Van_and_Terri
Ranger
We just completed our first trip in our home away from home at Tomoka State Park. The weather was wonderful and the wine was plentiful. Both had a great time. Our next trip in April will be to the Pamana City area for a week.
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Our First Trip!
- Thread starter Van_and_Terri
- Start date
Congrats on your maiden voyage! Glad to hear it went so well.
I love it. It is so exciting to be out there with your new teardrop. She's a beauty. I'm looking forward to my first trip. Can't wait.
Really nice set up!
I just got back from two nights at Disney's Fort Wilderness. I found I have more room than I thought I would, and more storage than I recalled. Set up is a breeze. My new saying....no more worries, no more woes...I just hitch up and go, go, go.....toot toot, Lil Hoot!
I just got back from two nights at Disney's Fort Wilderness. I found I have more room than I thought I would, and more storage than I recalled. Set up is a breeze. My new saying....no more worries, no more woes...I just hitch up and go, go, go.....toot toot, Lil Hoot!
Van_and_Terri
Ranger
We want to visit Ft Wilderness. Have heard its really nice and clean, but a little more expensive than the typical campground. Do you recommend it?
Hi Van and Terri,
Yes, I would recommend Fort Wilderness campground. A bit pricey, but you pay extra for the ears.
Disney has a few different levels of pricing for their campsites. I had a site on a preferred loop, certainly more than I needed. One nice thing about staying in a preferred site with a teardrop was the loop mostly had big rigs, which they typically use their own onboard facilities. That being said, the laundry/showers/bathrooms on the loop were spotless, and looked as though no one was using them.
The campground is really nice for walking and bike riding, or rent a golf cart for your time there. Daily and nightly things to do can keep you entertained without ever leaving the campground. There seemed to be many folks that return to the campground, they had their campsites all decorated in Disney theme (fun to see their sites lit up at night).
My daughter and son-in-law have asked me to care for my five year old grandson in May when they attend an out of town wedding. So, yes....I took the opportunity to pick out the perfect campsite with a basketball hoop just feet from the campsite and a big play ground, book a Disney bar-b-q, pony rides, checked out the pool, outdoor movie, sing-a-long with Chip 'n Dale (s'mores too), an evening wagon ride around the campgrounds that stop near the water for the electric light parade, and then you are right there for the fireworks, may even rent one of the boats at the campground. We should have a good time together. You know what they even have? Archery lessons! You need to be at least 7 years old, so that will need to be another couple of years away for my grandson.
Hope this helps you both.
Oh, one more thing.......when you go, have a MAGICAL time!
Beverly
Yes, I would recommend Fort Wilderness campground. A bit pricey, but you pay extra for the ears.
Disney has a few different levels of pricing for their campsites. I had a site on a preferred loop, certainly more than I needed. One nice thing about staying in a preferred site with a teardrop was the loop mostly had big rigs, which they typically use their own onboard facilities. That being said, the laundry/showers/bathrooms on the loop were spotless, and looked as though no one was using them. The campground is really nice for walking and bike riding, or rent a golf cart for your time there. Daily and nightly things to do can keep you entertained without ever leaving the campground. There seemed to be many folks that return to the campground, they had their campsites all decorated in Disney theme (fun to see their sites lit up at night).
My daughter and son-in-law have asked me to care for my five year old grandson in May when they attend an out of town wedding. So, yes....I took the opportunity to pick out the perfect campsite with a basketball hoop just feet from the campsite and a big play ground, book a Disney bar-b-q, pony rides, checked out the pool, outdoor movie, sing-a-long with Chip 'n Dale (s'mores too), an evening wagon ride around the campgrounds that stop near the water for the electric light parade, and then you are right there for the fireworks, may even rent one of the boats at the campground. We should have a good time together. You know what they even have? Archery lessons! You need to be at least 7 years old, so that will need to be another couple of years away for my grandson.
Hope this helps you both.
Oh, one more thing.......when you go, have a MAGICAL time!
Beverly
PlasticsMan
Novice
Joan said:
REI is having their annual 20% off Sale - you may need to be a REI co-op member to get the discount.
We have a REI Visa which offers a yearly dividend toward REI purcchases. The dividend and the current sale allowed us to get the Alcove, two sets of wind walls, and a bunch of kitchen gear for free.
fdkoh99
Junior Ranger
Hi Eric and Joan,
>and a bunch of kitchen gear for free.
As an long time REI member.. I know how you feel... but it means you spent a bunch last year... right!
Anyway - congratulations - remember to get some bungle cord rafters... several pictures in the gallery for those... but they keep the rain from puddling on the Alcove.. the other trick is to use two of those bungies to fasten the Alcove frame to the teardrop fenders... keeps things from blowing away.
>and a bunch of kitchen gear for free.
As an long time REI member.. I know how you feel... but it means you spent a bunch last year... right!
Anyway - congratulations - remember to get some bungle cord rafters... several pictures in the gallery for those... but they keep the rain from puddling on the Alcove.. the other trick is to use two of those bungies to fasten the Alcove frame to the teardrop fenders... keeps things from blowing away.
PlasticsMan
Novice
Dave & Linda...
Most of the dividend points this year were from the REI Visa card and not actual REI purchases. That's the main reason we use this credit card, Christmas in April!
Thanks for the bungee reminder and the fender anchor tip. The REI website had additional owner feedback regarding preventing rain pooling (staking out the shelter at the middle or tie a water filled soda bottle to keep the top taught and prevent pooling). Of course these solutions mean you're tripping over a guy line or bumping your head on a water bottle. The bungee solution seems to be the best.
I understand that the wind walls can be reinforced using line or an old tent pole diagonally to keep the wind from pushing the walls in...
Most of what I know I learn from the experience and wisdom of others. That's why I love this forum.
Can't wait to get out for a long weekend and try out the new toys...
Most of the dividend points this year were from the REI Visa card and not actual REI purchases. That's the main reason we use this credit card, Christmas in April!
Thanks for the bungee reminder and the fender anchor tip. The REI website had additional owner feedback regarding preventing rain pooling (staking out the shelter at the middle or tie a water filled soda bottle to keep the top taught and prevent pooling). Of course these solutions mean you're tripping over a guy line or bumping your head on a water bottle. The bungee solution seems to be the best.
I understand that the wind walls can be reinforced using line or an old tent pole diagonally to keep the wind from pushing the walls in...
Most of what I know I learn from the experience and wisdom of others. That's why I love this forum.
Can't wait to get out for a long weekend and try out the new toys...
Nice set-up. Your pictures, mcNugit's info, our REI dividend, and 20% off for REI members this week convinced us that an Alcove canopy may be more than just nice during Colorado's Matsutake Time (aka August). So we bought the Alcove and Windwalls this morning. Also We think we got a pretty good deal on 36-inch Bungees for rafters, free shipping on 12 for less than $17 on eBay.
Thanx to all for such great pictures and great discussions.
Regards, T & Joy
PS--Busy up here digging deep beds and planting the veggie garden. More snow forecast here tomorrow, so the peas, garlic, and spinach will do just fine.
Thanx to all for such great pictures and great discussions.
Regards, T & Joy
PS--Busy up here digging deep beds and planting the veggie garden. More snow forecast here tomorrow, so the peas, garlic, and spinach will do just fine.
Just remember, the key to your REI Alcove surviving a good rainfall, is a taut canopy. Make sure you cinch those adjustable leg straps down good and tight, and guy out the canopy with line from the provided loops. You may even find you don't even need the rafter bungees!
Jamie
Jamie
Van_and_Terri
Ranger
Not having a sink in the galley has been a nonissue for us. Matter of fact, we would delete it on a new one and use the credit elsewhere. That's what we love about it, you can make it yours!
Van_and_Terri
Ranger
We just used our annual dividend and the 20% off sale to buy another Alcove for placement over the camper. The original owner gave us a side tent, so where should be set. Making a frame for the floor of the side tent this afternoon. The forum has been a great help!
