Well, I'll have a go at this--tho I'm backing up to our first trip in July, '06.
We left Central KY on a Sunday 7-9-06, (we being me, DH, DD, and DNeice) driving our Jeep towing our 96 Jayco pop-up. First big trip with the camper. No problems other than our Jeep only got about 10mpg! Drove thru to Lake City, FL and stayed overnight at motel. We like Lake City as a stopover cos you can kind of sleep late (10ish) in the a.m., and still make it to WDW by 1 or 2--much easier driving on day 2.
We got up and went and got groceries at a store I can't remember--I thought it was too expensive though and won't go back there. It was a chain store.
Arrived at FW about 1:30--we were so excited. Check in was an absolute breeze. We had requested loop 1500 which we got--site 1503 to be exact. It was way easy to get into--very roomy. Our camper has 2 awnings-one of which is a screen room. Plenty of room for both, plus room for the site's picnic table, grill etc.
Took a long time to set up.(It took way longer than I thought it would.) About a hour into it we went over to the bike barn and got our golf cart--which I highly recommend! Oh SO MUCH fun!
Kids checked out the pool and arcade while me and DH finished. I had planned to cook a big meal--steaks and fixins--which I did about 9 p.m. I learned my lesson tho. Too much work on set up day. We will eat at Trails End on day 1 from now on.
Tues-7/10--up EARLY for way cool boat ride to MK. Had reservations at Cinderellas Royal Table. Very nice. Park was great as usual--not very crowded--hot but not too hot. Rain of course in the afternoon. At supper had res. at Chef Mickey's. Character meals great--but this next trip not gonna do again--takes up a lot of your time (and money). Kids getting older now anyway. Closed down the park after fireworks. Took boat back to FW and fell into bed.
(Note--the comfort station was right next door to us--no noise or odor--very clean, never had to wait one single time for toilet, sink, or shower. Also did laundry a couple of times. Bring your own stuff and some quarters. Had one machine that didn't work and ate our quarters. Drove cart to guest services and they nicely refunded us.)
Wed--we slept late and then went to Epcot World showcase. Very nice day in spite of lots of rain. Back to camp late again.
Thurs--Slept a little late and then went to AK. VERY hot this day. Waited in stand-by for Everest. Worth it of course--DH and I decided that they could take you to the TOP of Everest and drop you to the ground and after waiting for so long, we wouldn't care.
Went back to camp about 5--went to Trails End and got a pizza and enjoyed their air conditioning. (Do not camp in Florida in July without an AC on your camper.) After supper, did some laundry, tidied up, showered, read, relaxed. NOW we're having MY kind of vacation.
Friday went to MGM--best day we had. No big crowds, weather perfect. Went back to camp after Fantasmic (which is NOT to be missed BTW).
Sat, 7/15 was my favorite day. Campground Day! We let the girls sleep in and we drove our cart (did I say this was SO MUCH FREAKIN FUN) down to Trails End and had a quiet b-fast--just the 2 of us. Goofed around. Went swimming. (Must buy souvenir refillable mug--can be filled w/coffee, tea, soda at Trails End and pool bar.) Refilled mug often. After swim--dad stayed in camper to watch a movie (aka napping) while me and girls hopped a bus for DD. It was pretty but after I bought some stuff and came back, I realized that everything I bought there was available at the 2 trading post stores at FW--which are really fun and nice, BTW. Next time I will not waste any on my time going to DD.
If you are bird watchers/critter lovers like we are then you will love the Fort. I saw so many birds, herons,ibis, bunnies, lizzrards, armadillos..can't even remember all the critters. Loved it! Take you camera and your binoculars!
Had supper at Trails End about 6. Girls went to playground. We walked around the Marina area. All went to beach for sunset which was stunning. Electic light parade thing was way fun too. Just fun to people watch and boat watch. We then took in the MK fireworks, the back for showers and bed. What a great day.
Sunday 7/16--went back for other end of Epcot. This day was just too hot to be imagined. No fast passes available for anything we wanted to see such as Soarin'. Ended up leaving about 3 or 4.
Kids went swimming again. We went to the campfire sing-a-long. Girls didn't want to watch the movie so they went to the arcade while the old folks began prepping to leave.
Would have gotten a lot more done if we could have stopped looping around in the cart! I swear--that was so fun--have I mentioned that??
Got up about 8 and finished loading and stowing--pulled out of 1503 by 10:30. We had a great week but wished we could have stayed longer.
We are going back again this July. 22 y.o. daughter going back with us too. Other DD is now 14 so won't have to be so closely watched.
My goals? WAY more campground time. What you read on this forum and in the guide books is 100% true. You could go to FW and never leave it and have a great time. There is a lot to see and do here.
1503--will definately request again. Great site.
No character meals.
I will not rush anywhere.
Gonna skip downtown Disney.
Not cooking the first night there.
Gonna sit more.
Gotta get a cart again!
Gonna ride said cart on every single loop and scope out other future great sites.
Gonna walk around FW more.
If its not too hot, would like to rent a canoe.
Thats about it. If this thread is still active when we get back, I will bore you with another report. I haven't figured out yet how to put pics on here but my daughter probably knows, so maybe I'll get her to do it.
Hope someone reads and enjoys this. We had a blast! See ya at the Fort!