We've done both. If you are not an "up to the second" commando planner, you'll be fine. The internal buses run every 10 or 15 minutes TOPS. Any internal bus will take you to the front "Outpost" for buses to the parks or DTD, or to the "Settlement" at the other end for the boat to MK, Trail's End, and the beach. Every bus stops at the "Meadows" which is in the middle and is where the main pool and campfire are.
I don't think it takes any longer at the Fort than it does to get to a park bus at the larger resorts. Depending on where you stay at BWV for example, it can take 15 minutes to walk to the bus stop. So instead of walking for 15 minutes, you're on a nice air-conditioned bus
Or if you're at a resort like POR and get on the bus, and have 4 stops around the resort, then onto a park, it's the same at the Fort, only you're doing two buses instead of one.
Hope I made sense! Honestly, if you're staying at Fort Wilderness, you should take the time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. Taking the bus is just part of that laid-back feeling.
I read your PTR too! I suggest loop 2500. There's a bus stop right there, and it's next to the cabin pool which has a hot tub and the laundry room. Very easy to just walk over and hang at the pool, no bus required.
One more suggestion, bring a couple of those small LED flashlights in your pocket for nighttime. When walking around at night, it's not very bright in the cabin loops and walking can feel a little scary if you can't see where your feet are going. Especially when you get off the bright bus, your eyes don't adjust immediately.
We love the Fort above all other resorts. Have a great trip!
