I have some questions about tent camping & flying

[douglisa]

We are coming by plane from Iowa. I have been obsessing over cost and trying to save as much of our hard earned as possible. We are considering renting a home I found for $500 a week. Then I had an idea of driving all the way to Fla w/ our gear but the cost of a minivan to haul our stuff and kids comfortably was CRAZY!!! Not to mention hearing are we there yet and how much longer would kill my husband. Does Disney have tents for rent? Camp stoves too? We could buy the rest of the stuff we need and still be paying less for our vacation. Does Disney allow you to mail your gear ahead of time? If so has any of you done this and how did it work for you? What was the cost? I need advice to make it as smooth as possible if we decide to tent. Thanks in advance, Lisa

 

[douglisa]

Also, how are bugs in January? Does it rain much that time of yr?

 

[becky1960]

First off we have never had any problems with many bugs at FW. Disney does rent tents. There have been many posts about tenting and flying on this forum and some people have shipped Items by UPS to be held at FW until they arrive and then ship back. Others have said they bring their tents and items with them by air two bags per person ( thats now changing to 1).
We drive from Texas and to me its still cheaper than flying as we bring a lot of stuff. We take off in the middle of the night and get a few hours peace(2 teenagers).

 

[douglisa]

For us to drive we figured it would be about $1,700 as we would have to rent a mini van to take our things. We only have small vehicles and w/ an 8 yr old and a 17 yr old it would be nice to have a bit more rm for them because the 8 yr old would pester the teen fierce. LOL We are also planning on renting a compact car while @ Disney so we can get around better, also after WDW we are planning on driving aprox $300 miles to see my folks in the keys. I suppose we could save lots more by not seeing them but that is out of the question as next yr will probably be the last yr they go. They have been talking about selling because they are getting too old to make the trek any more.

 

[douglisa]

Another thing I thought of, do they rent out fridges as the do @ other resorts?

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Hey...that IS a good question....does The Fort rent out fridges? The all Stars rent them for like $10 a day...why not the fort?? Does anyone know???

 

[Shannone1]

I haven't heard about FW renting out anything for tenters except the tent. You should look into renting an RV. Tina from this board rent's out her 5th wheel....she brings it out and sets it up and you won't need to bring anything other than your clothing and food. You still have to pay for your campsite, but you might break even buy the time you rent a tent and buy camping gear. I don't have her website link...but I'm sure someone else around here does.

 

[auntie]

We will be using "TinaH"'s 5th wheel in August and can't wait. It is a perfect solution for us. We have a travel trailer, but my husband doesn't want to tow to FW. The camper comes complete with all your linens and towels..(national chain's don't provide those)..cookware and the like. The only thing you need to bring is yourselves! They place the camper on site for you, and it's completely set up..all the sewer/water/cable connections. The awning and matt. It's a wonderful service that she provides. The camper is set up to accomodate a good sized family(as she has one herself!). There are several people on this board who will be using her camper in the coming months. Here is here web site and you can see for yourself, the floorplan, along with interior and exterior photos of her campers.
http://www.campatthefort.com/gallery.asp

 

[douglisa]

I looked @ Tinas 5th wheel. Don't get me wrong, it is very nice she does that and it is a beautiful rig. It's just not the better deal for us. We found a villa for $500 a week that has a pool and jacuzzi. Plus washer dryer and full kitchen w/ utensils. We are just trying to find the cheapest route possible w/out having to stay in a dive motel. LOL

 

[CaptKen]

You're going to be close to the $500 at FW for a week's stay even in the off season. May not be as fun but you're not sleeping on the ground or freezing during the night and sweating during the day at the Villa.

 

[TomM]

You might want to look into a Value Resort room. With a AAA discount and using Disney or driving your own car you could stay on Disney property fairly reasonably. Renting a tent or buying one could end up costing as much or more than staying at a Value Resort. Just a thought.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I just found this on another thread....

New,Large,Deluxe tent--just show up!!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

New family tents, with cots/bunk cots & mini fridge to rent. These tents are the high wall style, spacious, and high quality. Brand new...we will use them for camping in the park in Sept. We are speaking with another family about getting them set up in the Fort...they have a loonnnnngggg drive with 4 kids and don't want the hassle of making camp. We will set up, and break down for you . The price will be from $275--$375 weekly, depending on time of your reservation, and the size of your group.

The outfitter XL cots are HUGE.(40x85) They are as big as a twin air mattress. Two of my kids can sleep on one...and Hubby who is 6'4, 250ish lbs. is very comfortable...he says it's better than the beds in an RV. The bunk cots are sturdy and large also. (35x79) I (Momma) and even Gramma have slept in the bottom bunk.

So, what we offer is: camp tent set up, cots (to fit # of people) mini fridge, a lantern ,a few little welcoming items, and camp take down. The charge will be $275--$375 weekly depending on season and tent size.

We are a regular Disney clan, honest, christian families, a brother/sister with their husband/wife with a total of 10 kids. We would love to help make your vacation a good one. You can email me @ schreiber6@yahoo.com
Thanks Lori Sue

***We are looking into camping kitchen possiblity***stay tuned

 

[Shannone1]

I just found this on another thread....

You are the MAN !! Is this making you want to move down there and open up shop even more ??

 

[douglisa]

I think we will just go w/ the villa. Renting the tent as mentioned a few above along w/ the money to rent the space would be more than the villa. When I told my husband we could maybe save a few hundred he said that he does not want to risk being rained on. LOL He is not much of a camper, I really wanted to tent. Thank you all for your advice.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

You are the MAN !! Is this making you want to move down there and open up shop even more ??

Is it just me????? Or is everything pointing me in that direction?????

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Not read all the replies yet, I'm afraid, but I just wanted to offer a piece of advice. I've been looking into staying at the Fort for a while now, but haven't been able to yet. However, in my research, I've found that if you're staying more than a few days, it actually works out cheaper to buy a cheap tent from somewhere like Walmart and have it delivered to the Fort, than to rent one of theirs. I can't remember off the top of my head how many days you had to stay before this happens, but I guess it depends on the tent you get. You could then either chuck the tent, have it shipped home, or pass it on to another camper who has found they need more tentage. We could even look into setting up a 'tent swap' as other forums have done with fridges!

It's worth looking into, anyway!

 

[Wildflowers& Daisies]

I can understand you on pricing. When you are going to Disney...every bit counts.

This (tent renting) would probably be more cost effective as you get over your limit # wise to be allowed to stay in 1 room. If you have over 4/5, they do not allow you to stay in one room. You then get shifted over to the 'family suite' or you need to buy 2 ajoining rooms. This is WAY to much for a larger family to spend on rooms...and tenting is an alternative.

It might also be for those adventurers, or camping loving families that are already planning to stay at the Fort...and would just like to have some convience added to the mix. Or the flying families that can't bring it with them.

This would also allow you to stay on Disney site with the privledges. We did go back and forth with staying on site, and renting an actual home off site. Our love for camping ended right back at the Fort.

This is part of the Magic of Disney...choice, and happiness. Lori Sue

_______________________________________

Just got off the phone with the Fort...$30 tent rental nightly (4-6pers.tent) if you have more than
6 people in your party you need to rent a 2nd tent)
$ 5 cot rental (single size)

The person at the desk did not know the size of tent or style. Anyone know from experience?
For my family of 8 that would be --2 tents $60
8 cots $40---$100 a night---WOW

I am just putting my original offer out there as an option. I know when it says 6 person...you can maybe fit 4 people with all your luggage snuggly. The tent we use is HUGE. 12x12--with tall walls, not dome...you can walk around, stand up and it is set up/taken down for you...we also include the cots,bunk cots, a lantern...and a mini fridge.

**Thanks 'BigDaddy' for adding my orignal post to this thread...don't know how to add that to the messages.

 

[clkelley]

I haven't chimed in on this thread yet. I have flown and tent camped at WDW several times myself.

Here is a link to a thread with my lists of what I bring when doing so. I don't include cooking gear, but I don't cook at WDW. With more than one person, with a major airline carrier that still allows two checked luggage per person, you should be able to also bring cooking gear. Also, since you are renting a car when you get there anyway, you will be able to pick up propane and other stuff once you arrive. The only thing that may be difficult is a fridge. Also, just purchasing inexpensive stuff once you arrive and giving it away will be lots less than renting.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1662741