VWL or FW Cabin?

[camouseketeer]

My family will be taking our first WDW vacation in Nov. 2006. We are used to staying in deluxe level resorts, but because we have young children (DD3, DD5 next Nov.) we want closed off bedroom. We also want a kitchen, so we have narrowed our choices to a FW cabin or 1 or 2 BR VWL. Money is not the issue in this vacation. The experience is. We want a quiet "home away from home" environment. Even though he's not the camping type, my DH is excited about FW. He loves the thought of zipping around in a golf cart, having a lot of space for the kids to run, having lots of things for the girls to do, having space between the cabins, not hearing noise from neighbors, being able to park right at our cabin, etc.

I like the idea of VWL because we'll have a W/D, a jacuzzi tub, better pools (although not a huge priority for us), more food choices, and more of a resort feel to our stay. Will the girls have places to run and play at WL like they would at FW?

We would have a car (no matter where we stay) and a golf cart (at FW). We would drive to all parks but MK. Is transportation to MK from FW (with a golf cart) as easy as from VWL?

Ultimately, it's most important that DH and DD's enjoy themselves. Is FW the best place for us? Or will VWL work too?

Thanks for your input!

 

[20yrs&counting]

We've never stayed at the Villas but have stayed many times in the cabins. We love them for the reasons that you mentioned, kitchen, carts, not having to worry about the noise our four children make. We love sitting on the deck with a drink while they look for armadillos. Also the campfire singalong and movie. The pools aren't great but they are ok and laundry can be done at the comfort stations. Jump in your cart and go. There are parking areas for the carts with outlets to recharge while you are parked. You can only use a car to enter and exit the resort and for a quick stop at the Meadows trading post which offers very limited parking. Go on allearsnet.com and link to Jeff Spencer's Fort Wilderness FAQS for more info.

 

[20yrs&counting]

I forgot to answer your questions about transportation to MK. You take your cart over to the marina area where you park and plug it in. Then you take the boat over to MK. It's easy, fun and takes about 15 minutes.

 

[sleepydog25]

Sounds like one of those nice dilemmas to have since either FW or VWL would likely fill the bill. I've never stayed at FW, but the area seems lovely. I've run there a few times from VWL via the walkway. . .about a mile one way. My DW isn't the cabin or camp out type, though I think the FW cabins would probably be fine for her. However, we love VWL and all its amenities.

The Hidden Springs pool and hot spa (the ones next to the Villas) are never as crowded as the main pool and spa, and we like it that way. Our DD5 enjoys splashing among the many bubbles in the HS pool that simulate a real spring. We enjoy sitting out on the balcony and watching others as we unwind after a day in the park. We like the convenience of Roaring Forks Grill and absolutely love Artist Point's fine cuisine and wine list. We like hearing the majestic music echoing from the lobby and along the walkways. The kitchen in the 1/2 BRs villas is a must for us, as is the W/D. As with FW, there is a boat to MK from VWL (sometimes stopping at FW), and there are now direct buses from VWL to MK--a real plus. Perhaps most importantly in helping make up your mind, there are bikes that can be rented (includiing the big 4-seater types, I think) from VWL that make a trip to FW and its attractions very easy.

It's going to come down to what your heart (and the hearts of your family) desires. The convenience and comfort and quiet of VWL (at least we've found it to be very quiet) or the more homey and outdoors feel of FW. . .with a golf cart thrown in for kicks. Good luck with your decision, but I think you'll be happy either way. aw:

 

[20yrs&counting]

Sorry, you don't link to Jeff's site with allearsnet.com. You use mousesavers.com.

 

[disneyholic family]

a 2 BR at the WLV is much bigger than the FW cabin.
I would go with the 2 BR at the WL over the FW cabin, where in my opinion you will be very crowded....

 

[Leota]

I don't think a family of 4 would be very crowded in FW Cabins. We have stayed there with 5 (our family of 3 and my Parents) very comfortably.

I have stayed at WL (not the Villas) and FW Cabins - In fact, we stayed at the Cabins 3 times. We absolutely loved it - that's where we fell in love with WDW. We loved the quiet, cool peacefulness of FW. My DS loved the room to run, finding all the animals, the petting zoo, the pony rides, the marina, the campfire, the movies, the biking, the canoeing etc..... SOOOOO much to do. We found getting to the MK very easy, even without a golf cart, but on days we had one, a breeze. I love the boat ride across Bay Lake & into the Seven Seas Lagoon, seeing MK come into view for the first time.... Breathtaking.

I liked WL ok on a girls trip there. I had some serious service problems, in fact the only time I ever had to complain & contact guest relations for resolution. But, the resort is beautiful & I'm sure what happened to me was a fluke in the system.

I don't think you can go wrong with either one - it just depends what you are looking for. VWL for a more Resorty Experience, FW for a more active, Summer Camp, Down Home Family Fun experience.

 

[mrsgus06]

I am another one for the cabins. We have stayed there with our 5 kids and were never crowded. We love the campground so much, we ended up buying a fifth wheel (with a w/d in it) and our own golf cart. I take the 5 youngest kids every summer for about 8 weeks. Hubby comes and goes because he holds down the job to pay for our visits. We take our bikes and the kids have the run of the campground (with a cell phone) although yours are too young for that. It was nice to sit on the deck of the cabins and unwind and not worry about keeping your kids quiet.

 

[disneyholic family]

speaking of those golf carts, i hate them....i'm always afraid someone will get run over...
when i stayed in FW (way back in the spring of 1974 in a little pup tent), there were no golf carts....making it truly peaceful...

but as everyone says, both FW and the villas at WL are nice..

the WL happens to be one of my two favorite resorts at WDW (together with the GF), so you'd have a hard time convincing me to stay anywhere else (except for the GF)...

we stayed at the WL 3 times this year (and it would have been 4, but it was sold out last week)....