sleep in the car?

[single_eeyore]

Wow so now I'm stinky and a bad mom for suggesting this easy there people.

I agree it's probably just as well to do a value resort most of the time as an AP holder, ME for transportation, got it. The bathroom thing-totally valid point! As I've already said, I'm semi-familiar with Orlando and the safety issue, but let's not make a mountain out of a molehill here, we must all be cautious everywhere we go in any city. And for the mom-basher out there, I made it clear I would only be game for this alone, never with my kid along. And me camping.... It was just a thought-for all I knew it was a valid thing...as, believe it or not, it is in another circle I'm a part of. I appreciate all the opinions and wish you all happy Disney thoughts!

 

[Aliceacc]

Let's skip all the obvious answers about the "eeewww! factor."

What type of lessons are you teaching your son??

Do you really want him to grow up knowing that you put your safety at risk for a few days at Disney, when you had the money to do otherwise? (You have the money for an AP and a rental car. So this isn't about being able to afford a room; it's a choice.) He needs a mom. It's irresponsible to risk your safety for the sake of not choosing to get a hotel room on a vacation.

You're obviously a "think outside the box" kind of person. Put that creativity to good use and go back to the drawing board-- find a way of saving the money and satisfying your creativity while at the same time staying safe and sanitary.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Wow so now I'm stinky and a bad mom for suggesting this easy there people.

I agree it's probably just as well to do a value resort most of the time as an AP holder, ME for transportation, got it. The bathroom thing-totally valid point! As I've already said, I'm semi-familiar with Orlando and the safety issue, but let's not make a mountain out of a molehill here, we must all be cautious everywhere we go in any city. And for the mom-basher out there, I made it clear I would only be game for this alone, never with my kid along. And me camping.... It was just a thought-for all I knew it was a valid thing...as, believe it or not, it is in another circle I'm a part of. I appreciate all the opinions and wish you all happy Disney thoughts!

Sorry people are saying it would make you a bad mom!!! Things escalate here sometimes in oddball ways. My partner and I are long-distance APs and grope for excuses to visit and ways to afford it. I know how that goes. Personally, I'd go a little less frequently and stay offsite in the same situation. That was my strategy for DL when I was single and in my thirties. You can access hotels on International Drive from MCO for very cheap via Lynx, the public bus service in Orlando. If you did that, essentially all you'd need to compare is hotel cost vs rental cost. Whatever you choose, may your future trips be safe and magical.

 

[single_eeyore]

Thanks Mike! Good suggestion! You're exactly right in that I'm just trying to pinch pennies, not as in I can't afford it, but rather that I don't want to - every $100 I spend on a resort is a $100 I can't put toward another trip down lol. I'm a park purist too, and the resorts don't do a lot for me...I'm not one to linger over meals very often (much more likely to have a snack in line for a ride) and I simply don't do the pool stuff and just feel bored and like I'm missing out if I sit somewhere pretty on a resort and read a book like I could at home for free when there's a theme park just beckoning me just minutes away. I was once told I "vacation hard" by a travel companion hahaha! It's all about being in the parks for me and for that reason alone I really couldn't care less where I spend 6 hours sleeping lol. In the end I'm sure I'll try it a myriad of ways and find the one that suits me best, probably a night or two at POP if I feel like indulging, a night in the car/at the airport if I feel like pinching pennies, and a night or 2 off property when I want a bit more variety or have the time to spare. And yes, people do like to state their opinions, but that's what I asked for so I'll just chuckle to myself at the ones that are over the top and take the helpful ones to heart. I appreciate your encouragement and wish you many happy visits in the future!

 

[mco65]

You damn flight attendants are all alike. My wife is GO GO GO.. VACATION HARD!!! Can't stop and rest at the pool or resort for even a MINUTE! HA!

As for sleeping in the car/van (boondocking)... There are folks that do this year round and are not homeless, they just choose to live in a car/van vs a big HOME.. i certainly would dabble in it myself but having a kiddo with me would make me second guess it...

Still, There are websites that list some good/safe 'boondocking' spots in Orlando.. places where you could spend the night in a car/van without being noticed or bothered..
I would have a backup plan regardless... ie, you arrive and don't feel safe.. have a few spots in mind and some cash just in case you have to opt for the hotel/motel for the night...

 

[single_eeyore]

For sure MCO. I'd always have the ability to grab a room if need be and be sure I felt comfortable wherever I end up. And yes, I don't normally stop on vacation or I feel like I'm wasting it lol - not a FA though, HDQ emp.

 

[robinb]

And me camping....

I don't think people were suggesting that your camp, but that you use the campsite as a safe place to park your car and still have a bathroom and shower nearby.

 

[Dashzap]

Try posting your question in the Ft Wilderness camping board. I've read posts there about people boondocking in the area before checking in to Ft Wilderness.

This site shows free camping sites nearest WDW: https://freecampsites.net/#!lake+buena+vista,+FL
or http://www.freecampgrounds.com/
You might find something free through the Florida Water Management sites, too.

I had to laugh at some of the posts above. I'm sure you can find a public restroom so you can brush your teeth so you won't knock out other park goers with your breath.

I'm impressed if you can sleep in a car. I need a totally dark, cool room with a comfortable bed, a fan running for white noise, and about 10 mg of melatonin to get sleep.

 

[single_eeyore]

Thanks for that, Dash! And yes...it's kind of funny considering how many nights I've spent in my car and in airport terminals seemingly without anyone ever having noticed or being offended by my smell haha! I can brush my hair and teeth (with a bottle of water anywhere) and there are some easy ways to freshen up for the treacherous 2 hour flight home to my shower. As for sleeping - I know how fortunate I am to be able to sleep pretty well anywhere...moving or parked cars, on the floor with my purse under my neck, on a plane, outside in the middle of the day (if it's not hot or potentially buggy), etc. lol.

 

[siestakeys04]

I think you should research and find a cheap hotel. It just seems like it's really uncomfortable and if it were me I would be to busy looking around to see who's looking lol until I couldn't sleep. Keep us updated.

 

[dragonrider2014]

Don't sleep in your car in Kissimmee as it is against the local ordinance unless the business has actually obtained a license to allow it and has it specifically posted that it is allowed and has a dedicated area. The ordinance was passed years ago when I lived there to keep people from camping in the Walmart parking lots but it is written as sleeping in public.

 

[maxiesmom]

No way should you sleep in your car. It is not that safe. And as you said, it is gross to walk around and not shower. If you can't afford $40 for a hotel then you really shouldn't be going on vacation.

 

[DG25]

I was looking to get a room at WL under my AP and the camp site came up for $8 a night, I would spend the $8 a night to have a place to sleep in my car that is safe, and then you have a shower, bathroom and a place to get hot coffee when you wake up. I would put up a tent, but if not at least your safe.

 

[bsholmes1993]

I dont mean to come off as rude but i have had to deal with people like you on flights and it pisses me off. I dont want to have to smell your sweaty jock strap smell for 2 hours because your a penny pincher and dont want to spend $40 a night on a hotel. How would you like it if i didnt shower for days and sat next to you and my armpits smell so bad that your eyes watered and you could taste my body oder and had to deal with it for 2 hours you would be pissed off too. And I agree with everyone else on here as far as safety, women get raped and robbed all the time in Walmart parking lots and that is the only place where you can legally park. Your forgetting the only thing between you and the outside world it 2 cm of glass which people can easily look though to see that you are sleeping and how many valuables you have.

 

[Goofy G]

Not sure how camping at FW is worse that sleeping in your car - tons of amenities there. Sleeping in your car seems an unsafe option. In all likelihood nothing will happen, but it doesn't seem worth the risk. I second the AirBnB idea. Tons of cheap spaces there, especially if you are not into total privacy.

 

[single_eeyore]

Thanks again all! I've got the point and made my call as stated above. And again, for the record, I've clocked countless hours on an airplane myself and am well aware of etiquette, especially when the smell part is disregarded, and I'm not one to allow that on myself, but I appreciate the attempt to help a gal out regardless of it's poor form.

One thing I'm curious about though - provided both are done in a safe location with access to a bathroom, how in the world is sleeping in a car any different/better/worse than camping!? 2cm of [tinted] glass between me and the world or 5mm of fabric I'd even argue that in a good location, the car is preferable given that camping outside you have to be aware of animals/bugs in addition to people.

 

[DG25]

Thanks again all! I've got the point and made my call as stated above. And again, for the record, I've clocked countless hours on an airplane myself and am well aware of etiquette, especially when the smell part is disregarded, and I'm not one to allow that on myself, but I appreciate the attempt to help a gal out regardless of it's poor form.

One thing I'm curious about though - provided both are done in a safe location with access to a bathroom, how in the world is sleeping in a car any different/better/worse than camping!? 2cm of [tinted] glass between me and the world or 5mm of fabric I'd even argue that in a good location, the car is preferable given that camping outside you have to be aware of animals/bugs in addition to people.

I was thinking the safety issue and the law when I suggested fort wilderness, for $8 a night, you get a camp site, you can choose to sleep in your car or in a tent, I did not preference. But a camp site at FW will give you security of Disney, a clean bathroom with a shower, and a store if you want coffee and a snack. For $8 with an AP I think that is a great price and better than a Walmart or a country road or any old parking lot! Just my thoughts.

 

[wilkeliza]

Thanks again all! I've got the point and made my call as stated above. And again, for the record, I've clocked countless hours on an airplane myself and am well aware of etiquette, especially when the smell part is disregarded, and I'm not one to allow that on myself, but I appreciate the attempt to help a gal out regardless of it's poor form.

One thing I'm curious about though - provided both are done in a safe location with access to a bathroom, how in the world is sleeping in a car any different/better/worse than camping!? 2cm of [tinted] glass between me and the world or 5mm of fabric I'd even argue that in a good location, the car is preferable given that camping outside you have to be aware of animals/bugs in addition to people.

With camping (and thus paying for a campsite even if you still just sleep in the car) you at least have access to a proper shower and a bathroom. When you sleep in your car in say a 24 hour Wal-mart parking lot all you have is access to toilets and sinks not a shower. Also just saying no matter how big the car is unless it is one set up for camping (there are a few trucks and suvs that have these packages) there is no way for me personally to get comfortable just sleeping on a shallow back seat. Even in a suburban I can't lay across a bench with out being scrunched up. If you can do it more power to you but I'd rather be able to spread out a little.

 

[single_eeyore]

Sorry DG25 & Wilkeliza! I "liked" the comment about the $8 campsite, but forgot to mention that I love that - I had no idea it was so cheap, I was seeing rack rates around $60-$90 and figuring ~20% AP discount, for $8 that's a no brainer! I just meant that apple for apple on the location, what was the difference between a car and a tent. And I do have the advantage of being short and an easy sleeper. I know for a fact I can get comfortable in a number of vehicles for a 6-7 hour night which is the max I'd need in this situation.

 

[wilkeliza]

Sorry DG25 & Wilkeliza! I "liked" the comment about the $8 campsite, but forgot to mention that I love that - I had no idea it was so cheap, I was seeing rack rates around $60-$90 and figuring ~20% AP discount, for $8 that's a no brainer! I just meant that apple for apple on the location, what was the difference between a car and a tent. And I do have the advantage of being short and an easy sleeper. I know for a fact I can get comfortable in a number of vehicles for a 6-7 hour night which is the max I'd need in this situation.

Oh yeah if you in apples for apple comparison of facilities (so say having a tent vs just being a single adult in a car) then go for it. The only time I would caution against using a car is when there isn't enough space. There was a family on here that wanted to try and sleep 5 in their suburban for a week at the camp grounds which sounded outrageous. Now if it was for 1 night and just me and my fiance we would make an SUV or bigger car work. Heck if it is one with a fold down 3rd row we could easily lay down in the back and it would be much faster that night then spending precious park hours (really 30 minutes tops) pitching a tent for the night.