One resort at Walt Disney World is extra taste-specific than another, and inside that love-it-or-hate-it place, there’s one sort of lodging which have all the time been polarizing amongst planners. Now they’re downright controversial because of reimagined replacements which are an evening and day distinction. We’re speaking in regards to the Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, after all. This opinions the brand new Disney Trip Membership lodging, sharing room photographs & movies, protecting professionals & cons, format strengths & weaknesses, and why we disagree with the detractors.
For individuals who are unfamiliar with it, Fort Wilderness presents roughly 800 campsites and over 400 cabins together with a variety of leisure choices. The campground is barely a brief boat journey from Magic Kingdom (behind Disney’s Modern Resort and “subsequent door” to the Disney Lakeshore Lodge development website and Wilderness Lodge). However it feels worlds away. The sprawling ‘resort’ is located on 750 acres of pine and cypress forest, giving the campground a giant buffer between it and the remainder of Walt Disney World.
Fort Wilderness is a Walt Disney World unique, opening again in 1971 somewhat over a month after Magic Kingdom. Just like how Modern was as an extension of Tomorrowland and Polynesian of Adventureland, Fort Wilderness was a counterpart to Frontierland–a strategy to keep within the American frontier. Fort Wilderness has not modified a lot since then. It does have many extra campsites, cabins, and one fewer railroad and adjoining water park–however the vibe is essentially unchanged since I began staying at Fort Wilderness within the Eighties.
The preface above is the extent to which we’re protecting the property as an entire. This isn’t going to be a “resort” assessment of Fort Wilderness Campground. For one factor, we’ve already completed that in a number of different posts and the resort itself isn’t basically totally different than earlier than the outdated cabins had been swapped out for the Disney Trip Membership ones. For one more factor, it will make this assessment significantly longer and show to be a tricky job. To that finish, if you happen to’re on the fence about Fort Wilderness as an entire, take into account studying:
What I’ll say is that there’s an excellent probability you already know whether or not Fort Wilderness is an efficient match for you earlier than studying opinions. It’s simply such a taste-specific resort that’s both a superb match or an terrible one with out a lot center floor. We find it irresistible, however can completely see why it’s not for lots of people. If you happen to’re on the fence, possibly Fort Wilderness is for you…however actually, most likely not.
Anyway, on with the assessment of the brand new DVC Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort…
Let’s begin on the surface, with the largest unfavourable and most controversial part of the cabins: the outside.
The phrase we’ve heard most from readers to explain these is “she-shed.” I haven’t taken that to be reward. Admittedly, these cabins does appear like the design frankenstein of an HGTV character and a Gensler designer. Shabby stylish meets trendy in a bizarre approach.
The outside is simply too on-trend, and missing the allure of the outdated log cabin model. It’s additionally at-odds with the country model and ambiance of Fort Wilderness as an entire. These complaints are well-taken and arguably correct. I’d agree with them.
After I have a look at one thing like this listing of contemporary cabins (or the numerous others prefer it), I’m drawn to those that use pure supplies and have extra muted exterior appearances. It doesn’t must be Lincoln Log model just like the outdated Cabins at Fort Wilderness, however I do favor issues which are rather less stylish.
With that mentioned, I’m a fan of the fashionable cabin model. I like structure with clear strains, woods and rockwork, and different pure supplies. Ground to ceiling home windows that convey the surface in, offering pure mild and nice views whereas additionally working effectively with a extra minimalist and trendy design.
Don’t get me fallacious–much more than all of that I like the look of Arts & Crafts, U.S. Nationwide Parks Rustic, or Frank Lloyd Wright’s twist on Prairie Type. The issue there, as ought to be apparent, is that it will be very costly and unrealistic to make cabins in these extra architecturally-ambitious types. We’re speaking small prefabricated models, not one thing the scale, scale or funds of Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Suffice to say, even when I agree with the critiques in regards to the exteriors of the DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness, I actually don’t care that a lot.
For me, it comes right down to proportionality. The outrage is overblown relative to its significance. I’ve been criticizing the Polynesian’s Island Tower or Reflections Lakeshore Lodge and even Disney’s Riviera Resort since they had been all introduced. The underwhelming exterior structure issues in all of these circumstances as a result of it’s extremely seen from round Walt Disney World.
These cabins should not. They’re seen from the loops the place the cabins are positioned. The first folks impacted are these staying on the cabins, and solely whereas they’re exterior the cabins. For essentially the most half, these quick constructions are in any other case hid by woods. From a distance, all you actually discover is inexperienced and purple exteriors punctuating the forest.
Past that, I don’t assume the exteriors of the brand new DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness look that dangerous.
Positive, this wouldn’t have been my first selection for his or her design, however within the grand scheme of issues, this feels extra like a minor quibble than a serious misstep. Truthfully, if it weren’t for therefore many different followers pointing it out, I most likely wouldn’t have thought a lot of the exteriors. Not my perfect selection, however actually not atrocities.
Maybe after all of the towers, which I feel are really horrible, I’m desensitized to ugly exteriors and am extra inclined to offer this a move. I don’t assume so, although. I feel the outrage is overblown, and a response to the totality of design tendencies somewhat than this in isolation. I additionally assume ‘Fort Fiends’ are very protecting of Fort Wilderness and delicate about any adjustments. And rightfully so, as many have been dangerous! To every their very own on all of that, although.
Shifting inside, one change I completely wouldn’t make to the outside is eradicating the floor-to-ceiling home windows that span the lounge and kitchen. For me, these home windows are an enormous asset to the inside of the cabins, and it’d be very tough to have whereas sustaining an exterior design per Pioneer Corridor or the buildings within the Settlement.
If pressured to decide on, I’m selecting thematically-inconsistent exteriors with giant home windows that permit in pure mild and ‘convey’ the wilderness inside.
We’ve stayed within the outdated Cabins at Fort Wilderness a number of occasions, by a few totally different iterations, and one of many complaints we all the time had was that they had been darkish and dreary. Between being positioned within the woods and never having a lot in the best way of home windows, the outdated cabins simply drab. The interiors had been completely wonderful and on-theme, however there was this inescapable feeling you had been in a darkish trailer.
To make certain, the brand new DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness are nonetheless roughly trailers.
The home windows are game-changers, although. I want I’d’ve gotten photographs with the entire blinds open, however for some dumb cause, I felt the necessity to shut that one to hide our baggage on the deck. (Why? I don’t know. Not prefer it’s some unsavory secret that vacationers carry baggage!)
The home windows are the focus of the interiors, and are an effective way to benefit from the wilderness when you’re consuming, sitting on the sofa studying a ebook, and even about to fall asleep. At one level, we noticed some rustling within the bushes, so we jumped out and headed exterior to find an armadillo foraging round. Actually made Sarah’s day.
I additionally appreciated watching the dawn whereas preparing and consuming breakfast. It was good to have the morning solar bathtub your complete front room and kitchen in heat mild. These home windows are my favourite characteristic of the brand new cabins, and what makes them nice.
It’s unimaginable to convey this through photographs, and I can not overstate how a lot of an enchancment that is over the ‘ambiance’ of the outdated cabins. It’s one factor to have a look at photographs and decide the arguably ‘blah’ this or that of the design, however as somebody who has skilled each, I’d the ambiance of the brand new cabins over the outdated right away.
I additionally assume the floor-to-ceiling home windows are good as a result of they draw consideration away from some in any other case curious format choices.
The obvious of those is that the tv is correct subsequent to the sofa and pull-down mattress in the lounge.
Because of its placement, you may’t actually watch TV from the sofa until you’re trying to do some critical neck craning. The straightforward “resolution” to this might’ve been eliminating the home windows reverse the sofa. I’m glad Disney opted towards this, and as an alternative put the TV in a poor place.
These are models the place format compromises need to be made. There isn’t any 100% good resolution. To every their very own, however I’d somewhat have massive views of the wilderness and pure mild than good tv placement. This jogs my memory of 1-star opinions for Nationwide Park Lodges as a result of their lack of TV. If we’re critical about thematic integrity, the theme of this resort is wilderness–not tv.
Different decisions with the format are equally puzzling–and arguably extra problematic.
The bed room is on the opposite aspect of the tv, that means that the entire sleeping area is ‘stacked’ on one aspect of the cabin. Extra considerably, it means anybody staying within the bed room has to cross by this space and the kitchen en path to the lavatory.
From a usability perspective, this was our largest challenge with the DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness. We booked a keep right here with the grandparents, making us a celebration of 5. The friends within the bed room utilizing the lavatory requires cautious tip-toeing to keep away from disruption. Neglect a few midnight snack or early morning pot of espresso–whoever sleeps in the lounge higher be the earliest riser and/or heaviest sleeper.
One other criticism I’ve seen from Disney Trip Membership members is the dearth of in-unit laundry. It is a honest level and legitimate criticism, and we actually would’ve liked to have a washer and dryer.
I’ve seen others complain in regards to the bunk beds being in the principle bed room, that means that mother and pa are doubtlessly sleeping proper subsequent to 2 children. Not perfect for folks who need privateness for, ahem, no matter cause.
On the similar time, the secret right here is format compromises. It’s vital to know this earlier than going right into a keep on the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. These retained the outdated concrete slabs, and I’d assume altering the utilities was a non-starter. The outdated cabins additionally had a little bit of funky format that was tweaked through the years, however by no means to perfection or full satisfaction.
For us, these format compromises are ones we will make given the low price (in factors) of the DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness.
Two of our favourite occasions to go to Walt Disney World would land within the least expensive level seasons, making our per-night price of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness 15 to 21 factors in the course of the units of Halloween and Christmas dates we’d be more than likely to ebook. And in reality, this vacation keep price us 18 factors per night time.
To place that into perspective, we’ve spent extra on studios at Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Bay Lake Tower, and Wilderness Lodge. The Cabins price far fewer factors than another 1-bedroom lodging for a similar season, whereas additionally sleeping 6 and having extra space and privateness. For that matter, we may’ve rented Disney Trip Membership factors and paid precise {dollars} to remain right here and spent lower than we did on the next nights at Port Orleans French Quarter!
A budget price of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness is an efficient segue into the opposite issues we liked in regards to the lodging.
The primary bed room includes a queen-size mattress, twin-size bunk beds, a 55-inch TV, closet and a nightstand.
The spotlight right here, with out query, is the bunkbeds.
The bunk beds characteristic frames that hug the vaulted ceiling, with paintings of tenting underneath an evening sky.
These frames are well-designed and detailed, with the character-inspired canoe paddles offering pops of coloration. There’s drawers for storage beneath, and every stage of the bunk beds additionally options lanterns that function studying lights.
That is far and away my favourite characteristic of the cabin, and I’d’ve liked sleeping within the high bunk as a child. Our daughter, Megatron, is a tad too younger to sleep in right here, however is already enamored with climbing up and down from the underside bunk. I’m positive she’s going to like these beds as she grows into them.
Along with the aforementioned pull-down mattress and sofa combo (a typical fixture of recent DVC rooms), the spacious dwelling space additionally options what Disney describes as a eating nook.
This features a totally outfitted kitchen—together with a fridge, dishwasher, convection/microwave oven and a pair of countertop burners. There’s additionally a kitchen desk that sits 4 comfortably…or 6 uncomfortably.
This kitchen was good for our functions, particularly since we had been a celebration of 4 adults and one toddler. We love to do grocery supply and put together meals for Megatron, together with espresso for everybody else, so this labored effectively for that. On a future, we’ll most likely put the kitchen to higher use, however we “had” to dine on the reimagined eating places at Fort Wilderness for future assessment functions this time.
Off the kitchen you’ll discover a self-importance space exterior the doorway to the lavatory, which has a bathe and a further self-importance inside.
I’ve no sturdy opinions in regards to the toilet. I like that there’s a window in the direction of the ceiling permitting in some pure mild.
I’d most likely be wonderful with the lavatory being a bit smaller to supply extra space to the dwelling space (or accommodate a washer and dryer), however I’m most likely alone in that. Individuals like massive bogs.
I additionally like that there’s a separate self-importance exterior the lavatory, permitting a couple of individual to prepare concurrently.
I’m additionally a fan of the backlit mirror and Fort Wilderness archery poster.
The artwork all through the cabin is implausible. Disney Trip Membership lastly bought the memo that its members are regulars and longtime followers, and has actually leaned into Walt Disney World historical past and Easter eggs with a number of the newer rooms. The redone Boulder Ridge rooms are the same story.
Fan suggestions has been combined on these cabins, no less than amongst on-line commentators who haven’t stayed in them. However like numerous different latest room designs, these strike us as an excellent marriage of type and performance, and appear like main upgrades by way of usability.
For a greater thought of the format, take a look at our walk-through video of the brand new Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Trip Membership Resort:
To make certain, there are some features of the inside design that I don’t love–that appears blah as in comparison with the outdated cabins.
The kitchen, specifically, is boring. There are nice particulars and artwork that tie the area collectively, nevertheless it’s all a tad too trendy and muted. I feel the pendulum swung too far within the different course after complaints in regards to the outdated cabins being darkish and dreary.
That’s a criticism that alone would’ve been remedied by the home windows. The darker woods would’ve been wonderful right here given the quantity of pure mild the home windows enable in. However, these are trendy and really feel higher-end, and I’d somewhat keep in these cabins than the outdated ones.
Finally, that’s actually what it comes right down to for us–these new Disney Trip Membership Cabins at Fort Wilderness are nicer lodging than what was right here earlier than. Walt Disney World followers might quibble with sure stylistic or format decisions, however I’d hazard a guess that, if push got here to shove, most would choose these cabins over their predecessors if that they had the choice to remain in one of many two.
For our multigenerational celebration of 5, this cabin was virtually good even with our quibbles in thoughts. When contemplating the associated fee in factors, the lodging and expertise had been wonderful–we’ll be returning to those cabins once more. I’d undoubtedly take this over (the price of) two rooms at a Reasonable Resort and even different household suites, for that matter.
We foresee much more Walt Disney World journeys like this sooner or later, with the grandparents additionally becoming a member of to allow them to expertise the parks by Megatron’s eyes. Studios are going to be out of the query for these stays, and even a number of the one-bedroom lodging is perhaps pushing it.
The Cabins at Fort Wilderness supply a “adequate” format, giving us and the infant one room and grandparents the opposite.
Fort Wilderness can also be an excellent possibility for multi-generational journeys the place not everyone seems to be as into the parks. All of Megatron’s grandparents benefit from the slower tempo of Fort Wilderness, and with the ability to get pleasure from a non-Disney expertise even in the midst of Walt Disney World. I doubt they’d be as passionate about Gran Destino Tower or Artwork of Animation. These cabins are extra like a cut price basement model of the wonderful Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs Resort, and from that perspective, they’re implausible.
Even when it’s simply the three of us, we just like the format of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness effectively sufficient. Sooner or later down the highway, we’ll most likely let Megatron sleep within the precise bed room, and we’ll take the flex area of the lounge. This is able to give us the flexibility to have a unique bedtime (and wake-up), whereas even have entry to the kitchen, toilet, and bathe. It’s not flawless–and we will see why numerous DVC members aren’t eager on this setup–however we’re good with it.
Truthfully, “good with it” might be an understatement. We liked our keep within the DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness that we as soon as once more debated whether or not to purchase right here after beforehand ruling it out as a result of upkeep charges. We love Fort Wilderness at Christmas-time, and I’d think about it will be enjoyable to convey our personal inflatables, enhance a golf cart, and so forth., in the course of the vacation season as Megatron will get older.
We dominated it out once more for now, with the thought course of being that these will most likely turn into simpler to ebook as different DVC members tire of them. However we’d undoubtedly rethink if these someway do find yourself being rolled into Reflections Lakeshore Lodge. These cabins appear to be they’ll serve our household completely for the subsequent decade-plus, providing nice bang for buck within the course of.
In the event that they turn into a part of one thing greater that provides lodging sorts and dilutes upkeep charges, that will actually sweeten the deal! As soon as development is completed on Disney Lakeshore Lodge and it’s potential to stroll from Fort Wilderness to there to Wilderness Lodge, that feels like our household’s good place throughout Christmas at Walt Disney World!
If you happen to’re contemplating becoming a member of DVC and need extra steerage, make sure you learn our Final Information to Disney Trip Membership. That information covers the professionals & cons, resale v. direct, how a lot cash you’ll save, and different vital issues to know earlier than taking the plunge. If you happen to nonetheless can’t resolve whether or not membership is best for you, “attempt before you purchase” with the suggestions in Tips on how to Save BIG on Deluxe Disney Lodging Renting DVC Factors.
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider the brand new Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Trip Membership Resort? Completely satisfied that DVC is increasing to cabins on the campground, or want they’d construct a brand new stand-alone property? If you happen to’re a Fort Fiend, are you upset by this or detached to it? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
