Why camp instead of hotel?

[amylevan]

We already own our camper, and use it to vacation numerous times per year with or without going to FW. So, when comparing camping versus staying in an on-site hotel, camping ends up cheaper simply because I don't count maintenance/ownerships costs when comparing. We are going to be paying those costs whether we stay in a hotel or camp.

For someone who is thinking of purchasing a camper for the sole purpose of saving money at WDW, it ain't gonna happen.

 

[lucky4you]

We know we want to buy a camper even if we don't take it to Disney. I agree with all the great things about camping that were posted. This was strictly about Disney camping benefits. A lot of things about that were written. Thanks!

 

[North of Mouse]

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.

We, too, own our MH and we use it much more than a 10 day annual trip to Disney. We love camping most anywhere but love the Smoky Mtns.

 

[ChrisinNJ]

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.

We are also a family of 5. I have found staying on property to be so expensive once you have more than 4 people. So to me, if I want to stay on property, the Fort is the cheapest way to go. Someone might find a cheaper deal in a Disney hotel, but I will bet they won't find nicer accommodations for the money.

I can do Disney cheaper and quite comfortably when I go off property and rent a condo or townhouse. But as others have said, I always worry about cleanliness and bed bugs.

 

[ChrisinNJ]

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!

If you factor all of that in, camping is not cheap at all. But, I am paying those costs whether I go to Disney or not, so I don't factor them in to the cost of my trip. And you really can't beat the comforts of home!

 

[North of Mouse]

If you factor all of that in, camping is not cheap at all. But, I am paying those costs whether I go to Disney or not, so I don't factor them in to the cost of my trip. And you really can't beat the comforts of home!

No worries with however you want to figure your camping costs.

By nature I just have an analytical mind and for my own use like to break down our vacation costs to include everything!

Our MH is 'only' used for our camping trips (including Disney) so I, personally, have to figure that cost in, as we would not have those expenses if we were not camping.

 

[bama_ed]

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!

Whoa! Wait. Wat?



You mean Robert and you had one of these?

Did he dress like this at the time?

Well, having met him once, I could believe it.























(that he drove a VW Bus, that is).

JUST kidding. He must be a man happy behind the wheel of his "go about" vehicle.

Bama Ed

 

[North of Mouse]

Whoa! Wait. Wat?



You mean Robert and you had one of these?

Did he dress like this at the time?

Well, having met him once, I could believe it.























(that he drove a VW Bus, that is).

JUST kidding. He must be a man happy behind the wheel of his "go about" vehicle.

Bama Ed

Yes, Bama Ed, we did!

Actually, we owned 3 at different times (1 tan, 2 yellow-green) 'Loved' them, but put your mind at ease - we didn't go the 'hippie' route - LOL

Really, we didn't realize until later that what we had was a 'hippie mobile'
Ours were new and didn't have flowers and peace signs on them!

Those were the good ole camping days!! (with 1, then 2 kiddos).

 

[KristinU]

Do you happen to have interior pics of the VW? I've always wondered what the interior looks like, especially the bed up top (I assume that the bed is that pop-top portion, right? And how do you get up there - is there a ladder?

 

[North of Mouse]

Do you happen to have interior pics of the VW? I've always wondered what the interior looks like, especially the bed up top (I assume that the bed is that pop-top portion, right? And how do you get up there - is there a ladder?

Amazingly, I don't remember taking any interior pics.

It was really compact, but had a small sink, water supply, stove, fridge, wardrobe, and we added a porta potti. (all was on a small scale, of course LOL)
Even had a furnace!

Bench seat (storage underneath) folded down to make a bed in bottom (including back portion behind seat). The top bed folded back when not is use to give more stand up room. You would step on bottom bed and climb up to top bed (no room for ladders

It was similar to the 'van' campers today except more compact. The beds were a type of 'leatherette' with foam and were surprisingly comfortable.

If I remember correctly, they were the first of their kind, and we put lots of 'happy' miles on them.

 

[KristinU]

Amazingly, I don't remember taking any interior pics.

It was really compact, but had a small sink, water supply, stove, fridge, wardrobe, and we added a porta potti. (all was on a small scale, of course LOL)
Even had a furnace!

Bench seat (storage underneath) folded down to make a bed in bottom (including back portion behind seat). The top bed folded back when not is use to give more stand up room. You would step on bottom bed and climb up to top bed (no room for ladders

It was similar to the 'van' campers today except more compact. The beds were a type of 'leatherette' with foam and were surprisingly comfortable.

If I remember correctly, they were the first of their kind, and we put lots of 'happy' miles on them.

Cool, thanks for the description! I've seen a couple on our travels but have never had the nerve to pester the owners and ask. Though when we had a unique camper (an Aliner) I loved when people stopped and asked about it.

 

[JanL]

We had a yellow and white one when the kids were small...I remember the oldest rolling past the rail guard from the upper bed and landing on the carpet below...she didn't even wake up....scared the sox off of me, though.

 

[lucky4you]

That reminds me of when I used to camp in a hard sided Apache pop up. People were always curious and watched during our set up because it was rare to see.

 

[North of Mouse]

We had a yellow and white one when the kids were small...I remember the oldest rolling past the rail guard from the upper bed and landing on the carpet below...she didn't even wake up....scared the sox off of me, though.

Never saw a yellow and white VW Campmobile, nor did any of ours have railings for the upper bed or carpet on the floor. What year was yours?

That reminds me of when I used to camp in a hard sided Apache pop up. People were always curious and watched during our set up because it was rare to see.

Good friends of ours had the Apache hard side. I thought it was really neat - they had a very big problem with it 'sweating' inside and dripping though.

 

[JanL]

I think ours was a Vanagon...1986 or so? The guard rail was one I put up, the kind that fits under a mattress. The VW had the sink, fridge, stove, etc. and the front seats swiveled around to face the couch/bed. The rear hatch door acted as an awning to keep the morning sun out and there was a screen that snapped over that opening to keep bugs out. There was even a little closet for hanging clothes.

 

[North of Mouse]

I think ours was a Vanagon...1986 or so? The guard rail was one I put up, the kind that fits under a mattress. The VW had the sink, fridge, stove, etc. and the front seats swiveled around to face the couch/bed. The rear hatch door acted as an awning to keep the morning sun out and there was a screen that snapped over that opening to keep bugs out. There was even a little closet for hanging clothes.

Yes, now I remember the VW Vanagons. They were several years after ours and a little more sophisticated than the ones we owned.

Ours did have a small 'wardrobe' in the side back, also had the screens that snapped into the back opening.