One hotel at Walt Disney International is extra taste-specific than some other, and inside that love-it-or-hate-it position, there’s one form of lodging that experience all the time been polarizing amongst planners. Now they’re downright debatable due to reimagined replacements which are an evening and day distinction. We’re speaking concerning the Cabins at Fortress Desolate tract Hotel & Campground, after all. This critiques the brand new Disney Holiday Membership lodging, sharing room pictures & movies, protecting professionals & cons, format strengths & weaknesses, and why we disagree with the detractors.
For individuals who are unfamiliar with it, Fortress Desolate tract provides roughly 800 campsites and over 400 cabins at the side of a variety of leisure choices. The campground is just a brief boat trip from Magic Kingdom (at the back of Disney’s Recent Hotel and “subsequent door” to the Disney Lakeshore Hotel development website online and Desolate tract Hotel). But it surely feels worlds away. The sprawling ‘hotel’ is positioned on 750 acres of pine and cypress woodland, giving the campground a large buffer between it and the remainder of Walt Disney International.
Fortress Desolate tract is a Walt Disney International authentic, opening again in 1971 a bit of over a month after Magic Kingdom. Very similar to how Recent was once as an extension of Tomorrowland and Polynesian of Adventureland, Fortress Desolate tract was once a counterpart to Frontierland–a approach to keep within the American frontier. Fortress Desolate tract has now 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 in large part unchanged since I began staying at Fortress Desolate tract within the Nineteen Eighties.
The preface above is the level to which we’re protecting the valuables as an entire–this isn’t going to be a “hotel” evaluate of Fortress Desolate tract Campground. For something, we’ve already achieved that during a number of different posts and the hotel itself isn’t essentially other than ahead of the previous cabins had been swapped out for the Disney Holiday Membership ones. For any other factor, it might make this evaluate significantly longer and end up to be a difficult process. To that finish, in case you’re at the fence about Fortress Desolate tract as an entire, imagine studying:
What I will be able to say is that there’s a great opportunity you understand whether or not Fortress Desolate tract is a superb have compatibility for you ahead of studying critiques. It’s simply this kind of taste-specific hotel this is both a very good choice or an terrible one with out a lot center flooring. We adore it, however can completely see why it’s now not for numerous folks. In case you’re at the fence, possibly Fortress Desolate tract is for you…however truthfully, most likely now not.
Anyway, on with the evaluate of the brand new DVC Cabins at Disney’s Fortress Desolate tract Hotel…
Let’s get started at the outdoor, with the largest damaging and maximum debatable part of the cabins: the outside.
The phrase we’ve heard maximum from readers to explain those is “she-shed.” I don’t take that to be reward. Admittedly, those cabins do seem like the design frankenstein of an HGTV persona and a Gensler dressmaker. Shabby sublime meets fashionable in a unusual manner.
The outside is simply too on-trend, and missing the attraction of the previous log cabin taste. It’s at-odds with the country taste and environment of Fortress Desolate tract as an entire. Those lawsuits are well-taken and arguably correct. I’d trust them.
After I take a look at one thing like this checklist of recent cabins (or the numerous others find it irresistible), I’m attracted to those that use herbal fabrics and feature extra muted external appearances. It doesn’t wish to be Lincoln Log taste just like the previous Cabins at Fortress Desolate tract, however I do desire issues which are rather less sublime.
With that mentioned, I’m keen on the fashionable cabin taste. I really like structure with blank strains, woods and rockwork, and different herbal fabrics. Ground to ceiling home windows that deliver the outdoor in, offering herbal gentle and nice perspectives whilst operating properly with a extra minimalist and fashionable design additionally attraction to me.
Don’t get me mistaken–much more than all of that I really like the glance of Arts & Crafts, U.S. Nationwide Parks Rustic, or Frank Lloyd Wright’s twist on Prairie Taste. The issue is that it might be prohibitively dear to make cabins in those extra architecturally-ambitious types. We’re speaking small prefabricated devices, now not one thing the scale, scale or finances of Desolate tract Hotel or Animal Kingdom Hotel.
Suffice to mention, although I trust the evaluations concerning the exteriors of the DVC Cabins at Fortress Desolate tract, I frankly 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 Hotel and even Disney’s Riviera Hotel since they had been all introduced. The underwhelming external structure issues in all of the ones circumstances as it’s extremely visual from round Walt Disney International.
Those cabins aren’t. They’re visual from the loops the place the cabins are positioned. The principle folks impacted are the ones staying on the cabins, and simplest whilst they’re outdoor the cabins. For probably the most section, those brief buildings are differently hid by way of woods. From a distance, all you in point of fact understand is inexperienced and pink exteriors punctuating the woodland.
Past that, I don’t suppose the exteriors of the brand new DVC Cabins at Fortress Desolate tract glance that dangerous.
Positive, this wouldn’t were my first selection for his or her design, however within the grand scheme of items, this feels extra like a minor quibble than a big misstep. If it weren’t for such a lot of different fanatics pointing it out, I most likely wouldn’t have idea a lot of the exteriors. (I unquestionably wouldn’t have faithful this many phrases to the subject.) Now not my perfect selection, however not at all atrocities.
In all probability in the end the towers, which I believe are in reality horrible, I’m desensitized to unpleasant exteriors and am extra susceptible to provide this a cross. I don’t suppose so, even though. I believe the anger is over the top, and a response to the totality of design developments quite than this in isolation. I additionally suppose ‘Fortress Fiends’ are very protecting of Fortress Desolate tract and delicate about any adjustments. And rightfully so, as many were dangerous! To each and every their very own on all of that, even though.
Transferring within, one exchange I completely would now not make to the outside is getting rid of the floor-to-ceiling home windows that span the lounge and kitchen. For me, those home windows are an enormous asset to the internal of the cabins, and it’d be very tricky to have whilst keeping up an external design in step with Pioneer Corridor or the structures within the Agreement.
If pressured to select, I’m selecting thematically-inconsistent exteriors with massive home windows that allow in herbal gentle and ‘deliver’ the barren region within.
We’ve stayed within the previous Cabins at Fortress Desolate tract a number of occasions, via a few other iterations, and one of the vital lawsuits we all the time had was once that they had been darkish and dreary. Between being positioned within the woods and now not 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 once this inescapable feeling you had been in a gloomy trailer.
To make sure, the brand new DVC Cabins at Fortress Desolate tract are nonetheless roughly trailers.
The home windows are game-changers, even though. I want I’d’ve gotten pictures with all the blinds open, however for some dumb reason why, I felt the wish to shut that one to hide our baggage at the deck. (Why? I don’t know. Now not find it irresistible’s some unsavory secret that vacationers lift baggage!)
The home windows are the point of interest of the interiors, and are an effective way to benefit from the barren region when you’re consuming, sitting at the sofa studying a guide, and even about to fall asleep. At one level, we noticed some rustling within the timber, so we jumped out and headed outdoor to find an armadillo foraging round. Actually made Sarah’s day.
I liked staring at the first light whilst getting in a position and consuming breakfast. It was once great to have the morning solar shower all of the front room and kitchen in heat gentle. Those home windows are my favourite function of the brand new cabins, and what makes them nice.
It’s unattainable to put across this by means of pictures, and I will not overstate how a lot of an growth that is over the ‘environment’ of the previous cabins. It’s something to take a look at pictures and pass judgement on the arguably ‘blah’ this or that of the design, however as any individual who has skilled each, I’d the ambience of the brand new cabins over the previous immediately.
I additionally suppose the floor-to-ceiling home windows are great as a result of they draw consideration clear of some differently curious format choices.
The obvious of those is that the tv is true subsequent to the sofa and pull-down mattress in the lounge.
Because of its placement, you’ll be able to’t in point of fact watch TV from the sofa until you’re having a look to perform a little critical neck craning. The simple “resolution” to this may’ve been getting rid of the home windows reverse the sofa. I’m happy Disney opted in contrast, and as an alternative put the TV in a deficient place.
Those are devices the place format compromises must be made. There’s no 100% absolute best resolution. To each and every their very own, however I’d quite have giant perspectives of the barren region and herbal gentle than absolute best tv placement. This strikes a chord in my memory of 1-star critiques for Nationwide Park Hotels because of their loss of TV. If we’re desirous about thematic integrity, the theme of this hotel is barren region–now not tv.
Different alternatives with the format are similarly puzzling–and arguably extra problematic.
The bed room is at the different aspect of the tv, which means that all the drowsing area is ‘stacked’ on one aspect of the cabin. Extra considerably, it manner somebody staying within the bed room has to go via this house and the kitchen en path to the toilet.
From a usability standpoint, this was once our greatest factor with the DVC Cabins at Fortress Desolate tract. We booked a keep right here with the grandparents, making us a celebration of five. The visitors within the bed room the usage of the toilet calls for cautious tip-toeing to steer clear of disruption. Overlook a couple of middle of the night snack or early morning pot of espresso–whoever sleeps in the lounge higher be the earliest riser and/or heaviest sleeper.
Some other grievance I’ve observed from Disney Holiday Membership contributors is the loss of in-unit laundry. It is a honest level and legitimate grievance, and we unquestionably would’ve liked to have a washing machine and dryer.
I’ve observed others bitch concerning the bunk beds being in the master bedroom, which means that mum and dad are probably drowsing proper subsequent to 2 children. Now not perfect for folks who need privateness for, ahem, no matter reason why.
On the similar time, the secret this is format compromises. It’s essential to know this ahead of going right into a keep on the Cabins at Fortress Desolate tract. Those retained the previous concrete slabs, and I’d suppose changing the utilities was once a non-starter. The previous cabins additionally had somewhat of funky format that was once tweaked through the years, however by no means to perfection or entire pride.
For us, those format compromises are ones we will be able to make given the low price (in issues) of the DVC Cabins at Fortress Desolate tract.
Two of our favourite occasions to seek advice from Walt Disney International would land within the least expensive level seasons, making our per-night price of the Cabins at Fortress Desolate tract 15 to 21 issues throughout the units of Halloween and Christmas dates we’d be perhaps to guide. And in reality, this vacation keep price us 18 issues in line with evening.
To position that into standpoint, we’ve spent extra on studios at Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Bay Lake Tower, and Desolate tract Hotel. The Cabins price a long way fewer issues than some other 1-bedroom lodging for a similar season, whilst drowsing 6 and having extra space and privateness. For that topic, shall we’ve rented Disney Holiday Membership issues and paid exact bucks to stick right here and spent not up to we did at the following nights at Port Orleans French Quarter!
The inexpensive price of the Cabins at Fortress Desolate tract is a superb segue into the opposite issues we liked concerning the lodging.
The master suite includes 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 paintings of tenting below an evening sky.
Those frames are well-designed and detailed, with the character-inspired canoe paddles offering pops of colour. There’s drawers for garage beneath, and each and every degree of the bunk beds additionally options lanterns that function studying lighting.
That is a long way and away my favourite function of the cabin, and I’d’ve liked drowsing within the most sensible bunk as a child. Our daughter, Megatron, is a tad too younger to sleep in right here, however is already enamored with mountaineering up and down from the ground bunk. I’m certain she’s going to like those beds as she grows into them.
Along with the aforementioned pull-down mattress and sofa combo (a commonplace fixture of latest DVC rooms), the spacious residing house additionally options what Disney describes as a eating corner.
This contains a completely provided kitchen—together with a fridge, dishwasher, convection/microwave oven, and full-size oven & range. There’s a kitchen desk that sits 4 conveniently…or 6 uncomfortably.
This kitchen was once absolute best for our functions, particularly since we had been a celebration of four adults and one infant. We cherish to do grocery supply and get ready meals for Megatron, at the side of espresso for everybody else, so this labored properly for that. On a long run, we’ll most likely put the kitchen to bigger use, however we “had” to dine on the reimagined eating places at Fortress Desolate tract for long run evaluate functions this time.
Off the kitchen you’ll discover a self-importance house outdoor the doorway to the toilet, which has a bath and an extra self-importance within.
I haven’t any sturdy evaluations about the toilet. I love that there’s a window against the ceiling permitting in some herbal gentle.
I’d be nice with the toilet being somewhat smaller to provide extra space to the residing house (or accommodate a washing machine and dryer), however I’m most likely on my own in that. Other folks like giant bogs.
I love that there’s a separate self-importance outdoor the toilet, permitting a couple of individual to get in a position concurrently.
I’m additionally keen on the backlit reflect and Fortress Desolate tract archery poster.
The artwork during the cabin is incredible. Disney Holiday Membership after all were given the memo that its contributors are regulars and longtime fanatics, and has in point of fact leaned into Walt Disney International historical past and Easter eggs with one of the crucial more moderen rooms. The redone Boulder Ridge rooms are a an identical tale.
Fan comments has been combined on those cabins, no less than amongst on-line commentators who haven’t stayed in them. However like numerous different fresh room designs, those strike us as a excellent marriage of shape and serve as, and seem like main upgrades on the subject of usability.
For a greater thought of the format, take a look at our walk-through video of the brand new Cabins at Disney’s Fortress Desolate tract Hotel – A Disney Holiday Membership Hotel:
To make sure, there are some facets of the internal design that I don’t love–that appears blah as in comparison to the previous cabins.
The kitchen, particularly, is dull. There are nice main points and artwork that tie the distance in combination, however it’s all a tad too fashionable and muted. I believe the pendulum swung too a long way within the different route after lawsuits concerning the previous cabins being darkish and dreary.
That’s a grievance that on my own would’ve been remedied by way of the home windows. The darker woods would’ve been nice right here given the volume of herbal gentle the home windows permit in. Nonetheless, those are fashionable and really feel higher-end, and I’d quite keep in those cabins than the previous ones.
In the end, that’s in point of fact what it comes right down to for us–those new Disney Holiday Membership Cabins at Fortress Desolate tract are nicer lodging than what was once right here ahead of. Walt Disney International fanatics might quibble with sure stylistic or format alternatives, however I’d danger a wager that, if push got here to shove, maximum would pick out those cabins over their predecessors if they’d the method to keep in one of the vital two.
For our multigenerational celebration of five, this cabin was once virtually absolute best even with our quibbles in thoughts. When taking into account the fee in issues, the lodging and revel in had been very good–we’ll be returning to those cabins once more. I’d surely take this over (the price of) two rooms at a Reasonable Hotel and even different circle of relatives suites, for that topic.
We foresee much more Walt Disney International journeys like this one day, with the grandparents becoming a member of so they may be able to revel in the parks via Megatron’s eyes. Studios are going to be out of the query for the ones remains, or even one of the crucial one-bedroom lodging could be pushing it.
The Cabins at Fortress Desolate tract be offering a “excellent sufficient” format, giving us and the child one room and grandparents the opposite.
Fortress Desolate tract is a smart choice for multi-generational journeys the place now not everyone seems to be as into the parks or will spend complete days at them. All of Megatron’s grandparents benefit from the slower tempo of Fortress Desolate tract, and with the ability to revel in a non-Disney revel in even in the midst of Walt Disney International. I doubt they’d be as passionate about Gran Destino Tower or Artwork of Animation. Those cabins are extra like a cut price basement model of the very good Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs Hotel, and from that standpoint, they’re incredible.
Although it’s simply the 3 folks, we adore the format of the Cabins at Fortress Desolate tract properly sufficient. Sooner or later down the street, we’ll most likely let Megatron sleep in the true 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), whilst even have get right of entry to to the kitchen, rest room, and bathe. It’s now not flawless–and we will be able to see why numerous DVC contributors aren’t willing in this setup–however we’re excellent with it.
Truthfully, “excellent with it” is most likely an irony. We liked our keep within the DVC Cabins at Fortress Desolate tract that we as soon as once more debated whether or not to shop for right here after prior to now ruling it out because of upkeep charges. We like Fortress Desolate tract at Christmas-time, and I’d consider it might be a laugh to deliver our personal inflatables, beautify a golfing cart, and so on., throughout the vacation season as Megatron will get older.
We dominated it out once more for now, with the concept procedure being that those will most likely turn into more straightforward to guide as different DVC contributors tire of them. However we’d surely rethink if those someway do finally end up being rolled into Disney Lakeshore Hotel. Those cabins look like they’ll serve our circle of relatives completely for the following decade-plus, providing nice bang for greenback within the procedure.
In the event that they turn into a part of one thing larger that provides lodging varieties and dilutes upkeep charges, that might in point of fact sweeten the deal! As soon as development is completed on Disney Lakeshore Hotel and it’s conceivable to stroll from Fortress Desolate tract to there to Desolate tract Hotel, that feels like our circle of relatives’s absolute best position throughout Christmas at Walt Disney International!
In case you’re taking into account becoming a member of DVC and wish extra steering, remember to learn our Final Information to Disney Holiday Membership. That information covers the professionals & cons, resale v. direct, what quantity of money you’ll save, and different essential issues to understand ahead of taking the plunge. In case you nonetheless can’t come to a decision whether or not club is best for you, “take a look at before you purchase” with the suggestions in How you can Save BIG on Deluxe Disney Lodging Renting DVC Issues.
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you call to mind the brand new Cabins at Disney’s Fortress Desolate tract Hotel – A Disney Holiday Membership Hotel? Satisfied that DVC is increasing to cabins on the campground, or want they’d construct a brand new stand-alone belongings? In case you’re a Fortress Fiend, are you dissatisfied by way of this or detached to it? Do you settle or disagree with our review? Any questions we will be able to can help you resolution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas beneath within the feedback!
