Questions ... Thinking about Cabins ... Please help!

[Jennifer16]

We are thinking of staying at the Cabins at FW in March. I have read lots of the posts but I am still confused about some things. If anyone can answer these questions it would be a big help ....

1. Am I correct that you can take a bus from the Settlement Post to Epcot, Animal Kingdom and MGM.
2. There is the boat to get to MK so just need to get down to marina.
3. I think I understand that it is too far to walk to Settlement post/marina ... so you need to take an internal bus to these locations (or get a golf cart).
4. If renting a golf cart it is best to look to an outside company?

We are most concerned about the length of travel to the parks ... how long does it take. We will not be renting a car. We have stayed at OKW and took the bus ... we found it very convenient and loved it. Should we expect the same with the cabins ... or is it not as convienent? I had read on one site that to get to most of the parks you needed to take an external bus to the TTC and then transfer to the specific park bus. This has confused me and has turned us off staying in the cabins as it seems like it would take a long time. Also any idea when the pool renovations will be done?

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[eandesmom]

We are thinking of staying at the Cabins at FW in March. I have read lots of the posts but I am still confused about some things. If anyone can answer these questions it would be a big help ....

1. Am I correct that you can take a bus from the Settlement Post to Epcot, Animal Kingdom and MGM.

yes, I believe so. Our first time as well. My understanding is that you actually take a bus to the TTC and then transfer.

2. There is the boat to get to MK so just need to get down to marina.

yes

3. I think I understand that it is too far to walk to Settlement post/marina ... so you need to take an internal bus to these locations (or get a golf cart).

I think that is subjective. Most people seem to take the internal bus or get a golf cart, you can also rent bikes or walk. It is about 1.5 miles. Really depends on the age and temperament of your group and whether you want to spend the $ on a cart. They are very popular! We plan to walk or rent bikes and save the $$. Our kids are older though (8,9,12 and 16) and are used to long hikes/walks.

4. If renting a golf cart it is best to look to an outside company?

Seems to be a better deal. It also sounds like they might have some outside that will seat 6 so if I change my mind, I'm looking there!

We are most concerned about the length of travel to the parks ... how long does it take. We will not be renting a car. We have stayed at OKW and took the bus ... we found it very convenient and loved it. Should we expect the same with the cabins ... or is it not as convienent? I had read on one site that to get to most of the parks you needed to take an external bus to the TTC and then transfer to the specific park bus. This has confused me and has turned us off staying in the cabins as it seems like it would take a long time. Also any idea when the pool renovations will be done?

Pool is supposed to be done mid march, not sure of exact dates. In the interim you can use the Wilderness Lodge Pool which we are actually really excited about as it's just a bike ride or boat ride. I think travel time is also subjective. Any one resort is far away from something and it just depends on what works best for you and transportation seems to have good and bad days at every resort. Again, it will be our first visit to FW in a couple of weeks but for us, as a group of 6 with our only other option a 2 bedroom villa (ok I suppose we could do a family suite but that just seems unbearable to me) the cost difference far outweighs and longer bus trip. But we love the outdoors and to camp and prefer a condo to a hotel anyway!

Best of luck with your choice.

 

[proudmomof4]

We are thinking of staying at the Cabins at FW in March. I have read lots of the posts but I am still confused about some things. If anyone can answer these questions it would be a big help ....

1. Am I correct that you can take a bus from the Settlement Post to Epcot, Animal Kingdom and MGM. The buses to EP AK DS the water parks and DTD all leave from the outpost depot, you do not have to go to TTC, there is an internal bus within FW which will take you to the outpost depot
2. There is the boat to get to MK so just need to get down to marina. yes
3. I think I understand that it is too far to walk to Settlement post/marina ... so you need to take an internal bus to these locations (or get a golf cart). depending on where you are within FW it may not be too far to walk, my family walks everywhere within FW but it depends on age of everyone in your party. The internal bus will take you to the settlement depot as well as the outpost depot and the Meadows area
4. If renting a golf cart it is best to look to an outside company?

We are most concerned about the length of travel to the parks ... how long does it take. We will not be renting a car. We have stayed at OKW and took the bus ... we found it very convenient and loved it. Should we expect the same with the cabins ... or is it not as convienent? I had read on one site that to get to most of the parks you needed to take an external bus to the TTC and then transfer to the specific park bus. This has confused me and has turned us off staying in the cabins as it seems like it would take a long time. Also any idea when the pool renovations will be done?

Thanks in advance!!!

See replies in bold above

 

[Shan-man]

1. Am I correct that you can take a bus from the Settlement Post to Epcot, Animal Kingdom and MGM.

Actually, the buses to the parks leave from the Outpost Depot, which is near the front of the Fort, as are the cabin loops. If you are in 2700-2800 it is a pretty easy walk (as little as .3 mi to .6 mi). Others get further (up to .8 mi).

2. There is the boat to get to MK so just need to get down to marina.
3. I think I understand that it is too far to walk to Settlement post/marina ... so you need to take an internal bus to these locations (or get a golf cart).

Yes, the boats leave from the marina which is beyond the Settlement Depot. Once you get off the bus at the Settlement, the end of the dock is still .23 mi away. The Settlement Depot bus stop is really for use by internal buses only these days. Yes, you can walk from your cabin to the marina, but it is a hike from any cabin loop -- it is .94 mi from the closest cabin and 1.53 mi from the farthest cabin to the end of the dock. The internal buses run frequently however, and I find them to be a fine way to get around. Of course, carts are more fun! If you have a member of your party who cannot walk at least a quarter mile, a cart might be a necessity as it eliminates the walk to the internal buses, and from the depot to the dock. The walk from cart parking to the end of the dock is about 350 ft.

4. If renting a golf cart it is best to look to an outside company?

It can be. The cost of delivery means that usually you need to rent for a week or more to beat the price of renting from the Fort.

We are most concerned about the length of travel to the parks ... how long does it take. We will not be renting a car. We have stayed at OKW and took the bus ... we found it very convenient and loved it. Should we expect the same with the cabins ... or is it not as convienent?

If you are used to using WDW buses, FW will be the same except for the time traveling to the bus depot: whether by internal bus, cart, bike or foot. Buses for all parks and DtD leave directly from the Outpost Depot. I use the bus system and am generally pleased with it.

I had read on one site that to get to most of the parks you needed to take an external bus to the TTC and then transfer to the specific park bus. This has confused me and has turned us off staying in the cabins as it seems like it would take a long time.

The only reason to go to TTC would be when changing monorails, or as an option to get to other resorts (Coronado, Pop, AS, etc).

Also any idea when the pool renovations will be done?

It is scheduled to be done mid-March

 

[LarryJ]

We are thinking of staying at the Cabins at FW in March. I have read lots of the posts but I am still confused about some things. If anyone can answer these questions it would be a big help ....

1. Am I correct that you can take a bus from the Settlement Post to Epcot, Animal Kingdom and MGM.
2. There is the boat to get to MK so just need to get down to marina.
3. I think I understand that it is too far to walk to Settlement post/marina ... so you need to take an internal bus to these locations (or get a golf cart).
4. If renting a golf cart it is best to look to an outside company?

We are most concerned about the length of travel to the parks ... how long does it take. We will not be renting a car. We have stayed at OKW and took the bus ... we found it very convenient and loved it. Should we expect the same with the cabins ... or is it not as convienent? I had read on one site that to get to most of the parks you needed to take an external bus to the TTC and then transfer to the specific park bus. This has confused me and has turned us off staying in the cabins as it seems like it would take a long time. Also any idea when the pool renovations will be done?

Thanks in advance!!!

I think you have got most of your questions but a couple comments.

1. The extra time from FW vs. OKW should be less than 10min and to the MK from FW is much quicker.

2. AFAIK there are not WDW buses that leave from TTC and you can only get there via monorail or driving and parking in the MK lot. I think the local commercial type buses that go into Kissimmee, Orlando leave from there, but no WDW buses. If going somewhere that is a non park the best is to go to MK and go to their Bus Stop and that should service all locations.

Larry

 

[Jennifer16]

I would like to thank everyone for their help and advice. My worries were lifted ... and I am happy to say that we have secured a cabin reservation for mid-March. I am just hoping that the pool renovations are done! We decided to rent a golf cart ... figure this way we don't have wait for the internal bus to get us to the marina and the external bus stop. So I figure it does not matter where our cabin is located ... any recommendations?
The count down has begun!