Tent camping in a storm

[Krystalynn]

We plan on tent camping at Ft Wilderness May 18th-20th just for a short trip to try out our new tent. Unfortunately, it looks like some not-so-nice weather
60% chance of rain and the little thunderstorm picture does not sound so great.
Has anyone been tent camping at the Fort during this type of weather? Will it ruin our trip?

 

[chandlersagirl]

I think you can always count on a little thunderstorm here and there during this time of year. Does your tent have a weather tarp?

It will only ruin your trip if you let it- and you won't. Are you packing clothing/food in Rubbermaid totes? If so, you should be fine.

I don't like to tent camp, but I'd do it at WDW for sure and I'd be happy

 

[Krystalynn]

Yes, we have the rainfly for our tent!
Also, I am buying the rest of the camping stuff this week so I will be careful to get waterproof stuff.
I will not let it ruin our trip. Thanks!

 

[chandlersagirl]

Have you camped at FW before? We will not be camping, but getting a cabin. I'm not a tent camper anymore, but I have spent plenty of time doing it. The rain/storms always forced me to spend the night in the car Dislike! I have turned into a person who won't camp unless it involves a mobile home or a cabin!

Your trip is almost here!!!!!

Since you are from Gville- what is November like in FL? I've been many times, but never in Nov. Do we need our bathing suits? We've been in March/April/May/October. October was mega hot!

 

[Krystalynn]

Yes, this is our first time camping at FW! I've never even seen the place and it will be my husband and daughters first time camping ever so it will be fun for al of us. I will let you know how it turns out!

As for November, that sounds like the perfect time to come! We are actually planning to camp again at Halloween time (Oct 30-Nov 2). The highs are still up at 80 degrees. But at night it is so nice and cool

 

[YellowXterra]

I have seen tents set up under an UZ Up canopy. Just make sure you anchor it real good.

 

[bama_ed]

I looked at the Accuweather.com forecast for your dates (I prefer it over the Weather Channel website).

It did show a chance of showers each day but the greatest accumulation on any given day was only a third of an inch (0.33). So if you get anything it probably won't be a deluge.

And this far out the forecast is likely to change FOR SURE between now and then.

Being rained in at the Fort is still better than being stuck at home.

Bama ED

 

[Krystalynn]

I have seen tents set up under an UZ Up canopy. Just make sure you anchor it real good.

Never even thought about that, thanks!

I looked at the Accuweather.com forecast for your dates (I prefer it over the Weather Channel website).

It did show a chance of showers each day but the greatest accumulation on any given day was only a third of an inch (0.33). So if you get anything it probably won't be a deluge.

And this far out the forecast is likely to change FOR SURE between now and then.

Being rained in at the Fort is still better than being stuck at home.

Bama ED

Thank you so much! This makes me feel so much better!

 

[djblu883]

all of the postings are great! I'd suggest also you put a tarp over your bedding inside your tent. that way if you do happen to get some type of leak from a deluge your bedding will be dry when you are ready for bed.! also don't forget to seam all your tent seams!!!! I have done that and spray new tents with a silicone tent spraytaht adds extra waterproofing! shouldn't be too bad during the time you are going as things dry out quickly! Have a magical trip!

 

[hauntedcity]

I'd also suggest some sort of pop-up shelter next to the tent. It can get crowded in a tent, so being able to hang out at the picnic table under a shelter is a nice luxury when it's not raining too hard.
Having one over the tent for extra rain shelter is a great idea, too.

When I went tent camping at FW in 2003, we ended up setting up the tent during a BIG storm. Then we spend about an hour trying everything we could think of to rain-proof the campsite. Then, it stopped raining, and there wasn't a drop of rain for the rest of the week!

Best of luck, and have fun!

 

[scot@dvcstore]

The rainfly should keep rain from coming in from the top just be sure sure the tent pad is not in a low lying area or a runoff area to make sure the floor of your tent remains as dry as possible.

One good thing about Florida rain showers, they generally do not last very long. Have a great trip.

 

[Krystalynn]

You all have such great tips, I can't thank you all enough! I really hope the rain doesn't last long!

I am definitely going to get the sealant and the pop up shelter (I've been wanting one anyways)

 

[Sinclare]

I've seen a lot of first time campers at the Fort over the years. Here are a couple words of advice:

1: Setup your tent before you go, get several cans of tent water-repellant (seam sealer) and spray every inch of the tent (double that for the seams), let dry, and then do it again. Not just the rainfly either; do the tent as well (especially the seams near the bottom of the tent), then let dry again in the sun. Also take a couple extra cans with you just in case; it will keep you from having to run to walmart while on vacation.

2: If it's a decent tent, a ground cloth isn't needed + usually traps extra water under the tent which causes the clay/sand mixture to become very soft.

3: If you are putting up a canopy tent on the outside entrance, consider a large roll of outdoor turf carpet. It helps keep your tent clean and gives a place to stand that's not in the sand/clay, just remember to bring a broom. Also you may have to roll it up a little during the day (after heavy rains) to let the clay dry out or you will be sinking in the wet clay.

 

[emptynestr]

Yes, this is our first time camping at FW! I've never even seen the place and it will be my husband and daughters first time camping ever so it will be fun for al of us. I will let you know how it turns out!

As for November, that sounds like the perfect time to come! We are actually planning to camp again at Halloween time (Oct 30-Nov 2). The highs are still up at 80 degrees. But at night it is so nice and cool

We always stayed at hotel resorts in the past, then hubby and I bought a used pop up almost three years ago. Our first trip with it was to Fort Wilderness Camp Ground! We laughed all the way down highway 95...

We had the most unbelievable time at the fort. What a beautiful place. We wanted to treat our whole family to Disney this past Christmas and had to stay at a hotel - we HATED it!!! We missed the fort so much, and if I had a choice I would stay in my own little pop up in the fort rather than a hotel every time. You will love it

We'll be there in 26 days!

 

[dissybroad]

From experience, ALWAYS secure your tent for rain before you leave for the day even if it's beautifully sunny. A thunderstorm can come up quickly and nothing's worse than coming home to everything soaked after a long day in the parks.

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

I would have another shelter covering the picnic table...Up here we use screen tents because of the mosquitos.