supernurse3469 0 Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Hi all! I'm an experienced Disney goer and an experienced tent camper, but have never done the two at once. Please give me tips on sites for a large tent as well as any other words of wisdom on staying at the fort (do we really need a golf cart, etc.) We will be staying July 20th-24th and will have an 8 & 9 year old with us. Thanks in advance! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Katman1356...Jason 1,140 Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Hi all! I'm an experienced Disney goer and an experienced tent camper, but have never done the two at once. Please give me tips on sites for a large tent as well as any other words of wisdom on staying at the fort (do we really need a golf cart, etc.) We will be staying July 20th-24th and will have an 8 & 9 year old with us. Thanks in advance! First off Welcome! The tent pop up sites are all big enough for a good size tent. I am sure others with more experience than I on that wil chime in with more. As far as a golf cart you do not "need" one. However they are a lot of fun and can make getting around faster and easier, as long as you remember to keep it charged. I hope you have a great time! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 First, welcome to the group! Sorry, I can't help with tent sites. But I hope you have a wonderful trip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Just some things to be aware of at the Fort, bring plenty of extension cords, you will have plenty of electricity. If you do any cooking at your campsite, and therefore wash dishes, you will need to haul your dish water to the bath house (comfort station) to dump. (No grey water disposal stations) No open fires at the campsites. You can bring a firepit IF it has a solid metal top, but you can't have a regular fire. There is a charcoal grill at each site. Get some disposable painters plastic to put under your regular ground cloth on your tent, then throw that stuff away at the end of the trip. It will save the bottom of your tent and the bottom of your ground cloth from getting really nasty with the coquina sand. Since you tent camp, you may know this, but bring a set toiletries for each of you so that you can all shower at the same time. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Also bring a dining tent/screen room/EZ-Up or some other shelter besides your tent. Rain showers are frequent, and you want someplace to sit outside even if raining instead of in your tent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Judy in Texas 150 Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 We stayed in the 1500 loop. There was plenty of room on the coquina pad for our popup camper in addition to the Disney provided picnic table and grill. Bring a fan. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
red...Susan 37 Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 We use bicycles instead of a golf cart. They have great paths for them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Grumpy and Grandma 740 Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 FIrst of all And since we've never stayed in a tent can't help at all except to say you probably want to avoid the premium sites. Also as other's have said, unless your old like us you probably don't "need" a golf cart, but it would be fun. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
twiceblessed....nacole 433 Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 :welcome: The Fort has two "tent" loops (although I think you may be able to rent any loop, with just a tent, if you're willing to pay the money). We've stayed in one of the tent loops, loop 1500 and had a HUGE (3 room) tent. PLENTY of room for both our tent and our large (12' x 12') canopy. I agree with the other fiends...golf cart is not necessary, but they are A LOT of fun :) If you can bring them, bikes will make your travels around the Fort easier. Also, try to have one day as a "Fort Day". There really is a lot to do at the campground itself. Have fun! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
supernurse3469 0 Posted June 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 Thanks everyone! I'm solo excited for this trip & really glad I found this site:) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023 Posted June 3, 2014 Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 :welcome: If any other questions pop into your head, don't be shy. We're a snarky bunch, but between the lot of us we know some stuff. ... or at least we're very good at making up entertaining answers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Momoffive aka Loretta 34 Posted June 3, 2014 Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 We have a huge tent and just fit on the tent sites in the 1500 loop. We can usually shift it this way or that to get the majority of our tent on the site but that may move where the front is. We also have our EZ-up. In July bring a fan or two or three or a window AC. 1500 is our favorite because of how close it is to everything. You don't need a GC but again it is fun!FYI...I've given up my tent in favor of renting a pop up while at the Fort. Makes me oh so much happier! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted June 3, 2014 Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 We use bicycles instead of a golf cart. They have great paths for them. We've done both but I prefer the bikes. Don't think we'll get a cart on our next trip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Travisma 1,317 Posted June 3, 2014 Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 After many years of staying in the cabins, then just staying in off property hotels because the cabins got to be too pricey, we purchsed a tent last year. Last time we had "camped" we had 4 kids, a small pop up and were 25 years younger. Now it was the two of us, two granddaughters (4 and 8 ) and a couple of daughters on part of the trips. The oldest granddaughter really really wanted to camp so we purchesed a used Coleman 10 X 14 EZ Up tent. Our first trip they put us in the 1800 loop and didn't charge us extra. That one had a larger concrete pad and a smaller sand pad but the tent fit fine. The next trip was the 1500 loop, and the last one was the 2000 loop. Each time we had no problems fitting the tent in the sand and had plenty of room for everything else. We were able to fit 2 vehicles on the cement pads and still have room. You say you are experienced, so the below may be redundant if you are a FL camper. Tarps! They can be your best friend during the FL rainy season. Our tent didn't have a rainfly so we used a tarp strung to the trees the first 2 trips. By the last trip I had purchased a large tarp and using some metal conduit for poles I had a pavilion over the top of the tent with enough room on one end to keep a couple of chairs dry. Smaller tarps can keep bikes dry, provide shade, keep items hidden etc. The plastic under the tent that mouseketab carol mentioned is a good idea, not necessasarily for dryness, but keeping the sand off the bottom when repacking. I wish I had thought of that. Broom for sweeping out the sand. Rug/mats outside of the tent entrance for wiping feet. The coquina sand sticks to everything and is a course sand. Fishing poles... adults share with the kids because you won't have time to fish if they are. Fans are a great idea. We didn't have any and survived. By morning the inside of the tent will be chilly, but the fans would've been good at turn in time. Your favorite bug deterrent. Flies and mosquitos are at the Fort. Disney can't control everything. Buying groceries at the Fort will be $$$$. There are some nearby grocery stores off site, especailly if you go out the back roads. Ice at the fort is $$$ and the stuff you get from the machines at the comfort stations is soft and runny. Someone mentioned in another post that they have better ice at the meadow trading post. But the number one rule is HAVE FUN and let the kids set the pace. If they are happy you and everyone around you will be happy. BradyBzLyn...Mo 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GiGiandGPa 8 Posted June 3, 2014 Report Share Posted June 3, 2014 We have never tent camped at the fort so I can't offer much in the way of suggestions but I did want to say Hello and Welcome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AC in A2......Aaron 693 Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 The ice at the Meadow Trading Post is definitely better than the ice at the comfort stations. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iluv2cook 1 Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 This is great info. Thanks.I loke the idea of the drop cloths. So does it rain hard during the showers. And is it normal for every day? We will be there July 1-12. We dont gekt that much rain during the summer, but donget occassional summer storms with some strong winds. Is that whatbthe rains are like? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 Welcome! And what they said. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dblr....Rennie 224 Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 We will be there July 1-12. Look for our sign somewhere in the 800 loop( I hope) and stop by July 4th for a Fiend gathering and with your screen name you will be highly welcomed!!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 Look for our sign somewhere in the 800 loop( I hope) and stop by July 4th for a Fiend gathering and with your screen name you will be highly welcomed!!! You got that right. I think I'll change my screen name to iluv2eat. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dblr....Rennie 224 Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 You got that right. I think I'll change my screen name to iluv2eat. If you do that the phrase It's all Dave's fault just will not be the same :rofl2: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iluv2cook 1 Posted June 4, 2014 Report Share Posted June 4, 2014 Look for our sign somewhere in the 800 loop( I hope) and stop by July 4th for a Fiend gathering and with your screen name you will be highly welcomed!!
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