What would you do?

[Boo'sMom]

Our family, me, DH, 2 DS(6, 10) and DD(2) will be going to WDW in November. We currently have reservations at Swan for $129/n gov. employee rate, with the tax and resort fee, our 6 nights will cost $859+/-. I called WDW today and was quoted $860 for 6 nights in a Ft. Wilderness Cabin...so of course I booked that too...LOL
My argument for staying at the Swan is that we would be walking distance to Epcot, and we've never stayed there....My concern is really only that it isn't a "Disney" resort.
My argument for staying at Wilderness Cabins is that the space we'd have would be much larger. We're very much into the "out of doors and camping" so the appeal of Ft. wilderness is great. My only concern here is the transportation issues.

What would you do?

 

[*Flower*]

If you're looking for the practical reply, you'll definitely have more room to spread out at the FWC.
The Swan is definitely convenient to the MGM Studios and Epcot- but you'll be living on top of each other (literally).
Disney Transportation busses do run out to FW, and there is the ferry that runs from FW to WL to MK. And from there, you could take the monorail to Epcot and the International Gateway will get you to the boats that go out to MGM.
So- I've successfully played Devil's Advocate, and can say that if you prefer to be in the middle of the action- the Swan is the thing. If you like the outdoors and more room- then the FWC will be the way to go.

Good Luck!!!

 

[FTWFAN]

DH and kids always say Fort Wilderness. There is just so much to do there. The deck and small yard gives the kids a little freedom and parents a nice place to relax and watch the kids explore. I am sure your boys will love chasing the lizards. My Ds/6 and DD/4 have this as their favorite pastime. Poor lizards!!!!!
You also have the petting zoo, pony rides, bike and boat rentals, all the playgrounds and all the other animals that wander around FW to see.
I say Fort Wilderness!!!!!!

 

[StrwLady]

Well you are in the same predicament many of us have been in at one time or another...... (yelling) "I don't know which hotel to choose!!!" hehehe

I just went through it myself. I really wanted to stay at the Boardwalk but was concerned on food cost since there is no counter service (such as captain cooks at the poly) And we usually have breakfast and dinner at the hotel.

I know a lot of people say what difference does a hotel you'll be at the parks all day. But if you go often as I do and you see to do to its easier to take some time out of a day to do some stuff away from the parks. The FW seems to offer a lot of fun stuff. I'm hoping to make it over there to do a carriage ride.

When you consider you will have 3 kids that might end up pretty tired by the end of day (and as with most kids they might be cranky when tired) the extra room might be nice not to have them so much in your hair. This way letting it actually be a vacation for you too

As far as transportation concerns call and find out about the transportation at the FW. I find the buses in general to usually be no extra hassle. But find out how many stops between the hotel and each park and back. Compare that to the transportation at the Swan.

One thing that kept me from booking a FWC was I was told the cabins were quite a walk to the main bldg. (also concerned that the woodsy grounds might cause more asthma problems for me)

Look at the pictures of both and decide what you want. See what each hotel offers and what is more important to you. For instance do you want a full service hotel? (I'm pretty sure that the Swan is a full service hotel and wouldn't think the FWC is. )

Here here are some links that might help you decide

http://home.hiwaay.net/~jlspence/fwmapnew.jpg

Fw Pictures

http://home.hiwaay.net/~jlspence/photogal.htm

Swan and Dolphin map

http://wdwig.com/dolswmap.jpg

Swan pictures

http://wdwig.com/g_swan.htm

Dolphin Pictures
http://wdwig.com/g_dol.htm

 

[MELSMICE]

FW Cabins all the way. No matter where we stay my kids ALWAYS wish we were at the cabins.

We also have 3 children & having the additional room makes the vacation more enjoyable. It also has a full size kitchen. Some people don't care about this because they don't want to cook on vacation. It doesn't bother me to do breakfast, a few lunches & maybe a dinner or 2.

The real plus about the kitchen is that you can grab a snack, be it hot or cold, whenever you want.

There is ALOT to do at FW. The pool is just a pool but I think everything else there is to do makes up for it. I think the transportation is just about as convenient as anywhere else.

My vote would be FW!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Second FW. Let me be nostalgic here. My sons are 22 & 19. Took them to WDW 3 times in the 80's and early 90's. My fondest memories (and I think theirs too) are of our stays at the campground. We still tease the 19 yo that he used to go on the rides for about an hour, then ask "Can I go back to our village now [his name for the FWC] and watch TV?"
Stay there-you won't forget it!

 

[halfway there]

As much as we liked the Swan I will say that I did notice that it felt a little less 'Disney'. Not sure how to explain that but even being in the middle of the action and loving the Epcot area resorts as we do, it just wasn't the same at the Swan, esp if you have kids.
Also, keep in mind that you'd be closest to MK at FW and since you do have young ones I would think that's where you might spend most of your time. You seem to like the camping atmosphere, so I guess I would recommend FW altho' we've never stayed there ourselves. We do go over there quite a bit to hang around.
If you want some real support for your decision change, head over to the Camping Forum. They will sell you on FW in a heartbeat! I don't think there's anyone over there that doesn't like FW and they will be able to address your transportaion issues a little more thoroughly!
Hope that helps!!