Bikes / Distance between FW and WL

[lklasing]

Hi - I already posted most of this on the resorts board, but wanted to post here as well as you all seem so knowledgeable about FW issues!

We have a family trip being planned for next May and I am hoping someone can answer this question. Some of the people in our group will be camping at FW and I anticipate that we will be spending a lot of time there. I will likely be staying with SIL and our kids, possibly at WL. (My first preference would be to stay at a FW cabin, but SIL is too scared it would be too much like camping and she's not a camper. ) Anyway, I anticipate there will be a lot of going back and forth between my parents at FW and us at WL and am wondering whether we could have bikes that stayed with us at WL so we could ride them back and forth to FW. I know a boat goes sometimes, but think we would enjoy biking if it's allowed.

Also, how far is it to walk/bike from FW to WL? I know there's a path, and I understand golf carts can't go the whole way, but I assume bikes can. Does anyone know how far it is?

As always, thanks!

Leslie

 

[Brocktoon]

The distance will probably depend on what loop you're in at FW. There's a bike/jogging path that starts up near Pioneer Hall and ends near the bus entrance at WL. It basically runs along the bus route from FW to WL, but the bike path is back a little in the woods off the road. That path is ~3/4 mile.

I know there are some other paths, but I don't know if they're paved or not. The above route is the only one I can confirm as I've used it a few times.

 

[lklasing]

Thanks - that's the path I was thinking of. You don't know anything about the bikes, do you? Whether you can park them overnight at WL somewhere?

 

[LegoMom3]

The cabins aren't much like camping unless you really hate to be in the woods. It's more like staying in someone's home. Differnce between that and a resort hotel is the lack of a lobby, concierge services, food court and such. You can see photos of the cabins here:

http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_ftw.htm

What you gain are your own four walls and some space to spread out a little after a long day!

 

[clkelley]

You would have to bring your own bikes to be able to have them 24/7 to continually ride back and forth. The ones that Fort Wilderness rents are only on an hourly or daily basis that have to be back at the Bike Barn by 5pm.

Don't know anything about bike rentals at Wilderness Lodge.

I would highly recommend the cabins. It is like having your own freestanding 1-bedroom apartment with a deck, and full kitchen and living room. You have paved roads to get to the cabin, full housekeeping, (they even run the dishwasher for you every day!!) There is a nice pool nearby. They really are very nice!!

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

I don't think there is any place you could park bikes overnight at WL.

 

[bama_ed]

The path is about 0.8-1.0 miles from WL to Pioneer Hall. Wherever you go in FW is extra distance on top of that. It's a flat, easy, shaded ride.

WL used to have bike racks around the side entrance by the DVC/bus stop. They weren't there this past March. For the cost of a WL room plus dining out you may want to get the cabin at FW. I would highly recommend it if you like to eat your own cooking/go healthy, enjoy some peace n quiet.

Bama ED

 

[Colson39]

The cabins are great, you'll absolutely love them. Very roomy, very cozy, and the ability to make your own meals when you want can really cut down on some costs.

As for the bike ride, it's not a short ride, but it's not a long ride either. Probably a 20-25 minute ride from the farthest places in the Fort, depending on how fast/slow you bike. It's a very enjoyable ride, and you go through some really nice shaded and wooded areas. If you can go or come back during the early morning hours it should be even nicer since you have a good chance of seeing some deer, rabbits, etc...

Have fun!

 

[lklasing]

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts. I'd totally be into the cabins, but there's no way I can talk SIL into it, no matter how much I tell her it's not at all like camping. She just really feels compelled to be in a hotel.

Getting the bikes there isn't a problem - since my dad will be pulling his camper down, he can bring them for us. That's why I'm thinking WL is the best bet for us - we (at least my family - can't speak for SIL) are very outdoorsy (sp?) and active, so riding a mile or so each way would be easy. Plus, my dad is going to request one of the loops closest to the boat launch - last time, they were in loop 200 and it was great!

I am disconcerted, though, about there not being bike racks at WL anymore. No one has any idea of a number I could call to find out if it would be okay for them to park there overnight anyway, do you? I have locks I would bring so that wouldn't be a problem, but I sure don't want to get in trouble for having bikes where they aren't welcome.

Thanks again for your replies!

Leslie

 

[bama_ed]

My first preference would be to stay at a FW cabin, but SIL is too scared it would be too much like camping and she's not a camper.

The cabins are like camping?

Tell her they don't charge the cabin rate for a campsite, I can guarentee that.

You get more space, a full kitchen, a seperate bedroom (adults can tuck the kids in bed and enjoy an adult beverage), and a deck with a picnic table. You get daily maid service (referred to as Mousekeeping), and they will even WASH your dishes.

OMG if it's even close go with the cabins. Look here in the FW photos section at the cabin pix: http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/Fort-Wilderness-Campground/index.htm

 

[lklasing]

Tell me about it! SIL is just a little set in her ways. I'm going to keep working on her. We'll see where we get. Thanks for all of your input!

Leslie

 

[Brocktoon]

I am disconcerted, though, about there not being bike racks at WL anymore. No one has any idea of a number I could call to find out if it would be okay for them to park there overnight anyway, do you? I have locks I would bring so that wouldn't be a problem, but I sure don't want to get in trouble for having bikes where they aren't welcome.

Leslie

I hear where you are coming from on the above ... with the bike path available, you'd figure there has to be a place where you are allowed to chain up a bike at WL, even if it's a light pole or a sign-post.

I'd give the WL front desk a call (I don't know the number myself? - maybe call WDW reservations and ask to be tranferred?) and see what they know about locking bikes up overnight.

 

[lklasing]

Well, I finally decided to just call the front desk (got the number off allearsnet.com) and, there is a place we can park our bikes overnight at the WL. It apparently is wherever the bike rental area is - a very nice CM told me that there was an area that was designated for guests with their own bikes. She reminded me to bring our locks, etc.

So, thanks for all the info everyone! I'm still going to work on SIL to see if I can get her to change her mind to go with the cabins, but at least if I can't, we'll be able to park at WL.

Leslie