To Cable or not to cable?

[4theloveofdisney]

If you were to camp in a tent at FW, I see that you can request a cable hook up. Does anyone know if you can get regular, local reception with rabbit ears or something on a tv? I can't see paying almost twice what the sight costs just to get cable but at the same time, I know DH and I would appreciate being able to catch up on news etc. and that the kids would like to catch cartoons every so often.


Thanks!

 

[John VN]

If you were to camp in a tent at FW, I see that you can request a cable hook up. Does anyone know if you can get regular, local reception with rabbit ears or something on a tv? I can't see paying almost twice what the sight costs just to get cable but at the same time, I know DH and I would appreciate being able to catch up on news etc. and that the kids would like to catch cartoons every so often.


Thanks!

You can get some regular channels with rabbit ears but there will be fuzz.
Not sure where you got the almost twice pricing from, but, in addition to the cable there is the sewer hook-up for your grey water if you have dishes to wash.

Rates for 2005 seasons list #38/$51 for value, $54/$69 for regular, $62/$79 for peak, $42/$55 for pre-holiday and $72/$89 for holiday...Partial hook-up(water and electric)/preferred(water, electric, sewer, cable). Not twice the price between the 2.


John

 

[We4mickey]

We have not had a problem getting stations with rabbit ears. You're not going to get them all but it was enough to keep us up to date and occupied in the morning and at night. We prefer the mid range sites. We have stayed in the preferred sites and feel they are not worth it. Just our 2 cents.

 

[MrsPete]

We never watch TV at DisneyWorld. Too much else to do.

 

[Jamesbyr]

Well, since the cable in the Disney resorts seems to provide only Disney-owned channels (ABC, ESPN, and the different resort guides, no PBS, NBC, CBS) the cable at the campground might have the same limitations. At least that was the situation the past two years.

 

[anditoo72]

I usually take a bunch of children with us (neices, nephews and my own) so cable is a must for us. I also love to look at the disney tour channel when we are there and the kids love the disney channel for downtime.

 

[auntie]

Is that true...no CBS or NBC?? That's seems odd. I know I've watched these stations while at the Wilderness Lodge..remember the last show of the season of American Dreams was on while we were there(NBC) show..it's a favorite of my daughters and mine. Is is that they don't feature these stations in the cable at the campground or all of the resorts now.

And what about the Resort Channel...or whatever it's called that gives you all the info on Disney parks, and resorts? I'd miss that too.

 

[DisneyPhD]

Is that true...no CBS or NBC?? That's seems odd. I know I've watched these stations while at the Wilderness Lodge..remember the last show of the season of American Dreams was on while we were there(NBC) show..it's a favorite of my daughters and mine. Is is that they don't feature these stations in the cable at the campground or all of the resorts now.

And what about the Resort Channel...or whatever it's called that gives you all the info on Disney parks, and resorts? I'd miss that too.

That is what I was thinking. It isn't WDW with out the "tip for today" I know they took that away, still getting over that grief.

But at least the top 7 things to do, with "Krisa". Does anyone know if they have a new one? I will find out in 6 days.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

The cable at the campground is the same as in the Disney resorts. You get the Disney Resort channels, etc. They do provide CBS and NBC. I have watched Survivor out at my picnic table, and was able to watch the NFL playoffs on CBS. By the way, don't forget that you have to provide your own cable. You probably want to pick up a 25' or so cable, so you will be able to move the TV around your site. I have always noticed these for sale in the trading post, and I will bet you are going to pay a premium there. While we generally try not to watch TV when we are camping, it is a great thing to have if the weather is bad, or on winter nights when it gets dark so early.

 

[4theloveofdisney]

Thanks for all of the great advice! I don't know if I did something wrong when plugging in my info on Disney's website but there was a significant difference in price. I know that we won't be watching tv much but I think we will go with getting cable. I forgot about the Disney parks channel and all of that. I just love the countdown and the weather reports and so on. Cartoons in the morning will keep the kids occupied and news at night will make DH happy - lol! So I guess cable it is!

Thanks again

Now if some codes would just come out

 

[John VN]

Yes, Codes would be nice.

John

 

[striker3636]

We got back yesterday and did not have a site with cable. We didn't think we would need it. We were able to get 5 channels with our antenna. However, next time we will get a preferred loop so that we are able to get the weather forecasts and a few cartoons for the kids just for a bit of down time while making dinner. Not that we needed the TV on a lot (mostly after the kids went to bed to catch the weather), but we did have one morning with a bit of rain and could have used it then!

 

[auntie]

I know personally...since 9-11 I check the news first thing every morning while getting ready or having coffee..gotta know what's goin' on in the world. Whether on vacation or home. Comming from NY....you just kind of look at things a bit differently I guess. Not that I like to dwell on it..but it's just a reality of the times. Plus my son is a police officer in the city..so I like to know about anything that might be going on. I know many folks who feel the same way.
So even though I'm on vacation..it's good to keep in touch with what's going on...and then move on with my day. I'd definetly go with a cable site.

 

[Bichon Barb]

No cable for us. While on vacation, my motto is "ignorance is bliss".

Seriously, we've never hooked up our cable. We don't even have the actual "cable" to hook it up with. The kids watch movies. But as someone said, it would be nice to have a weather report.

 

[Weegie]

We always just use the antenna on our MH. Never had a reception problem.

 

[RocklandRVers]

We always just use the antenna on our MH. Never had a reception problem.

We do the same and get great reception so why pay for cable.

We don't get the Disney Channel but we get the local channels for news, weather, sports, etc. Gotta watch the Today show with my coffee or its not a good day.

 

[emeraldlover]

I just came on here to post this exact same question, and it was the first thread on the camping board.

I have a site reserved for 6 nights in April. When I reserved it, they did not have a premium site available with cable. Oh well.... no big deal. Today I went on-line and can get the site with cable for an extra $40 total for the six nights, which is kinda steep for six nights I think.

My question was going to be "is it worth the $40?" However, after reading the responses already posted, I think we will just keep the $40 and spend it towards something else. We really aren't going to be watching TV much anyway, and I can usually get good enough reception with the antenna on the roof of the trailer to catch the local stations.

We have a portable DVD player that we use in the truck and can set-up in the trailer so we plan on going to Blockbuster and renting a bunch of DVD's for the ride down and home. Now with there "end of late fees", I can return them after 10 days (as long as I don't go 8 days past the original due date), and not pay extra.