RVing to the Fort-Fly in or Drive?Newbie! Help!

[Scarlett81]

Hey-We've done the cabins at the Fort and fell in love, and this time we'd like to try Rving it. First time Rvers.
We're coming in from NJ. Trying to decide if we'd be better driving in, or flying. There's 4 of us, but I wouldn't get a ticket for the baby on the plane, so really 3.
The cost for all of us to fly will be at best $750. The mileage fees, from what I can gather (newbie to rving) will be between $600-800 depending on the company I choose.
I like that we could fly there and get right into vacationing. I'm sure hubby would love to skip the drive too!
But logistically, I don't see how we could pack all thats needed for camping into our check bags.
I never even considered flying bc of that. With all thats needed for 2 kids...packing sounds like a nightmare. Plus, to me..part of the fun that I imagine is the drive there, the time in the rv together (good and bad, haha), and pulling into the big Disney arch!
Give me any tips if you can on how to select an rv for a trip like this, and how to cut back on the mileage fees. It seems unfair...you pay alot for the Rv to begin with, plus gas, right? Then you have that added fee on top?
We're looking for a 6-7 night trip.
Thanks!

 

[jonimce]

Have you considered one of the local rentals? We had checked into it last year for our DD's family and it was pretty good deal. (she ended up buying a pop up) I have to search the guy's name or someone on here can maybe help. He has a 5th wheel and a pop up, will deliver it to FW and set it up for you. You need nothing but your cloths and food. He supplies everything. Several car services will do a 30 minute stop at the grocery store or you can have them delivered. (a little pricy though).

 

[chartle]

It appears that if you RV you are going to rent something in NJ like a motor home and take that to WDW.

One other option is to fly down and rent an RV form an outside company that also sets them up. That way you don't have the drive, the cost of the RV while in transit, etc. Also it should be fully stocked with all the equipment you need and you can get a grocery delivery.

There is no way getting around the cost of renting a motor home, its expensive. There is the cost of the rental vehicle itself, the extra mileage fees and the gas or diesel and depending on how big it is you may only get 10 (?) miles to the gallon. Its a bit of a sticker shock when you pay that first over a hundred (probably 2 hundred) dollar fill up. Then there is driving the thing. Does anyone in your family have any experience driving big vehicles? And I'm not sure how big you can go without a special drivers licence.

Also factor in a full hook up campsite and you hooking it up. I hope the rental company gives you some orientation on black and grey tanks.

After all is said and done you may find that you are spending close to or more what you would spend for a cabin.

Of course if you still want to drive (your car) do the same just drive instead of fly.

People think camping is cheap, but not if you have to rent all your equipment.

 

[Scarlett81]

People think camping is cheap, but not if you have to rent all your equipment.

Eeeeks. Just priced out the cabins...its coming in $300 less than the estimated cost for the RV.
I was really getting my heart set on that RV. Maybe I can keep looking for a better deal.

If anyone (jonimce, or whomever) comes across that rental link you were mentioning, I'd love to check it out. In the meantime I'll keep looking.

 

[chartle]

Eeeeks. Just priced out the cabins...its coming in $300 less than the estimated cost for the RV.
I was really getting my heart set on that RV. Maybe I can keep looking for a better deal.

If anyone (jonimce, or whomever) comes across that rental link you were mentioning, I'd love to check it out. In the meantime I'll keep looking.

Here is one.

https://campatthefort.com/terv/index.asp its around $135 per night for the trailer plus the cost of the site.

 

[EpcotQueen]

If you decide to fly, ship all your 'stuff' to the campground. We routinely ship our luggage via FedEx. If you get a car while there, when it comes time to go home, take your stuff to a local FedEx shipping center rather than the front desk. The campground will not ship back for you and WL shipd air (more expensive). Takes about 3 buisness days to ship from Pa. Should be about the same for you.

 

[Scarlett81]

Thank you all!
I did check out c@thefort and it looks really nice. That is def one option.

The other thing we're considering is going to the fort from our family's home in the lower keys. We are set to go the FL keys house mid july, so instead of just flying home afterwards as planned, maybe we could pick up our rv somewhere down there, stock it at the house, which will be so easy since we'll already have lots of food and thing we'd need, and drive the 8hrs up to dis. This avoids the huge mileage fees but also gives us a little bit of the 'road trip' experience we wanted.
The only problem is work now, either we cut our FL keys time down, or see if hubby can get some extra time.

If that doesn't work out, I think flying down and doing something like the link you posted above is best. This rv cost is just getting way too pricey. I also love that they set it up for you too...I think that maybe some of the fun, but since were 1st timers it would probably be good anyway.
Thanks all!!

 

[jonimce]

www.TravelTrailerRent.com

This is one of the ones I checked into. There was also a fellow Diser that rented his pop up and 5th wheel. Still searching for that info.

 

[chartle]

Scarlett81 what you have to factor into the equation is a motor home RV is always going to cost more to rent than a travel trailer.

They cost more to buy and much more to maintain (hence the mileage charge). Since you are just parking it for the week I think you are wasting money by renting one just so you can drive it into Disney . Now if you where traveling across the country and stopping along the way it makes perfect sense

 

[jonimce]

Thank you all!
I did check out c@thefort and it looks really nice. That is def one option.

The other thing we're considering is going to the fort from our family's home in the lower keys. We are set to go the FL keys house mid july, so instead of just flying home afterwards as planned, maybe we could pick up our rv somewhere down there, stock it at the house, which will be so easy since we'll already have lots of food and thing we'd need, and drive the 8hrs up to dis. This avoids the huge mileage fees but also gives us a little bit of the 'road trip' experience we wanted.
The only problem is work now, either we cut our FL keys time down, or see if hubby can get some extra time.

If that doesn't work out, I think flying down and doing something like the link you posted above is best. This rv cost is just getting way too pricey. I also love that they set it up for you too...I think that maybe some of the fun, but since were 1st timers it would probably be good anyway.
Thanks all!!

Any tips on the Keys? We are leaving on July 12, 4 nights in PA. then making our way to the keys, Sebastian Inlet, John Pennekamp in Key Largo, Bahia Honda, then Key west. Then onto the west coast of Florida before hitting The Fort on Aug. 5th. for 12 nights.

 

[Scarlett81]

Any tips on the Keys? We are leaving on July 12, 4 nights in PA. then making our way to the keys, Sebastian Inlet, John Pennekamp in Key Largo, Bahia Honda, then Key west. Then onto the west coast of Florida before hitting The Fort on Aug. 5th. for 12 nights.

This sounds like a great trip! Good itinerary!
We've been in love with the keys since we first went there 10 yrs ago and made it our home away from home. This year our family finally got together and got a winter house! We love it...and it doesn't hurt that its in the same state as the Mouse.

The drive from the Keys up to DW is a great drive. We've done it a few times. You'll be driving through some gorgeous orange groves and palm farms.

As far as the Keys-Bahia Honda is lovely. Its a true authentic untouched beach. Are you camping there, or just going for the day? The campground side with the little bay and snack area is adorable. The open beach side is unspoiled. Imagine what the keys looked like 100 yrs ago when nothing was there. John Pennekamp is real nice too. I prefer the lower keys (our home is on Summerland, 10 mins south of Bahia Honda).
You'll be wondering if you are in the Caribbean?-or the US? We love it!
5 mins past Bahia Honda is Boondocks-they have miniature golf, open air seating, and typical bar/american style food with an island twist. Its casual. Great for the kids. On most nights they have live music and family friendly dancing. Their wings are cheap and delicious.
On Sugarloaf at the Sugarloaf Lodge is an incredible pizzeria and Italian restaurant from a family that is originally from Naples, Italy. They have the best pizza, after NYC. Delicious, coal oven style. Pricey but worth it.
On Key West, GO. TO. BLUE HEAVEN. Whatever you do, go to Blue Heaven. Best restaurant there, awesome island atmosphere. Have Banana Heaven for dessert...oh I can taste it. Croissants de France on Duval St. is a wonderful bakery-straight outta Paris, for real.
As far as stuff to do there, do you have kids going? The KW Toy Factory is wonderful...its not a factory, its a shop but one of the coolest anywhere, its huge. The beach on the Atlantic side is really nice. Hemingway House is nice/interesting. The kids may get bored, but there's alot to see and there's cats and lizards roaming around everywhere.

Anymore specific questions let me know!

 

[jonimce]

WOW, great tips. No kids, just hubby and me. Mid 50's but very adventuresome. Until we get to Disney. Then 5 more adults and 6 kids will join us.
Camping 2 nights Myrtle Beach state Park
2 nights Sebastian Inlet state park
4 nights John Penneykamp state park
3 nights Bahia Honda state park.
3 nights in a room in Key West (storing the camper for three nights if I can find a place)
Hope to hit Everglades NP and Santibel Island. 5 nights before we head to FW. We will be gone about 5 weeks.