Camping tent options

[amyngary]

I am looking for lodging for 2 nights in the middle of our upcoming trip. I have no idea of there are campsites available then, but it got me wondering if there are tent rentals or something for those who fly in but want to camp at Ft. Wilderness.

Do people rent tents? Or buy them and leave them? Or is that crazy? I'm thinking my kids would love the change of pace, and it could be cheaper than moving off property as currently considering....

As someone new to this forum, can you fill me in?

 

[snowmedic]

Welcome, there are tents that you can rent at the Fort.


This is 2 rental tents on one site. Last I knew the tent rentals were 30.00 per night and cots 4.00 per night. Those prices may have changed in the past couple months, plus your site rental. There are some that do buy tents and after just take them down and leave them by the trash cans.

 

[bama_ed]

Thanks snowmedic for posting the pictures.

The tents hold 3 cots but that's about all. They are not spacious. You mention "kids" (plural) plus your login name is amyngary so that tells me there are at least 4 in your family.

If you rent tents you need two and plus sheets/blankets/sleeping bags and all that goes with it.

I would suggest considering renting a Class C RV from CruiseAmerica. It's the Cab-Over type that you can drive the short distance to the Fort. They have a location in Kissimmee. Up to you if you want to pay for pots/pans and sheets/towels. To me for 2 nights, as long as you just plug in and get power, you've got a fridge and microwave and A/C. Buy a bag of charcoal and grill some burgers and hot dogs with a bag of chips and paper plates. It might be a little more expensive but it would cover most of your needs and you wouldn't HAVE to hook up the sewer and water. Just do a minimal plug-in for 2 night (power) to get a taste of the Fort. Plus there is the cost of the campsite.

The website requires a 3-night minimum rental but I plugged in 3 nights in March for a Large RV no extras and it was about $500 for 3 nights. As I said, not cheap. You would have to call for a 2-night rental.

http://www.cruiseamerica.com/rent/locations/index.aspx

If that is too costly, stay off-site and visit the Fort as a day visitor. About the only thing you can't do is use the pool.

So you have options: tent rental, RV rental, or day visitor. When are you planning to come to WDW?

Bama Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

More pics of the rentals

 

[ilovedisneymm]

@amyngary how many in your party?

Also, why do you need lodging for 2 nights in the middle of your trip? If you can provide a little more detail that would really help. What resort will you be staying in prior? Will you be going back to that same resort or? Will you have a rental car?

Tent rentals are about $35 a night to rent. $5 for a cot. I read somewhere on this board that they don't rent tents out unless renting multiple tents but this could be wrong or just speculation.

 

[amyngary]

Wow - those pictures are gorgeous. Thanks all for the helpful info. I didn't even think about sleeping bags, etc. I got a bit overwhelmed about this idea when I remembered there's much more gear needed than just tents to camp (DUH!) - thank goodness for you reminding me!

Luckily I ended up snagging the final two nights at OKW - I had given up hope as the 30-day mark got closer, especially since I couldn't find anything at all on points (and cash prices were crazy) for the day after Thanksgiving, but somehow today there was an opening for the 2 nights I was missing. I still would love to consider camping for a future trip - maybe if we ever drive so we can bring our own gear. And sometime when we have a car, I definitely want to visit the area for the day.

We are a family of 5, so we can only fit in some of the DVC resorts and very few of the standard hotel options on property, so that's partially why I had given up. Anyway, thanks all for your advice and pictures. I've read over the years about how fun it is to camp on property, and I hope to someday try it out, so I will file this great info. for a future trip.

 

[2goofycampers]

Tent and gear on sale, ready to ship to the Fort and you can fly in.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/46543622?...hznid=ItemCarouselCurated_PreBlackFridayShelf

 

[Nan P]

Keep in mind for a future trip that Fort Wilderness has some nice cabins. It's not camping, but you'd be at the Fort and experience the great outdoors and all the fun the Fort offers. Family of 5 could fit nicely in a cabin. Lots of fun too. check out the remodeled cabins just a few below this post.