Question about rental cars / Ft. Wilderness Cabins

[kcoop35]

Ok so we have decided to stay at the cabins for 10 nights in July. We are going to be flying into MCO so we can do the Disney Express transfer and get all of our bags and stuff there.

I have read on here where some people said they wished they would have had a car to get around the cabin area. Fill me in on this.

We have a family of 6 - kids 2,7,9 along with grandma all staying. Are we going to want a van for our day to day travel within the parks? I know there are transfers and things like that but am wondering what others think.

We are also going to need to go to a grocery store/wal mart sometime on that first day so we can get groceries and things for the cabin. We had thought about renting a car for a couple days and then doing our trip to the ocean and groceries on that day.

any thoughts?


thanks

 

[pooh4me]

We have stayed at Fort Wilderness in the cabins three times and have never had a car.Some of the food we used we shipped down in a box, some we have carried with us in a suitcase the rest we have purchased at the trading post on the campground property.You can also have food delivered.As far as getting to the parks the Disney transportation is great.The camp ground has internal buses which take you to the Outpost where you check in and catch the buses to Epcot,Animal Kingdom,Downtown Disney or the water parks or to the Settlement where you catch the bus to MGM or the boat to Magic Kingdom. At the Settlement you also can eat at the Trails End buffet, or the Hoop Dee Doo dinner show or go to the Trading post.Check out the camping forum here on Dis and also www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_fw.htm We love the cabins at Fort Wilderness and wouldn't stay any where else.Have a great trip.

 

[HopperFan]

Note, you can not drive around the campground. You must use Disney buses to get everywhere you go within the campground. I do believe there is a couple minute spot to pull in at the mini-mart but we found their prices to be horrible and did not go back.

Personally, we would not stay there without a car, and I would be driving to every park. Part of the plus of staying at FW is having your car at your doorstep. I did not enjoy walking to the bus, riding the bus to another bus or boat, switching over and riding again. Took way too long.

I also suggest you go to the Camping forum to get information on how to make your trip successful. The regulars can give you the ins and outs of the campground.

 

[byoung]

If you want to go off site rent a car if not Don't rent one.

 

[ppiew]

I have been to WDW many times for 30 years and have stayed at the campground (cabins) at least 5 times. This time (last week) we did NOT have a car (a first). And frankly, we didn't miss it a bit! WDW transportation is just fine, and the busses/boats that bring you to the parks, and let you off, are a LOT closer to the theme parks than the car parking lot would do!!! (plus saving the $10 to park the car)

My daughter lives in Orlando, and we have a car there and she was shocked when I said we didn't want the car! We took MS (3 min. out of the airport) and then used WDW transportation wherever we went and it was super! The only time that it was somewhat inconvenient, was when we went to meet friends for dinner at another resort. That was somewhat a pain, but I guess when you consider the park/drive stuff, it probably wasn't much (if any) longer.

It is also so simple if some family member want to return to FW and some want to stay at the parks. Yes, you can split up, but using the WDW transportation is so convenient - why bother?? Plus, look at the $$$ you will save on the rental car!!!

 

[bradisgoofy]

All though it's not cheap, a golf cart rental would save you some time and walking, within FW. Go to the Camping at Disney threads for much more info.

 

[kcoop35]

I think we are just going to roll the dice and not get a car. I will just get a taxi or something to the Wal Mart for groceries.

I was somewhat surprised that the golf cart cost more money than a mini van to rent per day.

all for about 25 cents in gas that it costs them.

 

[ppiew]

Cabins have coffee, just go to the trading post at FW and get cereal, milk, juice, unless you plan on fixing full meals. There is a Goodings (grocery store) at Crossroads (down the road and across from DDT) that would be a lot cheaper taxi ride than a one to Walmart which is quite a ways - at least 6 or 7 miles. At least ck out the trading post at FW to see if they have what you want. Taxi's are quite expensive around Disney. Or take the bus to DDT and get your taxi there. There is also another grocery store down hwy 535 (I think it is Winn Dixie) and that isn't too far or too expensive.

 

[kcoop35]

we are planning on making some of our meals at the cabin. Maybe do a little grillin' and chillin' at night after the kids go to bed.


we are going to need some serious groceries - we plan to eat all breakfasts and most suppers in the cabin and many of the lunches in the park