Community Forums

Wilcut · 08-29-2016, 07:10 AM

We just tried to make a reservation for a week at a park in Central Fl and was told their new policy was "the min stay would be 4 months".
Is this a new way to get new long term customers or a way to turn away those repeat short term customers?
Have you encountered this type policy?

Snyderwheels · 08-29-2016, 07:39 AM

Yes, I've found it's a pretty common policy in the Florida RV resorts. Part of the reason is due to the popularity of the RV lifestyle in Florida winters as we snowbirds head south. In the RV resort we stay in in Nokomis FL (near Venice, Sarasota) there is actually a lengthy waiting list to get the sites for 3 - 4 months.
I think your best bet is to make a lot of phone calls to some of the larger resorts. My guess is that you'll have the greatest likelihood of finding a short term rental in central and northern FL rather than in the southern or coastal areas.

TomandGloria · 08-29-2016, 07:49 AM

Try Carefree Waters Edge in Zephyrhills. They have daily rates and nice resort. We have stayed there 2 years in a row.

Wilcut · 08-29-2016, 08:52 AM

We've stayed at this park several times and we know to plan far ahead to get in but time the answer was only accepting calls with min 4 month stay.

Skip426 · 08-29-2016, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilcut

We've stayed at this park several times and we know to plan far ahead to get in but time the answer was only accepting calls with min 4 month stay.

Possible new owners looking to cut down on office and other staff.

Less work involved if there are fewer checkins to deal with.

Fencebuster · 08-29-2016, 07:28 PM

Don't give up! Although the office may have instituted the policy, the owners of the lots may not be aware. Not all owners rent their lots through the office, so be sure to check for direct from owner rentals. It can also potentially cost you less since there is no commission to be paid for private rentals.

We rented direct from the owner the last couple of years and were able to get 2-3 week rentals in February in Southwest Florida. Of course, we had to start the phone calls in June this last year, instead of September the year before. So, it is getting to be more of a challenge, as you know. It is disappointing when you've had success for years and all of a sudden that avenue is closed off.

Best of luck to you!

t55watson · 08-29-2016, 07:33 PM

Go to Texas gulf coast. beaches are just as good and they love Winter Texans.

Wilcut · 08-30-2016, 07:42 AM

How about winter Tenesseean's (SP)?

Gary RVRoamer · 08-30-2016, 10:31 AM

I suspect this is a policy that applies to the winter months rather than year around. Parks that are popular with snowbirds don't want a site blocked for the whole season because a few days or weeks in the middle are reserved. If they have enough seasonal customers to fill the park, why would they mess around with daily rentals and end up with days or weeks with an empty site?

gramps66 · 08-31-2016, 05:12 AM

Try Bickley park in seminal Florida

2 miles from Madeira Beach

Real friendly staff nice park atmosphere nice clubhouse nice pool

HD4Mark · 08-31-2016, 05:32 AM

There are parks in the Keys that only rent for six months. Some will go as far as to rent to you for less with the understanding that if someone rents the site for six months you are out. We have friends that are renting one for six and hoping to sublease for a couple. The CG gets first shot at renting vacant sites and of course the ones our friends don't want are mid season so good luck with that. If they can't sublease they plan to just pay for an empty site at about $3000 a month.

It's all about location and demand. Why rent for less time and have vacancies and the work involved in check in. Plus you are much less likely to get any PIA campers when there is a waiting list. Don't like it? Get out kind of attitude. This works both ways of course. We stayed in the same CG as our friends and next to use was a guy that was loud and a PIA to the management. They pushed him out and we got very nice neighbors.

336muffin · 08-31-2016, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer

I suspect this is a policy that applies to the winter months rather than year around. Parks that are popular with snowbirds don't want a site blocked for the whole season because a few days or weeks in the middle are reserved. If they have enough seasonal customers to fill the park, why would they mess around with daily rentals and end up with days or weeks with an empty site?

I agree!^^^It's business.