And if you tent....

[wmjivey]

We are thinking about camping either in a tent or renting an RV for our week this year. Got a great rate for a partial hook up with 7 day base tickets through AAA.

Has anyone flown to WDW with their tent and sleeping bags? Any suggestions? We are looking forward to coming back to camp in the evenings and cooking our own steaks, etc., instead of paying the cost in the parks.

We are traveling with another family who will be staying at WL and so thought this would be a fun and cheap way to enjoy the parks. Sons are in scouts so camping is absolutely no problem.

Thanks for your help.

 

[hsmamato2]

I'm sort of newbie camper, I have question for all you veterans- what's the best type of air mattress? that's my only problem with camping,is I can't get comfortable at night- we have normal ones,but it seems like whenever you move,you hit the ground,and they get holes in them so often, last time we were the duct tape kings... how do you stay comfortable? I'm cranky if i don't get my rest...

 

[LegoMom3]

I'm sort of newbie camper, I have question for all you veterans- what's the best type of air mattress? that's my only problem with camping,is I can't get comfortable at night- we have normal ones,but it seems like whenever you move,you hit the ground,and they get holes in them so often, last time we were the duct tape kings... how do you stay comfortable? I'm cranky if i don't get my rest...

I'm the same way! But I hate air mattresses. First problem was that in sharing one with DH, if one moves, so does the other. And even with a single, they always seem to leak air and are pretty squishy and uncomfortable by morning. We are currently using some foam from an old pop-up camper (the double bed ends and table seats). It's about 3" thick and SO comfy. It's bulkier to transport (unlike the air mattress, which of course will fold flat) but we usually just lay them flat in the van, then pile everything else on top of that. I also got a couple of the old standard canvas cots last year. I love them, just in getting up off the ground.

However, that being said, an air mattress is still probably the easiest way to go for someone just starting out. I would have to say buy the best one you can afford. Anyone out there tried those AeroBeds I've seen on TV?? Also, maybe something with multiple air chambers might be better.

 

[jonimce]

I would not camp without my Aero bed. Our last visit to FW, we slept on that aero bed for 11 nights, then 3 at WL. The Aero bed was more comfy than the beds at WL. And that's a deluxe resort. Now don't get scared when you see the price. The Oueen usualy sells for 180.00, but we got ours at BJ's fot 100. You have to shop around. And on the plus side it's an extra bed to use at home for visiting guests, kids sleep overs or when kids just want to be in mom's room. They blow up in about a minute. We even got the adapter for our van so we can use it at campgrounds that don't have elec. hook-ups.(National Parks)

 

[hsmamato2]

Cool! i'm going to start looking! It's still cheaper than buying an actual camper... they have adaptors for the car? I have a car blwer thingy that's work on an ordinary mattress, think it'll work on this? Are they hard to deflate?

 

[hsmamato2]

anyone know if there differences between the types of aero beds? there's a couple types I'm seeing, are they all supposed to be comfortable?

 

[jonimce]

As for the types, ours is just a regular one. You can get them that are the height of a bed so you are off the ground. This would not work for us because our tent has two bedroom compartments, off the side and back that you can't stand up in. Only the center part is seven ft. Just be sure it's an AERO bed. There are generic brands out there but heard they are no better than an air mattress.
The adapter for the car/van plugs into your liter just like your cell phone. The other end is a box that is just like an outlet. It's 300 Watts Peak DC to AC Inverter. 125 watts. Interact brand. We got it at a game store to hook the Playstation up in our van. I can even make Coffee and Tea when we are on the road. The Aero bed has it's own pump attached. You don't need the blower. Just plug it in. The plug to deflate is the size of a baseball so it deflates in a minute. Just fold in the two sides and roll towards the plug and put it in it's own nice bag. Sooooooo easy. Need to get DS one for our next camping trip. Now if only I could figure out a way to take it backpacking.

 

[tinkerbell211]

We have the "generic" air mattresses, which work ok for us. DH usually blows them up, but he wont be with us at Ft W. Is there anywhere at the campgrounds to inflate them?

 

[hsmamato2]

I have what seems like a dumb question on the aerobed- does the motor need to be attached and running contiuously while it's inflayed? or do you fill and cap it?

 

[jonimce]

First to tinkerbell 211 (I just love tink) all campsites have electric outlets. Even the tent areas, so you can blow them up right at your site.

hsmamato2, the moto
r is attached but can come off. We just leave ours on. No, the motor does not run contionasly. When you unroll the Aerobed, you close the plug (it snaps) on the head of the bed and the pump with the power cord is at the foot of the bed.(at least this is how we set ours up) Just plug it in and there is an on switch. We make ours pretty firm so it feels like a real bed. Don't be afraid to blow it up hard. Then just trrn off the switch and unplug it. We leave the pump attached. We always take extencion cords with us so we can blow the beds while they are in the tent. Anyone ever try to get a queen size mattress in a tent alredy inflated? This is what we have to do when we camp in the National Parks. We usualy get wilderness sites with no electric, so we have to inflate at the van, then carry it to the tent. At Bryce, we had to carry it down a hill. Pretty funny. This is not a problem at Fort Wilderness. All this may sound comlicated but when you try it you won't believe how easy it is. Ours also came witha quilted matress pad. Let me know how you make out.

 

[clkelley]

To the poster that wanted to fly and tent camp. Yes it is possible.

Each of you have allowance for two 50lb containers of checked luggage (A standard footlocker is about the maximum size), one carryon at 40 lbs, and 1 personal item (like a small bookbag).

I do it as a single person, but I don't bring cooking stuff.

As a family, you should be able to bring your camping stuff no problem.

carol

 

[hsmamato2]

jonimce- Thanks for all the advice! I truly do hate our cheapy air mattreses,I think the manufacturer purposely made them as torture devices that slowly lose air after dark... I will most likely purchase a couple this weekend....

 

[hsmamato2]

I have another question... - I want to get at least one of the newer nicd pumps, we won't have electric where we're camping, does the new rechargable pump also fit the older style mattress? b/c I can get one of the older style for less, and buy just one with the newer pump,if that's the case.

 

[wmjivey]

Carol:

Thanks for the reply.

 

[jonimce]

If you mean the pumps for the regular air mattress they are all pretty standard. We have coleman hand pumps that take 4 D battery's. They work OK if you have new battery's. I know what you mean about the air mattress's losing air. I think every one we have bought (and that's quite a few) We had to replace them after the 3rd use.

If you are going to buy an AERO, do you have a BJ's or Sam's? You could save alot.

 

[Sinclare]

My son and I tent camp at Fort Wilderness. We spent 2 weeks in June last year and are going back at the same time this year.

Last year was a learning trip, I wasn't used to camping in Florida weather (rain). We only had a large tent (around 12*12) but we had a nice big air mattress and one of those battery powered blowers to keep it firm.

I packed all our clothes and such in those big plastic storage containers (the kind that comes up and "locks") which was nice becuase I just threw them in the back of the truck with the bikes and tossed a tarp over them.


We did learn a few things though. As noted by others, this year we are taking a big net tent (as big as our actual tent) to put over the table/eating area. Bugs aren't bad (we never had a problem with misquitos) but there is one annoying bug of some type. It looks kind of like a yellow jacket but bites like a horse fly. Nasty bites too and it hurts.

In addition I'm taking a BIG tarp to hang at a slant over the tent area. Saw someone esle that had one last year and it covered most of the camp site. Really worked quite well, though I was supprised they went to all that trouble for only a couple days stay.

I'm also taking a portable camping gas heater. It does get a bit damp at night, especially when it's really raining hard. Last year I got a bad ear infection while I was there and it really knocked me down for a day or so and due to the dampness it was hard to get rid of.

Aside from that don't forget your bikes (and some WD40 for the gears and your bike lock. Florida weather really takes a toll on them). This year I'm going to get one of those bike racks that attach to a hitch on the back of the truck. With that I can carry nearly 3 times the stuff in the back of the truck.

 

[hsmamato2]

If you mean the pumps for the regular air mattress they are all pretty standard. We have coleman hand pumps that take 4 D battery's. They work OK if you have new battery's. I know what you mean about the air mattress's losing air. I think every one we have bought (and that's quite a few) We had to replace them after the 3rd use.

If you are going to buy an AERO, do you have a BJ's or Sam's? You could save alot.

:

I meant the aerobed pump- I se they have the newer one, does it fit on the older beds?

 

[jonimce]

I'm not quite sure I know what you mean . When you buy the Aero bed it comes with the pump attached. I'm not sure if you can use this pump for any other beds, so I'm not sure you can purchase it sepratley.

 

[sbeck6]

New to the board in general and we are staying at the Pop Century from March 8th through March 11th. We are a family of eight and have two rooms rented each night. I had never thought of camping, as we are flying in. From reading the previous posts, it looks as thought it is a possibility? I'm not sure how I would pack the tent/s and such. We love camping and are from Wisconsin where we camp a few weeks each summer. Any ideas or thoughts for me?


sbeck6

 

[LegoMom3]

New to the board in general and we are staying at the Pop Century from March 8th through March 11th. We are a family of eight and have two rooms rented each night. I had never thought of camping, as we are flying in. From reading the previous posts, it looks as thought it is a possibility? I'm not sure how I would pack the tent/s and such. We love camping and are from Wisconsin where we camp a few weeks each summer. Any ideas or thoughts for me?


sbeck6

I've never done it but from what I understand, each person in your party (with an airline ticket) is allowed a couple of bags to check on, something like 50 lbs/bag (may vary by airline, not sure). So you pack up your tent in its carry bag and stuff everything else into duffles or the like, and just fly it all down. The only thing you'd have to consider is cooking - I think from what I've read that those who have done this usually get on the dining plan (or just otherwise eat out) because I'm really not sure how you'd manage to pack stuff like stove and cooking supplies.