Just returned from the Fort! It was LOVELY. Thank you to everyone who shared on this thread.
Quick notes after a quick two-night stay
- The cabin was even a little nicer than I expected!
I liked it so much that I'm obliged to include the animated emoji.
- I'm pretty sensitive to even minor design choices, and I was pleased to see that, contrary to photos on Disney's website, the random/ugly area rug wasn't in our cabin.
- I'm 5'3 1/2" and slept comfortably on the bunk bed. (I forgot to bring my tape measure so that's as specific as I can be.)
- The internal transportation was a breeze to use. When I wasn't 100% sure about which bus to take, I told the bus drivers where I wanted to go as I boarded, and they either reassured or redirected me. Driver Carlos was especially great.
- Transportation to and from the parks was great. We waited only a few minutes for middle-of-the-day buses to and from DHS; same for evening ferries to and from MK.
- The Wilderness Pool is closed for refurbishment. This news was relayed to me as I was checking in. (Well I'd done that online, but I went into the Outpost to get the lay of the land. Ironically, the reason I made a reservation at the cabins in the first place was because of a quiet pool refurb at my original reservation.) I still haven't been able to find a notice about the refurb on Disney's website -- in fact, because the 2023 main pool refurb is prominently displayed, it seems misleading to not mention the current status of the quiet pool in the same place. And the quiet pool refurb at AoA is noted on the website, which was another reason I unconsciously assumed that a pool refurb would be mentioned.
- The Meadows Pool was smaller than expected, and understandably very crowded on a 90-degree Saturday in March. I was glad I'd already done a quick dip to cool off that day (at CSR's main pool) because it was NOT appealing.
- Super cast members, especially at the Meadows Trading Post.
- Speaking of cast members, we had a plumbing issue, and it was resolved within, like, twenty minutes!!
- I wasn't 100% sure about the bike rental situation, but it was confirmed in person: Bike rental is 9am - 5pm, meaning bikes must be returned at 5pm each day. 'K.
In summary...I loved it, and I'd love to go back.
