Should I or Shouldn't I....

[AB6876]

Hello all,
I need some advice and know the wonderful people of the DIS can help. I am a long time lurker, but I am just kind of taking it all in. I Love reading all the wonderful information on here.
I have been reading the camping boards for two days now, and I am trying to make a decision, hopefully you all can help.
I have been to Disney five times in the past 4 years. My family consists of me, my husband and my six year old son. We have stayed at ASM, POP, WL, SSR, OKW and BLT. We love trying new resorts and are also DVC members so it helps! My predicament is that we are planning on using all our DVC points in 2011 for a BIG vacation so we do not have points for 2010. I originally thought I would book a package at a value or moderate for a few days, but then decided that I would wait until 2011. Well, just like many of you I am having trouble dealing with Disney withdrawal… hahaha..
So a plan blossomed, my sons birthday is the first week of November. He has two days of school off that week for teacher conferences. I thought we may do something low key, and special for his birthday. I don’t want to spend a ton of money but looking in the range of a value or moderate, well that is when I started thinking of Fort Wilderness. A five night, tent camping experience… Well, we are not avid campers; my husband and son go, with the “boys” but me, not so much. I don’t dislike it; I guess I just did not think about it before. Hummmm…
So here are my questions
What is the weather like in Orlando the first week of November? Is it hot, too hot to sleep in a tent comfortably?
I know my son and husband would love it, but what are your thoughts, are there any of you out there that were not, or are not avid campers outside of Disney? If so what do you enjoy about it?
Equipment, we have the basics, tent sleeping items etc, is there any other key element I should consider?
Most importantly, is the campground experience something that you think is worth it?
I hear so many positive things about Fort Wilderness, so I am getting excited about the possibility, however too nervous to make the plunge...
Any suggestions, wisdom or opinions would be much appreciated…
Thanks!!!!

 

[retired and happy]

Weather should be nice in November. Cool enough to be very sleep-able, but not cold. There's lots to do at the Fort whether you visit the parks or not. Do some planning, but do not OVER plan. Maybe think about things to eat, whether to cook or go out. Do what you feel like doing that day. After all, it's a vacation. And don't be nervous about a trip to the Fort. And LURK no more. You're in and can't escape. And remember ...pictures.

 

[DaveInTN]

First off, welcome to the camping boards!!

Secondly, you have to understand you are asking the wrong people whether you should camp at the Fort. It's like asking a drug addict whether you will enjoy crack. The answers you get might be a bit skewed. But having said that....you will LOVE the Fort!! And in all seriousness, I think you should try it. It is an experience unlike any other at Disney World. You obviously enjoy vacationing at Disney, but if you stay at the Fort you will probably experience true relaxation unlike what you can experience at a resort hotel.

Now, as far as tent camping goes, I can't say whether or not you will enjoy that. Some love it, some don't. You may want to check into renting a small camper instead, such as the popup at http://www.makecampingeasy.com/. It is owned by a DISer who sets it up at your site and takes it down when you leave, and it is pretty well stocked with camping supplies. Of course, when you factor in the cost of a partial hookup site and the rental it might not seem to make economic sense compared to a Value resort...you would have to weight that. Tenting is obviously the economical way to go and gives you the "pure" camping experience you may be after for your DS.

I really hope you decide to give the Fort a try. It is a magical place!

 

[3gr8kids]

First, WELCOME!!!
Second, YES! You should - I'd be willing to bet that your family (especially your son) will LOVE the fort.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Just do it!

There is no better place in the entire universe for a newbie to try camping than the Fort.

Keep it simple, and have fun.

The TCD gang began their camping adventures tent camping at the Fort many moons ago.

The weather in Central Florida in early November is usually glorious.

TCD

 

[lledman]

If you don't have your own tent I would borrow one from a friend and do a night or 2 in your own yard or at a state park (cheap) close by. Make sure you will like camping before you get there - it's not for everyone, plus this will give you a chance to see what you will need to purchase for your bigger trip.

When we tent camped we never roughed it – I think that made it more enjoyable – we had air mattresses (even bought a converter to plug into the truck so we could have electricity to blow them up), portable DVD player, and other amenities. We also had a tent that was way bigger than we needed for just the 3 of us but it was great b/c we had space to store everything and still be comfortable ourselves, I think ours is a 10 or 12 person tent so it’s rather large.

 

[Solamom]

The weather in November should be nice.

As for tent camping...let me tell you that I was totally opposed to trying it. My husband and the kids were wanting to go to Ft. Wilderness to tent camp for a while. We went for the first time December 08. For our anniversary, late October, my husband and I stayed at the Dolphin and LOVED it, which for me made it harder to even want to try the camping thing.....going from a beautiful room at the Dolphin to sleeping in a tent didn't sound like even a little bit of fun.

To my total surprised, I actually enjoyed tent camping. The nights were cool and the days were warm. We brought a coffee maker, an electric skillet and I precooked a few things and froze them. We saved a bunch of $$ by making our own food. We also learned a lot on what to bring so that when we came back in March (09) we were even better prepared. There is plenty to do w/out going to the parks as well. We camped in September (09) for 7 nights in a borrowed Pop-Up.

Now I don't want to stay anywhere else but the Ft. We are in the market for a Travel Trailer - all because of a stay at the Ft.....we discovered a love for camping!!

 

[kazlac4]

My husband and I took our first trip to the Fort last November and, yes, like all the others have mentioned we fell in love with the place. Originally we weren't planning on coming back down for a few years but we enjoyed our trip so much that we are coming back down this November, and are planning a trip for next July also. Last November was a mostly slow paced, relaxing time spent mainly at the Fort. This November we are going to the parks for a few days, but will still mainly just enjoy the Fort. Next July will be a full crazed trip with the kids and grandchildren, and we will spend every day at the park..I am counting the days!

 

[AB6876]

Weather should be nice in November. Cool enough to be very sleep-able, but not cold. There's lots to do at the Fort whether you visit the parks or not. Do some planning, but do not OVER plan. Maybe think about things to eat, whether to cook or go out. Do what you feel like doing that day. After all, it's a vacation. And don't be nervous about a trip to the Fort. And LURK no more. You're in and can't escape. And remember ...pictures.

Thanks so much for the information, and the welcome.
I will take your advice about the over planning, I like to relax and enjoy!

First off, welcome to the camping boards!!

Secondly, you have to understand you are asking the wrong people whether you should camp at the Fort. It's like asking a drug addict whether you will enjoy crack. The answers you get might be a bit skewed. But having said that....you will LOVE the Fort!! And in all seriousness, I think you should try it. It is an experience unlike any other at Disney World. You obviously enjoy vacationing at Disney, but if you stay at the Fort you will probably experience true relaxation unlike what you can experience at a resort hotel.

Now, as far as tent camping goes, I can't say whether or not you will enjoy that. Some love it, some don't. You may want to check into renting a small camper instead, such as the popup at http://www.makecampingeasy.com/. It is owned by a DISer who sets it up at your site and takes it down when you leave, and it is pretty well stocked with camping supplies. Of course, when you factor in the cost of a partial hookup site and the rental it might not seem to make economic sense compared to a Value resort...you would have to weight that. Tenting is obviously the economical way to go and gives you the "pure" camping experience you may be after for your DS.

I really hope you decide to give the Fort a try. It is a magical place!

Thanks....lol, I know this location may be a little bias, however I figured everyone here would have the best idea of what FW has to offer.
I will also look into the pop up camper, that is a good idea.

First, WELCOME!!!
Second, YES! You should - I'd be willing to bet that your family (especially your son) will LOVE the fort.

I am sure he will! Thanks for the welcome!

Just do it!

There is no better place in the entire universe for a newbie to try camping than the Fort.

Keep it simple, and have fun.

The TCD gang began their camping adventures tent camping at the Fort many moons ago.

The weather in Central Florida in early November is usually glorious.

TCD

That is what I was thinking
If I am going to camp, it would be best to do it at Disney!!!!

If you don't have your own tent I would borrow one from a friend and do a night or 2 in your own yard or at a state park (cheap) close by. Make sure you will like camping before you get there - it's not for everyone, plus this will give you a chance to see what you will need to purchase for your bigger trip.

When we tent camped we never roughed it – I think that made it more enjoyable – we had air mattresses (even bought a converter to plug into the truck so we could have electricity to blow them up), portable DVD player, and other amenities. We also had a tent that was way bigger than we needed for just the 3 of us but it was great b/c we had space to store everything and still be comfortable ourselves, I think ours is a 10 or 12 person tent so it’s rather large.

Excellent idea, and I am sure my son would LOVE camping in the yard!

The weather in November should be nice.

As for tent camping...let me tell you that I was totally opposed to trying it. My husband and the kids were wanting to go to Ft. Wilderness to tent camp for a while. We went for the first time December 08. For our anniversary, late October, my husband and I stayed at the Dolphin and LOVED it, which for me made it harder to even want to try the camping thing.....going from a beautiful room at the Dolphin to sleeping in a tent didn't sound like even a little bit of fun.

To my total surprised, I actually enjoyed tent camping. The nights were cool and the days were warm. We brought a coffee maker, an electric skillet and I precooked a few things and froze them. We saved a bunch of $$ by making our own food. We also learned a lot on what to bring so that when we came back in March (09) we were even better prepared. There is plenty to do w/out going to the parks as well. We camped in September (09) for 7 nights in a borrowed Pop-Up.

Now I don't want to stay anywhere else but the Ft. We are in the market for a Travel Trailer - all because of a stay at the Ft.....we discovered a love for camping!!

Thank you. I am so glad you shared your story...makes me feel like I will really enjoy the experience.

My husband and I took our first trip to the Fort last November and, yes, like all the others have mentioned we fell in love with the place. Originally we weren't planning on coming back down for a few years but we enjoyed our trip so much that we are coming back down this November, and are planning a trip for next July also. Last November was a mostly slow paced, relaxing time spent mainly at the Fort. This November we are going to the parks for a few days, but will still mainly just enjoy the Fort. Next July will be a full crazed trip with the kids and grandchildren, and we will spend every day at the park..I am counting the days!

Just what I am looking for slow paced fun at Disney....
Thanks for sharing...



BTW -> does it rain more than usual in November?

 

[Tri-circle-D]

BTW -> does it rain more than usual in November?

November is typically the driest month of the whole year.

Look here:

Average Monthly Rainfall-Kissimmee

TCD

 

[sdsmom]

DH & I took our first camping trip 16 years ago for our first wedding anniversary. It was a miserable experience, included a sprained ankle, tornadoes and a tree falling on my brand new car. It took him 16 years to convince me to try it again. Well we just got back from our first trip to Disney and my 3 daughters' first ever camping experience. I was pretty nervous about how we would all do on a 5 night camping trip, but we LOVED it. We loved it so much that we've actually booked another trip for October!

Camping at FW isn't exactly roughing it since you have access to both electric and water at your site. Also, the comfort stations are really clean and close to the site. We were in the 1500 loop - just across from the CS, a short walk to the bus and across the street from the pool. We had everything we needed within a very short walk.

I couldn't say that your family will love it as much as we did, but give it a try! The Fort really REALLY is as good as everyone says it is.

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Go for it!!!

It's all that AND MORE!!