Camping & flying???

[gr8leg8]

Hello Campers,

Is it possible to fly and camp?
Do you pack the tent?
or Rent a car and
buy or rent the tent when you get there...

Can you do it without a car?

We have stayed at POFQ and loved it and
stayed at Pop and loved it.

any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[skyp4WDW]

Yes; it's possible. My family does it every summer. I usually send the tent down ahead of time (UPS) and try to fly Southwest so we don't have to pay extra for luggage and camping supplies. At the end of our trip, I donate the tent to a cast member or fellow camper. We'v stayed at most of the other resorts as well, but over the years, I think we've had the most family fun at Ft. Wilderness.

 

[Renosiris]

I was just in that position last week. I was thinking about having to bring all the camping stuff with us on the plane and it just seemed like the biggest pain in the butt, and I how was I going to bring all that stuff...and.....

so I ended up deciding to rent an R.V from someone that has all those things supplied already.

So, I imagine yes you could bring all that stuff and fly, just depends on how much you want to drag around. For me, dragging around my stuff and two kids under 8 is enough

 

[gr8leg8]

Yeah! Good to hear it is possible.

Thank you for your replies

 

[clkelley]

I've done it before, and it is possible. Especially if you don't want to cook. Cooking may be doable, but need more people in your party to have the luggage limit to bring the cooking stuff, and will have to have the groceries delivered with a service, or rent a car and pick up groceries.

Southwest is the only airline that still allows two checked bags for free.

Each person can bring approximately 160 lbs of stuff on Southwest without any extra fees.

I used a plastic locking trunk and a super large duffle as my checked items.

Then used a rollerbag and a bookbag as my carryon and personal item and brought the following:

Tent/Stakes
Collapsible Dining Shelter/Stakes
Folding Chair
Air Mattress
Linens (Sheets/Electric Blanket, Electric Mattress Pad, Pillow)
Air Pump
Clothes - 3 days worth, then I washed
Battery Lantern
Small Fan
Toiletries/Towels, etc. (My carryon bookbag doubled as my shower bag)
Stake Mallet
Surge Protector
Outdoor Extension Cords
Laundry Supplies
Laptop
Cell Phone
Camera
Chargers
Folding Soft-Sided Cooler (Small) (Although I didn't really use that much, as the ice machines provided a lot more ice than the size of the cooler, and I just didn't want to pay for wasted ice). So I just bought drinks as I needed them.
Couple strings of Christmas lights
Cable ties
Caribiner Hooks
Plastic Sheeting for ground cloth
Lock(s) for plastic bin, and long cable and lock to lock bin to a tree.
Large garbage bags (These are to put your tent and groundcloth(s) in as you pack up as things may well be wet/damp when it's time to pack up. That way nothing else gets wet or nasty). Then you can unfold and dry out when you get home.

 

[chartle]

If you did want to cook you would have to bring an electric hot plate or frying pan.

Packing any fuel stove, even without fuel, can be a hassle. I think its supposed to be allowed but can fall under the discretion of the TSA agent.

 

[tlh0726]

Since someone already does a 5th wheel rental, and someone else does a pop up rental, why doesn't someone local start supplying all the necessary tenting equipment?

 

[gr8leg8]

Thanks for all the info
disboarders rock

We are a small family of 3 (Me, DH, & DD8)
We did the quick service last trip and it worked great for us. So I think we could survive without cooking.

I had concerns about securing our belongings while in the parks. I hadn't thought of a locking truck being locked to a tree. hummm. the wheels are grinding.... can you smell it?

Any advice about time of year and weather?
Being a wimpy California girl spoiled by nice weather, I am leaning toward Nov - Feb for cooler weather.
Both hubby and DD are toasty sleepers and warm up a tent in no time.

Our first visit in late Sept/early Oct was too humid for me.
Our early December visit was delightful.

 

[tinah159]

Since someone already does a 5th wheel rental, and someone else does a pop up rental, why doesn't someone local start supplying all the necessary tenting equipment?

That is in the works now!

 

[clkelley]

Thanks for all the info
disboarders rock

We are a small family of 3 (Me, DH, & DD8)
We did the quick service last trip and it worked great for us. So I think we could survive without cooking.

I had concerns about securing our belongings while in the parks. I hadn't thought of a locking truck being locked to a tree. hummm. the wheels are grinding.... can you smell it?

Any advice about time of year and weather?
Being a wimpy California girl spoiled by nice weather, I am leaning toward Nov - Feb for cooler weather.
Both hubby and DD are toasty sleepers and warm up a tent in no time.

Our first visit in late Sept/early Oct was too humid for me.
Our early December visit was delightful.

All of my flying and tent camping was in early December. Most years quite comfortable. Had one or two Decembers that it was frigid though.

 

[skyp4WDW]

Lock boxes (safes) are available in the office at no additional charge. They have two sizes. I can fit my laptop and important paperwork into one. You keep the key and may access it as often as you like.
As for when to go, I think before the end of November is best for tent campers because all of the activities at the Fort are outdoors and more enjoyable in warmer weather.

 

[gr8leg8]

Thanks everyone for your help.

I mentioned the idea of WDW camping to my mom
and she said
"We can go camping here..."


no mom, you missed the point. IT'S DISNEYWORLD!!