Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   United States (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/)
-   -   Tent Camping at Disney (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/tent-camping-at-disney-349072/)

persimmondeb Apr 24th, 2008 06:00 AM

Tent Camping at Disney
 
This question is probably for next year, but I've become fascinated with the idea and would love to do it. I understand Fort Wilderness has a few tent sites, and not just RV sites. Has anyone done this? I went camping a lot as a kid, but haven't in years, and think the Disney version is likely to be sufficiently comfortable for my tastes.

GoTravel Apr 24th, 2008 08:56 AM

I would only recommend this December through February.

MikeT Apr 24th, 2008 10:26 AM

I can't imagine anything worse than tramping around Disney all day and then coming back to tent and an air mattress. Sounds like a recipe for a miserable time for everyone.

persimmondeb Apr 24th, 2008 11:02 AM

Um, I've never used an air mattress in my life. Family gospel holds that they are for wimps. Since I am a pampered princess I insist on having one of those little rubber mats between my sleeping bag and the ground. Seriously, sleeping on the ground doesn't bother me, but I will get extraordinarily cranky if I can't shower every day and having to use a latrine or a porta-potty will ruin my fun time. How cold does it get at night Dec-Feb? I would have thought it would be a bit nippy. We went in June and I was kind of chilly at night. Definitely felt that it was plenty cool enough to sleep outside. This year we have a week in August, though, and that was not striking me as a smart idea.

amcc Apr 24th, 2008 11:18 AM

Camping at Disney has quite a few fans and their sites get booked up pretty quickly. Check the camping boards at disboards.com for information - there is a community of campers there that knows every in and out. We've thought about it, and I've researched, but haven't gotten around to it.

However, being a Florida girl, I wouldn't dream of sleeping without A/C in August:) The heat and the mosquitos would be too much, I think. Dec to Feb might get quite chilly, or it might be just pleasantaly cool.

GoTravel Apr 24th, 2008 11:23 AM

I don't think there is quite enough money or deet in the universe to get me to tent camp at Disney in August.

Chilly at night in June? The average daily low for June in Orlando is the low 70s. The humidity doesn't go away at night which makes it feel hotter.

You must have encountered a chilly snap.

No way I'd do it outside the December through February time frame. Your temp swing is much better, mid 50s at night to mid 70s by day.

persimmondeb Apr 24th, 2008 11:57 AM

I get chilly very quickly. Low 70's, with the sun down and a little breeze, can feel a little cold to me. That sounds about right to me for when we went. The rest of the family isn't quite as tolerant though. 50's to 70's is a little cold for me to want to sleep outside (although I've done it-downstate NY in April-Brr!) Thanks for the Disboards tip, I was kind of wondering it there would be anything on there.

curmudgeon Apr 24th, 2008 08:52 PM

We tent camped there years ago. Had a great time with the family. I think we did it in May, and the weather worked out pretty well. Very nice facilities. Tends to make for a lower-key vacation than the resort routine. Rain can be a nuisance.

I don't like DW in summer in any case, and tent camping there in August would be pushing it for me.

persimmondeb Apr 25th, 2008 03:33 AM

Yeah, wasn't seriously considering August, as we thought it likely it would be too hot at night even for me. May/June or September/October is probably more likely. Winter probably is too cold for us, though! It has just sounded like a fun idea.
How are the facilities, Curmudgeon? Their description in the brochures, etc., is one of the things that makes this sound like a good idea. My dependence on sanitary facilities is the main reason various relatives do not include me in camping at music festivals, sheep festivals, etc.
Also having a pool available is a big plus.

gmoney Apr 25th, 2008 06:25 AM

You must remember that this is Florida and from May to October it will be HUMID. Mid 70's with high humidity will not be cool at all. In fact with the heat index it will feel like 80's and you will sweat. As was said before you could not pay me to tent camp in Florida from May to October. I live in Orlando and can speak from experience. That being said Fort Wilderness has the nicest camping facility I have ever stayed at (showers, pool, stores, restaurant, campsites, etc.). You can even rent a golf cart to get around as it is a huge campground.

GoTravel Apr 25th, 2008 08:30 AM

Thank you gmoney. 70s in Orlando at night is not cool because of the high humidity. No breeze but lots of mosquitos.



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:31 AM.