Idiot’s Guides: RV Vacations

If you have kids and an RV, Walt Disney World should be on your vacation bucket list. Staying at a campground during your visit cuts down on two huge vacation costs: lodging and food. Plus, low-key campground downtime with your family is priceless.

If you can, go whenever school is in session to avoid the crowds. September and October offer the best combination of warm weather and short lines. If you go during school holidays, expect crowds.

1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, FL 32712. floridastateparks.org; 407-884-2009. $24. Biking, horseback riding, concessions, playground, swimming, fishing, birding.

Looking for a natural campground experience that feels far away from the madness of Orlando, but still close enough for Disney-centered day trips? Then plan ahead and reserve one of the 60 wooded sites at the popular Wekiwa Springs State Park. Some have full hookups, and many are big rig accessible.

After a hot day at the theme parks, swim in the cool springs or go for a kayak ride on the peaceful Wekiwa River.

2664 Happy Camper Place, Kissimmee, FL 34746. koa.com/camp/kissimmee; orlandokiss@koa.net; 407-396-2400. $62 to $81. Pool, hot tub, playground, bike rentals, fitness center.

This KOA wins points for its proximity to Disney, Universal, and LEGOLAND parks, and for its squeaky-clean facilities and friendly management. There’s a pool for the kids, but it’s uninspiring. Considering the nearby entertainment options, this might not matter. Kids can enjoy the horseshoe pit, the basketball court, and the bike rentals instead.

This park accommodates big rigs with ease. The back-in and pull-thru sites range from good to very good, and the deluxe patio sites with furniture and chimeneas are worth the extra bucks. Adults will appreciate the hot tub, which is open 23 hours a day, and the fitness room, which was recently rebuilt.

4510 N. Fort Wilderness Trail, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830. disneyworld.disney.go.com; 407-824-2900. $69 to $85. Pools, hot tub, archery, restaurants.

Fort Wilderness is America’s favorite family campground, offering the full magic of Disney at a very reasonable price. Staying here gives you the same perks as staying at a Disney resort.

The full hook-up sites and premium campsites set the standard for an entire industry, and recreation is world class. The Meadow Swimmin’ Pool and its 67-foot-long (20m) corkscrew waterslide entertain for hours, the Fort Wilderness Archery Experience makes kids 7 and up feel like they’re on a great adventure, and horseback trail rides at the Tri-Circle-D Ranch might prove more memorable than meeting Mickey Mouse. End each night by roasting marshmallows and singing songs with Chip ‘n’ Dale around a cozy campfire.

4510 Fort Wilderness Trail, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. disneyworld.disney.go.com; 407-939-3463. 7:30 A.M. to 2 P.M., 4:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M. $11 to $20. American.

Although not necessarily an amazing lunch or dinner option, Trail’s End is a great place for breakfast, especially if you’re camping at Fort Wilderness. Meals are served buffet style, with an à la carte option available for takeout.

The atmosphere stays true to the theme, with big wooden beams and mounted animals on the wall. The buffet is heaped with comfort foods like Mickey waffles and biscuits and gravy. Fill up and then head to the park.

4510 Fort Wilderness Trail, Orlando, FL 32830. disneyworld.disney.go.com; 407-939-3463. 4 P.M. to 10 P.M. $33 to $68. American.

This dinner show is a hands-down Disney World favorite for almost anyone who attends. The 2-hour musical hootenanny features dancing, singing, and slapstick humor performed by the Pioneer Hall Players. The jokes may be a bit corny, but everyone in your family will appreciate the feel-good fun this show provides. You might even be put on the spot with a little audience interaction.

Between performances, dinner is served family style on platters heaped with fried chicken, barbecue pork ribs, salad, baked beans, and corn bread. Dessert is yummy strawberry shortcake. Unlimited beer, wine, and sangria are also included.

The price tag might seem steep to some, but consider that the ticket cost includes live entertainment, tax, tip, and beverages.

4510 N. Fort Wilderness Trail, Orlando, FL 32885. disneyworld.disney.go.com; 407-939-5277. March to December. 6:30 P.M. $36 to $60. American.

No visit to Disney World is complete without a character meal, and this is a phenomenal one offered right at Fort Wilderness. Eat hamburgers, hotdogs, and mac and cheese while Mickey, Minnie, Chip ‘n’ Dale, and Goofy dance along to a country band.

The characters mingle for photographs and also lead the audience in line dances.

ATTRACTIONS

Animal Kingdom

2901 Osceola Parkway, Orlando, FL 32830. disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom; 407-939-5277. 9 A.M. to 7 P.M. $91 to $97.

Many visitors consider this the most visually beautiful of all the Disney parks, with the Tree of Life as the show-stopping centerpiece.

The theme here is animal conservation, and most rides, like the Safari, are more experiential. Thrill seekers can get their kicks on Expedition Everest and DINOSAUR. The Affection Section and The Boneyard delight little ones.

Even with an entire day scheduled to visit Epcot, it’s hard to take in all the sites and attractions. There are two distinct sections of the park, World Showcase and Future World, and you should try to sample both.

Start at Future World upon arrival, as many of those attractions end up with longer wait times. Test Track, Journey into Imagination with Figment, and The Seas with Nemo and Friends are top picks.

The World Showcase, featuring the culture and cuisine from 11 countries, offers the opportunity for a slower pace later in the day. Consider creating your own food tour, snacking as you visit all the regions.

Because it’s the biggest of all the parks and difficult to fully explore in a single day, many people choose to spend 2 days in the Magic Kingdom.

The sheer size of the park means it’s crucial that you plan out a loose itinerary before you arrive. Look at the list of attractions online, and note your must-visit picks. This especially helps when navigating the newer FastPass system, which allows you to make a certain number of ride reservations per visit.

Hit Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train first thing in the morning or before closing at night. Don’t skip taking the boat ride through It’s a Small World—it’s a Disney rite of passage.

ITINERARIES

If you have 1 week …

Spend 2 days at the Magic Kingdom, 1 day at Epcot, and 1 day at your choice of Animal Kingdom or Hollywood Studios. Relax at the campground, shop in Downtown Disney, and hang out on the promenade of Disney’s Boardwalk.

If you have 2 weeks …

Spend 1 full day at each of the four parks, or consider a 5-day ticket for an additional day at the Magic Kingdom. Explore Downtown Disney and Disney’s Boardwalk. Go to Universal Studios and take in the magic at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Cool off at Typhoon Lagoon.

If you have 3 weeks …

All the above, plus escape the hectic pace of theme park life and head to Lake Eola Park, a 43-acre (17.4ha) recreational park in downtown Orlando. Visit LEGOLAND, and tour the mini re-creations of New York City and Washington, D.C. Take a trip to the Space Coast beaches, just an hour away.