Confused

[lawnspecialties]

This sounds ugly but it's not intended that way. But if you're just trying to save money, why didn't you get a tent?

In 2008, we stayed 12 nights at the Fort in January with Annual Passes. Then we sold our TT because we were preparing to build a house. Since we had the passes, we went in June and stayed at the Contemporary ($400/night ). We also went in August and stayed at the Port Orleans French Quarter.

When we were leaving Port Orleans to go home, the whole family admitted, "We're not coming back until we get another TT and staying at the Fort". If the Grand Floridian or Contemporary cost the same as the Fort, we're dragging the TT down I-95. Fortunately for us, we're dragging our new TT down I-95 in January, 2011.

 

[Shan-man]

What? You didn't find my comments helpful? All the points I mentioned are ways in which the Fort actually falls short of the Value resorts, and should be considered. I also sincerely think that if you’re going to spend all your time at the parks, spending all that money on gas and the campsite rates is a waste. The Fort is better left to folks who can think of nowhere they'd rather stay, rather than folks who can't think of why they'd want too.

At the same time, you just invested considerable cash into buying an RV, so I assume you have a genuine interest in the lifestyle. I think the first lesson the RVer has to learn, preferably before purchasing an RV, is that RVing is not a good way to save money vacationing! Between the initial outlay, the insurance, the gas, the maintenance, the campsite fees, etc, etc, etc... that will buy a heck of a lot of airfares and hotel rooms! Even upscale resort rooms! Those of us who love the Fort, have also embraced the lifestyle. Despite the expense.

 

[flash828]

"Im towing a pop-up camper 640 miles...."

..... 640 miles...that's all?

 

[BigDaddyRog]

haa...a 10 hour drive of sheer anticipation can kill a guy!!!

 

[plutotek]

What? You didn't find my comments helpful? All the points I mentioned are ways in which the Fort actually falls short of the Value resorts, and should be considered. I also sincerely think that if you’re going to spend all your time at the parks, spending all that money on gas and the campsite rates is a waste. The Fort is better left to folks who can think of nowhere they'd rather stay, rather than folks who can't think of why they'd want too.

At the same time, you just invested considerable cash into buying an RV, so I assume you have a genuine interest in the lifestyle. I think the first lesson the RVer has to learn, preferably before purchasing an RV, is that RVing is not a good way to save money vacationing! Between the initial outlay, the insurance, the gas, the maintenance, the campsite fees, etc, etc, etc... that will buy a heck of a lot of airfares and hotel rooms! Even upscale resort rooms! Those of us who love the Fort, have also embraced the lifestyle. Despite the expense.

Oh, this is by no means our first foray into camping. In fact, we've been enjoying the great outdoors from tent to 5th wheel for over 30 years. I just mentioned the trailer size since I had seen the rates for the campground. I appreciated your listing of the pros/cons because they were very well thought out and made sense. They gave me something to think about, but I will disagree about the RVing not being cost effective, as everywhere else we go (I realize WDW is pretty much an isolated case) it makes sense to bring the trailer.

As for the OP that suggested a tent, I'm just a little too old to be messing around w/tents and cots and the like, but I did really like it when we started out.

 

[Disney Bunny]

What? You didn't find my comments helpful? All the points I mentioned are ways in which the Fort actually falls short of the Value resorts, and should be considered. I also sincerely think that if you’re going to spend all your time at the parks, spending all that money on gas and the campsite rates is a waste. The Fort is better left to folks who can think of nowhere they'd rather stay, rather than folks who can't think of why they'd want too.

At the same time, you just invested considerable cash into buying an RV, so I assume you have a genuine interest in the lifestyle. I think the first lesson the RVer has to learn, preferably before purchasing an RV, is that RVing is not a good way to save money vacationing! Between the initial outlay, the insurance, the gas, the maintenance, the campsite fees, etc, etc, etc... that will buy a heck of a lot of airfares and hotel rooms! Even upscale resort rooms! Those of us who love the Fort, have also embraced the lifestyle. Despite the expense.

What you said does make a lot of sense for the Fort. We camped there this past Thanksgiving and absolutely loved it. I would love to bring our 5th wheel back again sometime. That being said, we are coming back again in November but staying at CSR. For the 2 of us, it is as cheap to fly as it is in gas and an overnight campground expense each way to bring the RV. We could have stayed at Pop Century for only slightly more than what a premium campsite (what we had last time) would have cost, but we really liked the look of CSR so chose it.

Disney was not the only vacation we took last year, so DH didn't mind making it a camping trip. This year we will do some long weekend camping trips, but Disney is our primary vacation trip this year and I really didn't want to do our primary trip as a camping trip.

 

[taborekle]

Forget that it's Disney for a moment. It's a common misconception that RV'ing is cheaper then staying at a hotel. It isn't, and you will quickly find that out no matter what campground you're staying at. By the time you factor in the additional gas for towing, the cost of a really expensive tow vehicle, the cost of the RV, the cost of the RV insurance, the cost of the campground and all those things you bought for the camper, you're wayyyy more expensive then staying at "Motel 6".

RV'ing is not about saving money. It's about having you're own home and taking it with you where ever you go, It's about spending quality time with the kids at a campground. It's about exploring and finding new adventures, and it's about a quiet evening with you're family sitting around a camp fire. There's probably lots of other things that RV'ing is about, but you get the idea.

Hope that helps,

 

[guardwife66]

I don't think I can add anything that hasn't already been said (but I will try )

Last year, DH, DD, & myself were able to take a quick unplanned trip to Disney. I priced a value resort & car gas versus the campground & RV gas. For the number of nights we were staying (4 nights) the cost for the value was marginally better. But then we started factoring in eating out versus cooking our own meals. That alone tipped the favor for camping. After 4 nights, the value for camping would just get better. So when we go back in May, we will be staying 8 nights and are saving by camping.

All that being said, camping, for us, is just better. I sleep in a bed I know how clean it is. My hubby can fish to his hearts content. We eat meals we all love. And the relaxing atmosphere of a campground cannot be beat.

But by all means, stay at the value resorts. It just means there is more room for me at the campground.

Only 40 more days till we arrive at the Fort!!

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Forget that it's Disney for a moment. It's a common misconception that RV'ing is cheaper then staying at a hotel. It isn't, and you will quickly find that out no matter what campground you're staying at. By the time you factor in the additional gas for towing, the cost of a really expensive tow vehicle, the cost of the RV, the cost of the RV insurance, the cost of the campground and all those things you bought for the camper, you're wayyyy more expensive then staying at "Motel 6".

RV'ing is not about saving money. It's about having you're own home and taking it with you where ever you go, It's about spending quality time with the kids at a campground. It's about exploring and finding new adventures, and it's about a quiet evening with you're family sitting around a camp fire. There's probably lots of other things that RV'ing is about, but you get the idea.

Hope that helps,

It's also about not sleeping in someone elses filth,

 

[gillenkl]

Do the "sock test" and you'll be camping every time. When we stayed at POFQ it was before we had a popup. I usually keep my socks on in hotel rooms because, um, ya never know what's on those carpets. After walking around our POFQ room my socks were BLACK! Sorry but that's just gross. Sometimes you'll also see resort photos on these boards with people laying all over the hotel beds on the comforters, all sweaty from their day in the parks..... Sorry but I'll take my popup any day over being in other peoples filth.

 

[DaveInTN]

Sorry but I'll take my popup any day over being in other peoples filth.

And don't forget these guys!

Don't let the bedbugs bite....

 

[liv luvs disney]

And don't forget these guys!

Don't let the bedbugs bite....

Thanks Dave, I'm no longer craving my mid-afternoon snack.

 

[2goofycampers]

And don't forget these guys!

Don't let the bedbugs bite....

Job security.

 

[ElementCamper]

Eeewwww!!!

Makes me love my camper even more!

 

[Pickens native]

Okay, we just bought a 27 ft trailer and were thinking of taking it down for our trip in Dec to WDW. However, when I priced the campground, I found it to be only marginally less expensive than a value resort. What would be the advantage under those circumstances??

After you use that new TT for awhile you will answer your question.My family and I had the chance to stay at WL in june as we did last year but we decided to take our TT to the fort instead it's not much cheaper but it's home we camp 5 or 6 weeks a year and have for the last 7 years and at the end of the day we like to go home to the TT not to a room

 

[Disneylitch]

I would much rather come home to our motorhome. We have customized it just for us. Put in extra storage, renovated the inside, and even added an extra refrigerator. I know my beds are clean and in the motorhome we aren't on anyones schedule but our own. We don't have to worry about getting up in time for breakfast or having to cut our fun short to make a reservation. It's just plain fun.

 

[sshudson99]

Ewww Thanks for the discussion about bed bugs and filthy sheets, etc. YUCK. I have not had to stay in a motel for a few years now (our vacations are centered around campgrounds) but we are going to Atlanta next year and are staying in a motel.....ugggg, now I have to think about all of this I might have to rethink Atlanta

 

[ftwildernessrick]

A couple of years ago, my wife & I were able to get a last minute, short week off together. Since it was only 6 days & we live 828.3 miles away from the 100 loop at FW, we decided to do a quick drive down in our car & stay at Pop Century. I will admit, that if I had to stay at a value resort, Pop Century seemed to have a better bus transport system than some of the other value resorts (based on what I have been told).

Having said that, we won't be doing that again and there is no place like home at the Fort.

 

[retired and happy]

If you're coming to Atlanta, consider Stone Mountain Park for the TT. Lots to do and close to the big city. And far enough away if you don't like the big city.

 

[MomofSixinSC]

Another advantage is that a large family like mine can stay together. At any of the hotels, my family would be in two rooms. For us, camping really is cheaper, esp. with a tent. (Although we are praying God will provide a TT sometime soon!)