Florida’s RV parks and resorts have space for new winter visitors, but guests need to do their homework and make their reservations as soon as possible, according to a press release from the Florida RV and Campground Association.
RVers who aspire to enjoy the snowbird lifestyle in Florida next winter need to make their reservations as soon as possible, according to park operators and industry officials.
“Florida remains one of the top snowbird destinations, and RV sites typically go to those who make their reservations early, particularly in the most popular destinations,” said Bobby Cornwell, executive director and CEO of the Florida RV Park and Campground Association, which hosts CampFlorida.com.
Most RV parks and resorts give their existing snowbird guests the first shot at reserving a campsite for the following winter, usually at some point between late February and early April, before opening up their reservations to everyone.
Many parks also prioritize reservations for guests who are willing to commit to long-term stays of three months or more. Snowbirds who want to visit several different RV parks and resorts during the winter months can do so, but they may not be able to secure their reservations for overnight or short-term stays until later in the year.
“Most snowbird parks cater to guests who are willing to commit to three-month stays for January, February, and March,” Cornwell said. “This means that snowbirds who want to move around from park to park next winter need to contact the parks of interest to them and make sure they understand when each park will be willing to consider reservations for overnight or short-term winter stays.”
Each park sets its own guidelines for short- and long-term reservations and they tend to vary by park.
Craig’s RV Park in Arcadia initially gives priority to its existing snowbird guests to make reservations for next winter. “We’re only taking three-month and longer reservations right now,” said park owner Vicky Wickey, adding that she’ll open up reservations at her 356-site park to everyone starting March 15th.
But Wickey said she will not take reservations for daily or weekly stays until December.
Naples RV Resort in Naples also has a three-month minimum stay requirement for next January, February, and March, according to Hank Audet, the park’s manager. Guests seeking short-term stays for next winter are encouraged to check back with the park in August, he said.
Creekside RV Resort in Punta Gorda gave its existing winter guests until Feb. 28 to reserve a site for next winter, with reservations being opened up to everyone on March 1. However, guests who want to stay at the park next January, February, or March need to book all three months. RVers seeking shorter-term stays should contact the park to inquire about availability after March.
Existing guests at the Red Coconut RV Park in Fort Myers Beach have first priority on making reservations for next winter until May 1, when the park opens up its reservations to everyone.
After May 1, guests can reserve sites for any length of time they desire, according to Amy Mellot Houser, the park’s operations manager. However, she said about 90 percent of her park’s winter visitors make reservations for the following winter, a situation experienced by many RV parks in the Sunshine State.
“Anywhere in the state of Florida, I would recommend people make their reservations as soon as they can for next winter,” Mellot Houser said, adding that the biggest RV sites are typically reserved first, since those are in highest demand.
“Ninety percent of our winter guests renew every year, so it makes it challenging to find a spot for new people,” said Jim Paddack, co-owner of the 340-site Raintree RV Resort in North Fort Myers. “However, we will take overnight guests if we have the space.”
The key, Paddack said, is to do your homework, and find out when you should be contacting parks to make your reservations. Taking this approach can not only help people secure an RV site for next winter, but, in some cases, discounts, too.
The 250-site Yacht Haven Park & Marina in Fort Lauderdale offers both private discounts and public discounts to those who reserve their winter RV sites early. The resort initially offers significant private discounts to the first 50 existing guests who reserve a site for three months or for six months next winter. “They get priority choice on sites and largest discount for a three-month period or a six-month period,” said park co-owner Gary Cioffi. When the first 50 sites are reserved, another batch of 50 sites are privately offered, but with a smaller discount for three-month and six-month stays.”
When the first 100 sites are booked, another 100 sites are then marketed using the discounts for weekly and monthly rates that are posted on the park’s website. After those sites are reserved, the remaining 50 sites will become available for reservations, but without any discounts, Cioffi said.
Park operators throughout Florida said it behooves aspiring winter visitors to make their reservations as soon as they can. Those who fail to do their reservation homework could end up spending the night at a Walmart or Cracker Barrel parking lot. Information about the latest trends involving campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts is available from the Florida RV Park and Campground Association, which markets privately owned and operated parks in Florida through CampFlorida.com, the travel planning website. The association also publishes a free printed camping guide, which can be ordered through CampFlorida.com.