Howdy! FW Cabin FAQ Thread!!

[bosox18]

Can anyone tell me how convenient the boats are to the Magic Kingdom? How long does it take to get there? How early do they start and how late do they stop?

Would we be better off just driving to MK?

 

[MousekaMaddi]

MK is just across the water from the campground....but honestly it does take some time to get there. When u leave your cabin and walk to the nearest busstop...wait for a bus,....get on the bus going to the boat launching area, get off bus and go out on the dock and stand in line waiting for the next boat to carry u across the water to the MK.............its not difficult, but it does take time.........

 

[bosox18]

Longer than getting in the car, finding a parking place and waiting in line for the monorail? Just trying to figure out which is most efficient.

 

[zackiedawg]

You're better off on the boat - just my opinion! The boat takes roughly 20 minutes once it arrives. Whatever time it takes for you to get to the boat dock and for the boat to arrive would be added on.

By car, you could be out of FW in 3 minutes, the drive to the Ticket & Transportation lot is a bit awkward because even though you are so close to the Main Gate (just 1/2 mile to the right from the FW entrance), you actually have to circle around and back which will take you anywhere from 7-15 minutes. Then you park, and either walk or wait for the tram. Add 5+ minutes. Then the Monorail, which takes 10-15 minutes - and that's not including time for it to arrive.

After all is said and done, not including possible delays in one of the forms of transportation arriving, they are probably near a draw. But the boat doesn't require you to bring your car and leave it in a hot parking lot, and the boat ride itself is almost as good as any of the rides in MK - it's peaceful, breezy, and scenic! And it drops you off right at the security search area at the MK entrance.

Bonus for leaving too - the boats are usually less crowded and much easier than searching for your car and driving back.

If you happen to rent the electric cart, then the boat is even better...you just cart yourself down to the boat dock, jump on for the great ride, and when you come back at the end of the day, you get off the boat and jump on your cart for a nice ride home.

BTW - if you really wanted to cheat and find the fastest way in...you could jump in your car and drive to Contemorary, tell the gate attendant you are going to a restaurant inside, park, then walk into MK...total time probably less than 15 minutes. Not that I would encourange that! But the boat ride's the chilled way to go.

 

[ConcKahuna]

I called today to upgrade my RO ressie to a package and the CM said that the cabins have a washer and dryer I told her I didn't think so, but is that possibly something new with the refurb?

I think they were mistaken. I havent been in the cabins since the refurb, but I dont see where a washer and dryer would fit

There is a laundry room next to the pool, or the 1100 loop comfort station (if you are in 2100, 2200, or 2300).

 

[VernRDH]

I think they were mistaken. I havent been in the cabins since the refurb, but I dont see where a washer and dryer would fit

There is a laundry room next to the pool, or the 1100 loop comfort station (if you are in 2100, 2200, or 2300).

Thanks! I told her there weren't any w/d units in the cabins but she said since it was a home away from home resort................I knew the folks on the DIS would know the answer!

We are really excited about our trip and while it is costing more than staying at POR (our original thought), we are looking forward to doing more of the activities at the resort. Only 9 more months to go!

 

[Lehuaann]

I think they were mistaken. I havent been in the cabins since the refurb, but I dont see where a washer and dryer would fit

There is a laundry room next to the pool, or the 1100 loop comfort station (if you are in 2100, 2200, or 2300).

When were the cabins refurbished?

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Hi all!

We love the cabins so subscribing

Stay in a cabin about 4 mos ago and they do not have washers and dryers, although I wish they did, it would be icing on the cake!

Also don't see where they'd put them though.

 

[ConcKahuna]

When were the cabins refurbished?

I actually think it's still in progress (although they may have finished by now, I havent been over there in a while).

 

[Lehuaann]

I actually think it's still in progress (although they may have finished by now, I havent been over there in a while).

Ok, that's great! We loved staying in the cabins last year but they looked in need of a good refurb/redecor. Do you think it has something to do with switching them to a mod category? I heard they are also refurbing the main pool.

 

[Yakamishi]

Additionally, there are two cabins located on campsites 118 and 120 in the 100 loop that are used exclusively by Disney management and other corporate types.

That is slightly inaccurate. True there are two cabins up near the marina, but they are not exclusive. We stayed in them in Jan 09. Location was terrific. All we did was request them and we were given our request.

(If ya really think about it....if you're a Disney VIP are you gonna stay in a cabin at FW? lol! NO, I'm thinking POLY or GF at the very least. lol)

 

[Lehuaann]

That is slightly inaccurate. True there are two cabins up near the marina, but they are not exclusive. We stayed in them in Jan 09. Location was terrific. All we did was request them and we were given our request.

(If ya really think about it....if you're a Disney VIP are you gonna stay in a cabin at FW? lol! NO, I'm thinking POLY or GF at the very least. lol)

I am pretty sure you meant to say Jan 08 not Jan 09?

Anyways, there is a website that lists these 2 cabins as exclusive. Here is what it says:

Additionally, there are two cabins located on campsites 118 and 120 in the 100 loop that are used exclusively by Disney VIPs and other corporate types.

How was the inside of the cabin and overall privacy?

 

[Yakamishi]

Opps, actually I meant 2007. But I digress...

Yeah, there are a few web sites (and books) that list them as "exclusive" but c'mon.....if you're a VIP are you really gonna stay in that small cabin? Or get a...I don't know...maybe a room at the POLY or GF? or WL, or AKL, or....well you get my point, right?

At any rate, we stayed there January 07 and the "VIP cabins" were just like the other cabins. Rates were the same. (Actually we used an AP rate at 169$ a night) All it was was a request for cabin 116 and we got it. Oddly enough the the other cabin went unoccupied our entire 10 day stay. (and it was over MLK weekend too).

So moral of the story...don't be afraid to ask....and don't believe everything you read.

 

[BostonRob]

Opps, actually I meant 2007. But I digress...

Yeah, there are a few web sites (and books) that list them as "exclusive" but c'mon.....if you're a VIP are you really gonna stay in that small cabin? Or get a...I don't know...maybe a room at the POLY or GF? or WL, or AKL, or....well you get my point, right?

At any rate, we stayed there January 07 and the "VIP cabins" were just like the other cabins. Rates were the same. (Actually we used an AP rate at 169$ a night) All it was was a request for cabin 116 and we got it. Oddly enough the the other cabin went unoccupied our entire 10 day stay. (and it was over MLK weekend too).

So moral of the story...don't be afraid to ask....and don't believe everything you read.

No, it can't hurt to ask. But its been pretty well documented here and on other sites that those cabins are generally reserved for VIP's. You got lucky, good for you. But I'd say the fact that the other cabin WAS unoccupied for your entire stay is further evidence that hey are VIP cabins - they wanted to keep one open in case Tom and Katie showed up feeling rustic.
Why would a VIP stay in the cabins? I don't know, but I'd guess their privacy and isolation could be appealing to recognizable celebs.

 

[Yakamishi]

Heh, I assure you....being surrounded by RV's of every shape and size....I wouldn't exactly call isolated.

Not trying to argue, I just find it unlikely that I "got lucky", or that a "VIP" would want to stay in a tiny 500 sq foot themed trailer when the best accommodations are right across the lagoon.

But hey...you got a couple of books and a few web sites that say that they are strictly reserved for Disney execs.

Me? An experience that says otherwise, that...and common sense.

 

[BostonRob]

Heh, I assure you....being surrounded by RV's of every shape and size....I wouldn't exactly call isolated.

Not trying to argue, I just find it unlikely that I "got lucky", or that a "VIP" would want to stay in a tiny 500 sq foot themed trailer when the best accommodations are right across the lagoon.

But hey...you got a couple of books and a few web sites that say that they are strictly reserved for Disney execs.

Me? An experience that says otherwise, that...and common sense.

Well you are arguing and you're misquoting me too. I said they were "generally" reserved for VIPs, not "strictly". I'm not discounting your experience; I believe that you stayed there. I've scoured these boards for info on the cabins because I plan on staying there next year. In all that searching, I found 2 or 3 posts from people saying they'd stayed in these VIP cabins. So, no, I'm not discounting your experience or the experience of others. But I'm using that experience and a little common sense of my own and believing that these cabins aren't generally assigned to the public. If they were, don't you think that in the past few years there'd be more than 3 or 4 people on these boards reporting about stays in the most desirable cabins?

 

[parmtoo]

If that's where I wanted to stay, I would ask. .......but I'd be happy in any cabin there, or campsite, or maybe even a tent! It's FW, and to me and my family, it's the best. Happy planning!

 

[debraW76]

We are staying in ft wilderness this october. Which loop or cabin should we request?

I've never stayed onsite before - would we have access to other pools (i.e. wilderness lodge) or only the ft wilderness pool?

Can my sons pitch a tent beside the cabin? They probably would not sleep in it - but just stay out there until it got dark.

any info or help would be appreciated. thanks!

 

[lklasing]

Which loop or cabin should we request? Are you going to have a golf cart? If so, it really doesn't matter which loop or cabin you are in, as you will be able to easily take the cart to wherever you are going. If not, then you need to decide what is important to you - proximity to bus stops, the cabin pool, etc. Without a cart, you may also want to request a cabin close to the entrance to the loop as some of the loops are quite large and you could still have a pretty long walk once you get to the beginning of the loop.

I've never stayed onsite before - would we have access to other pools (i.e. wilderness lodge) or only the ft wilderness pool? Only the FW pools. There are 2 - the Meadows pool is roughly in the center of the campground near the trading post and the other is in the cabin loop area.

Can my sons pitch a tent beside the cabin? They probably would not sleep in it - but just stay out there until it got dark. I don't know for sure but I think I have read that this is not allowed.

Have a great trip! FW is such a fun place to be and the cabins are great. If you haven't yet, you'll want to familiarize yourself with a map of FW - I think there is one available through a link in one of the stickies.

Leslie

 

[debraW76]

Thank you so much for your info. I am so excited about this trip. This will be the only time we will be able to stay in one cabin as we have a 2yr old and next year (when he is 3) we will exceed the occupancy limit. I got a good rate at $205 with my pin code and am hoping that the disney visa code will me more. (but that is a completely different thread).

I think we will request near the pools and drive everywhere else. We could possibly borrow my mom's golf cart but not sure if we can all fit (me, DH, DS, DD, DS, DS, and baby). I haven't reserved one and think that $40/day will completely blow our budget. Since we are driving we will use our car unless we are going somewhere within the campground or to MK. The kids have bikes so we may try to bring them down with us.

The tent is not a big deal (actually it is one less thing I will have to pack). I may call and ask just before we leave just in case.

Thanks again.