libbylast,
That other thread about the friends who didn't like the Fort because there was nothing to do after they closed the parks showed how unprepared they were. They chose it, it sounds like, because it slept 5. But it's NOT a hotel <newsflash> like POR that sleeps 5 also. There's a reason that Camping at Disneyworld has its own DIS forum separate from the DIS Resort forum.
Staying at the Fort is a different experience. It's to be savored and not gulped. If you are a theme park kamikaze who is gone from early morning to late at night, the Fort is not for you. That's the mistake the guests made in the other thread. Since most campers come with their own kitchens in their campers, tent folks bring the trusty propane stove or use the grills, and the cabins have beautiful, fully equipped kitchens, round-the-clock food service is not the priority at the Fort.
To your points:
As I said before, a golf cart is an expensive convenience. It's not required. We stayed in the cabins years ago and never needed a cart. People pay for them for their own reasons. Here is the math: with tax, a Disney 4-seater is about $65 a day (no multi-day discount). For a week that's about $550. If you get two to move everyone in the family, that's $1100.
Six seaters are about $85/day with tax. For a week that's about $600.
The Fort is a great place for bicycles. You don't mention how you are arriving (flying? driving?). If you can't bring bikes from home as we do, you can rent bikes from an outside vendor. It's a fun, healthy alternative and the Fort is a wonderful place for bikes. It would also give freedom to you grownups and the older kids to come/go as you pleased. I googled WDW, bicycle, rentals and found this place close to WDW that delivers/picks up and for 2 grown up bikes and 3 kids bikes the cost would be about what one cart is for a week.
http://www.evolvebikes.com/bike-rentals/
You can find other places (you have a year before your trip). The Fort rents bikes but only on a daily basis (must be turned in to the Bike Barn every night).
There are lots of activities for the family (see the Recreation/Movie list posted on the Camping Board each month). Plus we get the light show on the beach nightly, the MK fireworks with the music piped in, and the deer in the mornings before the sun comes up. Turkeys roam around during the day. Plus the occasional armadillo.
If you approach it the right way (and you have a year to read up), it will be a great, relaxing vacation for you. The cabins and the Fort are a big reason why we bought a popup camper and have gone to the Fort almost annually. I like sleeping in my own bed while I'm at WDW.
Bama Ed
