Fort Wilderness Accessible Cabins

[Laineysmom]

First let me start of by saying I am new so if this is supposed to be in the Camping at WDW area, I apologize.

My husband has several life altering (but thankfully not life threatening) health issues to the point that he is disabled. He uses a wheeled walker to get around but when we manage to travel, we find a wheelchair comes in handy. This will definitely be the case when go to WDW next year, tentatively in June. Will be be taking our daughter who will be 9 on her first trip (hubby's second trip and my fourth).

I'm looking at accommodations and if we can afford it I would love to stay onsite. The Cabins at Fort Wilderness are my first choice for several reasons:

1) Easy access to our car (we are driving from Alabama).
2) We can save money but fixing some of our own meals. I love to cook so I don't mind doing this while on vacation.
3) While DH will spend some time with us in the parks, he will likely spend more time in the room and the cabin will give him a little more space to move around.
4) I love cabin camping and have always wanted to stay at Fort Wilderness. I plan to take at least a day or two off from the parks and the activities at FW will keep DD busy (she was recently diagnosed with ADHD).

I am wondering if any adults who use either a walker or a wheelchair have actually stayed in the wheelchair accessible cabins and have any thing they could tell me about them, good or bad. I have heard several positive reports from people who aren't disabled nor had anyone disabled in their party but I'd really like to hear from someone who faces similar challenges as DH before we make a final decision.

Thanks,
Shannon

 

[SueM in MN]

I am moving this from the disABILITIES Community Board, which is more about general things, to the disABILITIES Board, which is for trip related questions.

There are 2 types of handicapped accessible cabins. One has a ramp to get into the cabin, grab bars in the bathroom and a 3 foot wide path inside to get around inside the cabin. Other than that, it is similar to the other cabins.

The other type is fully accessible, with a ramp to get in and some additional accessibility features, including a roll in shower that can be accessed without having to step over anything to get into the shower.

If you want to see what they look like, the Disney website recently added a feature that shows pictures of actual rooms.
This is a link to the cabin page.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/cabins-at-fort-wilderness-resort/rates-rooms/

Click on the link for View Photos and it will show you one room. Then, you can click on either the link at the top that says Rooms or the one on the bottom that says Show All. That will bring you to photo albums of different types of rooms, including the accessible ones.

 

[DisneyMom5]

I just wanted to chime in that our first trip to WDW was in the cabins, and they were GREAT. We ended up with a ramp and regular bathroom one...though we didn't have a need for it. The cabins are very nice, and the mousekeepers even do your dishes each day!!!
There is a lot of info on the camping board or google it. There is a list somewhere of what items the kitchen does, and doesn't have (for example, there is no salt, pepper, or cookie sheets.)

The bus system gets a lot of bad raps, but is really easy to use (even if you have a car, your dh might want to take that back to the room and you use the buses, or whatever.) We loved being able to park right up at our cabin.

Anyway, if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer what I can!

 

[Laineysmom]

I am moving this from the disABILITIES Community Board, which is more about general things, to the disABILITIES Board, which is for trip related questions.

Sorry, I realized after I posted I wasn't in the Disney portion part of the forum. Also, thanks for explaining the differences between the two types of accessible cabins. I've reviewed all the pictures on Disney's website but was a little confused about the differences.

I just wanted to chime in that our first trip to WDW was in the cabins, and they were GREAT. We ended up with a ramp and regular bathroom one...though we didn't have a need for it. The cabins are very nice, and the mousekeepers even do your dishes each day!!!
There is a lot of info on the camping board or google it. There is a list somewhere of what items the kitchen does, and doesn't have (for example, there is no salt, pepper, or cookie sheets.)

Thanks! I was already thinking about we will need to bring with us for preparing meals. Salt and pepper, as well as my other must have seasoning were on my mental list. Even though I had reviewed a list of the inventory in the Cabins' kitchens, I hadn't noticed cookie sheets weren't on there so I'll likely add that so we can have some yummy goodies in the cabin with us. Also going to bring our own s'mores fixings and I've heard many reports about the high prices for their kits.

The bus system gets a lot of bad raps, but is really easy to use (even if you have a car, your dh might want to take that back to the room and you use the buses, or whatever.) We loved being able to park right up at our cabin.

Anyway, if you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer what I can!

I've heard good and bad feedback on the buses. My hubby suffers from Meniere's Disease which cause debilitating vertigo attacks so he no long drives at all. When it's just me and dd, we will may try out the bus. When dh is will us, we will likely drive. Except for going to the Magic Kingdom. Is the ferry wheelchair accessible? I've heard some of the boats are and some are not but I haven't found which is the ferry from FW to MK. I am also wondering about the boat to the Contemporary as I'm thinking of do Chef Mickey's the night we arrive.

Any other feedback on the cabins and general planning advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[disney david]

Yes their nice wal Marts and targets near by if you need anything it be a lot cheaper. At the cabins you also could rent a golf cart to get around if you don't want to use the internal bus system. The internal bus system is not that bad because it only makes stop in the resort so of you wanted to go to the boats to mk, gift shop, and dining it get you their Quick and safe. Or if you rent a golf cart you can use them to get to those spots because they have no Parkin for cars only spots are at your cabin so it either bus or golf cart.

Yes they have one that is it be the bigger boat as the smaller launches are not.

 

[SueM in MN]

The boats alternate. One will be the smaller type that is not accessible and requires a step down into the boat.
The other will be the larger boats, which are accessible.

So, if the first boat is not accessible, the next will be.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

The boats alternate. One will be the smaller type that is not accessible and requires a step down into the boat.
The other will be the larger boats, which are accessible.

So, if the first boat is not accessible, the next will be.

I think both the boats to MK are accessible(WL has the alternating boats because they also have a bus). None of the resort to resort launches are, but you could use the boat to MK then the walkway to CR.

 

[SueM in MN]

I think both the boats to MK are accessible(WL has the alternating boats because they also have a bus). None of the resort to resort launches are, but you could use the boat to MK then the walkway to CR.

Thanks.
That may have changed since when I heard last.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Thanks.
That may have changed since when I heard last.

As with any form of Disney transportation it can change often and it always best to check when you get there. Ask the right people though, for boats it is best to ask the boat drivers, not the front desk.

 

[Laineysmom]

Thanks for the tips on transportation. I'll be sure to double check about the transportation once we get there. I know when it storms, the boats stop and they switch to buses.Going to the Contemporary via Magic Kingdom is a thought.We'll just have to see how DH is doing from the drive in. It might be better if we just drive over. It's a ten hour drive from Mobile but will dh's Meniere's and back issues, we plan to break it into two days so hopefully he'll have some time to recoup before dinner. DD and I can hit the Walmart to get whatever we didn't bring with us and then probably hit the pull. So looking forward to this and wishing it wasn't still a year away!