Convince me to give camping a try (horrors of childhood involved!)

[graygables]

DH and I had planned to stay at AKL from 13-20 Nov for my 40th bday. Plans fell apart and we had to add 8 & 6yo DDs. Plans are once again falling apart and I'm struggling with paying $250 or so for one night, when I could get 6 camping.

OK, that said, I grew up in a family of 5 (2 brothers) camping across Europe in a 15' trailer that had a full bed/dining table, king bed/dining table, small galley sink with pump, and chemical potty (this was an "upgrade" about 3 yrs into it!) We spent 13 months out of 6 1/2 years in this thing and I grew to hate it. The worst were the "restrooms" in Turkey (nightmare material!) DH has camped in the past and has taken DDs "camping" in the back yard in a small dome tent which they love to do.

We have a queen Aero and twin air mattresses, but would need to invest in some kind of multi-room tent. We are relatively simple people and I don't feel the need for a blow dryer, but I am a bit persnickety about climate control (cool off more than warm up) and I tend to be abducted by mosquitos, so I currently avoid the "great outdoors" as much as possible. I don't personally mind tromping to a "rest station" as long as they are Disneyfied, but I don't know how DDs will handle it (when ya gotta go, ya gotta go!) We wouldn't do much as far as using the ameneties, except maybe the pool on a few afternoons. I'm afraid it is my 40th birthday so it's my party and I'll see what I want to which does *not* involve much outside the parks!

So, will I go crazy or will I be converted back to a campin' way of life? I'd already told DH that my idea of camping from now on involved an RV that has AC, water I don't have to pump, and a full bathroom. Or...should I find stuff to sell on eBay to pay for my $1000 AKL bill? (BTW, DH is a bit of a resort "snob" and AKL is the only way for him to stay there...he thinks the rest are "over-priced motels" )

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rhonda]

Hi!

I think you'll have a great time, if you invest in a multi-room tent, and use your air mattresses. Also, I would suggest buying a screen tent to set up over the picnic table area - it keeps the rain and bugs out, and provides a nice place to keep your "stuff" (coolers, crockpot, coffee pot, etc)

When you make your reservations, request a site close to a Comfort Station to make restroom trips easier. You won't be disappointed with the comfort stations - Disney keeps them sparkly clean!

Your DDs will LOVE Fort Wilderness! You can take them to the campfire program, on the pony rides, sit on the beach and watch the EWP, and browse through the Trading Posts. The Trail's End Buffet is very good (serving all 3 meals) and it gives you an excuse to not have to cook at your campsite!

In November you shouldn't have to worry about it being too hot, and you might actually want to bring an extra blanket, in case the nights are cool. Oh yeah - that brings up another tip. Don't mess with sleeping bags. They are more trouble than they're worth, IMHO. We just put sheets and blankets on our air mattresses, just as if they were real beds. Much more comfortable and we sleep better without being tangled up in a sleeping bag!

 

[parmtoo]

FW is different then most campgrounds. It has the cleanest comfort stations I have ever seen.

I also grew up camping, and didn't really think I wanted to do again. I remember tent camping one Oct. in NJ............it started snowing!

We bought our first camper in 1998. We've been camping every since and wouldn't dream of doing it another way. It's so affordable to go to WDW in the camper. We can now take more trips to WDW, and other places then we could if we had to pay for a hotel each trip. Also the savings on food is unbelieveable.
Good luck in your trip planning!

 

[PenskeSth1]

I agree with other posters, Give FW a chance, you and your children will love it. FW is beautiful and peaceful and there is so much to do. The other resorts are wonderful don't get me wrong. But FW is just as nice and SOOO much cheaper.

We lived in an RV for 13 years before we moved into our first house(DH travels for business). I still have the love of camping and cannot wait for our camping trips every year.

 

[clkelley]

Beware of Tent Sizes!!

When looking for your tent, take the number of people they sleep with a grain of salt!!

Take the number it says and divide by at least half!!!

Myself and my boys each have 10x10 dome tents that say they sleep 4, but that would have to be 4 sardines with no gear!!!

By the time I put an air mattress, a small stool, fan, and lamp in my tent, that's about it!!! I don't put my gear in my tent either, it stays in bins in the truck.

Carol

 

[jnke1]

Give the camping another chance. I agree about making sure the tent is the right size for the amount of people going. I have a family of five that goes every year and we bought the Two Room tent for walmart for about 120. It has worked out great for us. Also the screened tent for your eating area..I really hate bugs..for some reason I can get bit by a mosq. (when I dont have lotion on) and it the site will swell up about the size of a dime and stay there for days so that REALLY is the best thing you can do and it works! Also, pick up one or two of the cintrella candles to put on the picnic table. That seems to help alot also.

As for bug spray..I have used alot of different kinds especially with the kids and there is one that I will ALWAYS stick by as neither my kids or I have ever been bitten while using it.. The name of it is REPEL LEMON EUCALYPTUS insect repellent lotion. Walmart carries it for under three dollars and it lasts a long time. The downfall is it has a LONG lasting lemony smell lol.

 

[bunny66]

I LOVE TO GO CAMPING!!! GIVE IT A TRY IN THIS MAGICAL SETTING. IT WILL BE SOMETHING YOUR GIRLS WILL NEVER FORGET. MY TWO GIRLFRIENDS AND I, COMBINED WITH OUR EIGHT KIDS AGES 15-4 GO CAMPING EVERY YEAR. WE HAVE AN ABSOLUTE BLAST!!!! THE KEY IS COMFORT CAMPING. WE TAKE CROCK POTS, MICROWAVE, TV WITH VHS, FANS, ANYTHING THAT WILL MAKE US MORE COMFORTABLE. THIS IS OUR FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW AND WE LEAVE NEXT WEEEK. ALL OF THE KIDS GET SO EXCITED. THIS YEAR WE EVEN MADE TIE-DYED T-SHIRTS FOR CAMP YAYA AS WE LIKE TO CALL IT. MAYBE ONE YEAR WE SHOULD COME TO FW. I WILL BE AT WDW FOR OUR FIRST FAMILY TRIP IN AUGUST AND I REALLY WANT TO SEE THIS RESORT!!! TRY IT YOU'LL NOT BE SORRY!!!

 

[Memph1s]

WE ARE GOING TO WDW FOR OUR FIRST FAMILY TRIP IN AUGUST AND I REALLY WANT TO SEE THIS RESORT!!!

bunny66

Be sure you do check out FW while you are at WDW. It will give an all new meaning to "comfort camping." You will also love that FW is full of bunnies. We had a couple on our site last week that made themselves right at home.