Am I Over planning/ packing?

[Greenepona]

My first camping trip as an adult to the Fort is now under 2 months away. I have made up a packing list and run it by my dad who is a seasoned FW camper, and he thinks perhaps it won’t fit in my car? I wanted to ask your opinions on if this is over packing. I will be staying for 6 nights in a Tent. We are driving down from MD, in a 2001 Subaru Outback. Thank you for any opinions you have!

 

[5Days]

sounds like a pretty standard list! since we have an rv...most of it stays or is packed into the camper so for you it must all fit in the car. I don't think it will be a problem as it is just two of you, so you will have the trunk area and the back seat! Only suggestion would be to pack things in boxes/rubbermaid (you probably will anyway) by "like" items...all cleaning stuff in one container. It helps not having to search for things!

One thing I don't see on your list...pillows!! don't forget those!! I'm a pillow freak and take mine on all trips...don't like to use different pillows

hope you have an awesome trip!

 

[seals]

5 people (3 tents) and we fit it all inside and on top of our minivan. If you're looking to reduce -- there is a picnic table at the site so you could eliminate the table. We also didn't take chairs and just sat at the table when were sitting. We spent little time at the actual campsite so I didn't miss the chairs too much. Also, there are laundry facilities. We brought half as many clothes as we needed and I did a wash midway through. That cut down on some luggage. I also brought limited pots and pans and we used an electric cooktop (on the picnic table) since there is electricity. Otherwise, your list looks like ours. I group things and pack in those big ziploc bags (the kind for storing blankets, etc) which are easier to slide between seats, etc. I found it helps to do a trial run of packing everything in the car especially if you plan to leave early in the morning. Then you have time to think about what you don't really need and can leave behind if there isn't enough room.

 

[retired and happy]

Use Purex 3-in-1 laundry sheets instead of laundry detergent. Works as the detergent and dryer sheet in a small box. I don't think citronella candles are allowed. Fewer outfits, more laundry. Otherwise seals has some good ideas. Enjoy.

 

[laurafergie]

Looks fine to me. The only things that jump out:

The table - there's only two of you, so you can use one end of the picnic table.

Lantern and flashlights (2) - Take one flashlight for bath house trips and take some rope or Xmas lights - much more fun and the light is fine to see by and you eliminate the lantern and fuel.

Two months away is the end of October/Early November - does you NEED a screen house? I have only camped (tent) at the Fort in Dec and March and did not need a screen house. You possibly could eliminate that - someone will be along to say for sure. Ditto the Citronella candles, just bring a can of bug spray.

The clothes/toiletries are completely subjective - just have your sleeping attire be something that would feel comfortable walking to the comfort station in (sweats).

The only other thing I have to suggest is take a hard look at your "kitchen" - Have a menu planned in advance and only take the appropriate utensils and pans. The kitchen stuff is always my biggest space hog.

Have FUN!!

 

[Judy in Texas]

You might consider buying part of your food once you get to The Fort, especially the stuff that needs to stay cold. There are grocery stores not that far away.

 

[ElementCamper]

I have to disagree about the chairs, just my opinion.
After a long day in the parks and hanging at the campsite, I like a chair with some sort of foot rest to put your feet/legs up. There are folding ones I use that don't take up much space. If I had nothing to sit on but the picnic table, that would get old really fast.
Your list looks pretty complete, you may can lose some of the cooking gear if you eat out mostly or keep it to cereal etc at breakfast. Looks like the same stuff I take, minus the bras!

 

[Bessie_Blue]

Anything you need to purchase can wait to be packed. On our drive down, we always stop by Walmart, just outside FW to pick up any items we would have to purchase. We pack car ride food (CRF) and purchase the camping food for the week just before checkin. We have opur list ready and its a in/out grocery trip (no browsing allowed). It lets us think of anything we may have left or allows for any change in plans to be accomadated. Have a great trip...Drive Safely, the snowbirds will be migrating south about the time of your trip.

 

[Greenepona]

Wow! great suggestions everyone! I didnt know about the Purex laundry sheets, I will have to check those out. I am slightly allergic to some detergent, so I will test run them beforehand..

Where would I buy large zip lock bags?? I haven't seen bigger than gallon size.

Chairs - At this point if we can find chairs that fit us comfortably (we are both pooh- sized) we will probably bring them to chill in at the end of a long day... but so far we have had no luck.

I don't see all that well at night(and the Fort gets super dark) so I will keep the lantern and flashlights

And good point about the table. I was planning to use it in the tent to put our laptop/phones etc on.. but perhaps to conserve space.. I could grab a milk crate and use it to transport stuff, then overturn it for a table!

are the bugs bad in October? Mosquitoes love me...

Food - Any dry goods which will be small sizes will be packed in the car with the CRF, and the rest of the food will be purchased when we stop by my parents house in Tampa on the way to check in... we are driving straight through, leaving Baltimore around 8PM friday. We will need to nap!

Pillows - I will be sure to bring my POTC pillow! lol... its so old and flat... but I cant go anywhere without it...

And screen house... I suppose I had planned to use it as a place to keep things like shoes dry if it rained? When my family camped, we never brought shoes in the tent... If I lose the screen house, what suggestions do you all have one keeping things like shoes dry but still accessible in a hurry?

 

[indimom3]

Don't forget your lime green thong for the clothesline!

Purex makes a fragrance free version of their sheets, and I have used those with my eczema prone kids.
You can get the great big ziplocs at places like Walmart or Target. Sometimes they are not with the sandwich sized bags, but in a separate area with the organization stuff (plastic tubs and things like that).

 

[Disney Bunny]

Another recommendation would be to go to Walmart or Target and look in the luggage section for the plastic roll type clothing packing bags.....NOT the ones that require a vacuum. I use them extensively when we travel for items I am not overly concerned about wrinkling. They are great space savers.

I also second the recommendation someone else had about using the plastic Rubbermaid containers to pack items in and keep "like" stuff together. Also, put a strip of duct tape on the top and write down everything in the container
and make sure to put it back in the same container after use. Really helps to keep things organized and able to find them quickly.

I would take the screen tent. It's nice to have a place to store your items where they will stay dry and have a place to sit outside the tent if it rains. Unless you have a super large tent, having that much stuff to get around in your sleeping tent will get old quick.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

You did a good job on this list.

I don't see why this all couldn't fit in your car easily.

I agree with the suggestions that you use large Rubbermaid containers.

There are a few things that I see missing from your list:

1. A cooler. I would think you know to bring one, based on your food list, but it's not on your list.

2. A door mat. In fact, bring a couple, or a small rug. These will help keep the sand out of your tent.

3. A coffee maker. If you drink coffee.

4. Fuel for your stove. I know it is common sense, but that is why you are making a list, right? The stove won't do you any good without the fuel.

5. A small trash can.

6. A TV and cable. All the sites at the Fort have cable. You might want to watch the resort channels or the weather channel.

7. A hammer. The tent pads are packed hard. You can't just push tent pegs in.

8. An umbrella. Ponchos are good, but sometimes you won't want to mess with putting them on and taking them off- especially if you are just going to be outside for a moment.

Also, just in case you don't know, Tampa is not on the way to WDW from Baltimore- it is about 65 miles to the West of WDW. So, you will be driving 130 miles more or less out of your way if you stop by Tampa.

Have a magical trip.

TCD

 

[Greenepona]

You did a good job on this list.

I don't see why this all couldn't fit in your car easily.

I agree with the suggestions that you use large Rubbermaid containers.

There are a few things that I see missing from your list:

1. A cooler. I would think you know to bring one, based on your food list, but it's not on your list.
Good point TCD! I am gonna bring one but it escaped my list somehow
2. A door mat. In fact, bring a couple, or a small rug. These will help keep the sand out of your tent.

3. A coffee maker. If you drink coffee.
nope, Tea only for me if its cold.
4. Fuel for your stove. I know it is common sense, but that is why you are making a list, right? The stove won't do you any good without the fuel.
see this is why I put it up here... so I could fill in all the gaps
5. A small trash can.

6. A TV and cable. All the sites at the Fort have cable. You might want to watch the resort channels or the weather channel.

7. A hammer. The tent pads are packed hard. You can't just push tent pegs in.
Hammer or rubber mallet?
8. An umbrella. Ponchos are good, but sometimes you won't want to mess with putting them on and taking them off- especially if you are just going to be outside for a moment.

Also, just in case you don't know, Tampa is not on the way to WDW from Baltimore- it is about 65 miles to the West of WDW. So, you will be driving 130 miles more or less out of your way if you stop by Tampa.
Yes, very true. I am mainly stopping by for a nap. After driving 15 hrs, I want a nap before we go on to Disney...and there's nothing that beats a free bed, and free showers.
Have a magical trip.

TCD

Again thanks for your suggestions to everyone thus far! I will be sure to bring a lime green and a bright orange thong for my clothesline!

 

[brewhome]

Coleman Max Sling Chairs are "Pooh-sized" and you can find them at Walmart (check them out online). They fold up like a standard sling chair, but they hold 400 lbs., are wider than a regular chair, and have a higher back. Very comfy and only $27 each!

Target has 2.5 gallon Ziploc bags - they are great for all sorts of things, including wet swimsuits if you have to pack them up last minute.

Have a great trip!!

 

[ftwildernessrick]

My general rule has always been, 'If you have the room to do it, then pack it. Better safe then sorry.' I always pack & store way too much, but it is there if I need it.

 

[ElementCamper]

4. Fuel for your stove. I know it is common sense, but that is why you are making a list, right? The stove won't do you any good without the fuel.

I made the mistake of running out of propane stove/lantern fuel at the Fort. Went up to the Meadows Trading Post, and found an empty shelf where they probably would have been. The CM went to look in the back and brought a case out to restock and the price gun. Stuck the price sticker on there and if I remember correctly it was $7.50! He could tell I was stunned because you can usually get those for less than $3 for the one pound bottles. I said 'wow, that's a lot!' to which he replied 'yes, but it's DISNEY propane, it's better!'

So be prepared if you buy anything you forget onsite you do pay a premium for it.

 

[5stljayhawks]

As a space issue, you can cut your clothing by half and do laundry.

also paper plates and plastic silverware makes clean up easy and fast.

Air mattress and crib for the kid if needed.

 

[AuburnJen92]

if you are going to do laundry, bring quarters...

my luck is that they are always out when i need them

 

[Greenepona]

I pulled out my tent today... and realized I had a better one than I thought! I have an Ozark Trail 3 room Dome Tent! The big section is a screen house like thing, and then the side ones are big enough for a queen mattress! and it all goes up really easy and fits in one bag! So we don't need an extra screen house now! Now the question is if I don't wanna use the connector tubes (I'd feel like a Gerbil in a habi trail) what is the best way to connect the screen house to one of the side tents?

 

[Disneylitch]

We drive from Maryland also. We come from Street, MD, northern Harford County, and it takes us about 18 hours. I know you said that you were going to Tampa first, but you can check in early at The Fort. If your site isn't ready you can still use the facilities. There is a Walmart about 6 miles from The Fort. I think it's on Apoka Vineland Rd, you can check it on WalMart.com. We stop there and get the remainder of the food that we need. We also do laundry at The Fort, but still overpack for clothes. My theory is that if it can fit, I will take it. It's better to have too much, than not enough. I know you said you were bringing a cooler, but I have seen many tent campers with a small refrigerator. I don't know if this is an option, but thought I would mention it. That way you wouldn't have to keep buying ice. We just got back from a 2 week visit and had a great time. Have fun.