Tent camping in January?

[Machta]

Good afternoon, folks! We just returned from staying at the BCV, which we dearly love. We're considering a quick trip in late January, and I'd like to get some feedback on tent camping then. I would love to hear your opinions on my very tentative plan (no pun--"TENTative"-- intended). We'd head out on a Thursday after school, fly in, and possibly do ME to FW. That sounds pretty ambitious as I type it, but let me know what you think.

We are fairly seasoned tent campers (living in Colorado with a boy scout gang) and if it doesn't rain too hard or get below about 45F we'll be fine. We're DVC members, so I was going to purchase the dining plan and not bother with cooking anything. Our APs will expire at the end of January, so no additional cost there. We'd only be staying a total of four nights.

So, my specific questions are:

1. Bugs?
2. Weather--one thing we don't have experience at is camping in the rain.
3. Transportation--can we manage without a car? We're all pretty fit, and taking internal Disney transportation is fine.
4. Camping gear on the plane, or shipped?

I'd love to hear what you all think!

 

[bama_ed]

Machta,

I can help with most of these questions. I have been several times in January and also camped at FW (but not in Jan).

1. Bugs are not a problem in January
2. Check Weather.com (the Weather Channel website) for averages in Orlando. It has gotten down to the high 30's at night some times in early January when we've been there. I think it is not normally that cold at night though.
3. Transportation is probably not an issue to get to the theme parks. I use my vehicle when there to head off-site to buy groceries since we have 3 kids and they eat like horses. If you want to pay the Disney Dining rates that might mitigate this concern.
4. Can't help with this one!

Good luck and enjoy!
Bama ED

 

[clkelley]

I can answer #4. Camping Gear on the plane is fine. You have an allowance of 2 checked bags per person (3 on Southwest) at 50 lbs. each.

So for 2 of you, that's 200 lbs of gear, 3 of you, that's 300 lbs of gear, etc.

As a solo person, I have flown and tent-camped before at Ft. Wilderness and it is most definitely possible.

Most airlines allow 2 50lb checked bags (check your airline website for maximum height/width/depth), then 1 carry-on bag (such as a rollerbag), and one personal item (such as a bookbag/computer bag).

Southwest allows 3 50lb checked bags.

As a solo person I bring the following:

13x13 tent
10x13 shelter
folding arm chair
air mattress
sheets/blanket/pillow (Electric Blanket in the winter)
Small Fan
Battery operated hanging lantern
Electric air mattress pump
ground cloth
disposable painters plastic to put under ground cloth (throw away at end of trip)
Laptop
Digital Camera/Docking Station
Alarm Clock
Cell Phone/Charger
Power Strip
40 ft Outdoor extension cord
3 days of clothing
Laundry Detergent
Dryer Sheets
Toiletries
Towel
Washcloth
RainGear
Shower Shoes

I pack it in a plastic locking footlocker and an extra large duffle bag (need the length for the chair) The lock is to lockup the laptop at the campsite, don't lock it for the flight. I also have the roller bag as a carryon and a bookbag to carry toiletries to the comfort station.

I hope you enjoy yourselfs. (Also, I can't believe as Boy Scout campers, you don't camp much in the rain). When our troop goes camping, it's perfect recipe for rain!!!

 

[DavidHobart]

You have some great responses so I'll just add a few additional things.

1. Average daily low in January is 49, average daily high is 72.
2. About a 20% chance of rain on any given January day--tied for the lowest month in this regard. Around 2" of rain in an average January month, which puts it in the lowest 4 months in this category
3. If you hadn't noticed, the tent pads are sand--if your tent isn't free standing, bring rope to supplement your stakes with--to tie out critical stake loops or guy lines to the nearby brush.
4. Electricty=electric blanket as a back up plan..
5. Yay Boy Scouts!

 

[Machta]

Yeah, but almost all our camping is here in Colorado. Cold I understand how to deal with. Rain? What is this thing you call "rain?"

Thanks, everybody! Now I'll just wait for a good "Ding" from Southwest . . .


[/QUOTE]I hope you enjoy yourselfs. (Also, I can't believe as Boy Scout campers, you don't camp much in the rain). When our troop goes camping, it's perfect recipe for rain!!![/QUOTE]

 

[dgaston]

For rain we bring extra tarps and rope to string them up. Unfortunately, whenever we camp in New England that means the weather forecast will suddenly change to rain

 

[dgaston]

What we do with the tarps: They go over the tents.

 

[Buttercup Roberts]

As a solo person, I have flown and tent-camped before at Ft. Wilderness and it is most definitely possible.

And I've camped with Carol! She has an amazing set up, and it's even more amazing that she gets it all there on a plane.

I am going to show your list to hubby and see if I can get him to consider it maybe for a cheap, different kind of long weekend some time. We've got a lightweight tent!