check in and parking questions

[sahm2kaitlyne]

My family and I are super excited to be staying at the fort (cabins) for the first time 12/12-12/17. I have a couple of last minute questions I'm hoping to get answered.

We are driving our car down from NJ, and my aunt and cousin are driving down from IL meeting us there. I know there is room for one car parked at our cabin, but where do we park the other one?

Also, we have a Chef Mickey's ADR for 7:05 on Monday morning. From what I've read, the "big boat" to MK starts at 7am, but I've heard of a "small boat" that goes to WL and Contemporary? Does this even exist and what time does it leave in the morning?

We are staying in an offsite hotel the night before our check in, and we're hoping to hit rope drop at epcot the day OF our check in. I realize we'll have to get to the resort to check in super early, and I also realize that our cabin will not be ready, however, is there somewhere that we can leave our bags instead of keeping them in our car?

We opted not to rent a golf cart b/c 1) it wasn't in our budget and 2) it wouldn't have fit everyone in our party and we certainly didn't want to rent two. Is it absolutely necessary? We plan on using disney transportation as much as possible, what is the maximum walk we would have to the boats or to the bus stop from the cabins?

Thanks in advance, and I can't wait to check out everyone's decorations!

 

[motherwild]

There is a parking lot near the front gate that you will be able to park the second car make sure you when you check in to tell them you have two cars.
A golf cart is not needed there are buses that run through FW and bus stops are within walking distance. Golf carts are nice for riding around the loops to see the decorations that people put up.
There is a boat that go from FW to the WL and the Contemporary. I would check at the front desk to see what the schedual is. I know one time we were there the boats started around 6:30am.
We were there last year It was a lot of fun. The gingerbread house at GF is amazing. You will have a great time I wish I was going

 

[TuckandStuiesMom]

1.) Nice big parking lot at the outpost (where you check in) for your party's extra vehicle.
2.) Check-in personnel will store your stuff prior to your actual check-in.
3.) There is at least one bus stop per loop. In all the years our family's been staying at the fort (both cabins and camp sites), we've never had a golf-cart. Although they look like fun, we never felt we "needed" one. If you (or somebody else in your party) have a mobility issue, it might make a difference in your decision.
4.) Don't really know about the boat. Maybe somebody else will have the inside scoop on the current boat schedules. You might think about driving for such an early ADR. As an on-site guest, your parking will be free.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! THE FORT IS BEAUTIFUL ANY TIME OF THE YEAR BUT EVEN MORE SO, AT THE HOLIDAYS! YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE SO MUCH FUN!!!!

 

[clkelley]

The small boat that goes to CR and WL starts at 6:45. The internal buses start about 6:30 am.

Make sure you take the Purple bus to the Settlement and be at the stop at 6:15 am.

You should make your breakfast no problem.