The wife and I and our two daughters are leaving from Dallas to Orlando next week. We are going to break it up by staying in Destin, FL a few days and then heading to Fort Wilderness RV resort for four days. This will be our longest trip yet. Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks!!!!
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agesilaus wrote: Take a bag and carry lots of water. It will be hot and everything is outrageously priced there. They do not complain about water and snacks in bags.
Double ditto: outrageous and astronomical prices; cranky tourists because of the heat and humidity; and traffic is badly backed up on the roads leading into Disney with the exception of Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Been to Disney 3 times in spring, summer and fall. Not going back. All 3 times we encountered the conditions above.
Personally I would park at Destin and stay there the whole time and use the money I would have spent at Disney seeing the beautiful local sites. But that's just my preference.
First law of science: don't spit into the wind.
Keep on rollin'!
Magnus
I have been to Destin but not camped so I will not be much help for there. DW and I have stayed at Fort Wilderness half a dozen times and visited Disney over 20. We enjoy Disney so I may be a bit biased. When you check-in at the Fort, they will give you a sheet with the weekly activities. Look it over, it will give you a good idea of what is going on at the Fort.
Fort Wilderness is fun by itself, without even going to the parks (I am not saying don't visit the parks). There are pools, the main for RV'ers is at the Meadows, stores, playgrounds, restaurants, a boat dock (you can take a boat to the Magic Kingdom and other places), trails, Segway tours and more.
You didn't say how old your girls are so not sure what to focus on. One of the things my kids and grandkids enjoy the most is the nightly sing-a-longs and movies. Chip and Dale make an appearance for pictures and autographs also. The movie schedule will be on the flier.
The campground (as does all of Disney lodging) provides transportation to the parks. Some like to drive their own cars but there is no need to do that. The Disney transportation is not perfect but serves our needs just fine.
The Meadows in an area in the middle of the campground with a store, the pool, a place to rent canoes, bikes and such, a play area, and the campfire area. The pool has a small kid area and also a slide for the older kids. They lifeguards have activities that younger kids will enjoy.
Here are a few links that will help. If you have more or specific questions, just ask.
WDW in general: http://allears.net/index.html
Fort Wilderness: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24
http://www.fortfiends.net/forum/index.php?
One last comment. For us, 4 days is way too short. DO NOT get caught up in thinking you have to see everything. You will not do it, accept it and enjoy what you do see. If you enjoy yourself then plan on another trip. DW and I have been going for over 25 years and we still find new things. Have fun.
Ken and Sue Smith
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Disney is absolutely one of our family's favorite vacation spots.
We have been there many times, almost always in the summer, so here are a few suggestions.
Disney tends to be hot and humid in the summer. So, suggestion #1 would be to have a plan. Know what popular (meaning the ones with the longest lines)rides/attractions you want to do before you arrive. Then, arrive at the parks before they open and once they open, go quickly to the popular rides/attractions you want to hit. Have a map.This will give you about an hour of almost no lines and another hour of short lines. Once 11:00 -1:00 comes (depending on the heat and your family's stamina), leave the park. Go back to the rv, relax, swim, nap, etc. And then head on out to the parks again between 5:00 and 6:00. This is when you can leisurely stroll the parks, hit the less popular rides, visit the gift shops, etc.
Suggestion #2-if you haven't done so already-visit the disboards for a clearer understanding of Disney World.
There ia a camping section.
Suggestion #3-bring all of the food and drinks and paper supplies that you need. Disney is expensive if you have to buy something at their store.
Suggestion #4-if you want dinner reservations make them before you go or none may be available.
Suggestion #5-you can take food and drinks into the parks. I would say to at least bring water and a bit of a snack.
Suggtestion #6-buy some inexpensive ponchos and carry them with you. Florida tends to have a lot of storms in the summer.
Lastly, ignore the heat and have fun. You are in Disney!!!!
If you have a smart phone download the Disney App. Comes in handy, and like they say don't try to see everything in 4 days. Plan for mornings and evenings, midday just relax by the pool.
Cal & Donna
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The heat and humidity this time of year will wear you down.Wear hats and drink lots of water.We freeze bottled water.Fill about half full.Let freeze,then add water.It will stay cold a long time.If you take the launch to the Magic Kingdom,you can get in a half hour early.At least you could when we went.I would suggest go early,then head back to the camper and nap or go swimming in the pool. Then go back to the park in the evening.Read everything you can about the place.Burnbaum and several other publish books about how to navigate the place and give tips and secrets that most visitors don't know about.There are several websites that give information.One of them is Friends of the Fort.Which gives tips about Ft Wilderness.