Any DVC owners & campers out there?

[snyderla]

We bought DVC a few months ago, and DH just received a camper that he has gutted and is now remodeling for fun. He wants to take it to Ft.W sometimes. Not so sure about towing it from northern IL, but we'll see how the gas prices go once the camper is done. Anyone ever combined a DVC stay with camping? How do you do it? Can you park the camper in the lot at the DVC resort while staying there? Or do you keep the DVC stays & the camping stays separate?

Lori

 

[John VN]

Lori

DVC since '97 and RVing again since '02. Used points 5 to 6 times a year before RV but now try to get to FW once a month and have only used points once for a stay since then. Did go on 1st Member Cruise and will be going on this year Member Cruise. Never combined a stay but rules are such that RV is parked at another Resort when staying at a DVC Resort. When at OKW they have you park RV at PO.

John

 

[bcvillastwo]

.....................we are considering doing just that this fall. We have been DVC members since 2002 but we just recently bought a RV. We have reservations at BCV this October and we are seriously considering taking the RV and staying another week at FW.

We haven't finalized our plans yet but on its face it seems like a nice way to extend our stay at WDW. But, we need to know more about where to park our RV when we are at BCV (although we have seen RV's parked at BCV in the past).

Another alternative would be for us to use points to stay for two weeks this fall and then take the RV in the Spring. Who know's what we will eventually wind up doing but it's nice to have options.

 

[dsneygirl]

No but we might be soon. DH and I are in the process of buying resale at VWL but we also like to camp. I'm interested to read others thoughts.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

We have been in DVC since 98 and camping since 03. We usually alternated trips since it is such a long way (1160 miles). We always spent time at FW no matter where we were staying> FW trips were one of the big reasons we bought the travel trailer. With our "fun" budget shrinking due to the economy up here the DVC is on the block. We loved it and used it well but really cant afford the RV and DVC, so in a family vote the DVC lost.

Scott

 

[kingzoo2]

We sold our DVC...Really liked it...but was faced with having to increase points(we had 200) to accomodate our vacations....and points have become very expensive. Neighbors who grew up camping talked us into looking at RVs. Brought our "condo on wheels" home last weekend and maiden voyage will be to Fort Wilderness.

 

[campingcorgi]

kingzoo2--you are going to have such fun! Welcome to rving and to the Dis!!

 

[jenny2]

We've had our trailer for about 4 years now (with 1 trip to FW) and just recently became DVC owners. When we stayed at FW a few years ago, we ended the vacation with 2 nights at AKL and they just had us park the truck/camper way in the back of the lot.

 

[sssteele]

We camped at FW WDW in the early 80s, but have not done so since then. We joined DVC three years ago, and are planning retirement in the next couple of years. Presently we have a spacious Coleman tent trailer (3000 lbs.!), but it would pale by comparison to the modest studio that we book at WDW. We are looking seriously at 30 foot travel trailers for retirement trips, so we might do combined trips or only camping trips. It certainly would stretch our 300 points, especially during "expensive" times of the year.

 

[PrincessMom98]

This is an interesting thread because when we refinanced our house 2 years ago we planned on buying into DVC. While researching DVC I read a post about a family who sold DVC to buy a RV. I wish we could afford both but we bought a 5th wheel and call it our "Timeshare on Wheels". I think that we have gotten more use from the camper than we would have with DVC but just one FW trip so far. If only gas prices would come down!
Another thought, I have found it easier to camp with DD6 and DS20 months than to pack and unpack and get them "settled" into a hotel room.

 

[John VN]

This is an interesting thread because when we refinanced our house 2 years ago we planned on buying into DVC. While researching DVC I read a post about a family who sold DVC to buy a RV. I wish we could afford both but we bought a 5th wheel and call it our "Timeshare on Wheels". I think that we have gotten more use from the camper than we would have with DVC but just one FW trip so far. If only gas prices would come down!
Another thought, I have found it easier to camp with DD6 and DS20 months than to pack and unpack and get them "settled" into a hotel room.

At the time we became DVC owners we were able to take our trips from Sun. to Thur. thereby maximizing the points. Things have changed for us and we can only make short weekend trips, so going to FW more frequently but staying for a shorter time is the only option. Had thought about selling but at the moment we are holding on at least until after the cruise.

Staying in the RV at FW has a unique feel to it that is great. Being there with the grandchildren has an advantage in many respects when comparing it to a stay at a DVC Resort, but a 1 bedroom DVC stay comes pretty close.

John

 

[Tigger1]

Our first family trip to Disney was off-site. In 99 we did our first DVC Sun-Fri stay. We also did our first Friday-Sunday Fort Wilderness Stay. We have continued this pattern for 5 trips now. The Fort Wilderness section of the trip always seems to short. By the way, we tent camp but will be remodeling a tent camper for next years trip.

I think I read something about where to park RVs when staying at the new DVC Saratoga Springs resort. I wold just call the resort and ask where you can park it.

Tigger

 

[bianca]

We keep our DVC and FW stays separate. The added bonus of owning DVC is that when we stay at FW we can still pool hop to any resort (except SAB) and get the AP discount for DVC owners. It really helps!

 

[Caskbill]

We've been DVC members since '93, and have had RV's since '79 so have lots of experience with both.

We have combined RV and DVC on several occassions. DVC points are higher for weekends usage, so one way is to use the RV at FW on the weekend, and stay at a DVC resort for the weekdays. It's not too bad handling all the changes if you pack right so as to minimize what you're taking from the RV into the resort and back out. It also gives you a lot of variety for the trip.

Our longest trip (just less than 3-years ago), went like this:

• 11-days at FW
• 5-days at OKW
• 2-days at FW
• 5-days at BWV
• 2-days at FW
• 5-days at BCV
• 30-days off site (Encore, on rte 192, about 5-miles West of Disney's entrance. We used a coupon: $99 for the month, + electricity )

Of course we also had about 2-weeks on the way to Florida, and about 1-week coming back. About 2-1/2 months total. If you haven't guessed yet, we're retired. Yeah!

RV Parking:
At OKW you may park your unit there if it will fit between the lines for a single parking space, and is no more than 24 feet long. In other words, park it so you're only taking up one parking spot. If it exceeds those dimensions, then you must park in the Port Orleans parking lot.

At BWV you may park in the far lot, nearest to Buena Vista Drive. When you enter at the guard shack, make an immediate left turn into the lot. That's the same lot where the taxi cabs park while waiting for a call from the front desk. Do not go straight and follow the curve to the right to the regular parking lots.

At BCV you can park in the regular lot. Be sure to park way in the back so as not to inconvenience others.

At VWL you can park in the regular lot also. Again, be sure to park way in the back out of the way of the main parking spaces.

You may not park an RV at SSR. If staying there, you may park your RV in the Port Orleans lot.

Keep in mind DVC can alter their RV parking regulations at any time. What I listed above is what they were in Fall of 2002. That was our last combined RV-DVC trip there. (Price of gas last few years has kept the RV closer to home. )

 

[Caskbill]

We keep our DVC and FW stays separate. The added bonus of owning DVC is that when we stay at FW we can still pool hop to any resort (except SAB) and get the AP discount for DVC owners. It really helps!

Actually that's not correct. Pool hopping is a perk you may only use while staying at a DVC resort on DVC points. If you're staying at FW, you are not entitled to pool hop.

Some other things misunderstood:

• DVC perks apply only when staying in a DVC resort on points, not on cash. This includes restaurant discounts, etc.
• FW guests are not entitled to use the pool at WL. The WL pool is for WL and VWL guests only. (or pool-hoppers staying at other DVC-resorts, on points)
• Florida DVC owners are not allowed to use DVC pools as a local swimming perk. Pool usage is only when actually staying at the resort.

 

[sandieb]

We use both DVC and RVing although generally on separate trips. Last year we had 10 days at the BCV in May, and then camped for a week in October. This year we have 7 days at Hilton Head and then 4 at the BCV in June. In October we plan to spend a week at FW.

For us it is not a step down to stay in our camper...we really like Fort Wilderness and our camper definitely is a "home away from home" feeling as much or more than the BCV.

The only thing I wish is that we had more vacation time. Sandie