@@journeyswithjulie thanks! I always have some clips handy but the idea of the stretchy corners to go around was pretty smart. Never thought about a twin size fitting it well. Having a backup is always a good idea tho!
Suggestion: if renting a golf cart at the Fort, bring something to decorate the cart so you can tell which one is yours AND so that someone doesn't take your golf cart. They all look the same and all the keys work for every golf cart so it's easy for someone to mistake your cart for theirs.
Having the car seat strapped to it probably helps lol but it’s like strollers in the magic kingdom. I tie brightly colored ribbons to I can spot it. Plus it looks festive!
@@jessicatucker8464 for them you are right, the car seat would be visible and people probably wouldn't take it. It was more of a suggestion to the viewers. I've had 2 carts taken before because someone accidently thought it was theirs
So we bought an RV right when the pandemic started, thinking that our normal travel was going to be put on hold, and that an RV is the best option for the times. We were right! We use it once a month and explore our state. We did a long trip last year to Jackson, Yellowstone, and Glacier. It was amazing! You have to use it, and if you only plan on using it 2x a year, it's not a great purchase.
Exactly, if RV travel is your vacation of choice it is worth it. We love it because we take lots of weekend trips plus a couple long trips every year and my husband is a germaphobe (even before Covid) so it’s perfect having everything being our own & clean. But there is no wrong way to RV, renting seemed to be perfect for the Trackers.
fun fact... covers for outside items keep dew from condensing due to temperature differences. The simple explanation is that items covered by a tarp are warmer, even if by a few degrees than the point at which dew condenses on the tarp.
Publix sells those bundles of wood for $6. :) We have a travel trailer and stay usually in the premium loops, which is a little pricier. But I think we may move to the full hookups where you were. But heck, maybe I should be renting mine out for that price, ding dang! And those blue sleeved shirts were sold out when I was there, I'll have to check again soon!
A friend looked into staying at the campground at the end of August for a week. They hadn't priced out a rental camper yet but a premium meadow campsite (large site near the meadow pool area) for the week was $1030 with tax. They also priced out the same week in a cabin with a Military discount which came to $2480 with tax for the week. Using the camper rental rate you had it would make staying in the campsite about $1000 more than the cabin. This was very helpful and I passed the info onto them.
The camper rental rate is less for a full week. Have them check their dates first. We have rented and stayed in a cabin. The renting for the week was cheaper.
Make a bucket list and do weekly adventures (eating at a new restaurant, doing a tour, hanging out at a resort, hitting all the mountain rides in one day, etc.) with your roommates and/or work friends. If they have ‘Return to Sleepy Hallow’ back at Fort Wilderness this fall you should definitely check it out! Have a wonderful time and make the most of your DCP! Congratulations 🎉
Aww, you’re so sweet. We’re the nice couple who were there with you and stayed off property. We stayed at a condo. We made our horseback riding reservations about 2 weeks before we went, and had 24 hours before our ride time to cancel.
Staying at Fort Wilderness is one of the things I regret not taking advantage of when I was a CM living in Orlando! I did do the horseback riding once and the campfire. I always enjoyed visiting. We'll definitely need to stay there some day!
Very informative! I’m very surprised that Disney doesn’t have RV’s already there for rent! I’d be way stressed about booking the RV and camp site separately! But I don’t have to worry bc I’ll never have the finances to be able to do a trip like this, but if I did I would do it!
We have an airstream and camp at FW. As a matter of fact our last trip in October we met Tim at Hollywood Studios. You are such a kind, considerate man Tim! We adore Fort Wilderness and can’t wait to get back there next year. We were supposed to come in May but, something came up. Once you live the RV life…there’s no going back. 😀
When we camp we really would recommend a screen tent to put over the picnic table. It usually allows us to stay out longer, playing card and board games. Also a lantern for the table.
We did this last year renting the RV and staying at FW which was a bucket list thing for me. LOVED IT and if we get to go again we will differently be doing it. Most relaxing time at Disney ever.
I have a rv and we try to camp at least once a month. We are Florida locals so we have been able to go to a lot of the different state parks. It has been so relaxing. I got to book a trip to the fort during covid when the parks were still closed but the fort was open. It was so magical. We bought our bikes and rode them around the loops and up to the stores. It was my favorite part of the trip besides playing tennis. bucket list is to stay during Halloween and see the different golf cart parades during the different holidays. I think they do a golf cart parade for mardi gras and Halloween.
I really enjoyed your videos it has made me even more excited to camp at Fort Wilderness this summer. We use a cooler bag from 31 when we go camping. It keeps things cold for a long time. We have found camping is trail by error. We are still learning things and we have had an R.V since 2019!
You guys should definitely look into getting an RV! We absolutely LOVE taking our Jayco bunkhouse out and about. 😁 Also, the bike idea is a great idea! We always just bike it around the campgrounds. Thanks for the Fort Wilderness insight, as well! We're camping there for 9 nights in July, so it was nice to get an idea of where we're gonna be camping. 😁
My family grew up with RVs. One thing that we still do for the shoe situation is we have an old rug by the door. That might be a little better on space when packing for you guys if you rent one again. You could also make a tote with things like extra shoes, towels, tarps, and other essentials. Also, if you do end up getting an rv in the future they are good for road trips. One of my favorite family vacations was taking our camper from the DC area to Cedar Point in Ohio and staying at different camp around s along the way.
I love Fort Wilderness. That was the first place I stayed on my first trip to Disney back in 1978. I can't wait to go back with my grandkids! (Loved your videos).
My sister and I went to disney world in February as well! Such an amazing vacation. I’m glad your guys enjoyed your stay at Fort. Keep doing what you guys do! Thank you for helping us plan! We Watch your videos together ❤️ love you guys.
In your things to take list: We have the big floor mat for outside but we also have a small door mat that sits at the bottom of our stairs. We keep just a regular bath mat on the inside at the door instead of a door mat, the bath mat I brought does a really good job of collecting sand and they are cheap. I also have a hook right inside my door that I hang an old ratty beach towel on and that is what I use to wipe our feet if it's raining or wipe the dogs feet we just put it on the floor next to the mat when it's raining right when you come in the door. We have a RV to go bag that always stays packed that has walkie talkies (for me to talk to hubby when he's parking) but they come in handy for other things as well, and other stuff ya'll wouldn't need. We have what we call "keep everything cold bags" basically thermal bags that we tote our cold food in to transfer into the RV on move day, they fold up easy and just go in one of the overhead cabinets. We also have big ole stack of cheap small car towels we bought at Wal-mart that we use to wipe things down with, we kept a couple in the golf cart at the fort, we use them for muddy feet or muddy paws or for camp chairs, etc. Yes, we use the RV more than once a year. Hubby works for a company that has two offices in Florida, two in Alabama, one in Chattanooga, one in Columbia SC and three here in Georgia. One of which is far enough away for us to pull the RV to. It really came in handy last year so he didn't have to stay in hotels, we also love to take long weekends and go to the Georgia State Parks and just hike and relax.
We stay at Fort Wilderness in our Class A we purchased so we could take our pets with us. We have a larger shower area and find that we can't do without a dehumidifier or nothing seems to dry. Staying in a premium campsite helps too because there is more patio area which helps with the mud and dirt. It is costly to fill our diesel tank a few times down and back to Disney, but more affordable in the long run instead of staying at the cabins with the dogs. We learned that the hard way when we had last minute repairs on our motorhome. Tim, I laughed myself silly about the poop hose comment! Love you guys thanks for sharing. Jackson is getting so big, he's so adorable :))
A tip we’ve had success with camping is to bring a twin sized fitted sheet as your picnic table cloth. Then you don’t have to clip it down, it stays put in most conditions. We loved watching your camping vlogs! Thank you! ☺️
a cooler is a must for all camping trips, not only can you transport your groceries in it but we always keep one outside of our RV with ice and beverages inside so you don't have to go in and out of the RV every time someone wants a drink, this will definitely be appreciated when you have to remove your shoes before entering the rv. We also bring a Screen house to put over our picnic table, think of it like a big tent but the sides are all screen and it will provide some protection from flying insects and the weather while you eat or just sit at the table. I definitely agree with Tim about bringing tarps and extra towels any serious camper will tell you those are a must! As far as renting or buying you should of mentioned when you rent as you guys did on this trip you won't have to worry about trying to park the RV in the site when you arrive or then spending the often lengthy time of set up when you get to your destination especially if the weather is bad, the same applies for when you are ready to leave and would have to break everything down.
Owning an RV is the best decision we’ve ever made for our family. From May-Oct, we camp every other weekend and we LOVE it!!! We camped at Disney once and it was fun, but it wasn’t for us. When we’re at Disney, we vacation much differently. We don’t really relax at Disney and camping is about relaxing and enjoying the outdoors.
We did the horseback riding while we were staying at a different resort and we did an archery class at the Fort, too. We just made reservations over the phone and was able to do it (July 2021)
Almost $2,000 for camping!!!! Off season! Goodness. I love your videos. I wonder what yall could find in that area. For the cheapest? It's hard to relate when I know our family just couldn't afford that. Camping traditionally is ment for a good time for cheap. If y'all can. I'd love to see a traditionally typical camping trip from y'all.❤
@@CraftyWitch1990 They said they paid $132 a night for the site at the Fort. I believe they said $400-600 was including the RV rental, golf cart rental, grill rental, and firepit rental. They would still have to rent the RV even if they got a site at the KOA so it would only be $52 a day cheaper to stay at a KOA vs staying at the Fort.
So some camping trip tips for next time, you camp all the time. Shoes: yes to a tub but also get shower caps to put your wet/dirty shoes in the cap to keep the dirt even more contained. The dollar store for supplies can be your best friend! We have a screen in outdoor awning and always put it over our picnic table so we can eat and play games more bug free. Cooler situation: we pop up camper or tent camp so it is very needed. But having a cooler outside for drinks is great to cut down the going in and out of the camper. Also a table top ice maker helps keep our drinks cold and less eating of the cooler ice. Bug issues are helped with OFF yard fogger, incense bug repellant sticks around the camp space, candles don't do enough alone. Renting: you can rent smaller campers but also look at pop up campers! They are VERY easy to use, much cheaper, easy to tow, easier to store., easy to buy used and fix up like we did! For food around the campfire try pie irons for hot sandwiches, hot treats like candy bar sandwiches, hot dogs over the fire, and grown up smores with fresh raspberries/choco/marshmallows or Reeses PB Cups & marshmallows. SO much to learn and experience. I learned a TON of Pinterest. Love this video so much!! Great job! Now question on your camp fire pit. What are the Disney rules for fire pits? I thought you needed to have a solid topper on it so the sparks don't fly out. We have one that has a top but it doesn't have a solid top but instead of grid top.
Just remember that you can sell an RV once you are done and they tend to hold their value well if you keep good care of it! I don’t own one but our relatives had :)
RVs are definitely a luxury and you want to make sure you plan on using it alot. We have put a compost toilet in ours so no more “poop hose” thankfully.
Renting an RV does sound more likely able to do for me and my family as well. I think the poop hose would definitely be something we wouldn't want to deal with either. The movie "RV" starring Robin Williams now comes to mind. 😂😂😂 Thank you so much for the great info. We will possibly be renting an RV in the future for the first time and hopefully be able to do a stay at Fort Wilderness. 😊
RV'ing is a way of life. It's really trial by error, when you own an RV like we have you gather things as you go and you keep them in your trailer, that way you always have them. Wood, grill, pots and pans, dishes, toiletries, games, chairs, toys, tarps, tool kit, extra propane, extra clothes you keep in your camper all the time -extra shoes you keep in your camper all the time- All of those things you'll always keep in your camper- when we put our camper away for the winter, we keep all our non-perishables in there and take all our perishables out and clean out the refrigerator the freezer the stove. We keep a small vacuum, a mop, a broom, tons of area rugs. It can be a lot but once you accumulate all of it you don't have to do it ever again.
That's what we do! We have a suitcase for Camping, one for the Beach, etc! I restock, wash, etc everything when we return from a trip. They are always ready to go! ;)
Every car I've ever had I've had at least one old towel in the boot, especially with a kid and a dog. So useful for so many different things, wiping wet things, shading car windows, table cloth, getting purchase on ice. Plus those plug in coolers are so worth the money.
Y’all I nearly screamed at the video when it was raining and you had the camper awning out! That’s like playing Russian roulette! Even if your awning is slanted rain can gather and actually collapse or physically pull the awning off the camper. I learned that lesson the hard way with my first camper at Fort Wilderness! $1800 later I got the awning replaced
We have a plug-in cooler in our car at all times. It ran us about 70 bucks. It's great for carrying groceries when we have other errands to run. It's well worth the money.
The price also depends on which loop you are staying. The loops next to the marina and near the Meadows trading post are more expensive. Also the price also goes up on weekends.
We camped at The Fort for 2 weeks summer of 2020 and wow it was the best trip!! And we used the same company everything went great! Loved all the merch and wow I need all of it!
Some people like myself keep our Rvs at our Campground for the year and pay for the seasonal rental for the spot. Some even allows "deckout" your spot to make it your special vacation home. So if you ever reconsider , check your local Campground for seasonal rates. But good things to brink are extra blankets, bug spray, a shower caddy, and towels. Also some decorations to add more flare and fun to your camping like lights, flags and signs😁
I loved loved loved watching you stay at the Fort but for (about) $650 a night I would 100% choose a hotel, and not the dirty cabins lol. 🙈 This was so informative, I appreciate all the info. I really love watching you vacation!! Can’t wait for your next adventure. 🙂
I would love to do this some day. We just got back from a local KOA and had a blast. We love their cabins and were curious about KOA's in other states, so we looked it up and there are several in Florida. I'd be interested in seeing their cabins and if it would be an option for a Disney trip.
Try booking Sunday through Thursday at fort wilderness if you are having a hard time finding a opening there. Also we have a RV and have been camping in Florida for over 6 months for free . Its awesome. First year buying a annual pass.
Hello! Dont have anything to add about bringing for camping BUT for horse back riding.. look into CPONIES at anna Maria island you ride them in the ocean! I feel like that's something you and tim would love to do!
If you're staying a full week, make sure to check the rates. A lot of companies have a lower daily rate for a full week. Also, a small bin right inside the front door for your shoes helps a ton.
When I use my cooler to drive to fl for a month I freeze 3 bottled water and put in the bottom put the food in and ice it stays good for a day and half
We had a blast at the Fort last November. We stayed in the cabins and when I first went into the bathroom I had a good 5 minute laugh when I saw the double toilet roll remembering the time you two stayed in the cabins. Thank you for the videos!
Sad thing is the last time we stayed in a full hook up at Fort Widerness it was about $50 per night. We had just bought a 4 horse trailer with live in quarters in the front and that is the first place we took it. We also stayed in a cabin when they first opened for around $130 per night. Still love it there just can't afford to stay anymore. I do so enjoy experiencing things through your videos and watching Jackson growing up is fun.
To me, an RV makes sense for a family who stays out of State travel to Disney, whereas you are already there. Yes you might take other trips but probably when Jackson is older, so renting seems the better option for your current situation
But you have a larger bathroom in the cabins...:) But Love that there are separate rooms in the RV verses the Cabins. Love fort wilderness and so far that is my favorite place to stay. I would love to just go there and drive the golf cart around as that alone was so much fun.
I've been looking into RVs too and I think the only way I would bother is maybe a pop up. We had one when I was a kid. Some of them come with bathrooms but if you stick to sites that aren't too far from the campground bathroom, it's not a huge deal. My Mom had a little portable potty for me when I was little too. Anyway, they can have issues but overall they are way cheaper and lighter. I feel like any other type of trailer and you need to buy a truck or deal with maybe a super tiny teardrop. I hope to stay at Fort Wilderness soon, probably in a tent. I think I will wait until Chip and Dale come back though. Thank you for all of the info, super helpful.☺️
In addition to making s’mores, we always enjoyed making campers pies over the fire, both sweat and savory, using a standard square cast iron pie maker.
DVC family here from Canada. When on a cash stay we almost always choose the Fort. We love love love the cabins. The atmosphere there is so relaxed. Thank you for letting us follow along with your first time camping in a travel trailer. You’re right about the shoes, camping crocs are key. In 2020 we took the dive and bought our first travel trailer. We have the best times camping as a family. Come try camping in Southern Ontario. Our provincial parks are like none other. Thanks again for sharing your life in Florida. Sincerely, The Kerr Family.
My family has a cute little camper, there's no bedroom or anything, but I'm grown and there's a curtain separating my bed from my parents, so it's perfect for us. We use it like a traveling hotel room. If where we're going is within driving distance, we take the camper instead of paying for a hotel. We go camping at least 3 times a year, but we went way more when I was dancing competitively. The camper made traveling for dance much more viable.
In regards to the golf cart. I would just bring an old towel that you don’t mind getting dirty and wipe it off. That’s what we do at golf. It’s smaller to store while you are camping.
Instead of bringing towels, you can also go to the pool and use their towels! Or if you bring your own then you can use the washer and dryer at the comfort stations!!!
We took out kids to FW using the cabins for a whole bunch of years. They are now grown up and we thought we would try renting a motor home back in the early 2000s. Worked great. We went out an bought a 1007 motor home and have gone several times, even pulling our car behind. The last time we felt we were getting too old to bother with towing a car, so we rented a car. This worked extremely well. We will do that next time, however, due to some my medical problems, that was put on hold ... hopefully temporarily. We just love the atmosphere in FW. My wife says that she goes to DW more for the FW experience than for the parks. For me, I wouldn't go that far, but I do like it all. We have even brought our dog and 2 cats, staying in the so called pet loop, near the dog park. The cats were indoor cats so staying home was natural for them and they were used to that.
We love Fort Wilderness and are going back in April. FYI if you rent a golf cart from a non-Disney approved company thy cannot deliver the cart to you on property. You must make arrangements to pick up outside the Fort. Most people really have difficulty getting campsites unless you stumble across a cancellation. We made ours by phoning Disney Reservations 499 days before requested check-in date. At that time frame you cannot book it online. Glad you became a Fort Camper.
I booked thru Florida Camper Rental. They will also book your campsite for you. Unfortunately, I had to cancel before we stayed because my Mom had a stroke.😭
Jen, with all Jackson’s special stay shirts you gotta save them and have them turned into a quilt. I saw them on Pinterest and think it would be such a cute idea. 💜
Now that you're camping people you should visit British Columbia and stay at a Provincial campsite (there are lots of RV rental companies that set-up for you). Personally I like Miracle Beach campground and Gordon Bay campground.
I only stay in the cabins if it’s less than 400 a night (Florida resident rate) and I’ve been a passholder and those rates are even slightly better and with the new Disney+ subscriber hotel rates I saw at the beginning of august a tent site for $59!
We have done a lot of camping and for dinner I always made full meals and froze them so you only have to reheat them. I used disposable pans so cleanup was very easy.
When Jackson gets a little older you should try tent camping. Being locals you know when the weather will be better rain, temps, wind. You can buy tents fairly cheap, air mattress's, coolers, bike rack for the car and bikes. Fans or portable AC, lights and so on. Guaranteed it will be a good time. The comfort stations are very nice.
A twin size fitted sheet makes a good table cover, the elastic corners keep it on the table and it can go in the laundry no problem.
I have to thank you for this little nugget of info. I will be trying this out! Much appreciated
@@ParaRob you might want to use clips too,helps if its windy
@@journeyswithjulie thanks! I always have some clips handy but the idea of the stretchy corners to go around was pretty smart. Never thought about a twin size fitting it well. Having a backup is always a good idea tho!
Genius! Thanks for the idea!
Jenn after almost every trip now: “I wish we brought the portable hammock “ 😂 I can’t wait for a trip where we see Jenn lounging in her hammock!
Suggestion: if renting a golf cart at the Fort, bring something to decorate the cart so you can tell which one is yours AND so that someone doesn't take your golf cart. They all look the same and all the keys work for every golf cart so it's easy for someone to mistake your cart for theirs.
Having the car seat strapped to it probably helps lol but it’s like strollers in the magic kingdom. I tie brightly colored ribbons to I can spot it. Plus it looks festive!
@@jessicatucker8464 for them you are right, the car seat would be visible and people probably wouldn't take it. It was more of a suggestion to the viewers. I've had 2 carts taken before because someone accidently thought it was theirs
So we bought an RV right when the pandemic started, thinking that our normal travel was going to be put on hold, and that an RV is the best option for the times. We were right! We use it once a month and explore our state. We did a long trip last year to Jackson, Yellowstone, and Glacier. It was amazing! You have to use it, and if you only plan on using it 2x a year, it's not a great purchase.
Do you mean JACKSON HOLE , WY ? Go there in the winter and ride sleds through Yellowstone park . IT IS GREAT .
Exactly, if RV travel is your vacation of choice it is worth it. We love it because we take lots of weekend trips plus a couple long trips every year and my husband is a germaphobe (even before Covid) so it’s perfect having everything being our own & clean. But there is no wrong way to RV, renting seemed to be perfect for the Trackers.
We did too and love our purchase!
I love these breakdown videos. They are so helpful and fun! Thanks for talking about price. I've always been so curious!
Thank you for the cost breakdown! It really does help others plan when we have some frame of reference for overall cost.
fun fact... covers for outside items keep dew from condensing due to temperature differences. The simple explanation is that items covered by a tarp are warmer, even if by a few degrees than the point at which dew condenses on the tarp.
As a teen in the 70s, we would stay at Fort Wilderness. I remember to first time staying it was $25 per night. Glad you enjoyed the RV experience.
Publix sells those bundles of wood for $6. :) We have a travel trailer and stay usually in the premium loops, which is a little pricier. But I think we may move to the full hookups where you were. But heck, maybe I should be renting mine out for that price, ding dang! And those blue sleeved shirts were sold out when I was there, I'll have to check again soon!
A friend looked into staying at the campground at the end of August for a week. They hadn't priced out a rental camper yet but a premium meadow campsite (large site near the meadow pool area) for the week was $1030 with tax. They also priced out the same week in a cabin with a Military discount which came to $2480 with tax for the week. Using the camper rental rate you had it would make staying in the campsite about $1000 more than the cabin. This was very helpful and I passed the info onto them.
The camper rental rate is less for a full week. Have them check their dates first. We have rented and stayed in a cabin. The renting for the week was cheaper.
Also the type of camper (size) makes the fee different
@@missymichel1 I agree but my friend has 6 persons in their family so this size trailer would be close to what they would rent.
found out today that i got accepted into the disney college program!! this makes me so excited to try out the camping while i’m there!
Oh how exciting! Hope you really enjoy it!
Make a bucket list and do weekly adventures (eating at a new restaurant, doing a tour, hanging out at a resort, hitting all the mountain rides in one day, etc.) with your roommates and/or work friends. If they have ‘Return to Sleepy Hallow’ back at Fort Wilderness this fall you should definitely check it out! Have a wonderful time and make the most of your DCP! Congratulations 🎉
We like bringing a slow cooker. Start it in the morning, ready for supper.
Aww, you’re so sweet. We’re the nice couple who were there with you and stayed off property. We stayed at a condo. We made our horseback riding reservations about 2 weeks before we went, and had 24 hours before our ride time to cancel.
Staying at Fort Wilderness is one of the things I regret not taking advantage of when I was a CM living in Orlando! I did do the horseback riding once and the campfire. I always enjoyed visiting. We'll definitely need to stay there some day!
Thank you both so much for taking us all along on all of your adventures!
Very informative! I’m very surprised that Disney doesn’t have RV’s already there for rent! I’d be way stressed about booking the RV and camp site separately! But I don’t have to worry bc I’ll never have the finances to be able to do a trip like this, but if I did I would do it!
Most people staying there likely have their own rv’s.
This may have been mentioned but a leather chamois is perfect to remove water from just about everything especially golf cart seats 🙂
We have an airstream and camp at FW. As a matter of fact our last trip in October we met Tim at Hollywood Studios. You are such a kind, considerate man Tim!
We adore Fort Wilderness and can’t wait to get back there next year. We were supposed to come in May but, something came up.
Once you live the RV life…there’s no going back. 😀
We also have an Airstream and camp at the Fort. We actually just got back home yesterday. We love the Fort!
When we camp we really would recommend a screen tent to put over the picnic table. It usually allows us to stay out longer, playing card and board games. Also a lantern for the table.
Aww so glad you made wonderful memories on your trip, looks like you had a wonderful time, can't wait to see another RV trip 😍
We did this last year renting the RV and staying at FW which was a bucket list thing for me. LOVED IT and if we get to go again we will differently be doing it. Most relaxing time at Disney ever.
I have a rv and we try to camp at least once a month. We are Florida locals so we have been able to go to a lot of the different state parks. It has been so relaxing. I got to book a trip to the fort during covid when the parks were still closed but the fort was open. It was so magical. We bought our bikes and rode them around the loops and up to the stores. It was my favorite part of the trip besides playing tennis. bucket list is to stay during Halloween and see the different golf cart parades during the different holidays. I think they do a golf cart parade for mardi gras and Halloween.
I really enjoyed your videos it has made me even more excited to camp at Fort Wilderness this summer. We use a cooler bag from 31 when we go camping. It keeps things cold for a long time. We have found camping is trail by error. We are still learning things and we have had an R.V since 2019!
TIM YOU NEED TO GET A SMALL TRAILER TO PUT LUGGAGE, BIKES AND OTHER CAMPING STUFF IN RATHER THAN IN THE CAR! HAPPY CAMPING!!👍
RV’s are great for people who go to shows that sell or show (like dogs) all the time or just love to camp. Loved the horse vlogs, please do again.
You guys should definitely look into getting an RV! We absolutely LOVE taking our Jayco bunkhouse out and about. 😁 Also, the bike idea is a great idea! We always just bike it around the campgrounds.
Thanks for the Fort Wilderness insight, as well! We're camping there for 9 nights in July, so it was nice to get an idea of where we're gonna be camping. 😁
My family grew up with RVs. One thing that we still do for the shoe situation is we have an old rug by the door. That might be a little better on space when packing for you guys if you rent one again. You could also make a tote with things like extra shoes, towels, tarps, and other essentials. Also, if you do end up getting an rv in the future they are good for road trips. One of my favorite family vacations was taking our camper from the DC area to Cedar Point in Ohio and staying at different camp around s along the way.
I love Fort Wilderness. That was the first place I stayed on my first trip to Disney back in 1978. I can't wait to go back with my grandkids! (Loved your videos).
My sister and I went to disney world in February as well! Such an amazing vacation. I’m glad your guys enjoyed your stay at Fort. Keep doing what you guys do! Thank you for helping us plan! We Watch your videos together ❤️ love you guys.
In your things to take list: We have the big floor mat for outside but we also have a small door mat that sits at the bottom of our stairs. We keep just a regular bath mat on the inside at the door instead of a door mat, the bath mat I brought does a really good job of collecting sand and they are cheap. I also have a hook right inside my door that I hang an old ratty beach towel on and that is what I use to wipe our feet if it's raining or wipe the dogs feet we just put it on the floor next to the mat when it's raining right when you come in the door. We have a RV to go bag that always stays packed that has walkie talkies (for me to talk to hubby when he's parking) but they come in handy for other things as well, and other stuff ya'll wouldn't need. We have what we call "keep everything cold bags" basically thermal bags that we tote our cold food in to transfer into the RV on move day, they fold up easy and just go in one of the overhead cabinets. We also have big ole stack of cheap small car towels we bought at Wal-mart that we use to wipe things down with, we kept a couple in the golf cart at the fort, we use them for muddy feet or muddy paws or for camp chairs, etc. Yes, we use the RV more than once a year. Hubby works for a company that has two offices in Florida, two in Alabama, one in Chattanooga, one in Columbia SC and three here in Georgia. One of which is far enough away for us to pull the RV to. It really came in handy last year so he didn't have to stay in hotels, we also love to take long weekends and go to the Georgia State Parks and just hike and relax.
6:16 grand total $1,900 whoa 🤯 that was a pricy trip but I’m glad you got see Jackson ride a pony and you guys had a good time and memories
I think it just depends on what you want!
The Fort is such a great 👍 resort! We've done the RV rental and the cabins. Both were a fantastic experience!
We stay at Fort Wilderness in our Class A we purchased so we could take our pets with us. We have a larger shower area and find that we can't do without a dehumidifier or nothing seems to dry. Staying in a premium campsite helps too because there is more patio area which helps with the mud and dirt. It is costly to fill our diesel tank a few times down and back to Disney, but more affordable in the long run instead of staying at the cabins with the dogs. We learned that the hard way when we had last minute repairs on our motorhome. Tim, I laughed myself silly about the poop hose comment! Love you guys thanks for sharing. Jackson is getting so big, he's so adorable :))
A tip we’ve had success with camping is to bring a twin sized fitted sheet as your picnic table cloth. Then you don’t have to clip it down, it stays put in most conditions.
We loved watching your camping vlogs! Thank you! ☺️
a cooler is a must for all camping trips, not only can you transport your groceries in it but we always keep one outside of our RV with ice and beverages inside so you don't have to go in and out of the RV every time someone wants a drink, this will definitely be appreciated when you have to remove your shoes before entering the rv. We also bring a Screen house to put over our picnic table, think of it like a big tent but the sides are all screen and it will provide some protection from flying insects and the weather while you eat or just sit at the table. I definitely agree with Tim about bringing tarps and extra towels any serious camper will tell you those are a must!
As far as renting or buying you should of mentioned when you rent as you guys did on this trip you won't have to worry about trying to park the RV in the site when you arrive or then spending the often lengthy time of set up when you get to your destination especially if the weather is bad, the same applies for when you are ready to leave and would have to break everything down.
Been to the fort many times in the 80s and 90s can’t wait to try this soon! Thanks Trackers for all the info, this really was helpful 💚
I bring a mesh top to cover plates and food to keep out like dirt and bugs and other stuff and a couple of family games to play
Christmas ornaments are my favourite souvenirs. Every Christmas is a walk down memory lane with my kids.
We stayed off property last July and went horseback riding at Ft Wilderness. Just made the reservation several days in advance
Such a great informative video on how to do a Disney campsite with an RV. Definitely saving this info for the future
Owning an RV is the best decision we’ve ever made for our family. From May-Oct, we camp every other weekend and we LOVE it!!! We camped at Disney once and it was fun, but it wasn’t for us. When we’re at Disney, we vacation much differently. We don’t really relax at Disney and camping is about relaxing and enjoying the outdoors.
A clothes basket is perfect for shoes- then just put it under the RV at night. Also, a drying rack for towels is very handy
We did the horseback riding while we were staying at a different resort and we did an archery class at the Fort, too. We just made reservations over the phone and was able to do it (July 2021)
Almost $2,000 for camping!!!! Off season! Goodness. I love your videos. I wonder what yall could find in that area. For the cheapest? It's hard to relate when I know our family just couldn't afford that. Camping traditionally is ment for a good time for cheap. If y'all can. I'd love to see a traditionally typical camping trip from y'all.❤
Even the KOA near Disney is around $80 a night for a pull through site during off season.
@@CraftyWitch1990 They said they paid $132 a night for the site at the Fort. I believe they said $400-600 was including the RV rental, golf cart rental, grill rental, and firepit rental. They would still have to rent the RV even if they got a site at the KOA so it would only be $52 a day cheaper to stay at a KOA vs staying at the Fort.
Thank you for the great content, Love your family!
So some camping trip tips for next time, you camp all the time. Shoes: yes to a tub but also get shower caps to put your wet/dirty shoes in the cap to keep the dirt even more contained. The dollar store for supplies can be your best friend! We have a screen in outdoor awning and always put it over our picnic table so we can eat and play games more bug free. Cooler situation: we pop up camper or tent camp so it is very needed. But having a cooler outside for drinks is great to cut down the going in and out of the camper. Also a table top ice maker helps keep our drinks cold and less eating of the cooler ice. Bug issues are helped with OFF yard fogger, incense bug repellant sticks around the camp space, candles don't do enough alone. Renting: you can rent smaller campers but also look at pop up campers! They are VERY easy to use, much cheaper, easy to tow, easier to store., easy to buy used and fix up like we did! For food around the campfire try pie irons for hot sandwiches, hot treats like candy bar sandwiches, hot dogs over the fire, and grown up smores with fresh raspberries/choco/marshmallows or Reeses PB Cups & marshmallows. SO much to learn and experience. I learned a TON of Pinterest. Love this video so much!! Great job!
Now question on your camp fire pit. What are the Disney rules for fire pits? I thought you needed to have a solid topper on it so the sparks don't fly out. We have one that has a top but it doesn't have a solid top but instead of grid top.
Just remember that you can sell an RV once you are done and they tend to hold their value well if you keep good care of it! I don’t own one but our relatives had :)
We were staying on property at Saratoga and went to Ft Wilderness just to go to the Tri Circle D Ranch as a down day with no problem
RVs are definitely a luxury and you want to make sure you plan on using it alot. We have put a compost toilet in ours so no more “poop hose” thankfully.
Renting an RV does sound more likely able to do for me and my family as well. I think the poop hose would definitely be something we wouldn't want to deal with either. The movie "RV" starring Robin Williams now comes to mind. 😂😂😂
Thank you so much for the great info. We will possibly be renting an RV in the future for the first time and hopefully be able to do a stay at Fort Wilderness. 😊
As a rv camper. Your list is spot on. And if you own a camper these are things you store in your camper for your next adventure.
Wow! The list of provisions and the RV reminds me of the Oregon Trail game! 😜 🏕
Sorry to hear about your dysentery. 8)
RV'ing is a way of life. It's really trial by error, when you own an RV like we have you gather things as you go and you keep them in your trailer, that way you always have them. Wood, grill, pots and pans, dishes, toiletries, games, chairs, toys, tarps, tool kit, extra propane, extra clothes you keep in your camper all the time -extra shoes you keep in your camper all the time- All of those things you'll always keep in your camper- when we put our camper away for the winter, we keep all our non-perishables in there and take all our perishables out and clean out the refrigerator the freezer the stove. We keep a small vacuum, a mop, a broom, tons of area rugs. It can be a lot but once you accumulate all of it you don't have to do it ever again.
It was also the Polynesians 50th anniversary!!!
Maybe a go bag strictly for camping? The items stay in the bag for each visit along with a check off list.
That's what we do! We have a suitcase for Camping, one for the Beach, etc! I restock, wash, etc everything when we return from a trip. They are always ready to go! ;)
Every car I've ever had I've had at least one old towel in the boot, especially with a kid and a dog. So useful for so many different things, wiping wet things, shading car windows, table cloth, getting purchase on ice. Plus those plug in coolers are so worth the money.
Y’all I nearly screamed at the video when it was raining and you had the camper awning out! That’s like playing Russian roulette! Even if your awning is slanted rain can gather and actually collapse or physically pull the awning off the camper. I learned that lesson the hard way with my first camper at Fort Wilderness! $1800 later I got the awning replaced
We have a plug-in cooler in our car at all times. It ran us about 70 bucks. It's great for carrying groceries when we have other errands to run. It's well worth the money.
The price also depends on which loop you are staying. The loops next to the marina and near the Meadows trading post are more expensive. Also the price also goes up on weekends.
We camped at The Fort for 2 weeks summer of 2020 and wow it was the best trip!! And we used the same company everything went great! Loved all the merch and wow I need all of it!
A drying rack or clothesline would be a great option to hang towels.
Some people like myself keep our Rvs at our Campground for the year and pay for the seasonal rental for the spot. Some even allows "deckout" your spot to make it your special vacation home. So if you ever reconsider , check your local Campground for seasonal rates. But good things to brink are extra blankets, bug spray, a shower caddy, and towels. Also some decorations to add more flare and fun to your camping like lights, flags and signs😁
I loved loved loved watching you stay at the Fort but for (about) $650 a night I would 100% choose a hotel, and not the dirty cabins lol. 🙈 This was so informative, I appreciate all the info. I really love watching you vacation!! Can’t wait for your next adventure. 🙂
The Poly is also celebrating there 50th anniversary. You should check there merchandise, you haven't already. Great video. One of my favorite Resorts.
I would love to do this some day. We just got back from a local KOA and had a blast. We love their cabins and were curious about KOA's in other states, so we looked it up and there are several in Florida. I'd be interested in seeing their cabins and if it would be an option for a Disney trip.
Try booking Sunday through Thursday at fort wilderness if you are having a hard time finding a opening there. Also we have a RV and have been camping in Florida for over 6 months for free . Its awesome. First year buying a annual pass.
Hello! Dont have anything to add about bringing for camping BUT for horse back riding.. look into CPONIES at anna Maria island you ride them in the ocean! I feel like that's something you and tim would love to do!
If you're staying a full week, make sure to check the rates. A lot of companies have a lower daily rate for a full week. Also, a small bin right inside the front door for your shoes helps a ton.
When I use my cooler to drive to fl for a month I freeze 3 bottled water and put in the bottom put the food in and ice it stays good for a day and half
We had a blast at the Fort last November. We stayed in the cabins and when I first went into the bathroom I had a good 5 minute laugh when I saw the double toilet roll remembering the time you two stayed in the cabins. Thank you for the videos!
Great video! We just arrived back home from the Fort. It’s such a great resort!!
Sad thing is the last time we stayed in a full hook up at Fort Widerness it was about $50 per night. We had just bought a 4 horse trailer with live in quarters in the front and that is the first place we took it. We also stayed in a cabin when they first opened for around $130 per night. Still love it there just can't afford to stay anymore. I do so enjoy experiencing things through your videos and watching Jackson growing up is fun.
Bring a couple strands of Christmas lights so you can locate your site in the dark. It also looks pretty even if you’re not lost. 😁
To me, an RV makes sense for a family who stays out of State travel to Disney, whereas you are already there. Yes you might take other trips but probably when Jackson is older, so renting seems the better option for your current situation
I do know at that Fort Wilderness lodge you can ask bell service to keep your food in the refrigerator on your check-in day and check out day.
But you have a larger bathroom in the cabins...:) But Love that there are separate rooms in the RV verses the Cabins. Love fort wilderness and so far that is my favorite place to stay. I would love to just go there and drive the golf cart around as that alone was so much fun.
I've been looking into RVs too and I think the only way I would bother is maybe a pop up. We had one when I was a kid. Some of them come with bathrooms but if you stick to sites that aren't too far from the campground bathroom, it's not a huge deal. My Mom had a little portable potty for me when I was little too. Anyway, they can have issues but overall they are way cheaper and lighter. I feel like any other type of trailer and you need to buy a truck or deal with maybe a super tiny teardrop. I hope to stay at Fort Wilderness soon, probably in a tent. I think I will wait until Chip and Dale come back though. Thank you for all of the info, super helpful.☺️
We stayed in a villa and went to the Fort to ride the horses. We made the reservation from the UK before we came out so u don't have to stay on site x
I need y’all to come visit us in Virginia and compare Tampa to Williamsburg. And then you can check out some cool historical places.
In addition to making s’mores, we always enjoyed making campers pies over the fire, both sweat and savory, using a standard square cast iron pie maker.
DVC family here from Canada. When on a cash stay we almost always choose the Fort. We love love love the cabins. The atmosphere there is so relaxed.
Thank you for letting us follow along with your first time camping in a travel trailer. You’re right about the shoes, camping crocs are key.
In 2020 we took the dive and bought our first travel trailer. We have the best times camping as a family. Come try camping in Southern Ontario. Our provincial parks are like none other.
Thanks again for sharing your life in Florida.
Sincerely,
The Kerr Family.
My family has a cute little camper, there's no bedroom or anything, but I'm grown and there's a curtain separating my bed from my parents, so it's perfect for us. We use it like a traveling hotel room. If where we're going is within driving distance, we take the camper instead of paying for a hotel. We go camping at least 3 times a year, but we went way more when I was dancing competitively. The camper made traveling for dance much more viable.
Don’t feel bad for missing things. We’ve been rv’ing for 7 years and we’re still discovering new things to bring along lol
If you go back, Id like to know what the bathroom and shower area for the tent/pop up camper sites is like.
If you Google “rack rates WDW” you can find regular pricing for any date and any resort.
The World is your Campfire 🔥
In regards to the golf cart. I would just bring an old towel that you don’t mind getting dirty and wipe it off. That’s what we do at golf. It’s smaller to store while you are camping.
Instead of bringing towels, you can also go to the pool and use their towels! Or if you bring your own then you can use the washer and dryer at the comfort stations!!!
We took out kids to FW using the cabins for a whole bunch of years. They are now grown up and we thought we would try renting a motor home back in the early 2000s. Worked great. We went out an bought a 1007 motor home and have gone several times, even pulling our car behind. The last time we felt we were getting too old to bother with towing a car, so we rented a car. This worked extremely well. We will do that next time, however, due to some my medical problems, that was put on hold ... hopefully temporarily. We just love the atmosphere in FW. My wife says that she goes to DW more for the FW experience than for the parks. For me, I wouldn't go that far, but I do like it all. We have even brought our dog and 2 cats, staying in the so called pet loop, near the dog park. The cats were indoor cats so staying home was natural for them and they were used to that.
We love Fort Wilderness and are going back in April. FYI if you rent a golf cart from a non-Disney approved company thy cannot deliver the cart to you on property. You must make arrangements to pick up outside the Fort. Most people really have difficulty getting campsites unless you stumble across a cancellation. We made ours by phoning Disney Reservations 499 days before requested check-in date. At that time frame you cannot book it online. Glad you became a Fort Camper.
Informative, yet concise - nicely done, guys
I booked thru Florida Camper Rental. They will also book your campsite for you. Unfortunately, I had to cancel before we stayed because my Mom had a stroke.😭
Jen, with all Jackson’s special stay shirts you gotta save them and have them turned into a quilt. I saw them on Pinterest and think it would be such a cute idea. 💜
I love this! Thanks for the idea :)
Such a great recap of your Fort Adventure. Thank you for sharing. And hope something opens up for you in the Fall.
Thank you. I never thought to rent an RV....interesting.
Now that you're camping people you should visit British Columbia and stay at a Provincial campsite (there are lots of RV rental companies that set-up for you). Personally I like Miracle Beach campground and Gordon Bay campground.
I only stay in the cabins if it’s less than 400 a night (Florida resident rate) and I’ve been a passholder and those rates are even slightly better and with the new Disney+ subscriber hotel rates I saw at the beginning of august a tent site for $59!
We have done a lot of camping and for dinner I always made full meals and froze them so you only have to reheat them. I used disposable pans so cleanup was very easy.
We're tent camping at FW in August for $65/night.
When Jackson gets a little older you should try tent camping. Being locals you know when the weather will be better rain, temps, wind. You can buy tents fairly cheap, air mattress's, coolers, bike rack for the car and bikes. Fans or portable AC, lights and so on. Guaranteed it will be a good time. The comfort stations are very nice.
I have tent camped twice last year (2021) at the Fort, late May and late September for 5 nights each time.