Why camp instead of hotel?

[lucky4you]

Thanks for all the replies!

I do know about the relaxing sounds of nature. I like to be deep in the woods. Not like KOA where there is an interstate a few feet away. I love campfires and hammocks. I am a friendly person and talk to people I don't know all the time. On elevators, check out lines...where ever. One of the first things I noticed and liked about camping is everyone waves and says hello.

I started off camping in a tent and then in a pop-up without a bathroom. In both cases, I'd use the bath house and walk back with the towel on my head. I brought a friend along once. She spent most of her time doing her hair and make up in the bath house. I don't even wear make up and basically wash my hair then brush it and go. Just trying to get the point across that I'm simple and don't need a lot of conveniences that some do.

My husband and I have only camped in cabins together. The kids have never been camping. I know we will love camping together.

Our normal Disney trips are driving all day on Thursday. Then checking in and going to downtown Disney to eat supper. Then the parks Friday through Tuesday. Then we drive home on Wednesday. We get 5 day hoppers and use the 5th day of tickets to catch up on what we missed. We get to the parks shortly after they open. Then we nap after lunch. Then go back to the parks until supper time. We eat supper and go to sleep. We were on the dining plans for both trips. One was free and one wasn't. We do this for convenience and because it saves money on character meals. We always bring our own snacks and last time we brought our own breakfast foods.

It sounds like we would need more time for our trip to be able to enjoy the extra things the campground offers. I guess we do basically use the hotels to sleep and are out and about dining and at the parks the rest of the time. I don't think I could find the time to actually cook. We have never minded sleeping in or bathing in places that other people have used. We always find the Disney rooms comfortable and clean.

As for as the price goes, I guess you are paying for the extra activities (I don't even know what those exactly are yet). I just say this because normally campgrounds are cheaper than hotels. For example if we wanted to go to a beach, even staying at a cabin in a park was cheaper than a hotel. Maybe things have changed with that. I get that it is the different experience and not the price that matters.

 

[North of Mouse]

Thanks for all the replies!
As for as the price goes, I guess you are paying for the extra activities (I don't even know what those exactly are yet). I just say this because normally campgrounds are cheaper than hotels. For example if we wanted to go to a beach, even staying at a cabin in a park was cheaper than a hotel. Maybe things have changed with that. I get that it is the different experience and not the price that matters.

The 'price' is basically because it's 'Disney'!! And, they can get it!!

We have been camping there since they opened and when our children were with us we made of use of the campfire program/movie, plus they used to have a steam train and petting 'zoo'. Now, we spend nearly all our time in the parks/resorts and seldom make use of any of the extra activities.

It's still very much worth the $$'s to stay there for us though because it's so nice and very convenient, plus it's 'Disney'

It's all a matter of what you enjoy because it's true that at times the value rates are not a lot different than the campsite rates. We do not stay there to save money, because I do not cook, but we love our 'home' and the ambiance of the Fort!

By the way, the cabins 'look' rustic, but are actually considered 'moderates' and have all the convenience of the other Disney hotels. (Actually, in some ways they have 'more' conveniences - kitchen, deck, privacy, etc.)

 

[5stljayhawks]

Why camping at the fort -

Have three under kids 10, camping for us at the fort does adds a lot of little things that make life easier, less costly and way more enjoyable while at Disney or any other campground. We had a hybrid TT camper and have upgraded our camper.

Why does FW Rock over a other resorts.

I consider FW a Super deluxe resort. Why?

Room Rate -
Most deluxe room are $350 and up & moderate $200 and up, what do you get? A monorail and some views of nature.

FW $125 on the high side and boat ride.

This transportation mode is great for mid day napping

Food
When in a resort room, you are paying premium for food. for 5 we average $40-$50 per meal or $100 to $150 a day - that accounts for sharing large plates at some meals, not at others.

FW - Food cost are about the same as home, w/ 90% of meals in the camper. I will stop at Walmart when we pull in and stock up.

Dog -
We will be taking our dog with us- saving $40-$50 a day

People
Not having to listen to kids come running and screaming back after the parks close.... or adults who don't use their inside voices..

The overall atmosphere is just more relaxing.

Other than Disney
We also camp 10 - 15 weekends a year with other long trip for mem/4th/lab. trips. so paying only $30-40 a night for full service site can add up VS $125 at holiday inn. I figure I am saving $100 a night on only the room, then there is food. Also my camper interest is a tax write off as second mortgage.

 

[SunshineCamper]

*Kids can have more "space" to run around vs. a hotel room.
*I am sleeping and living in MY home (no one else).
*I don't have to listen to my neighbors above or below me...or people running down hallways knocking on my door, etc.
*The fort is its OWN PARK. It has more to offer than a hotel.
*You aren't paying for "Mousekeeping" hotel style, however, you are paying for the other activities at the ft.
*The seasonal golf cart parades!
*Watch the fireworks on the beach & electric water show.
*Camping allows more people to stay-big families...5+

 

[jmrothermel]

I personally didn't find the Fort to be more expensive than any other upscale campground, even though it's 'Disney'. I paid on average $68/night, and Yogi near us gets just that. For peak season it's even higher, which Im sure it as at the Fort too.

 

[JanL]

I am a privacy nut....do not like housekeeping coming into the room daily...often just meet them in the hall and swap dirty towels for clean ones.

There is more buffer room between you and the next guest if you camp.

Also, if you own a camper, you have a guest house when visitors stay over (some of my friends prefer to sleep in their camper and give the guests their bedroom, LOL).

If you have to evacuate your house due to weather, etc., you take your vacation home with you and it is all furnished and has your amenitites.

I can bring my recumbent trike...would not want to lug it up to a hotel room each time I wanted a ride.

I belong to a camping club and can go sit with old friends under their awning, have pot luck suppers, etc. when we camp.

It is easier for my daughter to bring friends of both genders along if we camp than if we would all have to share one hotel room.

 

[Napria]

Figuring in the price of an RV, extra insurance for it, extra cost of gas and extra costs associated with maintenance, no, camping doesn't usually save any money.

But there are so many plusses, as mentioned in all the previous posts. One thing that I didn't see mentioned is what we've experienced... Owning your own RV makes you take more vacations, even if it's just a weekend at the lake (or in the mountains, by the sea, etc.)

 

[KristinU]

Figuring in the price of an RV, extra insurance for it, extra cost of gas and extra costs associated with maintenance, no, camping doesn't usually save any money.

But there are so many plusses, as mentioned in all the previous posts. One thing that I didn't see mentioned is what we've experienced... Owning your own RV makes you take more vacations, even if it's just a weekend at the lake (or in the mountains, by the sea, etc.)

Bingo!

 

[John VN]

Figuring in the price of an RV, extra insurance for it, extra cost of gas and extra costs associated with maintenance, no, camping doesn't usually save any money.

But there are so many plusses, as mentioned in all the previous posts. One thing that I didn't see mentioned is what we've experienced... Owning your own RV makes you take more vacations, even if it's just a weekend at the lake (or in the mountains, by the sea, etc.)

Another

You make your stay whatever you want of it. We have a good time when staying in hotel/motel room and likewise in our MH.

Bedbugs in rooms are replace with the worries about mice, ants, roaches, mud-dabbers making a home in a camper. Concerns about having too few towels delivered to your room might be replaced with thoughts about a leaky roof.

Taking care of and using our MH might not make financial $en$e but it makes mental sense even after all the expenses and worries.


McFlurry John

 

[North of Mouse]

Another

You make your stay whatever you want of it. We have a good time when staying in hotel/motel room and likewise in our MH.

Bedbugs in rooms are replace with the worries about mice, ants, roaches, mud-dabbers making a home in a camper. Concerns about having too few towels delivered to your room might be replaced with thoughts about a leaky roof.

We have occasionally stayed in hotels when we absolutely had to (usually emergencies), but we don't 'ever' enjoy them!

Bedbugs are a large concern of mine, plus I'd rather not sleep where total strangers have slept, but as for the other things you mentioned about the worries of owning an RV - nope, no worries there. We love our MH and treat it just like our home regarding maintenance (hubby checks it year round) and house keeping. We keep it in our RV barn so it's accessible all the time.

Since our cat died a few years ago, we keep monitored mouse traps set in the barn - even one inside the MH (just in case, ) DH actually caught one in the barn a few weeks ago.

 

[John VN]

We have occasionally stayed in hotels when we absolutely had to (usually emergencies), but we don't 'ever' enjoy them!

Bedbugs are a large concern of mine, plus I'd rather not sleep where total strangers have slept, but as for the other things you mentioned about the worries of owning an RV - nope, no worries there. We love our MH and treat it just like our home regarding maintenance (hubby checks it year round) and house keeping. We keep it in our RV barn so it's accessible all the time.

Since our cat died a few years ago, we keep monitored mouse traps set in the barn - even one inside the MH (just in case, ) DH actually caught one in the barn a few weeks ago.

We just stayed at Best Western Ocean in Cocoa Beach this past weekend for the Space Coast Half Marathon and it was great. Four weeks ago we stayed at Campers Inn in Panama City Beach, FL in our MH for my Ironman Florida race and it was a blast but now have a window starting to fog. Five weeks we will be staying at FW for our Marathon Weekend races and I will drive the MH to EPCOT parking lot at 0230 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for our races and again it will be a blast. Tires will also need replacement next year at about $3000. Had an ant infestation in the air conditioning duct work that I dealt with earlier in the year. Also a front window seal I just worked on 2 weeks ago. All part of the experience.

McFlurry John

 

[North of Mouse]

We just stayed at Best Western Ocean in Cocoa Beach this past weekend for the Space Coast Half Marathon and it was great. Four weeks ago we stayed at Campers Inn in Panama City Beach, FL in our MH for my Ironman Florida race and it was a blast but now have a window starting to fog. Five weeks we will be staying at FW for our Marathon Weekend races and I will drive the MH to EPCOT parking lot at 0230 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for our races and again it will be a blast. Tires will also need replacement next year at about $3000. Had an ant infestation in the air conditioning duct work that I dealt with earlier in the year. Also a front window seal I just worked on 2 weeks ago. All part of the experience.

McFlurry John

Yes, you are so right - there are many things that can/will happen to an RV - sort of like a miniature home. I was just commenting on your PP about certain things you mention happening that we have no problems with. Actually, as I type, our MH is in the shop for warranty work. One problem was a leaking passenger side window - had to order/replace the complete window.

But, as you say, all part of the experience, and we wouldn't trade it for 'any' hotel, Disney or anywhere has to offer.

 

[Parrotheader]

It sounds like we would need more time for our trip to be able to enjoy the extra things the campground offers. I guess we do basically use the hotels to sleep and are out and about dining and at the parks the rest of the time. I don't think I could find the time to actually cook. We have never minded sleeping in or bathing in places that other people have used. We always find the Disney rooms comfortable and clean.

It sounds like hotel is definitely the way to go for your family then.

Most of the times I've been to WDW have been stays in FW. But our family almost always made trips of at least 8-10 days so we had plenty of down time. The only times I've stayed in a hotel have been POR (when it was just me and my wife) and our trip to the Swan last week. The former we weren't there long (4 days) so we didn't need anything too fancy. The latter we were at for 8 days so we knew we wanted a more plush, resort experience. It definitely lived up to that (further complimented by the premium location) and we thoroughly enjoyed it. When I do a resort again it'll definitely be one of the 5 in that area - maybe try Boardwalk next time. But the only reason we didn't do FW last time was because my folks are currently between RVs (definitely nice to have access to borrow something like that.)

 

[KristinU]

We just stayed at Best Western Ocean in Cocoa Beach this past weekend for the Space Coast Half Marathon and it was great. Four weeks ago we stayed at Campers Inn in Panama City Beach, FL in our MH for my Ironman Florida race and it was a blast but now have a window starting to fog. Five weeks we will be staying at FW for our Marathon Weekend races and I will drive the MH to EPCOT parking lot at 0230 on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday for our races and again it will be a blast. Tires will also need replacement next year at about $3000. Had an ant infestation in the air conditioning duct work that I dealt with earlier in the year. Also a front window seal I just worked on 2 weeks ago. All part of the experience.

McFlurry John

Don't you just love a moho as mobile race support? DH and I stayed in a hotel when we ran the Hershey half a month or so ago...saw a class C in the parking area as we were walking to the race start and totally missed ours. There is something so nice about having your little home right there with you!

And congrats on your races, John!

 

[mightyexplorers]

So, what are the advantages of camping vs hotels? Thanks!

Because once you go fort you can't go back. It is an addiction and the other Disney resorts just can't quite measure up to having your own piece of Disney real-estate.

It is the closest thing to actually living at Disney World! You get land, your own "house" (RV, Cabin, Tent, Trailer). All of your own things. And for the most part neighbors that look out for you and your belongings.

 

[Teamubr]

I'll throw in my $0.02.

I do the math on this for every trip. I'm pretty frugal and look for the most inexpensive way to do something, but still get what I want.

Bottom line, it is close to a break even to do a value resort (or moderate with discount) vs the fort if I only count travel and lodging expenses.

Food is the deal breaker.

I already have a 5th wheel. That's an accepted ongoing expense regardless of a trip to WDW.

I'm not a clean freak. Due to race travel, I am in hotel rooms at least 2-3 nights a month (often more), every month. It doesn't bother me. I sleep anywhere and have never been bit by anything at a hotel. (and I sadly think many of the hotel rooms are probably cleaner than my bed at home)

When taking the camper to WDW, we eat nearly every breakfast at the camper before heading out for the day. We might do one character breakfast. For the 3 of us (me, DW and DS16), that saves at least $40/day over the hotel.

Lunches and 2/3 dinners are in the parks or table service somewhere. We usually end up at the fort for 1 or 2 evenings where I might BBQ or we might be back for a lunch or 2 if wanting a nap or going between parks.

This ends up adding to a few $100. That's more money I can spend in the parks or even (forbid) take back home.

Either way, if I could ever get free dining, I would likely do the hotel. I would miss the cool things at the fort, but I can always take the bus over and "visit".

j

 

[lodge]

Because the atmosphere cannot be matched..... smells, sights, sounds, good folks! It's a community the resorts are lacking.

Also, bikes and golf carts with Christmas lights, horse drawn wagons with sleigh bells, and festive sites are unmatched!

 

[loislane]

I feel like we are the only ones where camping worked out to be cheaper.

August 2011, we went for a week-long trip. Family of 5. Flew down. Value season. Free dining. Two rooms at POP. Park tickets for M-F with hoppers. Total cost of trip - about $5,000.

August 2013 - we went for an 11 night trip. Still a family of 5. Drove down with overnight camping stops. Value season. No dining. One campsite. 10 day park tickets with hoppers AND water parks option. Total cost of trip - about $5,000.

Same cost of trip, yes, but the 2nd trip had twice as many park days plus we did a lot more extra stuff like the hot air balloon ride, etc.

 

[North of Mouse]

I feel like we are the only ones where camping worked out to be cheaper.

August 2011, we went for a week-long trip. Family of 5. Flew down. Value season. Free dining. Two rooms at POP. Park tickets for M-F with hoppers. Total cost of trip - about $5,000.

August 2013 - we went for an 11 night trip. Still a family of 5. Drove down with overnight camping stops. Value season. No dining. One campsite. 10 day park tickets with hoppers AND water parks option. Total cost of trip - about $5,000.

Same cost of trip, yes, but the 2nd trip had twice as many park days plus we did a lot more extra stuff like the hot air balloon ride, etc.

I think what you are not counting - and most are - is the broken down yearly cost of owning (cost) an RV, insurance, taxes, and maintenance (also some have a monthly storage charge).

We have RV'd for so many years now that our ownership cost is very low, but we still have insurance, maintenance (tires, etc.), extra fuel, and taxes to think about. We do have a garage for our MH - so no storage fees.

Trust me, I am on your side - there is 'nothing' to us that beats having our own personal 'home' no matter where we camp. If people 'always' stay at budget (value) hotels and don't travel much annually, then the cost is probably cheaper to use hotels.

For us, personally, it's not the cost now, but what we really prefer (no matter whether it be the value or deluxe of hotels). In our younger days of camping we 'pinched' every penny and started out in a VW camper (our personal vehicle also) and loved every minute of it!

We will RV until we can't!

 

[loislane]

I think what you are not counting - and most are - is the broken down yearly cost of owning (cost) an RV, insurance, taxes, and maintenance (also some have a monthly storage charge).

We have RV'd for so many years now that our ownership cost is very low, but we still have insurance, maintenance (tires, etc.), extra fuel, and taxes to think about. We do have a garage for our MH - so no storage fees.

Trust me, I am on your side - there is 'nothing' to us that beats having our own personal 'home' no matter where we camp. If people 'always' stay at budget (value) hotels and don't travel much annually, then the cost is probably cheaper to use hotels.

For us, personally, it's not the cost now, but what we really prefer (no matter whether it be the value or deluxe of hotels). In our younger days of camping we 'pinched' every penny and started out in a VW camper (our personal vehicle also) and loved every minute of it!

We will RV until we can't!

All that is true and you are correct, I wasn't factoring in any of those costs.

We are fortunate that our popup is paid for and we have ample room to keep it on our own property. Insurance isn't too bad - but we did have to fork out $100 or so on our trip to buy a new tire.

As a family of 5 we have just found that it works out per-trip to be more economical to camp because we don't fit in one hotel room. Then you just have all the other perks of being in your own space with your own stuff.