By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-19 17:39:43 | Updated at 2024-11-23 16:29:27
3 days ago
A Florida couple have created their dream home by converting a former Disney World cabin.
Grace and Jacob Kocher spotted the Fort Wilderness cabin up for auction after the entertainment giant began replacing its older units.
The Disney-loving couple snapped up the rare find while living in their RV.
The Kochers found the unit, which was built between 1998 and 2001, by chance on Facebook Marketplace, Realtor.com reported.
'It immediately sparked our interest despite its age and, of course, its use as a resort hotel,' Grace, 25, told People.
'We knew early on that this would be a puzzle, but it was a project we felt more comfortable with than just buying a new tiny home that was double the price.'
The one-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin came with furniture for $49,900.
Grace said the 500-square-foot space felt nostalgic as she had grown up staying in the same cabins on family vacations to Disney World.
A Florida couple created their dream home by converting a former Disney World cabin
Grace and Jacob Kocher were living in their RV before purchasing the cabin on Facebook
'We both loved finding hidden treasures, like the original resort phone and the bath products on the shower wall,' she recalled.
'It was fun to see the old furniture, dishes, and curtains in the cabin, but truly, no matter how much we change the cabin to be our own, it remains nostalgic just in how it was created.'
Despite the Disney magic, renovating the cabin came as an uphill challenge.
Among the issues was working out how to install central air conditioning, as the cabin didn't come with a layout, blueprint or specifications.
The couple also had to undergo a lot of trial and error to understand the cabin's ventilation, plumbing and electrical systems.
Apart from the more technical electrical work and plumbing, the couple completed the renovations themselves.
'While we have painted and renovated to fit our style, add more storage, and generally make it livable for full-time use, our vision will always keep the coziness of the cabin at the forefront,' Grace explained.
'Some of the furniture and lighting may change, but the general nostalgia will remain the same for us.'
The Fort Wilderness cabin came up for auction after Disney began replacing its older units
The wood floors and interiors have remained the same giving a nostalgic feel
The couple carried out the majority of renovations and decorations of the cabin themselves
Small lamps and rustic shelves give off a cozy atmosphere in the tiny home
Despite the Disney magic renovating the cabin came as an uphill challenge
Three steps lead up to the tiny home's bright green door and inside small lamps create a cozy atmosphere.
The interior shows homely wooden beams, cabinets and walls as well as rustic chairs and window seats.
Tiny homes may be a tempting option as home prices continue to hit all time highs.
For example, shoppers can buy a tiny home on Amazon for less money than a standard car.
A two-bedroom mobile home - with an open-plan living room and kitchen, and bathroom including a toilet and shower - costs just $19,000.
The pre-fabricated home, mostly made of metal, is framed by a cozy fenced-in porch with stairs leading up to the front door.
It is also equipped with plumbing and electricity, as well as a water heater.
Around 64 percent of American adults own their own home, according to the Federal Reserve.
This figure falls to 36 percent for those who make $50,000 a year or less.
