flying into orlando and camping at FW

[jennaughton]

Ok- this is the deal, we can fly standby because my DH is an airline employee so I figured why drive and pay for gas when we can fly free. Sooo we love to camp and stay at FW, I can fit the tent, sleeping bags, clothes etc in giant duffle bags that we check through as luggage. What extra's do you think I can check as baggage- cooler?, how about a fan and extension cord packed in my suitcase. We have a full hookup site because there were no partials available when we are going, so do we get a charcoal grill? Or is that just the cabins? I can probably pack some food too, but we are renting a car so I'll probably stop at the grocery store between the airport and fort wilderness. Has anyone ever done this or are we crazy? Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated! thanks

 

[Lisa P.]

I think it would be a lot of luggage through the airport, but since you love to camp, it would be worth it. Stop at WalMart or similar in FL and pick up a cheap styro cooler, when you go to buy groceries, foil, disposable plates, etc. If your stay will be pretty long, some people buy a cheap toaster and/or hot pot as well. Any of these can be left with other campers, donated to an area thrift store or discarded at the end of your trip if you don't want to bring them home.

A small fan & extension cord would be a good idea if you plan to visit during a warmer/hot time. You will get a charcoal grill, so bring cooking utensils if you plan to use it. Remember the flashlight w/fresh batteries. Consider a dining canopy just outside your tent, in case of rain. Do you have inflatable mattresses or compressible mats for under the sleeping bags? Remember that without your usual gear, you won't find the campsite as inviting to spend time there. But you'd still have a comfortable place to sleep in a great campground at Disney World! Have fun!

 

[clkelley]

My plan is to take two Rubbermaid bins and a cooler that will hold my camping gear and personal clothing and toiletries. I'll strap them shut and check them as luggage. I'll then get ice at Ft. Wilderness for my cooler.

I won't be renting a car, but then cooking myself won't be important either. My only beef will be that I'll have to pay WDW prices for the small propane bottles as I can't bring that on the plane.

FYI, my gear is as follows:

2 7x7 dome tents (one for sleeping, one for gear)
1 11x8 Dining Fly
1 folding chair
1 sleeping bag
2 self-inflating mattresses
blanket
pillow
sheet
2 plastic tarps 5x7
Lantern with extra globes
long matches (can't bring stick lighter on the plane)
flashlight
personal clothing
personal toiletries
small bucket for carrying toiletries to shower
water shoes or rubber sandals for going to showerhouse
clothesline
small hammer
extension chord
christmas lights
personal electric lantern for tent
towel
wascholth
small alarm clock
daypack for carrying change of clothes to shower house (I hate changing clothings laying down in the the tent)
Luggage size padlocks to lock tent zipper pulls shut

 

[jennaughton]

Ok, how do you secure the rubbermaids and cooler as checked luggage? Do you tape
them shut? or use bungi cords? I like the idea of bringing the cooler as I can bring some
supplies from home inside of it. Also can you buy the stick lighters at fort wilderness?
sorry for so many questions but we leave monday and I'm trying to pull everything together
now to pack up! jen

 

[clkelley]

Wal-Mart has some tie down straps in their camping section. Duct tape works well too. Also, most fabric stores sell the strap material and the plastic clips (like helmet straps). That way you could make them any length you want.

Hope this helps!

Have a Great Trip!

I'm sure the trading post has the stick lighters. I just plan on bringing a box of firplace matches.

 

[kwnancy]

I work at a campground here in Key West - what some of our fly-in tent campers do....UPS a BIG box to the campground office, 'hold for arriving campers, Jones, 6/15/01'. I'm sure FW would do the same thing.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Jenn, I thought about doing that but after I thought about all the stuff I would be taking I decided to drive. I always tend to think in terms of "What if". What if the airlines lost my stuff? I would be stranded down there with no tent or camping gear.

TC

 

[jennaughton]

inkbounc Tuffcookie, I would prefer to drive but with free flight benefits its hard to justify the cost of gas. I am not too worried about the airline losing our luggage as it's last on the plane. They can't put our luggage on the plane until they know we have a seat (we fly standby) and they double check the list of standby people and luggage. I'm optimistic, we leave tommorow and I'm actually more worried about getting the rain fly on the tent properly than anything else!