What is your favorite time of year to camp at Fort Wilderness?

[mjfisherdc]

My DH is talking about camping at Disney!! He is reluctant because he feels it is not camping without a campfire.
We were discussing last night when is the best time to camp at Disney World.

I would love everybody's opinions! (He specifically asked me what others on the boards think). Thanks!!

 

[peg110]

ANY TIME of the year is a good time....

But seriously, we have gone down for Late November and early December a couple of times now and love it. The weather is mostly good. You can get really hot days and really cold days, so you need to be prepared, but most of the time (for us anyway) the weather was ideal. Even good enough to go swimming. Bugs aren't bad either.

Crowds can be a concern. We check in on Thanksgiving day. That Thursday through Sunday are pretty busy, but come Monday.... So much nicer. We then leave the following Friday (for a stay of 9 days).

You can have a fire, but you need an approved fire pit. I know it's not the same, but it is allowed. Also there is the Sing-along and movie where they do have an open fire.

 

[North of Mouse]

My DH is talking about camping at Disney!! He is reluctant because he feels it is not camping without a campfire.
We were discussing last night when is the best time to camp at Disney World.

I would love everybody's opinions! (He specifically asked me what others on the boards think). Thanks!!

What will you be camping in? If in trailer or motorhome, then the weather is not that much of an impact as far as the 'camping' part.
We've been the first week of Dec. and the flowers froze. Went this year the first 1 1/2 weeks of Feb. and again it was cold, some rain, and mostly windy, except for first few days in the low 80's (perfect).

Of course, summers, very hot! We've been there most months of the year, but will say our favorite time is April - first half of May. It's mostly pleasant temps, with showers, but it can also start being very hot that time of year. No two years are alike, so experiences can vary greatly!

Whenever you choose, have a great time, just remember that in the summer AC is a must!! Our opinion!

As for open fires, none, but as pp said, there are approved 'fire pits'!!

 

[Nan P]

There are only two months that we have not camped at the Fort.... July and August. At one time or another, we have managed to camp there all the other months. We have developed a pattern over the past few years. We have been visiting three times a year and our favorite months are May, October, December.

We've found Mother's Day week in early May has low crowds, pretty lay back at FW and the parks, and usually very nice weather. Nice time to fish, watch the sun at the marina, and enjoy springtime. The first week of October has Halloween decorations and fun over the place and comfortable attendance. The Fort comes to life and we look forward to that and the MK decorations. In early December we enjoy Christmas decorations at the campground and in all the parks. Seems like holiday shows are going on everywhere and there's MVMCP, Disney Springs shopping for Christmas presents .... and because we go early in the month, we are home with family for the Christmas holiday. Then of course on each vacation we spend a few days to just chill at the Fort. We don't miss a campfire because there are too many other activities at the Fort not to be missed. You need to find what month works for you.

 

[grumpyaggie]

I will agree with peg. January thru mid December is about perfect. You will need to pick your weekends. Our kids did the Christmas to New Years week last year. Rope drop was used and according to them the parks were empty until 10:30 or 11:00. The campfire is over rated at our age, we gave up on camping a few years ago. We now are RVers, big screen TV and a fireplace. The Chip and Dale campfire is great. The s'mores and the sing-a-long is a lot of fun. We were at the Fort for two weeks in January and the only time the TV was on was to catch the weather forecast. And that was to guess what kind of jacket to wear if any was needed. Enjoyed feeding the turkeys (15 to 20) morning and night. Also the squirrels, I think we used 8 lbs. of peanuts (raw and unsalted). I liked the roasted/unsalted ones, but do not let the big cheese catch you eating their peanuts. If you plan on feeding corn to the turkeys, bring it. We could not find deer corn in Orlando.

 

[JETS70]

We have camped at the Fort in March and the weather was good......little bit of rain. We have camped twice in August and will be camping in August again this year due to kids schedules. Hot, humid and a little more sporadic rains. Our favorite time due to weather and crowds in our opinion is the first of November. We have done this twice and will be doing 16 days again this year starting on October 28th. We are getting excited about our first Halloween at the Fort as we have heard this is a really fun time to be there. We understand that it is really crowded during the Halloween time but really fun with the trick or treating, site decorations and decorated golf cart parade. Our November stays have seen good temps and last year...... no rain for the 12 days we were there.

 

[Flametamr]

We normally go around Halloween and will be there this year for our third time. We are also going in April to try Spring Break for the first time. We love the Fort in the fall. The weather is comfortable and everyone decorates and makes it fun. I would recommend early Spring or late Fall.

 

[Shanti]

We went mid-March last year and the weather was fine.

 

[kristoferburns]

Anytime is the best time but the weather between Feb and April is awesome.

 

[North of Mouse]

Anytime is the best time but the weather between Feb and April is awesome.

Except this year! Every year is different - no way to predict it.
Feb. 2 - 4 was great (low 80's), then rain, then windy and cold! Stayed until 10th, then had all the 'fun' we needed, left two days early.

Most times can be good IMO except heat of summer, and all months can also be 'bad' depending on the weather - mostly 'luck'!!

 

[FtW Mike]

For us late Oct. thru Jan tends to work best. Weather is warmer than home and outside of holidays ie Thanksgiving week and Christmas thru New Years crowds tend to be low.

 

[Disneyaddictz]

Tent camping January and February! Cabin all other months, although July and August can be pretty extreme heat...

 

[PaHunter]

We stayed last year the last week of Feb/First of Mar and it was not crowded the weather was good. We just returned from a week in Feb, weather not bad, crowds were ok. Two of the mornings, one headed to DHS and the other to Epcot we had the bus all to ourselves. And one night returning from Contemporary we had the boat all to ourselves.

 

[5kidsmommy]

We've camped in November, January and May. January was my favorite because the weather was mostly perfect (except for the two freezing days). May was nice because of night swimming and amazingly low crowds. November was nice but the parks were more crowded than I like. Next year we are going in late February/early March, looking at the weather I am thinking it will be perfect. I can't do summer, the heat and humidity is too much for me. Even here in Ohio I can't handle it, so I can imagine it would be unbearable in Florida.

 

[MattFromPA]

We've been to the Fort in January, February, April and November. We've always had a few good swimming days, and some 55 degrees+rain every time. We were just there in February and experienced near-record heat (for the date) for a few days. I don't want to go when its much hotter! As far as not having a campfire, frankly even if we wanted one we are too tired by the end of the day to care.

Early February is the slowest period of the year also, an added bonus as the crowds can drive me bonkers even on a "slow" day.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

We were discussing last night when is the best time to camp at Disney World.

Any 24-hour-period that ends in "Y".

 

[peg110]

Any 24-hour-period that ends in "Y".

I was just thinking something similar. I don't know something like "A bad day at the Fort/WDW is still better than a good day at work/school"

 

[5stljayhawks]

I think the best time is also tied to the reason for trip? If there is one. baseball spring training halloween, xmas, springbreak flower/garden festival/ food and wine in fall. These events usually last several months, so you can then also look at school schedules and cross reference how busy parks will be.

Our trips - Late may, first week june. Nice weather, longer days, kids may or may not be in school after memorial day. good fishing if not to hot already. Our last trip in mid june, we determined that another summer trip was out, simply because of people congestion. I dont mind a good crowd, but when I have a choice, I will park when school is in and crowd level is lower. So late may 15-30th works greats and hope for early summer heat wave. Additionally when you go in the value season your campsite rate is lower!! meaning more days at FW.

Late Oct / Dec - Weather can change drastically with strong cold fronts. Dark earlier, floral/plants not all popping like spring. Awesome holiday decorations, Fort is decked out by campers. Pool time can be chilly, water is usally heated.

When time frame matters - Take xmas - first 2 wks dec great time, low park traffic. 3rd week moderately busy, then 4th wk dec 24-jan 1, parks are at max capacity. we dont even think about even going to parks.

 

[Chickp]

We've gone in April, January, and November, and much preferred April because it was warm enough to swim. This past November was really chilly (for us, we are from Ga). We tent camp, so I would not go in the summer unless we hooked up one of those tent air conditioner thingies.

 

[tigger92662]

Fall is a great time, Spring is good as well if you can work it around the Spring Break. Understand the Hubbys concern, but a campfire doesn't always have to be at your site to be enjoyed.
Besides how can you go with a campfire with Chip N' Dale