First camping at FW

Melwood23

I need another WDW trip!!
Joined
Aug 9, 2005
Messages
446
reposting this from Resorts.

I am thinking of doing a good old tent camping at FW for the first time, possibly in 2007.
Right now I am looking at possibly around the end of Oct thru the first part of Nov. Hopefully that gets past the hurricane/tropical storm season and good weather.
I tent camp regularly, just never in Florida.
Is there a thread set up just for FW?
Anyone go tent camping during this time of year and if so how was the weather?
Any one drive a long distance (from Ohio) to FW with a bicycle strapped to back of car? . I really like to take mine, but if I don't how are the bike rental prices, and if it is daily or can you rent for the duration.
 
We just got back from FW and there were quite a few tent campers around us. We have a 5th Wheel. Request a site close to the comfort station and you should be ok. Most of the tent campers left when Alberto came with the the rain but couple stayed and they seem to do ok.
We were in Loop 800 and it is wakling distance to Meadow Trading Post. If you are a expirenced tent camper you should enjoy FW. Also you might request a site with water and electricity
 
that was another question I had. Can you request certain sites?

I like that with Ohio State Parks, I can now reserve my site online. I just have to know ahead of time the good spots :teeth: .

I know I couldn't reserse an exact spot, but since I have never really been to FW, just by bus going to Hoop Dee Doo, so not sure what areas are more shady then others, are some sites reserved just for tents, etc. Is there some kind of site map that shows you each campsite as a reference?

I know..I know..details details, I just like being prepared before I get there. :woohoo:

I do have about 15 months to go.
 
Loop 1500 and 2000 are "designed" for tent campers. They have water and electricity only (no sewer) and are a bit less expensive than the full-hookup or preferred full-hookup sites.

They also are made a little differently that the full hookup sites. They have more "sand" area for tents and a shorter driveway, where the full hookup sites have a longer driveway and less sand area.

Loop 1500 has about 32-33 sites and is very centrally located in the campground. Easy biking distance to either end of the campground (where transportation is) and across the street from the Meadows Pools, recreation area, movie/campfire, and Trading Post. There is one comfort station for the Loop and since the loop is small, it is a short walk from any site to the comfort station. (Sites 1501 through 1507 are the closest, but are also close to the bus stop, so bus noise is heard). The only downside to Loop 1500 is that it is older and some of the "sand" pads are small even for tent sites. So if you have a large spread of tenting/awnings, then a couple of the sites may be too small or the grill, tree, or picnic table may get in the way (You can move the picnic table). (In my experience 1506 is useless as it is very narrow and has a tree in a bad spot). 1501, 1503, and 1517 all had plenty of room for about 20x30 worth of tents and awnings.

Loop 2000 has about 70 sites and is a bit more remote in the campground. This loop is designed specifically with tent campers in mind. The "sand" pads are very large with a "jut out" for the grill and picnic table. However, the loop is quite large. There are 2 comfort stations, and it is possible to be quite a distance from a comfort station. There are plenty of sidewalks leaving the loop and it's not a bad bike ride to get to either end of the campground (for transportation) or over to the Meadows complex for the trading post, campfire, or pool.

Now having said that about the partial hookup loops, tent campers can stay in "any" loop in Ft. Wilderness. There have been folks set up with tents right next to million dollar motor homes. The only restrictions are that your "stuff" has to fit on the sand pad and driveway, you can't spread out in the common area.

It's hard to tell you which site is best as far as size goes, except for folks giving personal recommendations on sites they have used. Every site is different in dimensions as Ft. Wilderness built the sites around the existing trees and landscape. Most every site has plenty of trees/foliage in between them providing plenty of privacy. However, the hurricanes have diminished some of that.

Here is a link to a Ft. Wilderness Map

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/ftwmap.jpg

Here is a website with lots of info about Ft. Wilderness

http://fly.hiwaay.net/~jlspence/faq_fw.htm

I hope I've been helpful.
 

We are from SW Michigan and drive down about once per year for 2 weeks at Ft. Wilderness. We started out with a tent and then moved up to a pop-up camper. We always try to get the 1500 loop ... a couple of times had to endure the 2000 loop for one night and then moved over to 1500. The 2000 loop is very large and very isolated, so it is a L-O-N-G walk to anywhere ... you almost always want to take the internal bus.

You can "request" a loop and they try to accomodate you. I have found that Florida residents like to tent camp on weekends and like the 1500 loop, so if you are arriving on a weekend and want the 1500 loop you may not get it. We have much better luck with getting on the 1500 loop if we arrive during the week or on a Sunday.

The 1500 loop is small and so all the sites are close to the comfort station. If things get real busy at prime shower time, you are just a short walk to the 1600 comfort station which is usually not busy because most people staying on that loop have bathrooms/showers in their set-up.

The 1500 loop is right across the road from the Meadowlands Recreation area (tennis courts, pool, arcade, bike barn, campfire, store). Additionally, you are only 1/2 mile from the Outpost and a 1/2 mile from the Settlement. Instead of waiting for a bus, we will almost always walk.

I would recommend taking your own bike if you plan to spend significant time at the campground. If you plan to be in the parks or by the pool most of the time, I wouldn't bother taking it.

I am always surprised by the number of people who feel they MUST have a golf cart ... unless you are physically impaired, why wouldn't you walk or use the bus? But then again, we try to keep costs down so we can visit more often. If money is not an issue, I guess it would be "fun" to have a golf cart -- but it is certainly not essential unless you have physical limitations. Same for the bike.

Anyway, have fun ... Ft Wilderness will spoil you for any other campground.
 
Bikes definitely improve your mobility at FW. I, too, don't really understand all the fascination with golf carts, but if that's how some want to spend their money at FW and they enjoy them, I don't have a problem with them as long as they obey the rules. Bike rental is by the hour and can be expensive, so I would recommend bringing your own bike if you can.
 
We have driven twice from Ontario with our bikes and we love it. One of the simple pleasures of FW riding everywhere. I also don't see the allure of a Golf Cart but many love them.
 
Thanks for all the good info.

Right now, if I am able to do the days I want, I figure I will get there either on a Wed or Thurs. Still need to fine tune that part.

Sounds like loop 1500 will be my first choice. Since I am a solo traveler, I only have a 3 person tent (if you happen to be 3 very thin people :rotfl: ). But it is fine for me, so don't need a huge site.

I want to bring my bike, because I just bought a new one this year, and really love it. I have ridden it more in the past several months, than I had my previous bike I had for 12yrs total :goodvibes .

This all is just in the beginning stages and I am getting excited!! :woohoo: :woohoo:
 
Melwood23 said:
reposting this from Resorts.

I am thinking of doing a good old tent camping at FW for the first time, possibly in 2007.
Right now I am looking at possibly around the end of Oct thru the first part of Nov. Hopefully that gets past the hurricane/tropical storm season and good weather.
I tent camp regularly, just never in Florida.
Is there a thread set up just for FW?
Anyone go tent camping during this time of year and if so how was the weather?
Any one drive a long distance (from Ohio) to FW with a bicycle strapped to back of car? . I really like to take mine, but if I don't how are the bike rental prices, and if it is daily or can you rent for the duration.

I absolutely love camping at FW!! Here's a really great link to the Spencer Family website about camping at FW Campground. They even have a map so you can see how each loop is set up. My favorite loops (I'm a tent camper) is Loop 100 Bay Tree Lake or Loop 200 Palmetto Path or Loop 800..Jack Rabbit Run. The Comfort Stations are close at hand and nice and clean.
 
Mariaºoº said:
I absolutely love camping at FW!! Here's a really great link to the Spencer Family website about camping at FW Campground. They even have a map so you can see how each loop is set up. My favorite loops (I'm a tent camper) is Loop 100 Bay Tree Lake or Loop 200 Palmetto Path or Loop 800..Jack Rabbit Run. The Comfort Stations are close at hand and nice and clean.

Oops...forgot the link...


http://home.hiwaay.net/~jlspence/faq_fw.htm
 





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