Excuse me, but I don't camp... A PTR About This Page:

[mcneal]

Camping can be great fun. We did it all the time when raising our kids. The kids slept on air mattress on the ground but DH and I slept in the back of the truck on a mattress. We never had an A/C but it would have been nice. You can package up about any meat as long as it is not real thick and throw in some veggies (potatos, carrots, onions, squash, etc) add some seasoning and butter or oil and cook away on the grill. There are recipes online for all kinds of things to cook in the dutch oven including cobbler and cake! We always had a waterproof bag for each person with toiletries, wash cloth and towel plus enough room for a change of clothes - easy peasy to the bath house. Take some rope to make a clothes line and you can throw towels and swimsuits over that to dry. Ft Wilderness is a beautiful place to camp. One more hint - I always had a wet cloth to wash off my feet as I got in bed - hate gritty toes in the bed.

[JackieB]

I actually have something helpful to add. Did you think about shower shoes? You will be showering where others are too. I never shower in a communal shower without shower shoes.

[B.M.]

Great start!

I am also not a lover of camping, but camp a LOT in order to afford to travel to new places....

I see you mentioned a cooler, we also have a "five day" cooler.... In Florida heat, it will NOT really keep for five days.... Be prepared to add ice almost daily (and drain the water). Also, I've found it best to keep a separate drink cooler.... that way the food cooler only gets open when necessary... The less the cooler is open, the longer it keeps....

Make sure you have a flashlight or some sort of easy turn on middle of the night light....

Have fun!

Edited to Add:: Use gallon zip lock bags to bag all the food for the cooler and double bag them all.... I've seen water from the melting ice get into food items that are still store bought sealed.... I've learned to bag EVERYTHING that is keeping in a cooler...

[crythomas]

Joining in, looks like it is all coming together for you. Your tent looks really nice but I am not one for camping at all

[Big Baloo]

I read your supply list on the other thread and was wondering if you were planning on bringing a hammer to pound in the stakes that anchor your tent and any other shelters that you are bringing? Then again, a rock always works, too....

[PhilsEagles08]

I absolutely can't wait to read this TR!!! I'm not one to camp because it brings back awful memories of underage drinking & something about barfing all over the campsite & having my boyfriend's mother put me in the shower & wash me. Yeah. Good times. Not!

I'm actually going camping in 2 weeks but we are staying in a cabin & being I'm older & dont drink much these days I'm hoping for a completely different outcome. Lol.

Oh & I'm totally with you about the paper plates & plastic utensils! Less mess & no dishes to wash!

[TheMadonna3]

Originally Posted by xwewhisper

Joining in! Sounds like it will be an interesting trip

I'm not sure if it will be interesting, but it will definitely be something, that's for sure!

Originally Posted by DMA

Sounds like you are well prepared! I have never camped, and really have no desire to do so, but I'm looking forward to seeing how everything works out for you!

I am only well prepared because of the nightmares I have experienced in the past. The worst was an influx of water. I do not want that to happen again. Also, I'm at Disney, if something happens I know I can get help or jump in the car and go somewhere safe or dry. Being trapped out in the woods with no aid and a collapsed tent and people who really take "roughing it" to an extreme is not my idea of a good time, which is what happened in the past. My hubby's a tough guy and he'd stick it out, but he'd never force me to be unhappy, and that's why I am giving this a try. He wasn't with me when all that happened, but was very upset about it when he found out after I got home.

Originally Posted by mojjo

I'm not a camper either. I would need an RV honestly. But it should be fun hearing about your experience.

Have you seen the set ups some people who RV's have? They're quite impressive and I may try and shack up with one of them!

Originally Posted by xwewhisper

Foil packs are a great idea for camping! We went "glamping" in a Tipi set up a few hours south of us and I had all these high expectations for what I could cook on a grill... turns out we can't even successfully light a grill We used the toaster oven a lot LOL! But the Tipis also had a little one-burner convection plate which we found very useful!

Since we live in a warm climate we love cooking on the grill. I just was trying to think of atypical things to cook on the grill. I love steak, but I don't want to eat it every night.

Originally Posted by patclairesmom

I've always thought about camping at Disney World so I'm really interested in hearing about your trip. Can't wait to hear more.

I took a tour through the campgrounds a few weeks ago when we were in the area and seeing the grounds really got me excited for this. The atmosphere is so much different than any other resort that it just has this vibe to it.

Originally Posted by CRCrazy

We've actually gone to using Coleman camp cots - they are fairly comfortable, and they have an actual metal frame with a foam pad, rather than the inflatable raised air mattress. We got ours from Walmart as well - and they were fairly comparable in price.

Thanks for the idea. However, the air mattress is wider than the cots and my hubby needs to sleep next to me in case I seize during sleep. I don't know if we could find something to accommodate us, but I'll look into it.

Originally Posted by DLinNH

Hi again! With regard to sleeping off the ground - you should make sure for your kiddo that they are off the ground. It will be so much better for all of you. I'm not sure about the cost/space constraints, but on Walmart website, they have a foldable cot. I would look into that. Also, you should be sure to get one or two "shower caddies" - they are super handy and cheap. They have different sections, and are plastic. You can fill them with all your bathroom needs and take it with you easily to the comfort station. Don't forget cheapo flipflops for the showers. I realize that Disney showers are super clean, but still - just saying

Yes, I really would prefer him off the ground as well, so we're going to buy him a new mattress.

I'm still thinking out the shower situation and what I want to use for taking care of that so thanks for the idea.

Originally Posted by DLinNH

And I forgot to mention, when you cook in foil packets (very good idea BTW) try boneless chicken tenders with creamy chicken cup a soup (dry mix) sprinkled on top along with a little dry mix of hidden valley ranch dressing. Dot with butter and add some vegetables.

Guess I have camped more than I give myself credit for!

Sounds yummy. I'll have to give it a try.

Originally Posted by Cam22

Looks like all of this camping stuff is coming together.

As best I can, I suppose. I was hoping there'd be some campers amongst my friends/family that we could borrow some supplies from, but no such luck. Every time I tell someone we're going to try camping they just look at me funny.

Originally Posted by mcneal

Camping can be great fun. We did it all the time when raising our kids. The kids slept on air mattress on the ground but DH and I slept in the back of the truck on a mattress. We never had an A/C but it would have been nice. You can package up about any meat as long as it is not real thick and throw in some veggies (potatos, carrots, onions, squash, etc) add some seasoning and butter or oil and cook away on the grill. There are recipes online for all kinds of things to cook in the dutch oven including cobbler and cake! We always had a waterproof bag for each person with toiletries, wash cloth and towel plus enough room for a change of clothes - easy peasy to the bath house. Take some rope to make a clothes line and you can throw towels and swimsuits over that to dry. Ft Wilderness is a beautiful place to camp. One more hint - I always had a wet cloth to wash off my feet as I got in bed - hate gritty toes in the bed.

Great suggestions! Thanks!

Originally Posted by JackieB

I actually have something helpful to add. Did you think about shower shoes? You will be showering where others are too. I never shower in a communal shower without shower shoes.

Yeah, I go to Typhoon Lagoon a lot and I usually shower there. I have real bad balance issues and trying to wear shoes in the shower is not always the best idea. I usually put a towel down on the floor and then wring it out when I am done so I am thinking about maybe bringing one of those shower mats they sell in walmart that's plastic.

Originally Posted by B.M.

Great start!

I am also not a lover of camping, but camp a LOT in order to afford to travel to new places....

I see you mentioned a cooler, we also have a "five day" cooler.... In Florida heat, it will NOT really keep for five days.... Be prepared to add ice almost daily (and drain the water). Also, I've found it best to keep a separate drink cooler.... that way the food cooler only gets open when necessary... The less the cooler is open, the longer it keeps....

Make sure you have a flashlight or some sort of easy turn on middle of the night light....

Have fun!

Edited to Add:: Use gallon zip lock bags to bag all the food for the cooler and double bag them all.... I've seen water from the melting ice get into food items that are still store bought sealed.... I've learned to bag EVERYTHING that is keeping in a cooler...

Thanks so much for the advice, especially about the cooler. I just told hubby about it.

Originally Posted by iwonathomas

Joining in, looks like it is all coming together for you. Your tent looks really nice but I am not one for camping at all

Neither am I...

Originally Posted by Big Baloo

I read your supply list on the other thread and was wondering if you were planning on bringing a hammer to pound in the stakes that anchor your tent and any other shelters that you are bringing? Then again, a rock always works, too....

Yes. He picked up a mallet the other day when we were at Tractor Supply. Thanks for the reminder.

Originally Posted by PhilsEagles08

I absolutely can't wait to read this TR!!! I'm not one to camp because it brings back awful memories of underage drinking & something about barfing all over the campsite & having my boyfriend's mother put me in the shower & wash me. Yeah. Good times. Not!

I'm actually going camping in 2 weeks but we are staying in a cabin & being I'm older & dont drink much these days I'm hoping for a completely different outcome. Lol.

Oh & I'm totally with you about the paper plates & plastic utensils! Less mess & no dishes to wash!

LOL! That doesn't sound like fun at all and good luck this time. Glad you agree with me about the paper plates. I finally convinced hubby by telling him we can use them to start fires in the fire pit so they wouldn't create more trash and waste. He's Canadian so he cares about stuff like that

[MinneyCaT]

Good Luck!!!! We do camp (in a tent) once or twice a summer.......but I couldnt imagine after a long days in the disney parks that I wouldn't have a cool room with my own shower & comfy bed to relax in.
I hope you guys have a great experience!!

I also have to second the use of zip lock bags in the cooler....I forgot before and lets just say water got into everything!!

[TheMadonna3]

Originally Posted by MinneyCaT

Good Luck!!!! We do camp (in a tent) once or twice a summer.......but I couldnt imagine after a long days in the disney parks that I wouldn't have a cool room with my own shower & comfy bed to relax in.
I hope you guys have a great experience!!

I also have to second the use of zip lock bags in the cooler....I forgot before and lets just say water got into everything!!

Since we're annual passholders this trip isn't really about the parks, but rather a lot of time to enjoy the resort. Since we know it will be hot, we plan to hang around the resort a lot, especially the pool, and only head to the parks in the evening. We figure we'll spend some time at DTD because we're just always in such a rush when we're there. This trip is about slowing down and throwing plans to the wind and since I don't need ADR's, and don't care about what fastpasses I get, we feel this is the perfect resort to be at Disney without actually being at Disney.

[clio]

All I say is better you than me. My daughter loves to camp. I hate it. I second the Ziploc bags in the cooler. We've had a lot of ruined food because water got into it. Fort Wilderness is a lovely place though.
Liz

[TheMadonna3]

Originally Posted by clio

All I say is better you than me. My daughter loves to camp. I hate it. I second the Ziploc bags in the cooler. We've had a lot of ruined food because water got into it. Fort Wilderness is a lovely place though.
Liz

My husband is an outdoorsy kinda guy, except he's from Canada and only likes the outdoors when it's cold

I promised I'd give this an honest try if all my conditions were met. He's gone out of his way to do that, so I have to at least try. Of the times I've been camping, I've never been with him and he assures me things would have been different if he were there. I guess time will tell...

[TheMadonna3]

I am not usually a procrastinator, but as I find stuff we need to purchase, I've been putting it into an online shopping cart so that I buy everything in one shot. Well, our selected cooler went out of stock and I thought that's no big deal because I'm sure stock went low for the 4th. Well, then I log in this morning to see the bug zapper we selected also went out of stock . I'm still not ready to buy as I'm waiting on a disbursement from our savings to hit and that won't happen for another week so I'm kinda stuck for the moment. Hubby suggested just putting it on a credit card and then paying the card when the money gets here and that may just be what we have to do. Another thing went out of stock, but that was for the house and that's not the end of the world.

I've already ordered my camping clothes and I am waiting for them to arrive. I'm now looking for a bag. I have a Vera Bradley bag that I love, but on a plus size lady, the messenger bags can be a bit short when you use them in the cross-body style. I'd love to find a way to maybe extend the strap, but there's no way to do it from what I can tell without ruining the bag. So, I am on a hunt for something small, lightweight, with a big enough strap for my dimensions. Believe it or not, but I found one at Walmart about 3 years ago in a pink/camo design and I may just have to dig it out of the closet again.

We're making plans without actually making plans. This means that we have a general idea of what we think we'd like to do, but we're not taking it too seriously.

For example:

Day 1: Aug 9

Arrive at Ft. Wilderness by 9am. We know that we technically can't check in until 11am, but we're hoping our campsite will be ready early so we can set up before it gets to the peak temp of the day. If not, we'll go get our golf cart rental and take a tour while we wait.

Shopping break. Either I'll go by myself or hubby will come with me. It depends how much he has gotten done or needs to be done. Unfortunately, I can't help him with much and our son will be at a birthday party in the Orlando area, so it will be hubby alone with set up.

Dinner at Trails End buffet. I figure he'll be hungry and I'll probably be too tired from packing, traveling, shopping, setting up, etc. to cook, so I made a reservation here.

Down to the beach for parade and fireworks viewing. I made our reservation for dinner toward 7, so I am hoping a nice slow dinner and then it will be about 8:30 when we're done and ready to pay. After picking up a drink at the tavern, I figure it will be a good time to head down to the beach and get ready for the parade and fireworks. This will be my first time seeing them from this perspective so that's exciting!

Day 2: Aug 10

At some point, we're going to have to find our son. We're not sure what time his party is ending, so we'll hang around the pool area. The family he is with haven't said if they're going to be dropping him off at the resort or if we have to go get him from where they're staying. They also mentioned something about doing Disney this day. So, our plans revolve around their plans and that's fine. If they decide to go to a park, all the power to them. I'll be at the pool. Since we're staying around the resort today and waiting for Michael, we'll have dinner at the campsite and then maybe go catch the Chip N Dale marshmallow roast thingy (we're bringing our own) and catching the campfire movie.

Day 3: Aug 11

I'm going to book Michael a horseback ride for this day. Jay and I will be... at the pool.

Day 4: Aug 12

This is the only day that has any real plans and it's because I managed to book us at BOG for dinner. However, I am trying desperately to switch this to a lunch. I keep trying the link, but no fastpasses available. Not sure if I'm still too far out or not. Since we're going to be in MK, I selected 3 random fastpasses. My plan wasn't to enter the park before 2pm anyway so all of our plans happen in the later afternoon and evening. Depending on how warm it is, we may stay the evening.

Day 5: Aug 13

No plans. I'll probably go futz around in DTD.

Day 6: Aug 14

Michael and Jay have reservations for the archery on this day. I'll probably go watch.

Day 7: Aug 15

This is Epcot EMH evening hours. We'll likely head there around 4.

Day 8: Aug 16

Time to pack and go home. Due to the heat, we'll likely get up in the morning, tear everything down, throw it in the back of the car and head home.

The only thing I'd like to find the opportunity to squeeze in is AK. There have been some great new snacks introduced and I'd like to go try them We're not gunning for HS because we were just there in May and with the new Frozen stuff being introduced, I'm not sure how many little Elsa and Anna's I want to deal with singing "Let it Go" Besides Rock N Roller coaster, there's nothing been really drawing us to HS lately except for Star Wars.

We have premium annual passes that allow us access to the water parks. Instead of hanging around the pool, we may just head over to Blizzard Beach instead for a while. We can spend a few hours there and then head back to the resort.

We're 33 days out...

[Cam22]

Bummer that some stuff has gone out of stock on your Wal-Mart order. Your plans look very relaxing and enjoyable.

[Pris]

Don't give up on the BOG lunch FP. My window opened at 21 days out and most I have seen haven't opened before 30 days, so you still have a few more days to go on that. If you really would prefer the lunch, you could just head over and stand in line. I've heard it's not too bad especially if you are looking at a late lunch.

[B.M.]

I've had stuff sell out in my Wal Mart cart before too... . Sometimes it re-stocks, sometimes it doesn't...