Tenting Tonight?

[Minnesota]

Hi all,

Has anyone camped in Ft.Wilderness in a tent before? I stayed there in 94 but we were in a motorhome. If anyone has, what do you do with your valueables while you're in the parks? and What about those little lizards all over FL? I am experienced in camping so that doesn't bother me at all, I just want to have my stuff safe and only me living in the tent.

Thanks!
Minnesota

 

[Jesussavedme]

Hi!
We've been several times to Ft. Wilderness and love it!
Got an air mattress or pad? That ground is mighty hard if you don't.
Lizards aren't an issue. I've never seen them come near our tent, not once. But even if they did, you know they're harmless, right?
I'd be more concerned about snakes! But haven't seen them either.

The mosquitos is always an issue for me over there. It's already warm down here, mid 80's, and the mosquitos are starting to come out at night. Plus Ft. Wilderness has those trenches full of water and that's inviting to the little pesks. Just always have insect repellent.

As for our valuables, we lock them in the van and make sure they're covered up/concealed. They do have lockers there, but I've always just put everything in our vehicle and left it parked there during the day while we went to the parks. They have security that rides around all day and I've never encountered any problems.

I think you'll have fun! We've tent camped there during Florida's coldest days, when it got into the 20's and it was awesome. No one else was brave enough (or crazy enough - not sure which) to do so, so we had the whole loop to ourselves!! We've tent camped there in the early summer and hate sweating in our sleep, so we won't do that again.

Have a good time, it's a great campground!

 

[Minnesota]

Thanks for the info. I would be taking the ME bus so I wouldn't have a car to lock anything in. Where are the lockers and how big are they? I wouldn't be bringing much valueable along but I was hoping to bring my laptop to download video clips and pictures to and I don't want to be lugging that around all day.
Thanks
Minnesota

 

[Jesussavedme]

What is the ME bus? How are you bringing your tent and camping equipment?
I am not sure where the lockers are or how big they are. I thought they were near the front lobby, but can't remember. Here is the # to FW if you want to call and find out. 407-824-2900

Hope it works out for you!

 

[clkelley]

If you are using ME, then you are flying in??

I have done that before, and I leave my laptop in my tent locked in a hardside plastic footlocker, which is cable locked to a tree. (Wal-Mart carries the footlocker for about $20.00 in the automotive section). Other alternatives are locking the zipper pulls on a duffle or suitcase, then locking the zipper pulls on your tent.

If you are only bringing large duffle bags, then you can leave the laptop at the Outpost in their secure area, then drop by there in the evening to download pictures.

If you want to get on the internet, you have to drop by the outpost anyway as that is where the dialup connections are. (Unless you have a cell phone data card).