OKW studio versus Fort Wilderness cabin - Christmas

[disneymom2one]

Hi...

This is definitely a cross post from the Resorts board but I want to make sure the Fort people chime in. We are a family of three. We have a thirteen year old. We no longer have a pop-up as the teen never really liked camping enough. She's not a fussy kid but thunderstorms scared her. So we've moved on.

We'll be at WDW for nine nights at Christmas - from like the 17th to 26th. First four nights are on points and cash at OKW and CBR. The last five must be on cash and those are the most expensive. Due to the crowds, we're either doing a DVC studio (probably OKW) or a cabin at the Fort. We have camped at the Fort about five out of our 35 trips but never stayed in the cabins.

I'm leaning towards the Fort because of the extra space versus a studio as well as the full kitchen. I also think we'll have more options outside the parks (we have AP's but the crowds are really tough). We won't do the golf cart much at all because of the cost. We have really good bikes and will use those.

Even with a good Florida resident discount on the first three nights, both options are super, super pricey due to the holiday peak season rates. Both the cabins and a studio are in the $400 range for the last two nights (each night).

Thoughts? Again, I'm leaning towards the Fort. It's always so peaceful - sort of a different kind of trip. Any special activities at Christmas? Things to do?

Thanks.

 

[Skyw]

I haven't stayed at any of the villas before but I have been at the cabins three times. Basically, they are "Disney themed" trailers. Don't get me wrong...I love staying there but if you are looking for 5 star quality....it isn't the cabins. You have already stayed at FW so you know about all of the fun stuff to do there. So I will just list a few things we like about the cabins

-there is a grill and deck!
-Full Kitchen stocked
-Quiet
-nice to have a bedroom and living area
-did I say quiet.
-mouse keeping

I will think of more I am sure.....

hope this helps

 

[merryweather20]

To be honest I've never ventured to OKW during Christmas so take my advice with a grain of salt

I would choose the Fort. My favourite ride as a 13 year-old was the chill relaxing boat to the Magic Kingdom in the morning. You are very close to the Grand Floridian where you can visit some very special X-Mas decorations With bikes you can also tour the camping loops to see decorated RV's as well as bike over to the Wilderness Lodge (their Christmas tree is one of my favourites). The full kitchen will help you avoid the busy restaurants. I think with a 13 year-old, having the back bedroom for some separation might be more fun than everyone together in a studio.

The main complaint I hear from people who dislike the cabins is of the internal bus sytem (you would need to take an inner bus to get to the docks or a bus to get to an MGM bus). To be honest though, I always kind of thought as the buses as extra fun More than once I've been on my way back to the cabin and the bus drivers would have us all singing! The Fort bus drivers are generally the best! Depending on how much you want to use your bikes you may be able to avoid the internal buses some as well.

 

[disneymom2one]

I haven't stayed at any of the villas before but I have been at the cabins three times. Basically, they are "Disney themed" trailers. Don't get me wrong...I love staying there but if you are looking for 5 star quality....it isn't the cabins. You have already stayed at FW so you know about all of the fun stuff to do there. So I will just list a few things we like about the cabins

-there is a grill and deck!
-Full Kitchen stocked
-Quiet
-nice to have a bedroom and living area
-did I say quiet.
-mouse keeping

I will think of more I am sure.....

hope this helps

Hi! No ... we're not into 5 star. I mean ... we can be but that really isn't what we come to Disney for. I'm of (the minority opinion I'm sure) that there are far better hotels in other parts of the world. For example, we returned a couple of months ago from Le Pavillion in New Orleans. We've stayed at the Beach Club and Boardwalk and neither come close to the personalized, ridiculously attentive service of Le Pavillion. You literally could not move a foot without someone helping you. We don't expect that at Disney and nor have we really ever gotten it - and we certainly wouldn't expect it the most crowded week of the year.

No ... what we come to Disney for is some down time. Unfortunately due to both our schedules as college professors and our daughter's busy life in middle school, we are almost always there at the most crowded times of the year. So the Fort appeals to us. I honestly love the people there - with their decorated trailers and just general laid back feel. But I understand the cabins will be ... cabins. Expensive cabins to be sure - but cabins.

 

[Skyw]

Well then you will love it. Everyone is very friendly and it is such a nice way to spend the holidays. The decorations are great...I am talking the campers!!! I have even seen cabins decorated too.

 

[KristinU]

I vote the Fort. I have stayed in DVC studios before, including OKW..and while we loved the 1BR at OKW, the studios have a wierd configuration for us where it didn't feel as roomy as the BWV/BCV/VWL/SSR studios. There are two beds rather than the one bed and one pull-out couch configuration, which may be more comfortable for the three of you sleeping...but it also makes it not as great for just hanging out in the room, IMHO. While I've never stayed in a cabin at the Fort, I believe you'll have more room to stretch out and just relax...with 9 nights hopefully you'll get plenty of your planned down time to enjoy, and I feel like I'd want more space to do that in. As far as the quietness and laid-back feeling of the resort itself - OKW does rival the Fort in that department. Certainly not the hustle and bustle of some of the other resorts. No matter what you decide - have fun!!!

 

[auntie]

I think the Fort would just have a more "Christmas-y" feel to it. Not to mention the decorations at the WL being so close as well. Being that you are already staying in OKW earlier in the trip, why not stay in the cabins and have the extra room. Normally I'm not a huge fan of the cabins..simply because I found them removed from the campground amenities. However if you are going to have your own bikes and car..it's sounds like a great option, and transporatation shouldn't be an issue.