The benefits of renting a camper for the Fort

[BigDaddyRog]

October is close enough now that it doesnt seem like forever anymore...and the more I look into buying a camper of my own, the more I can REALLY appreciate the ability to rent one from Tinah159 at www.CampAtTheFort.com that will be set up for me and NOT having to tow one for such a long distance, I dont have to worry about the up-keep and maintanance...no storage issues to be concerned with, no insurance to pay for..no monthly note...no worries about whats going to happen to the transmission in my truck from over loading the weight restrictions.....THERE'S ALOT THAT GOES INTO OWNING YOUR OWN RV!!!!! And renting one versus owning DEFINATELY has a ton of advantages and conveniences!!!

I really think more people should consider this option, especially BEFORE making the purchase of an RV. There are so many choices now, you really dont even have to consider buying.....if a big luxury 5th wheel camper isnt what your looking for... www.MakeCampingEasy.com offers smaller a pop-up campers with the same service...set up at your campsite and break down when the vacation is over.....almost too convenient!!

Like I said, the more I shop for a camper of my own, the more I can appreciate the easiness of a rental and good service!!!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

There's no doubt that owning a trailer is a lot of work. I often tell people who are first looking that it's like owning another house. It has all the same systems, albeit on a smaller scale, and requires similar maintenance, if not more because this house is moving down the road, loosening connections and bouncing stuff around. I think the greatest advantage is not being limited to one place - we can and do go to the Poconos, National forests, state parks, and now, with the distinct possibility that my son will be moving to Massachusetts, we can haul the "condo on wheels" to new destinations to visit him. After the first 20 miles or so, you don't really notice the trailer behind you, and it's nice to have for a place to make and eat lunch, take a quick nap, or use the bathroom on the road. I do agree, Roger, that before buying, it's a great idea to rent just to see if this is the lifestyle you want.

 

[disney4dan]

I agree. While I enjoy having our trailer, along with Jim's point that it comes with all the same maintenance issues packed into much SMALLER spaces and with lighter weight materials.

But it is convenient to have a lot of our "stuff" packed in there each spring ready to go when we want. Driving home from work on a Friday afternoon knowing it's all packed and ready to go, just have to back up and connect to it, now that is something to put a smile on your face!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Jim...you are so right......its alot more than I originally thought.....My first thoughts were "Im gonna buy a camper and then I have my own free hotel room where ever I feel like going!!" How simple my mind is. There's a ton of responsibilities that go with it, and a ton of money that goes WAAAY past the initial purchase of a camper. Im going to rent a few times before I buy...to make sure I really WANT to buy. Im considering renting from www.MakeCampingEasy.com sometime before my October trip in www.CampAtTheFort.com so that I can compare the pop-up experience to the 5th wheel experience. I can never have too much first hand experience to use when making that final decision of whats best for me.

 

[Shan-man]

Though I have never used either service, I must say I LOVE the idea. And I love it from both sides of the equation: it is a great business idea, and a great alternative to renting a cabin or hotel room. Besides saving money versus a cabin, renting an RV means you have more flexibility regarding where you'll spend your vacation. I mean, let's face it, the cabins are in the most remote loops in the campground. If you rent an RV and a preferred campsite, you'll be right next to the marina. Want to be near the pool? Get a premium and make a request. Want to be secluded yet still walking distance to the Meadow, get a Full.

As for the business side of the equation, what a great side business. Buy a nice RV and deduct it as a business expense. Keep it in top shape, and deduct the maintenance expenses. Buy a nice tow vehicle and deduct it. Rent a site yourself for the shoulders of a rental and use the RV at the Fort and not have to pay to transport it. If business gets good enough, rent a site at the Fort year round and use it yourself when not booked. The only problem is advertising. Do you advertise in RV magazines? You might get a few folks who are considering buying, and maybe a few who are RVers but live too far to reasonable drive. Maybe in tourism magazines. Probably the best way would be to submit press releases to every Disney guidebook in hopes that they might list your service as an option. Buying advertising on Disney fansites like the DIS and Passporter Boards may be beneficial as well. I would look into synergistic opportunities with other third-party Fort providers... like an RV/Golf cart package, or an RV/Grocery delivery package. Or, provide those services yourself and deduct the golf cart too! Man I wish I were local, I'd be all over this business plan!

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

Though I have never used either service, I must say I LOVE the idea. And I love it from both sides of the equation: it is a great business idea, and a great alternative to renting a cabin or hotel room. Besides saving money versus a cabin, renting an RV means you have more flexibility regarding where you'll spend your vacation. I mean, let's face it, the cabins are in the most remote loops in the campground. If you rent an RV and a preferred campsite, you'll be right next to the marina. Want to be near the pool? Get a premium and make a request. Want to be secluded yet still walking distance to the Meadow, get a Full.

As for the business side of the equation, what a great side business. Buy a nice RV and deduct it as a business expense. Keep it in top shape, and deduct the maintenance expenses. Buy a nice tow vehicle and deduct it. Rent a site yourself for the shoulders of a rental and use the RV at the Fort and not have to pay to transport it. If business gets good enough, rent a site at the Fort year round and use it yourself when not booked. The only problem is advertising. Do you advertise in RV magazines? You might get a few folks who are considering buying, and maybe a few who are RVers but live too far to reasonable drive. Maybe in tourism magazines. Probably the best way would be to submit press releases to every Disney guidebook in hopes that they might list your service as an option. Buying advertising on Disney fansites like the DIS and Passporter Boards may be beneficial as well. I would look into synergistic opportunities with other third-party Fort providers... like an RV/Golf cart package, or an RV/Grocery delivery package. Or, provide those services yourself and deduct the golf cart too! Man I wish I were local, I'd be all over this business plan!

I agree 100%. We have stayed in the cabins, but I don't like the location of them. Without free dining I will never book one.

I wonder if Disney will try to stop this kind of renting if it becomes too popular and cuts into the cabin rentals? I can't see how they legally could, but I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

With the money they make on site rentals? It will only increase their profits. People have been renting motorhomes and driving to disney since 1971, they depend on rv rentals and have made improved sites to accomodate the larger MHs...I cant imagine that ALL of those million dollar land yachts are actually owned by their occupants.RV rentalhas definately gained Disneys acceptance. Everyone wins!

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

^I was picturing a camper staying parked on a good site for months and months with a steady stream of "new" families switching out belongings. I know that RV rentals are quite popular. Just seems this could lead to a different type of scenario than a family rolling up in a rental RV.

I like the idea, though. I would definitely be interested if we didn't have our own setup.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

^I was picturing a camper staying parked on a good site for months and months with a steady stream of "new" families switching out belongings. ...

Hmmm.....I never thought of anyone doing that......you may be onto something there! Could that be done? How would the owner of the RV get KTTW cards to the new families? I bet it could be done someway.

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

Probably be as easy as renting it in the owner's name and then adding the new visitors each week. I have added visitors to our site before, and it was very simple to get cards for everyone.

 

[campingdawgs]

I think it is a great idea to rent an RV to try it out. Disney would be a fun place to try it. We are considering going from a pop-up to a TT or 5th wheel, and this could help us decide.

 

[Shan-man]

Yeah, the major hitch would be that the 'visitors' would be unable to do packages, but I don't see much advantage to doing packages at the CG anyhow (the cabins, yes, CG, no). Anyhow, these are just some ideas I've had since first hearing about CatF some months ago. It would be a great retirement years occupation.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Unless the RV were designated for business use only, writing it off, along with the tow vehicle, could be a legal nightmare. You would only be able to write off as a business expense that percentage of the cost that actually can be attributed to business use. The IRS is cracking down on small business and their write offs, and this would equate to the home-office scenario as far as business deductions. The easiest thing to do, and the most hassle free if you aren't a fan of audits, is to have the RV and tow vehicle designated strictly for the business, and then have a separate RV and TV for your personal use. In the case of leaving the RV parked at FW, I seriously doubt Disney would allow the operation of a business on their property like this. I think you can see the difference between the operation being more or less permanently based at FW and bringing the RV in for a specific client for a short period of time. To leave the RV there would equate to being a vendor on their property, and you can bet Disney would want a piece of that action.