Comments please, about "camping"/EMH strategy

[lindakmonty]

Just an idea... but if people can share cruises and such... why can't we communicate and share the camp sites? Maybe the 2 families could split the cost? That may work for some huh? Just an idea

 

[melomouse]

OP -
I , too, am surprised to see this published in a tour guide book. Illegal? No. In the WDW rule book as.. OK?? Yes.

Moral? Ethical? Not by a longshot IMHO, and I will tell you why.(And I am not a camper - did it a couple of times long ago and found out I just haven't got the right stuff!) BUT....for many many families, camping is a terrific vacation. Camping at WDW has got to be primo site for camper families.

I live in an area with a prime campground about 40 miles from me, a state park on the Ocean with excellent amenities. What we have witnessed over the years is that the reservations process keeps getting major system overhauls because of so many abuses and unfairness of booking systems. It's possibly worse than trying to book CRT for breakfast!!! Also very similar things done by the public to try to get a site - speed dial, up at dawn, etc.

Trust me - this WILL happen at FW. And hezell - great, you found a loophole, it "works" for your family. And no, nobody "owes" respect and courtesy to other camping families who find they can't get a site because you and like-minded folks have booked sites that will lie vacant.

But, please, don't beam with pride about it in your posts. It may be ok with Disney at the moment, but very soon it will not be. And while it may be sad enough to take up the space, get perks and stay elsewhere, indicating in your posts that it is something clever that maybe WE should try, too, is, in my opinion, way over the top.

melomouse
(she who often keeps opinions to herself)

 

[hezell123]

I will apologize for attributing my post to you as I went back and reread and then apply it to hezell----Yes there may be sites available to book but I go back to my original post:WHY would you need to book a site or 2 or 3(going by your post above this one) if you can afford to stay at such a great place offsite? They may be open but that doesn't ENTITLE you to them- all your doing is jipping some less fortunate family out of a trip to WDW because after your big condo you cant afford $8 a day to park--And if I have read info on these offsite rooms and such correctly many do offer buses to WDW. The money youre blowing on a campsite could be used to taxi to the parks and still allow other families their vacation And as for the EMH how much are your really gonna miss in that first hour?

I think if you want the Disney resort benefits you should actually stay at a Disney resort!! Stay at a value instead of a deluxe but dont take something away from someone who is willing to camp in sweltering heat,share a bathroom w/at least 50 other ppl and travel by bus to be able to do something for the first time that you have done any number of times!

It seems you didn't understand my post correctly or maybe I'm misunderstanding yours..

I don't want 2 or 3 campsites, just one...I was making a point that there are plenty of campsites available the week i'm going..so not "jipping" anyone

"Entitlement"? Actually, it seems the "true" campers have more of an issue with this. I think we are all entitled to a campsite.

And what can I gain at EMH...just search this board, you'll see that you can get a whole lot done.

 

[hezell123]

OP -

But, please, don't beam with pride about it in your posts. It may be ok with Disney at the moment, but very soon it will not be. And while it may be sad enough to take up the space, get perks and stay elsewhere, indicating in your posts that it is something clever that maybe WE should try, too, is, in my opinion, way over the top.

melomouse
(she who often keeps opinions to herself)

Beaming, who said I was beaming

Correct me if I'm wrong, I never said anyone should try to do this...just telling of my experience.

Here's a little pixie dust for some of you who seem to need it.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

I went and ran the numbers:


OKW w/tickets and dining for 6 adults and 2 kids=$7314

Offsite w/FW and tickets and dining for 6 adults and 2 kids=$5435

All Stars 3 rooms w/tickets and dining for 6 adults and 2 kids=$5307

FW w/tickets and dining for 6 adults and 2 kids=$3585

Yeah so OKW is more expensive by $1879 I'll give you that.
But All Stars is cheaper than your plan by $128-you still get the dining,tickets,EMH and free parking.

The difference between what you can afford to pay between your plan and a normal family trying to get to WDW at FW is $1850---That is equal to more than 1/2 of a second trip for them.

Plus Disney has special offers available for Magical Gatherings which you would qualify for being a party of 8.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

And as an aside---We 'true campers' don't qualify for any codes or nifty upgrades like Park Hopper or Water Parks--As someone else put it we are the "red headed stepchildren" wonder how much of that has to do with ppl who abuse the system?

 

[hezell123]

I went and ran the numbers:

Offsite w/FW and tickets and dining for 6 adults and 2 kids=$5435

Yeah so OKW is more expensive by $1879 I'll give you that.
But All Stars is cheaper than your plan by $128-you still get the dining,tickets,EMH and free parking.

The difference between what you can afford to pay between your plan and a normal family trying to get to WDW at FW is $1850---That is equal to more than 1/2 of a second trip for them.

Plus Disney has special offers available for Magical Gatherings which you would qualify for being a party of 8.

Here's the ACTUAL Breakdown:

5 ad. 3 ch.

1 week Offsite 5 bdr. house $1256 (tax and pool heat incl.)

Fw 4 nights w/ 6 day myw ticks w/park hopp and DDP $3063
(2 of the days are traveling so this will cover 5 of the days at park)

Total= $4246.

Also, 3 rooms at value doesn't compare to having own bedrooms. Just our situation anyway. My DGF (79 yrs.) really required his own bed and bath. We are also taking one of my husband's employees who dropped out of HS to support his disabled parents. So, even at 18 yrs of age, he needed his own room if possible. OT-he is so excited and grateful that we're taking him. He's never been out of Charleston, SC.!!

 

[Charlotte&Carolina]

I think that the reason those camping have issues with sites paid for but not utilized as we all have had to move our dates or cross our fingers to get in for the times we want. Our recent trip I tried from mid-December until after we arrived to get all the days and had to piece together 3 different reservations. I have also stayed at the deluxes and never had problems getting in like we did at the campground.

I believe that anyone paying for the site is entitled to use or not use it. (No flames here please - this is just my humble opinion). Although I would assume those of us camping would prefer that this be done in the value resorts.

Why? Do the math. Ft. Wilderness has 788 sites. For both RV and tent campers. When they are working on areas/loops it becomes even harder to get in there.

The values - Music, Sports, Movies and Pop Century are about 8,000 rooms.

That is why it is such a debated subject. It is relatively easy for those staying off-site to book a value room to get the dining, EMH, and parking without comment on the board because there are simply so many of them.

But it causes unhappiness when a campsite is booked because so few exist compared to the number that want to utilize this service and this is one of the best options for those travelling with pets.

Maybe Disney needs to look at something to make everyone happy. I know with the dining plan it was just the packages, now DVC. Anyone wonder when it will happen for AP (instead of the DDE?)

Hopefully something will work out. In the meantime - everyone can decide on what is best for their vacation and have a wonderful time whatever you do!

 

[CarolA]

At this point I am ready to suggest this to everyone...

I am a little shocked that some posters are SO JUDGEMENTAL about HOW you USE the property. Sorry, but DISNEY IS THE ONLY party that gets a vote in the right wrong vote.

There is NOTHING MORALLY wrong with paying for something and NOT using it! People do that all the time (I can gurantee 99% of the posters on this board have purchased something on sale and NOT used it! OMG They DENIED someone else a chance to waste money... Call the police!)


And this CAMPSITES deal... um go read the codes boards. There are ALWAYS folks posting that they can't get a good rate when they want for the values, mods etc. and having to rearrange their dates.

I have OFTEN kept a room and extra night if I had a late flight even if I wasn't sleeping in it.... I guess I am morally wrong, but Disney doesn't seem to care (and they know!)

 

[melomouse]

Not really an accurate comparision - leaving your hotel room empty when there are thousands of them on site vs. 788 campsites at FW. You bought it - you can do what you like.. is fine - but in this instance the impact on others can be tremendous.

I clearly said it's not breaking Disney rules nor is it illegal. People can do as they please. I just think it's not nice. This is not using refillable mugs repeatedly, nor hogging up a pool chair at a resort that's not your own.This "trick" means "hogging" up space and depriving others of their affordable vacation.

It's just extremely wasteful and thus deprives many others of any Disney experience if they are campers. Very un-Disneylike.

 

[Kick Save]

I went and ran the numbers:


OKW w/tickets and dining for 6 adults and 2 kids=$7314

Offsite w/FW and tickets and dining for 6 adults and 2 kids=$5435

All Stars 3 rooms w/tickets and dining for 6 adults and 2 kids=$5307

FW w/tickets and dining for 6 adults and 2 kids=$3585

You may have posted this already and I missed it, if so I'm sorry, but how long is this stay? Just curious because via an annual pass and/or DVC point rental you can seriously change some numbers. (Or maybe you did that already.)

For the issue at hand, IMO it seems like a lot of work to save on parking (which the AP would take care of) and get in on EMH. (Which I avoid like the plague, anyway. ) That said, I don't think anybody is jipping anybody else, it's their money, their reservation, and Disney will gladly take both. There are SOOOOOO many deals to be had on rooms in the Orlando area, any family that wants to take a last minute trip to Disney is likely going to be able to pull it off. (BOCTAOE...for you Scott Adams fans. )

 

[maxiesmom]

It may not be illegal, but it is not nice. There are very few campsites when compared to how many hotel rooms Disney has available. Do you plan on continuing to check back and if the campsites fill up canceling your reservation? You have stated that you feel no remorse because there are many sites available, so how will you feel if the sites fill up?

 

[SteinsLaFemme]

The extra magic hours, especially in the evening, are really crowded. I would go to a park at opening that does not have the extra magic hours that day. You will get to go on more attractions then you will if you stay for the extra magic hours. You will have to pay for parking but it is cheaper than paying for a campsite that you won't use.

 

[CarolA]

Not really an accurate comparision - leaving your hotel room empty when there are thousands of them on site vs. 788 campsites at FW. You bought it - you can do what you like.. is fine - but in this instance the impact on others can be tremendous.

.

Yes, there are ThOUSANDS of hotels on site.... there are LIMITED numbers at any one hotel, there are LIMITED numbers for any discount program and since I sometimes use my DVC points at the places like BCV where demand outstrips supply I am "impacting other" Sorry, I don't feel guilty and I don't think anyone else should.

Personally, what's the difference between someone using one or two nights for this or the campers who MOVE in for weeks and weeks.... You want to know why you can't get a site??? There are folks who spend ALL summer or ALL winter there on discounts..... That overall probably has a much bigger impact. However, I guess to be fair Disney should make them leave periodically so EVERYONE has a chance???

 

[maxiesmom]

Does Disney not have a camping time limit? I know most places here allow only 2 weeks at a time. I thought Disney would be the same.

 

[hezell123]

It may not be illegal, but it is not nice. There are very few campsites when compared to how many hotel rooms Disney has available. Do you plan on continuing to check back and if the campsites fill up canceling your reservation? You have stated that you feel no remorse because there are many sites available, so how will you feel if the sites fill up?

GOOD Question...actually, I would not change the ressie. My point in check'n was more of to see if occupancy was due to high season (which I think to be the case) Truth of the matter is no one really knows the reasons to which a campsite might be booked. I feel no remorse. I'm paying just like anyone else. As many have said on the camping board, it's not always a money saver. Many spend way more on their camping stuff than many that book a value. This topic for me is a red herring/slippery slope. If you went with the argument that people that can only afford a tent site are missing out, you could go even further to say that people that make min. wage can't afford a vacation, therefore no one should take a vacation.

 

[HunnyPots]

OK - I still don't get how this is supposed to be a good deal. Parking is, what, $9 a day? EMH is nice if you have it but it really has no cash value. Plus, now that it has caught on with more resort guests, EMH parks are more crowded than ever. How much are the camp sites? To me, if they are more than the price of parking (which of course they are) its just more money spent.
Sorry, I just don't get it...

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

(I can gurantee 99% of the posters on this board have purchased something on sale and NOT used it! OMG They DENIED someone else a chance to waste money... Call the police!)

Thank you for my laugh of the week!!!

 

[TinkerbellMama]

There isn't anything "wrong" with it. If you pay for it, it doesn't matter if you use it or not. If I stay out all night partying at PI, and don't sleep in my room, I'm still paying for it and am entitled to all the benefits pertaining thereto.
As for the assertion that you are "depriving" other, less fortunate folks who might not be able to get an affordable campsite space for that night, that's just a little off to me. I don't feel bad when I buy things at the thrift store, although I *could afford to buy new (I am way too cheap)! Or when I get any other, LEGAL deal that I am paying for with no intent to defraud. I am not going to feel bad because my neighbors can't afford to go to Disney. I am not going to feel bad if I purchase the last bucket of popcorn available and leave none for the people who got there 5 minutes too late. Ditto for getting the hard-to-nab ADRs. I will do what I can to maximize my family's experience. This isn't like hogging all the food at the soup kitchen so another family goes hungry...it's a luxury! JMO!
That said, I would never do it because it's too much of a PITA and I want to be onsite, anyway.

 

[hezell123]

That said, I would never do it because it's too much of a PITA and I want to be onsite, anyway.

I just got it...even had to do a search on PITA

Actually, only a few minutes to book, not such a Pita...ha I said it!