Never camped in my life- trying it now help!

[kikiV]

My husband, 2 kids and I have never camped a day in our life. Last year we stayed at Wilderness Lodge and visited the Fort. My son wanted to know why we never fish or camp?! Frankly, none of us no how. This July/Aug we are going to DW again and staying at Beach club. We arrive one day early so I thought it would be fun to camp for the night. We rented a tent with 4 cots. My questions are-

Does the Fort provide Blankets, sheets and pillows?
Will it be roasting hot in the tent at the end of July?
If you rent fishing poles, does anyone show you how to use them?
Bugs???

Any advice for a newbie on anything we should bring or tips to get throught my short 24 hours would be greatly appreciated.

 

[proudmomof4]

Yes it will be hot and humid in July, definitely bring a fan and an extension cord to plug it in. You will need to supply your own pillows, sheets, blankets, towels, etc.

I don't think 24 hours will be long enough for your family to determine whether or not they will like camping though.

As for fishing, I do not know, but I am sure Frank can answer that.

 

[djblu883]

camping for one night you won't need much but it will be HOT HOT HOT at night! the fan/cord is a must have!!!! you won't need a blanket but will need pillows and sheets atleast!!!! you will need a cooler for cold drinks and quarters for ice!!!!!! sorry I can't answer your fishing question.....i can do that at home so I've never tried there! Your son is going to adore being in the tent...Oh and bugs are a problem in the south but not too terribly bad at Disney...but you can and will encounter them as well as other wild life from time to time. I've seen deer, bunnies, racoons, birds and lizards....snakes are a possibility but again I've not seen them but have read about them in and out of the resorts/parks....just like at any southern area!!! I camp alone often in my TT all over the south for work ! you will find campers friendly and helpful! Welcome to Camping at the Fort!!!!

 

[gillenkl]

Does the Fort provide Blankets, sheets and pillows?
NO - you must bring all your own supplies

Will it be roasting hot in the tent at the end of July?
YES, you will be sweating to death - you couldn't pay me enough to tent in July but many do and enjoy it

Bugs???
YES, mosquitoes have been our worst pest at the Fort

You'll probably need some type of cooler with drinks - assume you won't be preparing meals for just one night? Do you plan on showering while there - if so, you need those supplies as well. I don't know much about tenting but don't you need to something to put on the ground in the tent so you aren't walking on sand, etc....

 

[Trigal]

Bring sheets and pillows, fan and shower supplies. Disney does not provide those. The tents that Disney sets up are a large cabin type tent that has windows so you should be able to zip down and have screens. The tents also have a floor. The comfort stations are the best and are air conditioned so in the summer even when hot at least you can shower in comfort.

It will be hot but it's summer so it's no hotter than anywhere else around the country what makes the difference is the humidity. The key for us is to stay hydrated and drinking loads of sodas is not the answer - WATER is what keeps you hydrated.

Bugs - yes we have bugs year round but Disney is pretty good at keeping them controlled but that said you should bring bug spray because Disney's bug guys can't kill them all - "It's tough to be bug."

If you aren't interested in cooking while you are camping there is always the Trails End or you can walk the trails over to the Wilderness Lodge. The Meadows Pool also has a nice walk up for lunch and the pool is a blast although it gets crowded in the summer.

Fishing - can't answer that question I don't see the attraction seems like a guy thing.

 

[2goofycampers]

When you rent a pole there is no instruction as a rule. I'm sure someone could give you some quick pointers. Bring hot dogs or worms for bait.

Maybe someday you can stay at the cabins and get the full Fort experience.

 

[kikiV]

Does anyone know how long of an extension cord for the fan? I am going to have to pack one. Also, I guess I didn't realize until it hit me yesterday to ask about pillows and sheets. We are flying down and staying in the tent only 1 night. I don't know if I will have room in our suitcase for all that. I will buy a fan when we get there. Does anyone have any alternate suggestions the bedding? Can you rent them from Disney since they furnish the cabins with them? Gosh. I hope I don't need to cancel my tent.

 

[Trigal]

Twin bed sheets will be all you need and an airline pillow. But there is no need to go all out on the bedding. Get some cheap sheets at the same time you pick up your fan. 25 foot extension cord should be enough. Relax its one night and if you don't want to worry about a pillow just roll up a sweatshirt or beach towel and use as your pillow.

 

[Tigger1966]

I hope you and your family have a wonderful experience but it will be hot. Just my openion you night want to start off smaller by going to a local campground with a friend or borrowing some camping equipment and going as a family for the weekend before the heat sets in. With this being the first time if it turns out bad it may be the last time. Then you would be disheartened with the wonderful world of camping not to mention the Fort.

Just my openion

 

[auntie]

Sounds like too much work for one night, and it won't really give you an indication of whether it's for you or not. Especially given the the time of year you're going.
I'd rent an RV or Pop up for a night or two. (There are a few people in this forum who offer these services) They come complete with with everything you need as far as bedding and the like. Just bring your luggage. It's set up and put on site for you. This way you could actually enjoy the campground amenities and the activities offered in FW.

 

[martymarty]

honestly, I think your setting your self up for failure, getting a bad taste in your mouth about camping, and thats not fair to camping, or your kids.

Flying in to go tent camping in July/Aug in Florida for one day..............

I have camped all styles from back pack camping to cross country motorcycle, wekeend tents, pop ups, TT, and now an RV soooo

Let me try to break this down.

Flying in for tent camping is not a norm, BUT completly doable, many have done it. When camping you need supplies, as far back as 1812 and the gold rush to califonia, people bropught their supplies, its really no different now. For those that have flown in and camped, many ship their supplies, but for one day camp? seems a bit of a waste

Tent camping, I love it and still do it, even though we have an RV now, my son and I will still bust out the tent. BUT you are tent camping, in JULY/AUG (hottest part of the year). Many will still do this as do I BUT you need the right tent. In my opinion, the Disney tents are NOT a good choice for the summer, they do not ventilate as well as a good summer tent will (screen top) honestly in those tents, even with a fan, you will be H O T HOT! remember, you are goping during the HOTTEST part of the year!

You will need SOMETHING to keep your drinks in and keep them cool, so you will either need to buy a cooler or take one with you on the plane (not really an option) Granted you may not be cooking for one day and can just go to the TE for every meal, but you are going to want as well you NEED to drink throughout the day, you need something to keep your drinks in.

In my opinion, one day camping at the fort is not a fair shake for you, for your kids, for the fort, and for camping in general. I have a feeling you will never camp again, and thats sad

My advice,

first, do a google search, "tent camping for the begginer" and "tent camping check list" there is tons of info

AFTER you have read a good amount of info for tent camping for the begginer and if you are still interested, go down to your local outdoors store (not sure where you live but if you can get to a bass pro or camping world that would be the best) and talk to the people in the camping area, the tent and such. I dont know how much the tent rentals are at disney (Im sure not cheap being disney) but you can buy an inexpensive tent that will hold the 4 of you.

IF you STILL want to try camping, after talking to the people at any of the stores my advice would be

make a camping check list
get the minimal gear for now (maybe even barrow a tent, heck if your close to me I have everything you need)
do a back yard dry run.......no really set up the tent, set up you beds, everything, as though you were camping (this makes a big differance when setting up for the first time at camp)
do a weekend trip close to home (test run)

here is a cheesy video, but its got good info, watch till the end
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPZN4XUWaPM

but most of all...............HAVE FUN

I promise, do this before you do a "one nighter first timer in a tent in july in florida trip", and you will be hooked on camping!!


just my 2 cents

 

[North7]

As others have mentioned, this is a huge amount of effort for 1 night. I also agree with Marty that there is a good chance this scenario is setting you up to despise "camping".

Have you considered renting a cabin for 1 night? You wouldn't need to bring anything other than what you have packed for your stay at the Beach Club. It will also maximize your time to explore the Fort and particularly look at the setups of other tent campers and see what you like and dislike before you start having your own camping experiences.

Just my .02 It would be a shame to have a negative experience before you were really able to have a proper camping trip.

 

[skyp4WDW]

Rent a Cabin for one night; it comes equiped with everything you'll need. It's the easiest way to get a good first look at Ft. Wilderness. (And it's the cheapest time of year for Cabins - Value season.) Then you can just enjoy Ft Wilderness, fish, play, explore, and observe other peoples' tent setups so you can really decide if it's doable for your family or not. If you decide to try it; give yourself a timeframe close to a week, if you want to tent camp. There's alot of work involved in the setting up and taking down your campsite...way too much for just one night.

 

[martymarty]

heck, blow off the resort you have reserved, rent a 5th wheel camper and stay at the fort the entire time!!!

there are a few services that will have the camper at your site set up and ready when you arrive!! and will come get it when you leave

this is a 5th wheel rental camper at the fort that has been delivered and set up by a rental campany

 

[AuntBJ]

Rent a Cabin for one night; it comes equiped with everything you'll need. It's the easiest way to get a good first look at Ft. Wilderness. (And it's the cheapest time of year for Cabins - Value season.) Then you can just enjoy Ft Wilderness, fish, play, explore, and observe other peoples' tent setups so you can really decide if it's doable for your family or not. If you decide to try it; give yourself a timeframe close to a week, if you want to tent camp. There's alot of work involved in the setting up and taking down your campsite...way too much for just one night.

This would be my suggestion also. You still have the grill outside and a deck to sit on. I would probably also rent a golf cart for the day and just check out the fort. Stop and talk to people. Campers love to talk about camping as you can see from this board. If you were going at any other time of year you might want to try it for one night in a tent but not in the hottest part of Summer. I camp and would still bring an A/C before trying to tent camp in July or August at WDW.

If you get to stay at the Fort, make sure you check out the sing-a-long and marshmallow roast.

 

[cam&phoebsmom]

I don't want you to give up on camping (we tent camp and love it!) but there is no way I would ever tent camp for one night and have to fly in my supplies. We camp for at least 2 nights when we go and the back of our Traverse is filled with stuff (we bring our own air mattresses and tents but really there is a lot of "stuff" we bring to make things more comfortable.)

I know you want to tent and it is probably super fun at FW, but not for one night for folks who have never camped before. I agree with the PP that you are setting yourself up (and the kids) to not like camping without really giving it a try.

If you still think you are going to camp for the one night I highly suggest that you do some trial uns at campgrounds close to your home, or even in your backyard a few nights. That will let you decide what you feel are must haves vs. what you can leave behind.

 

[Running_Bell]

We love, love, love camping and we do prefer tent camping. However, one of the most time consuming things is set up. You said you were renting a tent.... are you renting from FW? We camped with some friends for a week... they rented the tent from FW and the tent was setup for them when they checked in. It was one of the large canvas tents... and the airflow for them was horrible. They did complain about that.

If you were setting up your own gear and all... I would not do for one night. We usually arrive in Orlando around midnight and stay at Pop Century... then head over to FW the next day.... setup does take a few hours. We love FW.... once you get there, you won't want to leave.

 

[WalkingintheFog]

OP, I agree with all the other posters:
1 night, minimal gear won't likely give you the relaxing & fun experience that camping really is.

The suggestions about renting a cabin/trailer/camper set up for that one night or for the entire visit are great suggestions!



Can I ask how much it costs to rent a tent from the Fort?

 

[2goofycampers]

Tents are $30 per night, cots are $4 per night. From allears.

 

[2goofycampers]

FYI, rental companies usually have at least a 3 night minimum.