Tent Camping. In August. Is it even possible?

[novdisneydreams]

I was wondering of anyone has ever tent camped in August at FW? Well, I'm sure someone has, but did they live to tell about it? And more importantly, was it any fun at all??????

I have decided that I want this to be a summer of adventures for my family (me, DH, DS11, DS8 & DS1) - so I asked for a tent for my birthday so we can go lots of places on an extreme budget. My 11 year old son can't believe it. He thinks I am no camper, but that is because we have only been cub scout camping together and there are NO facilities where we go (pit toilets, no running water - ick! OK, yes, I complained a lot). But I have been researching and have found tons of fabulous looking campgrounds within a few hours of home (comfort stations, showers, pools ... you see the difference, right?) Last year we rented a little camping cabin near the beach in Virginia and we had a blast (of course we had a/c and our own little bathroom and a micro). But it was SO fun and I really feel that the experience brought us closer as a family. Best memory: When it stormed outside and we all got stuck inside playing board games one night. Priceless. I'd do the cabin thing again in a heartbeat, but even they run $80-100 a night so I am trying tenting, where rates can be as low at $30 a night.

So my original question - I can't stop reading your camping thread and you guys all LOVE the fort so much. I am crazy for Disney and would love to try it sometime. They have those great rates up right now - if I got an a/c for my tent would it be possible to tent camp at the fort in August? I know I'd also have to worry about the rain and make provisions/adjustments for that. Also I can't imagine wanting to grill in that heat - so maybe I'd have to do crockpot meals?

We have GAD tickets and I am thinking of taking a drive down while the kids are out of school - camping along the way (we are in NJ) ... All that family togetherness - well, a mom can dream, right

So tell me if you have had success (or not) tent camping in FW in the summer? Thanks for any advice

 

[TOGA]

Yes, Fort-Fever is easy to catch and you will have a blast no matter when you go. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to share the MacGuyver guide to AC hookups for your tent .

The Comfort Stations at the Fort at top-notch and are always clean and cool. The showers are clean and well maintained. You could also check out the 'Post a Picture of your Campsite' thread to get ideas of how people setup their tent camping areas while at the Fort. Lots of great ideas.

Good luck on your Summer of Adventures!

 

[TOGA]

Also, the 'Tent Camping' thread has loads of pics and ideas on tent camping that you might find useful.

 

[rm0530]

I am so with you on staying at fabulous campgrounds. During my childhood years, my family would stay a week each summer at Elkmont in the Smokies. No showers and no dumping of gray water on the ground. It rained every day and was pretty miserable. I was 11 or 12 when they finally upgraded to a 32' Class A. By that time, my love for camping was very low. I'm still not ready to give up my bathrooms and showers. I was very impressed with the comfort stations at the Fort. We were staying on a full hook-up unit and there was always a steady stream of visitors when I was using them. I'm scared to imagine how a partial loop CS will be in July. There are 4 shower stalls, 4 bathrooms stalls, and 3 sinks.

I would say it's very do-able. We just finished a trip during Memorial day weekend. We will be back during July 4th and Labor day. All of these weekends known for crowds and awful heat and humidity. If you dress right and bring the right tools, you should have a great time.

Of course, it helps if you or your DH feels like being MacGyver and making a cheap A/C unit for the tent

Here's some information on what we had set up this past weekend. Post #185 has pictures and #188 has information on our A/C unit.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1706043&page=13

We kept the A/C unit on low during the day and adjusted it at night if needed. We had a small fan running inside the canopy that we moved around while cooking.

As for meals, I'd let DH take care of grilling if he's interested. My cooking skills are limited to indoors and my DH enjoys fire. If you have the packing room, consider bring a mini fridge. You didn't say how long you'd be staying but you'd be less stressed knowing your food wasn't spoiling in melted ice. We brought all our non-perishable items in a container and went to Publix when we arrived to buy meat. We had drinks in a cooler and had to buy two bags of ice from the comfort station during our stay.

Let me know if there are any other questions

 

[Tri-circle-D]

novdisneydreams-

Welcome to the Camping Boards!

This question (about do people really tent camp in August?) gets asked frequently.

Believe it or not, a lot of people tent camp at the Fort in the Summer.

And, they like it!

The TCD gang visited the Fort in August, 2009.

And, there is a complete trip report here for your enjoyment:

TCD's August 2009 Fort Wilderness Trip Report

There are specific entries and photos of August tent campers in post #'s 70 and 74 on page 5 of that trip report, and a few more photos in post #80 on page 6. But, you really should read the whole report to see what fun can be had at the Fort in August.

Also, if you time it right, you can probably get a great rate on your campsite.

And, when we camped last August, the Fort was delightfully uncrowded.

So, get planning . . .

It looks like you are going camping!

TCD

 

[DisCamper]

TDC just looked at some of the pics. The site you showed in the 400 loop that was our site for weeks

 

[campingdadof1son]

I've camped there in August with no a/c, just a fan and we were fine. I also grilled too. We were only in the tent to sleep, so with the fan it really was fine and cool enough. We've been in July and August.

 

[FortWildernessCamper]

Go for it

Any time at the Fort is a Great time and with so much to do you won't be concerned with the heat

 

[novdisneydreams]

Wow, THANKS EVERYONE for the encouragement!!!! This has to be the friendliest board ever! Unfortunately, just after I wrote this, the a/c in our van blew out. VERY expensive to fix. So I don't think we'll be driving down any time soon. Fixing it would eat up the vaca $, and we can't drive down w/out a/c. What a catch 22!

Anyway, I am still dreaming of the fort ... it sounds like many people just go and relax there and do "other stuff" and a minimum of park days. That is so perfect, because I don't want my kiddos to feel "jipped" when we go for just our GAD park day.

So I need to revamp my plan, not sure how yet, but I think we'll make it eventually Just looks like later than I had hoped.

Unless ... hey, anyone ever drive 18 hours with 3 kids and camping gear in an ESCORT ? Now THAT would be an adventure! Ha, Ha!

But really, thanks again ... I can't wait to try FW "someday".

 

[Bdawg]

We camp at the Fort every year in July or Aug and love it. If the heat is bad in the evenings we stay at the pool till we can't stay up any longer then we go to bed. A good fan is all that is needed. We also get the water park passes each year and spend most of the day at Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon....