Cabin Check-in During COVID

[nickcapp]

Has anyone checked in since re-opening? Are they doing direct to cabin like the hotel rooms or are you still required to stop at the front desk for your cabin assignment?

Trying to determine how much actual social distancing we can achieve during a Fort Wilderness focused trip. Thanks!

 

[Stork]

Don't know. But I do have the number for the FW front desk: 407-824-2900.

 

[PaHunter]

With the online check in I would suspect they would text you your cabin number. They are not handing out packets at the Fort, just the map and magic bands if you have them ordered. Watched the video on Utube by the couple Road Trippin, they have been at the Fort this past week. Lots of changes, but not very crowded right now either. According to them, not all loops are open.

 

[nancipants]

We have a cabin reservation for end of next month (first time, whee!) and in the app it says to go straight to our cabin when we get there. The app will update with our cabin number.

 

[Stork]

We have a cabin reservation for end of next month (first time, whee!) and in the app it says to go straight to our cabin when we get there. The app will update with our cabin number.

Nancipants, please let us all know how that works out for you. Curious if the app will know where you currently are or how close to the Fort you are, and if it lets you know in time! Additionally, how would you get through the gate at the entrance. Thx.

 

[bama_ed]

We have a cabin reservation for end of next month (first time, whee!) and in the app it says to go straight to our cabin when we get there. The app will update with our cabin number.

nancipants,

Generally the way it has worked in the past is that you used the Early Checkin Option in MDE for your reservation to put a credit card on file for charges against your Magic Bands and final room balance charge (if not a pkg), advise an estimated time of arrival, and any requests.

So if you advise the app/MDE that you will arrive at 2pm (example) you will likely get a text in advance of that time with your cabin number. Your Magic Bands (we've used ones from past trips) will not open the FW gate until you get the text with the cabin # but once you get it you can go straight to the cabin and the MB will open the door.

You may need to stop at the check-in building if:

- you get there before you get your text with cabin #
- not using MB but want to use cards instead
- are picking up MB's at the desk (didn't get them before you arrived or left old ones at home). Been there done that....

Given how lightly attended the WDW resorts are that are open, you should be able to get an available cabin when you plan to arrive if you aren't to picky as to loop or location. In these COVID days they probably aim to make the remote arrival thing work.

Have a great trip!

Bama Ed

PS - we push the arrival time thing to the max. The "next day" in the Disney hotel system rolls over at 605am so we typically stay in a state park only 30 minutes away from the Fort the night before arrival. I show arrival time in MDE as 630am so I can roll in early in the morn and see if a site in my category is ready. Since I am picky as to loop and site, often it's not (but some times it has been). Point is you can enjoy a nearly full day at the Fort if you arrive early, aren't picky, and don't have any pressing plans (park, ADR) on day of arrival. Just food for thought.

 

[nancipants]

Have a great trip!

Bama Ed

PS - we push the arrival time thing to the max. The "next day" in the Disney hotel system rolls over at 605am so we typically stay in a state park only 30 minutes away from the Fort the night before arrival. I show arrival time in MDE as 630am so I can roll in early in the morn and see if a site in my category is ready. Since I am picky as to loop and site, often it's not (but some times it has been). Point is you can enjoy a nearly full day at the Fort if you arrive early, aren't picky, and don't have any pressing plans (park, ADR) on day of arrival. Just food for thought.

Thanks for the tips! We are locals so arrival time isn't a big issue, nor do we have any plans other than park reservations for the day. We've only gone to Fort Wilderness to eat at Trails End, and I'm very excited to try out the cabins! BTW, do you have any suggestions for loop preferences?

 

[bama_ed]

BTW, do you have any suggestions for loop preferences?

Cabin site and loop preferences differ from campsite preferences. Folks have loop preferences in both but site preferences aren't that important for cabins. Campers worry about how deep the site is and how wide, room for slideouts, ease of backing in, etc. But the cabins (and parking and deck) are pretty uniform.

So for cabins people generally choose based on what the loop is close to. Folks who plan to bus to the parks (other than MK) like 2800 or 2700 since it is closest to the Outpost Bus Depot (there at the Fort check-in area) and they can walk the short distance to the Bus Depot rather than wait for an internal bus (2700/2800 stop is the last stop for that internal bus before the Bus Depot).

In my cabin days I stayed in 2200 (similar to 2300 across the road) because it was the closest to the Meadow Trading Post, main pool, and campfire singalong area. We made frequent trips over in that direction (I generally don't ride the internal buses unless one is pulling up right as I exit my loop).

And some people like to be in the middle of the cabin section 2500/2600 because they plan to visit the quiet pool which is over there.

Some folks rent a golf cart I view them as an expensive convenience and not necessary to enjoy the Fort.

Since you're local, if you have bicycles, bring them because the Fort is great for riding around if you have some non-park days in your schedule. In these COVID times, though, it might feel a little empty. And the campfire/singalong won't be held nor are there the MK fireworks with music piped in down at the beach. But the Fort is perhaps the most peaceful WDW resort to relax at during vacation. I'm glad you're giving it a try.

Bama Ed

 

[MATTERHORN]

When are you going? We are staying Monday the 3rd of August, so I can report back about check in if that helps! Locals also, and don't have magic bands so I'll let you know!

 

[Greta]

We are going in October for or first stay ever in the cabins! We have been to many other resorts (so far tree top villas in Saratoga Springs was my favorite), but never Fort Wilderness.


This trip had been planned for a while to celebrate my 50th birthday

Me, my husband and our 14 year old daughter will be In the cabin together.

So far, my biggest disappointment is that Hoop-Dee-Doo won’t be part of our trip, this is a Disney tradition for our family.

Tell me all about the Fort and how much we will love it! We are flying in, no vehicle