need help making tenting work

[mistee]

HELP!!!! I honestly know nothing about camping. Hubby has been but having trouble talking him into going to WDW,, said he isn't a big fan took him 2 years ago and he had a blast,,lol,, now he isn't a big fan .. O well don't need him to go

how do I make staying in a tent fun for 3 kids ages 1, 4 and 11? I don't have a lot of funds right now which is why we are opting for the tents. I also figure most of the time will be spent in the parks or pool.

We are going to try to go sometime in OCT! Any money saving tips while there would also be a huge help. I hope to find ways to cut costs to make the trip look more appealing to hubby!

 

[FlaFortCampster]

Oct. is an excellent time to tent camp. It can still be warm during the day, but it tends to cool down at night making sleeping in a tent rather pleasant. Prices for sites on AAA are about $35 right now, that's a deal.
If you are on a budget, plan most meals at the site, hot dogs, beans, burgers, eggs, etc. standard camping fare. Don't forget the marshmellows. Once you pay for your site, there is a ton a free things to do at the Fort. The pool is at the top of the list. Riding bikes or walking around the Fort is a blast checking out all the Halloween deco. Of course night time is the best decoration viewing, so if you can't afford a golf cart to loop, scope out the loops you want to see during the day, then catch the bus to that loop or loops at night.
You can head down to Bay Lake and although no swimming, the kids would love to build sand castles, feed birds, play ball while mom and dad partake of a cold drink. Great place to pack a picnic lunch. There are several playgrounds in the Fort or kids are able to use their imagination around the site and come up with their own games, building forts, making mickey heads out of pine cones, gathering wood for a marshmellow fire in the grill, etc.
The boat ride from the marina to WL or the Contemp is fun. Then you can checkout those resorts. Riding the monorail is free.......etc. As you can see, there's a ton to do that does cost a thing once your in the Fort. Hopefully, you will be able to take the little ones over to MK for the Halloween party.
Also, read many of the posts hear for additional ideas. Good luck and have an awesome time.

 

[pjhootch]

Tent camping with a baby and a toddler is a challenge, but can be fun if you don't stress too much and don't mind some chaos (and sticky toddlers). When you start your packing, take a rubbermaid tote with toys for the young ones. They should be "new" toys, not the regular things they play with every day. Since you're trying to keep the budget down you can even resort to vanishing a toy here and there between now and your trip, so when you arrive they have toys they haven't seen for a while. Also... the really cheap outdoor stuff is great fun at a campsite. Squirt guns, bubbles, play doh... did I mention sticky little ones?

Pack lots of diapers and baby wipes. If you're going to tent camp... practice with the kids in your back yard first (or someplace really close to home if you don't have a back yard). There is nothing worse than having a little one that can't settle down in the tent at night because everything is new and exciting (been there in case you can't tell). Teach them the "no food or shoes in the tent" rule from the very first time you set it up.

Aside from the toys, pick up a cheap clothes drying rack the type that folds flat, from walmart or the like. We even dragged our playpen around with us since we had twins, and there was no way to keep an eye on both of them at 1 or 2, while we set up the tent and unpacked. This way we didn't wind up with escapees and we didn't ruin our 11 year old's trip by making her constantly run herd on a couple of loose babies.

A decent little first aid kit is a must, as is small amounts of your essential kid meds (benadryl, baby aspirin, cough medicine... whatever your routine is for a kid that spikes a fever or starts sniffling).

Clothes go in duffle bags so they squish easily, and unless you have a huge SUV or minivan, you might want to look for a cartop carrier at a garage sale. Two coolers, one with food, the other with drinks, and a rubbermade container with non-perishable food. We managed to carry everything I've mentioned and three kids (two in car seats) in our Toyota Camry and camp for a week at a time. It isn't as overwhelming as it sounds, but making a list and packing wisely is half the battle.

 

[WeCampDisney]

mistee, the 2 previous posts are very very good! You need to print them, learn the details of each post. Priceless tips. You might want to bring a small tv for a little wind down time just before bed, if your kids are used to tv watching before bed at home. Check out the sticky at the top of this board for the packing list.