Power Questions from Bewildered Tent Camper

[kfaboo]

It is safe to say that I have a little trouble unplugging. I'm trying to come up with a power strategy for my cell phone, ipod (necessary for sleeping when the kids at the next campsite are too wired), camera battery pack, and laptop (though my wireless strategy will probably suggest power solutions.)

I've only ever camped at the primitive national and state park sites. I usually have to walk a bit to get water.

So, apparently there is electrical access at campsites? Do these need some sort of transformer to plug into my tech?

Also, where is the best places onsite to grab wifi and a powerplug?

Thanks very much in advance

 

[GOBA Mom Lynn]

I can't answer your questions about wifi (others will do that, I'm sure) but here's what we did, according to advice we got from others here on the DIS.

Bring an outdoor extension cord or 2 and one or two power strips. There are 2 plugs in the box that can be used. One cord stayed outside to light our EZup and electric tea kettle. The other cord went into the tent where the power strip was plugged in. We then had our battery and phone chargers plugged in, and a small lamp as well. (So much easier than a flashlight!) Once you start thinking of it as deluxe car camping, and not backwoods camping, you may think of all kinds of things! Read the thread at the top of the page about packing lists, too. You can figure out who the tent campers are as opposed to the trailer campers, and adjust your list accordingly. There are a lot of great ideas to be found!

Happy planning

 

[BigDaddyRog]

There is often a wifi signal..but its 9.95 a day...but you wont have to carry your water 6 miles uphill from a stream....there are water faucets at every site!!!

 

[ElementCamper]

There is electrical at all sites, from 110V 20amp up to ginormous 50amp plugs for motor homes. You need an extension cord and a power strip, that's all!

Try a search located at the top of the forum for Wifi, there are some places where it is available for a fee, and places offsite you can get for free. There is no Wifi at the sites unless you have the equipment and a plan with a provider of off air internet. However, there is 'wired' internet at all sites for a fee, you can get the needed modem and cable at the Outpost where you check in.

 

[retired and happy]

We got the cable moden in December and had problems nearly every day. The cable malfunctioned to a point they brought in a new feed from across the loop after several complaints over several days. We got to be good friends with the service tech. Then the passwords would not work most of the time until I called tech support and got an all-time password. Of course all-time was until the next day, when I had to call again and get another one. They were pretty good about not charging for days when we had trouble, but it was a big nuisance. Of course we will probably get another one this year... gotta have connectivity, even when it's just part time.

 

[clkelley]

Just an FYI, there is also cable television at every site!!

Here are some pictures - tent camping Disney Style

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I have learned to harness the power of lightening and call forth it's mighty force whenever my cell phone has no bars. I am the mighty THOR!!!

 

[DisneyRose&Boys]

I have learned to harness the power of lightening and call forth it's mighty force whenever my cell phone has no bars. I am the mighty THOR!!!

James, you are one impressive guy. I'm honored to be on the same board as you.

Seriously, we're tent campers- this year we're coming with 20 people, requested 2000 loop (LOVED it last year), and we have an a/c for each tent, "tacky" Mickey string lights (well, WE like 'em, dang it) for outside the tents, alarm clocks, fans (for the noise, thank you very much), lamps inside the tents, coffee pots, a small fridge...

Wow... I just made us sound like the blamed Beverly hillbillies!

We're not quite that bad. Almost, but not quite.

Rose

 

[kfaboo]

OMG, You people are the best.

And until I saw your suggestions *and* the pictures I didn't even think of bringing a fan to go along with the extension cord and power strip. *puts more stuff on her packing list*

Ya, I figured wired access would be weird at best at the sites it was available. I'll poke around and see if someone has mapped out the best indoor places to grab non-free wifi.

I would like to note the farthest I've ever walked was to the restrooms about a tenth of a mile a way for water. From a pump. I'm not crazy enough to go places where there is no potable water without treating it.

There are never any on-site showers where I usually go though. And when I can find showers you have to have a roll of quarters to operate it.

This is going to be SO NICE.

 

[krhewitt]

I am confused- Does FW have wi-fi or cable internet? And you have to pay extra for it?

 

[kfaboo]

They have both. And you have to pay.

From AllEars.Net

Yes. Like the other resorts, Disney offers wireless Internet at three hot spots and broadband cable at the sites and cabins. The three WIFI spots at Fort Wilderness are Reception Outpost, Meadows, and Crockett's Tavern. Cost is $4.99 for the first 60 minutes or $9.95 for 24 contiguous hours.

My wireless plan will be go into hotspot, look for outlets near chairs, plug in and upload photos to flikr

If you are looking at cable, also from allears.net

A Local Area Network (LAN) cable is required. The necessary modem kit is rented at the Front Desk in the Outpost. A $125 refundable deposit is required and the kits should be reserved in advance or will most likely not be available. Cost is $9.95 for 24 contiguous hours. Dial-up access is also available at the Reception Outpost.

Somebody either upstream or on another thread (my dis reading is blurring together) said that when allears.net said cable was only offered for certain sites they are out of date because they have spread. Probably related to the loop upgrade thread?

 

[ElementCamper]

Allears is out of date last time I looked.

Cable TV and Internet is available at all sites now, including loops 1500-2000 which are water/electric only sites (still for a fee of course).

 

[kfaboo]

Allears is out of date last time I looked.

Cable TV and Internet is available at all sites now, including loops 1500-2000 which are water/electric only sites (still for a fee of course).

So the pricing I quoted above might be a little low, huh?

The numbers look about right, however. Though, I *have* seen wifi for as much as $15 for 24 hours at other hotels in other cities when I've not been anywhere near Disney.

 

[ElementCamper]

So the pricing I quoted above might be a little low, huh?

The numbers look about right, however. Though, I *have* seen wifi for as much as $15 for 24 hours at other hotels in other cities when I've not been anywhere near Disney.

You're pricing is actually quite correct, this is the part that is inaccurate from Allears:

Somebody either upstream or on another thread (my dis reading is blurring together) said that when allears.net said cable was only offered for certain sites they are out of date because they have spread. Probably related to the loop upgrade thread?

Your prices are right on, just advising that you can get Cable TV and Internet on all sites now.

 

[kfaboo]

Thanks! Almost 10 a night is steeper than free, but it is better than some 4 star hotels.

And last time I was at Disney in 2005 I stayed at Port Orleans and they didn't even have paid wifi.

It made me very sad.

 

[SandrA9810]

I personally use the free wifi at Yatch and Beach club.... It can sometimes be a little funky, but usually not bad. And lots of people go into the solarium there to browse the web, and plug in for a little while.

Wilderness Lodge has paid wi-fi, but plenty of plugging in spots along with comfy chairs and couches. Some of the better spots are in the DVC villa lobby.

I want to say, Coronado Springs in 15$ for wi-fi. Because it's in Osceola County, they go with smart city that provides the wi-fi. (I don't recall the wi-fi service at the Fort and Lodge.)

I haven't tried any of the other deluxe resorts yet for free wi-fi signal. Maybe I should get the contemp a try....