Our first stay at Fort Wilderness Cabins, We leave Saturday 6/20!

[RMColosimo]

So with only about a month to go, okay it is 5 weeks, I was looking at the different loops that the cabins are on and was wondering if one was considered better than the others.

Well now that is subjective, so let me give some parameters and see what everyone thinks:

1) There are 6 of us, ranging from 6 years old to 70 years old.
a) This include Me(the only male of our group), my wife, our three daughters, and my mother.
2) We are not going to rent a golf cart. We talked about it, but the rental money we feel is better spent on other things, even if it means walking a little more.
3) We don't mind walking to the bus stops, or waiting but want to be able to get there somewhat easily.
4) My mother will most likely spend time at the Cabin without us. She is a young 70(She owned her own company and just sold it. So she went from working 7 days a week, to only working 5 days a week in her retirement. Getting her to take a vacation for 9 days with us is a miracle. ) So she might like a spot that is a little more quiet.
a) We are willing to accommodate Mom for her quiet, even if it means walking a little more.

Of course, I know that no matter if someone gives me the "perfect" loop/Cabin that there is no guarantee that we will get it. But I have 5 weeks, okay it is 5 weeks on Saturday, before we go so I want to talk about silly things.

Just in case anyone has any interest in this part, We are leaving from Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday June 20th, driving about 10 hours to a hotel. Then we will get up early and get to Fort Wilderness on June 21st, we are hoping by 3 pm but I think 5 or 6 is more likely. Remember we are travelling with 3 little girls, 2 adult women, and moi, the body of an adult male, the humor of a very little boy. We will be leaving on Saturday June 27th and doing everything in reverse, but let's not talk about leaving, I have not even gotten there yet!

We are arriving on Father's day, so my wife is going to let me do whatever I want to do. I already made FP+ plans at MK to ride some of the rides, and plan to see the fireworks.

So feel free to suggest away on things to do, things to try, etc..

 

[peg110]

the body of an adult male, the humor of a very little boy.

Hmmm.... Sounds like me! I only have 2 DD's and of course a DW. At this point in our lives, we don't generally go on vacation with the Parents (Hers or mine) but I understand how you feel.

I don't have a lot of experience with the "Cabin" area, but from what I have observed, there is not a real long walk from any of the sites (cabins, or other loops) to a bus stop. Probably a bigger concern might be the distance from other amenities. Most (again) can be gotten to simply enough by the bus system as well.

I have heard a lot of folks want and desire the 100 loop cabins. I guess they're "VIP" cabins that if not otherwise used for VIPs that Disney will rent them out as normal cabins. Although you generally cannot get this on request, you could get lucky.

Either way regardless of which cabin you get, I am sure you will have an awesome time. Just make sure "Mom" also learns to relax. After working 7 days a week, I am sure she may need some "Reminding" that she is retired.

 

[RMColosimo]

hehe.. Yes Mother needs a lot of reminding. We actually built an in-law suite(is it still an In-law suite if it is my mother?) so she lives with us. So my kids almost would be lost without her there with us.

Okay, maybe I will let the CM's know that Mom is celebrating semi-retirement, and see what Pixie Dust they can do for her.

Thanks for letting me know about the Cabins. I will never be confused with a VIP, but you never know when you are going to get lucky.

 

[Teamubr]

I'll preface this with I have never stayed in a cabin, but I have spent a lot of time looping through the cabin loops on my bike with my DS.

Overall, the cabin loops feel a little more remote (and quiet) compared to some of the RV loops. Since you won't have a cart (we never get one either), I'd request (you can do that on MDE) a cabin closer to a bus stop. Most of the cabin loops are pretty big and it would be a good walk every time you went to or from the stop if you are at the back of the loop.

And your mom sounds similar to my dad. He's 84, went back to work as a CFO for a non-profit 2 years ago. He can probably out walk me as long as his pacemaker is working right.

j

 

[sharadoc]

Hi. Loop 2500, (ask for the back of the loop) is ideal. There is a bus stop there, and you are next to the pool and laundry facility. The loop itself is much smaller than others.

I have never seen it be noisy at that pool, so it won't be an issue. And if mother decides to explore the campground, she can easily get to the bus.

Have fun - it's a wonderful place to stay.

 

[Jimsig]

Hi. Loop 2500, (ask for the back of the loop) is ideal. There is a bus stop there, and you are next to the pool and laundry facility. The loop itself is much smaller than others....Have fun - it's a wonderful place to stay.

Was just looking over the map and and would agree with Sharadoc that 2500 would be ideal for you as it looks to be the smallest loop, though even if you didn't get it any other loop would still be manageable. IMO I would say 2500, 2600, 2400 in that order. All put you close to what Sharadoc mentioned.

...Just in case anyone has any interest in this part, We are leaving from Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday June 20th, driving about 10 hours to a hotel. Then we will get up early and get to Fort Wilderness on June 21st, we are hoping by 3 pm but I think 5 or 6 is more likely. Remember we are travelling with 3 little girls, 2 adult women, and moi, the body of an adult male, the humor of a very little boy. We will be leaving on Saturday June 27th and doing everything in reverse, but let's not talk about leaving, I have not even gotten there yet!

Not sure if you have done a road trip like this before with your 3 little ones but I just got back a couple weeks ago from a road trip from MA to TN with my DW and 5yo DD and one piece of advice I can give you is watch their fluid intake if you have snacks in the car. We found out quickly the first day not to let my DD suck down a juice box or we would be stopping very often for a bathroom break. We would then limit her to sips. Luckily my DD travels very well but we made sure to have a iPad, an old IPhone (on airplane mode), and a DVD player for her to use to keep her occupied. That said also make sure to take breaks for them as well and make sure anytime you do stop to make sure they use the bathroom, even if they say the don't have too.

Are you driving 77 to 26 to 95 to 4? Where are you thinking 10 hours will get you too?

 

[2goofycampers]

I just wanted to say good luck getting in the bathroom with 5 females. Maybe 2100 so you could sneak over and use the comfort station in a campsite loop.

 

[RMColosimo]

Was just looking over the map and and would agree with Sharadoc that 2500 would be ideal for you as it looks to be the smallest loop, though even if you didn't get it any other loop would still be manageable. IMO I would say 2500, 2600, 2400 in that order. All put you close to what Sharadoc mentioned.

Not sure if you have done a road trip like this before with your 3 little ones but I just got back a couple weeks ago from a road trip from MA to TN with my DW and 5yo DD and one piece of advice I can give you is watch their fluid intake if you have snacks in the car. We found out quickly the first day not to let my DD suck down a juice box or we would be stopping very often for a bathroom break. We would then limit her to sips. Luckily my DD travels very well but we made sure to have a iPad, an old IPhone (on airplane mode), and a DVD player for her to use to keep her occupied. That said also make sure to take breaks for them as well and make sure anytime you do stop to make sure they use the bathroom, even if they say the don't have too.

Are you driving 77 to 26 to 95 to 4? Where are you thinking 10 hours will get you too?

We made the same drive 2 years ago, so we have IPADS for the kids, with movies on them, mostly Disney, as well as Nintendo DS's for each of them. I also have purchased two cigarette lighter usb chargers. These allow 2 USB devices to be charged from the lighter. I also have a bunch of USB extension cords. So basically, there are wires running all over our minivan to different seats for the girls to watch their IPADS, and keep them charged.

We do not limit the intake of fluids, as they did not need that many bathroom breaks really, so we were fine. My wife actually makes up little 'snack' bags for each daughter, so that they have fruit,veggies, and drinks right next to them and if they move, they can pick up the little carrier and move it with them.

We did just buy a new MiniVan, so I am looking forward to driving in this one, instead of the old one. This one is a 2014 Dodge Grand Caravan with Stow and Go seating. If anyone has ever had to lug out the seats in the older minivans, Stow and Go, is so nice. There are also some extra storage in this van that we did not have in our old one.

We have a hotel reserved, a Comfort Inn Suite, in St. George, SC. They have a pool, and free breakfast and for less than $ 100/night it is the biggest deal of the vacation.
If we get there early enough, then the girls will go swimming to burn off energy. We usually order out for Pizza, or Chinese, whatever the clerks recommend.

We usually leave home semi-early, so before 7am and will stop around noon for a long lunch. Last time we stopped at a roadside place with picnic tables and restrooms. It gave the girls some time to run around, and give some sassy looks, like this one:


For the last leg, we usually get up and get going so we can hit the hotel around 3pm, which with three small kids means we get there about 5 or 6.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[RMColosimo]

I just wanted to say good luck getting in the bathroom with 5 females. Maybe 2100 so you could sneak over and use the comfort station in a campsite loop.

hehe.. Yeah, we all live together and have 3 bathrooms at home, so our home away from home is going to be a little tight. But if that is the burden for being at Disney, then I will take it.

 

[peg110]

The last 2 times we went, we took our 27' Travel Trailer. So the "Bathroom" was rarely an issue. We had it with us. We just needed to pull over somewhere safe and get out of the truck and get into the camper. So that was nice. The Gas mileage, however was not so nice.

I also have "Wires" running around my truck. I do have a 2014 F250 (Crew Cab) and it has a built in inverter with an outlet in the front and one in the back. It's only about 75 watts so it can run much. It also has 12v plugs ALL OVER. So I took one of the 12V plugs and wired another (300 W) inverter with a cable with a switch on the Plug end. I hid the inverter under a seat and ran an extension cord with 3 plugs on it. That way laptops could be charged, and other devices can be charged "Quicker" then they can with the 12V adapter for USB.

My DW booked another trip this November with the Free Dining and we will be going to Pop Century. She doesn't want to fly, so we will be driving the truck WITHOUT the "Tow behind" Bathroom, so it will be a newer experience for us. The good thing is that we can get there quicker, because with the Travel Trailer, my DW won't drive it, but without it, she will drive the truck, so that way I can get some rest without pulling over at a hotel or rest stop.

 

[Jimsig]

Love the photo!!!

Sounds like a good driving plan and always nice in a new car. Hopefully the traffic gods will be good you on and let you make it by 3.

One suggestion to bring would be at least one power strip from home. That way while at the Fort and hotel you can have everything plugged in and close together while charging. No running around looking for the missing iPad or cell phone.


We were there back in Oct in the 2800 loop and are going back in Nov and can't wait. We loved the Fort.

Have a blast

 

[peg110]

One suggestion to bring would be at least one power strip from home. That way while at the Fort and hotel you can have everything plugged in and close together while charging. No running around looking for the missing iPad or cell phone.

For us this isn't a problem, at least while at FW with our camper, but our next trip is now going to be at Pop Century this November, so I really do like this idea. Just from experience in other hotels (not Disney) the Outlets are few and far in between. With 3 cell phones, a tablet, at least one (maybe 2) laptop(s), and several portable battery packs, I can certainly see the value in this suggestion.

 

[Jimsig]

Just from experience in other hotels (not Disney) the Outlets are few and far in between. With 3 cell phones, a tablet, at least one (maybe 2) laptop(s), and several portable battery packs, I can certainly see the value in this suggestion.

While going over my packing for vacation last month it dawned on me how many devices we would have and the power strip idea came to mind from something I had read once in a cruise forum website and from where we plug my DW iPhone, I pad and DD old iPhone. You usually get an outlet behind the bed stand (with the lamp already plugged in) , behind the TV (with the TV already plugged in) and usually one maybe two more hidden or not in the best of spots, like next to the bed with no where to pun anything. Can make it difficult to find space. I'll never vacation without one or two again. Even at a Fort Cabin being able to plug everything in in one spot helps when having to look for stuff every morning before you head out for the day.

 

[RMColosimo]

While going over my packing for vacation last month it dawned on me how many devices we would have and the power strip idea came to mind from something I had read once in a cruise forum website and from where we plug my DW iPhone, I pad and DD old iPhone. You usually get an outlet behind the bed stand (with the lamp already plugged in) , behind the TV (with the TV already plugged in) and usually one maybe two more hidden or not in the best of spots, like next to the bed with no where to pun anything. Can make it difficult to find space. I'll never vacation without one or two again. Even at a Fort Cabin being able to plug everything in in one spot helps when having to look for stuff every morning before you head out for the day.

Great suggestions! I am adding power strips to my packing list now. And with 3 kids and 3 adults, there will be a ton of electronics, as well as my work laptop, and my personal laptop as well. <sigh>

 

[Mary2e]

Six of you, all in one cabin? 5 of them women??? I love the cabins, but it's only 2 of us. I wouldn't consider it with more than 4, with 2 of them being children. The beds are full size, and one is a murphy bed and there are also bunk beds in the bedroom. The sofa is really the size of a love seat.

You shouldn't have any problem walking to get a bus. We sometimes get a cart and sometimes we don't, and while having a cart is more convenient, it's not required, nor do we really feel we have to have one. We'll be there around the same time as you and have rented one because everything will be open late and we'll be more inclined to use it to hang around the fort during the day.

As for the power strip idea... we always travel with a 6' extension cord and consider it indispensible. It allows us to plug in behind the sofa and leave the other outlets available should we need them.

 

[RMColosimo]

Yeah, we considered the entire six in one cabin thing, but really I have 3 kids, so it is always a group of 5 of us no matter where we go. Adding my mother to the mix is not that big a deal. We looked at getting two rooms, but we figured the full kitchen would give us more freedom on eating, and choosing when we wanted to eat out, and when we wanted to eat in. When the kids get a few years older, I am sure it will get a little harder to do all of us in one area, but I hope it will be okay this time.

My mom will have one full bed, the girls will share the bunk bed, and me and my wife will have the murphy bed. It is will be a big change from our king size bed at home, but the Disney experience will hopefully overcome that issue.

Now taking an extension cord is also a fine idea, I think I might have to grab one of my smaller ones, and put it with a power strip or two.

 

[Mary2e]

Let me put it to you this way... we have a king bed also and I get the bedroom and my husband gets the murphy bed. And we're not large people. We'd kill each other if we slept that close together The murphy bed is also not that comfortable. It's not like a regular bed, though it's close. My husband is usally tired of sleeping on it by the 7th or 8th night.

But if you go in knowing all that, you'll be fine.

The kitchen is great, and we find ourselves eating in the cabin most of the time. It actually frees us from having to deal with getting to a restaurant and waiting. If you plan on grilling make sure you bring the tools you'll need, plus a lighter and oven mitts. We actually have a stash of cabin-necessities aside so we always remember to bring those things.

 

[serenitygr]

Actually I have to disagree with Mary2e on the beds and sleeping; (sorry Mary2e) we stayed in a cabin our very first Disney trip in 2012. We loved it. We are a family of 6 also. My husband and I slept on the Murphy bed (we have a queen size at home) and while it was a tiny bit smaller- that just made for better cuddling and less heat necessary at night. (it was kind of chilly that February) And I thought it was extremely comfortable! More so than any bed I've actually slept in at a motel! Our 4 kids were in the bedroom, and while it was a little hard getting them to settle down at night, in your case with grandma in there with them, I bet that will go better for you! And maybe grandma would even like a little snuggler in bed with her once in awhile!

Have a wonderful trip! We are going in October and renting a camper, but we are thinking of next fall going and staying in a cabin again! Free dining is a wonderful thing- it makes the cabins very enticing!

 

[mickeyfan32]

We just stayed in the 2100 loop with 3 adults and 2 kids. My mom and I got up early and used the comfort stations to take showers so when the kids woke up we would be ready to go. We had a golf cart but the bus stop was right across the road. Enjoy. We loved the cabins and campground so much we won't stay anywhere else for a long time.

 

[A11ison]

Google map PUBLIX local grocery store and get your shopping done before u check in there is also a super Walmart close by. If you plan to do laundry if u have the space bring detergent from home.