New Here - New to Tent Camping Too

[Kanda]

Hi everyone. We just booked our stay at Fort Wilderness for February '07. Can anyone tell me what the weather is like in February? I've read tons of posts, but none about February. We will be there 2/3 - 2/10. We are looking forward to our first extended camping trip. Any advice, tips, or recommendations are welcome. Also, is there a place where you can get a brief summary of what parks are open for extended hours, and on which days, etc? We are trying to plan on whether or not we need the "hopper" option on our park passes. The only thing we HAVE to do is have lunch or dinner with Winnie the Pooh. Thanks again and I've really enjoyed these boards.

 

[tinan]

All I can say is plan for all kinds of weather!!! When we were there in Feb. we had some days that we were in shorts, but most of them we were in pants with sweatshirts and some even included our winter coats. This was our first trip to Disney and it was a cold one. I think the kids used the pool maybe one day. I know there were several days that we woke up to frost on the ground and all the cast members kept joking about "how are you enjoying the beautiful sunshine Fla. weather".

 

[FlyingBelle]

We were there for a very chilly February, but the following week was fine

You can google weather in Orlando in February and you should be able to find what the weather was for your dates from the last 5 years - I did that when planning my outdoor wedding and it was right on the money!


Your thread name says you're new to tent camping - that mean this will be your first time?

 

[Kanda]

Thanks for the info. I'll definately google the Florida weather. We have tent camped a couple of weekends, but never 8 days. My husband does alot of camping and backpacking, he did a 7 day hike on the Appalachain Trail and would like to do the whole trail from Georgia to Maine. I'll stick with the campground camping for now. Since he's done such minimalist camping, it's hard for him to pack the "necessities" like air mattress, fans, cell phone charger. But he's coming around. I would love to be able to schedule our trip a little better, but can't really do that because they haven't posted the park hours for February yet. I think we'll be able to spend a day just hanging out at Fort Wilderness, riding our bikes etc. I would also like to get in a character meal for DS, anyone have any recommendations for that? Thanks for all the advice on this board, it's a great resource.

 

[FlyingBelle]

If you're not a die-hard adventurer, you'll love camping at Disneyworld. It's been quite a few years since we were at Ft Wilderness, but from what I remember - the bathrooms were always really clean and air conditioned.

If the weather is lousy - head on over to the Wilderness Lodge - the lobby is awesome and there are some little hideaways on the upper levels around the lobby (sofas, rocking chairs, etc).

 

[campingcorgi]

If you want a character meal with Pooh then the Crystal Palace is your place! We've had breakfast there several times--great food and fun!! I can't tell you about lunch or dinner there, though.

Here is a great site that has tons of info about Disney--

http://allearsnet.com/

You can learn all about the rest of the 'world' there and about FW here!

Have fun planning!!

 

[laceemouse]

Are you planning to cook a lot of your own food? Eat out mostly? Buy the meal plan???

 

[kimmikayb]

We were there Feb of this year and every day was different. Cool one day, warm the next. We only had one rainy day but unlike summer...it rained the entire day.

 

[Kanda]

I called WDW today to make reservations for my boss man's church (30 people) going the day after Christmas. I hear that is the busiest time of year, whereas the first week in Feb. (our week) is the non-busiest. Yeah for me! I asked the group lady about which character meal she would recommend for a little boy, she said O'hana's w/ Lilo and Stitch, or Chef Mickey's. I guess we also have a nightly campfire with Chip and Dale right?

I enjoy cooking at the campsite, so does DH. And since we'll have our car there, I hear it's not too hard to go to a nearby grocery store and pick up a few things. I think we'll do granola/cereal bars for breakfast, lunch in the park, dinner at the campsite, then back to whatever park for the night parade or fireworks. Does that sound like a good plan?

By the way, I checked the historical weather for the first week of February in Orlando, high - 77, low - 59, daily average 68. That doesn't sound too bad.

Anyone else camping anytime soon?

 

[clkelley]

Welcome to the camping forum and DisBoards!! I usually tent camp at WDW for at least a week every December. This year it will be two weeks!!

You will love it!!

If your hubby is used to minimalist camping, then don't forget to bring some shelters or screen houses in addition to the tents. You'll love being able to sit outside in your chairs under the shelters if it's raining.

You'll find Ft. Wilderness to be one of the nicest places you've ever camped. Yes, I would make a run to Wal-Mart or Publix to get the things you need for the campsite.

Also, if you can get one, I would recommend a mini-fridge instead of a cooler. The ice at Ft. Wilderness is expensive and isn't frozen very hard, so you'll be buying ice constantly.

What type of campsite did you book?? Full-hookup, preferred, or partial hookup.

The reason I ask is that the full-hookup and preferred have more driveway and less sand pad for motor homes and trailers. The partial hookup sites have more sand pad and less driveway to give tent campers and popup campers more room.

The partial hookup sites have electric and water. Everything you need as a tent camper. The comfort stations are great!! Super clean, and the laundry is right there at the comfort station.

 

[westjones]

When we tent camped at FW (years ago) we also took a screen house to put over the picnic table and that was nice to have.

We took a mini fridge and ran the electric cord into the tent. We also had air mattresses and sleeping bags in the tent and that was about it.

FW was our best tent camping experience ever! We bought a popup the year after that, but just today got rid of the popup, so if we camp again, it will be back to tents.....although DH and I think we are ready to move up to cabin camping now .

DJ

 

[Mo-Yo]

Just one thing to keep in mind when planning for meals.

Fort Wilderness does not allow campfires, so be sure to bring a crock pot and/or a propane stove.

 

[Kanda]

You guys are the best. I booked the partial hook-up, and we have a 10 x 20 walled canopy that we take, also have my crock pot on our packing list. We went camping this past weekend (a local lake camp ground) and so many people would stop by and say "I'm sorry you're HAVING to tent camp", or "when you get too miserable, just come over to our camper". That's the only thing I didn't like about the camping trip, how I was made to feel sub-par because I was tent camping. Anyone else experience this? I would just say "we chose to tent camp as a family activity" and left it at that. DH and I were discussing our trip and he thinks we should only go to the parks 3 days, and spend the rest of the time at the campground. Any advice on that? That seems like alot of "camping time" to me. Thanks again for everyone's input.

 

[mash]

I would highly recommend leaving at least two days (not in a row) for spending time at the campground. You'll find there is so much to do at the campground. We love just riding our bikes around, riding to the Wilderness Lodge, taking in the campfire program, etc, etc.

Also, although we are locals, we have found that when we spent two full days in a row at Disney we were exhausted. I would think that it would be a good idea to plan a "down day" here and there just to rest and catch up.

 

[finz2left]

Ignore the dorks who think using a tent is beneath them; they obvioulsy don't know how to have fun! I think people oftentimes have misconceptions about "tenting" and if they looked at the price of a Kelty Mantra 5, they'd quickly change their minds, LOL.

I understand that some people like to have all the amenities at their fingertips, but we enjoy a few days a year without feeling enslaved by them . And, when Katrina took out our power for 9 days, we had a party while our neighbors whined and moaned and b*tc*d.

Enjoy your tent.

 

[djblu883]

I have camped in both tent and RV's. at the park. You will be fine but I'd like to suggest since it will be winter and you may get rain...be sure you also include a tarp to keep your tent covered in case of a deluge of an all day rain...soggy bedding can be miserable and though they have dryers to use...after a long day in the parks the last thing you want to come back to is wet bedding to deal with. Air mattresses are great to keep your bedding dry from the ground side too!! Also be sure you pack a roll of quarters for emergency laundry and or ice runs. they are right in the price of ice at the fort is expensive!!! The mini fridge thing is a really good suggestion for a long stay.Disposable poncho are a must for every trip as you get a popup shower most any day you visit Fla.!!!Don't worry about what others think...enjoy your trip!!! Djblu883

 

[irishbosoxfan]

We just returned from tent camping at FW and we had a blast-There were 7 of us--2 adults and 5 kids

Tarps are needed as extra protection from rain and we brought a screen house to cover our picnic table-----One thing though that noone mentioned previously is that the campsites are on sand---beach sand--and it can be a pain especially when damp because it sticks to everything!!

The ice machines cost $2 and while it is a decent sized bag it isn't frozen solid and melts quickly (this may not be as much of a problem for you since you are going in February)

Also quarters for the laundry room are a must--we were not planning on doing any laundry while we were there but due to the humidity and the inability of anything being able to dry we found it was easier just to toss the damp items in the dryer to prevent mold or mildew

We loved camping at FW and plan on going again--It was so easy to get around and the people we ran into were great---I am sure you will enjoy yourself!!