RV Camping - Family of 7

[jsanders82]

Trying to get feedback from anyone who has RV camped at Fort Wilderness. We are planning on going back in 2021 and want to stay onsite. The size of our group makes it hard to not spend a small fortunate on lodging.

I was thinking of renting a RV that sleeps 9 and staying at the campgrounds. My concern is that it will be too tight and with only 1 bathroom for all of us. Anyone have any experience staying in a RV? I want a kitchen so multiple hotel rooms is not an option. We want to have the Disney perks so that is why I would like to stay on site.

Any advice?

 

[Hopefully]

My advice is to ask on the Camping Forum where the experts reside.
https://www.disboards.com/forums/camping-at-disney-world.24/

 

[Schneewittchen37]

Fort Wilderness has "comfort stations". Big public bath rooms with toilets, sinks, showers and changing areas.

We have a 30' RV that sleeps 6 - 8 comfortably. When my family used to stay at the fort we'd use the facilities pretty frequently. One bathroom with 4 people isn't awesome getting ready in the morning.

Line the kids up and make them shower all at once, etc. DH would take DS to the men's and I would take DD to the ladies and we'd all get ready at the same time.

FYI, most RV don't really have "full" kitchens. The fridge will be about half the size of a normal one. For cooking, you might end up with a 3 burner stovetop and a microwave. Some have small ovens, some don't. You'll definitely save money on at least having breakfast at your campsite and maybe lunch. Don't expect much to do much more complicated than spaghetti in an RV unless you're grilling outside.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Have you ever stayed in a camper before? Because while they are awesome, they aren’t the condo on wheels people think they are.

How old are your kids? A camper that says it sleeps 7 technically has sleeping surfaces for that many, but most of them will be in one room and not true beds. 7 adults would not fit. At least one person is going to be in a bunk up in the air in most models.

The kitchen is tiny as another poster mentioned. Even with awesome stabilizers, the camper is going to bounce when someone gets up to use the bathroom at night. The walls are thin so there is minimal privacy. Even with a full hookup, you can’t take long leisurely showers because the water heater can’t handle it.

So there is more to consider than just the bathroom situation. You need to consider if people are light sleepers, get up multiple times at night, need at least a twin size sleeping surface, etc. everyone has to agree to be respectful or else you will be miserable.

 

[jsanders82]

We have camped in a RV - road trip down through Texas and once at our local lake. It was a smaller RV and the kids camped in a tent. That was only with 5. The kids are 12, 11, and 11. The other 2 are my 21 y/o daughter and possibly her boyfriend.

The kitchen is my request for easy breakfasts and lunches. We would prob grill out one night but usually eat dinner in the parks.

Any ideas on larger 2 or 3 bedrooms that have Disney perks? Disney DVC and their hotels are out of budget for that size.

 

[Stratman50th]

So, it really depends on the type of RV. I'm assuming you'd rent? Might check into renting two and requesting adjoining sites. Some RV's/5th wheels are pretty big and could probably handle the size of your party. They have two bathrooms and the kitchen/galley can be a lot like home. We have a residential refrigerator that's almost the size we have in the house. We have a three burner stove and a combo microwave/convection oven. I have a 10 gal electric water heater as well as an HydroHot on demand water heater that will heat the water as long as there's water at the campground, or diesel in the tank. So "camping" isn't just in a tent any longer.
All that being said, using the comfort stations is a good idea. They are very nice at Disney. Use the inside the camper bathrooms for nighttime pit stops and the rest at the comfort station. As far as food, there's lots of places to grocery shop just off property. Breakfast and lunches at the site are great. There's a lot more spreading out room at your campsite than in a hotel. Plus there's a lot to do at Ft. Wilderness without even leaving the campground. Seriously, you can get some great ideas on this board's camping site.
https://www.disboards.com/forums/camping-at-disney-world.24/Usually that's the only place I hang out at. I happened to see this because I got bored and I was surfing around.

 

[mrsap]

We have a 30’ Motorhome. We have traveled with my family of four (two adults, two kids), plus my parents for multiple racing events. Our MH is roomy and there’s plenty of space for everyone to sleep (says it sleeps 8), but in all honesty, I have no idea where you’d fit 7 people comfortably. You might need to rent two.

Just to note: Our motorhome that ‘sleeps 8’ has a queen bed in back room, the dinette turns into a bed and so does the couch. But both surfaces are not roomy enough for two on both (comfortably). The chairs also fully recline but I can’t imagine they’d be comfortable. Some have overhead bunks, so that might help, but I wouldn’t do 7 in one. Maybe a camper would be roomier? Definitely go see them in person first. You don’t want to be miserable on vacation. JMO.

 

[mrsap]

Have you ever stayed in a camper before? Because while they are awesome, they aren’t the condo on wheels people think they are.

How old are your kids? A camper that says it sleeps 7 technically has sleeping surfaces for that many, but most of them will be in one room and not true beds. 7 adults would not fit. At least one person is going to be in a bunk up in the air in most models.

The kitchen is tiny as another poster mentioned. Even with awesome stabilizers, the camper is going to bounce when someone gets up to use the bathroom at night. The walls are thin so there is minimal privacy. Even with a full hookup, you can’t take long leisurely showers because the water heater can’t handle it.

So there is more to consider than just the bathroom situation. You need to consider if people are light sleepers, get up multiple times at night, need at least a twin size sleeping surface, etc. everyone has to agree to be respectful or else you will be miserable.

Completely agree.

 

[jsanders82]

I have posted in the camping forum.

The RV’s I’ve looked at to rent are new and pretty large. Full bedroom, bunk room and then pull out couch and table. They are about $1800/week So renting two is not an option.

My thought was to put the girls in the bunk room and boys in the pull outs. Worried about actual space with luggage and not feeling super cramped.

We are a pretty outdoorsy family so the campgrounds appeal to us with all the activities. Just trying to make it work.

 

[mrsap]

I have posted in the camping forum.

The RV’s I’ve looked at to rent are new and pretty large. Full bedroom, bunk room and then pull out couch and table. They are about $1800/week So renting two is not an option.

My thought was to put the girls in the bunk room and boys in the pull outs. Worried about actual space with luggage and not feeling super cramped.

We are a pretty outdoorsy family so the campgrounds appeal to us with all the activities. Just trying to make it work.

I’d definitely go see it in person if you have the opportunity. It will be cramped with 7 people, plus luggage and everything else you’ll need to bring along. Speaking from experience.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

I hope the RV works out for your family. Fort Wilderness is awesome, and there are so many experienced people here to give you great advice.
I'm going to take a moment to offer a different idea: Your $1800/week is about $260 per day PLUS Disney's charge. (Or does that include whatever the Fort charges you to stay there?) At that price, depending on when you're going, your family could potentially get two rooms at an All Stars. At least one of them has all queen beds, and the All Stars' food places offer some of the best and fun, trendy cupcakes in all of WDW. For a bit more, you could stay in two rooms at Pop Century, which is on the Skyliner route. Just a thought for how a party of 7 can stay economically on site.
GL!

 

[Disney_Alli]

Have you looked into renting DVC points instead of paying cash for a DVC room through Disney? Might be another option.

 

[jsanders82]

I’ve looked at David’s and a 2 bedroom is more than I want to spend. I don’t see the value in it

 

[Stratman50th]

MODS: I've copied this to the thread in the Camping in Disney World section. Please delete this one if you like...

I don't know where you live but most places have RV shows starting in January. You could go to a couple shows and take a look at the campers, trailers, 5th wheels, etc. Aside from being fun you could go through the available units and see what they really look like inside and how it might work for you and your group. Go through the RV rental websites you might be using and pick a couple of units and try and find similar models at the show. It's always been easier for me if I can actually see in person. You never know, after all this is over you might even consider buying your own and making it a thing.......

 

[dlavender]

Honestly, if you are having to spend $1800 to rent the RV then another $200/night for the campsite....A much better option IMO is to rent a house offsite in one of the communities right outside of WDW...... You would save an amazing amount of money and could add a lot of WDW extra's with that savings that make losing the on site advantages seem small.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

I have posted in the camping forum.

The RV’s I’ve looked at to rent are new and pretty large. Full bedroom, bunk room and then pull out couch and table. They are about $1800/week So renting two is not an option.

My thought was to put the girls in the bunk room and boys in the pull outs. Worried about actual space with luggage and not feeling super cramped.

We are a pretty outdoorsy family so the campgrounds appeal to us with all the activities. Just trying to make it work.

are you going to have a car? if so put some of suitcases in car trunk. daughter did that when they had 6 in a rental TT

 

[Nancyg56]

Personally, I would rent two value rooms and be done with it. I think that unless your goal is to stay at the Fort the logistics of managing in an RV may be very frustrating, between the bathroom/shower situation and the size of the living space.

If you want to camp, renting an RV may be fun, but be sure you know what it entails.

 

[KayaWildfire]

I would do two value rooms too. If you're goal is breakfasts and lunches, that can easily be accomplished. All value rooms have fridges to keep anything cold for cereal and sandwich type things and the food courts have microwaves and toasters if you want something hot.

 

[mrsap]

And not to be repetitive, but hanging out with 7 people in a MH is one thing... but spending a week in one with that amount of people will not be fun. JMHO.

 

[jsanders82]

Thank you for your responses. My family has camped in a camper - smaller with a tent. I’ll be doing some more research.

Renting 2 value rooms is not an option for me. No desire to do that. If we don’t do the RV, then we will stay off site again.