Are golf carts really necessary?

[Andrea_loves_Disney]

I vote *not necessary*. We rented a cart for one day which was a lot of fun, but at about $50 a day, we could not afford to rent one for the whole week. Next time though, I hope to have 2 days at FW (no park days) so that we can take full advantage of the 24 hour rental period...we took one day off from the parks this time - which meant we picked our cart up at noon, enjoyed it that afternoon, and then had to drop it off at 8am the next day before we left for the parks. It is a lot of fun though....if money were no object.....of course I'd rent one for the entire stay! Have fun!!!

 

[CNDKangaroo]

As much as I'd love to bring the bikes it won't work. We are flying in with our camping gear and I think hauling the bikes along too would be a little much! That said, my kids love, love, love riding bikes so we will probably rent some for a day while we are there.

On another note...are thunderstorms frequent during May? I know they occur during the summer but should we expect them in the spring too? I ask because my oldest is an overly anxious child (at 7 his favourite ride is still Dumbo; my middle child is the dare-devil, riding Splash and Big Thunder at age 4 with her arms in the air laughing with glee!). We are working on the storm fear (actually quite a justified fear as we had huge wind storms this winter and it was scary for everyone) and it would help if I could prepare him ahead of time. When we visited Montreal a few summers ago we had daily afternoon thunder storms and he was okay with them (actually watched them) because I was able to prepare him (telling him how long they last etc.)
Thanks.

 

[SundancePass]

We have been camping at FW for 30 years and have yet to rent a cart. It just depends upon what you and your family want and how much you are willing to pay for it. So, if you want one, get one. Otherwise feet will take you everywhere you need to go.

Thunderstorms can be awesome at WDW. Some are short duration without a bunch of lightening but buckets of water coming down all at once on one side of the street and nothing on the other and lasting 20 minutes. Some are thrill rides in themselves with lightening, thunder, lots of rain, and lots of wind. And the rest are somewhere in between. Yes, it rains in May. Before you leave, go to www.weather.com and put in Orlando, FL and see what the weather is going to be. That way you can print it and show it to your son, if you wish to.

Good luck with the rain and have a great vacation!

 

[Tent Camping Mom]

Otherwise feet will take you everywhere you need to go.

And bus.

 

[Donna]

Does anyone know of any good and reasonable outside cart companies?

 

[Colson39]

I know they have been discussed before, if you do a quick search on the forums you should be able to find some info. A couple people here rent the carts from the outside companies and bring them in, and they seem to love them.

 

[Tricializ]

To me, carts are a necessity. I understand what people are saying but it makes FW enjoyable to me. When I figure in the price of FW I add the cart price to it (actually we just bought a cart so that cost is now out) to budget my total. My sister goes and doesn't use a cart but it adds so much more enjoyment to our trip with our little ones who are tired by the end of the night, myself (who is tired at the end of the night) and my mom who is 68 with asthma so you never know how her lungs are going to be day to day. I guess everyone has their "thing" that they wouldn't dream of not doing at Disney and not having a cart is one of those "things" for me. The place is huge and we love tooling around looking at decorations, other loops, going up to the trading post for an emergency Mickey bar. etc. While you can walk, bike, take a bus, there is nothing like getting off of a bus at 1 in the morning, dead on your feet, skies opened up and raining cats and dogs and just get to hop on your golf cart and scurry on "home".
Tricia

 

[Colson39]

To me, carts are a necessity. I understand what people are saying but it makes FW enjoyable to me. When I figure in the price of FW I add the cart price to it (actually we just bought a cart so that cost is now out) to budget my total. My sister goes and doesn't use a cart but it adds so much more enjoyment to our trip with our little ones who are tired by the end of the night, myself (who is tired at the end of the night) and my mom who is 68 with asthma so you never know how her lungs are going to be day to day. I guess everyone has their "thing" that they wouldn't dream of not doing at Disney and not having a cart is one of those "things" for me. The place is huge and we love tooling around looking at decorations, other loops, going up to the trading post for an emergency Mickey bar. etc. While you can walk, bike, take a bus, there is nothing like getting off of a bus at 1 in the morning, dead on your feet, skies opened up and raining cats and dogs and just get to hop on your golf cart and scurry on "home".
Tricia

I 100% agree with your sentiment that getting a cart is part of the joy of going to the Fort for us.

I can't wait till we get our own private cart, going to deck that sucker out like crazy!!! I wouldn't mind one of those stretch limo carts...hah

 

[Tricializ]

I 100% agree with your sentiment that getting a cart is part of the joy of going to the Fort for us.

I can't wait till we get our own private cart, going to deck that sucker out like crazy!!! I wouldn't mind one of those stretch limo carts...hah

Well it was the BIG selling point to my husband that the cost of Disney carts are so high that in a relatively short period of time, you recoup your money. We also live on 10 acres and so far we have used it every weekend around the property, taking things back and forth to the outbuilding etc. Of course, I did have to buy it in Mickey Red!
Tricia

 

[OK GRUMPY]

We usally do not rent a cart. Last time we went was the first time we only rented it for the last 4 days of our stay. It was very convented to get off the bus from the park and not have to wait on another bus. Kinda made things move alot quicker. I don't think I would rent one for the entire stay again, but I would rent one closer to the end of our stay for a couple of days!

 

[tungpo1]

I like carts because you can venture around and see all the sites, the bus just goes around the main loop, the kids love it too!!

 

[tellnotails]

I'd rather walk and watch my daughters ride thier bikes.....

But I know that I'm not

 

[tungpo1]

we do some walking too, but we usually get sites in the back like the 1600 loop so its easier for us to ride to the store. Besides I have about 8 carts LOL so there is no rental cost.

 

[VAN]

I vote NOT NECESSARY unless you have a medical condition that prevents you from walking a great deal

... but if you have $$$$ to burn, they are certainly fun.

 

[Colson39]

Well, the entire trip to Disney is NOT NECESSARY. That's why they call it a vacation

We rent the golf carts because we can and we have enjoyed them for years. I guess that makes us

 

[drafthorsecrazy]

Since we are already pulling a 5th wheel and my husband said no way was he putting a golf cart trailer behind the fiver (we'd be over the legal length anyway) We settle for packing our bikes ( Ok, Ahemm, I can use the exercise. Enough said) I may be a little jealous of all the people buzzing by in golf carts but I smile to myself knowing the money I'm saving from renting one allows me to be a Disney snowbird.

 

[tungpo1]

I see people triple towing all the time, I wouldnt do it but I see them leaving the campsite a lot.

 

[reneritch]

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.

I totally agree. We have been to Ft Wilderness about 15 times and have never rented a golf cart. Either ride the bus or walk to the outpost.

 

[Colson39]

The golf cart is part of the "experience" for some of us. We always decorate ours, and we've been renting them since I was a little kid. We don't do it because we don't want to walk or ride the busses, we do it because it's part of what makes the Fort "The Fort" to us

 

[bama_ed]

Rent bikes at the Bike Barn one day to go cruising around the Fort. You'll feel better and even though you'll be sitting on the same derrier it won't spread out as much on the bike as it does on a cart......

Plus it's cheaper than renting the dreaded "me too" symbol!

Bama ED