Tent camping for 2 weeks - crazy?

[SeilerBird]

What about going in a pop up. Would that change anything?

Well it is still going to average 71 at night, 91 during the day and 7.5 inches of rain during June. I slept on an air mattress for several years when I lived in a van and when I was tent camping. They are comfortable whether they are on the ground or elevated.

Remember Disney won't refund you any money if you decide after a few days that you are way too uncomfortable tent camping and you would really rather have a hotel room.

There is no doubt that tent camping is a lot of fun and a great experience. But I think you need to do your tent camping in weather that is a lot better that what you get at WDW in June.

 

[retired and happy]

I never tried for a refund, but we have checked out earlier than our reservation called for and were only charged for the days we were there.

 

[JanL]

If your tent is large enough for a camping potty of some type, it would be a great convenience. I personally don't like having to find my way to the camp bath house at night (locate glasses, shoes, flashlight, make sure you are dressed, etc.).

It is no biggie to use the tent potty and empty its waste tank at the bath house each morning. I just put the small tank in a cloth grocery bag and empty it into the bath house commode, add water and a bit of dish detergent I keep in the same bag, rinse with water and flush.

The A/C window unit zipped into the tent door is a great idea. You can use a milk crate instead of cement blocks and pack stuff in the milk crate when traveling.

Even rain should not deter you from 2 weeks in a tent. A large tarp positioned over the tent could even have a bit left over to cover the A/C unit and make a foyer for the tent door. I have seen tent site with several large tarps so the campers could walk from tent to table and lounge area and never have to go out in the rain.

Do your research and you will be fine.

 

[2goofycampers]

Remember Disney won't refund you any money if you decide after a few days that you are way too uncomfortable tent camping and you would really rather have a hotel room.

This is not correct. We have left early with a full refund on our site $.

 

[Readerbug]

Daisy,
I've tent camped at FW in lousy weather--what a great adventure- but my husband does not view that experience as such. He minded more than he would have thought, and that one tough time has always colored his WDW happy meter.

After reading through, what I wish most for you is a nice leisurely Fort visit during your WDW hotel stay this year, (getting everyone firmly on the 'yes, I can vidualize us doing that, right here and now- let's book' commitment page), AND a return trip to tent at the fort with days to spare during the more milder, quieter and lovelier times. If not that, I wish you a wonderful trip, and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious attitudes to enjoy everything as it comes, regardless, without regret.

And a pop up would be wonderful - and it sounds like for you, it would make a difference or tip the scales- because of the feeling- real or imagined of added security, sleep comfort, and a good AC to combat the humidity . Definitely more pleasant.

If you rent a pop up, tell us how you liked it!
And tent, the same! Trust your gut.

 

[FortForever]

What about going in a pop up. Would that change anything?

IMO, yes it would if that pop-up had a good working A/C and a potty.

I have years of experience both tent camping and pop-up camping and I can tell you that two weeks in a pop-up here is completely doable. I know because I live here and have done it many, many times. Just last June we spent two weeks at a state park here in central Florida.

Our pop-up had a good, cold A/C and vinyl (as opposed to nylon) bunk ends. That helped to keep the cool in. At night, it would even get too cold and I would have to close the bunk end curtains. Even with nylon tenting, you would get the same result by putting tarps over the bunk ends.

Also, since our pop-up didn't come with a potty, I bought one that can be flushed into a regular toilet like someone else mentioned. I only used it for middle of the night and early morning #1. I could have easily went the entire two weeks without emptying but always did after one week. No odors could be detected even when it was opened, but I used RV toilet chemicals in it.

The only other consideration I would mention ... If you are renting the pop-up, added to the price of the site, you are getting close to the price of a value onsite. Just something to keep in mind if it was a financial decision.

 

[DaisyFoote]

My DH made that comment about the popup. I realize that there are lots of advantages to a popup - opening a door instead of unzipping, better AC, more noise control, and sleeping off the ground. (not a better bed perhaps though - our air mattress is pretty comfy) My DH keeps trying to talk me into a popup, but my reluctance is he wants to borrow one from our friends. I am reluctant to borrow something that costs thousands of dollars.

 

[articfox676]

Keep in mind in June in FL it will not rain all week. Not even all day just short storms or plain old rain. Camping at FW is about the whole experience not the weather. Enjoy

 

[FortForever]

My DH made that comment about the popup. I realize that there are lots of advantages to a popup - opening a door instead of unzipping, better AC, more noise control, and sleeping off the ground. (not a better bed perhaps though - our air mattress is pretty comfy) My DH keeps trying to talk me into a popup, but my reluctance is he wants to borrow one from our friends. I am reluctant to borrow something that costs thousands of dollars.

Foam is just as comfy as an airbed. I slept like a baby in our pop-up and I regret selling it. We were intending to buy a travel trailer, but the three times we have stayed at Disney since we sold it have been in the resorts.

I don't blame you for being reluctant to borrow from friends. There are just too many things that can break, especially with a pop-up, and could just be a matter of bad timing. I wouldn't want that responsibility. If you were renting, you would probably be paying for insurance as well. I'm just guessing there.

As much as I enjoy tent camping, I have to say that our pop-up was a world of difference comfort wise. I would be able to do the parks everyday and come home to a PUP no problem. Tenting, I would likely need days in between.

In a PUP, you have cushioned seating, running water, and an air conditioned dining area. You wouldn't have to worry about adding air to air mattresses, keeping the door snugly zipped around the A/C, etc. It is just an all around easier experience.

Perhaps if you and DH had a sit down talk with the friends who own the PUP and discuss in advance the possibility of anything breaking. If you do end up borrowing it, make sure you know how to properly put up and break down as there are lots of steps and a certain order to do things, depending on the brand.

 

[SeilerBird]

This is not correct. We have left early with a full refund on our site $.

If that is true then I am in shock. I have never heard of a campground or RV park that gives refunds. Thanks for the info.

 

[North of Mouse]

Keep in mind in June in FL it will not rain all week. Not even all day just short storms or plain old rain. Camping at FW is about the whole experience not the weather. Enjoy

Not to us it isn't. We've been camping our whole married lives and we have yet to enjoy camping or being outside in the rain - that includes especially Disney or the mountains.

Have we done it? Yes Did we enjoy it? No

What a lot of people say regarding being at Disney - *A day at Disney is better than any day at home* or words to that effect *does not* apply to us!

We are *fair weather* campers

Showers, we can deal with - downpours and *all dayers* makes us

 

[anniemck]

I live in Florida, we camp often and I am 45, I would NEVER do two weeks straight unless I was in a camper or motorhome.
Florida has way too much rain that time of year, and add that to the heat.. no way. I second the thought of the RodeWay inn, it is 10 minutes from the hotel to the park entrance and quite clean. Waffle House is right next door and to the other side is IHOP and Golden Corral as well as a StarBucks. Often rooms can be as low as $23 a night, I have never paid more than $35 a night there though, and when in the Disney area this is our go to place.

 

[ElementCamper]

If that is true then I am in shock. I have never heard of a campground or RV park that gives refunds. Thanks for the info.

Yes, it is true. You will be given a refund if you need to check out early.

 

[Running_Bell]

I think it sounds fantastic. We love camping in tents and the last visit to FW we were there 10 nights and loved every minute. FW has so much to do and the boat ride to MK is beautiful. Good thing about camping is that you can make your site/tent just how you want it based on your comfort level. You know what your comfort, heat, rain tolerance is. We brought everything but the kitchen sink Have a great time!!!