hello from a first time fort-goer

[missthatgator]

Hi all,

I've been doing a lot of lurking in this thread and just wanted to finally say hi, and share my excitement about our upcoming trip to the Fort

We'll be bringing our tent down the last week of May, currently trying to psych myself up for the heat and humidity. Also trying to whittle down our gear list to fit on the plane. We were originally going to drive down but decided to fly in order to get a few more park days and a few less travel days. Shouldn't be too bad, we do a lot of backcountry camping and most of our stuff is fairly lightweight, just means we wont be bringing down the extra "luxury" items I had originally planned on.

Is it worth trying to fit our big, heavy screen house in our luggage? not sure how much rain protection it would provide, really more of a bug shelter...

Anyway, very excited for our first Disney camping experience. I can already see this becoming a tradition

 

[tigger92662]

I was a lurker as well, glad I finally joined, AND WELCOME TO THE FORT!!!!! Doesn't work for everyone, but maybe look into shipping some stuff ahead of time? Have a label ready for return shipping and I'm sure the CMs can help you out with that if ya call ahead. Just a thought

 

[bama_ed]

missthatgator,

honestly, I don't think you need much bug protection in May. It's warm during the day and mild at night so tenting should be pleasant. There may be a mosquito here and there but if it were me I wouldn't bring it. Maybe just a can of OFF though as insurance.

And welcome to the Camping Board.

Bama Ed

 

[missthatgator]

Thanks, both of you, for the advice I think we'll leave it. Hoping not to have to ship anything if we can avoid it. Southwest still allows 2 free checked bags so that will definitely help.

 

[Teamubr]

missgator,

Welcome to the camping forum. If you are avid campers, you will LOVE the Fort.

2 things. I think you will like the weather in May. Days can be hot, but the humidity hasn't ramped up yet. Not like late June, July, August. Evenings cool off nicely and the nights are usually pretty good sleeping weather.

As for the screen house, many people that have flown in have shipped their camping gear down early. I'm not sure of costs, but I know it has to be cheaper than paying the air lines. There is an address posted here somewhere. You put you name, reservation # and arrival dates on it and the Fort holds it for you. Others have said they bought awnings at WalMart after they arrived and just left them when they are done. Cheaper/easier than shipping, apparently. I'm not sure how the Fort feels about cleaning up after them, but it's been posted on here before.

j

 

[Chickp]

I would ship it down. We are camping in April and I have camped too many times in the rain to not have a shelter where you can just hang out rather than laying down in your tent. The weather should be nice in May, but it's florida, which means that it will rain at some point.

 

[2goofycampers]

There is always the awning to sit under.

 

[missthatgator]

I'm relieved to hear the temperatures cool off at night for sleeping, I've only been to Florida in the fall and winter months prior to this and was preparing for the worst lol.

@Chickp Really not sure how much rain protection we'd get from the screen house, but I definitely agree with you about having somewhere aside from the tent to get out of the rain. I'll have to think on this a bit more, might be worth it if I can hang a tarp for added rain coverage...