Am I crazy? tent camping questions

[camelotcats]

I am planning a solo long-weekend trip to WDW in Oct 2008.

For some reason, I am absolutely jonesing to tent camp at FtW. I am really interested and excited in this. But I have some major concerns:

1. I have never camped before, except once with my parents when I was 12 in a camper....the rest of the family hated it, so we never camped again. I have good memories of the experience, though.
2. I would be flying in, so I would have to pack everything for the campsite to bring with me on a plane.
3. Uh, I would have to buy camping gear, as I currently have none, but I have family members who backpack, and they are willing to loan me a few things....ok, a tent and a sleeping bag.
4. I would be a solo female traveler....is it less safe to camp than to stay in a hotel? How does security in a tent work?
5. BTW, have I mentioned I've never been camping??

Am I crazy? Stupid? Is this a bad idea?

I really really want to do this. I've been lurking on the camping board for a while, and it looks and sounds like peope have so much fun at FtW, and I really want to try it. I might have a cance once or twice to camp before the trip, but we have little kids, and my DH is...well....not very outdoorsy...though he would be fine tent camping with just me, but we are intimidated about doing it with the kids.

I know you guys know what you're doing. Any advice? Please? It's ok if your advice is "try a different time"...I might not listen to you, but it would be nice to hear from someone other than my DH, who points out that I am a city-girl (OK, suburbs-girl), and he doesn't think I'd do so great camping....but what better time to experience it than when WDW is so close at hand?

Thanks in advance!

 

[clkelley]

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[merryweather20]

I'd also assemble every peice of gear you think you'll need, so you know whether or not you'll be comfortable taking it through the airport etc by yourself.

I agree with the above poster October is a great time to try it out

 

[camelotcats]

No, you are not crazy, but please, please, borrow that tent ahead of time and go camping at least once before you head off to Disney!!

Deciding you also don't like camping while your at Disney World without a car is not a good thing, as there may not be any other resorts available.

October is a great time of year to go camping at WDW.

Not super super hot, but not super super cold either.

Will post more advice soon

Thank you! I saw in the pics that you have flown in and camped before! I would really appreciate any advice! Dh just announced he is buying me a tent (apparently BIL's is a hard one to carry/set up) and sleeping bag for Christmas. I booked with AAA today! Woohoo!!

I'd also assemble every peice of gear you think you'll need, so you know whether or not you'll be comfortable taking it through the airport etc by yourself.

I agree with the above poster October is a great time to try it out

I will definitely try to set everything up ahead of time. I have some experience with EZ-Up tents at craft fairs. We are going to the poconos in July, so we might camp one night (it's close to home...2-3 hours). I'm also going to figure out how much I can carry, even with ME.

Thanks again!

 

[clkelley]

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[BigDaddyRog]

I wouldnt think it would be anymore dangerous to solo-camp as a female than as a male....personally, I'd be sure to introduce myself to the neighbors. Campers tend to keep an eye out for each other for the most part, if anyone heard any comotion...Im sure they'd come to check out the situation and make sure everything is OK.
You might want to look into the cost of shipping your larger, heavier gear ahead of time. I always see posts of people asking about the Forts shipping address.

 

[camelotcats]

I wouldnt think it would be anymore dangerous to solo-camp as a female than as a male....personally, I'd be sure to introduce myself to the neighbors. Campers tend to keep an eye out for each other for the most part, if anyone heard any comotion...Im sure they'd come to check out the situation and make sure everything is OK.
You might want to look into the cost of shipping your larger, heavier gear ahead of time. I always see posts of people asking about the Forts shipping address.

Thank you! I'll be sure to introduce myself.

I'm hoping that I can do everything pretty minimally and don't need to bring a lot. I'm meeting people, so I won't be eating much at the camp, just breakfast. I'll look into shipping costs. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[camelotcats]

First off, thank you all for the support! I really appreciate it! I have booked a tent hook-up site for oct 17-20, 2008. I will be sure to use an airline that participates in resort check in. Dh wants to buy me supplies so he can convince me to camp more often. I am currently checking out all kinds of "camping for beginners" sites and trying to make a good wish list for supplies.

Carol: thank you SO SO SO SO much for the list. I have a few questions, though if you don't mind?

Why do I need a shelter or screen house? I'm sure you're 100% right, i just want to know why, so I know what to look for when I buy one. Does it need to have screens or walls, or is the roof the important thing?

Are there clothes lines on the sites? (I know, probably a stupid question). If no, where would I hang the towels and washcloths? from the shelter? (Did I just answer my own question?)

Why a battery operated lamp for the shelter? is this just a power thing? Could I put up a string of Christmas lights instead? Also, how will I find the campsite at night? Will I leave a light on all day (I hate to waste electric like that)? bring a timer to turn them on at night? Carry a flashlight all day in the parks?

Along the same lines, are the walkways/roads well lit at night?

I will probably be going to a camping supply store when we go visit my In-Laws later in the year. Your list is great. Thank you so so much. I really am looking forward to any other advice you would like to give me. I'm really sorry if my questions seem silly.

Oh, and we're camping in the Poconos for a weekend this June to try it out. I'm very excited.

 

[clkelley]

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[TomM]

You can easily fly and tent camp. I tend to camp simply, my wife and I backpack. About all you really need is a tent, (your might want a sheet of plastic to lay under your tent), sleeping bag, air mattress (Therma Rest make small self inflating mattresses) and a flashlight. You could take a small hot pot and a coffee press to make coffee (if you are a coffee drinker) or just purchase a refillable mug at FW.
If your tent has a vestibule, that will give you a little cover if it rains.
When flying somewhere to backpack, we just pack all our gear in a duffel bag. You won't have any trouble finding your campsite at night, the loops are well lite. If you want a little outside lighting, you could take some rope lights and just lay them on the ground, maybe take a couple stakes to fasten them down better. For camping at FW, I made a hanger for towels out of PVC pipe in an "F" shape only with three horizontal pipes; drove a large dowel rod into the ground to slid the "hanger" on. This would pack easily into a duffel.
You will love camping at FW in a tent. Packing light and simply will make getting to your campsite easier. Have a great trip. And oh yes, check to make sure your tent has the seams taped or sealed by the factory...if not you can seal the seams yourself.
Tom

 

[clkelley]

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[ntsammy5]

I can't add much here -- just look at the sticky packing list at the top of the forum. It might give you some ideas. Pack LIGHT. You might not bring everything you want but make sure you have everything you NEED!

Also, to reinforce what others have said. Put up your equipment a few times before you go. If you run into trouble getting stuff set up at FW ask for help. People always love to show off how much they know about camping.

I've been camping and backpacking for over 50 years and I still haven't gotten it right yet, so I'll keep on trying! You'll have a great time! My dream is to hike the AT sometime (complete not sections). Hopefully I'll do it one of these days.

 

[camelotcats]

WoW! thank you thank you thank you!!

Thank you Tom, thank you again Carol, thank you NTSammy5. I can not say thank you enough.

Carol, you solved my dilemma about how to figure out how to seal the tent. I actually HAVE both the 6 mil and the 2 mil sheeting in my house, as DH is an avid modeler and we use the 2 mil all the time for sprayin, and one time I accidentally bought the 6mil instead (online, not paying attention), adn we just kept the roll downstairs. I have LOTS of scotch guard. I have 2 toddlers, and I scotch guard their winter coats and boots every year.

I am usually a very spartan traveler, and I really appreciate the lists and ideas from people on what I will NEED. It's really helpful.

Also, thank you all for great tent ideas! I will look for one with a rainfly that covers the opening, a power port, and see about one with a vestibule, too. I'm SURE the day we get it, DH will have that puppy up in the back yard.

One last question (for NOW):

With the sand in the sites, will I want to be wearing sneakers all the time? I'm usually a hiking sandals person at WDW, but I HATE sand in my shoes. WOuld sneaks be a better choice?

Ok, again THANK YOU! I am getting more and more excited and less and less nervous. I really appreciate it. I agree with what a lot of other people have posted here: Campers are the nicest people.

 

[merryweather20]

I go camping all the time and have never heard of sealing a tent! All my girl guide experience has failed me!

But seriously is the sealing part necessary? I bought my tent new when I was fourteen and its been leak free for 13 years. The sealing is to prevent leaks... is this just for certain kinds of tents?

Also thanks for the cool list clkelly. I've always taken a car, so we're more "maybe we'll need it, lets throw it in just to be safe". I have always wanted to fly down and camp though

 

[ntsammy5]

But seriously is the sealing part necessary?

I used to do it but haven't sealed my last 3 tents. I haven't had a leaking problem at all. IMO it's personal preference.

As for sand, I usually wear crocs and/or sneakers at FW and have not had any problem with sand, but then again I was in my sister's RV not a tent.

 

[Mr Man]

OP,

I think you will have a blast tent camping. FW is very safe IMO. The list from Ckelley is excellent. The only thing I would add to it is a collapsable cooler (for tasty beverages at the campsite).

I tent camp once per month with the Tiger Cubs. I actually get more sleep camping than I do at home......

Have fun.

 

[clkelley]

I wear TEVA sandals all the time, not really a problem.

I've been tenting at Boy Scout camps and Ft. Wilderness for years, (having the tent set up for up to two weeks) and have just found the material sealer to be an extra bit of protection. If you have multiple rainstorms, eventually it's going to soak through.

 

[clkelley]

The only thing I would add to it is a collapsable cooler (for tasty beverages at the campsite).

The only problem I've found with a collapsible cooler is that I never used it!! Ice is $2.50 a bag at Ft. Wilderness, (and not frozen very hard, so it melts quickly), and unless you've got a LARGE collapsible cooler, you are going to be spending a fortune for a tiny amount of ice.

It's just less expensive to buy drinks out of the machine at the comfort station or at the trading post as you need them.

 

[camelotcats]

THank you again everyone for the tips, and especially to Carol for telling me how to seal a tent!

I'm very excited! I've already started a checklist. I am overly organized sometimes.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Do they have Ice machines at the fort? Or do you HAVE to buy their overpriced ice bags?