3 wks away to our first fw/wdw experience in a tent!

[MICKEYLOVINMOMOF5]

Hello everyone! Me and 4 of the 5 children, ages 2, 9, 10 and 12 will be arriving to FW on 10/3 and staying until 10/9. This is our first trip to WDW. We have done DL a few times but from what I understand this is a whole new monster. This is also the first time camping for us. Me and my son (12) has practiced putting the tent up a few times and have it down to a science, I have my ground cover, painters plastic (tip I read here), screen house, a changing tent (my girls request- little divas in the making) cooking stove, rice cooker, crock pot and toaster all packed and ready to go. I'm not going to have room for the microwave and my small fridge (you guessed it.. I don't plan on roughing it to much ) I've read every thread on the camping board and feel like I'm ready for this adventure but I have a few questions.. some of which might be silly but remember I'M NEW!!

1. Tent poles, how exactly to you "anchor" them to the ground, I have a Coleman tent 19 X 12 (remember I have 5 kids lol) I know to stake the rings/ropes down but I feel like the poles should be "held" down somehow..

2. I have alot of ideas on what to cook, do you think a cooler will be able to keep my food frozen/cool to a safe temp? Do people bring seperate coolers for drinks and such, in my mind if the kids are always in there.. gonna be a issue so should I have a drink cooler and then a "food" cooler?

3. What is the weather generally like in early October? Should I bring fans or a heater or both?

4 Is there any issues with animals getting into your food? Do I need to keep bread and like items in a plastic container or will they be ok in a mesh cabinet of sorts?

5. Are there large animals there that could possible eat us? Bears for example?? Remember I'M NEW!!

6. (and this is it for right now) Transportation to the parks.. I'm super stoked about the boat ride to MK but do you think with all these kids I should drive to the other parks?

I know some of these things are minor and I really do feel like I'm ready to do this, just the last minute jitters I think!! I really want my kids to enjoy this (mom to of course) and hope that we get the Fort Bug like everyone else seems to!

oh yes, one more thing, if anyone has pictures of a tent set up that's not already on here I'd love to see them, the lay of the land is the only thing I havent figured out yet, I'm thinking 2000 loop just because they are so roomy (call Kenny next week for the golf cart res)

 

[clkelley]

Hello everyone! Me and 4 of the 5 children, ages 2, 9, 10 and 12 will be arriving to FW on 10/3 and staying until 10/9. This is our first trip to WDW. We have done DL a few times but from what I understand this is a whole new monster. This is also the first time camping for us. Me and my son (12) has practiced putting the tent up a few times and have it down to a science, I have my ground cover, painters plastic (tip I read here), screen house, a changing tent (my girls request- little divas in the making) cooking stove, rice cooker, crock pot and toaster all packed and ready to go. I'm not going to have room for the microwave and my small fridge (you guessed it.. I don't plan on roughing it to much ) I've read every thread on the camping board and feel like I'm ready for this adventure but I have a few questions.. some of which might be silly but remember I'M NEW!!

1. Tent poles, how exactly to you "anchor" them to the ground, I have a Coleman tent 19 X 12 (remember I have 5 kids lol) I know to stake the rings/ropes down but I feel like the poles should be "held" down somehow..

2. I have alot of ideas on what to cook, do you think a cooler will be able to keep my food frozen/cool to a safe temp? Do people bring seperate coolers for drinks and such, in my mind if the kids are always in there.. gonna be a issue so should I have a drink cooler and then a "food" cooler?

3. What is the weather generally like in early October? Should I bring fans or a heater or both?

4 Is there any issues with animals getting into your food? Do I need to keep bread and like items in a plastic container or will they be ok in a mesh cabinet of sorts?

5. Are there large animals there that could possible eat us? Bears for example?? Remember I'M NEW!!

6. (and this is it for right now) Transportation to the parks.. I'm super stoked about the boat ride to MK but do you think with all these kids I should drive to the other parks?

I know some of these things are minor and I really do feel like I'm ready to do this, just the last minute jitters I think!! I really want my kids to enjoy this (mom to of course) and hope that we get the Fort Bug like everyone else seems to!

oh yes, one more thing, if anyone has pictures of a tent set up that's not already on here I'd love to see them, the lay of the land is the only thing I havent figured out yet, I'm thinking 2000 loop just because they are so roomy (call Kenny next week for the golf cart res)

Howdy neighbor!!!!! (Look at my location)

You will LOVE camping at the Fort

I hope you haven't waited too late for Kenny. It seems October is really full for him.

Nope, the tent poles are designed that way. No need to secure them down.

Yes, I would bring two coolers. Food cooler and drink cooler.

Yes bring both a fan and heater. Even in the dead of winter you at least want to run a fan during the day while you are out and air out the moisture in that tent. You create a lot of moisture in the tent just by breathing while sleeping, add to that Florida's humidity and that means WET. Wet means cold, NOT FUN!!!!!

2000 Loop is my favorite tent loop.

 

[CooperPrincesses]

I've not camped at FW but we camp a good bit. Since you are tent camping I would recommend keeping all your food in your car when you are not cooking/eating. Less tempting for the animals. Also you might bring a length of rope to hoist your trash bag at night, not sure what the policy is on using tree branches, but we always hoist ours up a good ways off the ground, again to deter any evening visitors.

Tent stakes, which will hold your tent poles and chords in the ground should be included with your tents as well as your screen room. If they are not included you can pick up either metal ones or plastic ones, usually yellow, at Walmart or Target. They should be included with your tent however in a little tied bag.

I would doubt that there are any large animals at Ft. Wilderness, to many people, I would think, but it is the Great Outdoors so there is always the posibility, but I would think that possibility is slimmer then staying at say a State Park.

Two coolers in not a bad idea for sodas and food, as sometimes your food will leach or bleed into the ice. Also I am sure that you can replenish your ice at the Camp store, or from a nearby gas station. We have camped using a cooler for all food for a week or so and not had any food problems. I would also recommend keeping the coolers in your car or weighting to top when not in the camp site or at night. Most of all do not put them in your tent. Animals can be relentless if they smell food and decide they want it.

Have a great great time. We'll be at the Fort a couple of weeks after you and while not camping, we have a 6 month old so we're doing a cabin this time, I think it will be a wonderful expereince.

Enjoy!!

 

[MICKEYLOVINMOMOF5]

Well hey there! I have seen some of your post but didnt realize you were right around the corner, the mickey kitchen/camper thingy you got going on rocks!!! I hope I havent waited to long on the Kenny thing either but with 5 kids all in school the past few months have wreacked havoc on my wallet ..LOL How long does it usually take you to drive down there? I'm guessing with gas/potty breaks around 12 hours. I plan on breaking it up into a 2 day drive, hitting a Motel 6 or something along the way. Thanks for the advice on fan and heater, I didnt think about the moisture inside the tent..

 

[MICKEYLOVINMOMOF5]

Thanks for the great info CooperPrincess! I hope I'm not "under" estimating the creatures at FW.. it seems to be the "posh" campsite. I dont feel like I'm ready to hit a state park yet

FW veterns.. do I need to hang my trash there?? Has anyone ever had any issues with the critters? If I leave something cooking in the crock pot am I going to come back to the site at night to find Yogi and Boo Boo bear sitting at my table?? LOL

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Clkelley already answered some of your questions, but since you are new (and nervous), I'll add my $.02:

1. Tent poles, how exactly to you "anchor" them to the ground, I have a Coleman tent 19 X 12 (remember I have 5 kids lol) I know to stake the rings/ropes down but I feel like the poles should be "held" down somehow..

No need to hold down the tent poles. Gravity and the tent pegs will take care of that. Make sure to bring a hammer or mallet to drive in your tent pegs- the tent pads are very firm.

2. I have alot of ideas on what to cook, do you think a cooler will be able to keep my food frozen/cool to a safe temp? Do people bring seperate coolers for drinks and such, in my mind if the kids are always in there.. gonna be a issue so should I have a drink cooler and then a "food" cooler?

Two coolers is a good idea. Freeze and pre-chill whatever you can in the food cooler. Keeping the drinks in a separate cooler will cut down on the times the food cooler has to be opened. You will have to periodically check and add ice. Plan for it. No big deal. Ice is available at the comfort stations. It costs $2 a bag. Put the bag under the dispenser before you push the coins in. While it sounds expensive, it isn't. Probably a bag or less of ice a day will take care of things.


3. What is the weather generally like in early October? Should I bring fans or a heater or both?

Usually it is still hot in early October. On rare occasion, a cold front will bring some cool weather in early October. But that is rare. I personally would not bother with a heater. I would consider an air conditioner. If you can't swing that, you will survive. But, I would say there is a much greater chance that you will be too hot rather than too cold.

I camped at the Fort early last October, and we had a 30+ degree temperature change one evening. But, that is rare for October.


4 Is there any issues with animals getting into your food? Do I need to keep bread and like items in a plastic container or will they be ok in a mesh cabinet of sorts?

I'm not sure what a mesh cabinet is. I would keep the food in closed and latched coolers, or in the car. There are squirrels at the Fort who have been known to snitch food, but no raccoons. So, animals are not a major problem.


5. Are there large animals there that could possible eat us? Bears for example?? Remember I'M NEW!!

No worries here.

Just so you know, there was actually a bear sighted at the Fort in January of this year. But, that is very, very, rare, and nothing that you should be worried about.


6. (and this is it for right now) Transportation to the parks.. I'm super stoked about the boat ride to MK but do you think with all these kids I should drive to the other parks?

Depends. If you are in a hurry, say to make a rope drop, or dining reservation, then you may want to drive. If you want to relax and go with the flow, take the bus.

Above all else, have fun!

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

FW veterns.. do I need to hang my trash there?? Has anyone ever had any issues with the critters? If I leave something cooking in the crock pot am I going to come back to the site at night to find Yogi and Boo Boo bear sitting at my table?? LOL

No need to hang your trash.

There are large covered trash cans a few steps from each site.

The FW castmembers empty these daily.

There is no need to keep any trash at your site.

This ain't a state campground!

TCD

 

[clkelley]

Nah, don't have to hang the trash. Actually, it's better to have smaller trash bags and then just deposit it into the Fort Trash can that will be within a few feet of your site on a daily basis.

No large critters and no "pest" type critters. Have not EVER heard of raccoons or the like getting into food at the Fort.

Now, yes, I have had birds peck into a box of donuts I forgot on the picnic table once, but nothing ever breaking into coolers or food boxes.

As far as the drive down. Yes about 11 -12 hours with that many kiddos.

We leave in the afternoon/evening no earlier than 2pm. We take I-565, I-65, I-20, I-75, Florida Turnpike, 429S, Western Way, West Buena Vista, World Drive, Vista Blvd, then the Fort!!!!

We stop South of Atlanta, usually at about Exit 60 (Tifton). There is a Travelodge at Exit 63 that has clean rooms and is reasonable in price.

Something else I used to do when I tent camped at Disney. I don't know what your drive home plans are, but......

I would plan my last Fort day the day before my actual main driving day.

So for example, if I was going to drive home on a Sunday, I would check out of the Fort on Saturday. I pack stuff up Saturday morning and leave the Fort as late as possible, then spend the rest of the day at the parks. Then that night when the parks closed start driving North to Ocala or Lake City and stay the night there.

The next morning it is a lot easier to leave a hotel in Ocala or Lake City than it is to leave the Fort at a reasonable hour!!

 

[MICKEYLOVINMOMOF5]

Thanks Tri! Can you explain this green mickey thing to me? LOL I'm going to try and have my lamp post finished because those things have to be the coolest things invented since sliced bread..

 

[clkelley]

If I leave something cooking in the crock pot am I going to come back to the site at night to find Yogi and Boo Boo bear sitting at my table?? LOL

NO, but you might find fellow Fiends wandering the campground with a spoon

Seriously, one idea I've seen for crockpots is to get a milk crate and place it over the crockpot and bungy cord it to the picnic table.

 

[MICKEYLOVINMOMOF5]

NO, but you might find fellow Fiends wandering the campground with a spoon

Seriously, one idea I've seen for crockpots is to get a milk crate and place it over the crockpot and bungy cord it to the picnic table.

now the crate over the crock pot.. that's genius!!

I'd love to meet some Fort Fiends.. remember I'm traveling with all kids, a little adult conversation maybe needed after a few days

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Thanks Tri! Can you explain this green mickey thing to me? LOL I'm going to try and have my lamp post finished because those things have to be the coolest things invented since sliced bread..

The green Mickey thing is a way to identify yourself as a Disboard member.

You can read more about it on this thread: We need a way (while at the Fort), to identify DIS Camping Forum members!


TCD

 

[MICKEYLOVINMOMOF5]

The green Mickey thing is a way to identify yourself as a Disboard member.

You can read more about it on this thread:

TCD

How the heck did I miss that.. I NEED ONE WHOOHOO! Going to the craft store!

 

[CoolMom2112]

I'm working on printing mine out!

We'll be staying at the Cabins Sept 24 - Oct 1!

AND DH is talking about letting us come back in Feb!!!



CoolMom2112

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Sounds like you've got everything well-planned! Be careful leaving food in your screen room, too -- squirrels can figure out how to get in and then they have a little picnic without worrying about those pesky flying insects!

Have a great trip!

 

[Trackey79]

Hello everyone! Me and 4 of the 5 children, ages 2, 9, 10 and 12 will be arriving to FW on 10/3 and staying until 10/9. This is our first trip to WDW. We have done DL a few times but from what I understand this is a whole new monster. This is also the first time camping for us. Me and my son (12) has practiced putting the tent up a few times and have it down to a science, I have my ground cover, painters plastic (tip I read here), screen house, a changing tent (my girls request- little divas in the making) cooking stove, rice cooker, crock pot and toaster all packed and ready to go. I'm not going to have room for the microwave and my small fridge (you guessed it.. I don't plan on roughing it to much ) I've read every thread on the camping board and feel like I'm ready for this adventure but I have a few questions.. some of which might be silly but remember I'M NEW!!

1. Tent poles, how exactly to you "anchor" them to the ground, I have a Coleman tent 19 X 12 (remember I have 5 kids lol) I know to stake the rings/ropes down but I feel like the poles should be "held" down somehow..

2. I have alot of ideas on what to cook, do you think a cooler will be able to keep my food frozen/cool to a safe temp? Do people bring seperate coolers for drinks and such, in my mind if the kids are always in there.. gonna be a issue so should I have a drink cooler and then a "food" cooler?

3. What is the weather generally like in early October? Should I bring fans or a heater or both?

4 Is there any issues with animals getting into your food? Do I need to keep bread and like items in a plastic container or will they be ok in a mesh cabinet of sorts?

5. Are there large animals there that could possible eat us? Bears for example?? Remember I'M NEW!!

6. (and this is it for right now) Transportation to the parks.. I'm super stoked about the boat ride to MK but do you think with all these kids I should drive to the other parks?

I know some of these things are minor and I really do feel like I'm ready to do this, just the last minute jitters I think!! I really want my kids to enjoy this (mom to of course) and hope that we get the Fort Bug like everyone else seems to!

oh yes, one more thing, if anyone has pictures of a tent set up that's not already on here I'd love to see them, the lay of the land is the only thing I havent figured out yet, I'm thinking 2000 loop just because they are so roomy (call Kenny next week for the golf cart res)

I have not read all the replies you have received, so if I am repeating someone else's advice please forgive me.

As a Mom of four who has been camping with her four several times the biggest time saver I can recommend is cooking your meals (dinner in particular) ahead of time and freezing them. This is one of the biggest time savers I have found. When you are tired after being in the parks or taking in the resort all day, there is nothing better then just reheating your food and sitting down to eat. As well, this cuts down on the items you need to take with you. (i.e. - the crock pot, rice cooker, etc.) And, with all your meals frozen you don't need as much ice that first couple of days. And I do recommend two coolers. It is much easier with kids wanting drinks all day.

Weather wise October is not to bad. At night you all may need a light cover up, but other than that normal every days clothes should be good.

We have seen animals out and about at the Fort but never had any concerns that they would be a bother.

Transportation wise, as long as you are not planning on staying to close with the lil ones the bus system should be good for you. If you are planning on staying to close, I would recommend using your own vehicle as those buses are VERY crowded at the end of the night.

Can't think of any other advice at this point, but feel free to ask any questions you think of.

 

[ftwildernessrick]

No lions or tigers or bears - Oh My.

The birds, ducks, squirrels, etc. due tend to scavage.

Definately pre-cook & freeze what you can, two separate coolers is best.

In addition to Deet or Off bug spray, bring a can of Raid or something to pre-spray around your campsite before setting up, to keep those annoying bugs away, especially the ants. Disney will also come by & spray if you have problems, but that is after the little varmits have gotten into your food & stuff.

Plastic containers are great for storing opened food left outside on the table.

If your run into any problems & need help, I will be there during the same time. I carry a lot of extra stuff with me, enough to set up another complete tent campsite. I am usually in the 100 loop, just leave a note if we are not there.

 

[Nature Mom]

Definately pre-cook & freeze what you can, two separate coolers is best.

That is what I am doing this weekend. Menu all planned out and looking good.

Depends on how much room you have, but you may want three coolers. I keep all my frozen meals in one and only check it once a day to top off ice if needed and pull that day's meal. It keeps those frozen longer. The small foods I put into its own cooler, usually smaller because it only needs to hold condiments, fruits and veggies, salads and premade items like chicken salad, tabouleh, humus, as well as eggs, bacon and sandwich meats (all which I place in either ziplocks or those glade containers to keep from leaking). This stuff gets accessed more so the need for this cooler. Third cooler is drink cooler (and is big enough to hold a small pitcher of tea, because I am southern and that is what I drink, lol).

In addition to Deet or Off bug spray, bring a can of Raid or something to pre-spray around your campsite before setting up, to keep those annoying bugs away, especially the ants. Disney will also come by & spray if you have problems, but that is after the little varmits have gotten into your food & stuff.

Thanks for answering this, I was wondering if they had a bug spraying truck come through or if we could spray the Raid at our site.

Love finding answers to my own questions in other threads.
MickeylovinMom--I hope you have a great time. It is my first time too and I will be sure to give you details since you are a week or so after my visit, and we are probably going to be in the same loop.

 

[beccaewert]

I haven't had too many problems with critters, BUT those Ft. Wilderness squirrels are SMART! Last year we pulled a pop-up and had a table on the outside under the awning that had our microwave and misc. stuff. Well I had put up all of the bread/donuts BUT I left out the jar of peanut butter....I did not think that they were smart enough to unscrew the top.....WELL I have to give it to 'em, they literally knawed off the side and part of the top and when I came back, they had made a little(not really little) squirrel mess. I had squirrel tracks all over my sight...little peanut butter tracks that is!

SO, they may not be smart enough to unscrew the top, BUT they do know what's inside the jar, because they "chewed" there way inside

Smart critters....they have been learning something from that giant mouse that runs around!

 

[MICKEYLOVINMOMOF5]

I have not read all the replies you have received, so if I am repeating someone else's advice please forgive me.

As a Mom of four who has been camping with her four several times the biggest time saver I can recommend is cooking your meals (dinner in particular) ahead of time and freezing them. This is one of the biggest time savers I have found. When you are tired after being in the parks or taking in the resort all day, there is nothing better then just reheating your food and sitting down to eat. As well, this cuts down on the items you need to take with you. (i.e. - the crock pot, rice cooker, etc.) And, with all your meals frozen you don't need as much ice that first couple of days. And I do recommend two coolers. It is much easier with kids wanting drinks all day.

Weather wise October is not to bad. At night you all may need a light cover up, but other than that normal every days clothes should be good.

We have seen animals out and about at the Fort but never had any concerns that they would be a bother.

Transportation wise, as long as you are not planning on staying to close with the lil ones the bus system should be good for you. If you are planning on staying to close, I would recommend using your own vehicle as those buses are VERY crowded at the end of the night.

Can't think of any other advice at this point, but feel free to ask any questions you think of.

I'm truely convinced that cooking everything ahead of time will make my life some what easier, and to hear you confirm that just makes me even more motivated to do that. Do you freeze your items in plastic containers or baggies? I'm thinking I could just throw the bag away, but I'm one of those women that has the "CANTTHROWAWAYAPLASTICCONTAINER-itus"