Absolute must haves

[4theloveofdisney]

I have not been tent camping in years! What are the absolute must haves that you feel you cannot do without when you tent camp at Disney. All info is appreciated!!

TIA!

 

[duranfan]

I don't tent but I live in Florida. I think a must have for tenters would be a fan. Also, some kind of other shelter maybe a portable screen room.

 

[tazdeb]

Bring lots of money LOL. Actually, depending on the season you go. I would bring a rain tarp to cover your tent and something inside to get your belongings off the ground. In the summer it rains every afternoon and is very humid the rest of the time so the floor of the tent gets damp. Also, we bring a portable fridge that we bought at Sams club like the ones in college dorm rooms. This saves us refilling the collers with Ice alot which can get expensive in FW.

 

[LMC]

I've seen people mention that you should definately use a tarp or ground cover under your tent to keep moisture from seeping up through the tent floor. And like tazdeb said, ice can cost you a small fortune at FW. Buy the time you fill your cooler everday ($2 per small bag) you could purchase a small fridge. There is another site disneycampers.com that may have
"camping lists". I've seen them posted here before.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

A good quality, well stocked first aid kit.

 

[dis4fun]

We don't tent camp at FW but we have done quite a bit of tent camping with our scout group. Some things we have found to be a must are: Air mattress, drop cords, extra garbage bags to put bedding in when you leave your site to keep them dry in case of rain. Extra tarps. A screen room or small tent to put extra stuff in is also a good thing. How long are you planning to stay?

 

[Franniex4]

We don't tent camp at FW but we have done quite a bit of tent camping with our scout group. Some things we have found to be a must are: Air mattress, drop cords, extra garbage bags to put bedding in when you leave your site to keep them dry in case of rain. Extra tarps. A screen room or small tent to put extra stuff in is also a good thing. How long are you planning to stay?

Thanks for those tips! We r also doing the tent camping but in 2 weeks, do u know if it rains alot at this time? and what r drop cords?

 

[dis4fun]

Thanks for those tips! We r also doing the tent camping but in 2 weeks, do u know if it rains alot at this time? and what r drop cords?

Electrical extension cords. (Drop cords may be a southern term, sorry!)

 

[anditoo72]

You mean besides smores stuff????????????????

 

[LMC]

I always take flip flops or beach shoes to wear in the showers. All of my family uses them to ward off germs. Go to the disneycampers.com site and scroll all the way to the bottom to tent camping and check out the picture there. Whoever camped at that site must be a tent camping pro!

Short list:
bikes/bike helmets
clothes line
dish pan for dishwater (unless you go all paper)
a luggage cart so you can stap things to it and tow it to laundry, home
from the trading post, etc.
bungee tie down cords
duct tape
ant spray for the grounds
charcoal for the grill
grill brush and grilling utensils
flashlights
box fan
chairs
small tv/vcr for kids (or portable dvd with electric hook up)
christmas lights or some other type of dim lighting to hang around your site
In first aid kit: band aids, all headache meds, anything your children may use
regularly, neosporin, tweezers, needle (for splinters), peroxide, more
band aids , some type of insect sting reliever (I use sting ease
and find it in the camping section at walmart

 

[4theloveofdisney]

We don't tent camp at FW but we have done quite a bit of tent camping with our scout group. Some things we have found to be a must are: Air mattress, drop cords, extra garbage bags to put bedding in when you leave your site to keep them dry in case of rain. Extra tarps. A screen room or small tent to put extra stuff in is also a good thing. How long are you planning to stay?

We are staying 5 nights in March if our plans don't change - lol! UPDATE: The plans did change

 

[CaipiraBob]

Well, the first thing I do in the morning is prepare coffee. For camping we have a percolator that works on a portable gas grill.

If you're one of those who does not believe in "Life without Coffee" I can hardly think of something more essential.

 

[striker3636]

We just got back last week, and although we were in a camper, we were tenters until this trip. Here's a few things...

-glowsticks/flashing necklaces for campfire/outdoor movie, and all the nights in the parks. I lost count how many times people at campfire asked me where the glow necklaces where from. (saves lots of $$ in the parks when you stay for Wishes etc)
-A screen dining tent - not just for eating, but also a separate 'living' space. When we tented, this was our kitchen/storage/kids activity centre etc etc.
-think ahead about the meals you expect to eat at "home" and plan what kitchen related things you need to bring. For example...we bring our small BBQ (the charcoal ones at each site can take too long if you are in a hurry) and cook most of each meal on it. Easy preparation and clean up too.
-I have a 4 ingredient cookbook that I always bring camping for when I wing it for supper and don't want hot dogs again.
-clotheslines for towels etc, and to air out anything that may get damp if it rains.
-comfy chairs or loungers to kick back in after a busy day at the park.
-build in a little down time in your schedule to enjoy FW - it is great!

 

[4theloveofdisney]

Unfortunately Dh decided that he doesn't want to camp after all. Boo Hoo! I am writing all of this down though because I think it would be great fun. We have a very active toddler though and DH is VERY over-protective when it comes to our kids. Maybe we will give it a go next year or possible this fall. Anyone camped in October? Or is it too cold? Thanks again for all of your thoughts - they will come in handy!!

 

[clkelley]

I tent camp at Ft. Wilderness every December! October is definitely not too cold!!

Definitely have a ground cloth under your tent. I also have a sheet of plastic inside my tent. I also put a sheet of disposable plastic under everything and just toss that. The sand pad can get gooey and messy when it rains.

I bring a rain shelter and place it in front of my tent to have a place to sit outside my tent. I don't put anything extra over my tent, but just waterproof it very well with seam sealer and a spray-on fabric sealer.

Folding camp chairs are a must.

Individual sets of toiletries for each person, so you can all shower at the same time. I use a daypack with my toiletries and a change of clothes. I get it ready the night before and that is the only thing that goes in the tent with me. I can grab that quickly and get to the comfort station for that early morning bathroom run, then around the corner to the showers and get dressed.

Air mattress and electric pump.

Sheets and electric blanket. (Sew the bottom fitted, top sheet, and blanket together at the foot, so the top sheet and blanket stays put). There is nothing worse than realizing your feet are sticking out in the cold

Power strip and a minimum of a 40 foot electric extension cord.

Alarm clock

Cell phone charger

Camera battery charger or docking station

Fan (even in cool weather, open up the tent during the day and run a fan) Gets rid of the humidity/moisture you create at night.

Shower Shoes

Quarters, Laundry Detergent, Dryer Sheets

If you are driving, a mini-fridge is a good idea.

When I drive, instead of clothes in a suitcase, I use those plastic drawer units. They sit upright in the back of my pickup truck (covered) and I just open the tailgate and get stuff out of the drawers. Keeps extra stuff out of my tent.

When I fly, I actually bring an extra tent for my stuff.

Battery operated lantern and hook to hang from inside of rain fly.

Tent stake mallet

I don't cook at Ft. Wilderness, so can't give any advice about that.

However, the first boat to Contemporary runs at about 6:45 am, so I usually grab that to get my hot chocolate, banana, and bagel at the Contemporary Food n Fun Center

Carol