Should We Camp?

[mmcphee]

DH wants to tent camp for our next DW vacation, two weeks in August. Kids will be 4, 6 and almost 7. We have only camped with them for one or two nights at a clip. It seems like a lot of work to camp and try to enjoy a Disney vacation, especially since we are all used to OKW. We would need to buy some of what I consider necessities, like an AC unit and fridge etc. Am I crazy for even considering camping this long?

 

[becky1960]

It is very hot in August, A/C would be a must for small ones and adults. I would consider a Cabin if possible....

 

[dtum]

IMHO...I wouldn't do it. Weekend or maybe a week, but two makes me tired just thinking about it. Unless DH and your kids are willing to help cook, clean, etc. and in Aug. that's going to be pretty hot...I'd skip it...

 

[auntie]

I'm not a tent camper..travel trailer here. That being said, I would think the heat in August would be ovewhelming. That's just my opinion. IF..I were to tent camp, I'd pick a less humid time of year. Also..having visited in August many times before, there are thunderstorms..often pretty severe, almost every afternoon. While we didn't actually mind, since they do tend to cool things down, I'm not sure I'd want to be in a tent during one of them. Or for that matter have to keep things dry. We've also visited in May(our favorite time of year..and if I were to tent camp..I'd go with that. We've also visited during the end of Sept. and end of Oct. both times the weather was much less humid than the heat of August.
I know there are a good many people who tent camp at FW..and enjoy it. I'm not sure I'd pick August for the first time to do it. Have you considered renting an RV or travel trailer? A bit more protection and relief from the heat should you need it. Or using the cabins in FW?

 

[ynottony99]

I think I would try to schedule a week long trip as soon as you can somewhere close to home, just to see how you all hold up. I think that 2 weeks seems like a long time for a family in a tent even with A/C.

 

[bama_ed]

Not to pile on but at that time of the year you get the daily afternoon thunderboomers with heavy rain that lasts a few minutes so unless DH is an expert camper and knows how to pitch a camp to keep things dry, I would suggest two weeks in a hotel, maybe even off-site.

You're like me with 3 kids in the family so a typical room with 2 double beds won't cut it. Port Orleans Riverside is a moderate with rooms designed for 5 people; none of the value Disney hotels are designed for 5 with the exception of the family suites at all-stars but they get a little pricey.

Bama ED

 

[FlaFortCampster]

One word for camping in August in Central Florida....BRUTAL. Between the heat, we have afternoon thunderstorms, insects galore and it doesn't cool off at night.
As already suggested, try for a cabin or other resort where you will be indoors. Perhaps, because you can make your meals saving mucho dinero, you could arrange to rent one of the travel trailers that are available thru a 3rd party. I have read on this forum nothing but good thing about the folks who provide this service.
Best of luck to you and your family

 

[FlaFortCampster]

I can see great minds think alike.

 

[Cindy F]

What about buying a nice used popup (no, I won't make everyone suffer through my story again-I'll just reference my other post ). Best of both worlds!
My pop up story-post #6 on the thread

If you do tent camp (or pop up camper too for that matter) in the heat; in addition to A/C, I highly recommend reflectix on the canvas as well as a shady spot to camp to reduce the heat and make the a/c work better.

 

[mmcphee]

Thank you all for confirming that it is my husband who is crazy and not me! We are looking for a way to stretch out our DVC points and he thought camping was the prefect solution. We will have to think of something else.

 

[DisneyBishops]

We are at the fort now. the weather is beautiful. Warm days and cool nights. I am not a tent camper but if you want to camp in florida this is the time to do it.

 

[clkelley]

I've tent camped for two weeks at Disney, but not in August, it was December.

 

[mmcphee]

Would June be any better? My middle child jsut asked when she gets to be at Disney for her birthday? This year seems as good as any... And it would only be for 5 nights...

 

[mjmoon]

Would June be any better? My middle child jsut asked when she gets to be at Disney for her birthday? This year seems as good as any... And it would only be for 5 nights...

June may be a little milder than August.. but probably not by much. You may be able to rough it for 5 days though.. I'm not sure I would want to.. all day in hot parks and then returning to a warm tent. Are y'all warm weather people? If you don't mind the heat it may be ok.

 

[auntie]

I think June might be a bit more do-able. Especially for the shorter time period of 5 days. Still gonna be pretty warm...but not likely as warm as August, that's for sure. There are those who have tent camped and used a window unit a/c for the tent. Perhaps one of them will be along shortly and be able lend a bit more insight.

 

[mrsscooter]

We haven't camped at the Fort YET......we will be there this October, but have been down in August before. We were drenched from the heat and humidity as soon as we left our hotel, so I can imagine how it would be if you tented, especially for two weeks. If it were me, I would spend this summer beefing up the kids camping experiences, and go for long weekends as much as you can, and then try Tenting it in October or early November. The weather is much more condusive to tenting, plus the crowds are lower, and the MNSSHP is going on, the food and wine festival, and if you go late enough in November, the christmas decorations will be up. We have a camper now, so thankfully its a little easier. You will have lots of fun though no matter how you camp. My kids looooved tent camping and were actually bummed when we bought the camper. They have actually asked if we can bring a small tent when we go in October so that they can sleep in the tent instead!

 

[mmcphee]

We would love to take a week and camp at the Fort in the fall. Unfortunately my husband is a full time student and can't miss a week of classes in the middle of the semester and I'm worried about cold in January.

 

[Brer Bear]

We would love to take a week and camp at the Fort in the fall. Unfortunately my husband is a full time student and can't miss a week of classes in the middle of the semester and I'm worried about cold in January.

Tenting in chilly weather is MUCH more pleasant than sweating in a tent in August! (IMHO) We've camped in 20 degree weather with my kids scout groups.

 

[Sinclare]

Seriously, I don't understand why people complain about the heat, that's why I go . Myself I can't stand the cold, so I would never think of camping in the winter, even in FL. I even use a heater in the tent in June-July to keep the dampness out at night. Honestly though, if you're going to the Fort then the only times your going to be at the camp site is morning and night; aside from the occasional mid day break and then it's usually accompanied with a dip in the pool.

That said, yes tent camping is more labor intensive than other options. I usually plan for 1 day setup and 1 day tear down/packing. That's why i go for a longer period. Since we usually travel with a family group, that means setting up 2 tents + canopy tent + Fridge + unloading bikes +blowing up air beds..etc. I've went for shorter week stays (just me and son with one tent) and it's not bad at all that way because it's less stuff to put up and take down but it still takes 2 days off vacation for the set-up/take-down.

Of course, the Fort is well worth it though because there just isn't any comparison. A place for kids to explore/ride/play...it just makes for a more magical experience . Personally, I'd go and tent camp even if it was for a short time but that's just me

 

[coccinelle]

Hi!
I hope that you will be able to do this trip and to enjoy it because camping with the kids is a lot of fun. I would say like some other posters, maybe you should do some ''practice camping trip'' before you decide to go.
We are going for 10 nights in april with kids (5-8-10)but we are all use to do 10 night camping trip in the summer so i am not worried (maybe i should!!!). We will be arriving by plane( so the camping equipment will be at the minimum!). We are taking the tent (well kind of necessary!!), the inflatable matress, the sleeping bags, travel pillows , flash light and the rest of it is just the usual (cloth, soap...). At the campground, we plan to buy a cooler and some juice and little things to eat since we will take advantage of the dining plan. We take about two hours to set up camp(probably shorter this time since we just have the tent and not the other tent to do the cooking...sorry, dont know the name!).
So, yes, it is possible...is it as comfortable as an hotel ??? No...and it takes a little bit more work, but for us it is the only way we can experience walt disney world and we look forward to finally do this trip in april !
Whatever the way you do it, have fun!!!!