Pop up??

[Srackangast]

We are looking at purchasing a 2000 Rockwood Freedom Pop Up. Anyone have one of these? I would just like to hear how others like them. Also, what are the largest RVs that can camp at Fort Wilderness? Diesel tour busses? Sorry lots of questions squeezed into this.

 

[becky1960]

You will see lots of buses, theres plenty of room for those.

 

[clkelley]

Pretty much everything is welcomed at the Fort, from the smallest 1-man tent, to the largest MH you can find.

 

[Srackangast]

Thanks we have the availability of the tour bus..but getting the pop up and taking it instead of the tent would be great. By great I mean cheaper

 

[TBOLDEN]

We have a 2007 Rockwood Freedom 2280 Popup purchased in '08. We have spent two weeks for the past 2 years at the Fort in it as well as many other camping trips and have been thoroughly pleased with it. Our's has the shower/toliet in it so that helps with the night time potty needs. We are a family of 4 with DH, DD & DS whom live to come to the Fort every year. Hope this helps with your decision on the popup.

 

[Srackangast]

Thank you for your post. I am a little worried about space with my family of 6. I know we wont spend much time inside, and eventually we will upgrade. I think we will just keep a tent along as well. It has to be easier than packing up all the tent gear.

 

[clkelley]

There are many folks that set up a tent in behind their camper for various reasons. A changing tent, storage place is a good idea for a large family and small camper.

 

[retired and happy]

By "tour bus" do you mean a real tour bus outfitted with seats? I'm having trouble picturing camping in one. Cooking on the grill outside, sleeping in the seats? None of my buisness, but do I have a wrong image?

 

[des1954]

If you're referring to a bus-style, diesel MH with a tag axle (41'-45'), yes - they're okay. FtW has no length restrictions like State or Nat'l parks.

Now, that being said, not all sites at FtW are "big bus" friendly, and some are next to impossible to get in to - and I don't care how "expert" you are at backing a MH. If there is a possibility you may come in a large MH, then that's how you need to reserve your site. If you bring the pop-up instead, you'll just have some extra room for a tent and screen room. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Srackangast]

By tour bus, I mean the kind that is outfitted for music groups to travel and sleep. My husband sings with a gospel quartet. They singers often use the bus for family trips. We have never done this as he is new to the group. I really think I prefer the popup and if we dont get to purchase it I will be good with the tents. I just love the FT.

 

[retired and happy]

Interesting. Bring the bus and you'll get lots of chances to show it off to green eared visitors. I vote for the Christmas season.

 

[Srackangast]

I would love to meet other green ears. The bus is not real fancy. It does have nine bunks but a very small kitchen and no shower. Lots of room to hang out and sing I guess. Lots of room underneath and I think its 40ft maybe more long. Hard to believe that would fit on the loops at FW. We are suprising our kid with this trip(Nov.17-24th), the bus would be icing on the cake This will be our 3rd trip to the Fort.

 

[Disney Bunny]

By tour bus, I mean the kind that is outfitted for music groups to travel and sleep. My husband sings with a gospel quartet. They singers often use the bus for family trips. We have never done this as he is new to the group. I really think I prefer the popup and if we dont get to purchase it I will be good with the tents. I just love the FT.

Hey that's cool. Care to share which quartet? We get around to a lot of the gospel shows. My DH's folks live just outside Raleigh and we've been to Ivan Parker's Homecoming in Sanford several times.

 

[tim5055]

Bring on the bus. I've seen folks at the fort camping in boats on trailers and in horse trailers, so the bus would be fine

 

[retired and happy]

Some loops are smaller and tighter than others. The premium loops offer the largest concrete pads and the widest entry points at the sites. You shouldn't have much trouble maneuvering around any loop. Getting into a site might be another thing, especially a non-premium. And premium sites do not have the sand pads where people typically set up tents. They do, however, have wider concrete which makes for a nice patio beside the rig.

 

[DaveInTN]

My vote would be to bring it all...popup, bus AND quartet. Disney will, during the holidays, arrange entertainment outdoors at Pioneer Hall (at least they did last year when we were there). Get the quartet booked to perform and see if they'll throw in free campsites!

 

[TOGA]

We have a 2001 Coleman Bayside Elite pop-up with 2 king sized beds, dinette slideout {which can convert to another bed}, stove, kitchen sink, furnace, dorm fridge, 6 gallon hot water heater, 20 gallon fresh water tank and outside shower. DW and I consider this one of the best things we ever bought as it has made some wonderful vacations very affordable and more frequent. The kids and dog love it and should last even as the kids get older.

Good luck on your purchase, I'm sure you'll get as much enjoyment out of your pop-up as my family has.

 

[TBOLDEN]

Our Rockwood has one king, one queen, a gaucho that sleeps 2 and the dinnette makes a bed and can easily sleep 8 adults. We use the CS at Fort Wilderness mostly but do have the toilet/shower for night time needs. Have a fridge, microwave, toaster oven, stove top and BBQ grill for cooking and space for a television for the kids to watch Disney. We always seem to manage with the 4 of us ok. Any souvineers or what not's are kept in the TV. Like TOGA said, this has been one of the best purchases we have made for our family and the kids love it too. Our only regret is that we waited so long to purchase one.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Regarding tour buses, I have seen tour buses many times at the Fort.

Here are a couple of old photos (circa 2007):

These were taken in the 1800 and 1900 loops, respectively.

This was in the days before there were premium loops.

It would be even easier to get a tour bus into a premium site.

If you're interested, the first bus belonged to the contemporary Christian group Big Daddy Weave. But, just their driver was with the bus, and he only stayed one night.

As for pop-ups, we bought ours new in November, 1999. We have used it extensively over the past ten years, and hope to have many more years of use from it. I agree with those who say a camper is one of the best investments they ever made.

Happy camping!

TCD

 

[Srackangast]

Just back from NC mts. TCD you amaze me, you have pictures of everything and know where to find them. My DH would be beside himself if he could sing at FW. We havent bought the pop up. I hope to meet with the owner this week. That is what the bus looks like. It looks about the same year too.