cost of camping verses hotel

[lovin'Mickey]

We are staying at Port Orleans riverside this May, however we love to camp all summer long so next year we were considering taking the TT to FW. I have priced this out and it seems as though it is actually less expensive to stay at a hotel then the campground. Let me explain If I camp I am spending more in gas then I think I would on air fare, plus a stop on the way down and back in a SC campground. I guess my question is this.... We love camping ....is FW worth the extra cost it seems we would be paying to drive from PA verses flying?

 

[Bichon Barb]

Welcome Lovin'Mickey.

We are driving down with TT for the first time next week. Here are my price comparisons (approximate):

Moderate Peak Season One Week - $1000(?)
Preferred Site One Week - $500(?)

Airfare Syr/MCO for four - $900
Gas - under $500 (plus $100 for two nights motel stay)

Instead of eating in restaurants 3 times a day x 7 days (21 meals), we'll be eating in restaurants about 10 times.

So for us, it's a big savings. Hope this helps.

 

[lovin'Mickey]

See I may be planning to much for gas..... I am driving from Pa it will take me 19 hours to get to Fl so I figured with gas prices $1500 and air would only be $1250 for the 5 of us. I guess I need to figure the gas out better!!

 

[Carrie Ellis]

We drove from Fredericksburg VA last September and our gas was around $300 roundtrip. At 900 miles at 10 miles/gallon = 90 gallons. 90 gallons at $1.70 gallon (last year) = $153 (one way). Of course this year it could be $3.00 gallon but there are 6 of us so it would still be cheaper than flying. If we were home those two weeks we would still use at least a tank a piece just running around and to the commuter lot so we would be out at least $70 being home. We drove straight there going down and we camped at at KOA coming back up. The KOA was about $30 that night.

It matters what time of the year you are going but as for us, our site in October is $37/night. We are staying for 12 nights and it will be $444 unless a better discount comes out. We have a AAA discount right now. Last year we were able to get a military discount which was 40% off and our site was around $23/night.

 

[elastigirlfan]

Hi, we are from PA too! We spent $250 last year for gas and about $500 for the week at FW and that was for a preffered pet loop. We flew down there 2 years ago and our tickets cost between $800-900. You also save a ton in food money because you eat less meals out because you can eat in your camper. FW is awesome so I would definelty recommend staying there next year. Have a great stay at POR - I've heard many good things about it!

Alyssa

 

[etblank]

Hello. I think you are figuring way too much for gasoline. We drive a Dodge 2500 Hemi Gas Sucking Pig of a truck. Mileage towing the 27ft TT trailer is about 8 mpg. We are in Indiana, and the drive is about 2300 miles round trip. Figuring a 36 gallon tank, we will get about 300 miles per fill up. At $2.50 a gallon, the max $ would be around $750.

If you love to camp, FW is the standard in which all other campgrounds should be judged! Can't wait for our trip there at Thanksgiving!!!

 

[kg66]

Hi there,
We stayed at FW in Jan 2004, and we drove our motorhome from Canada, approx. 26 hours of driving over 2 days, and our cost for fuel was $600 round trip! We chose Jan for the value season. A campsite from Jan 2- Feb 12 is around $42 per night compared to $84 in full season. It all depends what you want. We go to Disney then, because it's cheaper, but the weather isn't going to be in the 80's. Usually the 70's but the night's are in the 50's . It really depends on what you want. But FW is awesome. You'll love it if you choose to go. While you are staying at POR, hop a bus to Wilderness loge and then transfer over to FW to walk around, it's so peaceful and beautiful! Good luck deciding!

 

[DisneyDotty]

This doesn't really answer your question, but poses something else to think about...Consider, too, what kind of experience do you want? FW is one of the best campgrounds, period. You will have the typical camping experiences with lots of magical pixie dust added. On the other hand, a WDW resort is its own kind of magic. I don't know if it's worth comparing the two just by cost--here's why: When we first bought our TT, my dad said, "You can buy a lot of hotel rooms with what you just spent on your camper!" However, after spending 3 weeks with us camping in the national parks out west, he and my mom quickly bought their own camper. We love to camp and also love to hotel it--just depends on what kind of experience we're in the mood for!

 

[LMC]

We have this same delima too. In fact, in January we ended up staying at ASMO in two rooms cheaper than camping at FW. We couldn't get a discount at FW and gas would be $750 r/t so we would have paid more to camp.
BUT, my kids absolutely missed FW. They continually asked why we weren't camping. So, in May, we return to FW (high gas prices and all!) We will stay for 9 nights so it is a little more worth it to tow the camper for 9 days versus 5 or 7.
My next issue is we only have 5 days in October that we can go so we won't be towing the TT (takes way too long!) so we have to decide where to stay. I hope AS's have great rates come out!!!
So I say camping at FW is worth it in some cases. If you can go for a good amount of time then go for it!

 

[mrsgus06]

You mean Disney has other resorts besides Ft. Wilderness? Try telling that to my kids.

Seriously, my kids LOVE to camp and Ft. W is about the only place they want to camp at. We have annual passes, so we try to get the discount when available. They could do the parks everyday but some days they just enjoy going to the pool or plundering around the campground on their bikes. It is a place like no other, peaceful and relaxing after a day of the parks. My dh loves the campground (not the parks) just to relax. We were there last week and he went to a local rv dealership and ordered a fifth wheel so he could go back this June and relax in a bigger rv . Like the other poster stated, go check it out on this trip and see how everyone likes it! Have a great trip!

 

[PrincessMom98]

We were in the same dilema on our last trip the week after Thanksgiving. We compared driving down in our minivan (25 mpg) and staying at ASM with pulling our 5th wheel (7 mpg) and staying at FW. It would have been cheaper to stay at ASM. We are from eastern PA and it cost us about $575 in gas and $20 each way to stay at South of the Border's campground. We thought it was worth the extra money to stay ay FW. The kids (DD6 and DS1) traveled so much better in our camper with familiar surroundings.

 

[minkydog]

This doesn't really answer your question, but poses something else to think about...Consider, too, what kind of experience do you want? FW is one of the best campgrounds, period. You will have the typical camping experiences with lots of magical pixie dust added. On the other hand, a WDW resort is its own kind of magic. I don't know if it's worth comparing the two just by cost--here's why: When we first bought our TT, my dad said, "You can buy a lot of hotel rooms with what you just spent on your camper!" However, after spending 3 weeks with us camping in the national parks out west, he and my mom quickly bought their own camper. We love to camp and also love to hotel it--just depends on what kind of experience we're in the mood for!

You are so right. Comparing FW to any other resort is like comparing sailboats to monkeys. It is a completely different experience. I cannot imagine that camping, even with gas prices what they are, would be more expensive than flying & staying at a resort. I get all anxious just thinking about the hassle.

My parents were the first to buy a pop-up 15yrs ago. We thought it was foolish--until we reached that 'certain age' where sleeping on the ground lost it's appeal. Now we have a pop-up and are looking to trade up. One sis has a TT, other sis camps in mom's pop-up every chance she gets. We're having a pow-wow at FW over thanksgiving in 2005. We'll save a bunch and have a fabulous vacation!

 

[lovin'Mickey]

One of the other issues though is with vacation time off from work if we fly we get 7-9 days in the actual parks, with camping and driving we would only get 5-6 in the parks. Is it possiable to see and do it all in that smaller frame of time. Also we will be going for the second time with the kids in May so they will probably not need as many days as we did last year due to the fact that we will have seen some of the shows and may not want to see all of them again. Has anyone had trouble doing the vacation for 5 days in the parks with 3 kids?

 

[minkydog]

It depends on what kind of vacation you are looking for. Obviously a 5-6 day vacaton will be different from a 7-9 day vacation. No, you cannot "do the same things" in a shorter amount of time. Only you can decide what you are willing to cut out. First you have to determine your priorities--is it saving money? having a dream vacation? You will either spend time or spend money. You have to decide what you have more of, at the moment.

 

[auntie]

I found that we don't need as much time in the parks as we did when we first started going. Granted..our first trip was in '91! But really, even after the first trip...we didn't have that need to see "everything"...we'd done that already. Basically we are going to the parks to see what we know we enjoy and then anything that might be new that year. We don't have that desire to spend all day at a park packing every attraction in.

5 years ago we purchased our own travel trailer, and hoped to get it down to FW(we are from NY). I can't wait to be able to do this. We just haven't had the time required..we would like to be able to take 2 weeks. spending 10 days in FW..and four driving...stoping overnight each way. Were considering going for a shorter period..but with the price of the gas now...I think we will stick with going for the longer stay making the trip worth it. We are either 4 or 5 people traveling so even compared to the gas now..I'm pretty sure we will spend less towing than flying...although it might come close given the gas prices. I'm not much for cooking on vacation..but I know we'd almost certainly be having breakfast in the trailer..and that in itself is a savings.
We have a good AAA rate for August of $40.00...which can't be beat. Although I know it's god awful hot during that time...again it's probably the only time we will be able to get to take the kids out of school, and my husband will be able to get away from work. Perhaps if gas was less, we'd consider going for a shorter period..but now we live to far to just go for a quick trip. I plan on getting my money's worth! So this is the plan. I'm really looking forward to the campground.
I think also important is just what kind of vacation you are looking for. We have friends who camp all summer long...and are in no way looking to camp when they go to Disney World..they want the change of staying in a resort. It's just a preference. Having stayed in many of the resorts and never camped in FW before, it is certainly something we are looking forward to.
I thinks it's just a matter of what you think you'd enjoy..and then figure your costs into it.

 

[LMC]

We can do the parks in 5 days with three kids (ages then 9, 6, 4) but we have been quite a bit so know the ins and outs and what our priority to dos are. I do feel you must have two days at MK if you have small children. I think one day at the other parks is enough. We do not do water parks (although I would LOVE to) but since I have a special needs child who doesn't like water activities, we don't do those yet. SO, if you are doing any parks other than AK, MK, MGM, and Epcot I can't give you any addt'l advice.

One of the other issues though is with vacation time off from work if we fly we get 7-9 days in the actual parks, with camping and driving we would only get 5-6 in the parks. Is it possiable to see and do it all in that smaller frame of time. Also we will be going for the second time with the kids in May so they will probably not need as many days as we did last year due to the fact that we will have seen some of the shows and may not want to see all of them again. Has anyone had trouble doing the vacation for 5 days in the parks with 3 kids?

 

[RocklandRVers]

Over the past 2 years we have visited WDW 4 times and stayed at FtW for a total of 42 days. Out of that we may have visited the parks maybe 20 days or about half the time. The rest we spent at FtW enjoying the fun of camping and the amenities it offers. In December, for example, I took out the family watercraft plan and we spent almost as much time out on the lakes with a pontoon boat or wave racers as we did inside the parks. We had a total blast out there and I, for one, found it very relaxing to get away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds and sit out in the sun out in the middle of SSL or Bay Lake.

The point is that for us a WDW vacation is not all about the theme parks. Its also about family time and relaxation. Another big plus and savings, by the way, is being able to bring our dog. Hey he is part of the family and needs a vacation too. Having to pay for a kennel here in NY is almost the price of a campsite. Plus he hates being there and never eats, gets fleas and has to be dipped before we take him home (more money) and besides we miss him.

The cost is a big part of why we love FtW, but the variety that the camping experience offers is priceless.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

We really like the idea of coming back to the camper after a busy day at the parks and just getting away from crowds, Disney theming, etc. Like RocklandRVer said, we also take our pooch with us. He loves to camp with his family, and it really is as much his vacation as ours. I have stayed at several of the resorts, and probably will again for short trips. But for any length of stay, it's FW for me and my family.

 

[Sinclare]

I'm figuring on driving down this year and camping. Here is how I figured it (worst case scenario). I drive a 2002 Ford Ranger which gets around 17 mpg (perhaps a little better if on the interstate with less stop and go driving). Acording to mapquest, it will be 735 miles each way (from Kentucky). That's 1470 miles and I add in another 130 miles just to be on the safe side for a total of 1600 miles

So...
(1600/17) * $3 per gallon*worst case I hope* =
94.11 gallons * 3 = $282.35

Round trip tickets for flying = 2 *$260 = $520
Add in ~130 (counting tip) for round trip ride from airport = $650. So that's quite a difference for just me and my son...

650-282.35=$367.65

 

[lovin'Mickey]

It really sounds as though all of you love this campground!!!! I think when we are there in May I will hope over to it and check it out! I think we will be camping there next year. Once we get back from this trip I will have a better idea of how many days I truely need in the parks, but it sounds as though there is so much to do in the campground I may have to add a day just for that as well. Which is fine we love camping! We do take little weekend trips through the year, but I still think we would like a week in FW. Hotels are nice but it is more of an expense. Do many of you find that you actually do head back to the campsites for meals? I know breakfast would be there, and I was thinking maybe eat lunch in park and head back for dinner. Is that what most do? Also I see some of you take your dogs. How is the dog with you being gone all day? We have 2 dogs, and I would love to bring them! Thanks for all this great advice and help!!!!!