Fort Wilderness?

[Marie17]

If you buy into a DVC membership - can you use the points at the Fort Wilderness Cabins?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Yes.

A week (7 nights) in September in a 2 bedroom at VWL would cost 270 points, a week in a 1 bedroom there would cost 200 points and a week in a FW cabin would cost 240, so you are between a 1 bedroom and a 2 bedroom in price.

The prices for the cabin are only for this year, those prices could go up yearly, but the price for the villas are likely to stay the same, it would take a major point overhaul to change them.

I don't know where to give you a link to the FW cabin costs, but a link to the DVC places is right in the heading on this board.

Bobbi

PS. And it's actually more of a risk than you may realize. If you cancel a DVC Villa at 31 days or more out, your points stay in the DVC plan as they were even before you made the reservation. If you cancel your cabin, the points stay as reservation points, and you are limited as to their use.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Bobbie is right, and that just points out that the best use of points is at DVC resorts. They are better accommodations than the cabins too, so a better value all the way around.

 

[Marie17]

Not sure if they are better accommodations or not to give my opinion but I do like some things the DVC properties don't provide.

Housekeeping (I know you pay extra for that)
Don't want to share walls
Love having a parking space within 30 feet of the front door
And utter peacefulness when not at the parks

I always see people using the points for the DVC properties and other places but rarely see it posted for the cabins - that's why I asked.

We would buy DVC in a heartbeat if the Ft. Wilderness Cabins were ever considered a "home" resort.

 

[HUFF590]

Not sure if they are better accommodations or not to give my opinion but I do like some things the DVC properties don't provide.

Housekeeping (I know you pay extra for that)
Don't want to share walls
Love having a parking space within 30 feet of the front door
And utter peacefulness when not at the parks

I always see people using the points for the DVC properties and other places but rarely see it posted for the cabins - that's why I asked.

We would buy DVC in a heartbeat if the Ft. Wilderness Cabins were ever considered a "home" resort.

I would love to hear your opinion, and the cabins are great, it gives you a differant type of vacation, we will use our points on whatever we want ( more or less Value) thats why we bought just to enjoy all types of vacations.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I utterly agree that the cabins are great! DH doesn't. We've stayed in them before DVC. I would definitely use points for them if DVC ever expanded to include a FW home. Meanwhile, we both are very happy with VWL, and in suitable weather we ride bikes to FW and I do pretend that we're staying there. DH humors me.

Bobbi

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'd give them a try if they had a king sized bed, jacuzzi tub, DVC/VCR, full kitchen (I mean full) and washer and dryer. I get the close in parking and utter peacefullness at OKW already.

 

[chorlick]

I hear what you're saying! FW was the first on-property we stayed at (many years ago). I loved that place. We had a blast with the golf carts they used to have. Coming home at night on the boat was so relaxing. I would stay there again in a heartbeat!

 

[dianeschlicht]

Not sure if they are better accommodations or not to give my opinion but I do like some things the DVC properties don't provide.

Housekeeping (I know you pay extra for that)
Don't want to share walls
Love having a parking space within 30 feet of the front door
And utter peacefulness when not at the parks

I always see people using the points for the DVC properties and other places but rarely see it posted for the cabins - that's why I asked.

We would buy DVC in a heartbeat if the Ft. Wilderness Cabins were ever considered a "home" resort.

Well, an OKW villa has parking right outside the door too, and will likely only have one wall in common with another villa. It also has plenty of peace and quiet and a jacuzzi, inroom laundry ROOM, and king bed to boot. I felt like the cabins were too much like a travel trailer.

 

[Marie17]

Is Old Key West duplexes or quadplexes?

I haven't stayed there before as that is why I didn't give my opinion on individual DVC resorts.

I like the idea of having different beds too - murphy bed, full-size bed and two bunkbeds. I don't know what OKW offers though besides the king bed that was mentioned. I like a king bed but don't necessarily need one. Jacuzzi tub in the room would be good - we used to have one in our previous home and sort of miss making a "super bubble bath" when you put the jets on.

Someone mentioned a real full-size kitchen that is offered wouldn't make that much of a difference from the cabin - everything I would need on vacation is there - pots, pans, silverware, glasses, 4 burner stove top, microwave, oven, dishwasher, refrigerator/freezer, toaster, coffeemakers - I don't know what else is needed to make it a better full-size kitchen (?). What is in the DVC's kitchen that is not in the FW Cabin?

I guess what I am saying is that I like the idea of vacationing with some of the amenities of staying in a hotel room without actually staying in a hotel room - and DVC seems more like a vacation rental inside a hotel room. I do like the housekeeping at the cabins - they will unload and reload your dishwasher even (can't beat that one) - remove your charcoals from the pit and dispose of too.

I guess we just need to take the DVC tour and see how the DVC hotels really are.

 

[HUFF590]

Well, an OKW villa has parking right outside the door too, and will likely only have one wall in common with another villa. It also has plenty of peace and quiet and a jacuzzi, inroom laundry ROOM, and king bed to boot. I felt like the cabins were too much like a travel trailer.

I guess thats what I like about them. We owned a motorhome for a while, and though it would never compare to DVC resorts, it was always fun to go to the woods for a change.

 

[thelobstershanty]

I'd give them a try if they had a king sized bed, jacuzzi tub, DVC/VCR, full kitchen (I mean full) and washer and dryer. I get the close in parking and utter peacefullness at OKW already.

Just a slight correction, the cabins do have full kitchens, including dishwasher, frig, stove, oven, microwave, etc. I believe they also have a DVC in the bedroom.

 

[HUFF590]

Just a slight correction, the cabins do have full kitchens, including dishwasher, frig, stove, oven, microwave, etc. I believe they also have a DVC in the bedroom.

DVC or DVD? both would be great

 

[pjadtl]

Marie-
We used our points for the past 2 years for a cabin at FW. We go every 4th of July. Even though we also have a travel trailer too, we splurge on the cabin. I agree with others- that's why I bought into DVC- to use it any way I please. We do weveral trips a year to WDW and we don't fuss about points. We go wherever we feel like going at that time. I love the tranquility of FW and the cabins are cozy. I don't know why but I love the bathroom- I guess it's the lighting. The beds could definately be bigger though. Oh well- brings DH and I close together- literally.
OKW is great, don't get me wrong. We love it there and it's gorgeous- but it doesn't quite give us those family memories like FW does. My kids would go to FW everytime if we left it up to them- cabin or TT.

 

[dianeschlicht]

OKW is neither duplexes or quads. They are buildings of varying sizes that are 2-3 stories high. The two bedroom units have 1410 sq ft, so that alone makes them a better value. There will be 1 king in the master, 2 queens in the second bedroom (which has it's own large bathroom BTW), and a queen sized pull out sofa in the living room as well as a love seat. There is a HUGE porch for enjoying all the wildlife and water views that abound at OKW. Much more of a "vacation home" than a trailer. And best of all....NOT a hotel feel at all!

 

[pjadtl]

Much more of a "vacation home" than a trailer. And best of all....NOT a hotel feel at all!

I agree- it has the vacation home feel rather than hotel- just depends on what you are looking for. If you're looking for that woodsy, homey type feel than FW all the way. OKW is peaceful and relaxing in it's own way and has plenty of wonderful features. FW for us has a great outdoorsy but pampered feel and is nothing but peaceful. I think it's great to mix it up and try new things. As long as our kids are small we will continue to call FW our 3rd home I think you should definately give it a shot Marie17- especially if you have kids 16 and under. The "value" is in the memories and the new adventures -the kids will talk about that trip forever- trust me.

 

[Marie17]

We've stayed several times in a FW Cabin - we've never stayed at Old Key West. I do like the cabin and so do the kids.

 

[pjadtl]

Oh, then I say try OKW then. I misread. OKW is a must-see too!