Well, I survived

[Madonna3]

We survived camping. Thanks for the advice. Here's what we learned.

Since we had a nylon tent, we experienced no wicking of water when it rained

Having the rain fly was enough. Others used the tarp method and a severe storm came into the area the second day and tore down someone's site that was using a tarp to cover his ENTIRE campsite.

Using heavy duty stakes on everything literally saved the day. The first storm was so bad that it damaged a lot of people's campsites including ravaging a tent of some poor lady and her two kids. We had some regular metal stakes on some non-essential parts of the rain fly and they ripped right out of the ground. The parts we used the heavy stakes on stayed firm.

We refilled our mug 25 times with Mr. Pibb! I wish it was everywhere on property!!

The resort was a lot of fun. We were there for a week, barely did parks, and still didn't see or do everything.

The A/C unit was essential to our survival.

The golf carts were a lot of fun and while I realize they are not necessary, why the heck wouldn't you get one? So much fun.

We learned we hate tent camping and purchased a DVC contract instead We decided if we want to camp again, we'll rent an RV or pop-up or bite the bullet for an overpriced cabin.

 

[jpthom17]

Glad to hear you survived! We threw in the towel on tent camping about 10 years ago and went out and bought a 5th wheel. Now we go glamping!

 

[sharadoc]

We survived camping. Thanks for the advice. Here's what we learned.

Since we had a nylon tent, we experienced no wicking of water when it rained

Having the rain fly was enough. Others used the tarp method and a severe storm came into the area the second day and tore down someone's site that was using a tarp to cover his ENTIRE campsite.

Using heavy duty stakes on everything literally saved the day. The first storm was so bad that it damaged a lot of people's campsites including ravaging a tent of some poor lady and her two kids. We had some regular metal stakes on some non-essential parts of the rain fly and they ripped right out of the ground. The parts we used the heavy stakes on stayed firm.

We refilled our mug 25 times with Mr. Pibb! I wish it was everywhere on property!!

The resort was a lot of fun. We were there for a week, barely did parks, and still didn't see or do everything.

The A/C unit was essential to our survival.

The golf carts were a lot of fun and while I realize they are not necessary, why the heck wouldn't you get one? So much fun.

We learned we hate tent camping and purchased a DVC contract instead We decided if we want to camp again, we'll rent an RV or pop-up or bite the bullet for an overpriced cabin.

In our opinion, the cabins are not overpriced vs. a DVC one bedroom. You get everything in a cabin as in a 1 BR except for a washer/dryer. You have a separate bedroom, full kitchen, LR and DR areas and a deck (balcony). Plus the advantage is that you are completely separated from your neighbors, so you don't hear footsteps, toilets, running water, talking, yelling, crying babies, or any number of other things that you hear in buldings where you share walls.

 

[Madonna3]

I can understand that, however, the cabins only have double beds and that will create domestic issues in my family. If they upgraded that double to a queen, I'd be more comfortable with the price. Also, we wouldn't book a one bedroom at DVC so maybe that's why I don't see the value.

 

[msquoted]

Good for you for giving it a go! I am sure you have some awesome memories that you will treasure for a long time to come.

 

[Napria]

Glad you survived and shared your experiences!

We went from DVC and tent camping to selling the DVC to buy a popup, trading in the popup for a fifthwheel (which we used for 9 years) and just recently trading the fifthwheel for a bigger, more up to date fifthwheel. It takes a lot for me to stay in a hotel nowadays. Give me my home away from home any day and I'll be a happy camper

To each his own, eh?

 

[Madonna3]

Some of those 5th wheels are really nice!! Some of them even have better finishes than my condo!! I think we may invest in a really high end 5th wheel down the line when we're able to do more traveling. With hubby and son both in school full-time and me working, we're finding we're able to take vacations, but for very short periods.

 

[Teamubr]

Glad you had a great trip. And my DW completely agrees with you on tenting. I've looked at DVC a couple of times. We've stayed in a friends DVC and it is nice. I still really enjoy rv'ing and the Fort for now. If the diesel fuel to tow down keeps getting more expensive, a DVC may be the better deal.

j

 

[DisneyDarling13]

When I was 12 my parents took us tent camping at the Fort for the first time (the previous 2 times we went we stayed in cabins) and one night early in the trip it stormed so horrendously that my dad was outside digging a trench around our tent! My parents caved and rented a cabin for the rest of our stay, and of course, it didn't rain a BIT the rest of the time! This thread just brought me back to that trip so vividly! The next 2 times we went, my parents had bought a pop-up and we thoroughly enjoyed that

Also, it's been 11 years since I've stayed at the Fort, but it will always be "home" to me. I hope to stay there again next time we go (we leave for our trip in a few weeks, but we're staying at Coronado Springs). But, THEY HAVE MR. PIBB?!? I wish they would have that throughout property!