Disney is converting the Cabins at Fort Wilderness to Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Villas. What will this mean for DVC Members and Fort Wilderness guests? This story, plus the first look at the the 2023 edition of Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (including some insider tips).

Fort Wilderness Cabins being re-imagined and converted to DVC Resort Offering

In an unexpected move, Walt Disney World Resort announced plans to refresh the cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground and convert them into DVC properties.

The proposed plans call for more than 350 new cabins across all 750 acres to replace the existing cabins. The new cabins would use the existing footprint and take advantage of energy-efficient features.

There is a lot to unpack in this story. We discuss many questions, including how will Disney manage having a Moderate property as a Deluxe Villa? Will additional amenities be added to keep in line with DVC standards? Will the cabins located close to the Settlement Trading Post remain, or will they be removed and only the cabin neighborhoods be converted? This and more in this episode of the show.

Design concepts shared by Disney show what Disney calls "a fresh take on the current cabin experience ... while also paying homage to the resort’s unique culture and heritage through the magic of Disney storytelling." The design has received mixed reviews. The one-bedroom cabins sleep up to six adults, and feature a bathroom, living room, full kitchen and private patio. A select number of cabins are also expected to be dog-friendly. 

In our view, the design concepts shared by Disney do not fill well in Fort Wilderness. They look more like sheds than cabins and are far too modern for the theming of this property.

As with all Disney Vacation Club resorts, the cabins would continue to be open for reservations to all guests, based on availability.

The planned cabins are part of a collection of improvement projects underway at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground that are designed to enhance the guest experience. Examples include proposed pool and walking trail enhancements as well as new expanded dining experiences at Trail’s End Restaurant and Crockett’s Tavern, with more exciting news to come.

The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort is projected to open in 2024 and would be the 17th Disney Vacation Club resort. As always, more details will follow and we will share them here at that time.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Returns to Walt Disney World from August 11 to November 1

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will return to Magic Kingdom Park on August 11 -- one of its earliest kick-offs yet. 

MNSSHP features Halloween entertainment, Disney characters dressed in their Halloween best and more. This is a limited capacity, ticketed nighttime event that starts at 7 p.m. and allows guests to experience potentially shorter wait times on attractions, themed food and drinks and more. 

When Do Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Tickets Go on Sale?

If you have a reservation booked at one of the select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, or Shades of Green, you can buy tickets starting April 27, 2023. Tickets for everyone else will go on sale on May 2. 

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Dates are:

August: 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29

September: 1, 4, 8, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29

October: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31

November: 1

Tickets for MNSSHP range in price from $109.00 to $199.00 for adults and from $99.00 to $189.00 for kids aged 3-9, depending on the night. It is generally more expensive closer to Halloween. Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Members and Annual Passholders will get a $10.00 per ticket discount on select nights.

Mickey's Boo-To-You Halloween Parade is an event highlight where Disney villains stride down Main Street, U.S.A. (alongside Disney heroes) and other Disney characters. Disney has hinted at some new faces this year.

Jack Skellington hosts Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular, which features projections, special effects and lighting paired with fireworks, music and Disney characters.

Trick-or-treat locations are located throughout Magic Kingdom Park and you can load up on name brand candy and chocolate. Disney supplies the bag (but you may want a bigger one if you plan to go all out). 

The Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus are back for an adventure to summon the ultimate Hocus Pocus Party Potion during the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage show at Cinderella Castle.

During the party, you will have the opportunity to experience attractions including Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and TRON Lightcycle / Run. In a new move, TRON Lightcycle / Run will use a virtual queue* during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, allowing guests to enjoy all the festivities while they wait to enter the Grid. More details to follow on that. 

*Virtual queues are limited and subject to availability, times are subject to change, and joining a virtual queue does not guarantee entrance to any experience.

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Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic

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