Are golf carts really necessary?

[CNDKangaroo]

We will be at Fort Wilderness, tent camping and flying in in May 2008. I'm trying to decide if I should budget for a cart. We are a family of 5 (kids will be 8, 6 and 4 when we go) We are an active family and walk a lot, love hiking (although the 6 year old can be the wild card). We will be there for 14 days. We will be in the 1500 loop (well, I requested it anyways) so we will be close to the pool etc. When we go to Disneyland we stay off-site and never take the trams/buses back to our hotel, we prefer to walk and have never had any problems with the children walking. I'll rent one if it is really necessary but I'll feel silly if I spend all that money and find that we would have been fine walking.

 

[pamom65]

We just returned from FW two weeks ago. It was our first trip to FW with our four kids (ages 15,12,8, and 7). We were in the 300 loop and did not rent a cart. We used our bikes, the bus, and walked and had no problems. I'm glad we didn't spend the money on a cart, because we were in the parks most of the time and it would have just been sitting around unused for most of the week. Also, I doubt that six of us could have fit on one.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I know there are people who feel the cart is part of their experience at FW, can't get along without it, etc. I could see where it would be necessary if there were no other means of transportation available, but there are. The bus system works, although slowly. There are boats to MK, WL and Contemporary. In the 1500 loop, you would literally be just a short walk across the bridge to the Meadows area. The reality is, if you go to a park, the cart you spent nearly 50 bucks for sits in the parking lot all day waiting for you to return. My recommendation would be to save the money and use it somewhere else.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

No, carts are absolutely not necessary. I agree with those who have already posted that you can get around the campground fine without one, and that is true even if you get the 2000 loop (the other tent loop).

But, it is a lot of fun to zip around FW on a cart.

I would suggest that you plan on renting one for just 24 hours. Plan to spend that day in the campground. You can take your kids to the petting zoo, playgrounds, and drive around all of the loops. At night, drive to the campfire, watch some of the movie, and then head down to the beach to watch the Electric Water Pageant and fireworks. Hit one of the trading posts for some ice cream. That way, you'll get to have some of the fun that come with renting a cart, but won't have the expense for your whole stay.

TCD

 

[Colson39]

They are not "necessary", they are a convenience. We love the carts, it's part of our Disney camping tradition, and we would never think of not renting one.

That being said, you don't NEED to have a cart to get anywhere. If you don't mind spending the money, it's a lot of fun, and adds a whole new dimension to camping at the Fort. If you're trying to save money and cut corners, it's not something that you need to do.

Personally, I always recommend getting a cart, it's just easier, more fun, and it's just a part of what is Fort Wilderness. The decision is up to you

 

[tellnotails]

nope, ya sure don't....

you will be surprised who you will see on a CART....




Can't-Ain't-Refuse-To walk..............












r

 

[akamom]

If you are in the 1500 loop, then definitely! We were on 1501 and it's quite a hike around the place! Because that loop is small, you won't need it for the comfort station.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

If you are in the 1500 loop, then definitely! We were on 1501 and it's quite a hike around the place! Because that loop is small, you won't need it for the comfort station.

Wow, you must have been taking the long way around to things. At the entrance to the 1500 loop is the bus stop, from the bus stop the Meadows pool is right across the street, just past the pool is the Trading Post. Granted, it may be a hike to the Outpost or Settlement, but the 1500 loop is about as centrally located as you can get.

 

[terri01p]

I think most people use their golf cart for more entertainment than transportation. We always walked to the bus stop or comfort station, and used our golf cart just to ride around and look at the different sites, and pets etc. We even walked to HDDR from our site, and truth me none of us are that fit, and came back at night took the golf cart out to check out the cabin, it's just fun.

 

[akamom]

Wow, you must have been taking the long way around to things. At the entrance to the 1500 loop is the bus stop, from the bus stop the Meadows pool is right across the street, just past the pool is the Trading Post. Granted, it may be a hike to the Outpost or Settlement, but the 1500 loop is about as centrally located as you can get.

I'm addicted to Coke, so it was a very long walk to the Trails End.

 

[CNDKangaroo]

Thanks so much for all the replies! No cart for us but I like the suggestion of renting one for a day$50 I can handle, $650 seemed a bit much!
(we are going to have at least 3 non-park days--it kills me to say that as I can't imagine being so close to the parks and not going in for a visit but the kids love swimming and playgrounds so 10 days in the parks and 3 rest days seems reasonable)

 

[stacktester]

Thanks so much for all the replies! No cart for us but I like the suggestion of renting one for a day$50 I can handle, $650 seemed a bit much!
(we are going to have at least 3 non-park days--it kills me to say that as I can't imagine being so close to the parks and not going in for a visit but the kids love swimming and playgrounds so 10 days in the parks and 3 rest days seems reasonable)

I rented a cart once to take DD around the 1st time we visited the fort in 04 Thanksgiving to see all the sites decorated for Christmas. Now that was worth the money but being that I need to lose about 10-15 more pounds I can't justify a cart lol.

 

[Colson39]

I think most people use their golf cart for more entertainment than transportation. We always walked to the bus stop or comfort station, and used our golf cart just to ride around and look at the different sites, and pets etc. We even walked to HDDR from our site, and truth me none of us are that fit, and came back at night took the golf cart out to check out the cabin, it's just fun.

You're exactly right. It's not that we refuse, or can't, or don't want to walk. I'm on vacation to have fun, we already work out enough at home, we don't need to walk to stay fit (not that some people don't enjoy doing that, all the more power to em). I don't think most people view vacations as times to "get healthy". It's just that it's much more fun driving a golf cart around, at least for us. Why people view golf carts as being "lazy" is beyond me, we're on vacation.

I guess some people just don't get that :/

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I'm addicted to Coke, so it was a very long walk to the Trails End.

So, you missed the perfect opportunity to get that monkey off your back by renting a golf cart. Time for an intervention?

 

[akamom]

I'm not that addicted! ROFL And I'm pregnant at the moment, so I only have two cans a day.

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

Not necessary at all. We were in 1501 too and the bus stop was right next to us. We always get a cart for the days we're not in the park just to drive around the loops looking at all the decor....Halloween is our favorite time so far. Still haven't done the Fort at Christmas but one of these days we will Even if you are there when there's no special holidays, there's still plenty of decorations around the sites. I agree, as someone else suggested, rent one for a day.

 

[auntie]

If you are able to bring your bikes..then I'm sure you could get by without one. Myself, we stayed in the cabins when our kids were young..and we also had two strollers at the time. They are very removed from the amenities of the campground..and getting on and off busses..with two strollers..just to go to the pool was more than we could deal with. We wound up renting the golf cart, and it improved our trip immeasureably. The 1500 would certainly be more covenient to the Meadow Pool and trading post area..but you will have a hike to the marina-Pioneer Hall, Settlement area. If you have your own bikes..that's great...you WILL need them. As long as you know this, and it's not an issue, then certainly you don't NEED a golf cart. You might also consider renting from one of the outside companies for somewhat less than what Disney charges. Or renting for part of your stay. They are a very convenient and fun way to scoot around.

 

[mash]

We've been camping for years at Disney and have only rented a cart once. We bring our bikes and that works really well for us. In fact, riding bikes at Ft. Wilderness is one of our favorite things to do while camping.

 

[Luv'sTink]

OP, you are "flying in" from Canada right? So bikes are probably not a solution.

I doubt anyone that doesn't have a disability NEEDS a cart, it is a matter of want or desire for one and since everyone is different you are going to get a lot of different answers for different reasons on this board.

 

[auntie]

If they are requesting 1500 loop that is a camping loop..not cabin loop. OP...are you flying and then renting camping equipment...thus not making bikes an option? Without bikes..I think you would enjoy the added convenience the golf carts offer. If you are driving and bringing bikes..that is a great way to get around the campground. Certainly on some days that you plan to stay in the campground and not visit parks, golf cart could be a fun way to spend some time exploring the campground. Also, an outside agency is cheaper than the rate offered by Disney..especially on a stay as long as yours. Something to consider.