First time at the Fort Questions!!!

[davish562]

Hello, I am going to Fort Wilderness with my Family in the last week of August. We are planning on renting a pop up camper and planning on staying in loop 1500. We will be flying to Orlando because it would take a non stop 20 hour drive to get here. Do you think it would be worth it to rent a golf cart if we are staying at Loop 1500? Also can any of you recommend me the best sites in Loop 1500. Thank you so much! By the way I have been to Disney World twice before and have stayed at the Polynesian both times. Would it be worth it to take the boat to the contemporary? in the morning to get to rope drop since the magic kingdom boat does not start running until a half hour before park opening! Once again thank you all for your help!!!

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

While a golf cart is convenient and can save some time getting around I couldnt justify the ridiculous price that Disney charges. We leave our cart at home and just bring our bikes but clearly thats not an option for you.

 

[davish562]

While a golf cart is convenient and can save some time getting around I couldnt justify the ridiculous price that Disney charges. We leave our cart at home and just bring our bikes but clearly thats not an option for you.

I just looked at the Greenberg RV rental site, and you can rent bikes from them. Yah, Disney charges too much for the golf carts. Thanks for your help!

 

[Bishoparc]

We recently stayed in one of the Fort Wilderness Cabins last month. We absolutely loved the experience of FW and the whole atmosphere. We did rent a Golf Cart even though we were near one of the bus stops and quite frankly the golf cart was half the fun It was great to be able to get around the Fort without having to wait on a bus and deal with all of that. It was quite cold the morning we got up to go to MK and so we sang Jingle Bells while driving down the road and it made a lot of people smile. We will definitely do the Fort again and would definitely do the golf cart again.

I can tell you the line for the first boat was definitely long when we were there and it was a slow time so I can't imagine the line in August.

 

[davish562]

We recently stayed in one of the Fort Wilderness Cabins last month. We absolutely loved the experience of FW and the whole atmosphere. We did rent a Golf Cart even though we were near one of the bus stops and quite frankly the golf cart was half the fun It was great to be able to get around the Fort without having to wait on a bus and deal with all of that. It was quite cold the morning we got up to go to MK and so we sang Jingle Bells while driving down the road and it made a lot of people smile. We will definitely do the Fort again and would definitely do the golf cart again.

I can tell you the line for the first boat was definitely long when we were there and it was a slow time so I can't imagine the line in August.

We are going at the very end of August and hopefully it will be less crowded! Can you go on most of the paths there with the golf carts? I have rented golf carts before in beach towns in the outerbanks, NC and it always fun to see everything in the golf cart. Thanks for your help!

 

[Bishoparc]

You can drive them on the actual road and then there are certain places you use the paths. But yes, we drove all around exploring one afternoon when we came back from the parks. You'll really enjoy the Fort either way, great atmostphere.

 

[davish562]

You can drive them on the actual road and then there are certain places you use the paths. But yes, we drove all around exploring one afternoon when we came back from the parks. You'll really enjoy the Fort either way, great atmostphere.

Yah, the Fort looks like a very cool place to explore! Thanks again!

 

[tiggerdad]

We've done the bikes in 2012 when my youngest was 1 y/o and would fit in the child seat on the back of my bike and we had a blast riding around. Last year we rented a golfcart from an offsite vendor since the youngest was too big for the bike carseat and not old enough for her own bike and we had fun just riding around then as well, but we had 2 days of no park time also.

You can enjoy Fort Wilderness either way, there is just no way I can justify $60+ a day for a cart, especially if I spend most of the day at the parks and only use the cart to get to and from the boat landing or bus stop. Renting offsite was the only way I considered it affordable. The problem with offsite rental, is that you have to go offsite to get it, which is not going to be an option for you. Maybe rent a cart on the days you will have more time around the Fort and bikes on the other days? Try em both and see which fits you better so to speak.

 

[davish562]

We've done the bikes in 2012 when my youngest was 1 y/o and would fit in the child seat on the back of my bike and we had a blast riding around. Last year we rented a golfcart from an offsite vendor since the youngest was too big for the bike carseat and not old enough for her own bike and we had fun just riding around then as well, but we had 2 days of no park time also.

You can enjoy Fort Wilderness either way, there is just no way I can justify $60+ a day for a cart, especially if I spend most of the day at the parks and only use the cart to get to and from the boat landing or bus stop. Renting offsite was the only way I considered it affordable. The problem with offsite rental, is that you have to go offsite to get it, which is not going to be an option for you. Maybe rent a cart on the days you will have more time around the Fort and bikes on the other days? Try em both and see which fits you better so to speak.

Yah I heard it that the offsite golf cart vendors can't deliver to the fort anymore. I think I am going to rent bikes from the RV rental. It is a lot cheaper and is only a four minute ride from the site to the beach area. Thank you for taking your time to respond!

 

[North of Mouse]

Hello, I am going to Fort Wilderness with my Family in the last week of August. We are planning on renting a pop up camper and planning on staying in loop 1500. We will be flying to Orlando because it would take a non stop 20 hour drive to get here. Do you think it would be worth it to rent a golf cart if we are staying at Loop 1500? Also can any of you recommend me the best sites in Loop 1500. Thank you so much! By the way I have been to Disney World twice before and have stayed at the Polynesian both times. Would it be worth it to take the boat to the contemporary? in the morning to get to rope drop since the magic kingdom boat does not start running until a half hour before park opening! Once again thank you all for your help!!!

to FW camping - it's a great place and you can't beat the location!

Renting a GC is a personal preference, decision. There are those on both sides of the camp. We have never had a desire to rent one, plus they 'are' expensive - we prefer walking or taking the internal buses - but to each their own.

Taking the boat to the Contemporary, then walking is something that we have done when we wanted to be there at RD. For us, it was a peaceful way to start the day.

 

[davish562]

to FW camping - it's a great place and you can't beat the location!

Renting a GC is a personal preference, decision. There are those on both sides of the camp. We have never had a desire to rent one, plus they 'are' expensive - we prefer walking or taking the internal buses - but to each their own.

Taking the boat to the Contemporary, then walking is something that we have done when we wanted to be there at RD. For us, it was a peaceful way to start the day.

Thank you! About how long did you have to wait for an internal bus to pick you up on average?

 

[PaHunter]

Anywhere from about 30 seconds to 15 mins. Depending on when you left your campsite. I also walked from the 1400 loop to the settlement and takes about 15 minutes. We were there a week and never needed a golf cart.

 

[davish562]

Anywhere from about 30 seconds to 15 mins. Depending on when you left your campsite. I also walked from the 1400 loop to the settlement and takes about 15 minutes. We were there a week and never needed a golf cart.

Thank you very much! Were the buses crowded? Did they take a while to get to the marina?

 

[bama_ed]

Would it be worth it to take the boat to the contemporary? in the morning to get to rope drop since the magic kingdom boat does not start running until a half hour before park opening! Once again thank you all for your help!!!

Welcome to the Camping Board, davish562.

I have to ask why you about the rope drop statement above. The big boat (left side of the pier) does leave the Fort about 30-35 minutes before rope drop but gets you there in time for it. We have taken it many times. Now you won't be there an hour before hand to be at the FRONT of the drop but you will have time to see the pre-opening show and all. The boat seats (I'm guessing here) 30-40 people so during busy times if you get to the dock right at departure time there may be a queue and you would have to wait till the second trip.

The Wilderness Lodge/Contemporary Resort boat (right side of the pier) does run much earlier and is the best way IMO to be at the front of rope drop if that is your wish (or early breakfast or tour). Of course you can bus or drive to the MK lot. It is a smaller boat like those on Jungle Cruise kinda. This one can develop a queue as well.

I voted no on the golf cart. It's an expensive option and I need my exercise. I'd rather spend that money on a table dinner or Fort souvenirs.

Bama Ed

 

[davish562]

Welcome to the Camping Board, davish562.

I have to ask why you about the rope drop statement above. The big boat (left side of the pier) does leave the Fort about 30-35 minutes before rope drop but gets you there in time for it. We have taken it many times. Now you won't be there an hour before hand to be at the FRONT of the drop but you will have time to see the pre-opening show and all. The boat seats (I'm guessing here) 30-40 people so during busy times if you get to the dock right at departure time there may be a queue and you would have to wait till the second trip.

The Wilderness Lodge/Contemporary Resort boat (right side of the pier) does run much earlier and is the best way IMO to be at the front of rope drop if that is your wish (or early breakfast or tour). Of course you can bus or drive to the MK lot. It is a smaller boat like those on Jungle Cruise kinda. This one can develop a queue as well.

I voted no on the golf cart. It's an expensive option and I need my exercise. I'd rather spend that money on a table dinner or Fort souvenirs.

Bama Ed

Thank you for your input on the Rope Drop boat situation. This info helps since there is not a lot of information online about the boat from Fort Wilderness to the Magic Kingdom.

 

[davish562]

Welcome to the Camping Board, davish562.

I have to ask why you about the rope drop statement above. The big boat (left side of the pier) does leave the Fort about 30-35 minutes before rope drop but gets you there in time for it. We have taken it many times. Now you won't be there an hour before hand to be at the FRONT of the drop but you will have time to see the pre-opening show and all. The boat seats (I'm guessing here) 30-40 people so during busy times if you get to the dock right at departure time there may be a queue and you would have to wait till the second trip.

The Wilderness Lodge/Contemporary Resort boat (right side of the pier) does run much earlier and is the best way IMO to be at the front of rope drop if that is your wish (or early breakfast or tour). Of course you can bus or drive to the MK lot. It is a smaller boat like those on Jungle Cruise kinda. This one can develop a queue as well.

I voted no on the golf cart. It's an expensive option and I need my exercise. I'd rather spend that money on a table dinner or Fort souvenirs.

Bama Ed

How long did you usually have to wait for the boat to the Magic Kingdom?

 

[North of Mouse]

How long did you usually have to wait for the boat to the Magic Kingdom?

Depends on when you get to the dock!! If a boat is there, of course, no wait - but if one has just left - maybe 15min. or so.

Also, the internal buses are not usually crowded, and we have found the wait to not be bad - there are some exceptions, but to be expected.

 

[davish562]

Depends on when you get to the dock!! If a boat is there, of course, no wait - but if one has just left - maybe 15min. or so.

Also, the internal buses are not usually crowded, and we have found the wait to not be bad - there are some exceptions, but to be expected.

Thanks for sharing how the internal buses are not crowded. On average how long did you have to wait for a bus?

 

[Lifelong Disney Addict]

We will be there end of August too! Golf cart is not worth it if you are going to the park that day. However, we got one on a campground day. We had so much fun riding around!

 

[peg110]

Thanks for sharing how the internal buses are not crowded. On average how long did you have to wait for a bus?

I think much of this can depend on which direction you are going, where you are at, and will you be transferring. I know in Nov-Dec 2014 we were in the 1400 Loop (Yellow Route). There was a stop just outside our site (we were 1401). The bus would come from the Outpost going to settlement fairly quickly after the bus coming from the Settlement to the outpost. The reason is that the trip is a relatively short turn around. However, the bus coming back from the Settlement going towards the Outpost took longer because it actually also goes over to Wilderness lodge. I cannot speak for the other routes (Orange and Purple), but they did seem to be quicker from my perspective.

I think the longest I have waited (on a very busy time in the evening going back to our site) was almost 30 minutes. This was actually for a bus from Wilderness Lodge to Fort Wilderness. Otherwise, we typically never waited more than about 10 to 15 minutes. If, however, you need to "Connect" with another bus (or boat or ferry or whatever) there could be another wait on top of that to get to your destination.

If you absolutely need to be somewhere at a certain time I suggest that you plan on STARTING your venture a good hour before you need to be at your final destination. Either way you are going to be waiting somewhere. Sorry... It's just the WDW way.