Tent camping ?'s

[GhostLady]

Hello,

We are planning a trip to WDW for Oct. 11th-19th. This will be the 1st trip ever for our 4 kids and the 1st adult trip for me and DH.

For most of the week we are staying in a villa off-site. Being a family of 6, we need the room to spread out and it's a little cheaper than getting the suite or 2 rooms at the value that we would need.

I am thinking of adding a couple of nights of tent camping but I am SOOO not a camper. I have done it a time or two but it's just not my thing. My DD(15) isn't to happy about it either but I know DH and the boys would love it. I think DD and I will be so thrilled to just finally be at the World that we will still have a great time.

Anyone have any advice for me?

Is this a good time to tent camp?

I know there are a lot of activities at the campground. Are there any that we should make sure to do? We will be at the campground (no parks) for one full day and part of another day. We are on a tight budget and have a large family so we need cheap or free ideas. We are going to check out the campfire and movie but is there anything else?

Thanks so much!!!

 

[2goofycampers]

Go down to the beach and watch the Electric Water Pageant and the MK fireworks. You could do some fishing. October should be a good camping time.

 

[GhostLady]

Thanks. We'll be sure to check out the water pageant and the fireworks. Might skip the fishing though since DH and the kids do that a lot at home.

 

[ntsammy5]

You can take the boat to the Contemporary, then resort hop -- along the monorail loop. Stop in at Wilderness Lodge look around there, walk around the Fort and look for otters - and other wild life. Sit and relax!

 

[njcamper95]

You can go to DTD and walk around or shop
It's not exactly cheap but hoop dee doo is awesome
rainforest cafe in DTD is cool for a place to eat also if you have never been
you could just walk around and check out the other camping rigs we always see some interseting rigs in disney plus it will be Oct so people should be decorated for halloween if they do anything like xmas it should be very interesting we will be there around that same time we will be there the 12-27 of Oct I will keep thinking i'm sure i can come up with more

 

[5stljayhawks]

Dude just hang out.... my sister was the same way, not the camping type, but what a great way to unplug the kids and just hang.... There are also swimming pools, fishing, just getting to know your camping buddies... More times than not, just strike up a converation with your fellow campers and you have buds....

FYI - Bring bug spray, you may not need it, but it's nice to have. If you are doing the camp fire, bring your own marshsmellows , chol. bars and sticks, don't forget the air/foam matresses, camp games washers or the golf ball game, lawn/camp chairs. hairdryers and mircoways aren't all they are made out to be... FYI the rest stations are pretty cool at fort wilderness...... Just remeber you are staying at probally the BEST campground in the world.

SP

 

[GhostLady]

Thanks for all of the great replies. Sounds like we are going to have a great time.

Does anyone know for sure what time the campfire/singalong starts during that week? I know sometimes it's at 7 and other times it's at 8pm. Just want to make sure so I can work it into my plan.

Also, a question about the golf carts.
As you can see from my signature, we have 4 children. Is it possible (or allowed) for all of us to fit on one? Both of my younger sons are pretty small and could sit on someone's lap if that is allowed. I am thinking about renting one for just one day when we aren't going to the parks so we wouldn't be using it a lot, just quick trips around the campground.

Thanks again!!!

 

[djblu883]

not sure about the time for the campfire....the golf cart rental is 49 bucks a night but well worth it...I've seen LOTS of people on one and they haven't stopped them...looping in the Cart is a lot of fun and the Halloween decorations are great....its one of my grandaughter's favorite things to do there!!!

 

[2goofycampers]

Thanks for all of the great replies. Sounds like we are going to have a great time.

Does anyone know for sure what time the campfire/singalong starts during that week? I know sometimes it's at 7 and other times it's at 8pm. Just want to make sure so I can work it into my plan.

Also, a question about the golf carts.
As you can see from my signature, we have 4 children. Is it possible (or allowed) for all of us to fit on one? Both of my younger sons are pretty small and could sit on someone's lap if that is allowed. I am thinking about renting one for just one day when we aren't going to the parks so we wouldn't be using it a lot, just quick trips around the campground.

Thanks again!!!

Since that is before the time change should be 8pm [ look at the poster at the CS when you arrive to be sure] for movie start but the fire is usually going before then. I've seen 3 to a seat so fitting on a cart shouldn't be a problem.

 

[GhostLady]

Thank you for the info.

Looks like I need to be reserving one of those carts. We love Halloween so I can't wait to see all of the decorations.

I think I might even camp for 3 nights instead of just 2. Sounds like we are going to need as much time there as possible. Now I have to work in decorating time into the plan. Can't miss out on that fun.

I thought the campfire was at either 7 or 8 and the movie started right after??? I hope it's as late as possible.

Do you think there's a chance that they would start a little later just one night if I asked nicely and say please??? LOL

This planning thing is hard enough, you'd think that Disney could work around our schedules every now and then.

If that works, maybe I can get them to change the EMH's at Epcot to Wed. instead of Tuesday cause I have a lunch ADR there on Wed. They'll do that right???

 

[djblu883]

i don't think so lol

 

[TinkinTN]

We just switched our reservations to FW to tent camp also, have not tent camped here before but I think it'll be great!! We'll be there Oct 12 -18...
Have fun!!

 

[GhostLady]

i don't think so lol

Really??? You don't think Disney would change their whole schedule around for me???

I must say that I am heartbroken. I thought I finally had a solution to my schedule problem.

Are you sure they wouldn't do it?? The CM's that I spoke to on the phone were very nice and they seemed really happy to hear that I was coming back after such a long time so I really think they might...

 

[GhostLady]

We just switched our reservations to FW to tent camp also, have not tent camped here before but I think it'll be great!! We'll be there Oct 12 -18...
Have fun!!

Great!!! We'll be camping the 11th, 12th, and 13th so maybe we'll see ya there..

Have a great trip!!!

 

[mousebrain]

If I were there in Oct. be sure to ride the hayride. It cuts through the 300 loop and the people there like to decorate like crazy for the people that go on the hayride to see. I have never been to the Fort in Oct, but some folks we met on the hayride last week, said that the Haunted Hayride was one of the funnest things they ever did. The end of the hayride is parking out by the lake and getting a special veiw of the water parade and the fireworks going off over the castle!! 8 bucks for adults and 5 for kids.

I miss the Fort,

MB

 

[TinkinTN]

If I were there in Oct. be sure to ride the hayride. It cuts through the 300 loop and the people there like to decorate like crazy for the people that go on the hayride to see. I have never been to the Fort in Oct, but some folks we met on the hayride last week, said that the Haunted Hayride was one of the funnest things they ever did. The end of the hayride is parking out by the lake and getting a special veiw of the water parade and the fireworks going off over the castle!! 8 bucks for adults and 5 for kids.

I miss the Fort,

MB

This is definitely on my list now that we've changed to FW..it sounds like a lot of fun and I think my 3 DD's would love it...

 

[djblu883]

They changed the Haunted Hayride last year and I thought it was a true waste of my time and money. They decided to try something different and it wasn't even close to as good as years before!

 

[GhostLady]

We are planning to do the hayride too. What time do we need to start the ride in order to get to stop and see the parade and fireworks?


TinkinTN,

Do you know which section you will be camping in? Right now we are in the full hook-up and we requested to be near the center. I wanted to get the partial hook-up but it wasn't available for the 11th so we booked the full for now. Going to keep checking back to see if a partial opens up.

 

[TinkinTN]

We are planning to do the hayride too. What time do we need to start the ride in order to get to stop and see the parade and fireworks?


TinkinTN,

Do you know which section you will be camping in? Right now we are in the full hook-up and we requested to be near the center. I wanted to get the partial hook-up but it wasn't available for the 11th so we booked the full for now. Going to keep checking back to see if a partial opens up.

GhostLady,
I haven't made a special request but right now we are also on a preferred site (full hook up), no partial available...trying to switch too, but glad to be able to be at the fort

 

[GhostLady]

TinkinTN,

Just wondering if you had been able to switch to partial hook-up yet???

They finally had an opening for our 3 nights so we switched yesterday. I checked the web site earlier and it still shows partial hook-up available for Oct. 12th-18th. I don't remember how long you were staying but if those dates work, you might give them a call.

One of our dates is now showing full, just a few hours after we booked so they might have just had one cancellation.

Good Luck!!!