Camping late August

[Ds4angels]

We just got back from taking the younger 2 (8 & 5) to Disney and of course they loved it DS8 asked if we could go back but please take the camper, b/c it's got much more room then the hotel.

Since we're driving from PA it's going to have to be a summer trip b/c we can't take them out of school from more then a week. Figuring a hard two day drive camping maybe at SoB for the night.
So that said.... How awful is the end of Aug going to be? Will the camper be able to keep a decent temp? (newer Prolwer)
Will we have enough time to do parks in the morning when it's cooler and then break in the middle of the day and go back to the park around 5:30? Will this give us enough time in each park? (we kind of did commando ) style this time.)I'm looking at 5 day pass, camping Saturday to Saturday.
Am I insane for even thinking of camping there that time of year??
And how soon do we need to book a site? We're thinking of 2014

 

[bama_ed]

Hi Ds4angels!

I'm hoping/assuming your trailer has air conditioning. I wouldn't camp at the Fort without it in August.

Late August is not a busy time at the Fort so if you are planning an August 2014 visit you can wait till we get into 2014 no problem to make a reservation. The summer season ends after the first week of August and rates drop significantly because the school season starts for lots of people then (including us).

So you can probably get any kind of site you want/need (Full, Preferred, Premium).

You should be able to come back to the trailer mid-day to relax if you prefer. That's a plan people use pretty frequently. To make it as convenient as possible, you should probably plan on driving your vehicle to AK, EP, or HS to get back/forth (free parking for Dis resort guests) and boat to/from the MK.

It will be hot and humid in August and you can expect daily short, heavy rain showers in early afternoon.

It's unlikely but late August starts hurricane season too down here in the South so watch the weather for Orlando before you leave.

A 5-day pass is probably enough. For us AK is not a full-day park so if you have a week and use 5 days with mid-day breaks, that leaves two days to hang around the Fort, hit Downtown Disney, relax and catch up on your rest.

Sounds like a plan.

Bama ED

PS - pack some good SPF30 sunscreen minimum. The direct sun in August is brutal even if you have a good base tan.

 

[North of Mouse]

We just got back from taking the younger 2 (8 & 5) to Disney and of course they loved it DS8 asked if we could go back but please take the camper, b/c it's got much more room then the hotel.

Since we're driving from PA it's going to have to be a summer trip b/c we can't take them out of school from more then a week. Figuring a hard two day drive camping maybe at SoB for the night.
So that said.... How awful is the end of Aug going to be? Will the camper be able to keep a decent temp? (newer Prolwer)
Will we have enough time to do parks in the morning when it's cooler and then break in the middle of the day and go back to the park around 5:30? Will this give us enough time in each park? (we kind of did commando ) style this time.)I'm looking at 5 day pass, camping Saturday to Saturday.
Am I insane for even thinking of camping there that time of year??
And how soon do we need to book a site? We're thinking of 2014

Summer is our favorite time at the parks, and at FW. If you have AC, there's no reason *not* to be able camp in Aug. Even some people brave it without AC but never our *cup of tea*!!

As for it being cooler in the AM, maybe the first few hours, but once that sun is up--------------. In August it is hot & humid most of the day IMO.

I love it though mainly because of the long hours of the parks, the *only* good time to do the water parks (again in our opinions).

Anyhow, we love the heat, and what goes with it, so again it's our favorite time. You will get all kinds of answers, so really it will all depend on how tolerant you are to *southern* heat. I'm from the south so know what to expect. Use plenty of sunscreen, drink plenty of water.

 

[Ds4angels]

We do have a/c in the camper (32ft BKH) but it seemed like it ran the whole time when visiting Lake Marion in SC a few summers ago.
So if we get there at RD when do we plan on leaving, 12?? Then back maybe around 5:30-6?
Also what happens if hurricane season starts early? We've been in some big thunderstorms in the camper, but a hurricane is a little too windy for my liking in a travel trailer. Most campgrounds invite you into the main hall to ride it out if it's a bad storm.

 

[North of Mouse]

We do have a/c in the camper (32ft BKH) but it seemed like it ran the whole time when visiting Lake Marion in SC a few summers ago.
So if we get there at RD when do we plan on leaving, 12?? Then back maybe around 5:30-6?
Also what happens if hurricane season starts early? We've been in some big thunderstorms in the camper, but a hurricane is a little too windy for my liking in a travel trailer. Most campgrounds invite you into the main hall to ride it out if it's a bad storm.

If you only have one AC unit on a TT that long, then sometimes in the middle of summer in FL, it can run non stop if you are in the sun. It is hard for 1 AC to keep up.

As for Hurricanes, we were there in Tropical Storm Faye a few years ago and they were VERY good about keeping us informed with flyers at our MH. If the sustained winds are 35mph or higher, they told us they would have us move our MH to a safe parking area and put us in that hotel. A lot of people left the CC but it didn't get bad enough for us to leave.

We had talked about leaving, but we would have been heading into the storm going home. There was lots of branches, pine needles, leaves, down, lots of *lakes* from the rainfall, but otherwise we were fine.

 

[bama_ed]

We do have a/c in the camper (32ft BKH) but it seemed like it ran the whole time when visiting Lake Marion in SC a few summers ago.
So if we get there at RD when do we plan on leaving, 12?? Then back maybe around 5:30-6?
Also what happens if hurricane season starts early? We've been in some big thunderstorms in the camper, but a hurricane is a little too windy for my liking in a travel trailer. Most campgrounds invite you into the main hall to ride it out if it's a bad storm.

Ditto what NoM said.

In the past Disney has evacuated the Fort when the sustained winds were dangerous to their various on-property hotels.

Being at the parks for Rope Drop is a good move to start your day. As to when to leave and come back, there's no better indicator than your kids. You know them best-are they starting to act tired? cranky? enthusiasm waning? So it's a combination of the kids, what have you ridden/seen so far, what's yet to ride/see, and the operating hours of the park you are visiting.

My advice is to stay flexible about leave/return times and go with how you are feeling that day.

Bama ED

 

[Ds4angels]

Thanks for much for all the replies
On last question, can you have visitors come visit you for the day? My parents are over on the Gulf Coast, but may want to come by to visit the GC for the day if it's possible

 

[bama_ed]

Thanks for much for all the replies
On last question, can you have visitors come visit you for the day? My parents are over on the Gulf Coast, but may want to come by to visit the GC for the day if it's possible

Sure it's possible.

When they drive up to the guard shack they need to tell the guard they are here to visit you <family name> in site number <so-and-so>. Naturally you give them the site number before they arrive.

They will most likely be directed to park in the parking lot and they can call you to come pick them up (in your car or golf cart) or can bus down to where you are. Generally only one car gets parked per site.

I bet they would love to come see your setup (and you'd probably like seeing them too).

Bama ED