FW Cabin Info

[MommySiobhan]

Experiences with FW cabins? Good and the bad?

What transportation do you use from the Cabins to get to the parks?

What is the pool like?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Elmo888]

FW has buses to go to most parks (shared with WL sometimes). There is a boat from FW to MK.

Check out the Camping board for more info on the cabins...

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24

Enjoy!

 

[eliza61]

Our first two stays at Disney we stayed at Ft. Wilderness. We loved them. They extra space is great and even though I don't cook a lot on vacation, I loved having a full size refrigerator available. We enjoyed the easy access to MK. The pools are really not themed, they are regular rectangle pools, but they were huge and never ever crowded so my sons love it. We always requested a loop near the settlement depot so we never really had a problem with the internal buses.

 

[chaoscent]

I'm a brat, I hate buses and we always rent a car when we go to WDW and we normally stay on grounds. We did use the internal buses to take us down to the boats that took us to MK. I loved the cabins when we stayed there. I now own DVC so use that instead. The only problem I found with the cabins was the bed in the bedroom. It's a full and DH & I are used to a King. I am not easy to sleep with and forced him out (when I was asleep ) more than once that trip. He slept on the bunk beds and said they weren't that comfortable. My nephew and his wife slept in the trundle bed and said it was very comfortable. It was nice getting up in the morning, making my coffee and taking my pins out on the porch to sort them out. I am up very early (5:30/6:30) and everyone one else slept in until 8 or so. I loved that early time to myself. Having the kitchen saved money for sodas and breakfast. Penny

 

[katdocnorf]

We rented a golf cart for the last 2 days we were there last trip and that made things a lot easier, but golf carts are $50 per day, hence why we did not get one the whole trip. Buses really were not a problem though, just give yourself a little extra time then you would normally at any other resort.

As for pool, I noticed a lot of people sneaking over to Wilderness Lodge for pool. But we were just fine using the pools, kids still had a good time in them and the majority of the time they were not crowded.

We used the kitchen almost the whole trip this last time. I planned it that way since I had stayed there before. The cabins have a grill at each one to use also, so after we arrived there we drove to Walmart and got some meats and other items that would not hold up in the cooler (we drove) and we cooked on the grill a couple of nights. I baked 2 big pans of ziti the first night also so that it could just be warmed up and saved me from doing full cooking some of the nights... We also got one of those tent canopies and put that over the porch for those really sunny mornings and afternoons (if we happened to be there). ---WE WENT IN AUGUST SO IT WAS PRETTY HOT--- It was great... I would stay there again....

 

[alicenwonder99]

We really LOVED the cabins! Staying at FW is so much more relaxing. We didn't rent a golf cart, so we had to rely on the buses for everything (except for the few times we drove to the parks).

Ask for a cabin 2 or 3 into the loop. Everyone on the camping boards recommend to do this, and we didn't. Well, we were at the farthest cabin from the loop. With 2 little kids, it was a LOONG walk to the bus stop. And carrying a sleeping preschooler back from a long day at the park was very hard.

Anyone, I timed it one morning going to MK. I timed it from the moment we walked out our cabin door, until we got to the turnstyle at MK. It was one hour. And we were there at a slow season.

We didn't swim at the pools, but they are nothing special.

The campfire is very fun and the wagon ride was very fun!!

Everyone needs to stay at FW at least once.

HTH

 

[Hopefully]

We loved the FW Cabins for our family of 5. The kids had the bedroom and it was perfect. The Murphy bed in the LR was perfect for DH and I. I never cooked a full meal, but I loved having the kitchen and full size refrigerator. We did bring pizza back to the Cabin one night.
It is beautiful, peaceful yet there is plenty to do. I love the atmosphere.
We watched the EWP from the beach and that was fun.
The pools are fine, IMO. They are large rectangular pools and were never really crowded.
The internal bus system is the only drawback. It does add time to your travels. The boat to the MK is lots of fun. We rented a Golf Cart and it was almost like an attraction unot itself.
Have a Great Trip.

 

[ElizabethB]

We didn't like the cabins. The whole internal bus thing is a pain. We rented a golf cart, but $50 per day for one is ridiculous. A rental car costs $30! There are no dining options other than a so-so buffet and pizza. But, our biggest complaint was the transportation. To go to MK, for example, you have to take an internal bus (or drive your golf cart) to the main area, then catch a boat. We thought staying off-site was more convenient.

 

[MommySiobhan]

Thanks for the info so far...

We will be driving so instead of bussing to the boat, is there parking if you drive yourself?

 

[Hopefully]

There is not parking within the campground. You are able to park at your campsite only, and I think there are a few 15 minute spots near the Trading Posts. But there is no where to park to say, catch the boat to the MK.

 

[krbq]

There is not parking within the campground. You are able to park at your campsite only, and I think there are a few 15 minute spots near the Trading Posts. But there is no where to park to say, catch the boat to the MK.

If you rent a golf cart, is there a place to park it near the dock while you take the boat to the MK? Is it safe to leave it there for that long?

 

[kaybird]

There is parking for the golf carts up near the boat dock. We have stayed in the Cabins a number of times and never have rented a cart. Unlike some, we find the internal buses very convenient, and love the boat ride to MK. The cabins are terrific, quiet, and a nice break from the hubbub of the day. The movies in the settlement are a lot of fun, and always love our stays there.

 

[TinaLala22]

We never rented a cabin - want to though. However we have stayed at FW in our trailer...definitely rent a golf cart before you go. The pool is very average for a campground location. The carts can be parked at the dock, there's an area for them, but don't leave anything in them.

Big place, wished we had rented a golf cart because it's a long walk to the pool, to the dock for the boat, to the Trailside restaurant (which is excellent for breakfast or dinner.

 

[rie'smom]

We always stayed at FW when our kids were younger but we also rented a car. Even today, no matter where we stay, we rent a car-I dislike waiting for a bus whether at FW or the GF. My kids absolutely loved FW as did my DH and me. If you stay, don't forget the sing-a-long with Chip and Dale at the Trading Post.Here's the layout of the cabins:

 

[Deb & Bill]

It's my understanding that you will sign something when you arrive that says you understand that you are not permitted to use the Wilderness Lodge pools. The WL is not a sister resort to Fort Wilderness.

 

[IATink]

We are also considering staying in the cabins, and we always like to rent a car. Is it okay to drive from your site to the parks, or do you have to park your car at the outpost?

My parents have stayed at the campground before so I am familiar with how long it can take with the busses. We have waited a long time to catch the bus back from a park. Although I really like taking the ferry from MK.

We would love to stay at the cabins, but are concerned about being able to drive to and from the parks.

 

[krbq]

We always stayed at FW when our kids were younger but we also rented a car. Even today, no matter where we stay, we rent a car-I dislike waiting for a bus whether at FW or the GF. My kids absolutely loved FW as did my DH and me. If you stay, don't forget the sing-a-long with Chip and Dale at the Trading Post.Here's the layout of the cabins:

Thanks for posting the floor plan. What is that in the closet between the kitchen and bathroom -- a washer & dryer?

We stayed in a cabin in 1998 but I don't recall having a washer & dryer. We liked it and fortunately had a rental car, which we used for getting to and from the parks. Once we took the bus to the dock and the boat to the MK. I remember DH was very put out with our surly bus driver on the return trip. The only other negative I recall was that our neighbors decided to sing a camp song loudly on their deck at 7:30 in the morning (it's funny now but at the time DH was NOT amused).

 

[Buzz2001]

We stayed there back in 2000. We enjoy the cabin but weren't crazy about the pool or transportation. Trail Ends Buffet was a bargain too.

Check out this website. http://home.hiwaay.net/~jlspence/faq_fw.htm

 

[rie'smom]

Thanks for posting the floor plan. What is that in the closet between the kitchen and bathroom -- a washer & dryer?

We stayed in a cabin in 1998 but I don't recall having a washer & dryer. We liked it and fortunately had a rental car, which we used for getting to and from the parks. Once we took the bus to the dock and the boat to the MK. I remember DH was very put out with our surly bus driver on the return trip. The only other negative I recall was that our neighbors decided to sing a camp song loudly on their deck at 7:30 in the morning (it's funny now but at the time DH was NOT amused).

It looks like a make up area. I'm not sure because it's been awhile since we've stayed at FW. It may be a w/d. Last time we were there, the w/d were in a separate building. You could call 407-824-2900. This is the FW desk number.

 

[ticktock]

Thanks for posting the floor plan. What is that in the closet between the kitchen and bathroom -- a washer & dryer?

We stayed in a cabin in 1998 but I don't recall having a washer & dryer. We liked it and fortunately had a rental car, which we used for getting to and from the parks. Once we took the bus to the dock and the boat to the MK. I remember DH was very put out with our surly bus driver on the return trip. The only other negative I recall was that our neighbors decided to sing a camp song loudly on their deck at 7:30 in the morning (it's funny now but at the time DH was NOT amused).

That is where the A/C, heater, and vacuum cleaner are stored. We love the cabins for a longish stay, but I wouldn't stay there without a car. Even with a golf cart the buses seem to take longer than alot of other resorts. JMHO, have a great trip.