Read This Before You Rent a Camper/RV for Fort Wilderness

We’ve just returned from what may be our best trip ever to Fort Wilderness. But aren’t they all? What made this one supercali-extraordinary was renting a fabulous camper (we called it “the Mansion”) and securing one of the most coveted sites on property.

Once again, we left our own RV back home. No worries about road travel, those gas prices, backing in, setting up, and tearing down. No spending a day cleaning every nook and cranny when we got back home.

How to have a magically happy family with a little preparation

So renting an RV dramatically simplifies things, but hold on. There’s still a little work to do on your end to avoid disappointment. We hear occasional tales of dirty, musty campers, RVs not showing up at all, strange fees, and villainous business practices. The perfect trip includes researching and finding the best RV for your needs. And then there’s the other don’t-miss details.

1. Read Legit reviews on Google.

Orlando RV rental — The Grand Design Reflections 368 from Kissimmee Orlando Rental turned out to be a pristine glamping mansion. Spotless and super spacious.

All camper rental companies are not created equally. While most experiences are very positive, tales abound of not-so-clean RVs and other loathsome nightmares.

We are two-for-two now with Disney-level service from Kissimmee-Orlando RV. Our RV was waiting within an hour of our campsite being ready and looked as though it hardly ever been used. When we couldn’t figure out how to charge the golf cart, they were there to help within an hour. (Einstein hint: plug the charger into the high-wattage outlet on your site number pole instead of into the RV outlet).

2. Rent your golf cart from the rental company if possible.

Golf Cart Rental Fort Wilderness — Save money by renting the golf cart through the rental company if available.

This is a biggie. It’s going to be far easier to get (often sold out at Fort Wilderness) and is generally less expensive. Even though I’m a hiker and runner, I can’t imagine Fort Wilderness without a golf cart.

3. stop over-packing (Note to self)!

Those campfire nights are priceless. You can often rent a Fort-approved fire pit for a reasonable cost.

Remember we’re doing this because it’s easier. Everything I needed to cook was there along with a few things I didn’t realize I needed . As far as kitchen things, I only bring my cast iron skillet and several spices from home. You can also rent firepits, games, bikes, outdoor screened tents and all of those big things you don’t want to lug around. Out of these, the firepit rental is most important for us (except for summer months). It really brings the family outdoors at night.

4. request online checkin for 9 am

site 1431 fort wilderness behind — It took a little more waiting time after arrival to get the site we wanted, but a huge yard and the campfire show/movie was just a few feet away on the backside.

But be prepared to wait because this is how you’ll get the best site. Usually, Disney will send you your site number a little before 9am. But before notifying the rental company, make sure it’s the site you want. We were assigned in the 1400 loop, but didn’t care for the particular site.

After visiting the check-in station at the Outpost, we asked for a couple of alternatives. One of our favorites – 1431 – was coming open but we did have to wait for it to be cleaned. We gave Kissimmee-Orlando RV the estimated time and were in our dream camper at our dream site a little while after lunch.

5. splurge for space if there’s more than two of you

RV Rental Orlando — There was a second grown-up sized sleeping room (with a door) underneath this queen bunk.

Seriously I loved this camper and didn’t want to be anywhere else. Okay, except maybe the nearby Four Seasons since Mick Jagger and fam apparently spent a night or two there while we were at Fort Wilderness.

We were over the moon with the sleeping arrangement of the two separate bedrooms for adults, a walk-in closet, tons of drawers and cabinets to keep things tidy, and enough pantry space for a solid week of food. With room to spare. We did fight just a tiny bit after dinner over the two vibrating recliners.

Note that just because an RV sleeps 8 or more, that doesn’t mean all of those spaces are comfortable or suitable for people over 4 feet tall. Look carefully at the space when you’re selecting an RV.

6. time your grocery delivery to arrive within an hour after your RV is SET Up.

I loathe wasting precious Fort Wilderness time and usually have items in my online cart long before we arrive. Once I had my perfect site secured and an estimated set-up time from Kissimmee-Orlando RV, I arranged for my groceries to arrive at 3 pm. We took the golf cart to the Outpost to pick them up and I was at the Meadows Pool before 4 pm.