Fort Wilderness Question

[devoy1701]

Hey guys,

We're staying at Fort Wilderness for the first time. There will be 5 of us including our DS 1yr old staying in the cabins. My question is about getting around the campground. Is the resort shuttle convenient in both timing and location? Are we better off renting a golf cart? Wasn't sure if it was needed for us, but we have a dinner reservation at Trail's End, and with our son we'll be making use of the MK Ferry quite a bit I think. We'd also like to make use of some of the resort amenities during our stay.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I think it's going to depend on your cabin location (whether you want a golf cart) -- if you're very close to the Outpost Depot (the higher loops, like 2800) you won't even need to take a shuttle. Obviously, taking a resort shuttle to transportation will add some time to your travels because it's an extra step, but when my family stayed at FW (in the campground, not in the cabins) I seem to remember the shuttles coming very regularly every few minutes.

Upon check-in, you can ask to be shown on a map where your cabin is, and can ask to be assigned another if you don't like the location (the ability to change is not guaranteed, but it never hurts to ask!). 2100 and other "low" loop numbers will put you closer to the center of the resort, the restaurants and the main pool. Higher numbers (e.g., 2800) will put you closer to the Outpost Depot, and thus closer to park transportation (and if you're walking distance to the Outpost bus depot, you won't even need to take an internal shuttle there).

 

[devoy1701]

I think it's going to depend on your cabin location (whether you want a golf cart) -- if you're very close to the Outpost Depot (the higher loops, like 2800) you won't even need to take a shuttle. Obviously, taking a resort shuttle to transportation will add some time to your travels because it's an extra step, but when my family stayed at FW (in the campground, not in the cabins) I seem to remember the shuttles coming very regularly every few minutes.

Upon check-in, you can ask to be shown on a map where your cabin is, and can ask to be assigned another if you don't like the location (the ability to change is not guaranteed, but it never hurts to ask!). 2100 and other "low" loop numbers will put you closer to the center of the resort, the restaurants and the main pool. Higher numbers (e.g., 2800) will put you closer to the Outpost Depot, and thus closer to park transportation (and if you're walking distance to the Outpost bus depot, you won't even need to take an internal shuttle there).

I think we did request the lower loop. If that means we're closer to the center of the resort, does that mean decent walking distance to the ferry launch? We've only ever visited the campgrounds a few times (dinner at Hoop dee Doo and Trails End) so I don't really have a sense of size and layout yet. I assume that the bus transportation to/from MK to Ft Wilderness might be more reliable during busy evenings since most people assume to use the ferry? That's what happens at the Wilderness Lodge anyway.

 

[stevehousse]

As nice as it is having a golf cart they are very expensive! $56 dollars a DAY!

 

[devoy1701]

As nice as it is having a golf cart they are very expensive! $56 dollars a DAY!

That was my thought as well and why I was looking for either a "it's just a nice to have" or a "you're really going to need it because resort transportation is too slow, etc"

 

[wm49rs]

I think we did request the lower loop. If that means we're closer to the center of the resort, does that mean decent walking distance to the ferry launch? We've only ever visited the campgrounds a few times (dinner at Hoop dee Doo and Trails End) so I don't really have a sense of size and layout yet. I assume that the bus transportation to/from MK to Ft Wilderness might be more reliable during busy evenings since most people assume to use the ferry? That's what happens at the Wilderness Lodge anyway.

The lower loops will indeed put you closer to the ferry, but with a young one may still be a bit of a walk. But the last time I stayed there (in the 2500 loop I think), the intra-resort shuttles ran at a good clip. And I'll admit even the busses to the other resorts and parks didn't seem too onerous either.

I'd suggest looking at the resort map, and trying to judge for yourself. Hopefully there's one out there with a distance scale on it to give you an idea of the resort's size....

 

[smk]

golf carts are nice but not a necessity. If you decide you want one after a day or two there may not be any left to rent however. Better to error on the side of caution and get one for a day or two just to make things easier until you know the lay of the campground. We always rent one.

 

[racin23]

Its about a mile from one end of the resort where you check in to the end with Trails End and the Ferry Dock, there is a paved path the entire way so its easy to walk along. I agree you could try for a day and see if you make use of the golf cart or can walk everywhere/take the bus.

 

[rob45]

they are pricey, but well worth it, we always rent a cart
they are a welcome site when you get off the ferry boat from the Magic Kingdom, or the bus from the other parks