Ft. Wilderness Cabins - NOT MODERATE!

[missynole]

I just called the WDW Travel Company to inquire about making a reservation at the Fort Wilderness Cabins as a MODERATE resort property. My hostess was UNABLE TO VERIFY that the Fort Wilderness Cabins are now considered a Moderately Priced hotel choice. She said they currently, as of July 10th @ 3:30, reflect the HOME AWAY FROM HOME price and are not part of the moderate selection.

Could someone from DIS UNPLUGGED please verify this?

We'd like to change our reservations from "off the property" to the Ft. Wilderness Cabins if they are truly considered a moderate resort property. They are wonderful and we just love staying there but not at $250 a night for a spontaneous Labor Day weekend jaunt!

 

[honeymo78]

I believe the reason they were moved to the moderate category was for more exposure and b/c the resort amenities are more similar to those offered at a moderate resort. As someone in another thread mentioned, they are kind of like booking a family suite at the values - more money than your average value room, but more space/amenities in the room.

 

[minnie61650]

I do not think prices will become the same as a standard mod room.
Just because a resort is in a certain catagory does not mean it will be priced the same.
The monorail and Epcot deluxes different prices and they are more expensive than AKL and WL.
Also remember the cabins sleep 6 and any WDW room that sleeps 6 is quite pricey.

The jr suites at CSR (a moderate resort )sleep 6 and start at $340 a night during value season.

The Family Suites at All Star Music (a value resort) start at $184 during value
season.

The Cabin is 504 square feet , they sleep 6 and have full kitchen also.
The standard mod rooms are 314-340 square feet, sleep 4 ( POR-AB does sleep 5) and they have no kitchen.

I highly doubt the cabins would be priced the same as a standard mod room.


JMHO

 

[mbanks21]

They moved the cabins to the moderate category for exposure ONLY. The prices are still the same that they were before.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I haven't heard anything about the Ft. Wilderness Cabins being categorized as Moderate or not, but they have been $250.00 for a number of years. The best value you can get on-site for a large family is either booking two rooms at a value (POP, All-Star Movies, Music or Sports) for about $164.00 per night or booking a All-Star Music Family Suite for about $184.00 per night.

 

[Poohbear123]

They moved the cabins to the moderate category for exposure ONLY. The prices are still the same that they were before.

OK, than they are NOT a Moderate Hotel, take it off the Moderate List!

 

[Lynne M]

The FW cabins were previously off in a category by themselves, the "Home Away From Home" resorts. For a time, the DVC resorts were also "Home Away From Home", but they were moved into their own category several months ago.

I guess Disney felt that having an entire category just for the cabins was kind of pointless, and people probably weren't noticing they were there. So, they got put in with the moderates.

I don't see any reason to believe that prices would change for the cabins. They're far bigger than any rooms in any of the mod resorts, and have amenities that other mods don't have (kitchen, etc.). They'd have to drop the price by nearly $100 to bring them in line with POFQ, POR, etc., and it doesn't make any sense for them to do that. Considering that you're getting an entire cabin instead of a motel room, I think the cabins are priced appropriately.

 

[Lynne M]

OK, than they are NOT a Moderate Hotel, take it off the Moderate List!

The resort categories are general groupings, and have never reflected a specific price. They refer more to the amenities that each level of resort offers:

Values have basic pools with no slides and no hot tubs. They have outdoor entrances, and a food court. No TS restaurants.

Moderates have 1 TS restaurant and a counter service place. They have slightly better pools, with a slide. There are more recreational offerings (boat rentals, etc)

Deluxes have room entrances off indoor corridors. They have more than one TS restaurant. They have room service. They have more elaborate pools, and a wide range of recreational services.


.....and you can have a range of room types and costs within each category.

Look at the values - you can get a single room for one price, and a familiy suite for a higher price.

CSR has suites that cost far more than their standard rooms.....yet both are considered moderate.

How about the deluxes....their pricing ranges all the way from a standard room at AKL or WL, to a suite at the GF.

 

[disnut8]

AAA ratings for years (I know, NOT Disney) have a standard for what a hotel will over before they get their "diamonds".

Compare Fort Wilderness to a Moderate. A moderate has a food court and a table service restaurant. Fort Wilderness has what you make and Trails' End. A moderate has a themed pool with a slide. Fort Wilderness does not.

BUT - Fort Wilderness will sleep six. Moderates do not (normally without special circumstances). Fort Wilderness has a full kitchen. Moderates have a small fridge. Fort Wilderness has a deck. Moderates have a walkway in front of their room. Fort Wilderness has a charcoal grill (yes,I know, you have to pay for the charcoal). Fort Wilderness has place settings for six.

An AAA 3 diamond hotel can charge $105. They can also charge $50.

 

[mbanks21]

Fort Wilderness is getting a brand new swimming pool that will make the moderate pools look like crap

 

[minnie61650]

Just a little interesting info:

Back in 1994 there was slight price differience in the different mod resorts:

I have no idea why but there was a difference in the upper price limits.

WDW resort prices from my old Birnbaum WDW Offical Guide books

--------------------------------------------------------------------

1994 info from Birnbaum

------------------------------------------

Here is the info from my 1994 Birnbaum book;

Season---------------------------Off season
Contemporary
Wing rooms----$205-$245--------$190-$225
Tower rooms---$270-$310------$250-$290
Suites-$705-$2,240-----$645-2,240

Poly
rooms-------------$210-$325----------$195-$280
Suites------$520-$3,175---------$520----3,175

CBR,
rooms-------------$89--$117--------$89-$117


Grand Floridian
Rooms------------$265-$345-----------$245-$320
Concierge---------$450-$465--------$430-$440
Suites---$520-$1,720-----$480-$1,700

YC & BC
Rooms------$220-$290---------------$205-$270
Concierge----$375-$385----------$355-$365
Suites--$390-$995---------------$370-$995

Port Orleans & Dixie Landings
rooms-$89-$119---$89-$121

Wildness Lodge
Rooms--------$164-$195-------------$149-$180


All Star Sports & Music
Rooms------------$69-$79--------------------$69-$79

Swan
Rooms--$260-$295----------$235-$285
Concierge---$330-----------$325
Suites--$350-$1,650-----$325-$1,650

Dolphin
Rooms----$239-$319------$209-$289
Concierge---$350-----$319
Suites--$525-$2,400---$450-$2,400

Fort Wilderness Homes:
-------$195--------------------------$180

Campsites
Preferred loops
Full hookups $52 season $49 off season
other loops
Full Hookups $47 season $43 off season
Tent sites ----$40 season $35 off season

Season refers to Dec.21st.,1993-Jan.1st., 1994;Feb.13,1994-April16th,1994;
June 11th,1994- Aug. 13th,1994;
All other dates are considered off season
--------------------------------------------

BTW;
If anyone is interested I have most of the Birnbaun's books from 1983-2000 so if you want any more price info from another year feel free to PM me.

 

[lisa3383]

I'm sorry, I think I just got confused - isn't WL a deluxe?

An interesting note: SSR is not really a deluxe (this is what we were told by Disney management after we complained about lack of amenities!)

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I'm sorry, I think I just got confused - isn't WL a deluxe?

An interesting note: SSR is not really a deluxe (this is what we were told by Disney management after we complained about lack of amenities!)

WL - Wilderness Lodge is a Deluxe Resort. Ft. Wilderness cabins (part of the Ft. Wilderness Campground area) is now classified as a Moderate Resort. They are two separate resorts. Hope that info helps.

 

[DJ Disney Kid]

Its listed as moderate, not priced as moderate.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Its listed as moderate, not priced as moderate.

You got that right! I think they are way over priced for what they are. I know some people say they cost that much because you can sleep 6, but you can sleep 6 in the All-Star Music Family Suites and have two bathrooms for $184.00 per night, compared to around $250.00 for the cabins. Heck, you can sleep 8 people in two rooms at a value, and have two bathrooms, for about $164.00 per night. That's almost $100.00 more for the cabins and I just don't think they are worth it, at least not for our family of 6.

 

[twinklebug]

You got that right! I think they are way over priced for what they are. I know some people say they cost that much because you can sleep 6, but you can sleep 6 in the All-Star Music Family Suites and have two bathrooms for $184.00 per night, compared to around $250.00 for the cabins. Heck, you can sleep 8 people in two rooms at a value, and have two bathrooms, for about $164.00 per night. That's almost $100.00 more for the cabins and I just don't think they are worth it, at least not for our family of 6.

I also agree that they should not be listed in the moderate category - but for a whole different reason. They're mobile homes (aka cabins). They're NOT moderate, deluxe or value. The whole reason Disney moved them to the moderate category was to get attention drawn to them - in some ways they were invisible down in the campground category except for people who either already knew of them, or were shopping for a campsite and accidentally clicked on them.

As for value, let me tell you, I grew up trailering & Fort Wilderness holds a very special place in my heart. We have stayed in the cabins at $240 and I felt they were worth every penny. Why? Because I wanted to share some of my camping experiences with my kids and at that time could not afford a $30K trailer of my own nor the cost of insuring, registering, wear & tear on my vehicle, or price of gas involved by towing that $30K trailer 2400 miles to/from Disney.

The cabins are for folk who want to camp & experience Disney's version of nature but perhaps don't have the means to do so, or desire to do the tons of work involved with camping on your own... or might need to fly.
Are they moderate. No way. Are the worth ~$250? Oh yea. I suggest that If you see them listed for $170/night or less on Disney's website... grab it, run and don't look back!

 

[Lynne M]

An interesting note: SSR is not really a deluxe (this is what we were told by Disney management after we complained about lack of amenities!)

The DVC resorts have their own category; they're not classified as deluxes. Some are attached to deluxe resorts and thus have the same amenities as those deluxes (AKV, VWL, BWV, BCV). The dedicated DVC resorts (OKW, SSR), have the pools and recreational offerings of a deluxe, but fewer restaurant options, and do not offer room service.

 

[minniebeth]

I just think that while the FW Cabins may be worth the money for a family of 6 or for the experience, (we have several friends who stay here and LOVE them, would like to try them for ourselves as well sometime), for people who are not familiar with the Disney resorts, they look at the moderate category thinking of a 'moderate' price range. When they see the prices, they may be surprised as it is well above other resorts in that category. Not that is not worth it, just surprised. I know Disney would probably like more exposure for them, but selfishly, I hope they stay a little hidden gem, at least until we can try them!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I'm a little confused about the "mobile homes" comment. I believe there used to be some that were actually trailers/mobile homes. Those aren't in use anymore - the ones now are actual cabins.

My family loves the cabins, but I do try to book them with a discount. We just had a passholder rate there last April which was well worth it. There are two tvs, a DVD player, four beds, a sofa and a full kitchen which warrants more $ than a regular moderate resort room. They are more removed from the rest of WDW which for me is a con but my DH and DS love. It is kind of nice to have your own place, park right out front and all.

 

[momejay]

I think they should offer a discount to those families needing a kitchen for special dietary needs.
I can stay offsite with queen size beds, instead of double beds & a full kitchen for less than what Disney charges for a value resort even with an annual pass discount. (& yes I am talking about one room not a Family suite or 2 rooms)
So for the advantage of a bus we don't use, because we drive & EMH we should pay more? Is there any other advantage to staying onsite?
I don't even find the dining plan the least bit helpful. They charge an extra grand for what? Who spends a grand a week on food? Not only that but I can't take my son to a sit down meal which would mean that 3 of us would get a sit down meal & 3 would have to eat counter service meals. We wouldn't be able to eat as a family.
Sorry but if they want to keep me onsite give me a fridge & at least a microwave or better yet a stove for my $$$. They could at least give us a free snack or continental style breakfast.
The cabins are a great place to stay, but I won't stay there for the amount they are asking.