Ft. Wilderness Cabins becoming DVC?

[Sandisw]

I agree that they could make slightly more money in the long run with a separate association, it’s just that what they’re building at Poly isn’t sufficient to be a separate association. That’s why I don’t think there’s even a question here.

That’s correct, the drawings showed 2 bathrooms in a 1BR. We don’t know for sure if that changed yet though.

I believe in 2016 it was replaced with just a cooktop.

Why isnt it big enough? It appears to be slated to be bigger than the original VGF…

As long as it ends up with a variety of room sizes, I think it can be a stand alone resort.

 

[GrumpyInPhilly]

If CCV can have separate "walk in shower" vs "bathtub" booking inventory, I am sure DVC can implement the same for "dog friendly" and "dog free" booking inventory.

I wonder if the there are dog-friendly and dog-free booking categories, will the areas be located apart from each other. I think that would please most folks.

 

[kristenrice]

I wonder if the there are dog-friendly and dog-free booking categories, will the areas be located apart from each other. I think that would please most folks.

They would definitely have to be guaranteed too, because it would be a hot mess if someone booked a "dog-friendly" cabin, brought Pluto along and got assigned to a "dog-free" cabin due to "overbooking" (or some other oversight).

Our fur-"baby" is 10 years old and not able to travel with us, but I look forward to the day when we have a dog that will be able to travel with us in our retirement. The idea of dog-friendly cabins within the DVC framework is growing on me by the minute. DH is so sick of Disney, but if there is a campground where he could go kick back with his pooch and just hang out, and I can still get my Dole Whips and Hoop-De-Doo...plus we can bring the "kids" (they are 19 and 17 now) and they can hit the parks as they wish>>> Yup! This sounds like a perfect compromise

 

[gmi3804]

Me: The DVC cabins at FW are going to allow dogs.
DH: Great. We can bring her and she can get ticks.

 

[bakerworld]

The Fort Wilderness cabins carry a lot of family nostalgia. Our youngest is very interested. We last stayed there in '94. It was a great time between canoeing, golf carts and bikes along with not having to worry about the kids being too loud, having a huge bathroom to get 3 kids ready in the AM and PM, having a full kitchen, and giving the kids the whole back room to themselves. Now I have to hope the point value is low and not Rivera area.

 

[CraigInPA]

My wife is thrilled with the idea that we could bring our Old English Sheepdog with us to stay at WDW. I'm less than thrilled that we might be staying in a trailer bolted to a foundation that isn't going to allow us to walk to a park or have convenient transportation options. At the very least, I hope they put in a REAL restaurant, since the loss of Trails End means only "casual dining" in the area.

 

[Onceuponamarathon]

I know this is not the Poly2 thread but, as a PVB1 owner, if they made PVB2 a separate association, that wouldn't really affect me one way or the other, but I'd have no desire to buy points there.

I also quickly ruled out VDH after the TOT and parking revelations (to add, I think I've even ruled out using my other points there at 7 months - just too expensive compared to a much more competitive off-site situation than WDW).

However, FW has me intrigued. I bet fixed weeks at Halloween and Christmas will be very popular as even if you have an RV it's difficult to get in at those times. I will also bet that you'll need to own at FW if you want to get in at those times...

Current Riv owners. We want to add on and were considering Poly2. We like tower resorts and multiple room options (like we have at Riv). We were just waiting for the official roll out/incentives/etc. Same association vs separate wouldn’t make too much of a difference to us. No interest in west coast, so we figured Poly 2 would likely be the best fit as an add on for while.

However, the cabin announcements have definitely caused us to reconsider. A fixed week at the holidays is very appealing, for all the reasons you mentioned. The sleeps-6 would give us a room option not found elsewhere, and we also think it’d be a good option for race weekends. It’s certainly an intriguing proposition.

 

[aka Charles]

I love the idea of having more options, but did not imagine that this was coming.

I am not against the idea, but I think DVC is trying to combine a very easy and quick cash grab with expanding their target audience to the very loyal Fort Wilderness guests that would never contemplate staying anywhere else. Disney knows that if these guests can afford spending six figures or more on an RV, they can afford to buy into DVC.

That being said, I love Fort Wilderness!

I hope they stay true to the theme and not go too modern.

Now for some predictions....

They are going to have to be very careful with the points chart, as they only have one type of accommodation, a Cabin.
(Maybe they will add full hookup RV sites in the future)

They could have three booking levels, divided by loops.
1. Standard loops.
2. Pet friendly loop(s).
3. Premium loops (near the DVC Outpost, pool, dining, etc.).

Weekends are very popular at the Fort!
So, to encourage longer stays and balance out the bookings, the Sunday-Thursday points may stay low for much of the year, while Friday-Saturday points may jump up quickly.

Weekly point rates could start low for off-season standard and pet friendly loops.
Starting around 120 points/week to keep it well under 150 points for marketing purposes.
Possibly going up to 350, maybe 400, for premium loops during holidays, including Halloween season.

They could set a record for fixed week sales.

The Pet friendly loop(s) will have their own dog park.

A new pool with lazy river and slide. (wishful thinking, lol)

Dedicated golf cart rentals at a discounted rate.
It needs to be a separate group of golf carts dedicated to DVC because the regular rentals, at peak times, sell out way too fast.
Also they would need more of the six passenger carts available vs the four passenger carts.
--------------------------------------

These are all just guesses.
Only time will tell what really becomes of this.
I hope they do it justice and find the right balance for everyone who loves the Fort!
.

 

[PixieLily]

Now that the Trail's End sit down restaurant is gone with the wind, it will be less sit down restaurant decor and more quick service.

 

[DVCsloth]

The thing that sticks out for me is the lack of mention of a laundry room. If I'm in the equivalent of a 1 bedroom, I want that washer & dryer. I suppose they could add small ones right in the kitchen which isn't unheard of, but if I have to drag my laundry out to another building and I'm using the same, or close to, points level as other 1 bedrooms - no thanks. I am still intrigued if for no other reason than renting a golf cart.

I would guess they will probably have laundry facilities located throughout the cabins.

 

[bianca]

I would guess they will probably have laundry facilities located throughout the cabins.

They currently do have laundry stations out there. I would expect to see things upgraded.

 

[drusba]

As to dogs, I believe Disney already allows them with at least some of the cabins so it will likely be similar to what exists now. An issue for many may be whether the cabins will have washer/dryers (currently not). I highly doubt the cabins will be part of any other DVC. The only one possible is CCV, and I doubt DVD would want that because the term would be less than 50 years, and it would have to comply with CCV's provisions that would rule out having the Riviera-resort-only resale restriction.

As it appears all will be 1BRs, the one certainty is that DVC will be able to promote the Fort Wilderness DVC as the one resort where 1BRs are highly desired and actually do book full before any other rooms.

 

[Sandisw]

As to dogs, I believe Disney already allows them with at least some of the cabins so it will likely be similar to what exists now. An issue for many may be whether the cabins will have washer/dryers (currently not). I highly doubt the cabins will be part of any other DVC. The only one possible is CCV, and I doubt DVD would want that because the term would be less than 50 years, and it would have to comply with CCV's provisions that would rule out having the Riviera-resort-only resale restriction.

As it appears all will be 1BRs, the one certainty is that DVC will be able to promote the Fort Wilderness DVC as the one resort where 1BRs are highly desired and actually do book full before any other rooms.

They have already announced it as the 17th resort, so I would think that guarantees it will be its own condo association and not a phase of one of the existing ones.

 

[Nursemanit]

My wife is thrilled with the idea that we could bring our Old English Sheepdog with us to stay at WDW. I'm less than thrilled that we might be staying in a trailer bolted to a foundation that isn't going to allow us to walk to a park or have convenient transportation options. At the very least, I hope they put in a REAL restaurant, since the loss of Trails End means only "casual dining" in the area.

The transportation options are similar to SSR or OKW - I would even say better if you spring for the golf cart.

3 bus stations are in the cabins so each loop is convenient and the purple and orange busses kept going past making a constant loop between the dock to MK and the bus terminal. The 2500 and 2700 are probably going to be the "preferred" along with the 2600 across the road which was the "pet-friendly loop"

I expect the dining will be improved.

 

[Nursemanit]

As to dogs, I believe Disney already allows them with at least some of the cabins so it will likely be similar to what exists now. An issue for many may be whether the cabins will have washer/dryers (currently not). I highly doubt the cabins will be part of any other DVC. The only one possible is CCV, and I doubt DVD would want that because the term would be less than 50 years, and it would have to comply with CCV's provisions that would rule out having the Riviera-resort-only resale restriction.

As it appears all will be 1BRs, the one certainty is that DVC will be able to promote the Fort Wilderness DVC as the one resort where 1BRs are highly desired and actually do book full before any other rooms.

The 2600 loop was the dog loop when I was there last.

 

[tom1944]

Do people use common sense in determining the dogs they bring?


We have 3 dogs and I have one I would never bring to an area where there are dogs he has never interacted with before.

My concern is that many people are not considerate when they think they can bring their dog anywhere.

 

[hilltopper152]

Do people use common sense in determining the dogs they bring?


We have 3 dogs and I have one I would never bring to an area where there are dogs he has never interacted with before.

My concern is that many people are not considerate when they think they can bring their dog anywhere.

I agree, majority of small dog owners have no control over their dogs and how annoying they are. I'm sure there will be a few negative incidents but overall it won't be too bad.

 

[tom1944]

I agree, majority of small dog owners have no control over their dogs and how annoying they are. I'm sure there will be a few negative incidents but overall it won't be too bad.

My big one is the issue.

 

[Cfabar1]

Love the idea of pet friendly timeshare properties. Why not bring the entire family if you are staying in a timeshare?

Wish they would have some pet friendly cabins that were reminiscent of the ocean view cottages at VB, maybe not quite as big, but with 2 dedicated bedrooms at least would be awesome.

Hopefully this “test” will be successful for them…. Was considering buying more VGF direct, but might wait for this…. Devil will really be in the details….

 

[hilltopper152]

My big one is the issue.

They are important to get under control when they are big. We have a 110 pound one and why I worked him so hard but yeah they have their own mind and at least you recognize which ones can handle. Some people are careless owners for sure.