Family of Five: POR vs FW Cabins

[Cindy & Mickey]

We're heading to WDW in a month, an opportunity to take all the kids (usually it's just one kid in tow), but the budget won't allow for Deluxe resorts for the 5 nights we are there. With two adults/three kids (two of them teens), I'm a little hesitant about squeezing into the POR, with the two double beds + trundle. My DH has volunteered to sleep on the floor if that is what it takes for everyone to be comfy, but I can't imagine that's a pleasant way for him to vacation!

Within our budget is the FW cabins. I've never stayed there before, I am very hesitant. My DH and youngest DD would love a camp-like experience. I am imagining a long haul walk to get to anywhere, and the idea of no counter restaurant is icky. Ordering groceries to come on the first day sounds good, though, and I certainly like having the extra bed space.

So my long winded question is this... any opinions about the cabins, good or bad? I'd rather ask this question here than over in the camping section, where everyone's opinion will be good! I'm a resort gal at heart.

I was also thinking about splitting our stay between 3 nights of back crunching POR and then 2 nights of relative comfort in a deluxe property. BTW, all 5 of us stayed at the Contemporary in '05, and it was a perfect size for us. Just, the price is over budget for this year's trip.

Any feedback is appreciated!

 

[jlcd]

We stayed at the cabins in 2004 and really liked them. Personally I think 1 room at POR with 2 teens will be tight. The cabins give you a living room area plus a deck to spread out on. The kitchen comes in very handy especially for breakfast. Mouskeeping even does the dishes! We rented a golf cart so I can't comment on the transportation but I know there is an internal bus that takes you to the main bus stops where you can catch the bus to the parks.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Cant comment about the cabins but how about 5 at the dolphin, you can get a rollaway or bring an aerobed. Do you qualify for any of their discounts? Its cheaper than a disney deluxe. You can still get emh too. Were you considering the magical express or dining plan? THat could be a factor too. Best of luck. The dolphin has a great pool too.

 

[mrich1018]

We loved the cabins and Fort Wilderness has some great activities, too. The extra space was great and we didn't find getting around that difficult. We had 4 adults, 1 child and a toddler. Plenty of room and the buffet at Trail's End was great!

 

[Judique]

We're heading to WDW in a month, an opportunity to take all the kids (usually it's just one kid in tow), but the budget won't allow for Deluxe resorts for the 5 nights we are there. With two adults/three kids (two of them teens), I'm a little hesitant about squeezing into the POR, with the two double beds + trundle. My DH has volunteered to sleep on the floor if that is what it takes for everyone to be comfy, but I can't imagine that's a pleasant way for him to vacation!

Within our budget is the FW cabins. I've never stayed there before, I am very hesitant. My DH and youngest DD would love a camp-like experience. I am imagining a long haul walk to get to anywhere, and the idea of no counter restaurant is icky. Ordering groceries to come on the first day sounds good, though, and I certainly like having the extra bed space.

So my long winded question is this... any opinions about the cabins, good or bad? I'd rather ask this question here than over in the camping section, where everyone's opinion will be good! I'm a resort gal at heart.

I was also thinking about splitting our stay between 3 nights of back crunching POR and then 2 nights of relative comfort in a deluxe property. BTW, all 5 of us stayed at the Contemporary in '05, and it was a perfect size for us. Just, the price is over budget for this year's trip.

Any feedback is appreciated!

Not a camper here, but over Easter vacation I tried the cabins because they were available sort of last minute. We loved the cabin and will do it again as part of a visit - we usually do a split stay on most trips - a few days here a week there. They are much more roomy then a POR room and will suit a family of 5 nicely. You can always visit POR to eat or shop. We rented a golf cart to get around - kids loved that also. The cabins are not really a camping experience - you just have a few campy amenities such as a deck and BBQ and picnic table on the deck. I sat on the deck but never considered lighting that BBQ

 

[dawgsgirl]

The cabins would really be good for the space and they are very nice. But it's kind of like staying off-site. I know some people will find this terrible, but this is the way we feel. We felt closer to Disney when we rented an off-site condo and it was sure cheaper! The boat to MK is very nice, but the other transportation is a pain. Adding in the cost of a golf cart puts even the best discount over the top. I think it is like $45 per day. It's just my opinion, but you have to weigh that with crushing too many people in one room at POR. Have you thought about 2 rooms at a value? Have a great trip!!

 

[rentayenta]

I think the FW Cabins look great and wanted to stay there but at just over $1,000 for the course of the trip, I decided against it and chose the POR. My kids are a bit younger though.

 

[daandcb]

We love the cabins! Last time we stayed there we had 4 adults and 2 toddlers and never felt cramped. We would stay there again but this upcoming trip we are taking my father and his wife and my boys and bunk beds are not something I think would be a good match! We didn't rent a golf cart and at times I wish we had. Our walk from the cabin to the bus stop was not that bad considering all the walking we did in the parks but at the end of the day it seemed like it was a never ending walk. It was very quiet and cool....plus you never know when you'd see a deer or other animal.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

Have you considered staying off site? Windsor Hills looks absolutely fantastic. You would pay less and get much more space. We are renting a pool home this year. My DH is so excited about the extra space, and having his own pool and hot tub. He also loves to cook, so we'll be saving a lot of money by eating dinner at the house.

 

[Tink135]

My moms side of the family are going to stay at the FW cabins this summer. And they'll have 6 people staying in the cabin. I don't know if you guys would want to squeeze into POR. So I reccomend FW.

Spring '05- CBR Winter '05- POR Winter '06- AKL Spring '07-0 Poly (upcoming) Summer '07- BW

 

[tinkrules]

We stayed in the cabins in May. 4 adults, 2 kids 11 & 7. They are really nice. We did rent a cart and if we stay there again we will rent one again. We did not find it difficult, nor were the waits very long for the boats or buses to get us anywhere. Mousekeeping was wonderful, and we had a great time. There is not a lot of themeing, but if you are like our family, you are just there to sleep anyway. There is only 1 bathroom, but we worked out a schedule, some of us took showers at night, some in the morning. I would recommend the cabins if you want a nice, roomy, comfortable place to stay at a good price.

 

[bennythepug]

we are staying in a cabin for the first time in *20 days* we stayed
at the campground last year and loved it so much. Except for the being in a camper with no air-conditioning in July !! this year we're doing it up with a cabin and a golf cart which we did'nt get last year. We felt the carts were pricey but needed. It was a long wait for the internal bus at our loop last year. looking forward to returning

 

[disneymom99]

My vote is for FW cabins. We stayed there in 1999 when my dds were 8 and 4. We loved the cabins If we weren't DVC members, we'd stay there all the time!

 

[Cindy & Mickey]

Thank you everyone for your feedback! Based on the mostly positive reviews, we've decided on the FW cabins. No sense in squeezing into POR, I think we won't fit the beds. Plus, I forgot about Trail's End buffet at FW, I had heard it's the last remaining dining "deal" and I've never eaten there.

Now I am debating on whether the golf cart is worth the extra $$$.

Thank you everyone!
Cindy

 

[Piper]

I don't think you'll regret it. I stayed there with my DS, DBIL, 2DN-16 and DN26. It worked great for us. One of the boys slept on the couch, I had the Murphy bed (comfortable) 2 boys on the bunks and DS & DBIL the "big" bed in BR. We did the shower in the morn/evening rotation. We saved a ton of money by having sandwich "fixings", snacks, soft drinks, and breakfast foods. You know how teenage boys eat!

 

[CapeCod53]

If the teens are old enough to drive they will love having the golf cart. Mine consider it the best feature of FtW. The pools aren't much at FtW(don't understand why they didn't keep the big pool at River Country open for FtW guests) but there is so much else to do there that we use the golf carts alot. If you are going to stay in the parks all day long without breaks & down time, I wd probably say, don't bother with the golf cart, there is the internal bus system & it works well, its just an extra step. But otherwise, there is the petting zoo, the barn with the horses that pull the main street vehicles you can go in & go right up to the horses, Electrical Water Pageant at the beach at night, the campfire & movie also at night, bike & boat rental, etc. Trail's End buffet is very good, we have eaten there several times & we have also taken the boat over to the WL and eaten at Roaring Forks, CS there. (They make wonderful fresh, not prepackage salads & sandwichs) We actually like the quietness of the resort after the heat & noise & brightness of the theme parks. You can request the 2500 loop. It is a small loop. The internal bus stops right in front of that loop & its next to the cabin 's pool & laundry. An alternative is to request the Peacock Pass end of the 2600 loop we had the 3rd cabin in on that loop & it was a very quick 2min walk to bus, pool, etc. Have a great time!

 

[argue]

You will be happy wherever you stay in Disney. FW looks cool but on a Disney vacation I would rather stay in a hotel. But like I said FW looks so cool and with 2 teens you cant go wrong. Have a super trip!

 

[mickeymousemom]

I'm sure you'll be very happy with the cabins...it IS Disney and you'll have more room.
We always stay at POR with our family of 5. We have two teens and a 3yo.
My middle DD(13) sleeps on the trundle(she likes to sleep on the floor, or in "different" places) and my 3yo and 17yo sleep in the same bed. It can get tight, but we're not in the room long enough for it to matter. We love POR and I think the only time we'd stay anywhere else is if we stayed in a DVC or deluxe resort.

With that said, most people would do what you're doing, and I think you'll have a great time!

 

[Liz]

We stayed in the cabins last December with my two teens. We had the golf cart for a couple of days but it was really expensive for how much we used it so we took it back early. I'm assuming you won't have a car? If you do its very convenient to drive to the parks with the car parked right at your cabin. If you use the internal buses it really isn't that bad. We have stayed a lot of different places at WDW and surprisingly, the FW cabins are the only place my teens do not want to return to.

Just wanted to add you will definitely have more room in the cabin than POR with 5 people. In your case I would definitely choose the cabin option! Have a great time whatever you decide!

 

[Jajone]

We've stayed in the cabins several times. They are not as big as one might think. The only bedroom has a double bed I think and bunk beds. No room to unpack or store things. The other bed is in the living area. We always stayed there pre DDP. It was great for cooking meals and no noise from other guests. We were always lucky to get a cabin near the busstop. One time it was literally in front of our cabin. We always rent a car and drive to the park, so a cart was not worth it to us. The rental car might even be cheaper than renting a cart and more versatile.