Need advice on The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

[earthfairy]

Hi! My 9 YO daughter, sister in law and I are heading to Disney World in November! We booked a cabin at Fort Wilderness Resort, as we like the spacious cabins, and my daughter feel in love with the bunk beds.

I'm just wondering though how far this resort is from the parks and downtown Disney? And is it a hassle to get around on the resort itself? Thought about renting a golf car, but it's kind of out of our budget.

Considering a change to Animal Kingdom Lodge as the standard view rooms appear to be the same in price (and they have bunk beds), and it was one of our other choices as well.

Thoughts? TIA

 

[pooh4me]

You are only a boat ride away,(about 15min ) from Magic kingdom. The other resorts are only a short bus ride away. The internal buses run every 10 min to either the Outpost where you get the buses or the Settlement where you get the boat. We have never rented a car and do not find the buses or boat to take any more time then a walk to the bus stop and the buses to the parks at other resorts. I also hear that since Animal Kingdom is the farthest away it might take more time. You can also take a boat to the Contemporary from the Settlement and catch the Monorail.
Fort Wilderness has a lot going for it and can be as much fun as a visiting a park. We would not stay any place else. Check the camping site here on the Dis for all kinds of info about the Fort.

 

[earthfairy]

Thank you for the advice pooh4me! I very much appreciate it! I'm thinking we will stay where we are, I'll stop over-analyzing and just have fun! Haha!

 

[Hopefully]

We stayed in the cabins at Fort Wilderness many years ago when our kids were young. We LOVED it!!!. I enjoyed FW itself, it is wonderfully themed and there is lots to do.
I loved the spaciousness of the cabins. You have the bedroom with a set of bunk beds and a double bed and a full kitchen/living/dining room area as well. You also have a small outdoor deck with a picnic table and small charcoal grill. We loved that the kids would go to bed in the bedroom while we were able to sit and relax in the living room for awhile without disturbing them.
Also having the full kitchen can save you money. I would order in at least breakfast foods, water, juice, soda, adult beverages if you are interested and snacks from wegoshop.com. We have used them 6 times and I highly recommend them. We saved the delivery cost in the cost of Disney water alone.
Having breakfast in the cabin will save you both time and money and it is a great start to the day. If you are interested, since you have a fully equipped kitchen and a charcoal grill, you could cook other meals as well. I chose not to.
Coming home after a day in the parks to cold drinks and snacks can't be beat.
The transportation is the only downside, and like a PP said, I don't think it is as bas as some say. We loved the boat to the MK, and the buses were fine.
There is no way I would trade the space of the cabin specifically, and the campground in general, for a room at AKL.
Good Luck

 

[earthfairy]

Thank you so much for your input Hopefully!! And thanks for the tips and website on food delivery. That is a great idea! We have the space, so may as well use it!
Yep, I do believe you both have me convinced to stay put. Thanks a bunch!!

 

[ohboyx3]

Subscribing as we are staying for the first time in October. I too was contemplating a golf cart, but they are already taken on property and I really don't want to spend the extra money. Is there a particular loop that is best? We would like to be near the pool.

 

[Hopefully]

You're welcome earthfairie!! We had a wonderful time at Fort Wilderness and I hope you do too.
ohboyx3 I am not that familiar with the layout of the various loops.
I suggest you both head to the "Camping at Walt Disney World" forum here on the DIS. Scroll further down and you will see it. It is another forum with a great number of dedicated campers who can answer all of your questions and then some
Have Fun

 

[earthfairy]

ohboyx3, I was looking at that since I wanted to request the best loop. From the info I found, the cabins are in loops 2100-2800. Loop 2500 seems to be the closest to the pool (a must for us as well!!). The cabins are at the other end of the marina and Pioneer Hall, but I guess that is why there are internal buses!

IMHO, if you are camping, the best loops would be 1000-1400, since the Meadow Recreation Area is in the center of those loops.

Now off to check out the camping forum!

 

[bama_ed]

earthfairy,

the pool by loop 2500 is the "quiet" pool in the cabin area. It's small and simple. It is not the big primary pool with the big slide by the main trading post and campfire movie area in the middle of the Fort.

Also be advised the cabin loops closest to the main pool and Meadow Trading Post are 2100 or 2200. A golf cart is not a necessity at the Fort but a convenience - however there are offsite vendors that rent carts at about $38/day versus Disney's cart rate of $65/day. Internal busses run frequently for internal transport. Also the Fort is very walkable.

If you have any more questions feel free to ask us over on the Camping Board.

Bama Ed

 

[earthfairy]

Thank you so much Barna Ed. Good to know about the pools too!

 

[ohboyx3]

I think we are going to try our luck without the golf cart and hope for the best!