Just back from 1st FW trip. Wanna know what I think?

[MomOfDisneyBoys]

It was great!

The cabins were wonderful. It was great to have so much space. We got the loop we requested (2800) Although one night I came back from the pool to find someone parked in my driveway, I was about to have a fit (Why would someone be parked in my driveway at 1am?!?) when I realized that I had pulled up in front of 2714 instead of 2814.

I was SO glad we rented a cart, because it was fun to explore the grounds in, and we tried to use the busses a little bit and found them to be quite a PITA! We spend enough time on the bus getting to the parks, I did not want to have to take the bus to get to another bus. Hooray for the golf carts. (BTW, I think I saw GatorDad's cart parked by the Outpost)

We saw a few deer, armadillo and had a tiny baby frog INSIDE our cabin. We HEARD a lot of animals, and were quite curious as to what species of animal makes a sound like a sheep crossed with a frog. Does anyone know? A very strange sound I have never heard before, and was pretty loud at the end of the loop, and VERY loud over by the pool in the cabin area.

I only have two complaints about FW.
#1 I really wished they would have a counter service (food court) place. I know that a lot of campers make their own food, so the need is not as great as at other resorts, but I really wished thay had one (or would let me drive a cart to WL to use theirs)
#2 The laundry room by the pool is cold enough to hang meat in! We decided to swim while our laundry was running and when we went in in our wet suits, we nearly froze to death. Seriously, my hands were shaking so bad that I kept dropping the quarters trying to put them in the dryer.
But if those are the worst things I can say about the place, that means it was pretty darn good.

Thanks to the people on this board for all the tips that made our trip easier!
Kungaloosh! (I learned about the AC on this board too, which I LOVED!!!)
Thanks!

 

[MomOfDisneyBoys]

I forgot to add that we got a notice that they are offering the bounceback free dining for next year. If you book during your trip, before 9/28/07, you can book a trip with free dining from 8/30 to, I believe, the end of Sept 08. We could not do it because I have to start back to school the Tues after labor day each year (which is why we came back last night), but maybe someone here can take advantage. Free dining is great!

 

[Colson39]

Woohoo, glad to hear you had a great time!!

And yea, one of the best things about renting the cart is the ease in which you can explore the Fort, it really does help.

I've also noticed that the laundry rooms can be freezing at times, I have no idea why though :/

Edit: I just noticed the Kungaloosh on the bottom of your post, FtWildernessGuy will be proud!

 

[krismom]

How funny! I just posted my short report "cabin Swamps" right before you- we were in loop 2800 last week also- 2866 to be exact. Did the wet areas near your cabin bother you? That was my big annoyance- and I wholeheartedly agree about the laundry rooms and the counter service situations! We would have "bounced back" if it included the last week of August. We start school right after Labor day as well next year- I'm going to hope for a public code though!

 

[kimluvswdw]

I agree with you about having a counter service at the fort.
I love the fort, but don't want to have to cook. I also agree that if they don't have one we should be able to use the golf carts to go to the WL to eat in theirs. I think the people staying at the WL would have a cow if they say campers on golf carts at their resort. I really don't understand why, some of those rvs cost more than peoples houses.

 

[Colson39]

That's the main reason there really isn't any counter service at the Fort, because a lot of people already have their own snacks/food/do their own cooking. Since the Fort has become more popular, I wouldn't be surprised to see one in the next 5-10 years or so, but the Fort has never really had counter service. It just wasn't feasible at all in the past because it wouldn't do nearly as much business as a typical resorts counter service area.

 

[Bunchkin]

Glad to hear you had a nice time at the Fort!!


Aren't the golf carts great!!!???!!
And it would be nice to be able to drive over to WL in them but that will never happen!!!

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

That's the main reason there really isn't any counter service at the Fort, because a lot of people already have their own snacks/food/do their own cooking. Since the Fort has become more popular, I wouldn't be surprised to see one in the next 5-10 years or so, but the Fort has never really had counter service. It just wasn't feasible at all in the past because it wouldn't do nearly as much business as a typical resorts counter service area.

Here's a thought, put a limited counter service over by the pool in the cabin loops. How hard could it be to sell hot dogs, pre packaged sandwiches, fruit plates etc. I cant help but think that Disney is missing the boat on this one.

Scott

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Kungaloosh!

 

[clkelley]

Here's a thought, put a limited counter service over by the pool in the cabin loops. How hard could it be to sell hot dogs, pre packaged sandwiches, fruit plates etc. I cant help but think that Disney is missing the boat on this one.

Scott

Or quick breakfast stuff at Crocketts in the morning. Not everybody wants a TE breakfast!!!

 

[Colson39]

I totally agree, now a days they should have one. As we all know though, Disney can take years to actually get something in place, but I definitely see one coming to the Fort if the popularity continues to rise.

In the past, there wasn't nearly the market for it as there is now, at least in my opinion. However, I would still much rather make my own monster hot dog on the grill at the campsite

 

[Mr Man]

Momofdisneyboys

Glad you had a great time. We are looking at FW cabins for Spring Break 2008. It looks like a perfect fit for our needs.


I agree on the need for a CS at FW (w/a golf cart drive thru to boot!). *shameless troll remark* tm 2007 all rights reserved. It's time has come.

Agree on the Golf carts also. A very nice convenience, pricey but nice to have (as long as all Golf Cart rules/& everybody's interpretation of said Golf Cart rules are followed to the letter). *2nd unneccesary troll to start the engines* tm is this thing on?

I have not had a chance to freeze in the laundry room before but may check it out next week before the Hoop de Doo to cool down.

Perhaps they could put an arcade machine in the laundry room in advance of my visit. Hmmm....Perhaps I should add this request to my room reservation via fax or email within 2-3 days of arrival If anyone else needs anything, let me know. I will add it to the list.........

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Or quick breakfast stuff at Crocketts in the morning. Not everybody wants a TE breakfast!!!

Absolutely, bagels, muffins and egg sandwiches would be a quick grab and go, I have seen them sell briskly at the other resorts.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I totally agree, now a days they should have one. As we all know though, Disney can take years to actually get something in place, but I definitely see one coming to the Fort if the popularity continues to rise.

In the past, there wasn't nearly the market for it as there is now, at least in my opinion. However, I would still much rather make my own monster hot dog on the grill at the campsite

MMMMMMM just thinking about a "monster dog" at my campsite picnic table.... washing it all down with my favorite AB bevvie......

Just noticed they dont have a drooling smiley ?

 

[Mr Man]

MMMMMMM just thinking about a "monster dog" at my campsite picnic table.... washing it all down with my favorite AB bevvie......

Just noticed they dont have a drooling smiley ?

LOL@ monster dog. That's a Doogie's product right? 16" dog and all?

Have you tried Hebrew National 1/4lb hot dogs before? I can get them at most grocery stores here. Not sure of how they stack up to the dogs in Nor'east (heck they probably are Yankee Dawgs) but they sure do plump up nicely down here in Dixie. They are about the best hot dogs I have been able to find here. Our tastes here run more into sausage locally(venison/sage/jalapeno) and not so much the wieners. Having said that, Labor Day/Independance Day etc absolutely requires hamburgers and hot dogs at some point.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

LOL@ monster dog. That's a Doogie's product right? 16" dog and all?

Have you tried Hebrew National 1/4lb hot dogs before? I can get them at most grocery stores here. Not sure of how they stack up to the dogs in Nor'east (heck they probably are Yankee Dawgs) but they sure do plump up nicely down here in Dixie. They are about the best hot dogs I have been able to find here. Our tastes here run more into sausage locally(venison/sage/jalapeno) and not so much the wieners. Having said that, Labor Day/Independance Day etc absolutely requires hamburgers and hot dogs at some point.

Theres a packer North of where I live called Koegels, thats about all I ever buy.

Scott

 

[Justntime]

Great report. Thanks

Any suggestions on my cabin request this weekend.

Something close to everything, one of the new refurbs would be great and a great area for the kids to play outside?

 

[VAN]

Open seasonally, you can get sandwiches/snacks at the Meadowland pool area during the day.

To be honest, when I travel to places like WDW, I get really sick of the "counter service" food and enjoy having something that I've thrown together .... but that may have something to do with the fact that I hate to shell out so much $$$ for food that I could put together for a fraction of the cost!!!

Additionally, I've stayed at a value resort before and couldn't believe the lines in the food court! I think it's nice - and it's one of the benefits at the Fort - to have a break from the masses of humanity that are all trying to get something to eat at the same time. Aaah! R&R ... that's what the Fort means to me!

 

[MomOfDisneyBoys]

Justntime- with the fort being as large as it is, "close to everything" is not really possible, but your sig mentions you will have a cart, which will make everything easily accessible.

2800 loop is closest to the Outpost bus stop (to DTD, AK, Epcot)

If you want a newly refurbed cabin, you might want to try the 2700 loop.

 

[MomOfDisneyBoys]

One more thing to add- not specific to the fort but definitely related-
we ordered groceries from WeGoShop.com. Marge was GREAT! She brought everything exactly as we ordered, and arrived exactly when she said she would. We will order from her again on our next trip, and I would recommend her to anyone who asks.

The only disappointment... I was misled over on the "chit chat thread" where I was shown a picture of some delicious looking Taylor ham, and was told it could be found at Publix, but Marge looked for it, and asked about it, and they did not carry it.