why use a golf cart?

[williamson_ja]

I see the sticky with the rules for use of the golf cart, but I am still unsure as to why we would need to spend so much extra money to use one. :confused: Are the internal busses THAT slow? Can you park it right next to the main bus stop or the boat dock if going to MK so that you just get off the boat and right onto the golf cart? :confused3 This seems like a whole lot of money to only use 1-2 times a day coming to and from the parks.

[ftwildernessguy]

I agree, but I am in the minority here so I try to keep quiet.

[Born 2 Fish]

We rented a buggy once, thought about the cost, came home and bought one, now we take ours with us.

[Cousin Ed C]

No one needs a golf cart. They are fun to have, but I personally can't see spending $ 60 a day just to leave it parked at the bus station. You might save 10 minutes a day over taking the internal bus. I now have my own cart and we use it a lot (we stay for the winter) but I still would not rent one.

[caveat lector]

Want v. Need. I "want" a golf cart, but don't "need" one. I "want" to vacation at DisneyWorld, but don't "need" too. It's all relative.

I hear the campground is large, with a lot to see. If it gets me a little extra family with my kids, because they're excited about riding around, I'm all for it.

[4mickey2]

we never rented one. then one day we decided to sell the atv and buy a golf cart. so, now we take the gc. i love riding my bike at the fort. but, it is really difficult to carry the refillable cup on the bike. lol

[ElementCamper]

I see the sticky with the rules for use of the golf cart, but I am still unsure as to why we would need to spend so much extra money to use one. :confused: Are the internal busses THAT slow? Can you park it right next to the main bus stop or the boat dock if going to MK so that you just get off the boat and right onto the golf cart? :confused3 This seems like a whole lot of money to only use 1-2 times a day coming to and from the parks.

To answer the original question, yes there is parking at the Settlement/Marina, Outpost and Meadows Trading post to leave your cart while you catch a bus, shop swim, whatever!:thumbsup2

But again, do you 'need' one? It's fun to cruise around and be able to come and go at will without waiting on a bus for 10-15 minutes but I'd rather spend the money on something else. I do take a bike down and ride around, exercise AND sightseeing combined ! :thumbsup2

[motherwild]

I see the sticky with the rules for use of the golf cart, but I am still unsure as to why we would need to spend so much extra money to use one. :confused: Are the internal busses THAT slow? Can you park it right next to the main bus stop or the boat dock if going to MK so that you just get off the boat and right onto the golf cart? :confused3 This seems like a whole lot of money to only use 1-2 times a day coming to and from the parks.

It's a luxury. It is nice to use to ride around the camp ground to see the other loop. Really nice around Christmas to see all the decorations. There are people that spend time at the Fort and don't spend all their time in the parks. It's nice when we have the Grandkids with us. To go to the pool and the campfire. My husband likes to go crusing or as he calls it loopy looping.:dance3:

[stacktester]

I think some people just like to have one for times they're not at a park or just something to do. We have a cart and I like to loop and just cruise around. Other times I like riding bikes especially when we want to go to the lodge. It's a preference and if it's affordable I say bring one or rent one.

[williamson_ja]

we are flying in and staying at the cabins, so bikes really are not an option for us.

[stacktester]

we are flying in and staying at the cabins, so bikes really are not an option for us.

I would say if you're doing the parks then by all means take the bus. If you've got down days at the cabin then rent a cart to at least explore the campground.

[k4dcf]

Like others have said you do not need one. The first year there we did not have one and did just fine. This year we rented one and loved the convenience of not waiting on the internal buses. It was especially nice just to walk off the boat or park bus and jump in the cart to head back to the MH maybe with a stop at Meadows along the way to get some supplies.

[retired and happy]

We saw them around FW for several years. Then we made the mistake of renting one for a day....The next visit it was for a week. The next visit we owned one and brought our own....but then we had to buy a trailer to carry it. Convenience. We use it to take large loads to the laundry, to get ice and a newspaper, to loop, to pick up a pizza or Giddy Yap and Go, participating in GC parades, pick up mail. It has really come in handy since DW had back surgery. She drives with one wheelchair child while I push the other two along the very wide and available sidewalks. Convenience? I guess it depends on your situation.

[des1954]

If it's your intention to simply go to the parks and DTD to shop/dine then no, you don't need a golf cart. The internal buses are fairly regular without making you wait much more than 10 minutes between buses. If you're going to hang out at the Fort a lot, then a golf cart is a very enjoyable way to view all of FtW and conveniently go to the pools, beach, movie, P.H., and trading posts. Driving your car around the loops is discouraged, and there is no parking anywhere within FtW except for a very small lot at Meadow(s) T.P. which is limited to 15 minutes parking.

Our main purpose in going to the Fort is to meet with friends & fiends, and enjoy all the beauty that the Fort has to offer - so we bring our own cart with us and/or take our bikes. IMHO, there is nothing like a very early or very late cart ride around FtW, or running to P.H. or M.T.P. for a cuppa joe!!:thumbsup2

[DisneyBishops]

much easier to hold your beer while driving a gc than while riding a bike.

[Born 2 Fish]

much easier to hold your beer while driving a gc than while riding a bike.

:thumbsup2

[mdoc]

We've probably been to the Fort 20 times, and we have never rented a golf cart. We spend 70-80% of our time in the parks, so a golf cart would just be sitting around. We take bikes, we mostly drive to the parks, and we stay in a loop in between the Settlement and the pool so that we're in walking distance of both. It'd be fun to have a cart, but the internal buses work fine for me if I need to get somewhere that I'm not driving/biking/walking. If we're ever at the Fort over Christmas, I'm sure we'll get a cart for a day so we can go looping to see the decorations. And we always have an eye out for an inexpensive cart to buy and then bring with us. But pay the exorbitant WDW rates for a golf cart for our entire stay? Not gonna happen.

[VLee]

Just got back from our first trip in the RV there. Although we rented a cart, we really did not need one. We were in the 500 loop, which made easy walking to restaurant, dog park, marina, etc. It was nice to have to go to the campfire.

But I would not pay Disney prices for carts. We rented from offsite party for 5 full days for $155 compared to the Disney price, about $330.

[DisneyBishops]

Not if you have one of these!
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/ciu/c1/58/37f0c060ada0e858525ea110.L.jpg
Of course then you would have to put it in a cup, but that's a small price to pay for that much convenience! :thumbsup2
:lmao:


yea but too easy to fall off a bike after a few cups. my gc is so slow if you fall off it wont hurt any.

[stacktester]

yea but too easy to fall off a bike after a few cups. my gc is so slow if you fall off it wont hurt any.

I can attest to that. Especially when he rides my fat butt on it.

[mrzrich]

It's fun to cruise around and be able to come and go at will without waiting on a bus for 10-15 minutes but I'd rather spend the money on something else.

And truthfully, I've rarely had to wait 10 minutes for an internal bus. Usually the wait is less than 5 minutes.

I thought I was in the minority. Especially over on the resort board. When people with family's of 5 or 6 ask where they should stay I always suggest the cabins. The next post without fail is ALWAYS someone saying how spread out FW is and how its such a chore :sad2:waiting for the internal bus and how you MUST factor in the cost of a cart rental. I have been going to FW for years. Started in a tent, now in my TT, last month we stayed in a cabin with my mom. We have never rented a cart. If I owned one, sure I'd bring it, but it certainly is not a necessity

[Born 2 Fish]

I dont like to ride the bus for a couple reasons

1. I'm the guy who's gonna get beat to death by your Volkswagon size baby stroller.

2. Then theres always someguy on the bus who screams instead of talks,,and he's gonna tell EVERYONE about his trip so far/or that day, and yet he/she doesnt seem to realize WE ARE AT THE SAME PLACE DOING THE SAME THINGS HE IS !!

3. Screaming kidds,,ya can't get away from them once they start. Don't give me any crap about this, I love kidds,,just not sceraming kidds.

But even if I had to ride a bus at Disney, it's better than riding a bus in Mexico during rush hour ! :rotfl2:

[stacktester]

I dont like to ride the bus for a couple reasons

1. I'm the guy who's gonna get beat to death by your Volkswagon size baby stroller.

2. Then theres always someguy on the bus who screams instead of talks,,and he's gonna tell EVERYONE about his trip so far/or that day, and yet he/she doesnt seem to realize WE ARE AT THE SAME PLACE DOING THE SAME THINGS HE IS !!

3. Screaming kidds,,ya can't get away from them once they start. Don't give me any crap about this, I love kidds,,just not sceraming kidds.

But even if I had to ride a bus at Disney, it's better than riding a bus in Mexico during rush hour ! :rotfl2:

Hate to say it but the purple bus that runs thru the cabins is the worst. I took it last month and yes, there were strollers involved and an ecv. Don't take me wrong about the handicapped but when they load or unload an ecv it takes a while. If you're close to the yellow line I suggest you take it.

[des1954]

much easier to hold your beer while driving a gc than while riding a bike.

You're a practical man!!:thumbsup2

[AuburnJen92]

yea but too easy to fall off a bike after a few cups. my gc is so slow if you fall off it wont hurt any.

My old bessie cart was slower than yours Dan....

I still can see that contraption holding a good beer though...

[clkelley]

Hate to say it but the purple bus that runs thru the cabins is the worst. I took it last month and yes, there were strollers involved and an ecv. Don't take me wrong about the handicapped but when they load or unload an ecv it takes a while. If you're close to the yellow line I suggest you take it.

There is absolutely NO REASON to use an ECV on the internal buses!!! Ride the ECV to either Settlement or Outpost, THEN board a bus or boat!! That's what Rick and I do.

I'm with everyone else. A golf cart is fun for us as frequent visitors as we spend LOTS of time at the Fort and very little time at the parks. But I went on many, many trips over the years without a a golf cart, and when I spend lots of time in the parks, don't need one, the buses do great!!

As a matter of fact, the first trip that I brought a bike, I was so annoyed with it because I would ride the bike to one bus stop and go to the parks, then most days I would be coming back at night and end up at the OPPOSITE end of the campground, and still have to take the internal bus to the other end and retrieve my bike. (I park hop a lot!!)

[Old Snipe]

I'm here now and I rented a cart. I do every year on our annual trip to FW. We take our two young grandsons.

Using the Disney buses off the Fort are a hassel and coming back from the MK after a long day in the park, it's wonderful to be able to pile in to the cart with the kids and stroller and zip back instead of fighting for another seat with everybody that got off the bus or boat with you.

Hey, I'm on vacation, I'm going to spoil myself. :dance3:

Best Regards!

[DisneyBishops]

I can attest to that. Especially when he rides my fat butt on it.


Hey Donnie, i got me a new motor from Ron and now I can go at least 10 mph. so now i am speed racer. LOL

[fla4fun]

I am one of those who does not rent a cart. My trips are mostly solo trips, and it's a lot of money for moving just one person around. Besides I drive, and can bring my bike if I want to (sometimes I do, sometimes I don't). I've never found the transportation at FW to be a problem. Even staying there Easter week last year, I didn't have any issues with the buses.

However, if someone asks me if they should rent a cart, there are a few questions I would ask them. First, how many are in your travel party? If it's four or five people, then a cart can make more sense. You don't have to worry that you will get split on a bus, or even split between buses. Second, do you have anyone in your party who would have trouble standing on a bus if necessary - not only a person with physical disabilities, but two adults with more than two children under, say, age 4, could also have problems standing on a moving bus. If this is the case, then a cart becomes more of a necessity than a convenience. Third, is the price of renting a cart going to be a real stretch financially? If you can rent one without incurring extra debt or financial hardship - go for it. But if it's going to really stretch your budget into painful circumstances, think twice.

Obviously a cart is fun, and a cart in many cases can be convenient. But it's not necessary to have one to enjoy FW, or to get anywhere on property you need to go.

[BradyBz12]

Necessary? Nope.

fun Fun FUN! You betcha. ;)

[gillenkl]

You don't NEED one, but we for us it's something fun we like to do. It's like a perk for us. No more kids whining about walking or waiting for a bus and we just love riding around in it. So when we plan our trip we know to add the cost of one in. Also, I wanted to add that our son is autistic and after a hot park day and lots of waiting it's almost a treat for him to just hop off the boat and onto the cart. Helps alleviate a meltdown.

[LarryJ]

No one needs a golf cart. They are fun to have, but I personally can't see spending $ 60 a day just to leave it parked at the bus station. You might save 10 minutes a day over taking the internal bus. I now have my own cart and we use it a lot (we stay for the winter) but I still would not rent one.

I agree and in the last 25 years and close to 400 days staying at FW we have rented a cart for 2 days back in the 80's and this last Christmas rented one for one day on Dec 24th (to see all the site decorations). We have done just fine w/o one ... others love them to "loop", but that's just not our thing and prefer to walk or take the bus.

Larry

[Renosiris]

Last time I was at Fort Wilderness...buses weren't an option.

Maybe I'm not realizing how this works but my impression is that if you are over in say 1500 and you want to go to MK, you would get on a bus by your site, and then bus into the main building, and then get another bus there to go to MK. Is that right?

If that is the case then that cart makes sense. After a long day walking, the last thing I'd want to do is get off the bus, stand around for 15 to 20 waiting for another bus to take me over to where I can sleep. I would want to get my butt on that cart, get back to my site and crash!

[ftwildernessrick]

Did without one for about thirty years. Walked, took the bus, brought bicycles, then got older & lazy, so we bought one.

In other words, you don't have to have one, but they are fun.

[mrzrich]

Last time I was at Fort Wilderness...buses weren't an option.

Maybe I'm not realizing how this works but my impression is that if you are over in say 1500 and you want to go to MK, you would get on a bus by your site, and then bus into the main building, and then get another bus there to go to MK. Is that right?


No, you take a bus from the bus stop near your site to the Marina (same as if you had a golf cart), and then a boat to MK which drops you right at the MK turnstiles.


If you were going to Epcot, AK, DHS, etc, you would take your internal bus to the outpost were you (and the golf cart people) would catch a bus to your final destination.

After a long day walking, the last thing I'd want to do is get off the bus, stand around for 15 to 20 waiting for another bus to take me over to where I can sleep. I would want to get my butt on that cart, get back to my site and crash!



As for the end of the day issue, I must add that if you are waiting for a internal bus back to your site, those are plentiful, I've never waited long for an internal bus at the Settlement or outpost.

[Jaylens Papa]

We use one because my DGD's favorite rides are, golf cart, Pirates, golf cart, Small World, golf cart, Tea Cups. Get it? Also, after walking around for hours I'm lucky I can make it from the boat to the golf cart parking area, let a lone the bus stop.

[Renosiris]

No, you take a bus from the bus stop near your site to the Marina (same as if you had a golf cart), and then a boat to MK which drops you right at the MK turnstiles.


If you were going to Epcot, AK, DHS, etc, you would take your internal bus to the outpost were you (and the golf cart people) would catch a bus to your final destination.




As for the end of the day issue, I must add that if you are waiting for a internal bus back to your site, those are plentiful, I've never waited long for an internal bus at the Settlement or outpost.



Thanks! That's good to know. The site looks so huge that it has me worried about how the kids will manage, but I really don't want to spend the money on the cart for more than a day (just to let the kids try it). I'd rather make their little butts walk, and me walk too...hopefully working off some fat at the same time.:rotfl2: It will take more than a Disney Trip to manage all that! Lol

[starbuc71]

We are lucky enough to live only an hour or so away from the fort. We usually make around 5-6 trips a year. If you plan to visit more than a couple times a year, it's worth it to buy your own cart if you have a way to transport it. Ours paid for itself within 2 trips now we don't have the added expense of the rental. They do make your stay very easy

[jorescue]

We stayed in a cabin and used the busses. We had no problems with the bus. Very short waits for them. And it wasnt practical to rent a car for a ride to the park transport. We were close to the pool so that helped we just walked to those and took the bus to the campfire at night. The carts look fun for the kids. I read somewhere that pets are allowed on the carts now.

[BradyBz12]

I read somewhere that pets are allowed on the carts now.

Leashed pets are allowed on the carts - although still not in the usual "no pets" areas - pools, trading posts, marina/settlement, playgrounds...

Disney changed the rules when the dog park opened a couple of years ago to make it possible from people to get to it from the further away pet loops.

[Renosiris]

If you're @ the Fort the same time as I am, I'm going to have to come find you. I really want to see your Collies! Ours is going to be getting boarded when we're away and I'll have withdrawl lol. Although she is a puppy, she could turn out a monster by November and then I might want to see what "Good dogs" look like for when I get home lol. Nah! She's actually the most mature puppy I've ever seen!

Leashed pets are allowed on the carts - although still not in the usual "no pets" areas - pools, trading posts, marina/settlement, playgrounds...

Disney changed the rules when the dog park opened a couple of years ago to make it possible from people to get to it from the further away pet loops.

[BradyBz12]

If you're @ the Fort the same time as I am, I'm going to have to come find you. I really want to see your Collies!

We'll be there for 3 weeks in November. If you're around then, swing by the dog park - we're there most mornings with the girls and a giant, lime green jolly ball. :goodvibes

[dato63]

We rented a cart in 2009, it was our first trip to FW. I would say it added to my DH's enjoyment of our trip. He actually asked to go back to WDW in 2010 and stay at FW. Ruined my DCL plans for this year - but it is nice to see him involved with planning for a change.

Did we need a cart? Not at all. But we did enjoy riding around looking at the decorated campsites. DH has bought a used golf cart, and has been fixing it up so we can just take one with us in the future.