Thinking about buying a 5th wheel: Pros and Cons of Camping at WDW

[Grendalynn]

Hello, My name is Grendalynn and I am a Dis-aholic! While I have frequented many many of the other DisBoard topics, I am a newbie to the Fort Wilderness/Camping side of the Dis Life! That being said, I am looking for some input -so here it goes:

DH and I have been contemplating buying a camper for a few years now. After just having our third child in October, DS#3, one of the most affordable ways we forsee is to "do Disney" with our own camper at Ft Wilderness.

For all the Seasoned FW campers, I would very much like to hear your Pro's and Con's of camping at FW compared to staying at a Resort.

I grew up camping at Ft Wilderness with my own parents and 4 sisters. I remember the old days of River Country and all the fun stuff that is still FW today. I have many fond memories.... I returned in 04 with my inlaws and my Dh and 2 DS's. I remembered all the great experiences I had as a child.


I am debating between staying at a resort and getting the all over Vacation Feel compared to staying in our camper (we haven't yet bought) at FW .... Advice and information greatly appreciated! Thanks o so much in advance!!

 

[becky1960]

We have stayed at most of the Resorts over the years many being repeated several times but we now mostly stay at FW in our 5th wheel. We have enjoyed the resorts very much, but as prices seem to rise and rise we now now stay at FW and are able to stay quite a bit longer. The 5th wheel is larger than most hotel rooms.

We still go the the various resort hotels to eat and visit and enjoy them that way. FW is a very nice resort to stay at and I say Resort because of all of the extras they provide, not a typical campground.

 

[Grendalynn]

A little Good Morning Bump....

 

[FloridaTeacher]

We love, love, love Fort Wilderness!! We also stay longer since we are in our motorhome. Not only is staying at Ft. Wilderness cheaper, but we also save money by eating in sometimes (at the m/h) and we are just so much more comfortable than we would be in a hotel room. Not to mention, hotels seem to frown on our bringing the pooches????

Believe me, we feel very much "on vacation" in our motorhome at Ft. Wilderness!

 

[wxtrix]

we are headed to FW on Tuesday for 8 days. this will be our first trip in our newish 5th wheel (we got it in July), but we did 2 previous trips in a travel trailer.

I never went "camping" until I met my fiance, and camping in a RV is not anything like tent camping, so you can keep some of the resort feel in that way. I enjoy the convenience of coming back to camp and either going out to eat or deciding I don't really want to get cleaned up and changed and then have to head out, and instead can stay "home", kick off my shoes, enjoy a cocktail, and have dinner right there. also, not having to get dressed and showered and go anywhere for breakfast is one of the ultimate luxuries, in my book.

as for the resort feel: FW is the best campground I have ever stayed at. it will be different than the feeling you get staying at one of the on-site hotels, but you definitely feel like you are part of Disney.

for me the best part is that I feel extra special at WDW when I am at the Fort. *I* get a private boat to the MK (OK, me and 100 of my friends!). I have a lake to sit and look at. I have movies outside. I have a great place to watch the fireworks without the crowds, not to mention a prime location for boat parade at night. only the people at the Fort can have this kind of experience, and in my book it is definitely an "all over vacation feel".

 

[Grendalynn]

we are headed to FW on Tuesday for 8 days. this will be our first trip in our newish 5th wheel (we got it in July), but we did 2 previous trips in a travel trailer.

I never went "camping" until I met my fiance, and camping in a RV is not anything like tent camping, so you can keep some of the resort feel in that way. I enjoy the convenience of coming back to camp and either going out to eat or deciding I don't really want to get cleaned up and changed and then have to head out, and instead can stay "home", kick off my shoes, enjoy a cocktail, and have dinner right there. also, not having to get dressed and showered and go anywhere for breakfast is one of the ultimate luxuries, in my book.

as for the resort feel: FW is the best campground I have ever stayed at. it will be different than the feeling you get staying at one of the on-site hotels, but you definitely feel like you are part of Disney.

for me the best part is that I feel extra special at WDW when I am at the Fort. *I* get a private boat to the MK (OK, me and 100 of my friends!). I have a lake to sit and look at. I have movies outside. I have a great place to watch the fireworks without the crowds, not to mention a prime location for boat parade at night. only the people at the Fort can have this kind of experience, and in my book it is definitely an "all over vacation feel".

Great points! Thanks so much - keep 'um comin'....

 

[CCIntrigue]

Years ago we were spending so much money on Disney hotels that we decided to buy a travel trailer. We towed it to FW many times and loved every minute of our trips. Then we got a dog that traveled with us and at that time FW didn't have pet loops, we didn't want to board him, so we stopped going to WDW. A few years ago our son wanted to get married in WDW, the dog had just died, so we stayed at POR for the ceremonies. We were miserable there! Compared to the campground we felt so confined. Last year we purchased the MH and are now happily back camping at FW. I love the freedom that camping gives us. Would rather eat a lot of my meals in and not have to spend hours every day waiting and sitting in restaurants. There's too much fun to be had out there! Like having my own bed and more privacy. Not having to pack suitcases, not worrying about leaving something behind or where I'm gonna spend my next night on the road, and on and on. And, as someone else said, if you're camping you can stay longer since the cost is so much less!

 

[kc5grw]

As I grew up I thought the only way to vacation was to camp. I think the only time I remember not camping on vacation was our first trip to Disneyland in 1969. That was only a few days. Other than that it was either camping or staying with friends or relatives. Maybe I touched or something, but if we ain't camping, it ain't a vacation. The fact that we have a 5th wheel now really makes a difference also. It is like a second home and we can bring everything we need, even the kitchen sink. Our first trip to WDW was in 1998 and we stayed off-site in a timeshare condo my Dad had. It was nice, and a whole lot better than a hotel room. Our next and most recent trip was in our trailer at Fort Wilderness. There were 6 of us, Me, DW, DS, DD, DD and DMom. We stayed for 9 days and had a blast, I think I would have gone insane if we were in hotel rooms. The campground is such a different change of pace after a day at the parks. We will be going back in June this year, there be 6 of us again, this time my sister will be replacing my son (in college) on the trip. We're really looking forward to it and it just wouldn't be a vacation any other way than in the trailer.

 

[Escape Artist]

Well, with three kids, when the little one gets to be over 3 and doesn't sleep in a pack n play anymore, Disney gets a LOT more expensive! It really cuts down on your resort options and the prices are MUCH higher. Unless you want to buy into DVC and get bigger accomodations that way, I'd buy the camper. Plus, I imagine you have your hands pretty full right now and don't really need to add another "thing" to take care of like a camper at this point.

FWIW, I'd probably cram the 5 of us into a hotel room while the baby is so little, and then when you have to start "counting" him, I'd buy the trailer. But first I'd rent one to figure out what I wanted. You might manage to skip a few stages of the "we only thought we wanted a popup and now look at our Class A!" syndrome. We own a popup and I'm dreaming of a trailer with a bunkhouse, as my formerly little kids and their stuff take up a lot more space than they used to.

Plus, once you own the trailer, you can load it at home and when you get to WDW, just set up and you're ready to go with all your own stuff right where it belongs. And, you can camp at thousands of other places besides Ft. Wilderness. We've had some amazing family adventures I wouldn't trade for anything, and we haven't even had our first trip to Ft. Wilderness yet!

Have fun!

Sue in Texas
...one dh, three kids and a popup, and tent camped thru all stages of pregnancy and parenthood...

 

[dblr]

We love FW every time you get there you feel like your the 1st one to use that site. I feel you can stay longer there for your money and it is as nice as a lot of the other resorts. we did buy into DVC and love staying @ those rsorts but now you can use your points for a campsite some think that your are wasteing your points that way but when i can sty @ FW for almost 6 weeks @ prime time I would be a happy camper. You'll love camping @ the Fort.

 

[Grendalynn]

Well, with three kids, when the little one gets to be over 3 and doesn't sleep in a pack n play anymore, Disney gets a LOT more expensive! It really cuts down on your resort options and the prices are MUCH higher. Unless you want to buy into DVC and get bigger accomodations that way, I'd buy the camper. ...... FWIW, I'd probably cram the 5 of us into a hotel room while the baby is so little, and then when you have to start "counting" him, I'd buy the trailer.

This is the thing that I figured we could/should/would do; Before DS#3 reaches the age of having to be paid for - he now is a "freebie". A good point - I really didn't consider the down the road costs. I should make hay while the sun shines now....

But first I'd rent one to figure out what I wanted. You might manage to skip a few stages of the "we only thought we wanted a popup and now look at our Class A!" syndrome.

We would love a motorhome, Class A! But they are so expensive!! DH just bought a New 3/4 ton Xtra Cab or what ever its called, this fall so there is plenty of room for all of us. DH is a truck driver and would have no issues handling the big Diesel Pusher type of rig. I have also driven one in the past, so it wouldn't phase us, yet the payment really would!! My inlaws have a big winni no and started out with a class C mini winni style. We used it frequently and we all grew up camping, so we are no strangers to the whole process.


I think to get the best of both worlds we may split the stay... 3/4 of the trip at FW and the end at CR or GF, Poly or ever... That way we get a change of scenery before we all cram back into the truck for the 24 hr drive home!

As I sit here and listen to DisRadio, it makes me want to go to anywhere in WDW that much more!!! Carousel of Progress was just playing, and now MGM Parade music! How exciting!!

 

[bradisgoofy]

Over the years we have moved up in the quality of the resorts we've stayed at ( see our signature ). But once we bought into DVC I doubt we would go back to the "regular" resorts. Then we bought a fifth wheel and stayed at FW . We went back to Boardwalk the following year only because we were taking a DCL trip. But now that we can use our DVC points at FW and bought a new motorhome , we will probably stay at FW from now on and use our extra points to bring the children and their families down to join us. We have future plans on staying at FW, going on a cruise and the going BACK to FW. BTW, I'm with dblr, I feel I get all my moneys worth using DVC points at FW.

 

[Buzzcut]

We may be a little partial, but we love our fifth wheel, especially at the "Fort".
A fifth wheel gives us the most room, DW & three sons and our lab Buster. All the comforts of home especially the washer and dryer which really makes the DW happy. Go for it and enjoy!

 

[seven dwarfs]

Of course since you are on the camping board most are going to say:

Go for it!

We love it. My kids love it. We did the free dinning and stayed in two rooms at PORFQ and I was so worried the kids would like it better. NOT. They were asking why we could not go to the beach and watch fire works, where was the campfire and movies... etc. My guys love the campground the best. Also, some say the pool is not the best. My kids don't even complain. It does not have the fancy slides but they love it. We also love eating some meals in. It is easy and cheep. We have a TT and pull it will our 14 passenger van. We have tvs and the kids do not mind the drive. We have driven straight and sometimes stop at a Walmart and move on after sleeping. We also have class A wants. It is just a big price tag for us right now. We have been looking used but can not seem to find the one we want for a good deal. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Tricializ]

I was just at FW this past January and I finally came to the realization that I wouldn't want to stay anywhere else in WDW. I have stayed at a bunch of the resorts and I just LOVE so much about FW that I can't imagine better.

The space is huge to me and it is nice to let the kids play at our site while I am getting ready to go to the park or whatever. In a hotel, you are all on top of eachother. I like that I can separate the kids from me at sleeping time or nap time for a little bit of down time. I like the ammenities that FW offers such as the boat access to MK, the electric light parade, boating, fishing etc. I like the golf carts.

As for saving money though, somehow I just don't see it as a huge savings. There certainly are ways to save, but it isn't cheap by any stretch. You have your site cost which is a bit cheaper than even the All star resorts. BUT, then if you rent that golf cart, add on about $50.00 to your nightly cost. It ends up being about the same as a moderate when you are done. However, the food, like people have mentioned is a huge saver and also a huge "feel better" thing for us. There are just so many chicken fingers you can eat in a week and it is crap for the kids. It's nice to come home from the parks and have a nice slice of watermelon waiting for you, as well as a bed you are comfortable with, fresh air instead of the stale hotel air conditioning, space to breathe etc. For me, it is the perfect vacation with the kids. They love it and it is getting where it wouldnt' be Disney without FW.

Good luck with your decision.
Tricia

 

[grumpy's Mrs.]

First off go to rv.net fifth wheel forum for info on possible rv's. DO NOT BELIEVE the salesmen on how big a rig you can tow. A cruiser bunkhouse(we love ours) or a cougar or similar would be great with your new truck. Try to get a bunkhouse with a door vs a screen. And make sure there is room to grow.

I love camping at FW. Plus you can camp anywhere else you might want to go. You don't have to worry about some one yelling in the room next door and waking up the little ones. You will save money as the kids grow on rooms.

A RV is a big investment but well worth the money in the memories it generates. My kids love going camping and having campfires, they don't even complain too much about having to pick up after the dogs.

Good Luck and PM me if you want more info!

Nancy

 

[SunshineCamper]

I must say camping at the ft. relaxes me after going to the parks. We have 2 kids 9 and 7 and we go from ride to ride especially at MK. We get back to the Ft. and it's nice to just sit outside the Travel trailer or ride our bikes down to Bay Lake to watch for the fireworks and the electric water pagent. My dh gets our mugs refilled and the kids play in the sand. We've stayed at the resorts but going to the room to have one tv and a small room isn't the same. i can't relax completely. At the Ft. I feel we can de-stress from the lines at the parks, running here and there. I've lived in orlando since 1978 and FTW is absolutely, positively the way to go while staying at WDW. Can't beat the price either.

 

[GreatLakes5]

I was raised on hotels - did Disney in hotels all my young life. Married a guy who was a camper. Now we pull a 5th wheel. I find that now that we pull our own hotel on wheels, I'm even more critical of hotels. (Tend to be a bit germ phobic...) I control my environment and that of my children in my trailer. I like being able to take our dog so that's a plus. I like the less busy feel of the Fort.

As for expense with five people (or more) in a family hotels just get more and more costly. It seems to be either a suite, a villa, or two rooms in many properties (not just Disney). Compared to that, even a full hook-up during prime season would be a saving.

Now that said, I actually ENJOY restaurants - again the beauty of Disney. Cook at the trailer if you love it, go to restaurants because you saved money on lodging - either way you've got the option.

You may also find that your youngest does better in a trailer because it becomes like a second home - it will feel comfortable and familiar as opposed to a hotel room. My youngest always sleeps better in the trailer than she does in a strange bed somewhere.....

 

[gemstone1952]

Many years ago, when I only had 3 children, we stayed in the only resorts available at the time--contemporary, polenysian and the Fort. We had no RV so we used the cabins. Of all the places we stayed, my kids enjoyed the Fort the most. It was not less expensive to stay in the cabin than the hotels so it really was the atmosphere that the kids loved. The playgrounds, water, animals, space to run etc. As parents, we liked it because it was more like home--no waiting to get food in restaurants, no worries about the chldren making too much noise or jumping in the room and bothering the neighbors in the adjoining rooms. It was more relaxed and pleasant for all. When the 4th child came along, we looked at the practical aspects--airfare family of 6, adjoining rooms to fit a family of 6, restaurant and food for a family of 6--we looked at where our children had the best time and we felt more a "family"--we looked at bringing the home with us to vacation and it all said "buy that RV". We bought a fleetwood with a bunkhouse (4 bunks in the back), a class c. It served us well for 10 years. We would still be driving it now except for a little problem on the road back from one our disney trips--it caught fire and was a total loss. We eventually bought a new one--same type and even though there are only 2 children still travelling with us, we went for the bunkhouse again. We have our first grandchild now and someday he (and maybe more) will travel with us. Right now, those extra bunks come in handy for storage. It's been a great adventure!

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

Another vote for "go for it".

For us, we are also a family of five, the comfort of staying in our motorhome far outweighs any of the benefits of a hotel. It's our own space. The evenings are so much more relaxing for us. When we were finished with the parks for the day, we head back to our motorhome. Some days the kids just needed to veg and watch a movie, some days they needed to run around a bit outside. Either way we were still together as a family. DH and I could just relax outside while they played. My youngest DS would sometimes fall asleep in the afternoon while the other two were still going strong. It just made it so much more comfortable than trying to share a hotel room with them.