Ft. Wilderness Cabins becoming DVC?

[Epcot Forever Forever]

Correct me if I am wrong, but the current cabins that are in use currently have a life-span of 30 years. Is it possible DVC will actually go for a 30-year deed on this property rather than the regular 50, as to have to replace the cabins with no additional income to do so partway through the deed seems unlikely?

Leaseholds are 40 year’s minimum in Florida- so that would be complicated- modern manufactured homes could last the 50 years with expert maintenance.

The leasehold can be on the land if it’s set up
that way. As cheap as manufactured housing is, you could replace these entirely every hard refurb and it would still have some of the lowest maintenance and refurb costs in DVC.

 

[tom1944]

I doubt it as they already announced they sleep 6 so that leads me to believe they will be like the current ones in the sense everything the same.

You are most likely correct but that seems short sighted to me.

Having additional options in cabin size would not add a significant expense.

 

[PBandJFamwich]

I’m so anxious for more info about when this goes on sale! Trying to decide if we should be patient and buy all 150 of our points at FW or if we should get 100 at VGF and 50 at FW (we have no real desire to stay at VGF but it’s the most economical direct purchase). It would be tempting to buy a guaranteed week for Halloween but that would certainly be more than 150.

 

[Matty B13]

Maybe it sleeps "up to 6", with some deluxe units that sleep 2 or 4 people with a nice big shower/tub in these units or a living room that doesn't have a sleeper sofa/murphy bed.

 

[bakerworld]

The Fort Wilderness trailers use to come in two sizes - sleeps 4 or 6. I'm not sure if the FW Cabins still did or if they all became 6 sleepers. Either way it would be interesting options comparable to Rivera's tower studios. I saw a post somewhere about adding double wide that would be comparable to a 2 bedroom.

 

[RoseGold]

You are most likely correct but that seems short sighted to me.

Having additional options in cabin size would not add a significant expense.

They'll have a small category to make the timeshare math work. It's why RIV and DL have the value rooms.

 

[Sandisw]

This is where it falls through for me. How can you validate (also my internal question) spending the same per point in purchase price for this "resort" when you can buy at Poly Tower or the others? These are literal trailers on blocks with no room options, limited transportation, less general services, and very far from resrort amenities on foot. I love the fort but this is a major dip down in typical DVC. If that point chart is true, which it is a very good guess, and you pay the same gob of money upfront, this will be pretty bad value. Historically getting a cabin is not that hard and that shows the demand. Putting DVC on it and adding a pool while taking away the true charm of the area is not a good starting point to say "hey overpay for this please".

I am very interested in this (Massive fan of camping and the country) but logic has to kick in. My wife and daughters can have Poly for a week, or a cabin where I am very dependent upon a golf cart or rental car to do anything. For me this point chart has to be very affordable, close to that studio cost or purchase price is cheaper which is not likely as people will just buy and transfer points out. I also say all of this without talking about contract length or due cost.

Side comment: Not sure 11 month window here sells people unless its Halloween, Thanksgiving, or christmas. So buying your points here may not matter too much.

They have said they will be adding things to the resort so I bet they add things central to those so that you are not traveling as far to what is there.

 

[Sandisw]

You are most likely correct but that seems short sighted to me.

Having additional options in cabin size would not add a significant expense.

I don’t think it’s expense. I think it’s simply the Way they want these..that is what is currently there..spaces for 6.

And, it may be the way to offer people a different option that is not a jump to a two bedroom..plenty of those already as options elsewhere.

It will be interesting to see the market for these for buyers as well as for bookings.

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

I’m so anxious for more info about when this goes on sale! Trying to decide if we should be patient and buy all 150 of our points at FW or if we should get 100 at VGF and 50 at FW (we have no real desire to stay at VGF but it’s the most economical direct purchase). It would be tempting to buy a guaranteed week for Halloween but that would certainly be more than 150.

There is at least a decent chance VGF sells out before FW goes on sale. So make sure you’re keeping close tabs on everything.

 

[kristenrice]

While buying points here may not be an easy sell (except for those who really want to stay over the holidays on a regular basis), I think this may be a "dangling carrot" for Riviera and VDH. Assuming this property will have it's own restrictions and be part of "DVC 2.0", it may be an additional tool for guides to show to potential customers as a "cheaper" option when trying to sell RR or VDH. Assuming that the points per night will be lower than RR or VDH, this would be a great example of how one could stretch their points into a longer trip in larger accommodations...with their "exclusive" points.

 

[Nursemanit]

If it remains only 1 bathroom, no way I'm putting 6 people in this thing. I don't know how people do it and manage to all get ready for the parks. If they can squeeze in another shower like the Poly studios then yes.

Good thing you weren’t born post WW2 where most houses had one bathroom and more than 6 using it.

 

[aka Charles]

Maybe but remember they only sell a small percentage of the rooms in a specific week for FW.

So there is still a limit.

Yes, I believe that they can sell up to 35% of each week/room category as fixed week, but I was thinking more on setting a record for the total number of fixed weeks sold in the first month, or so.

It’s possible that they will sell out of fixed weeks for Halloween and Christmas weeks.

They can stop fixed week sales at a lower percentage, but I don’t think they will.
.

 

[PBandJFamwich]

There is at least a decent chance VGF sells out before FW goes on sale. So make sure you’re keeping close tabs on everything.

Oh we will definitely be keeping a close eye on things. I’m really not sure we will be able to hold out on purchasing until FW goes on sale. Only way I see it happening is if we decide to take a Disney cruise instead of a park trip (or 2) this fall/next spring. Our almost 5 year old keeps saying she wants to go on the Disney boat. We have a short adults only trip this summer and have reservations at Pop Century but a Halloween, Christmas, and/or Festival of the Arts trip is really calling our name.

 

[RoseGold]

I think this may be a "dangling carrot" for Riviera and VDH. Assuming this property will have it's own restrictions and be part of "DVC 2.0", it may be an additional tool for guides to show to potential customers as a "cheaper" option when trying to sell RR or VDH

Cash is the dog, and DVC is the tail. Cash was sick of these things and offloaded them. They do not care about DVC's sales strategy.

 

[jennypenny]

random thoughts ...

One bathroom could still mean two showers, like in the split bathrooms in the newer studios.

'Sleeps six' could mean a king in the bedroom, a murphy and sleeper chair in the living room, and a pull down bed under a TV. It doesn't have to be lofts or bunks.

'Pet-friendly' may be designated by loop like it is now, which means non-dog lovers won't be anywhere near dogs.

 

[mlayton14]

So this new offering will be called TFW (Trailers at Ft Wilderness)?

 

[Nabas]

This is where it falls through for me. How can you validate (also my internal question) spending the same per point in purchase price for this "resort" when you can buy at Poly Tower or the others?

If these legitimately sleep six and have a point chart similar to a one-bedroom villa, then I imagine these will be very popular among some.

But if these have a point charter closer to a two-bedroom villa, then I agree with you. Why bother to buy here?

 

[wilkydelts]

If these legitimately sleep six and have a point chart similar to a one-bedroom villa, then I imagine these will be very popular among some.

But if these have a point charter closer to a two-bedroom villa, then I agree with you. Why bother to buy here?

That is the point I am trying to make. The conversion rate to switch from here is not going to work well. In order to sleep 6 somewhere else you must switch to a 2BR. These cabins will have to be pointed significantly less than a 2BR to sell. So you won't be able to switch to a 2BR without drastically reducing the nights you are staying.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

Otherwise contrary to the Reflections being dead conclusion it might be a toe in the water to determine if they should resurrect it.

This.

Insiders on other Disney discussion forums have shared that Reflections is not dead and this is happening in conjunction with it. However, it has not been shared if Reflections will be built as proposed.

 

[RoseGold]

Insiders on other Disney discussion forums have shared that Reflections is not dead and this is happening in conjunction with it. However, it has not been shared if Reflections will be built as proposed.

Nothing is ever dead, heck the Poly tower dates back to Poly. But that doesn't mean it's coming anytime soon. Poly2 will be a big project, and DVC will have whole lot of points in the bank.