All things Disney and Ft. Wilderness

We are Disney annual passholders, so we tend to visit Disney pretty often. We decided to spend a week at Ft. Wilderness Campground this summer because it only made sense! Not only do we have the option of the parks, but Ft. Wilderness and the surrounding Orlando area offer so much for families!

If you decide to visit Disney for any amount of time, the first thing you need to do is download the My Disney Experience app. This is how you make meal reservations, complete mobile food orders, and check out the wait times on rides at the park. 

Meals are always one of the first things I plan for our trips. I have learned over the years of camping that simple is best. We are lucky to have a Blackstone griddle where we make the majority of our meals. I try to think on the go for breakfast, sandwiches and easy items for lunch, and prep as much as I can for dinner meals. For fajitas, I use the already cut up Publix pre-packed veggies. For pizza on the grill, we use already made crusts. SIMPLE is better! However, there are PLENTY of places on Disney property to enjoy meals. 

If you would rather eat out, there are plenty of options on Disney property! You can book dining 60 days in advance. The good places fill up quick! Disney is just starting to do character dining again. The only places that provide character dining right now are Topolino's Terrace, Tusker House, Chef Mickey's, and Garden Grill. I know this list is changing daily so make sure you check before you reserve. We were lucky enough to get a lunch reservation at Tusker House. Everything is family style rather than buffet. The food was really yummy. We had a salad, bread plate, mac and cheese, and plate of different meats. You can ask for more if you are still hungry too! After the meal we had a little desert plate. However, the best part was seeing William light up with the characters! They are still keeping their distance, but make sure to show the kids their love! 

If we are going into the parks, we make sure to get there right when they open. It is way less crowded, and you can hit your favorite rides. We did 6 rides at Magic Kingdom in the first two hours in opened, and left around noon when the crowds came in. If you would rather not travel to the parks, there are still tons of activities for kids right at the Fort. If you head up to the Tri-Circle Ranch at the front of the Fort, you can reserve a time for horseback riding. If you are looking to cool off, there are two pools that are perfect for the afternoon when the parks are too busy. The pool at the cabins tends to be a little quieter. However, the Meadow pool has a great splash area and slide for kids. We bring our own adult beverages in a little cooler, and stand back while William runs and slides like a maniac! There is also a little snack bar there for food and drinks. Speaking of food- there are two places to eat on site at Ft. Wilderness, P&J's and Trail's End. P&J's can be ordered on the My Disney Experience app. You can reserve a pick up time and grab and go. I have found times aren't alway accurate at busy times (7-8pm for dinner). The other food option is Trail's End. This is a family style restaurant that just opened back up. You will need to make reservations. 

There are different options for transportation around the Fort. You cannot get to the Settlement area (restaurants and trading post shop) or the Meadow (pool and trading post shop) by car. There is a bus that travels to the different loops, Meadow and Settlement areas. You can also walk, ride a bike (bring your own or rent one at the Bike Barn), and my personal favorite- ride a golf cart! If you want to reserve a golf cart, do so FAR in advance. They fill up quick! The number to reserve is 407-824-2742. One of my favorite activities at the Fort, is to go loopin'. This is just driving around to check out everyone else's decorations and setup. 

Ft. Wilderness is easily one of our favorite campgrounds. It provides the perfect combination of relaxation, activities, and of course, Disney magic! If you are ready to take the plunge to take your first trip to the Fort, feel free to send me a message at flipflopdreamsllc@gmail.com. Not only do I have tons of tips and tricks, but I can point you in the direction of an experienced travel company to help book and plan your vacation for free, and if you don't have a camper, we have a rental one that we deliver to Disney's Ft. Wilderness resort. Happy Glamping and Happy Disney! 

Flip Flop Dreaming in the Keys

Although I now call St. Pete home, I was born and raised in the Florida Keys. My parents still live there, and I am lucky enough that I get to visit several times a year to enjoy the island life. Growing up, my friends and I would jump down to Long Key State Park on a whim and book a tent site where we would grill up our freshly caught snapper. Now, you better be hovering over your keyboard at exactly 8:00am, 11 months in advance, to book a night at a state park in the Keys! Luckily, state parks aren't the only option for RVing in the Keys. Below is a list of several options if you are hoping to live the flip flop dream down in the fabulous Florida Keys! 

For those who aren't familiar with the Keys, it is a chain of islands south of Miami. There is an 18 mile stretch between Miami and Key Largo. The entire Keys are 107 miles long. When you talk about locations, you speak in mile markers. Key Largo starts at Mile Marker (MM) 107, and Key West ends at MM0. We also use terms like Upper Keys, Middle Keys, and Lower Keys. US1 is the main road that runs throughout the entire Keys. It's also known as the Overseas Highway when you look up addresses. The busiest times of year to visit include any holiday weekend, the week between Christmas and New Years, and any time between Thanksgiving and July. August and September are incredibly hot! There aren't very many grocery stores, no Wal-Mart or Target, and no Uber so plan ahead! Now that you have a very brief overview of the Keys, let's talk about camping. I've also included below any personal notes about my own experiences with the parks. 

Upper Keys (Key Largo through Islamorada)

• Key Largo Kampground
• Keys Palms RV- sites available on the water
• John Pennekamp State Park

Middle Keys (Lower Matecumbe, Marathon through Big Pine Key)

• Fiesta Key RV Park- we actually stayed here. There are sites right on the water. The other sites aren't very nice, and I thought the bathrooms weren't very clean. 
• Grassy Key RV Park and Resort- sites on the water with dockage
• Long Key State Park- still recovering from Hurricane Irma. I believe only small sites and tent sites are available.
• Curry Hammock State Park
• Bahia Honda State Park- still some sites and beach areas closed from Hurricane Irma. Beautiful views
• Sunshine Key RV Resort
• Jolly Roger RV Resort

Lower Keys (South of Big Pine Key)

• Bluewater Key RV Resort- privately owned sites right on the water. Pricey, but beautiful.
• Boyd's Key West Campground

Although we don't deliver our rental to the Keys, we still enjoy sharing our love of camping and those who want to live the Flip Flop Dream with us. If you are looking for renting a camper in the West and Central Florida area, feel free to drop us a line at flipflopdreamsllc@gmail.com.

Happy Glamping!

Ramon & Cassandra

Lake Manatee State Park (Bradenton, FL)

We took our own camper for a quick President's weekend trip to Lake Manatee State Park this past weekend. Most state parks book up 11 months in advance, but I was able to get this site last minute using the Wandering Labs website. If you've never used it before, check out my previous blog about getting a site in Florida. 

The park is about 9 miles east of I-75 in Bradenton. No busy roads or shops surround it, just pure peace and quiet. When we arrived, what I loved most was how the area looked like Old Florida- moss hanging from the tress and palmetto buses surrounding the sites and road. It is truly a Florida camping experience! 

This quiet campground has 60 sites. The sites are fairly wide and each one comes with a picnic table, fire pit, and two poles for a laundry line, or even better, a hammock! If you want to get active, there are walking trails, some of which take you down to Lake Manatee. There aren't kayaks available for rent right now, but if you have your own, you can take it out on the lake (just watch out for gators- this is Florida!) If you bring bikes, there is also two miles of paved road around the parks. 

If you are looking to check out the area, I would recommend taking a trip to Hunsader Farms, which is a couple miles further east. During February and March, they have U-pick strawberry fields, and in October and November, they have a pumpkin patch and corn maize. You can also check out their farmer's market, petting zoo, swamp buggy rides, and much more. I would suggest checking out their website before you go to see what type of fruits and/or vegetables are available for U-pick, depending on the season. 

On our last night of our trip, we took full advantage of the fire pit, and made smores! There were no street lights, so the stars were clearly visible. We really enjoyed the laid back, quiet of this park, and can't wait to go back again!

Baby (or toddler) On Board! How to camp with a little one

 We brought William on his first camping trip when he was only 3 months old! 

Not only did we learn quickly that we needed a bigger camper, but we also learned that camping with a baby is going to be a whole new experience! Camping with a baby and a toddler is challenging, but manageable. The below suggestions and tips are what work for our family. Anyone who is a parent knows that every child is different. I hope that the below thoughts give a jumping off point for what could work for you and your family! 

Before I talk about the differences between babies and toddlers, there is one thing in my mind that remains the same- SLEEP! I am fully aware that everyone has different styles and opinions on sleep, but I am sure we all can agree on one thing, everyone enjoys the camping trip when everyone sleeps well! 

Our personal camper has bunks, one big space for kitchen, dinette, and couch, and then a separate master bedroom. Our rental has a separate bunkhouse. For me, it is all about the separate sleeping space. The bunkhouse is WAY easier because we can put the Pack N Play in there and close the curtain when we put him to bed. In our own camper, we have to put him in the middle of the main room (so he can't reach anything along the sides), rig up a monitor to attach to the cabinet, and then either sneak into our room or outside until he falls asleep. When we go outside, it gives us a little time to hang just us before we play the dangerous game of sneaking past him to go to bed. We typically leave the AC on Fan mode so it acts like white noise while he is sleeping. We also have an old iPhone where we have a white noise app that we play while he sleeps. Did I mention that I don't play when it comes to sleep? The monitor may sound a little nuts, but it gives me piece of mind, so we bring it along.  

Camping with a baby

My "must have" items for camping with a baby include:

• Pack 'N Play
• High chair that attaches to a table
• Stock of medication (Tylenol, Benadryll, Montrin, syringe)
• Monitor
• Drying rack (for bottles)
• Baby carrier (We have the mesh Lillebaby)
• Portable bath tub or blow up bath tub. Most campers have a shower. You can also use the sink if it's big enough
• Warm PJ's (it's typically colder in a camper than your home)

I feel like babies are MUCH easier than toddlers. We brought our stroller and baby carrier and just took him everywhere- the beach (add sun tent, water diapers, sunscreen, portable fan to your list), on nature walks and hikes (add bug spray), playground with swings, local breweries, etc. You name it, he has visited while we were camping! We typically plan our days around his nap schedule and the weather. 

Camping with a toddler

This one I am still in the process of learning and living! My boy took his sweet ole time learning to walk. He maybe walked for an entire day, because after that day, all he knew how to do is run! He is a bundle of energy! We bring a few different items now than when he was a baby.

• All the snacks 
• Portable DVD player/Kindle (rainy days stuck in 100 square feet are tough)
• Books and toys your toddler typically doesn't play with
• Microwave safe plate, utensils, and cups
• Booster seat instead of high chair
• Pack N' Play, monitor, medication, warm PJ's
• Sidewalk chalk, kite, water toys/tupperware

Before I go camping, I look up my proximity to the playgrounds and any type of hiking trails. I try to come up with a morning activity and an afternoon activity. Of course weather and time of year always come into play. If it's something popular, we typically go in the morning. William is an early riser which is a blessing and a curse! For example, the pool at Ft. Wilderness hits max capacity fast (and its heated!) so we try to get over there earlier in the morning before they start turning guests away. If it's the dog days of summer in Florida, we try to go for hikes or to the beach earlier in the morning and look for indoor activities in the afternoon (watching movies, inside crafts). We also bring our bikes if for some exercise and a good way to see a campground (add helmet). Sometimes our favorite activity is just running around the camping loops to look at the different camping setups. Both of our campers also have an extendable awning to provide extra shade next to the camper. This is where we can  setup some outdoor crafts or even an outdoor meal at the picnic table. That blow up bath tub you brought can also get use as a mini pool!

No matter what age, camping with kids takes some planning! If you are thinking about bringing your little one, but you are still hesitant, please shoot me an email and ask anything. I can always tell you what has worked for us, or give some suggestions based on our experiences. Our rental camper is perfect for families with kids (did I mention an entire bunkhouse with 4 bunks?) Feel free to email me at flipflopdreamsllc@gmail.com or check out our RVShare link with pictures by clicking here.

Thanks and Happy Glamping! 

Ft. DeSoto Park (St. Petersburg, FL)

Ft. DeSoto is one of my favorite parks in Florida, and the best part is, it's right in our backyard! There are 236 campsites at Ft. Desoto with the majority of them being right on the water. Pinellas County residents are able to book Ft. DeSoto 7 months in advance and all others, 6 months in advance. It is a county park, however, it is known around the nation for it's waterfront views and breathtaking sunsets. 

This park does fill up fast, but there are a few different ways to make sure you secure your waterfront vacation. See my previous blog post for tips on how to snag a site at this popular camping paradise! Once you do secure a site, you can book our RV with free delivery to Ft. DeSoto. The park has a variety of activities for visitors of all ages. 

The first thing we suggest is exploring the island. You can rent bikes near the snack shop on the north beach or you can rent one of these peddle bikes at the camp store. We have done both! The peddle bike was great, but warning, it is a work out!

There is a great bike path along the island. When you exit the campground, you will take a right, and that will lead you into the main park. Once you get into the main park, you will see an American Flag. To the left, there will be several areas where you can stop over and see great views of the Sunshine Skyway. There is also a playground if you bring the kiddos along!

If you go to the right at the flag, you will see some of the beautiful beaches Ft. DeSoto has to offer. If you decide to bring your rod and tackle, you can fish off the pier or hopefully, off the back of your waterfront site. There is a dog beach if you brought your water pup! Our favorite beach is North Beach. There are little tide pools where your little one can run around or if this is a couples trip, you can spend time collecting sand dollars or just enjoying the Florida sun. 

You can also see the island and beaches by kayak. There are kayaks for rent on the way into the park, and typically on the right once you enter the park. In addition to the beaches, you can also explore the Fort itself or take the ferry to Egmont or Shell keys. 

To find out more about all the amenities at Ft. DeSoto, visit their website here

We hope you are able to make your flip flop dreams come true at the campgrounds at Ft. DeSoto!

Snagging a site in beautiFULL Florida

You’ve decided to go glamping! You pick your dates, go to the website to reserve, and find out quickly, it is all booked up from now until eternity! We are lucky to live in a state where you can vacation year around. The only problem about that is that the snowbirds and other states know that too! I’ve been lucky enough to book some of the best places in Florida without much of a hassle. Here are some of my tips for snagging a campsite in some of the most popular parks in Florida. 

 

Be a keyboard warrior and plan ahead 

State parks have availability up to 11 months in advance. Ft. De Soto (popular Pinellas County park) has availability 7 months in advance for Pinellas County residents and 6 months for all others. Ft. Wilderness has availability 599 days in advance. Be ready on the keyboard when the window opens at 8:00am. For example, if you want to book a site at Rainbow Springs State Park on December 21, 2021, you should be on your computer, on the Reserve America website, ready to book at 8:00am on January 21, 2021. 

https://floridastateparks.reserveamerica.com/ (State Park reservations)

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/camping.htm (Ft DeSoto reservations)

 

Use Wandering Labs 

Wandering labs is a website that checks availability at different parks based on cancellations. You will need to enter the park in which you wish you stay, your arrival date window and how many nights you would like to book. For a $15 donation, they will send you emails and text messages when a site meeting your needs becomes available. For example, if you wanted to book a site at Ft. DeSoto, you would go onto their website, enter the date window in which you could arrive, and how many nights you would want to stay. Your request will be checked every 3-5 minutes, and if something becomes available, you will get a text message. When you get that message, you need to be ready to book quickly. That site also becomes available on the park website.  

https://reserve.wanderinglabs.com/

 

Use a Travel Agent 

This mainly applies to the Campsites at Ft. Wilderness. The Fort is glamping at its finest! Concrete pads, heated pool, shopping, food, fireworks! It’s the perks of Disney without visiting the parks. If you would like to look at booking Ft. Wilderness, we work exclusively with Adventure Somewhere travel agency. Pri is a mom of two and Orlando native. Not only can she snag you a site, but she can help you plan your Orlando vacation without any additional cost.  

http://www.iwantadventuresomewhere. 

 

Once you get a site, then you are ready to reserve The OG! Use this link to reserve our camper for your next getaway!  ⬇️

https://rvshare.com/rvs/details/1488784

Living the Flip Flop Dream

The #flipfloplife. It’s the lifestyle that my husband, Ramon, was seeking when he moved to Florida from Connecticut in 2010. After growing up in the Northeast and going to college at Quinnipiac University, he was ready for salty air and sand between his toes. He packed his things and came to Clearwater to teach high school English. 

I was born and raised in the #flipfloplife. I grew up in Florida Keys so salt air, sunshine and sand between my toes is a part of my soul. I went to college at UCF in Orlando and eventually made my way over to St. Petersburg to teach. In 2016, our paths crossed and within two years, we had our son, William  

We share a love of the great outdoors. In 2017, we bought our first camper to explore more of Florida, a Forest River RPod. She was 18’ and all we needed for us and our two dogs, Sox and Savannah. 

We traveled all of  Florida in OURPod (her name!)-from Grayton Beach State Park in the panhandle to Fiesta Key RV park in the Florida Keys. After we had William, we took him to Ft DeSoto for his first trip at 3 months old, and learned very quickly that it was time for more space!

Meet Optimus Prime, our Primetime Tracer.

She has been ours for the past two years. We have watched our son go from scooting across her floors to running back and forth at 5:00am. In March of 2020, we opened the windows and watched the sunrise before we went into quarantine. But that time in quarantine got us thinking, how could we share this experience with others who wanted to see more of Florida, but still have those creature comforts of home. In the midst of a pandemic, we planned our Flip Flop Dreams! In December 2020, we bought our first rental camper- The “OG” Original Glamper! 

After a couple weeks of cleaning and minor renovations , she is finally ready for rentals! I will post the link below. In addition to sharing the experience of camping with others, I will be sharing my own experiences and tips on this blog in hopes that others will have a smooth experience with camping- whether it be finding a site, camping with kids, or buying a camper. Enjoy and Happy Glamping!

Cassandra & Ramon 🩴

https://rvshare.com/rvs/details/1488784