Why camp instead of hotel?

[lucky4you]

We are beginning to plan a trip for end of May 2015. We have always wanted to have a camper. I used to camp many years ago before I met my husband and had kids. Mine are now 6 and 4 and they have never been camping. We have been to Disney as a family twice already. I looked up prices for this May to compare an all stars resort to the campground and was surprised that the campground only saves us about $300 for a 7 night stay. I mean, they don't even have to clean a room for you. The gas to get there would be more since we would be towing the camper. This could be a decision maker on when to buy a camper. So, what are the advantages of camping vs hotels? Thanks!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Let Me See, why The Fort rather than resort:
. . . easier for adults and kids to meet others of their age
. . . those new friends often go to parks/eateries together
. . . the kids frequently play together all week
. . . folks are easier to approach
. . . people say "Hello!" as they pass one another
. . . more family activities at The Fort than at resorts
. . . you want to be out-and-about rather in the hotel room
. . . the smells of nature (and some diesel fuel, of course)
. . . more of a relaxed atmosphere, and not as hustle-bustle as at resorts
. . . AND, nice-wonderful-kindly-likable-humble people, like me ! *



* and Bama Ed, of course!

 

[Napria]

I agree with TheRustyScupper, but... We have two in our family who like to keep to themselves. Overall, camping in an RV allows introverts to keep to themselves, enjoy nature, peacefulness and be surrounded by their familiar things. This is essential to my husband and autistic son. There is also much more room in our camper than in all but a hotel suite. And we save money on cooking some (but certainly not all) of our meals. And don't forget, an RV can be used at more campgrounds than just Ft. Wilderness. Having an RV *makes* us take more vacations, even if it's just a weekend at our local lake campground.

 

[North of Mouse]

We are beginning to plan a trip for end of May 2015. We have always wanted to have a camper. I used to camp many years ago before I met my husband and had kids. Mine are now 6 and 4 and they have never been camping. We have been to Disney as a family twice already. I looked up prices for this May to compare an all stars resort to the campground and was surprised that the campground only saves us about $300 for a 7 night stay. I mean, they don't even have to clean a room for you. The gas to get there would be more since we would be towing the camper. This could be a decision maker on when to buy a camper. So, what are the advantages of camping vs hotels? Thanks!

It's "better felt, than telt" Hard to describe to someone how much your own personal "home" away from home means to you.

We love our own personal space - NO ONE else ever sleeps in our bed, uses our kitchen facilities, our bathroom, etc.

Camping is a relaxed way of traveling for us. It's 'not' for everyone! We actually prefer our MH to 'any' hotel at Disney. Being waited on (cleaned room, changed bedding, etc.) is not a 'biggie' to us - we would rather take care of our own.

We've camped all our married lives, raised our children on camping vacations. and still love it as much as ever, whether it be at FW, the Smoky Mtns. or wherever else we desire to go.

For you and your family, personally, you just have to weigh the pros and cons and decide for yourselves what you enjoy the most. The RV'ing way of life is not something everybody enjoys - we have good friends that actually hate it!!

There is no 'right' or 'wrong' way!

 

[Born 2 Fish]

If you camped before, then you should know that camping is either for you or not,,it's simply not for everyone.
That being said, you are correct , camping vs hotel at Disney is not all that cost effective. The Fort however a complete different setting/atmosphere and you will find a absolute different buncha folk staying at the Fort vs hotel.(in my opinion a much happier, friendlier people)
Also, if you bring your own camper then at least you'll know your not sleeping in someone elses filth.

 

[bama_ed]

To me there is so much more to do at the Fort itself than at All Star. If you're planning to hit the parks every day and use the Fort or All Star as just a place to sleep, it probably doesn't matter where you stay. But our visits at the Fort have evolved into "a day in the parks, a day at the Fort". So much more to do and explore.

Bama Ed

 

[scbelleatheart]

I am a newbie to this forum but have stayed at FW several times in a motorhome. My thoughts are "what do you consider camping"? Are you talking about a pop up camper, travel trailer or something else? I have never thought what we have done was camping but more of a home away from home. Familiar bed, appliances, furnishing and food. Less stress on young children while still being in a new and exciting place. I really cannot think of other vacations in hotels where I could take 2 adults 4 children and 2 additional friends of theirs and get there in one vehicle, afford meals and be completely comfortable.
I agree the atmosphere is very friendly, lots for kids to do and lots of family fun time. If you are looking at it hotel vs. "camping" then prioritize what you want from the investment. $300 less and you have an investment or for that same $300 more you have a week in a hotel room.

 

[arielmomma]

The fort is just "better." We have both stayed at Disney hotels and the Fort numerous times. In fact, we stayed at ASMo in September and FW two weeks ago. I stayed at ASMo to take advantage of free dining. It was nice, but it wasn't the Fort. When we were there from 11/10-11/18, it was glorious! With the exception of one obnoxious family for one night a few sites down from us, the fort was so much more relaxing. We tent camp, so we rough it a little bit, but we don't mind at all. We have everything we need and generally sleep more comfortably on our own sheets than in the hotel. The Fort has an atmosphere of its own. We spend a lot more time at the actual resort than we do if we stay anywhere else. My kids make more friends. Its just an entirely different vacation.

 

[Nixie]

Because for about the same square footage of a moderate room, I have a private "master suite" with my own TV and door, a private room (with a door I can close!) for the kids where each has their own bed and TV with their Xbox, a couch and dinette and another full entertainment system if someone doesn't wanna watch what is going on the other two (not that we watch a lot of TV while camping or at Disney, but it is a nice way to get the kiddos to settle in after a fun filled day), a full kitchen where I can save money by making dinners in our camper, Not to mention enough room to store bikes and fun outside games for the kiddos to play with when we get there. That sure beats sitting in a hotel room for us any day!!

 

[Napria]

Nixie, you just reminded me of one other thing I like about camping in my RV: packing only once and unpacking only once. No luggage. You just put your clothes in your RV's drawers and closets and you're all set when you get to your destination

 

[wiigirl]

To me there is so much more to do at the Fort itself than at All Star. If you're planning to hit the parks every day and use the Fort or All Star as just a place to sleep, it probably doesn't matter where you stay. But our visits at the Fort have evolved into "a day in the parks, a day at the Fort". So much more to do and explore.

Bama Ed

 

[Turbanator]

Camping saves money but we prefer the comforts of beds and a roof

 

[KristinU]

Here is what we love about traveling with a camper:

1. our own beds and linens (DH and I have both traveled a lot for business in our careers, I love love love knowing my own comfy bed and comfy pillow are right behind me when I'm driving...there are lots of uncomfortable hotel beds out there)
2. our own kitchen with our own food (so we can be as high maintenance about eating as we want), it also allows us to snack whenever we want and not have to go down to a restaurant or food court just for a handful of nuts or a cup of tea
3. we can have our dogs along
4. we really like sitting outside and relaxing at WDW, be that on a balcony at a deluxe or DVC or at our own site at the Fort
5. I love not having TSA dictate what we bring along
6. I also love not having size or weight restrictions dictate what we bring along - DS decides to bring a magic kit or guitar along? sure, why not!
7. we like being able to ride bikes around as active relaxation after park time

 

[North of Mouse]

Camping saves money but we prefer the comforts of beds and a roof

It's quite possible to have 'both'!!

I 'am not' a tent camper - never have been, (no offense to those who love it), but we've had 46 years of camping vacations. I also want/prefer the comforts of 'beds and a roof' and that's what we have.

We also love FW and other campgrounds that we frequent, plus the bonus of having our private bed, bath, kitchen, living areas.

 

[KristinU]

Camping saves money...

Also debatable, but we won't talk about that

 

[loislane]

We found that camping saved us a good amount of money - not just the room savings, but overall savings. Less money spent on snacks because I could buy at the grocery store a whole PACKAGE of snacks for the cost of one Disney snack item.

But money aside, after our trip in August, we don't think we could do a Disney hotel again. The trip was just so much more comfortable for us being in our popup surrounded by our own stuff. I loved getting up every morning, making my cup of coffee and then heading to the outside table in my bathroom and jammies to listen to the morning. Peepers singing, birds chirping (we had a family of cardinals that frequented our site looking for crumbs), saying good morning to other campers and cast members.

We loved watching the horses while waiting for the buses, visiting the ponies down at the stables, riding the ferry to MK, watching deer graze and wild turkeys strut around. We even saw our first gator during our trip over the summer.

 

[tiggerdad]

Prior to our TT purchase, when we vacationed, say at the beach, it got very expensive per night. Now I can afford to take my TT down to say Gulf Shores, and leave it at Gulf State Park for 2-3 weeks for what it cost for a weekend in a condo.
Also, my wife is a serious germaphobe. We lost half our storage space in our 4-runner for blankets, pillows, and sheets. The first trip to WDW my wife made me stop at a Target on the way down to buy sheets and blankets because she wasn't sleeping in someone else's germs. Now she has her own bed, the kids have their own room, and there are no "mystery bugs".

So it really boils down to what you like and fear. The Fort is a park in itself. Lots of things for kids to do. You can bring your pets, ride bikes, shoot archery, or just lay around and relax without all the noise of most resorts. Simply boils down to what you see as making or breaking a vacation.

 

[Ds4angels]

That's funny you ask. We stayed at ASMo last February and while the kids had a great time when DH asked if the kids would want to come back some time DS 9 said "OK but is there a campground close by so we can bring the camper next time?"

 

[mikron]

IMO camping is a life style not cheaper then car and hotel. We like the open feeling and meeting people. Open fire and our dog likes the open better also.

 

[amylevan]

Let's see...

My own sheets and bed.
A separate room (with a door!!!) for the kids.
An outdoor space to play, bike, relax...
DS can run free in the great outdoors, paramount for us after a day at the parks.
We can bring the dogs.
No listening to neighbors flushing toilets or footsteps in the hall or above us.

Camping for us is really a lifestyle choice right now. We don't just vacation at the Fort, we vacation all over the country, and nothing beats knowing exactly what our "hotel room" will look like no matter where we are. And the kids do sleep better in the camper than in a hotel, simply because it is a home away from home for them. They are familiar with the space.