libbylovespluto

I was pretty sure my last trip to Fort Wilderness (solo trip to Destination D in '16 with my tent and gear as checked baggage  - one of the best trips ever) would probably be my last because of logistics/cost. To compound the difficulty, my husband and I sold our apartment, our car, and almost all of our possessions (kept 4 suitcases worth of stuff and a box with my husband's fly fishing gear LOL) last year and moved from Seattle to France. However, my mom and I made a pact to try and do a big Disney trip in the fall of 2020. I recently began wondering whether the Fort would work out for part of the trip -- because we love camping and we love Fort Wilderness -- and it has!

Yesterday, an entire week came together thanks to Meacham's reasonably priced small camper package and June promo. 😃 😃 😃 A couple hours after Disney released the 2020 dates, I booked a pop-up site for the week before Halloween (incredibly, full hook-up sites were already sold out for part of our stay -wow!). Then I contacted Meacham's. We're all set, can't wait! 

I hope that we don't find the Fort too much changed because of the new resort at River Country and its construction. Hoping to see some pictures here of the changes, for sure!

Greetings,

I've got the Fort camping itch! My mom wants to plan a trip for just the 2 of us next March, but she is not up for tent camping (I do really want to fly and camp again sometime, though!). Last time we camped together at the Fort -- a  couple years ago -- we rented a pop-up camper, but that company has since gone out of business. I see that Meacham's has a small hybrid for ~1,000 a week (with tax) that looks nice. After adding in ~100 - 150 a night for a site (guesstimating based on 2017 pricing), we are in the low to mid 300s a night to camp. Is there a more economical way to do this? Has anyone used Meacham's who can recommend them?

Thanks for any advise. I am happy to pack my tent and fly, personally, but my mom is 70 and wants a bed...I know, crazy, right? We *really* want to camp. Please don't say we can get a moderate for less because we know that. :)

Thanks! Hope to be at the Fort again!

I was in 1510 last week and had a great time! There were a few strange things, such as the aforementioned large group moving in to 1500 with their full sized refrigerators. The folks in the group who moved into the site next to mine were out front complaining loudly about my presence in 1510, and at checkout, while I was waiting for bell services to fetch me, they all hovered nearby. Additionally, they were out in protective gear spraying pesticide all over from a pneumatic sprayer. I was not very pleased to see poison so liberally applied.

Before they arrived, my neighbor for a couple nights was a guy who prowled behind my site at night with a headlamp, ripping branches from the trees. I asked him to cease this behavior and he did. Next night, he built a fire with said branches in his grill. The fire was so large that burning branches were spilling out all over the ground. He was stomping around trying to put it all out. I called security. They never showed.

I saw a number of in plain sight unapproved firepits. There were also vehicles everywhere. Some sites with 5 cars, some with campers parked in between sites. Crazy.

All that said, everyone in the loop was generally and mercifully quiet ...and I had an absolutely phenomenal time at the Fort. I wish I had booked a few more days!

PS 1510 is a fantastic site. Separated a bit from its neighbors and on the canal. I did yoga out there in the morning!

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Learned a few knots today, including a bowline and a trucker's hitch, so I can string paracord if needed. Practiced putting the mosquito net on my hammock. Got a travel yoga mat. I am wicked excited, 2 days!

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Thanks! On the list. I have a quick dry camp towel and I thought I might get a beach towel when I am there for use at the pool. About how much are Disney beach towels? Is there perhaps a purchase with purchase towel right now?

I also found a laminated tri-fold "Birds of Florida" guide in the Little Free Library down the street. Might bring the binoculars!

ps itty bitty Vornado fan arrived - think it will be just right for a tent - as did my hammock mosquito shelter!

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Thanks! I have a set of folding silverware. Also a headlamp.

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I got the same choices and I have been checking periodically to see if they change, since having resort style choices is weird and incorrect. I also plan to fax a request!

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I hope you all can look at my bag and let me know if I am forgetting something important? Is my extension cord long enough to reach my tent from the site's electric box?

I have nearly everything I need in my second bag. It weighs 42 pounds, yay! My hammock, mini electric kettle, and fan will probably all go in my first bag with my clothes.

In bag: tent, mallet, stakes, footprint, hand broom, small doormat, tarp, electric cord, paracord, marshmallow toasting fork, pillows, quilt, sleeping pad, pad repair kit, pad sheet, pad inflator sack, Mantis chair, cooler, and bear box. In the bear box I have: s'mores fixings, instant oatmeal, paper bowls, coffee, tea, and a stainless mug.

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Nearly time for my trip! Getting so super excited!

Today I bought the bug net for my ENO hammock and a vornado flippi air circulator for my tent. Looks like upper 70s for my visit. I think I have everything I need now. I do not plan to cook at my site but I might have a few snacks and breakfast items. I was going to put them into a bear deterring heavy duty odor locking ziploc. I hope that is sufficient to keep out small critters - I won't have a car or a box for food.

I got a postcard from DVC offering me 50 bucks for taking a tour, so I signed up. That'll pay for about half of my brunch at the California Grill, and I am one of the weirdos who enjoys touring the DVC models. :)

Looked at the schedule and it seems I have planned my campfire night for "The Tigger Movie" ...ah, well! I will still have fun. :)

I used Touring Plans' room request service and they will fax in my room request 5 days before check-in, so hoping for 1500.

I'll take a photo when I pack my second bag...would love to meet up with anyone visiting when I am! Thanks also for any last minute advice!

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A tour of the horse barn some sounds awesome! Do you recall the time(s) it's offered?

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Well, I am now past the 60 day mark for my solo trip to the Fort! Really daydreaming about it now, I am so excited! I checked in online yesterday, and there is no longer an option to request a loop (though I could have requested an upper floor near the elevator LOL). Guess I'll see what happens when I show up. I am arriving on a Monday at 12:45ish, so perhaps there's a decent chance I'll get 1500.

I also have a new tent! This tent is super-duper easy to set up alone. We took it out this week for a trip to the Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. NO tie outs at all...nice!

And here is a picture of bacon because, well...bacon!

Would love to chat with anyone traveling when I am, the week before T-day. :)

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I loved the wagon ride, best 8 buck value! We went on the early ride, but I think the later ride pauses for the fireworks. I also really enjoyed the trail ride. It is what it is -- just a slow ride, single file, through the woods on horses that are basically self directing...but I dunno, I still loved it! I signed up again this year. There are discounts available, I think I got 15% off for using Disney Visa.

Gonna try to do almost all the offerings this year. Hoop de doo, wagon ride, trail ride, campfire sing-a-long, kayaking, farrier, calliope. I love Fort Wilderness!

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I went today to re-check the week before Thanksgiving and suddenly availability was wide open! For cat 3, anyhow. I was checking all times, all days regularly for the past month or so and nothing was coming up.

I am in on 11/17 if anyone else is planning that date. Been a couple decades since I saw it...excited!

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Beautiful! Going to make a point of looking here when I go.

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Sounds like you had a great time!

Did you carry your own luggage onto DME? If not, did it arrive with you or did you have to wait? I was planning on collecting and carrying my bags so I could set up my tent right away. DME doesn't put guarantee bags until 3 or 4 hours after arrival...

I bought spiral sand stakes. I figured I'd mainly only need them for the fly, so I got a 4 pack. Do you think I should buy another pack?

Lastly, what kind of fan did you buy/bring?

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Thanks, I see a couple kayaks there. Can't imagine the length of the new kayak rental liability waiver now. Thank goodness there are 6 alligator signs in this one area.

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Do they rent kayaks at the Fort? I could swear I saw kayaks last year, but can find no mention of them on the Disney site. I want to rent a kayak this year! :) Easier than a canoe for one person.

Is there a schedule anywhere to see when the farrier will be at work? I'd like to go down and watch.

The electrical water pageant. Can you still go down to the beach with a chair and watch it? Or have they put the kibosh on that after the GF tragedy?

Thanks, getting so excited for November!

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Hello from a fellow Washingtonian (Seattle near the zoo!). I see that your questions have been answered well by others, so just tossing in my own experience. I hope you'll post back with yours!

Like you, I am packing a second bag full of gear to tent camp for a solo trip at at the Fort this November! It is my first time trying this, but last year we flew and camped in a rental PUP. I can confirm that after you check-in you will be driven with your luggage (if it has arrived, Disney says up to three hours after check-in, so I will collect my luggage and carry it on DME myself this year) to your site. Last year we requested 1500 and got it no problem. We did a split stay and the Fort Wilderness van driver took us and our luggage to our next resort. We Uber'ed to Publix for groceries without problems. For three nights, our neighbors got ripping drunk and were super loud until 3-4 in the AM. On the last night I finally went out at 3AM and asked them to quiet down. Other nights were quiet. Never had to wait terribly long for a shower in the morning. Comfort stations are immaculate. We walked everywhere, we only used the internal bus twice at the end of long days. 1500 is not a long walk from either end, IMO, but everyone is different. Everyday we saw either deer or hawks or wild turkeys on the walk to the main entrance bus stop.

My suggestion for a towel is an REI multitowel. It will dry quickly. We took these towels to South Africa when we were in the Peace Corps and everyone who brought their thick fluffy cotton towels became quite jealous (it's also a real back breaker to hand wash fluffy towels LOL).

I bought some spiral stakes for the sandy tent pad, they also have these at REI. I can't say whether they are effective because I have yet to try them.

Lastly, you probably already know this, I'd suggest bring the right size foot print for your tent. If you put down something that extends past the edges of the bottom of your tent and it rains, it will only act to attract water under your tent.

Have a great time!

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I saw one of those coolers for the first time yesterday. Cool stuff.

Wegoshop is a pretty small business. I think the lady would give you a smaller time window if you called. I could be wrong though. I see to remember her calling when she got there, so you could be exploring the Fort and then go to meet her. 

I'll check with wegoshop. Thanks! :)

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Re. Your tarp arrangement.  I probably wouldn't bother.  A good Florida rainstorm will wipe it out or at the very least prove it to be a waste of time.   You need something a little more substantial than a rope between two trees and a tarp held down by two lines.

Just FYI, I only intended that as a temporary setup to cover me while I set up my tent IF it is raining when I arrive. I am worried about it raining when I arrive.

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Thanks so much for those photos! I Really, really appreciate it! I have plenty of time do decide about a grocery delivery. My main concern is that I have no desire to sit around the site for two or more hours waiting on my delivery window.

I went to a class at REI tonight and picked up an Ice Mule cooler. It is super light (about 2 pounds), quite roomy, and rolls up very small, down to about a 3 inch wide + 10 inch long cylinder. We can use it for picnicking, it'll be perfect to pack for Disney. My rough mental calculations have me at about 30ish pounds, so I guess I will probably buy an extension cord and pack it. An extension cord can be over 3 pounds which is why I considered buying one there. I can pack my second bag to 50 pounds, but that would really hamper my mobility. All I will have to plug in is my phone and maybe a small usb fan. I guess I will pray that it doesn't rain. I'll toss in a tarp so I can at least cover my suitcase and gear on the picnic table while I set up.

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Stock image of the cooler.

I'm still weighing whether to order a grocery delivery. I do not want to end up with a lot of uneaten food as I will probably end up eating most meals out. I figure I can just pick up a few things at the trading post. I can pack muesli/oatmeal for a week and Via instant coffee - I have a mini bodum hotpot that I pack all the time. At the Trading Post, please comment whether the following are available. If you have an idea of cost, that'd be great, too.

* plain, unflavored, unsweetened yogurt.

* milk in quarts or pints.

* half n half.

* hot dogs, what brand.

* buns, what brand.

* fresh vegetables.

* fresh fruit.

Also, does the Trading Post carry the following things I may not want to waste weight on:

* long outdoor extension cords.

* tarp.

* mallet.

* paracord (if I end up needing more than I've packed).

At the chuck wagon, if you purchase a single hot dog to roast at the campfire, does it come with a bun/condiments?

The kid's Mickey check turkey sandwich meal actually sounds good to me, too, because it comes with fresh fruit and veg. Anyone tried it?

Lastly, I have been dwelling a bit on the scenario of rain when I arrive. It seems that statistically November has the lowest chance of rain (33%) - but I want a plan in place. If it's pouring rain, I figure I can sit it out at the Reception Outpost until it eases up. Is this quick tarp set-up doable tree-wise at most sites? I will definitely be in either 1500 or 2000. I could throw this up and set up the tent beneath it.

Thanks!

ps The Decades channel weekend Daniel Boone binge is pumping me up! Not Disney, I know, but Fess Parker in a coonskin cap at least!

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Well, I decided to go for it. I bought my Destination D tickets today, cashed in some miles for flights, and bought park admission. I am all set for 7 nights of camping at the Fort!

I think I have everything I need for the trip except a cooler and a fan. I am hoping I can get away with just my thermarest down quilt (if predictive forecast is anywhere near accurate, it will work). I found a cooler that rolls up small and weighs 2 and 1/2 lbs, the Icemule cooler. Little usb fans are dirt cheap on Amazon. I should have about 30-35 pounds of gear, a manageable amount. I should also have enough room to spare to throw in a few food items.

Excited!

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PS Here is the tent setup I will bring, a Hobitat 4 and vestibule (17 pounds total). Also the sleep setup I anticipate, thermarest ultra-lite mesh cot, neo-air pad, sheet, thermarest travel pillow, and thermarest down quilt (and pooh LOL). Yes, we got a Peace Corps discount at thermarest. about 5 to 6 pounds.

Yes, they will. But they won't guarantee what time your luggage will arrive at your next resort. Last time we used the transfer service, our luggage wasn't delivered to our next resort until nearly 4pm. That's fine when it's just your clothes and stuff, but I do not want to be pitching camp late afternoon. I want to get to Fort Wilderness at earliest check-in, set up my tent and stuff, and move on with the day. :) That's worth a 10 to 15 dollar uber ride to me.

I thought of another question. I want to try and request the 1500 loop (hopefully I can still do that in online check-in, because I could not make that request at booking), but if I end up in 2000, is there any walking shortcut to the meadows? Thanks!

PS Will I actually need a fan in November? I spent 2012-2014 in Peace Corps SA (think 115 daytime summer temps) so I am thinking November Orlando temps will be tolerable...but I am willing to be convinced otherwise. I definitely won't need a heater, I have good technical gear.

I really appreciate all the feedback!

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Good point about fetching my own luggage. I will consider that option. I can fit all my gear into my Eagle Creek duffel. Pretty much my only valuable will be my tablet. I do not want to carry it around all day.

The more I lay here and daydream, the more convinced I am that this trip will happen and will be super swell! We start our camping season next month. I will practice setting up and taking down our tent solo.

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