Flying To Fw

[irishbosoxfan]

I have been getting snide remarks about flying to FW to camp and I know there are others here who have done it also.

So if you have flown to go camping please tell us here!!

Our plan is to fly down and as everyone knows when you fly you are allowed 2 checked bags not weighing over 50lbs each

Now there will be 7 of us so this gives us 14 bags to check

We have
1)3 bedroom tent w/ACBOOT attached which totals 53lbs so we will be taking out some of the legs and adding them to another bag

2)Window AC(not sure if this is allowed yet still waiting to hear if not we will send it down ahead of us) 48lbs

3)1 suitcase containing flashlights,water bottles and other assorted items

4)1 Army duffel bag that has 3 big sized sleeping bags all rolled up into it totaling 21lbs

5)1 suitcase w 3 queen sized aerobeds 33lbs

6)1 suitcase for the girls clothes

7)1 suitcase for the boys clothes

8)1 suitcase for adult clothes

So as we stand now we have 8 checked items and still have 6 more to fall back on but seeing as that everything is pretty well packed already I don't see us needing maybe 2 more if necessary

Plus if you've used an air conditioner while camping let us know!!

 

[gardendame]

I can't help you, but I know there are a few people here who have done it and will be more than happy to help you! (ckelly, for one!) I have always read their posts, intrigued at the possibility of doing this myself! Sounds quite adventurous!

Hope everything works out well for you. I look forward to reading a review of your trip when you return. Good luck!

 

[toytowner]

flying remarks mean no harm,doesn't matter how you get there just do it and enjoy. sounds to me like you got everything almost all set.

 

[clkelley]

I have flown and camped at Ft. Wilderness many times!!

It can be done, but it is a bit of work. If you are using Magical Express, try to use a "participating airline" so that you can check your stuff at Ft. Wilderness. Also, even though it's a bit risky, (as they have your roof and bed) allow Magical Express to move your stuff from the airport to Ft. Wilderness behind the scenes. Constantly finding luggage folks to move all that stuff is work and expensive.

Since you have so much more luggage allowance, I would bring a rain shelter for the entrance of the tent and maybe even a second one (screen house) for over the picnic table.

What about chairs. Bring some of those folding bag chairs in a big duffle.

Make sure you have a small set of toiletries for each person, so that you can shower at the same time.

Obviously a couple of power strips and your outdoor extension cord needs to be at least 40 feet.

You even have room for a mini-fridge or a cooler. (I would recommend the mini-fridge as ice is expensive at Ft. Wilderness).

If you are not renting a car, then go over to the Hess station across from Downtown Disney to get sodas and bottled water, and other beverages at real-world prices.

I hope I've been helpful!!

 

[clkelley]

Also, if you aren't renting a vehicle and will be using Magical Express, I would bring a small (maybe 8x8) dome tent for storage.

With seven of you and three queen size mattresses in your main tent, space will be at a premium.

(I use a 13x13 L-shaped three room tent all by myself!)

 

[kimmikayb]

Just a thought, as I haven't done this....if you don't already have the ac, you could buy it at wal mart in Orlando and then just ship it home. Saves shipping one way.

Here's a couple hints for camping....line your sleeping bags with sheets. That way if it is warm you can just sleep on top of your sleeping bag and cover with a sheet (I have to have something cover me even when it's warm). Collasable laundry baskets would be very handy to keep your dirty laundry in place. You're not eating in the tent area but you might have snacks around, so you'll need a container that can seal so the critters don't get into anything you'll have around. I didn't see anything about pillows? After long days at the park you'll want to sleep in comfort. Towels? Do you have those in your luggage? Depending on how long you'll be there and if you'll be doing laundry. I'd bring beach towls, use them for swimming and showers. Don't forget the washclothes. A clothes line would be helpful to help dry your towels.

You have plenty of room to pack....just make sure you have room to bring home!! Well, if you buy too much you can also ship your camping gear home!!

 

[irishbosoxfan]

LOL I knew I read about other people who fly to FW to camp---We went and bought a heavy duty outdoor extension cord for the AC,I'm not sure we will need power strips because the AC is the only electric--we have a travel alarm clock that runs on batteries
We also have travel pillows that deflate and they are in our misc.suitcase already--we do have 2 towels for each person already packed along with a pkg of facecloths
We have a screenhouse already and DH was saying we should bring it to set up outside the tents main door to have to take off shoes and to use an extension of the tent
We have the sleeping bags all set to go but I've been thinking about just bringing some blankets instead because they are lighter and in the heat I'm not sure our regular size sleeping bags would get much use---I already have a sheet(top +bottom)packed for each bed

keep the ideas coming and those who fly to camp even if not at WDW let me know!!

 

[clkelley]

We went and bought a heavy duty outdoor extension cord for the AC,I'm not sure we will need power strips because the AC is the only electric !!

What about cell phone chargers, the camera recharger?? Air mattress pumps??

Oh, since I go in December, I bring a small string of Christmas lights and put them on a timer so that when I walk back to the campsite at night, I have some light.

Plenty of cable ties for cord management, etc.

 

[clkelley]

I only use sheets and a blanket for my trips (electric blanket since it's in December). Also on the sheets, I sewed the top and bottom sheet together at the bottom for my air mattress as the top sheet would end up around my waist instead of over my legs and feet.

 

[clkelley]

Couple of other things. On your towels, actually the thinner the better. Thick towels will not totally dry hanging out in the humidity, have to put them in the dryer.

Also bring some cheap painters plastic to put under your groundcloth. That way you just throw that out at the end of your trip and keeps the sand off of your groundcloth and the bottom of your tent that you have to pack up back in your luggage.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

What about cell phone chargers, the camera recharger?? Air mattress pumps??

Oh, since I go in December, I bring a small string of Christmas lights and put them on a timer so that when I walk back to the campsite at night, I have some light.

Plenty of cable ties for cord management, etc.

I completely forgot about the cell phone and the Aerobed pumps!!--We have bought each of the kids a disposable camera for each day and I have a digital which I hate so I was thinking about getting some disposables for myself as well---The xmas lights are a great idea--I'll have to run that one by DH because we were just planning on bringing a flashlight to the park with us to use when we get off the bus near our site!

 

[proudmomof4]

Christmas lights are a great thing to have and nowadays you can get them any time of year and in many different patterns. We hang our lights around the screen tent and then when we are coming "home" in the dark we can see everything and the kids know exactly which site is ours.

 

[proudmomof4]

LOL I knew I read about other people who fly to FW to camp---We went and bought a heavy duty outdoor extension cord for the AC,I'm not sure we will need power strips because the AC is the only electric--we have a travel alarm clock that runs on batteries
We also have travel pillows that deflate and they are in our misc.suitcase already--we do have 2 towels for each person already packed along with a pkg of facecloths
We have a screenhouse already and DH was saying we should bring it to set up outside the tents main door to have to take off shoes and to use an extension of the tent
We have the sleeping bags all set to go but I've been thinking about just bringing some blankets instead because they are lighter and in the heat I'm not sure our regular size sleeping bags would get much use---I already have a sheet(top +bottom)packed for each bed

keep the ideas coming and those who fly to camp even if not at WDW let me know!!

In regard to the sleeping bags, I noticed you are coming in July and I agree, you probably won't use them much, it will be much too hot and humid and you will most likely find the sheets much more comfortable with a light blanket since you will have the window AC unit.

 

[dsneygirl]

We flew and camped in Oct and only brought a sheet and a light blanket, less bulky then a sleeping bag and it was too warm for one anyway. Also I second buying painters drop clothes at the dollar store than you can just throw them away.