Problem in the Cabin

[Pepperbal]

Hey,
I had a huge problem in Fort Wilderness last year during a long stay. I never mentioned it on here but my sister received much better care for a problem at Pop Century this week and I couldn’t help but question the way my family was handled last year.

To make a long story short (because it is a long story), we woke up in our cabin last year to a ticking sound, smoke, and the smell of an electrical fire. Ran out to the car with my husband and 5 year old, fire department came. When they cleared the cabin, it was actually suggested that we could stay there! We said no and moved our stinky, fire smelling possessions to another cabin, 3:00AM. This cabin, we found the next morning, did not have a properly working AC. Everything we smelled reeked of moisture and mildew. When we asked for a new room, we were at first treated like we were an inconvenience and trying to get one over on them! After I became irate, we received an apology and yet another room, which, like Goldilocks, was just right! We moved our possessions, that now reeked of fire and mildew. For our inconvenience (to say the least) we received one free night, an apology, and nothing else.

Has anyone here ever had any similar issues in the cabins? I ask because, despite the experience, we had a lovely family trip and booked it again for next year. You can imagine that I am still a bit apprehensive and am second guessing that choice. Does anyone here have any useful information about the state of the cabins from their experience?

 

[AngiTN]

We have never stayed in the cabins for the specific reason that I have not heard glowing reports on them. The one description that I hear over and over again is they are glorified mobile homes. With just a skim on them to make them look rustic. I have yet to need anything near as large as they are so even that hasn't appealed to us. With nothing particular to recommend them and so far, several things to not recommend them, we've just avoided them.

I do have to ask, if you've had a bad experience, and you have a small family, why is it you are returning to one? With only 3 people, there are lower cost options on property.

 

[wishuponastar1984]

I think one free night was proper compensation. Was there some negligence on the part of Disney? What were you expecting in compensation? There are relatively few cabins and they don't just have an endless supply of them sitting vacant.

 

[Marionnette]

Hey,
I had a huge problem in Fort Wilderness last year during a long stay. I never mentioned it on here but my sister received much better care for a problem at Pop Century this week and I couldn’t help but question the way my family was handled last year.

To make a long story short (because it is a long story), we woke up in our cabin last year to a ticking sound, smoke, and the smell of an electrical fire. Ran out to the car with my husband and 5 year old, fire department came. When they cleared the cabin, it was actually suggested that we could stay there! We said no and moved our stinky, fire smelling possessions to another cabin, 3:00AM. This cabin, we found the next morning, did not have a properly working AC. Everything we smelled reeked of moisture and mildew. When we asked for a new room, we were at first treated like we were an inconvenience and trying to get one over on them! After I became irate, we received an apology and yet another room, which, like Goldilocks, was just right! We moved our possessions, that now reeked of fire and mildew. For our inconvenience (to say the least) we received one free night, an apology, and nothing else.

Has anyone here ever had any similar issues in the cabins? I ask because, despite the experience, we had a lovely family trip and booked it again for next year. You can imagine that I am still a bit apprehensive and am second guessing that choice. Does anyone here have any useful information about the state of the cabins from their experience?

The time to address your issue was while you were there. It sounds to me as if Disney did all that they could to relocate your family twice due to obvious room issues. If you had wanted to have your possessions cleaned or laundered, you could have brought it up the next day. You only had to mention the smokey smell and ask for some kind of resolution. The CMs are not mind readers and unless you brought the issue up and asked if there was anything that they could do about it, how were they to know that you even needed help with it?

In the end they offered a free night and an apology for you inconvenience. If you felt that this was inadequate compensation, you should have brought it up then. By accepting the free night, you pretty much shut the book on your case. Complaining about it a year later seems kind of, well...useless.

 

[keaster]

I don't think OP is looking for more compensation, I think she wants an update or anyone's input on the state of the cabins now a year later, if people are having similar issues.

 

[Beachmom0317]

How long ago was this? What issue and type of care did your sister encounter? I agree that free night compensation and apology seem like a nice gesture. We last stayed in a cabin December 2016 and are going this December. Had a great time last time with no complaints. I’d be happy to share my experience when we’re back if you message me.

 

[StageTek]

else.

Has anyone here ever had any similar issues in the cabins? I ask because, despite the experience, we had a lovely family trip and booked it again for next year. You can imagine that I am still a bit apprehensive and am second guessing that choice. Does anyone here have any useful information about the state of the cabins from their experience?

Never had an issues in our experiences in the cabins. I can imagine why your apprehensive but I think this is a one time issue - it doesn't happen regularly.

Our last stay at the cabins (Jan 2018) was perfect. Clean, no unpleasant smells, no electrical issues. Don't second guess your choice. I'll bet your upcoming stay will be terrific!

 

[nkereina]

It sounds like a freak occurrence and a series of unfortunate events. Even if everyone says they had flawless stays at the cabins, an electrical fire like you experienced is something that can happen anytime anywhere. Same for the broken AC. If everyone said that the cabins were worn down and in need of refurb, that's a different thing and something you could base your decision off of.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We moved our possessions, that now reeked of fire and mildew.

I admit, i am curious why you didn't either bring this up at the time, or wash the clothes?

Anyway, reasonably, the smoke was an anomoly. Not likely to happen again. As for overall issues with the cabins, why not check the Camping forum?

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I'm not one to hold grudges and I know crap happens but I would probably pick another resort. Just because I would want a "fresh" start and I like to try new places. I've never stayed at the cabins and most likely never will since the outdoorsy/camping vibe does nothing for me.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

 

[AngiTN]

I'm not one to hold grudges and I know crap happens but I would probably pick another resort. Just because I would want a "fresh" start and I like to try new places. I've never stayed at the cabins and most likely never will since the outdoorsy/camping vibe does nothing for me.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

Sort of the same here. Though I do enjoy an outdoor/camping vibe. Elsewhere. We are going to a weekend getaway in a cabin at Fall Creek Falls (TN) in 2 weeks. Love it, have a great time with friends, cooking, drinking, playing Cards Against Humanity and general disconnecting from the world. Just doesn't go with Disney for me. I had a bus load of young-uns that would be a different story. Gotta have a place to store them, LOL

 

[Pepperbal]

We have never stayed in the cabins for the specific reason that I have not heard glowing reports on them. The one description that I hear over and over again is they are glorified mobile homes. With just a skim on them to make them look rustic. I have yet to need anything near as large as they are so even that hasn't appealed to us. With nothing particular to recommend them and so far, several things to not recommend them, we've just avoided them.

I do have to ask, if you've had a bad experience, and you have a small family, why is it you are returning to one? With only 3 people, there are lower cost options on property.

Yea, understandable question. We drive there from a distance and like being on property, having a parking spot right outside the door and having a full kitchen ( we have dietary issues in our family). If that hadn’t happened, I’d have a glowing review. Prior to it and, eventually, afterward we had a sincerely magical trip. We stayed 10 days and two of the ten were ruined. There are also countless people who seem to go and have a great time, some make it an annual tradition. That’s why I wanted to know if this was a fluke or do thing like that happen frequently.

 

[maxiesmom]

Any time something goes wrong it is a fluke. If there was a known problem that was being spread all over Disney would take care of it.

 

[Pepperbal]

Ok, wasn’t really asking for opinions on how Disney handled it (although I should add that no one knows how we were dealt with. There was inappropriate responses that would not encourage anyone to request further help. We save a lot for trips and I will not let that consume my trip)
I was asking if anyone had experienced anything similar. I was curious. This was the resort forum and a resort issue so I thought this was a good place to throw a question out there.

 

[maxiesmom]

Ok, wasn’t really asking for opinions on how Disney handled it (although I should add that no one knows how we were dealt with. There was inappropriate responses that would not encourage anyone to request further help. We save a lot for trips and I will not let that consume my trip)
I was asking if anyone had experienced anything similar. I was curious. This was the resort forum and a resort issue so I thought this was a good place to throw a question out there.

I have never heard of what happened to you happening before. It stinks when you end up being the one with the fluky trip, doesn't it? I've had things happen outside of the norm, and it can put a damper on your trip. I had a bad experience years ago at POR, and it took me a long time to return to that resort.

 

[Pepperbal]

How long ago was this? What issue and type of care did your sister encounter? I agree that free night compensation and apology seem like a nice gesture. We last stayed in a cabin December 2016 and are going this December. Had a great time last time with no complaints. I’d be happy to share my experience when we’re back if you message me.

They gave a small but thoughtful gift to my niece but, more than that, they were extremely kind and apologetic. Over the entire resort and property, we came across nothing but kind and wonderful cast members who bent over backwards to make our time extra wonderful, which is way we are doing another trip. With that experience, the behavior ranged from flippant dismissive responses to being treated as an annoying inconvenience.

Someone else mentioned having heard it’s borderline a trailer. It really is nicer than that, we really felt and made ourselves at home. That’s one of the reasons we want to go back. I thought this seemed a good place to confirm that our experience was the exception instead of the norm. Thanks for your response!

 

[Ashley Marie]

Since the rest of your vacation was great, and it sounds like the accommodations are the best fit for your family, I'd give it another chance. Based on what they offered you (the free night), it sounds like they were at least responsive.

I mean, if it would give you more reassurance, it doesn't hurt to send a letter to guest relations even now if the whole situation still weighs heavily on you and you want to speak to someone. I'm just not sure what else you'd say at this point that isn't already on their file about the incident.

BUT I totally understand your hesitation. I've never stayed at the cabins, so I don't have much insight to offer. I hope this vacation goes perfectly for you!

 

[AngiTN]

Yea, understandable question. We drive there from a distance and like being on property, having a parking spot right outside the door and having a full kitchen ( we have dietary issues in our family). If that hadn’t happened, I’d have a glowing review. Prior to it and, eventually, afterward we had a sincerely magical trip. We stayed 10 days and two of the ten were ruined. There are also countless people who seem to go and have a great time, some make it an annual tradition. That’s why I wanted to know if this was a fluke or do thing like that happen frequently.

Excellent reasons to prefer the cabin.

I hope this next stay is event free.

 

[maxiesmom]

Not sure if you have considered off site at all, but I have stayed at Staybridge Suites a few times, and they have full kitchens in their units. It is located right near Disney Springs, and for around $150 a night you can get 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a full kitchen. Just thought I would throw that out there.

 

[StageTek]

Ok, wasn’t really asking for opinions on how Disney handled it (although I should add that no one knows how we were dealt with. There was inappropriate responses that would not encourage anyone to request further help. We save a lot for trips and I will not let that consume my trip)
I was asking if anyone had experienced anything similar. I was curious. This was the resort forum and a resort issue so I thought this was a good place to throw a question out there.

Welcome to message boards. You ask a specific question and you get lots and lots of answers you didn't ask for. This is a good place to throw a question - you'll just need to self-filter the replies.

I hope you don't second guess staying at the cabins again. We love them. As you can see others do not. We loved the parking right at the door, we loved the kitchen (even if we only used it for breakfast), we loved sitting on the patio at the end of the day, we loved the extra space, we LOVED-LOVED-LOVED hopping on the boat right after the fireworks and hopping on the internal bus the next night to watch the fireworks from the beach. Not too happy about the one, kinda small bathroom, but everything else was wonderful.