Fort Wilderness Cabins

[MareSINY]

So I've been thinking about planning a trip for my entire family (7 adults, 4 kids) for my dads 70th birthday in June. I'm trying to figure out the best way to go. In the past we've rented vacation villa's when we went, but I'm considering doing something on site. I first figured the cheapest route would be 3 rooms at one of the value resorts, but now I'm considering two cabins at FW.

Does anyone have any info or pics on the cabins at FW? How big are they? They say they can sleep 6, but can they sleep 6 comfortably? I'm assuming it's a 1 bedroom cabin with two doubles and a pull out, is that correct? We could always put the adults in the beds and the kids in the pullout, but I don't honestly know if my dad would be comfortable sharing a cabin with his DIL.

What do you guys think?

Thanks for the help!

Mary Ellen

 

[TLinden16]

Welcome to the DIS, MareSNY!

The cabins are indeed one bedroom. They have a double bed and bunk beds in the bedroom and I believe a muphy bed (pull down from the wall) in the living room. The murphy beds are more comfortable than a pull out couch.

I will say that in my opinion, you really need a car at Fort Wilderness. The transporation just isn't nearly as good here as it is at the other resorts. When I stayed there, it required a transfer to get anywhere--either two buses or a bus and a boat. I'm not sure if they changed that--maybe someone else can confirm--but I found the transporation extremely frustrating. We used our car most of the time.

 

[Leota]

We have slept 5 comfortably in the Cabins (DH, DS & I in the bedroom, My Parents in the Living Room)

We stayed in the cabins the first 3 WDW trips we made. We loved them. They are roomy & comfortable. We liked having the kitchen convienece, esp. when DS was younger & had food issues. DH & I like having a seperate room to hang out in after DS was asleep. DS liked all the activities that FW offered, while DH & I appreciated it's Quiet, Cool Peacefulness after a days bustling in the Parks.

I know alot of people complain about the transportation, but I really didn't find it at all unreasonable. You do have to take an internal bus to the main bus stops or to the marina unless you have a golf cart - there you take a bus or a boat (to MK) just like any other resort.The boat launch from FW to MK is fantastic. It's one of those things that says "Welcome Home" to me.
I just got back from POFQ & the bus picks you up there, then makes 4 stops around POR - To me, that was no different timewise than a FW bus. Ditto with when we stay at the Dolphin & the bus stops at BW, Swan then Dolphin. I am one who doesn't drive on vacation tho, I like a break from that hassle, so all transpo where I don't have to drive, park, find my car again is good. It all depends on your personality, I think.

IMHO, The Fort Wilderness Cabins are about the Best Deal you can get in WDW accomodations. They are an overlooked & underestimated Gem.

 

[Leota]

The Cabins are Camping? I'm confused..... they sure didn't feel like Camping when I was there.....

 

[MELSMICE]

The cabins are great & FW is awesome. It's very relaxing and there is really a lot to do there. We usually have a car, but still use their transportation at times & don't have any problem with it. To do things internally within FW you must use their transportation, walk or rent a golf cart. You can only park your car at your cabin or at the front entrance.

While the cabins are wonderful, with 11 people in your party, I'm wondering if you've checked into renting points from a DVC owner. What is the make up of your party? (ages, relation, etc). You can rent a Grand Villa at OKW or the BWV that will sleep 12. You could also get 2 or 3 different sets of accommodations - they have:

Studio: sleeps 4 - 2 queens; one bath; kitchenette

One BR: sleeps 4 - king bed & pull out; one glamour bath; washer/dryer; full kitchen

Two BR: sleeps 8 - 2 queens/one king/pull out; 2 baths (1 glamour); washer/dryer; full kitchen

Grand Villa: sleeps 12 - 3 bedrooms; 3 baths (I think); full kitchen; washer/dryer

There are 2 differences in renting points from a DVC owner. 1 - no tax on the room. 2 - no daily maid service - you get trash & tidy every 4 days.

This may be something you want to check into. Good luck with your decision.

 

[MareSINY]

Thanks to everyone for your help, and sorry for posting in the wrong place (not sure where I posted this, thought it was in the Resorts folder, see what happens when I post when I first wake up in the morning? LOL)

I'm going in 11 days (woohoo!!) with my sister and 2 nieces, so I think we'll take a trip over from the Contemporary and check out FW to see what the layout is like. At this point I'm keeping my options open, I also thought about renting points. I'm trying to come up with the most cost effective way possible to do this.

The eleven people in my party would be: Me (36), Dad (70), Brother (41), Sisters (40 & 33), BIL (40), SIL (36), Nephews (10 & 3) and Nieces (5 & 3).

My dad is honestly my biggest concern, he has trouble walking long distances and standing for long periods of time. In the parks we rent him one of those ECV's, so I thought we could rent a golf cart for him for the week, so he could get around easier. I just think all the extras they offer at FW would be a lot of fun, the camp fire sing along and movie nights, as well as the petting zoo and pony rides. I think the kids would love that, and my dad is a fan of cabins, he goes up to Lake George to a friends cabin every year. He definitely appreciates the great outdoors. LOL

Thanks again for your help, keep the advice coming! LOL

Mary Ellen

 

[SamRoc]

The cabins are great and we are actually staying there in October, but for when my Dad came with us to Disney last Easter, we stayed in Old Key West in a Grand Villa. They gave us a wheel chair for him (if he needed to use it) at the front desk, and our room was right across from the reservation and restaurant area. We were in an elevator building so there were no steps for him to climb. He can walk but not for really long distances. He had the first floor bedroom in the grand villa with the handicap bathroom, it worked out great for all of us.

 

[Grumpy92]

Here is a site with lots of FW pictures. http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_ftw.htm

A few years ago we did a family reunion there with three of the cabins. Everyone loved it. Those who wanted to save $$ ate in the cabin others went out to eat. The kids loved the who resort. At the time my father had a rough time walking long distances. We just had it noted on our reservation and sent in a fax about three days prior to our arrival and requested the cabins be at the end of the loop and close to the bus stop. The FD was great and we also had a golf cart.

 

[MareSINY]

Thanks Grumpy, I had actually looked at the pictures earlier today at the Allearsnet site. That gave me a better idea of what to expect of the cabins. I'm really strongly leaning towards this idea, I just now have to decide if I really want to fork out this kind of money to take the entire family on vacation. LOL Do I really want to be THAT generous? LOL

Thanks again to everyone for your help!