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

The Florida-based couple opened up to PEOPLE about their renovation 'puzzle' filled with ‘hidden treasures’ of Disney nostalgia

One Florida couple is taking on the renovation project of any Disney fan's dreams.

When Walt Disney World replaced its Fort Wilderness Resort cabins and listed the old ones 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 married couple — who were on the hunt for the perfect tiny house to satisfy their “sense of adventure” after years of RV living —  were instantly drawn to the idea of renovating the cabin despite the many challenges that would come with it.

“When Disney’s Fort Wilderness cabins came up for sale, it immediately sparked our interest despite its age and, of course, its use as a resort hotel,” Grace, 25, tells 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 two Disney lovers felt “our hopes, intrigue and drive to fix up the unit outweighed our concern,” and they decided to take the leap.

Jacob, 26, and Grace have been giving their Instagram followers a detailed account of their renovation journey ever since they made the unique purchase.

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The one-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin is approximately 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 the old log units to make room for the updated 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 purchased the unit with all of the furniture inside for $49,900 on Facebook Marketplace. The deal was a no-brainer for them after their extensive tiny home search exposed them to “a lack in quality, craftsmanship, and character in new builds.”

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

“We both loved finding hidden treasures, like the original resort phone and the bath products on the shower wall,” says Grace. “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.”

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Although the couple made sure to spend time appreciating all of the Disney magic in their new home, they soon realized the actual renovation process would be keeping them on their toes.

“There was a big learning curve to the process, such as learning how to set up the AC ductwork through YouTube videos and researching the correct way to block, level, and strap down the cabin,” Grace explains. “These cabins did not come with a spec sheet or really any information on the layout of the unit, so we had to familiarize ourselves with the venting, the pipes, and the general electrical system to move forward.”

She adds, “we still have challenges we are facing, like learning how to reframe the front door, reconfiguring the magic band scanner to work, and adding storage spaces for full time living.”

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While they are working with different contractors to help with electrical work and plumbing, they are doing a lot of the heavy lifting on their own and in their “spare time.” They’re aiming to finish the entire renovation by winter 2024, however they note that “there’s no real rush” to complete it at a specific date.

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

“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 shares. “Some of the furniture and lighting may change, but the general nostalgia will remain the same for us.”

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