DVC Announces 17th Property and You’ll Love Where It Is

Today’s Disney Vacation Club announcement contains a staggering amount of exceptional news. In the process, Disney has almost unintentionally solved a longstanding mystery about a previous project. Here’s what we just learned about the 17th DVC property coming soon. 

About the New Property 

DVC officials just revealed that a beloved resort destination will undergo a dramatic change over the next year. The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will transition into a new DVC entity. 

Yes, one of the most storied Walt Disney World resorts will add a DVC presence! And the new rooms will go into a place where you’re likely already familiar! 

Disney has announced that it will repurpose the current location of approximately 400 cabins. DVC will convert this section of the Fort Wilderness campus into a modernized property. 

The plan calls for those 400 current cabins to form the infrastructure for at least 350 new DVC cabins, all of which will be luxurious in design. They’ll maintain the rustic ambiance of the former rooms, though! In short, DVC members will experience the best of both worlds here!

You already love the convenience and amenities of Disney’s Fort Wilderness. We’re talking about a place that hosts Tri-Circle-D Ranch and the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. It’s an iconic part of Walt Disney World folklore that dates back to the 1970s!

Now, DVC members can purchase ownership interests at Fort Wilderness. It’s a dream come true for many.

However, this announcement comes with a hidden message. I think we can safely assume that Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge is a dead project…or at least comatose. 

Details about the Fort Wilderness Expansion 

Allow me to introduce you to The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – a Disney Vacation Club Resort. Don’t let the wordy name fool you. This place will immediately grab the attention of large families and other traveling parties.

Disney has confirmed that each of the Cabins will sleep six. I have your attention now, don’t I? Well, the news gets even better! Every Cabin will come standard with a full kitchen! 

You can understand the plan here. Disney is reinventing the former rooms for modern DVC members, particularly large traveling parties. Each Cabin includes a private bedroom and bathroom, plus a patio and the full kitchen. Since the rooms sleep six, you and your loved ones can take a group Disney vacation more easily than ever!

Disney is even throwing in something new here. Some of the Cabins will be dog-friendly! Disney is direct-dialing some potential customers by offering them unique amenities with these upcoming properties. 

Since Disney isn’t starting from scratch, the company believes it’ll have the new Cabins ready at some point in 2024. So, we’re no more than 20 months away from the opening of The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – a Disney Vacation Club Resort. 

More about the New Property 

You likely have questions. I’ll try to answer as many as I can. First, that 350 Cabins estimate isn’t a final number. Disney has indicated that it’ll include at least that many. 

DVC will literally strip the screws on the 400 existing cabins to start from scratch with more luxurious accommodations. Until the project begins, Disney may only estimate how many Cabins they can replace in the former spots. 

Since Disney’s plans call for the upcoming Cabins to use the footprint of the current buildings, the headcount seems likely to exceed 350, in my opinion. Nobody will know for sure for at least nine months, though. 

DVC will add a pool and a walking trail on the updated resort grounds. Also, Disney has promised that expanded dining options will come to Crockett’s Tavern and the former Trail’s End Restaurant. 

The latter eatery “closed forever” last week, at least in its current form. Disney is reimagining the space as a Quick Service restaurant, with some speculating it’ll include more of a food court design. So, the food options at the 17th DVC resort will be exquisite, particularly when you factor in the boat rides to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Magic Kingdom, and the monorail resorts. 

I’d describe this idea as a masterstroke. Longtime Disney fans and historians share a deep admiration for Fort Wilderness and everything it represents. Meanwhile, the RV crowd can ensure that they always have a home at Walt Disney World, especially during the wildly popular Halloween festivities. 

Finally, Cabins that sleep six and allow pets represent the ultimate DVC option for a small but significant subset of DVC members. I fully expect The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – a Disney Vacation Club Resort to sell exceptionally well while introducing a new target audience to the DVC program.

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