Fort Wilderness RV rental

[SwanVT2]

I thought renting a campsite and rental RV might be less expensive than our usual rental of DVC points. However, I see that the campsite hookup spaces are up to 200 a night?! So is it more affordable or not really (I'm still waiting on a quote from the RV company)? Thank you!

 

[bama_ed]

Well, there are a number of variables on both sides so no easy, simple answer, @SwanVT2. Often it is not less expensive for a Fort stay.

On the DVC rental side, it's cost per point and what size/where you stay? Studio or larger? OKW or BLT? Can you actually GET the points you want for the date/place?

On the Fort side, there are also a variety of campsite levels and thus prices. Often the middle 3 tiers fill first (Full, Preferred, Premium) leaving only the most expensive (Premium Meadows) or the least expensive (Tent). Even those eventually fill for all but the least busy times. The camper/rv you rent depends on the size/vendor and also length of stay. A 4-night rental on a per night basis is often more expensive than a 7-night rental plus consider add-ons like delivery charges (if any).

Can you actually GET the Fort nights at the level you want? Have you yet? You could do a room-only reservation and cancel later on and get your deposit back if you decide to to DVC.

There is a train of thought out there that camping is a cheap way to visit WDW and stay on property (and I'm not suggesting this about you). I suppose if one stays in a tent and can guarantee great weather, that's true. But the more common reality is that the truck/trailer combo or drive-able rv are the way we Fort folks go and that requires QUITE an upfront investment that you don't have to match in the hotel/DVC rental equation. Thus, I'd suggest we make the investment up front because that's the way we prefer to travel and vacation over a period of months/years. Closer to nature and sleep in our own beds away from home. The vendor makes that investment for you on a rental and you put the site with it.

You get a kitchen in either case so it's common to both to be able to eat a meal "in" rather than having to go out to Counter or Table service most times.

Let us know what you decide and why, please. That will help the next person in your shoes understand better. And can you let us know how many people in your party and when you are looking to travel?

Good luck!

Bama Ed

PS - also the dirty (not so) secret about Fort Wilderness campsite prices is that they haven't added new campsites since the mid-1970s to meet growing demand. More rv/camper sales, baby boomers retiring, etc. But DVC has grown to meet demand. So the Fort has had the same number of sites for decades but more demand over the years - and the price goes up as a result.

 

[SwanVT2]

Well, there are a number of variables on both sides so no easy, simple answer, @SwanVT2. Often it is not less expensive for a Fort stay.

On the DVC rental side, it's cost per point and what size/where you stay? Studio or larger? OKW or BLT? Can you actually GET the points you want for the date/place?

On the Fort side, there are also a variety of campsite levels and thus prices. Often the middle 3 tiers fill first (Full, Preferred, Premium) leaving only the most expensive (Premium Meadows) or the least expensive (Tent). Even those eventually fill for all but the least busy times. The camper/rv you rent depends on the size/vendor and also length of stay. A 4-night rental on a per night basis is often more expensive than a 7-night rental plus consider add-ons like delivery charges (if any).

Can you actually GET the Fort nights at the level you want? Have you yet? You could do a room-only reservation and cancel later on and get your deposit back if you decide to to DVC.

There is a train of thought out there that camping is a cheap way to visit WDW and stay on property (and I'm not suggesting this about you). I suppose if one stays in a tent and can guarantee great weather, that's true. But the more common reality is that the truck/trailer combo or drive-able rv are the way we Fort folks go and that requires QUITE an upfront investment that you don't have to match in the hotel/DVC rental equation. Thus, I'd suggest we make the investment up front because that's the way we prefer to travel and vacation over a period of months/years. Closer to nature and sleep in our own beds away from home. The vendor makes that investment for you on a rental and you put the site with it.

You get a kitchen in either case so it's common to both to be able to eat a meal "in" rather than having to go out to Counter or Table service most times.

Let us know what you decide and why, please. That will help the next person in your shoes understand better. And can you let us know how many people in your party and when you are looking to travel?

Good luck!

Bama Ed

PS - also the dirty (not so) secret about Fort Wilderness campsite prices is that they haven't added new campsites since the mid-1970s to meet growing demand. More rv/camper sales, baby boomers retiring, etc. But DVC has grown to meet demand. So the Fort has had the same number of sites for decades but more demand over the years - and the price goes up as a result.

We are looking at Feb 28-March 7 2023
OKW or SSR studio is 2555.00 for seven nights renting points through Disney Vacation store. We want to be more budget minded this trip and are going to escape the cold of Vt where we live and want to eat in more. No parks, but we don’t want to stay somewhere like Windsor Hills because we don’t want to rent a car or pay for Uber frequently. We usually stay studio at SSR the last few years and walk to DS for dinners and eat lunch by the pool but it adds up. We want to swim, eat in but have the flexibility to eat out when we want (the boat to Mk and a monorail to a resort for dinner sounds fun). I love long walks (SSR is nice for that) but FW has paths too. Thanks for any advice! It sounds like, however, an RV is probably not going to be in our budget.

 

[loves to dive]

How about a cabin at the Fort. We own a RV (fifth wheel) and have camped at the Fort. We love our RV, however, given the choice I would not rent one at WDW. If you have never used a RV before they are not like a home, the showers are smaller, the toilet operates differently, the oven is not easy. A cabin gives you best of both worlds. You are at the Fort, which is a cool place to be. You have a full kitchen if cooking on vacation is your thing (it's not mine) you have more room to spread out, it really is about the size of some of the smaller RVs. Keep in mind, if you at the Fort, while not totally necessary, a golf cart is key and that adds an expense. There is an internal bus but the Fort is big.

 

[SwanVT2]

How about a cabin at the Fort. We own a RV (fifth wheel) and have camped at the Fort. We love our RV, however, given the choice I would not rent one at WDW. If you have never used a RV before they are not like a home, the showers are smaller, the toilet operates differently, the oven is not easy. A cabin gives you best of both worlds. You are at the Fort, which is a cool place to be. You have a full kitchen if cooking on vacation is your thing (it's not mine) you have more room to spread out, it really is about the size of some of the smaller RVs. Keep in mind, if you at the Fort, while not totally necessary, a golf cart is key and that adds an expense. There is an internal bus but the Fort is big.

Yeah the cabins will most likely cost more than DVC. I don’t like cooking on vacation but DH said he would to save money. He likes cooking

 

[EricLaurie]

We stayed in the cabins over Thanksgiving 2020. The kitchen was nice but the ”oven” is disappointing. It’s a microwave/ oven combo and the oven part didn’t work like a real oven. Also I think it only had 2 burners. If you want to cook, you would probably be better off in a 1 bedroom at SSR.

 

[bama_ed]

We are looking at Feb 28-March 7 2023
OKW or SSR studio is 2555.00 for seven nights renting points through Disney Vacation store. We want to be more budget minded this trip and are going to escape the cold of Vt where we live and want to eat in more. No parks, but we don’t want to stay somewhere like Windsor Hills because we don’t want to rent a car or pay for Uber frequently. We usually stay studio at SSR the last few years and walk to DS for dinners and eat lunch by the pool but it adds up. We want to swim, eat in but have the flexibility to eat out when we want (the boat to Mk and a monorail to a resort for dinner sounds fun). I love long walks (SSR is nice for that) but FW has paths too. Thanks for any advice! It sounds like, however, an RV is probably not going to be in our budget.

Actually, I've walked over there at SSR and it was surprisingly nice. I went all the way from the Rainforest Cafe at Disney Springs past SSR (and through the public spaces like lobbies) then along the golf course and into the Treehouse Villa section as far as the Treehouse boat dock along the waterway (then back all the way). It's very nice for that and the Fort sidewalks have the same appeal but lots to look at with different campers, rv's, trucks, and site decorations.

If the costs end up being comparable, maybe the Fort would be nice for a change of pace since you stay at SSR frequently. The food/dining choices are more limited at the Fort and although you can get to other places, it takes some time/work (probably the easiest is to take the bus from the Settlement Bus Depot down near the lake and ride the short distance to Wilderness Lodge for the dining options there). And then bus/boat/monorail travel can take you elsewhere as you said.

Bama Ed