Cabin help!

[joeathome167]

We leave for WDW and FW cabins in 27 days. I would like some advice and hints from first time FWers. This is our first time at FW in a cabin. We have three kids (9, 6 & 4), DW and myself. We are staying at FW because it was the least exp option with 5 people not because we are big campers. I anticipate we will be spending most of our time in the parks. We have previously stayed at AKL and All Star Movies.

Any info on what you would do differently if you went back or what worked good for you. My DW is against renting a golf cart. We are walkers so I don't anticipate we will have any trouble walking around FW or using buses. Any help which would make our trip better is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.

Joe

 

[Judy in Texas]

Keep in mind that Fort Wilderrness is a destination itself. Set aside time to spend exploring the campground... ride bikes, canoe, go the the Chip and Dale campfire/movies, tour the horse barns, watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beach and then the electric boat parade afterwards. It's a place to slow down and enjoy the area.

 

[tlenzendorf]

We went with DDs 10, 9 and 5. So the kids could have their own space and we could have a place to shut the door and relax awhile, we arranged the sleeping areas a little different. DD5 slept on the couch using the bedding from one of the bunks and DDs 10 and 9 slept on the murphy bed in the living room. I think next time they will have the bedroom, though, and we'll have the living room. DD5 will probably be too big for the couch when we take them in 2011.

Also, ask if the bus stop is by your cabin. We were in cabin 2529 and the bus stop was RIGHT behind our bedroom. We could hear the buses early in the morning when they started, woke us up every morning. We were so tired already that that was really a bummer. It was a great location minus that!

 

[btcrane]

We loved staying in a cabin last spring break. It's nothing like camping, so don't worry about that. The only thing remotely similar to camping when staying in a cabin is the calm, quiet surroundings--very nice to return to after a day in the parks. We did do what a PP suggested--DH and I slept on the murphy bed and our three children took the bedroom. He is 6'3" and while it wasn't the most comfortable bed we've ever slept on, it sufficed.

The one thing we would do differently is plan to bring a few more utensils/cooking pans, etc. We aren't interested in doing a lot of cooking while on vacation, but breakfasts every morning and an occasional lunch/dinner is a good way to save a few bucks. The supplies were very limited.

We did not rent a golf cart and did not miss it. We don't mind walking, either, but our loop was relatively close to the bus stop--across from the second swimming pool. DD(11) really gave us grief for not renting a cart, he wanted to tool around in one. Oh well, he survived.

One of the best things we did was bring a few camping chairs for the front porch. I had noticed from the pictures that the only seating on the porch was the picnic table. We enjoy sitting outside in the morning and drinking a cup of coffee so comfy chairs really came in handy. (We drove, so bringing them was not an issue.)

Have fun!

 

[joeathome167]

Is there a toaster for Pop Tarts? If yes, my kids are good for breakfast...lol. Unless there is a Dunkin Donuts...lol.

 

[btcrane]

Is there a toaster for Pop Tarts? If yes, my kids are good for breakfast...lol. Unless there is a Dunkin Donuts...lol.

Toaster: yes. Dunkin Donuts: no.

 

[retired and happy]

And remember you don't have to rent a golf cart for the whole time you're there. Renting for a day or two would allow you to do some looping to see the extensive Christmas decorations.

 

[lklasing]

One thing people sometimes complain about is the storage at the cabin. Make sure and utilize the space under the bench in the kitchen for your empty suitcases. Also, don't overlook the shelves in cabinets on either side of the Murphy bed - they hold a lot of stuff.

Have a great trip!

 

[PrincessNP]

You will be at the Fort during the holidays so perhaps bringing decorations for the cabin, inside and out, would be a fun thing for the kids. Decorating is always fun.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

All I can say is, it's a good thing ya'll like to walk. But I predict that ya'll will end up renting a golf buggy. (at least for one day) It's the very best way to get around to enjoy the Fort decorations.

 

[plutospup]

Will you have a car? Except for MK, we found the easiest way to get to the parks was drive. The biggest advantage is that you can park your car right at your cabin.

 

[fla4fun]

Will you have a car? Except for MK, we found the easiest way to get to the parks was drive. The biggest advantage is that you can park your car right at your cabin.

I agree. I hardly ever drive to the parks from the other resorts because I hate circling the parking lot at the resort at the end of the day hoping for a parking space. But it's so nice at the Fort to know you have your own space.

I have never rented a golf cart. Sometimes I take a bike with me, but not always. I never have a problem using the Fort bus system to get around.

 

[29apr00]

Hi JOe, we'll be taking our 1st trip to the Ft the same time, we have a 3 yr old and 6 yr old.

We did decide on renting a car.....the internal bus plus the park bus was just way too much time wasted on buses. we have 2 early breakfasts and i didn't want to start traveling at 6am!

We have a "free" day on Tuesday and plan on spending lots of time in the afternoon at teh Ft. We want to do the petting zoo, bike rides, maybe some cane pole fishing. We plan on catching the campfire and movie atleast 2x...my kids are so excited for the smores!!

I'm so ready for vacation! I can't wait!

See you there!

Jennifer