Just back from tent camping in April, 2000 loop and… Dec. 1500 loop

WeDisney4

Mouseketeer
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Mar 30, 2008
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Okay not just back from the Dec. trip but I owe you all a trip report. :rolleyes:

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/didn’t 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!! :thumbsup2

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 :scared1: & while we were watching fireworks in front of the castle during MVMCP DH searched for hotels as we couldn’t 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 we’d just get a room. No need, our little tent & the electric blankets did the job (we also slept w/ our hats on) and we’d 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 60’s 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 didn’t 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 we’ve been to Disney at least once a year (love with the whole family experience) since she was just 6 mos. old. I’m a stay at home mom & we’ve only been able to do this because we live just 10 hours from the Mouse & we’ve 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 don’t get me wrong who wouldn’t 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 wasn’t in the budget for us.

Flash forward I don’t think we’ll 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, children’s activities, biking all around, fishing and making new friends!! :wizard:

I’d love to help any other newbies, please don’t hesitate to ask and if I can I’ll try my best to answer any of your questions/concerns. :flower3:

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!! :yay:
 
We may have seen you! We left on the 23rd and were in site 2012. Personally, we like the 2000 loop. Of course that's also the only loop we've stayed on (3 trips).
And your report reminded me of something we overheard on our first night. We were on the bus headed to the Settlement for dinner and a mother and her daughter were on it. I'm not sure if they were from another resort and going for dinner or were staying in the cabins but the mother said to the daughter: "Can you imagine going to the parks all day and then coming back and sleeping in a TENT! (horrified voice)" My family just looked at each other and smiled because, yes we could imagine that because that's what we were doing.
 
:welcome: to the camping boards.

So glad to see another family has been converted, camping with your family will make wonderful memories.
 

I enjoy'd your report, :thumbsup2 and WELCOME to the boards !

Isn't it just the most awesome thing when you expect a, "not so sure we should have done this experience", and end up with hav'n such a magical time that yer addicted with one taste, :thumbsup2:thumbsup2

It is sooo wonderful that ya'll had a great time. And your correct, SOOO much to do at the Fort. We go to the Fort sometimes and don't even do the parks.

See there, now you know there are some nice fish to be caught at the Fort,,if ya'll havn't fish'd yet, you'll need to put that down on your to-do list, :thumbsup2:thumbsup2
 
Thanks for the TR. Always glad when The Fort "hooks" another camper. Best place in the "world".
 
Thanks for posting the trip reports. I love reading TRs.

However, I do have to take issue with your DH and from one guy to another ask him to put on his MAN PANTS about sleeping in a cold tent. So you tell me he knew that had the electric blanket to look forward to and still wimpered like a baby? Your DDs get my respect :worship: but him? :lmao:

We too prefer 1500 but were in 2000 this last time and it was good. So I think either will do. Now all you have to do is plan a return visit to the Fort. :surfweb:

Bama ED
 
We were also at the Fort in April (4th-8th). As always the stay was excellent. We go every six months and most of the time don't visit the parks, but just sit back and look and listen to the nature around us. It's amazing the wildlife around there (turkey, deer, armadillo, birds, ducks, and squirrels) and this time we saw a new "resident"; a rosette spoonbill! It looked like it escaped from Animal Kingdom!
We have stayed in the 2000 and 1500 loops, but our favorite is 1500. When we are on the 1500 loop we really enjoy walking South along the canal to the golf coarse area then cross over to the other side of the canal and walk all the way to Bay Lake. There are so many deer in the morning and evening times you lose track! But no matter where we stay our favorite thing is taking the walk path connecting to Wilderness Lodge. Nothing but beauty, especially during a clear star filled night's sky.
There is nothing like Fort Wilderness and I will forever be a fan.
 
I can't wait to hear more!!!
We're planning on going in a tent for 10 nights next May and now DH is starting to question this plan. He's not sure he can make it that many nights in a tent without his own bathroom :rotfl: so I'm really excited to hear all about your trip!
 
Thank you for your post. My husband , DD14 and myself will be tent camping at Fort Wilderness on June 9-18. We are so excited. I know it is going to be hot, but we have a protable AC that we are going to use. We have stayed at the Fort many times but never in a tent. We had a travel trailer and a pop up. This time we have an Polaris 12-18 person tent. We will not be roughing it. Besides the AC we have a mini fridge/freezer, micro wave, 2 Queen air beds. I am glad to hear that both the 1500 and 2000 loops are both good. I requested the 1500, but I know that the request are not guarenteed. But, you don't get if you don't ask. Thanks for all the info. It just makes me more excited.:yay:
 
Hi All, Just wanted to say we have been camping at the fort for many years. :goodvibesWe have stayed on quite a few loops. Truthfully we have been thrilled with them all:).We have stayed on the premium sites all the time but this December we are going to be on a regular site (like everyone else trying to save some money) and we are looking forward to it:santa:
 
Hi All, Just wanted to say we have been camping at the fort for many years. :goodvibesWe have stayed on quite a few loops. Truthfully we have been thrilled with them all:).We have stayed on the premium sites all the time but this December we are going to be on a regular site (like everyone else trying to save some money) and we are looking forward to it:santa: By the way does anyone have instructions for making the Mickey Lamp?:confused3
 





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