FW Cabin or AS Music Family Suite?

[phillytwins]

We are going for 4 nights, and FW would be about $200 more for the whole stay. So, if money is NOT an object, would you recommend FW Cabin or ASMu Suite? It is just me, DH and 2 yr old twins. We want a separate room to put the kids down for naps and at night, and give us a little freedom at the end of the day.

I am looking for convenience, and I've read that the FW Cabins have a really convoluted transportation system, and that we'd probably have to rent a golf cart. On the other hand, I'm looking for some Disney atmosphere or activities at the resort -- FW seems to have more of those.

So, if you could help me compare these 2 resorts based on:

Transportation/convenience?
Atmosphere?
Best for preschoolers?
Food?
Value?
Anything else?


THANKS!

 

[disneyfan2]

Haven't stayed at either but i considered both for our trip. The ASMu there are alot of pics and great things about the suites, the bedroom has queen bed and both sleeping areas have separate TVS. You will have a fridge and 2 baths.
The FW will have full cooking priveledges so if you plan on saving some money on food and prepare in room, this might be a better option. As for night activities, FW has the Campfire with Chip and Dale but your twins might be to tired at that age. I would take into consideration getting a Golf cart if you stay here because you will have more walking. You also have access to boat ride to MK. Either way you should be fine.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

The transportation issue can be as easy or as hard as you choose to make it. Cabin loops have bus stops at the entrance to the loop, the internal bus that picks you up at these stops will take you to 1. the Outpost stop for Epcot and AK(I think) 2. The Settlement stop, Pioneer Hall, boat dock for MK and a bus transfer for MGM(again I think) as well as a bus to WL. The internal bus cuts down the amount of traffic in the campground and also shortens the amount of walking you must do. From some of the cabins the walk to Outpost is not any worse than the walk from a Garden room at the CR to the busses or monorail, but because of the internal bus you don't have to walk.
The queen bed at the family suite is nice but all the other beds are fold outs, so they would need to be done up each day. The family suites will also give you 2 bathrooms, but for somepeople 1 bathroom is not a problem. The cabin has a full kitchen, with full size appliances including a dishwasher that mouskeeping will load and run while you are out. The big plus for the cabins is that they are free standing, meaning you don't share walls, floor or ceiling with other rooms. If you have a car you can park at your site and drive to the parks(MK might be easier on the boat).

 

[clkelley]

FW Cabins, you could put them down in the bedroom bunks and still be able to move about the living room, kitchen, outside deck, etc.

All-Star Family Suites, unless you put them in the Master bedroom and moved them later, their sleeping area is in the 'living room', so you would be stuck in the bedroom and wouldn't have access to go outside without passing through their area.

All-Star Family Suites will have better transportation than Ft. Wilderness, but it is not really necessary to rent a golf cart. From the cabins take the Purple bus to Outpost for Epcot, Animal Kingdom, DTD, and the water parks. Take the Purple bus to the Settlement for Magic Kingdom, Studios, Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, Trails End, Hoop De Doo.

If your young ones are easily hyped up, FW Cabins will be a true break from all the stimulation, the All-Star resorts have as much if not more stimulation than the parks do during the day from the large number of guests there.

I have stayed at Values many, many trips, and we love them, and we are experts at avoiding crowded times at the resort, and crowded buses, but do have to stand on the buses at All-Stars on occasion.

I just finished a 2-week stay in the campground portion of Ft. Wilderness and did not stand on a bus the entire two-week stay!!

Let me qualify all of this by saying, I have not stayed in the cabins at Ft. Wilderness, nor have I stayed in the Family Suites at ASMusic, but I have stayed at the campground and ASMusic regular rooms many times.

My comments on the rooms themselves and the cabins themselves, are based purely on the floorplans.

Since we now have a camper, more of our trips will be at Ft. Wilderness, however, I will still stay at a Value for those quick trips where we're just flying in for a few days and will be there to sleep and shower. Ft. Wilderness is a vacation, All-Stars is a high energy hotel!!

 

[Hopefully]

First of all let me say that I have not stayed in the Family Suites, but I have stayed in the Fort Wilderness Cabins with our young ones, and loved it there. You do not "have" to have a golf cart, but it is easier to manuever if you choose. If you are patient the internal bus system will work.
We loved having a separate bedroom and a separate living room. As previously said, in the Cabins you can put the twins down at night and have the Kitchen/Dining Area/Living Area/Deck for you to enjoy. We loved it. In the Family Suite you are restricted to the Bedroom as they would be asleep in the Living Area. We are sure we saved money by eating, at least, breakfast, in the cabin. A benefit to the Family Suites is that there are 2 full bathrooms, but I don't think that will impact your family.
My vote is for the Cabins
Have a Great Trip.