Tenting in September and Where To Choose?

[toostsmom]

Two questions... has anyone else tent camped at Fort Wilderness in September? What to expect? How's the weather at night then? We're going from the 20-24. Also, since we've never been to the Fort, any suggestions on the best campsites for tents?

 

[clkelley]

There are two loops known as partial hookup loops. (Electric and water only)Loop 1500 and Loop 2000.

Loop 1500 is centrally located right across from the Meadows recreation area, pool, nightly campfire and movie, etc. It is a small loop, so no site is too far from the comfort station. However, it is an older loop, that has varying sizes on the sites, and depending on the tenting equipment you set up, your "stuff" may not fit. Site 1506 is particularly bad for tenters with a tree and the grill in bad spots.

Loop 2000 is a large loop with well designed tent pads that are larger, and the spot for the grill is always off to the side, so there is no question that most any tent setup will fit on those sites. However, Loop 2000 is kind of isolated from the rest of the campground, and unless you have a golf cart or bicycles, getting to other points around the campground can be troublesome. There are two comfort stations in Loop 2000, but there are many sites that are quite a hike from the comfort station.

Our only September trip (not at the Campground) found us there with lots more rain that we typically see in October or December. If you do go that month, make sure you waterproof that tent thoroughly and have an extra rain shelter or two, so you are not stuck in your tent.

 

[toostsmom]

Thank you - very helpful! Other than excess rain - how is the heat at night end of September?

 

[neffernie]

Hi Toostsmom! I am new to FW too. I will be tent camping there at the end of July.

I will make sure to take lots of pictures of the different sites and post them when I get back so you can see what the sites are like.

Of course, there are probably people here with thousands upon thousands of pics already who will beat me to it.

 

[DisneyBishops]

Tent camping at the fort can be fun. Just remember that here in florida, the rainy season runs until Oct. Nov or so. In July, August, and even sept. it will be hotttttttt and you can expect afternoon thunderstorms almost every day. If you are tent camping I would recommend a portable a/c. Also bring tarps to keep you and your stuff dry. These items can make life bearable during the heat and rain.

I tent camped there when kids were young, so was I LOL, but don't want to do it again.

Have fun on your trip and once you come to the fort you will come back.


Dan

 

[Tri-circle-D]

It is still real hot and humid at night in September in central Florida. September is still hurricane season. I guess it might be a little better that July or August- but not by much!

That being said, there are still a ton of folks who tent camp at the Fort in September. If they can do it, so can you!

Go for it!

Happy Camping!

TCD

 

[DisneyVC]

When we did this, we slept with just a sheet on the airmatress. The ground was still cool at night, so it helped. We also had fans blowing on us.

It wasn't to bad, but it warms up quickly.

 

[islangrl]

My 2 daughters and I tent camped at FW last week, 7/1 (one night only ).
We have never camped before, but stayed in the cabins. I was a little nervous, but we had a great time. I brought a fan, which we used until I woke up FREEZING at 2am. Totally unexpected! My mom's neighbors (die hard campers) told me this is the norm in the summer especially in central Florida. I guess it has to do with the high humidity or something. So, as ridiculous as this sounds, you should bring a warm blanket; or three in your case . Oh, and I forgot a hammer or mallet; thank goodness it wasn't too windy; it's really hard to push your stakes deep into the sand pads at the sites, nothing like my backyard where I practiced putting up the tent!

 

[toostsmom]

Thanks - if you got chilly in July, I'm not going to worry about it too much. We actually switched from Sept to Oct 4-8. I've tent camped enough to know to bring earplugs, sleepmask (for any unwanted light) and two fans. Glad you had a good time! I know we will too!