Community Forums

scoudi · 12-02-2014, 08:38 AM

Hi – We are renting a ACE 30.2 Bunkhouse for the last 2 weeks in December, this will be our first RV trip. We live in Atlanta GA and will be arriving and departing from there.

t will be 5 of us 2 adults, 1 teenager, 2 kids (2/4) also 2 medium sized dogs.
We would ideally like to do a trip to a trip to points warmer and that allow for playing.
We are looking for destination recommendations, itinerary and practical advice and tips and tricks.
The goal of the trip is to try and figure out what RV we would like to purchase and what a trip would ultimately be like.
Our budget excluding gas, rental fees, and rv expenses is about $1800

Places considered Charleston, Savannah, Cape Sand Blas, Florida Pan Handle, New Orleans. If you know of kid/dog friendly locations that would be helpful as well.

okcnewbie · 12-02-2014, 09:40 AM

Welcome to the forum.

Our first RV trip was also in a rental and we went from Oklahoma to Florida to see family and attend the Florida vs Michigan bowl game. There's nothing better than an RV when it comes to tailgating and football games. With your budget there's a chance you could fit in a bowl game.

With the right attitude you will all have a great time.

Good luck!

twogypsies · 12-02-2014, 05:12 PM

One thing to seriously think about is to reserve a spot ASAP. That is a very popular time.

GaryKD · 12-02-2014, 05:43 PM

Hi scoudi,
Welcome to iRV2. You have a difficult set of requirements.
1. To get a location much warmer than Atlanta, you'll need to go south to at least Orlando. The areas mention in your post aren't much warmer than Atlanta.
2. My first recommendation is to toss the need s for a place warmer than Atlanta and focus on kid activities. The Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee area offers as much kid based entertainment as Orlando (and cheaper). There is as much indoor entertainment as outdoor entertainment. With the GSMNP nearby a parent can toss in a bit of history. For the 2/4 year olds there is the Aquarium in Gatlinburg. Crawl through a tunnel and stand with penguins! There is also Wonderworks. For the teenager there is more to do than I can list here. All the shows are "G" rated so no danger of being embarrassed. CGs galore to choose from. On top of all that it is an easy day drive from Atlanta.
3. To meet the warmer climate requirement, Orlando, Florida is a good choice. Many CGs to choose from and many things to do. There is more than DW in the area. A day trip to DW will cost many $s. If it is the first time, consider the Magic Kingdom. Any place you plan to go, get there before it opens and plan on leaving after it closes.
4. After Orlando, head over to Daytona Beach. Being from North of Florida, one could take the family to the beach and everyone would enjoy the day. A bit farther south from Daytona is the Kennedy Space Center.
A bit North of Daytona is St. Augustine. Looks like a few short stops (just like a family touring in an RV) will do the trick. Orlando, Kennedy Space Center, Daytona Beach and St. Augustine. You'll be the only one awake for the ride back to Atlanta.

You have a house on wheels, use the wheels. All these areas have many CGs to choose from.

scoudi · 12-03-2014, 10:29 AM

Thanks for the great ideas and tips, lots to coordinate, I did not even think about reservations being popular spots in makes sense, and I like the Orlando idea.. One question since we won't have a "TOAD" what do you suggest car rental?

GaryKD · 12-03-2014, 12:31 PM

Hi scoudi,
Best I can tell, you'll have a 31' coach. A rental vehicle is the easiest but the most costly. Enterprise will come to your site and pick you up. Upon returning the car to them, they will take you back to your site. If you do the Florida tour it can be a bit of a pain. It will also consume a bunch of time. For the Florida tour:
1. Orlando - all the major attractions can handle a 31' coach with ease.
2. KSC - can handle your coach with ease.
3. Daytona - May want to rent a car
4. St. Augustine - car rental is necessary. The city is old. Narrow streets and very little parking. One would park a rental car in the trolley train parking lot. It is the only way for a tourist to see the city. The CG can provide details.
There is an advantage to having the coach in the parking lot. Food, beds and your stuff is at hand.

For Tennessee, rent a car. Enterprise will come to the CG. Everything is within easy driving distance, for a car. A coach, not so much. If you get stuck and need a CG, PM me.

Tha_Rooster · 12-03-2014, 03:32 PM

Head south were its warmer. You stated a $1,800 total budget to give you an idea from north Georgia to Disney cost me exactly $500 in fuel in October. Pigeon forge is nice it will be cold. Just got back from myrtle beach it was nice not to cold yet. It really depends on what your interest are.

GraciesDaddy · 12-08-2014, 12:30 PM

+1 on the destinations you listed: The end of December, they're ALL going to be cold. The Keys would be warm... Although it's probably too late to reserve a spot there as many who winter there make their rezzes for the following year before they leave. You might also consider the Tampa/Clearwater area. It probably wouldn't be as cold and the sponge boats in Tarpon Springs are fascinating!

Pick Enterprise, they'll pick you up!