Newbie at camping...

[princessophiali]

We are a family of three and love Disney to infinity and beyond. We've stayed at every resort from value to deluxe and have stayed at the FW Cabins once. Well, now I have got camping fever and am doing lots of research trying to figure out what best suits us. We are currently looking at hybrid travel trailers. Funny thing is though...I have never camped out. But just by talking to friends and my love for nature I believe it is something we would all love. So, My hubby had a great idea...rent a camper before we buy. So then I had a great idea...rent a camper at FW. I've seen and read about Greenberg but was wondering if there were any more options. Plus any advice/info would be appreciated. I have loved looking over posts and pictures and the sense of community I get. Just one more reason I think we'd love camping.

 

[themojosupreme]

Enthusiasm is a key ingredient when camping. We all just keep going even when things don't go as planned. We also have experienced the good Samaritan help from other campers. And, after a few campouts, we learn enough to pass it on to a newbie. It's obvious that you have the enthusiasm and your decision to try before you buy is a great idea. Many of the trailer companies have changed hands over the years but they have always been the best resources to know what you will need to bring to make the experience the best it can be. I would recommend that you call/text the companies that can be obtained from a google search or that others have recommended here. After many years of tent camping, we rented a pop-up and found that we really wanted/needed more. We bought a 32 ft double slide bunkhouse travel trailer which has served us well. Just keep in mind the weather where you will be primarily camping so that you stay warm or stay cool!

 

[Lynn-e-pooh]

My family are experiencing the same thing right now. We have been to so many of the resorts in the past. We decided we wanted to get an RV. We jumped into it and bought a travel trailer. We talked about renting, but ended up just buying. We want to upgrade to a Class A next year. We are at the Fort right now and we love it. We have been bit by the RV bug. Our first trip has been a great success. Good luck!

 

[princessophiali]

I just have this feeling deep in my gut that I am going to love it We are planning to go to one of the companies soon so we can just get a feel for what we would need. I could look at pictures all day long, but there is nothing like standing in one and seeing first hand. Lynn-e-pooh...I got chills just knowing you are there right now enjoying what we hope to be doing soon. Hope the rest of your trip is even more magical!
mojosupreme...thanks for the advice too...lots of good info. Google has been my friend as of late. Can't pry myself away from the camping websites...and this forum lol.

 

[iheartpeterpan]

Just keep in mind that regular camping and camping at Fort Wilderness are two very different things... FW is the king of campgrounds. I love both, but you might want to rent/borrow a camper to also go camping somewhere nearby, especially a state or national park campground without all the FW amenities before you drop bucks on a rig. We spent all last week in the Smokies in severe weather with no power or water hookups, and we loved it - but if we didn't also love that camping then the RV purchase wouldn't be a good investment.

 

[princessophiali]

Very good point. thank you!

 

[themojosupreme]

Another thought for you: head out to the RV shows and you can go into the rvs and pop ups from different manufacturers and compare on-site. If you are ready to buy, they offer incredible deals at these shows. Plus, you can collect the brochures for the models and see the various modifications available. When we lived up north, we would see these shows come up in the heart of winter. If you go with your family, you will see what each of you find important in the set up. When we did our research, I found it an exciting time as we narrowed down to what we wanted and what we could afford. Good luck!

 

[PaHunter]

There is a huge RV show in Hershey, PA around mid Sept. It is a great place to look at all that is new.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Enthusiasm is a key ingredient when camping.

1) Interesting.
2) I always thought nearby restrooms were the key. *

* Obviously, with an elderly prostate, this comes to mind easily.

 

[peg110]

There is a huge RV show in Hershey, PA around mid Sept. It is a great place to look at all that is new.

DW and I are hoping to go to that this year. We were going to go last year, but the weather and our schedules just didn't mesh well.

 

[North of Mouse]

1) Interesting.
2) I always thought nearby restrooms were the key. *

* Obviously, with an elderly prostate, this comes to mind easily.

Funny, Rusty, you should feel restrooms 'close by' would be the key!

Having our own restroom (and bed) are our priorities!! In the span of 43 years camping at FW we've only used the restroom facilities there a handful of times. Being clean is not the issue (know that FW ones are some of the best). It's just we prefer our own when possible.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

In the span of 43 years camping at FW we've only used the restroom facilities there a handful of times.

1) Pretty much the same, here.
2) We ARE NOT campers, we are cabin people.
. . . my idea of "roughing it", is having the TV-Remote batteries die
3) Thus, we already have a convenient, and mandatory, restroom for the middle of the night.
4) We have used the facilities at The Fort on several occasion when caught in the rain and gotten muddy . . . very muddy.
5) It sure saved tramping all the mud and dirt into the cabin.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Just a thought and I haven't read all the replies.

Why not borrow a friends TT for a couple nights or stay with them and utilize their TT as much as possible close to home or even rent a TT closer to home.

If you rent a TT while down at FW you might find yourself heading back home and buying a TT right away and then dreaming of staying back at FW in your own TT. Thus causing two back to back trips to FW Disney....this may or may not be a problem and maybe a problem one might want to have

Keep us posted!