Just got back from FW- Any Q's??

[Plan Man]

We had a blast! Did lots of stuff - all the parks including two water parks, stuff at cmpground and Cocoa beach. What fun! I miss it already - my first week back to work!!

If you have any questions just ask.

 

[castmbr]

What was your take on the bus situation at FW?

 

[sltrawick]

Hey There Plan man!
It was really great to meet you while at FW. Nice to put a face with a name!

 

[TwinMommy]

I'm glad you had such a wonderful time! We felt the same way when we got home in October - 1 month of severe Disney withdrawl!

Since you went to all of the parks and some waterparks, can you tell us how you would recommend getting to each one? (bus, boat, car) Also, did you go to any early entrys and what transporation did you use?

We are getting a golf cart while we are there in August so I am not concerned about internal transportation. I am, however, worried about how to get to each park without too much hassle. It's a shame they had to mess with the bus service in the summer when there are so many people there!

Thanks,
Twinmommy

 

[Plan Man]

We only used the Disney transportation to get to Magic Kingdom and then only because it was early entry and we couldn't drive. We drove everywhere else - Epcot, Typhoon Lagoon, Magic Kingdom, MGM, Downtown Disney, Boardwalk, and Wide World of Sports.

We never ran into any traffic or any problems parking - Disney is directing everything and you come in one way and leave another and the signage is pretty good. We went early, late, and in the afternoon throughut our stay and never had a problem and never waited for anything in terms of parking or getting to the front gate etc. Most of the time we were able to park within a block of the entrance and we just walked to and from our car. The only negative was a hot car. The only time we had a little trouble parking was when we went to Downtown Disney at about 8pm. We had to drive around for about five minutes before we found a spot. A minor minor problem.

It took less than fifteen minutes to get to AK, MGM, or Epcot. It was easy. Unless you really hate driving skip the Disney transportation.

P.S. I did see crabby people waiting for the bus, crowded busses that didn't stop, and people in standing in the street looking for the next bus to come.

Hope this helps.

 

[TwinMommy]

Thanks for the info! I think we will be doing a lot of driving.

Twinmommy

 

[sltrawick]

I agree with plan man too. We also drove our car some of the time too. We drove to Disney Quest, Blizzard Beach, Wide World of Sports & Downtown Disney.
Wasn't worth the hassel of waiting for the bus after all the problems we had with it.

 

[s&k'smom]

We are taking a trip next fall 2002 and are deciding on where to stay. I have always wanted to stay at FW (though we may end at the Poly) and I was wondering what folks thought of the cabins. We will have our two kids with us and we always go over to FW for at least a meal or two and to walk around and drink in the atmosphere. Hoping some positive responses will get my husband to agree with me. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! PS which cabin sites would folks recommend?

 

[melk]

We love the cabins, my husband won't consider another resort any more (even thought I would love to stay at the Polynesian, just once). The kids LOVE Ft. Wilderness and we love it too. The cabins are first rate, not "roughing it" at all. The housekeeping staff comes in every day and will even load and run your dishwasher for you!! the fact that you always visit Ft Wilderness and like the atmosphere tells me you would love staying there. As far as which cabin loop, they're all in the same general area and about the same. If it matters to you to be near the pool and laundry, you could request that. Whatever you decide, have a great time!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Plan Man
Do I understand correctly that to do EE at MK we will have to take the Disney bus? What time did you catch the bus? We have a DD (1 1/2) who really loves Dumbo so we want to be one of the first ones in the park. Will the bus take us to the TTC or all the way to the front of the MK? Thanks for your help.

 

[TwinMommy]

It is important to get to the gates right at opening on an EE day for MK. If EE is at 7:30am, you will want to be looking for the 1st bus (I believe it's Crockett) to go to the TTC. Ask the bus drivers what time they start in the AM and be at the stop about 10 minutes earlier than that. I think if you get to the stop by 6:45am you should be OK. In October, we caught a bus at about 7:05, but heard one go by about 10 minutes before.

The bus will take you to the TTC where you need to move quickly to the resort monorail (the express does not start until 8:00 or so). Have your resort IDs out and show them to the person at the gate so they will let you through. You will ride the monorail through the Poly and GF stops so it takes a little while to get there. If you are at the gates when they open at 7:30 and you move quickly down main street, you should be able to ride Dumbo twice without too much wait. We also were able to do Pooh and Peter Pan several times. That first 1/2 hour at Fantasyland is the BEST.

Many people may wonder why you have to be at the gate exactly at opening, but if you have little ones who want to ride a bunch of Fantasyland rides, it is the only way to do it without the long lines.

I only wish the boat would leave FW at 7:00 and get to MK by 7:15. The one time we took the boat we arrived at 7:40 at the MK and by the time we made it to Fantasyland, there was already a line for Dumbo. And this was in the Fall when it is not quite as busy at the parks.

If anyone has an easier way to get to MK on an EE day right at opening, please write!

 

[Disneycrazymom]

Thanks Twinmommy! We will look for the Crockett and the resort monirail. We really want to be there for the opening.

 

[s&k'smom]

Thanks for the information, I am making our reservations as soon as I get back to work from my maternity leave in September. I don't get a thing done at home, I'm much more organized at work. Plus with the two kids to have a kitchen just seems ideal. We also found a transportation company that will make a stop at a grocery store so we can pick up our supplies. One thing I really liked about FW is that it always seemed so peaceful. We had lunch (the buffet) one afternoon during a thunderstorm and it was great. This year won't go by fast enough!!!!

89CB
90CB, GF
91 Poly
92 Poly
94 WL
95 WL
97 WL
98 WL