Back from FW and Polly

[TChris]

We (DH, DW, DS-17, DS-14 &DD-4) returned from a very magical vacation to WDW on 7/31. We stayed at FW cabins the first 6 nights and at the Polly for the last night. We were all under the Dining plan and were able to take full advantage of it.
This was our first trip to WDW since 1997 when we stayed 5 nights at the CBR. This was also our first ever stay at FW & the Polly. We elected to stay at the FW cabins because we felt that it would give our DD the best chance at a much needed nap. We checked in at 1:00 PM and our cabin was not yet ready. A cast member very graciously took us all for a tour of FW. While waiting for our cabin to become ready DS and myself went and picked up our golf cart. This took longer than I expected. We then went to our cabin wich was ready at 3:30. We stayed in cabin 1601, this was an excelent location close to pool, laundry and bus stop. The cabin was all that we could hope for. We very much enjoyed the quietness of FW and our cabin. When we had been at WDW 3 days we decided that another day would be nice, unfortunately we were not able to extend our stay at FW so we elected to stay our final night at the Polly. The transportation was good at FW, the Boat to the MK and CR was very nice.
The dining plan was great, we more than got our money out of it
We ate at the following resteraunts:
1. 50's Prime Time (MGM) - This was a great time and good food
2. ESPN Zone - about what we expected fun place food ok
3. LeCelleir (EPCOT) - This was excellent we highly recomend
4. OHANA (Polly) - great food lots of fun
5. Whispering Canyon - most fun of any Boys really liked this one
6. Narcoosee - great view of MK and great food

Not on the DP we had a great time at CRT for breakfast this was a first and DD was dressed in her Cinderella dress. This is every thing that we could have hoped for. DW and DD went to the My Princess Tea Party at the GF. They both had a fantastic time, DW's coment Worth Every Penny.

The parks were crowded but not too. All of the CM's were very nice. The only thiong that could be improved is the security check at EPCOT, this took way longer to go through than the other parks. The one must ride would have to be Sorin.

On our final day we went to the Polly, this was a dream come true, I hope that next time we can get a full week at the Polly. I hope that this is helpfull. TChris

 

[BCV23]

Thanks for the report.

FW cabins were our very first onsite experience and hold a special place in my DH and my heart. And we are absolutely nuts about the Polynesian. So your report was very interesting to me.

What longhouse were you in at the Polynesian?

 

[TChris]

We stayed in the Long house that gegins with an A,(I can't remember the exact name) we were in room 2217. If we had been 2 rooms over we would have had a great view of the castle and the MK. Still this was very nice.TChris

 

[DisneyFans4]

TChris-
Welcome home! Sounds like you had a great time!
We leave in 2 days and we're so excited. There is so much to look forward to this year because of the celebration. I've heard that Soarin is well worth the wait.
So how were the crowds?

 

[TChris]

I didn't the the crowds were that bad. The parks did fill up dramaticaly after 12:00. If you are planning to ride Soarin, you will need to get your fast pass early, all the fast passes are normaly given out by 1:00. I would even consider going to EPCOT through the World Showcase enterance, there is not near as long of a line there.

 

[DisneyFans4]

TChris
We'll be staying at the Swan so we will be entering through WS. We'll take advantage of the Extra Magic Morning and when it opens we already planned that we'll head right to Soarin and grab a fastpass and also wait in line. I've heard it's a great ride so I don't want to miss it. We'll be there for 13 days (our longest trip ever) so I'm sure we'll get the chance to get a view shots at it.

 

[isyt]

We stayed at the cabins a long time ago and did enjoy it. What did you use the golf carts for? Were they to get to the buses up front? The only thing that did drive me crazy was the transpotation and we had a stroller which I think is harder on that property. Let me know!!

 

[TChris]

We ended up riding Soarin during the evening extra magic hours, we still had to wait about 40 min. I noticed you are staying at the Swan how does it compare to the Polly?

 

[DisneyFans4]

TChris-
As you can see I've been at the Poly but now prefer the Swan. I think the views are better at the Swan, at least from my room last year and in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, the Poly also has beautiful views but it depends on what you like. I had a beautiful Epcot view and watched Illuminations every night from our balcony. We could also see the boat that takes guests to Epcot and MGM from there, as well as the Boardwalk.
I know the Poly has the tram which is very convenient, but our favorite park is Epcot and it's just a walk away if you don't want to wait for the boat. Our family needed a change and this was a very nice one. I also prefer the pool at the Swan because it is so large. The volcano pool was always so crowded at the Poly and my DH loves a jacuzzi and the Poly doesn't have one.
We've stayed on Disney property for so many years so we wanted to try something different but yet still be considered on Disney property to enjoy the amenities like the buses, etc.

 

[Leota]

Thanx for the reviews TChris! Glad to hear you liked FW Cabins we stayed in them 3 times & absolutely loved them. We have very fond memories of our first family trips to WDW tied into those cabins. I'm always happy to hear when others have discovered & enjoyed these hidden Gems of WDW resorts! That boat ride to MK is what says "You're Here!" to me still.

 

[WDW LOVR]

The cabins at Ft Wilderness were our first on site resort also. We stayed there 8 or 10 times before buying into DVC. We still talk about paying cash and staying in a cabin for a few nights just to stay there again. We love the place.

 

[ChrisAlli]

A friend told me that every night in FW they show a few disney cartoons and have a campfire to roast marshmellows???? True??? IS it open to all DW guests or just FW guests??

 

[TChris]

We used the golf cart to bypass the busses at FW. We too had a stroler and were normaly 5 people plus a stroler in the golf cart. The golf cart was nice, however I am not sure that I would get one next time. They show a moovie every night at about 8:30 in the summer time, this follows a camp fire sing along and smores making. This is open to all. The moovie and camp fire are located by the Meadows Trading Post. Fire works are also very visible from FW, however they don't play the music like they do at the Polly. TChris