I need input, DVC or RV??

[KristiKelly]

Okay, DH & I have talked for a couple of monthes now about buying a RV/Travel Trailer (we called them campers when I was little). We live 3 hours from the coast & 2-1/2 - 3 from the mountains. We have 2 kids, DS6(turning 7 on 5/24 my baby's growing up) and DD4, camping would be lots of fun for them. We have considered a hybrid, I believe is what they're called, looks like a camper, but ends fold out like a pup-up, a little cheaper & less weight to pull. They come with bathroom & kitchen, 2 beds, etc. We would be able to take long weekend trips to the beach, mountains & maybe if we felt really ambitious, take it down to Fort Wilderness. I feel like throughout the year we would get quite a bit of use out of it.
Now, for about the same price, we have also talked about joining DVC. Our vacations would be fewer, not as many long weekend trips to the beach, but trips would be on a grander scale. DVC would be around longer (37-40 years or so) than the camper, maybe 7-10 years use out of one(??). DVC could rent out or trade out to go to other places (like I said grander scale).
I would like some of your thoughts on this. I did not ask on the DVC or camping boards, I figured they might show a little favoritism. Also, keep in mind, I have an aunt who has a condo @ N. Myrtle Beach that we use a couple times a year, but it would be nice to have my own "little" thing & not have to worry as much, but then again, it would be nice to have a little piece of DVC as well. Originally, we had looked @ a camper that was $30,000+, but I scaled down, I was hoping that since I'm now looking at camper 1/2 that price Dh would also let me buy a small DVC contract -- NOPE!!! Thanks for any input you have & who knows, we may not do either, but I can still shop it around. Thanks!

 

[Brer_Papa]

We bought an RV...a Coachman Leprechaun....for basically, all the reasons you stated in your post...

plus, with yongest DS a CM @ WDW...it gives us the freedom to go when we want...when we can...

I can schedule my vacation anytime...but sometimes, DW has not as much flexibility in making a vacation selection...

so...the RV was the most logical choice...for us...

besides, we will retire before too long....so...we took the plunge now...

Best of luck in your decision!

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Personally I'd go for both-so that let's you know I'm not biased one way or the other. LOL
But since that's not an option- then I'd go for the RV. We own an RV and while DVC would be great- as you said.... it's less vacations on a grander scale but also it's pretty much only there... you can go some other places but RV is anywhere you wanna go.

 

[Pooh67_68]

I vote DVC, good luck in your decision.
I hate camping.

 

[Pinnie]

Have you rented a camper to see if you and your family like it and if you and your DH want to tow it?

Keep in mind that you will need a substantail vechicle to tow it and the gas that it will chug will be $$$$

We had a "pop up" camper for a few years and while it was "fun" I never felt like I was really on "vacation" because I was always sweeping dirt out of it, cooking, packing and unpacking it.

We sold it and are DVC members

pin

 

[PenskeSth1]

We have a 36' fifth wheel and it has all the comforts of home. We like the fact that we can take it just about anywhere and find a place to set up. It really is like being in a house on wheels. To me it doesn't feel like I am camping.

We are DVC members, but we only use the points every couple of years. We use the RV a few times a year and it is usually at Disneys Fort Wilderness.

Although it really is, what do you prefer and what will you get the most enjoyment and use out of?

We Love our RV, but we like our DVC membership also.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[melk]

We were in exactly the same situation as you about two years ago. We were really leaning towards the rv (probably a hybrid or small travel trailer). Then we camped a few times with friends and realized that it really was not for us, for a couple of reasons. First, it really is expensive (for us) when you add in a tow vehicle, insurance and upkeep. Second, though we love Ft Wilderness and would have been very happy there, we didn't really love the other campgrounds we visited with friends. We thought the campsites were really close, right on top of your neighbor. We also have the option in the summer of a beach house that my inlaws have so we knew we wouldn't be needing an RV for every vacation.

Then about 2 years ago we started looking into DVC, mostly through the DVC board on this site. After much research we decided to buy a resale (much cheaper than buying from Disney), and we bought at the Wilderness Lodge, mostly so we could be near Ft Wilderness, and it has that same woodsy feel to it. We've been there twice now and have loved it, never regretted that decision. And it's nice to have the option of other Disney resorts and the other places around the country to visit (we'll probably take advantage of those places more when the kids are a little older). Our only regret is that we didn't buy DVC sooner.

So to sum it up, do your research. Try camping a few times before you take the plunge. I don't mean to knock camping, it just wasn't right for us. We have friends that LOVE it and I wished we had loved it so we could have camped together! (In fact, we still go to the rv show every year...it would be nice to have one for weekend trips, and we like to look, just not buy). Check out the DVC board and see what it's all about. If you're going to Disney soon, take the DVC tour, it is no pressure at all, not like other timeshares.

Good luck with your decision!!

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

DVC.......without a doubt.

 

[Jet88]

We have a 35 ft. TT and we love it. We keep it down the shore. We debated about the TT or DVC and decided the TT was what we would get more use out of. This is our first season and we have gone to Cape May for the past 3 weekends. Our DD's 13 and 4 love it. Our season is 5-1 to 10-31 and it's $3500.00. Good luck with which ever you choose.

 

[AZKathy]

We love our DVC, but we also live far away from WDW, so we could not drive there. You live close enough that you could get your RV and stay at Fort Wilderness in your RV for your WDW trips. I would not have any problems staying there at Fort Wilderness in an RV. We had an RV for many years and enjoyed vacationing in it. If we moved closer to WDW, I would think about selling our DVC and put the money into an RV and vacation to WDW that way. I don't think we will get to move closer, but I can dream about living closer!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[always quiet]

We have a camper and really love it. You called it a "hybrid"....we call it a HiLo! With the push of a button (literally! ), it raises to become a full size trailer! It sleeps 5, has a bathroom and shower, kitchen.....all the comforts of home!

What I would do is make a list of pros and cons of both the DVC and a camper. Things like up-keep on both (those 'maintenace fees' or whatever they charge you per point), how often you would use both, what they would charge you at WDW using both (how many points would you use compared to the cost of a campsite at FW).

Keep in mind, you can get a used RV for a fraction of the cost of a new one. We bought ours used and got a great deal! Yes, I would love to own a piece of Disney, but seeing my other 'real life' expenses (namely MY KIDS!) need to be my first priority, there really wasn't any real decision.

Check out both the camping board and DVC board here. Get all the opinions and advice that you can before making such a huge decision.

 

[Roemama1]

Well, we've got a 30 foot camper that we keep at a campsite about 1/2 hour from our house. We did go to Disney this Feb. and the girls had a great time. They loved it.

Though I have to say that while they will ALWAYS remember their trip to the Mouse and would LOVE to go back...they have a GREAT time at camp too and we get to go every weekend and have fun instead of just once a year....

I know, I'm no help..............

 

[KristiKelly]

Thanks for all of the advice. My dad just bought a new RV, I may borrow it & see how it goes. I really do think my kids would enjoy it. As far as space goes, we have a 2700 sq. ft. house & for some reason, we always end up in the same room, esp. Sunday mornings, we always end up (all 4 of us) in the bathroom , at least the bathrooms in RV are barely big enough for 1, so NO KIDS ALLOWED!!!

 

[Disney Doll]

I don't like camping, so I vote DVC.

 

[lsyorke]

DVC all the way!!! DH say my idea of roughing it "is a hotel with no room service!!"

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I have to say (since everyone seems to be saying go DVC because they hate camping) that I also am NOT one to get into camping of any sort... but it's not really camping if you have a TT you can live with. Meaning I don't know about the popups but you can get TT's to fit your needs where it doesn't feel like camping if you don't want it to be. Like ours is 27ft and has a kitchen, bunks for the kids, (table area and couch turn into 2 beds also), fridge, stove, micro, bathroom- you name it! So if the family wants to "rough it" they can camp out in tents--- but for the most part our "camping" with the TT is just like a little home on wheels.... like tiny hotel room w/kitchenette but no room service ofcourse. LOL