Big family trip - FW campgrounds + where?

[lklasing]

Hi all! We have a trip to the world in the planning stage for May or June 2008. At least some of the family will be staying at the campgrounds at FW in a trailer, but we need somewhere else for the extras (don't know numbers yet) to stay. Obviously, a cabin would be perfect since it's right there, but SIL likes the traditional resorts. Cost is a factor, but not the only one. We'll have several family meals together at the campground, so location and transportation options are important. I know WL is a good option, but am hoping you all can give me more ideas and info about transportation.

Thanks!!

 

[schmitty]

The Port Orleans hotels are pretty close to the campgrounds. You can drive your car from PO to the campgrounds and park at guest parking.

 

[loriandmatt]

Well, let's see.....yes, the cabins would be ideal. they sleep (i think) 6, so you might be able to mix and match and split 2 or 3 families up into two cabins. the next closest resort would be winderness lodge. very close, a nice walking trail between the campground and this resort. they could also transport between the campground and this resort by boat.

for that matter, any of the MK delux resorts could get you to the campground via the boats. (contemp., grand floridian, poly.) but they all (including wilderness lodge) are at the higher end of the price range for on propertly lodging.

if they stayed in any other of the resorts, they would likely have to drive to the campground parking lot and then take a bus to meet up with the folks staying there OR take a bus from their resort to the campground.

 

[loriandmatt]

adding one more thought....depending on the size of the group that will not be at camping and depending on if those folks prefer to "bunk up" with relatives or if they prefer their own hotel rooms.....you might also want to consider two other options.

1.) renting DVC points and booking at the DVC villas at wilderness lodge (not sure the size of the suites there)

2.) going offsite and renting a home. some of these can be very nice and economical for a group.

 

[lklasing]

Thanks for your thoughts! One question for Schmitty - How easy is the bus transportation to the Port Orleans resorts? We won't be using a car...

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Transportation from resort to resort is difficult. You must first go to a park or DTD then transfer to the bus or boat to your next resort. If you do have a car it is a very short drive(less than 5min) to FW.

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

If they were to stay in either the Wilderness Lodge or Contemporary Resort, there is direct boat transportation between the three resorts. This may be a convenient way to meet up.

 

[schmitty]

It could probably take 30 minutes to 45 minutes by bus because you would have to go to downtown disney then switch to a bus that goes to fort wilderness, like happydznycamper said, or you could take a bus to a park then take the bus from there to fort wilderness but using downtown disney is probably the fastest. You could walk there, it would probably take 20 minutes tops to walk from the entrance of the Port Orleans resorts to the entrance of fort wilderness. There arent any side walks though so you'd be walking on some grass next to the road.