Help talk me into the cabins !

[dismom57]

We always stay in the Cabins, our DS20 is in a wheelchair. The buses are not a problem and in fact one of our favorite "rides", we are not in a position to use the golf carts. And honestly I don't think they are necessary. The roll in shower cabins are in loop 2500 and 2800 fairly close to the quiet pool and laundry (10 minute walk). I love the space and quiet, another possible option would be family suites where you would have two bathrooms. The buses come about every ten minutes, and it only takes about 10 minutes to go from one end to the other of the campgrounds. The ferry to MK cannot be beat, fully WC accessible. It is a ten minute walk from the boat, Trail's End and HDDR to the main pool, there is Chip and Dale's campfire (mmmm marshmallows). I will admit there is an easy way and a hard way into the campfire with a wheelchair. The full kitchen is great, coffee pot, convection oven, microwave, toaster, full fridge (with ice maker), charcoal barbecue on a full deck with picnic table........ PS I love the Cabins.

 

[4077]

Ouch.

Just thought I would offer a perspective the OP might not have considered in terms of mobility.

My apologies if I've offended you or offered the wrong opinion.

Yeah....so hard to pick out emotions in among typing, but I believe he was responding with humorous/mock offense....don't get me wrong...he was defending his love of Fort, but I think the "defensive" attitude was in jest Opinions for or against are welcome here....so long as everyone is respectful (and so long as "mock" being taken aback is something you can handle

 

[tobikaye]

OP: I have stayed in the HA cabins with my sister and parents. My sister does better with a roll-in shower and usually has a mobility aid, or two, with her. They were great and I love staying at FW, but I do think it might be crowded with 6 adult sized individuals. Since my sister was using her rollator that trip, we just held it when using the golf cart. We drove to all the parks except for MK since it was just faster and easier.

Here is a link to my pictures of FW, including a HA cabin.

https://tobikaye.smugmug.com/AllThingsDisney/FW-Campground-May-8-14-2010

Note 1: This was before the remodel, so some differences, but the size of the hallway and bathroom should basically be the same.

Note 2: Any dirt roads were actually off the beaten path as I walked from FW to WL along the dirt path by the lake. From what I understand this is now not open due to the construction at WL.

 

[Westcoastwild]

Don't worry. I don't think you offended anyone. We're are use to getting beat up on the other forums. Some of us get amused with the comments about hicks, barefoot/backwards, "campers" (as if it's a bad thing), "can't afford a real resort" and lots of others.

We know they all come from an uninformed perspective.

To the OP, I'll agree with others. The Fort may not be your best option. It definitely feels different than staying at "hotel" type property. The size can be a deal. Depending on what you want to do, where you end up and your expectations, transportation can be frustrating. The best way to deal with it is plan on an hour to get anywhere outside the Fort. It will usually be less than that, but then it's a bonus. There aren't many places to eat since most of us bring our kitchens and our own food. If you plan on a dining plan or eating at table service places, the Fort doesn't make that as easy as the places without kitchens.

I have stayed at Saratoga Springs and Caribbean Beach Club. CBR was just for a day when I was racing at Daytona. Transportation from SSR was about the same, time wise, as getting places from the Fort. It seemed to take a long time to get anywhere except Disney Springs. The difference at the Fort being taking 2 buses or needing a cart to avoid the internal buses. The Fort has the boats to MK and the monorail (via a resort launch to the Contemporary) that most other resorts don't have. I did like having more places to eat when I stayed at SSR/CBR, but at SSR, it was a 10 minute walk or a bus ride AND the waits were ridiculous. It was spring break when I was at SSR, although it was the same at CBR in January.

Bottom line. The Fort is a luxury campground for those of us that enjoy a relaxed, open, pampered camping experience. This is intended to be different than staying at a "hotel" resort. The cabins allow people to join the atmosphere without a large investment. (Yes, cabins are priced as Moderates, but I have over $100,000 in my truck and 5th wheel. Apples vs caviar.) If the atmosphere of a really nice campground within the WDW bubble isn't your idea of "being on property", there are plenty of "hotel/condo" style options that will give you buses to wait for, lines at the CS eateries and LOTS of people that don't say "Hi" or wave when you walk past.

j

I think this says it all. I loved the fort, and I don't really understand the folks who complain about the internal buses. I never waited longer than 10 minutes, I think. I was a little worried about not having a golf cart, but in reality the only thing I would have used for is cruising to see folks' set ups.

The only thing I'd say, is that my mother does sometimes travel with her wheelchair and had she been with me, going to the pool would have been a big hassle, so if your daughter likes to swim, I wouldn't do the fort.

Lastly- I think as the above poster said, you do have to enjoy campgrounds. It's a glorious campground. I prefer campgrounds over budget hotels. But I've got family who would go in hating FW just because it was a campground, and they wouldn't change their minds...so if you are like that, I wouldn't do a cabin.

 

[PatMcDuck]

I have the Fort booked in October this year, I am a little nervous too. But I am determined to try it at least once, and this is the year. i think I will miss having QS and convenient drink filling stations most. I do not even want to deal with the internal bus thing, we will drive to most parks except MK, and we have a golf cart. DS uses a convaid chair, but can walk, so we will manage.

I love Art of A. And all the other resorts, and we own BCV DVC. My guess is that i will not want to stay at FW again, but I think DH will love it (he loves real camping,was a boy scout leader for a long time too). We have one night first at the Poly, and will hang out there, swim, and chill out, then over to FW cabin for 6 nights.

 

[Teamubr]

My guess is that i will not want to stay at FW again, but I think DH will love it (he loves real camping,was a boy scout leader for a long time too).

I'm sure DH will appreciate you giving the Fort a chance. I'm an old Eagle Scout and Cub Scout leader. DH will love the place.

j

 

[FtW Mike]

I have the Fort booked in October this year, I am a little nervous too. But I am determined to try it at least once, and this is the year. i think I will miss having QS and convenient drink filling stations most. I do not even want to deal with the internal bus thing, we will drive to most parks except MK, and we have a golf cart. DS uses a convaid chair, but can walk, so we will manage.

I love Art of A. And all the other resorts, and we own BCV DVC. My guess is that i will not want to stay at FW again, but I think DH will love it (he loves real camping,was a boy scout leader for a long time too). We have one night first at the Poly, and will hang out there, swim, and chill out, then over to FW cabin for 6 nights.

Pat Reading your post above I can't help but think back to the story of my ex's cousin who is the one that got me to try the FORT. She and her family where going with another couple that had been previously. She was skeptical at best about staying in a trailer (This was back in 86 long before change over to current CABIN styling. When they got back she raved about the FORT. Her entire attitude changed she claimed when upon entering the first thing she saw was a FARBEREWARE coffee maker.
Three years ago on my wifes second visit we spent the first week at AKL and all my wife wanted to do was go to The FORT. Give it a real chance and see what happens

 

[mamabunny]

We will be there later this week! Our first stay at the Cabins; I am so very excited! I have to have an HA Cabin, so from what I have gathered, we will probably be in 2800 or maybe 2500? This is truly a "bucket list" moment for me; I have wanted to stay at the Cabins for years and years!

One question... We are driving in from the Flyover States, so will be coming east across the Florida Panhandle, then south on the Toll Road. I haven't driven at WDW since 2004 (we typically fly in) so I am feeling a bit... lost! LOL Any advice regarding best way to FW would be really appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[tiggerdad]

So I assume you're coming in on Hwy 429. In this case take a left on Western Way. This will bring you into Disney through a welcome arch to an intersection at Buena Vista Drive. Take a left on Buena Vista Drive and follow it until it crosses over World Drive and you will take an immediate left when you cross over the four lane which will merge you going north on World Drive. Follow World Drive until you come to the Magic Kingdom booths. Here you want to be in the second from the right lane. The far right lane is for buses only, you want to be in the lane closest to it. As soon as you go through the booth get in the far right lane and take a right on Vista Blvd which will take you under the monorail and lead directly to FW.

Here's some pics from Google Earth

This pic shows coming in off 429 onto Western Way


This picture is a closer view showing the World Drive, through the MK entry area and onto Vista Blvd

 

[Teamubr]

What Tiggerdad said! Maps give the impression taking the toll road to I-4 is a better route. Definitely take "Western Way" US 429. It is also a toll road, but is MUCH better than fighting the traffic getting onto I-4 and then trying to make your way to the WDW exits.

j

 

[mamabunny]

Thank you all SO MUCH! We are so excited - we have always heard that the Ft. Wilderness Campers are some of the nicest folks you will ever meet at Disney World - y'all just helped prove that!

@tiggerdad, those maps are *exactly* what I needed!

 

[tiggerdad]

Glad to help

 

[bama_ed]

Glad to help

You da man!

 

[sharadoc]

We love the Fort. We don't consider the internal bus ride longer than the bus loops at the larger mods like POR or Caribbean Beach with multiple stops, or even the walk from your room at a deluxe to a bus stop (especially Boardwalk Villas lol).

Because you have 5, your choices are limited, but you can fit in an OKW 1 br or AKL 1 br. It's about $100 more per night. Those are great choices.

 

[lynzi2004]

My vote is No, don't do it! If you all aren't really big camper people and if your not planning on spending lots of downtime at the fort, I don't think its worth it. We've tent camped before and loved it! But transportation was a huge aggravation for us as we didn't rent a golf cart and had 2 kids in strollers. We are going back in February and are booked at the Fort. But as much as I loved it last time, I am actually looking at hotels just bc we are planning on going commando this trip and I don't think we will have quite as much time to enjoy the offerings of the fort as we did last time.

I would look into renting DVC points with the number of people in your party.

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

The very best benefit of the cabins is being able to park right outside your door. You can't do that at the other resorts.

 

[Marissa227]

The very best benefit of the cabins is being able to park right outside your door. You can't do that at the other resorts.

I agree. We're taking our first trip this November and staying at the cabins with DS15, DS4, and DS2 along with our niece who is 13. We considered doing the Murphy bed rooms at Port Orleans but the cabins give us so much more room, and also POR didn't qualify for free dining. We are renting a golf cart, but we also plan on driving to HS and AK, as well as to the Contemporary our first night for dinner and the Pirates 'n Pals Voyage. I can't wait to take the little ones to Mickey's Backyard BBQ, as I think they're going to really love it, and it will be nice to be at our home resort to relax that night. The reason I chose the cabins over the suites at AoA, is because the parks are SO exciting for the little ones, I just feel like they would be overstimulated if our resort was equally as bright, bold, and loud. Sometimes it's nice to just have a cozy, quiet place to rest up after being in the park all day. If the kids need a nap or fall asleep early, we can sit outside on the deck or in the living room without disturbing them. We're from rural Northeast Pennsylvania though, so Fort Wilderness looks like home.

 

[Fsudisney]

We just got back from a stay in the cabins for the long weekend and we loved it. I love the fort in general though. The bed was very comfy, the bathroom was roomy and my parents were sleeping on the pullout couch and said it was very comfy!

 

[TorTagFam]

I can't add much more than others have about whether the Cabins are easy to navigate for someone in a wheel chair, except that the ones we stayed in had Murphy Beds which made the living area extremely spacious during the day, which might be better for navigating in a wheel chair, better than even a large hotel room. Fort Wilderness is extremely relaxing after a busy day in the theme parks. You are still in the "Disney bubble" but surrounded by nature and it can really help you to recharge. We go to Disney every two years or so, have for almost 30 years, mostly staying in our tents, but occasionally the cabins. The cabins are more remote, it is marginally longer to get to Theme Park transportation, but if you like a bit of extra peace and quiet at the end of the day, you might really like to stay in one!