Pretend I am your 3yo asking you the same question for the 10th time! :)

[Sweedee]

What is the deal with the canopies and the lights? Will be I be a nerd if I don't put them out? Since I have never camped at FW, I don't wanna look like a pathetic noob that didn't utilize the Disboards before her trip! C'mon people, help me out! What is a MUST HAVE to be a cool camper?

 

[Mickster]

We were just there and it did seem like many folks had lights and stuff. Most had golf carts. Some even had decorations. But each site was different. It is totally up to you what you want to do. (Pretend I'm your mom telling you that you are fine just the way you are and that you don't have to do what everyone else does just to fit in.

 

[terri01p]

My dh and I had this conversation the other night, we have always put out our awning and lights, but we have never camped at WDW. When we are there in April we were wondering if it would be worth it since we won't be hanging around the tt all day. We will be putting out our awning because it does help keep the tt cool and it shades as well so the sun doesn't shine in both of our doors all day, so that's a must.
We are still debating on the lights, we were talking about the large grass mats we have to go outside, don't think we'll need them this time around . I don't even know if I'll fix up my picnic table like I normally do since we will be eating out mostly. I guess just do what you feel most comfortable doing, I don't think anything I put outside would cause anyone to stop their golf cart outside my tt and say WOW, so were going to see how we feel physical when we get there. Plus how long will you be there, will it be worth the trouble ?

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

When we go in the summer we dont put our lights on our awning, we like to roll it up if we are at the parks for the day. Quite often a storm will blow in during the afternoon.
We lucked out last summer while in PA, we were staying about 75 minutes from Gettysburg and on the way back to camp a HUGE storm came in with tornadoes and all. If the nice folks at the Elizabethtown KOA hadnt rolled ours up, we would have lost it for sure.

Scott

 

[Smooshdog]

My family always puts up "owl lights" at the campsite. I think they are really cool.

 

[Elliott]

The Mickster is right. Assuming your site doesn't look like a hillbilly's paradise most people don't care what you have out. I did string some lights on our most recent trip and it was nice. I found out on the boards that a timer is a great idea for your external lights. That way when you come back to your camper in the dark, there it sits all lit up and inviting. Then you can have them programed to turn off sometime during the night while your asleep! I think the glow from a string of lights is much nicer for sitting outside is much nicer than the light thrown by the external light on the camper, especially as mine is that sick yellow color that is supposed to not attract the mosquitos.

 

[ynottony99]

IMHO, you should do something to acknowledge where you are. Just how much I do, depends on factors others have mentioned such as how much outdoor time we are spending at the site, weather, how many nights we are there. But it doesn't long to put up some kind of Mickey something!!!

 

[marybrat]

I found out on the boards that a timer is a great idea for your external lights. That way when you come back to your camper in the dark, there it sits all lit up and inviting. Then you can have them programed to turn off sometime during the night while your asleep!

What a great idea.. a timer!!! Writing this one down.

 

[stacktester]

I bought those big awning lights from Camping World a few weeks ago. There's 6 on the cord and are pretty good size. Nice colors too lol. At the time I got them they had a free timer included. I also got the flexible light hangers so you can roll the awning up without having to take them out. Oh and they are very bright so u would want to turn them off before bed.

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

I use a timer I found for my Christmas lights at home. It has a photocell which turns it on at dusk, then I can set the lights to stay on for anywhere from 1 to 9 hours or till dawn.

 

[Tent Camping Dad]

Assuming your site doesn't look like a hillbilly's paradise most people don't care what you have out.

I have always said our campsites look like a hillbilly's paradise (tent camper with a screen house). Since we usually camp in October our site is decorated for Halloween but this will be our first time in March and I'm planning on not doing any decor....but our site will probably still look like a hillbilly's paradise. Edited to add....wife read this and said yes, we will have our gaudy lights up

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I have always said our campsites look like a hillbilly's paradise (tent camper with a screen house), so what do these people do that care? Will we get egged? or what? Since we usually camp in October our site is decorated for Halloween but this will be our first time in March and I'm planning on not doing any decor....but our site will probably still look like a hillbilly's paradise.

Does that mean you will bring your 85 Z-28 with the missing engine and your cinder blocks with you ?

sorry... couldnt resist.

If you leave cold beer sitting out it will attract people like me... like flies to honey.....

 

[Smooshdog]

Did someone say cold beer??

 

[capegrenier]

Hi all, I just left FW on the 24th of Feb. the best lights i saw were the rope lights people put on the ground around their area. Like the patio area or driveway. They are safe, not attached to the awning, but, still light the area when you are coming in for the night. My hubby even said we need to get some of them they are cool. Hope this helps
Kate