Those who have done both........

[loveDmouse]

stayed at one of the resorts and in an RV at the campground. Did you like one more than the other? Just curious.
We have reservations for the Wilderness Lodge in early December. We just purchased an RV and I am thinking about changing our reservations to the campground and take the RV. (we are newbies to RVing)
Were you disappointed in staying in your RV over one of the resorts? This will be the first time at Wilderness Lodge and my husbands first time staying in the park at all.
What do you guys think?
Thanks for your help.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

We have stayed at SOG, ASMu (twice), WL and FW. Our preferred vacation is in the camper at FW.

 

[loveDmouse]

Thanks ftwildernessguy! You have been quite helpful. You must have lots of experience at WDW!

 

[minkydog]

We have stayed at AKL and POR, in addition to FW. My kids will tell you in a New York minute they'd rather go to FW. I think they like the space(and the golf cart ) You really can't compare FW with staying on site. It's totally different WDW vacation. FW is laid back, quiet--do you know some people don't even go to the parks when they stay at FW They fix breakfast in their camper and eat it at the picnic table while their kids draw with sticks in the dirt. They save a lot of money

If dirt and bugs and sandwiches aren't your idea of a great WDW vacation,or you really just want to feel more pampered,then stay at WL this time and save the RV for another trip.

 

[Disneefun]

Before we got our RV last year, we had stayed in every resort except YC, BC and Boardwalk. Hands down, the camper wins. FW is like 2 vacations in one: you have the theme parks but you also have FW itself which is huge and offers a lot of activities and things to see. You could have a great vacation and not go to the parks. Yes, you get more "pampering" at the resorts w/maid service, etc. but for my money I'd rather be at FW paying a low nightly rate and having my own thing.

With the RV we know the room is clean (no bedbugs or other ick), we can bring our dog along, we can cook in the camper and save money to spend on other things and we have all our "stuff." Before, if it rained or we didn't want to go to the parks for whatever reason we were just kind of stuck with whatever was on TV in the room. Now we bring board games, DVD's, the playstation and other fun stuff. Love it.

 

[minkydog]

With the RV we know the room is clean (no bedbugs or other ick), we can bring our dog along, we can cook in the camper and save money to spend on other things and we have all our "stuff." Before, if it rained or we didn't want to go to the parks for whatever reason we were just kind of stuck with whatever was on TV in the room. Now we bring board games, DVD's, the playstation and other fun stuff. Love it.

Yeah, sleeping in my bed, on my sheets Drinking good coffee out of real cups. I forgot about the playstation! Bring your DDR and set it up--let the good time roll

 

[Kathy5]

Before we started camping we had stayed at the French Quarters, the Tree Houses, Beach Club (several times), and the Swan.

By far, we like camping the best. I can snuggle in my own quilts and not worry about who had snuggled last. A clean bathrrom and floor. A healthy breakfast, fruit and healthy food for snacks, bring the dog, all of our "stuff" around us. Can't be beat.

Kathy

 

[loveDmouse]

Wow! It sounds great! I am so excited to start RVing.
I think we will leave the dog home for this trip until she gets used to the RV. I would hate to leave her for long periods of time in something new to her but maybe next year we can bring her along to WDW.
Thanks guys! Have a great weekend!

 

[Donna]

Also, don't forget with the RV, you never have to "pack up" the night before or UNpack when you get there. Your RV is always packed. With the recent events going on with airlines, you don't have to deal with that added hassle either since you'd be driving in your RV to WDW. carryons? what carryons? no liquids restricted in your RV!
I just stayed in a grand villa at OKW and my husband thought for sure i'd not want to give that up but my RV is my new "home" away from home and i like the coziness of it! btw, i've stayed in every disney resort except CBR and the Inn side of BW, i'll take my RV anytime over a hotel room!

 

[F4disneyfan]

stayed at one of the resorts and in an RV at the campground. Did you like one more than the other? Just curious.
We have reservations for the Wilderness Lodge in early December. We just purchased an RV and I am thinking about changing our reservations to the campground and take the RV. (we are newbies to RVing)
Were you disappointed in staying in your RV over one of the resorts? This will be the first time at Wilderness Lodge and my husbands first time staying in the park at all.
What do you guys think?
Thanks for your help.

I will let you know after Dec 07 when I camp for the firast time at WDW and the first time since I was 14 so 23 years ago LOL. I am a hotel person now I prefer concrete walls and all the amenities that go along with it LOL. Being DVC members I can't give up my dishwasher or having the washer and dryer right in the room we drive to Disney so we get to pack even lighter knowing we can just throw a load of wash in for FREE anytime we need to nope I can't ever give that up.

 

[gbss]

We have been to Disney many, many times! This November will be my 39th time. We have stayed in most resorts on and off site, rented a big house with a bunch of families and camped in FW. By far FW is the best! My darling husband loves usually loves resorts but not when is comes to Disney, he would rather camp at FW. Last year we stayed at FW for a week and 1/2 and the spend 3 days at Key West. We were saddened that we didn't get to stay in the campground. Our girls (7 and 4) love the campground too.
We have a new puppy this year and decided not to bring him this November but next year when he is older he will be attending with the family!

 

[F4disneyfan]

Just a question are there a large nuimber of dogs at FW? We are not a pet family you could say we are kinda anti dog and cat with my allergies etc we don't even step foot into my moms place unless her dog is put away in the crate while we are there same with my sister in laws place and my sisters place and there are no dogs or cats to visit our house. We just don't care for teh smell the noise and the mess that you incur while owning a dog or cat are there any prefered sites away from the pet loops that have a re modeled comfort station as I want to be as far from teh pet loops as possible but want the updated CS.

 

[Donna]

I will let you know after Dec 07 when I camp for the firast time at WDW and the first time since I was 14 so 23 years ago LOL. I am a hotel person now I prefer concrete walls and all the amenities that go along with it LOL. Being DVC members I can't give up my dishwasher or having the washer and dryer right in the room we drive to Disney so we get to pack even lighter knowing we can just throw a load of wash in for FREE anytime we need to nope I can't ever give that up.

LOL! i hear ya! i didn't say i was giving UP dvc, just won't be using it as much as before.

 

[bradisgoofy]

Like Donna, we are DVC members and have stayed many times ( see signature ) at DVC property. But now that we can use our DVC points for campsites, we will probably go to FW more then the Villas, for all the reasons stated before. We have enough DVC points to stay at FW up to 10 weeks! We even went out and bought our own golf cart to bring with us. RVing is our perferred way to travel anyway.

 

[gbss]

All the loops are set up so none are "too" close to each other. Pet owners are suppose to keep their pets only in the designated pet areas within their loop. They are not even allowed to walk to the kennel. I have stayed in both pet loops and preferred non-pet loops and both are very well kept and isolated from each other. We will be staying in 1400 loop this year which is a nonpet preferred loop. Next year our puppy will be older and be able to enjoy Disney with us so we will stay in loop 300.

 

[loveDmouse]

Boy it sounds like it will be so nice. I can't wait.
I will let you guys know how it goes.
Thanks again!

 

[F4disneyfan]

Like Donna, we are DVC members and have stayed many times ( see signature ) at DVC property. But now that we can use our DVC points for campsites, we will probably go to FW more then the Villas, for all the reasons stated before. We have enough DVC points to stay at FW up to 10 weeks! We even went out and bought our own golf cart to bring with us. RVing is our perferred way to travel anyway.

LOL we aren't even going to use our points for the camping it is essentially teh same point usage as staying at OKW in a studio which we aren't willing to do that ust to camp not worth the point usage for us.

 

[Donna]

All the loops are set up so none are "too" close to each other. Pet owners are suppose to keep their pets only in the designated pet areas within their loop. They are not even allowed to walk to the kennel. I have stayed in both pet loops and preferred non-pet loops and both are very well kept and isolated from each other. We will be staying in 1400 loop this year which is a nonpet preferred loop. Next year our puppy will be older and be able to enjoy Disney with us so we will stay in loop 300.

I have requested loop 300 for next summer. Just wondering though, if i requested a pet loop, will i GET a pet loop? is this a guaranteed request? i'd hate to get down there with my dog and not get a pet loop as requested.

 

[F4disneyfan]

I have requested loop 300 for next summer. Just wondering though, if i requested a pet loop, will i GET a pet loop? is this a guaranteed request? i'd hate to get down there with my dog and not get a pet loop as requested.

Not sure how that works my guess is that a request is just that a request not a guarantee like the requests at teh other resorts but I am sure one of the camping pros on here would know better.

 

[campingcorgi]

Oh, yeah, they'll honor that request. They can make additional loops pet loops as needed so don't worry about it. I've never had any trouble getting that request--and actually they almost alway honor my 1700 request. There was that one time that a church group had rented the entire 1700 loop and the other time that it was closed for tree trimming, but otherwise no problem.