Any FWers from the 80s around?

[littlewilson25]

From when I was around 10 to 16 or so (1982 to 1988), my family went to Fort Wilderness annually for 8-10 days around the Easter/Passover school break.

Wondering if any of the DISers here used to go down there as kids/teens at that time?! Those were some of the best times ever. Oh, those beach parties! The golf cart "incidents"! And the "Mickey"s always chasing everyone away!

Anyone? Anyone?

[PolynesianPixie]

Oh yeah, they're around. I'm sure Colson can chime in when he logs on.

Personally, I didn't get farther than HDDR and River Country. My dad is not a camper, but my hubby stayed at FW as a kid and is glad to bring our kiddos back now!

[littlewilson25]

I loved it there. Loved loved. I've been back to WDW many times since, but always around the Epcot resorts. This year, I'm trying my damndest to rent a 2BR DVC villa at VWL for some time in Sept/Oct, but so far it hasn't worked.

Once my kids are a little older (they're 10 mos. and 2 yrs now), I plan to begin working on my husband to convince him to do FW.

We were always tent campers though. And even in 1982, it was probably about 1 tent site to every 50 RVs. I can only imagine it now!

[chief19spixi]

I don't think I could even imagine camping in the 80's at the fort!! I bet it was great!! :( Im sorry I was too young and missed all the fun back then! I was born in 1981!

[littlewilson25]

It was Valhalla. The only places to stay were the Contemporary, The Polynesian, and FW. Oh, and the "Golf Resort"! No Grand Floridian, no other resorts at all. Epcot had just been built, and the rest of WDW was all still pretty much in it's natural state. No pool at the campgrounds, you could still swim in Bay Lake (and everyone did). River Country was the only water park, and it was wonderful.

Ahhhh....the good old days.

[disney4dan]

My parents never brought us to the Fort when we were younger, but I do remember camping at a former Orange grove in Kissimee sometime in the late 1970s. They would let the campers go into the groves to pick fresh oranges and they were great.

I wish I could remember what CG it was, but it was usually combined with a trip camping in the Florida Keys and/or the Everglades.

[PolynesianPixie]

I don't think I could even imagine camping in the 80's at the fort!! I bet it was great!! :( Im sorry I was too young and missed all the fun back then! I was born in 1981!

Oh no you didn't! :lmao: That makes me feel old!


littleWilson~ I remember those days so well! I remember the beach at the Poly. Sitting on the docks as they built GF. Going to the opening of Epcot in '82 (when the other pixi was only 1 ;) )

Do you remember the tickets at MK? You didn't just have admission, you had what was more like carnival tickets and the Blue ones were the best! Those would get you on Space Mountain!

:cloud9: ah, the good ole days!

[AuburnJen92]

I didn't go to FW in the 80's, (we stayed in hotels), but I did go camping with my grandparents at FW in the 70's when I was little. I still remember riding the train. I was great.

[cyberdeb]

I was their in the 70's. I was 15 or 16 I believe and that would make it around 77. :hippie:

[BigDaddyRog]

My parents never took us camping....not once. My dad would have, he loved the outdoors, but the mom was a city chick (or thought she was, grew up in a little country hick town, I guess she never wanted to return to anything that reminded her of that). Although my dad LOVED the outdoors....he had no balls to stand up to my mom, and was too cheap to even CONSIDER Disney.

My wife was all "I dont wanna go camping" when we first started, but I made her, and now its her favorite way to get away.

[PrincessNana]

We camped at the Fort several times in the 80's. It was the first camping experiences any of us had. We bought a used pup and brought our kids. The campground was so wooded, you couldn't even see the camper next to you. Back then you stood in line at 6:00 am to rent a golf cart. (Of course, that was my job.) We sure miss those days!

[PanFanAL]

We went to Disney in the early 80's, 81 or 82 not sure. I know EPCOT wasn't open yet. And we used to camp, but never camped at Disney. My mom has never been much on camping. She would go up to the lake camping or something like that. My wife didn't think she was a camper either, but boy have I changed her mind. She wants to go every time you turn around now. I created a monster. Can't wait til the fall when we get to try out FW. We just bought a new camper, an 18 ft Mallard. We are so excited. Our pup was in bad shape. We didn't have it long, but didn't realize all the problems it had when we bought it. Anyway, yeah for us!

[BigDaddyRog]

Our ol'ladies have alot in common..congrats on the new mallard..and welcome to the boards.

[Brocktoon]

I was born in '76, so I was still pretty young in the 80s, but I remember hitting FW plenty of times throughout the decade.

I used to love River Country. I may be crazy, but for some reason I also remember making your own pizzas at Crocket's a long time ago. Did they ever have something like this at one time?

[ntsammy5]

We were near there then but in my 30s/early 40s at that time so I don't qualify.

[chief19spixi]

Oh no you didn't! :lmao: That makes me feel old!


!

Im sorry.. I really didn't mean it!! LOL

Don't feel bad you look great!!

[PanFanAL]

Our ol'ladies have alot in common..congrats on the new mallard..and welcome to the boards.

Thanks! Yeah, i noticed that too. I think she had really only camped a few times and that was mostly with her parents. She didn't know that camping can be fun, and a great way to relax.

[Colson39]

Oh yea, the 80's were the Golden Years of the Fort!!! I was similar in age, spent a lot of time at the Fort during pre-teen to teenage years.

And you're so right, it was an amazing place to grow up in!! I remember clear as day swimming in Bay Lake, the trams that used to shuttle people around, day trips over to Discovery Island.

The 70's was when I was introduced to the Fort....

in the 80's I fell in love with the Fort....

in the 90's I came to appreciate the Fort....

and in the 2000's I've matured at the Fort.

That about sums it up for my Fort experience so far ;)

[BigDaddyRog]

And in the 10s, you'll be changing diapers at the fort( or pulling every trick you can think of NOT to change diapers....being lazy requires alot of work sometimes)

[disneyfinatics]

From when I was around 10 to 16 or so (1982 to 1988), my family went to Fort Wilderness annually for 8-10 days around the Easter/Passover school break.

Wondering if any of the DISers here used to go down there as kids/teens at that time?! Those were some of the best times ever. Oh, those beach parties! The golf cart "incidents"! And the "Mickey"s always chasing everyone away!

Anyone? Anyone?

We camped at Fort Wilderness in the 80's. I think we're around the same age. We usually camped in March. I don't remember any beach parties, but I do remember going to Discovery Island & River Country.

[gon2wdw55]

:woohoo: I was born in '76, so I was still pretty young in the 80s, but I remember hitting FW plenty of times throughout the decade.

I used to love River Country. I may be crazy, but for some reason I also remember making your own pizzas at Crocket's a long time ago. Did they ever have something like this at one time?

:woohoo: Yes you made your pizza as many toppings as you wanted for 10ent per bowl then into the oven get your drinks they had it all timed so your pizza was done by the time you got to checkout oh yeah the foil with your name on it with your pizza then get a seat and listen to the bango those were gooooooooooooooood times.

[OssipeeDisneyNut]

The train was still running the first time I came to the fort.I remember that as more fun than going to the Magic Kingdom.I Loooooved Discovery Island and River Country.When we would come in the 80's the trams were fun,especially if you got a fun driver:woohoo: :woohoo: .Swimming in Bay lake and the walking the nature trail were fun too.

[frdkngcbra]

I remember going through check in with my grandparents in the early 80s and the blue angels flying over. Watching them through the trees was amazing as they were practicing for a show nearby. Not only did I get to dream about disney that week, but got to add in being a fighter pilot at the same time. I am sure my dreams that week were me protecting the castle from the enemies.


Spent quite a few spring breaks from grade school there with my parents and grandparents. Loved every minute of it and now I get to share that with my kids(even though we stay in the cabins now)

[LarryJ]

From when I was around 10 to 16 or so (1982 to 1988), my family went to Fort Wilderness annually for 8-10 days around the Easter/Passover school break.

Wondering if any of the DISers here used to go down there as kids/teens at that time?! Those were some of the best times ever. Oh, those beach parties! The golf cart "incidents"! And the "Mickey"s always chasing everyone away!

Anyone? Anyone?

We started going to WDW in late 1971 and IIRC bay lake still wasn't filled or maybe even completely excavated. Then it was DL during the early to mid 70's when I was stationed out on the west coast and then WDW in 1977 and then when we settled into NoVa we started going every year or two starting in 1985 always staying at FW.

I remember the "A,B,C,D,E" ride ticket coupons both from WDW and DL. Things like the carousel were "A" rides and things like space mtn were "E" rides and you got like 4 A's 4 B's 2or3 C's and D's and like 2 E's with you admission and could buy extra tickets at kiosks in each land. When we were out in Ca and doing the DL thing DW had an acquaintance who had a friend that had access to extra tickets and remember getting "brown lunch" bags full of tickets of various flavors. :thumbsup2

We had an old chair and couch that had broken spring supports and was saggy as heck that we and our son's refer to the "E" ride furniture and still to this day call things that can be an adventure as an "E ride". :lmao:

Both our sons grew up doing the "Disney" thing and camping since they were toddlers and still do now in their late 20's and early 30's. Of course now they tend to prefer going to the BW for all hours of the nite vice "pool hoping" and just hanging out with the "Ole Folks" at the trailer. :rotfl:

Larry

[auntie]

We have friends who went in the late 80's...and they told us that the trailers...(before the cabins) were located closer to the Meadow Pool and recreation area. She remembers being able to walk to the pool from her trailer loop.They also used the open air trams to get around the campground. They liked that better than the busses. Wish I had been there for that. We first went in the mid 90's and they had already moved the trailers to location where the cabins are currently located, and had done away with the trams.

[LarryJ]

We have friends who went in the late 80's...and they told us that the trailers...(before the cabins) were located closer to the Meadow Pool and recreation area. She remembers being able to walk to the pool from her trailer loop.They also used the open air trams to get around the campground. They liked that better than the busses. Wish I had been there for that. We first went in the mid 90's and they had already moved the trailers to location where the cabins are currently located, and had done away with the trams.

Ah yes forgot about the FW trams, one of which I think was the silver flagged tram, which I think went away sometime in the late 1980's. I wish I had been staying at FW when the trains were in operation, but alas they were gone by our first FW experience in 1985. The trams were originally replaced IIRC with hand me down non air conditioned cast buses and were something like brown flagged, etc. IIRC I think during the summer they even used the cast "cattle car" buses every once in a while for FW. Then we had "Boone/Crockett" followed by "Chip/Dale" and now the messed up colored buses that are often wrong or not going where they say they should go. :rotfl:

What I really miss is having the TTC as the hub for the WDW transporation system. Taking a bus to EPCOT vice the Monorail just isn't the same and getting to ride the ferry now when staying at FW takes some planning.

Larry

[LUV2BNWDW]

I grew up staying at FW. I remember the trams. There was one driver there that was the greatest. You always wanted to get on that tram. I can't remember the first year we stayed there. Once we started though it was every year.

[des1954]

DH & I have been FtW regulars since 1974 - and our honeymoon in a borrowed pop-up camper. Now, are you ready for this? Because we were both Telco employees, we were automatically members of the Magic Kingdom Club - which entitled you to discounts on tickets & special vacation packages. Our honeymoon package was this:

7 nights/8 days at FtW
3 dinners at any full service restaurant (We chose Polynesian Review, brunch at Top of the World, Dinner at Crockett's Tavern -which was a full service restaurant at that time.)
2 lunches
2 breakfasts
3 Coupon Books each of A,B,C,D,E & Golden Key tickets.
30 minute rental of water sprite
1 hour horseback ride
1 Ticket each for Marshmallow Marsh

All of this was for the HUGE amount of $350.00!! (Which at the time was a small fortune for us.)

In 1974 the steam locomotive was in operation & we love hopping aboard & just riding the train around the campground. There was a depot at what is now Settlement Depot and another at the Outpost. I really miss the train.

The tram came in either the late 70's or early 80's (I don't recall exactly when), then in the mid to late-80's came the busses.

FtW has certainly changed alot since 1974 - when there were cypress mulch walkways instead of paved sidewalks, Settlement Trading Post was actually the larger of the two, there were no cabins and only one pool.

I still love FtW, however!!

[LORNADUCK]

My DH and I have been going to the fort since 1978. My BIL had a motorhome and stayed there. My DH wanted to buy one. I told him he married the wrong person. Why should I cook & clean on vacation. Well we had met in a hotel in upstate NY. We both worked there and when I realized that a hotel ment other peoples dirt he talked me into it. We have had one on and off since 1978. I thought every CG was like the FT, boy was I suprised. Our kids loved riding the trams at night, I do remember the tickets with ABCD. I don't think there were golf carts when we first started going. I know there was no Epcot. I remember the train and the trailers. I think they were widerness by fleetwood. I love the FT now as much as the first time we went. We are so lucky to live in FL now. We usually try to go once a month. Right now I don't have any reses until Sept. but will make June, and Aug. I don't like to plan in advance we used to just pull in and get a site. But now you better make up your mind when you want to go, so I have to plan.

[Ayeroller]

I've been lurking here for a couple of weeks but this topic made me register. Went to the Fort in '77 with my parents and 4 other families. Wow what a time we had. We were there for the next 4 years and my parents decided to tkae a break. My cousin and packed up my van and headed south. We were 18 and taking oour first of many road trips. We spent three days at the fort and then a week in the keys. The parties, the walk to the marina with the girl from the campsite next door and the "dates" to parade on the lake are all memories that are making me smile as I write this. This sat. Me, my wife and 7 year old twin girls leave for the fort. We now travel in a 31' Brave I hope that these trips mean as much to the girls as they didi for me. By the way I love this forum, you guys crack me up

[BigDaddyRog]

If ya wanna take a stroll down Disneys memory lane, you'll love this site.

http://www.waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/


(You Ol'regs saw this post many months ago)

Welcome Ayeroller!!

[HappyDznyCamper]

As my tag says, been camping since 1972(I was 2, but I was there). We lived only a few hours south in Boca Raton, so we would go whenever my parents felt like it(back then you could get a site without planning ahead). As we got older I remember spending 2 weeks over the 4th of July with my grandparents and cousins in the site next door. When we arrived and got in the check in line my DB, DS and I would exit the MH and head to the train, when the site was set up and our parents wanted us back they would leave our bikes at the Settlment train station.
Settlement was the bigger TP and had a small deli as well as soft serve ice cream. Occasionally Mr. Smee would come skiing past the beach and soak anyone out on the platform. The trams were the BEST. When the buses came, the bus went around in one direction and the tram in the other. You could actually feed the animals in the petting farm, we used to make popcorn back at the MH then bring it to the goats in a large brown bag(they ate that too). AHHH the good old days:cloud9:

[LONE-STAR]

I have been going to FW since 1979 I love staying at FW. It is the reason we own a 5er and 2 golf carts. Plus my parents TT.

[littlewilson25]

I am loving the responses here. The nostalgia is so enjoyable. And welcome Ayeroller!

I bow down to those of you who were there even way before I was. By the time we started going in '82, the train had already been decomissioned and the tickets for MK and Epcot (which just opened) were paper tickets with blanks for the number of days you purchased which they would manually stamp with the date when you entered.

The trams were still around though, and there was no Meadow trading post, zero pools, and yes! you did go to get golf carts at 6AM! :) I loved all of those wooded paths, and the make-your-own pizza!

We were getting in "trouble" nightly for the beach parties (gentle trouble, the "Mickeys" would drive us back to our sites on their little carts), and loved seeing a lot of the same teens around every April when we went. I kept in touch with some of those people for 10+ years. My brother would hotwire the golf carts and we'd drive them waaaay down the beach and off into the woods where there was nothing (now it's Wilderness Lodge territory).

And remember when you really were the only one at MK in the morning if you got the early boat from FW? The only other people there were from the Poly or Contemporary and otherwise the whole park was yours. You could ride everything 3 times before any crowd really gathered.

I think I need to go check out that link that was posted now. :)

[littlewilson25]

Oh, and I forgot to add...were any of you fellow arcade freaks? I remember the year they got Marble Madness - LOVE that game. They also had my favorite pinball machine of all time - Millionaire. My cousin and I would play that till the cows came home.

Still, nothing could beat the Contemporary arcade. Did I hear that it's gone? (please don't make me weep).

[littlewilson25]

If ya wanna take a stroll down Disneys memory lane, you'll love this site.

http://www.waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/



OMG, this site!!!

*a tear* for If You Had Wings.

http://www.waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/24350b80.png

[disneyfinatics]

Oh, and I forgot to add...were any of you fellow arcade freaks? I remember the year they got Marble Madness - LOVE that game. They also had my favorite pinball machine of all time - Millionaire. My cousin and I would play that till the cows came home.

Still, nothing could beat the Contemporary arcade. Did I hear that it's gone? (please don't make me weep).


Yes, they did. Well technically they moved it to the 4th floor where the shop on the left used to be. It stinks!!! We went in January and it is so small!!! We didn't even stay. I've been going to Disney since 1974 ( I was about 2) and it has always been our first night tradition to ride the monorail from the Contemporary once around and them play games & eat snacks at the Contemporary. It is heartbreaking to have our tradition gone. :sad1:

[Colson39]

Oh, and I forgot to add...were any of you fellow arcade freaks? I remember the year they got Marble Madness - LOVE that game. They also had my favorite pinball machine of all time - Millionaire. My cousin and I would play that till the cows came home.

Still, nothing could beat the Contemporary arcade. Did I hear that it's gone? (please don't make me weep).

Your post was right during the time most of my memories were formed at the Fort, the 80's. My brother and I spent tons of our formative years at the Fort, doing a lot of the same stuff you said!

And yea, there are a couple of us arcade freaks on the camping forum alone. Not to mention all the others on the other forums....

I played tons of Marble Madness back in the day!! Absolutely loved that game, and I can see myself playing it at Crocketts (back when the arcade at least seemed to be much larger..lol). If there is one thing I will always remember about the Crockett's Arcade, it's without a doubt the smallest 2 story arcade I've ever been in. Although it's also kind of a nice surprise when you're like "Oh that's right, I have all the games up top I can still play"..heh.

And unfortunately, you are correct about the Contemporary arcade. My FAVORITE arcade, hands down, in all of Disney (at least it was). However, it's not all bad news, they did move it up the the concourse level. And I have to admit, while it's not as big as it was, it's still one of the larger one's in all of Disney (and may be the biggest at any Disney Resort). I've been there a few times since it's moved, I have to say it will never be the same (it's covered now, so it's really dark in there compared to how lit up the old one was).

I will always miss that old Contemporary arcade though, I just can't tell you how many memories me and my family have there. From the old movie theatre, to air hockey, to pool tables, from Whack-A-Mole to Galaga to Daytona Racing, from the awesome little food court to the fact that there were SO many games to choose from. Hopefully new memories can be made at the new arcade, but it's always going to feel "different" to me.

Although the good news is you can now walk from The Outer Rim Bar to the arcade without having to go down a couple floors. Just make sure you don't try to bring your drink in with you (learned that the stupid and hard way...lol).

So here's a question, anyone else remember when they used to have a jukebox at the Contemporary arcade that would blast the music over the overhead speakers? I remember there would always be a group of 5 to 10 teenagers (I was one of them) over by the jukebox, trying to pick the latest cool song...lol.

[Colson39]

Yes, they did. Well technically they moved it to the 4th floor where the shop on the left used to be. It stinks!!! We went in January and it is so small!!! We didn't even stay. I've been going to Disney since 1974 ( I was about 2) and it has always been our first night tradition to ride the monorail from the Contemporary once around and them play games & eat snacks at the Contemporary. It is heartbreaking to have our tradition gone. :sad1:

Yea, there rarely was a trip for us that didn't involve going to the Contemporary, especially when we were young. That tradition still holds true, but it's not the same. However, I still do try to get in some arcade time when I visit, just a nice way to break up some down time.

I have to say though, I didn't think it was that small, at least not enough to turn you away. It's much more compact now, and it's pretty similar to the arcade at the Pop Century. However, they are still decent sizes, but yea, when we remember how big it USED to be, it's going to be hard to tell all the people in the future that never saw it exactly how big it was.

[littlewilson25]

Yea, there rarely was a trip for us that didn't involve going to the Contemporary, especially when we were young. That tradition still holds true, but it's not the same. However, I still do try to get in some arcade time when I visit, just a nice way to break up some down time.

I have to say though, I didn't think it was that small, at least not enough to turn you away. It's much more compact now, and it's pretty similar to the arcade at the Pop Century. However, they are still decent sizes, but yea, when we remember how big it USED to be, it's going to be hard to tell all the people in the future that never saw it exactly how big it was.

we can start by explaining that there was an entire freaking shooting gallery.....IN the arcade!

and that wall of pinball machines...??

so awesome.


ETA: I'm pretty sad that now that I can go with my kids, they won't be able to experience that particular piece of joy.

[Colson39]

Yea, we have our first little one on the way really soon, and I'm also upset that I won't be able to share the arcade with him. I was so looking forward to watching him play in it, just to remind me of my same times.

Oh well, I guess we'll just have to make some new memories!

[drafthorsecrazy]

The 80's.... back when pool hopping was a benefit of staying onsite and actually encouraged!

[auntie]

The 80's.... back when pool hopping was a benefit of staying onsite and actually encouraged!

We started going in the early 90's and it was then too!

How things have changed.:rolleyes:

[chief19spixi]

The 80's.... back when pool hopping was a benefit of staying onsite and actually encouraged!


Thats something that will probly never happen again!!! :sad2:

[stacktester]

I used to go with my Uncle and his family in the early 80's. They were tent campers and I remember being so sticky at night and was miserable. No fan or a/c's. I know we stayed in the 2000 loop back then. We went to MK and had those tickets like Larry was describing. How it's changed. I was saying today while we were at MK my grandmother has a pic of me in a pair of orange and yellow plaid slacks with a white belt getting a Mickey hat with my name on it.That was 1972. Back then those hats and magnets were the big souvie lol. Looking at old fort pics is neat when they get posted.

[disneyfinatics]

Two questions. Does anyone remember swimming in the lake? My dad swears my sister & I are crazy, which is true, but not the point. My sister remembers seeing aqua trikes (floating bike), does anyone else? :thanks

[TheGreatGonzo]

I definately remember both of these things, so your not completely crazy.

[HappyDznyCamper]

Two questions. Does anyone remember swimming in the lake? My dad swears my sister & I are crazy, which is true, but not the point. My sister remembers seeing aqua trikes (floating bike), does anyone else? :thanks

Yes you could swim in the lake......

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s296/disneybratt/BayLake.jpg

[AuburnJen92]

Yea, there rarely was a trip for us that didn't involve going to the Contemporary, especially when we were young. That tradition still holds true, but it's not the same. However, I still do try to get in some arcade time when I visit, just a nice way to break up some down time.

I have to say though, I didn't think it was that small, at least not enough to turn you away. It's much more compact now, and it's pretty similar to the arcade at the Pop Century. However, they are still decent sizes, but yea, when we remember how big it USED to be, it's going to be hard to tell all the people in the future that never saw it exactly how big it was.

Does anyone remember the horse race at the far wall, you know, the one that took up the WHOLE wall? I loved that thing...my sister and i would spend a whole afternoon in there...

[HappyDznyCamper]

Does anyone remember the horse race at the far wall, you know, the one that took up the WHOLE wall? I loved that thing...my sister and i would spend a whole afternoon in there...

I LOVED Stepple Chase. I was never good at most games, but that I could play:thumbsup2

[disneyfinatics]

Thanks for the responses and especially the picture. We'll have to show it to my dad. Anyone know why they closed down River Country or why you can't swim in the lake anymore? We had some great times at River Country!

[BigDaddyRog]

Thanks for the responses and especially the picture. We'll have to show it to my dad. Anyone know why they closed down River Country or why you can't swim in the lake anymore? We had some great times at River Country!

http://www.waltdatedworld.com (http://www.waltdatedworld.bravepages.com) This link was also in the begining of this thread...River country closure AND lake swimming are explained there, I believe.

[Colson39]

Does anyone remember the horse race at the far wall, you know, the one that took up the WHOLE wall? I loved that thing...my sister and i would spend a whole afternoon in there...

Yep, I loved that game!

[marciemouse]

When I was 5 or 6 (mid-eighties) my family camped at FW for just a couple nights. We lived in Orlando at the time, and my parents wanted to take me and my sister camping there. We loaded the pop-up camper and spent a couple nights there around Halloween. I still remember the campfire sing-along, and there was also a headless horseman show thing. (Maybe just for Halloween.) I remember making jiffy-pop popcorn and watching the EWP. I haven't been back there since, but I am trying to get my husband to agree to go to the campfire/sing-along/movie and Electrical Water Pageant on our upcoming trip. I don't recall much, but what I do remember is great!


http://www.mickeypath.com/id/1207848428.jpg
('http://www.mickeypath.com/')

[BigDaddyRog]

You should go and relive those memories....its a great place to make some new ones too!!

[wildfan1473]

Oh, the memories you guys have brought back for me! We went twice, in '80 and '82, we stayed in a trailer both times (my mother refuses to this day to step foot in a tent). We lived in PA, and would get up at 2:00 am and drive down. I don't remember much about the first trip, but I have some great memories of the second - swimming at the lake and River Country, night swimming with my cousins at the Contemporary, the arcade...wasn't there an ice cream shop by the arcade at the Contemporary also? I vaguely remember that. What I remember the most, though, was my cousins and I, between the ages of 8 and 12, would take off to the Contemporary by ourselves, without the grownups, to play.

I'm fortunate enough to live very close to a lake, we have deeded access. Our road to the lake is gravel, wooded, and curvy. The first time I walked it (DH had owned the property for 10 years at this point, but we had not built our house), I thought to myself "this is just like the walk to River Country."

My parents are taking us, with our children, next October for our kids' first trip. The original plan was to stay in a cabin, but I guess some family members have a time share off-property that we can get super cheap. After lurking on this board for a few weeks, I think it's best I come up with a way to make sure we stay at the Fort.

[disneyfinatics]

I would honestly get to Disney any way I could. We originally stayed at the west wing of the Contemporary until the mid 80's. My DH & I even took my parents 5th wheell to the Fort for our honeymoon. We tried doing the tent thing in '92, but I realized I'm mosquito bait and vowed never to tent again, especially in May!:scared1: That and all the people laughing at me for having so many elctrical appliances plugged in. We started going again in 2001 w/ my parents. Camping behind their rv wasn't so bad. I had extra outlets for blankets & stuff. In 2005 my parents purchased points at Saratoga Springs and that is where they banished me, my two sisters and our families. :laughing: Not exactly a punishment, but we still miss the Fort.