Wilderness cabins a mistake?

[squirrlygirl]

Last night we decided to cancel our DVC stay to take advantage of free dining (and then free up points for a stay during the winter )
but, of course, since I'm a bit behind on this, they had absolutely no values and no moderates available. We ended up with a wildnerness cabin (there are 6 of us plus a baby) but I'm not happy. I booked it since it was all that was available (we can't afford 2 deluxe rooms) but I'm worried about being spread out so much. Has anyone stayed and not had a car? We weren't planning on renting one (we'd need a minivan which ups the price of a rental quite a bit), but now I'm a bit concerned. I like free food as much as the next person, but I want to enjoy my stay, too!
Can someone ease my mind?

 

[New England]

Check out the camping forum. You will get a ton of information about the cabins as well as Ft Wilderness. The word is too that there are going to be some renovations as well to Ft Wilderness. There seems to be so much positives about the cabins and you get a full kitchen. You can have one of the grocery delivery services deliver your groceries....try gardengrocer.com (i think that's what they are called). They seem to be very popular on the forum.

Even though you are doing the dining plan, you may still want waters and snacks deilvered and maybe some beer or wine.

I think we will go with the cabins....I love the idea of putting the kids to bed in a room and being about to hang out with my husband and relax a bit. We also do a lot of tent camping and enjoy "campers" as a population. They are fun and helpful bunch of folks who are very friendly. There's always a very family friendly feeling at a campground.

 

[bookwormde]

I agree, read the camping forum. I have not stayed there but have chosen it as one of my top weekend alternatives (since I refuse to use my DVC points on the weekend) here are the reasons I found in the posts.

There is more room in the cabins (more like a dvc 1 or 2 bedroom) without the exorbitant price of a suite.

Different “cultural” experience since the people who camp tend to not have the same “needs” as the “deluxe guest” i.e. much more laid back environment.

Lots of neat “activities” not found anywhere else

Just to do something different

More spread out and natural



Disadvantages

Need to take the internal bus to get from one end to the other (not that much different than OKW)

Longer travel time to most of the theme parks (shorter and much more fun if you are going to MK compared with southern DVC’s)


Unless you are a “must have a deluxe resort” person or cannot tolerate a slower pace then go for it and enjoy something different.

bookwormde

 

[disnut8]

I'm not sure if you know this but driving at Fort Wilderness is very limited. Basically from your cabin to the front of the campground. You can't just drive around yourself inside the place.

We stayed at two cabins a few years ago and we both had vehicles (we drove down from our homes). They sat in the driveway of the cabin the entire trip.

Basically, you will walk from your cabin to the internal bus stop. Then you board a bus to either the front or the back of the campground, depending on where you are going. Then you get transportation to the parks from there. The only difference between Fort Wilderness and most other Disney resorts that have multiple buildings in one extra bus to ride (the internal one).

I do recommend that you take a few flashlights as it will get dark at night since there are few lights (it's a campground).

The cabins are very peaceful and relaxing. Never second guess yourself or you'll spend the entire vacation thinking negative things when you should be looking at the positive ones.

 

[IMACM]

I just returned from 4 nights at the cabins!!!!! As a CM I have stayed at many resorts but I have to say this is definately my favorite!!! I like the idea of "camping" but with shelter and A/C!!

We rented a golf cart on property for $40/day and it was well worth it!! We dined at Trail's End 2 times for breakfast and once for lunch, the food is great!! We also took advantage of Pioneer Hall Hoop Dee Doo. The best part was the water taxi to Magic Kingdom though!! We did P&P and it was nice to walk out at midninght and get on the boat. We spent to other evenings doing the campfire with Chip & Dale and the outdoor movie.

I hope you will give them a chance, they were very peaceful and welcoming!! But, if you are looking for the hustle and bustle that Disney World brings, you will have to work at it here!

Have a great stay!!!

 

[Cool-Beans]

I always have a rental car. And at Ft. Wilderness I have a golf cart. So I know very little about the different busses and time it takes. I do remember it confusing me.

If I could convince every single person I traveled with to stay in the cabins, I'd do it. It is wonderful. Extra space, drive RIGHT UP TO THE DOOR TO YOUR ROOM!, very peaceful, lots of things to do that aren't all rush-rush-rush, cheap and yummy restaurant.

The only thing I wasn't thrilled about was having the pool be such a pain in the patootie to get to/from.

But I love the cabins. Nobody ever wants to stay there and I have never understood why.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

Relax..you made a great choice! We stayed in the cabins a few years ago when my kids were around 4, 7 and 9. They absolutely loved it and would do it again in a heartbeat! It is a different kind of WDW experience. It is more peaceful. It is quieter. The extra space and kitchen are just great to have. We had fun at the campfire with Chip and Dale, and seeing some wildlife around the campground. If you can swing it, rent a golf cart, even if just for a couple of days. My kids still talk about riding around the campground in in. We did rent a car, and used it for everywhere except MK, but you certainly don't have to. You would just need to allow a little extra transportation time. I bet your buses will be less crowded (bonus!) than other resorts, since campers don't qualify for free dining, only those in the cabins. The pool, as you know, is nothing special, but my kids didn't care a bit. Plan for a "campground experience" and take in and enjoy the special amenities there, and your trip will be a unique Disney memory...just like ours!

 

[chrisw127]

I'm going to go against popular opinion here and say that I wouldn't stay at FW without a car. It's true that the golf carts help and I didn't find the transportation system that bad (to MK in particular), and it's certainly the case that you will get very limited use of your car at FW. However, FW is huge and somewhat cut off from other properties. You can reduce the amount of time travelling to parks other than MK by using your own car and since the food options are really limited at FW (not to mention picking up groceries and basics you'll probably need) a car can really help. I'm not saying it can't be done, just that you'll be glad you rented one in the long run.

I'm not sure how much you were quoted on renting a minivan, but by the time you pay the daily fee for a golf cart, it might be about the same amount.

Having said this, I think FW is a really great choice. It's very relaxing and you'll appreciate the extra space.

 

[squirrlygirl]

Thanks for all the opinions! I think part of it is just shifting my mental thinking....it was not the experience I was looking for, but that doesn't mean it'll be a bad experience....just different than I had planned!
My family was a camping family as a kid, so I'll fit right in
DH's family wasn't, so it appears he's really looking forward to experiencing a campground (without the camp )
And the kids? Well, it's Disney, right? Then they're set!
And as for the car....DH suggested he could always rent a small car for us and the younger kids, and my oldest and BIL can take the busses. (which they would enjoy truthfully--they could stay out late and sleep in while we do the early morning thing) Or I can stalk the transportation boards for codes to get a great rate on a minivan rental

And I will take the advice and head to the camping forum to learn about Ft. Wilderness!

See--I feel better already!

 

[MomDad&2boys]

I would stay at the FW cabins again in a heartbeat. They are a little rustic but very comfortable & FW has so much to offer. If I could change our Sept reservation to the cabins I would but we are doing a cheap trip to get more out of our APs.

I highly recommend a golf cart.

 

[hmillerbarilla]

Thanks for all the opinions! I think part of it is just shifting my mental thinking....it was not the experience I was looking for, but that doesn't mean it'll be a bad experience....just different than I had planned!
My family was a camping family as a kid, so I'll fit right in
DH's family wasn't, so it appears he's really looking forward to experiencing a campground (without the camp )
And the kids? Well, it's Disney, right? Then they're set!
And as for the car....DH suggested he could always rent a small car for us and the younger kids, and my oldest and BIL can take the busses. (which they would enjoy truthfully--they could stay out late and sleep in while we do the early morning thing) Or I can stalk the transportation boards for codes to get a great rate on a minivan rental

And I will take the advice and head to the camping forum to learn about Ft. Wilderness!

See--I feel better already!

About the minivan... I signed up last winter for our Sept trip with Dollar and I found a code here on the boards. I got a minivan for a week in Sept for 199 before tax. So, I think it comes out to be like 245.

 

[kbtennant]

My sister-in-law and her family have stayed here and loved it. We are all DVC members as well. She said it was great. A lot of room, nice atmosphere, full kitchen. Lots of different activites, campfires, songs...The only thing she did didn't really like was the pool. No frills, basic pool, didn't have a slide. We are hoping to try it soon.

 

[ElizabethB]

When we stayed there, we had a car and a golf cart. We used both extensively. We drove to all parks and resorts, except MK. We used the cart to get to the boat dock for MK, and get to the restaurant, which has the only food. I guess we could have used it for the trading post as well, but instead used the car to shop for food.

We thought the cabins were very inconveniently located and would think long and hard before staying there again. We also didn't like that the only dining options are a buffet and take-out pizza. They would not let us sit in the bar area of Crockett's to each our lunch pizza. We had to take it out. A real pain.

Since there are 7 of you and no other options, I'd give it a whirl, but not without a golf cart and car. I'd also keep checking to see if I could get two rooms at a value. I think there will be cancellations. Lots of people booked so they'd have something. But, when it comes to actually decided to go and paying at 45 days out, folks will cancel -- especially given the state of the economy, the cost of gas and the latest unemployment figures.

On the plus side, we found the cabins to be great for fixing breakfast, having a separate sleeping area for the kids, having the privacy of your own little house and outdoor deck for barbecuing, and the petting zoo was fun for the kids. We saw lots of interesting animals walking around as well. The pools aren't fancy, but the one we swam at wasn't ever crowded either, which was nice. Since the car is right in the cabin driveway, it was easy to hop in and drive to a park or another resort.

 

[iloveftwilderness]

Did you say you got free dining at the cabins? Usually the cabins are not included in the free dining promotion. If you did--keep your reservations. Either way, keep your reservations. This is a great place to relax and my favorite as you can tell by my logon name.