Experiences with Great Outdoors Camper Rental?

[perla75]

We are thinking of upgrading to renting a pop up instead of sleeping in our non-air conditioned tent!! The price looks great!

We have absolutely no experience with pop up campers (we are strictly tent campers at home), but it looks like they set everything up and take everything down for you).

Have you had any experience with renting from this place? Were they pleasant?

Do they book up quickly? Will we be able to handle the pop up for 4 nights? Meaning, is there anything difficult we'll need to maintain, since we are camper novices? My DF was a cub scout and is a pretty handy guy.

Also, which FW package would we use for a pop up? The same $42/night one as if we brought a tent?

TIA!!

 

[stky6]

Pick up an $89.00 air conditioner at Walmart and hook it up to your tent...just use a tarp to duct the air into the tent I've done it for years and it worls great.

 

[kiteri]

I haven't actually rented it yet, but I have the popup reserved for January 16, 2009 through January 25, 2009, and Kim was SUPER nice!

Do you already have a campsite at FW? I called three times a day for a week to get my site because it was all booked up!

I saw your post about renting a campsite but not actually staying in it:

Are we allowed to stay anywhere on WDW property for the mandatory 4 night stay? Including the FW campgrounds?

We are thinking about booking a tent site for 4 nights, but stay in a different resort off-site to save some $$. I've read that there are plenty of luxurious resorts for $99/night close to WDW. This way we could stay somewhere luxurious for basically the same price as a WDW mod, BUT we would still have access to ME and EMH & a much more comfy bed!

We would still pack our tent & likely use the site during the day as a resting spot to relax for a mid day break and I've been dying to check out the beautiful grounds of FW.

What do you think? Would the wedding people allow a campsite as the 4 night minimum stay on grounds?

Renting the camper makes more financial sense because it is only about $75 a night versus $99 for the offsite AND having to drive.

 

[2goofycampers]

We are thinking of upgrading to renting a pop up instead of sleeping in our non-air conditioned tent!! The price looks great!

We have absolutely no experience with pop up campers (we are strictly tent campers at home), but it looks like they set everything up and take everything down for you).

Have you had any experience with renting from this place? Were they pleasant?

Do they book up quickly? Will we be able to handle the pop up for 4 nights? Meaning, is there anything difficult we'll need to maintain, since we are camper novices? My DF was a cub scout and is a pretty handy guy.

Also, which FW package would we use for a pop up? The same $42/night one as if we brought a tent?

TIA!!

We have never rented from them, but she does post on occassion and seems nice enough.

Using any camper the hard part is set up and break down so the rest is a piece of cake.

You would use the same sites for the pop up as a tent [if it does NOT have a shower or toilet in it you plan to use.]

 

[auntie]

You may also want to look into 'Camp At The Fort". Tina is a member of the forum, and she rents out her 5th wheel. They will place it on site for you. (you make your reservation the same as if you were bringing your own camper). We have our own travel trailer, I am not that familiar with the operation and set up of pop ups. I think renting the 5th wheel makes good sense for us, since we are coming from NY, and my husband has neither the time or desire to tow our camper. I especially liked that it comes with all your towels and linens. Since we will be flying in to Disney, that means no extras to have to pack. Just thought I'd mention it...(I'm famous for that here on the board! I just think it's such a great idea..especially given the gas situation now )We are using her unit the end of Sept..through the first week of October. Can't wait.

http://www.campatthefort.com/index.asp

 

[stacktester]

You may also want to look into 'Camp At The Fort". Tina is a member of the forum, and she rents out her 5th wheel. They will place it on site for you. (you make your reservation the same as if you were bringing your own camper). We have our own travel trailer, I am not that familiar with the operation and set up of pop ups. I think renting the 5th wheel makes good sense for us, since we are coming from NY, and my husband has neither the time or desire to tow our camper. I especially liked that it comes with all your towels and linens. Since we will be flying in to Disney, that means no extras to have to pack. Just thought I'd mention it...(I'm famous for that here on the board! I just think it's such a great idea..especially given the gas situation now )We are using her unit the end of Sept..through the first week of October. Can't wait.http://www.campatthefort.com/index.asp

OMG Phyllis. Do you have this lined saved on word lol. This is the deal. I own a company that does emissions testing on smokestacks. I'm seriously thinking of calling the Auntie Advertising Agency. Heck, with her at the job I'll have more jobs than I can handle and I'll be able to afford more fort time.

 

[auntie]

OMG Phyllis. Do you have this lined saved on word lol. This is the deal. I own a company that does emissions testing on smokestacks. I'm seriously thinking of calling the Auntie Advertising Agency. Heck, with her at the job I'll have more jobs than I can handle and I'll be able to afford more fort time.

I guess I'm a broken record huh? ...Well, just you wait until I actually make my trip..then you'll hear all my reviews! I guess I just figure she's has a great idea, and I've looked into rentals in the area, and honestly..they don't compare. Especially considering how nice her 5th wheel is. Can you tell, I can't wait to go?
Emmissions testing...hmm. I don't know anything about that., but I'd be happy to recommend you. I'm sure your very good at what you do.



_______________________

 

[perla75]

I haven't actually rented it yet, but I have the popup reserved for January 16, 2009 through January 25, 2009, and Kim was SUPER nice!

Do you already have a campsite at FW? I called three times a day for a week to get my site because it was all booked up!

I saw your post about renting a campsite but not actually staying in it:

Renting the camper makes more financial sense because it is only about $75 a night versus $99 for the offsite AND having to drive.

No, that is actually what prompted us to actually enjoy the campgrounds! Someone suggested that idea originally to save some $$ (we can barely afford our HM as it is!), but the more we researched FW, the more we realized that we love camping outside of WDW, so why not camp out in WDW! So we are planning 3-4 days in the middle of our 12 day HM at FW. We were originally going to just bring our tent (and we still might), until someone brought up air conditioning. We will be going in either early December or early January, not sure if that will make a difference. We are also flying in from MA so our space will be limited for camping gear. We thought renting a pop up seemed like a great option!

Anyways, our HM is not for a long while from now (2 years!). But we are needing this time to research our budget and save up. It seems like the pop up and camping space will equal around the same amount as a value resort-does this sound right? Between the two options, pop up at FW sounds much more appealing than a value resort room.

 

[kiteri]

Well.. I will tell you a couple things:

1. There is a 4 day minimum on the popup.
2. Just based on 08 rates, once you figure in the site at $42 and the popup rental for 4 nights at $82 (this includes the delivery fee) it is $124 a night.

I am doing it for the love of camping more than the low price, because a value would cost less.

 

[perla75]

Well.. I will tell you a couple things:

1. There is a 4 day minimum on the popup.
2. Just based on 08 rates, once you figure in the site at $42 and the popup rental for 4 nights at $82 (this includes the delivery fee) it is $124 a night.

I am doing it for the love of camping more than the low price, because a value would cost less.

Thanks! We will be ok I think with $124/night. FW looks nicer than many of the moderate resorts & seems like it will be a fun and different experience during the middle of our trip. 4 days would be fine. Do these come with a bathroom or do you use a public restroom for showering, toilet, etc...

 

[perla75]

You may also want to look into 'Camp At The Fort". Tina is a member of the forum, and she rents out her 5th wheel. They will place it on site for you. (you make your reservation the same as if you were bringing your own camper). We have our own travel trailer, I am not that familiar with the operation and set up of pop ups. I think renting the 5th wheel makes good sense for us, since we are coming from NY, and my husband has neither the time or desire to tow our camper. I especially liked that it comes with all your towels and linens. Since we will be flying in to Disney, that means no extras to have to pack. Just thought I'd mention it...(I'm famous for that here on the board! I just think it's such a great idea..especially given the gas situation now )We are using her unit the end of Sept..through the first week of October. Can't wait.

http://www.campatthefort.com/index.asp

Yes, we looked at her website-it sounds like a lovely idea, but the rv is out of our price range and also seems too big for just the 2 of us.

 

[auntie]

Ahhhh...you may have a point there ...about the size. It's only "supposed" to be my husband and myself for our trip in Sept./Oct. Only with that extra room, you never know one of my kids who seem to have found themselves to good for camping now...may decide to join us! I should tell them in only sleeps two!
Seriously, we're used to our travel trailer, and figure we'd enjoy the 5th wheel(I've always wanted one). I'm looking forward to a little extra space and the amenities it offers.
Good luck with your trip..and do let us know how everything went. We'll be watching for your trip report!

 

[kiteri]

The popup doesn't have a bathroom, but does have a kitchen sink.

This is why I rented a golf cart for my stay... quick cruise to the comfort station.