Consider camping next August - will we die of heat stroke?

[loislane]

We have an older Coleman pop-up that does NOT have an air conditioner. If we can't figure out a way to add an a/c unit, would camping in August = dying of heat stroke at night?

Also, I know the campgrounds never get free dining, but are there ever any other offers that DO include the campgrounds? Any kind of discounts? Just curious.

We're just trying to look at all the options for the trip we want to take next August for 10 park days. Looking at different choices to see what is most affordable. Obviously camping and doing most of your own cooking is much cheaper, so we want to consider that option vs. 2 rooms at POP or a suite at ASMusic. We are a family of 5.

 

[luckycharm19335]

I would never consider Florida in August without AC.

 

[loislane]

Assuming we add a/c or upgrade to a unit with a/c, sell me on the campground.

 

[luckycharm19335]

I would suggest that you spend some time on this board.
You will get an idea why each of loves Fort Wilderness.
There are as many different reasons as there are lovers of the Fort.

 

[PeachesNDiesel]

You can get a stand up portable AC at Lowes or even Walmart. There are different sizes. We just purchased a 13 thousand BTU unit and it works better than our roof unit in our 5th wheel. Hope his helps..

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[amie28]

For us, nothing beats camping. Like you said you have the option to make your own food. My kids think we are crazy when we stay in hotels. They don't have enough snacks. LOL. Also think about how comfortable you are in a hotel bed compared to your own bed. Ft Wilderness is such a great campground, you won't be sorry if you choose it over the hotel. You have so many more options of things to do... Being outside your camper to relax, being able to enjoy fireworks from the campground beach, nightly outdoor movies....so much more. No matter what you decide - have fun!

 

[amylevan]

Yes, other discounts are available for the campsites. We've gotten the % off pins to work, and AAA and AP discounts also apply.

We love FW, but it isn't always the cheapest option for us. (We still eat in the parks a lot of times.) It will probably be cheaper than 2 rooms though.

 

[2goofycampers]

Lots of people camp in Florida in August and live to tell about it. Not me, not camping, not even at a hotel. I guess you have to figure if you're like them or me.

 

[jonimce]

We have tent camped tow times at FW in August. Not that bad. We used fans at night. You can not take an afternoon nap. We stayed in the parks all day and returned after dark.

My DD just got a free standing air conditioner for her pop up. works great.

 

[gillenkl]

Never would I camp without A/C in August - invest in the portable unit!

 

[canopynut66]

NO WAY for us in FL in August .. we about lost it i n September last year was so hot and humid and for the first time was ready to come home. was miserable/. we can be hot all day but when in the resort want a shower and want it cool the rest of the night

 

[jonimce]

Assuming we add a/c or upgrade to a unit with a/c, sell me on the campground.

The campground is one of the best you will ever camp in. The pool is awesome for a campground. Comfort stations are top notch. You will never find a friendlier staff. It is big though. If you plan on spending a lot of time at the campground you may want to rent a golf cart. So much to do you will have a great vacation even if you don't go to the parks. We spend way too much time in the parks and not enough at FW. This trip will be different. Taking some little ones so we will slow down a bit and enjoy the Fort more. Awesome
Tavern.

We are on our way this morning but won't arrive until the 5th. We'll keep you posted.

 

[Mcert01]

We have an older Coleman pop-up that does NOT have an air conditioner. If we can't figure out a way to add an a/c unit, would camping in August = dying of heat stroke at night?

Also, I know the campgrounds never get free dining, but are there ever any other offers that DO include the campgrounds? Any kind of discounts? Just curious.

We're just trying to look at all the options for the trip we want to take next August for 10 park days. Looking at different choices to see what is most affordable. Obviously camping and doing most of your own cooking is much cheaper, so we want to consider that option vs. 2 rooms at POP or a suite at ASMusic. We are a family of 5.

Camping in Florida in August without air = miserable. The heat and humidity can be stifling. You won't get any rest, and combined with the physical requirements of touring and the unrelenting heat, you will not enjoy the trip. Just my opinion.

You can have an RV air conditioner installed on the roof. Camping World has the best prices. I would go this route.

In terms of the campground, it is simply the best anywhere. You will never stay at another which is close to being as nice or as much fun.

You are also correct, camping and cooking many of your meals at the campground takes a considerable bite out of the cost of a Disney trip.

 

[loislane]

Thanks everyone! I'm really leaning towards camping this next time around. We've done two trips staying at Pop Century, which is fine, but gets expensive as a family of five that needs 2 rooms. We were lucky those trips to get free dining, but we've also found the dining plan to be a bit more than we need really. We had the QS plan last time and totally did not need a dessert with lunch and dinner every day.

We are not mid-day nappers, but we are mid-day swimmers. I figure if we're going to head back and swim, why not time it with lunch? Sandwiches, burgers are all easy.

That would leave us with just dinner to figure out each day, and we can mix it up between some QS, one or two TS meals thrown in, and meals at the camper. In any case, I doubt we'd spend the $2,000 we'd save by camping without a meal plan on food while we are there - but I could be wrong.

I do love being able to stay in the hotel and have someone else clean and not have to worry about a single meal, but that also gets boring. It seems like trading off that convenience would more than be made up for with new things to see and do at the campground.

 

[mkoerner]

Go for it!! We would love to camp at the Fort someday. It's so clean and relaxing. My husband and I rented bikes to check out Christmas decorations and everyone we encountered was very friendly. A huge bonus are the level sites. And the later in August, the better for crowds.

 

[arielmomma]

I agree with the go for it! We will be camping at the fort in 3 weeks from today! Yay! It's a spontaneous trip we just booked this week. We will be in a tent with no a/c. While we've never camped there in August, we have in July. Again with no a/c and with a baby at the time. It was fine. We had a great time. We enjoyed the parks (which are full of a/c) and pool during the day and had fans at night. We love the fort anytime.

While when we visit most times of the year, we do nearly all of our meals at the tent, in the summer heat, we eat our lunch as our big meal of the day in a restaurant (usually offsite because it's cheaper & more variety) in a/c and have an easy to prepare meal in the evening after it cools off a little bit.

When we get back, I'll let you know how it goes. I'm confident we'll all survive the heat.

 

[loislane]

I agree with the go for it! We will be camping at the fort in 3 weeks from today! Yay! It's a spontaneous trip we just booked this week. We will be in a tent with no a/c. While we've never camped there in August, we have in July. Again with no a/c and with a baby at the time. It was fine. We had a great time. We enjoyed the parks (which are full of a/c) and pool during the day and had fans at night. We love the fort anytime.

While when we visit most times of the year, we do nearly all of our meals at the tent, in the summer heat, we eat our lunch as our big meal of the day in a restaurant (usually offsite because it's cheaper & more variety) in a/c and have an easy to prepare meal in the evening after it cools off a little bit.

When we get back, I'll let you know how it goes. I'm confident we'll all survive the heat.

Have a GREAT time!!

Thanks everyone who chimed in. We decided to take the plunge and camp it next year. 11 nights, 10 days - I absolutely cannot wait! We figure we'll do simple breakfasts and lots of easy low/no cook meals like sandwiches, etc. for lunches or light dinners. We already have quite a few Disney gift cards (I get from doing surveys, cashing in Disney Movie Reward points, etc.) plus the big old Disney "mad money" jar filling up nicely so we already have probably all we need saved up to treat ourselves to meals in the park as well.

And......the hubby and I are going today to look at bigger pop-ups with a/c!

 

[North of Mouse]

NO WAY would you be able to sleep in August camping in FL without air But, the campground is one of the nicest that you will ever find. In fact, in our book, there is no other cc to compare

 

[loislane]

NO WAY would you be able to sleep in August camping in FL without air But, the campground is one of the nicest that you will ever find. In fact, in our book, there is no other cc to compare

Luckily, we bought a bigger pop-up with a/c about a week after my original post.

We test it out at Hershey Park next week.

And, of course, we're already booked for Disney next year.

 

[North of Mouse]

Luckily, we bought a bigger pop-up with a/c about a week after my original post.

We test it out at Hershey Park next week.

And, of course, we're already booked for Disney next year.

Yay!! Congratulations - good for you We have been camping (in various units - now MH) since '68 and love, love it. We have NO desire for motels including Disney Our next trip to Disney is Nov-Dec. plus our in between destinations. Happy Camping!!
By the way, pretty well told our age, but we are young at heart.