Camping...can i do it

[Rland8228]

So we have been on these boards before, we weren't supposed to camp because of FD but now we had to buy a brand new minivan and our vacation money went for down payment. So I suggested we try tent camping in Nov or Oct. My husband doesn't think I can do it because Ill be afraid of bugs and animals all around us. I really like the idea of tent camping having our own things vs staying in a hotel room.The only thing im not keen on is no bathroom. But he doesn't want to drive 1000 miles and have me not be able to handle it. And I dont blame him. We have DS who is going to be 6 and DS who is almost two months. i have read some of the trip report of people with babies camping. I just need some encouragement or someone to tell me its just to crazy and to not do it. I told him I dont wanna be one of those people that always have to have the finer things in life, but if it saves money why not.... Any advice.....

 

[2goofycampers]

I would do a test camping trip close to home and see how it goes.

 

[vtwinwilly]

As 2goofycampers suggest... a "test camp" could tell you a lot. However, If you do it now I can pretty much predict you'll be miserable. It's hot and the bugs will be a problem.

You're original post indicates camping in October or November. By then the heat and bugs won't be a problem and that is just a nice time of year to camp... especially at the Fort. You'll have a wonderful time.

Speaking of the bugs... and I know people think I'm imagining it... but Fort Wilderness doesn't have bugs. I don't know how they do it. My wife says it's the magic of Disney. The last time I was there, I could hear the bugs, but never saw any. I'm convinced they spray incesticide in the wee early hours of the morning, then just play bug noises over speakers hidden in the bushes. We were at the Fort last Thanksgiving. The temps would reach the low 90s during the day, and the Fort is after all in Central Florida, but... no bugs! Go figure!

Anyway, the only thing that concerns me is camping with a 2 month old. I don't have any experience in that area, but I've heard that people do it. If the budget allows, you may want to consider renting a pop-up camper. At least that way you've got some AC and Heat in the event the weather turns too hot or too cold.

Critters aren't too much of a problem. Mostly just squirrels, but I have seen a racoon or two running around so you'll want to make sure you keep any food secure. That means locking it in your car or some other container they cannot get into while you're asleep or off at the parks.

Comfort - The rest is just doing the best you can to be comfortable and get a good nights sleep every night. If you're not sleeping well, your days will be miserable, but hey... you've got a 2 month old so I assume you know all about that. I woud think a large tent with decent cots would do the trick, but I've slept well on an air-matress laying on the ground.

Request a campsite near the bathhouse. BTW... if you've never stayed at the Fort, the bathhouses are awesome. Veryclean... very nice.

I hope some of this has been some help. Good luck in your quest.

 

[Rland8228]

Thanks... I more worried about being asleep and having something crawl slither or just enter our tent lol.... I am not sure what we will do. We are trying to buy a pop up but cant seem to find one right now and cant afford buying on of those and going on vacation... We will wait and see I guess

 

[loislane]

I've never seen a snake or anything really "slithery" on any of our camping trips. Our worst critter experience was in Maine a few years ago when I stupidly left the garbage bag taped to the outside of the camper and woke up to a skunk swinging from it at 2 a.m.!!! But I would think using cots would eliminate any snake worries.

And I second the poster who mentioned no bugs. I never see bugs at Disney either! It's magical!

Go ahead and try a weekend or two close to home. You really need to get out there and do it to see if you can handle it - kwim?

We've obviously camped before - and I grew up camping - but I'm really looking forward to camping at Disney next year!

 

[tiggerdad]

I agree with a practice camp close to home to get a good feel for the "outdoor" sleeping. As far as bathrooms go, these bath houses are the cleanest I have come across. I would not put too much concern in that one. Bugs I do not remember having any trouble with, and I did see only one snake and it was getting out of Dodge as fast as possible.

The two month old would be my only concern. It is real hard to keep them comfortable, and some of them are almost impossible. We waited to take our daughter when she was one, and that seemed to go pretty well. You may have a good baby however, and have no troubles with this at all. This is where the test camp can really benefit you.

Good luck, and I hope it works out and you have a great time.

 

[disneyfans95]

No no no....

You never tent camped and bringing a 2 month old????

Let me repeat..No.. No.. NO!

Sorry but a horrible idea.

 

[ctpooh]

I actually have had a different result. My 2 and 1 year olds have been camping since there were 1 1/2 months old and they absolutely love it, so try a test run but do not rule it out. I have to warn you though we have been to the fort 7 times now and there are no bugs BUT I ran into an armidillo. I had never seen one before so you can imagine my reaction when it crossed my path on the way to the bathroom at 2 am but besides that, never had a problem. And hey my husband has what he thinks the funniest story on earth to tell people all the time.

 

[WDWCP96]

I have camped with an infant and it isn't so bad. Having a pack and play for them if they are used to a crib is best and if they are used to white noise then bring along a fan or noise machine. The most difficult part of tent camping would be cleaning bottles if that is how the baby drinks. Just more of a nuisance having to go to the bathhouse to clean them. I don't have any experience with Fort Wilderness as we won't be taking our first trip there until next June but like others suggested take a practice trip close to home so you can try it out and determine how you can make it better if it goes well.

 

[kaypee]

From a merely $ perspective--rethink your trip.

If you can get free dining at a budget resort, the actual cost may be higher to camp!!
The camping fees are not cheap. They aren't much less than a budget resort.
You may be able to have some of your own groceries camping, but with a tent, how much will you really be cooking at your site?
Consider the actual cost of the food you will be bringing/buying at grocery stores and what you will spend on Disney food.
Add that to your tickets and FW fees. You may find that exceeds your FD at a budget resort.
(This was true for our first trip to WDW. We considered camping and found it much cheaper in the long run to do FD and POP.)

I camp a lot.
And I have tented with no electric or water or even bathrooms with a 6 week old baby in very cold weather (It was August, but I live in MI. There was frost in the mornings. . .) I would do this again.
BUT I wouldn't dream of doing it at WDW.
Camping requires the majority of your time to do that--camp.
If you are going to WDW to camp--great.
If you are going to enjoy WDW and the parks--save your money and postpone your trip a bit--and stay in a hotel.

Best of luck.

 

[clm10308]

If you get a good quality tent with a good zipper and a bathtub floor, don't take any smellables into the tent, and take the trash out of your site before you go to bed you shouldn't have any problem with critters or bugs.

On the otherhand, I agree that you need to take several test camp outs before you camp at Disney. walking to theBRoom in the middle of the night is a pain but I would think that FW is well lit at night.
If you don't have any equipment, you are not going to save that much money. You will need a good tent like REI or Kelty. A "cheep" Walmart or other discount brand tent will not hold up well and will probably leak if you have any rain. Younwill probably need a larger cabin style tent or at least a 6-8 person tent. Add an air mattress or cot, camp stove, cooking tools, dishes, bedding, food,etc. Then you have the time it takes to set up camp, cook and clean up each meal and multiply that all by 10 with a newborn baby.

I have taken little ones camping, but both DH and myself were experienced campers. I love camping and would love to camp at Disney, but I think you are setting yourself up for dissapoinmant and failure if you make this your first camping experience.

 

[North of Mouse]

So we have been on these boards before, we weren't supposed to camp because of FD but now we had to buy a brand new minivan and our vacation money went for down payment. So I suggested we try tent camping in Nov or Oct. My husband doesn't think I can do it because Ill be afraid of bugs and animals all around us. I really like the idea of tent camping having our own things vs staying in a hotel room.The only thing im not keen on is no bathroom. But he doesn't want to drive 1000 miles and have me not be able to handle it. And I dont blame him. We have DS who is going to be 6 and DS who is almost two months. i have read some of the trip report of people with babies camping. I just need some encouragement or someone to tell me its just to crazy and to not do it. I told him I dont wanna be one of those people that always have to have the finer things in life, but if it saves money why not.... Any advice.....

You are looking at this very optimistically and that's great, but-------please take others advice and camp a few times beforehand.
Also, as a pp said, if you have to go out and buy all equipment, it's not cheap (and if you skimp, you won't have a chance) It wouldn't be much different $$ wise than getting a value with FD. As was also mentioned, the CC is not cheap
Another point, and the main one to me, is being a "newbie" at camping, and taking an infant to boot. And no air??? Even though it SHOULD be cool at that time, it also can be very hot. I'm from the deep south and I KNOW.
Another thing, not to further daunt you, NEVER leave any type food stuff in your tent. Furry things can/will chew a hole in your tent to get it (happened to our son & wife.)
I'm not trying to discourage you, just let you see the realistic side. Tenting in the rain is another challenge - everything feels damp, even though might not get wet. Fair weather camping vs. foul weather is day/night.
We were tent campers for 3 nights, then the rains came - no more tent camping
Again, wish you the best of luck, but like your dh, wouldn't want you invest in tent camping with small infant, be so far from home, then not be able to take it.

 

[gillenkl]

I would do a test camping trip close to home and see how it goes.

This is a good idea. However, my initial thought is no way would I personally do it. I would price out a value resort with free dining and compare prices to that of camping.

Oh, and for all those who said there are no bugs......apparently no one told the mosquitoes who practically ate me alive last June! Depending on the month you go, there are insects.

 

[North of Mouse]

This is a good idea. However, my initial thought is no way would I personally do it. I would price out a value resort with free dining and compare prices to that of camping.

Oh, and for all those who said there are no bugs......apparently no one told the mosquitoes who practically ate me alive last June! Depending on the month you go, there are insects.

We have been there too many years to mention, and have never been bothered by any bug/mosquitoes. I think certain people attract them. I have a friend that gets eaten all the time outside, and we never even see them.

 

[auntie]

So we have been on these boards before, we weren't supposed to camp because of FD but now we had to buy a brand new minivan and our vacation money went for down payment. So I suggested we try tent camping in Nov or Oct. My husband doesn't think I can do it because Ill be afraid of bugs and animals all around us. I really like the idea of tent camping having our own things vs staying in a hotel room.The only thing im not keen on is no bathroom. But he doesn't want to drive 1000 miles and have me not be able to handle it. And I dont blame him. We have DS who is going to be 6 and DS who is almost two months. i have read some of the trip report of people with babies camping. I just need some encouragement or someone to tell me its just to crazy and to not do it. I told him I dont wanna be one of those people that always have to have the finer things in life, but if it saves money why not.... Any advice.....

Things are crazy enough with the arrival of newborn. I would wait until the baby were a little older..especially considering we're talking tent camping here. Just my two cents.
However, if you are determined to give it a try, I would do as recommended and do a trial run closer to home. Get and idea of whether you enjoy tent camping or not.
I just wouldn't want your first camping experience to be on a trip with a newborn. You need to get your feet wet before taking that on.

 

[Disney Freebird]

we weren't supposed to camp because of FD

I'm sorry...I don't have any advice, but I'm curious what FD means.

 

[2goofycampers]

I'm sorry...I don't have any advice, but I'm curious what FD means.

I took it as free dining.

 

[Disney Freebird]

I took it as free dining.

Thank you.

 

[zigzag3337]

Just like most people, we started out with tent camping with children. You will hear the horror stories as well as the good ones. From our experience, tent camping takes a lot of work and stress on the parents, but the memories that you make are well worth it. Yes, we had those nights where we had to drive around with the AC on to get our oldest son's asthma to calm down and then once we had to vacate to a hotel because of the tent flooding out during a major downpour. but you know, we wouldn't have traded it for the world.

Since then we have upgraded to a popup, then to a 32' bunkhouse and now to a 42' toy hauler. Yea the camping is much easier now and the memories are still being made, but we still cherish the tenting days.

The one thing that most people have problems with is the thought of sleeping on the ground. Invest in an air mattress. They are worth every penny. If the heat is another concern, I have seen little window shaker ACs stuck in the windows of tents many of times. Pick up a used one for $50 and set it on a small table.

If you and your kids are not comfortable, it could become a very miserable vacation. Not only to you, but the people around you.

Camping is suppose to be fun, so enjoy it!