Fort Wilderness (and general camping) Etiquette

I usally keep a motion activated solar light on outside the camper. It scares away wildlife and helps if you need to head outside for any reason. Will also do wonders for kids cutting through the campsight.
 
tiggerdad said:
A thing now!?
Oh, sorry. I keep forgetting none of the rest of you folks are from Mississippi too. Sorry, carry on.
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Lived in Missouri for a while, bugs would hit the zapper and would fry for a good 30 seconds before they became a flaming hulk that would drop to the ground. Cicadas were the worst or the best depending on your point of view!
 


Sjm9911 said:
I usally keep a motion activated solar light on outside the camper. It scares away wildlife and helps if you need to head outside for any reason. Will also do wonders for kids cutting through the campsight.
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Since the break in attempt on our RV at FW last year, I now use motion activated lights on both my RV doors. Our Dog did the trick last year, but I would rather not burden him if I can avert it with security lights
 
I was glad that the popup next to us turned off his lights at night, they were bright blue!
We only had one kid walk through our campsite, and it was between our camper and our TV- her dad watched her do it and didn't say a thing. We ALWAYS tell our kids the camping rules and #1 is DO NOT GO THROUGH SOMEONE'S SITE.
Not only is it rude, but my 7 year old is a chatter box and often talks sweet people into giving him candy :scared:

I totally broke etiquette at the fort this weekend though and I humbly apologize! My 2 year old said he had to pee and could not make it to the comfort station (we had JUST told my other son that yes, we were camping but he could not pee on the trees because we were at Disney)...and proceeded to poop in the grass. I was mortified until I remembered that people's dogs do it all the time and so I bagged it all up and tossed it. This thread was in my mind the whole time haha.

When camping with kids, I always request a site that has room for my kids to not bother others and we usually are accommodated well.

My only other suggestion would be "pack it in, take it out". Some folks left their tents there for the CMs to dispose of after they left. They said that happens all the time, people grab a cheap tent for the weekend and then leave it there instead of breaking it down.
 
rideswithchrist said:
My only other suggestion would be "pack it in, take it out". Some folks left their tents there for the CMs to dispose of after they left. They said that happens all the time, people grab a cheap tent for the weekend and then leave it there instead of breaking it down.
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That is so aggravating! I was talking with a park host in Oregon and they said its happening here too. People pick up the cheap tents at Wal-Mart and either (a) try to return them or (b) just leave them and all their trash and drive away. It's so sad we've become such a disposable society. I really hope that Fort Wilderness is charging those that do it a bundle of cash for clean up.
 


rideswithchrist said:
I was glad that the popup next to us turned off his lights at night, they were bright blue!
We only had one kid walk through our campsite, and it was between our camper and our TV- her dad watched her do it and didn't say a thing. We ALWAYS tell our kids the camping rules and #1 is DO NOT GO THROUGH SOMEONE'S SITE.
Not only is it rude, but my 7 year old is a chatter box and often talks sweet people into giving him candy :scared:

I totally broke etiquette at the fort this weekend though and I humbly apologize! My 2 year old said he had to pee and could not make it to the comfort station (we had JUST told my other son that yes, we were camping but he could not pee on the trees because we were at Disney)...and proceeded to poop in the grass. I was mortified until I remembered that people's dogs do it all the time and so I bagged it all up and tossed it. This thread was in my mind the whole time haha.

When camping with kids, I always request a site that has room for my kids to not bother others and we usually are accommodated well.

My only other suggestion would be "pack it in, take it out". Some folks left their tents there for the CMs to dispose of after they left. They said that happens all the time, people grab a cheap tent for the weekend and then leave it there instead of breaking it down.
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It's funny you mentioned about the "peeing", on our last trip I watched as our camping neighbors exited their camper and jump into the golf cart to head out for the day only to have DAD direct his two sons to pee on the bushes directly behind our camper. Remember, they had just exited their camper and the bathhouse was just steps away. I found this to be rude. You'll notice he didn't tell them to pee on the bushes next to his camper.
 
It's nice to see that folks here would like to see a little more civility and consideration by others at the Fort. It is a very beautiful place and so fun to be there, would love to see everyone appreciate it and care for it and the comfort of all others around us.

I posted some similar comments and issues from my recent trip, thread was closed due to similarity to this one, and got the feeling that alot of folks don't really give a care about others, i.e. golf cart issues, shower room issues. etc.

I have been camping for over 25 years and enjoy it immensely. I was taught about being considerate of others and being mindful of the nature surrounding me. Some, not many, at FW do not seem to care so much. We do much of our camping at State Parks, etc. but do very much like FW as we have stayed there a dozen times.

I admit that I am shocked when folks blatantly say that they will continue to do what they do even if it is incorrect, like driving your golf cart the wrong way on the loops. It is not a toy but a convenience. Disney surely cannot police all loops all the time, but usually campers do that for themselves. I have personally witnessed many young people driving carts unsafely and many adults ignoring the rules of the road. I try to remember that there are many people walking on the loops with children and pets and I care if they are hurt, so I obey the rules.

I am not a "rules nazi" but basic consideration of others and their safety is not too much to ask so that we can all enjoy FW.
 
BayouDiz66 said:
It's funny you mentioned about the "peeing", on our last trip I watched as our camping neighbors exited their camper and jump into the golf cart to head out for the day only to have DAD direct his two sons to pee on the bushes directly behind our camper. Remember, they had just exited their camper and the bathhouse was just steps away. I found this to be rude. You'll notice he didn't tell them to pee on the bushes next to his camper.
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I never understood why people encourage their boys to urinate outside, especially if you are close to a toilet. Just because it is physically easier for you to do so, does not mean it is not low class. If you would not let your daughter do that, then you should not let your boy either. I am not talking about an emergency, out in the woods type of thing. I was lounging at the pool at POR a few years ago and heard a tinkling. There was a boy behind my chair peeing in the brush while his family looked on. I told them that the toilet is within sight of where we are sitting and that it was disgusting to just urinate right there.
 
I'll apologize in advance but I'm that person who gets up early and wakes the whole campground up with the smell of delicious bacon. Sorry not Sorry LOL.

I have many pet peeves when it comes to camping many of which can't happen at FW because of the way it's set up - like driving your car 5 minutes to the comfort station instead of walking.

One of my biggest rules is keep a clean campsite. I'm from Ontario Canada. When we go camping the risk of bears and raccoons is pretty high. In fact, many campgrounds now require campers to use a bear locker rather than just locking their food up in the car because bears are starting to destroy cars to get to the food. I don't want to have any risk of animals coming into my site looking for my food because you decided to leave out your food and garbage all night.

Clean up after yourself in the comfort stations. Yes, Disney is amazingly good at keeping it clean but if you do happen to make a mess, clean it up.

The headlight thing is pretty annoying if you're setting up at 10pm but I understand. I'd prefer the headlights over the loud banging and yelling as you're trying to set up in the dark. Either plan your trip better so you arrive earlier or be considerate of your neighbours.
 
2rad4u said:
Everybody that has ever camped a lot has set up after dark. I have.

I always offer to lend a flashlight or lantern.

If these things are all we have to complain about...
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I don't think that people are really complaining about setting up after dark per se. It depends on the time of year. In winter, dark can be 7pm, which is not an issue. But I think setting up past 11pm can be disturbing to your neighbors. I think that there are compromises. If you arrive in the middle of the night, do what you must to get to bed and then finish up the next day. I don't think that is unreasonable.
 
2rad4u said:
Everybody that has ever camped a lot has set up after dark. I have.

I always offer to lend a flashlight or lantern.

If these things are all we have to complain about...
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I've set up after dark too and I honestly have never complained about seasoned campers setting up. Its more of those folks who are there to party or first timers that get loud or frustrated after 10/10:30 pm and disturb the campground as they struggle with setting up. Up in my area, it's often a 2 or 3 hour drive to some of the better provincial parks so late night arrivals are common.
 
cinderellagirl2280 said:
I've set up after dark too and I honestly have never complained about seasoned campers setting up. Its more of those folks who are there to party or first timers that get loud or frustrated after 10/10:30 pm and disturb the campground as they struggle with setting up. Up in my area, it's often a 2 or 3 hour drive to some of the better provincial parks so late night arrivals are common.
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The thing to do these days must be leaving LED lights on all night. Thank goodness we have blackout shades. Got up real early today and walked outside. About every third rig in our loop had bright solid or blinking LED light strings on. What a waste if darkness and power. Is there that much of a safety or theft concern.
 
cinderellagirl2280 said:
I've set up after dark too and I honestly have never complained about seasoned campers setting up. Its more of those folks who are there to party or first timers that get loud or frustrated after 10/10:30 pm and disturb the campground as they struggle with setting up. Up in my area, it's often a 2 or 3 hour drive to some of the better provincial parks so late night arrivals are common.
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I found this to be true as well. If I come in late, I just back in and "boondock" at my site until morning. Plus setting up in the daylight is so much easier.

Also modern diesel trucks don't need to be left running continuously like a semi while you set up.
 
I second the poster above who mentioned about parked cars. Look around you when you're parking on the road in a loop, try to see where that big truck, truck/trailer combo, or large MH might have to 'maneuver' to get into that site across from you or get into their site with their truck/toad when returning to camp, then don't park there.

And even if it is Disney, screaming and squealing kids are not pleasant. Loud laughter, talking, and shouting while playing isn't a problem. But ear-piercing screams and squeals are not fun.





 
2rad4u said:
FWIW in 30 years of camping I have never locked a door. When the day comes where I feel like I need to, I'll stop camping.
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FYI-we've had a Fort Employee come by and tell us to lock up our bikes on numerous occasions. The Fort has become notorious for stolen bikes. Also on another thread there are pictures of a damaged camper door where someone tried to break in. The "Disney Bubble" has cracks but don't stop camping. Don't want to burst your bubble about the Fort but just be aware and smart about it. It's not what it used to be. Probably safer than a lot of other campgrounds due to Disney security but things happen. Camping near any big city has it's own issues and Orlando is a big city. Be city smart!
 
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