Should We Change Resorts

[aubldr]

Posted this in the resort changer thread, but thought I might reach a broader audience in this forum.

Our issue - we arrive in a week (myself, DW, DD8, DS6, & DS4), and are currently booked in a Ft Wilderness cabin and have a golf cart reserved. But we are thinking long and hard about a last-minute switch to ASMu family suites, and are really at a loss for which way to go. As far as the accomodations go, I think it is a wash. Our kids are too small for the second bathroom to be that big of a deal, and we are not planning to do any cooking so the full kitchen is not that big of a deal, either.

The way I see it, the pros to the Cabins are the Fort itself, with a lot of other things to do, playgrounds, horses, etc. Riding a boat to the MK, or to WL or Contemporary, seems pretty appealing too. I think my kids would really like the frontier town theme. But the thing I am having trouble with is that I am worried that it will feel like camping. If I want to go camping, I will go to my local state park. When I go to Disney, I want to feel like I am at Disney. Will I feel like I am at Disney? Or will it feel like I am at a campground somewhere and riding the bus to Disney every day?

ASMu, on the other hand, will be bustling, active, and feel more like a hotel/resort. But at the end of the day it is a Motel 6 with some over-the-top theming and a big pool. Worried about crowds, noise, etc. Not excited about lining up at the bus stop everyday to be herded on like cattle. I am having the same issue here - will I feel like I am at Disney, or some motel somewhere where the bus takes you to Disney everyday?

Really at a loss for which of these polar-opposite environments my kids will like the best and which will feel more like they are at Disney World. Of course the ASMu is cheaper, which is a factor too.

Don't know what to do. Need some advice - and probably a little therapy. Any suggestions?

 

[mouseketeermama]

Stay at the Fort. The pool is better, and there is so much more to do! Everyone is so nice and my boys LOVE riding around on the golf cart in the evenings. Plus you have the outdoor movie and campfire. Personally, I would tent camp at the Fort before I would stay at the All Stars. They just aren't my speed.

 

[Phatoomch]

I don't even consider Ft W for that same reason, it would seem like camping and I can do that anywhere.

However, I don't know what the situation is with changing resorts so close to your arrival

 

[Kim1964]

I've never stayed at the cabins, but I totally agree with your assessment of ASMu. We stayed there a couple of years ago in a family suite and I hated it. The furnishings were cheap and we had bad luck with housekeeping and noisy neighbors. Personally, I think the peace of the cabins is appealing after a day in the parks, but I haven't stayed there so I don't know for certain. We did Hoop Dee Doo a few years ago and have eaten at Trail's End and enjoyed the atmosphere.

 

[Miffy]

If noise is one of your main concerns, that above everything else you mentioned makes Ft Wilderness the right choice.

And I agree with many previous posters' comments about choosing the cabin over ASMu.

Also, I don't think you'd necessarily feel like you're camping, since the cabin is a free-standing building (not a tent or a camper) and you get daily maid service. The Fort itself is a terrific and beautiful venue, not to mention the fun of the boat ride to MK.

 

[minnie mum]

I'd recommend that you stay with what is already booked. A couple of possible issues: do you have a package booked or room only reservation?? This close to arrival, you may be looking at an extra charge to change your booking. Especially since you are contemplating a downgrade from a moderate to a value.

I'd never give up the extra space and the quiet of a cabin for the noise and crowds (and small rooms) of the values.

 

[Cmarie123]

We stayed at ASMu in a suite in 2008. While it was nice, the wait for buses was miserable! Definitely stay at Ft. Wilderness. You are close to the MK and you won't have to wait as long for transportation. All 3 of the All Star resorts use the same buses. We wasted so much time trying to get a bus every day. I personally think you will be happier where you are. Have fun!

 

[mousemamma]

I would stay at the Fort. The cabins seem so much more spacious than the family suites plus you get a full kitchen and I think a grill on your own personal deck (if you felt like cooking one night). Just think you can brew your own cup of coffee in the morning instead of hiking from an outer building at ASMu to the main food court area (trust me, it's a long walk!).

You can drive your golf cart to the beach and watch the Electric Water Pageant drive by at night!! So fun.

 

[sharadoc]

We like them both, but the Fort is SO much nicer overall. Just the activities, the peace and quiet and the transportation options make it wonderful.

That said, we're staying in a Family Suite next week because we didn't want to spend the extra money - this is a last minute add-on trip for us.

With the golf cart at your disposal, make sure you spend quality time at the Fort. There's daily activities at the Meadows and the beach. The Fort is really a destination in itself. Many people go there and never go to a park, there's just so much to do.

Enjoy and don't stress about your choice. It was a good one!

 

[jujube]

I am no way, now how an outdoors person but I love the Ft. Wilderness cabins. It's a quiet area and private in comparison to most resorts. If I had to make the choice, I'd stick with the cabins.

 

[Disney Addicted]

Have you thought about Port Orleans Riverside instead? The Alligator Bayou rooms sleep 5. They are being renovated to queen beds and the pull-down murphy for the 5th person (child size!) looks nice.

While you take buses to the parks, you can take a boat to DTD. They have campfires, fishing, horse-drawn carriage rides, rent bikes or surrey bikes. I think they offer movies. Check out the POR thread.

When I priced a 10 day stay at a Fort Wilderness Cabin, and re-priced the same package for POR, it was a few dollars short of $1,600 savings to book at POR instead of FW.