Golf Carts at FW... rent or not?

[hundredacrewood]

I can't imagine how people plan trips to WDW without using these boards... thank you for the information you've already provided... Now, my new question is this... Do you recommend renting a golf cart while camping at FW? It seems that if we were to do so, we'd need to go ahead and reserve the cart now... so I'm wondering if it is something we would definitely use and would be worth the extra expense...
Thanks!
Lisa

 

[becky1960]

We have stayed at FW many times and never rented a golf cart, the internal buses seem to run pretty quickly, about 5 minutes or less last Dec. but they are probaly a little slower in heavy season's. I think $45 a day is quite a bit unless you have mobility problems or possibily real small children.

 

[29bhs]

I would agree, it aint cheap to rent. We see carts parked at the outpost bus stops ,that seem to stay there a long time. But... FT. WILDERNESS is a big place. The cart is part of the fun, if u arent going to be gone all day every day,as we spend time at the fort, enjoy cruising , go when u want, and not wait on a bus. at minimum bring your bikes, or rent them. ENJOY.

 

[We4mickey]

I think it all depends on how much you are going to use the campground itself. We usually rent one, but we also bring bikes because we are always going in different directions. If you are going to have a lot of down time to do things within the campground then I would rent one. You don't have to rent one for the entire time you are there, but if you know you will use it the entire day or two then I would. They are a lot of fun!

 

[auntie]

It would depend on where you are staying..in a campsite loop..or a cabin loop. My opinion is that the cabin loops are a bit more removed from the amenities of the campground. Also in my opinion, the time of year would be a consideration. We rented the cabins in August...and went all of 2 days without a cart before renting one. Didn't like the idea of having to get on a bus just to go to the pool. The cabin pool is in one of the cabin loops but is small and doesn't have a lifeguard either. With two little kids at the time..we were looking to use the main pool, which offered the arcade area and Meadow Trading Post area. We found the carts a GREAT convenience. In the heat and humidity of August..we didn't have bikes, so we think they were very worth the expense at the time.
If I were to be in the camping loops(which I hope to be in October!)..we would be bringing our bikes..and given that particular time of year..I'm not sure if we would have a need for the cart...but they are great fun. I'm sure we will at least rent one for part of our stay, because they are a convenience to be sure..and I think I'd have a good time with one. Also I think they might getting around in the evenings when it's a bit darker..easier. I seem to remember they had lights on them. Since using your car within the campground isn't recommended...it's the internal bus system even to go to Pioneer Hall or the marina area in the evening to enjoy illuminations. Enjoy your trip!

 

[bradisgoofy]

I agree that if you are going to spend a lot of time inside FW the carts are a lot of fun. There is a thread that talks about renting from an outside company that is about half what FW charges. We rented one for our stay in '04 and loved it so much we went out and bought one of our own and will bring it with us in '07.

 

[Paul in TX]

Fort Wilderness was made for bikes--and the internal busses are good---have been to the Fort many times ---can't see the Extra cost---

jmho

Paul

 

[michelle9343]

I agree with We4 mickey It all depends on how much down time you plan on spending at FW. If you are doing camando style park hopping do not waste your money getting one but if you plan on spending days realxing around the Fort they would be money well spent.

 

[loriandmatt]

since we are driving down to tow the camper to FW, we just strap on the bikes and brin them along too, so we have never rented a golf cart.

i would like to thought this year with the baby, bikes and baby hauling don't mix well. but the cost for golf cart rental is pretty high.

i believe that you can rent from an off site place (not disney) but a few years back disney put the breaks on letting offsite companies deliver your cart onto WDW property. if you rent a golf cart from an offsite company, you have to go there and pick it up or meet at a common spot off WDW property. don't know if any off site retal places will also rent you a small trailer to get that cart to FW. (the cost of renting the trailer coupled with the cost of the cart probably makes it just as cheap or cheaper - and a heck of a lot easier to rent righ from disney in the first place.)

- lori

 

[auntie]

I seem to remember that there was a post not so long ago about the company who brings the carts to the parking area...or something along those lines.
Here it is..info from another thread:




For a time there was a big business of commercial cart rental companies delivering rental carts to FW, but Disney no longer allows them to be delivered to the campground. If you have a means to pick them up and transport them yourself, outside rentals are still available. One rental company mentioned often is Golf Cart Enterprises.


A company I was introduced to last year is Golf & Electric Vehicles Group (formerly known as CUSTOM CARRIAGES, INC.) According to their Regional Sales Manager (they have 5 locations around Florida) they have 2 passenger, 4 passenger and 6 passenger golf cars available for rental. Additionally, they offer gas and electric vehicles, although electric is preferable due to less noise and pollution. Rental rates are less than FW but you have to factor in a pickup and delivery charge of $50 roundtrip. They will deliver the vehicle to FW, coordinated in advance. Also, a rental agreement must be signed and faxed to them before delivery can be made. Payment by check or cash due upon delivery of vehicles. On my last trip to Fort Wilderness I tried out their services. On the appointed day they road up to my site in the cart and the day were were leaving they picked it up at the site. The down side to their services is that they do not pick up or deliver on the weekends. But, if you are staying for a couple of weeks and want a cart you can save money this way.


Other sources of carts in Orlando include:
EZGO 407-847-3444
Yamaha Factory Outlet 407-847-5019
Orlando Golf Carts 407-426-9727
__________________
Fort Wilderness Fun Facts and Information


Natasha's Camping Site

 

[JAM'S MOM]

We stayed for one week and visited the parks for 4 of the days. On the days that we planned to stay at "the Fort", we rented the cart for that specific day. On our arrival day, the golf cart came in very handy as I had to make a trip to pick up a modem for the computer connection, do a little grocery shopping, bring the kids to the pool, get over to Trails End for dinner, and finally (and most useful) bring our very sleepy children from the movies back to our site. We returned the cart the next day and walked to the bus stop to take us to the park. One day, I used the odometer to track how many miles I would have walked if not for the cart. I had driven 9 miles!

I agree it is expensive but with all the walking we do at the parks, it was a worthwhile luxury and it saved my feet for the extra walking for the extra magic hours!

 

[Mickster]

I have 2 kids (DS age 5 and DD age 2). When we were camping in the 1400 loop in Feb, we rented a cart for only 1 day. It is still something they both talk about. Only renting it one day made it special and it was totally worth the money. It was a day we didn't go to the parks; it was our hang out and go to the pool day. We also had bikes for quick trips to Trails End or for some shopping. I think that as a special treat, it is worth it but every day might be too much (money and a good thing).

 

[adisneylife4me]

To us, it was worth renting. There's nothing like returning from MK after a long hot day and having the cart just waiting there for you. . . call it lazy, but it was really nice not to have to hoof it back to the camper!

 

[Cinderellie]

We arrived at Fort Wilderness on Sunday April 23rd. After checking in & setting up our pop-up trailer, my hubby wanted to immediately go & rent a golf cart. It was over 90 degrees. We are not lazy people. We are used to walking. It is just that he sweats thinking about cutting the grass, & walking anywhere in the heat was not his idea of a good time. I said I was ok with renting it if he thought we needed it, but how often would we use it & was it a good use of our money? We had a little conversation. I think we agreed to wait & see if we needed it, then we'd go get one. Well, we were so close to the bus stop & comfort stations that it would have been ridiculous to take the golf cart there. We went to the four Theme Parks Monday thru Thursday. We left our site between 7 & 9am and were never back before 10pm (except a quick shower & change one day before the Hoop Dee Doo Revu). Friday morning we had the sad task of packing up & going home (all good things must come to an end). Now tell me, when would we have used the golf cart? For us, a golf cart would have been the most insane waste of money I can think of. It really does depend on how much time you are spending at Fort Wilderness verses the Parks. The transportation system to get around is great. (eg. to go to the Outpost & Settlement) I'd say if you haven't been before, don't get one until you see that you need it or will really use & enjoy it.

 

[Liz]

This is a great thread about the golf carts! If you do rent one, is it for a 24 hour period? Like if you rent it at 5 PM one day can you keep it till 5 PM the next day? Is it ever likely you'd want to rent a cart and none were available? We are going the week before Christmas.

Anyone know what hours the place to rent them are open?

Thanks!

 

[Disney Campers]

Is it ever likely you'd want to rent a cart and none were available

99.99 % of the time you will not get a cart unless you have a reservation - especially on weekends. if any chance you want one make a reservation.

If you do rent one, is it for a 24 hour period

Out at 1 pm back at 11 am

 

[Liz]

Thanks for the info! When you make a reservation do you have to give a credit card to hold it? What if you reserve a cart and then decide you don't need it? Is there a penalty?

 

[snjmorrison]

I just recently reserved a golf cart. You have to cancel within a certain time (maybe 48 hrs), and there won't be a penalty. I am still trying to decide if I want one. I noticed the another post said they were close to everything. When can you find out where you will be? I don't like the idea of waiting for transportation twice. We were also considering purchasing one to bring and have for other campgrounds, but we don't have a way of getting it there. I'm still undecided, but I do have one reserved.

 

[ChristusG]

Using the golf carts is one of the funnest parts of FW, in my opinion! I always look forward to it. We dont rent one the whole time we are there.....too expensive.....but usually a day or two.

 

[MrIcemaker]

We rented one last year for our entire trip, and reserved another for our trip in June. Yes it is expensive, but it was worth it.....