What makes FW GREAT

[McKeeFamily3]

I convinced DH to stay at FW! I'm so excited
He prefers OKW for the spacious rooms but we all enjoy camping and he decided to give it a try.
So now that I've booked our stay (9 nights! this will be our longest stay, I'm ready to bust!) I'll be getting deep in to planning mode. I want to know what should not be missed at FW! Tell me everything, what are your favorite things to do, some of your favorite memories, great sites ( we really don't care what site we get, I'd just like to hear about them). Anything great about FW at all!

Now, I'll be honest with you. I really started this thread so I could see my count down for the first time

 

[travlnman1]

Are you camping it or cabining it?

 

[McKeeFamily3]

Campin' it! 31 foot Minnie Winnie

 

[Bichon Barb]

Okay, I'll start.

What makes FW great! By Bichon Barb

I would have to say the number one thing is the relaxed atmosphere. You can come back from the parks and head to your camper with all the conveniences of home. If you are exhausted, you don't have to get dressed again and wait at a crowded restaurant with cranky kids. You can go for a swim and then enjoy a cheeseburger and a margarita in your own little paradise. AND you can do so in your pajamas if you so wish!

And no more being locked up in a hotel room with the kids fighting over the television. They can go outside and play, ride bikes, chase ducks. There are lots of activities for the kids--depending on their ages.

Anyone want to tackle the list of activities?

 

[We4mickey]

Well we can start with just tooling around the campground on a golf cart or your bikes. One of our favorite things to do. Looking at all the different sites, setups, and decorations people have. Swimming or just relaxing by the pool with a good book. At night our idea to the end of a perfect day at FW is to go to the beach watch the water parade and eat a Trails end pizza. You won't have kids running past your hotel room, here toilets flushing in the middle of the night or your next door neighbors taking a shower. It is the perfect relaxing vacation.

Who's next.....

 

[rdrjj5]

We will be there the same week! I'll be the one chasing down my 3 year old twins and the 5 year old ring leader. Last year my oldest loved the christmas decorations! We brought some to decorate (very little compared to others) but we did have an inflatable snowman. My FIL rented a golf cart for 1 of our down days and we went out crusing to see everyone's set up. (the best christmas display was by the playground near 300 loop I think) My kids loved the petting zoo so we spent much time there. The campfire and movie at night is alot of fun.

 

[travlnman1]

Well, I would say that we have stayed at FWCabins twice in the past, almost 10 years ago. We loved the cabins when we stayed there because it was so peaceful. The faint sounds of the buses reminded me that they would take you to a whole 'nuther place if you chose to do so. I loved that.
We visit DW every 2 years. For the past 10 years we have been staying at DLX properties. They were all fantastic. 2 years ago was concierge lagoon view at the Poly. One of the best rooms you can get. It was fine. But...when you stay at a hotel, you always feel the hustle and bustle of a hotel. Which is fine, but when you stay at FW, you come home from your DW vacation feeling like you've BEEN ON VACATION!! Not like you need a vacation FROM your vacation.

 

[StarPM]

What a great idea for a post. We're heading down for 10 days in October(our longest trip yet). This will be our first time at FW. I can't wait to read all the other great information. You guys are the BEST!!!!

 

[Memph1s]

I love the relaxed atmosphere of FW. It is wonderful to be able to pull an ice cold 75 cent imported beer out of the cooler and sit under the awning and people watch. I think FW is the most kid friendly resort. There is just so much for them to do other than pools, arcades, and watching TV in the room. I love the fact that when we do chose to drive somewhere the car is only 6 feet from the camper and not 3 buildings and have a huge parking lot away. The campfire and movie is a great added value. I love cooking out on the grill and that fact that I can fix a great meal just the way I want for less than the tip at most sit down places on Disney property. The fact that so many people staying at other resorts come over to take advantage of FW activities and shows says a lot to me. We have camped at FW many times and even with APs never even went to the parks.

 

[McKeeFamily3]

Thanks for all the comments! FW is sounding more wonderful with every post.

And no more being locked up in a hotel room with the kids fighting over the television. They can go outside and play, ride bikes, chase ducks. There are lots of activities for the kids

This is one of the things that appeal to me the most. The kids are totally cooped up in a hotel.

It is wonderful to be able to pull an ice cold 75 cent imported beer out of the cooler and sit under the awning and people watch

This is what appeals to DH

Keep 'em coming!

 

[DisneyMom5]

It is soooo beautiful and peaceful. I was unprepared for how wild the surroundings are. Trees, trees, and more trees! An armadillo scampered by me one night while walking back from the bus stop. Little lizards for the boys to admire, peacocks.
We watched the MK fireworks from the beach, awesome.
A lot of "snowbirds" at the campground, and that makes for some pleasant grandparent type conversations on the buses. They love to see the little kids.
We were so busy going to the parks (the kids first time) that we had little time to spend at the campground, and I regret that. We won't be able to stay at the cabins again (too many kids!) unless we talk the grandparents into coming down with us and keeping some of the kids in their cabins.
(Ooooo, love that idea!)
There are very nice rocking chairs on the porch at Crocket's Tavern, right next to a playground. You can sit and relax with a cold one while the kiddoes unwind.
I'm sure I'll think of more later!

 

[clkelley]

I like the fact that you do have your own stuff!! Although I tent camp, I set things up where I have a covered front porch and can sit in my own chairs and relax!! At the resorts, (especially value), when you are outside, every bit of space is public area, at the campground you have your own outdoor area on your site that is yours.

Also, I like the fact that the laundry rooms are right at the comfort station. I drop my laundry in the washer on my way to the shower each evening, then drop it in the dryer when I get out of the shower. While the clothes are in the dryer, I download my pictures to the laptop and catch up on email (wireless card), then put my clothes away. It's more like at home where you can do other things while the laundry is running.

When we stay at the other resorts, doing the laundry seems such a time consuming chore. We're not really pool people, so doing laundry while swimming is not realistic for us.

Carol

 

[John VN]

We are OKW-DVC Members and can fully relate to the feeling when staying in the huge 1 bedroom accomodations. Also enjoy the walk to DTD by way of the path by building 56. Enjoy the walk and would do it often every stay. We got back into RVing and have not been back to OKW in 2 years because we feel that there is nothing better than coming back to your HOME ON WHEELS after a long or short day of adventuring. We ride our bikes around the campgrounds many times a day and also over to WL. Sometimes we will also venture outside the campground to bike.
Checking out all the other RVs and the decorations is also fun for us. When we have our soon to be 3 and 5 grandsons we of course go to the petting zoo, the campfire and on bike rides with me pulling them in the trailer. The bus rides to the parks and DTD have become an adventure all unto themselves.
Will be back at FW in a few weeks and the older one is again letting us know what our itinerary should be.
I cannot think of any other resort that would be more relaxing or beneficial for the children.
Enjoy your stay.

 

[kwnancy]

coming back 'home' with your own pillows....having the rv nice and cool after a hot day at the parks - no one changes your temperature setting!

as we are full-time rv's - nothing to pack before we go, just hookup the tow car and drive to orlando

 

[house_of_princesses]

My turn!!!

First, I don't think I can disagree with anything anyone has said as of yet. (Did you get the part about coming back to your own pillows? Space for the kiddos to unwind? $.75 beer? ) No one has mentioned HDDR or the walking trails. Someone mentioned sitting on the porch of Crockett's while watching the little ones, or grabbing a pizza. In addition, I think Trail's End has the biggest bang for your buck buffet dinner going in all of WDW! There is a feeling of neighborliness in FW. Everyone is cheerful and helpful. They don't seem to be as rushed as other folks. My girls always seem to make a friend while there. We often pick up parents w/ tired bambinos and put them in our golf cart, giving them an escort home. Fun! Even the Settlement posts are unhurried.

OK, did I leave anything out? Who can fill in those last few gaps?

 

[Lstew]

Now,, you can see my countdown...


this will be our first time at FW. My personal last time at DW was 15 years ago. But,, I have a list of great things that happen when you plan to go to Disney.

I pre paid my property taxes for the year,, so my tax return ALL goes towards a fabulous vacation!!!!!( and a great one it will be)

My kids, 10,11 are helping around the house,, earning money for their trip. Allowances mean something now.

My kids and I have watched the DVD from Disney at least 4 times,, each time we are able to identify rides and attractions we want to go on.

I have help in packing the RV for a trip.

When I tell my DH that we have no money,instead of the usual WHAT???? I get.. how many days till vacation?



I am a planner,,my DH is not,,, Its more fun to have something this exciting to plan for,, then a small two day weekend.

I cannot believe all of the web sites I have read,, the boards I have posted questions on,, and all thepositive people I have met.

we are getting closer on our countdown to 1/3 a month at DISNEY!!

 

[blewits]

congratulations on your trip. dh and i are trying to get one in the works to FW sometime this year too. we just got a "new to us" 5th wheel and are dying to get it down to FW.

one thing that you must do if you havent already is check the campfire movie schedule and go see a movie with chip and dale. we did not stay at FW last time we went but did go over there for the movie and it was one of my kids favorite things that we did. it was absolutely great. there was another family sitting close to us that had some great ideas that i picked up, so let me share them with you.

bring a blanket and or chairs for your family to sit on. there is bleacher type seating available but the blanket idea was great. bring a cooler for drinks and popcorn that you made in your camper. also, bring your own graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate and roasting forks for the kids. disney sells all of that stuff in a little kit but if you already have it in your camper why not bring it along at no cost.

chip and dale make a LENGTHY appearance. every child in attendance gets to spend some time with them, get autographs, pictures, etc.
IT WAS A BLAST.

wendy

 

[McKeeFamily3]

This is exactly the stuff I wanted to hear! Thanks everyone

We too have seen the DVD at least 4 times. I love that DVD. We go right to the FW section and then park hop and watch our favorite rides
DS does not remember much about our last trip (he was barely 2) and seeing the planning video and then viewing our own home movies is amazing to him. He can't believe he's actually been to DW! Every time he sees himself on the home video riding Dumbo he gets so excited.

 

[donac]

FW is a very relaxing place. You have the hustle and bustle of the parks and then there is FW. It takes some time to get there from anywhere but I think it gets you relaxed for the park. My niece stayed with me at the campground for a couple of days. When her parents wanted to pick her up they gave her a very short amount of time to get from FW to where they were staying. She told her parents that she couldn't do it because "things are a lot slower at FW" It is a great way to put it.

Enjoy the trip.

dona

 

[princessariel]

Just got back from Ft. Wilderness yesterday afteroon!

We had a great time! We did the Hoop Dee Doo Review as we have on several other visits. I think it was the funniest we've seen yet. We really enjoyed it.

One day we came back from the parks early and stoked up the charcoal grill. Steaks on the grill in Feb....Wow! Being from the frozen North, those steaks were especially good. Then we grabbed an afghan, a bag of snacks and headed for the Campfire Program/movie. It was the new "Freaky Friday" and we hadn't seen it yet. It was a very enjoyable evening. And we'll do it again and again!

Just looking at all the different decorations at the campsites is fun. Everyone had Valentine decorations up and there was even a leftover New England Patriot Football inflatable.

We went down to the beach at 9:45 pm a couple nights to watch the Electrical Water Parade.

We had such a good time, we're going again in Dec. This time we're taking the grandkids along. Should make our stay even more fun! Can't wait!