Fort wilderness cabin questions

[dts718]

Okay, here's the situation: We're staying for 8 nights this october with our 2 and 4 year old. My 15 year old daughter and her friend will be staying w/ us for 4 of those nights. Debating whether to stay at a value resort for 4 nights and then switch to the cabin at fort wilderness for the other 4 or stay at the value resort (probably pop century) and just get an ajoining room for the nights they will be with us. I know that we'll have more privacy and room if we have two rooms at PC, but I've always wanted to stay at the fort wilderness cabins. They seem really cool! Are my little ones too young to really enjoy staying there (at fort wilderness) though? Do you need to rent a golf cart while there? Are there any preferable sections of cabins to stay in? !!!Please help...Confused!
Thanks in advance to all!

 

[DisneyAngel12]

We love the cabins. I have never rented a golf cart always bring bikes. We don't have small children but I see lots of youngsters all over the campgrounds. I am thinking that it is probably more child friendly than most hotels. There are many things for the wee folks to do. Also you can get or you used to be able to get a recreation package for about $200 for unlimited use of the boats and other watercrafts for your length of stay. Bikes are also available at the bike barn. We love FW and don't find it difficult to get around. Any of the cabin loops should be fine but if you want to be near a pool, laundry or bus stop just request what is most important to you and they will do their best to make you happy.

Cabins are the only way for us to go. Good luck!

 

[BCV23]

Since you asked , I think I would split my stay if I were you. We've not stayed at the value resorts but did stay twice at FW cabins many years ago when our children were very young. Our first stay our boys were 3 & 1, second stay..6, 4, 8 mos for our DD. We loved them with a baby and little ones. We did not rent a golf cart but did have a rental car. I'd recommend one or the other at the cabins. I think your 2 & 4 yos will love FW.

But with two 15 yo girls, the extra bathroom and room for privacy at the value resorts seems priceless. Plus the bed situation would be much better I think. The cabins have a murphy double bed in the living room, a smallish double bed in the BR along with bunkbeds.

 

[Laura1994]

Our little ones loved it at FW. There's a petty zoo and pony rides there. Disney's horses are kept at Ft. Wilderness so you can visit them. Also they had a couple of playgrounds. They have the evening campfire and movie, pools, bike rentals, canoe and water mice rentals, etc.

I think the kids would have plenty to do there. As for the golf cart, that's a personal preference. We never did. It's not a long wait for the buses. We also walked it down to the marina several times. It's a long walk (not sure how long, but one of the bus drivers thought we were crazy and told us it was a mile!) Anyhow we're from New England and it was mid winter... we were more than happy to be out in the nice weather so a nice long walk was great for us!

 

[Bugfella]

I also think splitting your stay is a good idea. We split our stay two years between Fort Wilderness and All Star Movies.

We had 3 adults and 3 kids in our party. The youngest child was only 8 months then.

During the first part of our vacation, Fort Wilderness was great with the baby because we had a full kitchen and could make special meals. Plus we saved money by making breakfast instead of buying it. We did not rent a golf cart, and used the buses to go around the campground.

Our favorite experience at Fort Wilderness was the evening movie around the campfire. Chip and Dale came out to greet everyone before it started.

The cabin does get a little crowded with one bathroom. We needed to set a time limit for everyone in the mornings. After two nights we were ready for more personal space.

It was at All Star Movies that we found that space. We rented two rooms in the 101 Dalmation section - ground floor. Our building had good access to the main food court and pool area. Kids loved the gigantic Dogs, Buzz, Woody and other characters.

This resort is a lot busier and has a different "feel" than Fort Wilderness. However, the kids loved the theming and it was not that crowded when we went.

Staying at both resorts felt like two vacations. Each resort had its strengths and weaknesses and both cost about the same.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[dgaston]

Another suggestion to increase bathroom availability in the FW cabins is to request the 2100 loop. It backs up to the 1100 camping loop with its comfort station and laundry. There is even a path between the loops.

I was blessed that two of my teens like to take evening showers, so we never felt rushed for bathroom time in the am.

We like FW so much that by request, we are tenting in FW in April. DS15 figured out the "surprise" by reading DIS boards. Ugg! Remember to bring salt and pepper, cups for the bathroom, and coffee filters.

 

[dgaston]

Oops! Double post!

 

[Gillian]

We stayed at the cabins when DS was 2. They are fun, but I think I would stay put and just get a second room when the teens arrive.

Just my thoughts -
- it's a pain to switch resorts with little ones if you are usually at the resort in the afternoon. You might not have a room available for naps or changing.
-internal busses mean having to transfer (to another bus or a boat) to get to every park
-one TV
-just one sink inside the bathroom (plus the kitchen sink)
-not much room for a pack n play in the bedroom (if you plan to use one) & it will be tight in there with 4 people
-no food/restaurants within walking distance of the cabins (we found this to be a pain, even though we had the kitchen).

It's worth visiting FW for the petting zoo and pony rides! It's a short boat ride from the MK. The lunch or dinner buffet at Trail's End is inexpensive and good.

Have fun deciding!

 

[dts718]

thanks everyone for all the great info & suggessions. You've given us a lot to think about!