Just a quick note to those considering tent camping in summer

[jdrum3]

My family and I just returned, DW, DS6, and DD3 from a great Disney trip. However, we had planned on tent camping for 3 days at the Fort. We brought a fan, but to say the heat was oppressive is an understatement. We were in the 1500 loop and it was downright dangerous for our younguns. Those who are recommending some kind of air conditioning unit are not kidding and I feel it's about the only way. Our DS6 was bitten by yellow flies, once during setup, once inside screen house, so we wound up moving to POP for remainder of our stay. We were pretty bummed about not getting all amenities of Fort, but it was a great trip and staff was amazingly accommodating. I know there are those who do it, are doing it as I speak, but if you are considering it, just be careful and do not underestimate the FL heat.
Sincerely,
Jamie Smith

 

[LONE-STAR]

The only time you sleep in a tent in Florida with out A/C is in the winter and some winters it may still be to warm. Sorry your trip did not go as you had hoped. We gave up tents years ago.

 

[novdisneydreams]

That is good to note - I just learned about a/c in tents and I know that there are lots of people who use it, especially in the south. Obviously in summer in Florida its the only way - but I am sure that there are lots of people who just think "summer" and don't realize that summer in Orlando = sauna 24/7. I'm glad that your trip turned out to be fun anyway and hope that your little ones are OK

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Light weights.

 

[auntie]

Light weights.

Yeah, really. When I left the Fort..I went to the Poly.


JK...sorry OP that you're trip didn't go as planned. I'm sure everyone was much more comfortable though. I can't imagine the heat, no a/c and the yellow flies.

 

[YodaGirl]

As I've mentioned a couple of times before, DH's first stint at FW was when we tent camped the week of July 4, 2004. HOT, HOT, HOT! We did have a REALLY good fan that will cool off any insulated room rather well, but it didn't touch the heat. While we are avid ky tent campers, I think that we were just under prepared for FL tent camping (I'd always been in a mh, pup, or tt.).

All that being said...

It may just be the rose-colored glasses, but 6 years later, I have to say that it was a wonderful trip. We have wonderful memories that I wouldn't trade for anything.

 

[twinklebug]

Back in the OLD days we didn't have AC units on our RVs. We just melted. It was preferable to have slide windows but the lever versions would keep out the rain while staying open. One bene of having a cheaper RV. I won't get into what tent camper camping was like, but OP, I feel for you. You made the right move.

First trip camping in FL with the "deluxe" RV my dad took it over to Camper's World before checking in at the fort and it was outfitted with a modern marvel called an AC unit. Ahhh bliss...

Now days I just stick to my DVC and visit the Fort AC and room to roam.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Just to clear things up, fans will only move air around, they won't cool it down. If the air is hot, the fan will blow hot air around.

 

[auntie]

just like what goes on around here ....



(i've been told I'm full of hot air)

 

[ntsammy5]

Light weights.

I never bothered with a tent in Vietnam. It was just something else to carry. The heat there was palpable and I got bitten by a lot more than a yellow fly! But that's a story for another time....

 

[ntsammy5]

(i've been told I'm full of hot air)

No Phyllis, we said you were full of something, but it wasn't hot air. You still have incredible tags by the way!

 

[homebrew2]

No Phyllis, we said you were full of something, but it wasn't hot air. You still have incredible tags by the way!

Smooth talker!!!

 

[auntie]

I never bothered with a tent in Vietnam. It was just something else to carry. The heat there was palpable and I got bitten by a lot more than a yellow fly! But that's a story for another time....

Al, While I appreciate your service to our country...
This is a family forum, you really shouldn't be talking about your yellow fly. Probably best to keep that story to yourself..ssst:they have medication for that now)

 

[2goofycampers]

Al, While I appreciate your service to our country...
This is a family forum, you really shouldn't be talking about your yellow fly. Probably best to keep that story to yourself..ssst:they have medication for that now)

 

[AuburnJen92]

Al, While I appreciate your service to our country...
This is a family forum, you really shouldn't be talking about your yellow fly. Probably best to keep that story to yourself..ssst:they have medication for that now)

pretty soon he'll be talkin bout his green thongs along with his yellow flies...

 

[starbuc71]

I've been in FL for 20 years now. Originally from upsate NY and camped with my family every summer. Our truck camper back in the 70"s had no A/C but in NY you didn't need it. Having loved camping all my life, if it were not for A/C in the trailer I would have to say I would have to give up my favorite hobby....or move back up north which unfortunatley can't happen

 

[jdrum3]

We did have an amazing trip and I hope others will read this post. That is a good comment about fans moving "hot air" around and not cooling you off. On another note, you could just set up your tent, bring sauna rocks, pour on the water and have your own Ft. Wilderness Spa Treatment

 

[phalynx]

I recall camping in a popup in the 80's. It didn't have a/c. The trick was to take a cool shower just before bed and run a fan. It worked well as we all survived many time over.

Although it is true that fans don't cool the air, they DO increase evaporation from your skin which DOES cool you. Even in 99% humidity (typical FL night), a fan will cool you more than no fan.

 

[ambertides]

Yep, grew up in FL without a/c half the time. My favorite thing to do on hot nights as a kid was to completely drench a towel, wrap up in it, put my big box fan on a chair and sleep right in front of it in my water bed with all the sheets pulled off. Water+fan = lifesaver.

 

[ntsammy5]

pretty soon he'll be talkin bout his green thongs along with his yellow flies...

Well, since you brought it up.....

BTW, no one has mentioned beer yet so I will correct that omission. BEER!