Permanent implies they’ll be better able to withstand apparently increasingly severe weather. There can be no question a structure attached to the ground and up to code has a better chance against hurricanes; and we’re getting more tornadoes down here, too.
I do agree the lack of “woodsy” theming is a minus and was a big part of the cabins’ charm, but not a dealbreaker.
As for the rest, as always around here, just know that other people prefer things differently.
For me, in my party of two (plus eventually 1 or 2 pets) there are many advantages to this layout that far outweigh a washer/dryer. And I’m guessing there will be a common area for that, but I don’t know.
First, when you have pets, in addition to what I mentioned earlier, the convenience of just walking right out the door to pee is wonderful. You don’t have to go down 13 flights and find a designated area, you just open the door. That’s worth something.
You will 100% never have a family above you jumping around. You will never share a wall with people being loud or smoking. You will never even hear a toilet flush other than your own. You don’t even have to deal with people in a hallway or lobby, or all their germs, for that matter. That level of privacy, but still having amenities like restaurants, is unheard of in theme park resorts and worth a lot to me.
Then you have the setting itself: again, super quiet at night, peaceful, empty, nature, etc.
Horse and buggy, horseback riding, and other relatively unique things like archery, etc.
Inside the cabins: full kitchen (I guess that’s the same as other DVC) separate areas, and it doesn’t feel like you are in a hotel!
Overall I love the idea of the Cabins; I just don’t think buying DVC saves you much, but obligates you to a lot. And we get sometimes the same or slightly less discounts as FL residents/APs. Plus I can pay for my non-DVC Cabin with Chase Disney Visa points.
Vs. other DVC, if important, they sleep six without getting two rooms. That could be good for rental/resale, or could be outweighed by the washer/dryer situation for some. That might be less important to newbies, I don’t know.