Am I unique?

[mrsbert]

Help me justify this: I want to buy a camper for the sole purpose of camping at Fort Wilderness. 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 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.

 

[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.

 

[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!

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!) 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. 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?

 

[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?

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.

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!!

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?