3 Generations Wandering the Wilderness from "Cabin" Camping to Club Level-FW & WL

[IheartDDuck]

I'm hopping on board. The family looks like a lot of fun. We all love to go to WDW together whenever we can also. Having the whole family there makes it so much more fun.

 

[DisFanEY]

Love reading about your trips!! I'm in!

 

[Pinkocto]

I'm here I'm here! Thanks for the heads up!

Oh my goodness how the kids have grown!

4 1/2 hours is still 4 1/2 hours, but least you're close enough that you don't need to fly.

We have never stayed at FW, just walked around, but the peaceful feeling was very much there. In fact we couldn't believe how peaceful it actually was. We loved seeing the horses.

 

[hstrickland]

Friends!! Glad to have y'all join our Disney fun!

Yay!!! I'm thrilled the party has started!!! Going back to the first post

Not sure how I missed you back on the first page I've been busy this morning cleaning out closets and working on the TR while the boys are fishing. Glad you're here, friend

Your kids are getting too big Adorable as ever!!

Ya know...it's kinda sad that they grow up so fast. You know all too well. I don't realize it until I look at old pics

I'm looking forward to your trip report. One of the best things about staying at the WL is having FW right next door. We love going over there. And your trip report covers both those places.

Missed your post earllier....I'm going 100 miles an hour today

You're the WL expert! Hope I don't miss anything...you'll correct me if I do, right?

Hey Heather!

I was so excited to stumble upon your TR.

Your kids are looking so much older but just as cute as ever!

So glad y'all had a safe trip down. I'm always so jealous of your reasonable drive to WDW.

I can't wait to hear about your family's latest Disney adventure. Your TRs are always great!

Oh my gosh!!! How the heck are ya??!! So good to "see" you! I bet Reid has gotten so big, hasn't he?! I see you have 2 Disney trips in the works Good for you!! A World adventure and a cruise. We have a cruise planned for next summer. Can't wait!

I'm hopping on board. The family looks like a lot of fun. We all love to go to WDW together whenever we can also. Having the whole family there makes it so much more fun.

Absolutely! Memories that the kids will never forget.

Love reading about your trips!! I'm in!

Thanks! Glad you're here!!

I'm here I'm here! Thanks for the heads up!

Oh my goodness how the kids have grown!

4 1/2 hours is still 4 1/2 hours, but least you're close enough that you don't need to fly.

We have never stayed at FW, just walked around, but the peaceful feeling was very much there. In fact we couldn't believe how peaceful it actually was. We loved seeing the horses.

Hiya, Pam!! Ya know, I shouldn't complain but I still hate that 4 1/2 drive I'm not a big fan of riding in a car for more than an hour....sounds crazy, I know. But the kids go bonkers...especially Jesse (imagine that?!)

 

[lahobbs4]

It certainly looks like you have a fun family! Cannot wait to read more!

 

[hstrickland]

It certainly looks like you have a fun family! Cannot wait to read more!

Fun is one way to describe us Of course with 3 kids, there's always the daily argument/fight Glad you decided to join in! Hope you enjoy!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Hurrah!! A new adventure with one of my favorite DIS families! The kids are getting big!! Can't wait to hear all about your adventures!

 

[mcconnellfam96]

Looks like a lot of fun so far! Excited to see more! We were also grateful of your on-site updates regarding the stream/waterfall/pool situation at WL. I know you were told the stream/waterfall work is scheduled to be complete the first week of July....do you know if all the construction gear (tarps, scaffolding, etc) is suppose to be gone in the in-between time? Between the stream/waterfall work and the pool work?

 

[Chrispygal]

Excited to follow this trip report!! Would love to do 12 days in Disney - dream come true!!

 

[kleigh1969]

Hooray! I have been checking every few days for the last couple weeks to see if you started a report!

I have been reading along with your reports since 2010, and yours are still my favorite.

Thank you for making everyone so happy!

 

[kastoney]

What a great start. I've never seen FW before so this was a great orientation. And to only be 4 1/2 hours from disney sounds like a dream to me ; ).

 

[RGirl]

Loving the TR so far, Heather! I cannot believe how big all three kids have gotten. Why do they have to do that so fast?????

It is so rare that I find a TR with a FW cabin stay - I’m excited to hear all about it. I am loving the pics so far - I am so intrigued by the whole cabin idea.

Did I tell you that the WL is at the top of my list for our 2015 trip???

 

[hstrickland]

Hurrah!! A new adventure with one of my favorite DIS families! The kids are getting big!! Can't wait to hear all about your adventures!

You're so kind, Christine. So good to have ol' Dis friends following along again. Hope all is well in CT!

Looks like a lot of fun so far! Excited to see more! We were also grateful of your on-site updates regarding the stream/waterfall/pool situation at WL. I know you were told the stream/waterfall work is scheduled to be complete the first week of July....do you know if all the construction gear (tarps, scaffolding, etc) is suppose to be gone in the in-between time? Between the stream/waterfall work and the pool work?

Wish I could say one way or the other, but they didn't give me any definite dates. When I first saw the construction, my first reaction was Wow! But quite honestly, we couldn't even see the tarps and scaffolding when we were in the pool. Sounds weird, I know. And from our balcony, you couldn't see it at all either. It bothered me for like a minute then didn't phase me. There are too many other things at the Lodge that caught my attention.

Excited to follow this trip report!! Would love to do 12 days in Disney - dream come true!!

So glad you decided to follow along This was our longest trip. Not sure the hubby will go for another one of this length Of course, he was only there 8 of the days, so he didn't have to endure too much of my Disney madness

Hooray! I have been checking every few days for the last couple weeks to see if you started a report!

I have been reading along with your reports since 2010, and yours are still my favorite.

Thank you for making everyone so happy!

That is so very sweet. You totally brought a smile to my face and Bill's. When I create these TRs, it's so my family can relive the magic once more. Glad to know they make others happy, too Thanks again.

What a great start. I've never seen FW before so this was a great orientation. And to only be 4 1/2 hours from disney sounds like a dream to me ; ).

Thanks so much! And welcome!! We never had any intention of ever staying at the Fort...it was never on my radar as a must-do resort...UNTIL we took the boat over from the WL just to check things out. And as we walked around, I knew we would have to give it a try

Loving the TR so far, Heather! I cannot believe how big all three kids have gotten. Why do they have to do that so fast?????

Thanks, Roni! It's funny how we watch each other's kids grow through TRs. I feel like I know your Willow. And it is sad that they have to grow. Wish I could stop the aging process right now...my children are at such a fun age.

It is so rare that I find a TR with a FW cabin stay - I’m excited to hear all about it. I am loving the pics so far - I am so intrigued by the whole cabin idea.

The Fort is a destination within itself, for sure....very different than any of the other resorts at Disney. I've already said this 100 times but I'll say it again....the Fort is a super awesome place to just relax but still have some Disney fun.

Did I tell you that the WL is at the top of my list for our 2015 trip???

You have to try it...seriously! And their CL is OUTSTANDING!!! It's a beautiful resort, and one that I think you and Willow would so love!

 

[hstrickland]

Fort Wilderness Cabin Review
Part 1



This might be total overkill, but I’m going to give you a plethora of different views in the cabin…every square inch . I’ll spare you too much verbiage, and tell you with pictures instead




With any resort room, there are pros and cons, right? Right. Lots more pros here…but still a couple of things that I wish were different.


#1 being…QUEEN beds. I totally missed her!!!


#2 The hangers. This is going to sound petty (and it is) but you can’t detach the hangers in the closet. So when you try and hang something, you literally have to do it with the hanger on the rack. Minor issue, though. Not a deal breaker.



So that’s about it for the cons…seriously. Not going to make a list of the pros…too many. You’ll see as you scroll through the pictures





I did say I was gonna spare you the verbiage, didn't I?? Sorry...didn't happen





Let’s start on the outside and work our way in....so much to see!






Enough room for one vehicle and one golf cart.





Ignore the tired faces. Even though I get up at the crack of dawn, others don’t





There's a hose at each cabin.





One electrical outlet – great for those Fort Decorations!






Making our way inside…

The murphy bed is on the wall between the windows.
















I’ve heard people mention the lack of storage space in the bedroom. While there isn’t an abundance, we found tons of extra space in the den area – more than enough.




Moving on to the kitchen area…

When we entered, there was a grocery check list on the table. We didn’t utilize this since we had a golf cart and could carry the items very easily ourselves. It appeared that you could fill out the items you wanted, and they would be delivered to your cabin.







There is an ice-maker in the freezer. If you need extra ice, it can be purchased at the Trading Posts.





Continued to next post....




​

 

[hstrickland]

Continued from previous post...




Fort Wilderness Cabin Review
Part 2










If you plan on cooking, it can certainly be done!











If you’re a coffee drinker, you might want to bring your own or purchase some at the Trading Post. There are a couple of packets provided in the cabin, but quite honestly it tasted old






More storage by the stove…





As we venture down the hall….





You’ll find a storage closet on the right.





And next, the bathroom…












Who doesn't love H2O products??!! I become a potential hoarder when it comes to these little bottles






Again, plenty of storage in the bathroom.




These are extra towels that can be used at the pool. There are not any towels provided at either pool location.






And our last stop….the bedroom.









The hair dryer is not in the bathroom; it’s located by the mirror in the corner of the room.






Great having an extra TV for the kids to watch!






So there ya have it! Almost every square inch of the cabins It’s a fabulous set-up for a family. But could be a little tight with 4 or more adults (just my opinion, of course).



​

 

[IheartDDuck]

We stayed in the cabins many many moons ago. When they were still trailers and not cabins. They were still pretty cool though!

However, they look sooooo much nicer now than they did at that time! But that was back in 1993, so it's been a minute.

 

[amandaw]

Great overview of the cabin!

It seems like there's just enough space and it looks very cozy, too.

 

[hstrickland]

We stayed in the cabins many many moons ago. When they were still trailers and not cabins. They were still pretty cool though!

However, they look sooooo much nicer now than they did at that time! But that was back in 1993, so it's been a minute.

Oh wow! That's forever ago...think I was in college then Do you have any old pics of them? Thank goodness Disney does refurbs, right?! I always like looking at the old CR pics. When we stayed there as kids, we thought it was the coolest thing ever.

Great overview of the cabin!

It seems like there's just enough space and it looks very cozy, too.

Cozy is a good way to describe it...not the typical Disney resort. It's like being in the woods...peaceful and quiet.

By the way, did you notice our tickers?? Our cruises are literally a week apart?! Are y'all doing the Fantasy again?

 

[basketlacey]

Great start to your trip report Heather!

So...the cabins. Maybe we should have rented a golf cart. We stayed for one night, arriving late (midnight) and leaving the next day for a cruise. But I truly expected to love FW. Dh and I had stayed at WL last year and walked over to the Fort twice. We loved the grounds and we loved breakfast at Trails End. We also loved the boat transportation. So, when we came back and brought the kids, I definitely saw a longer stay in our future. We loved the inside of the cabin. It was perfect for a family of 5. Dh and I took the trundle which was surprisingly comfortable and the three kids took the bedroom. We are lake people. Dh's parents have a cabin at a local lake (in fact we are there right now). So this seem just our style.

Fast forward to the next morning. We tried to drive to breakfast. I'm still trying to live this down. I had no idea that you couldn't drive a car around. Dh says, didn't you research this on the dis???? Lol. Anyway, we finally realized we had to catch the internal bus. I guess that was the part we didn't like. Maybe we need to try again WITH a golf cart!

I can't wait to read more about your stay!

 

[Pinkocto]

Thanks so much for all the pictures. I had never seen inside them before. Now they look like a trailer covered with wood, but I gather from IheartDDuck that they were trailers but are not anymore?