Why do you camp (poll)

[Brer Bear]

I just thought it would be interesting to see why folks on this forum like to camp rather than stay in hotels or other accomodations. Personally, we like the freedom of not being crammed in a box with everyone else. It seems to me that most of the regular posters on this board have STRONG personalities and that seems to be a common thing with campers. Friendly as can be, but with a strong sense of individuality.


BTW, multiple choices allowed!

 

[candied]

I voted Other - now I will explain. We have several friends that camp and we had been wanting to get a trailer for a long while. In fact when we bought my Tahoe, we knew we eventually wanted a trailer so we made sure it was set up to tow.

I love camping because for us it is a bit cheaper for us to camp. It gets us out of the house and choas. We get to spend more time as a family exploring where ever we go. We have only really been to the beach type trips or with big groups of our friends who camp as well. We play games, ride bikes, and take walks. For us it is relaxing (except getting all packed up hoping you haven't forgotten anything).

Since we have had our trailer, we have gone on more "vacations" because of it, because it is not just going to suck money from my checking account and sit in our driveway. In April I (and DD7) will be taking it out with a group of friends for 6 days (DH and DD13 will be in Washington DC - my first trip by myself) at a local beach. We also have 2 more weekend trips planned in April as well. We use it as much as our schedule will allow.

Unfortunately, I don't think we will ever get to camp at the Fort - although I would love to - we live in California, but I can dream right. I will live vicariously through all the families who have camped there - I am truly jealous

Candace

 

[clkelley]

I put because I love the outdoors and can do my own thing!! However, and please don't turn this into a debate. I now prefer to camp at WDW because it is the ONLY place at WDW I am guaranteed to be able to sit in a comfortable chair under cover and have a cigarette. (I provide the chair and cover) (Although I loved the Fort before they imposed the smoking ban at the other resorts). I always smoke in the designated areas in the parks and at other resorts, but not knowing if I'm gonna get a first floor room and have to tromp down a hallway down an elevator or stairs and across the complex gets annoying.

Even without the smoking, the comfortable chair under cover is another reason I love the Fort and camping. If it's pouring down rain, I can sit in my chair and watch the rain come down with a good book, a snack, and a beverage without being stuck inside a hotel room or a tiny balcony or walkway of a hotel room.

 

[terri01p]

I love to camp because :

1. I know who slept in my bed last, no worries about bed bugs.

2. I can make my bed as comfortable as I want, without having to guess if the bed is going to be hard or not.

3. I can cook if I want or eat out if I want.

4. I can bring my doggie..

 

[PolynesianPixie]

I said for the love of the outdoors. Don't get me wrong, I love a nice hotel room, too. Especially in WDW! Camping is such a wonderful experience for my family. I love exploring and appreciating the outdoors. I love the people we meet at campgrounds, too!

 

[LONE-STAR]

I said other. I camp at FW because thats what I grew up doing. I tried pop a few years ago it just was not the same. Also here in Texas people like to float the Guadalupe river. I floated it as a teenager and there where campgrounds right on the bank of the river and I said when I could afford it I would get a trailer and camp there. Now this is our summer trip.

 

[chief19spixi]

I voted to the freedom to do my own thing!

well when it comes to visiting the world...
I love it cause campers seem to be more respectful when it comes to quiet time.. not like staying at a hotel or other disney resort where you will probly hear loud talking, children running ect ect at all hours!!

I can easily come and go without disturbing others and I have almost the same comforts as home! (no bed bugs to worry about) LOL

 

[LarryJ]

Well we've done both and most recently this last April had to go trailerless to Chicago for DW's mother's funeral and even tho we stayed in her condo it was still a pain to pack and unpack on the way there, back and even there. We also won't kennel our dogs except for one person about 60 miles from us so they have to come. Once loaded up stopping even for a night is a 20min setup job and no unpacking, messing with suitcases, etc., etc. I'm a really earlier riser (4 to 5 a.m.) and my coffee is ready to go and I can eat/snack whenever and whatever I want. We used to carry a small cooler in the Van for lunch, but now just stop at a rest area and I pot the dogs while DW fixes her/us lunch ... we're never in a hurry (both of us are retired now) so time is not an issue. Finally, I would rather park and be comfortable to any "trailer trash" who are usually in a MH, 5er/pickup that is worth more than what most moderate hotel/motel stayers have in their stick home. You won't find on average nicer or more pleasant people than fellow "trailer trash" folks .

Cost is kind of awash for us, unless it's something like a really far trip say to California (where both are sons are stationed) for a very short time with a specific purpose. What we would do and have done is make that into a 2 mo "road trip" with many stops to visit long lost friends and sightseeing. Case in point is that I think I made 2 to 4 cross country trips between San Diego and the East coast between 1971 and 1982 when in the Navy and could never work in the Grand Canyon which we finally did do on our 2004 2mo trip circling the US from DC via Texas, Grand Canyon, San Diego, Stockton, Ca, Salt Lake City, Black Hills, Chicago and Ann Arbor, Mi. This last trip to WDW we swung by Newport News to see my best man's sister that we haven't seen in over 20yrs and saw my best man who now lives in Orlando that I haven't seen in close to 30 years.

Larry

 

[Momof626x3]

I spent the first 18 years of my life living in the middle of the woods with a mountain in my back yard. I spent many of those years wishing I could get get out of the woods and go anywhere! DH took me on my first camping trip before we were married (we were living in Buffalo) and I just loved being able to sit around and enjoy eachother's company with out having to do or worry about anything. Now that we have kids I want them to be able to enjoy all of the things that I took for granted as a child...get dirty, climb trees, throw rocks in the lake, hike, fish, gather sticks, enjoy the wildlife, roast marshmallows, and meet new people! Camping allows us to really spend quality time together as a family. When we stay in a hotel we really feel the need to go out and DO something. Plus as a family of five it will save us $ to camp in WDW, even driving down from upstate NY. I've heard so much about camping at FW from DH that I can't wait to experience it with my kids.

 

[des1954]

I love to camp because :

1. I know who slept in my bed last, no worries about bed bugs.

2. I can make my bed as comfortable as I want, without having to guess if the bed is going to be hard or not.

3. I can cook if I want or eat out if I want.

4. I can bring my doggie..

I "ditto" this except #4..

Deb's #4:

I can bring my kitties!!!

 

[bord1niowa]

I chose I like the outdoors but I also kinda go along with doing my own thing too. I also know that campers as a whole are the nicest, friendliest people in the world. I have never met a nasty one...yet. And campers at Fort Wildernes must be the cream of the crop too!

 

[LORNADUCK]

When my DH first said camper to me I thought he was nuts that was 29 yrs ago and we have had 8. I didn't want to cook and clean on vacation.
I have come to love it. We were also in the hotel bus. and now know who slept in our bed, who's dirt it is.
We only can go on weekends, but when we go and I get in the MH it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I am not really an outdoor person (but have a boat and MH go figure) but seem to do more outdoor things because we have both.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I have camped since I was 8 years old. I'll be 51 this year. After I joined the Army I volunteered for every field assignment I could. I've done survival camping, backpacking, camping in every type of weather and climate. Right now I have been indoors since October and I am going crazy. I just gotta be outside.

 

[nascar-j]

I chose multiple answers. I've always loved camping and backpacking. I'm also cheap. I did the math seeing what was cheaper this trip. Flying and a resort. Driving my DW's car and a resort or taking the camper and FW...

FW was $1,000 cheaper than the next cheapest option.

I also go to a lot of races. Having a camper at the track is great. You walk back to your "house". No traffic, no 4 night minimum and triple the regular rate at a hotel 40 miles away.

j

 

[diseve]

I picked other because 1, 2, and 3 apply to us.

 

[loveDmouse]

We camp because we love the outdoors, we are sleeping in our own bed and our dog can come along.

 

[stacktester]

I chose multiple answers. I've always loved camping and backpacking. I'm also cheap. I did the math seeing what was cheaper this trip. Flying and a resort. Driving my DW's car and a resort or taking the camper and FW...

FW was $1,000 cheaper than the next cheapest option.

I also go to a lot of races. Having a camper at the track is great. You walk back to your "house". No traffic, no 4 night minimum and triple the regular rate at a hotel 40 miles away.

j

I go to the Daytona races with my camper and it's nice having the grill sitting there and a walk to the camper after the race instead of sitting in traffic for hours is a no brainer. The 1st camper I bought was to haul our 4 wheelers to Ocala Forest and dry camp on the weekends. It was a 21' Tailgator and as far as going anywhere besides 4 wheeling was never a thought. One of my friends invited us to a local cg for a weekend and I'm like for what? He's like to camp. Guess I just never thought of it being for that. Then somebody who knew we liked Disney mentioned FW and said it was nice to do. Well now I am addicted to FW. My family and friends call me Walt Disney lol because we go so much. I only wish I had that last name lol. If we're going to any function out of town my first question is where is the best campground. I just can't see my dd and me being as close as we are had we not gotten a camper. It definately brings family closer.

 

[Shannone1]

Other-

We started camping so that we could take more vacations with our kids. We've been to some great places together and have many more great trips planned. My husband and I have our own business and we can work on the road. Having the motorhome allows us to still be able to take off for vacations and work via the internet and cell phone. There are room for all 5 of us and the dogs too.

When we are camping we aren't worried about mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, running errands and all of those obligations. Everything we have to worry about in the world is in motorhome and everything seems to easy and laid back. Oh man...I wish I was camping NOW !!

 

[cruising spud]

CLEANLINESS (or lack of, in hotel rooms) and the ability to bring the dog.

 

[bradisgoofy]

I love to camp because :

1. I know who slept in my bed last, no worries about bed bugs.

2. I can make my bed as comfortable as I want, without having to guess if the bed is going to be hard or not.

3. I can cook if I want or eat out if I want.

4. I can bring my doggie..

I "ditto" this except #4..

Deb's #4:

I can bring my kitties!!!

That's us too, Deb. And we have all our own stuff, just start the coach and goooooo!