RV rental cruiseamerica.

[JimPGH]

Any experience with this company, or any other, especially near Pittsburgh PA?

 

[amcc]

I have no experience near Pittsburgh, but I've rented twice from Cruise America. The rentals were from authorized independent rental places and the units reflected that - in other words, there didn't seem to be corporate standards in place like there are for the major car rental places. They were more or less clean, one of them had a roach problem. The AC worked fine on both and mechanically we had no problems. Regardless - we fell in love with the whole thing

 

[JimPGH]

Thanks, did you stay at Fort Wilderness Campground? I'm trying to convince the Mrs that it could be fun, but we really don't camp.

 

[jag90]

Jim, Until last weekend we had never 'camped' at all much less FW. We borrowed BIL's 27' travel trailer and had an ABSOLUTE BLAST!! (did no parks this visit) So much so that we reserved a site for Dec just to experience Christmas at FW.

We are BIG Disney people, having had AP for 15+ yrs and also currently owning DVC. This was just a side of Disney we had never thought to explore. I have to admit, I'm a little afraid of the 'pandoras box' this may have opened for us.

 

[JimPGH]

Jim, Until last weekend we had never 'camped' at all much less FW. We borrowed BIL's 27' travel trailer and had an ABSOLUTE BLAST!! (did no parks this visit) So much so that we reserved a site for Dec just to experience Christmas at FW.

We are BIG Disney people, having had AP for 15+ yrs and also currently owning DVC. This was just a side of Disney we had never thought to explore. I have to admit, I'm a little afraid of the 'pandoras box' this may have opened for us.

Was it quiet at night?

 

[North of Mouse]

Was it quiet at night?

We have never had an issue with noise and we camp in the 100 loop which could potentially have a noise problem with people cutting through to the boat dock. We only hear the boats when they come in, but they are muted inside, and no problem.

 

[amcc]

I'm not really a camper by nature but I LOVE it now (in an RV). The Fort is my favorite place at WDW - Disney how it used to be when I was a kid. It's beautiful with plenty of stuff to do, but also awesome when doing "nothing" - does that make sense? We also visit Florida state parks and have had only good experiences. We have never had a problem with noise.

 

[jag90]

Was it quiet at night?

We were in the 1000 loop specifically 1004 which is right bihind comfort station with walkway to it running next to campsite, and had no noise issues what so ever. Our loop was full around us as well.

It was definitely amazing how much more considerate of their neighbors everyone is, much more than even the deluxes.

 

[bama_ed]

We were in the 1000 loop specifically 1004 which is right bihind comfort station with walkway to it running next to campsite, and had no noise issues what so ever.

I've stayed in that VERY campsite, jag90, when I asked for 900 but it was full. It was a great spot. However, being in a popup and having only a cloth barrier, there was some noise pollution. Oh, I can sleep through the sounds of the busses starting and stopping, the diesel truck driving by, and the like. But at 5am EVERY morning the big truck came to empty the dumpsters across the street at the Meadow Trading Post behind the fence and it sound like the driver DROPPED the empty dumpster from about 3 feet up back onto the ground.

Jim, if you don't mind my asking, is it that you really want to drive that far in a Class C or just stay in one at the Fort? RV rentals usually include an extra fee for mileage and coming from Pittsburgh might add up the bucks. You could drive your personal vehicle to the Orlando area (or Jacksonville or Daytona) and pick up your Class C there to avoid the high mileage cost. That way you still get a little time behind the wheel.

I see many Cruisa America RVs at the Fort every time I visit. They seem very popular with folks I guess.

Bama Ed

 

[JimPGH]

Jim, if you don't mind my asking, is it that you really want to drive that far in a Class C or just stay in one at the Fort?

Bama Ed

Its a combination of wanting to drive, having a small car, and staying at FW.
Just not in the mood to fly lately, I hate being at the airline's mercy, and don't want some nut trying to open the airplane door midflight.
We just got back from a 7 hour road trip that was fun, except packing our little hatchback is a bit of a pain. Plus, seems like the 3 of us can't seem to synchronize our bathroom breaks.
We had a condo at Windsor Hills reserved, but, after talking to the Mrs, we just want to stay on-site again.
Add all that to the fact that everyone wants that ultimate road trip in an RV, seems like a good time to try it.

 

[JimPGH]

Ate preferred sites full hookup sites?

 

[bama_ed]

Its a combination of wanting to drive, having a small car, and staying at FW.

Add all that to the fact that everyone wants that ultimate road trip in an RV, seems like a good time to try it.

Well that sounds like a GREAT reason. Just didn't want you to be blindsided by a mileage charge. Sounds like a family adventure in a "land yacht".

Bama Ed

PS-And yes, Preferred sites are the same as Full sites but they are in different parts of the Fort (the other types are Premium and Tent/Partial). Tent/Partial don't have a sewer hookup. The other 3 types do. And they all have power, water, and cable tv.

 

[JimPGH]

PS-And yes, Preferred sites are the same as Full sites but they are in different parts of the Fort (the other types are Premium and Tent/Partial). Tent/Partial don't have a sewer hookup. The other 3 types do. And they all have power, water, and cable tv.

Thanks!

 

[Patricksp]

This might help or be of intrest, you can rent a Trailer and they will drop it off at FT. Wilderness. They can even set the trailer before you get there.
Greenbergrvflorida.com/trailer-rental
I know me and my family are thinking of doing this.

 

[chartle]

This might help or be of intrest, you can rent a Trailer and they will drop it off at FT. Wilderness. They can even set the trailer before you get there.
Greenbergrvflorida.com/trailer-rental
I know me and my family are thinking of doing this.

I see this as a much better idea. I have driven from Pittsburgh a couple of times and its only at most a day and a half trip. Some leave early in the am and drive straight through.

Now it if you planning on stopping overnight a few places it makes sense. Otherwise it think its just going to be a hassle.

OP are you ok driving and parking some thing as big as bus?

 

[JimPGH]

I see this as a much better idea. I have driven from Pittsburgh a couple of times and its only at most a day and a half trip. Some leave early in the am and drive straight through.

OP are you ok driving and parking some thing as big as bus?

How many driving hours does it take from Pittsburgh?
I've driven some box trucks a few times, but yeah the size of the RV will be different.

 

[chartle]

How many driving hours does it take from Pittsburgh?
I've driven some box trucks a few times, but yeah the size of the RV will be different.

Like 16 hours in the car. Last trip we left at around 6 on Friday drove through west virginia , its a third of the trip, and stayed over night and got way too late a start the next day and got in around 10. We checked in and hit the parks first thing Sunday morning.

For me its not the driving big vehicles straight, the issue is the backing up and parking.

I think you will find that when you factor in rental, gas and a site at the fort you could drive and stay at the GF.

ETA This is from the north hills

 

[ChrisinNJ]

I think you will find that when you factor in rental, gas and a site at the fort you could drive and stay at the GF.

This is what kept us from renting and staying at the Fort. When you look at the rental cost, mileage cost, gas and cost of the campsite, it really adds up. If money is less of an issue then experience, or if you are thinking of trying RVing and maybe buying an RV, then it might be worth it.

We just bought our first RV last year so we are looking forward to our first stay at the Fort. FWIW, We have a similar length drive from NJ. From what our local friend with the same RV as ours tells us, the fuel cost in the RV should be about double what it was with our car ($400 round trip, plus $300.00 in hotels). I expect it to cost us around $800. for diesel, depending on the price per gallon when we leave. The cost difference is worth it to me not to have to stop at dirty rest areas or rent hotels.

 

[chartle]

This is what kept us from renting and staying at the Fort. When you look at the rental cost, mileage cost, gas and cost of the campsite, it really adds up. If money is less of an issue then experience, or if you are thinking of trying RVing and maybe buying an RV, then it might be worth it.

We just bought our first RV last year so we are looking forward to our first stay at the Fort. FWIW, We have a similar length drive from NJ. From what our local friend with the same RV as ours tells us, the fuel cost in the RV should be about double what it was with our car ($400 round trip, plus $300.00 in hotels). I expect it to cost us around $800. for diesel, depending on the price per gallon when we leave. The cost difference is worth it to me not to have to stop at dirty rest areas or rent hotels.

I did a rough calc and come up with around 700 for gas for an RV.

 

[ChrisinNJ]

I did a rough calc and come up with around 700 for gas for an RV.

Sounds about right. I estimated the same when we looked into renting a Class C.