Howdy! FW Cabin FAQ Thread!!

[jake20]

can someone who has been there recently confirm whether or not there are laundry/dryer machines in the cabin. The reservation agent just said there is.

thanks

we were just there last week (2 years in a row), and there are NO washer/dryer machines in the cabins. They are located by the pool, and always have been as far as I know.

in fact, the cabins were really in need of of upgrade.. there was a lot of old splintered wood falling off the deck, and the picnic table on the deck was also completely warped, and full of splintered wood.

The appliances inside are also really old, and run down as well. These cabins are in need of an update.

The housekeeping this time was also sub par, as vacuums were left out, beds not pushed back in, blankets not folded, coffee maker not cleaned, grill not cleaned, etc..

We absolutely still love the cabins, but the service and amenities have been better in the past..

 

[jake20]

We just booked our first trip to the FW cabins for Feb. Looking forward to it.

Does anyone know if we should make an ADR for breakfast at Trail's End? I'm inclined to think not, but I do see that they take them.

Thanks.

one of the benefits of the cabins is the full kitchen, so you can cook your own breakfast any way you like it, and save a few bucks on top of that..
so I am not sure why you are not taking advantage of this.. but hey, that is just my opinion..

cabins are great, have fun in Feb!!

 

[zuperdaave]

one of the benefits of the cabins is the full kitchen, so you can cook your own breakfast any way you like it, and save a few bucks on top of that..
so I am not sure why you are not taking advantage of this.. but hey, that is just my opinion..

cabins are great, have fun in Feb!!

we most certainly are planning on cooking our own breakfast at least 2 mornings. but it's also nice to have food cooked for you on vacation

i'm very discouraged to read your other post about how the cabins are in need of rehab, although i am not surprised. the cabins have been there for decades and i have read others speculate that they may eventually close them down and build a dvc resort....

 

[cmcvean]

That is funny you ask that about the washer/dryer. We were just there and I told my husband that if they had a washer/dryer, that would put the cabins over the edge of us booking next year. But..... NO they do not have any. There were great though. Although a little more cramped then I thought we would be.

 

[rie'smom]

we most certainly are planning on cooking our own breakfast at least 2 mornings. but it's also nice to have food cooked for you on vacation

i'm very discouraged to read your other post about how the cabins are in need of rehab, although i am not surprised. the cabins have been there for decades and i have read others speculate that they may eventually close them down and build a dvc resort....

These are not the same cabins that have been there for decades. There were other cabins at one time. I wish that I could find my pictures to show you.

 

[plutospup]

Laundry facilities are at the cabins pool. Also, at the this pool is a new hot tub. It was nice to hear the Meadows Pool was updated, but I really appreciated the addition of the hot tub at the cabins pool.

 

[fla4fun]

These are not the same cabins that have been there for decades. There were other cabins at one time. I wish that I could find my pictures to show you.

Believe it or not, the old trailers/cabins were purchased and are still functioning as a retirement resort south of I-4 off Highway 27 - I think it's called La Casa Del Sol.

 

[rie'smom]

Believe it or not, the old trailers/cabins were purchased and are still functioning as a retirement resort south of I-4 off Highway 27 - I think it's called La Casa Del Sol.

This makes me very happy because the cabins bring back wonderful memories of my children's trips to WDW.

 

[Swimnoid]

We just booked our first trip to the FW cabins for Feb. Looking forward to it.

Does anyone know if we should make an ADR for breakfast at Trail's End? I'm inclined to think not, but I do see that they take them.

Thanks.

We have walked up for all meals at TE. And although we cook many meals at the cabin it is nice to have a meal or two at TE as well.

 

[zuperdaave]

We have walked up for all meals at TE. And although we cook many meals at the cabin it is nice to have a meal or two at TE as well.

Thanks! That's what I was thinking, but it's good to know it worked for you.

 

[gigi2cec]

Does anyone know where specifically (#, location etc) the handicap cabins are in Ft. Wilderness? Also, which numbers would put us closer to the marina etc? I will be using ECV (renting from Walkers) and my husband won't but needs to be, so I am trying to figure out where would be the best number to request (not that we will get it) that won't require so much walking. Ideally would like to be near boat, bus stop, restaurant, campfire---- I really can't tell which #'s the cabins are by the map. HELP

 

[gigi2cec]

Does anyone know where specifically (#, location etc) the handicap cabins are in Ft. Wilderness? Also, which numbers would put us closer to the marina etc? I will be using ECV (renting from Walkers) and my husband won't but needs to be, so I am trying to figure out where would be the best number to request (not that we will get it) that won't require so much walking. Ideally would like to be near boat, bus stop, restaurant, campfire---- I really can't tell which #'s the cabins are by the map. HELP

OOPS--meant to say, I am not married to the idea of handicap cabin, the ECV can be lifted to the deck and I can walk very short distances.

 

[lmbcdb]

Does anyone know what type of filters to bring? basket or cone?
Thanks!

 

[mgsmom]

Just booked FW Cabins for the end of July - woo hoo!
Me, DH, and DD(2) - liked the idea of privacy and quiet time, also thought it would take a lot of stress out of mornings to hang out and have coffee & bfast in PJs instead of having to get dressed and go somewhere!

About the appliances: are the fridge and the oven full sizes?

About the buses: if we want to be at MK when the gates open (9, I think) what time would you recommend walking out the door of the cabin? No golf cart, with stroller.

 

[plutospup]

Have a great time at the cabins! We love them, and are considering another trip there next year.

The fridge is full size, however, I don't remember the size of the oven.

Regarding getting to MK from cabins. If I absolutely wanted to be there for 9 a.m. opening I would probably leave at 8 a.m. That allows time to wait for the bus that takes you from the cabins to the Settlement Depot (near HDDR)where you will have a short walk to the marina to catch the boat to the MK.

You may be lucky, and not have to wait for the bus, or the boat, on the other hand you might have to wait for both.

As for the other parks, and DTD we drove our car. It is great that you can park right at your cabin. Therefore no loooooong walks from the parking lot to your room.

 

[mgsmom]

That sounds good - I'd much rather be there early than late!
We are driving down, so we will have a car. I already figured we would likely drive when we go to AKL and DHS. Epcot and DTD, well it depends on what time we go. Those are spots we might want to have a drink so we would need the buses to get us home safely.

I was reading that we can make ADRs starting 180 days from our arrival?
So, when you make an ADR do you have to pay in advance? How long do you have to cancel before you lose money?
Was really only thinking of doing a Crystal Palace character dinner, other than that just play it by ear. We can always do the chicken take-out that I hear is so yummy at FW or cook a pizza in the cabin for dinner. Lunches I think counter service will be just fine.

What do you think? First big trip with our 2 year old, so don't want to plan to much of a schedule.

 

[zuperdaave]

That sounds good - I'd much rather be there early than late!
We are driving down, so we will have a car. I already figured we would likely drive when we go to AKL and DHS. Epcot and DTD, well it depends on what time we go. Those are spots we might want to have a drink so we would need the buses to get us home safely.

I was reading that we can make ADRs starting 180 days from our arrival?
So, when you make an ADR do you have to pay in advance? How long do you have to cancel before you lose money?
Was really only thinking of doing a Crystal Palace character dinner, other than that just play it by ear. We can always do the chicken take-out that I hear is so yummy at FW or cook a pizza in the cabin for dinner. Lunches I think counter service will be just fine.

What do you think? First big trip with our 2 year old, so don't want to plan to much of a schedule.

You only have to pay in advance for a few, and I'm pretty sure Crystal Palace is not one of those. You should definitely do that one - it's a lot of fun and the food is pretty good.

 

[sharadoc]

Just booked FW Cabins for the end of July - woo hoo!
Me, DH, and DD(2) - liked the idea of privacy and quiet time, also thought it would take a lot of stress out of mornings to hang out and have coffee & bfast in PJs instead of having to get dressed and go somewhere!

About the appliances: are the fridge and the oven full sizes?

About the buses: if we want to be at MK when the gates open (9, I think) what time would you recommend walking out the door of the cabin? No golf cart, with stroller.

congrats. Yes, the fridge and oven are both full size.

For the PP who asked - the coffee pot uses the standard basket filters. There is a 10 cup AND a 4 cup pot in the room, if you'd rather just use the little "premade" sets of coffee, etc. The housekeeping staff leaves them for you with the little pot. You may have to look in the cabinets for the big pot.

I'd leave between 7:30 and 8 to get to the marina. The boat only runs every 20 minutes or so, so if you just miss one, you'll be waiting for a while.

Your other option is take a little boat over to the Contemporary and jump on the monorail, although that's the "long" way since you'll have to go through the Poly and FG before you hit MK.

You can take any color bus, as long as it says "Settlement" to get to the marina. Don't make our mistake of thinking we needed purple, since that was our cabin "route". All you need to see is Settlement.

 

[ConcKahuna]

Your other option is take a little boat over to the Contemporary and jump on the monorail, although that's the "long" way since you'll have to go through the Poly and FG before you hit MK.

It's also an easy walk from the Contemporary to the MK. Maybe 2/3 of a mile from the marina?

To put it in perspective, from Mexico to Canada around the World Showcase at Epcot is 1.2 miles.

 

[APB513]

That sounds good - I'd much rather be there early than late!
We are driving down, so we will have a car. I already figured we would likely drive when we go to AKL and DHS. Epcot and DTD, well it depends on what time we go. Those are spots we might want to have a drink so we would need the buses to get us home safely.

I was reading that we can make ADRs starting 180 days from our arrival?
So, when you make an ADR do you have to pay in advance? How long do you have to cancel before you lose money?
Was really only thinking of doing a Crystal Palace character dinner, other than that just play it by ear. We can always do the chicken take-out that I hear is so yummy at FW or cook a pizza in the cabin for dinner. Lunches I think counter service will be just fine.

What do you think? First big trip with our 2 year old, so don't want to plan to much of a schedule.

My DSs and I (ages 21 and 16) had dinner at Crystal Palace. We loved it!!! The food was delicious and the character interaction was great!!!

Regarding ADRs - You do not have to pay in advance for Crystal Palace. The only ADRs that we did that had to be prepaid were Hoop De Doo Revue and Candlelight Processional. Since we were on the dining plan, they took my credit card in case I did not cancel the reservation at least 48 hours prior.