nervous about camping!

[Deb123]

There seems to be NO availibility at any resorts in a couple of weeks. My only option is the campgrounds at Ft Wilderness. My question is how safe is this campsite for a mom traveling with her 2 boys, staying in a tent? And can you hook a fan up to an extension cord?

 

[rer1972]

I would feel safe having my wife and children camp there on there own. I've done it on my own several times, and never felt it was unsafe. I recommend going through the Camping at Disney World forum on Disboards so you can get as much info as you can before you proceed.

You can plug in more than a fan. I've taken a fan, phone charger, portable dvd player (with headphones so I don't bother neighbors), christmas lights and a timer (for when you get back late at night), and much more.

There are always several families around you, and it's pretty easy to make friends with everyone so they can keep an eye out for you and the kids.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Hello and welcome to the Disboards:

Before jumping into camping, I think you should check about availability again. If you are saying that there is no availability at other WDW resorts in two weeks from now, you are getting bad information from somewhere. I have been looking at some dates around August 20, and almost every single resort has availability.

As for camping, if you have never camped before, August in Florida may not be the best time to start.

But, if you really must . . .

Fort Wilderness is as safe as any other WDW resort.

Even for a mom with two boys.

In a tent.

And yes, you can hook up a fan or anything else that you might want to hook up to an extension cord. All of the sites have electric. And water. And even cable TV. But, I am not sure a fan will do the trick in August.

TCD

 

[Deb123]

we already have ressies at a resort from Aug 21 thry Aug 25. The problem is the week before. Me and the boys were going down 3 days earlier from the 18th thru 21st. There isn't any availability whatsoever anywhere except the campsite. Are their places already cleared out for you to put a tent?

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Like TCD said,it's as safe as any resort Disney has.
Gonna be hot,,but I believe your boys will really enjoy the camping,

 

[Cindy F]

There seems to be NO availibility at any resorts in a couple of weeks. My only option is the campgrounds at Ft Wilderness. My question is how safe is this campsite for a mom traveling with her 2 boys, staying in a tent? And can you hook a fan up to an extension cord?

The first time we took the girls out in the popup, we were really nervous about it as well. We kept a "back up" hotel reservation- just in case we got too freaked out and wanted to leave. We laugh about that now!
You could always keep a reservation at some inexpensive hotel off site for that first night "just in case"

Having said all that, we didn't need the back up hotel reservation- we were fine and actually loved it! Fort Wilderness is very safe, clean, friendly, with many activities. It is the only campground I would tent camp in and feel safe.
I would take a big power strip and a window unit A/C if I were you--we're having some pretty brutal temps down this way.

I think you'll love it. You could always keep calling, people cancel in that 5 day window all the time. Is staying off site out of the question?

 

[Cindy F]

we already have ressies at a resort from Aug 21 thry Aug 25. The problem is the week before. Me and the boys were going down 3 days earlier from the 18th thru 21st. There isn't any availability whatsoever anywhere except the campsite. Are their places already cleared out for you to put a tent?

Yes, you can even rent a tent from Fort Wilderness and they will set it up for you before you arrive

ETA: I would call the morning of the 17th to see if anyone had canceled their reservations.

 

[rer1972]

we already have ressies at a resort from Aug 21 thry Aug 25. The problem is the week before. Me and the boys were going down 3 days earlier from the 18th thru 21st. There isn't any availability whatsoever anywhere except the campsite. Are their places already cleared out for you to put a tent?

Yup, cast members clean out the site after a guest checks out. Here is a general description of the campsites:

There are 788 conventional campsites at FW located in 20 loops (100 through 2000). Most sites are fairly secluded from one another by a generous growth of brush and trees between sites. All campsites are back-ins and are a combination of paved driveway, which range in length from 25 to 60 feet, and sandy pad. Each site is approximately 25 feet wide and comes with a picnic table and charcoal grill. All sites have electricity (20/30/50 amps) and city water. There are 695 full hookup sites that also provide sewer. The 90 partial hookup sites, primarily used by tent campers and those with tent trailers, are located on loops 1500 and 2000. There are 15 comfort stations strategically located through the campground. Many loops have their own comfort station; however, some of the smaller loops share a single, centrally located station. The comfort stations are all air conditioned and include private showers, restrooms, laundry rooms, pay and house phones, and ice machines ($2 per 7 lb. bag). They are open 24 hours a day, with the exception of the laundry. The comfort station doors have card key security locks that are activated from midnight to 6 a.m. The comfort stations are clean and are cleaned at least once a day.

Re: Transportation
Three internal buses run - Purple, Orange and Yellow -- between the Outpost Depot near the resort's entrance to the Settlement Depot, near the resort's marina. Guests use these buses to travel to points within the resort. Buses announce each stop through the sound system as well as on the LED sign. The complimentary transportation is available one hour prior to Disney Theme Park opening time up to 3 hours after Disney Theme Park closing time. Additionally, buses operate until 3:00 a.m. from the Downtown Disney Area. Certain areas of Walt Disney World Resort are also connected by well-lit, paved, low-grade walking paths. The Purple route travels between the two main depots through the Wilderness Cabins loops. The Orange route travels straight through the middle of the resort along the Fort Wilderness Trail, past campsites, the Meadow Trading Post, and also runs through the cabin area, (if you are staying at the cabins, and want to get to Meadow Trading Post, take an Orange Settlement). The Yellow route passes the 300, and 1400-1900 campsite loops, on the eastern side of the resort.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

we already have ressies at a resort from Aug 21 thry Aug 25. The problem is the week before. Me and the boys were going down 3 days earlier from the 18th thru 21st. There isn't any availability whatsoever anywhere except the campsite. Are their places already cleared out for you to put a tent?

Let me start with an apology.

I thought that you had to be mistaken about there being no availability from the 18th to the 21st.

But, I just checked myself on-line.

There is something fishy here.

From Disney.

They must be up to some kind of shenanigans.

And, I'll bet it's related to free dining.

If you want to see what the campsites look like, check out this thread:

Photos of tent camping

The tent sites are clear and level.

Do you know for sure that you reserved a tent site?

There are four different kinds of sites at the Fort.

TCD

 

[rer1972]

Here is a really good old post about tent camping at Ft. Wilderness...
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1662741

 

[5stljayhawks]

I would feel safe letting my wife and kids go by themselves. The access into the campground is more controlled than probably the hotels and the location is remote(not on a main drive or by a park entrance.)

With that said, you may also investigate renting a pop camper for a few day for your stay. I would recommend it has AC and a bathroom - although the later is really optional. The "comfort stations" AKA FW bathrooms, rock. They really do and I would guess they are nicer than most house bathrooms. Clean and hand painted tiled walls with granite showers.... I would suggest you ask to be placed close to a comfort station for easy access and minimal walk if your pop-up does not have a bathroom.

If you are going to the MK it is as easy a boat ride from the FW marina, and for the other parks, people either drive or take Disney transport which can be fun it it's own way.

 

[Deb123]

no appologies needed! I know it sounds crazy that out of all the rooms at Disney, there are NONE available!! We are AP holders and go several times a year. Have never camped at Disney before, though! Me and my 2 boys (16, 8) were wanting to come down 3 nights early and then Hubby would join us at our resort on the 21st. He only wants me to stay "on property" Though, I must say he is nervous about us sleeping in a tent without him. My 16 yr old is no small boy, though! We have stayed in value, moderate and even deluxe resorts, and I must say we aren't in the room that much at all. I am the type though once I drive the 6 hrs to Disney and park, I don't like to get back in the van, so I would be using Ft Wilderness's bus system. I figured we would do QS so I could keep packing to a minimum. What are some of the MUST HAVE's that I need?

 

[Tri-circle-D]

no appologies needed! I know it sounds crazy that out of all the rooms at Disney, there are NONE available!! We are AP holders and go several times a year. Have never camped at Disney before, though! Me and my 2 boys (16, 8) were wanting to come down 3 nights early and then Hubby would join us at our resort on the 21st. He only wants me to stay "on property" Though, I must say he is nervous about us sleeping in a tent without him. My 16 yr old is no small boy, though! We have stayed in value, moderate and even deluxe resorts, and I must say we aren't in the room that much at all. I am the type though once I drive the 6 hrs to Disney and park, I don't like to get back in the van, so I would be using Ft Wilderness's bus system. I figured we would do QS so I could keep packing to a minimum. What are some of the MUST HAVE's that I need?

I still say that there's some kind of glitch in the WDW system that is showing no availability, and that you will be able to get a resort ressie.

But, just in case, here's a thread that has an exhaustive discussion about what to bring when you camp at WDW: Disney Camping Packing List

TCD

 

[jenscourt]

I camp by myself at Fort Wilderness all the time. Fort Wilderness is the only campground that I would do this at...it is completely safe.

 

[SandrA9810]

I discovered the Fort after the resort prices shot up one year. And well I've been camping ever since. We started it when we were about 20-21, just two girls and a dog. It's so much fun, and you might find yourself enjoying your time at the Fort rather than the parks.

And you can pretty much hook up whatever you want to on the electrical post. If they can provide enough power to those huge mini mc mansions of an RV that people bring, it's more than enough to power whatever you bring for a tent.

Although I would look into staying a little longer at the fort. I get so proud of my setup abilities, that I hate tearing it all down so soon. And at the Fort you've got a lot more room than a hotel room, because it's just all open. The boys can ride bikes, skateboards, or scooters around the loop. And there's usually a couple of basket ball hoops around.

Comfort stations are top notch. There's a thread just a little ways down about it. And that way all of you can get ready at the same time, rather than waiting for each person to finish out of the shower.

It'll be a really nice roughen it experience for your boys. Hopefully you'll enjoy it too. Just maybe you'll never go to another resort again. There's a bunch of people on here that solely stay at the Fort and think you were out of your mind for suggesting to stay at a regular resort.

 

[arielmomma]

While I have not yet gone camping alone with my 2 children (3 & 6) I would and plan to in the future. FW is the nicest and probably the safest campground I've ever been to.

As for the camping in August, it will be hot. The nights should be fine with just fans (we were fine in July this way), but do not plan on going to the tent during the day. It will be a furnace! I know that you said that you don't usually do this anyway, so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[IndianaPrincess]

I'm trying to get ressies on the 18th-20th as well. I just can't believe that all the resorts are booked like this, esp since a lot of kids have started school by then. I may end up in a tent along side you guys!

 

[Deb123]

I have called so many times, and every cast member tell me the same thing, that there will be no openings. That we are lucky to get the campsite. We already have ressies for the 21st thru 25th at ASSports. The thing is, is that the boys are waaaaaay more excited about camping at Disney than any other resort! At least there is water and electric and you can do the dining plan, so u r not totally "roughing it"

 

[IndianaPrincess]

I have called so many times, and every cast member tell me the same thing, that there will be no openings. That we are lucky to get the campsite. We already have ressies for the 21st thru 25th at ASSports. The thing is, is that the boys are waaaaaay more excited about camping at Disney than any other resort! At least there is water and electric and you can do the dining plan, so u r not totally "roughing it"

I was able to snag the 18th and 19th at All Star Movies on expedia tonight! I know it's not all three days you need, but maybe you are interested!

 

[Deb123]

That is so good to hear!!! I'm gonna try, keep ur fingers crossed for me!