Why You Should Consider Renting an RV for Your Next Vacation

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You don’t have to be an RV owner to fall in love with the RV lifestyle. Renting an RV can give you a taste of the RV lifestyle before you decide to buy. It’s also one of the best ways to enjoy a stress-free family vacation without the hassle of hotel reservations, flights and costly restaurant meals. Transitioning from a traditional vacation to an RV vacation may seem odd at first, but you’ll quickly realize why RV travel is always preferred.

It’s More Affordable

Gas prices are plummeting, yet the cost of flights keeps rising. Forget about buying expensive plane tickets for your entire family and opt for an RV vacation instead. In addition to saving on flights, you’ll save even bigger on not having to book hotel rooms and cooking your favorite meals inside your RV.

It’s Less Stressful

Let’s face it — flying is no longer fun. Flights are delayed, security checks are annoying and you never make it to your destination exactly when you planned. When you travel in an RV, you can arrive at your destination whenever you want and see everything along the way. Stop for meals, sightseeing or simply to get out and go for a bike ride.

It’s Comfortable

You always feel right at home when traveling in an RV. Here at the PleasureLand RV Center, we offer a wide array of RV rental options to suit a variety of travelers. This means you can have as much sleeping space, living space and cooking space as you desire. Forget about cramming your whole family into one hotel room to save money, because you can have your own vacation home on wheels instead.

Rent From Us

PleasureLand RV Center offers some of the lowest rental rates on Class A motorhomes, Class C motorhomes, travel trailers, pop-up campers and ice houses in the industry. Give us a call, log online or stop by one of our locations in St. Cloud, Ramsey or Brainerd to find out more.

Load Up the RV and Head to Destin

Aerial image of the Destin Harbor in Destin, Florida

If you’ve decided it’s time to pile into the RV and head somewhere sunny to escape what remains of winter, you ought to consider Destin, Florida. With miles of pristine beaches, blue ocean, and tons of diversions, Destin in a family-friendly destination matched by few other places. Here are some of its best attractions.

The Boardwalk

The old Destin Boardwalk is an iconic place to visit, offering covered picnic areas, volleyball nets, restaurant and shopping, and vibrant nightlife. There’s plenty of parking, public restrooms, and outdoor showers for beach goers. The Boardwalk has enough variety to occupy everyone in your party for a day, so plan accordingly.

Big Kahuna’s

Swimming in the ocean is fun, but sometimes you want water that’s not full of salt and maybe a ride or two. Big Kahuna’s got more than two rides — with over 40 water attractions and an adventure park, Big Kahuna’s is perfect for a family looking to cool off.

Gulfarium

A comprehensive aquarium featuring marine life from the Gulf of Mexico and beyond, the Gulfarium will satisfy both those who love marine life and those who just love to learn something new. Featuring bottle-nose dolphins, sea lions, and mixed species shows, it’s quite a spectacle. Other habitat displays include otters, sharks, turtles, penguins, and even an albino alligator.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Don’t leave town before you stop by PleasureLand RV Center, especially if you’ve had your RV in storage and are dusting it off for the first trip of the season. The service center at PleasureLand RV Center can make sure that your rig is in good shape to handle any trip you’re planning to take, such as to Destin, Florida. If you think it’s time to retire the old RV for a new one or if you’re thinking about buying your first RV ever, don’t hesitate to drop by PleasureLand RV Center to find your new dream RV today.

Celebrate Cherry Month with Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes

Chocolate cupcakes with cream and fresh cherry horizontal

February is National Cherry Month, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by preparing a fresh and delicious cherry dessert in the comfort of your RV. These rich and fruity chocolate cherry cupcakes are so tasty, you may want to bake two batches.

Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes

What you’ll need for 1 dozen cupcakes:

  • 3/4 cup cake flour
  • 3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped pitted fresh cherries (plus 12 cherries for garnish)
  • Cream cheese frosting

Preparation instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
  2. Whisk the cake flour, whole-wheat flour, baking soda, cocoa, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl.
  3. Beat the granulated sugar and oil together in a separate large mixing bowl with an electric mixer. Beat the egg and vanilla into the mixture until combined.
  4. Turn the mixer to low and alternately mix in the flour mixture and buttermilk. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed until the mixture is combined.
  5. Fold the cherries into the mixture, then divide the batter into the cupcake pan.
  6. Bake the cupcakes for 22 to 26 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted into the center and come out clean. Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and let them cool.
  7. Once cool, frost each cupcake with the cream cheese frosting. Top with a fresh cherry before serving.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Whether you’re searching for a travel trailer with a large kitchen or a truck camper to help you travel more in 2017, you can always find your dream RV at PleasureLand RV Center.

How About a Slice of Chocolate Cake?

Chocolate cake and coffee

There’s no better way to celebrate National Chocolate Cake Day than baking a delectable chocolate cake in the comfort of your RV. National Chocolate Cake Day will be held on Friday, January 27, this year, so there’s no better time to brush up on your cake recipes than now.

This easy-to-make chocolate cake recipe will wow your friends and family and convince them that you’ve been in the kitchen baking all day.

One Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe

What you’ll need:

  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • Your favorite chocolate frosting

Baking instructions:

  1. Preheat your RV oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
  2. Stir the sugar, flour, baking powder, cocoa, baking soda and salt together in a large bowl.
  3. Stir in the milk, eggs, oil and vanilla and mix for roughly 2 minutes with a mixer on medium speed.
  4. Stir the boiling water into the mixture last. The batter should be thin.
  5. Bake the cake for roughly 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven. Insert a toothpick into the cake. The cake is finished cooking when the toothpick comes out clean.
  6. Cool the cake pans for 10 minutes, then remove the cakes and place them on a wire rack to cool fully.
  7. Once cool, frost one cake with your favorite chocolate frosting, then place the other cake on top and frost them both.
  8. Allow the frosting to harden slightly, then slice and enjoy.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Don’t forget to stop and see us at PleasureLand RV Center when you’re cruising throughout the country in your RV this January. We’re stocked with all of the latest and greatest RV parts and camping supplies to help you enjoy 2017 to the fullest.

Visit Wild Mountain in Your RV

Looking for your next destination? If you’re not wanting to travel too far, head to Wild Mountain near Taylors Falls, Minnesota.

Open year round to families looking for outdoor fun, Wild Mountain is nestled in the scenic St. Croix Valley.

Winter Fun

It’s currently winter, and that means that it’s skiing and snowboarding season at Wild Mountain. With a mix of terrain to challenge any skill level, from novice to expert, there are 26 trails to try your hand at spread over 100 acres. The onsite school offers lessons to help learn the ropes of winter sports. Daily groundskeeping makes sure that conditions are always optimal for winter fun.

Other Seasons

If you can’t make it over to Wild Mountain this winter, plan to stop in later this year. There’s plenty to do every season, from sightseeing the spring blooms to the fun waterpark of the summer to the foliage of fall.

Stay at Wildwood RV Park and Campground

If you need a place to plant your rig, try the Wildwood RV Park and Campground located at 20078 Lake Blvd, Taylors Falls, Minnesota. The park has 70 sites, which include pull-thru access for big rigs, electric hookups for up to 50 amps, water and sewer, WiFi, and pool access.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Stop by PleasureLand RV Center before you head out to Wild Mountain. Whether you need to make sure your RV is in good shape before a road trip by visiting our service center or you need to purchase an RV, PleasureLand RV Center is here to help.

Take the Kids to Disney World

Disney World Fireworks

Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is a great destination for families with children. It’s a bucket list item for most kids and offers a great opportunity to have some fun on their terms.

If you’re also an RVing family, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go there in your motorhome since there are plenty of good RV parks that are well-suited to visitors with Disney World in mind.

One of the better RV camping sites at Disney World is Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. It’s the only campground located at Walt Disney World Resort, and guests enjoy easy access to the park via shuttle.

There are four types of campsites available for visitors and which campsite you need depends on your rig.

Tent or Pop-Up campsites are available starting at $53.00 a night. They provide room for either a pop-up camper or van-type camper, plus a tent or two.

Full Hook-Up campsites are available starting from $71.00 per night; these offer room for an RV plus a few tents. You’ll want this site for sewage hook-up.

The Preferred campsite level starts from $85.00 a night and offers everything that a full hook-up sites offers plus a view of the woods.

The Premium is the best type of site and starts at $90.00 a night. There’s room for extra-large RVs and 8 more feet of room than the other sites.

Go here to check dates and availability.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Before you head out to Disney World, or any other destination, stop by PleasureLand RV Center to get your rig checked out and make sure it’s up for the journey. Want to stay at an RV resort near Disney World, but don’t have an RV? No problem! PleasureLand RV Center can help get you into the RV of your dreams. Come on by and tour any model on the lot.

Which RV is the Best Fit for You?

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Determining which type of RV will suit your needs best can seem impossible. With so many RVs on the market, ranging from pop-up campers to high-end Class A motorhomes, choosing from such a large number of models can be daunting. These simple tips will help you discover which type of RV is perfect for you, so you can narrow down your options and start living your dream RV lifestyle.

Determine Your RV Use

The first step to choosing an RV is to determine which type of traveling you’d like to do. Are you seeking an RV for weekend family getaways or an RV that will replace your brick-and-mortar home? Do you want to move from one destination to another or stay put for months at a time? Typically, smaller, more budget-friendly RVs can be suitable for recreational weekend campers, while those who want to spend more time on the road should seek RVs with more durability and amenities.

Motorhomes are more ideal for travelers who like to stop in multiple places. Because they don’t take a lot of time to set up and prepare for departure (unlike fifth wheels and travel trailers), it’s easy to hop from one destination to another.

Consider Your Tow Vehicle

Many first-time RV enthusiasts forget that they may need to upgrade their tow vehicle to a more powerful model to tow a large travel trailer or fifth wheel. This can add a considerable amount of cost to upgrading your RV lifestyle and should always be considered. However, these more spacious RVs also offer more amenities, such as full bathrooms, fully-equipped kitchens, more seating space and quality sleeping areas.

Let Us Help

Here at the PleasureLand RV Centers, we’re experts on helping you find an RV that’s ideal for your travel needs. We’ll work within your budget to help you start the RV lifestyle you’ve been dreaming about for years.

Go on a Winter Scavenger Hunt

Dawn at Grand Marais Harbor

Now in its fourth year, Explore Minnesota is hosting a statewide scavenger hunt called “Checkpoint Minnesota.”

The scavenger hunt is a great way to see Minnesota this winter, as the contest asks participants to check in at ten iconic Minnesota winter destinations. The ten locations are:

  • Artist’s Point, Grand Marais
  • Old Central School, Grand Rapids
  • Mount Ski Gull, Nisswa
  • Otto the Otter, Fergus Falls
  • Prince Mural, Chanhassen
  • Silver Lake Park, Rochester
  • Alexander Ramsey Park, Redwood Falls
  • Baudette Depot, Lake of the Woods
  • The Shops at West End, St. Louis Park
  • Walker Bay Lighthouse, Leech Lake

The more places you check in, the larger the prize you have a chance at winning (though every scavenger hunter receives a prize for participating). The ten grand prize packages (determined by raffle on February 13th), are:

  • Firedisc Portable Cooker
  • Outdoor Gear Package
  • Paddle North Wakesurf Board
  • Memorial Day Getaway
  • The House Snowboard Package
  • The House Snowboard Package II
  • Ice Fishing Getaway
  • Fischer Nordic Ski Package
  • The House Ski Package
  • Framed Bike

The contest started on December 15th, but there’s still plenty of time to get into the action since it lasts until February 12th.

You can find out more about the scavenger hunt contest here.

Visit PleasureLand RV Center

Enjoy your winter more in an RV from PleasureLand RV Center. If you’re going to participate in the scavenger hunt this year, be sure to stop in and visit with us in St. Cloud, Brainerd, or Ramsey, Minnesota. The only thing better than hitting up these 10 iconic winter destinations is doing it in the comfort of an RV from PleasureLand RV Center.

Head Down to Florida

St. Augustine, Florida, USA at Alcazar Courtyard

If the Sunshine State is on your agenda of places to explore, a new or used travel trailer or fifth wheel will ensure you have a fabulous time in the comfort of your own space. PleasureLand RV Center will get you decked out in the perfect recreational vehicle or have your current RV tuned and ready to take on the Florida landscape.

Panhandle

Panama Beach is one of the premier locations for miles of wide open sugar-white sand beaches. Laid back and casual atmosphere, Panana Beach provides plenty of opportunities for water activities, sunbathing and fine dining.

Central

Disney World is the number one vacation sport for families. Add Universal, Epcot, SeaWorld, Hollywood Studios and Island of Adventure and the family will be busy from morning until night. For adults, the Hard Rock and a bevy of nightclubs keeps the action hot and the cocktails cool.

East Coast

Start off with a visit to St. Augustine, the oldest city in the US, take a walk on the boardwalk at Daytona Beach, and visit the Kennedy Space Center in Melbourne. Head down the coast to the mega shopping area of Las Olas in Ft. Lauderdale then move on to Miami for more fun in the sun with the beautiful people of South Beach. Shopping, dining, picnicking, attractions, horse racing, and a busy nightlife are awaiting in South Florida.

The Keys

Stop along the way in Islamorada, Key Largo, and Marathon, then make your way to Key West. Along the way, you can fish, swim, snorkel, hike, canoe, or take a cruise to the Dry Tortugas.

West Coast

Plan a day at Caladesi Island, Honeymoon Island, Clearwater, and Treasure Island for swimming, then head to Tampa for fun at Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, world renowned Lowry Park, Big Cat Rescue sanctuary, Seminole Casino, and historic Ybor City.

Visit PleaureLand RV Center

Come see us at PleasureLand RV Center before you head for Florida, or any other destination, this winter.

Resolutions for the RVer

Person silhouette jumping in 2017

New Year’s resolutions have a reputation of being difficult to keep. We start the year focused on our goal, and lose sight of it just a month later. This year, start 2017 with a resolution that you won’t let slip away. Resolve to fire up your RV and travel more in 2017.

It may sound like an easy resolution, but like many others, it’s also an easy one to lose sight of as you develop a busy schedule and begin to budget the year’s money. These simple RV resolutions are easy to keep and are guaranteed to get you on the road more often in 2017, no matter what your schedule or budget may look like.

Resolve to Use Your Weekends

RV adventures don’t always have to be thoroughly planned cross-country road trips. Weekend getaways will give you and your family the outdoor refreshment you need without the hefty fuel bills or expensive RV park or campground fees.

Resolve to Start Planning Now

Many RV vacations go missed due to poor planning and preparation. Plan this year’s big RV adventure now, so you can start saving and have all of the expenses covered before it comes time to hit the road. A properly planned RV vacation is more likely to happen and much less stressful than one that is done on a whim.

Resolve to Go Someplace New

Do you have an RV destination that you visit year after year? Stop heading to that familiar place — whether near or far — and venture to an entirely new destination this year. Visiting an unfamiliar place will reignite your love for exploration and may even open your eyes to a destination that’s even better than the last.

Start the New RV Year at PleasureLand

Start the new year off right by covering all of your RV sales, service and parts needs at PleasureLand RV Center in Minnesota. We’re offering some insane deals on new and pre-owned RVs this season as well as great specials on service and accessories to ensure your RV is always running like new.