A Few Questions from Newbie re: FW Campgrounds

[annnewjerz]

Hopefully these aren't repeats of anything asked too recently. If they are, please feel free to send me to the link for the thread containing the answers

So in October we will be staying for the first time at the campgrounds. Basically, we are already going in December and staying at the BWV and wanted to do a quick/cheap/bare bones birthday trip for me in October.

We are going to be staying in a tent at one of the campsites and just had a few quick general question re: Fort Wilderness.

1. I see that bus service is provided from the Campgrounds to the marina. It will just be DH and I (mid-20's) and we don't plan on renting a golf cart. Do we have to use bus service, or can we walk to the marina?

2. From one end of the campgrounds (Hoop De Doo) to the Trading Post, approximately how far is it?

3. Does the boat from the marina also go to the Contemporary?

4. How are the bath houses? We have been camping plenty and have used some not so pleasant communal showers, but I was hoping Disney community bathrooms would be a little nicer.

5. Be honest, is it weird that we're coming camping in a tent when we are flying in or do a lot of people do the camping thing without actually driving or bringing an RV? We are using SW and plan on just packing all of our camping supplies in our checked bags (tent, air mattress, towels, battery operated lanterns----nothing flammable like charcoal or lighter fluid). We just wanted a super cheap place to lay our heads at night, so we won't be camping in the traditional sense (campfires, picnic lunches, etc.)---more just using the tent as a place to sleep.

Thanks in advance for all of the help and definitely looking forward to our first stay at FW!!

Ann

 

[iluvstitch]

1. I see that bus service is provided from the Campgrounds to the marina. It will just be DH and I (mid-20's) and we don't plan on renting a golf cart. Do we have to use bus service, or can we walk to the marina?

Really, this depends on where your campsite is located. If you're really far from the marina or the reception outpost you could walk, but it might be a long walk for you. You may have to break down and take the bus. Don't get me wrong, the walk is doable, just maybe not your thing. It's good exercise though

2. From one end of the campgrounds (Hoop De Doo) to the Trading Post, approximately how far is it?

From the marina to the reception out post is one mile, as the crow flies (or so the map says....sometimes feels longer to me.) The Meadows trading post lands about in the middle of these two landmarks. Checkout the map:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/fortwilderness.htm

3. Does the boat from the marina also go to the Contemporary?

There are two boats that leave from the Fort - one goes to the Magic Kingdom, the other is a shuttle that goes to the Contemporary (and if I'm not mistaken the Wilderness Lodge as well).

4. How are the bath houses? We have been camping plenty and have used some not so pleasant communal showers, but I was hoping Disney community bathrooms would be a little nicer.

This is completely opinion, but I think they are just about the nicest bathrooms you'll find at a campground. They aren't exactly communal - you do get your own private shower with changing area. And they're so clean and nice and air conditioned...

5. Be honest, is it weird that we're coming camping in a tent when we are flying in or do a lot of people do the camping thing without actually driving or bringing an RV? We are using SW and plan on just packing all of our camping supplies in our checked bags (tent, air mattress, towels, battery operated lanterns----nothing flammable like charcoal or lighter fluid). We just wanted a super cheap place to lay our heads at night, so we won't be camping in the traditional sense (campfires, picnic lunches, etc.)---more just using the tent as a place to sleep.

It's not weird at all! We're going to be doing the same thing in January - staying for 2 weeks and flying down and not getting a car! We truly enjoy tent camping so we really wanted to do it, but I couldn't see spending the time driving down (especially since we'd have to rent a car to do it) so we're just flying with all the camping gear. I can't wait!

 

[annnewjerz]

You may have to break down and take the bus. Don't get me wrong, the walk is doable, just maybe not your thing. It's good exercise though

I'm definitely not opposed to using the buses, just wanted to make sure that you were allowed to walk (didn't know if it was prohibited or anything because of the bus system). I figure, we walk like 10 miles a day around The World, what's another mile to our tent??

There are two boats that leave from the Fort - one goes to the Magic Kingdom, the other is a shuttle that goes to the Contemporary (and if I'm not mistaken the Wilderness Lodge as well).

Nice! We were thinking about hopping over to Roaring Fork and The Wave for dinner and didn't know if we would need to go to MK and get a transfer to WL and Contemporary.

This is completely opinion, but I think they are just about the bathrooms you'll find at a campground. They aren't exactly communal - you do get your own private shower with changing area. And they're so clean and nice and air conditioned...

By communal I didn't mean we got showered with others ---just meant you don't have a "private" facility of your own like you would in a hotel room. As long as they are clean, that's all I care about---so clean and air conditioned is fantastic!!

It's not weird at all! We're going to be doing the same thing in January - staying for 2 weeks and flying down and not getting a car! We truly enjoy tent camping so we really wanted to do it, but I couldn't see spending the time driving down (especially since we'd have to rent a car to do it) so we're just flying with all the camping gear. I can't wait!

I'm glad I'm not nuts. When I tell everyone we'll be going down with a tent and air mattress and sheets, etc. in our checked baggage---I have been getting a lot of weird looks. I didn't know if it was unheard of to fly, use the DME and camp. Looks like I'm not alone!!

Thanks for the info!

 

[clkelley]

Yep, I've done the tent camping and flying thing many times!! It's lots of fun!!

 

[Shan-man]

The "As a crow Flies" mile actually equates to 1.4 miles if you keep to the sidewalks and cross at crosswalks going from the Outpost Depot to the end of the Marina Dock. The longest walk to a campsite from the dock is about 1.3 miles to the backside of 2000 loop (about 2032). The sidewalks are nice and wide with no transition at crossings making them ideal for jogging or bike riding, too.

If you are accustomed to campground bathhouses you will find the Fort's to be pretty much top shelf. For someone who's only ever stayed in a resort, it might be a culture shock! The toilets are typical partitioned public toilets, with the sinks and mirrors adjacent. The showers are in a separate area, and each shower/dressing area is walled-off from the others (not mere partitions) and privacy is via shower curtains (one into the dressing area and one to divide that from the shower stall), IIRC. Someone correct me if I'm wrong... now that I type it I wonder if the outer privacy is a partition door? Anyway, I would say that it is quite clean by campground standards, but nowhere near as clean as I would expect at a moderate resort (which the Fort is supposed to be). Certainly bring shower shoes.

 

[clkelley]

The longest walk to a campsite from the dock is about 1.3 miles to the backside of 2000 loop (about 2032). The sidewalks are nice and wide with no transition at crossings making them ideal for jogging or bike riding, too.

Shan, is that 1.3 miles by way of official sidewalks?? Do you know that you can cut over to the group camping area, then cross the bridge to 900 Loop, then down the sidewalk to get to the Settlement/Marina area.

Probably a lot shorter than the 1.3 miles.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

The showers are in a separate area, and each shower/dressing area is walled-off from the others (not mere partitions) and privacy is via shower curtains (one into the dressing area and one to divide that from the shower stall), IIRC. Someone correct me if I'm wrong... now that I type it I wonder if the outer privacy is a partition door?

It is not often that anyone gets a chance to correct Shanta, but I must jump in briefly to say that the outer doors of the shower compartments are solid partition doors with sliding latches (the kind typically found at WDW for toilet partitions).


TCD

 

[clkelley]

It is not often that anyone gets a chance to correct Shanta, but I must jump in briefly to say that the outer doors of the shower compartments are solid partition doors with sliding latches (the kind typically found at WDW for toilet partitions).


TCD

Some of the latches are the flip over kind instead of sliding

 

[annnewjerz]

Everything sounds great, I'm looking forward to our first trip to FW (I've stayed in a cabin before when I was a kid, but never in a campsite).

I'll definitely remember to bring shower shoes, no matter how clean the bath house, I wouldn't dream of not wearing shower shoes in a public facility.

Any other recommendations on things we will need to bring? We aren't going until October, but so far I have come up with:

- Tent
- Air mattress
- Mallet to drive in tent stakes
- Lantern
- Flashlights
- Sheets/camp pillows for mattress
- Bottled water
- Towels
- Toiletries
- Shower shoes

We aren't planning on doing any camping activities like cooking on the fire, making smores, etc. and are really just going to use the tent to sleep in---hopefully the rest of our time will be spent in the parks, at the pool, etc.

Thanks again!!

 

[clkelley]

Everything sounds great, I'm looking forward to our first trip to FW (I've stayed in a cabin before when I was a kid, but never in a campsite).

I'll definitely remember to bring shower shoes, no matter how clean the bath house, I wouldn't dream of not wearing shower shoes in a public facility.

Any other recommendations on things we will need to bring? We aren't going until October, but so far I have come up with:

- Tent
- Air mattress
- Mallet to drive in tent stakes
- Lantern
- Flashlights
- Sheets/camp pillows for mattress
- Bottled water
- Towels
- Toiletries
- Shower shoes

We aren't planning on doing any camping activities like cooking on the fire, making smores, etc. and are really just going to use the tent to sleep in---hopefully the rest of our time will be spent in the parks, at the pool, etc.

Thanks again!!

Couple other things
Outdoor extension cord and a power strip. You still need to charge your cell phones, camera, etc.
A small fan if you have room.
Bring a "separate" set of toiletries for each of you, that way you don't have to wait on each other to shower.
A clothesline to hang towels

You say you are bringing bottled water. Ice is expensive at the Fort ($2.00 a bag) and doesn't last long.
Bring a collapsible cooler and be prepared to refill it daily.

Groundcloth for under the tent, then also a couple sheets of the really cheap disposable painters plastic. Put that down first under your groundclot and tent, then at the end of the trip just ditch it. That sand gets really gross under there and it is REALLY hard to clean it up enough to pack that tent back up to go on the plane.

Garbage bags are good also.

I would also recommend that at least one of your checked bags is a Locking Truck Locker. This can be found at Wal-Mart in the automotive section. It is an airline legal size and is relatively waterproof and can be locked up inside your tent.

It sounds like you are going fairly minimal, but there might be something like phones or camera that you want to leave at camp while you are at the pool or at the bath house and want to lock up.

 

[iluvstitch]

Going off my packing list (yes, I've started it even though my trip is 7 months away...) I can suggest an extension cord (especially if you plan on charging cell phones) a mini broom/dustpan for getting all the dirt out of the tent that you inevitably track in no matter how hard you try not to, a tarp and rope (if it rains you can put it up over your tent as a shelter to keep your tent dry). And perhaps a refreshing alcoholic beverage...

 

[SunshineCamper]

How about batteries for the air pump for the air matress or batteries for the self inflated air matress.
Backpack for the parks and a place to store your Disney mugs

 

[annnewjerz]

Couple other things
Outdoor extension cord and a power strip. You still need to charge your cell phones, camera, etc.
A small fan if you have room.
Bring a "separate" set of toiletries for each of you, that way you don't have to wait on each other to shower.
A clothesline to hang towels

Great suggestions! We are going fairly minimal since I think we'll only be there for 2 nights. The extension cord, fan and power strip, as well as separate toiletries and the lockable bag are all things I never would have thought of.

You say you are bringing bottled water. Ice is expensive at the Fort ($2.00 a bag) and doesn't last long.
Bring a collapsible cooler and be prepared to refill it daily.

The water bottle issue I more meant water bottles like..the refillable kind. I don't plan to actually ship Poland Spring to campgrounds, so I shouldn't have to worry too much about keeping it cold since I'll just be refilling them at the water fountains in the parks. But that does bring up another item---Crystal Light packs!

Groundcloth for under the tent, then also a couple sheets of the really cheap disposable painters plastic. Put that down first under your groundclot and tent, then at the end of the trip just ditch it. That sand gets really gross under there and it is REALLY hard to clean it up enough to pack that tent back up to go on the plane.

Again, something I would have never thought of. Usually we go camping with family and I'm not the one setting up the living quarters.

I would also recommend that at least one of your checked bags is a Locking Truck Locker. This can be found at Wal-Mart in the automotive section. It is an airline legal size and is relatively waterproof and can be locked up inside your tent.

Didn't look the bag up yet, but what's to keep someone from just walking away with your bag---rather than taking your items out of the bag and stealing those? Does it actually lock to something or is it just like a normal piece of luggage?

 

[clkelley]

Great suggestions! We are going fairly minimal since I think we'll only be there for 2 nights. The extension cord, fan and power strip, as well as separate toiletries and the lockable bag are all things I never would have thought of.




The water bottle issue I more meant water bottles like..the refillable kind. I don't plan to actually ship Poland Spring to campgrounds, so I shouldn't have to worry too much about keeping it cold since I'll just be refilling them at the water fountains in the parks. But that does bring up another item---Crystal Light packs!



Again, something I would have never thought of. Usually we go camping with family and I'm not the one setting up the living quarters.



Didn't look the bag up yet, but what's to keep someone from just walking away with your bag---rather than taking your items out of the bag and stealing those? Does it actually lock to something or is it just like a normal piece of luggage?

It's actually not a bag, it's a plastic bin. No, there is nothing that will keep folks from walking away with the bin, but having "stuff" in there will keep the casual thief from just reaching in your tent and grabbing something off the bed.