Can you talk me into camping?

[Aidensmom]

DH grew up going camping, and now that DS is getting old enough to go, DH bought a tent and camping equipment and wants to start sharing this love with DS.

I am not a camper. I am allergic to just about everything, I am accustomed to air conditioning, I'm deathly afraid of snakes, and the thought of sleeping in a tent that I can't lock up just makes me anxious. DH said he understands and didn't mind if I didn't camp with them.

Well, DH asked me today to see if I could reserve him a campsite at Ft. Wilderness. I reserved a site in April, and I included my name on the reservation "just in case" I wanted to go. When I told DH and DS that, they were both very excited that I was going to go with them, like it was a done deal. Now I feel like I should go because they really want me to.

I have stayed in the cabins at Ft. Wilderness before, and really enjoyed it. But I need a pep talk about really camping! Can you tell me all the great things you love about it?

 

[bama_ed]

Aiden's Mom,

You sound like my DW who's idea of roughing it is staying at a Holiday Inn Express!

First, you're in Tampa so you know April is nice time of year generally, not too hot, not too cold, not too wet yet.

Second, unless your tent drips with gold fringes and the Caddie is sitting on the pad with the motor running and keys in the ignition, nobody's gonna bother your stuff. If you drive around FW you'll see that the thieves lurking behind every tree will be hitting the cabin loops and those fat cats with the 40-foot class A RVs down in the preferred loops! (just kidding )

Third, there aren't very many wild critters at the Fort. Oh sure, you are outside so you may see a snake or a skunk but very unlikely. It's very Disney-ized: Lots of birds, a wild turkey or two, bunny rabbits, maybe some raccoons, but a boa constrictor is very unlikely...

You will want to watch the weather just before your trip because the sites are so level (good for trailers) that when it rains the water does not drain off very fast (bad for tenters) but the sites have the crushed shell bed (or something like that). If saturated it might hold some water. I would recommend an extra tarp over the tent (or have DH do a good water seal on the tent before you go) or a screened room over the tent,etc...

Since you are a newbie to camping I would suggest a cot/mattress of highest quality to give you a good night's sleep. If momma wakes up unhappy from a bad night's sleep nobody's happy. Also as a husband, I'll give you a piece of advice. Since DH wants to economize with a campsite, I think it only fair that you eat out frequently - don't let him talk you into cooking meals at the campsite if you are unfamiliar with it unless HE plans to do all the cooking and cleanup (my DW's approach). Oh a quick cold breakfast, okay, but lunch and dinner should not be a bologna sandwich back at the tent.

Take lots of pictures for your son (if he is young) so that when he is older (and doesn't remember the trip) you can pull out the pix and show what kind of outdoor woman you were (as if camping at FW was toughing it outdoors).

Trust me, it won't get any nicer EVER than tent camping at FW. If you're gonna do it ever, do it at FW.

Good luck!

Bama ED

 

[clkelley]

What size tent did your hubby buy? My recomendation is to make sure you can stand up in it and for the three of you, it sleeps at least 8. Depending on your son's age, I would even suggest a second tent for your son.

I have been tent camping with my boys for over 12 years, but we always each had our own tent. Now for short weekend trips I do use a smaller tent, but for my long Ft. Wilderness stays, I want to really move in. A good double high air mattress is a must. Use sheets and a blanket instead of a sleeping bag. Also sew the bottom and top sheet together. Before I started doing that, I found my top sheet up around my waist every night because there is nowhere to tuck them in.

Also, be assured the comfort stations/showers are great!! Lots of hot water, private changing area in each shower. Plenty of plugs and electricity for the hair dryer, etc.

Attached are some pictures of what I camp in all by myself. (The big grey tent). Also shown is the inside.

Hope this helps.

 

[djblu883]

I'm a camping girl and have always loved it so I can tell you that you can make it as good or bad as you care to....its fun!! You can smell the fresh air, hear the crickets and frogs serenade you to sleep...or for the city girl...you can listen to the buses transporting folks home from late night jaunts....Also for the city girl..they now allow you to ad the dining plan so you wouldn't have to cook lolol though I love to cook and camp...the campground is so clean and the bathrooms are as nice as a hotel...you can even do your laundry if somehow things get wet/dirty...and so many things to do there!!! Horseback riding, campfires and movies...watch the fireworks from Magic Kingdom on the beach...ride the boats to various stops..canoeing...bike riding...Go for it...I think seeing the joy in your DH and DS's eyes will be well worth it!!! Janet

 

[jenjunsan]

DH grew up going camping, and now that DS is getting old enough to go, DH bought a tent and camping equipment and wants to start sharing this love with DS.

I am not a camper. I am allergic to just about everything, I am accustomed to air conditioning, I'm deathly afraid of snakes, and the thought of sleeping in a tent that I can't lock up just makes me anxious. DH said he understands and didn't mind if I didn't camp with them.

Well, DH asked me today to see if I could reserve him a campsite at Ft. Wilderness. I reserved a site in April, and I included my name on the reservation "just in case" I wanted to go. When I told DH and DS that, they were both very excited that I was going to go with them, like it was a done deal. Now I feel like I should go because they really want me to.

I have stayed in the cabins at Ft. Wilderness before, and really enjoyed it. But I need a pep talk about really camping! Can you tell me all the great things you love about it?

I was so much like you at one time. I hated the thought of camping. I am what you would call a high maintenance gal. So I say this with the utmost love and respect-.....Take your Zyrtec and suck it up. I'm willing to bet you end up enjoying it!

 

[MALE*RN*777]

DW grew up camping in tents then Class C motor homes and loved it. Me on the other hand grew up going to the beach and staying in Condos. We had a little money saved and I compromised after hearing about the saving we could have by camping. We bought our pop-up with A/C, heating, stove, hot water tank, outside shower, refrig, king size bed, cable and phone hook up. Its off the ground and is very comfortable and now I love it and the kids love it also. The boy was 2-3 when we started and the girl was 6-7 months. After 10 trips we are now saving about $700 a week on hotel rooms and it would be more if we stayed in condos. We have all the comforts of home. We also stay at camping resorts like FW that have everything you need or would get at a hotel for a great savings. We can spend the money on more trips and fun for the family. Because when you really think about it, when your on vacation how long do you really spend in your room.

 

[Aidensmom]

Thank you for the replies, advice, and pictures! I honestly don't think I'll turn into a camper, but I guess it won't be so bad to give it a shot. I will still be at Disney, so how bad could it be?

The tent he got is only 7x7, is is supposed to sleep 4. Unless the weather is bad, do you really spend that much time inside the tent though? It has an additional rain cover to go over the top, is that enough or should we have a tarp too?

As far as cooking, I probably won't have to do too much convincing to get DH to eat at Trails End. We ate their once on a recent trip and it is now his favorite restaurant in all of WDW. However, as DH does like to BBQ, are there grills at each site, or do we need to bring a portable one if we decide to do that?

 

[loriandmatt]

my advise....if you have never tent camped before, try it out before you make FW your maiden camping voyage. know what you are getting yourself into before you jump with both feet into camping at FW.

that said, i hate hate hate tent camping and have done it many times before i convinced DH to get a pop up. the nice breezy feel of a tent but my **** is in a real bed several feet from the ground wiht a resemblance of a real structure around me. it is the difference between night and day for me.

a 4 person tent might me a bit tight for 3 if you are going to have anything other than just your sleeping equipment in there. definatly don't drag your suitcases in there. keep your bags (clothes, food, other supplies) in the car and just take out what you need as you need it.

i also agree with gusto with the other poster who stated that you, as a non camper, should definately sleep on a cot (at the very least on an air mattress.)

i have stayed at FW in my pop up, at every value resort and at a moderate.....out of all of them, i prefer my pop up at FW. the experience just can't be matched. go, have a good time, put get some camping "practice" first, even if it is your own back yard.

 

[auntie]

Maybe you could talk your husband into renting a pop-up with an A/C for the FW trip Might be a nice compromise.

 

[clkelley]

Thank you for the replies, advice, and pictures! I honestly don't think I'll turn into a camper, but I guess it won't be so bad to give it a shot. I will still be at Disney, so how bad could it be?

The tent he got is only 7x7, is is supposed to sleep 4. Unless the weather is bad, do you really spend that much time inside the tent though? It has an additional rain cover to go over the top, is that enough or should we have a tarp too?

As far as cooking, I probably won't have to do too much convincing to get DH to eat at Trails End. We ate their once on a recent trip and it is now his favorite restaurant in all of WDW. However, as DH does like to BBQ, are there grills at each site, or do we need to bring a portable one if we decide to do that?

Each site has a barbecue grill and you can have charcoal fires in the grill.

A 7x7 tent means that the floor when completely stretched out is 7x7. If it is a dome tent, it gets smaller as you go toward the top. Be prepared to only put your bedding in there. Everything else will need to stay in the car. The rain fly it comes with should be sufficient if it is waterproofed correctly.

I would strongly recommend an additional shelter of some type. Not to put over your tent, but in front of it to sit in your chairs or over your picnic table. The three of you DO NOT want to be stuck sitting in that small tent when it is raining.

A tent that small, you will probably not be able to change clothes inside either. Be prepared with a bookbag for each of you to walk to the comfort station with your morning change of clothes and bedtime change of clothes, which means nite clothes have to be something you would consider "decent in public" (Which for me means a pair of thick cotton gym shorts and a very thick cotton t-shirt).

 

[ynottony99]

I think a test run at Hillsborough River State Park, or some other great close to home spot would be a good idea. If you just can't stand it you can always go home to your comfy bed. A test run will help you see what you really need to be comfortable.

 

[disneynewbeemom]

Our tent is 12 x 14. Our sun shelter is 10 x10. If we put it over part of the tent, will there be a lot of run off of water onto our tent if it rains? We will probably be bringing 2 shelters, but I would like to put another shelter next to the tent so that we can put our table and chairs under it. We plan on waterproofing our tent as much as possible, but I just want to be fully prepared and dry if it rains. I also plan on putting a tarp under our tent. Any other suggestions?

 

[clkelley]

I don't have a real problem with it. I put one edge of my shelter just over the entrance.

 

[Aidensmom]

I think a test run at Hillsborough River State Park, or some other great close to home spot would be a good idea. If you just can't stand it you can always go home to your comfy bed. A test run will help you see what you really need to be comfortable.

Getting a reservation at Hillsborough State Park is not an easy thing though! That was DH's first plan and he couldn't find one in the near future, that is why he asked me to make one at Ft. Wilderness.

We are only going for a weekend, so hopefully I can deal with it enough to stay that long.

 

[Thumper_ehhhhh]

If it gets to bad you can always hit a hotel out on the main drag. There are also places around Disney that rent popup trailers to keep you off the ground. They will bring it there and set it up for you. I read this on here before. Sorry I don't know any company names but it's something you can look into if interested.

 

[djblu883]

It's only a weekend sweetheart so have hubby buy a nice airmattress and bring your favorite pillow and bedclothes from home...it will make you comfy and happy and you will be well rested and able to enjoy your experience MUCH better!!! Really the worst thing I can possibly think of is the hard ground and sleeping in a sleeping bag...everything else is easy...no worries...have a great time! Janet