1st time camping at Disney

[2bnepcot]

Hi. We are AP holders. But have just booked Ft Wilderness for Spring Break. We have never stayed at Ft Wilderness ( we are also have not camped in 7 years and this will be in a newly purchased used rv). I'm concerned about transportation to the parks and debating about renting a golf cart. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Readerbug]

Welcome!!
What exactly are your concerns?
Keep reading.....the more I do, the more I find my wonders already addressed and solved by someone else.

Enjoy this sub-board. Full of great people!

 

[North of Mouse]

Hi. We are AP holders. But have just booked Ft Wilderness for Spring Break. We have never stayed at Ft Wilderness ( we are also have not camped in 7 years and this will be in a newly purchased used rv). I'm concerned about transportation to the parks and debating about renting a golf cart. Thanks for any suggestions.[/QUOTE

to a great campground!

There should be *no* concerns about getting transportation to any of the Disney parks. There is bus, boat or monorail connections to all parks.

As for cart rental. It is not something you *have* to do. A lot of people do rent them, as much for fun, as the real need to have them. We have camped at FW for 41 years, and have never rented a cart. So that's an expense you don't have to have unless you want one. That, of course, is up to you. The carts can *only* be used in FW.

Guess I'm really confused at your concerns. Maybe if you can tell us a little more about them, someone on here can help allay your fears.

Have a great trip!

 

[jeffrey66]

Hi. We are AP holders. But have just booked Ft Wilderness for Spring Break. We have never stayed at Ft Wilderness ( we are also have not camped in 7 years and this will be in a newly purchased used rv). I'm concerned about transportation to the parks and debating about renting a golf cart. Thanks for any suggestions.

When we stay at the fort we use the disney transportation for everything or use bikes to travel within the campground. If you are going to the MK or hotels on the monorail loop just use the boats running from the marina. for all other parks use the buses. The buses that run internally at the fort will bring you to the outpost so that you can pick up buses that run to AK,HS,Epcot,DTD, or the water parks. Some people will use their golf carts to get to the outpost from their campsite in order to bypass the internal bus. having a golf cart would be nice but not a neccessity.

 

[2goofycampers]

If it fits in the budget without taking away from something else. By all means rent one. If not, you'll be fine without it too.

 

[Goofy-dad]

If you can... pack bikes! A lot cheaper than a golf cart and we LOVE biking around the Fort!
You can even bike over to Wilderness Lodge on the bike path and explore.

Plus it is really good exercise.

 

[amylevan]

This is one of those topics where your answers will run from "you absolutely must rent a golf cart" to "we never rent".

Put us in the we never rent a golf cart group. We usually stay premium, and from those loops we can easily walk to the settlement where the boat to the MK is located. We usually walk to the Meadow Trading Post/pool area. Then we take the busses to the Outpost to take busses to the parks. Obviously, your ability to walk is based on which loop you are in, but we don't find the busses difficult - they run often. We are rope drop people and never have an issue relying on the busses/boat.

My parents bring their bikes. There are places to lock your bikes at both the settlement and the outpost, so you can bike to the main transportation if you choose.

Quite honestly, compared to the other hotels we've stayed, transportation is no more or less of a hassle for us at FW.

 

[jeffrey66]

2bnepcot,
I was wondering if you have a MH or a TT? If you have a TT you could drive yourself to all the parks in your tow vehicle. But I would still take the boat to the MK.

 

[Southern Bell]

If you don't request a campsite near the pool or the marina you will have to take a bus inside the campground to get there, unless you walk a long ways, take a bike or rent a golf cart.
We have camped away from the pool and marina , and took those extra bus rides (that I don't enjoy LOL!) or had our bikes. Over the last several yrs we have requested a campsite near the marina to avoid the extra bus travel and because we seemed to visit the theme parks from morning to night and spend alot less time at the pool. We had teenagers and 20 yr olds with us on our last camping trip in 2007 and they stayed at the water parks for 2 days.
But this year I have two grandchildren I am taking (4 yr old and a 1 year old) and I have reserved a golf cart for the first time at Fort Wilderness for them. Funny what you'll do for the grandchildren! LOL! In the July heat, I think we are going to be spending more time at the campground, at the pool, at the playground, marshmallow roast etc., with the smaller children.
From WD the cost was $439 for a week(Friday to Friday). Last year at Lakewood Campground Myrtle beach I think it cost us $350. I didn't have to pay a deposit and is due upon pick up. I did not get a discount because I reserved it for a week( I read somewhere I would)I figure if I change my mind I can always cancel (before 24 hrs)or even reserve it for less days closer to vacation. But for over July 4 I thought I better reserve it now!
I read that alot of people reserve their golf cart from other people other than Disney and it is cheaper. I read different things about how it is delivered to you, if they are alowed on or off Disneys property. I would just call Disney and ask about their policy on this. Just for convenience I guess, My husband just didn't want to fool with trying to rent a golf cart from someone else and our luck it would tear up while we had it. LOL! So we are probably paying more for nothing. I don't know! LOL!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

We stayed at the Fort for the first time last month. (We are AP holders to and usually stay DVC.) Here is what I found...
1600 loop was great for our RV. We were close to laundry and bus stops. (For us, the 1500 loop stop was a little closer than the 1600 if you cut through the comfort station.)
The best part of that location was that it was a decent walk to the pool.
The Fort buses only take a couple minutes to get to the Outpost (to catch other buses) or the Settlement (restaurant, store, and marina.) Be sure to catch the bus going the right direction.
The only "problem" we encountered was not being aware that the boat to the MK doesn't come until 30 minutes before MK opens. For those who like to be at the front of rope drop like us, that didn't work at all! You do get to the MK before open, but the crowds are so big that you still will be waiting to present tickets while the park fills up. Makse a big difference if you want to see Enchanted Tales with Belle. There was already an 80 minute wait when we got there even though we went straight there...and that was not a busy time of year.
If you like to be there first thing too...take the resort boat to the Contemporary and walk to the MK. It's not a bad walk at all and those boats run earlier. (We saw Belle first on the day we did this with no wait!)

 

[Whatevaheatha]

I'm wondering if you still get Key to the World cards when you do a campsite instead of a room?

 

[bama_ed]

I'm wondering if you still get Key to the World cards when you do a campsite instead of a room?

Yep you do. I got back from the Fort about 10 days ago. You can use them to put your tickets on if desired and also open the Comfort Station doors between midnight-6 am (one poster says some CS doors require the card during the day too) but the one in my loop recently didn't.

The the Fort is happy to have a credit card tied to your KTTW so you can charge stuff on it.$$$$$$$

Bama Ed

 

[Whatevaheatha]

Ok great Thanks!