[mickeymommy]

OK, I know Cavey's busy, but there are probably more of you out there that can help!
DH and I finally bought a pop-up and he's even open to the idea of driving to WDW (about 17 1/2 hours) and camping at FW. My questions...is it worth it to make that long of a drive? I'm up for the camping experience, we're looking at either June or Labor Day at the earliest, could be as far off as next spring. My theory is that the cheaper the better, we're never at the room anyway. Are there pools, things to do, since we won't have TV when we do hit the room? Any other tips for us? Thanks!

[emamasa]

we drive and its about 16 hours (+ or -). not a bad thing - saves a ton of $ on airfare for 4!

can't tell you anything about camping tho - we don't camp. i would, DH refuses!

have you checked here?

Walt Disney World - Disney World Vacation Information Guide - INTERCOT - Walt Disney World Inside & Out - Resort Guide

glad to hear he is ready for a trip!

[mickeymommy]

Well, we'll see how ready he is! I'm figuring that it's going to be next year, but I can hope for sooner! He already has vacation time scheduled, so I would have to fit into those time slots and bump something else out. Everything about the campground sounds good though, it's the drive I'm not really sure about.

[mickeymommy]

Oh, I forgot to put this in there, just so y'all will realize that I'm not completely crazy...'cause yes, Florida is hot in June and Sept...the pop-up has air-conditioning!

[Disneyfever]

I would love to camp at FW someday. It would be great to stay for at least 2weeks. I think you will have a wonderful time!

[Soundgod]

At first I thought you were talking about a tent, which sounds great, but I can imagine how stupid it gets after a while having to put all the valuable stuff in the car every time you go out. With a camper it's more interesting, but I keep thinking that camping at WDW might quickly become tiring after the novelty wears off.
I love the idea. I'm just not sure the reality lives up to the fantasy. Kind of like seeing your high school sweetheart for the first time in 20 years, and time hasn't been all that kind to either of you.

[Dana]

Fort wilderness has SO much to do there. You will definately be entertained. You should really take a peek at the info on allears.net and see all the stuff they have going on over there. I think you should go for labor day weekend...think it may be cheaper (it's value season, but I am not sure if the campsites are value at that time too...). Fort Wilderness Fact Sheet

[mickeymommy]

Well, we've been doing a cost comparison and I don't think we'll be camping. We're only coming up with $180 in difference over staying in a value, which is what we'd do anyway, and that doesn't seem like much since we'd be adding 4 days of driving. I think we were both thinking it would save us a lot more. So...maybe a value resort can be worked into our future!

[hiner]

I still have fond memories of FW with my family as a kid. We did not have a pop-up though. The drive down was fun, we would stay at a KOA on the way down one night and again on the way home. We drove down from North Jersey.

There is a lot to do there, probably even more than when I was a kid. I remember the nightly movie, catching minos in the stream, renting the speed boats, going horse back riding, riding our bikes around to all the playgrounds and the HDDR. We would take a boat over the the Contemporary to play for a while in the game room at night.

Friends of ours drive down from North Jersey and wouldn't have it any other way. They always rent a golf cart for their stay too.

We bought a pop-up a year ago and have been contemplating taking it down, it's just the drive and losing 2 days of vacation that I don't want to do it. Oh, and those South of the Border signs are going to get to you if you are going North to South.

Good luck in what ever you choose but you and the kids will definitely have some great memories.

[timkelmom]

I really think you should consider it. When you figured out your savings, did you factor in everything?

We always stay at FW and have stayed at a value resort (Pop Century). While we enjoyed Pop a lot, there is nothing like staying in our own RV.

We save a lot on meals and always sleep in our own bed. Now, staying in a pop-up camper is not like living in a 5th wheel RV where we always have everything we need. I don't consider what we do camping.

The campground is amazing and there is so much to do that you will never be bored and you will not miss TV. Although, if you wanted to bring a small TV they have sites with cable hook-up. If you go at the right time of the year, the price per night is significantly lower.

Congrats on the purchase of your RV. I hope there are many trips in your future. I am happy to offer advice or tips any time.

[camptraveler]

We have been camping many times. Along with 3 boy, and a golden retriever and in a tent trailer. I think as long as you have air conditioning you will be fine. We have never camped at FW but have walked around there checking things out. There is a little store there along with a place to eat. Very, very clean. Great bathrooms. Worried about a tv, why not get a little tv to take with you or if you have a lap top computer that takes DVD's take that. That way you can watch Disney movies. They may even have DVD's that you can rent there. I know in the hotels they do. Hope this helps

[timkelmom]

Originally Posted by camptraveler

We have been camping many times. Along with 3 boy, and a golden retriever and in a tent trailer. I think as long as you have air conditioning you will be fine. We have never camped at FW but have walked around there checking things out. There is a little store there along with a place to eat. Very, very clean. Great bathrooms. Worried about a tv, why not get a little tv to take with you or if you have a lap top computer that takes DVD's take that. That way you can watch Disney movies. They may even have DVD's that you can rent there. I know in the hotels they do. Hope this helps

Actually, there are 2 stores and Trail's End (yummy buffet) and Crocketts Tavern. I don't believe they rent DVDs though. You are absolutely correct about the bath houses, they are very clean.

[NurseTK]

We wouldn't stay any place else. It started out as the most cost effective way with 5 kids. We didn't have to pay airfare and we came back to the motorhome for all of the meals. Now our kids have all grown and February was the first time we went without them. We took my parents, who always said they weren't campers, and when it was time to leave you would have thought they were kids, "we don't want to leave". They are all set to go back in December, we didn't even have to ask them to come. Between the pool, petting zoo, the ability to ride bikes or rollerblade, there is so much for kids to do. It is most worth the drive. There is nothing more relaxing than cooking on the grill and relaxing in a couple of lounge chairs.

[unamadreditre]

You are much braver than me. I'm too much of a girlie girl and need to have a shower and potty all to myself. Do pop-ups have these? I honestly don't know.

Can you tell I've never been camping? I also love mousekeepers way too much.

[mickeymommy]

Originally Posted by unamadreditre

You are much braver than me. I'm too much of a girlie girl and need to have a shower and potty all to myself. Do pop-ups have these? I honestly don't know.

Can you tell I've never been camping? I also love mousekeepers way too much.

Depends on the pop-up. Our doesn't have the shower and toilet, but we have a porta-potty that is super easy to set up. It's not perfect, but with a 3 yo it's better than nothing! Actually at WDW I do less hair/makeup because the humidity is so high my hair just curls into ringlets anyway!