ASMu vs FW Cabins

[~Tonga Wingo~]

I have a few questions about these resorts that I am hoping will help me make up my mind.

My sister and I are taking trip next month. She was going to stay shorter and I was going to have some solo time to myself. This changed so now we are staying together. I called last week and combined our ressies to a week at FW Cabins. There will be 5 of us. My sister and I and three kids (12, 7 and 5). I really like the seclusion and the layout. It will feel more like home to the kids and they can get away from each other or go outside if needed. We're driving so we could park right outside.

However, we are on the deluxe dining plan so we won't use the kitchen much at all except for maybe snacks. We will be spending much of our time and eating meals in the parks. For this reason, I am leaning more towards a suite at ASMu now. My nephew and I love going to pool. I like walking down around midnight for a late night swim if needed. I find it really helps the aching feet.

The square footage of both seem comparable. I found ASMu to be 520 and the cabins to be 500.

So after all that, on to my questions.

Are the pullout beds at ASMu comfortable?

How far is it to walk from the cabins at FW to the main pool? I can't find the answer to this on the threads anywhere. Anytime anyone asks about walking they are told to take the bus or rent a golf cart. Renting a golf cart isn't in the budget and if we don't want to wait for a bus, I was wondering how long/far the walk is.

Also, how long of a walk to fill our refillable mugs at FW Cabins? Can you park at any of the places that refill them? It seems like our free mugs may just get wasted here, but are a nice souvenir nonetheless.

Anyone have a pic or link to a pic for the pool that is in the cabin loop? I can't find a pic of this one, just the main pool.

Also, my sister is a smoker and her children under any circumstances do not see her smoke. I don't even think they know she smokes. For the cabins, she could walk out on the porch. At ASMu does anyone know where the designated smoking areas are?

Sorry for the long post! I appreciate any help I can get with these, it will help me make my decision. Thanks in advance!

 

[maxiesmom]

I can help you with the pull outs at ASMu. I shared one with one of my nieces, and I thought it was very comfortable. And I'm kind of picky when it comes to my mattress. The only thing is you have to kind of roll out in the morning as it does have a frame around it.

I think another huge plus for the family suite is that you will get 2 bathrooms instead of 1.

I've thought about staying at the cabins before, but every post I have seen pretty much agrees that the transportation is not good. It sounds like a golf cart is a necessity, unless you want to spend a lot of time getting around the resort. Looking at a map it looks pretty darned huge!

 

[JennyDrake]

Having traveled with 2 adults and 3 teens, _I_ would definietly go with two rooms at AS. It is worth it for the bathrooms if nothing else.

 

[fla4fun]

I have walked from the Meadow pool to the 2200 and 2400 loops. Neither was a bad walk, but I was there in the winter (2400) and spring (2200) when the temps weren't so bad. I don't know that I would want to do it in the Summer. The 2400 loop was the farthest and it took about 20 minutes at a very leisurely pace. The 2100 loop would also be close to the Meadow pool - about the same distance as the 2200 loop, and it backs up to a rv loop with a comfort station if you happen to need the extra restroom facilities (only one bath in the cabin). The cabin pool is similar in size to the quiet pools at most of the other resorts. It would be closest to the 2500 loop and the front of the 2600 loop (2600 is a very deep loop). I have never rented a golf cart while staying at FW, and have not had any issues using the bus transportation there. Sometimes I do bring my bicycle, since I drive.

If you go to the camping board, there is a big thread about the renovations at the FW pool with lots of photos, and some cabin pool photos there as well.

As to which one would be better for you, even though I prefer the cabins, I think the suite would work better for you. You would have two baths and an easily accessible food court for eating. In the cabin, there is one smallish sofa to sit on in the living room - anyone else sitting would have to use the dining chairs. In the suite, you would have more comfortable furniture for just sitting around. Since you don't plan to cook meals in the cabin, that amenity is of little value to you, and you'll still have the kitchenette at the suite if you want to make a snack or warm up a leftover.