The Cost At FW?

[usnuzuloose]

Do you need to be a DVC member or can you make reservations just to camp? And what is typically the rough cost for camping. Thanks for any questions that can be answered. Jo

 

[SandrA9810]

well partial hook ups start at 40ish and go up from there. Premium sites can cost well over a 100$ a night too. And a lot depends on the time of year. Sept - early Nov is the off season. Thanksgiving is Peak. First two weeks in Dec is off season, then Christmas thru new years is peak again. Jan- easter is off. After Easter thru Memorial Day is regular season. Memorial Day - Labor Day is summer season.

What kind of camping do you do?? Rugged tent camping or Luxury living it up in a huge RV?? That will depend on the kind of site you need.

If you're thinking about the cabins, I normally don't see them under 300$ per night.

 

[SandrA9810]

And there is no DVC at the Fort. DVC only have the villas at the Wilderness Lodge.

If you use your points to book at any other resort than DVC, there's a 95$ fee to pay for booking, plus your points. Although since the fort is so much cheaper than DVC it takes very few points.
So if you're staying for 2 weeks, paying 95$ on top of your DVC points might be a little cheaper than 2 weeks at a DVC resort with DVC points.

 

[usnuzuloose]

No we dont have DVC. I love camping, Dh not so much, I thought about a tent trailer. It would be less expensive than the big hotels. It maybe in the cards in the future. We went to WDW in 06, but have not been back since.

Thank you for the responses. I really appreciate. I enjoy looking at the thread though. Jo

 

[SandrA9810]

I've been tent camping since 04. Discovered it after prices shot up on the value hotels. The first couple of times were roughen it. But I've got it down to a T, and it's so much better than being at home. Started when we were living in Ft Lauderdale, drive up Friday night and come home Sunday night for work on Monday. Once we moved to Kissimmee, we still loved the fort and would stay about 2 weeks a year. 1 week in september, a long weekend over Halloween, and sometime in Feb/March before it heated up.

While I do tent camp, I still live it up. I set up an AC against the back screen of the tent, throw a tarp over the top (there's things called AC boots, but I don't want to cut the tent up as we don't need it every trip). Set the mini fridge on the table. Another power supply to the tent for the TV and cell phone chargers. The tent is a greatland tent from Target, bought on clearance for like 20$ (original over a 100$), like 5 years ago. It has held up really well for the abuse it has gotten. But I try to take as much care as possible when taking down and setting up. Especially making sure I get off all the damp sand on the bottom before putting away. It's time consuming when you've got to get off the site, but well worth it. And one time, years ago, a bottle of laundry softner busted and spilled all over the tent bag. So it's helped keep the tent smelling fresh even when it's sitting in the outside storage closet most the year.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I have done camping since I was 18, now 49, so I would prefer something a little softer. I like cooking outdoors. Unfortunatly we live in northern ca, so I would also need to purchase a truck. I am hoping one that we can move to florida as we also love to cruise. But with the economy not many jobs. We have a carpet cleaning bus. So its not like we can just walk away. So for now I enjoy reading the boards, and love hearing everyone talk about there trips. One day I will get to return. Thanks for sharing with me. Jo

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I'm not sure whether this will be legible over the net, but here's a scan of a 2009 rate chart that I picked up on my last visit to the Fort:

As you can see, this is complicated business.

Disney has to think of every possible trick to maximize what they can squeeze from campers.

TCD

 

[usnuzuloose]

I'm not sure whether this will be legible over the net, but here's a scan of a 2009 rate chart that I picked up on my last visit to the Fort:

As you can see, this is complicated business.

Disney has to think of every possible trick to maximize what they can squeeze from campers.

TCD

Thank you, that was very kind of you. It helps very much

 

[des1954]

No we dont have DVC. I love camping, Dh not so much, I thought about a tent trailer. It would be less expensive than the big hotels. It maybe in the cards in the future. We went to WDW in 06, but have not been back since.

Thank you for the responses. I really appreciate. I enjoy looking at the thread though. Jo

On average - you can book a stay at one of the Disney Value Resorts, take advantage of the dining plan, and come out $$ ahead over camping at FtW. Sad, but true. Keep in mind that this is only a good option if there are 4 or less in your party. You are allowed up to 10 people on a camp site, but there is no dining plan option for campers - only cabins.

Also - I noted you said you would need to buy a camper and truck. In all seriousness - if all you wanted a camper & truck for was to camp occasionally you would be $$$ ahead to rent one. Investing in said items only for a one or two week vacation a year is not a good investment. The investment is not limited to the purchase. You will have insurance, maintenance, and the increase cost of towing the camper to consider. Let's say you could get a used pop-up or TT in good condition and a used truck in good condition - you could have upwards of a $30K investment. You can do a lot of RV rentals, including site, for $30K.