Need help

[rt2dz]

Need some help. I'm seriously considering renting an RV and booking a campsite to stay at Fort Wilderness. Been to Disney regularly, have stayed in the cabins once, but camping is a whole different ball game (I think). Specifically:

I'm wanting to rent an RV that would be delivered to Fort Wilderness, any suggestions on who to use? Warnings, hints, tips are all welcomed.

What do I need to look for in an RV. There are 6 of us--two adults, 4 kids. What would we need to bring with us (we drive).

How do you pick which campsite type?

Also, would you prefer to go Thanksgiving 2014 or the beginning of March 2015 (spring break)? I'm planning ahead. DH and I may go down for an adult only trip in October, so that may come into play, but it my not.

Just tell me all I need to know. We camp, but tent camp fairly locally.

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[tinksgilrs251520]

We are going to the Fort for the first time I usually stay at the values with free dinning but we are kinda do a big family vaca so we looked into doing the fort. So I have rented a RV for two weeks from Andrew Meachum in FL here the website

http://www.traveltrailerrent.com

 

[2goofycampers]

Do you know what kind of camper you want to rent? Pop up, travel trailer, (with or without a bathroom)?
This will also decide which type of site is suitable.

I'd definitely do Thanksgiving, the decorations are wonderful.

Here is a packing list to look at. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1115732

 

[rt2dz]

Do you know what kind of camper you want to rent? Pop up, travel trailer, (with or without a bathroom)?
This will also decide which type of site is suitable.

I'd definitely do Thanksgiving, the decorations are wonderful.

Here is a packing list to look at. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1115732

Since there are 6 of us, I'm thinking not a pop up. A bathroom is probably a must. Beyond that, I'm not sure. That's part of the help/advice I'm looking for. I'm really clueless here. All my camping experience is tent. I'm not sure what I should be looking for/at when it comes to an RV.

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[2goofycampers]

Ok I'd say a travel trailer would be best. Since I don't know personally anyone who has rented, I'll let others help you with that.
Full hook up, preferred and premium are all good for this RV.

If you want close to the marina preferred is the closest 100 200 300. 200 is my choice of the 3.

Full is closer to the middle near the pool and trading post 1600 1700 1800 1900. 1600 and 1800 are my favs.

Premium is 400 thru 1400. I like 1100 in this category.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

What kind of a vehicle do you have? Are you used to towing something or parking a trailer? These are key questions before we can recommend what to rent.

 

[rt2dz]

What kind of a vehicle do you have? Are you used to towing something or parking a trailer? These are key questions before we can recommend what to rent.

As I stated, I'm not wanting to drive anything or ow anything. I'm looking or for one that has a set-up/delivery service, someone who will come pick it up when we leave. I know I've read about Ito. Here before, but I can't seem to find the thread.

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[bigblock396]

I don't get the renting an RV and then having to pay for the site also. If I were in that position, I think I would just rent a cabin. There are usually discounts on the cabins (AAA, AP, general, etc) especially when none are available for the campsites. I think you would be able to rent a cabin for a cheaper cost (or close to it) than the campsite + RV. You would have much large living accommodations. And you get mousekeeping with a cabin. Plus you would not have to worry about any issues that might arise with renting from a small-time company vs renting from Disney.

There have been some great reviews of rental companies but I won't recommend any because I have never used one.

 

[rt2dz]

I don't get the renting an RV and then having to pay for the site also. If I were in that position, I think I would just rent a cabin. There are usually discounts on the cabins (AAA, AP, general, etc) especially when none are available for the campsites. I think you would be able to rent a cabin for a cheaper cost (or close to it) than the campsite + RV. You would have much large living accommodations. And you get mousekeeping with a cabin. Plus you would not have to worry about any issues that might arise with renting from a small-time company vs renting from Disney.

There have been some great reviews of rental companies but I won't recommend any because I have never used one.

I see where you are coming from, and I've considered all the options. I've also come to the options I have for a reason.

Well, from what little I've looked at with RVs, total cost with the campsite would be ~$1400. Of course, I'm not sure if I'm looking at the right things with an RV, so that could go up or down. A cabin, otoh, is going to run me $3500, around $2K more. What we would normally do is rent DVC points, which would be $4200. So for that extra $700 over the cabin, I'd get multiple bedrooms (2 or 3, depending if we took a treehouse or a typical 2 bedroom villa) and 3 bathrooms, living room, and still have the full kitchen. For $700, that piece of mind is worth it. for close to $3000, I'm willing to have closer quarters. Its why I'm looking at it and seeking advice.

discounts are never available Thanksgiving week and are slim pickings spring break. Not a AAA member. Why pay for a service I receive for free with my car insurance? I can usually find better travel discounts than what AAA offers for most our needs. Even if there is a discount, cabins are moderate resorts and at best I'd save 30%, bringing a cabin down to only $1000 more than the double rental.

I'm not one of those people who need housekeeping. As a matter of fact, I actually don't like it. It takes 1 minute to make a bed, if it needs to be made. I'm OK if beds go unmade on vacation. Not a big deal. When we stayed at BWI years ago, mousekeeping kept playing with my kids toys--arranging them in cute little scenes. Cute, huh? NO! My DS had respiratory issues and I had to sterilize them each time since I didn't know who was touching them or what. I specifically asked it to stop, and it didn't. I put them all in a drawer, in a box, and yet, they still made their way out. Really? They were going through my drawers, putting my toddlers life at risk (literally)? Yeah, housekeeping isn't my favorite thing. We aren't that messy.

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[Teamubr]

Sounds like you have done the math on your needs. I do the same.

There are several reliable RV rentals in the area. If you search on here (or wait for more people to chime in) you can find the good ones. Accommodating 6 comfortably may be a little bit of a challenge, but is still very do'able. You will probably be looking for a double bunk travel trailer or a bunk house 5th wheel. I have seen many posts on here with people with your same need.

You can't really "choose" a site. You can make a "request" for a specific loop or site. I have usually been successful getting the loop I wanted, but I have never tried a specific site. I think that would be harder, especially at peak times.

I, personally, would go over Thanksgiving. I've been down twice over spring break, including this year. It was a zoo. Thanksgiving will also be busy, but the decorations will be great.

If you tent camp, you know the deal. Renting a delivered and setup RV is the best of both worlds. Drive in with all your personal belongings and "camp" in nice accommodations without all the fuss. Most of the rentals I have seen include the same basics you would expect in a condo rental. You bring your own food and personal effects. All the normal household items are already there.

j

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Make sure that you see the floor plans for anything you rent. That said, a fifth wheel may not be the best option for you unless you get one with a bunkhouse. The most common fifth wheel layout has the master bedroom and bathroom "upstairs" the toilet is in a room by itself, and the tub and sink are in the master bedroom area separated by only a fabric divider. Not good for parents in the middle of the night when the kids have to use the bathroom.

A travel trailer with 2 bedrooms will probably be a good fit for your family. Double check that FT. wilderness doesn't have length restrictions (I can't remember if they did but a lot of campgrounds do, and a travel trailer with 2 bedrooms often exceeds the limit).

One final thing - remember that a camper is not a hotel room or a house. Fixtures are plastic and break easily when an overzealous adult pulls too hard or a rambunctious child plays with them. So check your contract for what damages you will be responsible for, and check for any existing damage before you accept the camper. Even the most careful RV owners will find things that have broken with use over time, and that damage increases 10-fold in a rental where people just don't care. You don't want to get a bill for something you didn't break.

 

[rt2dz]

Thank you! That is VERY helpful. Anyone else? Reliable rental companies would be great!

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[amcc]

We rent an RV and drive it ourselves but we specifically drove around the fort looking for rental companies for next time. Yes, we left the fort this morning and have already looked up several for our next trip.

Greenbergrvflorida.com
Floridacamperrental.com
Myrvhotel.com

This last one had a huge one (the ones that go hitched over the bed of a pickup) that was very new and a very nice campsite layout. Florida camper had a nice popup set up next to us. We are a family of six and a quick look at the websites shows lots of options.

I was surprised at how many people tent camp in Florida in July.

 

[bama_ed]

This topic comes up periodically about renting trailers. I think it's a great way for non-campers or tent-only campers to experience the Fort.

I used the "Search This Forum/Advance Search" function with key words "renting trailer" and found these recent threads:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3132269&highlight=renting+trailer

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3114503&highlight=renting+trailer

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3112004&highlight=renting+trailer

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3071135&highlight=renting+trailer

Bama Ed

 

[OnlyDisney]

I'm using Fort Camper Rental this Jan, but they only have popup campers. Greenbergrvflorida is one I'm thinking about for any future trips if we wanted a camper that was larger. And the bathroom isn't in the master bedroom. Even with renting the larger trailer you'd pay WAY less than a cabin.

 

[thegoofyfamily]

In between motorhomes in 2011, we stayed in the cabins all year. It was nice and got us to the Fort, but it wasn't the same. At all. In fact, Halloween 2011, I vowed we would NEVER stay in the cabins again. We are RVers at heart and we wanted to be in the campsite loops. The cabins felt too isolated for me. Unless you're getting a very cheap cabin rental, you can get a site and camper rental for @ $200 per night.

We stay in the premium loops and we like them all for various reasons. Don't get too hung up on staying in the perfect loops. Pick the type of site you want and enjoy!

 

[rt2dz]

Well, I did go through the threads and checked into all the recommendations. Most ave smaller campers or pop-ups. That wouldn't work for us. RV Hotel had larger RVs, but they didn't seem as nice as Greenburg and were more money by around $600. I should clarify that because they were nice, and one pretty roomy, but sleeping for the kids would be cramped. I requested a quote on Greenberg, but they are already sold out (and so far in advance!) for our options. I'm guessing this is something I will need to look at trying for a different trip, unless there are any other companies out there someone could point me to. I'm thinking that all my possibilities have been exhausted.

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[Sur]

Child with respiratory problems.... look for highly recommended for CLEANLINESS rentals! Imagine if you rent one with couch cushions that are even mildly molded, dirty carpets, etc!

 

[thegoofyfamily]

Well, I did go through the threads and checked into all the recommendations. Most ave smaller campers or pop-ups. That wouldn't work for us. RV Hotel had larger RVs, but they didn't seem as nice as Greenburg and were more money by around $600. I should clarify that because they were nice, and one pretty roomy, but sleeping for the kids would be cramped. I requested a quote on Greenberg, but they are already sold out (and so far in advance!) for our options. I'm guessing this is something I will need to look at trying for a different trip, unless there are any other companies out there someone could point me to. I'm thinking that all my possibilities have been exhausted.

We put 2 adults and 5 kids in our 31 ft Class C and camped for a week at the Fort. I wouldn't recommend being a first time "camper" at the Fort. You need to take your family camping and rent one locally before you do this. Camping at the Fort is great, but again, you're camping. You're not in a hotel room. You're at an outdoor resort. It's still camping. LOL I've seen so many people come to the camping board and say that they're going to camp with their family at the Fort, but they've never been camping before.

Once you're a committed camper, then dive into a Fort rental. We would never experience Disney any other way.

 

[Nature Mom]

We put 2 adults and 5 kids in our 31 ft Class C and camped for a week at the Fort. I wouldn't recommend being a first time "camper" at the Fort. You need to take your family camping and rent one locally before you do this. Camping at the Fort is great, but again, you're camping. You're not in a hotel room. You're at an outdoor resort. It's still camping. LOL I've seen so many people come to the camping board and say that they're going to camp with their family at the Fort, but they've never been camping before.

Once you're a committed camper, then dive into a Fort rental. We would never experience Disney any other way.

I agree. I would not do my very first camping trip at the Fort. If it doesn't go right, you could harbor ill feelings toward it later on and never want to try again. I am an experienced camper. Tent and trailer. I know what each of my family needs in order for a camping experience to be enjoyable. One kid is content to sleep on a tent floor in a sleeping bag, one will tent camp if we 'glamp' and one kid is only going if there are hard sides, a roof and a/c involved. And my DH's idea about camping? Motel 6. lol

Go somewhere near your home first. See what your family members like. Some kids HATE being dirty, some kids could care less if they look like they bathed in the mud. Bugs, wildlife. For some that can freak them out. Camping is great, and especially at the Fort, if everyone is on board with it and wants every part of it and aren't the Camplainers (they complain about everything at camp, lol). Make sure you don't have those before you spend a lot of time and money into it. Camping really is a lifestyle. Try it out, see if it fits, then go for it at the Fort.