Just switched from the GF to FW Cabin...

[BradyBz12]

If the golf cart will save us a lot of time getting to and from Disney transportation and less wear & tear on the kids, than I think it is worth the $$. Does anyone know if this is true?

It's just DH and I (no kids) and we think it's worth it, but it's definitely an individual decision where you need to weight the pros and COSTS (which aren't insignificant)

when you drive the cart to the boarding areas to take this transportation, is there ample parking to leave the cart?

Sort of. You'll find a place to park, but sometimes you have to get a little... creative.

And lastly (sorry!) - it sounds like a much better deal to rent the cart off-site. Is this something I need to call FW and let them know I'm renting off-site?

Depends on how long you need the cart for, but generally it's cheaper to rent off site. A couple of good recommendations have been made on this list in the past for reliable companies.

And no - you don't need to call FW and tell them. The off-site companies will deliver your cart to the overflow lot and essentially it will be treated like your own personal cart as far as FW is concerned. Definitely check out a couple of the other recent golf cart threads for more good info...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2067686
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2059096
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2046828

 

[Shan-man]

Monique covered the responses pretty well (as though she were transcribing my thoughts, LOL) so I will just add an opinion. I would say that staying in the cabins you will really benefit from having a cart. The cabins are as far away from the action as you can get, and you don't want to be left out of all the action! There is only one cabin loop that is really close enough to walk (with little ones) to anything. The cart will open up the whole campground to you.

 

[BradyBz12]

Monique covered the responses pretty well (as though she were transcribing my thoughts, LOL)...

Spoooooooky!

Although being able to occasionally read Santa's mind is very cool indeed!

 

[dfchelbay]

You are so done in...you will always want to return to the Fort. Its by far my favorite resort in all of WDW. I will make a prediction today...everyone mark your calendars that I predict once you get to the Fort and even after you leave to return home, you and your husband will be discussing whether you should perhaps consider the purchase of a camper or motorhome, to ensure many returns to the Fort.

Also, if you're interested, if you go the Magic Kingdom first thing in the morning, while you're there, you can go to City Hall and request to be the honorary soldier for the day. You will return to the Main Street, U.S.A. flagpole at 5 p.m. and your husband will be part of the military lowering of the flag ceremony. You get an awesome photo of the event, carry the flag, get a pin and have your name announced of the P.A. system as the serviceman of the day. It was totally awesome when my husband did it.

 

[eandesmom]

switched from Boardwalk Villa, to OKW Villa, to the cabins. They were not originally available for the first dates we'd looked at and I had no idea they existed.

I'm sure we'd love the others, OKW looks lovely and I adore the location of the Boardwalk but the reality is the cabin is far more "us". We love to tent camp and all the activties at the fort seem perfect for our crew but in the comfort of a cabin. I want coffee on my deck and no hallways and not feeling stuck in my room if we can't get DSS16 or DSD12 out of bed when we are awake. Full kitchen and not having to drag people out for breakfast, I'm in!

I'd rather do a deluxe when there is less of us and save the money now. It lets us do the DDP and not worry about a food budget for the week, now that's a treat with 4 kids! The price difference is just staggering.

15 days and counting!

Now if only that pool was going to be ready for our visit! Oh well, I have to admit the idea of having use of the WL pool doesn't make me sad at all!

NO cart here though, our kids are old enough to walk, SHOULD walk (as shoudl we) and we'd have to rent 2...not worth it $$ wise, even if we had 2 delivered. Maybe I will change my tune after going there but we will see.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

My first visit there...we crammed 6 and an infant onto a cart...I dont suggest it for comfort, and Im sure Disney looks down on it...but it got us to the bus stops and boat launch every morning, and sure made it easier to get that sleeping infant from the boat to the cabin without waking him up. But youre right its NOT a neccessity and the kids today DO need more exercise!!(dont we all??)

 

[eandesmom]

My first visit there...we crammed 6 and an infant onto a cart...I dont suggest it for comfort, and Im sure Disney looks down on it...but it got us to the bus stops and boat launch every morning, and sure made it easier to get that sleeping infant from the boat to the cabin without waking him up. But youre right its NOT a neccessity and the kids today DO need more exercise!!(dont we all??)

If there was an infant, we'd probably look at it. But at 8,9,12 and 16 they ought to be able to handle it or...we may just all rent bikes if we really need it but it isn't like the bus stops are far if we don't feel like the 1.2 mile stroll. Personally though I'd much rather stroll and expect they all will to, at least in the am. PM we will take the bus to our loop if we need it.

I expect the younger ones to want bikes anyway so am anticipating that.

At their ages (and sizes!) I can't see us all physically fitting without someone on a lap. And, I can't imagine any are really available for use in 15 days. I figure if the kids whine enough and DH wants to cave, he can try to get one lol.

The real question is...are their any tandem bikes for rental?

 

[TheFlame]

The off-site rental places probably have availability and they also have carts with an extra bench that will seat 6.

 

[eandesmom]

thanks! I may look into that. It could be fun for a couple of days.

 

[holyschmolly]

Monique covered the responses pretty well (as though she were transcribing my thoughts, LOL) so I will just add an opinion. I would say that staying in the cabins you will really benefit from having a cart. The cabins are as far away from the action as you can get, and you don't want to be left out of all the action! There is only one cabin loop that is really close enough to walk (with little ones) to anything. The cart will open up the whole campground to you.

And what loop would that be?? TIA!

I have 4 kids under 5 and I'm sure the oldest two will be tired returning at night.

 

[Shan-man]

2100 loop is the most convenient to walk from, but not by a whole lot. From the furthest site on 2100, taking the path to the CS in 1100, through 1100 to Fort Wilderness Trail the Meadow Trading Post is .41 mi, the Meadow pool is .5 mi, Campfire Sing-a-Long is .52 mi, and the end of the dock is exactly 1 mi.

 

[pell]

Regarding the golf cart question, it's a personal decision to be sure as there are many variables involved (ages, finances, proximity). But I will say that we so enjoyed riding our bikes to & from the boat launch! Watching my 8-yr.-old pedaling like a son-of-a-gun in the wee hours of the morning to get there as quickly as possible... it still brings a smile to my face. We enjoyed the exercise, too. The Golf carts do look like fun, but they're not a necessity. I rented a car ($347 for 10 days over the holiday week) for less money than a golf cart would have cost us. We used the car to get to the parks (other than MK) and bikes for internal transportation at the Fort. It worked perfectly.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

We are planning our first trip to WDW thanks to the awesome Military deal Disney is offering!
We were planning on 6 nights at the WL, but switched to the GF, when we added my MIL to the mix. I don't know whats wrong with me, but I just could not get excited about staying there! Don't get me wrong, I am sure it is beautiful and the monorail would be nice, but I can get luxury anywhere, where else but Disney can I roast marshmallows with Chip & Dale???? I just called and switched. Am I crazy???
I couldn't find any activity's for my 3 year old at the GF, and now I am having a hard time deciding which ones we should do first! Honestly I am surprised they don't charge more for FW, there seems to be sooo much more to do!! We added a resort only day!
My questions are-
How soon do I need to reserve a Golf Cart for a stay beginning on April 26th? (am I too late??)
Do I need reservations for the pony rides? Are they still only $4?
We are bringing a car, but the boat to the MK and the CR sounds fun, how much time does it usually take to get to them?
Do they still do wagon rides? Do we need reservations?
The CM I spoke to when I switched said the pool was being renovated and would include a water slide (she said it would be finished in March) Is this correct?
Sorry For the length! Thanks for your help!
Yay! I am so excited!!!

No you are not crazy. We did the same thing you did in 2007. We booked The Poly and I couldn't get excited about it there either. We switched over to FW (I had a CM tell me I was crazy) but we loved it. From then on I was planning my trip like a crazy woman. I was so excited and FW did not disapoint. My DH decided he wanted to try The Poly this time but I am still thinking about switching back.

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

About the golf carts I think it depends on if you are bringing kiddos and their ages. When we went our kids were 4, 7 & 10. They fell asleep on the ferry from MK and on the busses. It was so nice to walk only a little ways while carrying them and then pulling up, in the cart, into our own drive way

 

[monkeybug]

No you are not crazy. We did the same thing you did in 2007. We booked The Poly and I couldn't get excited about it there either. We switched over to FW (I had a CM tell me I was crazy) but we loved it. From then on I was planning my trip like a crazy woman. I was so excited and FW did not disapoint. My DH decided he wanted to try The Poly this time but I am still thinking about switching back.

Yay! Glad I'm not the only one!!! I know at the 40% off deal I probably just should have done it to to see if it was worth it, but it just really doesn't look like us. I was blown away that for the price they seemed to have the least activities!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

The GF is a bit too stuffy for my taste...but then again....Im not a millionaire......heck, I aint even a thousandaire!!! We visited the GF one day while monorailing around aimlessly, and I just felt like I was supposed to be wearing pennyloafers with a pastel sweater draped around my shoulders!! I dont own pennyloafers or pastel sweaters...so I guess Im STUCK at the Fort!! Dagnabbit...of all the rotten luck

 

[monkeybug]

I kinda' wonder if the GF appeals to the majority of Disney travelers. I have swithched resorts a lot, and every time I called the GF had every type of room available. We tried the WL villas, rooms at the Poly, POR, the CR, and AK villas, all of which were no longer available on the dates we had selected, yet the GF was always wide open! I guess it could be because it's so pricey.
I'm not a millionaire either, and even if I was I wouldn't be caught dead in Penny loafers or pastel sweaters! *gag* It's keens, shorts, and homemade t-shirts for The Monkey Bugs- sounds like we chose the right resort!!!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I have a sister-in-law who thinks that staying anywhere other than the YC or GF is below her...now, she aint a millionaire either...but she sure wants everyone to think she is. Ive invited them to vacation with us at the fort before and you would think I had asked her to to wear cheap make up or do some charity work or something else "below" her like that. Im not trying to imply that its a status thing...but why would people wanna spend soooo much money on a freakin ROOM???? I dont, by any means, dislike this sister-in-law...in fact, I LOVE to see her at Christmas time!!!

I think the average American family is Disneys bread & butter. And that family will usually choose the most bang for their buck....and, without a doubt....you get alot more bang from the Fort with all the activities and wildlife and play space for the kids (even us OLD kids).

 

[kaguilbeau]

I rented a car ($347 for 10 days over the holiday week) for less money than a golf cart would have cost us. We used the car to get to the parks (other than MK) and bikes for internal transportation at the Fort. It worked perfectly.

If you rented the car - where did the bikes come from?

We bring our bikes if we drive down, but am considering flying when we stay in the cabins. I'd miss having the bikes!

 

[TheFlame]

You can rent bikes at the bike barn. It is near the Meadow's TP. You can find more info on this on the FAQ thread.