A Couple Bought a Disney Cabin on Facebook Marketplace

Each person has their own idea of what their dream home should look like.

For Grace and Jacob Kocher, their dream home came in the form of a log cabin that was once used for guest accommodations at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Now, after renovations, the couple calls the tiny cabin home.

Not surprisingly, the Florida-based couple, who are both in their late twenties, are huge Disney fans. For several years, the Kochers were living and traveling across the United States in a 35-foot-long RV. During that time, they visited 25 states—but decided they eventually wanted a tiny home to settle down in.

“When we got married a little over four years ago, we decided to get an RV and travel the country while working remotely,” says Grace, a freelance illustrator and creative marketing specialist. “After living in our RV for more than two years, we started looking into tiny houses, since we were already accustomed to tiny living.”

So, when the pair saw a Facebook Marketplace listing offering some of the cabins for sale, they jumped at the chance to own a piece of Disney history. They then purchased a 540-square-foot log cabin for $53,375—a relatively affordable price for a prebuilt tiny house.

“When searching for tiny homes, we were not particularly impressed by the style, quality, or craftsmanship of the manufactured units that are currently on the market,” says Grace. She adds that though are are plenty of great tiny house companies out there, many customized tiny home options now cost almost as much as a conventional house.

“When we saw articles circulating online early in 2024 about the Fort Wilderness cabins coming up for sale—due to Disney’s project to replace the old units with modern ones—I immediately fell in love with the idea of purchasing one of the old cabins to fix up as our new home, because Disney is known for their craftsmanship and quality,” she says.

Besides the relatively low cost, there was also a sentimental value to these log cabins that made them that much more meaningful to the couple.

“I also had personal connections to the cabins, having stayed there both as a kid and in my adult years, so it was especially nostalgic in that way,” says Grace. “Jacob had also stayed there with my family when we were dating, making these cabins especially personal to our journey together.”

After some debate, the Kochers landed on Florida because of its beaches, state parks, springs, and, of course, because it’s the epicenter of so many Disney attractions.

“We had also fallen in love with an RV resort in Florida, where we had stayed four years ago, and all the amenities they offered for annual residents,” adds Grace. “Living in a smaller home was not unusual for us. In fact, it was an extensive upgrade for us, going from a 35-foot fifth-wheel RV to our current cabin.”

The task of renovating the unit was a somewhat challenging one, as the couple did much of the renovations by themselves, doing without air conditioning in the worst of Florida’s summer heat. They also lacked a spec sheet that would have given them more information about the key features of the cabin.

Nevertheless, the couple was able to manage the process relatively well, as they did have a bit of help from some family members and friends. You can follow the renovation process on TikTok and Instagram.

To retain the cabin’s original charm, Grace and Jacob opted to keep some of the vintage furniture and some of the more recent appliances that were included with the purchase.

“Our tiny home is really unlike so many on the market,” notes Grace. “It was built to withstand hurricanes, heavy enough to feel secure, and truly filled with craftsmanship we just haven’t found elsewhere. It is a log-style cabin with cedar trim and wood paneling throughout, giving it that rustic, homey feel. Of course, this cabin was used as a resort for 25 years, but we were grateful to get one that did not have major issues.”

Though they have moved into a slightly larger living space, the Kochers still strive to live a simple lifestyle by shopping mindfully and getting creative with storage solutions to maximize the space that they have.

“Tiny home life, just like RV life, forces you to think differently when shopping as a consumer,” remarks Grace. “You will get in the habit of asking, ‘Do we have space for this item?’ We’ve found that this lifestyle makes you reconsider purchases—even necessary ones—and it reframes your mindset to live more intentionally.”