The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort to be listed as a Moderate Resort

[Soundstage'95CP]

I agree.
I do not think prices will lower either.
Just because a resort is in a certain catagory does not mean it will be priced the same.
The monorail and Epcot deluxes are more expensive than AKL and WL.
Also remember the cabins sleep 6 and any WDW room that sleeps 6 is quite pricey.
The jr suites at CSR (a moderate resort )sleep 6 and start at $340 a night during value season.
The Family Suites at All Star Music (a value resort) start at $184 during value
season.
The Cabin is 504 square feet , they sleep 6 and have full kitchen also.
The standard mod rooms are 314-340 square feet, sleep 4 ( POR-AB does sleep 5) and they have no kitchen.
I highly doubt the cabins would be priced the same as a standard mod room.

JMHO

Maybe, just maybe they are planning to do a whole new set of classifications for resort suites. Value suites like the ones at ASMu, Moderate suites like the FW cabins, and Deluxe suites like the DVC rooms that non-DVC members purchase on their trips. It would open up the door to creating more large family options as they continue to renovate the existing resorts and add more suite options at the various levels.

 

[sbkline]

Perhaps people thought it was deceptive to call it a deluxe? I am not sure why they did this so I can not say anything for sure but it still seems like a good deal no matter what you call them. As far I know, the only way you are getting a full kitchen on property is with a one bedroom villa. There are none of those available at those prices.

Considering that the Cabins are more expensive than the Wilderness Lodge and the Animal Kingdom Lodge, I don't see how anyone could consider it deceptive to call it a deluxe. Perhaps people thought that the cabins were not worth the classification and therefore, the price, that Disney has been charging for them.

I really hope they lower the price of the cabins, because we've already decided that we're staying there next time, whether we're paying deluxe price or moderate price.

 

[yankspy]

Considering that the Cabins are more expensive than the Wilderness Lodge and the Animal Kingdom Lodge, I don't see how anyone could consider it deceptive to call it a deluxe. Perhaps people thought that the cabins were not worth the classification and therefore, the price, that Disney has been charging for them.

I really hope they lower the price of the cabins, because we've already decided that we're staying there next time, whether we're paying deluxe price or moderate price.

Ahh!! an alterior motive:lol: You make a good point about Wilderness lodge and AKL. I do still think it is a steal though considering it is the cheapest room you are going to get with a full kitchen. However, for your sake, I hope they lower the price a bit.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

he best bargains on campus
Close to HoopDeDo

CONS
Transportation- from the trip reports I've read, you Need a personal car at the Cabins, otherwise you spend a lot of time catching two buses, the inside FW bus and then the regular Disney bus.

:king:

A story put about to ensure availability for those who know otherwise.

That said, you have to realise that FW must be about as far away from the AK you can get, so it is going to take a bit of time to get there.

 

[JPVonDrake]

To confirm...

If you think about it their current price would reflect a moderate if you use the All Star suites as a comparison. Rack rate on an All Star suites is slightly higher than two rooms at the same resort. The Ft Wilderness cabins are slightly higher and in some cases slightly less than two rooms at a moderate.

Master Yoda is correct.

Currently there are no plans to nor has there been a change in the 2008 regular rack rate pricing of the cabins. Cabins range in price from $255 to $380 depending on season. This change is really only semantics.

Many Guests are unaware of the availability and the features and benefits offered at the cabins, thinking that they are too rustic for their taste. One of the most common questions is if the cabins are air conditioned (yes, they are.)

By listing the Cabins under the Moderate Resort category, it better showcases the amenities that Guests can expect when staying in one of these resorts.

 

[lazer121]

All they need to do is get a pool with a slide a resturant, and make the cabins have interior hallways and they can pulll off as a deluxe

 

[bugsbunny]

If you don't like to camp or don't like the out doory feeling of being out in the woods, DO NOT get a cabin at Ft. Wilderness.

I'm an outdoors person myself and have spent many a night at Ft. Wilderness in an RV as well as camping in state and national parks around the country. You either "get" the wilderness scene or you do not. I've heard plenyt of people that have stayed at the cabins (some by mistake because they didnt know the difference between Ft. Wilderness and the Wilderness Lodge!) and most complain "there's no pool, you have to get buses, there's no room service, there's no internet, there's too many bugs everywhere, I can't fit 2 Volvo's in the parking spaces and they only let you have one car at the site, there's no Starbucks, there's no place close to get something to eat, etc........"

If you are going to whine about taking a bus to get to the bus and the other things I mentioned, then don't bother staying there. You WILL be disappointed, I guarantee it. I know its a vacation and you are supposed to enjoy yourself, but the extra buses and being dropped off waaaaay out in front of Ft. Wilderness to get your keys and tickets is just how it goes there. It's just bad marketing on WDWs part that they dropped "upscale" cabins into a no frills campground.

But, if you do stay in a cabin and you do like the outdoors, you will like it there. The only real downers are the inner loop buses to get around the resort, like to the pool or the general store. And maybe the "critters" that seem to be everywhere. It gets REAL dark out there once the sun goes down and you can easily come across a skunk without even seeing it until the last minute.

Also, while you stay there, you can take the boat from Ft. W over to MK. you can also take it to the Contemp, then take the monorail to the TTC, and then jump over to the Epcot monorail. yeah, its some jumping around, but since when hasnt the boats and monorails at WDW been a "ride"?

That being that, the ONLY reason I haven't stayed at those cabins is that I cannot see paying $300/night for a trailer with some cedar claborads stuck to it. C'mon, I've seen and slept in real cabins before. In fact I stay in cabins built by the CCC back in the 30s on the Applachain Trail when I go hunting. Those were bigger and only $28/day!!

I'm glad to see they changed them over to "moderate". All they need to do now is moderate the price down to a similar level.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

That being that, the ONLY reason I haven't stayed at those cabins

Which makes you eminently qualified to comment on them I guess :shrug:

 

[ELopez]

They were not Deluxe - they were "home away from home".

I can't imagine the price would change. As has already been pointed out, they sleep 6, plus have a kitchen.

Also, I thought the level (moderate, Deluxe, etc) implied quality and service. Values are small and it's often a waste of time to ask for something there (not always, though ). Moderates are nicer, a little more space, and better service. At Deluxe resorts, they fall all over themselves just to greet you everytime you walk through the front door.

All resorts in one category are not necessarily priced the same. I don't see how that is deceptive.

 

[bugsbunny]

Which makes you eminently qualified to comment on them I guess :shrug:

I didn't say I was as much an expert as you are. I can tell by your sarcastic remark that you must feel I am attempting to squat on your throne. So sorry! Me runs back to hole in shame

 

[sbkline]

They were not Deluxe - they were "home away from home".

I can't imagine the price would change. As has already been pointed out, they sleep 6, plus have a kitchen.

Also, I thought the level (moderate, Deluxe, etc) implied quality and service. Values are small and it's often a waste of time to ask for something there (not always, though ). Moderates are nicer, a little more space, and better service. At Deluxe resorts, they fall all over themselves just to greet you everytime you walk through the front door.

All resorts in one category are not necessarily priced the same. I don't see how that is deceptive.

The value resorts all seem to be priced the same as are the other 3 moderate resorts. As far as deluxe resorts go, there is a wide range of prices among the deluxes, so I understand that all resorts in a category don't have to be priced the same.

However, it's deceptive in this case, because a person should be able to book a moderate knowing that it's going to be cheaper than the cheapest deluxe...that's why you have "Deluxe", "Moderate" and "Value"...to denote the quality of the resort, and consequently, the price. But in this case, you have WL and AKL, both Deluxes, being cheaper than a moderate, and that's garbage.

It's also deceptive, because downgrading from a deluxe to a moderate would give people the idea that the Cabins are now in a cheaper category.

Again, I understand that just because it's a moderate, that doesn't mean that it must be exactly the same price as the others. But they should at least lower the price so that it is cheaper than WL and AKL, yet higher than the other three moderates.

 

[sbkline]

Master Yoda is correct.

Currently there are no plans to nor has there been a change in the 2008 regular rack rate pricing of the cabins. Cabins range in price from $255 to $380 depending on season. This change is really only semantics.

Many Guests are unaware of the availability and the features and benefits offered at the cabins, thinking that they are too rustic for their taste. One of the most common questions is if the cabins are air conditioned (yes, they are.)

By listing the Cabins under the Moderate Resort category, it better showcases the amenities that Guests can expect when staying in one of these resorts.

So let me get this straight...while listed as a Deluxe Resort, people wondered if they would be staying in a non-airconditioned cabin with dirt floors and an outhouse out back. But now that it has been DOWNgraded to a moderate, it better showcases that the ammenities are much better than previously thought, and this change is supposed to help people realize that these cabins aren't rustic old shacks in the untamed wilderness? :hammer: I thought that a Deluxe classification implies better ammenities than a moderate classification. :shrug:

I still think it's deplorable and dishonest to mislead people into thinking that they are going to be getting cheaper accomodations as a moderate resort, only to find out...surprise...you're getting a deluxe resort that's being marketed as a moderate.

The people who made this decision should be ashamed of themselves.

 

[JPVonDrake]

So let me get this straight...while listed as a Deluxe Resort, people wondered if they would be staying in a non-airconditioned cabin with dirt floors and an outhouse out back. But now that it has been DOWNgraded to a moderate, it better showcases that the ammenities are much better than previously thought, and this change is supposed to help people realize that these cabins aren't rustic old shacks in the untamed wilderness? :hammer: I thought that a Deluxe classification implies better ammenities than a moderate classification. :shrug:

I still think it's deplorable and dishonest to mislead people into thinking that they are going to be getting cheaper accomodations as a moderate resort, only to find out...surprise...you're getting a deluxe resort that's being marketed as a moderate.

The people who made this decision should be ashamed of themselves.

The Fort Wilderness Cabins have never officially been listed as a Disney Deluxe Resort. At one time they were listed as a "Home away from Home Resort." Once that category was replace with DVC Property then Deluxe Villa Resort, the cabins have been in their own separate category of "Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground" leading many new Guests of Walt Disney World to believe they were like camping cabins similar to the ones often found at National and State Parks, hence the common questions about A/C and other amenities.

Like the other Moderate Resort rooms, the cabins feature double beds, daily mousekeeping services, full bell services, multiple dining options, a marina with bike and boat rental, themed pools with a slide and hot tub (this is coming soon!), and being located closer to a theme park then a Value Resort. Like the Family Suites, the cabins feature a separate bedroom, a living room and kitchen facilities.

As Master Yoda has pointed out, the cost of a Cabin is very close to the cost of 2 Moderate Resort standard rooms and a little higher then the cost of a Deluxe Resort standard room. This is similar to a Value Resort Family Suite being very close to the cost of 2 Value Resort standard rooms and a little higher then the cost of a Moderate Resort standard room. Again the best way to thing of a Cabin is a Moderate Resort Family Suite.

 

[TLS]

If your not renting a car or driving your car down, and plan on staying in a cabin, automatically figure in the $50/day for a cart. Book them ahead of time for every day of your stay. The campground is designed around golf cart usage.

This additional $50 brings the price back up into Deluxe territory for sure.

They could use another/better pool, and another restaurant/campstore/giftshop.

Yes, you get daily Mousekeeping, there is a hallway, and you can park two cars per site (physically), though they do frown on it.

 

[ELopez]

The value resorts all seem to be priced the same as are the other 3 moderate resorts. As far as deluxe resorts go, there is a wide range of prices among the deluxes, so I understand that all resorts in a category don't have to be priced the same.

However, it's deceptive in this case, because a person should be able to book a moderate knowing that it's going to be cheaper than the cheapest deluxe...that's why you have "Deluxe", "Moderate" and "Value"...to denote the quality of the resort, and consequently, the price. But in this case, you have WL and AKL, both Deluxes, being cheaper than a moderate, and that's garbage.

It's also deceptive, because downgrading from a deluxe to a moderate would give people the idea that the Cabins are now in a cheaper category.

Again, I understand that just because it's a moderate, that doesn't mean that it must be exactly the same price as the others. But they should at least lower the price so that it is cheaper than WL and AKL, yet higher than the other three moderates.

You make some good points, but I want to point out once more that the FW cabins were not deluxe, so they weren't exactly "downgraded". JPVonDrake explains it a little better.

I don't really think the cabins qualify as a deluxe, except in the area of cost. People booking a deluxe room would probably find themselves disappointed in the area of quality and service (compared to the GF, for example). I can't see how anyone could expect the rates of a cabin to be comparable to that of POR.

I do see where you are coming from, though, and I agree that it is misleading. But the optimist in me doesn't believe that Disney did this to try and fool people.

 

[Dwarful]

Then why not leave them in their own category? Seems like Disney is opening up a whole new can of worms here. As far as service, we have stayed at several different resorts over the years and I would say the worst service & experience we had were at Coronado. I suppose if you really need a kitchen then these would be a great option for you. But how much $$$ would you save using the kitchen vs. staying at a deluxe w/o a kitchen and buying your meals? I think the people who will be disappointed are those 'newbies' who aren't aware of options available.

 

[ELopez]

Then why not leave them in their own category? Seems like Disney is opening up a whole new can of worms here. As far as service, we have stayed at several different resorts over the years and I would say the worst service & experience we had were at Coronado. I suppose if you really need a kitchen then these would be a great option for you. But how much $$$ would you save using the kitchen vs. staying at a deluxe w/o a kitchen and buying your meals? I think the people who will be disappointed are those 'newbies' who aren't aware of options available.

Aren't the deluxe resorts more expensive than the cabins? Maybe you meant moderate?

The cabins are ideal for our family of 6. There's no way we could afford a deluxe, and I would miss my kitchen! I don't know that we save a lot of money that way, but it's convenient for b'fast and snacks and the occassional light meal. I'm also a little spoiled in that I like parking right outside my front door (I'm really not that lazy, but I have 4 young kids!)

I agree with you that maybe leaving them in their own category might be best. The cabins don't seem to fit in any of the regular ones (deluxe, mod, value).

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Aren't the deluxe resorts more expensive than the cabins? Maybe you meant moderate?

The cabins are ideal for our family of 6. There's no way we could afford a deluxe, and I would miss my kitchen! I don't know that we save a lot of money that way, but it's convenient for b'fast and snacks and the occassional light meal. I'm also a little spoiled in that I like parking right outside my front door (I'm really not that lazy, but I have 4 young kids!)

I agree with you that maybe leaving them in their own category might be best. The cabins don't seem to fit in any of the regular ones (deluxe, mod, value).

The cabins were more expensive than WL

 

[sbkline]

You make some good points, but I want to point out once more that the FW cabins were not deluxe, so they weren't exactly "downgraded". JPVonDrake explains it a little better.

I don't really think the cabins qualify as a deluxe, except in the area of cost. People booking a deluxe room would probably find themselves disappointed in the area of quality and service (compared to the GF, for example). I can't see how anyone could expect the rates of a cabin to be comparable to that of POR.

I do see where you are coming from, though, and I agree that it is misleading. But the optimist in me doesn't believe that Disney did this to try and fool people.

Ya, I stand corrected on that, as I had no idea that they were their own category to begin with. I always thought that they were deluxe.

Even so, I still think this is misleading and a bad move, and I don't think that the comparison with the All Star Suites is a valid one. In the case of the Value Resorts, all four of them are just that...VALUE Resorts. You pay value price for a room in all four of them, with the option of getting a family suite which is higher than a regular moderate room. But the resorts themselves are all value price for their regular rooms.

In this case, however, you have one entire resort whose regular rooms are higher than those of two of the deluxe resorts, yet they are being passed off as "moderate" resorts. If they wanted to make a more valid parallel with the Value Resorts and their suites, then what they should do is have each and every moderate resort to cost moderate resort rates, but then have a special set of family suites in each resort (or at least one or two), just like they do with the value resorts. But in this case, what they are doing would be just like if they took, say, Pop Century, and doubled the rates, yet still called it a value resort.

So again, if they are going to be charging more for these cabins than they do for two of the Deluxe Resorts, then they should either leave them in their own category, or classify them as deluxe resorts. But the decision's already been made, and no bellyaching on my part is going to change anything. I can see the logic in what they did, but I just think it's a little deceptive, but oh well....it's not the end of the world.

 

[kverdon]

AHA!!!!!!!!! NOW it all comes into focus! Earlier it was announced that Ft. Wilderness Cabins would be classified as a "moderate resort" but were still priced the same as before. It would appear that Disney put the Ft. Wilderness in the Moderate category so they could offer the counter service free meal plan instead of the table service dining plan. I smelled something fishy when this was announced and now we have it. We have stayed at Ft. Wilderness Cabins before and enjoyed them but THIS change is going to make rethink our plans for 2009. Not quite happy about this but it is what it is.

Kevin and Mona