tent camping on my own? Please help!

[European]

Hi all,

I'm visiting WDW during the first 2 weeks of September, totally on my own and I am doubting between a youth hostel nearby, tent camping and All Star Resorts. I'm flying over from Europe. Let me give you my pros and cons:

*Youth hostel pros:
- cheap: about $21 a night (plus $2.50 for the bus a day or $10 a week).
- might get to know other people
- will be seeing a little bit outside WDW, not much though

*cons:
- will have to sleep with other people
- bathroom doesn't look clean
- don't really feel like taking a public bus
- the last bus leaves at 9.53 pm at TTC, which is too early for me and I wouldn't feel free
- If I don't like it, bad luck, I can't change it
- read that employees aren't friendly at all
- I hate sleeping on the upper bed of dormits
- I don't expect it to be quiet

*tent camping at Fort Wilderness pros:
- cheap as well, but more expensive than the hostel
- Might meet other people as well
- I can sleep alone
- I can stay on property and use Disney busses
- I can stay at DTD as long as I want to
- I love animals like deer, peacocks, ducks, rabbits, squirrels,...
- I prefer eating at Disney all the time
- If I don't like it, I can always upgrade to an All Star hotel
- employees are friendly and helpfull for sure
- It will be an adventure

*cons:
- I will have more luggage, but I don't think it will be a problem
- Biggest: I hate snakes, insects, spiders,... Aaaah! I'm really afraid of them
- I might not be able to sleep well, because I might be afraid for those bugs/creepy animals
- The weather. It will be hot, but I really think I will be able to stand it. I adore the weather in August/September, I really do. I won't be bringing airco. But what if there's a rain storm? Maybe my tent will be destroyed? I'm also afraid of thunder and lighting.
- I will only be going to the campfire and will not be doing anything else concerning activities. I'm going to buy a 30-day pass so I will be at the parks all the time


*All Star pros:
- if money wasn't an issue, I would go there

*cons:
- I've already stayed there

So basically I prefer tent camping because of the money, but I'm afraid of rain (concerning my tent), thunder and storm and some animals. Don't mind if I see them, but please not in or on my tent!!

What do you people think about it? I really hope you can help me out, because I've been doubting for a month now.

Additional question: do you have to pay extra to take a shower? When is the best time to use them?

Thanks a lot!

 

[mwitkus]

hello!

i'm sorry to say i may not be much help since i haven't stayed at ft. wilderness, the all star resorts, or a youth hostel before.... but based on your information, i would guess that ft wilderness may be your best bet.... (i have camped before! camping i do know!)

if you camp in a tent, bring a tarp (or buy one) that you can put over it, which will help to keep your tent dry...

you can always buy a small lock to secure the "doors" and screens to the tent to help keep out the critters. (you may not be able to avoid insects, but they are relatively harmless.) (bug spray and citronella candles can also help...)

worst case scenario, you can upgrade (provided there is availability) and you saved yourself at least a bit of the money for part of the trip...

people have survived without a/c before - and i'm sure if you were to camp you would join the ranks of survivors... besides, you should be pretty well shaded there which can definitely help to keep the temps down... (we don't have a/c in our house. in the summer time if it is hot, we just take really cold showers before going to bed - this cools us down enough that we manage to sleep comfortably with just a fan and some open windows.

good luck making your decision... i give you credit for traveling here and vacationing alone... i don't even like to go to the store by myself! i don't think i could vacation by myself... kudos to you!

 

[JACKNAG]

The coutyard Marriot was offering $25 a night I think August through October Thursdays thru Sunday
It is 5 min walk to downtown Disney Pleasure Island
and good busses

Call them ask for the $25 dollar special

Courtyard Orlando Lake Buena Vista in the Walt Disney World Resort
1805 Hotel Plaza Boulevard
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
USA
Phone: 1 407-828-8888
Fax: 1 407-827-4623
Toll Free: 1 800-223-9930


Good luck

 

[goonsquads57]

i would opt for the all star. the amenities alone would make the extra money well-spent, as far as i'm concerned. So what if you've stayed there before? You didn't have a bad stay, did you? And not having to haul camping equipment would be a plus.

 

[Captain Cab]

Since money is an issue I recommend staying at Fort Wilderness. I've camped there several times and I've never had any problems at all.

Here's a better view of your cons for the place:

extra luggage - You've already stated that it shouldn't be a major problem, so there you go.
snakes - Snakes can be found anywhere on Disney property. Florida is a haven for the reptiles, and it's pretty close to impossible to completely avoid a possibility of running into one. I have seen several around the major hotels and parking lots at night, and I'm sure there are the occasional reports of them even at Fort Wilderness. The best thing about Fort Wilderness is that the place is almost always busy, so the snakes and other animals will naturally try to avoid the people at all costs. Just make sure you keep your tent properly closed, and you shouldn't have a problem.
insects and spiders - Not as large of a problem as people say. Each summer the entire WDW property is sprayed for mosquito control (I'm friends with two of the crop duster pilots), and WDW does take efforts to control other "annoying" insects to keep the guests happy. Ants shouldn't be a problem as long as you keep your food sealed properly. Otherwise there aren't a whole lot of insects to worry about while camping.
fear of not sleeping well - Just keep your tent properly closed and use a small lock (as mentioned by mwitkus), and there shouldn't be any problems. It's not that hard falling asleep to the sounds of the crickets and other woodland insects.
weather - The weather is still very hot and humid at the end of August, but you already mentioned that it isn't a problem. Again, use mwitkus's suggestion of taking a cold shower before bed and you should be set. As for the rain, you should bring a tarp and put it underneath your tent, and bring extra waterproofing material for the actual tent itself. The best thing to do is set up your tent before you leave, and put several coats of waterproofing material on it. Let it dry and the tent should be ready for a Florida rainstorm. The thunder and lightning should be a concern, but just remember to stay in a building or in your tent and you should be just fine. Just don't go out walking through the woods during the storm.

Again, Fort Wilderness is a great place to tent during your vacation. There's really nothing more peaceful than walking down the trails to the comfort station on an early summer morning.