Fort Wilderness perfect compliment to DVC

[MinnesotaChill]

We just returned from 10 nights. Because we had a GV at SSR the five middle nights (Sun-Thurs) for 11 people, it meant we would have to move for the weekends. We have a policy to end each trip with just our little family (THANK GOODNESS!). Since we also arrived earlier than everyone else, the GV didn't make sense for the first three days, so we stayed at POR. I really enjoyed POR, it is very pretty, but it is a hotel room. Made us really appreciate our DVC.

At the end of the trip, I decided we'd go to FW for something totally different. I'd been there 30 years ago and it was one of my favorite memories, so thought my kids would love it. I will admit that as the trip progressed, I wasn't looking forward to it as much, and I was really nervous when we pulled up to what looked like a tiny cabin.

I have to say that we really, really loved it. We spent a whole day just relaxing after the hustle and bustle of the GV and the big group. The GV had gone so well that I really hadn't felt stressed at all, but there was something about all of the grass and trees and rocking chairs at FW that was just so wonderful. We also really enjoyed the boats to MK and found we could easily get to EPCOT by just hopping on the monorail at MK and transferring. We were ready to be done with busses after SSR. We did rent a golf cart for the two days we were there, and even that was really a fun change. I especially loved that I still had a kitchen to use up the extra groceries we had. I didn't make any more meals, but we did eat up odd leftovers like sandwich fixings, hard boiled eggs, etc.

The cabins were very well laid out, cozy and cute. The staff was very relaxed and friendly, as were the other visitors. I think that sometimes people do this when they think about someone camping at Disney, but I have to tell you that many of the motorhomes in there cost more than a large house. And the other guests were honestly the nicest I've ever come across while staying on property.

It was the perfect way to end the trip and a great weekend alternative for us (especially since their calendar there doesn't have them starting the Regular Season until Feb 14, instead of Feb 1 like the other resorts).

 

[brandylouwho]

Glad to hear you had a good time, a Fort Wilderness cabin is on my to do list inthe future, I was happy to hear that someone else out there enjoyed it.

 

[Escape Artist]

Thanks for sharing your story, and I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the Fort so much!

We have an RV (just a little popup tent trailer), so we do it the other way around...we camp for a week or so in the campground and then go to a hotel for the last few nights. We just passed ROFR on a small resale contract so that we can stay at DVC's after camping at WDW from now on!

For those who haven't been any further into FW than the Hoop Dee Doo, it is a very nice campground, one of the top rated ones in the US. Some people come and stay there for several months each year, and some show up in million dollar motorhomes! It's a lot of fun to meet the other campers, and their dogs...there are lots of pets in FW.

The campground is very popular and reservations can be hard to come by. Rumor has it they're even going to upgrade "our" pool. It is a wonderful break from the usual Disney experience.

I wish I could get FW as a home resort!

Sue in Texas

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have the most wonderful memories of staying at FW cabin. The last time was in '91, first trip with whole family, DS's were in their late teens. Most of the extended family stayed at GF, but when the rains came down, we all headed to the cabin and played pinochle. It was our only trip with DDad, and he was a man of his time, quiet and steadfast, but he let his hair down in WDW.

Now, I'm happy to rent bikes and ride around FW. I love the place, too!

Bobbi

 

[disney dumbo]

Great review! Thanks for sharing. Particularly impressive following the GV time!!!

 

[jekjones1558]

DH and I have discussed driving to Orlando and renting a trailer to stay at FW with our DDog, who does not do well when we leave him. I wish that there were a couple of pet friendly cabins to rent, maybe with an extra cleaning fee. I've never stayed at FW but I think it would be a great change of pace.

 

[Duane]

Minnesota, we too stay in the campground for a week and use the DVC as "filler" for our "off times"

I'm glad you enjoyed the campground and that unexplainable sense of peace and quiet that envelopes the place (insert weird music here). Seriously, Ft. Wilderness is one of our most favorite places at WDW (next to SSR).

Don't tell too many folks about the Ft. because they too may want to stay there, then there won't be any space for us....

 

[byoung]

Thanks for the report, we loved staying at the campgrounds.

 

[tjcj]

My 1st trip to WDW (back in 86) was a big 10 day family RV trip to FT Wilderness. The memories of that trip is the reason why I keep going back, and one of the main reasons I ended up buying into DVC.
The best camp ground in the nation, and the "cabins" are one of the best things at WDW. I love the idea of mixing up RV camping at FT W, and DVC. The best of both worlds!!
Now I just need to talk the DW into buying that RV I have been buggin her about...

 

[mommacat56]

Has anyone tried the horseback riding there? I'd love to know what kinds of horses they have. That's on my "to do" list next New Years at OKW!

Giddyup!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We did the horseback riding a few years ago. Everyone saddled up and rode in a line around an area with a dirt road at Ft Wilderness (no cars or buses on this road, just a maintenance road). Took about an hour and it was fun for someone who had never really ridden a horse before.

 

[Beca]

Before DVC, we used to stay exclusively in the "trailers" (now cabins) at FW. We tried the Poly, the Contemporary, and FW....and fell in LOVE with FW!! (Of course, this was back in the 80-90's). When we bought DVC, I really thought we would use points to stay in a cabin...but, then I fell in love with BCV...and, that is the end of that!!

We did the horseback riding once, and thought is was a BLAST. My mom (again, back in the 80's) asked for the absolute slowest horse as she is scared of them. Well....she got it!! This poor ancient horse simply would not go, no matter how hard my mom prodded him. So, she would fall woefully behind the group, and then the CM would ride back and swat the horse across the bottom with riding whip. Well, the horse would take off like mad, and my big chicken mom would scream like crazy!!! Then, the horse would come to a stop, and we would start the ritual over again. When we got to the lake, that was all she wrote for the aging horse. He walked right into the lake up to his shoulders....with my mom on his back!! She was screaming, the CM was cursing, and everyone else was roaring with laughter!! I still remember it as one of my FAVORITE memories of WDW (that, and River Country). My dd (who is 6) rides, and is SO upset that the minimum age for this excursion is 9. I keep telling her, "Some things are just worth waiting for".....now if we can only get "Nana" to go on the trail again!!

 

[Jynohn]

We love the Wilderness cabins, and when we were deciding whether or not to join DVC, one of the main things that held up our decision was the fact that we would miss staying at Fort Wilderness. We usually go to WDW for about 10 days every January, so now we spend the first Friday-Sunday at the cabins, saving the weekend points, before checking in to our DVC resort. Works out perfectly for us!

 

[dismorgh]

We stayed there in one of the cabins this past July, and absolutely loved it! So very relaxing after a day in the parks. Pool was never crowded and only a short walk. Since we own DVC now, I can't see using points for a stay (though I wouldn't rule it out), but I do see us going back there some day.

 

[Deb & Bill]

When we did the trail ride back about 5 years ago, we did not go anywhere near the lake. Tell your mom.

 

[MinnesotaChill]

Since we own DVC now, I can't see using points for a stay (though I wouldn't rule it out), but I do see us going back there some day

That's the beauty of the Fri/Sat night stay at the cabins. We used our annual pass discount and got the cabin for $200/night. Normally I hate the idea of moving for a weekend, but we did it at the end of the trip and it was so relaxing that it will be our new routine.

See, I have this weird (and expensive) need to be on vacation long enough that when we arrive and watch the Weather Channel (which I never watch at home, but am addicted to on vacation) the week-long forecast doesn't cover the end of the trip because we'll be there longer than the forecast goes out! I love to be there on a Saturday for example and to be able to say, "well, we aren't going to CRT (or Kona Cafe or Typhoon Lagoon or whatever) until NEXT weekend." This makes it necessary for me to be able to be flexible with how we use our points!

Drives my husband nuts, but after 14 years he's decided to just give in. Secretly I think he's starting to really enjoy it, as we've found we don't really relax and recover from the pre-vacation workload until several days into the vacation anyway.

 

[Beca]

When we did the trail ride back about 5 years ago, we did not go anywhere near the lake. Tell your mom.

Well, that is good to know!! Unfortunately, I think she is scarred for life!! However, I have to admit that it is one of my FAVORITE childhood memories...she worked SOO hard to keep dry that she raised her legs/feet as high as she could (exhausting her tummy muscles), so when she got out of the lake and off the horse, her legs and feet were dry, but her rear was totally soaked...it looked like she had SERIOUSLY pee'd her pants!! I laughed so hard that I just about pee'd mine!!! We didn't have a golf cart that day, so she had to walk all the way back to our trailer....my sister and I enjoyed that view the whole way back (hey....we were 11 and 13....those things are SOOO funny at that age).

 

[Juliet25]

Has anyone tried the horseback riding there? I'd love to know what kinds of horses they have. That's on my "to do" list next New Years at OKW!

Giddyup!

DD4 did the pony rides last time we were there. It was $4 a ride...a bargain at Disney World! (going rate at home is about $5) Mom or dad got to lead the pony around a trail. I've never stayed at FW, but it was a really nice break to go there for an afternoon. The stables were so clean and the horses were well cared for. There was supposedly a petting zoo, but we didn't see any animals but horses and ponies.

 

[mommacat56]

I keep telling her, "Some things are just worth waiting for".....now if we can only get "Nana" to go on the trail again!!

Beca, thanks so much for the outstanding visual! It put a smile on my face a mile wide. IMO, you will NEVER get her back in the saddle. She probably still has nightmares I'm 50 ish and would love to go riding. Have a couple of horses of my own: a big, beautiful Belgian mare and a Tennessee Walker named King-a-ling. He doesn't do forward well either And he nibbles (aka bites) at any finger or sleeve in snacking distance. But I think I'll try it next time I'm there. Before I get too old!

 

[MBELSANTI]

..it looked like she had SERIOUSLY pee'd her pants!! I laughed so hard that I just about pee'd mine!!! We didn't have a golf cart that day, so she had to walk all the way back to our trailer....my sister and I enjoyed that view the whole way back (hey....we were 11 and 13....those things are SOOO funny at that age).

I am 42 and I almost peed mine reading this!