Camping with small ones

[4theloveofdisney]

Would anyone recommend camping in a tent for a family with a 7, 5, and 2 year old or is that just insane - lol??? Trying to find something new and different to do at Disney. If so, what is there to do at Fort Wilderness? TIA!

 

[ckmommy]

We are going camping with a 6, 4, 2, 2, and 8 month old in two connecting tents (although not in Disney--boo-hoo). We have never camped with all of our kids. When we moved to TX, we got a little nervous about the bugs here. We did camp a lot when our 2 oldest were very small (they loved it). We are really looking forward to camping this spring though. We might be a little crazy to do this....

 

[Whosemom]

You'll be fine! We started tent camping when our kids were 1, 3, and 6, and had a great time. Especially starting at FW where you don't have to worry about keeping them out of the fire ring. The only problem I had was, when I would get up and roam around at night, as I am prone to do, I'd come back to find they had rearranged themselves and I would no longer have a spot LOL

 

[becky7953]

As long as your 2 year old listens somewhat (as much as a 2 year old can). I would say go for it!!!! We started camping when my DD was 8 months old and DS was 2 1/2 years old. They did fine. Kids love being outside! Have fun!

 

[LegoMom3]

We took all three of our kids camping right from the get-go. Kids generally love the outdoors, anyway. And if this is to be your first camping experience as a family, you can't do better than FW!!
Go for it and have a blast!! Your kids will remember stuff like this all their lives - you're creating memories!

 

[4theloveofdisney]

Thanks for the advice!!!! It's greatly appreciated

 

[striker3636]

We just back from FW yesterday and we will never stay in a hotel at WDW as long as we have our camper. We have tent camped before with our kids, then 1 1/2 and 3 until this, our first trip with our new camper. The kids are now 3 and 5 and love camping. FW is amazing. We loved the fact that we could come back mid day from the parks and have some down time before heading back. We were in the 1300 loop and were across the canal from the playground and pool, and only a 2 min walk from the Meadows Trading post and the campfire and movie. Just being able to relax and have things to keep the older ones busy while the younger ones napped was great, and it doesn't matter whether you are tenting or in an RV. The proximity to Magic Kingdom was wonderful - just a short boat ride away. We brought our bikes to make getting around easier. The only time we used the internal bus was on our last day. We had packed everything up to go and went to Trail's End for the buffet breakfast (yummy). On our "down times" when we didn't go to the park, or just went later to catch Wishes, we would go to the petting zoo, kids go on a pony ride, feed the fish at the marina, play at the beach....you get the idea. There is so much to do at FW! We also would have days where we would come back from the park around 4, have a relaxing BBQ or other dinner, and catch the sing a long and movie. Can you tell we loved it???? Camping of any kind requires a bit more work and organization, but kids love it!

 

[minkydog]

Say yes to camping! Your kids will be begging you to go camping after this trip. Even if it rains, camping is way more adventurous than any other vacation. It will add a whole 'nother dimension to your WDW experience. Just know that staying in a tent is not the same as staying in a hotel. I know, that's obvious, but it's true. There are trade-off but it's apples-to-oranges. Really!

We were afraid to camp when my kids were little(11,5 & 3)--one kid was hyperactive, another didn't wanna get dirty, the baby was severely handicapped and couldn't walk or talk. How in the world would we do it? We bought a tent and some air beds, packed our pots and some water and off we went.

My one concession is I had to have an electric cooktop. I'm afraid of a Coleman stove, so my DH bought me a two-burner hot top and we have never looked back. We rig up a tarp over the cooking area so nothing gets drenched and cover everything with plastic while we're gone.

We have since moved up to a pop-up ,but my kids still love to camp. It's a great way to spend time with the family. My advice to you would be to give it a try near home before you "take on the road". You'd be surprised how quickly your kids will adjust to living outdoors.

Cathy--mom to John,18, Eleni, 11, & Christian, 9

 

[4theloveofdisney]

Thanks again for all of the wonderful advice! I think that we are going to do this and I am actually excited now!