Kids at Fort Wilderness, where should Grandparents stay?

[GoofySis]

We will tag along with our son's young family next summer, debating where we should stay. I know there's no wrong answer, but wondering if others have experiences to share. They'll be in a cabin at Fort Wilderness--a childhood favorite of our son. We are considering a room at Wilderness Lodge, [or maybe Poly or Contemporary], or we could just book another cabin. Anyone have thoughts on the benefit of grandparents in another resort over being next door? The kids are 3, 6, 8.

 

[Dave006]

Well you might not be able to get adjoining cabins in the same loop at Ft. Wilderness. There are 7 loops of Cabins. However that would be the most convenient location. You could rent a Golf Cart for access between your cabins if they don't turn out to be adjoining on the same loop.

Next up would be Wilderness Lodge which as a bus that runs between WL and FW about every 20 minutes. It is a deluxe and has dining alternatives and a nice Splash pad for younger children.

Note: The resort to resort boats have not returned to Bay Lake making the other MK area resorts a 2 step method between resorts.

Dave

 

[PollyannaMom]

Next up would be Wilderness Lodge which as a bus that runs between WL and FW about every 20 minutes. It is a deluxe and has dining alternatives and a nice Splash pad for younger children.

I like this option. It gives you a little more luxury, plus some separation if the whole group doesn't want to spend all their time together, but also easy access if you want to go over to their cabin for a meal or want to get back easily if you babysit so the parents can have a park date.

 

[GoofySis]

Well you might not be able to get adjoining cabins in the same loop at Ft. Wilderness. There are 7 loops of Cabins. However that would be the most convenient location. You could rent a Golf Cart for access between your cabins if they don't turn out to be adjoining on the same loop.

Next up would be Wilderness Lodge which as a bus that runs between WL and FW about every 20 minutes. It is a deluxe and has dining alternatives and a nice Splash pad for younger children.

Note: The resort to resort boats have not returned to Bay Lake making the other MK area resorts a 2 step method between resorts.

Dave

Thanks, I've just learned about the FW/WL bus here today, that might cinch this option. The online chat rep seemed to think our odds are good to get nearby cabins, but of course they won't guarantee. She also answered we could use each other's resort pools, as long as one of us is a registered guest--does that sound right? So if we are at the Lodge, the grandkids could swim at the Lodge pools with us?

 

[GoofySis]

I like this option. It gives you a little more luxury, plus some separation if the whole group doesn't want to spend all their time together, but also easy access if you want to go over to their cabin for a meal or want to get back easily if you babysit so the parents can have a park date.

Yes, and would let us conveniently babysit in either place while the "big kids" visit MK in the evening!

 

[Marthasor]

Thanks, I've just learned about the FW/WL bus here today, that might cinch this option. The online chat rep seemed to think our odds are good to get nearby cabins, but of course they won't guarantee. She also answered we could use each other's resort pools, as long as one of us is a registered guest--does that sound right? So if we are at the Lodge, the grandkids could swim at the Lodge pools with us?

That isn't correct - only registered guests of a resort can use the resort's pools. At the entrance of the pools you will see a "Pool Rules" sign that clearly states the pool area is for the exclusive use of resort guests, meaning guests registered in a resort room. Will anyone check? Who knows, but it's definitely against the rules.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Thanks, I've just learned about the FW/WL bus here today, that might cinch this option. The online chat rep seemed to think our odds are good to get nearby cabins, but of course they won't guarantee. She also answered we could use each other's resort pools, as long as one of us is a registered guest--does that sound right? So if we are at the Lodge, the grandkids could swim at the Lodge pools with us?

Never trust a Disney online chat rep. They are as reliable as a Disney phone rep, meaning they are not reliable at all.

 

[Dave006]

So if we are at the Lodge, the grandkids could swim at the Lodge pools with us?

How many Grand kids are we talking about here; 2, 3, 6? Technically pool hopping is not allowed but if any of the life guards want to enforce the letter of the posted rules you could just add your Grand Children to your reservation at the front desk as Day Guests at the WL front desk.

Since you are not really trying to cheat the system bu simply want to entertain an watch after your Grand Children at the WL pool and Splash Area is no crime while the other adults are enjoying of WDW resort features.

Dave

 

[Marthasor]

How many Grand kids are we talking about here; 2, 3, 6? Technically pool hopping is not allowed but if any of the life guards want to enforce the letter of the posted rules you could just add your Grand Children to your reservation at the front desk as Day Guests at the WL front desk.

Since you are not really trying to cheat the system bu simply want to entertain an watch after your Grand Children at the WL pool and Splash Area is no crime while the other adults are enjoying of WDW resort features.

Dave

OP stated there are 3 grandchildren, all ages 3 and up. This would work at Poly or CR, but not WL unless they book a deluxe room, but, again, who knows if the lifeguards will enforce - it's always a risk.

OP, one advantage of doing CR or Poly over WL would be adding your grandchildren to your room - with CR, it would certainly be easy to walk from MK to CR if you ever want to take a mid-day break. With either of those options (Poly or CR), the grandkids could even sleep in your room if you are babysitting for the night. You would lose the WL-Ft. W bus advantage, however. It's unfortunate they have not brought back the CR-WL-Ft. W boat launch.

 

[NCDisNut]

I like the suggestion of getting your own cabin. I'd also get a golf cart.

The camp ground is a lot of fun and you'd want to be able to take advantage of some of the activities there and experience them with your grandkids. If you babysit for them, that's going to be the most simple way to do that.

 

[sponica]

Thanks, I've just learned about the FW/WL bus here today, that might cinch this option. The online chat rep seemed to think our odds are good to get nearby cabins, but of course they won't guarantee. She also answered we could use each other's resort pools, as long as one of us is a registered guest--does that sound right? So if we are at the Lodge, the grandkids could swim at the Lodge pools with us?

I know I could add my mom and step-dad as day guests at the Poly, where they got pool privileges.

The easiest option would be another cabin. You can add a traveling with number to both reservations and the assignors will try to assign you to cabins near each other. Honestly I think having separate cabins would give enough separation.
My mom and step-dad were at a timeshare offsite that was about 25ish minutes away, and it was A LONG 25 minutes after a night of babysitting. We ended up racing back to the room, so that my mom could get back to where she was. If she was at the same resort, we would have felt less guilty.

 

[SG131]

Personally, I would stay at the cabins. You may miss out on some of the fun riding around the golf carts and other memories at the resort. There are ways to possibly share pools if you are at a different resort, but it is not guaranteed esp in the busier summer months. Plus, when getting 3 kids on and off the buses to get get the parks, the more adults to help the better. If you're at a different resort, you won't be traveling to the parks together and unable to help. And sometimes kids say the funniest things in the downtime on the bus. It's worth being there for.