Why camp?

[maxiesmom]

How do I convince my dear brother-in-law that it is worth the price to camp at Disney? We have stayed at various resorts, but never the campground. His point is that for another $20 a night we could be at a hotel! And then factor in the price of gas! Why do you stay at the campground? Please give me some good info to use on him.

 

[GoofySuse]

I guess the biggest plus would be that you get all the perks of staying on property for so much less. But you have to be a camper to want to camp....

 

[LMC]

We love to camp (the kids do) and FW is so wonderful. However, we are in the same boat so to speak with campsite rates, gas expense and hotel rates not being that much more. My price for a FW site to justify towing the camper and spending about $700 in gas to do it is $35 a night. Right now we are at $58. So we also have 2 rooms booked at allstars at $49 nt+tax. And we'll only put in two tanks of gas ($160). So we are saving about $400 by booking two rooms at the allstars. IF FW sites get discounted then we will keep that ressie. IF not we are definately doing something else!
I just can't believe that they are giving us a break on these sites! We are using our own beds/linens, etc. We don't even get mousekeeping! And the allstars are cheaper. Oh well, if you can go in value season and get a discount then it's worth it. We went last October for 1 week and it was great!

 

[FloridaTeacher]

Why camp?

1. It's like being at home and on vacation.
2. You have your own kitchen, so you don't have to eat out every meal. This saves us a bunch.
3. You have your own bed that no one else sleeps in.
4. You have your own bathroom facilities that no one else uses.
5. You can pack everything into drawers, etc. before you leave home (no packing, unpacking, packing, unpacking).
6. You have an outdoor area to bar-b-que and sit and relax.
7. The other baby in the family (the yorkie) can go.

4 Days til our next WDW/FW adventure.
Happy Camping.

 

[Duane]

Since we are here now, let me give it a "shot".....

First of all, let me say that I've never stayed the the All Stars, but what I've heard, its nothing more than just your "basic" motel room. There may be more decorations pasted on the outside of the building, and some fancy graphics posted arounfd the pool, but take all that away and what do you have? A motel room.

In a cabin or in a camper, you don't have to hear all of the crying kids or arguing parents in the next room that are stressed after a long day in the parks.

You don't have to get dressed, load up everyone in the car to eat out for every meal.

At night you're not "locked" into the room to watch cable TV.

You can't sit out on your deck or under your awning and enjoy a cup of coffee or enjoy the smells of bacon cooking at the next camp site.

In a hotel, you can't stroll over, ride your golfcart, or peddle your bike over to the campfire/sing along or movie each night. Or over to the Settlement Trading or Meadows Trading Post for an ice cream.

Not to mention the petting zoo, Trails End Buffet, Crocket's Tavern, the beach and marina, the swamp bike/walking trail, and especially the peace and quiet of the campground itself.

I guess I could go on, but I think you get the point.....


Take Care! Duane

 

[rapriebe]

I totally agree with all of you but I can relate with what LMC is saying. Why does it have to be so expensive to stay at the campground? You pay more for a campsite then you do to stay at the Value Resorts. Especially with the price of gasoline now it's getting more cost effective to leave the camper at home. It's also very frustrating that they don't always offer discount codes to the campsites so you can't even take advantage of them.

BUT -- the main problem is that you can't take the 4-legged kids with you in a motel and that will remain the primary reason that we stay at FW vs. a motel. Our 2-legged kids are grown so FW doesn't have the same impact that it did when the kids were younger. We tend to eat more meals out and enjoy relaxing in front of the TV in the evening so the "camping mystique" isn't what it used to be for us.

With all that said, I envy those with little ones because there's nothing like taking them camping at FW.

 

[VAN]

If you are trying to convince a non-camper, I think you are going to have a problem. Here are some things we enjoy about camping at WDW:

Less expensive than hotel

You are better equiped to cook your own meals ... even if it is out of a cooler -- no standing in lines to eat, less expensive, not so much "junk/fried foods"

Nothing like being outdoors w/ your cup of coffee and paper ... then an inexpensive drink in the evening

Very seldom do you have noisy neighbors ... biggest noise are the buses and you get used to them

If you drive down, you save on airfare and then have your own vehicle once there (no rental car)

You have your own stuff (pillow, blanket, etc)

We never have a TV while camping and find that the family does a real job of bonding .... no sports on TV taking my DH's attention!!! That in itself is worth camping!!!!

Given the choice during a week long (or longer) trip to WDW, I prefer camping (we have a pop-up). We also drive from SW Michigan and I actually enjoy the "road trip" -- we live in a beautiful country, even if you view it only from the interstate!

Like I said -- he is a non-camper, you have an uphill battle on your hands to convince him!!

 

[Whosemom]

We used to get a little homesick on trips longer than three days. With our camper, we've been out two weeks and not been yearning for home even a little.

Ain't nothin' like my own pillow. And the kids don't argue about sleeping arrangments, because its always the same in the camper.

It's just more flexible than a motel room. Eat out if you want, or cook. Sleep in, no one's coming to clean. OH YEAH, not that the cleaning people at WDW aren't the greatest, but its a different feeling to know no one is going to see your stuff/mess...

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I have to admit, I was one of those people like your BIL who just didn't get the appeal. I was a 4 or 5 star resort, & dining kind of girl, and the idea of roughing it, definitely didn't appeal to me. That said, I finally gave in to my sisters pleas 3 years ago, and our families met at Myrtle Beach for a week in a campground. We stayed in a camper, for the first time. We were hooked! A vacation in a campground is so much more relaxing, than staying in a hotel. We bought our RV that same fall. This is family bonding time, at it's best. We have taken a few trips since, staying in hotels. One was a road trip, and the major cities I booked in advance. We did however have to make a few impromptu stops on the interstate. Never again! Even the 4 & 5 star resorts don't seem as clean, and seem choatic, after you're used to the serenity of a campground. However, we happily stay at Universal's resorts, because they do allow us to take our "4-legged" baby girl, and the resorts are very nice. If some of WDW's nicer resorts would give us the same option, we would probably alternate between the resorts and campground.

The major selling point for FW, vs. a value resort is you're getting deluxe amenities vs. value amenities. Including, a quick boat ride to MK.

 

[mrsgus06]

For me, I take 5 out of 6 of my kids. The campground is an endless source of entertainment for them. They are so tired bike riding, swimming etc.. that they don't even argue with me . It is also cheaper than renting 2 hotel rooms as we don't fit into one. The cooking is easier and LESS EXPENSIVE and everything we use is ours. My kids would rather camp at Disney than do anything else. We stayed 3 weeks last summer and spent less than $300.00 a week. I am getting ready to make ressies for the last 2 weeks in June and all of July for 05. Hubby will drive us down, set us up, stay a week and then come back every once in a while to visit . I also have many friends that will come and stay with us in the camper so their kids can enjoy the Disney magic. Otherwise, they would never be able to afford it. They will bring their own food and the campsite will be free for them. I love to see the look on a childs face during their first trip!

 

[LMC]

WOW! You must have an angel looking out for you! Staying in peak season for less than $300 a week? I can't even get my value season rate in January for less than $57 per night. If I could stay for a whole week for less than $300 I'd think about going for a month too! We are getting ap's this year so could use alot of park time!

 

[mrsgus06]

LMC,

The campsites were discounted due to the annual passes. We will be renewing them this July. I can't promise they will be that cheap again, but I really am hoping so. I think we paid $42.00 a night with the discount. Keep your eyes open, as will I and good luck.

 

[Carrie Ellis]

Hi! I had to respond to this one! We camped this last Sept. We were moved to the "All Star Movies" Resort for 4 nights during and after hurricane Jeanne. Boy did we notice the difference since we experienced both in one trip! It made me sick to leave FW! It felt like we were leaving our "home". The kids sat in front of a tv at ASM. They had not even seen a tv the week before at FW. As soon as they were up at FW they were out riding bikes, playing POC, checking out bugs, etc... I would cook breakfast and then we would take a beautiful walk to the marina or a bus to the outpost. The movies at night under the stars was so fun!

We received military rate in Sept and our 11 nights stay was around $300 for the 6 if us. Gas cost us $300 all together (cheaper than plane tickets!)

Campers are very laid back people though. You have to be very tolerant of the outdoors. We loved it!

 

[LMC]

That's our problem w/ the rates! They are no ap rates avail for FW at the time we are going!!! If they come avail then we will of course ask for one! I am going to call back and try to get aaa again. I have tried countless of times but they are trying to apply it to my existing preferred site. I'm going to request that they try a new ressie for a full hook up instead and see if a discount is available!