Flying down to camp at the end of September?

[jellybean.89]

Hi,

I'm looking into a trip toward the end of September and have been contemplating flying down to camp at Fort Wilderness, mostly because the price is so good! We are thinking we'd order a tent on Amazon and ship it there so we don't have to worry about getting it past airport security. Has anyone done this, or anything similar?

I'm between doing this and just getting a room at All Stars--weather can be unpredictable and if we have to order a tent, fans, etc and bring/ship towels and pillows it might not be worth it. I love camping but it might be too much to try to do. Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[bama_ed]

It sounds like a pretty big effort, jellybean. I love camping at the Fort as much as the next person but it would be too much for me to undertake. Plus when you are ready to leave, what would you do with all that stuff? Arrange shipping back home? Would you rent a car or rely on Disney Express and WDW busses on property?

Also September is still a warm and wet month so the chance of rain and humidity is still high which would make camping an uncomfortable risk IMO. For the last full week of September the averages are 90/72 with 50% chance of daily rain. That's about the same as August. <Ugh>.

So I have to cast my vote for a room in a Value, honestly.

Bama Ed

PS - you can rent a tent (Disney sets it up and takes it down) on the site you reserve for about $35 a day and you can rent a cot to get off the ground for $5 a day per person. That simplifies a camping option somewhat but raises the cost but it is sort of a middle ground between your two options. You could travel with a towel, small pillow, and maybe buy a fan in Florida.

 

[2goofycampers]

Welcome jellybean.89. I have to totally agree with Ed. In that situation I'd go for a value resort.

 

[jellybean.89]

Thank you both! The more I think about it the more I think that's what I'll do. Thanks for your advice!!

 

[bama_ed]

However, having said that, come over for dinner at Trails End or to walk around and stay for the campfire singalong. It's a nice way to spend an evening.

Bama Ed

 

[peg110]

As many times as I read threads like these, you'd think there would be a good business model out there that could fill this need. Instead of Buying (and subsequently abandoning) a tent (or fan or towels or whatever) to ease the flying down, a good business could just rent all that stuff for virtually the same price (or even less) as buying it. It wouldn't take long to get your money back. You wouldn't necessarily even need to set it up or take it down, but you could for an additional cost. Much like the travel trailer rentals.

I am surprised there isn't more of these type of businesses. If I was retired and lived near there, I'd consider it.

 

[ms_flo]

As many times as I read threads like these, you'd think there would be a good business model out there that could fill this need. ... Much like the travel trailer rentals. ... If I was retired and lived near there, I'd consider it.

My thoughts exactly!! When I daydream about running away from home , I imagine opening a business that caters to FW tent & PUp campers!

 

[2goofycampers]

Since The Fort already rents tents I'd imagine they wouldn't allow this onsite.

 

[peg110]

The fort rents tents but from what I have read, it's more for "Groups", but I hear what you are saying. The "onsite" thing wouldn't necessarily be an issue if you are just "Renting" the equipment out to people who can come and pick it up (or you could drop it off to them). I am sure you could do something as a "Visitor"

Regardless, I wouldn't see it as a competitor for the Fort, rather an assistance to them. Many folks want to camp (even if it's only an issue of the cost of a site versus a resort), but don't want to drive or don't have the equipment or whatever the reason. Like @ms_flo said, when I daydream, I think about it. I have not even come close to considering ALL the details that would be required though. Still in daydream phase!