Question about Fort Wilderness

[Biscuitsmom31]

My husband and I and our 4 kids are staying in a cabin at Fort Wilderness in August. We are flying in and taking the Disney Express to Fort Wilderness. I am concerned because our flight gets in at 6:30 p.m. and with having to get bags, my husbands wheelchair, and all our kids on the Bus and then check in etc. I am wondering if there will be anything still open where we can get something to eat. There is no meal on the plane and I'm sure by that point we will all be starving.

 

[pezheadval]

Trail's end buffet is so good...one of my favorite places to eat at Disney World. I just checked allearsnet.com and looks like its open for dinner Sunday through Thursday - 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. & Friday and Saturday - 4:30 - 10 p.m. And if you don't want an all you can eat buffet, you can get "Trail's to Go" available from 4:30 P.M. -10:00 P.M. daily. or sit in Crockett's Tavern and eat there.

 

[tim5055]

My husband and I and our 4 kids are staying in a cabin at Fort Wilderness in August. We are flying in and taking the Disney Express to Fort Wilderness. I am concerned because our flight gets in at 6:30 p.m. and with having to get bags, my husbands wheelchair, and all our kids on the Bus and then check in etc. I am wondering if there will be anything still open where we can get something to eat. There is no meal on the plane and I'm sure by that point we will all be starving.

Actually, if you are using Disney Magical Express you don't need to go to baggage claim. Just walk off the plane and go to your bus. Disney will claim your luggage for you and transfer it directly to your cabin.

How does it work?
Guests check their bags at their hometown airport. On arrival in Orlando International Airport (OIA), they do not drag the kids over to baggage claim.

Instead, they board state-of-the-art motor coaches to their Walt Disney World Resort. Meanwhile, their bags are transferred to their room.

Even more convenience:

Guests flying on any airline can enjoy Disney's Magical Express free airport shuttle and luggage delivery. But for those flying on certain airlines, "Disney’s Magical Express" gets even better.

Guests flying on domestic flights on participating airlines can check their luggage and get a boarding pass right at their Disney resort: no airport check-in lines at the airport!

Even better, guests with departure times later in the day can simply check their luggage at the Resort Airline Check-in Desk, enjoy the last day of their stay without worrying about their bags.

Participating airlines are currently: American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Song, United Airlines, Ted and Northwest Airlines --check for updates.

With reports I have read, you should expect about 1 1/2 hours between landing in Orlando and arriving at the reception outpost. Checkin at that time of night should go quickly, so give it another 1/2 hour to get to your cabin. Drop the carry on bags and head to Trails End/Crockets. That puts you there at around 8:30.

Now, a couple of suggestions from Mary Waring over at Mousesavers.com

if you decide to use the new Magical Express service, here's what I would advise:

* In case of delays in getting your baggage delivered, I highly recommend packing a carry-on"day bag" that you keep with you. It should contain items you might need in the 8 hours following check-in. Depending on time of day, that might mean pajamas and toothbrush, or swimsuit and walking shoes. By keeping important items with you, you will be able to enjoy your first day (or night) at Disney World.

* If you haven't received luggage tags, double-check that you are in the Magical Express system, or have your travel agent do so. The number to call is (866) 599-0951. Some guests' flight info is not showing up in the Magical Express system, even if they have provided it more than once. This was due to a data issue they were experiencing early on, and should be resolved now.

* If you don't receive your official Magical Express tags before departure, be sure your luggage has some kind of tag on it that lists your name and resort. Expect that check-in at the airport and baggage delivery will take extra time because of the lack of official tags on your luggage.

Check out the complete report on DME on her website

 

[cabowser]

I have planned just the exact same thing, making tracks for Trails End with the kids after we get to the campground.

Jan

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

I am not sure how it will work with the bags. We will have to get my husbands electric wheelchair before we can go anywhere. Also, we have the issue of needing a bus with a lift--there is no other way he can get on the bus unless a couple of body builders carry him. I guess we can just get the chair and let them get the bags.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Genuinely curious--do they have accessable cabins at FW? I've only seen them with stairs.

Thanks!

As far as dinner...I think you will be pushing it to get anything in a timely fashion at Trail's End. Especially if you aren't close to Pioneer Hall and requiring a bus with a lift. Might I suggest amending your ME time (if they get you at a set time) and getting something to eat at the airport.

I'm afraid that you just wont' get to Trails End in time. Worst case--you might be able to catch a bus to Downtown Disney where the restaurants and stores are open until 11pm.

I believe DME delivers your bags. I am assuming that the flight will have someone transport your husband via regular wheelchair to baggage claim. I am not sure how the baggage pick up and tagging works--but I would make especially clear that the electric wheelchair is tagged properly and is waiting for you at baggage claim.

 

[gharrer]

I was thinking the same thing Lisa. The ones I stayed in had a couple steps. Nancy

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I was thinking the same thing Lisa. The ones I stayed in had a couple steps. Nancy

I'm sure they must have something---and I apologize for the ignorance as I mean no offense to the OP.

 

[clkelley]

Unless your DH's electric wheelchair is too big for the airline cargo door, you should be able to "gate check" it. This means, he should be able to drive it to the gate, then during preboarding, he would transfer to an aisle chair, and the airline personnel would take his chair to the luggage loading area, disconnect the batteries, fold down whatever, and load it in the plane. When you land at your destination, the chair would be one of the first things taken off the plane. Your DH would be taken off of the plane on the aisle chair, then should be able to transfer directly to his electric chair at the gate where it would be delivered.

Just make sure Gate Check tags are placed on his chair at your origination airport.

If you have to check your DH's chair as regular luggage at check-in, due to size or battery type, then yes you will have to go to baggage claim.

I agree with some of the other poster's. Once you get hubby's chair, if you feel it is getting late at all, stop at one of the airport restaurants before going down to the Magical Express desk.

Yes, there are probably a dozen or so cabins that have ramps up to the decks instead of steps. Don't know if the bathrooms are any different though.

Carol

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

We booked our trip through Small World vacations and our travel agent promised us that we would have an accessible cabin. I hope she knows what she's talking about because if we got there and it had steps...I don't know what we would do.

I've also noticed all the discussion about needing a golf cart to get around the resort. With my DH in a wheelchair, we obviously couldn't use a golf cart. Since it appears we will be totally reliant on the buses, does anyone know how often they run or how late? I would hate to go to downtown Disney and get stranded!

 

[clkelley]

The buses run every few minutes inside of Ft. Wilderness. ALL of Disney's buses have lifts. However, there may be an occasional bus where the lift is broken. The driver in that case should radio that a working bus come immediately.

Buses will run from Downtown Disney to all resorts until 2 in the morning. You will NOT be stranded.

I know you have younger children that may not be able to walk as far, but I have found that with hubby on his scooter, if we have a choice between walking/scooting on our own power or taking a mode of transportation, the walking/scooting always is quicker.

Your hubby should be able roll all over Ft. Wilderness in his chair and get to his destination just as quickly as a bus. (Factoring in waiting/stopping time).

If you arrive at Ft. Wilderness and there are no accessible cabins available, go up the chain of command until you receive accessible accomodations on Disney property!! Also, double check with your travel agent that they spoke with Special Services at Central Reservations to make sure that they reserved an accessible cabin for you.

Have fun!!

Carol

 

[Gillian]

We ran into a similar problem with food at that time of night. We arrived at trails end just as they were closing. Crocketts was basically closed but a very nice manager opened back up for us so we could get a pizza.

This may be a pain in the neck, but I would advise you to bring something to eat from home, just in case. or plan to get something at the airport. You should be fine, but if you get delayed with the ME busses who knows?

Part of our experience was based on lack of planning. What happened with us was that by the time our flight landed, we got our rental car, stopped for groceries, found FW (more difficult in the dark than we expected), waited over 30 minutes to check in and drove to our cabin, it was about 9PM.

When I tried to read the bus map I thought that the purple route didn't go all the way to the marina. This is because part of it is cut off on the map and I didn't see where it started again. If you look at the map you can see what I mean. I thought we had to walk back to Settlement. It was late and I was tired. So we had problems with the FW busses and it was very close to 10 by the time we got to trails end. As I said, the manager took pity on us and we got to eat.

Once I realized my mistake about the purple busses we had fun taking them around FW. Our 2 year old loved them!

 

[VAN]

What about taking some sub sandwiches on the plane with you and having an "early" dinner. I've seen many, many people do this ... the only looks you will get on the plane will be from those that didn't think to do this themselves! LOL!!

Have a box of granola bars with you in case you get hungry before bed and don't have an opportunity to get to Trail's End.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

What about taking some sub sandwiches on the plane with you and having an "early" dinner. I've seen many, many people do this ... the only looks you will get on the plane will be from those that didn't think to do this themselves! LOL!!

Have a box of granola bars with you in case you get hungry before bed and don't have an opportunity to get to Trail's End.

I like this suggestion for the OP!

Trying to orient in the dark at FW to find what you need as quickly as possible when everyone is hungry probably won't work very well.

Not sure if you can do this---but perhaps calling the resort specifically a couple days before your trip to let them know your needs. People are ALWAYS faxing in room requests and such and this supersedes anyone desire for a particular loop or view IMHO!

 

[welovedis]

Genuinely curious--do they have accessable cabins at FW? I've only seen them with stairs.

There are 13 handicapped accesible cabins in loop 2800.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

There are 13 handicapped accesible cabins in loop 2800.

Figured they have something...just had never seen one. I guess we've never stayed on that loop.

OP--I'd still double check that ressie. But that's the OCD part of me talking .

 

[Nicks2Angels]

I would definitely grab some sandwiches or cold pizza to eat on the plane. Hungry, tired kids make for a grumbly arrival!

Also, I would NOT have your bags brought to you. The last time we did, it took FOREVER-6 hours to be precise. You do not want to run a risk of no bags until the wee hours of the morn.

My girlfriend just got back 2 weeks ago & did not heed my warning-she paid dearly. They arrived in the am & didn't have their bags until bedtime. She forgot to pack their swimsuits in a carry on too.

My plan would be:feed the kiddies on the plane, grab the bags, head to cabin. Oh yes & gate check his wheel chair. I am almost certain you can!