Wilderness Cabin or 2 All Star Rooms

[tstobb]

We're going up for 8 nights and are trying to choose between one of the Wilderness cabins or 2 connecting rooms at the All Stars. There are 5 of us so 1 room isn't an option. It is actually about $350 less to do the 2 rooms than the cabin (leaves more $$$ for "stuff"). Just looking for suggestions - we know that there's the kitchen in the cabin but at the AS, we'd have 2 bathrooms.

 

[Swimnoid]

You have a good point about the bathroom with 5 people. We have done both. We prefer the cabins by far just because of the atmosphere. Much quieter and relaxed. We used the kitchen for most of our dinners...quick things like manwiches or spaghetti, but it was nicer not to fight crowds for dinner when you are tired at the end of a long day.

 

[FreeTime]

I would go for the cabin if the 5 of you are all one family (meaning not in laws, etc). If you think you might want some private time go for the allstars. The cabin is great because you get the kitchen and can save tons of money on snacks and meals. You will have a deck that you can relax on and grill out if you like. The only thing that I didn't like about the cabin was the full size bed in the br. It was up against the wall so sleeping on the inside was a pain. If you are going with 3 kids I would put them in the br and you take the living room (the murphy bed is not that bad).

 

[MJames41]

Another option might be the Port Orleans Riverside - Alligator Bayou. There you can get a trundle bed - it is the only moderate that allows for 5. Or, if you can get a code, how about a standard room at the Contemporary?

Between the two choices you have listed, my preference would depend entirely on my mood, and would change daily (sorry). They both will provide a great vacation. It just depends on if you want quiet (Fort Wilderness), or convenience (2 bathrooms). Do you think the kids would rather play at Fort Wilderness or would they rather play with the icons at the All Stars? And, you do have a point about the $350.

Enjoy your stay no matter which you choose.

 

[PigletsPal]

I was in the same boat as you. Family of 5 also. Had (2) rooms booked at the STMovies for Nov. I then decided to switch to the Cabins for a few reasons: 1- My friend is having knee surg. and felt the cabins would be easier on her and not having to fight for a parking space if we ever moved our car. 2- we are doing the FTP and can cook a couple of nights out on the grill. 3- The same for breakfast a couple of pop tarts for the kids and we're out the door. 4- And most of all its not a noisy as the AS's
As for the bathroom, my kids like to take baths at night and my husband and I take in the morning, so I don't think it will be a hugh problem for us.

Either way, Enjoy yourself and let us know how it went.

 

[dgaston]

The $350 might make me give up my favorite option of the cabins, thinking of extra meals, and shopping LOL. The cabins worked out well for us Christmas 2001. Two adult kids and the 13 yo slept in the bedroom, and DH and I on the Murphy bed--ours was very comfortable.

If you're concerned about bathrooms, you could request the 2100 loop. It backs up to camping loop 1100, and there's even a path to the comfort station and laundry.

I'm such a budget-minded person, I would think long and hard about the AllStars. I'd think about the pool noise, youth groups, and bus travel for the time of year I was going. The pools at FW aren't at all fancy, but they're generally quiet.

 

[cajungirlie]

Ok I have a question. I don't know what the person who said "or if you can get a code you can stay at the Contemporary." What does get a code mean? I too am planning a trip for 5 and the contemp is one i am leaning towards. Thanks!

 

[Kimberle]

humm, you didn't say how old your children are. If they are pre-teen, then you might be OK with 1 bathroom. You'd also be able to cook on the grill. The food savings might bring your total cost down to the same "level". If you have older children, then you might really need the 2 bathrooms.

Also, look at what you're going to be doing at WDW. The resorts are at opposit ends of the park. Cabins are close to MK, all-stars are closer to AK, & water parks (I believe).

But mostly, I think it's a matter of preference. Where do you *want* to stay, money no object? Either choice, you can't go wrong.

 

[MJames41]

Originally posted by cajungirlie
Ok I have a question. I don't know what the person who said "or if you can get a code you can stay at the Contemporary." What does get a code mean? I too am planning a trip for 5 and the contemp is one i am leaning towards. Thanks!

Generally, codes are for AP holders (especially since FairyTale Package), however sometimes there are codes for anyone to use. Check Mousesavers.com, they usually have the information on codes.

Also, it might be worth it to get one AP if needed to get the codes. The discounts can be huge (i.e. $109 per night for Wilderness Lodge is the current special).

 

[drogerstn]

I'd choose 2 rooms at AS. We would do very little, if any, cooking and cleaning at the cabin, so we wouldn't save money on food. We take a cooler with us and eat sandwiches and breakfast items at the resort and that's all we would do in the cabin. I'd expect the pools and food court to be more convenient at the AS and we'd get more out of having 2 bathrooms (and 2 TV's) than we would out of having a kitchen.

 

[tinkerbee]

I would go with the cabin. They are wonderful and so peaceful. We went in April there were 3 adults and two children 7 and 9. I never felt crowded at all. I've stayed at the all stars but there were just two of us they are nice but when we stayed there in January 2001 it was so much noise. We were right by the pool and if you wanted to rest any time of the day it was hard and this was during a cold spell so I'd hate to see it if it were warm out.

The cabins were always quite and so delightful. There is so much to do you really never have to leave the resort. Have a great trip in which every you choose.

 

[dkostel]

Have those of you at the Cabins found it necessary to rent a golf cart? Are the distances between the cabins and busses so great that given no other transportation (bikes, cars) you need them?

Thanks-
Donna

 

[Lesley]

Donna,
When we stayed at FW we were closer to the bus stop than we usually are at any of the other resorts. I wouldn't worry about getting a golf cart just to get to the bus. That said, I think a golf cart would be more fun than the internal bus system to get to other places in FW.....like the pools, the boat dock, etc....

Having just stayed at the All Stars...I'd take the cabin. The All Star rooms are tiny and though having 2 rooms may help a little, once you bring in coolers, etc....its really crowded. If your kids are teens though...they might prefer the all stars. Also FW is much more quiet and relaxing....so that's something to consider.

And someone else mentioned POR....which is also a great option for a family of 5....something you may want to look into.

 

[tstobb]

We have stayed at both the Contemporary and POR and loved both but we will want the privacy that 2 rooms will give us.
When we went on DCL last year, we had 1 room and even with the split bath, getting everyone through the shower every day was a bit of a pain so we are leaning towards the All-Stars - we've stayed there before and think that with the 2 rooms, we won't be so crowded. We've also figured that really the only meal we would be having in the room is breakfast and that's usually on the run, pop-tarts & cereal kind of thing anyway so we can used the money we'll save on the rooms to go to one of the water parks or rent a boat for a day or Disney Quest or just more stuff!
BTW - the rate we're getting quoted is FL resident - $154.99/night (includes tax) for the cabin and $109.75/night for 2 rooms at the All-Stars.

Thanks for all of the input!

 

[drogerstn]

The All Star rooms are tiny and though having 2 rooms may help a little, once you bring in coolers, etc

Based on calculations from Deb's Site-Accommodations , the square footage of two All-Star rooms is more than the square footage of FW Cabins. I know layout comes into play regarding how crowded the rooms are, but we had plenty of room with two rooms and 4 guests at AS-Music.

 

[Gillian]

I love the cabins, but if you have 5 people who need to shower in the morning, it could be a real challenge! There is an extra mirror in the bedroom, but the only sink is in the bathroom itself. And in the kitchen, of course.

An outside sink would have been a good idea. And a TV in the bedroom wouldn't hurt either!