Surprise - new DVC resort at Ft. Wilderness!

[bnoble]

I haven't stayed at the Fort, but I often stay at Wilderness Lodge, taking frequent advantage of the walking path between them. The Fort has a really cool vibe, that's just different from everywhere else on property. Some of my favorite "conversations with other guests" have been on the shared bus routes to/from Fort Wilderness/Wilderness Lodge.

 

[TheHolleys87]

DVC announced the opening of sales for the new cabins and posted points charts, although opening the links to the points charts has been difficult. The 2025 chart I read is consistent with studio points - 118 points for a week in January, when we’d be likely to visit, and 232 points for the week from Christmas Eve through NYE.

Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Opening Set for July 1, 2024 | DVCNews.com - The essential Disney Vacation Club resource!

Current Disney Vacation Club owners can begin purchasing points at the newest resort on February 1, 2024, with first-time buyers to follow on February 27. The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness R

dvcnews.com

 

[nomoretslt]

We will be there when sales start….hoping they will be giving tours before that. Very curious as to what the price per point will be. I saw that the stove is now a regular range (not the two burner type thing originally pictured). No washer/dryer and no tub. A very nice points chart! Depending on price I’m thinking about a small contract. Although all 870 of our points at 3 of the best resorts can be used for the cabins, I have a feeling they will be popular and might be tough to get at the 7 month mark.
we paid about $60 per point for Boardwalk back in 1997. Even with the 2042 expiration date less than 20 years away, I still see resale for $120 pp. in 2019 I sold a 50 point BW contract for $151 pp (I purchased it resale in 2011 for $75 pp.) to help with the purchase of Riviera . We’ve never regretted any of our DVC purchases except Saratoga which we also sold to pay for Riviera. Bought that in 2004 direct for $95 pp and sold in 2019 for $102 pp. we Never stayed there but it was pretty easy to use those points to book at other resorts at the 7 month mark….and then it became harder.

 

[TheHolleys87]

Very curious as to what the price per point will be.

Based on the fine print stating that buyin for a new member would start at $22,700, speculation is the price will be $227 for a minimum purchase of 100 points. Incentives for larger purchases are expected to be offered, of course, as well as special prices for existing members.

The latest is a single report that MFs will be $12 pp, which will turn off many potential buyers. That’s shocking but given the low points chart, meaning expenses aren’t spread as widely pp, that’s not unrealistic. I haven’t done it yet, but later I might calculate the dues cost of a 5-person studio at VGF or RIV and compare it to the dues cost of the 6-person cabin (a “studio plus”) for the same dates.

 

[nomoretslt]

Based on the fine print stating that buyin for a new member would start at $22,700, speculation is the price will be $227 for a minimum purchase of 100 points. Incentives for larger purchases are expected to be offered, of course, as well as special prices for existing members.

The latest is a single report that MFs will be $12 pp, which will turn off many potential buyers. That’s shocking but given the low points chart, meaning expenses aren’t spread as widely pp, that’s not unrealistic. I haven’t done it yet, but later I might calculate the dues cost of a 5-person studio at VGF or RIV and compare it to the dues cost of the 6-person cabin (a “studio plus”) for the same dates.

If I learn anything next week I’ll post….although I’m sure it will be all over Facebook (I don’t do Facebook). $12 pp for dues etc. is a lot. The upkeep is not like a regular resort (painting, plumbing, entire roof replacement, etc). Lol gone are the days when we first bought…..received a beautiful beach bag, reimbursement for what we paid for our one week cash stay at a BWV one bedroom and a ride back to the airport. Other years we received one year annual pass, a week stay at a resort, a nice backpack.

 

[TheHolleys87]

If I learn anything next week I’ll post….although I’m sure it will be all over Facebook (I don’t do Facebook). $12 pp for dues etc. is a lot. The upkeep is not like a regular resort (painting, plumbing, entire roof replacement, etc). Lol gone are the days when we first bought…..received a beautiful beach bag, reimbursement for what we paid for our one week cash stay at a BWV one bedroom and a ride back to the airport. Other years we received one year annual pass, a week stay at a resort, a nice backpack.

Yes, the upkeep is that in 25 years the entire cabin will need to be replaced - gotta save for that in the Capital Reserves portion of the dues!

 

[bnoble]

Let's see what the actual number is. Rumors like this often become "known fact" without great provenance. $12pp means an annual operation/maintenance/capex cost close to $92K present-value/year/cabin, or just about $250/night in cost to operate and maintain the units. Maybe that's right, but it seems high to me.

The cost of one of these new is not quite $100K, including appliances. Figure double that for fit, finish, installation, etc. and you have $200K NPV over 25 years. That's $8K PV/year, or about $1.05/pt in the first year for capital reserves. That's less than SSR's $1.40. Even if I'm off by a factor of 2, and it's $2.10/year for reserves, that still doesn't seem like it can get you to $12 given the operational costs you'd expect.

 

[TheHolleys87]

Let's see what the actual number is. Rumors like this often become "known fact" without great provenance. $12pp means an annual operation/maintenance/capex cost close to $92K present-value/year/cabin, or just about $250/night in cost to operate and maintain the units. Maybe that's right, but it seems high to me.

The cost of one of these new is not quite $100K, including appliances. Figure double that for fit, finish, installation, etc. and you have $200K NPV over 25 years. That's $8K PV/year, or about $1.05/pt in the first year for capital reserves. That's less than SSR's $1.40. Even if I'm off by a factor of 2, and it's $2.10/year for reserves, that still doesn't seem like it can get you to $12 given the operational costs you'd expect.

I agree - this number seems to have come from a single report from one person who talked to their guide. We should have the actual figure soon, with sales to existing members starting on February 1.

 

[bnoble]

It could be close. The Maximum Reallocation for SSR gives you about $335/night/2BR in 2024. But I would be surprised if a single cabin (with a capacity of six guests) costs ~75% as much as an SSR 2BR (wiht a capacity of nine guests) to operate/maintain.

 

[heathpack]

Based on the fine print stating that buyin for a new member would start at $22,700, speculation is the price will be $227 for a minimum purchase of 100 points. Incentives for larger purchases are expected to be offered, of course, as well as special prices for existing members.

I am finding myself strangely attracted to these units. I think it’s because they’re pet friendly. $30/night and 2 dogs max. We have three dogs, soon to have four, so we‘re not going to realistically bring the dogs to these cabins and I’m not sure it’s a destination that really makes any sense for dogs anyway.

But remind me anyway- what’s the minimum points purchase for existing owners? Is it 50pt?

 

[nomoretslt]

This is Confusing. 25 minimum for cash purchase, 50 for financed…..but may depend on the resort. Probably more for a new resort. When paying with a Disney visa you used to be able to get 6 months free financing…..plus double points.

 

[nomoretslt]

@heathpack I’m also attracted to these. Fort Wilderness is a nice quiet place. The surroundings remind me of my grandparents place in the Catskill Mountains even though it’s in the middle of a Florida swamp. I’ll see what happens next week during our visit. It will give me a chance to see the renovated horse barn……love the Clydesdales.

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

I wouldn't mind staying at either the campground or lodge. Since I am a bus driver, I frequently take guests from EPCOT Center (EC) to Fort Wilderness/Wilderness Lodge. At the campgrounds (aka "Outpost"), I see campers, golf carts, and of course, horses at the barns. As a Disney Cast Member, I can get a room at the lodge for around $540/night (a little too steep for my budget).

TS

 

[nomoretslt]

@simpsontruckdriver hats off to you ….. I used to drive a school bus….I think driving a Disney bus is 10 times more challenging. Although it seems the noisiest and most obnoxious groups have not been around lately…..the South America tour groups…..dozens of teens with one or two chaperones not much older than them. At one point it got so bad they assigned cast members to the groups to keep them in line. It was bad enough in the parks but worse on the bus at night. We don’t use the bus too much anymore.
DVC used to give a nice discount to cast members to buy DVC points. I’m sure that’s gone down the wayside.

I thought of another positive thing about the cabins….you can park your car right there! The towers (Bay Lake and Riviera) are pretty easy to move in and out of thanks to two elevator banks and close parking. Boardwalk is a bear!!

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

I agree - this number seems to have come from a single report from one person who talked to their guide. We should have the actual figure soon, with sales to existing members starting on February 1.

$12 would be insane. That would put it ahead of HHI and behind only VB. I can’t imagine it’s true. If it is, buying there resale or direct would be an incredibly poor financial decision. I can’t imagine that it would have much, if any, resale value in a decade with points restrictions and then existing dues.

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

@simpsontruckdriver hats off to you ….. I used to drive a school bus….I think driving a Disney bus is 10 times more challenging. Although it seems the noisiest and most obnoxious groups have not been around lately…..the South America tour groups…..dozens of teens with one or two chaperones not much older than them. At one point it got so bad they assigned cast members to the groups to keep them in line. It was bad enough in the parks but worse on the bus at night. We don’t use the bus too much anymore.
DVC used to give a nice discount to cast members to buy DVC points. I’m sure that’s gone down the wayside.

I thought of another positive thing about the cabins….you can park your car right there! The towers (Bay Lake and Riviera) are pretty easy to move in and out of thanks to two elevator banks and close parking. Boardwalk is a bear!!

I've talked to a few WDW bus drivers who say driving a school bus is far worse than here. Usually, the only issues we have are with "belligerent drunks" or entitled "Karens". Jovial drunks are hit or miss. One driver tonight said that he had a "Karen", whom he had to kick off the bus. Everyone on the bus sided with the driver, managers said he did the right thing. Oh, and cranky (usually tired) toddlers. Like yesterday, a kid decided to get up while the bus was moving, his mom gave him a very strong talking-to, the kind of talk that shows the kid he'd better not try that again (aka perfect parenting)! For me, all of my guests have been great.

TS

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

This is what I do every day, just this one (from 2021) goes from Hollywood Studios to Coronado Springs. Not much has changed in that time, other than masks no longer being required, and the Magical Express bus (run by MEARS) being discontinued. Obviously, I did not take the video, but if anyone wants to take a late-evening video better than this one from EPCOT Center to your resort, let me know in advance (like 24 hours) and I will try to be your driver AND I will help mount it so you don't get the shaking.

 

[rickandcindy23]

We took a bus from Magic Kingdom to OKW and the bus driver was hilarious. He had on some funny glasses that looked like he was cross-eyed and basically blind. I got such a kick out of it as he welcome us on board. He had a great sense of humor and made comments about having a tough time seeing that day. Love the Disney buses but only to Magic Kingdom now that the trams are running at the other parks. I don't mind walking in, and I don't mind the trams, either.

 

[nomoretslt]

Yikes. Talked with 3 seasoned DVC salespeople. There will not be any real cabins to look at next week when sales start. Starting price is $225 per point. Dues indeed are $12.16 pp. Told them well you just lost me with that. Riviera is increasing to $225 pp. I forgot to ask what incentives are being given for adding on (usually a reduced per point price). They tried to justify the high point price with the low points requirements. And tried to justify the high dues/maintenance fees as being better than having a big assessment after a hurricane. Also forgot to ask about the minimum buy in for members. But $225? You can buy Riviera with lower dues and book the Cabins at 7 months if available. That’s all I have to report. Kind of disappointing.

 

[Huskerpaul]

$12.16 MF per point is crazy! I pay $8.67 for my Boardwalk contract. No way I'm signing a contract at that price. Put me in the disappointed camp as well.

PS - The one place you won't see "rescind now" advice when someone posts they just bought from a timeshare developer is on forums dedicated DVC. More likely to get "Why did you buy resale and give up all the great perks?"

 

[simpsontruckdriver]

That makes buying resale the better option, assuming you can trade into them from your home resort. I've been back and forth on whether to buy, since I can get a room at any of the All-Stars or Art of Animation resorts for less than $200/night as a Disney Cast Member. That is close to the average MF of 160 pts on DVC resale sites.

 

[dioxide45]

That makes buying resale the better option, assuming you can trade into them from your home resort. I've been back and forth on whether to buy, since I can get a room at any of the All-Stars or Art of Animation resorts for less than $200/night as a Disney Cast Member. That is close to the average MF of 160 pts on DVC resale sites.

Resale won't be able to trade in to the Cabins, unless you buy resale Cabin points.

 

[frank808]

Resale won't be able to trade in to the Cabins, unless you buy resale Cabin points.

Resale points bought within the past few years won't be able to trade in to the cabins. Grandfathered resales will be able to trade into Cabins.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

 

[dioxide45]

Resale points bought within the past few years won't be able to trade in to the cabins. Grandfathered resales will be able to trade into Cabins.

Sent from my SM-N975U using Tapatalk

True, but in context, I was replying to a post regarding buying resales now.

 

[Fido Chuckwagon]

Yikes. Talked with 3 seasoned DVC salespeople. There will not be any real cabins to look at next week when sales start. Starting price is $225 per point. Dues indeed are $12.16 pp. Told them well you just lost me with that. Riviera is increasing to $225 pp. I forgot to ask what incentives are being given for adding on (usually a reduced per point price). They tried to justify the high point price with the low points requirements. And tried to justify the high dues/maintenance fees as being better than having a big assessment after a hurricane. Also forgot to ask about the minimum buy in for members. But $225? You can buy Riviera with lower dues and book the Cabins at 7 months if available. That’s all I have to report. Kind of disappointing.

Meanwhile, over on Disboards the majority sentiment seems to be “sounds like a great deal, lets all buy retail!” Craziness. I don’t see how this is different than any other developer now where there is just no reason at all to buy retail.