Considering First Trip

[CakeHenn 4]

Part of the reason to wait is that I would like our 3 year old to be just a bit older so she is easier to deal with and I think she would have more fun if she was older. The only concern is that also puts our 5 year old at 6 and I wonder if the princess phase will be "little kid stuff" by then. Obviously they is lots to do there and the princess stuff is but one little part but I think right now for my girls it would be the greatest.

[PrincessNana 15]

If you want to wait until next year, your oldest daughter won't be too old yet. But, if you wait too long, then she might be. Four and Six will be so cute as princesses...they will definetly need princess hair and make up at the Bippity Bop Boutique! There are several different Princess activities that your girls would enjoy, starting with breakfast at the castle with the princesses. We also did a princess tea at the Grand Floridian, it was a perfect mother daughter event. If you can't get a reservation at the castle, there is also a good princess breakfast, etc. at Akerhaus in Epcot. We will only have the one granddaughter, so we went all out. Although we love the character meals, they take up alot of your Disney time....but its easier to get autographs at a meal than standing in line at the parks.

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

We waited until our youngest was five. This made her old enough not to need a nap and be able to walk the park for as long as we wanted to stay (within reason)

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

My son loves traveling and is pretty easy going, but we did a Disney trip when he was 4 months (really for me and DH), just turned 3, and were going back for his 4th birthday. He LOVES it and still talks about random details from last year.

There's something the other Fiends haven't warned you about though. And it's serious.... The Fort ruins all other campgrounds. We were supposed to go somewhere else for Spring Break this year. I started looking for a nice campground and comparing amenities, etc. and nothing compared. I kept thinking, wow, this will cost almost as much as the Fort and isn't as nice.... So guess where we're going.

[stefa70 205]

Here is what it looks like loaded up and headed to the Fort.

That is very cool, and manly!

[CakeHenn 4]

My son loves traveling and is pretty easy going, but we did a Disney trip when he was 4 months (really for me and DH), just turned 3, and were going back for his 4th birthday. He LOVES it and still talks about random details from last year.

There's something the other Fiends haven't warned you about though. And it's serious.... The Fort ruins all other campgrounds. We were supposed to go somewhere else for Spring Break this year. I started looking for a nice campground and comparing amenities, etc. and nothing compared. I kept thinking, wow, this will cost almost as much as the Fort and isn't as nice.... So guess where we're going.

The most expensive place I've ever camped was an RV resort that was $56/night. It was actually really nice...down on the Texas coast...Port Aransas at a place called Gulf Waters RV Resort. It has it's own private beach access. But yeah FW is around $90/night...way more than I would ever spend anywhere else but it's the kind of thing that in my eyes right now this is a one time deal. Yes I know everyone here is hooked lol....who knows maybe I will get that bug.

One thing that I noticed it looked like the Comfort Stations had ice machines...is that right...free ice? Or should I say as part of your camping fee they offer ice.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

One thing that I noticed it looked like the Comfort Stations had ice machines...is that right...free ice? Or should I say as part of your camping fee they offer ice.

Sorry, but no.

Ice is in a vending machine. $2.00 for a typical bag- about what you would pay at a convenience store.

You will find that the word "free" is not something you will hear very much at Disney.

TCD

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

if you need to buy ice, buy it at the trading post. It's the same price, but is frozen harder and lasts longer!!

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

As far as site costs, check into AAA discounts. You can book directly through Disney and get AAA discount on the campsite only if it is available for your trip. That will save you a good bit, often more than the price of the membership.

Join www.mousesavers.com - sign up for their monthly newsletter, then purchase your park tickets from the link they provide to Undercover Tourist. Best ticket prices available outside of military pricing.

Oh, and if you are active or retired military, check out www.shadesofgreen.org for ticket pricing.

[mikeymouse1 25]

Come on everybody's doing it!

[jsh...Joyce 11]

But yeah FW is around $90/night...way more than I would ever spend anywhere else but it's the kind of thing that in my eyes right now this is a one time deal. Yes I know everyone here is hooked lol....who knows maybe I will get that bug.

Famous last words! :rofl2:

[Millermouseketeers MaryAnn 150]

Your daughters will love it! We have been making that drive from Dallas for 9 years & yes it's not easy but so worth it. We use I10, same route Judy in Texas said going.

Going we do it in one day but coming home take 2. We leave at 1:30 am & get to the fort by 9 pm. Now we only pull a pop-up but it is a large one so not the same as you but similar.

Our kids are now older so sleep a good part of the way. When they were younger, they were asleep when we left but then when awake watched DVDs a lot. We just made sure they had lots to do in the car.

Coming home we do 2 days. Don't leave Disney until 2 so then stay anywhere from Daphne, Al. to Mobile. Then finish the next day.

I am with Judy that's a long haul for 4 or 5 days. We stay 7 to 10, sometimes more. I would rather push the drive time & have more time at the Fort.

[zpackmama 0]

Hi CakeHenn! Hope you're having fun planning. We sure are, and I've really learned a lot from this thread. Like you, we're planning a trip from Texas to the Fort for next Summer. I just booked yesterday at the 499 day mark, and will get our tickets later. We're a bit concerned about the distance too, though it seems like so many do it and love the experience. We have family in Mobile and plan to drive there on day one (about 630 miles from Austin) then on to Orlando on day two (about 500 miles). We plan to stay 10 nights, with probably 6 days at the park. In order to stay so long, I'll have to work a couple mornings in the camper while my family enjoys the pool and other activities. I think it will be worth it in order to extend the magic for all. My kids are 9, 4 & 4 now, and will be 10, 6 & 6 when we travel. While I'm excited for princess fun for my DD, I'm super excited about Star Wars weekend fun for my boys. I'm hoping that the timing works out well. I'm attaching a picture since it sounds like we might have the same new Eagle. We have already begun to create some wonderful family memories. Happy planning! :doublebeer:

Becca

[CakeHenn 4]

Very cool Becca! It looks like we do have the same Eagle...I bet we even bought it from the same place....Crestview??? We were down at McKinney Falls the weekend before last...that's a great State Park in your back yard. Have yall been RVing for a while? I love going to the state parks.

That's amazing you booked it already. I wonder if I should get on the stick and book soon too??? For the rest of the group how early should we be booking?

I'll for sure have to check out the Star Wars stuff while we are there.

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Unless you go over July 4th, I would just wait until 2014 rates are released.

[CakeHenn 4]

Unless you go over July 4th, I would just wait until 2014 rates are released.

I'm thinking we would shoot for Mid to late July to first part of August time frame in 2014. When are 2014 rates released? Also if you book early and cancel or adjust plans are their fees? Is there a deposit to book? If you book before the 2014 rates are released are you able to get the 2013 rates in 2014?

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

No fines or fees. One night deposit, cancel up to 6 days out.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

If you book before the 2014 rates are released are you able to get the 2013 rates in 2014?

What are you, some kind of comedian?

First you ask if the ice is free.

Then you want to pay 2013 rates in 2014?

At Disney?

:rofl2:

Just kidding.

But, it doesn't work that way.

If you book before next year's rates are released, you pay a one night deposit based on the highest rack rate for that level of site.

There is no fee or penalty for changing or cancelling that reservation, as long as you do so at least five days before your arrival date.

I am not certain when each year's rates are released, but I believe that it's around the first of each year. If your deposit ends up being too low, you will have to increase it. If it is too high, you will get a credit toward your final payment.

TCD

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

If you book now for 14 your rate is not guaranteed and your deposit will be at the highest rate for this year and then they will adjust to the actual rate once they are set for 2014

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

Rates and packages for the following year are usually set in late July or Aaugust for the next year.

[CakeHenn 4]

I guess being the frugal financial planner I am and going to Disney is kind of a clash. Then again so is RVing in general...I have my weaknesses I guess.

[Dollface...CindyC 18]

We did the drive down from NH last summer 1500 miles. We left Friday late afternoon and we stopped and stayed in Cracker Barrel parking lots both Fri & Sat nights. My girls were 9 & 6 at the time. They did surprisingly well for the entire drive!!! I was very happy. They slept most of Friday night as we drove till about midnight. Then Sat we took turns swapping places in VA (they allow as young as 8 to sit in the front). We stopped at a playground for lunch ( I made sandwiches while the girls played)--Just pulled off the highway and stopped at a gas station, they pointed us to the nearest playground. We did the same thing for supper. Drove till 11:30pm, we were at the Fort around 1pm on Sunday.

As for tickets. if you oldest will be 6, check out http://www.disneyyouth.com/our-programs/education/sp/individual-enrollment/#categories-individual-enrollment

Disney YES program

My 9 yr old took the class at the Magic Kingdom last August an it was awesome and worth it!

Good luck!

ps. most of my trip report is here (I have not finished it yet....shame on me).

http://www.fortfiends.net/forum/topic/7551-in-which-we-go-to-disney-and-bring-home-a-kitten/

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Hey Cindy - where were the Cracker Barrels you overnighted at? The few times we've tried to find one along 95 we always seem to run into a "no overnight parking" sign. We've resorted to truck stops, but a Cracker Barrel would be quieter... and I could get biscuits for the road.

Ooh and isn't it time for a new Little Lou photo?

[Dollface...CindyC 18]

HI Mo, We stopped at the in PA the first night in Carlisle I-81 , Exit# 47. We took the "long" way to avoid Rt 95 south.

And then in SC in Walterboro I-95 , Exit# 53.

Here's little Lou napping on the couch w/ Ken and my girls.

Cindy

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

HI Mo, We stopped at the in PA the first night in Carlisle I-81 , Exit# 47. We took the "long" way to avoid Rt 95 south.

And then in SC in Walterboro I-95 , Exit# 53.

Good to know - thanks!!

Here's little Lou napping on the couch w/ Ken and my girls.

Cindy

Aw!!! I'll say it again, that is one LUCKY cat! :heartsmiley: