Camping at the Fort in November & I have a few questions :)

[NOLA_Tink]

DH & I have been wanting to camp at the fort for years, but we've never gone during a time when the weather was cooperative. Finally, we've booked a tent camping trip for November & we're both really excited. (We're doing a trial run with our equipment at a new campground in South Louisiana next month.) However, like many Fort newbies, I have a few questions.
1. I'm pretty sure that we need to bring our own towels and shampoo/soap, right?
2. I've seen that cable is offered at the campsites, but is it offered in the tent loops too? (This was a little unclear in the tent campsite description on Disney's website.)
3. I know the sites are close together in all loops, but is one tent loop quieter than the other?
4. What time is check-in at the Fort? I've seen this elsewhere, but I can't seem to find it.
5. Can anyone suggest a lock/device to secure our tent while we're in the parks?

Thank you very, very much for your help! I am a long time semi-lurker on this board & everyone on here seems incredibly nice (& pretty funny).

ETA: I saw the link for tent site a few posts below mine on the Camping Board & removed that question. Thanks to TCD for posting that!

 

[jenscourt]

DH & I have been wanting to camp at the fort for years, but we've never gone during a time when the weather was cooperative. Finally, we've booked a tent camping trip for November & we're both really excited. (We're doing a trial run with our equipment at a new campground in South Louisiana next month.) However, like many Fort newbies, I have a few questions.
1. I'm pretty sure that we need to bring our own towels and shampoo/soap, right? Yes, you need to bring your own towels and shampoo/soap.
2. I've seen that cable is offered at the campsites, but is it offered in the tent loops too? (This was a little unclear in the tent campsite description on Disney's website.) Yes, cable is offered in the tent loops too but you need to bring your own cable line to hook up to your TV.
3. I know the sites are close together in all loops, but is one tent loop quieter than the other? I haven't stayed in the 1500 loop yet, only in the 2000 loop, but the 2000 loop has always been quiet when I've been there.
4. What time is check-in at the Fort? I've seen this elsewhere, but I can't seem to find it. I believe check-in is at 1 pm, but someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
5. Can anyone suggest a lock/device to secure our tent while we're in the parks? I don't have a tent lock for my tent so I can't recommend one. I have never had a problem (yet) of anything being stolen but I don't keep any valuables in the tent when I am not there. I always keep them locked in my car.

Thank you very, very much for your help! I am a long time semi-lurker on this board & everyone on here seems incredibly nice (& pretty funny).

ETA: I saw the link for tent site a few posts below mine on the Camping Board & removed that question. Thanks to TCD for posting that!

Hope this helps!!

 

[NOLA_Tink]

I really appreciate your response! I also read that safety deposit boxes are available at the reception outpost. (So, we might utilize those too). Thanks!

 

[mikeymouse1]

I would possibly bring an extension chord and a electric heater just in case November can be cold even in Florida. We will also be there in November Maby we will see ya around the Fort!

 

[NOLA_Tink]

I would possibly bring an extension chord and a electric heater just in case November can be cold even in Florida. We will also be there in November Maby we will see ya around the Fort!

Thanks! I'll be looking for your green ears! If you see ours, stop by & say hi!

 

[BradyBz12]

Not on your list of questions, but figured I'd chime in on the weather. November can be all over the map - generally dry, but temps can vary widely, even from day to day. We've seen days from 60s-80s and nights from 50s down into the 30-40s.

 

[MomofSixinSC]

Not on your list of questions, but figured I'd chime in on the weather. November can be all over the map - generally dry, but temps can vary widely, even from day to day. We've seen days from 60s-80s and nights from 50s down into the 30-40s.

Thank you!! I hadn't thought to put this on our packing list (and our "need to borrow" list). My dh thinks his parents have one they will lend us.

OP I will be tent camping in November as well. If you see a site with lots of kids and some green ears, stop by and say Hi!

 

[des1954]

The quietness of any loop is dependent upon who is staying in the loop at the time you are there. Every loop has sites close to the bus stops and comfort stations. By virtue of their location, these sites will be noisier. If you are camped near a rowdy group, you can be kept awake by their frivolity. I know the Fort has quiet hours, and for the most part people abide by the rules. There always seems to be one group that thinks it's all about them and their good times. If you run into a group such as this, do not confront them. If you don't have a cell phone, you can go to a comfort station and use the courtesy phone to notify the front desk.

We were in the 200 loop last November and there was a group with way too many people on one site that Fort security seemed to ignore despite several people calling and complaining. They were very loud into the wee hours of the morning with no regards to those around them. If that ever happens to me again (the only time in over 35 years of camping at the Fort) I won't hesitate to call the sheriff's office.

For the most part, noise at night is no issue. The Fort can be so peaceful and beautiful that you can't help but relax. As said by others, November's weather can be all over the place, so be prepared for heat or cold. When I say cold, either a good sleeping bag or plenty of blankets. Sweatshirts & jeans are ample dress for cold. Shorts & tees for warmer weather. This is Florida, and the extreme cold (into the 20's and 30's) usually doesn't hit until January. You will want to bring a fan in case it's warm. Just watch the weather websites as you get closer to your camping date.

And as always....don't fergit yer fishin' poles!!

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Mikey, Debbie & Monique: Thank you, thank you, thank you! I sincerely appreciate such helpful information! We're from NOLA, but lived in Southern Florida for a year during our 4 year post-Katrina odyssey. I definitely needed to be reminded of the Floridian fall/winter season. It's funny how, similar to NOLA, you can be wearing shorts on one day & bundled in a scarf on the next. I was blissfully thinking, "Yay! We won't be sweating like we were during our May trip!" Yet, somehow, it hadn't dawned on me that it may also be a bit chilly in mid-November, lol. Warm fuzzy socks: check!

Momof6: I hope your family has a wonderful trip!

 

[Bearikens]

One more thing to consider when it comes to weather that time of year. The mornings and evenings may be chilly and the day may be warm to hot. I can remember mornings of mid to lower 60's where we needed a jacket and long pants and then during the day in the parks we would sweat. After park close, we would freeze on the boat ride back to FW. I bought some cargo pants that have zip off leggings so that I can have pant legs in the morning and evening and shorts during the day. I also take a rain jacket (folds up into a small bag) that performs double duty for rain and for warmth. The jacket can make the difference between freezing and simply being chilled.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Thanks Bearikens!

My boss gave me the final okay for my vacation/convention today. And, there's finally a discounted rate for our final two nights at the campground! It's a good day!

 

[thecplusplusguy]

I think we will be arriving on the same day (Sunday the 21st) My countdown is set to the day we leave and it takes 2 days to get there.

Dan

Ps I have 2 one on my desktop and 1 here, I looked at the desktop, but now I don't know which one is right. We will be there at the same time though.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

I think we will be arriving on the same day (Sunday the 21st) My countdown is set to the day we leave and it takes 2 days to get there.

Dan

Ps I have 2 one on my desktop and 1 here, I looked at the desktop, but now I don't know which one is right. We will be there at the same time though.

We will be there at the same time. We're leaving on Tuesday (11/16) evening after work & arriving in the wee early hours on Wedn morning. If you see us, stop by & say hi!