Family of 8--never camped, but love the idea--help!!

[amcc]

We are a family of 6. Eight years ago we rented an RV because my kids wouldn't shut up about it after watching the Robin Williams movie RV. The kids were 5, 3, and 1. We loved it and continued renting for 7 years although we joked that we were taking vacations as if we were all hanging out in our master bedroom. It was a big learning curve at first. Cooking is less convenient, keeping things tidy is more important. We now stay in a little popup with one additional kid (ages 13-3). We spend most of our waking time outside (including all our cooking) and I would recommend that, if you do go the route of renting something, consider what you will need to make the outdoors comfortable to expand your living space. For us it is fans, chairs, a shade shelter. This type of vacation is a great fit for my kids who like to be outside, don't mind the elements too much, and can sleep anywhere but it doesn't work at all with my sister's family (and there's nothing wrong with that). It's a vacation that if you love, it's great, but if it's not for you, can really make your vacation less than magical.

 

[Flametamr]

Mostly I agree with everyone. A lot will depend on how you do Disney and how your kids get along. When I remarried we had 6 kids between us. We bought a new camper and traded in my pop up. It claimed to sleep 10 but it was still snug with 8. Like it was said the tables have to be made into beds each night and such. If you stay in the parks lot or the kids stay outside a lot it helps. I would suggest researching what rental companies have and pick one you like. The spend a morning and go to a dealer and tell him you want to look at units like the rental you like. Tell him you are considering a future purchase and are only looking for now. If then you don't think it will work out consider a cabin. Maybe the newly renovated ones would work for you.