Newbie questions for upcoming cabin stay

[pianomanzano]

Staying at one of the new DVC cabins next month and had a question. First time for our family and we're excited! For the grill, are cooking/cleaning equipment provided? What about charcoal/lighters, can they be purchased? Is the boat launch for MK walkable from the cabins (not sure what loop they're opening up first for DVC).

Also appreciate any tips you have for a family with two toddlers, we'll probably skip Hoop Dee Doo this time around since we plan to go there in September. Thanks!

 

[MICKIMINI]

Charcoal and lighters are available at the store at the Fort. If you are checking bags, $store gloves, dawn, grill scrubber, matches, napkins are a smart buy. Pick up a scrubbable tablecloth for the picnic table and a pack of clips to hold it down while you are there. A box of foil wrappers will be handy.

If you grill chicken, for instance, cook extra so you can make chicken salad or chicken fajitas the next day. You can prepare grilled cheese sandwiches (add precooked bacon?) butter the bread and wrap in foil wrappers and then toss on the grill for a quick lunch. You can do the same with pasta sauce and mozzarella cheese. (Old camping recipes). I would cook a box of pasta for macaroni salad and have green salad as well. I would not bother with this much cooking at any other villa, but here with the grill available it is a chance to eat well and save $$. The trick is planning exactly what you need for food so you are not wasting most of it, but it sounds like you plan on cooking.

The Fort is quite spread out and has a bus system. You can rent a golf cart. Rentals are pricey, but a 24 or 48 hour rental would get you to the store for groceries, a few trips to the pool, a ride around the Fort and maybe even a quick load of laundry in addition to getting to the dock. Bring a bit of ribbon to tie on your cart so you can quickly identify it in the sea of matching carts. I'd trade a fancy sit down dinner for a 48 hour golf cart rental any day!

Taking the boat back from MK before fireworks is the best option IMO. You can then watch fireworks with piped in music from the beach and then hop in your golfcart for a quick ride back to your cabin.

Enjoy!

 

[Teamubr]

Is the boat launch for MK walkable from the cabins (not sure what loop they're opening up first for DVC).

Also appreciate any tips you have for a family with two toddlers, we'll probably skip Hoop Dee Doo this time around since we plan to go there in September. Thanks!

Pianomanzano,

Great advice from Mickimini. I'll reiterate how big the Fort is. The cabins are located at one end, closest to the entrance- (Outpost). The boat dock to MK is at the other end (Settlement). It is a mile from the cabin loops to the Settlement boat dock. And nearly 1.5 miles from the Fort entrance to the boat dock. Many people consider that "walkable". If I had 2 toddlers, I wouldn't.

The Fort is a nice quieter respite from the hustle of the parks and most resorts. There are 2 pools (Meadows large pool in the center of the Fort and a smaller "cabin" pool) if your kids like the water. You can rent canoes at the Meadows and there are a number of small canals that wind through the Fort. I know my son liked going for a "boat" ride when he was small with mom and dad doing all the paddling. (mostly dad ) There is the horse stables near the Settlement. Your kids may be too small to actually do a "ride", but it is a nice walk through area to see the horses. The stables are new and really nice.

I agree that Hoop-Dee-Do would be a bit much for toddlers, but the adults would probably like it and the lights, music, singing and energy could still be fun for the littles.

Golf carts are a nice way to see the Fort and get around, but definitely not a necessity. The internal Fort buses are convenient and take you to the Meadows, Settlement and Outpost. Kids do seem to enjoy riding around on golf carts, so I'd second Mickimini's suggestion to get a cart for a day or two. I think the Fort carts are $65-70/day.

j

 

[bama_ed]

Two of the three internal bus lines (that run between the Outpost Bus Depot at the checkin area and the Settlement Bus Depot down by HDDR) run down through the cabin loops. So those loops get pretty frequent bus service in both directions.

I will say September is still hot, humid, and rain often like the summer weather pattern so keep that in mind too.

Enjoy your stay.

Bama Ed

 

[BaymaxFan78]

There are some cooking utensils but I can't remember if they give you a scraper for the grill. No charcoal or lighters, but they do sell them at the trading posts.

You can walk from the cabins to the marina but it is about a mile long walk. For perspective, walking an entire loop through each land at Magic Kingdom would be 1 mile.

Not sure which part of July you are coming, 2500 loop opens on the 1st and 2300 MAY be open in the latter half of the month. The loops are right next to each other.

If the budget allows I would rent a golf cart if you haven't. It will make things much easier with toddlers.

Have fun!