Teenagers at Ft. Wilderness?

[Liz]

Hi! Just reserved a cabin but we are still hesitant that we are making the right choice. Do you think this is a place teenagers will enjoy? At the time of our visit my DS will be 19 and my DD 17. I thought if we rented the golf cart one or two days they would love that.

Thanks!

 

[goingquackers]

I think FW is the best choice for Teenagers. My took our 15 year old niece and nephew last year and they had a blast. The casuall setting is perfect to make friends.

 

[dgaston]

My DS then 15 made friends with someone who had a dr. license and was able to drive the golf cart. That teenager didn't even go into the parks! DS had a terrific time.

 

[kmccain]

I am planning on bringing 2 down next summer, DS will be 17 and DD will be 15. I planned on the using the pool while we cooked at the campground.

I was considering renting a water mouse for them on day too!

I was also considering letting them go back to the parks alone at night, not sure about that yet!

Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[donac]

My sons loved the entire place. Last year they were 20 and 15. We let them go to the pool and they loved the arcade. That is where we usually found them. WE usually picked a park and they were allowed to go off on their own until a certain time. We usually saw them around during the time we were apart.

ONe day when we were at AK they went back to MGM by themselves and met us back at the RFC in time for dinner. We let them go back to the campground one night while we did MK.

 

[westjones]

Do they have a bike & boat plan? I remember they had this at Wilderness Lodge and your party had use of bikes and boats for the length of stay for $250. Do they do this at FW too? If they have it, that might be good to get.

DJ

 

[bianca]

I have teen girls (15 and 17) that consider FW their second home. We also own DVC and the girls much prefer FW! I think the golf cart is a great idea, as my own girls like it when we reserve a cart. Also, FW does have the boat plan available and they like doing this too. I think the teens like the idea of having more space to roam around ..... not like a hotel hallway or lobby.

 

[We4mickey]

Just remember with the marina plan that kids have to be 16 and licensed in order to drive the boats. It makes for pretty upset kids when they find out they can't drive a boat that they used to be able to drive at age 12. My DS girlfriend could not drive (19) because she did not have a license.

 

[auntie]

Are 16 year olds really licensed drivers?...where we are you can have a learners permit at 16..but not a license. I know my son would hate not being able to use the mousesprites..he was 12 the last time we were at the WL and
met the then height requirement. When I mentioned to him you had to be 16..he couldn't believe it. He was able to do this 3 years ago and now he won't. He is going to be 15 in a couple of months...but looks older. I couldn't possibly imagine him having to share one with someone..he is over 6 feet tall!
Do they actually ask to see a drivers license?...I can see making sure that those younger are renting with an adult parent or guardian..but they should be able to rent seperate boats. Those things aren't really made to accomodate two adult sized people. Maybe one adult and one child..but even when we did that we the kids were younger..they were pretty slow going.
As far as the kids enjoy FW...I think that is a funny age..believe me..mine is 15. So who knows. My kids always enjoy being able to go to the arcade(but frankly the one at FW isn't great)..but would certainly enjoy the golf carts and boat rentals. The one thing I did hear him say to his older sister was that now that he is older they can go to the parks on their own. I think the option of taking the boat launch over to MK is good ..we are hoping to go to FW in October..he will be there for part of the visit. Normally we go to the hotels..and he enjoys those..wasn't too into going to the campground..so he will likely be staying at the Lodge because his grandma will be there. It's so hard to say with teenagers what they might enjoy because they are so hormonal and change one week to the next! I think you can't let it matter too much..go where you think you will enjoy yourself..and then they will make the best of wherever it is. It IS Disney..they should love being anywhere!

 

[We4mickey]

Yes, they said they have to have a drivers license, not a learners permit. I was going to get the marina plan as we were going to be there for 12 nights. The last time we were there they said they were limiting the age because of it being a busy time. (2 years ago) This time they said no. No license, no driving a boat. Needless to say he was PO'd. He has been driving them since he was 12. He is 6'3" and knows what he is doing out there. He drives a boat all the time here.

 

[auntie]

I can't believe that...my son is over 6 Ft. also..and he was driving them at 12. He also drives boat here on Long Island. I just find it odd that they wouldn't allow them to rent one as long as a parent or guardian in the party is going to be out there with them at the same time..just not the same sea sprite. Let me tell you THAT is going to be a big source of contention where my teenage son is concerned. And we all know how they can make your life miserable when they are miserable. Can't say I blame him either. Too bad. I really can't imagine that they wouldn't let the girl who was 19 rent one because she didn't have a drivers license. Who would have thought.

 

[westjones]

As of last summer (and I hope still this summer) the boats at Beach Club marina were still 12 year old and up (5 foot tall and up). They are slower boats, but my girls are SO excited about getting to drive them this summer. Last year they were still 11, so they had to ride along instead.

DJ

 

[Liz]

Thanks for all the posts! Reading this thread made us all even more excited for our trip!

 

[Plau]

An older child would not want to ride with an adult in those boats. They do not go very fast even with an adult and a child under 10! I would imagine that if you have to wait until you are 16 w/license that most would find them to be pretty lame by the time they can even drive one.

 

[auntie]

I agree...I couldn't even picture my son who is not yet 15 in one with another adult..he's six feet tall. That is just dumb. He will be dissapointed since he rode one on his own when he was 12 and met the then height requirement. We had the family plan for the week at the WL and my three kids had use of them all week along with the bikes, and pontoon boats. They used the sprites every day and had a great time. I'm sure it's all regarding liability issues and insurance. Although it is strange that at the Beach Club you can still be 12...that is a bit odd. Perhaps less traffice on the waterways there ...but who knows with the launches to the boardwalk area and both Epcot and MGM.

 

[WAHMto5]

I also think the cabins are the best choice for those ages! Our oldest ones are 15 and 18 and the enjoyed driving the golf cart around.