Golf cart or no golf cart - that is the question!

[CJK]

When you stay in Fort Wilderness, how important is it to rent a golf cart? Our friends are staying there and have said they really don't want to drive their car much, if at all. Do you recommend they rent a cart for their entire stay, or just for a couple days? It is pricey (even off-site companies), but if it would make their stay more enjoyable, it may be worth it. They are doing Mickey's backyard bbq, Hoop Dee Doo, etc... There are small children involved, age 2 and 4. Thanks for any insight.

 

[camping]

When we stay at the Fort we usually rent a golf cart. You don't really really needon because there is an internal bus system. The enjoyable part about having the cart is that you don't have to wait for the bus. The cart parking area is closer to the marina were you board the boat than were the bus drops you off. We also enjoy cruising around and looking at how some people decorate the site. They limit people from driving their cars in the campground becasue there is no car parking at the marina or the pool area. Last I knew the cart rental prices were about $50+ a day.

 

[becky1960]

We have been going to WDW for many, many years and never used a golf cart, we have thought about a couple times but the transportation is good enough and several hundred dollars can be used somewhere else.

 

[2goofycampers]

If you're there to do the parks a golf cart is not a necessity. If you're there to relax and enjoy the Fort it becomes more of a necessity. If you're doing both I'd rent a golf cart for part of the trip.

 

[DisneyKenny]

I've spent about 30 weeks at the fort with Siblings, Cousins and now my children of various ages over my lifetime and have never seen the need for them. I feel that most things are within walking distance with a stroller or wagon for the kids. Other people do seem to like them though, there are more each year.

 

[jonimce]

If you're there to do the parks a golf cart is not a necessity. If you're there to relax and enjoy the Fort it becomes more of a necessity. If you're doing both I'd rent a golf cart for part of the trip.

I agree with you. We spend most if not all day everyday in the parks. We rented a cart once, back in 04 and it was over $400. A big waste. But if you plan on spending a few days just hanging out it would be fun.

 

[KristinU]

We just get around on bikes, have never rented a cart and don't really care to...our bikes suit us just fine and seem a lot more nimble than a cart (not to mention, no worrying about charging etc.) Do your friends plan to bring bikes? Do they have seats or trailers or tag-alongs for the kids?

 

[jayhawk74]

Our friends are staying there and have said they really don't want to drive their car much, if at all

If the choice is between driving your own car or getting a golf cart then get the cart. There are many places that a cart can go, such as to the Marina, that a car can't go. My family and I stay at the cabins and always get a golf cart because even though the buses are convenient we like not having to wait on a bus to go within the Fort, we have to do enough waiting once we get to the parks.

 

[ScottFL82]

I have stayed at the campsites before and have not rented the golf cart. I could not justify spending the extra $50 a day, but I was alone. It is definitely convienent and time saving to have the golf cart, because you won't need to wait for the bus to get to the boat dock. If you have a family it may be worth the extra $, and probably be a little more fun

 

[luckycharm19335]

Golfcart!
We bring our own.

 

[retired and happy]

Golf Cart. We also bring our own. We went many times without one, then rented one for a couple of days. Next time it was for a week. Then we bought our own and a trailer to carry it. We use it a lot around the Fort and also use the busses to the Marina and Outpost with our two teens in wheelchairs. We rachet strap car seats on the rear seat and the kids love it.

 

[LynneyPooh]

I vote for the golf cart FW does have an internal bus system, but with little ones I would not want to have to carry them back to my camper at the end of a long day. We drove our cart to the marina or the main bus depot daily. It was nice to hop off 1 bus and onto our cart not having to wait for another bus at the end of a long day. In addition DD loved nightly rides around the fort checking out everyones decorations, etc. Is a cart necessary? Not really. Does it add to your trip? IMHO-yes. Well worth the extra money. Look for a rental off property to save money.

PS The only time we drove our car was to leave property for groceries and church services as we were there for 10+days.

 

[gillenkl]

We usually go in June or August and we always get cart....the heat wipes us out and besides we like looping around.....but it's not a necessity.

 

[tderonne]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned loop selection...

Use of a golfcart also depends on what you will be doing when you're there, and where you are staying.

If your doing parks, and staying in the 100/200 loop, the marina and Pinoeer Hall is a very short walk. If you are just hanging out at the Fort, and you're in the 1400 loop, the pool and campfire area is just a walk away too.

So, what do they have reserved? Partial, full, preferred, premium, cabin?