Place to get ice?

[Amandas4]

Is there a place to get ice at the fort? Or do I have to buy it? Also is there a better way than ice to keep a small cooler cold? We have a small cooler we'd like to take into the parks but I don't want it full of water by the end of the day.

 

[CampingDad]

There are ice machines at all the comfort stations. Couple bucks for a bag.

 

[2goofycampers]

Freeze bottles of water/drinks. You have ice and drinks.

 

[JETS70]

When the DW and I stayed at the Fort over Thanksgiving, the CM at the Meadows Trading Post told us to beware of the ice machines at the comfort stations that they sometimes gave less than full bags. They recommended when possible, buying ice at the trading post. Same price and guarantee full bag.
2goofycampers has the best idea........ Ice for the cooler, no mess, and a really cold drink during a long hot day at the parks.

 

[Amandas4]

Normally I would do the frozen bottles of water thing but We're camping. I won't have a way to freeze bottles of water.

 

[2goofycampers]

Place store bought ice in zip lock bags for the cooler.

 

[amylevan]

Normally I would do the frozen bottles of water thing but We're camping. I won't have a way to freeze bottles of water.

Keep the ice in zip lock bags in the cooler. Then when it melts, it's at least a contained mess.

 

[CampingDad]

If your there for a good amount of time. Try to find a place locally that has dry ice. We used to camp out of coolers before we had camper with a freezer. On week long trips I would get blocks of dry ice and break them up into pieces and put them in bags. The dry ice would last way longer than a week. Except it will almost freeze things in the cooler so you have to layer correctly. Frozen on the bottom cold things on top. I'm sure if you put a little in a ziplock it would keep stuff cold all day at the parks. Remember to punch a hole in the bag so it doesn't pop. The dry ice turns to gas and expands.

 

[bama_ed]

We use some sort of blue gel packs to keep things cool in our picnic cooler.

They freeze in the pup freezer, are sealed, and thaw while keeping things cold. They have been reused at least a hundred times.

Bama Ed

 

[retired and happy]

And if you use dry ice, don't touch it with any part of your skin. It is way too cold for that. And you missed your chance at a LOT of free ice here in the so-called Deep South a couple weeks ago.

 

[CampingDad]

And if you use dry ice, don't touch it with any part of your skin. It is way too cold for that. And you missed your chance at a LOT of free ice here in the so-called Deep South a couple weeks ago.

Yes I forgot to mention gloves are necessary with dry ice.

 

[Amandas4]

Where can you buy dry ice? How long does it last?

 

[Nan P]

Just a suggestion: If you have a cooler to keep at the camp site, and a small one to take to the parks, you may want to buy a bag of ice at the trading post for the one you're leaving at your site. You could also take 2 quart size zip lock baggies in your park cooler and stop at the first counter service restaurant you encounter and ask for ice. Yeah, free ice in a cup... or fill the zip lock at the self serve ice machine. Fresh ice in the park should keep your cooler good for hours. Casey's, Columbia House, Cosmic Rays are a few with walk up ice makers that come to mind.

 

[rangebob]

Winn Dixie is one of the local stores that sells them. When I was at the Fort SHOPPES OF LAKE AVENUE, 11957 SOUTH APOPKA VINELAND RD, ORLANDO, FL, 32836 was the closest store. I didn't look as I had already purchased a block at another location.

 

[CampingDad]

Most walmarts have dry ice. I believe it's penguin brand. Airgas makes it.