Transportation Questions

[Colleen27]

We're looking at our options for a short-notice trip to the World in May, and right now I've narrowed the options down to the cabins at the Fort or two rooms at CBR. I'd really rather try the cabins, but I have some concerns about the transportation.

First, the golf carts. I know we'd probably need one, because our travel party includes my 63yo mother who isn't in the best shape as well as our infant daughter. But will our group of 3 adults and 3 kids be able to fit in a golf cart?

Second, I'm a little concerned about what I've read about busing at the Fort. Is it really that bad getting around if you don't have a car? The buses are part of what we love about our Disney trips, and renting a car isn't really cost effective since we need a minivan or full sized SUV, so decent bus service is important in resort choice.

 

[DaveInTN]

Our family of 2 adults and 4 kids fit in a golf cart with little difficulty. A bit tight, but doable. And my oldest child is basically adult size, so similar party size to you.

As far as the buses, we use them extensively and for the most part they work for us. We've had a few times where we have had to wait longer than ideal, but overall they are a reliable form of transport for us. I prefer not to use my car at Disney, other than to leave the property altogether or maybe a quick trip to DTD. I wouldn't let concern over the buses cause you to not stay at the cabins.

 

[Shan-man]

Colleen, I mostly wanted to chime in and remark how much your spreadsheets look like mine! I downloaded it and the Mac makes little icons that look like the content of the file... I passed over your spreadsheet a couple of times mistaking the icon for my file! I mean the color coding and everything! Too funny.

But I also wanted to suggest that if you are accustomed to Disney transportation you will find the Fort to be very serviceable. The only real difference between the Fort and other resorts is the use of internal buses, and I submit that using an internal bus to get to the bus terminal is comparable to the time at other resorts traveling from your room to the bus stops.

 

[Whipperwhirl]

Just stayed at CBR in Deecember - very frustrated by the busses - At least at the Fort you havethe boat option as well . . . JM2C

 

[Colleen27]

Colleen, I mostly wanted to chime in and remark how much your spreadsheets look like mine! I downloaded it and the Mac makes little icons that look like the content of the file... I passed over your spreadsheet a couple of times mistaking the icon for my file! I mean the color coding and everything! Too funny.

But I also wanted to suggest that if you are accustomed to Disney transportation you will find the Fort to be very serviceable. The only real difference between the Fort and other resorts is the use of internal buses, and I submit that using an internal bus to get to the bus terminal is comparable to the time at other resorts traveling from your room to the bus stops.

That is too funny about the spreadsheets! I love them for trip planning, but I'm a bit of a tech-nerd about such things.

Oddly enough, it was transportation that finally tipped the scales in favor of FW. At FW, we'll have a golf cart and the internal buses. At CBR, we'd mostly be walking... and walking a LOT, from what I read about the location of the new pirate rooms that we were thinking we'd try. And after having stayed at WL, I really like the idea of being at a resort with a boat to CR & MK again!

We booked this morning and the new spreadsheet has been created. May 19 to 27 in a FW cabin for my 30th birthday.

 

[Shan-man]

Congratulations on your booking. I am sure you will love the Fort, just be sure to block in some time to relax and enjoy the Fort itself... it's a lot more than just a place to crash at night!

 

[dtum]

We've always used the buses (and boat to MK). Only use our truck if we leave the fort. Have never had a problem with them. Granted at certain times they are more crowded, but you have to plan your time so you miss those congested times. I consider the bus system to be part of the site rental and we make the most of it.

 

[eandesmom]

and didn't do a cart. We only had one bus issue the entire trip. DH would say it was 3 but the other 2 were not transportation fault, it was bad info. On the 18th we had to wait a good 40 minutes for a bus to AK. In general the busses were just OFF, you'd get 2 busses back to back for each park and then nothing for 20 minutes and then 2 again. But these was the worst crowds I've ever ever seen at the world and it sounds like people are in agreement with that all around. So delays are to be expected on full capacity days. Loved the boat, it freed up lots of alternate routes, all of which I think we used which was a lot of fun!

The internal buses ran like clockwork. We were in loop 2700 which was actually close enough to walk to the outpost if we didn't feel like waiting for an internal bus but I don't think we ever waited more than 10 minutes for an internal and most often, quite a bit less or not at all. I only have ASM to compare it to but that was a hike from the room to the bus stop, this was much better (and prettier!).

 

[Colleen27]

Congratulations on your booking. I am sure you will love the Fort, just be sure to block in some time to relax and enjoy the Fort itself... it's a lot more than just a place to crash at night!

That's the part I'm most looking forward to, I think, because it is something new to explore. We'll be there for Memorial Day weekend and I've decided to avoid the parks on the holiday itself in favor of relaxing around the Fort all day and hopping a boat over to California Grill for dinner. This is going to be a slower paced trip than I'm used to anyway, because it is our first time doing Disney with an infant, and the Fort seems like the perfect setting for it.