I have a plan to make our Fort trips much better.

[WeCampDisney]

After several Disney vacations, I have some great ideas to make our future trips even better. First of all, I am selling my trailer and my Excursion. That 1000 mile trip is just too much, and the older I get the more tiring it is. It's also tuff on the granddaughter. We will buy a motor home. When my son-in- law is driving I can stretch out on the sofa or the bed and actually get some sleep. Same for everyone else. More room, food access, bathroom use, watching Disney movies, arriving rested and happy, a 75 gal fuel tank requiring only one gas stop, and being able to pull a golf cart trailer are some of the reasons why we really want to switch to a motor home. I am looking at 2000 to 2004 models, 32 ft to 35 ft with 2 slide-outs. I see many nice low mileage units priced around $35k. My son-in-law and I will buy it and split all the costs so it will be affordable. Also with 2 families sharing it maybe we will actually use it enough to make it worth our investment. We also will get a golf cart, no more renting! It will be so fun to customize it.
I have always taken our dogs to the Fort kennel for day care. This is getting too costly and it takes a lot of time to check them in and to check them out. I will get 2 large steel collapsable cages so the Huskies can just stay in the RV. I am not interested in spending all day at the parks any more. We will go early and come back to camp for lunch and r and r. Then we could choose to go back to the park in the evening for the fireworks and whatever. In this plan we can eat all our meals at camp, drink our own beer, save a lot of money, relax a lot more, beat the afternoon heat and crowds, and just have a lot of fun without getting too tired. The wife and I just love to take the GC to the store to get Micky bars. Then there's the new pool, looping, and other unique Fort Wilderness pleasures. We want to stay for 2 weeks next time. Our previous longest stay was 9 days and that is just not enough time.
So there you have it. In summary; 1. Swap the trailer for a motor home to make the long trip actually a pleasant experience, 2. get our own GC, 3. keep the dogs in the RV, 4. spend our afternoons at the Fort, 5. When staying 2 weeks have some days to just stay at the Fort all day!
Boy I can't wait till next year! Our granddaughter will be 3 1/2 yrs old, and this trip will be the best ever.

 

[mdoc]

We made the switch from a travel trailer to a motorhome a few years back. For long trips, especially WDW, you can't beat it. For the state parks back home, I preferred the TT (it fit better than our behemoth MH), but the drive is SO much more pleasant in a motorhome than in a pickup truck or SUV. Plus it's faster, because the gas stops are few and far between and we no longer have to worry about synchronizing our bladders.

 

[des1954]

Benton - Welcome to my world!! We actually started with a 26' MH, went all the way up to a 45' bus, and are now comfortable with a 32' Itasca Meridian. It's just the two of us, and we have all that we need. We can also get into any site Disney assigns us to. We couldn't do that with the 45' or 40' models. My only regret is that I wish we had waited one more year on the Itasca. In 2006, they came out with a 34' model that ingeniously placed the TV on the side wall above the dinette so you could comfortably view it from the couch and euro chair. However - I'm finished taking hits on MH. The 32' is going to be it until we no longer are able to go camping. (Unless I win the lotto or something like that!)

If you need to have a separate vehicle when you come to the Fort - Enterprise Car Rental is very reasonable, offers AAA discounts, and will deliver the car to you. The car rental at WDW while convenient, is somewhat of a rip-off by Florida pricing standards. I think Enterprise is cheaper than renting a golf cart.

 

[hollypoast]

Wow, I have to say I'm so jealous. Your plan sounds fabulous and I hope to join you some day. Have fun planning your next trip and picking out your new RV!

 

[figmentfan1]

Hello fellow East Texan!

Your plan soulds great. We just upgraded our truck for the same reason... more room. We camp with my sister's family and they have a motor home and love it... we would love one, but no one to split the cost with!

I talked my DH into 7 nights at FW this time... he doesn't know it yet but 2011 will be 10 nights!

 

[Disneylitch]

That's why we have our MH. If you need to rent a car, Alamo is on Disney property and is very reasonable. We have rented from them twice. They are located at the customer care center which is only about 5 minutes from The Fort. Traveling with kids in a MH is so easy and so much fun. Ours are now grown, but we do have a 7 month old grandson and are planning future trips with him.

 

[retired and happy]

Does Alamo pick and deliver at the Fort? We have used Enterprise many times with good results, and they have relocated to Hotel Drive (?) recently. Do you kniow how Alamo and Enterprise prices compare?

 

[WeCampDisney]

Benton -
If you need to have a separate vehicle when you come to the Fort - Enterprise Car Rental is very reasonable, offers AAA discounts, and will deliver the car to you. The car rental at WDW while convenient, is somewhat of a rip-off by Florida pricing standards. I think Enterprise is cheaper than renting a golf cart.

This tip about Enterprise delivering to the Fort is very cool. I am thinking that would be how we could get to the grocery store. We like using Disney transportation but I was kind of wondering about going out for supplies. Also, I used to think I needed my vehicle for taking the dogs to the kennel. Now I know I can keep them in the RV so that's not an issue. Basically, the trade off is this: instead of a tow vehicle for running to the store and renting a GC for the entire stay, I will have my own custom (Musket Mickey theme) GC and just renting a car for a day or 2 for running to Walmart. This just makes more sense .

 

[LONE-STAR]

You could buy a long bed crew cab truck put the golf cart in the bed of the truck and flat tow it behind the moho. The best of both worlds.

 

[des1954]

Does Alamo pick and deliver at the Fort? We have used Enterprise many times with good results, and they have relocated to Hotel Drive (?) recently. Do you kniow how Alamo and Enterprise prices compare?

My understanding is that you can make arrangements with the front desk for someone to take you to Alamo at no charge. There is no bus service that goes to Alamo. Enterprise picks you up at the check in building, takes you to their office, rents you a vehicle, and then you do the reverse when you're finished.

Because car rental in Florida is such a competitive business, check with both companies for pricing. Also - if you have AAA or a similar travel/road service company, make sure you check to see if discounts are applicable. Around the Disney area, always ask a store or restaurant if a AAA discount applies. You would be amazed at who will give you 10-15% off.

 

[2goofycampers]

You forgot #6. take 2goofycampers with you.

Sounds like good plans, enjoy life to the fullest.

 

[BradyBz12]

Sounds like an excellent plan - ENJOY!!

 

[tim5055]

I will have my own custom (Musket Mickey theme) GC

Contact tungpo1 (Ron). As a Disboard member he runs cart shop. They make some cool carts. Being in Fla maybe he could meet you there to deliver it. His website is east coast carts

 

[Shan-man]

That plan sounds like a great fit for your family. We, however, are considering doing the opposite of your plan! We have a motorhome, and have loved it, but really don't get a lot of the advantages you speak of. It is just my wife, me and two small dogs. When I first bought it I had fantasies of taking a nap while the wife drove some, or of her making sandwiches as we cruise. Never happens! My wife WILL NOT drive the rig. She won't sit anywhere but the passenger seat (typically). She doesn't like moving around while we are in motion and, despite having all that room, the dogs are in a bed on her lap so even asking her to grab me a soda is a hassle! If she's in real distress she'll upset the pups and venture back to the toilet, but that's rare. So, to grab a nap, a snack, or a restroom break we have to find a place to pull off anyhow. We've never had a small enough car to tow, so we have always either been immobile at our destination, or had to tour using the moho (I would generally rather break camp than hassle with renting a car). The 80 gal tank is nice, since we can get gas where it is cheap instead of having to fill multiple times and being at the mercy of regional prices.

But, we recently bought a VERY nice truck. It's a Tundra CrewMax, which has as much room in the back seat as the front. The interior is comparable to my DeVille (which I've been missing in the last few years) and loaded with nice features. It is FAR more comfortable than driving my motorhome. Heck, it's a nicer cockpit than those in $600,000 mohos, IMO. So, we are thinking about a trailer. And, as much as I'd love to get a toy-hauler and a golf cart, the simple fact is that I would have NO use whatsoever for a cart anywhere but the Fort. My Mom does have a cart we can borrow and she's only an hour or so from the Fort so I can always check us in and then run out to pick up the cart. Given enough time, practicality can seep in (even into MY thick skull)!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Benton, I have to admit...you make it sound GREAT!!!! I have a little pop-up that I pull with an F150, and it gets the job done and makes for a fun getaway.....but MAN.........you sure make a MH sound like heaven!!!! Although, Im afraid my situation would end up more like Shan's....the wife would probably be very uncomfortable driving a MH, so the only one who'd get any rest in one would be everybody but ME!!!! But cranking up the pup and all of the work that goes into getting a campsite ready is starting to get old...Im ready to relax more and work less!!!

 

[BradyBz12]

I'm actually on the flip side of that equation, as currently I do most of the driving on trips. I know I'd be nervous driving a MH, but then again I'm already nervous that we're going from a 21' hybrid to a 33' TT next month. Luckily most of the drive is highway, but I may need to drive the thing around town a few times to get used to it.

I look forward to MH days down the line - we'd very definitely drive straight through to WDW and end up with a couple of extra days at the Fort.

 

[tlh0726]

Sounds like a great plan!
Take your time picking out your new unit. Make sure the floor plan works for your needs. Best advice I can give you is BUNK MODEL.

 

[WeCampDisney]

I have enjoyed the responses from ya'll about my little plan. I haven't posted very much in the few years that I have been a member of the Disboards but I have been here reading countless times. It's a bit of a kick to have 2 of my
" board idols " Shanta and Rog respond to my humble little scatter shooting of words. I know, corny but it's true. I love reading the stuff you guys write, ya'll are great!
I mentioned how we want to have more time to enjoy the Fort. We want to relax and BBQ, cold beer and chill out, hang out at the beach, more looping, get to know more campers, do a lot more fishing. Man we have never even been to the campfire program or the movie. Now with our super fun little granddaughter we are really looking forward to that!

 

[motherwild]

Congratulations. we have a 36' MH with 2 slides. My DH does the driving I driven a few times. WE started with a PU then 26'TT to th MH.
We also travel with a dog and stop every 3 hours to take them out. It is a nice way to travel. Grandchildren and dogs at the fort life doesn't get much better.

 

[mikmouse]

That plan sounds like a great fit for your family. We, however, are considering doing the opposite of your plan! We have a motorhome, and have loved it, but really don't get a lot of the advantages you speak of. It is just my wife, me and two small dogs. When I first bought it I had fantasies of taking a nap while the wife drove some, or of her making sandwiches as we cruise. Never happens! My wife WILL NOT drive the rig. She won't sit anywhere but the passenger seat (typically). She doesn't like moving around while we are in motion and, despite having all that room, the dogs are in a bed on her lap so even asking her to grab me a soda is a hassle! If she's in real distress she'll upset the pups and venture back to the toilet, but that's rare. So, to grab a nap, a snack, or a restroom break we have to find a place to pull off anyhow. We've never had a small enough car to tow, so we have always either been immobile at our destination, or had to tour using the moho (I would generally rather break camp than hassle with renting a car). The 80 gal tank is nice, since we can get gas where it is cheap instead of having to fill multiple times and being at the mercy of regional prices.

But, we recently bought a VERY nice truck. It's a Tundra CrewMax, which has as much room in the back seat as the front. The interior is comparable to my DeVille (which I've been missing in the last few years) and loaded with nice features. It is FAR more comfortable than driving my motorhome. Heck, it's a nicer cockpit than those in $600,000 mohos, IMO. So, we are thinking about a trailer. And, as much as I'd love to get a toy-hauler and a golf cart, the simple fact is that I would have NO use whatsoever for a cart anywhere but the Fort. My Mom does have a cart we can borrow and she's only an hour or so from the Fort so I can always check us in and then run out to pick up the cart. Given enough time, practicality can seep in (even into MY thick skull)!

We've camped the full spectrum. We started camping while we were very young and over the years (now mid-60s) progressed as follows to make life easier and more comfortable:

1. conversion van (really roughed it in Nova Scotia for 2 weeks). Had lots of rain and nowhere to go and nothing to do and saw people in VW Vanagons in Canada and they were having fun.

2. Came home from Nova Scotia and immediately traded conversion van for Volkswagen Vanagon. Loved it so much, had it so long, then traded it for another Vanagon.

3. Graduated to a pop up which we loved. Still in NJ so we didn't need AC

4. Moved south traded pop up for travel trailer with AC. Very hard to connect and not as stable as a 5th wheel

5. Traded travel trailer to a 5th wheel, then traded again to a bigger 5th wheel. So easy to tow.

And, that's what we have had ever since. It is very easy to connect, very stable and safe to drive, and YES we do share the driving. We change drivers every 2 hours to stay fresh.

My husband would love a MH but I will not agree to drive a MH and we don't need the extra maintenance on another vehicle. Fifth wheel is the easiest towing vehicle we have ever had.

Hope this helps.