1st time at Ft. Wilderness..a little apprehensive since not renting a golf cart..

[luvdisney77]

We have always stayed at the other resorts, and I am drawn to the cabin for more room, and my older kids can actually go outside while we're getting ready, etc. They will love that aspect. The only thing I am worried about is manuvering around. I keep reading how big it is, and everyone is renting golf carts..but we aren't.

1. We have too many kids for one, and I am not renting two!
2. We don't want/can't afford the extra expense of one!

That said, what should I do? I know you can't really drive around the campground with our van. What do you all do?

 

[owensmama2007]

Are you driving to the Fort?

You can always bring your bikes! You are correct that it is a huge place and depending where your cabin is, it can be a long walk to certain areas or activities. You could also use the buses to get around and use the inner loop route.

 

[amylevan]

We've never rented a golf cart. We walk or take the bus, and we don't think it's that bad. About the only times I really feel impatient is the mornings, we like to make rope drop and I get fidgety waiting for the busses (of course I get that way at every resort...). But you can always drive your van to the parks.

 

[luvdisney77]

I actually do not mind driving to the parks. My only thing was snacks at night or getting around to the pools and such.

 

[FloridaTeacher]

We've been to the Fort many times without a golf cart and never had a problem getting around. Just pack a little patience (which, with that many kids, you obviously have in spades) and calculate "waiting for the bus" time in your schedule.

We've also walked and ridden bikes all over the Fort. It's big, but it's a great walk.

 

[motherwild]

You will do fine with out a golf cart. The internal buses will get you where you need to go. Not everone else rents a golf cart. Have a great trip wish I was going too.

 

[Disneyfamilyoffive]

The buses work great as everyone has already said, we love bringin our bikes, if you are driving, alot of places to ride your bikes to ie Wilderness Lodge, trails etc. We quit renting a golf cart about three years ago and was blessed enough to buy one. I know you will have a woderful time and trip. We are Disney Vacation club owners and the Camp Ground is our most favorite place to stay.

 

[bama_ed]

The golf cart thing is nice but don't let it overwhelm you. It's great to go looping and see Christmas and Halloween decorations but LOTS of people don't bother with them (we're bike people ourselves).

You might request to be put in loops 2100 or 2200 which are the closest cabin loops to the Meadow Trading Post, movie/singalong, main pool area. That would help alot. And there is always the internal bus (as long as you're not in a hurry ). So when we were in the cabins we walked to the Meadow TP area and bussed to the Settlement/Pioneer Hall/marina area.

Looking at your kid ages/etc you might be able to put them all in the back bedroom (baby in a folding crib in the closet) so that parents can have privacy/quiet out in the living room with the Murphy bed. We dearly love the cabins but once we got our pop-up (and I can get a $50 campsite at the Fort off-season) we haven't been back to the cabins. But other family has and they love it. Take advantage of the kitchen to save money eating out. Winn Dixie is only 10 minutes away from the Fort. Buy some charcoal and put DH to work on the grill outside by your cabin deck.

Matter of fact, if they ever change out the furniture in the cabins I'd love to buy a kitchen table with a set of those 4 chairs.

You'll have a great time!

Bama ED

 

[Disneylitch]

The cabins aren't a bad walk to the outpost for the buses. We have never rented a golf cart, but always bring out bikes. The buses have definitely improved in the last few years and we don't have any complaints. If you want to walk, it is 1 mile from the outpost to the marina. We do it all the time, but our kids are now adults. When they were little, we would use strollers and the buses. You will be fine and I'm sure you will have a great time. The Fort is fantastic.

 

[Teamubr]

I have never had a cart at the fort. We just adjust our internal clocks to be on "Disney Time" and don't worry about how long things take. The busses are fine. We're at Disney! No hurries, No worries, No rush! (and that's a big deal for me- I'm the biggest clock watcher, retentive, SOB outside of Disney)

 

[MomofSixinSC]

We did fine without a golf cart. I enjoyed the busses for getting around FW. The bus driver even played a special message when my dd wore her Cinderella tiara on the bus.

 

[gillenkl]

the only reason we usually rent a cart is we go in June and Mama can't take the heat. If I wasn't going during the summer I wouldn't bother - just use the internal bus system. You will be fine without one.

 

[JMonroe]

We've been to FW many times, and have never used a cart. Actually, we're not fans of the carts (except for use by the disabled). We feel they're a royal pain that detract from the FW experience, exacerbated by the fact that many do not heed the rules. Kids are allowed by parents to drive the carts, and for some reason, many driving them feel, as they are not 'cars', the rules of the road don't apply.

Disney's transportation system can't be beat. Yes, some days they'll be off their game, but overall, we have few complaints (although we did prefer the old trams to the bus - too 'urban'). We also are among those that will use our bikes for personal transportation within the Fort.

Bottom line, not having a cart is not going to detract from the experience one iota. Your kids are blessed that you can afford to provide the experience for them.

Have a great time!

 

[CCIntrigue]

Disney's transportation system can't be beat. ... Bottom line, not having a cart is not going to detract from the experience one iota. Your kids are blessed that you can afford to provide the experience for them.

Have a great time!

I agree. We've visited many times without a golf cart. While it's nice to have one, you can still have a wonderful time!

 

[Born 2 Fish]

I have never had a cart at the fort. We just adjust our internal clocks to be on "Disney Time" and don't worry about how long things take. The busses are fine. We're at Disney! No hurries, No worries, No rush! (and that's a big deal for me- I'm the biggest clock watcher, retentive, SOB outside of Disney)

hakuna matata

 

[mikeymouse1]

Its big but don't be intimidated by it! Its all flat and easy to get around on a bus or on foot.

 

[jwfla422]

We just came back last week from a stay at the Cabins. We hadn't stayed there in 8 yrs until 2 weeks ago. Back 8 yrs ago we rented a golf cart the whole stay but this past time we rented it just for our first 2 days and then dh came up with our bikes and I turned it in.

However, we didn't use our bikes to go to pick up the buses, we used the internal bus system and quite frankly, we were actually impressed with the bus system in FW as well as to and from the parks and DTD. Maybe we just had really good timing this trip but in comparison with all of the other resorts we've stayed at waiting as much as 30+ minutes on some occasions (SSR, BCV, AKL, etc) we found the buses to run the most frequent while we stayed here.

We never waited more than 5 min (if that long) for an internal bus, so as far as a golf cart is concerned, while they are a fun and convenient way to get around the FW campground, they are not a necessity.

 

[retired and happy]

mikeymouse1...get around on a WHAT???

 

[luvdisney77]

I have never had a cart at the fort. We just adjust our internal clocks to be on "Disney Time" and don't worry about how long things take. The busses are fine. We're at Disney! No hurries, No worries, No rush! (and that's a big deal for me- I'm the biggest clock watcher, retentive, SOB outside of Disney)

!!! I'm very impatient, too.

 

[mikeymouse1]

mikeymouse1...get around on a WHAT???

Got it fixed!!!