FW DVC cabin availability: MS vs Disney reservations

[DanenRox]

Hi, I’m hoping for some clarification and information which is always in abundance on these boards, so thank you in advance. I was able to book 3 nights at a DVC Fort Wilderness cabin in January but could not get the 4th night because it is unavailable. I happened to go on My Disney Experience and look for availability there and I can get my last night for a cash reservation. According to the website, it is one of the DVC cabins. So I’m happy but confused as to why the availability through central reservations but not through member services using points? Anyone have any ideas?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Not all of the DVC cabins are available/bookable on points. Some are still owned by the developer, rather than by the condo association.

 

[DanenRox]

Ohhhh interesting. I started thinking that perhaps it was still going to be an old cabin and was just about to call Disney reservations to confirm. Do you happen to know if they’re using the old cabins at all or all or should I take comfort in assuming that all cabin reservations will be in the new accommodations (on the site it does say DVC). I’ll call if I have to, but that’s such a long process and these boards are usually much quicker. I appreciate you sharing what you know!

 

[tjkraz]

DVC villas / cabins are gradually added to the timeshare program as they are sold. Disney is refurbishing over 330 FTW cabins, but at the current rate, it could take more than a decade to sell them all as DVC timeshares. Instead, they will add them to the timeshare program a little at a time. The rest are Disney's to sell to cash guests however they please.

The process favors members. Right now, Disney has literally only sold the equivalent of 3 or 4 cabins' worth of points. But if my memory is correct, there are 63 cabins in the timeshare association. Members have full access to book those 63 cabins.

The other ~270 cabins are owned by Disney. They have no legal or moral obligation to make them available for DVC reservations.

 

[Jwaire]

You should not assume all cash cabin reservations will be the new cabins, in fact it will be the opposite. They've only done a few loops.

 

[DanenRox]

Thank you for that and I agree. I did call Disney and it is a new cabin, but you’re right, I shouldn’t have just assumed. I always get the best guidance on this site.

 

[crvetter]

You should not assume all cash cabin reservations will be the new cabins, in fact it will be the opposite. They've only done a few loops.

I think currently on the cash side the cabins are two different bookings. Wilderness Cabin - Old, 1 Bedroom Cabin - New