tow our camper, rent camper or cabin rental??

[logella]

After several years of towing our popup from Texas, we sold it a couple of months ago. Hence, we're using Tina's 5'er in October for the first time and are pretty excited. We're still driving over but we enjoy the drive.

 

[chilipyro]

This is our cost comparison, and why we decided to drive (9 night stay):

Option 1 (drive down = 2 nights camping each way = 4 extra vacation days)
Bring bikes ($0)
Fuel (300 gallons @ $4/gallon) - $1200
Camp fees (9 nights @ $80/night) $720
Trip camp fees (4 nights @ $30/night)$120
Food (14 days @ $40/day estimate) $560
-----
$2600

Option 2 (fly down, rent camper, have food delivered)
Flight (5 people from Hartford, CT) $2300
Food (14 days @ $40/day estimate) $560
Camper (9 nights @ $135/day) $1215
Golf cart rental (9 days @ $50/day) $450
------
$4525


Option 2 (fly down, cabin, have food delivered)
Flight (5 people from Hartford, CT) $2300
Food (14 days @ $40/day estimate) $560
Cabin (9 nights @ $300/night) $2700
Golf cart rental (9 days @ $50/day) $450
------
$6010

We have a 28' Travel Trailer, so it is comfortable to live in. It also has all our things in it. The added 4 days that the trip takes is a big negative. It is not only the time, it is the fact that the days are long and tedious. If I couldn't get the extra time, I'd probably go for Option 2, rather than cut the stay short to make up for the 4 day journey.

 

[gillenkl]

I would bring your own trailer. Do you really need to bring bikes and rent a golf cart? - I'd just rent the golf cart and leave the bikes at home.

 

[LarryJ]

We live in Wisconsin. We have a 2007 Jayco 12 foot pop-up that we love! Wisconsin is a beautiful state and the camping is awsome! Anyhow- I am in the planning stage of our family trip. I am looking into three options:

1. Tow camper using Honda Ridgeline, 2 kids, bikes, ect, one stop overnight on the way down and one overnight stop back.

2. Rent 5th wheel from Tina, rent small car

3. Rent cabin at FW.

Option one takes the most time and energy. We would have to take off extra time to drive the 24 hour trip. Option 2 sounds great as a 5th wheel would be quite the step up from a pop-up. Option 3 would be nice too. I am also looking at cost. When it all comes down to it we just want to stay at FW. (we are actually comming down in Dec. with my parents and renting a house- they have no wanting to stay at FW- hey , free trip who am I to argue!)

Thank you and have a Disney day!

#1 hands down, this is a no brainer IMHO

Larry

 

[kaguilbeau]

Option 2 (fly down, rent camper, have food delivered)
Flight (5 people from Hartford, CT) $2300
Food (14 days @ $40/day estimate) $560
Camper (9 nights @ $135/day) $1215
Golf cart rental (9 days @ $50/day) $450
------
$4525


Don't forget that you have to add the cost of the FW site to this.

 

[chilipyro]

Option 2 (fly down, rent camper, have food delivered)
Flight (5 people from Hartford, CT) $2300
Food (14 days @ $40/day estimate) $560
Camper (9 nights @ $135/day) $1215
Golf cart rental (9 days @ $50/day) $450
------
$4525


Don't forget that you have to add the cost of the FW site to this.

You're right! That adds another $720 to option 2 = $5245.


Also, I think that, if we still had our pop-up, Option 1 would have been a bit different - as we would have stayed in motels on the way down and gone with a Disney meal plan instead of having meals in the camper. Towing the pup got us a bit better mileage too. So, more like this:

Option 1 (drive down = 2 nights hotel each way = 4 extra vacation days)
Bring bikes ($0)
Fuel (200 gallons @ $4/gallon) - $800
Camp fees (9 nights @ $80/night) $720
Trip motel fees (4 nights @ $80/night)$320
Trip Food (6 days @ $80/day estimate) $480
Disney Meal Plan (3 @ $40 + 2 @ $11 for 9 nights) $1278
-----
$3598

 

[KristinU]

I vote for option #1. Great analysis numbers Chilipyro! OP - it sounds like you are like us in that you'd rather put in a couple of long days and just ger 'er done rather than do two nights on the road. With a PUP that's do-able. So Chilipyro's numbers would help with the decision, esp if you only include one night on the way down and back. Taking along your own stuff and your own bikes, etc. is one of the great things about having a camper!

PLUS...I'm thinking that long range, not renting the 5-er could prove to be WAY cheaper...what if you rent it and decide that you can't live without one of your own?!?!