Can We Camp in Our Car??

[fuzzyjelly]

My husband and I will be down at WDW next Oct/Nov. More than a year, I'll never make it!!

We'd like to camp at the campgrounds and I have a few questions. We plan to be in the area for two weeks, but we want to spend a few days with friends in the area. We're not sure when during that time we'll be staying with them. It might be a night here or there. Is there any reason we have to be at the campground every night of our reservation? I don't want to have them assume we've abandoned ship. We usually just sleep in our car when we camp, so we don't set up a tent or anything. This means that when we are gone the camp site will be empty. We can leave some chairs or something if we need to, but I'm doubting my husband will want to do that.

We've done this at other campgrounds before, but I've never been to Disney before and I'm not sure if they have different rules.

Thanks!!

 

[Disneylitch]

I'd probably just leave a few chairs. We just came back and we saw some sites that were empty for a few days except for their bikes.

 

[auntie]

 

[BradyBz12]

Also if you're concerned, you could just let the front desk know what you're doing so they won't be surprised to see your site empty on occasion.

 

[BRDof3]

Ooh. Pass me some Phyllis, before the billy goats Gruff show up and eat it all.

 

[auntie]

Ooh. Pass me some Phyllis, before the billy goats Gruff show up and eat it all.

Here ya go... Empty site threads.. gotta love em.

 

[clkelley]

Set up a rain shelter or screen house, so you have a place to set in those chairs if it is raining.

 

[thegoofyfamily]

I really want to ask, but I'm new and don't want to offend.

 

[Magicbus]

I'm thinking the same thing.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

I'm thinking the same thing.

I think I'm thinking what he's thinking...

 

[des1954]

Leave a crock-pot full of chili on the picnic table and a roll of toilet paper on the water hook-up, and you will be just fine.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

You might want to call to ask. I know there was a KOA we stayed at a while ago that had a big sign announcing you weren't allowed to car camp. I don't know why -- but there you go. I like the idea of setting up a screen room or something. Couldn't hurt -- plus, you'd have a place to hang out if it rains while you're at the site.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

Leave a crock-pot full of chili on the picnic table and a roll of toilet paper on the water hook-up, and you will be just fine.

That should ensure that the site is always occupied by someone!

 

[MandMLUVMMandDVC]

I'm with Phyllis, brd & magicbus. I'd like my popcorn buttered please.

 

[MandMLUVMMandDVC]

oh, look at statistics & posts. looks just really green

 

[auntie]

I'm with Phyllis, brd & magicbus. I'd like my popcorn buttered please.

Plenty for everyone... Here ya go..with butter....

 

[KristinU]

OK, I'll bite...

A few random thoughts:

I feel like most places we camp (mostly state parks) have that rule of "you must have a tent or camping vehicle"...but I don't know about WDW, couldn't find anything on the official web site.

But to the original question...the folks next to us when we were at the Fort were super minimalist and had a camper van. Every morning he made his coffee on a coleman stove on one of those folding stands, then placed the stove onthe picnic table and folded the stand and leaned it against a tree on their site. They then drove away for the day and all that was left was the stove and stand. Same thing 3 days in a row then they moved on and another family came in...so yeah, their site was basically empty all day long. BUT not overnight.

OP, why not just get a value room? Depending on the season it is likely to be cheaper or about the same price and you'd have beds to sleep in. Or perhaps we're all missing something when you say "car"...maybe you have something like a van or SUV that has an air matteress in it??? I guess I just don't get the point of paying to sleep in your car if you're simply reclining the seats and taking a snooze.

 

[fuzzyjelly]

I'm not sure what I said wrong, but I wasn't trying to offend anyone. We have a PT Cruiser and we usually just remove the seats and sleep in the back.

We want to camp, not stay in a hotel. I suppose we could check out on the nights that we stay with friends, but I want to make sure we have a spot reserved. It seems safer to reserve for the whole two weeks.

I'm glad everyone is enjoying their popcorn.

 

[kampfirekim]

I'm not sure what I said wrong, but I wasn't trying to offend anyone. We have a PT Cruiser and we usually just remove the seats and sleep in the back.

We want to camp, not stay in a hotel. I suppose we could check out on the nights that we stay with friends, but I want to make sure we have a spot reserved. It seems safer to reserve for the whole two weeks.

I'm glad everyone is enjoying their popcorn.

Don't worry, you didn't say anything wrong.

Little bit 'O inside humor going on there.

Perhaps a tiny little pup tent set up would work. You'd have "camping" accommodations set up on the site and could still stay in your car if you wanted to. I don't think the Fort PO PO will shine flashlights in your car to see whether or not someone's sleeping in there.

If you're paying the $$$$, you should be able to come and go as you please with out a problem. IMO.

Hope you have a fun trip!


P.S. I am fighting the urge to ask how you came up with your DisBoards name.

 

[fuzzyjelly]

P.S. I am fighting the urge to ask how you came up with your DisBoards name.

I love it because it doesn't even mean anything close to what it sounds like. I had a cat named Magellan. His nickname was Jelly. He was fuzzy.

Plus it's never taken anywhere on the internet.