Cabin Pros and Cons

[laceemouse]

Well, we just got back Sunday night after 8 nights in a cabin. It was dh and I and 4 kids ages 9 to 15. We had a nice time despite the fact that we are all passing around some kind of flu thingy and we lost our digital camera at the P&P party (still hoping to get it back!)
We arrived late Saturday night, the 20th and checked in without incident. We got a non-smoking cabin in the middle of loop 2300. They made my husband sign something at check-in promising that we would not pool hop to WL. I thought this was odd. We would never pool hop anyway (we didn't even swim, it was pretty cool every day except one) but do they make anyone else at any other resort sign this? I had never heard of it before. The first night dh and I slept on the Murphy bed and it was AWFUL!!! Very soft, which hurts my back. We started calling it "The Marshmallow" and I refused to sleep on it again!
On Sunday a.m. we drove the rented van to SOG to eat and buy tickets (dh is retired Coast Guard.) I have to say the remodeled SOG is spectacular! Gorgeous!!! Breakfast was okay, tickets are a good price if you are eligible.
Then we drove to AK for the day. It was kinda hot and much more crowded than we expected, but we had fun. Had lunch at Flame Tree (yum!) and then left at closing and went to Publix to stock up on food. Dh left that night to drive to Tampa to work for two days.
During the week we ate breakfast and dinner in the cabin and lunch and a snack in the parks. It was great having a full kitchen. I also enjoyed not having connecting walls or having anyone over or under us. I always worry when the kids stomp and stuff and I didn't have to this time!
The grounds at FW were green and beautiful. Lots of flowers blooming!!! Very peaceful. We enjoyed the surroundings and had a couple of down days to just explore there.
Dh was with us again on Wednesday and we did laundry. It was kinda a hassle having to take it over to the CS but it wasn't too busy and we had to get it done! Then he left again to attend a conference in Daytona.
The second night I slept on the bed in the bedroom and it was better but still too soft for me. The kids said the bunk beds were "hard" so I tried the lower bunk on the third night and it was great! I stayed there the rest of the trip. The kids kinda did musical beds every night, LOL!
We used the buses all week and had no problems at all. It is a minor hassle having to take one bus to the outpost or settlement and then another to your destination but it really wasn't that big of a deal. They usually came pretty frequently and we often were the only people on them.
We did not rent a golf cart. I think it would be fun, but it is expensive and we would have a hard time fitting on one anyway. We did fine getting around without one!
We planned on walking a lot more than we did but the weather was a little cool and it drizzled two nights and most of one morning. It was nice not being hot in the parks, but next trip we want to be warmer so we can swim. We never saw anyone swimming this trip.
During the week crowds at the parks were light. I let the kids sleep a little late in the morning and we still saw plenty before park closing. Weekends were more crowded than we expected.
I would say the biggest drawback of the cabins for us was only having ONE bathroom. We have two teen girls and it took us forever to get out of there every morning! Also, no privacy for dh and I on the nights he was there (of course, when he wasn't there we didn't feel quite so crowded, which was nice!)
We have been to Disney numerous times and stayed in Mods and Deluxes and DVC units. Next trip we are going with a group of homeschool friends and staying in a value (Pop) for the first time. We will have two rooms, thus two bathrooms, and I guess we will spring for a fridge, but we will miss the kitchen! The campground itself is great. We didn't ride horses but we enjoyed seeing them and the goats and pigs and all of the natural animals like birds and squirrels. We will stay at the campground again sometime for sure!!
It was sad seeing River Country closed . We never even got to go before it closed. I would say the pools at FW definitely need some updating with slides and stuff......we can dream can't we!
Have a great day.....Lacee

 

[laceemouse]

I realize that most of you guys have campers, just thought some folks would care to hear about the cabins! I forgot one thing, the water pressure in the cabin was great! Best shower I have ever had at WDW!!!!

 

[Donna]

Thanks for your report on your cabin stay. I stayed in them once a few years back and have fond memories of that trip. I love the coziness of them, the nice size porch and no one else being too close on either side. The one small bathroom is definitely a drawback. What they need is a little bathroom off the bedroom. We only had one problem during our stay...ANTS in the kitchen! we didn't care, it wasn't too bad and thats to be expected in the Florida wilderness!

Our next trip will be for 2 weeks at the fort in our RV in the summer. It will be our first time taking our RV there and we just can't wait!

 

[kaybird]

Thanks for your update, we love the cabins too, will be going again in May.

I agree, the only downside we ever see is the one small bathroom, would be nice if it was even devided up like the Mod's, but we started using the kitchen sink, and that helped. (sorry, I know, YUK)

 

[laceemouse]

Thanks for your update, we love the cabins too, will be going again in May.

I agree, the only downside we ever see is the one small bathroom, would be nice if it was even devided up like the Mod's, but we started using the kitchen sink, and that helped. (sorry, I know, YUK)

Ha! We started brushing teeth in the kitchen sink too!

 

[swillis]

Thanks for the report. We will be staying at the cabins for the first time in June. I was a little worried about the bathroom issue too...as it will be me, my good friend, and my DD12. My DS11 will be coming too, but he will be lucky enough to get a chance to brush his teeth in the morning with 3 girls trying to get ready.

Question for the FW Vets...could I send my kids to the public bathrooms for showers/teeth brushing etc in the morning? Or is this a no-no for the cabin dwellers?

 

[pooh4me]

Question for the FW Vets...could I send my kids to the public bathrooms for showers/teeth brushing etc in the morning? Or is this a no-no for the cabin dwellers?

Anyone is allowed to use the public bathrooms at FW. I suggest that you ask to be in 2100 loop ( use the bathroom in the 2000 loop or the one in the 1100 loop) or ask for the 2500 loop and use the one by the quiet pool.

 

[CottontailCurl]

On Sunday a.m. we drove the rented van to SOG to eat and buy tickets (dh is retired Coast Guard.) I have to say the remodeled SOG is spectacular! Gorgeous!!!

I do to! I love the new remodel. It reminds me of footage from Great Hotels where Samantha Brown is at Disneyland and she's in the new hotel (can't remember the name but it's done in Arts and Crafts style.) Have you ever stayed there before? You gain a few minutes in the getting ready department because someone can use the restroom/shower with the door closed while at least 2 others are getting ready at sinks in the outer bathroom area (has another door to that room). And it has a refrigerator and coffee pot.

Breakfast was okay, tickets are a good price if you are eligible.

Did you eat breakfast at Trail's End while you were there? We did both places and couldn't help compare and there really wasn't a comparison. Are you talking about the breakfast buffet in the dining room at the bottom of the hotel, there's a huge rock formation at the hostess stand? We thought that it got the job done, but didn't hold a candle to TE.

We have been to Disney numerous times and stayed in Mods and Deluxes and DVC units. Next trip we are going with a group of homeschool friends and staying in a value (Pop) for the first time. We will have two rooms, thus two bathrooms, and I guess we will spring for a fridge, but we will miss the kitchen!

Have you guys considered staying at the SoG? If someone else in your group is eligible each of you could get 3 rooms at Shades. The nightly rate wouldn't be much more than Pop and the amount of space is awesome compared to the All-Stars and Pop. There are 2 queen beds and a couch that makes into a twin. If one of the families that stays in your 3 rooms has 4 or less people, one of your kids can be listed in their room. Or one set of adults can have one room, one set another and the older kids can have a room. It's just an idea for you to think about and play around with. I believe www.allearsnet.com has a room model for each resort to show the size and bed config. for you to compare. Another plus is the location. A short walk has you across the street and at the Polynesian and the monorail to the MK and EPCOT. The buses from the SoG are very good and will get you to the TTC and other parks.

Thanks for telling us about your stay in the cabins. Our next trip we are not going to stay at the Fort and it's really weird because I'd love to stay in a cabin but the price is too much after enjoying $34 a night rates at a campsite. It seems like it was around $120 the last time I checked out cabin rates. Do you mind if I ask what rate you guys had to pay for this lower season? And did you get a AAA rate? We've considered doing the 2 rooms at a value thing but there's a suite just outside the back gate that's not much more than a value and it includes a full breakfast. It will definitely be weird not staying on property, though.

Angie

 

[PiperG]

Laceemouse, thanks for the review! We have been to the cabins once before for just a few days. We are currently counting down to an extended trip to the FW cabins (55 days and counting. . . Yeah!).

We have a small family (DH, myself and DS10). For a small family, there is more than enough space. DS goes to bed earlier than us, and is allowed to watch TV in the bunk bed for a while before lights out. DH and I then get to enjoy adult time in the living room.

We are also going to hit a local grocery store after arrival and are planning to do breakfast and dinner in the cabin most days with lunch in the parks. Not only is the food we bring in cheaper but I think you tend to eat more healthy as a result. We will hit Trails End a couple of times b/c DS wants to eat Mickey Waffles, and I want to have dinner at the Poly's Kona Cafe.

We are renting a golf cart. Although it adds $ to the trip, we felt on a short visit like last time it helped make the most of each day. Perhaps we will feel differently on this longer trip and return it. I don't know. . . . . we all had fun riding around in it and waiving to the folks in other golf carts. It was almost like another ride for us.

 

[stacktester]

I don't recommend Goodings at the entrance area to Downtown Disney. If you hang a left on 535 you will go a mile or so and see a Winn-Dixie on the right. Much cheaper than Goodings. My DD and I went to Goodings and I was actually putting stuff back because it was so expensive. I realize it's the closest but I felt they were taking advantage.

 

[CottontailCurl]

I don't recommend Goodings at the entrance area to Downtown Disney. If you hang a left on 535 you will go a mile or so and see a Winn-Dixie on the right. Much cheaper than Goodings. My DD and I went to Goodings and I was actually putting stuff back because it was so expensive. I realize it's the closest but I felt they were taking advantage.

Glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks this! We needed a few things once and went there, I think we were just buying basic picnic stuff like sub fixins and some emergency thing we'd forgotten. I couldn't believe the prices and by the time we got around to the non-food side and saw those prices I realized our simple picnic would cost more than going to the taco bell in the parking lot and the rest of the money could go to a place to eat inside the parks. I put the food back, kept the emergency item I needed and my total was $7.11. I told the cashier that the total was ironic because I had been saying in my mind that the prices were no better than a 7-11. She got upset with me and said the prices there were NOT that bad!!

 

[CF'er]

Thanks for the review. We are going to stay in the Cabins for the first time in Oct. I am so excited I can hardly wait. We really love the WL and I hope that we like the cabins too.

 

[stacktester]

I told the cashier the same thing. I mean a box of cereal here is around $3.50 and at Goodings it was over 6 bucks. Come on!!!!!

A bottle of white zin was $9. I got it at WD for 5 bucks. I just couldn't justify the prices and I will never go back. I try to Costco my needs before leaving Jax.

To be honest I didn't really think things like eggs or bacon were unreasonable at FW Meadows store. Usually WDW sucks the life out of u on everything but I thought the prices were ok. I wouldn't buy all my needs there but in an emergency it works.

I usually get the unofficial guide to Disney every couple years and they warn readers about Goodings. SO IMO I would not recommend a loaf of bread from there.

 

[Andrea_loves_Disney]

Thanks for your trip report and info on the cabins! The more I read the more excited I get about our trip at the end of March!!! I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the little tidbits of information everyone here offers! Thanks again!!

 

[pooh4me]

Thanks for telling us about your stay in the cabins. Our next trip we are not going to stay at the Fort and it's really weird because I'd love to stay in a cabin but the price is too much after enjoying $34 a night rates at a campsite. It seems like it was around $120 the last time I checked out cabin rates. Do you mind if I ask what rate you guys had to pay for this lower season? And did you get a AAA rate? We've considered doing the 2 rooms at a value thing but there's a suite just outside the back gate that's not much more than a value and it includes a full breakfast. It will definitely be weird not staying on property, though.

Angie

I have always had a annual pass and was able to get a large discount. In the value season the discount was $80 a day since the cabins are considered a deluxe resort. It sure is worth the cost of the annual pass.

 

[auntie]

Boy 4 kids...9- 15! Sounds like you had a good time, especially considering you are traveling with teens..I know the feeling regarding the bathroom. (we have one teenage daughter..can't imagine two!) I see you mentioned SOG, that you purchased your park passes there. A bit off topic I suppose, but I wonder if you can purchase them ahead of time..through mail or something. Or if it has to be in person. Also can someone in miliatary purchase for entire family or just self? Is there a significant savings? Thanks.

 

[tea4sanity]

I am glad you posted about your cabin stay. We are going in April and are very excited about it!

 

[DestyTiger]

 

[laceemouse]

To answer a few questions....we ate breakfast at the SOG, in the downstairs restaurant. It was very crowded that day, we had to wait for a table. The buffet was edible, but nothing fancy. We never have eaten breakfast at TE, but we did eat the lunch buffet there on check-out day. It was very good, same great fried chicken as the HDD. Dh kept comparing it to Crystal Palace, where we ate the day before, and the CP definitely has many more choices!
We made the mistake of going to Goodings once. NEVER again! We used to live in Florida and loved Publix, we still miss it, so we go there.
I think the cabin rate was more like 250$ a night, it was 1900$ for eight nights. It is more $$$ than two rooms at a value.
Tickets at SOG, you can check their web-site, but I don't think you can order ahead. We have never tried to though. You may be able to buy tickets on base if you are active duty, I think!
Well, we may stay at SOG one of these days. Next trip we are going with a group of homeschoolers that go annually. They like Pop. If we like going with them we may be stuck going with the majority choice though. It is all kinda up in the air for now.
We used to own DVC, which is truly the lap of luxury, but sold it due to dh having to take a job 1000 miles away, and we lost money on the move due to having two houses for several months, etc. LONG story! Anyway, we have found we love WDW no matter when we go or where we stay. Who knows we may rent DVC or buy points again some day......It is fun trying different options too!

 

[laceemouse]

Boy 4 kids...9- 15! Sounds like you had a good time, especially considering you are traveling with teens..I know the feeling regarding the bathroom. (we have one teenage daughter..can't imagine two!) I see you mentioned SOG, that you purchased your park passes there. A bit off topic I suppose, but I wonder if you can purchase them ahead of time..through mail or something. Or if it has to be in person. Also can someone in miliatary purchase for entire family or just self? Is there a significant savings? Thanks.

Yes, only my dh was military, only he has an ID, and he bought tickets for all of us. You have to show an ID just to drive on the property. The savings are pretty good, and no tax. If you go to the SOG site and click on ticket attractions you can see the prices and they even tell you what you are saving over gate prices. The desk worker there was very nice and helpful too. HTH.