WeDisney4
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2008
- Messages
- 300
Okay not just back from the Dec. trip but I owe you all a trip report. 
Background ~ we (our family of 4, DH, myself & 2 DDs ages 7 &9) had only camped once before our Dec. trip & that was just 2 nights very near our home, with mild temps. For us it was the perfect start, we practiced with our tent, got an idea of what we wanted to bring/didnt need and found our love of camping!!
Equipment ~ we have an Eddie Bauer Dome tent (says sleeps 6) that I picked up at Target on clearance for $70 on a whim 3+ years before we actually used it. We fill it (picture Bounce House) with 2 Intex queen air mattresses and everyone sleeps great!!
Dec. we head to FW for 3 nights, with temperatures predicted into the 40s. The best piece of advice I learned from the boards was bring a timer so lights would be on when we return to camp at night. We went with rope lights and 1 of those stakes with 3 outlets, worked really well & we just keep adding to it. Temperatures actually got went to low 30s
& while we were watching fireworks in front of the castle during MVMCP DH searched for hotels as we couldnt fathom the thought of going back to our tent. DDs were appalled -- we were camping! So we headed back with the notion if it was unbearable wed just get a room. No need, our little tent & the electric blankets did the job (we also slept w/ our hats on) and wed actually do it again!!
Dec. we were assigned in the 1500 loop & Loved it, most esp. being able to walk to the campfire.
Last week (April 22-26) we head back to the Fort for warm weather camping. For this trip we left our elec. blankets at home & added 2 Coleman tent fans. I think around $20 each from Amazon with mixed reviews although it seemed those with a small area to cool & realistic expectations were very pleased with them. So we ordered 2 (1 for above each mattress) and we too were very happy with them; kept the air circulating just enough to keep the tent comfortable. This trip I bought King sized sheets (fit the Queen blow-ups just perfect) & we opened our sleeping bags just for a cover. Not sure exactly where the temps. went to at night, somewhere in the 60s range & actually 2 of the nights I turned the fan off over the girls & zipped our window shut as it was chilly.
Easter we were assigned in the 2000 loop & a little disappointed. The first night by the time we set up camp & grabbed some groceries we really didnt have time to explore so hopped the bus for the campfire, now even more disappointed when we found out we also had to change busses before getting there. However, this trip we brought out bikes & the next morning found the path to the campfire, so for us the 2000 loop was no trouble at all, & actually loved biking to the pool & movies, although never actually make it all the way over to Wilderness Lodge, next time for sure!!
My summary ~ Since our oldest DD was born weve been to Disney at least once a year (love with the whole family experience) since she was just 6 mos. old. Im a stay at home mom & weve only been able to do this because we live just 10 hours from the Mouse & weve mostly stayed at the Budgets. We were truly a family that happily choose All Star Movies; nothing like walking out & coming home to those larger than life characters! However dont get me wrong who wouldnt like staying at a Mod, Dlx or even DVC (we did get to experience OKW a few times) but most of the time it just wasnt in the budget for us.
Flash forward I dont think well stay anywhere but the Fort. We love Champaign on a beer budget and for us, nothing beats the unbelievable 5* resort amenities: the Campfire & movies, being able to boat it over to MK, or another of my favorites if we choose the bus we are not the farthest bus in the line but now 1 of the 1st, beachfront fireworks, boat parades, childrens activities, biking all around, fishing and making new friends!!
Id love to help any other newbies, please dont hesitate to ask and if I can Ill try my best to answer any of your questions/concerns.
P.S. Frank, I thought of you as we were doing an Easter craft with the girls, when across from us a Father & son pulled up a Huge fish on their line!!

Background ~ we (our family of 4, DH, myself & 2 DDs ages 7 &9) had only camped once before our Dec. trip & that was just 2 nights very near our home, with mild temps. For us it was the perfect start, we practiced with our tent, got an idea of what we wanted to bring/didnt need and found our love of camping!!
Equipment ~ we have an Eddie Bauer Dome tent (says sleeps 6) that I picked up at Target on clearance for $70 on a whim 3+ years before we actually used it. We fill it (picture Bounce House) with 2 Intex queen air mattresses and everyone sleeps great!!

Dec. we head to FW for 3 nights, with temperatures predicted into the 40s. The best piece of advice I learned from the boards was bring a timer so lights would be on when we return to camp at night. We went with rope lights and 1 of those stakes with 3 outlets, worked really well & we just keep adding to it. Temperatures actually got went to low 30s

Dec. we were assigned in the 1500 loop & Loved it, most esp. being able to walk to the campfire.
Last week (April 22-26) we head back to the Fort for warm weather camping. For this trip we left our elec. blankets at home & added 2 Coleman tent fans. I think around $20 each from Amazon with mixed reviews although it seemed those with a small area to cool & realistic expectations were very pleased with them. So we ordered 2 (1 for above each mattress) and we too were very happy with them; kept the air circulating just enough to keep the tent comfortable. This trip I bought King sized sheets (fit the Queen blow-ups just perfect) & we opened our sleeping bags just for a cover. Not sure exactly where the temps. went to at night, somewhere in the 60s range & actually 2 of the nights I turned the fan off over the girls & zipped our window shut as it was chilly.
Easter we were assigned in the 2000 loop & a little disappointed. The first night by the time we set up camp & grabbed some groceries we really didnt have time to explore so hopped the bus for the campfire, now even more disappointed when we found out we also had to change busses before getting there. However, this trip we brought out bikes & the next morning found the path to the campfire, so for us the 2000 loop was no trouble at all, & actually loved biking to the pool & movies, although never actually make it all the way over to Wilderness Lodge, next time for sure!!
My summary ~ Since our oldest DD was born weve been to Disney at least once a year (love with the whole family experience) since she was just 6 mos. old. Im a stay at home mom & weve only been able to do this because we live just 10 hours from the Mouse & weve mostly stayed at the Budgets. We were truly a family that happily choose All Star Movies; nothing like walking out & coming home to those larger than life characters! However dont get me wrong who wouldnt like staying at a Mod, Dlx or even DVC (we did get to experience OKW a few times) but most of the time it just wasnt in the budget for us.
Flash forward I dont think well stay anywhere but the Fort. We love Champaign on a beer budget and for us, nothing beats the unbelievable 5* resort amenities: the Campfire & movies, being able to boat it over to MK, or another of my favorites if we choose the bus we are not the farthest bus in the line but now 1 of the 1st, beachfront fireworks, boat parades, childrens activities, biking all around, fishing and making new friends!!

Id love to help any other newbies, please dont hesitate to ask and if I can Ill try my best to answer any of your questions/concerns.

P.S. Frank, I thought of you as we were doing an Easter craft with the girls, when across from us a Father & son pulled up a Huge fish on their line!!
