What would you choose?

[PrincessAnnabell]

We have narrowed our onsite choices to ft. Wilderness and pop century. What would you choose? Keep in mind, we are a big family of 8. We have a 15, 10, 10, 5, 2, and 1. Our 5 year old has low muscle tone, we planned to carry her some and let her take turns in the double stroller. Basically go at little kid speed. We planned to leave the parks early afternoon and only return 1 night for fireworks. We will spend a lot of time in our resort and at pools. 4 days of park tickets with 3 days of resting.

Ft. Wilderness- camper

Pros. $3000 cheaper, boat ride to MK, can cook meals in camper
Cons. Long walk and bus to get across resort, never stayed in a camper before, 1 bathroom

Pop century, 2 rooms

Pros. Closer to food court and pool
Cons. More money, might not get connecting rooms, not sure but don't think there is a fridge.

 

[JillianLeigh]

Since you're planning on spending a lot of time at the resort, I'd go with Ft. Wilderness. Lots to do there. Plus you're saving money with a cheaper resort and can cook some of your own meals.

However, when I stayed there, the buses were horrible. You get on one bus near your cabin and take that to the main bus depot where you have to wait for another bus. We waited a LOT. May be too much waiting for little ones.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I'd go with Ft. Wilderness, the $3000 in savings is great. But....how much difference in savings between Pop and Ft. Wildnerness. If not that much, then I'd go to Pop. Have a magical trip.

 

[Happyjen27]

With that $3000 savings at Ft. Wilderness maybe you could rent one of those golf cart thingies to get around the resort. Also you could rent a car to drive to the parks other than MK. That will reduce the impact the internal and external bus system would have on your vacation.

 

[lorigacc]

Fort Wilderness

 

[nighttowll]

Fort Wilderness

1. The money
2. What the resort offers

If you are planning on spending time at the resort. Fort Wilderness is the best choice. Tons of stuff for the kids to do. On the other hand, Pop Century really only has a pool without a slide. It's basically a glorified motel. The camp grounds have so much more to offer. The kids could run free and play. They wouldn't be cooped up in a tiny hotel room.

3. Can cook meals, save more money and time by not needing to go out to eat


The only down side I see is it is a bit of pain to travel around from the camp ground, but if you don't plan on trying to go back and forth for breaks during the day, you should be fine. If you have a car, it would be even easier. Probably only time I'd advise taking a car vs Disney Transport is at the camp grounds.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I too vote FW. There will be a bit more room to let the kids run around a bit. One bathroom is a pain but they have bath houses. Maybe take every one there for showers at the same time. You will also have a picnic table where you can serve breakfast and maybe even a lunch or dinner or two. The pools are not that different and while there is no food court at FW there is take out of pizza and chicken.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Fw.

 

[Disney44please]

I also say Fort Wilderness. I second the recommendation for a golf cart, it should help the transportation issue with the little ones a good deal.

You will have a great time at either, but I think that FW will offer a nice variety of things for the kids to do.

 

[uccats97]

Pop Century does have a mini fridge in the room. You will get connecting rooms if you request them because you will have kids with you. Like FW, PC has playgrounds and pools with daily activities. There is also a movie under the stars every night at both resorts. I've never stayed at FW but I have visited. If camping is your thing, go for it. I wouldn't worry about the bathrooms. You can have a schedule where some shower in the morning and others at night. There are shower facilities but I don't know how close it would be to your site. There is a lot to do at FW in addition to swimming. There is a water slide at the feature pool (none at PC), horse drawn carriage rides (additional fee), pony rides and horse back riding at Tri Circle D Ranch (additional fee) and a nightly Campfire sing along with Chip n Dale (free). Also, you can rent a golf cart to get around FW for $59 plus tax/day. You can also watch the Water Pageant and Wishes from the beach.

 

[staceyrhood]

Fort wilderness!!! It is soooooo great for kids. So much to do, riding bikes and the pool area are so much fun. Bus stops are all over, no need to walk far. Golf carts are a ton of fun to rent. The bathrooms at the comfort stations are very nice, and every loop has one. I highly recommend it, the kids will love it!

 

[PrincessAnnabell]

It cost $3000 more to stay at pop. We would need the 6 pass golf cart if we rented one. Is there a place to park carts at the boat for MK.

 

[staceyrhood]

It cost $3000 more to stay at pop. We would need the 6 pass golf cart if we rented one. Is there a place to park carts at the boat for MK.

There is a place for golf cart parking at the marina.
There are a lot of good tips on the camping board too