POR or Fort Wilderness for 5?

[magicman]

Ok, now we've done it, we have ended up with 2 reservations. One at POR and the other at Fort Wilderness in a cabin. Which one should we keep? we are a party of 5, 3 adults and 2 children. POR is about $300 cheaper but is also smaller. How is the transportation from Fort Wilderness? Does it feel like a disney resort? I could go on and on. Help please!!

 

[Luvinit]

This one is a no brainer for me IMHO....Fort Wilderness RULES!!! It is my Favorite place to stay. How old are your kids??

Tracy

 

[magicman]

Our kids are 7 and 5.

 

[Luvinit]

If you can afford the xtra $$$. go for FW. There is a seperate room for the kids, and a full kitchen, that hsekpg takes care of. It is really quite,b/c you are not attached to anyone. The walk back and forth to the bus stops are usually the best part!! I am not a person who really enjoys camping, but I got to tell you we have spent 2 weeks in those cabins, and my husband and I wanted to get our mailed forward there.

I could go on forever about how much i love it there if you have any specifc questions you can PM me.

 

[colleen costello]

Riverside is lovely, but those rooms are small. We just returned from a great week with Mickey and we spent a night at Riverside before joining my parents in a larger room at Old Key West. We were tired from the long drive and enjoyed the pool, then had a nice meal at the food court. The grounds are beautiful! But back in the room I was climbing the walls because the kids were manic and there was nowhere to hide! We had a room with the trundle bed and when that is pulled out for sleeping it's very tight -- little space for suitcases, etc. And we didn't completely unpack because we were only staying one night.

Now -- Ft. WIlderness. Magical, green, peaceful and fun. A little world all its own. Buses run within they campground and then a bus or a boat takes you to the parks. There are little playgrounds for the kids, 2 pools, petting zoo, a great buffet restaurant -- I LOVE this place. There are codes at Mousesavers. com right now for $169 for the cabins -- GO FOR IT! There is a full kitchen and bath, a small living area, and a separate bedroom wiht bunk beds and a full bed -- much more room for 5. You can have breakfast on the deck! We stayed last Spring with my parents (4 adults 2 kids) and we loved it. I could literally visit Ft. Wilderness and never leave the whole week!

Have fun!

 

[colleen costello]

In case I didn't ramble enough... YES it is "Disney" if that means friendly people with smiling faces everywhere! Everything is themed beautifully -- think "FrontierLand!" Great Mickey souvenirs at the trading posts and Mickey soaps in the bathroom... Bus stops have benches made of "logs..."

Go for it!

 

[magicman]

My wife is now sold on the extra room in the cabins after reading your responses. Thanks!!

How is the pool? We always take a couple of days to stay at the resort to swim.

 

[Luvinit]

The pools are nothing special...compared to the other resorts, but if you kids like to swim, there are 2 different pools, plus you can rent bikes and go for a ride, and they used to have golf carts that you could rent and zip around the resort too. Haven't been in a while, so not sure what the stauts of the Golf carts are. If you are looking for a "family vacation", this is the spot!!

 

[sixcats]

Fort Wilderness is great. Along with the things already mentioned, the campfire movies are great fun with kids-don't miss it! It is also relaxing to grill your own meal on your deck.

The only downside to FW is the pools. The quiet pools are much better than the main pool which is plain and overcrowded. Maybe you could spend some time at a water park instead? I wish Disney would open River Country pools to FW guests. That would make it perfect!

 

[tar heel]

Don't know when you are going, but if it is during the current code times, you can get two rooms at All Stars cheaper than Fort Wilderness. Would give you two bathrooms and a bit better transportation, but you would lose the kitchen.

We very happily stayed at PO-R twice when our children were younger, but now that two are teens (one counts as an adult), we think we've outgrown that room. Unless you are very close to that third adult, I think you would find PO-R way too crowded.

 

[magicman]

OK. We made a decision and with us that is an accomplishment in itself. Fort Wilderness it is!!!!

With my mom, wife and 2 kids, I think the extra space will be something I cherish or should I say my wife will cherish. Just being able to walk out on a deck to get away sounds great.

Exactly 90 days till we go!!! The kids are getting excited. OK, OK, the kid in me is getting excited.

Thanks for all your help in making a decision!!!!

 

[colleen costello]

We'll be there again when you are! I will be at Old Key West but we always visit the campground so we'll look for you there! I know your wholeamil ywill LOVE Ft. WIlderness.

 

[sixcats]

You may want to look into renting a golf cart. They cost a bit but are lots of fun and a great way to get around FW. If you want one you should reserve it ahead of time.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Fort Wilderness is the correct choice, IMHO. Our first three trips to WDW were in FW Trailer Homes-when our boys were 7 and 4. We had no desire to stay anywhere else, until we decided to "try" the then new WL. I'll always fondly remember those trips staying in FW, where the kids could run and play and they loved it. We're going back for 2 days this May with our now 20 and 23 yo sons, and they can't wait to see the place again!

 

[magicman]

Golf Cart. Sounds like a good idea. How do you go about renting one?

 

[Hessie628]

fw is a great choice. renting a golf cart is a good idea as well. you can call the bike barn and reserve one. sometimes, they cut back the price a little if you are renting for a longer period of time. they did this for us on our last trip there in dec. have a great time!

 

[sixcats]

(407) 824-2742 is the phone number for the Bike Barn. Here is a url for information about FW: http://www.wdwig.com/faq_fw.htm

 

[MELSMICE]

magicman - You definitely made the right choice with FW. We absolutely, LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT. Request loop 2500 or 2600 to be close to the small pool. If you're luck you'll get Isabel as your housekeeper - she is awesome!!

These are must do's for us when we stay at FW -

Renting bikes
One night at the campfire
Breakfast on our last morning at Trail's End Buffet
Just a leisurely walk through the FW grounds
Petting zoo

There is so much to do there. You'll love it. Plus, believe me, the extra cost is justified by having the kitchen. We eat breakfast daily (except for last day) & a few lunches in the cabin. You would have spend the extra money on these meals if you decided to stay a POR.

We have never rented a golf cart before because we find them a bit expensive, but we also prefer walking within the FW grounds anyway as opposed to taking the bus. We just enjoy the scenery and the peace & quiet.

You made a wise choice - enjoy yourselves. I think FW is Disney's best kept secret.