Wilderness Cabins - Warning!

[Mouseforward]

We are discussing within the Disney definitions. We can argue no one of the Disney hotels can hold a candle to "real world" deluxe Hotels, like the Four Seasons.

This is what so many forget. Disney hotels like SSR and OKW would struggle to be classified anything but motels with pools outside of disney. Most disney resorts lack a spa , poly lacked a health club ( soon to be fixed). In order to be a luxury hotel most ratings require 24/room service , spa, gyms.

The best comment I have heard was to think of hotels like VGF and RR as luxury themed.

 

[Rochester Disney Fan]

Now I will agree that not having towel service at the pool is a real strike against the resort and it makes the laundry issue worse as nothing dries in Florida in the summer.

We are staying here now in cabin 2306. The pool towel thing took us by surprise and we ended up at the pool without towels and didn’t want to walk all the way back.

I had no ideal the pools had no towel service. I was thinking about staying a night or 2 while planning hoop de doo and spending time at the pool before switching to a regular DVC resort. Even the values have towel service. Pool time is a big part of my DVC trip. Now the pool portion of this idea is out so I don't see a stay here in my future. Thank you for this information , DVC doesn't seem to mention this detail.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Yeah the no towel thing is a real bummer. So will housekeeping bring you more towels without issue or are you expected to swim and shower with the same towels?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Two other noteworthy things is that the laundry by DVC cabins is closed!! So there isn’t even an option nearby and if you don’t have a golf cart you will need to take it by bus somewhere else.

I do struggle with them being deluxe. Maybe if they provided the cart you could make a case that you have access to everything. But it will cost you $65 more a day to make the resort truly enjoyable.

Not good, DVC! C'mon-there's very little excuse for the laundry to be closed, unless something broke down last minute. At the risk of being negative, I wonder how long before the laundry reopens. How high a priority is it to the PTB?
Just curious, is the laundry by the DVC cabins at the pool area or is it a new one?

 

[TisBit]

Yeah the no towel thing is a real bummer. So will housekeeping bring you more towels without issue or are you expected to swim and shower with the same towels?

So we just came from the check in area at the front and funny they had a shelf full of towels. I suspect it is a common issue.

Not good, DVC! C'mon-there's very little excuse for the laundry to be closed, unless something broke down last minute. At the risk of being negative, I wonder how long before the laundry reopens. How high a priority is it to the PTB?
Just curious, is the laundry by the DVC cabins at the pool area or is it a new one?

The one at the pool area. And you don’t know until you walk up to the door.

 

[VGCgroupie]

So we just came from the check in area at the front and funny they had a shelf full of towels. I suspect it is a common issue.

That good to hear. Thanks!

 

[SL6827]

We are discussing within the Disney definitions. We can argue no one of the Disney hotels can hold a candle to "real world" deluxe Hotels, like the Four Seasons.

That is true. And Disney's definitions are quite hilarious with this one.

 

[meekey7197]

I hope that if enough people bring up the pool towel thing, they will figure out a way to provide them. They could easily create a locker-type system that opens with your room key (they have that at Sheraton Vistana). I have no issue packing my own beach towels but the problem becomes where/how to dry them...

 

[LoveToDisney]

Every resort is unique in size, layout and amenities. I don't really get how not putting W/D in the cabins represents a line that shouldn't have been crossed. It is what it is. The point charts seem to reflect that omission.

Maybe the plumbing lines out of the cabin area couldn’t handle the high pressure water flow that washers exert when emptying/spinning….there may be more of a reason for the omission.
I’m more surprised they didn’t redesign everything including all the plumbing and put a new pool area with amenities in the middle for use by only the DVC cabins to reflect the “deluxeness.” I’m guessing the point chart would be too high for such a 1BR cabin that really was deluxe.

 

[Mouseforward]

I hope that if enough people bring up the pool towel thing, they will figure out a way to provide them. They could easily create a locker-type system that opens with your room key (they have that at Sheraton Vistana). I have no issue packing my own beach towels but the problem becomes where/how to dry them...

Many ways to easily solve this issue, I would make a DVC only pool like BLT and offer towels at that one.

The lack of laundry per unit is not the big negative, if they had a DVC only pool with a laundry room that would be a good concession based on the low points per unit vs any other 1br.

The big negatives are the MF, restrictions, and the high cost of the golf cart rentals. They may need the MF but they could easily charge $99 / week for the golf cart and still make money. Golf carts last 20 years ( mine is 25 y/o and still going strong) and they are easy to get as a fleet for 10k each.

 

[Dakota731]

Many ways to easily solve this issue, I would make a DVC only pool like BLT and offer towels at that one.

The lack of laundry per unit is not the big negative, if they had a DVC only pool with a laundry room that would be a good concession based on the low points per unit vs any other 1br.

The big negatives are the MF, restrictions, and the high cost of the golf cart rentals. They may need the MF but they could easily charge $99 / week for the golf cart and still make money. Golf carts last 20 years ( mine is 25 y/o and still going strong) and they are easy to get as a fleet for 10k each.

What’s MF?

 

[bama_ed]

What’s MF?

Maintenance Fees (as I understood it)

 

[CarolynFH]

What’s MF?

@bama_ed is correct, MF = member fees, maintenance fees, or dues, assessed and paid each calendar year based on estimated costs of operating and maintaining a given resort for the coming calendar year.

 

[meekey7197]

We are staying here now in cabin 2306. The pool towel thing took us by surprise and we ended up at the pool without towels and didn’t want to walk all the way back. It is understandable because I am sure a lot would end up leaving in peoples campers.

Two other noteworthy things is that the laundry by DVC cabins is closed!! So there isn’t even an option nearby and if you don’t have a golf cart you will need to take it by bus somewhere else. Second the closest pool is a quiet pool and there is no food, lifeguards or services. So you need to either bus or use a golf cart to get to a pool with amenities.

I do struggle with them being deluxe. Maybe if they provided the cart you could make a case that you have access to everything. But it will cost you $65 more a day to make the resort truly enjoyable.

Maybe I’m looking at the map wrong but it looks like the laundry for the 1100 loop is just as close, maybe closer if you are in the 2200 or 2300 loop?

 

[bama_ed]

Maybe I’m looking at the map wrong but it looks like the laundry for the 1100 loop is just as close, maybe closer if you are in the 2200 or 2300 loop?

The far ends (from the DVC pool) of 2200 and 2300 are indeed closer to the Comfort Station (with its laundry room) that is between 1100 and 2100.

 

[TisBit]

So we just came from the check in area at the front and funny they had a shelf full of towels. I suspect it is a common issue.

The one at the pool area. And you don’t know until you walk up to the door.

Correction there is a sign on the driveway by it.

 

[PatMcDuck]

The problem with adding the washer dryer is a plumbing problem, and possible restrictions on this specific property because of its location. (I was told the Poly DVC buildings were not allowed to add any extra toilets- thus the 2 shower 1 toilet setup.)

My unsolicited opinion is guests booking on points should get a golf cart included with reservation. (And I have stayed at the old Cabins).

 

[muppets3d]

Every resort is unique in size, layout and amenities. I don't really get how not putting W/D in the cabins represents a line that shouldn't have been crossed. It is what it is. The point charts seem to reflect that omission.

And so do the very slow sales.

 

[bababear_50]

This is what so many forget. Disney hotels like SSR and OKW would struggle to be classified anything but motels with pools outside of disney. Most disney resorts lack a spa , poly lacked a health club ( soon to be fixed). In order to be a luxury hotel most ratings require 24/room service , spa, gyms.

The best comment I have heard was to think of hotels like VGF and RR as luxury themed.

Long time OKW DVC Resort owner here.
Here are a few things a motel doesn't have......................................................... but OKW does
Games room,,, free DVDs
Outdoor sport equipment/Bike rentals
Tennis courts
Hot Tub
Indoor Gym
Basketball courts
Full service restaurant/ quick service restaurant
Themed main pool with a cool slide ,, multiple quiet pools
Pool side Activities
Movies & Smores under the stars
Sauna Lighthouse
Internal bus/water park buses/Theme Park buses/Disney Springs Bus
Disney Springs boat transportation
Resort Gift Shop
Very BIG rooms
etc,,, etc,,, etc.

 

[Cfabar1]

OKW is not a motel.... That said, Disney Deluxe is not the same as a luxury hotel...

DVC is also not hotel, it should be compared to timeshares from brands like Hyatt, Sheraton, Marriott, etc.:

I would argue compared to most timeshares DVC offers the following:
- A more desirable location
- More on property dining options overall
- Smaller/pool options overall
- Smaller rooms
- A more crowded environment
- A far more expensive structure, almost absurdly so when comparing off property Orlando to DVC (yet I still own DVC!)