Need Help

[Minniepooh29]

:confused

OK I'm freaking out. After talking to Sue last night and some other emails I am now worried about staying at the FW Cabins. People have been e-mailing me to tell me you can't walk to the marina to take the boat to MK. That I would have to take a bus to the boat, in the same resort! And that the pool with the snack bar is over a mile from the cabin loops. No one seems to know where the laundry is for the cabins.
My Problem is I did not intend to use any buses. My older kids 18 & 12 will use them if they are not going to the same place as the younger kids. But I do not intend to drag a stroller with car seat attachment, diaperbag, a 3 month old baby, a 6 yr. old and a 4 yr. old on a bus to a boat! I will walk any reasonable distance (I usually don't use the trams either) but I am getting upset. I have also been told by more then one person they think the cabin is too small for the 7 of us. I am really panicking!!!! I already sent a check paying in full for 8 nights. Does anyone know if I call and try to get a different resort how hard is it to switch ressies and the money. Is it going to be a big ordeal where everything gets messed up? Does anyone think their are any AP room rates left? Does anyone know the AP room rates for BWV or BCV or WLV or OKWV 2 bed rooms Aug 19 - 27?
We usually stay at the monorail resorts, WL or Y&B. I thought it would be good to have the kitchen with the new baby. We are on a budget so can't afford the large or small golf cart at FW. I really need helpful advice or suggestions. I am looking for convenience and a nice atmosphere on a budget for a family of 7. LOL am I asking for too much. We have our AP passes already. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.


Donna
Mother of 5...tired all the time, #5 Born May12th ~Its a boy!
I want to live in Disney world some day....maybe in the castle.

 

[lmhall2000]

1. I don't know the distance- but if it is as you described I would switch resorts.
2. It is not difficult at all to switch resorts- just call 407-WDISNEY and talk to CRO or the Disney Travel people and explain your concern. They will be completely understanding.
3. If you apply and receive the Disney Visa Card there are rates good for August-October that are fairly good rates- AS-$49, WL-$119- I'm not sure if those are with/without packages.
4. I did read where they said there were AP rates out for Florida residents- call WDTC and check on it.
5. And don't worry- your children will have a blast and it will all come together for you. let us know how it works out!
Tara

 

[CarolA]

OK A 2 Bedroom at OKW or BC is going to more than double your rate I am willng to bet. On Mary's site it shows the FW cabins at $144 and 2 BR at OKW at $280.

Now the only problem I see with 7 of you in the cabin is the one bathroom. If it were me I would consider two hotel rooms, but you are right the kitchen is nice. However, to go to two rooms where you are used to staying once again bumps the rate way up there. I mean the YC is $200 a night and the WL is $114.

Are you driving? Because if not there is no way you are going to avoid the buses unless you just stay at a monorail resort and go only to the MK or Epcot.

Personally I loved the cabins. I had a friend stay there with her child and she really liked them and did not complain about the bus. However the kind of stroller you are using is a little tough to manuever. Couldn't the older kids help you with the younger ones on the bus?

Just a question, are you taking all 5 of these kids by yourself. If so you have my admiration, you are very brave.

 

[Minniepooh29]

Of course my older ones can help if we are all going to the same park but we split up quite often. As their interests are different. DH will be there but sometimes we take turns going with older kids. Which we might not be able to do this trip.
We are driving to Florida so we will have our own van. (The air fare and rental fees for a van would just be too much.)
Thank you for some the rates, I have to do some quick figuring see what I can cut down on and call to see whats available. LOL I also have to wait for a quiet moment so I can hear the CM on the other end.

 

[CarolA]

Well, you could drive the van to the parks and then just take the transport over.

I recall we walked from our cabin to the boatdock with a 3 year old (no stoller) and we were fine, but we only did it once. I know everyone says it is spead out, but that was one of the things we liked.

The only other suggestion I could think of was a vacation home, but then you older kids are "Trapped" with all of you! LOL!

 

[Minniepooh29]

The older kids being stuck with us the whole trip when they are so used to being on their own would be like jail......ROFL

Right now I am considering two rooms at WL about 550 more which is what it would cost to rent a golf cart.

I would love a 2 bdrm at BWV OR BCV but I think it might be too much.
It just depends on whats available. I may be stuck with what we have. I can't spend too much more after this trip we are dropping off the 18 at college. I know we will have to buy some stuff to set her up at school. And then I have to leave money for food. My pesty kids just insist on eating LOL.
I just have to get my 6, 4 to bed so I can make a phone call and actually hear the person on the other end.
Thanks for your help!

 

[love my kids]

My family of 5 also stayed at the cabins when my kids were little. Our cabin was pretty far from the boat to the MK. After 1 day of spending half our time waiting for buses to go anywhere in Disney, we decided to take our car and park in the lot of the Contemporary. All we had to do was hop on the monorail and it was a lot quicker than waiting for all those buses. Good luck.

 

[Minniepooh29]

They have caught onto people doing that so now they only give you a two hour parking pass. I don't know how they can make you leave if you pay for the day of valet parking. Don't mind taking our on car but didn't want to have to do it every day.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by love my kids
My family of 5 also stayed at the cabins when my kids were little. Our cabin was pretty far from the boat to the MK. After 1 day of spending half our time waiting for buses to go anywhere in Disney, we decided to take our car and park in the lot of the Contemporary. All we had to do was hop on the monorail and it was a lot quicker than waiting for all those buses. Good luck.

They no longer allow people to just leave their car at the CR all day. They give you a three hour parking pass, and if you overstay your welcome they can and do tow. That wouldn't be a very magical experience.

Anne

 

[KellyJ]

Here is a link to the FAQ list for Ft. Wilderness that is located on Deb's site:

Ft. Wilderness FAQ

It is written and maintained by Jeff Spencer who is a very knowledgeable authority on Ft. Wilderness. There is some good descriptions on distances and locations of cabin loops, etc. It also mentions that the laundry facilities are located at the comfort stations. If you find that it will be too expensive to switch resorts then you might at least be able to request a cabin on a loop closest to where you need to be.

And here is a link to Jeff Spencer's Ft. Wilderness site that has maps on it so you can get an idea of the layout...

Ft. Wilderness site

Now, I've never dealt with a stroller like the one you're going to have but my 4 yr. old was able to help me with the diaper bag for my 1 yr. old when my husband and 12 yr. old were elsewhere. And there are always kind-hearted souls that will offer to help you out or hold doors for you. Try not to worry about it too much, I've found that things generally work themselves out in an acceptable manner when need be! Maybe not exactly like we'd plan, but generally acceptable anyway!

Kelly

 

[Minniepooh29]

Thanks to all who had suggestions. We decided to take 2 rooms at the WL. It is costing more but we think we will be happier there as we have stayed there before. I will miss having the kitchen but we will have 2 bathrooms. We are also getting a fridge and will have adjoining rooms. We can take the boat to MK, which is where we are the most with the younger children.
Pool area is not miles away and there is laundry rooms in each wing.