Cheapest way to camp for 4

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . the thing that really sticks out to me is being at the same resort as family . . .

1) From having family groups up to 18-people, I fully agree.
2) As mentioned by KristinU, trying to coordinate several resorts is a pain.
3) Besides, being together allows talks, kibitzing, and such.
4) I know the kids don't want to camp.
5) But, ask them to giver it a try ONCE.
6) So many folks I know had their kids swayed by The Fort.
. . . lots of kid's activities
. . . lots of other kids to play with
. . . lots of room to roam

 

[Toadlover]

1) From having family groups up to 18-people, I fully agree.
2) As mentioned by KristinU, trying to coordinate several resorts is a pain.
3) Besides, being together allows talks, kibitzing, and such.
4) I know the kids don't want to camp.
5) But, ask them to giver it a try ONCE.
6) So many folks I know had their kids swayed by The Fort.
. . . lots of kid's activities
. . . lots of other kids to play with
. . . lots of room to roam

They are older kids. They'll be 12 1/2, 14 1/2 and 16 1/2 by the time we go. I don't mind meeting people elsewhere if that's what we have to do. We've stayed in the Wilderness cabins before, but its way out of our price range this time.

 

[JanL]

We just rented a pop up from http://www.fortcamperrental.com/ last weekend. What a treat to arrive with just our clothes and food and have it all set up, then taken down for us at check out.

Even if the site and pop up rental come to more than the hotel, you'll save a lot by having cooking facilities. My teens loved swimming at 3 am (pools were open 24/7). We enjoyed having our bikes, but Disney buses were air conditioned and by catching an internal bus to the check in site, we were able to switch to external Disney buses and visit all the resorts.

Best of all, the Fort was so relaxing...and offered so many activities.

 

[Toadlover]

We just rented a pop up from http://www.fortcamperrental.com/ last weekend. What a treat to arrive with just our clothes and food and have it all set up, then taken down for us at check out.

Even if the site and pop up rental come to more than the hotel, you'll save a lot by having cooking facilities. My teens loved swimming at 3 am (pools were open 24/7). We enjoyed having our bikes, but Disney buses were air conditioned and by catching an internal bus to the check in site, we were able to switch to external Disney buses and visit all the resorts.

Best of all, the Fort was so relaxing...and offered so many activities.

I'll have to find out how much a site is. I know we cannot have a popup on a motor home site like we could a tent.

 

[Toadlover]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/campsites-at-fort-wilderness-resort/rates-rooms/

Looks like a popup is $54 a night. If we rented a popup that's $65/night on top of that. So we're looking at $120. Bit more than All Star, but might work.

 

[tiggerdad]

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/campsites-at-fort-wilderness-resort/rates-rooms/

Looks like a popup is $54 a night. If we rented a popup that's $65/night on top of that. So we're looking at $120. Bit more than All Star, but might work.

Now factor in food. Bringing and fixing your own food can save you lots. Do some figures on your eating plans and look at some menus for pricing. It really makes a big difference to costs.

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[Toadlover]

Now factor in food. Bringing and fixing your own food can save you lots. Do some figures on your eating plans and look at some menus for pricing. It really makes a big difference to costs.

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Last time we went, we ordered groceries to be delivered from a service and we ate in the cabin as much as possible. I don't think we ate in the parks but twice. We probably will end up doing the same thing again.

 

[cruising spud]

Toadlover,

If you are the dad/husband of the family, what does your wife say about camping? And, if you are the mom/wife, what does your husband say?

I am going to disagree with most of the other posters here. I would NOT go camping at Disney in a tent with three teen-agers who did not want to camp. Especially if they had never camped before (not sure if they have or not). Camping in a tent involves coordinating space, trips to the showers, dealing with the rain. My opinion...this could turn out to be a mess.

If All Stars has a deal of $100/$110 I would do this. You could check in (on the plane) a suitcase filled with breakfast/lunch foods and snacks, and I don't see why whoever is in your group with the rv, couldn't bring you a few cases of water/etc. Last time we camped with family, we brought our rv and two of our daughters and their families stayed in the cabins. They flew in, and we brought all of the food. We just stopped at a Walmart near Disney before we checked in. No issues at all.

And, we have also done Disney family vacations where family members have stayed at other resorts. We just coordinated with our cell phones. Again, no issues.

Now, let me say...in order for us to have pulled off great "extended family vacations" I did a lot of planning, and everyone agreed to follow some basic rules, such as...get to the parks at an agreed time.

In my opinion, families go to Disney to have a good time, and you don't want to start the trip with three upset teenagers.

BUT, another thing, if you are married, you will need two rooms at the values, because Disney only allows four to a room. If the person with the rv and/or cabin is a family member maybe someone could stay with them? Or the kids could rotate?

Good luck deciding.

 

[RoyalMom]

I have been going to Disney my whole life (18x?) and just now I realize I have never NOT camped... Now that I am older, and dragging along a young brood of my own I find that I prefer the RV rental to tenting.
Considering how much time I actually spend at the campsite, I doubt that a room would make much of a difference, so If you can get the teens on board, make it like "glamping" for them! bring the mini fridge, coffeepot, microwave, laptop - whatever! have them help plan, come up with some decorating ideas to make it feel like a luxury experience. Might help to remind them that keeping the cost of your accommodations down usually means more $$ on hand for extra fun, too.

 

[Toadlover]

Toadlover,

If you are the dad/husband of the family, what does your wife say about camping? And, if you are the mom/wife, what does your husband say?

I am going to disagree with most of the other posters here. I would NOT go camping at Disney in a tent with three teen-agers who did not want to camp. Especially if they had never camped before (not sure if they have or not). Camping in a tent involves coordinating space, trips to the showers, dealing with the rain. My opinion...this could turn out to be a mess.

If All Stars has a deal of $100/$110 I would do this. You could check in (on the plane) a suitcase filled with breakfast/lunch foods and snacks, and I don't see why whoever is in your group with the rv, couldn't bring you a few cases of water/etc. Last time we camped with family, we brought our rv and two of our daughters and their families stayed in the cabins. They flew in, and we brought all of the food. We just stopped at a Walmart near Disney before we checked in. No issues at all.

And, we have also done Disney family vacations where family members have stayed at other resorts. We just coordinated with our cell phones. Again, no issues.

Now, let me say...in order for us to have pulled off great "extended family vacations" I did a lot of planning, and everyone agreed to follow some basic rules, such as...get to the parks at an agreed time.

In my opinion, families go to Disney to have a good time, and you don't want to start the trip with three upset teenagers.

BUT, another thing, if you are married, you will need two rooms at the values, because Disney only allows four to a room. If the person with the rv and/or cabin is a family member maybe someone could stay with them? Or the kids could rotate?

Good luck deciding.

Its going to be me and my 3 kids- no spouse or significant other. Then in the RV will be my mom and her husband, and in one of the cabins, my sister, her husband and their three kids.

If we did the All Star, we could plan on meeting at the entrance to a park at a set time. (I wonder if my cell service would work there- I have Metro PCS. Hmm.)

I don't know how we would squeeze into a popup in the beds. My kids are pretty full-sized these days.

 

[ChavonDisneyWedding]

We camped for the first time last October and loved it. I have 3 kids ages 11, 7, 4. My 11 year old complained about camping at first, but totally loved the experience once we got into the vacation. She slept in a seperate tent with her brother and sister and they said they felt like big kids in their own tent even though seriously they were right next to us. We cooked on the grill which saved money and we even have a fun story about a squirrel running off with a piece of our Halloween Candy! Btw cant beat the transportation boat to Mk which was super helpful when attending the Halloween Party!

 

[Toadlover]

I'm just wondering if they'll be grumpy when they wake up from sleeping on the ground or from sleeping squished next to me or a sibling in a pop up.

 

[cruising spud]

Okay, I've been giving your "where to stay" situation some more thought.

Some things you might want to consider...

Coming home from a day at the park to a pop-up..will it have a tv and enough space for the kids to stretch out in?

If you go in February, will there be a heater if it is cold or AC if it gets hot, if you go in April?

If you get along well with your mom and her husband, you and the kids could use the pop-up to sleep in and use the comfort station showers, but hang out in their rv (provided it's big enough).

You are flying down, so I think other people, when giving you suggestions, aren't considering this. You can't bring a lot of camping stuff.

I know you mentioned six people in an rv to travel to Disney might be tight, but could you do this (again, not sure of your time frame for taking off to get there and back again) and use your savings for a hotel room?

Good luck.

 

[tiggerdad]

OK, here is a question for clarification: will you be eating in the parks or do you intend to go over to the Fort to eat with family?

Someone suggested having others bring your food and water, but where will you prepare it? You can do sandwiches and keep some things in fridge, but if I an not mistaken fridges aren't included in value resorts unless you request and pay extra per night. (Unless this has recently changed).

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[LadyBeBop]

One thing about tent camping. Those tents that states they sleep four? Maybe four kids. Our tent supposed to sleep either four or six. It's tight with me (5'11"), my husband (6'4") and four year old granddaughter. I think you need a tent that says it sleeps eight. And they aren't cheap. Even if you can rent them at the Fort.

 

[sbnewhampshire1]

Get the tent! Send air mattress w/motorhome people as well as blankets They have room under their bed.(It doesn't sound like they want to help u out) Also buy flashlights, lantern, and cooler for food. Stay at their campsite(no charge) if your still talking! Have fun.

 

[andeesings]

I don't know how we would squeeze into a popup in the beds. My kids are pretty full-sized these days.

Actually, getting the popup would actually be BETTER for you. They've got a king and queen bed on either side (some have two kings!) and the center also has TWO beds that fold down. For you, this means: 1) YOU get your own bed!!! 2) Your teens don't have to share!!!

The beds at the All Star are DOUBLES. That's significantly smaller than if you went with the popup! My family camped in Disney in popups all through my teenage years. They are, by far, some of my VERY BEST teenage memories. I say for the little extra over the All-Star, DO IT!!! It's totally worth it.

I wouldn't do a tent because I find Florida weather unpredictable, and I don't like weather in tents. Especially with three teens that don't want to be camping. Popups don't feel like camping at all. Well... The fun parts do! And if you don't have to set it up or take it down, it's a total win!!!!

 

[KristinU]

The beds at the All Star are DOUBLES. That's significantly smaller than if you went with the popup!

Good point! And with three teens or nearly teens, I'm thinking that a bath house would be more favorable than sharing one bathroom.

Naturally, since you posted here on the camping forum, most of us are slightly biased toward choosing the Fort, but I think it could be a lot of fun.

 

[Toadlover]

Actually, getting the popup would actually be BETTER for you. They've got a king and queen bed on either side (some have two kings!) and the center also has TWO beds that fold down. For you, this means: 1) YOU get your own bed!!! 2) Your teens don't have to share!!!

The beds at the All Star are DOUBLES. That's significantly smaller than if you went with the popup! My family camped in Disney in popups all through my teenage years. They are, by far, some of my VERY BEST teenage memories. I say for the little extra over the All-Star, DO IT!!! It's totally worth it.

I wouldn't do a tent because I find Florida weather unpredictable, and I don't like weather in tents. Especially with three teens that don't want to be camping. Popups don't feel like camping at all. Well... The fun parts do! And if you don't have to set it up or take it down, it's a total win!!!!

Where are the best places to rent a pop up?

 

[andeesings]

Where are the best places to rent a pop up?

There is a place linked on page 2 of this thread that seems very reputable... I've never done it before but thanks to this thread my family might do that next summer!!!