Ft. Wilderness Cabins - NOT MODERATE!

[mbanks21]

I think they should offer a discount to those families needing a kitchen for special dietary needs.
I can stay offsite with queen size beds, instead of double beds & a full kitchen for less than what Disney charges for a value resort even with an annual pass discount. (& yes I am talking about one room not a Family suite or 2 rooms)
So for the advantage of a bus we don't use, because we drive & EMH we should pay more? Is there any other advantage to staying onsite?
I don't even find the dining plan the least bit helpful. They charge an extra grand for what? Who spends a grand a week on food? Not only that but I can't take my son to a sit down meal which would mean that 3 of us would get a sit down meal & 3 would have to eat counter service meals. We wouldn't be able to eat as a family.
Sorry but if they want to keep me onsite give me a fridge & at least a microwave or better yet a stove for my $$$. They could at least give us a free snack or continental style breakfast.
The cabins are a great place to stay, but I won't stay there for the amount they are asking.

So then dont use the dining plan. No one is forcing you to. And A LOT of people spend $1000 on a week's worth of food for 3 or 4 people especially if they do a dinner show or character meals. And how will disney know that you have special dietary needs to give you a discount? I hope that was a joke. If they did then EVERYONE would "have" dietary needs and get a discount. Seriously? You want to pay $70/night for a value resort and get a microwave, stove, or a free breakfast? Seriously? Who is forcing you to go to disney?

 

[Hugpug]

IMHO they belong in the Home Away From Home where they fit perfectly for what they are. I love the Cabins and if I could afford them again I be in my glory. They do not belong in the Moderate catagory it is too misleading to the public.

 

[karinlm]

I'm a little confused about the "mobile homes" comment. I believe there used to be some that were actually trailers/mobile homes. Those aren't in use anymore - the ones now are actual cabins.

My family loves the cabins, but I do try to book them with a discount. We just had a passholder rate there last April which was well worth it. There are two tvs, a DVD player, four beds, a sofa and a full kitchen which warrants more $ than a regular moderate resort room. They are more removed from the rest of WDW which for me is a con but my DH and DS love. It is kind of nice to have your own place, park right out front and all.

If you look closely at the cabins, you will see that they really are a type of mobile home / trailer that is just made to look more permanent. We stayed in them back in 2006 and thought they were OK. Yes, it was nice to have our own place but between the quick service restaurant being closed because of the time of year we were there (January) and the fact that the place was pretty dead we sort of felt like we were doing our normal summer camping trips We personally wouldn't stay there again.

 

[momejay]

So then dont use the dining plan. No one is forcing you to. And A LOT of people spend $1000 on a week's worth of food for 3 or 4 people especially if they do a dinner show or character meals. And how will disney know that you have special dietary needs to give you a discount? I hope that was a joke. If they did then EVERYONE would "have" dietary needs and get a discount. Seriously? You want to pay $70/night for a value resort and get a microwave, stove, or a free breakfast? Seriously? Who is forcing you to go to disney?

It is the parks I am going to see, not the inside of a hotel room. I already have reservations. I am staying in a nice resort for $74 a night for a suite. For an extra $18 a night I could have my sheets changed daily, but I am OK with every other day. They provide, if we wanted it, a free continental breakfast. (coffee, frozen donuts & stale bagels, fruit & maybe a yogurt) We have 2 queen size beds in one room, & a king in the other, a full kitchen & a living area.
We have a family of 6 & I still don't spend $1000 a week on food.
With reguard to the special dietary needs, I was kidding about the discount, I agree the NUTS would come out of the woodwork. However, staying onsite has gotten a bit rediculous in price even with AP discounts. As I said, my children can't do sit down meals or dinner shows.
I think that they should make either the cabins or a room for 6 with a kitchen or kitchenette affordable. Seriously! Why should I force my children or my husband to sleep in a separate room? Seriously!

 

[ekatiel]

I'm not sure what kind of dietary needs your kiddos have, but from what I've heard (and let me preface that by saying that this next May will be our first trip to WDW!), WDW does a great job accomadating special diets. This is actaully one of the main reasons we have chosen to go. My ODS is allergic to more than 10 foods, several of them extremely common like wheat and eggs. We have been told that Disney does everything it can to help kids with allergies be able to eat there (even at TS or character meals). If you visit the disABILITIES board, you will find a ton more info. Ok, back to the debate about the cabins. . .

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm sorry, I think I just got confused - isn't WL a deluxe?

An interesting note: SSR is not really a deluxe (this is what we were told by Disney management after we complained about lack of amenities!)

SSR is a Disney Vacation Club resort, not a deluxe resort.

 

[Donna]

You got that right! I think they are way over priced for what they are. I know some people say they cost that much because you can sleep 6, but you can sleep 6 in the All-Star Music Family Suites and have two bathrooms for $184.00 per night, compared to around $250.00 for the cabins. Heck, you can sleep 8 people in two rooms at a value, and have two bathrooms, for about $164.00 per night. That's almost $100.00 more for the cabins and I just don't think they are worth it, at least not for our family of 6.

true, but you don't get a grill, a huge deck, a FULL kitchen and the peace and quiet and gorgeous surroundings that you get at fort wilderness, not to mention a sit down restaurant. the ONLY advantage something like all stars would bring is the two bathrooms. For that at the fort, you have beautiful comfort stations (which are nicer than an all star bathroom-and private) provided at fort wilderness around the various loops. there is absolutely no comparison to an all star property, especially considering the crowds and groups you can run in to at those places.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

true, but you don't get a grill, a huge deck, a FULL kitchen and the peace and quiet and gorgeous surroundings that you get at fort wilderness, not to mention a sit down restaurant. the ONLY advantage something like all stars would bring is the two bathrooms. For that at the fort, you have beautiful comfort stations (which are nicer than an all star bathroom-and private) provided at fort wilderness around the various loops. there is absolutely no comparison to an all star property, especially considering the crowds and groups you can run in to at those places.

Well, if a charcoal grill, a deck, a kitchen (that I would never use because I do not cook on vacation and we're on the dining plan) and all of those glorious surroundings are worth it for you, great! But, they are definitely not worth the extra $1,000.00 it would cost our family to stay there on our next trip. We'll just stick with All-Star movies and all those questionalble crowds (even though we are going mid-December, one of the slowest times of year at Disney) and save our $1,000.00.

 

[karinlm]

I don't even find the dining plan the least bit helpful. They charge an extra grand for what? Who spends a grand a week on food? Not only that but I can't take my son to a sit down meal which would mean that 3 of us would get a sit down meal & 3 would have to eat counter service meals. We wouldn't be able to eat as a family.

Just out of curiosity...why can't you take your son to a sit down meal?

For us the meal plan is more than worth it. We always have done at least one sit down meal a day. Usually it is some sort of buffet/character meal. Right there that is incentive to get it especially for the children rates. We saved all our receipts last year and saved considerably by doing the meal plan vs. paying on our own.

And for what its worth....4 of the people in my familiy have dietary restrictions that require special attention. WDW has gone above and beyond to accomodate us! We just ask for the chef every time and he/she comes out and goes over the menu. Their accomodations are one of the things that keep us going back!!

 

[ang38]

You can not be seriously compairing the All Star family suite with a FW cabin! First off at FW you have all the things the campground brings: a petting zoo, campfire, movies, horses, a place to run around and play, boat transportation to MK, a beach, the ELP every night, boat rentals,a deck to sit on, a full size kitchen, real beds, a bbq grill, no-one next door, on top or below you, etc etc. There is NO comparison of the 2. For the price they charge, it's a steal compaired to what you get at the All Stars! Now to say it's not for you, fine. But not worth the money......I seriously disagree!

You got that right! I think they are way over priced for what they are. I know some people say they cost that much because you can sleep 6, but you can sleep 6 in the All-Star Music Family Suites and have two bathrooms for $184.00 per night, compared to around $250.00 for the cabins. Heck, you can sleep 8 people in two rooms at a value, and have two bathrooms, for about $164.00 per night. That's almost $100.00 more for the cabins and I just don't think they are worth it, at least not for our family of 6.

 

[ang38]

Everyone has their own limits they can spend on vacation. If some-one can't afford or sees no reason to spend what it costs to stay at a cabin or a deluxe or even a moderate, it's their business. If you like the values, kudos to you I know you're not alone. The thing is do NOT state that it's not fair, not right or not worth it for some-one else to NOT stay at a value and love staying at the fort. We each have our own opinions and likes. I for one LOVE the fort even in a rented trailer. I for one would not stay at a value, I don't like them and would rather not go then to stay there. That is MY opinion. I would not tell anyone else not to stay there based on my opinions though. To each his own~~

Well, if a charcoal grill, a deck, a kitchen (that I would never use because I do not cook on vacation and we're on the dining plan) and all of those glorious surroundings are worth it for you, great! But, they are definitely not worth the extra $1,000.00 it would cost our family to stay there on our next trip. We'll just stick with All-Star movies and all those questionalble crowds (even though we are going mid-December, one of the slowest times of year at Disney) and save our $1,000.00.

 

[Donna]

Well, if a charcoal grill, a deck, a kitchen (that I would never use because I do not cook on vacation and we're on the dining plan) and all of those glorious surroundings are worth it for you, great! But, they are definitely not worth the extra $1,000.00 it would cost our family to stay there on our next trip. We'll just stick with All-Star movies and all those questionalble crowds (even though we are going mid-December, one of the slowest times of year at Disney) and save our $1,000.00.

I am used to the "home away from home" mentality i guess. We don't do the parks every day, since we're there for 2 weeks in our RV. I ENJOY making meals, whether it be for a DVC stay or RV stay. I like making disney seem like my home. I've stayed in all the resorts except carib. beach and boardwalk INN; the hotel "feel" is not what we like. We wasted too much food on the dining plan (except my husband, lol). I think it's great disney has all these options for everyone's tastes. I am lucky enough to go often enough that every trip still seems unique to me, staying with friends and/or family, DVC or the fort, they are ALL great!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

You can not be seriously compairing the All Star family suite with a FW cabin! First off at FW you have all the things the campground brings: a petting zoo, campfire, movies, horses, a place to run around and play, boat transportation to MK, a beach, the ELP every night, boat rentals,a deck to sit on, a full size kitchen, real beds, a bbq grill, no-one next door, on top or below you, etc etc. There is NO comparison of the 2. For the price they charge, it's a steal compaired to what you get at the All Stars! Now to say it's not for you, fine. But not worth the money......I seriously disagree!

If you reread any of my three previous posts, I stated in each one that it was not a good deal for MY family. And even after reading your list of "amenities," guess what? I still don't think they would be worth the extra $1,000 bucks it would cost my family of six to stay there. And if you seriously want to think that the Ft. Wilderness Cabins are a "steal" at $255.00 per night, that's fine. We'll just have to agree to disagree on that point.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Everyone has their own limits they can spend on vacation. If some-one can't afford or sees no reason to spend what it costs to stay at a cabin or a deluxe or even a moderate, it's their business. If you like the values, kudos to you I know you're not alone. The thing is do NOT state that it's not fair, not right or not worth it for some-one else to NOT stay at a value and love staying at the fort. We each have our own opinions and likes. I for one LOVE the fort even in a rented trailer. I for one would not stay at a value, I don't like them and would rather not go then to stay there. That is MY opinion. I would not tell anyone else not to stay there based on my opinions though. To each his own~~

Once, again, I think you need to reread my post. I NEVER told anyone don't stay at the cabins. I stated that they are not worth the money to ME. We spend every waking moment in the parks, I do not cook on vacation and we like the dining plan. Therefore the cabins are not good fit for us. And I do think they are over priced. I believe it is still okay to post my opinion here on the DIS that I, personally, think a resort is over priced. Just because you didn't like my opinion or critique of the cabins doesn't mean I don't get to have an opinion. I'm glad you like the cabins. I hope your next trip there is magical!

 

[minnie61650]

I am used to the "home away from home" mentality i guess. We don't do the parks every day, since we're there for 2 weeks in our RV. I ENJOY making meals, whether it be for a DVC stay or RV stay. I like making disney seem like my home. I've stayed in all the resorts except carib. beach and boardwalk INN; the hotel "feel" is not what we like. We wasted too much food on the dining plan (except my husband, lol). I think it's great disney has all these options for everyone's tastes. I am lucky enough to go often enough that every trip still seems unique to me, staying with friends and/or family, DVC or the fort, they are ALL great!

That is why it is nice that WDW has so many choices.
I stayed at FW in our RV in 1976 and it was one of the nicest campgrounds we ever stayed at.

By 1986 we had 4 children and we stayed in one of the FW fleetwood cabins (the old style cabin.)
We liked the cabin but we hated the fact that the cabin loops were so far from the Trading Post and the boat lauch. Back then there were no internal buses. FW did not even have a pool. Some guests had rented golf carts but we did not know about them ahead of time so when we asked about renting one they were all gone.

The only place to eat at the campgrounds was the Trading Post. I do not cook on vacation so we would eat the parks or at the Food and Fun Center in the CR for our quick meals.

Well , after that trip my camping days were over.

We love the All Stars and I think the Family Suites are a great option.

As a mother of 4 (All grown now. My oldest is in her 30's and my youngest is 22) I often wished Disney had more options for larger families.
When the children were younger and we would go to Disney they did not have DVC or the family suites. In fact Disney did not have a Moderate until CBR opened in the late 1980's so if we wanted to stay onsite we either rented 2 rooms at a deluxe or stayed in the cabins.

I wrote to Disney many times over the years asking for more options for families so when I heard they were building the New Family Suites at All Star Music it just made me so happy!

If anyone is interested in more info about the Family Suites which sleep up to 6 you can click on the link in my siggy or feel free to PM me.

Have fun at WDW whever you choose to stay!

 

[Donna]

Once, again, I think you need to reread my post. I NEVER told anyone don't stay at the cabins. I stated that they are not worth the money to ME. We spend every waking moment in the parks, I do not cook on vacation and we like the dining plan. Therefore the cabins are not good fit for us. And I do think they are over priced. I believe it is still okay to post my opinion here on the DIS that I, personally, think a resort is over priced. Just because you didn't like my opinion or critique of the cabins doesn't mean I don't get to have an opinion. I'm glad you like the cabins. I hope your next trip there is magical!

If you do like the parks and spending all your time there, you are exactly right, your needs are definitely better met at the values, as you prefer. Everyone's vacation style is different. We used to commando the parks too but knowing we'll be back has its advantages and we enjoy the slower paced - we're not exactly young anymore either, lol - touring style.
As much as i DO love those cabins - they were my first fort experience - i always thought the price was a little high. I guess they feel justified to charge that much cause Fort Wild. is a vacation destination in and of itself and there you have the Magic Kingdom right across the water. It also makes it nice for people who enjoy the wilderness atmosphere but don't have an RV of their own. One of the BEST things is we can take our dog (see molly below at the fort) with us on our vacation and that saves alot of money too and she really does love being with us!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

If you look closely at the cabins, you will see that they really are a type of mobile home / trailer that is just made to look more permanent.

Ok, I get it now, thanks. Disney has themed them so well, I didn't realize that underneath it's a mobile home. I still like them even if they are far removed from the "action". That's the only drawback for me.

One Halloween night I was sitting at the bus stop near our loop and I was the only soul out there. It was already quite dark, DH had the kids in the cabin and I was going to go to DTD by myself to do some shopping. Then behind me I heard a rustling in the bushes, turned around and could see them moving, very spooky, I knew something was in there but couldn't see what was it was. I was thinking well, at least it's not tall (bushes were 3-4 ft), when all of a sudden an armadillo popped out! He looked as startled as I felt when we came face to face - and then he hightailed it out of there! That's how away from all the crowds you can be in Ft. Wilderness

To each their own, people should stay in a resort that works for them. I think they do offer more than a regular moderate room, more comparable to a family suite and are priced accordingly.

 

[Mary2e]

Heck, I used to only stay at deluxes. The Poly and Beach Club were our main properties. Then we moved on to the Hyatt, since they treated us royally for just about the same price. Concierge services without the concierge price.

We always wanted to stay in a cabin and tried it in January for a weekend. We loved it and felt at home - even though it was too cold to take advantage of alot of the stuff there.

We're going back for a week - at all of $159 per night (AP rate). It's a steal. To each his own. But I see a lot of people looking down their noses at people who enjoy Ft. Wilderness. They shouldn't make assumptions about people - after all, some of those motor homes cost more than houses in some towns

We could easily go back to the Poly for a week but aren't. It's not for the money, it's the comfort and peace and quiet. We still have easy access to the MK.

We were disappointed when the old Disney Institute Townhouses were closed and SSR put in it's place. The cabins are a nice replacement.

FWIW - I wouldn't go before staying in a value. Or I would stay offsite at the Hyatt.

 

[dclfun]

I guess I'm in the minority as we love ALL the resorts and each for different types of vacations. We live nearby, are DVC members, and often take advantage of discounts for short stays at non-DVC properties including the values and mod resorts. My four kids are also grown and now I'm a grandma of an almost-one-year old. We've been coming to Disney since my youngest was born and have driven from a nearby state to get there. I guess my experience is thus more extensive than many..heck, I'm older than many (and maybe even Minnie!). We loved Ft. Wilderness the one time we stayed in a cabin- we were looking for a laid-back feeling during a vacation where family bonding was more important than theme parks, not that you can't have both. It was as far away from the "commando parks mentality" that we'd ever gotten. We decided you could go to Ft. Wilderness as a destination without ever setting foot outside the campgrounds, not know MK existed, and still have a fantastic family vacation. On the other hand if our trip is more for visiting out-of-town family/friends who aren't at WDW to relax then we stay elsewhere and usually a value as we aren't going to be in the room much. We book the larger DVC units when it's our own family now as DVC works for us and we don't have a cash outlay we can't afford. To oversimplify then..."to each his own". Some vacation styles and locations don't work for everyone. I could never be in a small RV- some prefer it. I don't want to pay for a deluxe resort- some love to as it's what they want for their money. Some people don't like DVC- we are still thrilled over our purchase we made 12 years ago. Still, if you haven't tried Ft. Wilderness it's a wonderful option right in the middle of the hustle/bustle of WDW. I'm glad we made some memories there and we'll be back!---Kathy

 

[Donna]

I guess I'm in the minority as we love ALL the resorts and each for different types of vacations. We live nearby, are DVC members, and often take advantage of discounts for short stays at non-DVC properties including the values and mod resorts. My four kids are also grown and now I'm a grandma of an almost-one-year old. We've been coming to Disney since my youngest was born and have driven from a nearby state to get there. I guess my experience is thus more extensive than many..heck, I'm older than many (and maybe even Minnie!). We loved Ft. Wilderness the one time we stayed in a cabin- we were looking for a laid-back feeling during a vacation where family bonding was more important than theme parks, not that you can't have both. It was as far away from the "commando parks mentality" that we'd ever gotten. We decided you could go to Ft. Wilderness as a destination without ever setting foot outside the campgrounds, not know MK existed, and still have a fantastic family vacation. On the other hand if our trip is more for visiting out-of-town family/friends who aren't at WDW to relax then we stay elsewhere and usually a value as we aren't going to be in the room much. We book the larger DVC units when it's our own family now as DVC works for us and we don't have a cash outlay we can't afford. To oversimplify then..."to each his own". Some vacation styles and locations don't work for everyone. I could never be in a small RV- some prefer it. I don't want to pay for a deluxe resort- some love to as it's what they want for their money. Some people don't like DVC- we are still thrilled over our purchase we made 12 years ago. Still, if you haven't tried Ft. Wilderness it's a wonderful option right in the middle of the hustle/bustle of WDW. I'm glad we made some memories there and we'll be back!---Kathy

Very well said Kathy! Except don't forget Skye's dog park at the fort! She loves it there too!