Preferred vs Premium sites?

[mthds]

Looking at making plans for later in 2009.

What is the difference between the Preferrede and Premium sites. There is a big jump in price so was wondering if the Pemium site is worth it.

We will have 25 ft travel trailer. It is a family of four with two boys ages 9 and 5. Will the premium site make our stay better or just make it cost more?

Thanks for any info!

 

[auntie]

Preferred sites are the 100, 200, and 300 loops. With 300 being a pet loop as well. They are closer to the Settlement area. Where you will find the trading post, Pioneer Hall, and the Marina. They have been and remain Preferred loops.
Many of the previous preferred loops have been upgraded to premium. Both types of loops offer sewer, water, electric, and cable. The newly renovated premium loops have had their entries made larger..so as to accomodate larger rigs. The grills and picnic tables have been updated. Personally...from photos..as I've not seen the new premium loops in person as of yet, they don't appear to be that much different.
I would think a 25 foot tt would do just fine in a preferred loop. However, their availability is limited now that they have been cut back to just a few loops.

 

[BradyBz12]

You shouldn't have any trouble at all fitting a 25' TT into a preferred loop.

Premium have larger paved pads, and as a result, smaller coquina (sand) areas.

We have stayed in 300 several times and love it. We have 2 dogs and love being close to the dog walk and dog park.

No troubles at all getting into or fitting in the sites for our 21' hybrid (opens to about 30'), but we've seen some big rigs/MHs have a really tough time trying to navigate the tight turns and weird angles of some of the sites there. A few have given up - some real pros have been amazing to watch.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Aside from location, there are only three differences between a premium campsite and a preferred campsite.

1. The premium campsites have enlarged concrete pads. There is no sand area on the premium sites, they are all concrete. The preferred sites have a smaller concrete area, and then a sand area behind the concrete suitable for a tent or screen room.

2. The premium campsites have new, square, manufactured wood picnic tables. The preferred campsites have a old-fashioned rectangular picnic table with attached benches on each side.

3. The premium campsites have new grills. They are the same size as the old grills, but they have a lid, and a little shelf.

Here are photos of a premium site's picnic table and grill:

As best we can tell, loops 100-300 will be preferred sites, and loops 400-1400 will be premium. The 100-300 are called preferred because of their close location to the Settlement area. This is where the marina, Pioneer Hall, and Settlement Trading Post are located. Some folks prefer to be close to this area. But this area is not as close to the Meadow area, where the campfire, pool, and Meadow Trading Post are located. The premium sites are closer to this area, as are the full hook up sites in 1600-1900 and the partial hook up sites in 1500 and 2000.

So, is a premium site worth the extra money? This is only my opinion - If you have a big rig, yes. If not, then no. But, since there will be many, many more premium sites than preferred sites, you may not have a choice in the matter.

TCD

 

[2goofycampers]

If you want the most economical site there are still some full hook-ups also.

 

[mthds]

Thanks for all the info. Does not sound like too much difference between the various sites unless you have a really large RV.

 

[Brer Bear]

We are opting for a preferred spot in two weeks because some friends are coming with us and staying in a tent...No place for one on the Premium spots!

Our RV is 25' also.

 

[Kagoguen]

We're going to be there from 10/29-11/05 and the only choices I had was Partial or Premium, so I picked Premium. I would rather be in a Preferred site cause I really can't see payng the extra for a picnic table and a better charcoal grill, that I most likely will not use as my camper comes equiped with an outside propane grill that I will be using, don't like waiting for charcoal.

 

[mdoc]

For a 25 foot trailer, I wouldn't pay the rate for the premium site; the preferred site will be more than adequate. Best I can tell, having stayed in both preferred and premium, the differences are that the premium site has a full concrete pad (as opposed to concrete with a sand portion in the back), a wider apron, and a new grill and picnic table. We were able to get a 35' trailer into every preferred site we ever had. We now have a 45 foot motorhome, so we choose the premium site figuring that gives us the best shot at a site we can easily get into.