Tent camping between Christmas and New Years

[ranthony]

Hi Campers!

I'm toying with the idea of tent camping at FW this year from Dec.27th-Jan 2nd. I've done a search but have only found a few threads on camping in Dec.

DH and I used to be tent campers before the kids arrived (DS 7 and twin DSs 3) but haven't camped in 8 years (and never at FW).

We'd be driving from NJ and would like to bring our bikes to get around. We'll also have APs and will be looking to enjoy the Fort more than spending all day in what I know to be VERY crowded parks.

Do I need to worry about availability for the tent sites at this time?

What cold weather gear would you advise?

How hard is it to cook/prepare meals for 5 people?

Please tell me everything I may need to know to make this work for my family.

 

[We4mickey]

Make your ressies ASAP. Those dates book fast. Bring a heater and you'll be fine.

 

[mjmoon]

I would camp at the fort anytime from late October through early March! December would be fun because of all the decorations and lights.

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

I agree. Make your ressies ASAP! I booked early last year for our trip Dec. 26 - Jan. 3 this year...then I canceled them, I think it was sometimes during the summer...then we decided to go again and I almost didn't get in. I had to call every single day for what seemed like a month. We did land our same dates back.

Bring some good sleeping bags and a heater but make sure the heater has an auto-off on tip-over.

We rarely cook at the Fort but other camping trips we have no choice and that is usually over a campfire or coleman stove. It will be fairly easy at the Fort since you will have electricity, clean-up may be a different story. Many people here use Slow Cookers so that may be an option and since you're tent camping, you may want disposable plates and flatware. Also, you can buy Slow Cooker liners to make the clean-up even easier.

 

[Cindy F]

Make sure whatever heater you get also has an auto shut off thermostat, it stinks to wake up in the night because you're too hot-turn it down, then wake up because you're too cold-turn it up and so on.

Wal-mart has those pocket sandwich makers that are great! We found a Mickey/Minnie Mouse head one on Ebay and love it.

Super easy clean up and you can make grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, omlets, taco pockets, pizza pockets, and pie pockets (pie filling inside and dust with powdered sugar).

We pre-cook and freeze a lot of things before we leave. It helps keep things in the cooler cold and makes meal prep later much easier, just heat-n-eat.

There is a campfire movie every night where you can bring your own s'more stuff or hot dogs to roast.

Have a great time and we'll see you there!

 

[ranthony]

You've all been very helpful.

I agree. Make your ressies ASAP!

I checked on-line and the price for tent sites were $84/night at that time of year. Any chance on getting any sort of discount with APs or any other way? I'm thinking "no", since it's the holidays but I thought I might ask anyways.

TIA