Not camping at Disney

[Gatordad]

Lori and Matt are correct. It's also more politically correct than saying "teats up".

I will have to try for the AAA discount. I guess I should join first. Do I then have to go thru them, or is there a code on the website?

 

[Rhonda]

Just wanted to jump here and say that DisneyCampers and I are letting this thread play itself out for now.

But, please don't let it get out of hand. Ftwildernessguy is the only one with a Get Out of Jail Free card!!

Thanks!

 

[Gatordad]

can he share it with us all?

 

[Rhonda]

can he share it with us all?

LOL! I think he had to earn it!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Yeah, and as opinionated as I am, there is no way I'm gonna lend it out.

 

[CottontailCurl]

I will have to try for the AAA discount. I guess I should join first. Do I then have to go thru them, or is there a code on the website?

You could go through them if you want vacation packages and stuff but just for room reservations I call WDW and ask for AAA rates. That gives you the cancel 5 days before you arrive option.

We used to get the minimum AAA that was $34 or so for the year just for Disney discounts but my husband kept having car trouble that happened just outside of the lower end coverage (10 miles I think). When we renewed we went for the upper end coverage so we'd get help at farther distances if we needed it, of course we haven't needed it since then. That extra $30 a year sure has paid off .

 

[Gatordad]

thanks for the 411......

as sarcastic as I am, I think i will need to earn 3 cards.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Yeah, and as opinionated as I am, there is no way I'm gonna lend it out.

Dont forget who was insturmental in getting it for you.

 

[lisa8200]

I can't truly comment without going off topic but, I'm with everyone else that says I guess you could but, it doesn't seem worth it if consider all the variables ( extra magic hours aren't 4 hours at the Magic Kingdom Mon-Sun ETC ).I wonder if a primative tent site would have less of an impact on people actually planning a camping trip.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Dont forget who was insturmental in getting it for you.

I never forget my friends.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I never forget my friends.

Hey, you never know when I might need to borrow it. Fortunes change quickly

 

[Escape Artist]

Has anyone ever heard of or actually reserved a campsite to get resort priveleges and then not stayed at the site...just used the priveleges...like the extra hours and free parking? Does that actually work?

Well, getting back to the OP, yes it would work, but I'm with Ft Wilderness guy that I think it's unethical. It annoys the **** out of me when I've had to work really hard to get a campsite somewhere special, and then you get there and a bunch of sites are empty because other people booked them but don't use them, so legitimate campers ended up staying home or camping somewhere lousy while great sites sat empty. Grrrrrrr....

OP, check out for yourself what others have to say about using Extra Magic Hours, like on the DIS and the Unofficial Guide. You'll probably decide it's not worth it anyway.

Sue in Texas
...you haven't lived until you've tried to book multiple contiguous campsites at Yosemite in June... Getting dining reservations at Cinderella Castle is easy compared to that!

 

[djblu883]

I'm with FWG and EA...I actually got mad when reading the original thread! I've had to change my arrival and departure days for my up coming vacation because I couldn't get the times I wanted ...booked way in advance. I know I could keep calling and MIGHT get my days exactly like I want but who has time? I was up at 3 AM to call at day 180 to get ADR's so I could get my princess (DGD)in to see Cinderella...and to think someone would just book so they can get EMH and free parking...grrrrrrr Whose vacation dreams might be ruined becasue of that one???...ok Done ranting but sheesh! ANd I don't usually get mad easy...lol

 

[Disney Campers]

 

[Gatordad]

Unethical is a strong word. It's a free market society, unfortunately, you have to take the good with the bad.

 

[John VN]

Has anyone ever heard of or actually reserved a campsite to get resort priveleges and then not stayed at the site...just used the priveleges...like the extra hours and free parking? Does that actually work?

Have been reading all the posts and as just mentioned, "...free market society...", but I got to thinking. Could be dangerous.

What would people think and say if there was a group of 12 individuals who were staying offsite but 8 of them really, really wanted to take advantage of EMH and perks.

Just suppose these people are fortunate enough to be members of "cost is no object" club. They check and everything at WDW is booked because it is Christmas except for the Pres. Suite at GF at $2735/night. They book it and get their cards and enjoy everything they can.

Would comments then range from dumb to wow, wish I could afford that, man are they lucky, must be nice. Probably no talk about unethical in this case.

Could it be that since FW is such a great deal, many feel that their access is being denied by a bad person?

As mentioned, thinking on my part could be dangerous or dumb.

 

[Rhonda]

What would people think and say if there was a group of 12 individuals who were staying offsite but 8 of them really, really wanted to take advantage of EMH and perks.

Just suppose these people are fortunate enough to be members of "cost is no object" club. They check and everything at WDW is booked because it is Christmas except for the Pres. Suite at GF at $2735/night. They book it and get their cards and enjoy everything they can.

Would comments then range from dumb to wow, wish I could afford that, man are they lucky, must be nice. Probably no talk about unethical in this case.

Could it be that since FW is such a great deal, many feel that their access is being denied by a bad person?

I think it's different with FW, because those who stay here: 1) Enjoy camping and and the campground and that's how they choose to spend their vacations, or 2) pick the campground because it's the only way they can afford to bring their family to WDW

If somebody spent $2700/night to use a suite at the GF, they would not be depriving somebody else of a vacation. If they spend $55/night to use a campsite at FW, they could, potentially, be keeping another family from being able to visit WDW and/or enjoy the campground.

I agree that if the OP has enough money to afford to stay offsite and book a campsite on the side, then they can afford to just stay onsite in a Value or Mod. The price would end up being the same.

 

[Gatordad]

Then you also need to criticize the guy with all those hokey decorations that stays months at a time. He's just as bad as the guy not using it.

 

[Rhonda]

Then you also need to criticize the guy with all those hokey decorations that stays months at a time. He's just as bad as the guy not using it.

But, at least that guy is legitimate, and is enjoying the campground and using what he paid for. (Hokey decorations and all!)

 

[lisa8200]

Thanks for all of your replies...what you all have said makes total sense...except we won a free week at an offisite resort...nothing else...just the room for a week and are going to Disney 3-4 days on our own...would rather stay on site, but didn't work out that way this trip...like I said...just read this somewhere and thought it fit the bill for this trip...oh by the way I just called reservations and campsites don't seem to be hard to get...I could even book one during Memorial Day weekend????? For a site with just water and electric it was $55...to me still worth it to spen an extra 4 hours at the parks and w/ $10 parking knocked off...$45/day or for us $11.25/person it is worth it...and we can still enjoy the campground facilities throughout the day and evening.

Keep in mind that the hours change but, on the information guide I have from our last trip ( just a coupleof weeks ago ) morning Extra magic is one hour.
Thurs. MK,,,Tues. EPCOT,,,Mon. Animal Kingdom,,,Sat. MGM
Night time was three hours
Sun. MK,,,,,Fri. EPCO,,,,,Mon. MGM,,,,,,Wed. Animal Kingdom

Depending on when you stay your " Extra Magic " gets less and less. You have to leave your offsite room pretty early to get therre by 8:00 am. You may only have a 15-20 min drive to Disney Property but, you still have to get parked and get in the park and you never know what traffic outside or the timing on disney transportation will be.Plus staying 3-4 days you may not have the magic hours on the days you are there for where you want to go.
Don't get me wrong, if your not going to stay on site I agree with the other posters and would laugh for days if you spent the extra money and it didn't pay off but ,you should at least be aware of the things that could go different from your plan.There is no rule that says you have to consider how your actions will affect others and we have all dealt with this in different situations.