asquared....Ally 7 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 We have been to disney years ago before we were married and parents. Now we have a 4 1/2 yr old DD (will be 5 possibly six depending on when we go next year). Trying to figure out our best and most affordable options. We like many others, need to stretch our dollar but don't want to sacrifice too much in doing so. Ok that said, we are looking at taking a week vacation and going down. Possibly sept of next year, if we get the year round track at school we want. Is this a good time to go? Or what is the best time of year to go? Will it be slower or really crowded at the parks? Next, we are looking at accomodations. We have a 30 ft camping trailer w/ a super slide (our whole rig is 53 ft rear bumper of TT to front bumper of truck). We are trying to decide whether we should stay at FW in a FHU site, use our coast to coast membership for a condo rental (probably in Kissimmee) and drive to the park for the 4 days we plan to go, or stay at a completely different CG, maybe a coast to coast campground for a discount. We will be leaving the dog at home either way since being gone all day the majority of the time will not be fair to her and we don't want to worry about her. We will be driving from NC either way but we might use the smaller car instead of the big diesel if we stay in the condo. Is the best way to get tickets through Disney or somewhere else? Are the package deals w/ camping at FW worth it? Should we add in any kind of dining plan or do most go back to FW for lunch and dinner? Sorry so many questions, just trying to make this work. We are saving up to go and want to cover all of our bases. Thank you for your advice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CKCK 45 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 My 2 cents:CAMP AT THE FORT!CAMP AT THE FORT!I don't have enough experience or info on the tix or packcage deals. Someone will, though.We don't do the dining plan, though some do. We usually eat most of our meals at the TT, except for maybe a couple of snacks or a splurge somewhere. We also have AP's so if we don't spend all day in the parks it doesn't really bother us.And by the way, we have a Zinger ZT26BH. Glad to see another Zinger owner on here! There's aren't many! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Wow!! Once again welcome!! Lots of questions!!Well, for my money, the Fort is the only way to stay!! It is the most relaxing, most flexible way to go to Disney!! Offsite is lots more stressfull, especially for your first kid tripTickets - Go to www.mousesavers.com and sign up for the monthly newsletter. There will be a link for Undercover Tourist. The best ticket prices I've found!!Eating back at the camper, only you can make that decision, but with a 4 1/2 year old, gettin a break back at the camper is probably a good thing. Simple meals in a crockpot work great!Also September is an AWESOME time to go to the Fort!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
asquared....Ally 7 Posted March 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Thanks for the warm welcome and the info. CKCK- We looked at the ZT26BH but thought the ZT26BL was a little better floorplan for us (allows family to join us and not trip over the 70 lb dog so much). We love the zinger. We have seen a few ZT26BH's but not really any other ZT26BL's. Spend a lot of time on crossroads owners site (I'm anaro there), are you over there? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CKCK 45 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 I've lurked a little on the crossroads site, but haven't registered. If I ever do, I'll be CKCK there as well... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
doodlebug....Cherie 461 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Hey, Ally. I don't have a lot of answers for you either but STAY AT THE FORT! Carol is right with a little one an afternoon break is a must. Add the fact that here is so much to do at the Fort you can't go wrong.It was really nice talking to you in chat, come back and chat with us anytime!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stefa70 205 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Don't apologize for too many questions! We love to give our opinions (good or bad :) )I would agree with everyone else and say stay at the Fort. While there are less expensive options out there, you won't find any with the ammenities and atmosphere of the Fort.I have never done the dining plan, as it's too much planning, and too much food for me. I enjoy cooking back at camp, even more so than I do at home.Also something to think about: When at the Fort, our truck rarely moves, unless we go off property for something. We enjoy using all of Disneys transportation (and gas) Parking at the parks is $14.00 per day, so depending on how many park days you will be doing, that can really add up.September is not generally a crowded time, but it can still be extremely hot.Good luck with your plans, and please don't ever be afraid to ask questions around here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gots2pitt.. Jeff 64 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 First of all :insanity: Don't for get to stop over at the Introduce yourself topic (or Lou will harass you who am I kidding he will anyway).One thing to look at for tickets is the Disney Yes program there is a thread here. I have bought tickets through Undercover Tourist using the MouseSavers link (may or may not be cheaper). We camped on site. As Stef mentioned factor in parking if staying off site. Our group would eat breakfast before we left for the parks. We packed lunches, drinks and snacks in a small soft sided cooler for lunch. For dinner we usually stopped back at the camper to grill some dinner and then returned to a park (often a different one than we started at). While we cooked dinner was a good relaxation/nap time for our kids. A full hook up should fit you but give the information about your unit when you make your reservations (we had a 35' Class A with a vehicle parked in front and fit on the site). We enjoy being on property and using the Disney transportation system (although you can use your own vehicle to go to the parks and not have to pay parking if staying on property).I recommend that you have a plan but be ready to throw it out the window depending on how things go. With little ones you will have to take breaks from time to time. We found that pulling off the main paths into a quieter area and having something to eat and drink reset our kids and allowed us to not have to leave the park (or have a melt down). I recommend not going to the parks more than 2 consecutive days in a row (it is a LOT of walking). Don't be afraid to ask questions. Someone will always respond (sometimes with little snarky too). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dblr....Rennie 224 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 Once you camp at the Fort you will not want to stay at any other campground when you do Disney. We will stay at a Thousand Trails park to do things outside of Disney, but when we head to Disney it's the Fort all the way!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted March 5, 2012 Report Share Posted March 5, 2012 One thing to consider if you stay off site - other than the time you'll need to travel back and forth to the parks, you'll also be paying $14/day to park. If you stay on property you will get a parking pass and save the $14/day.Dining plan...Whether it's worth it depends a lot on how you eat. Best recommendation is to actually crunch the numbers. When we were trying to figure it out last year we actually plotted out how we'd eat for a couple of days - looked at the menus online and added up the costs of what we'd typically order - and compared it to the cost of the dining plan. On top of that, if you go with anything except the quick service plan, you'll need to factor in having to make ADRs ahead of time for all your Table Service meals. If you want to eat at any of the more popular locations (or most locations in the parks) you'll need to make those months in advance.We find food to be the big thing we can control costs of when camping at the Fort.Of course that said, September is Food & Wine Festival!!! :DOh-so-delicious and fun, but not so cheap. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 We've camped off-site recently because we went for a Bowl game and only had a month's notice during the busiest time of year (yep Christmas to New Year), and it's not THAT much cheaper, especially when you consider parking. We have an almost 3 year old this time and will do a break all but our AK day. We're not doing the dining plan because it doesn't save that much, and we'd rather eat at the RV, pack a lunch a few times, and do some splurge meals that I don't want to spend 2 dining credits on. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rush 7 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 I also ant to go to fort in 2013, so many options its hard to figure out. I have 35 foot tt. Long haul from Indiana. Have 2 kids 12 and 13. And of course the wife. How do you figure out what to pick on here? I want to make reservations pretty soon before I change my mind. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lou... 3,118 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 And of course the wife.Exactly what do you mean by that?Would you like to rephrase it? mouseketab.....Carol 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 What choices are you talking about? What level of site? Or the Fort or not? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PureTcrazy...rita 380 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 :welcome: So glad you joined us! There is lots of info here! Jump on in and ask questions, there is always someone or a bunch of folks who know the answers! Please go ahead and introduce yourself here http://www.fortfiends.net/forum/topic/199-please-introduce-yourself/page__st__2300 and start posting! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PureTcrazy...rita 380 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 This is a good place to get started when looking for information about the campsites. http://www.fortfiends.net/_/accomodations/loop-information/site-classifications-r61 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 If you're trying to decide on what level of site to book, we've got a bunch of info here that might help...http://www.fortfiends.net/_/accomodations/loop-information/site-classifications-r61There's also a Site Map of all the Fort and other info we've collected...http://www.fortfiends.net/_/info/site-map-find-what-you-need-here-r99And of course if you have any specific questions, fire away! :welcome: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Ah Rita.... great minds!! :D PureTcrazy...rita 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lou... 3,118 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 Ah Rita.... great minds!! Where, where? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 :nahnah: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rush 7 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 yes my dear wife, still does not really want to go, she wants to go west. Still working on her. Can I pick my site? Have 35 foot tt. When is a good non school time to go? How far in advance should I book? And how much will it cost for 4 to stay about a week with gc? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lou... 3,118 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 When is a good non school time to go? You're such a kidder. mouseketab.....Carol and Nicki aka Rebelstand 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rush 7 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 I guess that is a dum question.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 You can request a loop or site, but it's just a request and they will not guarantee it.As for "non-school times"... ugh. Christmas week is the worst, closely followed by spring break (especially if it falls near Easter). Summer is... well, summer - not just crowded but REALLY hot. IMO Thanksgiving week is probably the least awful of the holiday weeks, as it's only really busy Weds-Sun.Cost is going to depend on a lot of things - level of site, room only or package with tickets (and what kind of tickets), if there are any promotions going on and time of year, with of course the holiday weeks being the most expensive. You can test out what "rack rate" costs will look like on the Disney site, but you may be better off talking to a travel agent or going through your local AAA. We've got a travel agent sponsor on this site that's a WDW and specifically Fort expert. She could definitely help you out. Her contact info is:Fiesty's Fun Time TravelJudy Fiest[email protected](you can find her ad on our main page http://www.fortfiends.net/forum/)GC rental through Disney will be about $65 per day but there are offsite companies that may be cheaper. Check out this page for info...http://www.fortfiends.net/_/info/golf-cart-rentals-disney-fort-wilderness-and-r100If you're planning to go during the busier times of the year, book as soon as you have any inkling of when you'll be going. Super busy weeks like Christmas can book out 499 days in advance. These days Halloween books out really early too, as that's become a very popular time at the Fort. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
disneylitch......Debbie 61 Posted June 26, 2012 Report Share Posted June 26, 2012 I would definitely stay at The Fort.We have never done the meal plan. We bring our food and eat at the MH. It lets us save money and be on our own schedule.Don't forget, Disney lets you bring your own food and drinks into the parks. We always pack lunches, water, etc.Staying on site lets you take breaks during the day. Go to the parks until you get tired, go back rest, get something to eat, and then go out again.We travel with our granddaughter, she was 3 months for her first visit and 6 months for her second visit. We are going to The Fort in September and she will be 15 months old then.For tickets, register at mousesavers for discounts on tickets.WELCOME!!!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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