Camping VS Hotels

[stillh2o]

We love camping it nice to sleep in your on bed not one that 1000s have slept in. It is great to cook and eat when ever you want to. I have found people staying in hotels don’t really talk to others around them we always talk to the people at other sites it just seems hotel people come and go quickly no time to talk. II have found if camper has a problem others are willing to help. One time at FW it rained about 8ince one night we ask the tent people in site next to us to come stay the night. I would love to hear your thoughts

 

[Mac and Us]

I agree with you. It was so nice of you to invite the tenters to stay with you. We find RVer's to be friendly as well (most of them).

We also love that we can bring our own food. For extended trips I bring things that I've cooked and froze. That way I don't have as much prep time. It saves us money and it's better for us.

 

[rpbert1]

ok guys, did not know you could camp at disney, i live in the UK so would not be possible to bring camping gear with us, i.e tent, sleeping bags, etc.
would consider buying a tent over there along with sleeping bags, and just eating breakfast in the restaurants.
is there any where i can get information and prices for pitching a tent on site .
thanks

 

[babytrees]

rpbert: go on to the official Disney Site should give you the info you are looking for prices on sites. We are booked next July for @60 a night for tent camping.

I know that you can rent some things from fort wilderness but depending when you go and for how long it might be better to go to one of the outlet malls and find the coleman store or to one of the Targets close by. I had a great tip from a fellow tenter...forget the sleeping bags in July!! just take sheets to go over the inflatable beds.

We just had a great experience this past week....even though we were only "practicing" for Disney and tent camped at a place not to far from home....our "neighbors" were so friendly....campers are a totally different breed!! Never would I think to talk so long to adjoining hotel rooms or offer them the rest of our propane tank. Kept thinking I bet it's the same way with WDW camping....I embarrass my children by talking to strangers...can't wait to see how embarrassed they get at Disney

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Well, if I'm there and you stop by to say howdy, you're apt to be invited to dinner. At the very least, you'll be asked to pull up a chair under the awning and share a cold one with me. And if you're from Belfast, Northern Ireland you can forget about getting back to your tent at a decent hour.

 

[elastigirlfan]

I agree....there's just something special about campers. We just love camping. We just got back from FW, it was our 2nd stay there. We love it there. It's a 19 hour trip for us and I can honestly say it's worth it. I wish I could go more often but the long drive kinda prevents that. My husband and I were just talking about how friendly campers our with each other - we're a special kind of folk. I think in a campground it's a sense of community as where in a hotel I think people want to be removed from others, if that makes sense. We're missing the Fort and the World already and we just got back on Sun.

 

[MMLong3996]

This thread is exciting to me because even thought I camped a few times as a child and my husband grew up camping a few times a year, we just purchased out first camper as a family. It's my husband, myself and our tw little ones (ages 3 & 5.) We've only used it once and that was at FW. Our 2nd trip is this weekend. Guess where we're going THREE more times b/f the end of the year...you guessed it, FW!

 

[babytrees]

elastigirlfan: so glad to hear the 19 hour drive is worth it...that was the only part of planning that had me scared ....when we go next summer we are breaking it up into 2 or 3 days driving...trying to convince my hubby on 2... We are going to hotel it up and back so I will be so ready to talk to fellow campers when we get there you just might not shut me up

 

[PixieDust32]

We love love camping! And you're right everybody helps, friendly, and the kids always make new friends!

 

[minkydog]

I love to camp! The last time wde went to FW my DH had difficulty backing into our site. Not to worry--somebody came along & offered to pop it into place--and he did! There is such a nice sense of community in the camping areas. I don't think we've ever had a bad experience(well, maybe one--when the teens lit up some pot near us--they had to go!).

We like to stay in our camper partly because it helps our DS10 stay "on track". He's autistic, so any change unsettles him. But when we take the camper he recognizes his bed(Mickey sheets!) and we can take all his favorite foods. DH is on a very restricted sodium diet, so I can help him control his meals. Breakfast is relaxing, rather than some frantic venture to a food court. Even going to the comfort stations is fun--there is something levelling about seeing people brushing their teeth

Mostly I love cooking over an open fire, sitting up late at night drinking cocoa, and enjoying a slower pace. Much more memorable than being stuffed into a hotel room.

 

[christinou]

FW is the best, we are leaving tomorrow to drive down there . I completely agree that it is worth the drive, we have done it over 10 times, and I am still excited about it. The girls don't know yet where we are going, just that we are going camping

 

[Mac and Us]

We have been camping for over 20 years but never to Disney. My husband isn't (wasn't) an amusement park person. I used to take my neice with me to Disney (hotels) because he didn't want to go.

Then I got pregnant (after 19 years of trying). I think the first words out of his mouth was "I suppose I'll have to go to Disney now!" I said, "yup!" We agreed that we would wait until she was 7 or 8 but I just couldn't wait that long. My husband really wanted to buy a motorhome so I agreed only if we could go to Disney sooner.

Our DD turned 3 last November and we went on our first trip (2 weeks) to Disney in April of this year.

I have to say I have never been to a campground where I had such withdrawal symptoms as I have had since we left Ft Wilderness. I'm so glad we bought Annual Passes because I have convinced my husband that we need to get at least 3 trips in to get our money's worth.....he he!!! We are due to go again at Christmas for 2 weeks and in March of 2006 for 2 weeks.

Our drive is approx. 32 hours from NH. We drive 55-60 MPH and drive around Washington DC so it takes longer. IT'S WELL WORTH IT!!!

I have to add: my husband is now hooked on Disney and is looking forward to returning.

 

[rpbert1]

thanks babytrees, will check out the site,
And hey ftwildernessguy i`d be up for that, and maybe it will happen sometime.
oh forgot to say i have booked a package for next year back in June so will be there next year and will check out the campsite,maybe see some of you`s there.

 

[wdwbound]

Mac and Us:

32 hours? Wow...we live in Maine and I don't think the driving was that much but if you are going through DC well, that is something that we don't do anymore. Take 91 south in CT to 84 West in NY to 81 and it will lead you AROUND the high traffic areas, not to mention the scenic views. The only drawback is the hills!

Nancy

 

[stillh2o]

MMLONG3996 have a great trip. We have camped all over everyone is the same? You see people with million $ coaches playing card and partying with tent campers. Will not find that at the Ritz. Last trip to FW we helped a family turn their popup sideways on their site. I am in my 30’s and they way people treat each other is something you would see on the history channel. MAC and US we go to FW about 8 time a year and we go to the parks 1 or 2 times a year. We go to just get away.

 

[MMLong3996]

MMLONG3996 have a great trip. We have camped all over everyone is the same? You see people with million $ coaches playing card and partying with tent campers. Will not find that at the Ritz. Last trip to FW we helped a family turn their popup sideways on their site. I am in my 30’s and they way people treat each other is something you would see on the history channel. MAC and US we go to FW about 8 time a year and we go to the parks 1 or 2 times a year. We go to just get away.

We sure will and thank you!

 

[CharlesTD]

My idea of camping is having room service and airconditioning LOL. My DW just bought a new truck and a new Travel Trailer for her and the kids I told her the only time I will use it is when we go to WDW this way we can stay 3 weeks instead of just 2. We are also DVC members and usually come down for the first 2 weeks of Dec now we can come down for the last week of Nov and the first 2 weeks of Dec. We drive 20 hours or so from Ontario to WDW with 3 kids and we all love the drive I guess we will see how it goes hauling a trailer behind us.

 

[Mac and Us]

WDWBOUND-- sounds like we take the same route.

We get on I91 in White River Jct, VT then I84 in CT to I81 through Harrisburg, PA to I66, RT 17 to I95 in Fredericksburg, VA to Florida.

We drive a MH and only go 55-60MPH, which adds at least 4 hours each way. My husband likes to stop for gas more often than (I think) we need to (15-20 min each time we stop).

We also have a DD3.5 how needs to stretch her legs every 3-4 hours. We keep her in her booster seat while moving.

We have only drove to Florida 1 time in the motorhome. Now that we know the route, our daughter's tolerence level and MPG of the motorhome we can plan a little differently for December. This time we plan to leave around 5-6am and drive until the midnight to 2 am time (18-20 hours). We'll stop for a few hours of rest and finish the drive on Saturday. It shouldn't be bad as we switch drivers every 2-3 hours. This will all depend on the Dec. weather of course.

 

[ngb2w]

My idea of camping is having room service and airconditioning LOL. My DW just bought a new truck and a new Travel Trailer for her and the kids I told her the only time I will use it is when we go to WDW this way we can stay 3 weeks instead of just 2. We are also DVC members and usually come down for the first 2 weeks of Dec now we can come down for the last week of Nov and the first 2 weeks of Dec. We drive 20 hours or so from Ontario to WDW with 3 kids and we all love the drive I guess we will see how it goes hauling a trailer behind us.

CharlesTD,
Hey we've got a lot in common. We have been DVC members since '99. We had never camped, but on a whim rented a Class C two years ago and went to Mammoth Cave. Then the search began....a few months ago we picked up our new 28' Airstream and bought a GMC/Duramax to pull it. Our first trip to FW is coming up in October. Can hardly wait. Thanks everyone at this forum for all the great info.

We have spent 16 nights in the travel trailer so far this summer checking out various state parks in our state and are having the time of our lives. Our dds are 3 and 8...I don't know who is having more fun, them or us! And someone else mentioned the neat people you meet in a campground...how true. Leaving in a few hours to explore another state park.

 

[CharlesTD]

ngb2w LOL that is funny my wife can't wait to get the trailer home and all the little toys to go with it. She allready has her next trip planned for the long weekend in Sept before the kids go back to school. She is going up to the 6 mile lake area on Georgian bay near our cottage.