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 due to reimagined replacements which can be an evening and day distinction. We’re speaking in regards to the Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, in fact. This critiques the brand new Disney Trip Membership lodging, sharing room pictures & movies, protecting execs & cons, structure strengths & weaknesses, and why we disagree with the detractors.
For individuals who are unfamiliar with it, Fort Wilderness gives roughly 800 campsites and over 400 cabins together with a variety of leisure choices. The campground is simply a brief boat trip from Magic Kingdom (behind Disney’s Modern Resort and “subsequent door” to the Disney Lakeshore Lodge development web site and Wilderness Lodge). But it surely 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 authentic, opening again in 1971 a bit 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 method 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” overview of Fort Wilderness Campground. For one factor, we’ve already executed that in a number of different posts and the resort itself isn’t basically totally different than earlier than the previous cabins had been swapped out for the Disney Trip Membership ones. For an additional factor, it might make this overview significantly longer and show to be a tricky job. To that finish, in case you’re on the fence about Fort Wilderness as an entire, think about studying:
What I’ll say is that there’s a superb probability you already know whether or not Fort Wilderness is an effective match for you earlier than studying critiques. It’s simply such a taste-specific resort that’s both a wonderful match or an terrible one with out a lot center floor. We adore it, however can completely see why it’s not for lots of people. In the event you’re on the fence, possibly Fort Wilderness is for you…however truthfully, in all probability not.
Anyway, on with the overview of the brand new DVC Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort…
Let’s begin on the surface, with the most important detrimental 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 seem like the design frankenstein of an HGTV persona and a Gensler designer. Shabby stylish meets trendy in a bizarre approach.
The outside is simply too on-trend, and missing the appeal of the previous log cabin type. It’s additionally at-odds with the country type 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 record 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 should be Lincoln Log type just like the previous Cabins at Fort Wilderness, however I do choose issues which can be rather less stylish.
With that stated, I’m a fan of the trendy cabin type. I like structure with clear strains, woods and rockwork, and different pure supplies. Ground to ceiling home windows that carry the surface in, offering pure mild and nice views whereas additionally working properly 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 Fashion. The issue there, as must be apparent, is that it might be very costly and unrealistic to make cabins in these extra architecturally-ambitious kinds. We’re speaking small prefabricated models, not one thing the dimensions, scale or finances 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 truthfully 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 instances as a result of it’s extremely seen from round Walt Disney World.
These cabins are usually not. They’re seen from the loops the place the cabins are positioned. The first individuals impacted are these staying on the cabins, and solely whereas they’re outdoors the cabins. For probably 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 suppose the exteriors of the brand new DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness look that dangerous.
Certain, 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 significant misstep. Actually, if it weren’t for thus many different followers pointing it out, I in all probability wouldn’t have thought a lot of the exteriors. Not my supreme selection, however actually not atrocities.
Maybe after all of the towers, which I believe are really horrible, I’m desensitized to ugly exteriors and am extra inclined to provide this a go. I don’t suppose so, although. I believe the outrage is overblown, and a response to the totality of design tendencies moderately than this in isolation. I additionally suppose ‘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 in line with Pioneer Corridor or the buildings within the Settlement.
If pressured to decide on, I’m selecting thematically-inconsistent exteriors with massive home windows that allow in pure mild and ‘carry’ the wilderness inside.
We’ve stayed within the previous Cabins at Fort Wilderness a number of instances, by means of 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 previous cabins simply drab. The interiors had been completely nice and on-theme, however there was this inescapable feeling you had been in a darkish trailer.
To make sure, the brand new DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness are nonetheless kind of trailers.
The home windows are game-changers, although. I want I’d’ve gotten pictures 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 a good way to benefit from the wilderness when you’re consuming, sitting on the sofa studying a guide, and even about to fall asleep. At one level, we noticed some rustling within the bushes, so we jumped out and headed outdoors 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 entire lounge and kitchen in heat mild. These home windows are my favourite function of the brand new cabins, and what makes them nice.
It’s inconceivable to convey this through pictures, and I can’t overstate how a lot of an enchancment that is over the ‘ambiance’ of the previous cabins. It’s one factor to have a look at pictures and choose 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 previous right away.
I additionally suppose the floor-to-ceiling home windows are good as a result of they draw consideration away from some in any other case curious structure choices.
The obvious of those is that the tv is correct subsequent to the sofa and pull-down mattress in the lounge.
On account of its placement, you may’t actually watch TV from the sofa except you’re seeking 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 structure compromises need to be made. There isn’t any 100% good resolution. To every their very own, however I’d moderately have large views of the wilderness and pure mild than good tv placement. This jogs my memory of 1-star critiques 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 structure are equally puzzling–and arguably extra problematic.
The bed room is on the opposite facet of the tv, which means that the entire sleeping area is ‘stacked’ on one facet of the cabin. Extra considerably, it means anybody staying within the bed room has to cross by means of this space and the kitchen en path to the lavatory.
From a usability perspective, this was our greatest challenge with the DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness. We booked a keep right here with the grandparents, making us a celebration of 5. The visitors within the bed room utilizing the lavatory requires cautious tip-toeing to keep away from disruption. Overlook 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. This can be a honest level and legitimate criticism, and we actually would’ve beloved to have a washer and dryer.
I’ve seen others complain in regards to the bunk beds being in the primary bed room, which means that mother and pa are probably sleeping proper subsequent to 2 children. Not supreme for fogeys who need privateness for, ahem, no matter cause.
On the similar time, the secret right here is structure compromises. It’s essential to grasp this earlier than going right into a keep on the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. These retained the previous concrete slabs, and I’d assume altering the utilities was a non-starter. The previous cabins additionally had a little bit of funky structure that was tweaked through the years, however by no means to perfection or full satisfaction.
For us, these structure compromises are ones we will make given the low value (in factors) of the DVC Cabins at Fort Wilderness.
Two of our favourite instances to go to Walt Disney World would land within the most cost-effective 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 most certainly to guide. And in reality, this vacation keep value us 18 factors per evening.
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. For that matter, we might’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 value of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness is an effective segue into the opposite issues we beloved in regards to the lodging.
The primary bed room incorporates 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 function frames that hug the vaulted ceiling, with art work of tenting below 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 degree of the bunk beds additionally options lanterns that function studying lights.
That is far and away my favourite function of the cabin, and I’d’ve beloved 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 latest DVC rooms), the spacious dwelling space additionally options what Disney describes as a eating nook.
This features a absolutely 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 properly for that. On a future, we’ll in all probability put the kitchen to higher use, however we “had” to dine on the reimagined eating places at Fort Wilderness for future overview functions this time.
Off the kitchen you’ll discover a vainness space outdoors the doorway to the lavatory, which has a bathe and a further vainness inside.
I’ve no sturdy opinions in regards to the rest room. I like that there’s a window in the direction of the ceiling permitting in some pure mild.
I’d in all probability be nice with the lavatory being a bit smaller to supply more room to the dwelling space (or accommodate a washer and dryer), however I’m in all probability alone in that. Folks like large loos.
I additionally like that there’s a separate vainness outdoors the lavatory, permitting multiple 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 incredible. 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 few of the newer rooms. The redone Boulder Ridge rooms are an identical story.
Fan suggestions has been blended on these cabins, at the least amongst on-line commentators who haven’t stayed in them. However like numerous different latest room designs, these strike us as a superb marriage of type and performance, and seem like main upgrades when it comes to usability.
For a greater concept of the structure, 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 sure, there are some facets of the inside design that I don’t love–that appears blah as in comparison with the previous cabins.
The kitchen, particularly, is boring. There are nice particulars and artwork that tie the area collectively, but it surely’s all a tad too trendy and muted. I believe the pendulum swung too far within the different route after complaints in regards to the previous 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 nice right here given the quantity of pure mild the home windows enable in. Nonetheless, these are trendy and really feel higher-end, and I’d moderately keep in these cabins than the previous 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 structure decisions, however I’d hazard a guess that, if push got here to shove, most would choose these cabins over their predecessors if they’d the choice to remain in one of many two.
For our multigenerational occasion of 5, this cabin was virtually good even with our quibbles in thoughts. When contemplating the price 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 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 “ok” structure, giving us and the newborn one room and grandparents the opposite.
Fort Wilderness can also be a fantastic 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 having the ability to take pleasure in a non-Disney expertise even in the midst of Walt Disney World. I doubt they’d be as captivated with 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 incredible.
Even when it’s simply the three of us, we just like the structure of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness properly sufficient. Sooner or later down the highway, we’ll in all probability let Megatron sleep within the precise bed room, and we’ll take the flex area of the lounge. This could give us the power to have a distinct bedtime (and wake-up), whereas even have entry to the kitchen, rest room, 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.
Actually, “good with it” might be an understatement. We beloved 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 might be enjoyable to carry our personal inflatables, beautify a golf cart, and so forth., through 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 in all probability develop into simpler to guide as different DVC members tire of them. However we’d undoubtedly rethink if these one way or the other do find yourself being rolled into Reflections Lakeshore Lodge. These cabins look like 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 develop into a part of one thing larger that provides lodging sorts and dilutes upkeep charges, that might 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!
In the event you’re contemplating becoming a member of DVC and need extra steering, make sure 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 essential issues to know earlier than taking the plunge. In the event you nonetheless can’t determine whether or not membership is best for you, “attempt before you purchase” with the suggestions in Find out 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? Pleased that DVC is increasing to cabins on the campground, or want they’d construct a brand new stand-alone property? In the event you’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 while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
