Michelle:
As a fan of
Fort Wilderness with a family of 6, I think the upgrade to the cabins would be worth your while.
I've stayed at Port Orleans twice, in fact, it's my favorite resort of the moderates for its views of the Sassagoula River, its boat to Downtown Disney and its ability to house 5 with its trundle beds. It's the best economical choice for a family of five.
What makes a cabin so inviting, though, is the space, privacy, and ability to pay for the upgrade if you're willing to cook a few meals. If you're like me, cooking is not how I like to spend my vacation, but offering a hot breakfast or cooking out on the grill makes a huge difference in our budget and is worth the effort. Best of all, the cabin is almost double the size of a room at POR with a full kitchen, living area and a bedroom for privacy. Plus, the deck and surrounding area gives kids area to play so you can enjoy your downtime as much as time in the parks.
Fort Wilderness offers activities, too. From fishing to biking, boat rentals and golf cart rentals, you won't be disappointed. On the nights we head back to the fort after the early closing of Animal Kingdom, Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-a-long kicks off a fun evening followed by the water pageant on Bay Lake, topped off by the distant fireworks of Magic Kingdom! As for seclusion, the cabins aren't a garden-home community, but you're certainly not in the deep woods by yourself. The pine canopies of loops 2100, 2200 and 2400 make them my favorites in the summer time. If you use Disney bus transportation, it's no more cumbersome than the multiple stops the bus at POR takes.
For families, it's my top choice.
Let me know if you have any more questions about Fort Wilderness--just visit my bio page!
Whitney