Current golf cart situation

[sarahrdh]

Can you still rent an off-site golf cart? We just switched our reservation from CBR in March to the Fort, and we will be pulling down our own TT. We have an F-150, and plan to drive ourselves to/from parks; so it’s not like we have a huge obtrusive truck either....I’m wondering if it’s even totally necessary to have a golf cart???

we will have a full hook up site if that helps. Thanks!!

 

[bama_ed]

I’m wondering if it’s even totally necessary to have a golf cart???

In March the weather is still very comfortable, sarahrdh.

I'll answer about the necessity - no, it's not. All the times we've been to the Fort (see my signature below) I've gotten a cart 3 times (twice my elderly parents were there with us and the one Halloween trip for only a few days to participate in the golf cart parade).

If you have bikes you can bring, you would be better served using those. Off-site cart rentals are still cheaper than Disney cart rentals but no rental is cheaper still and certainly not necessary especially in March.

Rental golf carts are an expensive convenience but not a necessity. But I'm just a chubby middle aged guy who can walk on my own two feet (and pedal my bike). Others' mileage may vary.

Bama Ed

 

[sarahrdh]

In March the weather is still very comfortable, sarahrdh.

I'll answer about the necessity - no, it's not. All the times we've been to the Fort (see my signature below) I've gotten a cart 3 times (twice my elderly parents were there with us and the one Halloween trip for only a few days to participate in the golf cart parade).

If you have bikes you can bring, you would be better served using those. Off-site cart rentals are still cheaper than Disney cart rentals but no rental is cheaper still and certainly not necessary especially in March.

Rental golf carts are an expensive convenience but not a necessity. But I'm just a chubby middle aged guy who can walk on my own two feet (and pedal my bike). Others' mileage may vary.

Bama Ed

great! Yes I’ve been there in the same timeframe before so I’m not worried about weather; more so if we NEED to drive somewhere, we should be able to just take the truck around the campground right? I vaguely think I recall there being something about golf cart only parking in some areas? We do have 3 kids so it’s more about getting to/from the pool with their crap for that.

I also need to avoid busses and any form of mass transport, per to be honest with my employer as we have to quarantine upon return if we use any form of public or mass transit. I can go to Disney; just not fly there or take the busses.

 

[Stork]

great! Yes I’ve been there in the same timeframe before so I’m not worried about weather; more so if we NEED to drive somewhere, we should be able to just take the truck around the campground right? I vaguely think I recall there being something about golf cart only parking in some areas? We do have 3 kids so it’s more about getting to/from the pool with their crap for that.

I also need to avoid busses and any form of mass transport, per to be honest with my employer as we have to quarantine upon return if we use any form of public or mass transit. I can go to Disney; just not fly there or take the busses.

Truck around the campground? Generally, not recommended. There is NO vehicle parking at Trails End, P&J's, the Marina, or the General Store. There IS parking at the Meadows GS and close enough to the pool, but it is limited, I think. (Input needed here, Ed). Bike to the pool would be good, golf cart would be better.

Without using the bus system, monorail, or the MK Ferry from FW, you are stuck driving to the parks (if you're going) and Disney Springs (which we drive to anyway).

If Covid scenario changes anything for the better, great. But if not, FW is a park unto itself. I take bikes like BamaEd, but I still rent a golf cart, because looping at night is fun and not as dangerous as night on a bike. I would offer up getting a golf cart ressie, then cancel if you think your park/FW schedule leans toward NOT needing it.

Bottom line - I don't recommend using your pickup around FW.

P.S. Days driving home count towards quarantine days, if that helps.

 

[bama_ed]

The Fort is not really laid out for internal driving (in fact, they specifically discourage that with their traffic/parking plans).

There is some limited automobile parking (3 spots?) at the Meadow Trading Post but it's all labelled 15 minutes (and please don't be "that guy" that abuses it for longer). More golf cart parking there but even few of those and all are hard to come by. On the back side by the pool and singalong area there is more cart parking. And bike racks all over.

A Full site means loops 1600-1900 or 2100 (currently only 2100 is in use). 1600-1900 the nearest internal bus stop is about half way to the pool area (and the bus would be a 30-second ride down to 1500 loop stop) so might as well just walk from there. It's not bad at all (especially in March). 2100 also not bad if you walk past the Comfort Station between 2100 and 1100 into 1100 and a bus stop is across the street at 1200-1300. But again, 30 seconds down to the 900/1000 stop at the Meadow TP for the pool. If you intend to avoid the bus then all this internal stuff is moot.

Nope, you can't take the truck around the campground to get places - if you could, everybody would, and it would be chaos. So if you don't pay for a cart, you'll be fine on foot.

You can drive to Epcot, Studios, and AK and park for free since you are an on-site guest. MK will be tricky, though. The boat (most direct method) from the Fort dock is a form of mass transit. Even driving out to circle halfway round the world and park in the MK lot requires a mass transport ferry or monorail. I suppose you could technically pay for valet parking at Contemporary (in the non-covid environment) and walk to MK (we've boated to CR and walked over many, many times). And thus avoid mass transit for MK too. But in covid I don't don't know off-hand how you could talk your way into the Contemporary parking lot (maybe if you order a mobile breakfast?) and if they are even doing valet parking during covid times.

But naw, driving the truck inside FW to get places is not really an option. Bama Ed

PS - another alternative to avoid mass transit and get to MK is to hire a Minnie Van which picks you up at your campsite and drops you out at the bus lot IIRC at MK and visa versa on the way back. But I don't know if they're running in these covid times either and Uber/taxi don't have the same access the Minnie Vans do.

 

[Bishoparc]

PS - another alternative to avoid mass transit and get to MK is to hire a Minnie Van

Minnie Van service is no more #ThanksCOVID. Uber or Lyft would potentially be an option though.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

We typically bring our bikes but if family is staying with us for a little while we may rent a cart for a few days just so we can "loop"

 

[gatour]

For MK, uber/lyft is probably the best option. Have them take you to the Contemporary and walk from there. Not sure where the up at the Fort.

 

[Uncledave54]

Minnie Van service is no more ....

Dang!!!

 

[sarahrdh]

Truck around the campground? Generally, not recommended. There is NO vehicle parking at Trails End, P&J's, the Marina, or the General Store. There IS parking at the Meadows GS and close enough to the pool, but it is limited, I think. (Input needed here, Ed). Bike to the pool would be good, golf cart would be better.

Without using the bus system, monorail, or the MK Ferry from FW, you are stuck driving to the parks (if you're going) and Disney Springs (which we drive to anyway).

If Covid scenario changes anything for the better, great. But if not, FW is a park unto itself. I take bikes like BamaEd, but I still rent a golf cart, because looping at night is fun and not as dangerous as night on a bike. I would offer up getting a golf cart ressie, then cancel if you think your park/FW schedule leans toward NOT needing it.

Bottom line - I don't recommend using your pickup around FW.

P.S. Days driving home count towards quarantine days, if that helps.

Thank you!! I THOUGHT there was places on the grounds that didn’t have vehicle parking but wasn’t positive. That was my only real concern.

I think I will go ahead and get one. Why not. We can always make more money right?!?!

 

[sarahrdh]

Minnie Van service is no more #ThanksCOVID. Uber or Lyft would potentially be an option though.

The problem with that is we have 5 people so we’d have to upgrade to the XL. I’ll just drive even if it is a little further out of the way.

 

[sarahrdh]

We typically bring our bikes but if family is staying with us for a little while we may rent a cart for a few days just so we can "loop"

We will probably bring bikes as well. Not sure. Depends if my husband wants to drive that far with them hanging off the back or toss them in the truck bed. (Our bike rack holds 4; so it’s long and I feel like it gives some extra bounce to the camper )

 

[sarahrdh]

Thanks for all the replies!!! Y’all are so helpful. I think I’m gonna splurge and get the cart. The kids will want one, regardless of anything else.

 

[bama_ed]

BTW, sarahrdh, a 4-seat cart will suffice for you, DH, and your two princes and one princess if everybody can sit their butts in seats. There is a bench seat in front and one in back. Bottom line is do standing or crouching in a cart while moving or one person sitting in another's lap while moving. Everyone has to be seated on the cart seats when the cart is moving.

When you call to reserve a cart, you reserve "a cart" and they charge you one night deposit for a 4-seater. But there are a few 6-seaters which cost about $20 a night more which can't be reserved per se. EVeryone is charge a 4-seater reservation and when you show up at the Fort you can ask to be upcharged to a 6-seater if one is available.

You don't need all this info since you will probably fit/sit in a 4-seater but for new folks reading, know there are a few 6-seaters available but can't be specifically reserved. They are first arrive/ask, first given if available.

Bama Ed

 

[sarahrdh]

BTW, sarahrdh, a 4-seat cart will suffice for you, DH, and your two princes and one princess if everybody can sit their butts in seats. There is a bench seat in front and one in back. Bottom line is do standing or crouching in a cart while moving or one person sitting in another's lap while moving. Everyone has to be seated on the cart seats when the cart is moving.

When you call to reserve a cart, you reserve "a cart" and they charge you one night deposit for a 4-seater. But there are a few 6-seaters which cost about $20 a night more which can't be reserved per se. EVeryone is charge a 4-seater reservation and when you show up at the Fort you can ask to be upcharged to a 6-seater if one is available.

You don't need all this info since you will probably fit/sit in a 4-seater but for new folks reading, know there are a few 6-seaters available but can't be specifically reserved. They are first arrive/ask, first given if available.

Bama Ed

Thank you! Yes we should be fine with a 4 seater. We use a 4 seat golf cart regularly At home and everyone can sit with their bottoms on a seat!