Back from another long weekend at the Fort

[disneymom2one]

We're DVC members and frequent Disney visitors. Last summer we bought a large pop-up and this is our second trip in a row where we've stayed at Fort Wilderness rather than at a DVC resort. We were there for the last weekend of Food & Wine.

Location : This time we were in the 900 loop. This was a super location right across from all the activities at the Meadow area. It was so easy to get to the Trading Post, pool, and campfire. The bummer was not having cable tv but we picked up two local channels.

Meals: We had an okay meal at Trails End. They tried to put us "downstairs" near the bar but I don't think that's a good location at all (we've been there before) so we politely asked to be moved. We were. The food was great but I just think they need more room for the buffet. We had some great food at the Food & Wine Festival, Spoodles, and Artist's Palette at SSR.

Transportation: They've changed the bus transportation for the MK. Now you go to the TTC rather than Wilderness Lodge. Not a huge deal but we preferred the WL route better for a lot of reasons. We have an autistic child and she won't go near boats so we have to find other ways. Other than that we found transportation pretty good. We had a golf cart and I think it made a pretty substantial difference in the quality of the trip.

Overall we just had a great time. We did the campfire twice and my daughter loved the sing-along. Wish the seats were more comfortable. I also think as I've said before that Fort Wilderness sorely needs a CS food option. Take-out at Trail's End is not enough in my opinion. Again, we tend to see things from the point of view of a DVC member rather than a camper so we might be more picky than most. We loved our stay and in fact decided to change our spring break trip and spend a few days camping rather than the entire trip as a DVC stay.

 

[Duane]

When you stay at the Ft. do you use points or do you pay cash? We just joined DVC a few weeks ago and are thinking about using points to stay there... We too have our own RV, so we would not use points for the cabins....

Duane

 

[clkelley]

Transportation: They've changed the bus transportation for the MK. Now you go to the TTC rather than Wilderness Lodge.

This is temporary. There is some construction going on at the Magic Kingdom bus stops, and the bus stop will return to going to WL, MK as soon as that MK bus stop construction is over.

Overall we just had a great time. We did the campfire twice and my daughter loved the sing-along. Wish the seats were more comfortable.

You can bring your own chairs to the campfire Sing Along. I do.

I also think as I've said before that Fort Wilderness sorely needs a CS food option. Take-out at Trail's End is not enough in my opinion.

I agree. Sometimes, I just want something quick for breakfast, not a full sit-down. I have solved that problem by taking an early boat over to the Contemporary first thing in the morning and grabbing my quick breakfast over at the Food & Fun Center, then heading out from the Contemporary. I realize since your daughter won't get on a boat that won't solve your problem.

 

[donac]

I agree. I love FW but would like a place to get lunch or dinner if I don't want to stay in the parks and still don't want a sit down meal.

 

[disneymom2one]

When you stay at the Ft. do you use points or do you pay cash? We just joined DVC a few weeks ago and are thinking about using points to stay there... We too have our own RV, so we would not use points for the cabins....

Duane

It depends on the AP rates at the Fort. For Spring Break I wasn't counting on using a discount so we did points. It is *not* a great use of points but it's relatively cheap points-wise and we plan on doing it occasionally. What we're finding is that our "traditional" DVC stays are really enhanced by doing an occasional trip to the Fort. Two entirely different vacations really but we've enjoyed the change - and also looking forward to our next trip - which will be entirely DVC villas.

 

[Duane]

Thanks for the information on the points usage..... We traditionally have stayed more at the Fort than in the "other" accomodations. We will use the DVC points for the Fort and stays at SSR during the winter months when its too nasty to pull the trailer down to FL.