Christmas Decor - Golf Cart vs Carriage Ride

[CinderellaDream]

My family will be staying at POR in December but thought about making a trip over to FW on our arrival night because I would love to see the campsites decorated for Christmas. Would it make more sense to rent a golf cart for the night and drive ourselves around or should we go with the holiday sleigh/carriage ride?

 

[bama_ed]

Well, I would go ahead and reserve a golf cart.

Golf carts can only be rented on a "daily" basis from Disney which is officially 1pm pickup and 11am the next day return. Carts are around $65 which includes tax for a day and the carriage is around $45 IIRC but a cart gives you the freedom to go into the loops you want to and stay for as little or as long as you want to. For the slight difference in cost you get a WHOLE lot more control and freedom.

The sleigh ride/carriage goes through specific loops (not all) and does not generally stop or linger to allow extra viewing time. It keeps "rolling" all the time from what I have seen.

That's my two cents.

Bama Ed

 

[Nan P]

If you rent a cart (and should be done in advance), it's approx. $65. for the rental and you could plan on spending the evening, maybe the dinner buffet at Trails End followed by the campfire sing a long, and going up and down the loops. That would be getting the most from the rental and there's lots of activity at the Fort, around the holidays. Now the carriage ride is usually $45. (and drivers do not accept tips), but in December the price goes up. We were surprised in December 2015, the cost was $79. for a 25 minute sleigh ride for up to 4 adults or 2 adults 3 children. At the end of the ride, you received a Disney Christmas pin.

I think the best option for fun and budget would be the cart rental. Whatever you choose the Fort should put some Christmas spirit in your trip.

 

[bama_ed]

Now the carriage ride is usually $45. (and drivers do not accept tips), but in December the price goes up. We were surprised in December 2015, the cost was $79. for a 25 minute sleigh ride for up to 4 adults or 2 adults 3 children. At the end of the ride, you received a Disney Christmas pin.

I think the best option for fun and budget would be the cart rental. Whatever you choose the Fort should put some Christmas spirit in your trip.

I did not know that Nan. That makes it even MORE in favor of a cart rental.

 

[peg110]

We did the carriage ride on our last visit. (August 2016) and it was indeed $45. I would expect it to go up during the holiday season too. Our ride was a SOLID 45 minutes for DW, DD11 and myself. It was great too. (evening time) 45 minutes is NOT near enough time to experience the Fort and decorations. As has been pointed out, you only get a select few loops.

The sleigh ride/carriage goes through specific loops (not all) and does not generally stop or linger to allow extra viewing time. It keeps "rolling" all the time from what I have seen.

With the exception of when they need to.... well..... relieve themselves (the horse that is). We got the "Joy" of experiencing this as the horse stopped. My DD11 asked why we had to stop, and then the "Fragrance" hit... My DW and I just chuckled as my DD groaned and held her nose. Ah... Nature is truly wonderful and magical.

 

[CinderellaDream]

Thanks everyone! I will check on cart rental.

 

[tiggerdad]

The carriage only rides through 100, 200, 400, and 700, so the viewing is not that much. I suggest the cart as well.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

The sleigh ride/carriage goes through specific loops (not all) and does not generally stop or linger to allow extra viewing time. It keeps "rolling" all the time from what I have seen.

1) Yep.
2) The (relatively) short sleigh ride cannot possibly cover all the camping loops.
. . . There is just too much to see to not rent a golf cart or bike.
. . . driving around for 2-3 hours is not unusual.