Disney-Loving Couple Who Bought Old Fort Wilderness Cabin for $50K Are Turning It Into a Tiny House (Exclusive)

A couple from Florida is embarking on a project to restore the dreams of all Disney fans.

When Walt Disney World replaced its Fort Wilderness Resort cabins and put the old ones up for sale earlier this year, Grace and Jacob Kocher jumped at the chance to own a piece of Disney history — and transform it into their own home.

The couple — who were on the hunt for the perfect tiny house to satisfy their “sense of adventure” after years of living in RVs — were immediately drawn to the idea of ​​renovating the cabin despite the many challenges that would come with it.

“When the Disney Cabins at Fort Wilderness came up for sale, they immediately piqued our interest despite their age and, of course, their use as a resort hotel,” Grace, 25, tells PEOPLE. “We knew early on that this was going to be a conundrum, but it was a project we felt more comfortable with than buying a new tiny house that cost twice as much.”

Grace and Jacob Kocher outside their Fort Wilderness cabin.

Reel and wild flowers

The two Disney enthusiasts felt that “our hopes, intrigues, and desire to fix the unit outweighed our concerns,” so they decided to take the plunge.

Jacob, 26, and Grace have been giving their Instagram followers a detailed account of their renovation journey since making the one-of-a-kind purchase.

Glamping is coming to Walt Disney World — see the inside of the new Chip and Dale themed cabins

The one-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin is roughly 500 square feet and was built between 1998 and 2001, according to the website of one of the companies selling the cabins. Disney has been clearing out old wooden units to make way for modernized accommodations that opened at Fort Wilderness Resort in July.

Grace — who grew up staying in these cabins during family trips to Disney World — and her husband bought the unit with all the furniture inside for $49,900 on Facebook Marketplace. Their job was easy after their extensive tiny house search exposed them to “the lack of quality, craftsmanship and character in new builds.”

Part of the original furniture that came with the cabin.

Reel and wild flowers

When their cabin was delivered at the end of June, they immediately got to work on the upper attachment — but not before tackling all the sentimental components that came with the purchase.

“We both loved finding hidden treasures, like the original resort phone and bath products on the shower wall,” says Grace. “It was fun to see the old furniture, dishes and curtains in the cabin, but really, no matter how much we change the cabin to make it our own, it remains nostalgic just the way it was created.”

Mickey and Minnie got a fall fashion makeover, and we’ve got some ideas

Some of the changes they made to the bathroom.

Reel and wild flowers

While the couple made sure to spend time appreciating all the Disney magic in their new home, they soon realized that the actual renovation process would keep them on their toes.

“There was a big learning curve in the process, such as learning how to set up the AC duct via YouTube videos and researching the correct way to block, level and lower the cab,” explains Grace. “These cabins did not have specifications or any information about the layout of the unit, so we had to familiarize ourselves with the ventilation, piping and general electrical system in order to move forward.”

She adds, “we still have challenges to face, such as learning how to redesign the front door, reconfiguring the magic band scanner to work, and adding storage areas for full service life.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date with the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

While they work with various contractors to help them with electrical and plumbing work, they do most of the hard work themselves and in their “spare time”. Their goal is to complete the entire renovation by the winter of 2024, but they note that “there is no real rush” to finish it on a certain date.

Kitchen renovation before and after.

Reel and wild flowers

Since their cabin was delivered in June, they’ve already made progress with changes, including repainting the kitchen cabinets to add a pop of color to the space. However, they plan to keep the original curtains, bed frame, dining benches and chairs, and most of the wood paneling on the walls.

“While we’ve painted and renovated to match our style, add more storage and generally make it suitable for constant use, our vision will always keep the comfort of the cabin at the forefront,” shares Grace. “Some pieces of furniture and lighting may change, but the general nostalgia will remain the same for us.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education