Fort Wilderness Cabins

[TravelinSouth]

Hi All:

We're just back from our first trip to DW. Loved it!!! So, we're starting the discussions for our second trip and where to stay. We loved the AKL, but thought it was a bit far away from things and want to try something new.

My husband really wants to try the cabins at Fort Wilderness. I think it's funny because they are far away from everything too except MK. But, what else can you tell me about them. Is it a good pick for a 2nd time.

I really want to stay at WL or Boardwalk, but at this point we're looking at a 2010 trip so I'm willing to talk about anything.

Please tell me any pros and cons based on experience.

Thanks

 

[wdwluver]

Well according to what you're looking for, the cabins can be a great choice. You've got your own kitchen. So if you want to cook, you can, or if you just want to store munchies and drinks you can. You have much more space and a private bedroom so that you get a Disney Condo-like environment for less than the Disney-condo cost.

The atmosphere is quiet and the surroundings are beautiful. We spent a lot of time walking around enjoying the scenery. The grounds were huge, so even though we spent almost a week there, we never really touched the surface of all they had to offer.

Since the grounds cover a lot of acreage, it can be time consuming just getting around if you don't have a car. They do have an interior bus system as well as the regular park buses.

 

[bonybroad]

My DH loved loved loved the cabins when we stayed there. My mom, dad and two (adult) sisters loved it too.
I was ok with it, it was nice. I can't remember too much - it was ten years ago, but I am sure you would have a lovely time.
Kitchen, and living room, separate bedroom, just gives you a more relaxing feel to your vacation.

 

[colonialtinker]

We love the cabins We were there in 2006 and everyone still talks about how nice it was.
We also rented a golf cart while we were there. In fact DH loved driving the golf cart so much we bought one when we got home. We're allowed to drive them in the town we live in. Would love to stay there again but we bought into the DVC so that will probably never happen.

DD loved the bed in the wall, every time when we came back from a park she had to pull the bed down. She said she was just making sure no one stole it while we were gone

 

[rie'smom]

Here's the layout of the cabins:

The peace and quiet at the end of a long Disney day is wonderful!

 

[rt2dz]

We’re going at the end of this month and will be staying in the cabins for the first time. We’ve stayed at most the deluxe resorts. We were originally booked for the GF, but there was a great discount on the cabins (only a minor one at GF) and since we’ll be there over Halloween my kids want to carve pumpkins. I couldn’t quite figure out how to do that at the GF. So, next year will be GF (hoping to book on a bounceback offer!)

I’m looking forward to it. Since it is F&W festival, we didn’t want to do a lot of ADRs. We’ll have the kitchen if we can’t get into any restaurants. I like the idea of having a bit more elbow room. I’ve also heard there is no better place to be for Halloween. I like the idea of the campfire sing-a-long being close and everything else there is to do. We go every year and will actually be back for Thanksgiving so we wanted a nice relaxed trip this time around. We drive so we’ll have a car and the kiddos and be easily moved without being woken up since parking is right outside the cabin. I think they may be a good choice at any time. Very good price considering what you get.

I’ve stayed at both WL and BWI. AKL is our favorite and we’re thinking of buying DVC there. WL is nice and has a great feel to it. I’d say the cabins and WL are probably both as equally convenient to the parks. With both you can take the boat straight to the MK and have the option of jumping on the monorail there to Epcot. BWI was a horrible experience for us and while I wouldn’t say “don’t stay there”, it’s not a resort we’ll ever even consider returning to with the amount of problems we experienced, and lack of willingness to solve them on Disney’s part. I don’t think—I hope—that’s typical, but just bad luck on our part.

 

[CinderellaDreamer]

We stayed there in 2007 and had a wonderful time! I have lots of pictures in my trip report link in my signature.

I really enjoyed the campground area, taking the boat to MK, the fireworks from the beach, the marshmallow roast at the campfire with Chip and Dale, the golf cart, and all of the beautiful trees and wildlife. We liked hanging out on the deck with the kids. They enjoyed looking for lizards. We saw lots of bunnies while we were there.

I thought the bathroom was really spacious. Lots of counter space and room to manuever. My kids loved the bunkbeds. We enjoyed having breakfast and dinner there a few times. It was nice to have room to spread out with a living area and separate rooms for when the kids were asleep.

I would stay there again in a heartbeat. And we didn't even do half of the activities at the campground that we had planned! I still want to go by and see the petting zoo one of these trips.

Best wishes for a magical vacation, where ever you end up staying!

 

[sharadoc]

Hi. Have you been over to the camping section of the board? There is a TON of inforamtion about the cabins and Fort Wilderness in general. It's a wonderful community of people. Going during holiday times looks to be the best! For instance, they have a 4th of July Golf Cart parade, led by a Disney horse wagon and Disney CMs - an official parade! Campers all decorate carts and bikes. There is a great photo thread with this year's parade.

We're considering going next year at Christmas season if we can get a bounceback in January. We'll probably stay in a cabin so we can decorate with lights and a tree, plus cook in the kitchen.

I'm sure a golf cart is a necessity if you want to explore the resort activities. You can park a car right outside your cabin, but you're not allowed to drive it around - just in and out of the main entrance to go to other parks.

 

[disneygal29]

We stayed at the cabins way back when and we loved them. We are planning a trip this June and my DSIL was not concerned at all about where we stayed. She loved the cabins last time and thats saying alot. SHe's kinda picky!! You will like the amout of space and the option to cook or not. We never had any problems with internal or external buses.

 

[parmtoo]

We love Fort Wilderness! We have camped there several times, and have booked at the cabins for Jan. 2-9, 2009. It's very peaceful after a long day at the parks! I say give it a try!!

 

[ConcKahuna]

I started a FW cabin FAQ thread a while back, and a few people posted..

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1900103

 

[lookingforward]

We loved the campgrounds and the activities there, especially the nightime movies and smores! The cabins were okay....here were my concerns: the bedroom has a double bed (I think) and a bunk bed. The lower bunk is very small and a typical teen can't sit up in it (the height). There is a small television in the bedroom. The living room was nice and the murphy bed was surpisingly comfortable, however it took up much of the space when down.

Positives: The golf cart we rented was a blast (expensive), mousekeeping was great, and it was nice to have a kitchen.

It is especially pretty there during the holidays. We would ride our golf cart to the beach at night and watch wishes fireworks. Much fun! The Trailsend buffet was not so great when we were there. The general store was well stocked and fun to visit.

Have a great trip!