jlafunk 1 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Hi, all! I'm Jeremiah and I'm new to Fort Fiends. I was referred here by Rod Wheaton of WDW Mousenger. And, I have questions! :) I've searched through the boards but I can't find the information I'm looking for on camping at FW with tents, no vehicles involved. Here's why I'm asking: My friends and I are planning on attending the WDW Marathon weekend in January 2015 but we want to do it on a budget. So, we have decided to go camping and take all of our equipment with us. We live in San Diego, CA and will be flying to Orlando. We plan to pack our tents, sleeping bags and other odds & ends in our checked luggage. We've previously stayed at the Pop Century (which we really like) and we plan to take advantage of the Dining Plan (which we have used before and works well for us). We're in our 30's and 40's, we may eventually have 4 or 5 of us all together by the time we go and we don't want to ruffle feathers but we like to be social. We like to have a few adult beverages and can be a bit boisterous... maybe not "child appropriate" at times. Also, we like to stay out late at the parks and don't want to disturb anyone. FW has so much to offer and we'd like to try canoeing, horseback riding, biking, joining in on campfires and movie nights... But are there any tips for hauling our stuff out there and just plain old camping? I'm excited to hear from all of you, and even if you can't answer my questions I look forward to getting to know you all! Jeremiah Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Momof6....aka Marty 769 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 If your stuff is in your checked luggage, I would think you can get it to the campground via Magical Express, Disney's complimentary bus from MCO to all the resorts. jlafunk 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Judy in Texas 150 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Welcome. If you don't want to haul your tents, The Fort has tents for rent. Staying at The Fort is all about being social and enjoying the amenities; however, keep in mind that most of the sites around you will have families with kids so anything "not child appropriate" will have to be kept to a minimum. As long as the boistress-ness is before quiet hours, you should be OK. Good luck with the races!PS: here is the link to the tent rental information: http://www.fortfiends.net/_/rental-information/renting-a-tent-from-disney-r329 jlafunk 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
momof3kids-Yvonne 594 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 Welcome Jeremiah! The question of tent camping and flying has come up here before and there has been a lot of great advice and even a Trip Report. I am on my phone so, adding links is kind of a pain. I will go ahead and bump the threads that may be of interest to you.Oops sorry looks like Jason borrowed a tent from Carol when he flew in for the 5K. jlafunk 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
momof3kids-Yvonne 594 Posted June 28, 2014 Report Share Posted June 28, 2014 The threads I bumped for you are:Supplies for a tentJust wanted to Introduce myself Flying and tent camping to the Fort.Tent Camping and AirplaneHoping these will be helpful for you. jlafunk, Momof6....aka Marty and BradyBzLyn...Mo 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Welcome Jeremiah! :wave1: Not sure if it would work for you, but another budget-friendly option might be renting a pop-up. There are companies that will come in and setup/take down for you. Campers come well stocked and you generally just have to worry about your clothes and food. If you decide to check out that option, one of our site sponsors comes highly recommended by many Fiends for popup rentals - Fort Camper Rental. You can find his contact info on our sponsor page...http://www.fortfiends.net/_/misc/support-our-site-sponsors-r259 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Also for groceries, I recommend wegoshop.com. I used them on a trip after pricing out several options. If you're flying in, the pop up rental may really help because it includes things like outside chairs that you won't be able to fly with. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jlafunk 1 Posted June 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 Great ideas, guys! Yvonne, thanks for the threads. I'll look them over in the morning. Judy, no worries. It's mostly boisterous and a language problem... :) but we can behave ourselves. (I'll make sure to ask for an empty loop, too). Kelly, we have been wondering about groceries. I have the 3 Publix markets in my phone book. LOL. I'll look at wegoshop.com, too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FunFinder265....Cody 36 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 (I'll make sure to ask for an empty loop, too)Not too sure you'll find this over a weekend in January. Especially a marathon weekend Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 I have tent camped and flown a few times. Works great! I didn't worry about food or cooking though. I ate out mostly. If you are flying Southwest, it's super easy cause they allow you to have two checked bags each, then a carryon and personal item. I had a locking plastic footlocker that held my tent and a small dining fly, then a huge duffle bag that held my folding chair, linens, air mattress, air mattress pump, some clothing, stake mallet, extension cords, power strip, toiletries. Had a small rollerboard with clothing and electronics/chargers , then a bookbag that doubled as my shower bag. One I unpacked and set up, the footlocker was in my tent and acted as a night stand, and I was able to lock it up while away. Disney's Magical Express will deliver your stuff to you at the campsite. As someone suggested wegoshop will deliver the necessities (including alcoholic beverages). I might also suggest renting a popup, especially if you are not flying southwest. The baggage check fees might pay for the split cost of a popup if there are 4 or 5 of you. The popup is delivered and set up for you with EVERYTHING you need, except your personal clothing and toiletries. They will also pick up a few things for you for a nominal fee. (No alcohol though). Check out www.fortcamperrental.com BradyBzLyn...Mo 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jlafunk 1 Posted June 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 FunFinder265: I used Pop Century the last few times I did the Marathon Weekend and it was kinda quiet but I guess it's worth a try. Although, I'm not mad if it's packed & busy. :)mouseketab (Carol): I'm not sure my friends will go for the pop-up. I'll ask them once I have some numbers, though. I adore the Magical Express and to know they will actually take our stuff to the campsite is even more exciting. We've used it before but we pack light so we've always had carry-ons only. And, we like using SouthWest because we can check 2 bags up to 50 lbs each without any extra charges. And, we're planning to get a dining plan (which always kept us full and we only bought 1 or 2 meals the whole week). Thanks for all the info, guys. Keep it coming! I love options and you all are so friendly here! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted June 29, 2014 Report Share Posted June 29, 2014 FunFinder265: I used Pop Century the last few times I did the Marathon Weekend and it was kinda quiet but I guess it's worth a try. Although, I'm not mad if it's packed & busy. :)mouseketab (Carol): I'm not sure my friends will go for the pop-up. I'll ask them once I have some numbers, though. I adore the Magical Express and to know they will actually take our stuff to the campsite is even more exciting. We've used it before but we pack light so we've always had carry-ons only. And, we like using SouthWest because we can check 2 bags up to 50 lbs each without any extra charges. And, we're planning to get a dining plan (which always kept us full and we only bought 1 or 2 meals the whole week). Thanks for all the info, guys. Keep it coming! I love options and you all are so friendly here!Since you use Southwest, and you have the camping stuff, then flying and camping should work!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tri-Circle-D 2,059 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Welcome- One thing I didn't see mentioned is that it can get pretty darn cold in Florida in January. Make sure you bring some electric blankets, and a space heater, if possible. As far as being boisterous and not child appropriate, have all the fun you want at your campsite, but be considerate of your neighbors. If you're out late at the parks, chances are your camping neighbors will all have turned in when you get back. That's not the time to crank the music, start a roaring campfire, and have loud arguments. Which is something that happens more often than it should at the Fort. If you act up too much, you may have to face one of the Rangers, who may try to chase you down and whack you with his cane. TCD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 If you act up too much, you may have to face one of the Rangers, who may try to chase you down and whack you with his cane. Try not to laugh at him, it just makes him mad. jlafunk 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
FunFinder265....Cody 36 Posted July 1, 2014 Report Share Posted July 1, 2014 Although, I'm not mad if it's packed & busy. :)A busy loop is a happy loop....in my opinion Quote Link to post Share on other sites
disney4dan 68 Posted July 2, 2014 Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 Regarding the cold nights - one thing that I discovered recently in scouts are the hand warmer pouches you can get at the bargain stores. They look sort of like tea bags, but generate heat for up to 6 hours when exposed to air. We use them for winter backpacking trips to warm up sleeping bags before climbing in. A lot less to pack Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk jlafunk 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jlafunk 1 Posted July 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2014 One thing I didn't see mentioned is that it can get pretty darn cold in Florida in January. Make sure you bring some electric blankets, and a space heater, if possible. As far as being boisterous and not child appropriate, have all the fun you want at your campsite, but be considerate of your neighbors... . This will be our 3rd trip for the January 1/2 Marathon. The first year we froze our fannies off. The second year it was perfect weather.I was told the really cold years are rare but to prepare for them. An electric blanket is an excellent idea.Also, if we come back from the parks late it's because we're ready to hit the sack. We tend to be respectful since we've been on the other side of the "I'm trying to sleep" scenario. The evenings where we'd stay at the site and chill would most likely be kept to one or two. We don't like to offend people. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jlafunk 1 Posted August 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Hey, all!Thanks for all the help. I have booked my trip and I'm really excited.However... I am sad to say that my friends who "really want to camp" have failed me.One panicked when she heard the price (and it was CHEAP!). The other decided that since it "might get cold" we should just get a hotel. I am hell-bent on camping at Fort Wilderness and I know I will find a time to do it. Just not this January. Thank you all for your input. I have all your wonderful references saved and I'll be using them in the future! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Sorry your camping trip fell through. I guess you'll just have to plan another one... with different friends. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fladogfan aka Gretchen 259 Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 And you should go by the fort anyway, probably be a fiend or two out and about!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted August 6, 2014 Report Share Posted August 6, 2014 Don't leave just because you aren't camping. We are a fun bunch :) jlafunk 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jlafunk 1 Posted August 7, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 I'm not gonna leave. :) BradyBzLyn...Mo 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Katman1356...Jason 1,140 Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 I'm not gonna leave. :)Don't listen to them. Run! Run as far and as fast as you can from the crazies here! jlafunk and BradyBzLyn...Mo 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beckers 1,136 Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 Don't listen to them. Run! Tunas far and as fast as you can from the crazies here!Tunas? I like tuna salad on white jlafunk 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Katman1356...Jason 1,140 Posted August 7, 2014 Report Share Posted August 7, 2014 Tunas? I like tuna salad on white Dang autocorrect. That was Run as Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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