We’ve been on the lookout for a very good excuse to purchase extra Disney Trip Membership factors for years. When every of the final a number of new resorts at Walt Disney World have opened, we debated taking the plunge. Pricing has at all times been a much-needed reality-check, and we’ve realized we haven’t really wanted extra DVC factors.
Then once more, now I want we’d’ve made an ‘impulse purchase’ on the Grand Floridian or Polynesian again when these went on sale given how a lot costs have shot up since. Hindsight is 20/20, although, and Walt Disney World costs as an entire have gone up significantly since then. Not solely that, however we have been youthful and had extra urgent priorities on the time. So I assume what I actually need is a wholly totally different state of affairs the place we now have each information of the longer term and limitless cash…however there are in all probability higher makes use of for that than shopping for DVC.
In any case, we now discover ourselves in such a state of affairs the place we’re older and really have a necessity for bigger lodging now that we now have child Megatron. There have been occasions earlier than once we would’ve appreciated one thing bigger than a studio, but it surely wasn’t strictly needed. We’re frugal with factors, at all times selecting extra nights over nicer rooms. Going ahead, it’ll be a tougher determination–we’ll need each, one way or the other.
Enter the Cabins at Fort Wilderness Campground. When first introduced, we have been intrigued by this feature. We’ve stayed on the present cabins on a number of events since 2009, and have turn into pretty massive followers. Our final journey with my mother and father, we even opted for the Cabins at Fort Wilderness over Shades of Inexperienced. The bigger lodging have been very a lot welcome–and that was simply the 4 of us (plus my dad’s service canine).
We foresee 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 means of Megatron’s eyes. Studios are going to be out of the query for these stays, and even a few of the one-bedroom lodging is likely to be pushing it.
The Cabins at Fort Wilderness provide a “adequate” format, giving us and the infant one room and grandparents the opposite. Fort Wilderness can also be a terrific possibility for multi-generational journeys the place not everyone seems to be as into the parks. We have been involved about not staying at Shades of Inexperienced since my dad’s favourite a part of the journey is speaking to fellow “outdated farts” (non-derogatory) whereas ingesting espresso. Because it seems, Fort Wilderness additionally has “outdated farts” (additionally non-derogatory) and timber, two of my dad’s favourite issues. I doubt he’d be down with Gran Destino Tower or Artwork of Animation, against this.
Even when it’s simply the three of us, we just like the format of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness effectively sufficient. In some unspecified time in the future, we’d in all probability let Megatron sleep within the precise bed room, and we’d take the flex house of the lounge. This might give us the flexibility to have a special bedtime (and wake-up), whereas even have entry to the kitchen, rest room, and bathe. It’s definitely not excellent–and we are able to see why quite a lot of DVC members aren’t eager on this setup–however we’re good with it.
Accordingly, our hope and expectation was that the Cabins at Fort Wilderness would have a degree chart that successfully made them the primary Disney Trip Membership property within the Reasonable Resort tier. Final month’s launch of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness level charts seemingly confirmed this.
Two of our favourite occasions to go to Walt Disney World would land within the least expensive level seasons, making our per-night value of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness 15 to 21 factors through the units of Halloween and Christmas dates we’d be probably to guide. To place that into perspective, we’ve spent extra on studios at Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Bay Lake Tower, and Wilderness Lodge. The Cabins value far fewer factors than another 1-bedroom lodging for a similar season, whereas additionally sleeping 6 and having more room and privateness.
Suffice to say, the Cabins at Fort Wilderness appeared to supply superlative worth for cash. So after seeing the ground plan, idea artwork, and level charts, we began significantly speaking about whether or not or not we’d wish to add-on. To be clear, it was nonetheless removed from a certain factor–however then we have been rapidly and absolutely flung from the fence.
In brief order after factors charts have been launched, the annual dues for the Cabins at Fort Wilderness got here out. Clocking in at ~$12.15 per level, Fort Wilderness as simply the #1 DVC property at Walt Disney World when it comes to annual dues and #2 general behind solely Disney’s Vero Seashore Resort.
To place this into perspective, there is no such thing as a different resort at Walt Disney World that at present cracks the $10 barrier for dues. The subsequent closest resort, Outdated Key West, is $9.87. Different costly properties are Animal Kingdom Lodge and Riviera Resort, considered one of which has wildlife to “keep” (gotta think about the vet visits for a giraffe aren’t low cost given what we pay for a miniature dachshund and cat–to not point out meals and waste cleanup).
I can’t say I used to be shocked to see Fort Wilderness on the upper finish of the dues spectrum. Between the interior transportation and labor prices (largely housekeeping, but additionally basic maintenance), plus dramatically decreased density by advantage of those being cabins as an alternative of ordinary lodge rooms, I figured it’d be prime 3 at Walt Disney World.
That very same standalone high quality additionally means the per-unit upkeep and substitute prices are larger, and I can’t think about the entire ‘hurricanes’ factor helps, both. Nonetheless, I used to be anticipating–or at the least hoping for–one thing within the $9 vary. I assume I’m a bit naive. (Now it makes full sense why Walt Disney World is offloading the cabins into DVC stock even with a number of resorts actively promoting and extra on the horizon!)
That’s a game-changer for us, and it makes the Cabins at Fort Wilderness a complete nonstarter. Our present dwelling resort is Saratoga Springs, one thing we selected strategically once we first joined because the candy spot for low upfront per level costs (it was tremendous undesirable on the time on the resale market, regardless of being comparatively new), low upkeep charges, and a later expiration 12 months.
Saratoga Springs Resort has annual dues which are $4 per level lower than the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. That’s a fully huge unfold, particularly when multiplied for all factors over the lifetime of the contract. And it’s additionally price noting that this hole will probably develop. Dues enhance by round 3-5% per 12 months, with the extra cost-intensive properties really seeing larger proportion will increase lately.
Even when they don’t, the upper place to begin compounded implies that the $4 distinction is probably going the lowest it’ll ever be. Given how a lot upkeep charges have elevated since we’ve been members, I shudder to consider what the annual dues value will probably be for the Cabins at Fort Wilderness 15 years from now.
My different massive concern concerning the Cabins at Fort Wilderness flows from the annual dues. Traditionally, Hilton Head and Vero Seashore have been, by far, the most cost effective DVC resorts on the resale market. There are doubtlessly a number of causes for this, however these dear annual dues is an outsized issue.
Anecdotes aren’t information, however we’ve heard from just a few individuals who have purchased–and offered–these properties after being lured in by the low upfront prices solely to ‘uncover’ they have been paying a considerably extra over time. That after folks understand their whole outlay is extra and they’ve a much less fascinating dwelling resort, they’ll resell.
That is my concern with Fort Wilderness. It’s not simply the upper dues that members will, over time, uncover bridges the hole between proudly owning on the “cheaper” Fort Wilderness and precise Deluxe (Villa) Resorts, but it surely’s the opposite issues that makes Fort Wilderness probably the most taste-specific resort at Walt Disney World.
I’ve talked about all of this earlier than, however I’m involved that there will probably be a much more energetic resale marketplace for Fort Wilderness–and that it’ll be extra of a purchaser’s market like Hilton Head or Vero Seashore (at the least this resort is definitely at Walt Disney World, so there’s that!).
Clearly, membership is just not monolithic, however Fort Wilderness is a dramatic departure from different current Disney Trip Membership additions. What many ‘mainstream’ DVC members appear to favor–comfort, consolidated format, and ease of entry–are usually not the sturdy fits of Fort Wilderness.
Due to this, this might imply that the Cabins at Fort Wilderness will begin hitting the resale market in larger quantity in just a few years after the honeymoon is over. It’s not tough to examine a state of affairs the place present DVC members who’ve by no means stepped foot in Fort Wilderness purchase solely based mostly on the member-friendly factors chart.
Those self same members may very well be in for a impolite awakening the primary time they really keep at Fort Wilderness, make the lengthy trek throughout the resort on daily basis throughout a weeklong journey, and are available to the belief that that is no Riviera Resort! That was my concern earlier than–now that is exacerbated by that plus resale restrictions plus annual dues giving that additional nudge to unload.
There are undoubtedly different Disney Trip Membership members studying this and pondering, “who cares, don’t purchase for worth–personal the place you wish to keep.” And, effectively, that’s definitely one opinion, I suppose. To every their very own, however we solely take into consideration Disney Trip Membership in financial phrases–not emotional ones. Though the advertising sells it each methods, the entire level of this system is saving cash. Perhaps that’s not the case for others, but it surely completely is for us.
I wouldn’t be as involved about what is going to doubtlessly occur on the resale market if there have been no chance that we’ll ever wish to promote. I seldom have a look at Saratoga Springs resale costs anymore, as a result of the possibilities we’ll ever unload which are close to zero. Though it’s removed from our favourite resort, Saratoga Springs is a identified amount and is “future-proofed,” so to talk. Our preferences and priorities could evolve, however Saratoga Springs will at all times provide one thing that works for us.
Against this, I solely know that the Cabins at Fort Wilderness provide one thing that works for us proper now. One 12 months in the past, we by no means imagined we’d ever be mother and father. It will be a critical failure of creativeness to not take into account the chance that the cabins gained’t be a very good match for us just a few years or many years from at this time–particularly after listening to precisely that from quite a lot of different households. And that’s the one room class Fort Wilderness gives! So it’s necessary to us to have the ability to purchase one thing now and have a fairly good concept we gained’t take a shower on it down the street if our circumstances change.
A ultimate consideration is the per level value of $225. That is talked about final as a result of it’s the least shocking a part of the equation to us. We beforehand predicted that the place to begin can be $199 or larger, however decrease than the price of the Villas at Disneyland Lodge ($239). This being proper in between isn’t an enormous shock provided that.
Or at the least, it wouldn’t have been if the annual dues have been in ‘cheap’ territory. A part of why we predicted a worth level larger than $199 was as a result of Disney Trip Membership wouldn’t desire a “cut price” entry degree at which savvy DVC Members will buy, after which use their factors elsewhere. The annual dues alone foreclose that–saving a small bit on upfront prices solely to pay far more in upkeep charges is the equal of stepping over {dollars} to choose up pennies.
The incentives for present members are additionally nothing particular–the bottom per-point financial savings of what’s at present being supplied. And we’d be on the decrease finish of that spectrum, anyway, as the entire level of including on at Fort Wilderness can be to squeeze as a lot mileage as attainable out of the bottom price seasons.
Finally, that’s the place we’re at with the Cabins at Fort Wilderness and why we gained’t be shopping for. Figured that is likely to be price sharing for others who’re on the fence about becoming a member of Disney Trip Membership because of the bargain-rate factors chart or including on at these new “low cost” lodging. The salient level is that it’s crucial to not simply have a look at the factors chart or per level value, but additionally account for these astronomical upkeep charges. After doing the maths on all the things, nearly all the financial savings you’d see evaporate–it finally ends up being a not-so-Reasonable Resort.
This isn’t to say that the Cabins at Fort Wilderness is a foul dwelling resort or that nobody can buy there. Maybe you actually love the situation, it’s your favourite resort, the format is ideal, or the privateness of the cabins is much extra fascinating than a tower-style lodge. There are any variety of causes this property may very well be (subjectively) excellent for you or an in any other case good match. Objectively talking, worth for cash probably is just not a kind of causes, sadly.
Setting all of that apart, we’re nonetheless actually trying ahead to staying on the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. For now, the lodging verify quite a lot of bins for us and we love the vibe of the campground. We’re very desperate to reap the benefits of that favorable level chart whereas paying SSR dues. Perhaps down the street in just a few years–if resale costs are low, the lodging type nonetheless works for us, and the hole has one way or the other closed on dues–we’ll take into account shopping for by way of the secondary market. By no means say by no means!
In case you’re contemplating becoming a member of DVC and need extra steerage, you’ll want to 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 necessary issues to know earlier than taking the plunge. In case you nonetheless can’t resolve whether or not membership is best for you, “strive before you purchase” with the suggestions in The best way to Save BIG on Deluxe Disney Lodging Renting DVC Factors.
YOUR THOUGHTS
Will you be shopping for Disney Trip Membership at Fort Wilderness? Why or why not? Ideas on the factors chart, pricing, or annual dues? Excited to remain right here, even if you happen to gained’t personal right here? Are you optimistic or pessimistic concerning the DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness Campground? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we can assist you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
