Thoughts on Fort Wilderness cottages?

[chilihead]

I was just looking at pix of the different resorts and saw some of the Wilderness Lodge cottages. Anyone ever stayed there? Your thoughts? How is transportation?

It doesn't look as "grand" as many of the other resorts, but it does look kind of fun. Just interested in what your experiences are.

Thanks.

Chilihead

 

[afsi3838]

I'm also looking into the fort wilderness cabins. I found a lot of info on the camping site and while doing a search under "FW cabins." take a peek. you may learn something new!

 

[Beca]

I started going to WDW back in 1980, and have stayed at MANY of the resorts! The Fort Wilderness cabins (they used to be trailers...yes, I did say trailers!!) are my absolute favorites!!! There are SO many advantages to them, it is just hard to say!! They have recently been renovated to be cabins, and I hear they are gorgeous (the last time I stayed...we got one of the un-renovated trailers).

They have a full kitchen, and the housekeeping staff even washes your dishes if you leave them (I didn't expect that...I just thought I would wash them when we came home...but, when I got there they were done!) The cabins sleep six and are SOOO roomy! You have a BBQ grill and a picnic table outside your room, and there is a grocery store to buy food to fill your fridge. It is great to be able to eat (at least breakfast and late night snacks) in your room, and if you go when it is hot, you can freeze water bottles to stay cold the next day!

There are a LOT of activities that go on at Fort Wilderness, so check them out when you get there.

But, I think one of my favorite aspects to this "hotel" is the fact that you drive your car (if you have one) up to your door. We didn't appreciate this until our first visit as we were leaving. We had TONS of souveniers, and loading the car was a BREEZE!!

Add to this, the fact that if you have small children (or even bigger ones, actually), they can make as much noise as they want, and no one will be bothered. And, likewise...if your little ones need an afternoon nap...no one will be able to bother them!!

It is such an oasis!! It is a beautifully quiet place to stay and get away from the craziness of the resorts (which, I also love!!). It amazes me that they seem like such a "bargain". I think we paid almost the same price to stay there in 1980 as we did in 1998! Of course, that is when Disney only had 3 "on property" resorts. But, it does seem that the price of the cabins has not risen at the same rate as the other Disney properties! Oh well...I just figure it is a little overlooked "gem". The best trips we have had so far have been the ones where we stayed at Fort Wilderness. We just bought into DVC, so I don't know how often we will stay there in the future...I hope we still get to go there frequently!!

 

[webray]

We have stayed at the Fort Wilderness Cabins..many times...and they have only been improved since we have stayed.

It is great if you have kids...because the kids can sleep in the bedroom..hubby and I took the murphy bed in the living room..so everyone had privacy and a nice place to wind down at night.

large bathroom. Full kitchen..which was great...because we took breakfast items for some of the mornings..so everyone could shower/eat at the same time and all be ready to go at once. As the kids got a little bigger and we let them start roaming on their own..lol, one of their favorite things to do..was take their room key..go to the store there, pick up their own dinner and go back to the cabin and eat it. Wierd I know, the little things keep them happy.

I highly recommend the cabins for families with kids...they work out great. And now, they have those wonderful decks on them..even better.

 

[tinawv]

Could anyone comment on the pools at the Wilderness Cabins. If you stay at the Cabins can you use the pool at the Wilderness Lodge? We are considering staying there on our September trip if we can get an AP rate. I looked at the Disney web site, and the pool looks like a standard hotel pool. My son loves to swim, and the more whistles and bells a pool has the happier he is (a little spoiled I think). Thanks in advance for any info you can share.

 

[floridafam]

If you stay at the Cabins can you use the pool at the Wilderness Lodge?

Well, no. The WL pool is often very crowded. At one time, many years ago, I belive Disney allowed this. Now, the WL pool is only for guest of WL and the Villas at Wilderness Lodge.

 

[chilihead]

So you mean there's a grocery on-site and I can stock the fridge right there? Is this better than just doing the 30 minute stop with the town car on the way from the airport?

Thanks for the info. I'm glad to hear that these are just as neat as I thought they would be. I can't wait to stay there sometime. Maybe for MNSSHP if I can talk my DH into TWO trips this year!

Chilihead

 

[Beca]

The grocery store is about the size of a convenience store, and the selection is small, and a little pricey....but, we were able to get everything we need for "continental" breakfasts, as well as the mini microwaveable pizzas, sandwich stuff, chips, sodas, cookies, etc! It can be a REAL money saver in the long run!!

You will have a wonderful time!!! I am very jealous!!!

Beca

 

[trbrophy]

I loved the cottages when my family stayed there in 1995. They were very convenient and were a great price to house a large amount of people.

 

[kaybird]

We loved the cabins, ours had been renovated to the log cabin, great decor, fully appointed kitchen, full size fridge, the Murphy bed in the living room was a BIG hit, as well as the bunk beds. There were 6 of us, my only (slightly) negative comment would be only one bathroom with the sink inside (not tlike the split of other moderate and up.)

The FW grounds are beautiful, we love the outdoor campfire and movie night, and the view of the Water parade is great from the dock!

Have a great trip

TTFN,
k

 

[Grumpy92]

You might want to post your question on the Camping at WDW forum. They are filled with knowledge regarding the cabins.

FW really is a hidden gem of wdw. The resort is a great escape from the hectic other resorts. It is so quiet and relaxing. We love to just sit out on the cabin deck and people watch. It is also a wonderful resort for the kids, they can bike, visit the petting zoo, campfire w/chip&dale, and horseback ride to name just a few. Have to say I know many guest who come to FW and never set a foot in one of the parks.

As for the bus service you will find mixed reviews. I have stayed there too many times to count and really have never had a problem. The last few years our waits were never more then 15 minutes.

 

[PamNC]

to try the cabins. we spend time at Fort Wilderness on each and every trip. Love it! We've canoed, done the BBQ, the campfire singalong, hoop-de-doo, carriage rides, love that country fun. Not surprising because we live on a horse farm. But anyway, we're so hooked on the convenience and deluxe-ness of the deluxe resorts that we're afraid to try. Right now our fave is the Poly, followed closely by YC/BC.

I'm thinking since we have AP's that it would be fun to take long weekend and stay at the cabins. That way we'll get a "taste" of it yet we wont' stay there for our longer trips. We're planning on a trip to St. Augustine and the Poly in July.

I think I'll start a new thread about this...

PamNC