lack of discussion on fuel $$

[auntie]

We have seen an increase in both the seasonal sites, and an increase in the storage area of the RV resort we are seasonal in. Those that aren't seasonal, but plan more than one visit have been leaving their campers in the storage facility and paying the couple of dollars a day storage rather than bringing the trailers/5th wheels home only to come back a month later. It's cheaper than the gas for the trip home only to return for another trip they may have later that month or the next. I know we started out that way,and along the way took a seasonal site. Gas being only one of the reasons(that's a whole other post!). We started to see an increase last year..and this year the waiting list for a seasonal site is quite extensive. We have been meeting more and more folks that are taking another look at both seasonal or fall or spring seasonal sites because of the gas situation.
My thinking is with a trip to FW...the gas is part of the equation, meaning unless you live in Florida it's part of the vacation expense. Camping is more a lifestyle choice. I don't think most of us do it to save money...between the expense of our RV's and the tow vehicles, gas, and the site fee it's not a money saving proposition anyway you look at it. I would think those inclined to drive long distances to the fort might plan their trips to be less frequently than they might have previously..but would probably still go.

 

[ram101]

Would I have liked to see cheaper gas?? Boy I guess!! But, When I put together all the expenses of our recent trip in September: we spent about $3600 total for a trip with 5 kids and 2 adults from Sept 14-22nd. This included all the food, gas, tickets and FW fees, A dinner for 7 at Cinderella's Table with a 8" inch decorated cake, kennel usage, 2 new tires and one roadside service!
We ended up spending $744 for gas in a 31' class C. I think it we ended up averaging 8-8.5 mpg.
While driving I tried to look for the cheapest gas prices on the signs and tried to remember where they were for the ride home. I think the cheapest we paid was $2.53gal..Only problem was I still had 1/2 tank...it was the cheapest I saw the entire time and had to stop for that!

And we all stayed in our own beds showered in our own bathroom and I felt more then comfortable reading the paper (or what ever was available) in my office!

I don't even want to think what the costs could have been to fly everyone down (if I could get the DW on a plane) and stay in a hotel (need 2 rooms) or a suite/cabin ($$). Even with the free dining thing it would have prevented us from going! On top of that kennels around here would have emptied the wallet.
One of the guys I work with went to WDW 2 weeks after I did, he flew with his family of 5 and spent at least $1k more then I did in 5 days.

We plan on taking trips closer to home over the next year or so and go to Disney again in 2009. By then we hope to be taking a toad with us!

All in all the cost of gas was just a part of the overall experience and we will do it all over again (maybe the DW will take a turn driving next time ) !!

 

[John VN]

In calculating the price of a vacation at FW, does anyone also consider the COST of their home away from home in the total price of a vacation?

I know that our FW vacations had the expense of an initial purchase to allow us the opportunity to use our own bed and kitchen and bathroom and.....

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I had a conversation with my brother the other day about the cost of RVing. He loves the Wilderness lodge (so do I) I told him that the trip wasnt any cheaper with an RV, I get to sleep in my own bed, eat my food when I want to, drink my own beverages, use my own shower etc etc etc. We are most comfortable in our own stuff. I never felt quite at ease in a hotel room, I'm not a germaphobe by any means but the thought of what happens in the rooms creeps me out.
Like so many others we just stretch our budget and wait for the next trip to Fort Wilderness.

Scott

 

[Donna]

In calculating the price of a vacation at FW, does anyone also consider the COST of their home away from home in the total price of a vacation?

I know that our FW vacations had the expense of an initial purchase to allow us the opportunity to use our own bed and kitchen and bathroom and.....

Well, in my case, i sold off 3/4 of my DVC in order to purchase the motorhome and my dues were alot more than i pay for gas to get to FL and back. My motorhome allows me to stay twice as long at Disney than i could with DVC, not to mention being able to go other places. Now if i can just get over them charging me $95 for each non-dvc stay, i'd come out even FURTHER ahead!

 

[lisa8200]

I have a Honda scooter that I use to go to work most everyday and that really helps save. I am lucky to live close to work and the speed limit is low so I don't have to worry about going to slow for other traffic. It will go around 100 miles on a gallon of gas give or take a few miles. Not bad. I just love my little scooter!


Will they let you have then at FW? I thought I ready somewhere that I couldn't take it.

I hate to relate this to other things but, the rules say no GAS scooters ( electric I guess are fine ). this may not be vebatim but the intent is the the same. .
Now, back on topic. If you notice, most of the time they, for example, raise fuelfrom $2.30 to $3.00 and then go back down $2.80. you are more likely to appreciate $2.80 if it's a drop from $3.00 than if its an increase from $2.30. If you look back, the cycle normally runs like this.Luckily we live close and can almost make it there and back on one tank so it shouldn't affect us but, I can't say that it wouldn't cause a problem if we lived farther away ( and if they keep raising the site cost). we might have to stop booking sites with cable that we never watch..

 

[GreatLakes5]

Ironically with Michigan having its very own recession (we're so proud of this ) the one thing it hasn't affected is our RV-ing. For the first time in a bit diesel dipped lower than unleaded in our area so my husband is now (finally) getting his opportunity to gloat over the wise decision to buy the diesel.

Statistics say air travel is safer, but the control freak in me prefers someone I know behind the wheel with tires firmly planted on the ground. We'll stick with driving - it will just become a matter of whether pulling the trailer vs. using a hotel room is more cost effective - that said, we'd need a pretty good savings to really sway us. So much about camping is far beyond the supposed savings of camping, isn't it?

 

[loveDmouse]

I hate to relate this to other things but, the rules say no GAS scooters ( electric I guess are fine ). this may not be vebatim but the intent is the the same. .

I thought that was the case. Thanks for confirming. No problem cause I had no intentions on bringing my scooter. We have a golf cart that we are bringing with us. (electric)

 

[ntsammy5]

I think that people who are committed to a life style will be the last to let prices, be they fuel, insurance, camping fees, etc force them to change their habits. They are more likely to change their daily habits than they are to change their (in this case) RVing habits. That being said, the one thing that could affect every one's life style would be a deep recession. That would affect income levels and disposable income. Unfortunately even the experts are leaning in that direction now. Fuel costs being just one of the root causes of the recession. We are probably in one right now. Of course it's a recession when you lose your job it's a depression when I lose mine.

 

[lisa8200]

I thought that was the case. Thanks for confirming. No problem cause I had no intentions on bringing my scooter. We have a golf cart that we are bringing with us. (electric)

Kinda odd that although they dicourage a gas cart they are allowed, but a gas scooter is not
I don't knoe that gas ( or diesal in my case ) prices will have a dramatic effect on our camping but then again we are somewhat close to the fort and don't camp anywhere else...

 

[bxtx]

Well we're from the UK originally where gas is currently 102p/liter which equals 3.87 GB pounds or $7.93 for a US gallon. I'm paying $2.62 a gallon here in Texas so that makes RVing quite a bargain from where I'm standing! I guess its all relative!

BX