Family of Five: POR vs FW Cabins

[pooh4me]

We have stayed at the cabins 3 times and never rented a golf cart.The internal buses run every 10 or 15 minuets and drop you off at the park bus stops or MK boat dock. The walks to the bus stops are really not very far,this is from a senior citizen.we love the Fort and would not stay anywhere else.Go the www.allearsnet.com to get more info on the cabins.

 

[lookingforward]

We stayed in the camp cabins with our three kids which include two very tall teenage boys. We had a good time but it was tight. There is a small double bed and bunks in the bedroom. However, the bottom bunk has very little room and even our seven year old had a hard time because she could not sit up so she banged her head. It was horribly claustrophopic. The living room has a pull down bed that is also a double.

Keep in mind that unless you want to walk a fairly long way you will need to rent a golf cart. They are super fun but also super expensive. My kids LOVED it. I personally am not about cooking on vacation but we did do breakfasts in the cabin and saved some money. We had a car so it was nice to be able to park right in front of our door.

 

[minijeanie]

you cannot survive in FW without the golf carts...kids love them but yes it is quite expensive. When I went it was $30 a day and I balked at that.

I know you have made your decision and yes POR with 2 teens is not good but how about AS family suites. Is that a consideration.

I liked the cabins but honestly with the teens they are going to feel lke they are a million miles away from the parks.

Last year gave DD&DS permission to go on there own and come back to resort. Of course we all have cell phones so keeping tabs was easy.

Don't want to change your plans just wanted to just let you see all options.

Also: buses took forever at cabins. If you have a car...drive yourself to parks ..so worth it.

 

[Poohbear123]

What is the going rate for the cabins? Do they have Passholder codes?

 

[deide71]

What is the going rate for the cabins? Do they have Passholder codes?

They are $245/night plus tax during value season.

Tey definately have passholder rates, I recently priced one out for September and the rate was $190/night inclusive of taxes.

HTH

 

[Cindy & Mickey]

Thank you everyone for advice and feedback,

My DH and 7 yo DD are thrilled at staying in the cabins. My 17 yo DS was hoping for YBC and Stormalong Bay, and my 14 yo DD was hoping for POR! I'm liking the FW cabins because of the ability to preorder gardengrocer and have breakfast and dinner at the cabin, with a nice TS lunch in the parks each day. Plus, I can live off of 2 meals/day, but my teen DS is starving a hour after a meal, so I think the cabin is going to keep his tummy happier than if we were at POR. I'm cringing over the $45 (?) per day golf cart rental, but I know I'm not much of a power walker, and as CapeCod53 pointed out, teens love it (and it might win my teen DS over if he can drive). We are staying 5 nights, no car, with 4 solid days of parks (just getting back to the cabin by early dinner time).

The AS Music Family Suites aren't available during our travel dates, but I'm not much of a Value Resort fan -- I stayed once at POP, and it was my only negative Disney Resort experience in all my years of visiting WDW. And I wouldn't dream of staying offsite again, since I'm a diehard Disney Magic junkie, and offsite resorts just never cut it for me (even the high end ones like the Hyatt or Marriott OWC).

Thank you CapeCod53 for the loop location suggestions, I'm taking your advice and asking for the 2500 loop.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

I'm cringing over the $45 (?) per day golf cart rental, but I know I'm not much of a power walker, and as CapeCod53 pointed out, teens love it (and it might win my teen DS over if he can drive).

Golf carts are fun but by no means are they required to have a fun time at FW. Your 17 year old, provided he has a driver's liscense will be allowed to drive but the 14 year old will not. My advice would be to reserve one starting on your second day, that way you will have a little time at the Fort to see if you really need it, if not you can cancell with no fee. Have a great time at the Fort(you may want to read some in the camping board to get a feel for the place) it is my family's favortie place to be!

 

[princessplanner]

Waiting until the second day to get the cart is probably a really good idea to consider (although they might have a 24 hr. cancelation policy? Not sure). We just got back from staying 4 days at Ft. Wilderness, and we only rented a golf cart for the last two days (we had a car with us, so we only had to use the internal transportation to get to the boat to MK). It doesn't really require too much more walking if you don't have a golf cart--just more waiting for buses (We did stay in the 2500 loop, so we were close to the bus stop). But the cart does make this more convienent, and, as everyone says, they are really fun. Our family usually plans to stick around the cabins at least part of the day or during the evening (it sounds like you might be back in the evenings) on the days that we do rent the cart. There is a lot to "explore" at Ft. Wilderness, especially if you do have a cart. Have a good time!

 

[Swimnoid]

Once we stayed at the cabins we never looked back. We have stayed there 8 or 9 trips and always with 4 people, no little kids. We think they are far more relaxing, quiet, roomy. Plus you get 2 TVs (great with teens) and a dvd player. The full kitchen is great. We usually eat out once per day and then eat at the rest at the cabin. PLUS you get an ICEMAKER!!

We have never had much trouble with the transportation and have never rented a golf cart. Just ask to be near the front of the loop. They usually are happy to oblige.

Have great fun!!

 

[ozzyla]

We have stayed at both, here is a short pro/con list

Pro- Cabins have alot more room, you can cook most if not all of your meals, husband enjoyed BBQ in the afternoon while kids naped or swam, nice water taxi to MK.

Con- Rent the golf cart, otherwise you have to ride one bus for the campground, just to get to the bus station for the parks. Pool is nothing special.

We like POR also, but there is no way your husband can fit on the pull-out, it is for kids less th an 15 yrs old (smaller than a twin bed).