FWCabins compared to DVC

[melk]

We loved our stays in the cabins. Although we love DVC we felt we gave up a few things when we switched our vacations from the cabins to DVC. First of all we love the atmosphere at Fort Wilderness. It is very low key and relaxed. Also we loved the privacy. You don't hear the people upstairs flushing the toilet or the family next door getting up at 6:00 am. We liked having our car and golf cart right outside the door. We loved the daily mousekeeping, they would even load the dishwasher and run it for you! With that being said, we realized that by taking a disney trip every year or two it was more economical for us to buy into DVC. But the Wilderness Lodge was the only place we would consider, because of the similar rustic atmosphere and proximity to Fort Wilderness. So we waited patiently for a resale to come up at VWL and last May we took the plunge. We loved VWL and have never regretted our decision. But just a couple of weeks ago DH was saying we'll have to go back to the cabins one day. Even though the kids really enjoyed VWL, they keep asking when we'll go back to "our" cabin.

 

[Gillian]

I think the OP meant cash prices for the 2 are similar.

We stayed at a BCV studio & a cabin in the same trip. Family of 3.

Plusses to the cabin -
-quiet
-better layout/more space (bedroom for the kid)
-full kitchen so you could actually cook breakfast
-housekeeping
-video player
-lots of windows (on 3 walls in living room & BR)

Plusses for the BCV studio -
-sink outside the bathroom
-queen bed
-location & transportation (probably a wash with OKW if you have a car)

Both have 1 TV.

I didn't think BCV was especially luxurious. The countertops are nice, but I thought a lot of things looked or felt cheap. This is just my opinion, of course, but I didn't like feel of the bedding, the fabric on the sofa, or the bathroom tile. It really seems like they were cutting corners. Also, when I visited in early March, the hallway carpets are starting to look dirty, after being open for less than a year. Not too impressive.

 

[Beth]

Yeah, Regina - they "used" to have a 2nd TV in the bedroom - but they have taken them out for some reason...

 

[maureenmac]

The show on the Travel Channel "Best Hotels" had the Wilderness Lodge. The cabins were shown. I am not sure when it will be on again. The WLV were also shown. Maybe someone knows when this will be repeated. You could check on the TC website.

 

[colleen costello]

I owe a lot to those cabins because after just ONE night on that crummy Murphy bed, my parents decided we needed DVC!

Ft. Wilderness has a lot of "nostalgia" value for my family as we camped there every summer when I was a kid. We were in a 20-ft trailer then so to us, the cabins seem "huge." We were also facing a week together in 2 rooms at the AllStars and Mom decided it looked too much like Motel 6 so we booked a cabin instead. We had a ball, and the cabin was fine for 4 adults and 2 kids UNTIL bedtime. My parents are large folks and Dad is well over 6 feet and they were miserable. When we wandered by a DVC post the next day, they were sleep-deprived and got sucked in by the promise of a king bed!

We are now the proud co-owners of 390 BCV points. Thanks, Ft. Wilderness cabins!

 

[Crissup]

I stayed in a Wilderness Home once. I loved it! However, it's not DVC, and it's really unfair to the cabins to even compare the two. AS you know, for my personal tastes, I feel BWV is the best resort on property. I expect a lot from DVC and it delivers. However, Ft. Wilderness is a camp ground. It offers many extras, but one has to remember that it is a campground. When I stayed in a Wilderness Home, I understood what it was and didn't compare it to what I would have had staying in a resort. I wouldn't want to stay in one every year, but for an occassional change of pace, I think they're great!

 

[Crissup]

Originally posted by wdwendyd
We figure that our points are worth about $5 to $5.50 per point.

Uh Ohh!!! Duck and cover!!!

 

[FredS]

But more like, oh, elephants and spaghetti! They are both accommodations, but are intended to be totally different experiences. Generally FW is not as "luxurious" as most DVC accommodations, but the trade off can be more than worth it for most visitors to FW due to the atmosphere and the completely different type of amenities and activities at FW.

My son, for instance, loves camping. He would sleep on the ground under the stars and be thrilled. A camper or cabin is plenty of luxury without giving up the "camping" feel, and the woods, animals, bikes, marshmallow roasts with Chip and Dale, golf carts, etc. etc. etc. mean more to him than a larger room, extra tv or room service! My teenage daughter, however, enjoys camping but places a higher value on plushness, better access to the parks and so forth. My husband and I are on a sliding scale between those points. Probably why this year we have a trip planned for OKW/BCV, then a later one for FW.

If you only like one type of vacation, be it the so-called luxury or the more rustic, outdoorsy type, then you may value one above the other. I think many families are like ours and would choose both.