Tent Camping at Fort Wilderness

[Disneyfreak Jen]

This may sound like a silly question, on the Disney website in the photos they have these platform tents set up. Are they really there and set up for people to sleep in or are they just examples to show that it’s a tent site and not for RV’s?

I’ve been wondering as I fly to Disney, but I guess I could always FedEx by sleeping bag and tent if need be.

Thoughts from anyone who’s tent camped at Disney?

 

[Skibum1970]

I brought a three man tent with me when I drove but I think that I could check it as a checked bag without any problems. It doesn't weigh much and is small. Heck, I could probably put it in a suitcase just to be sure. Then, throw in a blanket or two unless your sleeping bag compacts easily. You might get it and the tent into a suitcase. Just carry-on your pillow. I loved camping there. It was peaceful, the restrooms/showers were clean, and I was at Disney for not very much. However based on the below, if you rent a tent, you're going to be around $95/night which is pretty close to a nice hotel room offsite and not too far from the value resort costs per night.

So, I can't answer your question about the platform tents. However, this was on the Mom's Panel a couple years ago:
However, many guests have called Fort Wilderness and have arranged for tents and cots to be rented for their vacation. This is done if they have the equipment available. The cost of a tent rental is $30 a night and a cot is $4 a night so none of this is inexpensive when you add it on the site cost per night as well.

 

[Disneyfreak Jen]

Thank you Skibum, for the good information. I agree, after upgrading to a platform tent you might as well stay at a value. I’d probably just bring my own. I’ll look into it for the future.

 

[slappy magoo]

Thank you Skibum, for the good information. I agree, after upgrading to a platform tent you might as well stay at a value. I’d probably just bring my own. I’ll look into it for the future.

Have you thought about trying the Auto Train? I ask because according to your profile you're from NJ, as am I.

3-4 hour drive from NJ (depending on how North you are), you are in Lorton Virginia. Amtrak has a train where you also load your car (and thus can pack your car with anything you need, anything you THINK you MIGHT need...including a tent). The train travels overnight and arrives the next morning in Sanford, FL, an hour away from Disney World.

I don't know how many people are in your party, and I don't know when you're planning your next trip. Popping in a random date in October, it seems like for adults, each direction on the auto train runs about $120-150, plus $202 to transport the car. They often have promotions where kids are only $50 or even free with each paid adult. I popped in a random date in October, 2 adults and 2 kids, with the car, is $619 each way. You could possibly find cheaper airfare...but once you factor in the extra charges for your tent as extra baggage, it might be comparable. For example, Frontier is about as cheap as you can get. That same departure date in October, flying out of Trenton, would run about $140 per person including a carry on and 1 checked bag...plus an extra $45 for the tent..each way. So for a party of 4, whether it's adults or kids, you're talking $605. Plus, perhaps, transportation to/from the airport and paying for parking. Versus $619 each way for the Auto Train...plus whatever it costs to travel between home and Lorton, and between Sanford and WDW...but you have your own car...and dinner and breakfast are included.

Admittedly train travel isn't for everyone, especially if you want minimal travel time. But if you have the extra days, perhaps want to try something new...would rather not let a TSA agent get to second base with you...have a nervous flyer in your party...if you thing getting there can be half the fun, or at least a good 20-ish%...it's something to ponder.

 

[Minnie Mum]

I used to love camping. Until I could afford a hotel. We camped at WDW in a tent. Once. Decades ago. It was May, and we were there for 3-4 days, I forget which. OMG. The heat and humidity. It was awful. Everything was constantly damp, including the sleeping bags and our clothes. Clothes that had been worn already never dried out, so they added their own aroma...And then it rained, and we didn't have a fly sheet. Since then we've stayed in resorts at WDW.

 

[Diesel Dan]

We tented @ FW for 3 nights back in February. We stayed in the 2000 loop which the sites are set up for tents. It was great! We love staying there. The setting is quiet and peaceful. It never rained, was actually hot for that time of year. We brought a fan with an extension cord and it kept us cool at night. (all the sites at FW have electric & water) The cost of the site is the same as an off site hotel but if you want to stay on property and use the Disney Transportation it is a great option. Also the buffet at Trails End is cheaper than most Disney buffets and is really good food.

 

[Skibum1970]

I used to love camping. Until I could afford a hotel. We camped at WDW in a tent. Once. Decades ago. It was May, and we were there for 3-4 days, I forget which. OMG. The heat and humidity. It was awful. Everything was constantly damp, including the sleeping bags and our clothes. Clothes that had been worn already never dried out, so they added their own aroma...And then it rained, and we didn't have a fly sheet. Since then we've stayed in resorts at WDW.

I will confess that I was a lot younger and thus sleeping on the ground didn't bother me much. It was quite warm, though, but I was more used to it. Now? I'm not sure how well it would go. Plus, the wife refuses to camp out anywhere. It's basically hotel or home.

 

[Skibum1970]

Have you thought about trying the Auto Train? I ask because according to your profile you're from NJ, as am I.

3-4 hour drive from NJ (depending on how North you are), you are in Lorton Virginia. Amtrak has a train where you also load your car (and thus can pack your car with anything you need, anything you THINK you MIGHT need...including a tent). The train travels overnight and arrives the next morning in Sanford, FL, an hour away from Disney World.

I don't know how many people are in your party, and I don't know when you're planning your next trip. Popping in a random date in October, it seems like for adults, each direction on the auto train runs about $120-150, plus $202 to transport the car. They often have promotions where kids are only $50 or even free with each paid adult. I popped in a random date in October, 2 adults and 2 kids, with the car, is $619 each way. You could possibly find cheaper airfare...but once you factor in the extra charges for your tent as extra baggage, it might be comparable. For example, Frontier is about as cheap as you can get. That same departure date in October, flying out of Trenton, would run about $140 per person including a carry on and 1 checked bag...plus an extra $45 for the tent..each way. So for a party of 4, whether it's adults or kids, you're talking $605. Plus, perhaps, transportation to/from the airport and paying for parking. Versus $619 each way for the Auto Train...plus whatever it costs to travel between home and Lorton, and between Sanford and WDW...but you have your own car...and dinner and breakfast are included.

Admittedly train travel isn't for everyone, especially if you want minimal travel time. But if you have the extra days, perhaps want to try something new...would rather not let a TSA agent get to second base with you...have a nervous flyer in your party...if you thing getting there can be half the fun, or at least a good 20-ish%...it's something to ponder.

That sounds pretty darned cool. How long does the train trip take? Never thought of doing it this way. Getting off the train with my car in tow would be fun.

 

[slappy magoo]

That sounds pretty darned cool. How long does the train trip take? Never thought of doing it this way. Getting off the train with my car in tow would be fun.

Both ways, it departs at 4pm, and (IF ALL GOES WELL) arrives the next morning at 9am.
You need to be at the departing station no later than 2ish. After 2:30 you're SOL so give yourself plenty of travel time, they will not let a car board, barring cars on line to board when 2:30 hits.
There are no additional stops along the route except for an overnight stop in (I think) South Carolina to refuel, get fresh water, probably pump out the septics. At that point, anyone on the train who needs a smoke can go outside and light 'em up but the entire train itself is non-smoking.

They have 3 dinner seatings - 5, 7, 9. When you arrive at the departing station you pick your time so there's always a chance your preferred time will be "sold out." Breakfast is more of a first-come-first-serve deal but they do a pretty good job flipping the tables and getting everyone in. And since it's just a continental breakfast, and people want to get their stuff together for departure, they usually don't linger.

There are sleeper cars available but they can bring the cost up significantly. Some are very small, basically 2 seats facing side to side with a wall and door, and at night the 2 seats slide together for one bed, and a "bunk" folds out from up top. Others are bigger, some include a private toilet/shower.

If you opt for "just a coach seat," it's going to be significantly bigger than any coach seat on any plane, significantly more leg room.

Aside from the dining car there is also a lounge car for drinks, very simple food (reheated burgers and pizzas and pretzels, stuff like that), they show movies on TV, people play cards all night, it can be neat.

Each person can bring 2 bags with them, so if you can't go to sleep without a favorite pillow and blanket, pack it.

Some people love it. Some "snow birds" do it all the time, go back to Flrodia for the winter with their car with them. Some people find it too slow and don't like trying to sleep around so many strangers. You'll never know until you try. You can always try it just one way and then, if you like it and if space is still available, book it for the return.

Oh, one more thing - for an extra $30 (for now) you can pay to have your car be amongst the first 30 to be pulled out from storage.

 

[Disneyfreak Jen]

Have you thought about trying the Auto Train? I ask because according to your profile you're from NJ, as am I.

3-4 hour drive from NJ (depending on how North you are), you are in Lorton Virginia. Amtrak has a train where you also load your car (and thus can pack your car with anything you need, anything you THINK you MIGHT need...including a tent). The train travels overnight and arrives the next morning in Sanford, FL, an hour away from Disney World.

I don't know how many people are in your party, and I don't know when you're planning your next trip. Popping in a random date in October, it seems like for adults, each direction on the auto train runs about $120-150, plus $202 to transport the car. They often have promotions where kids are only $50 or even free with each paid adult. I popped in a random date in October, 2 adults and 2 kids, with the car, is $619 each way. You could possibly find cheaper airfare...but once you factor in the extra charges for your tent as extra baggage, it might be comparable. For example, Frontier is about as cheap as you can get. That same departure date in October, flying out of Trenton, would run about $140 per person including a carry on and 1 checked bag...plus an extra $45 for the tent..each way. So for a party of 4, whether it's adults or kids, you're talking $605. Plus, perhaps, transportation to/from the airport and paying for parking. Versus $619 each way for the Auto Train...plus whatever it costs to travel between home and Lorton, and between Sanford and WDW...but you have your own car...and dinner and breakfast are included.

Admittedly train travel isn't for everyone, especially if you want minimal travel time. But if you have the extra days, perhaps want to try something new...would rather not let a TSA agent get to second base with you...have a nervous flyer in your party...if you thing getting there can be half the fun, or at least a good 20-ish%...it's something to ponder.

Thank you for all of this! I have briefly thought about auto train here and there. It would be nice to go overnight. And I wouldn’t have to get my Lorazapam prescription because I wouldn’t be flying!

 

[Disneyfreak Jen]

I used to love camping. Until I could afford a hotel. We camped at WDW in a tent. Once. Decades ago. It was May, and we were there for 3-4 days, I forget which. OMG. The heat and humidity. It was awful. Everything was constantly damp, including the sleeping bags and our clothes. Clothes that had been worn already never dried out, so they added their own aroma...And then it rained, and we didn't have a fly sheet. Since then we've stayed in resorts at WDW.

Yeah...that is not fun!! I just got back a couple weeks ago from a miserable camping trip to Vermont, all it did was rain. Fortunately my water proofed worked great but the humidity was 99%. That with the rain fly made for a very hot tent.
I realized I’d have to go in October November or March to hopefully prevent that from happening down in Disney.

 

[Disneyfreak Jen]

We tented @ FW for 3 nights back in February. We stayed in the 2000 loop which the sites are set up for tents. It was great! We love staying there. The setting is quiet and peaceful. It never rained, was actually hot for that time of year. We brought a fan with an extension cord and it kept us cool at night. (all the sites at FW have electric & water) The cost of the site is the same as an off site hotel but if you want to stay on property and use the Disney Transportation it is a great option. Also the buffet at Trails End is cheaper than most Disney buffets and is really good food.

Good to know on the electric, that is really helpful. And the buffet. I do like that it’s campung but you don’t have to “work” and cook every meal.

 

[MMFanCipher]

I have seen portable AC units sitting it tent "windows". Those people get the Man of Genius award.

 

[TARDIS]

We love tent camping at the fort! It’s just a different Disney experience. We will do that once a year and a regular resort once a year. If it’s hot we just pop a window unit in the slot we made for it. Stay cool even in July . I won’t camp anywhere I have to rough it lol.