DD7 wants to camp - HELP!!! please???

[Dancemom03]

DD7 has begged us for years to camp. DH has health issues and has no problems telling the girls that he got all the camping he needed in the military and as a scout leader for years after with DD29 when he was younger.
I grew up camping, the can-do child of a divorced dad with ample visitation and few ideas of what to do with us besides travel so camping doesn't bother as long as you don't mind my piercing screams in the event of a too-close interaction with spider or snake.
DD18 camped with us as a small child while DS29 was in scouts but for the past 12 yrs or so, has been a hotel snob. She had the same desrie to camp though until the summer before last when she worked as a nature camp counselor and realized that there's no concierge lounge at the end of hall. I almost peed myself laughing when I picked her up one morning and she accused me of not telling her not to touch the sides of the tent in the rain. Seems they'd put their clothes in the corner and woke up to wet floor. I thought that was common sense - who'd have thought you'd need to actually be told??

So... The smallest princess "needs" to camp. DH won't do it, heck he won't even stay at All Stars, but I'm taking the girls down again this year for an extra 2 weeks before he gets there and thought we might take a day or two and camp at FW.

I have lots of questions and decided to beg mercy from the camping Gods of the dis in the form of suggestions. Please give me your opinions about camping at FW for just a night or two...

I'm not opposed to driving my van but at this point we're flying b/c we have unused SW credit. Do I really NEED much equipment if we don't cook? Would my van be worthwhile enough to justify gas from MD and the drive time?
Assuming we fly and rent a car, should I just pick up a cheap tent at walmart once we're there? Is it possible that there's a service that'll rent one? Even better, one that'll set it up for me?

How is FW for tent camping and do you think a day or two is worth the bother? Is it safe for a woman and two kids or should I invite DD18's BF and a friend or two along for security?
Obviously I'd like to do this on a budget but that's probably less important than giving DD7 a positive camping experience while she's still young enough to learn intuitively not to touch the sides of the tent in the rain plus develop happy memories and a love of camping even if we don't do it often.

I thought about booking a room at ASM (that we don't expect to sleep in for that night or two) and using the blankets/pillows ect which would save us from buying or hauling our own and provide the added benefit of an actual room for showers, storage and in the event of rain or spider attack.

 

[2goofycampers]

First, safety should not be an issue the Fort is the safest camping you will ever do.

The Fort will rent you a tent.

make your reservations ASAP they fill quickly, for a tent you will need loop 1500 or 2000.

 

[becky1960]

How about the Cabins, your DH would be in a nice A/C room with housekeeping daily and your DD would still be in a campground, the best of both worlds, Disney World's.

 

[auntie]

We are using Tina's 5th wheel in August she is a member of the forum, and rents out her RV...you might consider that also. Camping for your younger one..and luxury for the hubby! We are flying in from NY and looking forward to our stay in FW.
http://www.campatthefort.com/index.asp

there is also another member who rents out pop ups..and that would be a good option also.
http://www.greatoutdoorscamperrental.com./GreatOutdoorsCamperRental_camperrentalinfo.html

I'm sorry but I don't remember her name, but she does post here sometimes.

 

[Sinclare]

Another option if you really want to fly down is renting a tent. FW staff will put you up a tent, have it ready for when you arrive, then take it down when you leave.

All you would have to worry about is your clothes and stuff for the most part. I've seen the tents and they are kind of like those big army canvas tents. They look roomy and dry. Now they aren't cheap (I think it was an extra $49 a night last I checked on top of your normal campsite cost) but would be worth it if you just want to stay a 3 nights. I don't remember if they put a floor in or if it's a canvas floor so you might want to ask them that. IMHO, camping is well worth it if you have the option.

Now if you could drive down then you could do things like bring your bikes (kids love exploring the camp grounds and riding over to WL). So that would up the camping experience however you would need to buy/bring your own tent to off set the costs compared to free airline miles. Don't just buy a tent when you arrive though. It's best to get a decent tent, set it up at home, seal the seams, spray it down with water repellent, and let it sit through a decent rain if possible to check for leaks. You get rain every day so it's best to make sure you don't come home to a soggy bed after a night in the parks.

Also if you do drive you can get a blow up air mattress and that just makes the experience even better. Some of the double high's are more comfortable than most beds.

Hope this helps.