Train trips to Cottontail Curl
by - Written: Feb 14 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Shaded sites, clean facilities, economical, lots for kids to do
Cons: Miserable if it rains
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| Profilewriter's Full Review: Fort Wilderness Campground |
For at least three Easter vacations, we loaded up sleeping bags, tents, a week's worth of clothes for four people, pots and pans (?!?), and fishing poles and took a train from New Jersey to Orlando for a week of camping in Disney World.
Now those were budget vacations! And, I can say with absolute certainty, they were the very best vacations our little family ever enjoyed.
Now that I think back on it, we must have been quite a sight staggering toward the train, fishing poles sticking out from backpacks. And we never did do any cooking, making those pots and pans that clanked when we walked just extra weight.
We didn't even rent a car, but rather took a taxi from the train station to Fort Wilderness. That meant we had no place to store clothes, supplies or money. I recall that we shoved our cash and travelers checks under the tent when we went away for the day.
We always stayed in Cottontail Curl. Campsites in Disney World are arranged in a semi-circle around a large, clean bath house, and each circle has its own name. Cottontail Curl is not too far from the main building, right next to a big open field and just a line of bushes away from a canal.
The spouse and I took one tent and our two young sons took the other. I still remember lying in the tent in the morning listening to the birds in the trees above us. All the sites are heavily wooded, which is unusual for Florida. There are no sites out in the sun.
The boys spent their time in camp fishing, canoeing and playing ball in the field. On some days, however, we went to the theme parks very early in the morning, and didn't get back to the camp until after dark.
This is real camping, however, and on one occasion an armadillo caused quite a stir by running through Cottontail Curl seeking shelter in various tents. Another time, we heard that a snake had been spotted in the camp.
While we stayed in tents, there are travel trailer available. They are about the price of a room in a moderately priced Disney resort, but have quite a bit more space.
There are two pools, but they are basic and not terribly appealing. Lake swimming also is available.
There are two stores, both housed in log cabin-like structures. Each has a good variety of groceries, but not a full line. Anyone with a car would do well to stock up before pitching camp.
When we did our camping, sites rented for between $18 and $21 a night. They are now nearly two to three time that much, but still considerably less expensive than a hotel room. And, you know what, I really think a few nights in a campsite can be more memorable -- and much more fun for kids -- than a stay in a hotel room.
Fort Wilderness is well located, on Bay Lake, and has good transportation links to attractions throughout Disney World. There is horseback riding on site, bike rentals are available, and there is a long, shaded bike trail through the woods and over to Wilderness Resort (similar name, different place altogether).
The Hoop-Dee-Do review also is on-site. I think it is a major waste of money, but it sells out and I have not heard too many complaints.
Bottom line: Whether or not you can easily afford another type of accommodations, you might find a camping in Disney World vacation delightful. You do need to hope it doesn't rain a lot, though, making spring a much better bet for camping than summer.
Recommended:
Yes
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