Help! We can't get a straight answer... If we buy into DVC...

[CrazyPluto]

is it cost effective to stay in the cabins at the Campgrounds? That is our favorite resort for many reasons. We took the tour last week while in Disney and like the Poly bungalows but have no need to stay in a place that fancy since we generally only sleep there. We do visit Disney every other year for a week at a time and just went on our first cruise too and plan on cruising again.

Thanks for any help!

Heather

 

[SpaceMountain77]

If you enjoy vacationing at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and, specifically, staying in the cabins, then you should not purchase a DVC membership. Although it is part of the Disney Collection, the cabins are a very poor use of points.

Personally, I would suggest continuing with your current vacation pattern and waiting for the potential DVC resort on the old River Country grounds.

 

[CrazyPluto]

Thanks, that is what we figured. We heard rumors of a new resort near the campgrounds...

 

[BEASLYBOO]

If you enjoy vacationing at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and, specifically, staying in the cabins, then you should not purchase DVC

Personally, I would suggest continuing with your current vacation pattern and waiting for the potential DVC resort on the old River Country grounds.

Totally agree!

 

[spiceycat]

you might also enjoy OKW - it has low points and their studios are the only ones with 2 queen beds. just don't buy from DVC - it is cheaper to get OKW thru resales

 

[Barbydoll8]

Rent first if you aren't sure. If the campground is really all you care to stay at, wait just a little while longer.

 

[awilliams4]

is it cost effective to stay in the cabins at the Campgrounds? That is our favorite resort for many reasons. We took the tour last week while in Disney and like the Poly bungalows but have no need to stay in a place that fancy since we generally only sleep there. We do visit Disney every other year for a week at a time and just went on our first cruise too and plan on cruising again.

Thanks for any help!

Heather

Nope, it is not cost effective. However, if you were a DVC member, I would be willing to bet a shiny nickel, that after a few years of trying out the DVC resorts, the Campgrounds would be a thing of the past.

 

[MouseMomx2]

One other thing to note...if, in the future, you do become interested in purchasing a DVC membership interest, definitely look into resale. It is far less expensive to buy via resale and the restrictions are, IMO, not all that restrictive. You wouldn't be able to use your points for stays in the non-DVC Disney resorts (like the Fort Wilderness cabins) but, as others have said, that isn't a good value for your points anyway. You also wouldn't be able to use your points on Disney Cruise Line or for Adventures by Disney but, again, cost-wise you are better off paying cash for those trips anyway. You will still get to trade out to other RCI properties and you will be able to use them in all of the DVC resorts. Just something to consider.

 

[Dean]

is it cost effective to stay in the cabins at the Campgrounds? That is our favorite resort for many reasons. We took the tour last week while in Disney and like the Poly bungalows but have no need to stay in a place that fancy since we generally only sleep there. We do visit Disney every other year for a week at a time and just went on our first cruise too and plan on cruising again.

Thanks for any help!

Heather

It's not cost effective for any cash type exchange including the campgrounds and DCL. It'll be much cheaper on cash for either basically 100% of the time. Plus the options are not guaranteed.

 

[vandy]

Thanks, that is what we figured. We heard rumors of a new resort near the campgrounds...

The Wilderness Lodge appears to be getting DVC cabins and may be an option to consider, but at this time nothing has been officially announced (plans only filed) and we have no idea how many points will be required. If the points required are too high, keeping your current vacation style may be the best. The River Country DVC mentioned is a total rumor at this point. May or may not ever be built.

 

[gdrj]

The Wilderness Lodge appears to be getting DVC cabins and may be an option to consider, but at this time nothing has been officially announced (plans only filed) and we have no idea how many points will be required. If the points required are too high, keeping your current vacation style may be the best. The River Country DVC mentioned is a total rumor at this point. May or may not ever be built.

Purely speculation but I think for the avg buyer the cabins, like the bungalows are not something most people will be able to afford.

 

[jennib5426]

The tree houses at SSR are like the cabins, in the woods and quiet and are part of DVC so you are not over spending on points. They are 2 bedrooms plus fold out couch, full kitchen washer/dryer. They would be a good alternative for you if you want to buy DVC

 

[bwvBound]

The tree houses at SSR are like the cabins, in the woods and quiet and are part of DVC so you are not over spending on points. They are 2 bedrooms plus fold out couch, full kitchen washer/dryer. They would be a good alternative for you if you want to buy DVC

The Treehouses have 3 bedrooms: master w/ Queen; 2nd bedroom with Queen; 3rd bedroom with bunkbeds (sleeps 2 youth). The living room has pullout couch and sleeper chair.

 

[Brian Noble]

The tree houses at SSR are like the cabins

That's a good suggestion. OP: try renting points for an SSR treehouse stay and see how you like it.

 

[bwvBound]

is it cost effective to stay in the cabins at the Campgrounds? That is our favorite resort for many reasons. We took the tour last week while in Disney and like the Poly bungalows but have no need to stay in a place that fancy since we generally only sleep there. We do visit Disney every other year for a week at a time and just went on our first cruise too and plan on cruising again.

Thanks for any help!

Heather

Providing a few point-comparisons ... using the first week of June 2015 (Dream Season) for reference:

                               Points per        Points per
Resort                         night Sun-Thurs   night Fri/Sat  Comment
Ft. Wilderness Cabin            41 points          47 points    +$95 reservation fee
Ft. W. Premium Camp Site        12 points          14 points    +$95 reservation fee
Ft. W. Pref CS or Full Hookups  11 points          13 points    +$95 reservation fee
Treehouse Villa                 45 points          52 points    (no additional fee)

So it appears that the Cabins and Treehouse Villas are very close in "costs" through DVC. The question remains, how do these numbers compare to paying cash for the cabins??

 

[CrazyPluto]

Providing a few point-comparisons ... using the first week of June 2015 (Dream Season) for reference:

                               Points per        Points per
Resort                         night Sun-Thurs   night Fri/Sat  Comment
Ft. Wilderness Cabin            41 points          47 points    +$95 reservation fee
Ft. W. Premium Camp Site        12 points          14 points    +$95 reservation fee
Ft. W. Pref CS or Full Hookups  11 points          13 points    +$95 reservation fee
Treehouse Villa                 45 points          52 points    (no additional fee)

So it appears that the Cabins and Treehouse Villas are very close in "costs" through DVC. The question remains, how do these numbers compare to paying cash for the cabins??

This is interesting. Would love to know the cash comparison. Thanks for the chart.

 

[bwvBound]

This is interesting. Would love to know the cash comparison. Thanks for the chart.

You could use the table of Historical Maint Fees by Resort to help determine a simple form of 'cash rate' when using points ([# of points] x [Maint Fee per point]). Of course, how you factor the initial DVC buy-in costs, lost opportunity costs, etc will add complexity to the equation. Have fun!