The Keys & Disney

ilovedisneymm

DIS Veteran
Joined
Nov 6, 2014
Hello all you Fort Wilderness Happy Campers!
Hi Ed, Jim, Vince, Barb, Bill, Kris, Burt, Denise & Frank!

I'm sorry, I don't post as often as I use to. The house build is about to kill me. We are "living" in the house now (sold our old and had to move). It's like we're one step above camping here. When you try to do most of it yourself, (cough I mean hubby) it just doesn't go as fast as you think or hope! We're getting there. The front porch goes on later this week, the small shed goes up next week. If I'm a lucky girl, I might just get some cabinets built before the summer ends. Trim...hahahahaha!

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far.

We bought a camper last week and now hubby wants to add a trip to the Keys before we do Disney. I have Dec 3 - Dec 17 booked and we can leave pretty much anytime after Thanksgiving. We have never been and I would love some input on where to camp/stay/visit. Also, not sure if I need to allow three days there or five.

Thanks in advance.
 
Glad to hear the house is coming along, and congratulations on the camper. Can't help with the rest of the question as I have never been to the Keys either.
 
I too am useless on answering your question, but I will follow with interest as I would some day like to try to go to the Keys as well. Might take some convincing of the DW though.
 
Our Keys experience. If you want to do absolutely nothing, fish or party. It's the place for you. There is nothing for kiddos to do. We were to spend 2 weeks there. We left and went to WDW after 5 days. Our son was bored and frankly so were we. A couple days to look around and fish was enough for us.
 


2goofy is right. While it is nice and relaxing, it get's old pretty quick because there really isn't anything to do unless you are really into fishing, snorkeling or drinking. Plus being December it's prime snowbird season so rates will be high. I would skip it.
 
So good to hear from you again. Your house build will end soon, and congrats on your building it yourselves. Followed along with pictures on a previous post. Your reward will happen soon. We also sold our home (newer 14 year old) and a downsizing our new build here in the farm! Our married son bought it and we are building on a piece of land here in the farm. Living in a fifth wheel during this crazy spring/summer with storms and wind is interesting. Hope your living situation moves forward fast. We also want to go to the Keys, and appreciate the comments. Who needs cupboards!! We are visiting the Fort late February/March. A change of time for us! Good luck on your camper purchase, and hope the kids are well. Here is hoping for a great croppingnyear for your family. Barb
 
Melissa,

I have been to the Keys twice camping and have a third trip planned for the last week of December (after Christmas) this year and first week of January (stopping at the Fort for 3 nights on the way home). The first thing is where to camp. The Keys are 100 miles along and there are four Florida state parks and lots of private campgrounds/rv parks. One issue is cost.

Florida state parks in the Keys (Bahia Honda, Curry Hammock, Long Key, and John Pennekamp) and can be reserved through www.reserveamerica.com and run about $40 a night. The booking window is 11 months in advance and every site books at Day 1 in the window for December-April in my observation. Plus Long Key is closed for rehab so that's fewer spots. I was lucky and snagged some cancellations in February (10 months in advance) with 8 nights scattered between Bahia Honda, Curry Hammock, and John Pennekamp. There are private campgrounds all up and down the Keys (I stayed at Boyd's Campground outside Key West). It's gonna run $100 a night at a minimum. Also because land is so scarce, sites are small/tight so depending on what camper you got it is not very roomy sometimes. Some private places get snobby and won't allow popups - some are only for Class A units.

It's like the trolling the Fort reservation system - keep checking for vacancies as they do come up. I've managed to patch together a nice plan (although I've had to eat a few reservation fees and cancellation fees on RA). I picked up my Curry Hammock nights about a week ago.

If you want to do the Keys for a few days then adding them on either end of a Disney vacation is a good option. As for things to do, it's up to you. Bahia Honda and John Penekamp run glass bottom boat tours so you can cruise out, see the reefs/coral and fish in a few hours. If you get in at or near those, that's an option. Plus you can day visit these and use their beaches, rent boats/kayaks/paddleboards. Really just being in the sunshine and relaxing is the order of the day. And I will go fishing even if I have to hop on a party boat.

The Florida Turnpike is the way to the Keys from Orlando but be forewarned there are no tollbooths starting around Fort Lauderdale. So you would need to buy a Sunpass and put a few dollars on it for the tolls (you blow through the overhead scanner at highway speeds). It's worth it if you can get a minimum of two nights some place.

Also the southern Keys (about Marathon and below) are generally warmer (mostly at night) than the northern Keys (not that that should make a difference). It's only 5-6 hours to Key Largo (the start of the Keys at Mile Marker 102 about) from Disney.

There are not big sand beaches in the Keys like in the Florida panhandle but small beaches with lots of shallow water close to shore. The sea grass washes up on the beach from the shallows and dies (turns brown) and smells bad at times but that's life in the Keys. Oh, and the iguanas that are all over some places are herbivores.

I wouldn't recommend Key West with the kids the ages they are. I would go for the relaxing, sunny, angle.

PM me if you want but I'm going to the Keys this winter.

Bama Ed
 
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We love the Keys both for our trips with kids and our adults-only kids. As Ed says, Long Key, our favorite state park will be closed. I have pictures of it somewhere in some thread here. Curry Hammock is our other favorite. Some of the sites are not directly on the water, but it's a tiny campground so the walk is short. What we do there is...not much. We rent a kayak and do the kayak trail. Paddle out to the sandbar and bob around in the water. It's not sandy beach or bottom but with water shoes it's just fine. We've never done it, but pretty much anywhere there is a marina up and and down the keys, there will be a charter boat to take you fishing. That's next on our list with the kids.

There are animal sanctuaries, feeding the tarpon, waterfront dining. Rent a kayak or a paddleboard. The Keys are a slow paced vacation. Of course, in Key West, there are more offerings for activities - jet ski tours, ghost tours, shipwreck museum, Hemingway house, etc., but the rest is about being on the water, watching the sunrise / sunset, relaxing.

Everything Ed says about the private campgrounds is spot on. Friends of ours really like Sunshine Key RV resort, and I've seen there is a KOA. I've never been able to get a reservation in Bahia Honda but I'm making it a goal as it has a beautiful beach.
 
Right at this moment this morning, John Penekeamp has some single nights available before your Disney dates.

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You could reserve #37 and #40 for example and then hope to snag Dec 2 in the future. That does mean you would have to move but it gets you in there. Right now I will have to move once (but I have a popup). If you use a state park, when you click on a campsite, read its description CLOSELY with regards to width and length to make sure you will fit. There are also 3 pictures of each campsite.

What I did was keep singles to fill in my dates then as I kept checking and got multiple night reservations I would cancel the singles (hence the fees I spoke of).

Bama Ed

PS - in reality John Pennekamp will more likely have sites than the other two but keep checking all. And I think the time frame before your Fort stay will be more likely to get than after but check both.

PPS - new camper huh? give us a picture of it. We know you know how to use a camera :laughing:
 
Thanks everyone! Hubby and I have never been and he loves to drive. I have a lot of helpful info here that I plan to sit down and review later after kids are in bed. We are not concerned with a night price rate for camping. It will only be for a few nights anyway. Driving over that bridge, sightseeing, putting our feet in the water, breathing that fresh sea air is what we would like to do. So
Try something new! Not up to boat tours, snorkeling, or deep sea fishing as we would have a one year old with us.

The camper is 10 years old. We bought it from friends of ours that recently upgraded. I was stuck in an endless cycle for the past few years...Won't buy new as the new today is as cheap as it possibly gets. Won't spend big bucks on a high dollar camper as we won't use it often enough to justify the price. Won't buy used cause I don't know the history of it. I was STUCK! Then, our friends who had a good camper and had well maintained it for its life thus far posted it for sale on Facebook. I showed up cash in hand that hour ;) Its perfect for us! It has a front queen bedroom, slide out for the sofa and dinnette, back bunkhouse for the kids, and HUGE pantry! I literally can pack enough groceries in that thing to not have to stop at Walmart or Target multiple times thoughout the trip. It fits our needs!!!!
I am in the process of removing some exterior decals, reupholstering the sofa and dinette, new blinds and curtains, and adding new mattresses throughout. Cause you know, I don't have enough on my plate or something.

When I mean we are one step above camping, this is exactly what I mean. You see that lovely utility sink? Well I'm the proud owner of that beauty :)


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Melissa,

Sorry I missed your post until now. Congrats on the camper. It sounds perfect. And I can sympathize on the house. I have a 115 year old house that always seems to have some room in a state of remodel. At least yours will be nice and new and just the way you want it.

As for the Keys. I LOVE THE KEYS!!!! I would move to Key West tomorrow if I could afford Monroe County. I have been many times, but never camped only rented condos or stayed at B&Bs, so I'll defer to Ed and the rest on the campgrounds. I have looked at camping there a few times and everything they said above is true about the state parks. I literally tried to get a spot at 11 months to the day and most were booked.

As for Key West. There is a lot to do there. More than enough to keep you busy for a week. I have been taking Ian there since he was little and never had an issue, but we live in a pretty diverse neighborhood. There has never been anything there that I would consider offensive to a kid. Winter months are probably a bit more "raw" and going down during Pride weeks would probably be over the top, but plan ahead. I certainly wouldn't avoid Key West. It is the jewel of the Keys, in my eyes, and there is so much to see and do for you and the kids.

j
 
There has never been anything there that I would consider offensive to a kid.

My comment above about avoiding Key West was because of the kids the ages the OP has might get worn out schlepping around Key West during a day. I have personal experience with it and witnessed others. Given that the Southernmost Point is at the other end of the island (and it's not even the southernmost point but a marketing excuse to get tourists to run the length of Duval and Whitehead Streets and hopefully patronize the businesses). There are few if any public restrooms at all so most businesses require you to patronize (buy something) in order to use their facilities which, in my experience, were not the best. Don't forget the cruise ships with all their day trippers roaming around. Remember kids have different bladder timing. They get tired with all the walking.

Also Key West is not the type of town to drive from attraction to attraction. Day Trippers generally drive in, park somewhere (usually paying), and then hoof it the 1.5 miles one-way up and down Duval and Whitehead Streets and environs. You can rent mopeds or hire a pedalcab to help your mobility but with kids and cost that's not as attractive. There's also an on-off trolley that is $30 a day for adults. No doubt there are fine attactions like the aquarium, pirate museum, mel fisher museum, southernmost point, hemmingway house, lighthouse, and southern point plus much more. They all are noteworthy but of course cost (all in the interest of full disclosure).

Personally I like going to Key West (Tropical Inn on Duval Street :thumbsup2). But it helps to know going in how it is there. It ain't like walking around Disney Springs.

Bama Ed
 
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Hi Melissa. I have no experience on the Keys. I just wanted to say hi and congrats on the camper. The house will come together. I have been busy with work and having to travel, so bert is stuck taking care of the dogs.
 
We just got back from a week in the keys. Just a point to remember if you stay at John Penekeamp SP it is 2 hours to Key West, so just make sure you figure that into your plans. There are other camp ground closer to Key West but none on the island itself. We did not camp, we stayed in a hotel. June is just too hot to set up camp, at least for us. As others have stated parking is very sparse and you will pay for it. If you are just going for the day to explore, I would suggest the trolley tour as you pay one price and can get off and on all day and it will make stops at all the major attractions. You can buy tickets online and if you buy packages (trolley plus attraction) you can save money. You should be able to check online for the Key West cruise port schedule so you can avoid the massive crowds that get off the ship to explore.
 
Congrats on the downsizing. Sure is nice to have everyone living on the same land. My brother in law lives at the cattle farm house right next door. We built on the other side of the giant tree row. Close enough I can hear them moo at night, far enough to not see or smell :) My mother in law lives a mile directly south and can see her home from ours. I bet you sleep nice and tight in a light rain though :) Wish we were closer, hubby could come spray foam your new house. I have to tell you, that was the best investment we made so far building here. Decided to mix things up too and try December. We love the looping and I think the kids sure would enjoy it more with all the decorations. Six weeks until harvest. Danny's "honey do list" is a mile long. Best of luck and sanity in your build as well!

So good to hear from you again. Your house build will end soon, and congrats on your building it yourselves. Followed along with pictures on a previous post. Your reward will happen soon. We also sold our home (newer 14 year old) and a downsizing our new build here in the farm! Our married son bought it and we are building on a piece of land here in the farm. Living in a fifth wheel during this crazy spring/summer with storms and wind is interesting. Hope your living situation moves forward fast. We also want to go to the Keys, and appreciate the comments. Who needs cupboards!! We are visiting the Fort late February/March. A change of time for us! Good luck on your camper purchase, and hope the kids are well. Here is hoping for a great croppingnyear for your family. Barb
 
Thank you everyone for your honest feed-back of both positive and negative on the Keys.

I guess hubby was really just interested in the drive on all the bridges. Maybe best to wait and do that drive without three "are we there yet" kiddos. Will see. Still time to think and plan.

Bama - thanks for all the details. I have no clue and now enough to be dangerous :) I never would have thought about a Sunpass or Tolls.

Jim - Yes, avoiding Pride Week might be a good idea will littles.
 
Melissa, thanks for the well wishes. We did buy a sun pass for our yearly visit, and it is quite handy. Not sure if the price we paid will pay for itself, but pure convenience has a price as well! We are sprayfoaming our home, or should I clarify the contractor has hired someone. Yes light rain turned to heavy 6 1/2 inches. We had major flooding in surrounding towns, but we fared well. Could be that driftless area we are located. Hopefully last weeks rains are done you way, although tonight might be another tough one for all of us. This fall is our 45th, and since honeymooning at Disney and many times since, seems like we should be there, but will wait until Feb/March. Happy safe and bountiful harvest to your family. I will pray for kitchen cupboards for you!!
 
MM,

For the record you don't HAVE to buy a SunPass for the turnpike down around Miami. If you don't have a SunPass and blow through the overhead toll gates, the system takes a picture of your license plate and sends it to you in the mail. They call it Toll-By-Plate. However it's more expensive.

I played with the toll calculator on the Sunpass website and with 3 axles (two for a tow vehicle and one for a trailer) a one-way trip from the WDW area on the Turnpike down to the end at Homestead was about $29 for a SunPass or $38 when using the Toll-by-Plate and toll booths (where available). Again that was one way.

However, I just like feeling like a local Floridian driving around with my SunPass. :drive:

Bama Ed
 
We stayed at Bahia Honda State Park (tent camping) and loved it! I wish we had had time to do some of the excursions (snorkeling, etc). I think a trip to the Keys is a must do at least once.
 

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