Seeking Strategy for booking Ft Wilderness Cabin or Campsite with DVC?

[bwvBound]

I'm seeking some help on booking either a Fort Wilderness Cabin or, perhaps, a Camp Site using DVC. I gave it a quick try for dates this coming Oct and neither are available. The Member Services CM gave no help or suggestions. She simply said, "We never know when inventory will be available to us."

So what do we, as a community, already know on this topic?

• When does inventory from Ft. Wilderness become available to DVC?
• How many units/spaces are likely to be made available to DVC?
• How far out should I be calling to to book Ft. Wilderness?
• Are there "seasons" that are more or less likely to be competitive?
• etc

Thanks!

Edited to add: My DVC points are qualified for use in the Disney Collection.

 

[bwvBound]

I called back and spoke with a more helpful CM. Here is what I know, so far:

• One may book up to 11 months out
• Their system cannot simply search for "first available." The CM must manually comb the inventory week by week. (Doing so, we searched through several months and found NO availability even if reducing the search for just 3 nights.)

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Just because there is a points chart does not mean they will make any inventory available to DVC. So the number made available may be zero.

 

[kmorlock]

What is the points per night range for cabins? I’ve always wanted to try them out. Would it be advantageous to use the AP discount and just pay cash?

 

[Fangorn]

You would be better off renting out your points and using the proceeds from that to pay cash at Ft. Wilderness.

Steve

 

[jlb727]

Over on the Fort Wilderness board, there have been discussions about the necessity of booking campsites a year out. My sister and BIL had to do that or they wouldn’t have had a site for next month. I think October, around Halloween is especially popular at the fort. It’s possible there’s just zero availability at this point for DVC because there’s just nothing available.

 

[MICKIMINI]

I agree with OP...rent your points and pay cash. If you have an RV and golf cart a campsite at Ft W is lots of fun. It is a unique WDW experience and there is a "family" camaraderie at this resort though cabins seem isolated.

We've stayed in the cabins twice and we had great stays. Once as a family and once as a couple...there is an odd layout with a bunkbed in the same room as the full size (queen?) bed and a murphy bed in the LR open to the kitchen/DR with a bath and hall in the center, so little privacy. It is great for a family that needs beds and outdoor space as you have a large deck, picnic table, grill. It is ideal if you are driving from home with a cooler full of prepared food. It is a huge resort and chances are you are far away from the pool, laundry or QS and will need to use the bus - or rent a golf cart ($$). We had a rental car AND a golf cart which was over $100/day so we could get around resort and property efficiently. Your points will go further at a DVC resort.

 

[bwvBound]

Over on the Fort Wilderness board, there have been discussions about the necessity of booking campsites a year out. My sister and BIL had to do that or they wouldn’t have had a site for next month. I think October, around Halloween is especially popular at the fort. It’s possible there’s just zero availability at this point for DVC because there’s just nothing available.

Both the cabins and campsites were available via Disney's regular (cash) booking site. Just not available to DVC, at this time. I was told by the CM, "Keep calling back!"

Edited to add: It might be that phoning early for the camp sites is due to wanting a specific location/loop. Seems some areas are more popular than others ... thus three different booking levels for DVC and four (?) if booking cash. Our state campgrounds use a lottery for the premier locations; the crowds show up strong for the morning lotteries! Competition is real.

 

[bwvBound]

I agree with OP...rent your points and pay cash. If you have an RV and golf cart a campsite at Ft W is lots of fun. It is a unique WDW experience and there is a "family" camaraderie at this resort though cabins seem isolated.

We've stayed in the cabins twice and we had great stays. Once as a family and once as a couple...there is an odd layout with a bunkbed in the same room as the full size (queen?) bed and a murphy bed in the LR open to the kitchen/DR with a bath and hall in the center, so little privacy. It is great for a family that needs beds and outdoor space as you have a large deck, picnic table, grill. It is ideal if you are driving from home with a cooler full of prepared food. It is a huge resort and chances are you are far away from the pool, laundry or QS and will need to use the bus - or rent a golf cart ($$). We had a rental car AND a golf cart which was over $100/day so we could get around resort and property efficiently. Your points will go further at a DVC resort.

We do not plan to drive the RV cross country but, rather, if we booked the campsite, to rent a travel trailer and, perhaps, a golf cart. There are several agencies that deliver and set up directly to Ft. Wilderness. We've walked all over the campground on prior visits and figured it would be much fun for a non-park stay. The sprawl is an attractive feature rather than a drawback. We are walkers!

Yes, the cabin layout is odd ... but doable. We'd be traveling as a couple (no other family or friends). If we keep our existing dates, we'll likely book a Treehouse instead (more points than the cabin but saving both the exchange fee and risk of 'reservation points') ... but miss out on the campground activities.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Both the cabins and campsites were available via Disney's regular (cash) booking site. Just not available to DVC, at this time. I was told by the CM, "Keep calling back!"

Much like cash units for DVC, just because the Fort is willing to allow someone to book for cash does not mean they are willing (or contractually obligated!) to do a points swap for the same accommodation.

 

[bwvBound]

What is the points per night range for cabins? I’ve always wanted to try them out. Would it be advantageous to use the AP discount and just pay cash?

The point charts are available on the DVC website under "Disney Collection." The following direct link may or may not work:
https://cdn2.parksmedia.wdprapps.di...WDW-Pt-Cht-Updated-for-Value-FINAL-111519.pdf
We don't have APs, so no cash discount there.

 

[bwvBound]

Much like cash units for DVC, just because the Fort is willing to allow someone to book for cash does not mean they are willing (or contractually obligated!) to do a points swap for the same accommodation.

Got that .... which is why I'm asking about strategy.

 

[bwvBound]

You would be better off renting out your points and using the proceeds from that to pay cash at Ft. Wilderness.

Steve

Acknowledging your post, thank you. I remain seeking strategy for booking directly through DVC.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I'm not really sure there's a strategy. It will be pure luck if it occurs. My understanding is getting anything at the Fort on points is very rare.

 

[kmorlock]

Thanks - the link worked just fine!

The point charts are available on the DVC website under "Disney Collection." The following direct link may or may not work:
https://cdn2.parksmedia.wdprapps.di...WDW-Pt-Cht-Updated-for-Value-FINAL-111519.pdf
Thanks! The link worked just fine.

We don't have APs, so no cash discount there.

 

[bwvBound]

If paying cash, there are taxes (including the resort tax) and parking fees (at the cabin). If successfully booked via DVC, I'm guessing both are not a concern. Yeah/Nay?

If a cabin booked via cash, might the Parking fee be waived for simply being a DVC member?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If booked cash, you will pay parking. It is not a DVC property and you did not pay in points.

 

[bwvBound]

If booked cash, you will pay parking. It is not a DVC property and you did not pay in points.

Thanks! Does a Golf Cart count as "parking fee required"? (Just wondering ... but I don't see myself booking this on cash. The rates are pretty steep. I'd prefer to book this on points .. when we, eventually, find availability.)

 

[quandrea]

You would be better off renting out your points and using the proceeds from that to pay cash at Ft. Wilderness.

Steve

We did this. The rental paid for the cabins with hundreds and hundreds of dollars to spare.