Desperate for answers about FW Cabins....

[Nanabug02]

Hi,

I was hoping to get some help with a few questions I have from some fellow DISers. I stayed at Fort Wilderness numerous times growing up with my family, usually in a pop-up. My hubby refuses to camp while at Disney , so we are now WL people (no flames, please!)

Any-who, my brother and his family are coming with us next month on a big family Disney trip, and he and his family (wife and two kids, ages 2 and 4) will be staying in the FW Cabins. They are actually flying to Disney and not renting a car. My brother is familiar with the Disney (and FW) bus system, having been to WDW already.

Here are my questions I need help with. I would appreciate any and all input.

1. Will they be okay not renting a car? How does it work getting to the cabins when you check in using Magical Express from the airport? Do they cart you over to your cabin and drop your luggage later like the usual Magical Express way?

2. Does anyone know if the cabins come fully equipped with all linens and kitchen plates, utensils, etc.? They plan on heading over to the Fort General Store when they get there for basic breakfast foods, etc. They really can't bring much but the usual clothes and basics with them, since they will be flying. I just want to make sure they will be covered.

3. The Cabins do have Mousekeeping correct? I think I read that, but just wanted to be sure. They come in every day?

4. My brother wanted to take my nephew (4) on the horse trail ride. Is he too young? If not, does he need to make reservations for this now, or just when they check in, or the day of?

5. Is there anything special I should know about the Cabins area? I see they have a pool near them, so thats good. Any other info you could give me, I would be very glad of it.

Thanks so much in advance to everyone! Any info is appreciated!

Leanna

 

[2goofycampers]

1. Magical Express works at the cabins like any other resort, deliver & pick-up right to your cabin door.
2.The cabins are fully stocked.
3.Mousekeeping every day.
4. There is a size limit to ride the horses, they also have pony rides with a size limit also. No ressies for these.
5. A golf cart rental may enhance the cabin experience.

Hope this helps some....

 

[tim5055]

The meadows trading post has a small grocery section for emergency shopping and while the prices are not totally outrageous, they are higher than local supermarkets. If possible I would suggest stopping at a local store (my favorite is the Florida chain Publix Supermarkets). If you have a car you can give them a ride.

If local shopping is out of the question groceries can be ordered for delivery at Fort Wilderness. One company that delivers in the central Florida area is GardenGrocer.com. Excerpt from the "2007 Unofficial Guide to Disney": GardenGrocer.com will shop for you and deliver your groceries. If you are staying at a hotel you can arrange for your groceries to be left with bell services..." (Complete article on page 370). Reports I have read form folks who have used their services are positive.

 

[We4mickey]

I believe you have to be 9 to do the trail ride. Pony rides would be available.

 

[doverfox]

the cabins are great
they have a full kitchen with oven, microwave, fridge with ice maker anddish washer.the are plates and cups and glasses only i found the glasses hard to drink from they are like jam jarswith handels complete with the screw thread arround the rim.
you get mouse keeping every day just like a hotel resort and the flannel animals they leave my kids loved these. plenty of towels.
not sure about hiring a golf buggy for that sort of $$$s you could hire a proper car give you real flexibility the aretwo shops that both sell a bit of groceries a word of worning if you get frozen stuff or a pizza if you havent got a buggy the buses to the cabin loops didnt seem that regular

 

[CinderellaDreamer]

They are going to love the cabins!

The magical express was wonderful. They took us from the airport (with a couple of stops at a couple of other resorts) to the check-in for the cabins. We had quite a bit of carry-on with us, and the Fort staff ordered a van to take the five of us and our luggage to our cabin. He then took my husband over to the golf cart rental place.

We really enjoyed the golf cart. It can go a lot of places that a car is not allowed at the fort. Very nice to have.

The cabin was completely stocked and very nice. The mousekeeping staff was wonderful each day. I have photos of the towel animals they made in my trip report.

There are lots of other photos of the cabin interior as well.

I'm sure that they will have the best time. I loved being at the Fort. We especially enjoyed the campfire. We went back two weeks ago when we were just there, even though we weren't staying at the Fort.

Have a great vacation!

 

[Skyw]

Hi
First of all, you will love the cabins. Mostly because you will love FW!!!!!!

1) I haven't used the magical express before...we have always rented a car from the airport and drove. We simply walk down a flight of stairs from the luggage area and rent a car. The advantage of renting one while staying at the cabins, is the ability to get groceries cheap at Walmart or Publics. FW stores are outrageously priced. We usually don't rent a car when we stay at other resorts. I have heard from others on the board that magical express is very efficient and easy to use. The golf cart isn't necessary....but sure is nice to have. If it is in your budget...I would get one. My 4 year loved going on it....probably more then some of the rides. It is expensive so it might not be worth it.

2)I would also recommend ordering the food ahead of time or renting a car. It is way too expensive on FW. The only thing that we didn't have in the cabins last trip was grilling utensils. So we bought one and took it home. We will use it again the next time.

3) Mousekeeping is great!!! They even do your dishes!!!!!!

4)We haven't done the horseback riding yet so I can't comment.

5) I can;t recall if any cabin loop is better then other. We always get the 2600 loop. It is walking distance to the pool and bus stops. It is also very quiet.

Hope this helps...

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

The cabins are wonderful but if you or anyone in your party is allergic to dust make sure you have medication with you! The wooden beams in the tops of the cabins collect dust like crazy and is especially bad in the bathroom. Me and DS started to get weezy and sick at 2-3 AM and it's not fun when ya have to run out to Wal-Mart in the middle of the night so you can breathe!

Other than that we loved the cabins. There is so much to do in Ft Wilderness. Our family enjoyed the pony rides, the campfire sing along with Chip and Dale, canoeing, and watching the MK fireworks from the beach at night.

We rented a pontoon boat one day and had the time of our lives cruising around the resorts and MK! Make sure you get your golf cart early. They go fast!

And if you're one of those Disney freaks that loves to see everything there is to see walk over by the old River Country and take a peek. It's sad but it's still WDW history.

Have a fun trip!

 

[dolfan71665]

Thanks for the info.

My family is making their first ever trip to Disney, and this has been the best site for information. So much so I signed up.

We love staying in cabins and state parks for hiking.(I love to camp but the wife and kids, don't go for tents.) So a Cabin is a good medium, from my tent to thier resort.

I have rented a cart and are on the meal plan(wifey no cook on vacation).

Please post fun things, and info for a lone male with wife and 2 daughters.

 

[JodyLynC]

We stayed at FW cabins this trip. We will definitely be doing so again. Here is my trip report http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1834238

We loved the peace and quiet. We loved the atmosphere. We loved going to the campfire. We loved having a full size kitchen. (saved lots of $$ by having a few meals here.) Tons of towel animals every day!! We have stayed at various WDW resorts over the years: value, moderate, and deluxe. FW cabin is our new favorite!!