Ft. Wilderness Cabins becoming DVC?

[PolyRob]

So are these to be considered Deluxe Accommodations now ? Because of the DVC tag ?

DVC is already saying cabins will be eligible for "Extended Evening Hours Access" so they are getting labeled as "deluxe villa accommodations"

 

[jason423]

I wouldn't put much thought into $22,700. Vdh had the same $22,700 in an email when it opened in September but it started selling at $230. There are other emails alluding to same $22,700 implying for resorts like Riviera, and that starts at $217. I believe $227 is the figure Disney uses for average direct price so FW price could be anything but I'd bet no higher than Riviera.

I think thats correct. In a few sections of the website that use that same boilerplate number. FWIW on the video they do have a higher number, but it also should represent a $227 buy in ($34,100) at 150 points.

 

[PolyRob]

It really bothers me that the renders also show a full kitchen range with 4 knobs and burners right above the description clearly stating it's only 2 burners. Sure it's an artist rendering "subject to change," (DVC's phrase of the week!) but it bothers me.

 

[gmi3804]

If you take away the size of the rooms and the kitchens, it doesn't have anything on most of the moderates that would distinguish it as "deluxe".

And if a frog had wings it wouldn’t bump its a** a-hoppin’, no?

OKW was built as a totally different, er, animal altogether. Indeed, its first name was “Disney Vacation Club!”

 

[DonMacGregor]

And if a frog had wings it wouldn’t bump its a** a-hoppin’, no?

OKW was built as a totally different, er, animal altogether. Indeed, its first name was “Disney Vacation Club!”

The point is that people seem to have some perception of what a "Deluxe" resort is, and that unless a resort meets certain criteria, it can't be DVC. My point is that the only thing that every DVC resort has in common, is the presence of kitchens or kitchenettes. Nothing else.

What OKW was built for, or as, or what it's original name was has no bearing on the fact that you could take any one of the current moderate resorts, add units with kitchenettes, and you'd have accommodations that match the existing PVB.

It's not a slam on OKW, it's just an observation that every time a new resort is contemplated, or a conversion is discussed, there is a chorus of "Well, if it doesn't have XYZ, then it can't be deluxe and shouldn't be DVC", and the criteria often times includes amenities that OKW (and SSR for that matter) doesn't offer (but most are fine with).

 

[ocdb8r1]

Not to add to the broken record, but the interest to us will 100% depend on the points chart now. I am a bit disappointed to see they kept the bunks inside the master bedroom. This makes the extra beds effectively useless for us compared to a studio (i.e. if I am going to be stuck without a separate room from my kids, I might as well book a studio). As such, if the chart prices these at or below a RIV/PVB standard view studio we might be interested. If they cheat these up toward a AKV/BLT 1-bedroom pricing, we're likely out as we'd be better off booking a 1-bed with double bathrooms at one of those resorts.

 

[pinkxray]

We will definitely stay in the cabins when they open for at least a few days. I have always wanted to but the cash prices scared me away. For our spring break time 2 nights before our dvc stay would have been over $600 a night. Not happening when I have dvc points to use.

Im really interested in seeing the points charts. I can deal with the bunk bed in the bedroom for a few days but if Im using 1 bedroom points I need a washer and dryer. Is it confirmed there is none?

 

[gmi3804]

The point is that people seem to have some perception of what a "Deluxe" resort is, and that unless a resort meets certain criteria, it can't be DVC. My point is that the only thing that every DVC resort has in common, is the presence of kitchens or kitchenettes. Nothing else.

What OKW was built for, or as, or what it's original name was has no bearing on the fact that you could take any one of the current moderate resorts, add units with kitchenettes, and you'd have accommodations that match the existing PVB.

It's not a slam on OKW, it's just an observation that every time a new resort is contemplated, or a conversion is discussed, there is a chorus of "Well, if it doesn't have XYZ, then it can't be deluxe and shouldn't be DVC", and the criteria often times includes amenities that OKW (and SSR for that matter) doesn't offer (but most are fine with).

I agree that anything can become a DVC unit (look at the value AKV units), but with the new Cabins we’re in uncharted territory. I think as the program expands our understanding of a standard property will change.

 

[Nabas]

Well, (unpopular opinion alert), I already think they have a moderate DVC at OKW. Yes, they have full kitchens, and yes they have big rooms, but if you had someone stand outside an OKW building and then walk around the property and all of the common area amenities and dining locations, then took them over to CBR, they'd tell you CBR was the better resort.

OKW is the first DVC. It defines a Disney timeshare.

Most of the other WDW DVCs are just crammed into or around existing Disney hotels.

 

[SPLzero]

I always thought moderates dont have balcony's and have windows that face the building walkway. Gran Destino tower
is the new exception to the window rule.

 

[Brian Noble]

Buy in price was what they are asking now fo new DVC with guaranteed low dues about,$3-$5 per point, [,,,] If they sell the points at the current DVC rate with high dues, it would need to included a massive perk like lifetime tickets/APs for those whose names are on the contract.

Oh my goodness, that's funny! I almost fell out of my chair laughing at this.

If you take away the size of the rooms and the kitchens

This is a fair point. But the flip side of that is that the villas at OKW are materially better than most of the other DVC villa layouts. There is enough room in the common area for the people sleeping in it. The dining table isn't quite big enough, but the sizeable verandahs make up for it. The appliances are full sized. I can't remember for sure, but I think the freezer even has an ice maker! I'll have more to say about this below.

The problem with the moderates is that they are all hotel rooms. And for the life of me, I just don't understand the idea of a family vacationing in a single hotel room. It's become a running joke for us. Invariably, we will be spending an afternoon resting up from a morning of hiking/kayaking/snorkeling/theme-parking/etc., lounging in the living room with snacks and a beverage, maybe with the kids there or maybe in their bedroom(s). In that moment, we'll look at each other and one of us will say it: "Hotel rooms. How do people do it?"

This seems to be less of a vibe with DVCers, who tend to be point-stretching studio-dwellers. And that's fine, but I did not get into timesharing to stay in a glorified hotel room. In the words of Ted Lasso when presented with tea: "No thank you."

Your broader point is well taken. The only thing that makes a resort "Deluxe" in Disney's eyes is what they charge for it. They've blurred the lines in almost every other way.

OKW is the first DVC. It defines a Disney timeshare.

I look at this a little differently. OKW is built with a layout very much like other high-end timeshares in Orlando, presumably because that's what Disney thought customers would want. Disney very quickly realized that their customer base put a lot less weight in the room and that they could get away with building resorts with much less space. The DVC 2.0 villas (VWL, SSR, BWV, and BCV) have some of my least favorite layouts in the entire system. But, the 2.0 layout defines the Disney timeshare, which is essentially: "We know you don't care much about the room itself because it's just a place to sleep."

 

[MyDogTink]

I always thought moderates dont have balcony's and have windows that face the building walkway. Gran Destino tower
is the new exception to the window rule.

I also thought that. However, aren’t the new studios at DL an exception to ‘deluxe DVC’ since not all of them have balconies?

 

[SPLzero]

I also thought that. However, aren’t the new studios at DL an exception to ‘deluxe DVC’ since not all of them have balconies?

Yea and I dont like it! I love my balcony.

 

[Lucky Wall-E]

Oh my goodness, that's funny! I almost fell out of my chair laughing at this.

Thanks for the laugh. The 2nd option was meant to be more of a joke. I'm really venting my frustration with the disappointment of the room layout and need some motivation to reconsider the Ft. Cabins. I was actually looking forward to the cabins but not so much now. I know our family will try them, but I don't expect them to be a "go to" accommodation. It is now highly unlikely I will buy new points but be using currents points to stay occasionally which seems to be consistent with the most of current DVCers commenting on this board as well.
I agree with many posters that Disney will probably price the rooms more like AK-value 1 bed, possibly reg AK-1beds but not GFV/ Riviera-1 bed. I do think they will keep the dues a little lower, definitely not charge DLH dues but probably something more in line with GFV or possibly a little lower.

 

[DonMacGregor]

This is a fair point. But the flip side of that is that the villas at OKW are materially better than most of the other DVC villa layouts. There is enough room in the common area for the people sleeping in it. The dining table isn't quite big enough, but the sizeable verandahs make up for it. The appliances are full sized. I can't remember for sure, but I think the freezer even has an ice maker! I'll have more to say about this below.

The problem with the moderates is that they are all hotel rooms. And for the life of me, I just don't understand the idea of a family vacationing in a single hotel room. It's become a running joke for us. Invariably, we will be spending an afternoon resting up from a morning of hiking/kayaking/snorkeling/theme-parking/etc., lounging in the living room with snacks and a beverage, maybe with the kids there or maybe in their bedroom(s). In that moment, we'll look at each other and one of us will say it: "Hotel rooms. How do people do it?"

My point remains. If you were to create a Venn diagram of all of the DVC resorts at WDW, the only features that are in the intersecting set would be kitchens/kitchenettes, and balconies.

Yes, OKW has wonderful and unique attributes (and I wouldn't suggest otherwise), but they are unique and can't be used as a definition of either a DVC resort, or a "deluxe" resort, as they aren't shared with any other WDW resort. Some folks would define "deluxe" as having a feature pool with water slides, but those can be found even at budget resorts. Others would define a "deluxe" resort as those with multiple feature (if not "signature") dining experiences, which Olivia's certainly doesn't qualify as, but the numerous food locations at Coronado Springs would.

Again, my only point (and it was never to denigrate OKW) is that you can't simply say XYZ Resort can't be a DVC resort because it isn't "deluxe", when none of the existing DVC resorts at WDW check off the same boxes beyond those I mentioned. You can't say "Oh, XYZ is a "moderate" resort, so it can't be DVC", when there are already several DVC resorts that have more in common with existing moderates than deluxe resorts once you set aside kitchens and balconies.

 

[BeachClub2014]

My point remains. If you were to create a Venn diagram of all of the DVC resorts at WDW, the only features that are in the intersecting set would be kitchens/kitchenettes, and balconies.

Yes, OKW has wonderful and unique attributes (and I wouldn't suggest otherwise), but they are unique and can't be used as a definition of either a DVC resort, or a "deluxe" resort, as they aren't shared with any other WDW resort. Some folks would define "deluxe" as having a feature pool with water slides, but those can be found even at budget resorts. Others would define a "deluxe" resort as those with multiple feature (if not "signature") dining experiences, which Olivia's certainly doesn't qualify as, but the numerous food locations at Coronado Springs would.

Again, my only point (and it was never to denigrate OKW) is that you can't simply say XYZ Resort can't be a DVC resort because it isn't "deluxe", when none of the existing DVC resorts at WDW check off the same boxes beyond those I mentioned. You can't say "Oh, XYZ is a "moderate" resort, so it can't be DVC", when there are already several DVC resorts that have more in common with existing moderates than deluxe resorts once you set aside kitchens and balconies.

Does XYZ Resort have resale restrictions?

 

[Brian Noble]

when there are already several DVC resorts that have more in common with existing moderates than deluxe resorts once you set aside kitchens and balconies.

Ten bucks says the cash rates of those cabins goes up. Way up. Boom! They are Deluxe!

 

[DonMacGregor]

Ten bucks says the cash rates of those cabins goes up. Way up. Boom! They are Deluxe!

Well, according to plenty on these forums, if you add a balcony and a sink, then Boom! Deluxe!

 

[DonMacGregor]

Does XYZ Resort have resale restrictions?

It depends on whether you're refurbing existing rooms and adding a microwave and a toaster, or if you're building a new building that might or might not be added to the existing association, or if you start selling points on February 29th of next year...

Lots of science involved.

 

[BeachClub2014]

It depends on whether you're refurbing existing rooms and adding a microwave and a toaster, or if you're building a new building that might or might not be added to the existing association, or if you start selling points on February 29th of next year...

Lots of science involved.

Science has proven that a villa cannot be deluxe unless it comes with resale restrictions and is outfitted with a toaster. It must also have an actual table and chairs and not just a couch that supports the too-short Murphy bed.