I currently have POR for a week in early August for 5 including 3 kids (9, 6, 4). For $600 more I am considering changing to Fort Wilderness cabin. I have never stayed here before so am nervous to make the switch. It is appealing for EEH, my kids like outdoors, more space in cabin and to try something new. I am most worried about transportation as a golf cart would not be in the budget. We have DDP so have a few qs meals we would eat at the wherever we stay. We will be at the park most of the days and I don’t see us having a day just at FW. Please help me decide!
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We are staying at the cabins right now and it’s pure bliss. You don’t have to have a golf cart. We grab the internal bus to move around. Just takes longer to get where you’re going.
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FWIW if it was me I would try out Fort Wilderness, though I have never stayed there myself. It will definitely feel like a bigger space for 5 people.
If you have a rental car, you can drive to the parks no issue. The only exception is MK - it would be worth it to take the internal bus loop and board the ferry. This wouldn’t be that much worse than POR, which is one of the most sprawling resorts and has multiple bus stops (slightly different than a bus loop, but still …)
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How much longer are we talking? 10min? 30 min?
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Will one of your children sleep in the living room area?
The only two areas I think that POR would be more desirable that FW would be the pools (in August I would want pool time and POR variety of pools are wonderful) and POR/FQ quick service with your DDP.
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I think we woukd put the kids in the bedroom and my husband and I in the living room area.
The top priority for my kids is the water parks so I think we will drive to them instead of using the resort pools.
I am somewhat concerned about accessing the qs at fw without a golf cart but it would probably be just two meals we are there.
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It just adds about 15-20 minutes, depending on when you get to the loop bus stop, of course. I find the system works well. Also, it’s only about a mile to walk. The walking paths are excellent.
The place is gorgeous and there is so much to do.
It sounds like you have thought of everything! My only other question would be: if you don’t change to FW, could you use that $600 to do something else?
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That was what I was thinking.
And is it $600 over three nights, or $600 over six nights.
I’ve never stayed at either. I know which I’d pick though. It’s hard when you can’t decide. Can you ask DH. The non-planner often doesn’t have the analysis paralysis.
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Great question. We will be there 6 nights!
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Don’t forget about the boat rides to and from Disney Springs. This is huge for my family when we stay at Port Orleans!
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We love FW and it’s very unique. With a car you can probably get by without a cart for going to the parks but you would definitely need to take the internal bus to get anywhere else at the Fort as it’s huge and walkable so keep that in mind. You can’t park a car anywhere but your site or main entrance. Dining is pretty limited if that matters to you.
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We stayed at a cabin in Ft Wilderness for a week in January. We requested and received the 2800 loop which imho was a quick walk to the front busses. We had planned on but didn’t use our car the entire trip. We did have a difficult time making rope drop on our MK day. It actually took us an hour door to turnstile that a.m.! I think it was a timing issue- the first internal loop bus didn’t get us on the first boat. In retrospect, I would have ordered a minivan that one morning and called it a day.
If you end up in the 2700 or 2800 loop, the Wilderness Swimmin’ pool is easily walkable. Its not the feature pool but perfectly acceptable for a quick dip.
We loved the space and (for us) the kitchen. My concern for you is that its quite a hike to the refillable mugs and quick service. Without a golf cart, I think you will need to really think about your food and drinks. When we get mugs, we like to “get our moneys worth”- it will be harder to get to Trails End or the Meadow snack bar compared to POR.
Whichever you decide, I think you are going to be happy. We love both resorts for different reasons.
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In case anyone is curious, I decided to go with POR. Having to use the inner bus made me nervous. Many people said it wasn’t a big deal but I saw enough people complain that I decided against it. I am thinking I will go with Fort Wilderness when all my kids are a old enough to ride bikes and we don’t need a stroller.
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As much as I love FW, I think you made the right choice. I personally wouldn’t stay there without a golf cart or possibly bikes (but not when it’s super hot).
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