One night of tent camping - crazy?

[salmoneous]

How crazy is this plan? I'm flying to Disney on Friday night and meeting my brother's family who will be driving in Saturday morning. I've done this before and just stayed at a value resort on the Friday night before transferring to wherever we stay (usually DVC) for the rest of the trip.

Now I'm thinking it might be fun to try getting a spot at Ft Wilderness and temp camping that night. Here is how I image this working - let me know what I'm forgetting and how crazy this idea is (note that I haven't camped since I was a teen 25 years ago.)

0) Make reservation (how far in advance do campsites sell out? Any trouble booking for just a Friday night?)

1) Pack tent and equipment in duffle bag. Since this is just sleeping for one night, I don't need much equipment: air mattress, blanket, pillow, light, electric cord. Duffle bag of camping gear gets checked for the flight, but withou Magical Express tags.

2) Flight arrives between 9 and 9:30. Pick up bag and then take ME to Ft Wilderness (Does Ft Wilderness gets to use Magical Express?)

3) Arrive Ft Wilderness around 11:00 PM. Check in, get assigned campsite, pitch tent, etc. (This is the part were I need a sanity check from experienced temp campers - how long is it going to take to get my site, hike/bus to it, set up tent and mattress in the dark, etc.

4) Sleep

5) Get up in morning, pack everything back up in the duffle bag, and drop off at luggage services to be transported to whatever resort we are checking into for the day. (Does Ft Wilderness have a facility for transferring bags to another Disney resort).

Any thoughts greatly appreaciated,
Sal

 

[tkd lisa]

Yes, I kind of think that's a crazy plan, but I'll take a shot at answering your questions anyway.

0) Make reservation (how far in advance do campsites sell out? Any trouble booking for just a Friday night?) - Do you mean this Friday? I know the Fort was pretty well packed all last week, so you probably wouldn't be able to get a reservation.

1) Pack tent and equipment in duffle bag. Since this is just sleeping for one night, I don't need much equipment: air mattress, blanket, pillow, light, electric cord. Duffle bag of camping gear gets checked for the flight, but withou Magical Express tags.

2) Flight arrives between 9 and 9:30. Pick up bag and then take ME to Ft Wilderness (Does Ft Wilderness gets to use Magical Express?) Yes, they get Magical Express.

3) Arrive Ft Wilderness around 11:00 PM. Check in, get assigned campsite, pitch tent, etc. (This is the part were I need a sanity check from experienced temp campers - how long is it going to take to get my site, hike/bus to it, set up tent and mattress in the dark, etc. From the time I checked in (1:30) on Sunday, I had my tent pitched in about an hour. But this was full daylight. You'll be doing this in the dark. I'm reading from your post you haven't camped recently. If you do this, PLEASE practice pitching your tent at home before you go so that you aren't trying to figure this out in the dark at midnight! What will you be using for a light? And how are you blowing up your air mattress? Maybe a sleeping pad would be better, especially since it's just one night.

4) Sleep

5) Get up in morning, pack everything back up in the duffle bag, and drop off at luggage services to be transported to whatever resort we are checking into for the day. (Does Ft Wilderness have a facility for transferring bags to another Disney resort). Yes you can transfer the bags. But you'll need to wait at least until 9 am to let the condensation dry off your tent, since you won't be able to dry it out until you get home.

Overall, I think it would be much easier to priceline a hotel at the airport that evening, and just take ME to Disney the next morning. It's a LOT of hassle to tent camp, just for one night.

 

[poohbearwithme]

I have to agree with tkdlisa.

Besides tents can be hassle to put up at night especially if you are not familar with the it and/or you' re tired after traveling and flying all day. Another thing to consider is what if your plane is delayed? Flight Delays have been very common lately. You might not arrive until the wee hours in the morning. Then by the time you set-up you will be taking it down again.

 

[clkelley]

The other thing you have got to consider, is what if it is raining (or even a heavy morning dew)?? Setting up breaking down in the rain is no fun, then you've got this wet tent to contend with/dry out in your hotel room for several days.

I have tent camped at Ft. Wilderness and flown in with all my stuff, but never for less than 6 nights. I have also set up in the middle of the night at Ft. Wilderness, but I know my gear like the back of my hand and can set it up quite easily.

I have camped around home for just one night, but in my small tent and heading straight back home to dry the tent out before packing it up for the next campout.

Friday/Saturday nights are VERY hard to come by on short notice at the fort.

I would stick with the value resort. (Actually, I would cancel the expensive resort and stay at the Fort the entire time, but that's another obsession of mine )