yippee!!!

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

I did it, I did it, I did it! I was given a budget to work with and I managed to still figure out how to go on our traditional 10 day Disney vacation while staying within my 3,000 budget. We have myself, DH, DS15, DS12, DD3. We are going to camp (yes in a tent) at FW campground. we are getting MYW 6 day and adding the Dining for only 7 days (little tricky but cm figured it out) We can still go to Hoop-de-doo, etc without breaking the bank (and the dining plan is my husbands favorite part) The grand total is 3013.50. (DS says he'll kick in the xtra 13 ) We will drive down and stop half way at my parents for overnight (no extra hotels) and the kids are saving their allowance for spending money (they started that last year and found it to be quite rewarding and my DS12 actually came home with money) Gas is the only thing that we haven't fit in yet, but with can and bottle returns and pinecone money we'll chip away at that... we have until the end of August.

Anywho... I couldn't help but tell, you all understand the "despair" we went through when the possiblity of not being able to go was pretty high!

Anyone have suggestions for keeping a tent "cool" at night??

 

[Chris]

I did it, I did it, I did it! I was given a budget to work with and I managed to still figure out how to go on our traditional 10 day Disney vacation while staying within my 3,000 budget. We have myself, DH, DS15, DS12, DD3. We are going to camp (yes in a tent) at FW campground. we are getting MYW 6 day and adding the Dining for only 7 days (little tricky but cm figured it out) We can still go to Hoop-de-doo, etc without breaking the bank (and the dining plan is my husbands favorite part) The grand total is 3013.50. (DS says he'll kick in the xtra 13 ) We will drive down and stop half way at my parents for overnight (no extra hotels) and the kids are saving their allowance for spending money (they started that last year and found it to be quite rewarding and my DS12 actually came home with money) Gas is the only thing that we haven't fit in yet, but with can and bottle returns and pinecone money we'll chip away at that... we have until the end of August.

Anywho... I couldn't help but tell, you all understand the "despair" we went through when the possiblity of not being able to go was pretty high!

Anyone have suggestions for keeping a tent "cool" at night??

I'm so happy you are able to go! We just booked for 2 weeks next year and I'm THRILLED also and trying to stay w/in my budget!!!
Between my jeep and van needing work done and the dentist, 2000.00 has come from my poor checking account and isn't helping! LOL I still have 8 months though!!

 

[mommyof3grlz]

We camped for 7 nights last October at Ft. Wilderness. It was still hot then. We took a heavy duty extension cord, fans, blow-up mattresses, and cooler. We had a great time. Also, another good idea for night at the campsite is to take a string or two of white Christmas lights. You will be surprised at how they help light up the darkness.

My three girls had a blast!!!

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

thanks for the tidbits... maybe i should start another thread about budget camping at Ft. Wilderness!

Love the Christmas lights!

We camped for 7 nights last October at Ft. Wilderness. It was still hot then. We took a heavy duty extension cord, fans, blow-up mattresses, and cooler. We had a great time. Also, another good idea for night at the campsite is to take a string or two of white Christmas lights. You will be surprised at how they help light up the darkness.

My three girls had a blast!!!

 

[hdecker]

I know you are going to find this incredibly silly, but after a few hours of being miserable one really hot night we devised this system to keep cool - we only use it on nights that it doesn't drop below 80. We always travel with two fans - one box fan, one oscillating one. Well, that wasn't cutting it so dh emptied our little dorm size refrigerator into an ice chest, opened the door of the fridge and put the box fan in front of it right inside our tent - instant air conditioning. I figure I'm paying the same no matter how much electricity I use so might as well be comfortable. I second the Christmas lights too!