Ft. Wilderness Cabins becoming DVC?

[Leight19]

Well, they're going to have a hard time convincing me to pay even 1 BR point values unless the individual cabins have a washer/dryer, no matter how many they sleep.

I forgot about this, I had just assumed they would find way to make washer/dryer work. I also forgot current footprint that allows the 6 person is the bunk beds with queen size bed. This would make it the only 1br without king beds as well right?

 

[Cfabar1]

I forgot about this, I had just assumed they would find way to make washer/dryer work. I also forgot current footprint that allows the 6 person is the bunk beds with queen size bed. This would make it the only 1br without king beds as well right?

I'm guessing they'll offer one of those combined washer/dryer units.

Yes it would be a queen bed and not a king. Another minus. That's why I think they should be priced between the studios and the 1 BRs....

 

[Sandisw]

I forgot about this, I had just assumed they would find way to make washer/dryer work. I also forgot current footprint that allows the 6 person is the bunk beds with queen size bed. This would make it the only 1br without king beds as well right?

Do we know that there won’t be a king? I know that the current ones don’t have them but we have not yet heard exactly if they new cabins will have and even if they’ll still use bunk beds.

 

[DVCPAT]

I forgot about this, I had just assumed they would find way to make washer/dryer work. I also forgot current footprint that allows the 6 person is the bunk beds with queen size bed. This would make it the only 1br without king beds as well right?

I think new washing machine consumes approx 14 gallons of water per load. Average shower consumes 17 gallons.., nothing complicated about washing machine hot/cold water feed and a drain. It would be very easy to configure the new cabins to the existing utilities.
Electrical consumption with new heat pump and appliances should be less than existing units. I would think the new cabins should easily retrofit old units.

 

[Leight19]

Do we know that there won’t be a king? I know that the current ones don’t have them but we have not yet heard exactly if they new cabins will have and even if they’ll still use bunk beds.

I don’t think anything is official besides the 6 people but somehow I got impression from boards the square footage isn’t changing. Just from that alone I see no way they get that many people squeezed in without bunk beds in main bedroom and don’t see any way that fits with king. Add in needing space for the washer/dryer I’m intersted in seeing how this turns out.

Another thing to consider is akv 1br value is currently the smallest option and it’s 25% bigger and sleeps 2 less. The more I type here the more I feel these have to be priced between one bedroom and studio and given its at moderate resort it should be in line with some studios. I’m also interested in how many people want to sign up for 50 yrs with bunk beds. At best there’s like 5 to 10 years where that works for a family and after that it’s basically a 4 person room with additional furniture in the bedroom.

 

[PolyRob]

Just from that alone I see no way they get that many people squeezed in without bunk beds in main bedroom and don’t see any way that fits with king.

King bed and sleeper chair in bedroom. Double murphy bed couch and single murphy bed under TV in the living space. How about a murphy bed table like the value resorts? Disney is creative with beds when it wants the occupancy.

 

[Sandisw]

King bed and sleeper chair in bedroom. Double murphy bed couch and single murphy bed under TV in the living space. How about a murphy bed table like the value resorts? Disney is creative with beds when it wants the occupancy.

That certainly could work since the studios have the sofa and under TV.

So three in each space. And I bet they can be creative with a washer and dryer too!

They did mention that the concrete pad will be the same but that doesn’t mean they can’t fit a slightly larger cabin.

The other option is to have a loft space with sleeping and just keep the back room with a king.

 

[Sandisw]

I don’t think anything is official besides the 6 people but somehow I got impression from boards the square footage isn’t changing. Just from that alone I see no way they get that many people squeezed in without bunk beds in main bedroom and don’t see any way that fits with king. Add in needing space for the washer/dryer I’m intersted in seeing how this turns out.

Another thing to consider is akv 1br value is currently the smallest option and it’s 25% bigger and sleeps 2 less. The more I type here the more I feel these have to be priced between one bedroom and studio and given its at moderate resort it should be in line with some studios. I’m also interested in how many people want to sign up for 50 yrs with bunk beds. At best there’s like 5 to 10 years where that works for a family and after that it’s basically a 4 person room with additional furniture in the bedroom.

The tower studios, which are tiny and sleep 2 at RIV book up quite fast and are not that much less than the 5 person SV studio.

So, I have no doubt you will have families who jump at the chance to stay in these for 30 to 35 a night.

It’s not always about just the room, but the spot. An individual cabin with its own outdoor grill adds something you are not getting at AKV value room.

Plus if you are a family of 5 or 6, yout forced into a 2 bedroom.

They are still going to be MK adjacent and if they add some fun amenities to that area, I can see it being popular.

Everyone has likes and dislikes. I personally don’t like AKV at all so it’s point chart doesn’t really matter because I am going to pay more to be at the resort of choice.

These will be no different. People who feel being at FW Is a great place to be will spend the extra.

 

[dvc lover 1970]

Without a washer and dryer I am not interested in the least bit. Curious to see how this all fans out

 

[tidefan]

The tower studios, which are tiny and sleep 2 at RIV book up quite fast and are not that much less than the 5 person SV studio.

So, I have no doubt you will have families who jump at the chance to stay in these for 30 to 35 a night.

It’s not always about just the room, but the spot. An individual cabin with its own outdoor grill adds something you are not getting at AKV value room.

Plus if you are a family of 5 or 6, yout forced into a 2 bedroom.

They are still going to be MK adjacent and if they add some fun amenities to that area, I can see it being popular.

Everyone has likes and dislikes. I personally don’t like AKV at all so it’s point chart doesn’t really matter because I am going to pay more to be at the resort of choice.

These will be no different. People who feel being at FW Is a great place to be will spend the extra.

But based on cash rates, I don't see any way they can price this over 1 bedrooms. The square footage is just not going to be there. DVD will need to sell contracts here, not just have people want to stay here. Also, the current cabins don't have an oven in them either, so it will be interesting to see if that is added.

As always... the devil is in the details...

 

[Stargazer65]

Also, the current cabins don't have an oven in them either, so it will be interesting to see if that is added.

Yes they do, they have a full kitchen.

Edit: Disregard, I guess they took out the ovens since I last stayed there.

 

[Sandisw]

But based on cash rates, I don't see any way they can price this over 1 bedrooms. The square footage is just not going to be there. DVD will need to sell contracts here, not just have people want to stay here. Also, the current cabins don't have an oven in them either, so it will be interesting to see if that is added.

As always... the devil is in the details...

But, you can’t just use the cheap one bedroom villas as comparison and my contention is that since no 1 bedrooms sleep six, we should be really bee looking at some of the 2 bedroom charts.

While the square footage certainly does sound like it’s going to be smaller than a 1 bedroom, how does it compare to those RIV tower rooms which were priced higher than many studios out there? Given the book up quickly, it supports many owners bought in for them.

Occupancy is a big thing and sleeping 6 for less than a 2 bedroom at other places could be part of its appeal.

In terms of selling, regardless of the chart, people are going to choose it as a home resort based on whether the resort itself appeals to them.

If you look at the closest DVC resorts to it, the two bedrooms average 40 points a night….which is all a family of 5 or 6 can choose if they want more than just a studio…,which these will offer them.

These will have a two room option, potentially more if there was a loft, with extra space, cooking facilities and potentially a washer and dryer for less than those 2 bedrooms. If I am a family who wants to be in that area, do I want to spend 150 points for a 5 night trip or 200 for a 2 bedroom?

I do agree that someone who has a family of 4 or less who is content with studios might find a higher point chart off putting and instead buy at a different resort.

As I said, it really will come down to the product and who they believe is the target buyer…but, given the fact they are building them to begin with, they feel there is a niche for them and I think it might be a mistake not to believe these will be high end tiny homes that could command a much higher price than the current ones command.

 

[tom1944]

How many of the 6 will be on a top bunk of a bunkbed?

As someone said earlier that could remove a set of people from considering it as a sleeps 6 accommodation.

 

[Sandisw]

How many of the 6 will be on a top bunk of a bunkbed?

As someone said earlier that could remove a set of people from considering it as a sleeps 6 accommodation.

People are assuming they will have bunk beds and that has not been said.

They did say that they will use the existing pad…that’s it…nothing about how these will sleep 6.

If you look at the picture, it looks to me like they could have a loft area.

So, how about bedroom is king bed, sleeps two…living room has queen pull down Murphy bed to sleep two and loft has a double or two twin beds for the other two.

We stayed in one in the Keys with that set up and it was smaller than the current cabins.


There are lots of ways they can configure these new cabins.

I think there are just too many assumptions about these.

My guess, as I said, is that they are going have tiny homes that are much more upscale than what is there.

 

[proudmomof4]

Yes they do, they have a full kitchen.

The ovens were removed and a convection/microwave was installed instead.

There is still a countertop cooking area.

 

[Stargazer65]

The ovens were removed and a convection/microwave was installed instead.

There is still a countertop cooking area.

Ah, okay. My knowledge is 14 years old haha.

 

[DebbieB]

Maybe there'll be a new Moderate classification of DVC? And if you wanted to use Moderate DVC points at a Deluxe DVD you'd have to pay an x% premium?

I think they will classify them as Deluxe, same as the other DVC. It would be a hard sell if they don’t have Deluxe benefits.

 

[gmi3804]

I think they will classify them as Deluxe, same as the other DVC. It would be a hard sell if they don’t have Deluxe benefits.

Not for those who don't have Deluxe budgets. I think there'd be a big market for a more moderately-priced DVC ownership.

 

[Sandisw]

Not for those who don't have Deluxe budgets. I think there'd be a big market for a more moderately-priced DVC ownership.

Might be, but the DVC brand are deluxe resorts,,,and I don’t see that changing, just because of it being at FW.

People said it would be a big minus for RIV, being a stone throws away from a moderate…and it’s the opposite. It’s really popular, including with cash guests.

 

[Cybertruck]

That certainly could work since the studios have the sofa and under TV.

So three in each space. And I bet they can be creative with a washer and dryer too!

They did mention that the concrete pad will be the same but that doesn’t mean they can’t fit a slightly larger cabin.

The other option is to have a loft space with sleeping and just keep the back room with a king.

DVC is creative with floor plans and beds. The loft space makes it unique and kids would love it especially if they can see the sky or fireworks at night. Existing cabin flood plan is dated and not premium/deluxe.