To current and former FW tent campers

[Katie Dawn]

Hello tent campers! (and those of you who used to be)

DH and I have always been national park, state park, national rec area folks. I originally wanted to stay at FW to save money but you all have convinced me that staying at FW is a great "vacation within a vacation." I know that all sites have electricity which is an entirely new concept for me. I am realizing more and more what an advantage it could be at Disney where we will probably just want to rest after a fun day at the parks. Specifically, I've seen several of you talk about using a crock pot.

So my questions as they relate to this:
1) Are there rules at FW about not leaving food out at your site? I'm used to being in bear and critter country where food storage policy is strict and very necessary.

2) If FW policy states food can't be left out while we're gone, where do you put a crock pot??? I'm imagining it in my tent bubbling away all day and that is just cracking me up. (Although technically it's not really put "away" in the tent, so now I've got no ideas)

3) If the answer is that Disney will allow me to leave a crock pot (that of course has the lid on it) outside while we are gone do you personally protect it in any other way? I know that, policy or not, there are critters at FW. I doubt they'd be able to get into it, but I can imagine they might try!

Poor little burned raccoon paws!

4) Is there a website that will list all of the do's and don'ts for FW? I've seen someone mention a Gazette but that sounds like a publication they give you when you get there, just like the ones we get at the campgrounds we typically stay at.

5) Is the electricity like an outlet? Do I need to bring anything special so I can plug appliances into it? I know that probably sounds like a silly question but I am in uncharted waters!

6) And finally, what else do you use at the site because you have electric that I might not be thinking of? I don't want to load myself down with a vehicle full of bulky appliances but I'm sure you guys will have great ideas for some helpful items. I was thinking a small coffee pot would be great for coffee and hot water for whatever. And of course charging our camera batteries will be a breeze. I feel like a kid in a candy store. Electricity! Yipee! lol

TIA!!

 

[Rhonda]

Poor little burned raccoon paws!

LOL!

1. No, there are no official rules about leaving food out.

2. We have a screen tent that we set up over our picnic table area. I leave the crockpot cooking on the table while we're out at the parks.

3. I've never had a critter try to get into our refrigerator, coolers, or crockpot during the day while we're gone

4. I've never seen a Web site with the do's and don'ts. But, here's a good one for information: Disney Campers

5. Each site has a little post with electric outlets. We plug in a grounded extension cord and run it into our screen tent. Then, we use a power strip to plug in our various appliances (see #6).

6. We bring: small refrigerator, crockpot, electric frying pan, coffee pot, single electric burner, cell phone charger cord, small tent heater (in case it's cold at night), small tent fan (in case it's hot at night), and rechargeable lantern.

You'll love it! We enjoy camping at National parks, State parks, etc. too, but we really feel spoiled at FW! Besides electric, all the sites also have a water faucet.

 

[mickeymouse1017]

I don't know if this will help you or not but I came across this web page before our trip last week and it did answer a few questions that I had.
http://home.hiwaay.net/~jlspence/faq_fw.htm

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

6. We bring a small refrigerator and a Mickey waffler; that's it for our kitchen appliances. Other electrical devices: heater, fan, and string lights that go around the screen house. Almost forgot my recent addition, My Mickey Lamp.

 

[clkelley]

I have read that some folks bring a milk crate and bungy it over the crock pot to help keep critters from trying to get in the pot/knock it over.

 

[Katie Dawn]

Thanks for all the suggestions and info so far!

 

[rimmer]

an electric frying pan (or skillet) is a nice appliance to camp with, you can cook breakfast, spagetti, just about anything in them.

 

[WDWFWfan]

Hello Katie, you will find FW to be much nicer than any parks that you may be used to in the Knoxville area (we are fellow Tennesseans 1 hour from Knoxville). Anyway, what would I bring? Three words...fan, fan, fan!

BTW, did I say fan? Maybe even a small A/C (yes it can be done). I have also found hot plates to be good additions.

Enjoy FW, you will be hooked after this trip!