Ft. Wilderness Cabins becoming DVC?

[DonMacGregor]

I understand what youre saying and it makes me question what makes me consider those deluxe and fort wilderness value.

I don't consider SSR or OKW to be "deluxe" resorts. They are on par with POR in my mind as solid moderates. The only difference is the kitchens/kitchenettes. As I've said elsewhere, take someone who knows nothing about DVC, take them to each of those three resorts, and they wouldn't be able to tell you difference unless they looked inside the rooms. Heck, I think POR has better quick service AND table service than either OKW or SSR, and the main pool is definitely better (and I own both for SAP). Add early entry and extended evening hours to POR, and you've got a product more akin to the VGF2 "resort studios" (absent the higher quality dining options, obviously, but you are still just a short boat ride from DS).

I think there's a strong reason why DVC never went back to the "condo" style resorts after they did the SSR conversion.

 

[Nursemanit]

One of the best things about DVC
You have:
Hotel style - BLT / RR / VDH
Lodges - VGC, BR/CC, AKV J
Traditional Resorts - VGF, VB, HHI, Aulani
Quirky Themed Resorts - Poly, BWV, BC, AKL K
Condo Style: SSR, OKW

and soon Cabins

Something for everyone, each with different offerings. All will be "deluxe" to some and not interesting to others.

 

[hilltopper152]

I don't consider SSR or OKW to be "deluxe" resorts. They are on par with POR in my mind as solid moderates. The only difference is the kitchens/kitchenettes. As I've said elsewhere, take someone who knows nothing about DVC, take them to each of those three resorts, and they wouldn't be able to tell you difference unless they looked inside the rooms. Heck, I think POR has better quick service AND table service than either OKW or SSR, and the main pool is definitely better (and I own both for SAP). Add early entry and extended evening hours to POR, and you've got a product more akin to the VGF2 "resort studios" (absent the higher quality dining options, obviously, but you are still just a short boat ride from DS).

I think there's a strong reason why DVC never went back to the "condo" style resorts after they did the SSR conversion.

Agreed. I hate those resorts for when visiting and going to Parks except SSR fits nicely for a few nights to mix it up and keep cost low. At least it is quiet and has DS right there. They feel like a lower class resort or my parents timeshare in Florida (condo style). Deluxe is the monorail loop and boardwalk area to me only.

 

[GinnyBear's_mom]

You have an outlet at your cabin - golf carts don't need to be constantly plugged in - overnight is fine for the day. At the rate they charge, they can afford to add a few more 6-person carts.

I'm sure the rate for a 4 person cart will go up once the new cabins go in, and if they decide to add more 6 person carts that are actually able to be reserved in advance that rate will most assuredly be higher than the 4 person cart.

No, you don't have to keep a golf cart plugged after every ride but do a quick Google search and you'll see it many sites recommend to charge a golf cart after each use, not just overnight. Roundtrip from the settlement depot to the outpost depot (from the cabins to the dock) at the fort is about 3 miles. Many people do that journey from the cabins to the dock once or twice a day on a golf cart, add in looping during holiday seasons and trips back and forth to the meadow depot and you can easily put 6 miles or more on your cart in a day. I wouldn't want to do that journey on a random golf cart without charging while it is parked.

A golf cart battery also takes 8-10 hours to fully charge overnight, many guests close a park one night and are there at rope drop the next day so you can't get a full charge overnight at your cabin if you aren't topping up during the day.

If the number of golf carts increases at the fort, they will have to make infrastructure changes to include more cart parking at each of the depots and additional charging outlets.

 

[jennypenny]

With DVC (and the DIS), the more things change, the more they stay the same. I'm old enough to remember when BWV first came online and people balked at how small the rooms were compared to OKW. Old timers here will remember Richyams talking about how he could reach into the fridge from the balcony at BW lol. Personally, I like the direction they went with RR but dislike that they turned the new GF rooms into glorified hotel rooms. We'll see what they do with Poly2 and the Cabins but regardless, some will like them and some will hate them. Kind of a tradition around here.

 

[SLThomas318]

i think there will be a tower added to it so it will be Fort Wilderness villas and cabins FWVC

Yes! So in 5-8 years we can debate if it will be part of the same association

 

[Nursemanit]

I'm sure the rate for a 4 person cart will go up once the new cabins go in, and if they decide to add more 6 person carts that are actually able to be reserved in advance that rate will most assuredly be higher than the 4 person cart.

No, you don't have to keep a golf cart plugged after every ride but do a quick Google search and you'll see it many sites recommend to charge a golf cart after each use, not just overnight. Roundtrip from the settlement depot to the outpost depot (from the cabins to the dock) at the fort is about 3 miles. Many people do that journey from the cabins to the dock once or twice a day on a golf cart, add in looping during holiday seasons and trips back and forth to the meadow depot and you can easily put 6 miles or more on your cart in a day. I wouldn't want to do that journey on a random golf cart without charging while it is parked.

A golf cart battery also takes 8-10 hours to fully charge overnight, many guests close a park one night and are there at rope drop the next day so you can't get a full charge overnight at your cabin if you aren't topping up during the day.

If the number of golf carts increases at the fort, they will have to make infrastructure changes to include more cart parking at each of the depots and additional charging outlets.

Since I own and use an electric golf cart where I live - none of this is true. The range even with my 20 year old cart is over 20 miles on a charge - with the newer batteries you can get 40 miles. It will not be fully discharged from going what will be less than 15 miles a day and it wil charge fine overnight.

 

[gmi3804]

A three bedroom Treehouse Villa is "priced" (via points) similarly to a 1BR Island/Garden Aulani (middle price point) villa. There's no way these trailers will be anywhere close to a 2BR WDW villa at one of the upper end DVC properties. Heck, they're not even classified as "Deluxe" on the cash rental scale; they're "Moderates."

 

[Nursemanit]

Aulani has nothing to do with any WDW pricing discussion.

 

[gmi3804]

Aulani has nothing to do with any WDW pricing discussion.

It's an example of extremes. Aulani villas vs. FW trailers.

 

[Nursemanit]

It's an example of extremes. Aulani villas vs. FW trailers.

To what point is discussing extremes ? It does not help to form an estimate

 

[Sandisw]

Aulani has nothing to do with any WDW pricing discussion.

I disagree. DVD uses a similar methodology when determining totals for the point charts and some of that is based on square footage.

So, trying to compare how they may have come up with different DVC locations could help people make projections on the ranges for those cabins.

 

[Nursemanit]

I disagree. DVD uses a similar methodology when determining totals for the point charts and some of that is based on square footage.

So, trying to compare how they may have come up with different DVC locations could help people make projections on the ranges for those cabins.

Treehouse - same style of unit but 2x the size
CC - similar location
SSR - similar amenities

You can draw conclusions from any of them.

Aulani - different building type / non wdw / far away location - vastly different build costs

I can’t think of anything that makes it relate to the cabins - even the cabins at VB would have more in common- it won’t be considered in the pricing equation

 

[gmi3804]

Treehouse - same style of unit but 2x the size

The trailers are nowhere near the quality of the appointments of the Treehouse villas.

 

[Nursemanit]

The trailers are nowhere near the quality of the appointments of the Treehouse

The cabins are better I agree

 

[meekey7197]

The trailers are nowhere near the quality of the appointments of the Treehouse villas.

We have no idea what the appointments of the new cabins will be. We know they will be on the small side and they will be modular but they will be brand new.

 

[CraigInPA]

You have 0 dining at BLT

BLT, technically, has the pool bar. But, Steakhouse 71, California Grille, Chef Mickey's, and the Contempo Cafe are actually closer to most BLT rooms than the pool.

 

[RoseGold]

Heck, they're not even classified as "Deluxe" on the cash rental scale; they're "Moderates."

I mean yea, they're 30 year old trailers at this point, right?

 

[Nursemanit]

We have no idea what the appointments of the new cabins will be. We know they will be on the small side and they will be modular but they will be brand new.

Agree

1. your not buying the building your prepaying your vacation in it
2. You are paying MF and taxes on it

So to me new trailer beats 50 year old treehouse ( they were built in 1975)

 

[tidefan]

Agree

1. your not buying the building your prepaying your vacation in it
2. You are paying MF and taxes on it

So to me new trailer beats 50 year old treehouse ( they were built in 1975)

The treehouses were new builds (modular) on top of the old footprint. They are new from about 10 years ago…