Tent camping, flooding, and valuables.

[Clifton Tesh]

I love camping, but I've never camped in an actual camp ground, let alone a Disney camp ground.

One of the biggest issues I've had with tent camping is getting flooded out of the tent when there's a torrential down pour. I sleep on a cot and put my stuff in rubbermaid totes now so that if it does flood, it's not something that will ruin the trip.

Have any of you guys ever had your tent flood out while at FW?

The other question is about securing your valuables. Tents are not the most secure shelter. When you're out in the middle of no where and no one know's where you are at, you do not really have an issue with dishonest people. It wouldn't be too fun of a trip is you had to worry about packing and unpacking everything every day so that it does not get stolen.

And while I know every day and every person is different, does any one know of any known issues with dishonest people going through other people's camp sites at FW?

I want to take my daughter to WDW for her 10th birthday in January of 2017 and figured tent camping would not only be fun, but a great way to save a couple dollars.

 

[2goofycampers]

Welcome to the camping board. One thing I've noticed is people setting up canopies/easy ups over their tent to help with rain. It seems all camping stuff is left out. Do put your valuables, $ laptop in your car when you're away from the site. The Fort also has small lock boxes at the front desk.

 

[peg110]

I haven't "Tent" camped at the fort but have in many other locations. (not typically in campgrounds, but in full on nature). One of the things to do to prevent the flooding is to dig a "Trench" around the tent to allow flowing water to flow around the tent. I realize this isn't as effective in the sand/coquina because it's relatively level and the trench won't necessarily stay formed, but I certainly would try it. Also the Canopy overtop is also worthwhile

I haven't heard of any issues with the valuables, but if it's a concern, definitely lock them in the car. I have also heard that others will bring some "Zip Ties" to put across the zipper of the tent (assuming you have a 2 zipper system) to kind of secure the tent. Really though, I think as long as you don't have your valuables out in a visible area, you will probably be okay.

 

[North of Mouse]

Even though it is highly unlikely that anyone would burglarize your tent at Disney, it is not totally safe, and I would never leave valuables in it.
Unfortunately, there are crimes of opportunity and criminals everywhere!

 

[MotherRunner]

We camp at Texas state parks quite a bit. We use tubs for ease of storing and packing. We generally clean up the site before we leave for the day by putting stuff back on tubs. We leave valuables in our car. But we don't generally bring anything valuable other than our phones and we keep those on us.

We use a footprint tarp under our tent and always keep the rain canopy on to combat rain. We have been several downpours and high winds and never had rain in our tent. Another tip we learned was to keep air mattresses away from the walls of the tent. That will keep water from leaking in.

We've never done a canopy over the tent, but we do it over the table for sun shelter. That's helped in unexpected rain. We also have a screened room on the front of our tent. That's good for sitting and drinking and playing cards during a rainstorm.

 

[kamik86]

Haven't camped at Disney but a few tips for general camping with rain:

1. Sounds silly but number one rule for not getting flooded - put on the rain flap of your tent and remember to fully close the door. (Went camping once with a large group of work friends myself and one other guy brought the same tent. Huge downpour and we were dry in the morning, they were soaked. They secured the top and side of the door but didn't close the zipper on the bottom, so every rain drop that hit the door dripped down and landed on the floor of the tent.
2. Make sure nothing is touching the sides of your tent. This includes when you the tents sides are designed to keep out rain but if you press something against the side it changes the pitch and lets the water in.
3. Pick where to put your tent wisely. If there is a lower spot in the campsite don't put the tent there. If there is a slight slope to the campsite that is a good spot as the water won't pool there.
4. A canopy over the full tent works well, bonus is this is great for getting up in the morning and in the middle of the night as it gives you a place to put on your shoes and stand up before your in the rain.

 

[lodge]

One of the threads here had a post describing a "tub" creation using a tarp- super easy- just put a tarp INSIDE the tent and clip the corners up, making a "tub." This keeps the floor dry and can be dumped out to keep the inside clean too.
Also, this lock is good for zipper closure, as it fits through most zipper holes and is easy to open with a 4 digit code: http://www.toysrus.com/product/inde...plab_16163993&eESource=CAPLA_DF:21975456:TRUS
Thought not 100% in keeping out theft, it gives more of a deterrent than nothing. If valuable can't be seen, they likely won't be a target, so keep windows closed when away from your tent, even on dry days.

 

[Clifton Tesh]

I appreciate all the feed back.

I just always have a fear of my camp stove and stuff like that getting up and walking away.

As we use to say, gear adrift is a gift.

 

[snowmedic]

We have tent camped at the Fort several time. Never had a problem with rain getting in. We take the rain fly off if there is no chance of rain, and leave it on around 20% or high. We have cots and an air mattress, and totes to leave our clothes in. Before we leave for parks we make sure the blankets are up off the floor, pull the beds away from the sides of the tent and pick up anything that might get wet just in case we do have a leak. As for securing valuable, we put those in the car when we go out. We have never had anything messed with at our site while staying at the Fort.

We usually buy a new tent every 2 years because of not knowing about the break down of the fabric while in storage for a year at a time. We would rather be dry then to be in a tent that may have developed a problem while sitting in storage.

 

[SoGrateful]

If you had a choice of any Tent loop....what would it be and why?

 

[2goofycampers]

1500, location location location.

 

[snowmedic]

We have stayed in 2000 a couple of times and just this past Oct. 1600 ( full site ) and liked that much better. We where just as close to the pool and Meadows trading post as 1500, the only thing we didn't have to do is carry our dishwater up to the laundry room to dispose of it, can't dump it on the ground like I have seen others do. We were able to dump it right down the sewer area at our site. That was a lot better.