Considering-- questions??

[rkukl]

We are considering making our first trip to FW for the Christmas of 04. we have been to WDW several times but always flew and stayed in an onsite hotel. This time we are thinking of driving down with our 30’ travel trailer. We have a few questions and hope some of you experienced “veterans” can help.

1)Are we crazy?

2)How long should we plan for the 1000 mile trip? I’m thinking of two nights on the road and arriving at FW on the third day.

3)Any loop suggestions? We have two adults, one 13yr old, and a dog.

Thanks
Rich

 

[Lory]

I guess if you're crazy, we are too!! We are going to Disney for the 2nd time in December 2004. We are driving the 29 hours pulling our 35 foot TT we bought this summer. We drove last time too without a TT. Last time we drove 15 hours and then slept for 5 then drove the 14 the next day. It was quite a bit but we managed. This time we are stopping 2 nights to sleep in the trailer. Going to drive 9 hours one day 12 the next and then 8. The kids (5 and 10) actually did really well the first time. We bring tons of stuff for them to do in the truck and as long as they have full bellys they are fine. They get a kick out of stopping and seeing different things even if it is a gas station. They have such cool stuff everywhere but up here in Northern Wisconsin we are like behind the times!!
WE are staying in a preferred loop just to be closer to things. Hoping for the 200 or 700 loop. We arent taking our dogs, they will be kenneled here at home for 17 nights!!

Hopefully some of the veterens out there will have some advice for us!!

Maybe we'll see you there WE will be there the 5th -16th

Lory

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Crazy? If you are, then so am I. We have pulled our TT down the last 6 years, about the same distance you do. I did it once in three days which was a lot easier on me, the primary driver. It seemed to take forever to get there, though. We typically do the drive in 2 days now, making the first day our long day, staying overnight at a campground, getting up early and making it to FW by the afternoon of the second day. As far as loops go, we always stay in the 1600 loop which is a pet loop. I don't really know what all the excitement about preferred loops is except they are closer to the marina. The sites are smaller than the other loops and much closer together. I prefer the outer pet loops - 1600-1900.

 

[rkukl]

Lory & ftwildernessguy Thanks for the replies.

Can you request a certain loop when making reservations? I have been looking on the internet at the Disney site. Is it best to call and book with a real person??

Thanks again

Rich

 

[leprechaun]

We drove last April, 18 hrs the fist day to get us into S.Carolina then a measly 8hrs to FW. The first day is a killer but worth it so we weren't zombies when we got there. We got to stretch our legs and get a good night sleep and, BAM, we were at the Fort.

 

[Lory]

I have read that you make your loop request when you call and make your ressie. Then about 4 days before you arrive you're suppose to fax it to them because that is like a reminder and that is when they start assigning the sites---at least this is what I heard.

Lory

 

[SouthernBoyBlue]

This past summer I took my family out west to see the rockies and the Grand Canyon. We left atlanta at 4 am the first day and drove 800 miles to Kansas City, Kansas. We spent our first night in our camper at a Petro Travel Plaza. I carried my generator for power. We left the travel plaza the next day at 4 am and drove to Colorado Springs, Colorado where we spent the next 2 days in a campground. After that we headed north and spent the night in a Walmart parking lot in Evanston, Wyoming.

Well anyway I guess what I am trying to say is that I prefer to travel either late at night or early in the morning, for several reasons:
1: The kids usually are sleeping and not fighting.
2: There is a lot less traffic on the roads.
3: It makes the trip seem a lot shorter for my kids.

You might want to try this for yourself.

Also we stayed most of the nights, while we were on the road, in Walmart parking lots. This can save you money, Walmart allows RV'ers to stay 1 night in most of there stores parking lots. Just check with the store manager just to make sure it is ok, and also be sure to purchase something from the store. Also don't make it look like you are camping. Keep the awning up and no chairs outside and be sure that if you use your generator that it is a quiet one.

Just thought that i would share some ideas with you.

A long trip like that can be really enjoyable if you want it too. Our trip lasted 18 days and we drove over 5000 miles with DD 2, DD 14, DS 9 & DS 11. All of us in our Crew Cab F250.

I asked the kids if they would do it again and all except my 2 yr old said they would love too.

 

[Lory]

We have a F-350 crew cab which has a lot of room which makes it easier too. We were planning on stopping at 2 Walmarts on the way down, so we will need a generator also. We will be buying one next summer, do you know of ones that are pretty quiet. Was thinking of getting a Honda. Will need to run air and microwave.

Thanks,

Lory

 

[Disney Campers]

the honda eu 3000is very quiet and portable, it will run your ac and micro but probably not at the same time, i would love to get one of those, they are expensive but honda makes very good products

 

[Lory]

How big of a generator do you need to run both at same time? Could I buy 2 of them and hook them together?

Lory

 

[Disney Campers]

you could probably get 2 honda eu2000 and connect them with a parallel cable, this would most likely allow you to run both, the starting process for both the ac and the micro are what really take up the juice.

 

[tim5055]

Originally posted by Lory
How big of a generator do you need to run both at same time? Could I buy 2 of them and hook them together?

Lory

I think buying 2 is probably a little over kill. Figure $1,500+ each!

One should do fine. You can plug your RV cord into the generator to powere everything, jut not at the same time. When you need to use the microwave just turn off the A/C. When you are don, turn the A/C back on.

 

[Disney Campers]

the eu 3000 has 3000 watts and cost about 1999.00 the eu2000 has 2000 watts and cost 999.00, so the actual generator would be about the same cost with more power, the eu2000 is lighter by 88 pounds, of course if you get 2 you would need the parallel cable which costs about 177.00



Honda eu30001
Honda eu2000i

 

[SouthernBoyBlue]

I have a Generac 4000EXL. I got mine at Home Depot for $749.00. It is extremely quiet for a generator in this price range. It also has electric start and auto idle control which is a plus for me. It had no problem at all running both the AC and the microwave. It will run for about 15 hours on 4 gallons of gas and that is with my AC running.

One thing I usually due when staying in a Walmart and needing my AC. I usually turn every 120Volt appliance off. Turn my Fridge to gas. And I unplug my power converter. This allows my generators auto idle function to work, because it would idle down when the AC thermostat would shut down the compressor and fan motor. The thermostat operates on 12V DC so it would run off of the Batteries.

Just a suggestion.

Here is a link to a description of my generator:
http://www.generac-portables.com/generators/generator.cfm?id=192&use=&price=&wattage=&order=4

 

[rkukl]

Thanks everyone I will be booking this week for next Christmas!!

Rich