What would be the best month to tent camp at FW?

[kjetjl]

We have 6 kids and have considered camping at FW for our trip to Disney in 2009. It souns like a lot of fun!
My DH camped in tents and a pop up when he was growing up. I never camped growing up but did once with him and our kids. We had a blast!

I know there is no such thing as the perfect time but I would love some opinions and the pros and cons of certain times of the year! (Keep in mind we will be in tents) Kids will be 14,12,10,9,5,3.

I do have one question in particular...how far in advance should we reserve our site? We will definitely not be going during peak times such as Christmas week, Easter week, President's week, etc. We are not new to Disney, just camping at Disney.

Any information is greatly appreciated!

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

To me the perfect time would be between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it will never happen until DS is in college We have to camp during the school breaks so spring and fall, the weather has always been tolerable. Avoid the summer like the plague...way too hot for tenting unless you do like some other folk here and take a portable AC

 

[2goofycampers]

I think October would be a nice time to tent camp at the Fort.

 

[kjetjl]

To me the perfect time would be between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it will never happen until DS is in college We have to camp during the school breaks so spring and fall, the weather has always been tolerable. Avoid the summer like the plague...way too hot for tenting unless you do like some other folk here and take a portable AC

This would be an ideal time for us to go.....I just question if it would get too cold at night?

Thanks for the quick replies!

 

[kjetjl]

I think October would be a nice time to tent camp at the Fort.

this is another time we have considered......is this still considered hurricane season?

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

This would be an ideal time for us to go.....I just question if it would get too cold at night?

Thanks for the quick replies!

Nah, take a small heater. It's easier to heat the tent than cool one. Carol has tent camped in December, maybe she will chime in and give a few tips. We've never camped in December but have been to WDW when we've had to wear heavy coats during the day and we've gone at the same time another year and wore shorts during the day.

 

[Mickey Canada]

DW and I tent camped during July. I swear I will never to that again. It's just too hot and uncomfortable.

Our next trip is this October. I'm praying for better conditions!

 

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

May is usually just as nice as October, & not that crowded either. Plus, not in Hurricane Season.

Hurricane Season is June 1 to Nov. 30.

 

[clkelley]

October is a great time. Even though it's hurricane season, no worries. If a hurricane even gets close, they evacuate the Fort and will put you in a hotel.

December is also a good time, though it can get cold!!!! I will never put a heater in a tent, just too worried about it, but I did use an electric blanket and electric mattress pad on my air mattress and stayed toasty while sleeping. Also, even though it's cold at night, I still opened my tent windows and ran a fan in the tent during the day cause it's still humid in Florida and you need things to be DRY.

 

[clkelley]

They will announce rates and seasons for 2009 probably in July or August of this year. You can book as early as 500 days out. I would book as soon as you know your dates. It's only a 1 night deposit, and you can cancel up to 6 days in advance.

 

[kjetjl]

Thank you for all the replies.

A little hesitant about heaters; not sure why,just a feeling. But I never thought about electric blankets....that is a great alternative.

And the humidity factor even in winter is something I never considered.

Any other information?

 

[LoriMomx5]

We have tent camped with our 5 children (11,11,10,7,5) at the Fort several times and had a blast! We camped in January with a coleman tent heater on several nights and that worked GREAT! We also tent camped in October and I absolutely love that time of year at DisneyWorld. You will truely love camping at Fort Wilderness with your children. Lori

 

[kimgof]

We were talking about possibly tent camping at Disney in the future. How is it during November? Do all the sites come with water and electric? The camp site area looks like fun. We have camped before but never in Florida.

 

[kjetjl]

We have tent camped with our 5 children (11,11,10,7,5) at the Fort several times and had a blast! We camped in January with a coleman tent heater on several nights and that worked GREAT! We also tent camped in October and I absolutely love that time of year at DisneyWorld. You will truely love camping at Fort Wilderness with your children. Lori

Good to know January is even possible. Did you have any worries with the heater? Is it hot to the touch? thanks.

 

[2goofycampers]

We were talking about possibly tent camping at Disney in the future. How is it during November? Do all the sites come with water and electric? The camp site area looks like fun. We have camped before but never in Florida.

for the most part November is ok it may get a little chilly tho. all sites have elec. and water. the tent loops are 1500 and 2000. Thanksgiving week will be busy also.

 

[HappyCamper87]

Just thought I'd throw in my two cents.

We do not tent camp but I can tell you I have only turned my heat on twice the past year. We live about 2 and half hours south of Orlando but there is not that big of a difference.

May is not August but it is still hot (humid) in my opinion. If you can get away in mid, late October through Mid December I think that would be the cooler , but definitely not heater time. A good sleeping bag is all you would need. Especially if you are used to colder weather.

I hope your family has a great time planning.

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

If you opt for a small heater, just make sure it's the ceramic with the automatic tip-over switch and has a thermal cut-off. These are the safest that I know of. I had to turn on our heater before in October and definitely in March of last year.