New to WDW Camping, Need Help!

[OneLittleSpark]

Hi guys. I've been looking into the possibility of camping for the (hopefully) upcoming trip with my mother, for a number of reason (budget being a biggy). We're both hardened Guide (Girl Scout) leaders, so camping is no new thing to us, but we're rather more accustomed to doing it in British weather. I'm not sure yet whether we'll camp it or not, but I was wondering if you guys could answer some questions for me to help make my mind up, please?

Firstly, does anyone know anything about FW's rental tents? We have access to plenty of good tents, but it might be easier not to have to cart them all the way across The Pond. Are they lightweight modern fabrics, or canvas? Are they in good nick? How much do they cost? How big are they (height and floor space)? Any other comments / impressions would be gratefully received.

Secondly, how is camping in September, weather wise? Will we boil / get drenched? Is there anything special we might need to pack (bearing in mind we're going to have to fly across, and if we're not renting would have a tent to cope with).

Thirdly, what are the bathroom facilities like? I've read that the showers get fairly busy in the mornings; how busy is busy (considering we're heading over in a quieter time), and are other bathroom facilities (sinks, WCs) easier to get access to?

Fourthly, has anyone tried it in a wheelchair? I know that one may be a bit of an issue. I'm using a chair for distances at the moment, but can hobble a bit, so don't necessarily need accessible WCs. I'm more concerned about the firmness of the ground, ease of getting to and from the plot, and to facilities.

I'll probably think of a hundred more questions I want to ask, but they're not on the top of my head at the moment. Thanks in advance everyone, this is a bit of a new thing for me (not something I thought I'd be saying about WDW!) and any help would be most appreciated!

 

[shawnandjeff]

Hi there! I can't offer you many answers but I have to say that we just got back from our first trip to FW and we have a pop-up and I have to say that the "comfort station" that was near us was almost always empty! I'm not sure it was because we were in a preferred loop and most of the folks there had very large bus type rv's so maybe they didn't use the bathrooms all the time? I never had to wait when I went to shower or use the bathroom. I'm sure some other folks will give you answers to your other questions too!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Thanks shawnandjeff, the availability of bathrooms was one of the things that might swing my decision. If anyone else has any ideas / opinions / information / answers I'd be most grateful.

 

[CottontailCurl]

Hey there Spark, now I'll have Imaaaaagination on my mind all day!
Firstly, does anyone know anything about FW's rental tents?
We had to rent one for one of our trips and the one they set up for us was industrial strength and grade. Very thick and heavy canvas (but like I said, they set it up so that's not a problem).

Secondly, how is camping in September, weather wise? Will we boil / get drenched? Is there anything special we might need to pack (bearing in mind we're going to have to fly across, and if we're not renting would have a tent to cope with).
September is part of hurricane season so there's a chance you might be in the outer bands of rain and winds or other cane weather. I don't think rain would get through those rental tents (but never say never, right?)
Thirdly, what are the bathroom facilities like? I've read that the showers get fairly busy in the mornings; how busy is busy (considering we're heading over in a quieter time), and are other bathroom facilities (sinks, WCs) easier to get access to?
I don't think you'll have much of a wait in September (unless you're there on the weekend of Night of Joy, many groups use the campground that weekend and it is pretty packed. The groups are mostly teens and I seem to recall they were up and getting ready later than we were). During the week it might seem like you've got the campground to yourself. There's a wall with sinks, a long mirror and electrical outlets. Another wall across as a long mirror and more outlets. Around the corner is another mirror. So plenty of space to get ready make-up and blow dryer wise if you need it. Each comfort station has an accessible stall. You should bring something to cover the wheelchair when you're not using it and you'll have no problem getting to the comfort station. You can leave it parked at the edge of the blacktop, shuffle from the tent to it and you're off! You might even ask them to set the tent up closer to the blacktop area so you'll have a shorter shuffle in the morning. The tent will be on a sand pad, adjacent to that is the blacktop area where you'll be able to get everywhere from when you're on your wheels; comfort station, sidewalks, buses.

The folks at Fort Wilderness are very accomodating and will help you with whatever issues you might have!
Let us know any other questions you have, snoprob.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

This is why I love the DIS, there always seems to be someone who knows the answer to any question, no matter how random or obscure! We may be there for the Night of Joy weekend, I'm not sure. Are they advertising the '07 date for that yet?

Can anyone recommend a location as far as access and the chair goes? I'd rather not pay for the more expensive sites as I won't be using cable / sewers etc., but if it's going to be a nightmare getting around with one of the other plots, I might look into paying a little extra to be closer in.

What are the on-site cooking facilities like, and is there anywhere that will rent out pots and pans? We'll probably eat in the parks a lot of the time, but it might be nice to have a couple of cook outs, even if it's only baked tatties. The reason I ask about cooking equipment is that we're flying over, and would rather not have to pack half the kitchen into our baggage allowance!

Also, has anyone used the safes in the main building and if so, how easy were they to get to / use?

Oh yes, and what is the heat like at that time of year from the inside of a tent? Will we be roasted?

Any photos or dimensions people have of the rental tents or sites would be most appreciated. I've found a few photos of the latter on the web, but if anyone has any more, I'd be grateful.

Thank you so much for all the information, especially the stuff about accessibility (that one was worrying me a bit). I like to know what I'm letting myself in for before jumping into anything (especially when something as precious as a Disney holiday is at stake!), and all information is received gratefully. Thanks guys!

 

[CottontailCurl]

This is why I love the DIS, there always seems to be someone who knows the answer to any question, no matter how random or obscure! We may be there for the Night of Joy weekend, I'm not sure. Are they advertising the '07 date for that yet?
September 7th and 8th (I'll copy the September schedule at the bottom of this post).
Can anyone recommend a location as far as access and the chair goes? I'd rather not pay for the more expensive sites as I won't be using cable / sewers etc., but if it's going to be a nightmare getting around with one of the other plots, I might look into paying a little extra to be closer in.
The only place (if I'm not mistaken) that you won't be able to roll easily would be on the sand pad of the campsite of any of the loops. Once you get in the chair, you can go anywhere! If you want to cut out one bus trip you could get one of the sites up by the marina (those are preferred). You'd be able to roll to the bus stop that takes you out of the campground. Otherwise it's a bus ride from the other loops to the Marina, then bus out of the parks.
What are the on-site cooking facilities like, and is there anywhere that will rent out pots and pans? We'll probably eat in the parks a lot of the time, but it might be nice to have a couple of cook outs, even if it's only baked tatties. The reason I ask about cooking equipment is that we're flying over, and would rather not have to pack half the kitchen into our baggage allowance!
I don't believe they rent dishes or supplies. You might be able to get by with buying a bag of charcoal at the store, a package of hot dogs or something else you'd like to make, bring some aluminum foil for covering the grill and call it a cook-out! Are baked tatties baked potatoes by any chance? That's not in my OneLittleSpark to CottontailCurl dictionary! If so, they might have some of those at the store too and could be covered in foil and cooked near the coals to bake.

Oh yes, and what is the heat like at that time of year from the inside of a tent? Will we be roasted?
I believe that coming from England you will be warm, but we are OK when we go there in the summer months. There are small sized personal fans that are battery operated that you might want to have on you at night.

I love when people who are outside the US get to take advantage of the fun that is Fort Wilderness. One of our trips we went to the campfire singalong, they ask who is from the farthest point away from Orlando and a family from Scotland won that night. The first night they arrived at their campsite they spoke with the American family in the site next to them. These two families became fast friends and went to each park together for the rest of their trip. You just don't hear of people getting together like that when you stay at a hotel.

Here's September's schedule from allearsnet.com:
September 2007

Magic Kingdom

Night of Joy - September 7 and 8, from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.-- contemporary Christian music concerts. Separate admission tickets required.

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party -Dates to be announced

Guests are invited to dress in costumes and trick-or-treat through the park from 7 p.m. to midnight each evening (after regular park closing). The party includes a parade and a bewitching fireworks spectacular.

Epcot

Disney's Pin Celebration 2007 - Where dreams hapPin - September 7-9, 2007 - Epcot - World ShowPlace

This three-day event will be held September 7-9, 2007 at Epcot® - World ShowPlace. Immerse yourself in a world of endless possibilities where you can dream like Mickey Mouse or imagine like Figment. Enjoy trading opportunities, games and activities, and a "dream-tacular" collection of pins featuring your favorite Disney characters created especially for this event. So, pack your "dreamiest" pins and plan to attend this exciting event. After all, this is the place Where pin dreams come true. Disney's Pin Celebration 2007 is a private, hard-ticket event that will be held in Epcot® during regular park hours. Theme Park admission to Epcot® is not included in the price of event admission, but is required for attendance. For more information: http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/event?id=20121

.Epcot International Food and Wine Festival - September 28 - November 11.

The festival features international tasting marketplaces and a lineup of winemakers and guest chefs, elegant dinners, wine schools, tastings and pairings. More than 100 wineries offer tastings, and guests can sample the marketplace cuisine in tasting portions ranging from $1 to $4.50.

In addition, the fest's nightly Eat to the Beat! concert series will feature an even more varied lineup this year, including classic rock, oldies and country performers.

Little Ones Travel Time, a new program that started last year, will return this year slightly later in the season. From September 6 through October 28, Walt Disney World will host a variety of special activities for families vacationing with toddlers and preschoolers, including Playhouse Disney in Concert with Disney Channel favorites like The Doodlebops, Johnny and the Sprites and Dan Zanes.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

We're looking at the 10th to the 20th September, so we'll miss the Night of Joy crowds (we were at MK when the park was closing for it last year, and boy was it busy!). I'm not yet sure whether we'll camp or not, though it does seem an appealing idea. I'll have to talk to my mother about it, but I've not yet told her we're going (I want to make sure I have a summer job and thus the fundage, before I get her hopes up), so we'll have to sit down at some point and talk budget and options.

I'm used to the Florida heat for short bursts, having done WDW more times than I can remember, but I'm also used to having air con to retreat to, so this will be a new experience!

Sorry, tatties are potatoes (as in 'neeps and tatties': 'parsnips and potatoes'). I'm one of those odd veggie types, so I'm an awkward so and so to cater for (though Disney are great for us oddities), and doing one or two 'self done' meals might be nice.

The big question now is: do you reckon we can do it? Can we get two people from here to there (UK to WDW) with kit and clothing in tow? I'd kind of like to bring one of our Ranger (older Girl Scouts) tents if we can, as they're really good ones, and would give us a roomy 'living room', but they'd add a lot to our baggage. Oh, that was another thing, does DME go to FW campgrounds, or would we have to make out own way there?

And finally (for now): is there a question that I've not yet asked that I should have? What more do I need to know, in order to make a decision?

Sorry if this is a bit garbled, it's gone midnight here and it's been a long day! Thank you for all the help and advice, very much appreciated!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Another question I just thought of to add to the above:
What is the bus service like? I've heard mixed reports from a variety of sources, and I was wondering what people thought. Do they run a separate shuttle service around the resort, or do the park buses go around the loop?

Thanks guys!

 

[clkelley]

Yes, Magical Express does run to the campground office, then the Ft. Wilderness staff will take you and your gear to your site in one of their vans.

Camping and flying. I have done it successfully several times, and a couple of those trips I was using an ECV.

You each can check two 50lb containers and each have a 40lb carryon and a personal item (about 20lbs).

So conceivably, you could have 320lbs of camping gear and clothing.

In the US it is possible and doable with Magical Express and resort airline checkin. It is possible and doable from the UK, but much more difficult. For one, you won't be able to use resort airline checkin, so you will have to have your luggage accompany you back to the airport with you on the bus, then check it at the airport yourself. You are dropped on the lower level of the airport and have to make your way with all that luggage up to level three. Skycaps are hit or miss down there. However, at least with two of you someone can go chase down a skycap while the other sits on the luggage.

Also coming from the UK, you will have to claim your baggage at customs and move it through there yourself. (Do they have skycaps at customs???), then drop the luggage on the belt to go to the main conveyer, where Magical Express will then retrieve it for you.

I guess what I'm saying is be prepared to pay for a lot of skycaps to help you move all this stuff through the airport(s).

Yes, Disney does have fairly nice tents to rent. They are $30 per night.

Honestly, for that price, you could rent a car for a day, go to Wal-Mart, purchase a tent and throw it away at the end of the trip. You could also go to Campmor.com, Coleman.com, or Wal-Mart.com and purchase a tent and have it shipped to Ft. Wilderness to arrive a day or two before you do, and dispose of it at the end of the trip (or pass it on to another camper).

The buses at Ft. Wilderness are pretty good. They have three internal buses that go around the campground. Then at either end of the campground are the buses/boats that go to the parks.

If you get in one of the partial hookup loops you will be in either Loop 1500 or 2000. In Loop 1500 you would use the Yellow Bus. If you are in Loop 2000 you would use the Purple Bus. Boats to Magic Kingdom depart from the Settlement. Buses to the Studios depart from the Settlement. Everything else departs from Outpost.

Hope this helps.

 

[bradisgoofy]

First of all, we love FW but, have you considered renting DVC points for your stay? You can see all the details to do this in the DVC area of DIS. You could get a much nicer room, with a kitchen, for much less then paying for an economy resort room. I think this would be a good alternative if you decide not to stay at FW. Good Luck.

 

[CottontailCurl]

Yes, Disney does have fairly nice tents to rent. They are $30 per night.
Honestly, for that price, you could rent a car for a day, go to Wal-Mart, purchase a tent and throw it away at the end of the trip. You could also go to Campmor.com, Coleman.com, or Wal-Mart.com and purchase a tent and have it shipped to Ft. Wilderness to arrive a day or two before you do, and dispose of it at the end of the trip (or pass it on to another camper).

Carol, do you remember if those tents have windows? I can't remember if they did when we used them. I know it was dark as a moonless night in there but I don't remember if it was because it was February and we needed windows closed or if there were no windows. No one in my family remembers windows so I'm leaning toward saying there were none. A windowless tent in September might be horrible, especially since the canvas is so thick.

On the other hand, your idea to have a lightweight tent shipped is brilliant, I like the passing it on to another camper option. Or maybe even a castmember who works in the area.

 

[CottontailCurl]

Sorry, tatties are potatoes (as in 'neeps and tatties': 'parsnips and potatoes'). I'm one of those odd veggie types, so I'm an awkward so and so to cater for (though Disney are great for us oddities), and doing one or two 'self done' meals might be nice.
The big question now is: do you reckon we can do it? Can we get two people from here to there (UK to WDW) with kit and clothing in tow? :

I wish I could remember more clearly if the store has vegetables! I seem to recall that they have bins with potatoes and other veg but I don't know if it was there or somewhere else that I saw that. If they do, you could make veg kebabs. They should have baked beans and other canned vegetables, I believe I even saw some frozen vegetables the last time I was there. Someone who was there more recently could let you know what they have.

Can you do it? Sure you can!! I love Carol's idea for you to buy an inexpensive tent and have it waiting there for you. Disney would give you a ride from the check-in building to your campsite and the tent would go with you, too. When you're ready to go back on your last day, there's a phone at the comfort station that you can use to call the front to ask for a ride to the check-out area for your ME bus back to the airport. You can pack enough clothes (which will be light because it's warmer then) to last 4 days and bring a couple loads' worth of detergent in sandwich bags and wash a load every 4th day. You've been a girl scout (guide) so you'd be able to cut back to just the neccessities to prepare the meals you want to eat at the campsite.

I think the bigger question is: do you want to do it? Of course, it would be easier to stay at a resort. A lot of the stuff I consider fun about camping many people think of as 'work'. We took a trip there last September that we weren't supposed to take. We did crazy stuff to make it work, my family and many friends (and strangers!) thought we were nuts. But we wanted to do it, we talked about working our way through the negatives before we went and it was the best trip ever! I've got to write that trip report! If it comes down to a short FW stay or no trip to Disney or a long FW stay or a short resort stay I choose FW every time. I'm a greedy, Fort Wilderness loving, Disney freak like that.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Thanks everyone, this has all been so useful! I reckon we'd be able to borrow one of the Ranger tents (either one that has two little 'bedrooms' with a walkway / storage space between, or, if we're space hungry, the eight man satellite tent ) to sleep in, and they'll pack down fairly small for travel. You guys have alleviated all my worries about accessibility, and I think my only real concern now is the weather. Pitching and striking camp in heavy rain is not that fun (and would mean we'd have to hang the canvas up in the garage before we'd be able to crash out when we arrived home) and I don't know how well we'll sleep if the tent is hot or stuffy. Small fans would help with the heat problem, but I guess it's the fear of the unknown.

Thanks bradisgoofy for the suggestion about renting DVC points, I'd not realised quite how cheap it could work out, so I'm looking into that one too. At the moment I think the big deciding factor will be budget. Until I find out what's happening about summer jobs, I can't start committing myself or booking anything, but the prospect of having 14 nights camping for a few hundred pounds less than 10 at a value resort is a tempting offer! Obviously all this will have to be discussed with my mother when I have a budget sorted.

If anyone has any more suggestions, advice or help, I'd love to hear it. Thanks again guys, you're all great!

 

[clkelley]

Carol, do you remember if those tents have windows? I can't remember if they did when we used them. I know it was dark as a moonless night in there but I don't remember if it was because it was February and we needed windows closed or if there were no windows. No one in my family remembers windows so I'm leaning toward saying there were none. A windowless tent in September might be horrible, especially since the canvas is so thick.

On the other hand, your idea to have a lightweight tent shipped is brilliant, I like the passing it on to another camper option. Or maybe even a castmember who works in the area.

I've never rented one, just seen pictures of them various places around the web. Honestly don't know about windows. I'm the kind that walks away from canvas at all costs. Give me lightweight nylon and lots of screening!!

Just thought of another "challenge" UK visitors might have to Ft. Wilderness is electrical. I bring fans, lights, computer, air mattress pump, cell phone charger, etc. and plug it all up at Ft. Wilderness, on a power strip and extension cords, but doesn't UK stuff have different power?? Maybe plugging one thing in with a converter, but multiple things on a power strip and converters for each one or one converter at the power pole then a UK power strip for your UK stuff?? (This may not be a problem at all, and if it's not, just ignore my ramblings

 

[OneLittleSpark]

We do have different plugs and a different voltage, but I was planning to plug our super-long extension lead into the power outlet with a converter. Then we can whack all our electrical thingamyjigs into a strip leading from that. A cunning plan indeed!

 

[OneLittleSpark]

Thought I'd resurrect this thread, as I've come up with some more questions I hope you lovely people will be able to answer. Are the preferred sites hard standing only, or do they have places to pitch a tent? If they do, might it be worth the extra money to save my arms for the parks? I've looked at the costing, and it's a lot cheaper to get a preferred site, than to rent a cart for the whole trip. Would this be doable, or would we feel crowded by all the RVs? I just think it might be easier to be able to roll along to the main buildings ourselves, rather than have to do a double bus transfer. All opinions welcome!

Thanks guys, you're all great!

 

[clkelley]

There are sand pads at the preferred sites, but they are smaller. The preferred sites are definitely designed for the bigger RVs. However, tent campers are welcome to reserve any site they wish. Let the folks know when you reserve your campsite what size tent and awnings you will be using and they will set you up with a site that will fit your stuff.

 

[clkelley]

Would you consider renting an ECV instead of a golf cart?? (Electric Convenience Vehicle). There are many off-site companys that rent them and will deliver to Ft. Wilderness. Depending on the length of stay, they usually run less than $30 per day and you could also use it in the parks. That would "really" save your arms I've used one at Ft. Wilderness and I use a gas grill cover to protect it from the elements.

 

[OneLittleSpark]

I've looked into getting and ECV, but I'm not sure how happy I'd be driving it, especially in tight spaces such as shops, and around MK (many, many small people, being dragged under my wheels by their parents). I guess I've just adjusted my body space to include a wheelchair, but I'm not sure if I could extend it enough for an ECV. Also, I doubt my mother would appreciate having to run alongside me to keep up .

No one happens to have dimensions for the sand pits in the preferred sites, do they? Even rough ones would be appreciated, just so I can get a feel for space. I doubt we'll have too many tents (probably either one larger one, or a smaller sleeping tent and a 'shed'), but that one's still a bit of an unknown.

Thanks again all!

 

[CottontailCurl]

Sparks, we stayed on a preferred site once just to see what it was like to be near the marina (entire time had the Jefferson's theme in my mind 'Well we're moving on up, to the east side'). It was very nice, but I believe we enjoyed it because of the site's location. I'm only going to tell you this; Site 201 is perfect for tent-camping. Shhh! We have a 9x13 huge tent and we had plenty of space for it and our stuff. If the site is still the same, it is just as big as some of the sites in the 1500 and 2000 loops. I believe it's like this because it's at the beginning bend of the loop. Across from it is a bunch of trees and the basketball court so you still get that surrounded by nature feel. There might be a site like this in the 100 loop, but I can tell you for sure that 201 is very nice and big (and 100 is just 'right there', it's a very short walk through the 100 loop to the path that goes to the marina (right to one of the stores, crocket's tavern, boat to MK). I believe there is no break in any of that journey that would keep you from going over it in your chair.

Let us know if you decide to stay at FW and then give us a link to your trip report if you make one, I'd love to know how everything goes for you. When you make your reservations, let the CM know all that you're doing and I'm sure they'd love to get you in the site you need.