Ft. Wilderness vs All Star Resorts

[Solotreker]

I need opinions! With the promotion that came out today, the cost of staying at an All Star Resort is basically equal to the week we had planned at a Ft. Wilderness campsite. This is just two adults. Is there some factor I should consider when making the choice? I generally stay at Ft. Wilderness simply because I can and it's cheaper. I don't really get too involved in the activities at the campgrounds or have some special affinity for camping, so a cheap motel is fine with me.
My most questionable concern is ease of transportation to and from the parks. Does anyone have some good first hand experience that would help me decide which way to go?

 

[Schneewittchen37]

Until the RV became geriatric, we always stayed at Ft. Wilderness. I miss that place.

The All-Star values aren't nearly as nice as the Fort. It's all long lines and crowded buses. Not good food courts. Basic pools. Noise. Smokers. Uncomfortable beds. You will lose the option of boating to MK or doing the boat and monorail thing for Epcot. And it seems to me the bus lines at the Fort are less crowded for AK and HS. And when you stay at the Fort, it's easy to get to the other MK resorts for a nice dinner. Or watch the Electrical Water Pageant and MK fireworks every night......

At this point, until we get a new RV, I'm only doing moderates and deluxes. (Except I will be staying at Pop for one night before doing a DVC stay in November; our flight lands after midnight, etc.)

Edit: fixing typo

 

[MrsDuck]

If it's between a tent and All Star, I would choose All Star but if it's an RV or a cabin at the Fort, I'd go for the Fort.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

We are 2 adults & we love All Star Sports! I would definitely choose Sports over a campsite but admittedly, I'm not a big camping fan. We really like the food court & have had great bus service during our stays. Also, when you stay at one All Star, you can use the facilities at all 3, so that's 6 pools & 3 food courts to pick from .

 

[Disneypro1]

All stars all day every day!

 

[Solotreker]

Ah, mixed reviews, but great responses and gives me something to think about. I am in an RV, though small. I have also just been informed that I'd be paying for parking at All Stars, so the price differential is increasing. One factor I should have added is that we will be there during the worst crowds of Spring Break! Will have to decide soon!

 

[Nick6300]

So I’m one who grew up at FW. I went at least once a yr since I was 7 through high school with my folks and cousins. I learned how to ride a bike at FW. As an adult, we’ve stayed at various resorts but probably at least a dozen times at All Stars.

I find the buses at AS much more convenient. It is nice to take a boat to MK, but anywhere else it’s several bus rides, a few even within FW, vs the one from AS.

I favor the dining options at FW, Trails End, Hoop Dee Doo Review, the activities, campfire sing a long, nature, some semblance of less crowds/ quiet. And I like our occasional trips at the cabins with extended fam. But I would mostly pick AS, and usually do- for the easier access to parks. Depending on if the trip is more about going on attractions or centered on spending time with family with a few park days sprinkled in.

 

[mamamelody2]

We stayed at All Star Sports last year September. Me, DH, sons aged 15 and 12. We loved it! Bus service was excellent. We waited about 20 minutes ONCE over 9 days. Mostly it was 5 minutes or less. We swam every day and the pool was very nice and not crowded. We ate dinner at the food court a few times and it was very good. Not very crowded at that time of day. Once the parks closed at 10 or 11 that place was really hopping, though!

 

[shocker]

I have tent camped twice at FW & have stayed at each all star (some twice or more) and every level of WDW resort. I'm hyper sensitive to transportation. It is a very high consideration when picking resorts, higher than pools, dining, theme etc.

That said, I find value (pun intended) in picking AS over FW. Here's why:

1) AS is billed as a small room, it is way more square footage than my very large tent.
2) AS offers me my own bathroom, no walking to the CS to shower or in the middle of the night.
3) AS has a/c in my room, necessary at least 8 months out of the year.
4) I can pack a lot less at AS. They provide pillows, sheets, towels, soap, shampoo, lights, outlets, etc.
5) AS offers refrigerators, no coolers or ice needed. Get to keep things cold & eat plenty of meals in my room.
6) AP discounts at AS vs. no discount at an ever rising campsite price have made price a moot point.
7) one bus to get to a park trumps 2 bus or 1 bus/1 boat model every day ( I once waited for an internal bus so long I had to change parks for our day for one that opened later).

That said, I don't dislike FW & I hope to one day make it back there to tent camp or maybe a cabin.

What FW does offer that can't be ignored is:

1) a boat ride over to CR gets you pretty quick access to all the monorail restaurants or boat over to WL for meals.
2) one of the cheapest buffets on property (if you pay OOP).
3) HDDR, I've never done it, but many swear by it
4) the whole camping themed experience, s'mores, nightly campfire w/chip n dale, cooking meals, etc.
5) boating to MK beats a bus ride experience every time


Happy planning!

 

[Ben E N]

If you have an RV, I would vote for camping. The value resorts are plenty nice, but they are busy, and the lines for busses can be quite long.
Considering that it will be one of the busiest weeks of the year, you may appreciate the quiet escape that Ft. Wilderness will offer you.

 

[Solotreker]

More good opinions! One factor I didn't consider is that while I thought the promo made my campsite cost equal to the All Star Resort cost, I forgot to include the $15/day parking fee. Also, If I take my camper as was planned, that might actually be double!

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

We preferred camping at Fort Wilderness to our stay at Pop Century. It is much prettier and more peaceful, and the boat to and from MK is nice. We also spent some time at the resort- it's a very nice place. If you don't care about where you stay at WDW, or about activities or aesthetics, then a value resort is definitely the easier option.