Considering a FW cabin

[RustManFan]

I have begun looking at plans for visiting WDW in October 2016 over my birthday. Have been focusing on POR (as I usually do) but I have always wanted to stay at a cabin.

Would preparing most of our own meals save enough to justify the price difference between a moderate and FW cabin?

It would be me and my adult DS with an invitation for my DD and DSIL to join us if they could manage it (from California). Her best friend recently relocated with her family to Tampa so it would be very easy to pay her a visit on the same trip.

If we wanted to do a split stay would it be better to do FW and then POR or the other way around?

Also still have to decide between flying and taking auto train.....

 

[tiggerdad]

One thing to consider, depending on when in October, Disney does offer free dining sometimes in October and if you can land that it might be a no brainer.

In normal pricing there would probably be little difference if you took the cabins and dropped the meal plan. However, if they offer up free dining (won't be announced until about April of 2016) you might be better with POR if they are included in the free dining plan. Just something to keep a watch on.

POR is the only other resort I would consider outside the Fort. Done them both and felt POR was very nice.

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

Prepare your own meals!? Ya that isn't going to happen if I'm with a bunch of adults.
I did it in 2000 and 2002 at the cabins because one of my son's is Gluten free and very picky, but now I go and he doesn't come with us so I'm quite happy to pick up something while exploring areas of Disney. The cabins are nice and it's fun to have your own space with no one above or through the wall, but again....preparing my own meals.....for me it's vacation. I'm staying at POR.

I also agree with the poster about meal plans. BUT POR didn't get FD this Fall. So you would have to be ok with another resort or take RO discount and OOP for food. Or purchase dining plan.
Really look at your vacation style to find the answer.

 

[2goofycampers]

Free dining is 10/25/15 – 10/31/15 this time around if you're vacation falls in those dates.

 

[A11ison]

We love FW but we come up from south Florida. To really enjoy FW and see and do everything they have to offer you need a golf cart and that's an added cost. I guess I shud say u don't NEED a golf cart because they have a bus system throughout the camp grounds but it most certainly makes it easier

 

[RustManFan]

we never do any dining plan... alway OOP.... free dining isn't a consideration... and we would cook

and I have tickets from UT so I am just talking room or cabin only

no golf cart. you can see in my signature that I have tent camped at FW twice. know the cart isn't necessary for us

 

[Mary2e]

I love the cabins and used to be a deluxe hotel snob When we're in another resort, we miss it. So now we try not to go to other resorts.

We actually enjoy grilling and having meals in the cabin. We're not doing it to save money but to save time. We generally grill a few days worth of meals (chicken, ribs, etc) and even cook up a large batch of veggies. That leaves us with only having to warm up. We eat at our convenience and without having to deal with reservations or crowds, and then go about our evening.

I'm not sure what the cost difference is, but for 2 of us, we generally spend about $150 or so on groceries for a 7 or 8 night trip and we're covered for most breakfasts and dinners. We will do TS meals for lunch, or just wing it with counter service. We may also have a dinner at a table service if we feel like it. Because they're not included in the meal plan, we end up at Signatures because those are the last to be booked

We you figure the cost differential, don't forget to include water, snacks, and coffee that always seems to add up when you buy in the parks.

 

[RustManFan]

I am thinking more and more about the advantages and my love of FW!

 

[RustManFan]

but then again, my heart belongs to POR!

 

[tobikaye]

When we stay at FW, we do some meals at the cabin and some meals out. The last trip at FW, we stayed 6 nights. Breakfast was at the cabin all but 2 days when we did TE and 1900 PF. We did pick up pastries from WS to have with breakfast. For lunch, we usually ate at the parks, except for once when we happen to be taking a break between parks right around lunch time. Since we did not have any too late nights, we did eat most dinners back at the cabin. A couple of times it was getting something from the TE carry out and another was a run to DTD for Earls sandwiches.

 

[Mary2e]

I've actually purchased the bucket of chicken with fixins' from TE and reheated it on a few nights.

 

[EpcotQueen]

The cabins have a double bed and a set of bunk beds in the bedroom and a murphy bed in the living room. The murphy is a double. The bunk beds are shorter than a twin. I'm 5'7" tall and tried them once. Too short for me. With 4 adults you need to think about where everyone will sleep.

 

[Mary2e]

Exactly. I'm 5'7" as well and the bunk beds are too short.