First RV Camping Trip

[doughcwjt]

My DH has always wanted to rent an RV, so this summer we are doing that and I have convinced him what better place to enjoy camping but at Disney World in Fort Wilderness! This will be our first camping trip, so we are looking for any tips and suggestions you my have for us. Such as, when you go to the parks do you leave the your chairs and things out?

We did rent a golf cart from Kenny at Tee Time based on recommendations on the DIS. We have been to Disney many times, so we will only being going to the park 2 days and look forward to relaxing at the Fort.

Thank you!!

 

[DaveInTN]

Sounds awesome! I think you will love it...but I caution you that by starting your RVing life at the Fort you will be spoiled for all other campgrounds. Seriously.

Now, to answer your question about leaving things outside the RV when you go to the parks, my short answer is Yes. But, you of course wouldn't want to leave anything of value out. Basically, the way I do it is if I have something that, if it disappeared, it would really put a damper on my vacation, I lock it up. But, chairs, outdoor carpets, lights, coolers and decorations stay put when we leave the campsite. I've never had anything disappear in all the years I've been camping. We even leave our bikes unlocked...but then again, our bikes are mostly pretty worthless. If a prankster ever walked off with one it wouldn't be the end of the world. If I had good ones I'd probably lock them up.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[freshlybarked]

After our first overnight shakedown cruise to a local campground our next trip was to FW and that was all she wrote. We have been other places and we loved the mountain views in TN and GA and the State Park in GA was beautiful and very clean. We liked some of the state parks we've been to in Florida, but there really wasn't much to do. At least compared to FW. Our mistake was going there first. It has everything. Well almost everything. If you could put some mountain views on one side I would think I died and went to camping heaven.

 

[Magicbus]

If you could put some mountain views on one side I would think I died and went to camping heaven.

Can you see Space Mountain from the Fort beach?
And there is Splash Mt, Thunder Mt., Expedition Everest. Plenty of mountains.
But I'm with you. I'm from NH and really, really miss the White Mts.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Sounds awesome! I think you will love it...but I caution you that by starting your RVing life at the Fort you will be spoiled for all other campgrounds. Seriously.

This is the truth!

Have a fantastic time!

 

[freshlybarked]

Can you see Space Mountain from the Fort beach?
And there is Splash Mt, Thunder Mt., Expedition Everest. Plenty of mountains.
But I'm with you. I'm from NH and really, really miss the White Mts.

I hadn't thought about those. I'm a mountain loving woman living in flat Florida. The best part about Florida to me is my close proximity to WDW.

 

[doughcwjt]

Thanks for the input! I am sure we will be spoiled by Ft. Wilderness...... I have read nothing but positive things about the Fort.

Is there anything that we need to bring that might help us out setting up our site?

Thanks again!

 

[des1954]

Thanks for the input! I am sure we will be spoiled by Ft. Wilderness...... I have read nothing but positive things about the Fort.

Is there anything that we need to bring that might help us out setting up our site?

Thanks again!

If you're camping in a tent, bring a fan. Bring plenty of extension cords & bring an E-Z-Up awning. The summers are brutal in Florida and you will definitely need fans. Oh yeah - plenty of towels & a clothesline to hang your green thongs from! (LOL)

 

[Magicbus]

My DH has always wanted to rent an RV, so this summer we are doing that and I have convinced him what better place to enjoy camping but at Disney World in Fort Wilderness!

You're correct about what better place to camp than the Fort.
Will you be renting the RV up there and bringing it down or renting in Florida?
And as Freshlybarked aptly said, you'll compare any future trips to other campgrounds to the Fort.

 

[5stljayhawks]

Keep in mind you are going to the best campground in the world on your first trip. The expectation will be high from here on out.

As for planning, get a spreadsheet and start working dates, magic hours and meal planning. Paper plates and plastic is a great time saver

 

[3girlsfun]

A table cloth for the picnic table, a fan for outside. Actually we have two fans. This is serious business for us. We put one on each side of the campsite, that way we aren't sitting outside sweating like crazy. Much more pleasant.

Paper and other throw away items. I hate washing dishes by hand, so, I try to wash the bare minimum. The only time I ever use throw away is when I am camping.

 

[doughcwjt]

Great advice! We really appreciate it. We are renting the RV at home in NJ and taking our time driving down so we can enjoy the RV and make some stops along the way.

The fan suggestion is great! My DH and 2 DS are always hot. And I am all about keeping it easy with no dishes to do while I am on vacation, so paper it is! What about lighting outside the RV? Do you use flashlights/lanterns at night? I do not think the RV we are renting has an outside light, could be wrong though, as this is all new to us!

We are headed down on August 7th, so I am sure it will plenty hot in FL, though after the heat waves we have been having here in the Northeast, it might actually seem cool in Florida........ ha ha good thought but unlikely...

I was just reading another thread about other RV parks and how they compare and it does sound like we will be "spoiled" by the Fort!! And that is okay by me....

Thanks again everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[DaveInTN]

What about lighting outside the RV? Do you use flashlights/lanterns at night? I do not think the RV we are renting has an outside light, could be wrong though, as this is all new to us!

If the rental RV has an awning (most do not) you can hang any string lights, like Christmas lights, from the awning with clothespins. If no awning, you can get rope lights and lay on the ground around the perimeter of the campsite. Both will give off a nice light. Make sure you bring an outdoor extension cord...all campsites at the Fort have regular outlets outside you can plug lights into if the RV does not have an outlet.