We are getting a pop up!!!!

[Christymarie222]

Ok the good news....we are getting a pop up Hopefully this weekend! I can finally start planning my dream vacation of traveling from NY to Disney and stay in the Fort. We stayed in the cabins last year and had an AMAZING time...but I've always wanted to have that same experience of my childhood and really camp at the Fort .

Ok the not so good news. I am a teacher, so although I am blessed with an amazing work schedule...it also means I am limited to certain vacation times. My options are the usual: Spring break or summer. I am heavily leaning towards the tail end of July (August wont work because my daughter has a sports committment) because that will give us a full two weeks to get down there with some fun stops on the way and have a nice stay in Disney. My main concern is the crowds combined with the heat. We stayed in August last year and while hot, it really was managable because the crowds were not horrendous.

Any brave souls want to share their July experiences at the Fort and Disney? Was it worth it? Does the Disney magic overpower the heat and crowds? Our pop up will have air...so that won't be a problem

Thanks,
Christy

 

[YellowXterra]

Get you some pop up bunkend covers Like those from popupgizmos.com or your AC won't stand a chance.

 

[bama_ed]

Good for you fellow pop-up owner!

How soon do you get out of school in June? If you can get to the Fort in the first two weeks of June you can avoid some of the hotter weather, daily thunder boomers, and summer crowds. But by mid-June all three show up (some sooner!).

I religiously try to avoid summer although I don't have as far as you to travel. We can get to the Fort in one day (9-10 hour drive).

As X said, pop-up gizmos will reflect the sun if your site is in an open, sunny location and let you a/c catch up to cool the interior during the day. People who have gizmos swear by them. Remember to slant your awning substantially to shed rain water or it will tear from a huge puddle like mine did at the Fort one trip.

But congrats and you need to tell us the year/model of pup - slideout? casette toilet? dinette? oh, and get memory foam 2-inch mattress toppers if the mattress are uncomfortable (as most are).

Bama ED

 

[FloridaTeacher]

Congrats on your popup. Just remember - anytime in the summer- it's hot and humid....this seems to make some folks cranky??? If you remember to take frequent breaks (especially in the afternoon) and pack your patience and sense of humor, all will be fine.

Remember a bad day at Disney is still better than a good day at work.

 

[Christymarie222]

Our schools unfortunately don't get out til the end of June and I don't want to run into the 4th of July crowd! So I am pretty limited on when we can go for a longer chunk of time.
Thanks for the advice on the reflector gizmos....good to know! Also the egg crates for the mattresses and the awning.
I am hoping to finalize a deal on a 2004 Rockwood Freedom. We only have a minivan, so I don't want to go too much bigger. Our minivan has the tow package so can haul 3600, but with all of our stuff and the five of us, I want to keep the pop up on the lighter side. It has a dinette, AC, fridge, inside and outside stove, heater, a long bank of storage cabinets on one side, a cassette potty and a queen and full beds. No tip outs though and no shower...bummer on the shower it would have been helpful with my little ones. But I will probably benefit from the storage more!
I grew up camping in travel trailers...never a pop up though so I am excited to begin this journey. We can't wait to start exploring
I will keep you guys posted on our final purchase, but I am keeping my fingers crossed this works out.
Thanks again for the advice!
Christy

 

[2goofycampers]

Welcome to the wonderful world of camping. Anytime at WDW can be a good time, just prepare your mind and body for heat and crowds.

 

[dindy]

I am also a teacher with ESY built into my schedule, so that also limits our travels as well. We ended up camping at the Fort over spring break this past year. I had the same ambitions- camped there annually as a child, and wanted to do the same with my kids. If you want less-humid weather, then go over spring break. We had beautiful weather when we were there, and are planning to go again this spring break! Can't wait! I honestly didn't think the crowds were too bad when we were there either. Have fun whatever you choose!

 

[Christymarie222]

I am soooo upset...the pop up I wanted sold before we could go get it tomorrow morning. I am having such a hard time finding a pop up with an air conditioner up here in the north. They are sold in the blink of an eye and dealers are soooo overpriced. Oh well....back to craigslist.....

 

[2goofycampers]

Oh too bad, keep trying.

 

[retired and happy]

Same thing happened to our daughter a couple weeks ago. It would have been ideal for her family and their TV. She too will keep looking.

 

[FLDisneyFan]

Sorry to hear that! Could you get a pop up and then put in the AC? I have no clue how that would work, but thought I might mention it!

 

[cookiebrito]

We bought a used 1999 coleman for an awesome price BUT it did not have an a/c unit. Our plan was to buy the ac in the future. To make a long story short we were unable to purchase the ac roof bracket so we ended up buying a portable ac unit from HomeDepot. I believe it is 9000 btu and it works great. We also made homemade gizmos

 

[Christymarie222]

Woo hoo!!!! We found one It is a 2004 Fleetwood Bayside. AC, outdoor shower, king beds...the works!

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions. Next on my list is to make my reservations for next year. My husband threw out there Christmas time...but I am sure the Fort is booked by now. And the parks will be so very crowded....decisions, decisions....I LOVE IT!

 

[mkoerner]

Congratulations! You are right about Christmas 2011. Sold out already. When I called last week, the woman said to call back in mid August to reserve Christmas 2012. That works out better anyway because that's a longer school break for me!

 

[Christymarie222]

Bummer about Christmas 2011...but have a blast in 2012...gives you plenty of time to obsess on the disboards...lol! I haven't booked anything yet...but I am leaning towards summer just because it gives us so much more time at Disney My husband is really wanting to go before then though...go figure...I am usually the disney nut!

 

[PoohNRoo2]

Good luck! We spent a week last June at the Fort. It was great. The humidity was rough though... Fans to move the air helped.

Got a portable AC (affectionately called R4) and gave it a test run on this year's trip to Chattanooga. Worked really well, just need a better way to keep it drained. It is one that supposedly doesn't need drained, but the humidity gave it a run for its money and it flooded the counter! Nothing that a length of tubing and a hose clamp can't fix, tho!

You won't regret your purchase! Oh the places you will go!

 

[mash]

Congratulations on your new-to-you pop up. We have been pop up camping as a family for 13 years and we love it! I think the Bayside is a pretty sweet set up, so your family should get lots of use out of it.

It will be very hot here in Florida in August. If you can you should plan on being at the parks for the rope drops to hit as many rides as possible before the crowds really descend around 11am. You can head back to the Fort at lunch time to eat, swim and nap and then return to the parks after the rain and when the temperatures are cooler.

Plan on spending at least one day hanging out at the Fort. Two full days back-to-back in the parks can be exhausting. Plus, the Fort has so much to offer that your family will love.

We don't have the gizmos for our pop up yet but we do plan on buying them. It can get a little warm during the day in the pop up if you don't have any shade. But, it will work great during the evening hours when the sun does down.

You can keep trying to book for Christmas this year. I know some folks have had success by constantly calling and getting lucky when something opened up.

Good luck and enjoy. We will all be looking forward to your first trip report when you return from your trip!

 

[bama_ed]

Atta girl!

Way to hang in there.

Welcome to the proud pop-up group of Fort Campers (I am bestowing a presumptive membership to you now).

Bama ED

 

[YensidCamper]

Congrats! Here is my 2 cents worth, and I echo a lot of what others have said. We own a 2002 Bayside, being you are up north, do you have an AC? If not, forget going in July. We went in late July in 06'. Gizmos are a must and they work! Slant your awning by at least 1 foot or more on one end just make sure you leave enough room for your door to open without hitting the awning. We lost an awning on our first trip due to an afternoon storm. Our usual 6 inches didn't do it. Although our AC kept the camper cool the sheets were always damp, maybe someone has a tip to help that. The power pole can be a long way from the camper you may need an extension, but you can get that at a close camping world in FL. if needed. Take a 100 ft fresh water hose and drain hose for the same reason.

Good luck and welcome to camping. We loved the Fort and will be going there several times this next year. Nothing beats your own bed.

 

[Christymarie222]

Thanks for the tips and warm welcome to the pop up club We do have a roof ac...thank goodness. Sounds silly...but I specifically wanted an ac just for disney. Although...it does get very warm up north in the summer too and I'm sure some nights I will be glad I have it up here too!

Thanks for the tips about the gizmos, awning and long hoses....definitely have to remember that before we head down next year. We pick up our pop up tomorrow morning and we are taking our first official pop up camping trip this weekend. Let the games begin...lol!

Ohhhh...if only we were a bit closer to Disney. That would make an AWESOME first pop up experience.

Thanks again everyone!