Camping vs staying in value resort

I would go with the camp ground also we are going from NJ to the fort we will probably spend over 1000.00 in gas but we still pick the fort we have stayed in Port Orleans and in the Poly also but nothing beats the fort we have rented a motor home and have stayed in our own travel trailer the last few years and wouldn't stay any other way
 
When I compared costs of my family of 4 flying to Disney and staying onsite, Fort Wilderness was less expensive. Then I thought, we could save the cost of plane tickets by driving down to Disney and stay onsite. Then I realized if we were going to drive down anyways, we may as well drag the camper with us!
 
Definitely camping and for the AAA you need to reserve early or use Rhonda who is a mod here to book for you and she can look out for AAA discounts, but you need to give here you AAA membership number. As others have mentioned especially for kids FW is great and if you can plan for a little longer stay so you can spend some time at the Fort and doing this as a family will make memories that will last a lifetime. Our most memorable memories is our trips to WDW and FW with our sons when they were growing up. When they were teens they really got to bond by pool hopping which was O.K. back then and hitting the various arcades or just hanging out at DTD. You can't put a price on these type of quality family experiences.

We do the AP thing and go for like 40 to 45 days at a time and in that time we will plan to eat out like 10 times, maybe have a midday snack 5 times and we always eat breakfast in the trailer go early to a park, come back for a lite lunch around noon and then eat an early simple dinner around 4 to 5 and then back to a park for 2 to 4 hours in the evening. Of course it's generally just the two of us now unless one or both of our sons/wifes join us and only the single one will stay in the trailer and not every nite since some nites they hit the Boardwalk to all hours and then the single son crashes on the couch at the older son and wifes resort which is usually the WL.

Not sure what you pay or would now pay for plane tickets, but gas costs especially with a POP-UP I would guess would be awash or a little less. With two 4 legged members of the family FW is our only option as it would cost us our first born to board them at home and we are no longer in possession of our 35 YO first born :lmao:

Larry

You mentioned the AP. I read that the AP discount is pretty good for FW and the FW Cabins. Do you know what the AP discount is? I am toying with going NEXT DEC, and will buy an AP if the discount is worth it.
 

You mentioned the AP. I read that the AP discount is pretty good for FW and the FW Cabins. Do you know what the AP discount is? I am toying with going NEXT DEC, and will buy an AP if the discount is worth it.

People are reporting the AAA discount is better.
I do not know the Ap discount tho.
 
You mentioned the AP. I read that the AP discount is pretty good for FW and the FW Cabins. Do you know what the AP discount is? I am toying with going NEXT DEC, and will buy an AP if the discount is worth it.

I don't know what the AP discount is and until this year when we were able to get the 20% off for Oct/Nov ($36.50/nite for 30 days) I had never been able to get any discount. For Dec 2009 I gave Rhonda the info that I have/will have an AP, am a AAA member, and retired military and so far she has us booked for the last 1/2 of Dec 2009 for about $74.50/nite (that was what the deposit was). Of course that might change, but still expect to to get the AAA discount and hope she can get the AAA for our Jan 2010 dates.

Larry
 
We have a Jayco highwall pop-up and love camping at the Fort. It's more relaxing being out in nature rather than at one of the moderate or value resorts. Bring the bikes and go to the campfire (don't forget the marshmellows) and stay to watch the movie and it's free every night! You'll probably save money not so much from the campsite cost versus room cost but as others have said, the meal cost savings. Plus it's easier to eat better/healthier by eating meals at the camper. Heck, we even pack a picnic lunch for the parks and rent a locker to put it in till lunchtime. Grocery stores are only 10 minutes away.

What part of Tennessee would you be coming from? (west/central/east). Could be an easy drive down I-75 if east or a longer drive if you're coming from Memphis, say. But I think the kids would have a wonderful time at the Fort which means you will too! Plan a day or two just to enjoy the Fort. ;)

Bama ED
 
Hi Julie - We also love the Fort, this will be our third trip. We just decied two weeks ago to go the first week of December, we got three nights and just added two more, so keep checking every day if you want that week, you will probably eventually get it.

Have a great trip!

Anne
 
I've stayed in both - but FW wins hands down - but having said that since it's just the two of us and a 20+ hour drive, it's a lot easier to fly down and stay at a resort - I love the values because they're so dynamic and alive - we also stay at SoG a lot. I love the Fort though.....
 
...and it's better for the kids, and provides another way for them to have more 'quality' time with Dad. They can ride their bikes, go hiking, etc.

I'm a tent camper, and with the AAA discount my site is $34/night for a partial hookup (who needs cable & sewer when you have a portable DVD player and a Luggable Loo!)

Carol/Wunderwoman
Official Disneyholic
 
Hi Julie - We also love the Fort, this will be our third trip. We just decied two weeks ago to go the first week of December, we got three nights and just added two more, so keep checking every day if you want that week, you will probably eventually get it.

OMG, I can't believe you got your days, Anne. Congratulations! I started calling in early June to get 7 nights in early Dec and they were all booked. They eventually got me 5 nights in a premium. And then just a few weeks ago I was able to add 2 more nights. Persistence does pay dividends, as Anne and I can attest, keep trying.
 












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