Anyone ever stay at the Cabins at FW

[dana0801]

Looking at staying at the cabins at FW and just want to get some feedback. What did you think? How hard was it to get around the resort itself and to the parks(we won't have a car).

I'll be staying with 2 very new to Disney folks (my parents) and want to make sure they are having a good time and comfortable but not overwhelmed (especially my dad as he's kind of a reserved fellow and may find other resorts too umm "busy".)

 

[pooh4me]

We are senior citizens that have stayed in the cabins yearly for the last 10 years and would not stay any place else. We love the cabins and Fort Wilderness.
The bus service for the cabins is very good and will get you where you want to go.We have never rented a golf cart except for a few days during Christmas to see the decorations. The walk to the bus stop is less than 5 minuets and the buses come every 10 minuets.

The Fort is quiet and very laid back. Your father will love it.

You have all the comforts of home even a dish washer and ice maker.

Check out the Fort here on the Dis and also on www.allearsnet.com
If you need more help just ask here.

 

[massmickeypal]

We have stayed in the cabins many times. Our "usual" crew is my wife, my In-laws and our two boys. Some of our best times have been rocking in the chairs outside Crockett's Tavern or playing checkers with the boys. We had a great time a few years back with the archery. My father in law is also very laid back and loves the Fort.
I agree with pooh4me that the transportation is good but travel to parks other than the Magic Kingdom can take some time. Not an issue as long as you plan.

 

[luckycharm19335]

I have never stayed in a cabin.
We stay in our RV every November.
However, last year I went over to the cabins and Mousekeeping let me take a peek.
VERY NICE.
And the transportation system both inside Fort Wilderness and connecting to the entire Disney World complex is top notch.

 

[jonimce]

Our last camping trip to the fort our daughter stayed in a cabin. Two adults, 3 teens and a 5 YO. It was great. One shower was the only concern but the teens came over to the showers in the campground so it worked perfect. The are very nice. Your father will love the cabins. It's like having your own vacation home.

 

[dana0801]

Thanks for the help. I thought the same even though I've never stayed there as I've read others stories of visiting there to get some down time. Since we won't be having any children (it's 4 adults) I don't have to worry too much about trying make sure everyone's entertained so that will be nice.

the nice part of all this is that we won't be doing the parks commando style and probably only 1 park per day so as to not overwhelm them. I know that once we get to MK we can get to TTC and them move on from there (Epcot, DHS etc.)

One more question..... since we won't be driving in (a little far coming from the left coast) what do you suggest for groceries? delivery or car rental for 1 day to do off site shopping?

 

[jayhawk74]

the nice part of all this is that we won't be doing the parks commando style and probably only 1 park per day so as to not overwhelm them. I know that once we get to MK we can get to TTC and them move on from there (Epcot, DHS etc.)

One more question..... since we won't be driving in (a little far coming from the left coast) what do you suggest for groceries? delivery or car rental for 1 day to do off site shopping?

My DW, DD, and I will only do the cabins. For groceries we use Garden Grocer and have them delivered and they will be stored in the cabin before we arrive. As far as going to other parks you don't have to go to MK first, just go to Settlement Depot (near the Outpost) and you there are buses that will take you to the various parks. If you don't want to walk and wait for the internal buses you can also rent a golf cart.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

only reasons to go MK first, 1 going to MK and 2 to ride monorail to epcot. other wise take buses from front of campground. with young kids the golf cart made getting back to cabin or site faster with tired kids. only had one bad wait for campgound buses and that was late afternoon during driver breaks. with no car would go with grocery delivery.

 

[jonimce]

How are you getting to FW from the airport? Our daughter did a car service and they will do a 30 minute stop at the store for you.

 

[dana0801]

How are you getting to FW from the airport? Our daughter did a car service and they will do a 30 minute stop at the store for you.

I wasn't sure yet if we were going to do car service or ME. Since my DD and I will fly in from Cali and my parents from Oregon it's going to be tricky. I might have them fly down here (or drive down) and then we could all fly in together. However if we do get a car service I had read somewhere that they would do the stop which is good. I hear Publix is probably the least costly.

only reasons to go MK first, 1 going to MK and 2 to ride monorail to epcot. other wise take buses from front of campground. with young kids the golf cart made getting back to cabin or site faster with tired kids. only had one bad wait for campgound buses and that was late afternoon during driver breaks. with no car would go with grocery delivery.

Yeah, that's what I was going for in that statement (It was late and I forgot the buses will go to FW).

My DW, DD, and I will only do the cabins. For groceries we use Garden Grocer and have them delivered and they will be stored in the cabin before we arrive. As far as going to other parks you don't have to go to MK first, just go to Settlement Depot (near the Outpost) and you there are buses that will take you to the various parks. If you don't want to walk and wait for the internal buses you can also rent a golf cart.

OOOHHH good to know. I had heard something about them. How is their pricing, is it reasonable? is there a delivery fee?

 

[retired and happy]

A slight correction for jayhawk.... The bus stop near the Outrpost is the Outpost. The Settlement is at the opposite end of the Fort.

There are three internal bus line, labeled Outpost or Settlement - Yellow, Orange, or Purple. Purple and Orange serve the cabin side of the Fort. From the Outpost busses run to the other Parks and to DownTown Disney.

The Marina is in the Settlement area and provides boat service to MK, and the Grand Floridian and Contemporary Resorts. There is also boat rental at the Marina if you're interested.

A golf cart is convenient at least for a couple of days to tour the fort and see the decorations. If you rent for a couple of days, the Disney carts are ok. If you rent for a week or more, rent from outside sources for a much better price.

I've never stayed in the cabins, but I have never seen or heard a bad report about them.

 

[sharadoc]

However if we do get a car service I had read somewhere that they would do the stop which is good. I hear Publix is probably the least costly.

The cost of the car service would be higher than the Garden Grocer delivery fee and the delivery is easier, too. ME is free.

There's also wegoshop.com and they'll do your specific order at the store you want them to shop at.

Depending on what you want to buy, you can get essentials at the Trading Post. You could eat for a week on what they have there, plus the take-out or onsite dining options are pretty numerous at the Fort.

 

[B.B. Sots]

Staying in the Cabins in a month+... Is there any loop or Cabin #'s that people would recommend over another? (Closer to Bus stop's or the Docks, etc.)

Thank you in advance!

 

[innoculation]

I take my family every year. FW is such a difference from the normal hussle and bussle of the hotels. Everyone seems to be more laid back.

Getting around is fine. The busses and boats get you anywhere you need to go. We have never waited more than 15 minutes for a bus to go off the campgrounds. On the campgrounds busses come very frequently.

Just thinking about it, I can't wait to go back.

 

[2SillyBirds]

DH and I stayed at the cabins for two nights before checking into the Yacht Club on our last trip. Once we got to the YC all we could talk about is how great it is at Camp Fort Wilderness. This October it is cabins for the whole trip. We just love it.

 

[skyp4WDW]

We Tent-camp every year; but we also do a second visit at one of the hotels as well. Twice we've stayed in the cabins; they are very "cozy". I brought breakfast foods in our luggage and then just supplemented with visits to the Meadows and Settlement stores at the Fort. (The prices are high, but it was about the same as delivery once you add in the $50 delivery charge).
I do recommend a Golf Cart...as least for a part of your visit (ex. choose the days that you will likely be spending the most time at Ft Wilderness).
I would also suggest that you take the ME from the airport because it is so much easier than trying to rent a car and drive after a long flight (let Disney deliver your luggage). Enjoy your trip!

 

[jimandami]

I highly recommend Garden Grocer! We use them every time....it's great to order online and have the order waiting for you on arrival. The delivery charge is around $10-15, unless you order more than $200 and it's free. They will also deliver alcohol if you desire, you just ask for what you want on the comment line....MUCH cheaper than WDW prices!

 

[pooh4me]

All of the cabin loops end at a bus stop so that is not a problem. Some of the loops are very large so if that concerns you ask for a cabin close to transportation. Also when you check in ask to see where your cabin is on their maps and if they can find you a more suitable one for you.
Loops 2500,2600 and 2400 are right near the quiet pool and laundry. Loops 2100,2200 and 2300 are nearer to the Meadows (about .5 of a mile) and 2700 and 2800 are nearest to the Outpost (about .25 of a mile).
From loop 2100 to the Settlement is .95 of a mile and to the Outpost is about the same.
In all cases the walking conditions are on paved paths with pleasant scenery and well lighted at night.

 

[Sandi]

We stayed at the Cabins in April of 2011. We enjoyed it. We had three adults, one teen, and two younger kids. It was a little crowded at times with just the one bathroom, but with only 4 people, you should be fine. Housekeeping was excellent. They even loaded and ran the dishwasher for us -- which I totally did not expect.

We rented a golf cart from FW and were glad to have it. It was nice for getting around the resort -- pools, just looking around, seeing Easter decorations, getting to HDDR, etc. It's kinda spendy, but it was a nice treat for us. My DD, who was 16 at the time and fully licensed, was able to drive the kids to the pool, to see the horses, whatever. The bus transportation was perfectly fine however. So don't be worried about that. Just take an internal bus to the Settlement or Outpost and you'll get where you need to be. They'll give you a nice map with the routes clearly identified.

We used to camp when I was a kid and this reminded me a lot of those times. We've traveled to WDW with my parents, but stayed at POFQ and other moderates. I think they'd have enjoyed FW more. Now I know and I'm trying to talk them into another trip.

Finally, we also ordered from Garden Grocer and were very pleased with the service. I'd ordered from them before when we stayed at SRR and BWV. They called about an hour before they'd be at FW to say they were on the way. I asked if we needed to be at the Cabin and they said that wasn't necessary. They delivered everything to the Cabin. Put all the refrigerator/freezer stuff away and left the other goods on the table. It was great. (I did tip in advance.) Much easier than renting a car and going shopping ourselves. Heck, we were having fun at DHS when they called.

Okay, one more finally -- someone on the Disboards recommended Loop 2500 to me, so I asked for it. We were assigned to that loop and it was perfect. We were very near the quiet pool that also has a hot tub. Even though it was a busy time of the year, it was like we had our own pool and hot tub.

Have fun!

 

[B.B. Sots]

All of the cabin loops end at a bus stop so that is not a problem. Some of the loops are very large so if that concerns you ask for a cabin close to transportation. Also when you check in ask to see where your cabin is on their maps and if they can find you a more suitable one for you.
Loops 2500,2600 and 2400 are right near the quiet pool and laundry. Loops 2100,2200 and 2300 are nearer to the Meadows (about .5 of a mile) and 2700 and 2800 are nearest to the Outpost (about .25 of a mile).
From loop 2100 to the Settlement is .95 of a mile and to the Outpost is about the same.
In all cases the walking conditions are on paved paths with pleasant scenery and well lighted at night.

Great! I appreciate the breakdown, that helps a Lot!