Tenting at FW in May with a toddler

[N365PA]

Off for a short trip to the Fort! I've stayed 30+ times as a kid but we went last year with my parents pop up with my 12 month old...and evacuated for a hurricane. We're gonna give it a go, this time in a tent with a 18 month old. Looking forward to taking her camping for the first time. Last time, we checked in...and checked right back out and drove home due to the hurricane. Not Disney's fault and they were awesome through the whole process. Any advice for camping with an 18 month old? We're only there for two days and plan on doing a park day and a fort day. Looking forward to the campfire singalong, checking out the stables, and walking around. We don't have our fort sign anymore (gave it to my parents for their camper) but we'll be there May 4-6.

Clint

 

[morrik5]

Luckily being in Fort Wilderness, you will have some flexibility due to proximity to MK if your toddler needs some down time. Once refreshed you will again be close enough to head back to the park for more fun. Enjoy yourselves!

 

[bama_ed]

Good luck with the kiddo camping in a tent, Clint. Our experience tent camping with our kids before we got our popup was that the kid drove the schedule and their well being determined what we did - so flexibility is key. At least May is generally pretty wonderful weather wise.

Bama Ed

PS - weren't you in Alaska in the past? and in my head I have you associated with lots of Disney cruises in the past. Am I hallucinating?

 

[tiggerdad]

We took our youngest in late May once. At the time she was 1y/o. Like Ed, she dictated the schedule but it was manageable. Early May will be good weather so it will help.

If your at MK and they get grumpy and you need an AC break I would suggest Hall of Presidents or Carousel of Progress depending on your location. As suggested above, you are only a boat ride away from FW so it'll be easy to get back.

 

[Caseheidi]

We have tent camped with our little one since she was an infant. My best piece of advise is to bring clothes you don't mind getting dirty for around the campsite. At 1-3 she loved playing in the dirt /sand and was a mess (she loved it). My cousin taught me to bring a large plastic bin in the shower with me to make it a shallow bath tub for her to play in while I showered and to give her a little soak and scrub the dirt off of her befor bed each night.

I know as she has gotten older that I like to prepare scavenger hunts of the area we are camping to explore. At 18 months they may be too young for that, but be prepared to explore everything in and out of the park. We have one of those play yards that we used, great to keep them safe while doing set up and chores around the camp site. Boy those little ones can move fast when we turn for 3 seconds.

The other thing I remember is waking really early, as soon as all the birds started singing, she was awake and ready to explore. Those birds can be really loud at 5 am, and if they awake and it is light, little kids have a hard time being convinced that it is sleep time.

 

[BETH & PETE]

Early May should be okay weather wise but you can never be sure. The DW and I did tent camping once at the Fort in May. We tried to come back to the tent for a nap but it was too hot to be comfortable. So here is hoping for cooler weather for you all.

 

[peg110]

Although the 18 month old probably won't remember much, I hope you all have success and a wonderful trip.

 

[KalamityJane]

Early May should be okay weather wise but you can never be sure. The DW and I did tent camping once at the Fort in May. We tried to come back to the tent for a nap but it was too hot to be comfortable. So here is hoping for cooler weather for you all.

On this - possibly hit the pool first to cool off, then back to the camp site for rest. Worked well with my toddlers. I wouldn't try napping in the tent, it's going to be too hot. Maybe one of those shade shelters so there's some airflow.

 

[piccolopat]

We took our youngest in late May once. At the time she was 1y/o. Like Ed, she dictated the schedule but it was manageable. Early May will be good weather so it will help.

If your at MK and they get grumpy and you need an AC break I would suggest Hall of Presidents or Carousel of Progress depending on your location. As suggested above, you are only a boat ride away from FW so it'll be easy to get back.

Other places to get away for an AC break is Philharmagic and perhaps the circus tent (even if you aren't waiting for the Dumbo ride).

 

[tiggerdad]

Other places to get away for an AC break is Philharmagic and perhaps the circus tent (even if you aren't waiting for the Dumbo ride).

Philharmagic was too loud. She actually freaked out in that one and I had to take her outside. Of course, she loves it now at 5 y/o.