Camping and Flying?

[WalkingintheFog]

Hi,

I'm one of the campers referenced earlier in this thread that flew into Orlando and camped at FW (with our folding bikes).............................................
My biggest concern once we got there was that it not rain the day before we packed up or on the day we left. For one thing, packing a wet tent is not good for the tent, but it also would have weighed a ton.
...............................
Phil

Folding bikes and all! I'm flying/camping in October, and wet weather on arrival is one of my concerns! But being the typical DISSER - definitely no OCD tendencies - I've got my arrival plans & back up plans on setting up camp!

Last spring break we did the camp and fly vacation. It was great. We didn't tell the kids we were going south. I grabbed their suitcases and got our camper out of storage on Wednesday and headed for Disney by myself. Thursday I had the camper set up at Fort Wilderness. Friday when they got out of school, my wife and the kids went straight to the airport and flew to Orlando. They had no idea. It wasn't cheap, but the extra $1,100 for air fare doesn't go far staying on property at Disney during spring break. I took them to the airport on Sunday, then started my drive back to Illinois on Monday. Nine days at Disney is just tough to pass up anytime.

Wish you were my dad!!!! (Having said that, we grew up camping: Mom + 5 kids would spend the summer at Terra Nova National Park, and Dad would drive out each weekend after working M-F., so we did have it pretty good!)

You know at this point I'm like flying, camping, TRAILER. How to HE double hockey sticks do you fly with a trailer?
....................Then I'm thinking maybe you got it delivered like this. .....
http://youtu.be/x5mmZQYkAl8

Guess there's probably an extra baggage fee associated with bringing camper in like that, uh?

 

[phillymummer]

My apologies for digging up this thread, but I was searching for info on tent rentals and come across this thread.

I mm also in the situation in which I would like to fly down, but camp at The Fort. I briefly thought about packing my camping gear in a bag and checking it with the airline but I am so scared that the airline would lose my bags and we would be stuck without our camping gear! I admit, our luggage has never been lost or delayed, but there is a first time for everything right?

So to the posters here who checked their tent gear- you weren't scared it would be lost or delayed? What would you do if you got to Disney but your tent did not?

Has anyone ever shipped down their tent and gear?

 

[MattFromPA]

We considered bringing a tent and gear as checked baggage for the trip we just took, but in the end we decided to rent a pop-up. I would highly recommend it. We did a tent trip to FW last fall, but took the Auto Train from Virginia, so we had our truck and could bring as much gear as needed. I just don't think getting all the gear you need for a tent camping trip on a plane is very feasible, especially if you want to avoid baggage fees. We didn't look into shipping gear ahead of time. After having done the pop-up trip, we're sold on it and will most likely do it again in about a year.

My apologies for digging up this thread, but I was searching for info on tent rentals and come across this thread.

I mm also in the situation in which I would like to fly down, but camp at The Fort. I briefly thought about packing my camping gear in a bag and checking it with the airline but I am so scared that the airline would lose my bags and we would be stuck without our camping gear! I admit, our luggage has never been lost or delayed, but there is a first time for everything right?

So to the posters here who checked their tent gear- you weren't scared it would be lost or delayed? What would you do if you got to Disney but your tent did not?

Has anyone ever shipped down their tent and gear?

 

[nabi]

Wouldn't ship it... like you pointed out, too risky. Ours remains with us throughout the whole trip.

 

[bopper]

One thing to consider:

The 4 year old may have this experience but won't remember it for very long. Do you remember stuff you did at 4?
Your husband may remember the time he had to go camping via an airplane for a very long time. Make sure you are both on board. I am not sure if I would go tent camping for a week in Florida in August.

 

[phillymummer]

We considered bringing a tent and gear as checked baggage for the trip we just took, but in the end we decided to rent a pop-up. I would highly recommend it. We did a tent trip to FW last fall, but took the Auto Train from Virginia, so we had our truck and could bring as much gear as needed. I just don't think getting all the gear you need for a tent camping trip on a plane is very feasible, especially if you want to avoid baggage fees. We didn't look into shipping gear ahead of time. After having done the pop-up trip, we're sold on it and will most likely do it again in about a year.

If I am going to camp at Disney, its going to be so I can save some money. I think renting a tent or a pop-up is counterproductive to that goal.
EDIT: I was just thinking about Disney and camping and what I typed here....... and I think it goes against the idea of what camping at The Fort is all about. After reading many of the threads her, it seems that staying at The Fort offers a whole different experience from any of the resorts. It isn't just about saving money (well, maybe for some people it is) but it is also more than that. Am I right?


As far as getting all of our gear in a bag- I bet we could do it. We are kind of minimalistic campers. Most of our items are geared toward backpacking so they are compact and lightweight. Plus, I don't think we would do much of our own cooking since that would require some careful planning to avoid the need for a cooler.

I just don't see it happening anytime soon. Too many factors to figure out.

I will just keep on dreaming!

 

[sweet maxine]

As far as getting all of our gear in a bag- I bet we could do it. We are kind of minimalistic campers. Most of our items are geared toward backpacking so they are compact and lightweight. Plus, I don't think we would do much of our own cooking since that would require some careful planning to avoid the need for a cooler.

I agree about saving money. That's part of the big draw to the Fort, right?

Here's what I'm presently doing for my trip based upon flying down.

I found a large and in good shape suitcase at the local thrift shop for $3. It measures 28" X 20" x 9" and has roller wheels and a sturdy handle. It is perfect for loading up with camping supplies. I think it can be done, so I'm giving it a try.

Actually, if you are using an airline with no luggage fees, it can easily be done. Each person packs wisely, and there should be room for whatever basics are needed. Of course, there won't be room for all of the extras, but for me, it's a decision to either be there or not. So I choose to be there.

 

[nabi]

One thing to consider:

The 4 year old may have this experience but won't remember it for very long. Do you remember stuff you did at 4?
Your husband may remember the time he had to go camping via an airplane for a very long time. Make sure you are both on board. I am not sure if I would go tent camping for a week in Florida in August.

I honestly remember things (many things) that we did even when I was age 2. Not trying to toot, but I take this into consideration with my own kids, as they have apparently inherited the memory skill. You never know!!

 

[lawrenceFletcher]

Fortcamperrental offers to buy groceries and have them in your camper when the deliver and set it up. I always thought that was the best fly and camp option!

 

[MattFromPA]

As far as saving money is concerned - hey, we are talking about Disney World here! The only "savings" are relative. For us, renting a pop-up made some sense, as we got a great deal on airfare. Our combined daily expense for the camper + site rental was $130. For that money we could have went with a Value resort, but for us the FW experience is very important. We really love camping and so do our kids. We know the memories made at FW are going to mean so much more to them (and us).

So to answer your question, The Fort does offer a unique experience you're not going to get anywhere else. After having been there twice now, I would say that folks truly stay there for the experience of it. Camping/RV'ing is something people either love or they don't, there is very little middle ground.

If I am going to camp at Disney, its going to be so I can save some money. I think renting a tent or a pop-up is counterproductive to that goal.
EDIT: I was just thinking about Disney and camping and what I typed here....... and I think it goes against the idea of what camping at The Fort is all about. After reading many of the threads her, it seems that staying at The Fort offers a whole different experience from any of the resorts. It isn't just about saving money (well, maybe for some people it is) but it is also more than that. Am I right?

 

[WalkingintheFog]

hey, just chiming in to say it can be done!

I did a solo trip at the Fort this October (sorry, the trip report is still in progress... it was a multi resort stay & the report is just a couple days away from the beginning of my Fort adventure! But, there's lots in the planning stages there that may (or not) be of interest to you!

I did buy down there at Target on sale, a cooler, a campchair & a small electric skillet, some groceries. Also bought ICE from the Fort a couple of times. but basically everything came with me as checked baggage.
My allowance was 2 free checked bags + the carry on, and I like to think I had a quality trip!

I was not toooooo concerned about my baggage going missing-- I would have asked WDW to switch me to a value resort until the luggage showed up!

And, I'm hoping to have another fly & tent trip at the fort again some day!

 

[Elianor]

I had forgotten all about posting this last year. We ended up staying at Caribbean Beach, then we did another trip at Saratoga Springs in January...and now I'm heading back to finally get to try out Fort Wilderness on July 28th! Airfare is much higher now, so I'm just going to drive down and stop in and visit my sister in Georgia.

So, I hear you about the humidity, but in all reality it's pretty humid here also and once your clothes are plastered to you, there really isn't much difference to me. The kids are outdoors all summer so I'm not figuring that it will bother them too much. Also, we have found that my husband's allergies are less violent to him in Florida than they are here. He hardly sniffled at all last August...

The plan is to carry our 12x12 canvas pavilion, our bed with high density foam mattress, the kids cots and a limited kitchen. I'm vacuum sealing up some meals, carrying a fan and packing all the clothes and bedding in plastic tubbies that are waterproof.

I think that a lot of people are afraid of camping, worried about the inconveniences and such...but I'm rather looking forward to being at disney and a little unplugged from all the technology that surrounds us.

This is an opportunity to be more with each other than we usually are in a hotel room when the tv is on.

As for it being a small world, it certainly is! I hope I get to meet you all some day!

 

[phillymummer]

People have mentioned renting Trailers and pop-ups for their Stay at The Fort. Does anyone have any links to places that do this? I'd like to look into for prices vs. trying to get our tent down there.

I WILL camp at The Fort one day- it is on my Disney Bucket list!

 

[SinceDay1]

People have mentioned renting Trailers and pop-ups for their Stay at The Fort. Does anyone have any links to places that do this? I'd like to look into for prices vs. trying to get our tent down there.

I WILL camp at The Fort one day- it is on my Disney Bucket list!

I saw the other day someone on eBay had listed a camper rental, they did everything, setup and all, might be worth looking into, just type Fort Wilderness into the eBay search engine. Nice looking set up they have, might be me just what you need.

Richard

 

[tinksgilrs251520]

People have mentioned renting Trailers and pop-ups for their Stay at The Fort. Does anyone have any links to places that do this? I'd like to look into for prices vs. trying to get our tent down there.

I WILL camp at The Fort one day- it is on my Disney Bucket list!

Andrew is a gem!!!!!!!!!!!!!

great deal on a trailer for 2 weeks here is his website
http://www.traveltrailerrent.com/

 

[Sundancer330]

Try Matt at greenbergrvflorida.com for trailer rentals at the Fort. He has everything from popups to 30 foot trailers that will sleep 10. I did a lot of research and found Matt to have the best prices and brand new trailers, he supplies everything you will need for a great vacation.

 

[MattFromPA]

www.fortcamperrental.com

Used them back in April - they do a great job and think of everything.

People have mentioned renting Trailers and pop-ups for their Stay at The Fort. Does anyone have any links to places that do this? I'd like to look into for prices vs. trying to get our tent down there.

I WILL camp at The Fort one day- it is on my Disney Bucket list!