in a hotel room. We had 9 people one time (6 adults, 1 teen, 2 kids). Splitting the cost between families made it ridiculously cheap. Of course we stay in the tent loop and not a premium site.
Don't know about April, we only go in the summer, but have never had a lot of problems with bugs that I noticed.

 

[Wild about Walt]

We always come for Christmas/New Years and stay a MONTH. I agree with PP that staying in a "resort" would not be my cup of tea. We enjoy the openness of the Fort and the advantages it gives over a hotel room...your own bed, kitchen, and bathroom...

You don't say whether you have kids or whether you plan to visit the Parks. Either of those would lend more evidence toward the freedom of the Fort. Lots to do there when you are not in the Parks....including relaxation.

We've been wanting to go around Christmas as well. I've been dying to see all the decorations and celebrations.

Yes we have kids. Three of them. And they are all good campers(better then DH anyways lol) My DD is 12, DS is 10 and DS is 6. I think they would adore camping at FW and soak up all the perks. We were there for HDDR last year and we loved the area.

 

[Wild about Walt]

FW camping is GREAT! But, having said that------------

The 'truth' is, if you have to rent a TT and have it set up, plus pay the nightly site fee, it *is not cheap*. So asking if it's 'more' cost effective, my answer would be 'no'. If you already own a TT or some type RV set up, then yes, to us, it would be 'cost effective'.

Just check the prices for yourself, and compare. That is the only way you can tell, as only you know what type/size/amenities, etc. that you require. Sounds like you will need *certain comforts* (I personally agree - we're wimps ) so that comes at a price.

FW is the *only* place we have ever stayed at Disney in 40 years so that will tell you how much we think of the Fort.

We've never had any issues with bugs anytime (have never used/needed repellent) but there are some that have had problems (insects seem more attracted to some people for different reasons).

A very big 'perk' to us is having our 'personal' home to sleep in, plus being 'right at' one of the parks.

Just weigh your options after researching your needs and checking/comparing prices, then you can make an informed decision. Only you will know if it's worth it to your family personally.

Okay, I guess my next step is to make some phone calls. I'm thinking it would be better just to rent something from down there so we don't have to pay for the gas to get it there. I also think that we need to rent and try it out before we make any type of large purchase like that.

All this talk is making me more excited about doing this!!