Ep. 4: Depreciation in Campgrounds and Lessons in Customer Service from the Most Magical Place on Earth

This week we start off by discussing the basics of depreciation and how it affects campgrounds. Then, we kick off a great conversation about Disney and what campgrounds owners can learn from Disney’s Fort Wilderness

SHOW NOTES

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1. Depreciation
   1. prior accountant wouldn’t tell them how it worked
   2. Surprised to find that land doesn’t reduce taxes - not depreciated
   3. Depreciation just means breaking down an expense over multiple years
   4. Lots of special rules and exceptions but here are the basics
      1. 5 years: equipment like tractors, mowers, jump pads and heavy trucks
      2. 7 years: furniture
      3. 15 or 39 years:  improvements like roads and sites
      4. 39 years: commercial real estate including the owner’s house
      5. Autos
2. South Carolina Campground Statistics
   1. The 2021 Annual Report for Sun Communities, Inc (SUI) echoes the occupancy reported by ELS with a US total occupancy for annual sites reported at 97.3%.  SUI reports 100% occupancy for annual sites at Carolina Pines and Crossroads RV Resorts.
   2. "Overall, camping occupancy averaged over 70% throughout the spring of 2021.  At many parks with higher visitor demand, occupancy rates were above 80% each month in the spring, with several parks above 90% and two exceeding 99%." (2022-2033 South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Budget Request)
   3. South Carolina State Parks had an estimated annual 62.71% occupancy for RV campsites
3. KOA Conference
   1. November 16th-17th in Orlando, Fl
   2. Staying at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
4. The Disney Experience
   1. Customer Service
   2. The great benefits of Fort Wilderness
   3. The time Zack almost died on Haunted Mansion
      1. The recovery story and free fast passes

CONTACT

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Campground Compass Socials

• IG: instagram.com/campgroundcompass
• FB: facebook.com/campgroundcompass
• Web: campgroundcomapsspodcast.com

Donna

• Email: [e-mail]
• IG: instagram.com/thedonnabordeaux
• LI: linkedin.com/in/donnabordeaux

Zack

• Email: [e-mail]
• IG: instagram.com/thezackb
• LI: linkedin.com/in/realzackb