Opinions about golf carts.

[kakiegirl]

Hi! Everyone this is my first post on this board. We are headed to Fort Wilderness Camping for the first time in June. I go back and forth about renting a golf cart and I know I probably need to do it soon if I am going to. I just wanted opinons from veterans of Fort Wilderness. I would really love to spend that $350.00 on other things, but I don't want to spend the week exhausted from walking everywhere especially with a five year old. This is going to be her first time at the parks without a stroller so she is going to be worn out anyway. We have requested the 1400 loop. Thanks!

 

[thumpersfriend]

Personally I would never not rent a cart again. My family feels that that is part of the experience of FW . We went a few times without renting one but it is so much fun to drive them around and see more of the park, it is bigger than you think. And I would think that your 5 year old would love it too. It is worth the money. Have fun!

 

[DVC@BWV]

I'm not a Ft. Wildernerness veteran, but when we stayed in the cabins in 2002 we rented a golf cart and it was money well spent and the cart was put to very good use (our DS was almost three yrs. old). We zipped over to the pools, the stores, the boat landing, etc. In fact, he liked riding around the area in the golf cart almost as much as the actual rides in the parks! Have a great trip!

 

[minkydog]

Get the golf cart. It makes your stay so much more enjoyable. My kids love them--it's so easy to zip over the the pool or or Trails End or the store in your golf cart. And it is just fun to ride in!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

If you are going to be at Ft. Wilderness for a week, and want to save some money on the golf cart, just rent it for a day or two. We usually only camp for long weekends, and the golf cart is definitely a major enhancement to the exerience. When we have camped for longer periods, I have only had the cart for part of the time. We use these days to drive around the campground, visit the pools, petting zoo, etc. If you can afford to pay for the whole time, then go for it, because there is nothing better than getting off that boat from the Magic Kingdom, taking a few steps down the dock, and hopping on your personal golf cart, and zipping away.

 

[firenurse]

Just returned on the 13th from Fort Wilderness. This was our 3rd trip and we were in loop 1400. First of all, are you bringing bikes?? This will make getting around a little easier. We rented a golf cart for just our day "off" from the parks. This was the first time we rented one. We really enjoyed it and it made doing laundry at the comfort station much easier. The kids really enjoyed riding around, too. We could'nt see renting one for the whole week when we were not there that much. It is possible to walk to marina from 1400, but it is pretty far. We usually rode our bikes to the marina and had them when we returned. We did use the busses a few times and did not have to wait that long. It really depends on if you can justify spending the $44/+tax a day on a golfcart. If you have the extra money, go for it. The golf carts are checked out no earlier than 1:00p.m and must be returned the next morning before 11:00am. If you get loop 1400 you are near the campfire program and meadows trading post, so you can walk there very easily. Hope this helps.

 

[We4mickey]

If you don't want to spend the money for the entire time. Pick a few days that you will have down time away from the parks. Nothing better than spending a day in the campground. Go to the pool, check out the stores, go to the campfire or pick up a pizza and watch the fireworks down at the beach. Cruise around and look at all the campers and decorations people put up. You will be glad you at least have it for a few days.

 

[blestmom]

Well, I guess I'm going to go against the grain. I took five kids down to Disney by myself, including my 5 year old son, and stayed in the cabins. Since we were trying to save money, we did not get a golf cart. Some of our favorite memories are walking around the campground. Yes, at times my son got tired of walking, but it was no big deal. There are a lot of playgrounds, etc., and sometimes we would stop and let him play for a bit, then he'd be ready to go again. It probably depends somewhat on how much time you have. We really wanted to slow down and relax, and we did. I just could not, for our family, justify the expense. What is important is that you know your child, and your financial situation, and you can make the best decision that is right for your family. You'll have a great time! And I do have to say, the golf carts look like a ton of fun! Maybe sometime we'll save up and rent one!

 

[duranfan]

I have been going to FT W since it opened when I was just a kid. I have literally spent thousands of day/nights there.
Long ago before the extra parks, we only rented a cart for maybe 1 day a visit. We always rent them now coz they are practical & fun.

Agreed, that exploring the campground by foot is fun. However, you can still do that. A golf cart gives you quick and easy transportation when you need it. We find it fun just to go carting around the campgrounds. At night you can take it down to the beach and watch the fireworks without having to worry about walking a great distance or trying to catch a (probably) crowded bus.
I totally believe in people walking because its good for your health, but theres lots of walking everywhere at Disney so the golf cart is good for tired legs on little ones.
You could probably reserve it only for certain days then if you decide to keep it most times (excluding holidays/weekends) you usually can extend the reservation.
One thing is for sure there are all types of campers at FT W. Some are bare basics while others are in the land yachts. However, I can help but notice most people would like a golf cart even if its not in their budget. WE always have new guest inquiring to us about how/where do we get a cart.

 

[Mick&Min2001]

How many people do the golf carts seat?

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I think that they tell you no more than four adults on a cart. We have a family of five, and the three kids (ages 9-13) can still sit on the back seat, although it is getting tight. We have managed to squeze an extra kid in the front seat, too, when needed. Once, our friends were able to rent a cart that had three rows of seats, but I haven't seen those types of carts around lately.

 

[CaipiraBob]

When we go later this year we'll rent one. In fact we've already reserved it. My mother is slightly disabled and has bad knees so we'll need it. We did choose specifically to stay on the camp grounds and she very much wants to go. Really, though, I'd get it either way. It just sounds fun and also convenient. OK, so I'm a big kid, but we're not there to "rough it" completely, just to enjoy a "moderate camping" experience in a fun environment.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I have one reserved for 3 days of our upcoming Easter trip. I am also working on a deal to buy one back here at home. If that happens I will cancel my FW cart ressies and use the $120 on goodies for my cart.

I agree with the "rent it for a few days" thinking. If the budget is tight the cart can be a budget buster, we typically try to rent one for the days we arent going to be at the parks.

The capacity issue comes down to weight more than room. Most of these types of carts are only capable of carrying the weight of 4 adults and still handle properly.

seeya at FW !

 

[tim5055]

While I really enjoy the golf carts, I am probably in the camp of only renting it for the days you plan to stay back at FW.

 

[auntie]

I think it also depends on the the time of year you visit. Now I've visited in May, and the weather was such that I'd get by without a cart..if we had bikes. If it's August..I'm gettin' the cart. I think you are located closer to the meadow pool/and trading post area..so that wouldn't be too much of a problem, but if you are looking to get up fron to the marina..it's quite a walk with little ones in the heat. If your not having to get strollers on and off the bus that's not to bad, when we went in August one year..we had two strollers on and off the bus just to get around the campground...after a couple of days of that we rented the golf cart.
You may also want to consider getting the cart from an outside agency. There are several and they are considerably less expensive than disney. I believe you can arrange to pick it up in the parking lot. I'm thinking that the name was something like www.golfcartenterprises.com. Try this..they are half the price at $150.00 for the week..a good compromise I think,

 

[duranfan]

Like the other poster mentioned one has to use good judgement with the weight VS. number of people. For example 2-150lb adults and say a 40 lb child could sit on the back and same with the front.
Honestly, I would say if one was over 200lbs or a large framed person, they will only seat 2 adults per row.
Children MUST be seated on the cart cushion itself, no sitting on laps. (This is for a reason, have seen a kid thrown off by accident)
Only licensed drivers over 16 are allowed to drive. IF they see a kid operating one they WILL take it. Last time we were there, there was some elementary school age kids driving one till they caught them...just a dangerous mix considering the size of incoming motor vehicles.

 

[Tigger1]

We used to rent a cart one of the two nights we stayed at Ft Wilderness. It seemes sorta high priced since it cost almost the same as the amoing. My children 14, 18, 20, 22, 23, love the cart. It is one of the highlights of the trip for them. We rented it for both nights last year. I figure $45 per night is less that park tickets for those nights. We also took 3 bicycles last year. I wished we would have had 6 bikes along with the golfcart. Once the children are all married and take thier own family we will likely just ride bikes. I really do not imagine ever going without some of the children though.

I would rent the cart the non park days. You may want to plan ahead to decide how many of those days that will be. I think the first day camping is a good day to have a cart. They have to be returned by either 11 am or 1 pm, not sure. I think you have to wait until 4 pm to pick them up when you reserve them.

Have fun.

Tigger

 

[mrsgus06]

We just returned from a surprise visit to Ft. Wilderness today. We stayed in the cabins this time as opposed to bringing our camper so I left our golf cart at home as well. I really missed the golf cart! It was a hassle to go to the store, pool and beach! We may just be spoiled, but I love the fact that we can load up on the cart and go go go. Will be going back next month for our spring break and will absolutely load up the cart! Maybe, like the other posters said, rent for only a day or two will allow you to explore. Personally, I hated renting one of theirs and having it sit at the marina while we spent the days in the parks. It was a convenience to have it waiting on us, but I don't think it was money well spent .

 

[trlrboy]

I checked out www.golfcartenterprises.com and spoke with a guy there. He said that they do not deliver carts to FW but you have to go to their facility (about 25 minutes away) to pick it up on a trailer and then have to return the trailer back to them right away. The cost is $150/week and $50 for the trailer so you can save some money if you don't mind killing a little time with 4 trips back and forth to get it.

 

[auntie]

I wonder..is the $50.00 for the trailer...is that a deposit..do you get that back when you return the trailer?
Seems like an option...for half the money ...but is a bit inconvenient given it's four trips. You'd think they let you keep the trailer to bring it back to them when the rental was up.
Well, I've heard of a few companiies that rent them...perhaps there is one a bit more convenient...pays to look into it, depending on the savings.