Am I unique?

[mrsbert]

Help me justify this: I want to buy a camper for the sole purpose of camping at Fort Wilderness. :rolleyes: I'm sure most, if not all, would agree that there is NO OTHER way to vacation at WDW. My first memory of WDW was riding down to Florida with my dad :drive: pulling the pop-up behind us. Camping at WDW seems the natural thing to do. Don't get me wrong, I've since gone numerous times and stayed on site in a hotel but that is just....missing something. I've looked into renting one but it gets to be alot more expensive than a room and we don't get to keep the camper after the vacation is over.

Okay, I feel better getting my feelings out. Thanks for listening.
:grouphug:

[bradisgoofy]

I believe once your family has experienced camping, not just at FW, they will feel the way you did as a kid and want to go more then just FW. It's a great way to travel, see the country and save some money. ( don't look at my avatar after reading the money savings comment ).

[lisa8200]

We bought ours just for the fort. We have used it for other trips but, the only reason we bought it was for WDW. We normally make it down at least 3 times a year and the savings compared to staying in the cabins is just about paying for it:cool1:.

[becky1960]

We also use ours just for FW at the moment and the last couple of years and its a large 5th wheel. I think if oil reaches $100.00 + as they predict it may put a damper on our camping trips, lets hope not as we have two planned for 08.

[Millermouseketeers]

Go for it! We bought our pop-up this past May for WDW and got to use it in August. We had a blast and are going back in December! We try to go 2-3 times a year. We loved having it to cook in at the Fort. We came back from the parks for every meal. We planned our breaks so that we could eat at camp each meal. It saved us tons of money!

[OK GRUMPY]

DITO!! Go for it!! We purchased a pop up first then enjoyed it so much we now have a 5er.. Camping is such a great experience for the whole family, you may decide you like it!

[ftwildernessguy]

Camping is a lifestyle, and you have to like it to really justify the cost of an RV. It definitely is not an effective way to save money on vacation if you are buying just to use at FW. In that case, your actual cost is not just the cost of the campsite vs. a room on property, but you also have to figure in the increased fuel cost, cost of upkeep and finance cost. That could easily bump you up to the same cost as the cabins. If, however, you are willing to pay for the lifestyle or you are going to use it for other vacations, it is worth it.

[ntsammy5]

But in this case, you're just like the rest of us.

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Go for it! I don't know if that's the soundest advice, but I'm sure it's the funest! :cool1:

Since you have camping experience, I'm sure you know what you're in for. Bet your boys would love it! And you'll probably find you use it more than just at WDW once you have it. Everyone told us to bite the bullet and get one before our boys got older and wanted to do their own teenage things (at the time they were about 5 & 6). We have many fond camping memories and look forward to many more. Haven't once regretted it. Even if we did just "have to" upgrade the tow vehicle this week (cha ching!) :rotfl: for our upcoming trip.

[mrsbert]

I totally knew I would get great responses. Thanks everyone. To tell you the truth, if it was up to me we would TOTALLY get one. I mean, seriously, who can't justify monthly payments. :confused3 My DH works a bunch; sometimes 80 hr. weeks. And he only has off every other weekend. We're taking into consideration the time for upkeep as well and that is why we haven't gotten one.

Thanks again.

[mrsbert]

I just got off the phone with my husband while saving the last post. I told him about everyone's responses. He commented that instead of a fridge swap like at POP, why can't we have a camper swap. Just leave it there for the next guest.......anyone want to donate a camper? :laughing: :laughing:

[ntsammy5]

He commented that instead of a fridge swap like at POP, why can't we have a camper swap. Just leave it there for the next guest.......anyone want to donate a camper? :laughing: :laughing:

Count me in.....

[tinah159]

We bought our 5er mainly to camp at Ft Wildersness. Since then we have taken several trips and have not been to FW yet! ftwildernessguy is right, it is a lifestyle and owning a rv charges quickly mount up. We love ours and find we are alway looking for new places to go. I am hoping to finally make it to FW in January.

[ftwildernessguy]

We bought our 5er mainly to camp at Ft Wildersness. Since then we have taken several trips and have not been to FW yet! ftwildernessguy is right, it is a lifestyle and owning a rv charges quickly mount up. We love ours and find we are alway looking for new places to go. I am hoping to finally make it to FW in January.

As close as you live to FW, you really have no excuse for not taking your 5th wheel down.

[mruhaak]

Go for it! I bet once you use it there you'll want to go other places!

[lawnspecialties]

We've had a travel trailer for four summers now. I am a full-time firefighter and own my own landscaping business. This year has been so busy, we've not been camping at all. The camper still has the antifreeze in the water lines.

So do we sell the thing? Heck no. We have season passes starting in January and plan on going again maybe October '08, definitely Dec. '08 and January '09. If that's all the trips we make next year, it will still be worth the payments, insurance, etc. to us.

[tinah159]

As close as you live to FW, you really have no excuse for not taking your 5th wheel down.

Thats how I feel but, my DH and I work for police agencys and I have had a rookie to train. I hope to be "free" soon!

[Napria]

If you buy a camper that has the ability to hook up to water, sewer and electric, you most likely can claim it as a second home on your taxes. Talk to your tax advisor. With the more expensive RVs you can also get 15 year loans. That's how I justified it to myself, even though it still doesn't really make it cheaper than staying in a cabin.

My first trip to WDW was in my parent's pop-up in February of 1981. We saw EPCOT's "ball" as it was being completed and I dreamed of actually seeing EPCOT for 20 years! My husband, kids and I flew down from NY in November of 2001 and my dream came true. We then moved to Atlanta and since it was only an 8 hour drive away bought a Disney Vacation Club timeshare. The next year we sold it for a pop up. It never made it to WDW. We were so hooked that four months later we sold our beautiful, brand new pop up for an even more beautiful, spacious, brand new 5th wheel. We've been to WDW with it every year since. We've also been to the Florida Gulf Coast, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, and various State Parks and Corps of Engineer Parks around Georgia.

Have we been bitten by the RV bug? Nah, not much.:rotfl2:

I say go for it!!!

[des1954]

Count me in.....

HEY!!! You don't own an ol' RV, Clark!!! Don't go tradin' off MY Winnebago!! :sad2:

For those who don't know.... ntsammy5 is my brother, and he comes down once or twice a year & crashes in MY RV!!!

[ntsammy5]

Where'd you get the otter?

[mamaloya]

We bought our popup with FW in mind. We have since traded up to a TT because we needed bunkbeds. My one regret is that it is much easier to get a site for a popup than for a TT. Feb still has openings for partial hookups, but the full hookups have been full for a while. No more last minute trips. I would be tempted to buy a tent or an old cheap popup just to have in case I can't get into a full site. LOL So no, you are not alone!!!

We also take ours everywhere as well. I must say though that the popup would have been worth it even if we only used it at the fort. Popups can be had so cheap that is definitely financially worth it.

[disneymom04]

Mrsbert,
We bought our camper right in your hometown. (We are in Thibodaux.) We love it.... and although we have gone to Destin and taken a few local trips, our real reason for buying it was Ft. Wilderness. Our first trip to Ft Wilderness with this camper will be in just a few weeks!!!! I think that once you use it, you will start to enjoy it, and take other trips... not just DW. There is a beautiful campground in Destin right on the beach. We will definately be back there every summer.
Hope this helps!!

[mrsbert]

Mrsbert,
We bought our camper right in your hometown. (We are in Thibodaux.) We love it.... and although we have gone to Destin and taken a few local trips, our real reason for buying it was Ft. Wilderness. Our first trip to Ft Wilderness with this camper will be in just a few weeks!!!! I think that once you use it, you will start to enjoy it, and take other trips... not just DW. There is a beautiful campground in Destin right on the beach. We will definately be back there every summer.
Hope this helps!!

We have friends who have vacationed in Destin and camped on the beach. They try to go at least once a year. They too said it was beautiful.

[loveDmouse]

The reason we got our motorhome was to go camping with the dog. We have some nice campgrounds close by so we try and go at least one weekend a month. She really loves it.

We had reservations to Wilderness Lodge before we got it and decided it seemed silly to go to Disney and not stay at Fort Wilderness. So that is how we got started at the Fort. Which now seems like will be an annual tradition.

I don't know if I would get one strictly to go to the Fort because we live to far away to go more than once a year. At least right now.
But if you can justify it then I say GO FOR IT!!!!!!

[FWCamper]

We also own our RV as a high priced dog house :rotfl2: After 12 years at the Fort only I told DH it is time to see some new sites. I won't kennel the pups so without the RV I would be stuck home forever! BEFORE gas went up we would use it on any driving trip that took more than an hour. Right now she might be sitting more than moving due to the gas cost. Of course the parents think we are nuts.

[Napria]

Older pop-ups are cheap and lighter than the newer models, meaning some can even be towed by a car or minivan. They also hold their resale value more. My parents bought a used pop-up in 1979 and used it for four years, then sold it for the same amount they paid for it. More recently, my sister bought a used pop-up and sold it two years later for the same amount. People are always looking for a good, used pop-up.

Now, with my previous post, there's my $0.04! :)

[Us3]

Camping gets into your blood just like Disney. :goodvibes

Perhaps buying used the first time could be an option until you feel like the expense of a new tt would be worth it. :confused3

Best of luck with your decision! :thumbsup2

[ftwildernessguy]

Older pop-ups are cheap and lighter than the newer models, meaning some can even be towed by a car or minivan.
:)

Sorry, but everything else being equal (size and equipment), an older pop up will weigh more than a newer model.

[CCIntrigue]

We got into camping 20 years ago as a way to save money on our WDW trips. First unit was an Airstream which paid for itself within 5 years. At the time we were traveling with 7 people. Had to book a suite to accommodate us all.

We traded up to a MH last year and just love it. Camping at FW makes a WDW trip so much more enjoyable and so much less stressful. Nothing else compares!

[cajunpeach]

MrsBert, now my 2 cents.

I feel I have a vested interest in your purchase of a TT (she's my SIL) You can't go wrong buying a TT, but just for WDW? Factor in the actual cost of the TT, plus extra fuel, extra time (takes longer to travel when pulling a TT), and cost of campsite, if you only go to the Fort once a year, you would be paying an exorbitant amount of money for each stay. I would also think about the cost to stock the TT at least $1000 for sheets, pots, pans, hoses, etc.
I would borrow or rent one first and see how you like it. We had the use of DM for many years so we knew what we were getting into. Also how would DH feel about towing a TT all the way to WDW? :scared1:, knowing DH, I'm sure he would freak out! I again would have him tow a friends TT on a short trip, maybe Gulf Shores and see what you think. A fifth wheel feels different than a TT when in tow but you would get the general idea for towing, backing purposes. It is a real joy to camp, we just got ours (as you know) this summer and go several times a month locally. Can't wait to make the first trip to the Fort. :cloud9: I must admit, reading the Dis about the Fort is what sealed the deal for me on buying a TT.

Don't get me wrong, it's sounds like I am discouraging you, I would love to meet at the Fort!!!! I just want you to make an informed decision :teacher: