Anyone tent camp?

[Krisj]

I'm trying my hardest to stay within a budget here. The options would be to stay off site and eat a few meals at Disney or tent camp and do the meal plan and extra hours. If I didn't have to cook and we spent all day at the parks like we usually do, would tent camping be so bad?

What about leaving your stuff there? I worry with a tent about leaving everything there all day. Granted, we would probably drive to the parks or at least lock stuff in our car. But still....

Am I out of my mind for considering this? There are 7 of us, so the cheapest way to stay in a Disney hotel would be 2 rooms and that would be $200/night. By tent camping I could save enough that we could splurge on the Dining plan AND stay on-site.

 

[disneynewbeemom]

We are doing the same thing-- tent camping and doing the dining plan. I am looking forward to camping. I figure my boys could run around at night rather than jump on the bed at the hotel. The pools are supposed to be nice and Chip and Dale's campfire sounds like fun. I don't think you are crazy!

 

[clkelley]

There are many tent campers on this board and many tent campers that stay at Ft. Wilderness.

While I don't purchase the dining plan, I don't cook at my campsite either.

You don't have to worry about your general camping equipment/clothing, etc. at the campsite while you are gone. Since you will have a car, just lock your valuables in the trunk and keep your money, etc. with you. Ft. Wilderness also has lockboxes at the front desk.

The comfort stations are some of the best in the industry.

One thing you do need to do differently than if you are at a hotel. Bring a "toiletry bag" for each and every one of you, so that you can all shower, get ready at the same time. I have read about many first timers at Ft. Wilderness that only had one set of toiletries, and spouses had to wait till the other was finished.

 

[clkelley]

I noticed in your sig that you are planning for April 2007?? If this is when you are wanting to stay at Ft. Wilderness, then call Disney and try to get your reservations NOW!!! Especially, if your stay falls over a weekend.

Since you are tent camping, you will need to reserve a partial hookup site. Also, since you will be probably setting up multiple tents and shelters, you should request Loop 2000. The sites there are larger than 1500 and you will have more room to set up your stuff.

 

[Krisj]

Wow! Thanks for the advice!
I won't be able to book until after this weekend to make sure my husband gets the weekends off we are planning on. I'm trying to figure everything out so when I get the "go" I know exactly when and where to book.

 

[stacktester]

Carol you give some really good advice on these forums. One thing I would recommend too is if you have the 10' x 10' canopy tents bring em because if it rains they will help keep things dryer and it provides shelter to eat under and what not. Look under the thread on top of this forum and print that checklist. You're going to need coolers and outdoor lights for sure. I hope you do camp because your kids are going to have a blast.

 

[LoriMomx5]

We tent camp at Fort Wilderness with 5 children- 10 year old twins, 8 year old, 6 year old and 3 year old. We always have a blast! I agree that the comfort stations are fantastic! We are DVC members also and although we love are favorite resorts OKW and SSR, there is just something special about camping at Fort Wilderness. Hope your family has a great time at WDW. Lori

 

[Krisj]

Well, I put a reservation down on the campground for 6 of our 8 days. I figured out that if I stay for 6 nights and buy an 8 day hopper pass that I can get the dining plan for 6 nights buy spread it over 7 actual days (check in day - check out day) and then use my hotel points for 2 free night stays off site. So we'll eat nicely for most of the vacation and eat cheap for 2 days.
I'm excited! I never thought I'd do this. In fact, the first thing I said when I started to look was, "I don't care where we stay as long as we don't camp."
But, with the advantages of the dining plan and extra hours I couldn't pass this up. It is hard to find inexpensive Disney lodging for 7 people.
So now, it's off to plan my trip!

 

[clkelley]

That's wonderful!!! I hope ya'll have a great time at WDW and the fort!!

Once you go to FtW you'll be hooked like the rest of us!!

 

[rer1972]

Kris I'm going to be tent camping and using the dining plan next week! Thanks in part to CKelley (thanks for the tips ) When I get back I'll post a TR with pictures so you can see what it's kinda like.

 

[dsneygirl]

We've tent camped many times at Ft Wilderness and love it. We are considering doing it in May before we check into BCV with our then 11 month old we'll see how much of a glutton for punishment I am

 

[Krisj]

Cool! Can't wait to see the pics and read a review. My teenage son is very concerned about the shower facilities. LOL. He wants to make sure he can look good for the princesses I guess.

 

[rer1972]

Cool! Can't wait to see the pics and read a review. My teenage son is very concerned about the shower facilities. LOL. He wants to make sure he can look good for the princesses I guess.

I know how he feels. I'll try and get some pictures of the facilities Um, without the nakedness.

 

[clkelley]

Here are some links to the interiors of the comfort stations.

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/ftw82.jpg

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/ftw83.jpg

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/ftw86.jpg

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/ftw85.jpg

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/ftw84.jpg

http://fly.hiwaay.net/~jlspence/comfort6.jpg

http://fly.hiwaay.net/~jlspence/comfort7.jpg

http://fly.hiwaay.net/~jlspence/comfort4.jpg

 

[marybrat]

Looking forward to trip reports on camping

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

That's wonderful!!! I hope ya'll have a great time at WDW and the fort!!

Once you go to FtW you'll be hooked like the rest of us!!

I saw pictures of your site all set up, its perfect. Looked so cozy and comfortable inside. And the outside looks so functional.

Is that an Aero bed that you have?

 

[Krisj]

Thanks for the pics! That helps.

 

[clkelley]

I saw pictures of your site all set up, its perfect. Looked so cozy and comfortable inside. And the outside looks so functional.

Is that an Aero bed that you have?

Nope, it was a double high twin air mattress from Wal-Mart. It was in the 25-30 range.

That was a last minute purchase during the trip. I had an accordian style cot with an air mattress in it from Wal-Mart, and it was a piece of junk. The straps supporting the air mattress sagged and the mattress would never stay inflated.

I made quite a few trips to Wal-Mart this last trip. Had trailer problems too (borrowed utility trailer with jerry rigged wiring). Ended up buying a lighting kit and totally rewiring the thing myself one day.