Newbie questions

[Colleen27]

So I woke up this morning all set to book my March stay at Caribbean Beach, but thanks to the whims of the Disney discount gods ended up with a Fort Wilderness cabin instead. And while we did think of staying there once, years ago, it has been a long time since I did any reading up on the Fort so of course I have all manner of stupid questions.

First, what are the pool hours like in the winter? Is the cabin loop pool open longer, like the quiet pools at the moderate resorts?

Second, I've been reading through one golf cart discussion after another and have come to the conclusion that we really don't need one. Am I right on this? It will be me (38) and 4 kids, ages 10 to 20, but DS's SO does have some mobility issues that make walking long distances difficult at times so we'd be relying on internal buses rather than foot power at least some of the time. Would it be better to have a cart to get to the pools and docks and such?

Third, how cabin-like are the amenities at Ft. Wilderness? I know they're much better equipped than the bring-your-own-linens level of KOA cabin we're used to, but is there anything I should still be thinking of packing? Beach towels for the pool? Toiletries? Or is Mousekeeping more or less the same in the cabins as in a resort room?

And last, and certainly least, has the migration to Coke Freestyle machines reached the Fort yet? It is a silly thing, to be sure, but since I'm a diet soda drinker having options other than just Diet Coke was something I was really looking forward to about CBR.

 

[G719]

So I woke up this morning all set to book my March stay at Caribbean Beach, but thanks to the whims of the Disney discount gods ended up with a Fort Wilderness cabin instead. And while we did think of staying there once, years ago, it has been a long time since I did any reading up on the Fort so of course I have all manner of stupid questions.

First, what are the pool hours like in the winter? Is the cabin loop pool open longer, like the quiet pools at the moderate resorts?

Second, I've been reading through one golf cart discussion after another and have come to the conclusion that we really don't need one. Am I right on this? It will be me (38) and 4 kids, ages 10 to 20, but DS's SO does have some mobility issues that make walking long distances difficult at times so we'd be relying on internal buses rather than foot power at least some of the time. Would it be better to have a cart to get to the pools and docks and such?

Third, how cabin-like are the amenities at Ft. Wilderness? I know they're much better equipped than the bring-your-own-linens level of KOA cabin we're used to, but is there anything I should still be thinking of packing? Beach towels for the pool? Toiletries? Or is Mousekeeping more or less the same in the cabins as in a resort room?

And last, and certainly least, has the migration to Coke Freestyle machines reached the Fort yet? It is a silly thing, to be sure, but since I'm a diet soda drinker having options other than just Diet Coke was something I was really looking forward to about CBR.

You can bring your own pool towels or use the ones in the cabin. You can request more if you need. The same soap and shampoo is provided as at other resorts. Disney provides dish soap and dishwasher soap too.

 

[pxydst]

We will be there in March also and this is our first time staying here. So maybe I am not the best person to give my 2 cents, but here it goes... I would suggest a golf cart since one of your kids SO does have some mobility issues, from what I hear it is a big resort and the internal buses take some time. If you do plan on renting a golf cart you might want to do it soon, not sure when they get rented out but you may need a 6 person cart and they do go quicker. This is the best site to ask all kinds of questions.

 

[Shellyb84]

Personally I would not want to go without the golf cart. It was so much easier and quicker than if we had to wait on internal shuttles. Depending on where you're at it could be a decent walk to get to the bus stop. Plus its really fun to go looping in the golf cart.

You can rent them from an offsite company for a good bit less than Disney charges.

 

[Cousin Ed C]

Nobody needs a golf cart! We stay the winter and for seven years we would not rent a cart; it's way too much $$$. We now bring our own cart with us and love it, but if I had to rent one from Disney we would do without. It's not an afford thing it's the principle.

 

[ilovedisneymm]

Awesome on the discount rate! You and your children will have a great time in the cabins. It truly is perfect place to stay for all ages.

I believe the quiet cabin pool is open later than the Meadows pool. I do not believe they close (lock the gate) at any certain time. Could be very wrong here

Cabins are stocked and daily restocked with towels and toiletries. No need to bring your own. A quick phone call will provide additional towels. Don't forget mousekeeping is provided. No need to do your own dishes

Not sure on the coke thing.


As for the golf cart, I personally would rent one. Expecially if there are mobility issues. Walking from the cabin to the enternal buses can be an obstacle in itself. You also have time to consider. Usually about a ten minute wait for a bus to take you to another wait for another bus. If you decide you can do without a cart, then just return it early. You will only be charged the days you use it That simple

Let's not forget what vacations are all about...to make our time a little bit more enjoyable than our everyday lives! I bring my own because of how much more enjoyable it makes staying at the Fort!

What is affordable and what is not is simply up to you to decide.

 

[jknezek]

You never need a cart. It may make things better, but the buses run regularly and while some loops are bigger than others, they are all walkable. You may want a cart, but remember, most carts only seat 4. You cannot reserve the few 6 person carts Disney has, though you can ask for one when you get there. You can reserve a 6 person cart from offsite, I believe, but then you have to spend time getting it, bringing back the trailer, getting the trailer, and bringing back the cart.

It's up to you if it is a luxury worth having.

 

[Colleen27]

Thanks for the quick responses on the golf cart. Which off site companies are DIS-trusted? And how is the pick up process if you're getting one from an off site company?

 

[Jimsig]

Thanks for the quick responses on the golf cart. Which off site companies are DIS-trusted? And how is the pick up process if you're getting one from an off site company?

It's not a matter of Dis-trusted as they no longer allow GC's to be delivered to the Fort by the provider. I and a lot of others here have dealt with Kenny's tee Time with very few issues. According to their website they do have 6 person carts, there 4 person carts are around $35 a day including tax I believe, not sure what the cost of a 6 person is. Disney is $59 a day not including tax for a 4 person. With Kenny and the others you have to meet them somewhere off site, I believe it's a mile off property. Mind you that's not a mile from The Fort it is a mile from the end of Disney property. Where I met them in LBV, in a restaurant parking lot, it's about a 10 min drive and 4.5 miles from The Fort, very easy to get to and find. If you don't have your own car Kenny will let you use their truck to bring the GC back to The Fort. They will also arrange a taxi at an extra cost for you that will pick you up at The Fort bring you to the pick up site and wait for you and drive you back. 2 years ago I want to say they charged $40 for the taxi as they work with someone. I suppose you could always take an uber as well. Luckily I have access to a car. The while process took me between 45 and an hour.

 

[Jimsig]

FYI Kenny's 'Tee Time Golf Carts' website does not include his name. The board won't let me put up a link.

 

[PaHunter]

The Fort does not have the new coke machines. Just the old fountain type, so you are limited in your choices. Buses run every 20 minutes in a circle from the front of the Fort to the Rear. A Golf cart is not a necessity, we have done 3 trips without one. We did rent one this trip just for a day to cruise around the Fort. Otherwise we would use it twice a day, to get to the area to get to a park and back, not worth the cost.

 

[Colleen27]

With the four person carts, are they the standard "golf cart" setup with the rear-facing back bench? If so, I don't think I'd bother worrying over or paying extra for a 6 person cart. My girls are small enough that we have no problem fitting 3 in the back row on our neighbor's cart when we go running around town on it during our summer festival.

It's not a matter of Dis-trusted as they no longer allow GC's to be delivered to the Fort by the provider. I and a lot of others here have dealt with Kenny's tee Time with very few issues. According to their website they do have 6 person carts, there 4 person carts are around $35 a day including tax I believe, not sure what the cost of a 6 person is. Disney is $59 a day not including tax for a 4 person. With Kenny and the others you have to meet them somewhere off site, I believe it's a mile off property. Mind you that's not a mile from The Fort it is a mile from the end of Disney property. Where I met them in LBV, in a restaurant parking lot, it's about a 10 min drive and 4.5 miles from The Fort, very easy to get to and find. If you don't have your own car Kenny will let you use their truck to bring the GC back to The Fort. They will also arrange a taxi at an extra cost for you that will pick you up at The Fort bring you to the pick up site and wait for you and drive you back. 2 years ago I want to say they charged $40 for the taxi as they work with someone. I suppose you could always take an uber as well. Luckily I have access to a car. The while process took me between 45 and an hour.

I meant DIS as in DISboards, not Disney. I figured Disney would probably want me renting from them but I'd just as soon save money where I can. I'll have my van for the trip so meeting offsite won't be a problem, and we don't have plans other than brunch for our arrival day so I won't be missing anything exciting to do it.

BTW, the business name was enough. I found them on FB with no problem without a link.

The Fort does not have the new coke machines. Just the old fountain type, so you are limited in your choices. Buses run every 20 minutes in a circle from the front of the Fort to the Rear. A Golf cart is not a necessity, we have done 3 trips without one. We did rent one this trip just for a day to cruise around the Fort. Otherwise we would use it twice a day, to get to the area to get to a park and back, not worth the cost.

That's where I keep getting hung up, on questioning how much we'll use it. Arrival and departure days will be spent enjoying the resort, but the full days we're there are going to be long ones. But since DS and I will probably be heading to the parks at different times, so he and his SO will probably use it more than the girls and I (they're both over 18 and licensed drivers). And we do have a lot of late nights planned where walking back at the end of the night might be an annoyance, two of them at MK where driving isn't an option and one at Epcot where after a day at Flower & Garden I'd have to let one of the kids be the designated driver. But I think at the prices I'm seeing quoted by Tee Time, it would be worth having.

 

[Jimsig]

With the four person carts, are they the standard "golf cart" setup with the rear-facing back bench? If so, I don't think I'd bother worrying over or paying extra for a 6 person cart. My girls are small enough that we have no problem fitting 3 in the back row on our neighbor's cart when we go running around town on it during our summer festival.

Yep they are the standard rear facing bench

I meant DIS as in DISboards, not Disney. I figured Disney would probably want me renting from them but I'd just as soon save money where I can. I'll have my van for the trip so meeting offsite won't be a problem, and we don't have plans other than brunch for our arrival day so I won't be missing anything exciting to do it.

BTW, the business name was enough. I found them on FB with no problem without a link.

Glad you were able to find it. Sometimes on a web search I have seen it where it puts another golf cart place mixed in and we all call it Kenny's Tee Time here and the web address doesn't have his name.

That's where I keep getting hung up, on questioning how much we'll use it. Arrival and departure days will be spent enjoying the resort, but the full days we're there are going to be long ones. But since DS and I will probably be heading to the parks at different times, so he and his SO will probably use it more than the girls and I (they're both over 18 and licensed drivers). And we do have a lot of late nights planned where walking back at the end of the night might be an annoyance, two of them at MK where driving isn't an option and one at Epcot where after a day at Flower & Garden I'd have to let one of the kids be the designated driver. But I think at the prices I'm seeing quoted by Tee Time, it would be worth having.

As others have said you don't need to have a golf cart to do The Fort as the internal bus system is good. If you can afford the time getting it/dropping it off and the price the cart it's a nice luxury to have. The first time we did the cabins we were there for 6 nights did not rent a cart and had no issues. The last time, as well as the trip in 2 weeks, was 9 nights and we loved having the cart. After the first time with a cart my DW said she would not to The Fort again without one unless it was only a few nights. After a long day in the parks it's nice when you get back to The Fort to be able to hop right in your cart and not have to wait for a bus. Coming back from the Settlement you will be in your cart and a good way back to your cabin before you could walk to the bus and board it. Also if you can request Loop 2700 or 2800 you are no more then a half mile walk to the Outpost from the furthest point in those loops. The Outpost is where you basically get the buses to everywhere but the MK. So you could easily walk it if the others had the cart that day. We were in 2800 the first time and would usually walk to the Outpost instead of waiting for the bus, especially if we knew we just missed one as it was quicker then waiting for the next one as it's that close.

 

[bama_ed]

With regards to getting a golf cart (which I would recommend given your son's condition):

With a standard 4-seater (bench seat in front facing forward, bench seat in back facing to the rear), you can put more than 4 people (within reason) AS LONG AS all the passengers have their butts in a seat. Butts-in-seat is the key word phrase. No standing, crouching and hanging on, or someone sitting in somebody else's lap.

If you have 5 people and everyone has a butt in a seat, you're golden.

If you have 5 people and someone is standing in back hanging on to the rear, crouching hanging on, or sitting in somebody else's lap, I'm getting your cart number or following you to your site and calling the Disney Popo on you. I care that much about you that I don't want to see you hurt somebody in your party.

And it's only because I care.

Self-portrait of me with my caring face on (seriously).

Bama Ed

 

[Colleen27]

With regards to getting a golf cart (which I would recommend given your son's condition):

With a standard 4-seater (bench seat in front facing forward, bench seat in back facing to the rear), you can put more than 4 people (within reason) AS LONG AS all the passengers have their butts in a seat. Butts-in-seat is the key word phrase. No standing, crouching and hanging on, or someone sitting in somebody else's lap.

If you have 5 people and everyone has a butt in a seat, you're golden.

All butts will be in seats. Worst case scenario, DS and I - who are not particularly small people - will take the front and we'll put the two size-5 teenagers and the 60lb almost-10yo in the back together. Pretty sure the three of them could manage butts-in-seats together in my living room recliner.

BTW I love your self-portrait! That's probably my favorite Clint Eastwood movie, in no small part because my first "grown up" job was in a neighborhood very much like the setting.