SITE MAPS in GoogleEarth

[Shan-man]

As many of you know, I have been working on a 'secret project' for the last several months (with the help of a few 'operatives': TCD, FlaFortCampster, and DisneyBishops). Recently there have been several threads which have inquired about whether such a resource as my project existed. The problem that inspired my project is:

Every map available for Fort Wilderness only list the loops numbers and they are not drawn to scale...

until now!

Announcing the Fort Wilderness GoogleEarth Site Map. This is still an early version and there are many improvements to come, but I wanted to release it now to keep others from duplicating my efforts, especially due to the recent interest in such a resource.

Since there are improvements to come, my prime request is that you not redistribute the .kmz file (GoogleEarth placemarks file), but feel free to send folks to the website to download it for themselves. This way, folks will always know where to go for the latest version.

Another request, use this information for good, not evil! Seriously, if FW suddenly starts getting tons of requests for specific sites they may decide to stop honoring requests at all. Besides, the chance of a particular site coming available to coincide with your check-in is pretty remote during all but the slowest seasons. So the suggested method for getting the type of site you want is: list the things you want in a site, suggest a loop that you think accomplishes those goal best, and then perhaps mention a couple of sites that you think would be ideal.

As I mentioned above, there are many improvements to come. First on the list is to update the 600 loop to match the newly expanded configuration. Next will be to add the cabin loops. Also, I have been in contact with Webmaster Corey (who is very interested) about publishing this information along with a Site Rating system, similar to what the DIS currently uses to allow reviews of staterooms on the cruise ships. That system will not only allow reviews to be written, but will also show site specific information such as walking distances to all Fort attractions (pools, TPs, Dock, etc.). Videos, and panoramic photos will be added later also.

I am very excited to hear your feedback as to how this resource could be improved. Much more information about the project and plans for the future are on the webpage. Remember, to use this file you must have GoogleEarth installed which can be downloaded at earth.google.com (http://earth.google.com). So, are ya ready? The project development page is here (click me) (http://sites.google.com/site/shanmansdisney/fort-wilderness-site-maps/fortwildernesssitemapsisinalpha-release), and the file you are looking for is Fort Wilderness.kmz.

Enjoy, give feedback, and use it for GOOD!
:santa:

EDITED: I just added a picture-rich tutorial at this post (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=32320772&postcount=71) to help you get started!

[Shan-man]

Here is a sample of what the Site Maps look like, this is loop 1300:

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Picture1-7.png

BTW: I still need the help of a programmer. And if you have a GPS that can save tracks and are going to the Fort anytime soon, I may have a mission for you.

[ftwildernessguy]

So much for my theory you were working on cold fusion to solve our problems with energy dependence on foreign oil.

[BRDof3]

I only pretend to know what I am talking about with regard to computers and software. How do I use this once I go to your site?

[BRDof3]

So much for my theory you were working on cold fusion to solve our problems with energy dependence on foreign oil.

That's his summer project. ;)

[Shan-man]

You must download and install GoogleEarth first. Then just open the file from my site and Fort Wilderness will unfold before your eyes in detail never before seen... ok, nothing THAT grand, but pretty darn useful, methinks! LOL

:santa:

[laurafergie]

I am very impressed and can see the possiblities. The hours you must have spent are staggering. Thank you so much. It is people like you that helps make Disney - Disney. :goodvibes

[Comptech]

Shan the Man!
This is awesome..... FW should hire you. Anyway before I commit to the GPS deal what exactly did you have in mind...?

[campingdawgs]

Yay! Now I will know which sites are on the inside and the outside of the loops! It will also help us to identify sites we have stayed in when we forgot to take a picture of the site#:sad2: Thanks for all the work you put in to this!

[Tri-circle-D]

Since Shan-man was good enough to let me in on his secret project a few months ago, I have had access to his work product, and can tell you that this is he has done an AMAZING job on this project.

Great job, Shan-man!!!!

And, I echo what Shan-man said, please use this information wisely. If you use this correctly, it could help make your trip better. If it gets abused, then we all lose.

TCD

[Shan-man]

Shan the Man!
This is awesome..... FW should hire you. Anyway before I commit to the GPS deal what exactly did you have in mind...?

I just need a track of the new 600 loop, entry to exit. Saved to whatever track file you can and e-mailed to me. Multiple passes would be better for the sake of accuracy, but anything would be better than what I have (which is a good guess based on ground-level photographs). Let me know if you can help!

:santa:

[3gr8kids]

Bravo Shan!!! This is fabulous!! Thank you so much for all the hard work. :thumbsup2

[Comptech]

Shan-man,
have you looked @ maps.live.com?
the details of the site are much better. It might help you pin point some of the questionable locations...

[Comptech]

I will ask one of the Geology professors if I can borrow one...
Let me know if you need any other data...




I just need a track of the new 600 loop, entry to exit. Saved to whatever track file you can and e-mailed to me. Multiple passes would be better for the sake of accuracy, but anything would be better than what I have (which is a good guess based on ground-level photographs). Let me know if you can help!

:santa:

[big kahuna1]

SWEEEEET!:thumbsup2

[kc5grw]

This ROCKS! :thumbsup2:thumbsup2:thumbsup2:thumbsup2

[ynottony99]

I am so glad you have finally gone public with this. I know that everyone will find this a valuable tool.

[U.P. North]

Very Cool!! Thank you to all who put their time and effort into this!! :thumbsup2

[Minnie&Mickey]

This is great! Thanks for putting all the time and effort into this!

[bord1niowa]

That's awesome Shan-man

[Disney Campers]

Pretty cool:thumbsup2:thumbsup2

[elizablake]

Thank you!!!!!:thumbsup2:thumbsup2:thumbsup2:thumbsup2

[Michelle GT]

Wow!! The maps are really nice. Thanks to all who contributed. :thumbsup2

[Shan-man]

Thanks guys for the warm reception. I feel like I need to give a bit more credit to one of my operatives... FlaFortCampster did an incredible amount of data collection for me, far more than I'd have dared ask of her! As she said, oh yeah, hard work, tooling around the Fort in a golf cart! But seriously, I'd have not even gotten a good start without her help. Not to diminish Dan and Andrew's help.

Thanks so much guys,
:santa:

[Shan-man]

Shan-man,
have you looked @ maps.live.com?
the details of the site are much better. It might help you pin point some of the questionable locations...

Yes indeed. I actually used multiple aerial imagery providers. Where better detail was available from another source I would place that image on an overlay to assist with the placement of markers. You will see that on some loops the markers are not quite exactly next to the road... that's because I was placing them according to a better aerial image. I was tempted to provide the overlays, but the copyright issues of showing MS Maps images in GoogleEarth were enough to dissuade me. Hopefully GE will update with a higher res aerial of the Fort soon.

Thanks for the suggestion
:santa:

[Shan-man]

I will ask one of the Geology professors if I can borrow one...
Let me know if you need any other data...

The path of the new 600 loop is the biggie, but, if you should happen to notice any trails or official shortcuts that are not drawn on the map, plotting those with GPS would be most helpful too. For instance, I'm reasonably certain that there is a shortcut from the 1300 loop to the path that goes to the Meadow Trading Post (the former train route), but none of my imagery is good enough to see it. Plotting this, or even noting which sites it goes between, would be a huge help.

:santa:

[Tigger0624]

Wow! Awesome! :worship::thumbsup2

Shan- I know Matt has video tours of almost off of the loops showing detail of sites and entries etc. If you think any of that might come in handy to you, let me know and we can figure out a way to get the files over to you. I'd have to say he'll have the entire Fort done by the end of our MDW trip... just let me know! We'd be glad to help out in any way we can!

[RvUsa]

Shan, I am so glad you finally went public, there were so many times I wanted to spill the beans, but respected your wishes! ;)

Thank you for your hard work, and for the work of all your operatives! :thumbsup2:thumbsup2

[BradyBz12]

To Shan-man and all of "Shanta's little helpers"....
:worship::worship::worship::worship::worship:

[Shan-man]

Shan, I am so glad you finally went public, there were so many times I wanted to spill the beans, but respected your wishes! ;)

Thank you for your hard work, and for the work of all your operatives! :thumbsup2:thumbsup2

Oh yeah, how could I forget... Thanks to my beta testers, not only for helping me think of ways to improve but for keeping their traps.. uh, I mean, for keeping the secret for so long! Thanks y'all!

:santa:

[CampingBandit]

Shanman, thanks so much... maps like this were one of the first things I went looking for when I decided to plan my trip. Excellent work, and all for us? :love: Hugs to you!:flower3:

[Comptech]

Shan,
Sorry the Professor does not have any data cables for the GPS, Which I do not understand? and it would take too long to get one before we leave on Saturday. Is there any other way to do what you need?


The path of the new 600 loop is the biggie, but, if you should happen to notice any trails or official shortcuts that are not drawn on the map, plotting those with GPS would be most helpful too. For instance, I'm reasonably certain that there is a shortcut from the 1300 loop to the path that goes to the Meadow Trading Post (the former train route), but none of my imagery is good enough to see it. Plotting this, or even noting which sites it goes between, would be a huge help.

:santa:

[Shan-man]

Shanman, thanks so much... maps like this were one of the first things I went looking for when I decided to plan my trip. Excellent work, and all for us? :love: Hugs to you!:flower3:

I agree, a site map was one of the first things I looked for too, to no avail. I don't think I've ever stayed at another campground that didn't have the individual sites shown on their map. I thought about trying to map out at least my favorite loops, CNDCruiser has done, but it seemed like a lot of effort for as little as we come. I had not yet discovered the DIS. Once I did, and realized there was a whole community of folks who might benefit from the effort, well, I became a man on a mission. It delights me that so many of you think the mission was worth it. I hope you find lots of good uses for it.

:santa:

[Shan-man]

Shan,
Sorry the Professor does not have any data cables for the GPS, Which I do not understand? and it would take too long to get one before we leave on Saturday. Is there any other way to do what you need?

Oh, ok, well thanks for trying. Hmm... is there another way... yeah! you could rent a helicopter and take some nice new aerials... what? too expensive!? On second thought, if you happen to be going through the 600 loop anyhow you could do some reconnaissance for me. Make a list of every site number on one side of the loop (inside or outside) and note the highest site number on the loop (pretty sure it's on the outside, aka the pond side). That would help me verify some "fuzzy numbers" I have from another Fort spy! That would be a huge help! If you wanted to note which sites paths run between, that would be very helpful too.

Thanks so much for your help,
Enjoy the Fort,

:santa:

[michelle9343]

Shan-man
This is so cool!!!!
Thanks for all of your hard work and thanks to all that helped you!!!!!

[Comptech]

Ok, I will do my best.... I will post my findings here on the board. It may be sometime next week before I get the free time to look around. But If I know my DW she will have me looping as soon as we get there....:lmao: Can you receive texts? That may be a good way to get you the info ASAP... PM me and i will get your number.... I could also send some small pics along to show what I have seen?


Oh, ok, well thanks for trying. Hmm... is there another way... yeah! you could rent a helicopter and take some nice new aerials... what? too expensive!? On second thought, if you happen to be going through the 600 loop anyhow you could do some reconnaissance for me. Make a list of every site number on one side of the loop (inside or outside) and note the highest site number on the loop (pretty sure it's on the outside, aka the pond side). That would help me verify some "fuzzy numbers" I have from another Fort spy! That would be a huge help! If you wanted to note which sites paths run between, that would be very helpful too.

Thanks so much for your help,
Enjoy the Fort,

:santa:

[rapriebe]

Shannon,
What an awesome project you have done. It looks great and will be a useful tool to many, many FW campers for a long time to come.
Thanks for undertaking this project.:thumbsup2:thumbsup2

Becky

[Shan-man]

If I know my DW she will have me looping as soon as we get there....:lmao:

Oh! The drudgery! Is there no rest for the weary?! Have a great time, thanks for your help, and check your PM's, I just sent you one.

:santa:

[freshlybarked]

Wow! What can I say. You have done what I had only dreamed of seeing. Thank you.

[Goofyseven]

Shan-Man,
All thanks and much appreciation for the effort you and your team of helpers put forth to developed this planning aid. I think you are wise to caution as to the use of the data. If not abused, its a tremendous help.

Once again, thanks to you and those who helped!!!

[Shan-man]

I was quite a sight last Christmas as I was doing some 'on-the-ground' reconnaissance. Imagine: here comes Santa Claus, riding a bike down the loop, with a laptop strapped to the handlebar basket, and a satellite image of the loop on screen. If only they'd have known I had a GPS receiver under my Santa cap! I'd stop at the entrance to each site, peck out a few keys on the keyboard, pedal 20' and do it again. Then 10 minutes later, here I come again, down the other side of the loop! I got plenty of odd-but-bemused looks, but for some folks the curiosity was just too much. "What in the world are you doing?" I'd cheerily reply pointing to the site marker posts, "These site numbers are nearly impossible to read from the air, so I'm making a map." I know that for most folks this seems an odd way to spend their vacation, but I had great fun with it!

:santa:

[team bradfield]

Good work, greatly apreciated, we will use it.

Thank you Shanman from Team Bradfield!

[Shan-man]

I have just worked up a sample of what the next generation of Fort Wilderness Site Maps will look like...

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Picture1-8.png

Here is an information balloon in GoogleEarth for the 1500 loop (http://sites.google.com/site/shanmansdisney/fort-wilderness-site-maps/fortwildernesssitemapsisinalpha-release/1500Detail.kmz)with video tour (compliments of Tiggntaz), loop details, and walking distances. This is a very small GoogleEarth file, which when opened will add a folder to the end of you list of Places, inside that folder will be a 1500 Detail placemark. If you click on it, a balloon will open with the video and text details. Or, you can just scroll around until you see the 1500 loop, and click the new icon in the middle of the loop (called 1500 Detail). I will probably tweak the appearance of the balloon a bit, but this is basically what the next version will be like. I always welcome suggestions and feedback.

:santa:

[shasta31]

Hey Shan, we are going to the Fort this weekend and I have a GPSr, I can save tracks, what I am not sure about is if I can retrieve said tracks. Anyway would I need to stop at each site and mark it? Let me know what you need and I will try my best.

Donny

[Shan-man]

Hey Shan, we are going to the Fort this weekend and I have a GPSr, I can save tracks, what I am not sure about is if I can retrieve said tracks. Anyway would I need to stop at each site and mark it? Let me know what you need and I will try my best.

Donny

Oh cool Donny. I'd sure appreciate if you could just do a couple of passes through the 600 loop. Maybe once holding close to the right side and another holding to the left? That would give me some redundancy in case the signal wasn't too strong on one pass (less signal = inaccuracy). That would be a huge help! Thanks for the offer!

:santa:

[BradyBz12]

here comes Santa Claus, riding a bike down the loop, with a laptop strapped to the handlebar basket, and a satellite image of the loop on screen. If only they'd have known I had a GPS receiver under my Santa cap!

Oh now THAT is a picture! :rotfl2:

[Tiggntaz]

Shan here is a post with all the videos that I have so far.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2179457

I will try to get more during the MDGG and the J4GG. Also if any are too poor I will redo them.

[datgrt@fw]

Shan the Man!
This is awesome..... FW should hire you. Anyway before I commit to the GPS deal what exactly did you have in mind...?

Hello Shan-man .......... I totally agree with Comptech!!! FW should definitely put you on their payroll!!!

We just returned back home to North Carolina this evening after spending two great weeks in Florida! I downloaded GoogleEarth tonight and was able to view the 'Outstanding' job you did on this project! Believe me, it will be a big help to many of us that love Fort Wilderness! Thanks for all of your hard work and also thanks to 'all' of the other fine folks that helped you!!!

Doug / datgrt@fw

[Shan-man]

Thanks again for all the well-wishes on this... it makes it all worth while to know it is useful for folks!

I just uploaded version 5 of the Site Maps (download it here (http://sites.google.com/site/shanmansdisney/fort-wilderness-site-maps/fortwildernesssitemapsisinalpha-release/FortWilderness.kmz), or read more about the project and download it here (http://sites.google.com/site/shanmansdisney/fort-wilderness-site-maps/fortwildernesssitemapsisinalpha-release)). Major changes to this release include the addition of the new 600 Loop sites, and the implementation of Regions to control the loading of placemarks. The Loop 600 sites are placed according to on-the-ground reports by CompTech and confirmed by FlaFortCampster, so big thanks to both :thumbsup2. They are placed along what is my best guess of the new road's course, and they are placed according to my best guess of site spacing around known elements (i.e. the footbridge)... which is to say this is some fairly loose data right now. Hopefully an 'operative' with a GPS can plot the new route of Sunny Sage Way for us in the near future.

The second item, regions, means that when you are zoomed out in GoogleEarth the placemarks won't be all jumbled up... if there is not enough resolution to render them they will disappear. Also, other icons will appear when you zoom out... for instance a single placemark to label the Meadows Recreation Area will appear when there is not enough resolution to render all the features that make up the recreation area. It's a pretty cool feature that took a while to implement, but I think it was worth it.

One other minor feature I added are labels for each loop, including the cabin loops. These labels will later be filled with video and loop details like I did with 1500. If you haven't checked out 1500 yet, do so by clicking the placemark called 1500 Loop. It demonstrates what I would like the next major revision to look like. For now, the labels are helpful because they are visible when zoomed out and you can't see the individual site numbers.

As always, your feedback and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Enjoy!
:santa:

[Shan-man]

Oh, I forgot to mention, before opening the new file you'll need to delete the old Fort Wilderness folder from the My Places list as shown below. Just click the folder so it is highlighted, and press the delete key. Google Earth will ask if you're sure, you are ( ;) ). Now you can just open the new Fort Wilderness.kmz (downloaded from previous post) and the latest placemarks will be loaded. Remember also, you will see more detailed info the closer you zoom in, and more general info the more you zoom out.

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Picture2-2.png

:santa:

[Shan-man]

Just uploaded version 6, (http://sites.google.com/site/shanmansdisney/fort-wilderness-site-maps/fortwildernesssitemapsisinalpha-release/FortWilderness.kmz) which among many little tweaks adds a Fort Wilderness logo when viewed from higher altitudes, primarily for making directional maps to and from the Fort. It looks like:

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Disney%20Graphics/Picture4.png

:santa:

[Shan-man]

I have been tweaking my GE Site Maps some more, and have exciting news (no really! exciting):

You don't have to download future versions to have the latest and greatest information. Really, it's true. You can delete all other site maps from your Google Earth, then just download and open this one (click me) (http://sites.google.com/site/shanmansdisney/fort-wilderness-site-maps/fortwildernesssitemapsisinalpha-release/Network-EnabledSiteMaps.kml). This tiny little file points to the newest version of the Site Maps and loads it automatically for you every time you use it (taking a few seconds to load at the start of each session). Of course, you have to have an internet connection for this to happen, so if you plan on using it offline you'll still need to download the latest version from the project page (http://sites.google.com/site/shanmansdisney/fort-wilderness-site-maps/fortwildernesssitemapsisinalpha-release) (get the Fort Wilderness.kmz, it's smaller). I think you may need a fairly recent version of GE for this to work, too, but you ought to get it anyway as the latest version is much improved.

What kind of updates will you be automatically kept abreast of? Well, for instance, I just finished loading all of Tiggntaz's video tours into the Loop Markers (1700 Loop, 200 Loop, etc) as well as the Settlement and Meadow markers. It's pretty cool, check it out! And, he's gonna be there this weekend so there will be more video to come, which means another update, and another download... unless you get the nifty network linked version mentioned above.

:santa:

[castlehappy]

Thanks so much Shan-Man for this GE!:worship: It is awsome! It sure helps with planning a trip. I really like how some of the sites in the 1500 loop section show a picture of the site, nice...;)

[Shan-man]

Thanks for the encouragement castlehappy! If you like pictures of the sites, check out the latest version as there are several shots of the 600 loop that have been added (thanks to ynottony99's recent photo-journaling).

Just a reminder, if you downloaded the 'Network-EnabledSiteMaps' mentioned in post 52 above, you don't have to re-download the file to see the new version, just open it and it will automatically update. If you are not using it, the new version is ready for download here (http://sites.google.com/site/shanmansdisney/fort-wilderness-site-maps/fortwildernesssitemapsisinalpha-release).

Enjoy!
:santa:

[Matt@WDWR]

Great Job Shan Man! From looking at Google Earth, it seems that 2100 is much more "foresty" (I just coined a word. haha) than the other cabin loops 2300 and 2500. Can anybody confirm that?

[Shan-man]

I have just updated to add the latest videos from Tiggntaz's Memorial Day GG trip. Now all the camping loops but 1100 are included, and Matt is promising cabin loops over July 4th! Good things to come. Thanks for the work Matt!

:santa:

[Tiggntaz]

I have just updated to add the latest videos from Tiggntaz's Memorial Day GG trip. Now all the camping loops but 1100 are included, and Matt is promising cabin loops over July 4th! Good things to come. Thanks for the work Matt!

:santa:

Shan please go a grab the 1100 Loop and the 2100 cabin loop.

Also when I am back for the 4th I will try to get the other cabin loops and our GG loop.

[Shan-man]

I have added the 1100 loop video, so now there is a video tour for every camping loop available in the GE Site Maps... and even a bonus cabin loop, 2100! Thanks again Matt! Now I just need to get busy with the distance calculations.

:santa:

[mdoc]

This is almost a Fort fix. I can drool over your maps when I get to really missing the Fort in between trips. It's a totally different view than what we get when we're there! Thanks Shan-man!

[krosmith]

Speaking as someone who has never been to FW, this is a wonderful map. I really appreaciate the hard work and time it must take to do such a big project. This will really help me figure some things out for our first trip to WDW. :worship:

[Shan-man]

mdoc and krosmith, thanks so much for the encouragement! Knowing that lots of folks are getting good use (and even just entertainment!) from it makes it all worthwhile. There's more good stuff to come!

:santa:

[Shan-man]

Just a little bump 'cause someone asked where it was.

:santa:

[Shan-man]

Minor update, added some site pics and credited some older pics.

:santa:

[shasta31]

Shan, I told you I would GPS loop 600 on Memorial day, I did it but someone else beat me to it so I didnt worry about it. I wanted to let you know that I am going back to the Fort for July 4th and if you needed anything else I would be honored to help, be it pictures or GPS routes or whatever, let me know. Donny

[Shan-man]

Thanks again for the offer Donny, but 600 has still not been GPS plotted. I have done a best-guess path for the road, and I have had some on-the-ground reconnaissance to confirm the order of the sites. So, if you are still willing, I would love a GPS track for 600. Thanks so much!

:santa:

[shasta31]

I need an Email and I will send you those files, I dont have enough post count to be able to do it through here.

[kc5grw]

I just wanted to make a comment for the folks that are help Shan plot the loops here. Another option if you don't have a suitable GPS is the iPhone 3g. The Motion-X app for it is pretty cool. I just loaded it and started playing with it and haven't had a chance to look at track detail, but the waypoint data is pretty much spot on. Here is an example taken from my desk at work, ***************/HVmC6. The app is pretty cool. For those of you that follow Webmaster Pete on Facebook he has been posting waypoints from Disneyland and DCA using Motion-X.

The really nice thing about Motion-X is that you don't have to wait till you're tethered to your computer to upload the waypoint and track info. You can send it directly from the iPhone to Facebook, Twitter, or email.

I have absolutely no connection at all with Motion-X other than it is a really cool iPhone app.

[Shan-man]

Thanks for the recommendation... sure sounds like a more elegant solution than stuffing a bluetooth GPS in my cap and linking with my PocketPC! 'Course, until Sprint gets the right to host iPhones (never) I won't be able to get one. I'm sure it will help some folks though!

:santa:

[kc5grw]

I was playing around with Motion-X at lunch and recorded a track. When posting to Facebook or Twitter it just creates a link with no useful information other than being able to display the track on Google maps. Sending to email is very useful as it creates and sends both .gpx and .kmz files as attachments to email. Looking at the .gpx, it looks like it is recording wpts as a function of speed (or distance travelled). Coming back from lunch while in my car it was recording info every 2-3 secs, once I stopped and started walking in it recorded data every 9-10 secs. Accuracy looks pretty good too.

[barbm3214]

This is incredibly awesome. We spend a lot of time at the Fort during the fall and winter months and miss is so much the rest of the year. I now feel like I can be 'back home' anytime I wish. Your hard work is much appreciated. Thanks.:thumbsup2

[Shan-man]

I just did a little tutorial for another DISer and thought it might be of wider use, so here goes.

First, you must download and install GoogleEarth software from here (http://earth.google.com). If you have done that already and can successfully launch it and see the satellite imagery, then you are ready to use my file.

The next step is to download my placemarks file from here (http://sites.google.com/site/shanmansdisney/fort-wilderness-site-maps/fortwildernesssitemapsisinalpha-release). To get started, I'd recommend getting the Fort Wilderness.kmz file. It is smaller than the Fort Wilderness.kml, and has fewer technical challenges than the Network Enabled version (but once everything is working, I'd recommend the Network version so you always have the latest data). Once you download the .kmz you should be able to double-click it to open it. If you get an error message saying you need to pick an application, find GoogleEarth to open the file.

My file is a set of data that gets mapped into your GoogleEarth. Once it is opened you should see a folder in the left pane under Places called "Fort Wilderness". If you see two (or more!) "Fort Wilderness" folders you would do well to select and delete them all, and then re-open the newest one.

If you double-click the folder, your view should shift as you fly to Fort Wilderness :banana:. The initial view is a high altitude position to see an overview of the whole Fort, like this:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/FortOverview.png

From here you can use the hand to grab the view (just click and drag), or double-click anywhere to zoom in a bit. The more you zoom in, the more info you'll see. For instance, you will see the loop name first, but if you zoom in you will see individual site numbers.

Here you can see the loop numbers:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/ZoomtoLoops.png

...and here you are close enough to see site numbers:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/ZoomtoSites.png

Note also, that as you got closer the big marker for the Meadows Recreation Area was replaced by the individual attractions in the rec area (the Sing-a-Long and Bike Barn can be seen in that last picture). If you see a site name that is underlined in the Places pane, that site can be clicked on to show more info... usually a picture of the site, like this:

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/SitePopup.png

You can try to click any icon you see, and there is often more info that will pop-up. For instance, of the three icons you see in the overview the Settlement and the Meadow have pop-ups with video in them, whereas the Outpost one is merely a marker and has no pop-up.

For instance, this is what you see if you click the "1500 Loop" icon:
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Picture1-8.png
That is a loop tour video (compliments of Tiggntaz) and some other info about the loop, including average walking distances to Fort features.

If you put your cursor in the top right of the view, navigation tools will appear which will allow you to manipulate your view, in just about every way conceivable (pitch, rotation, elevation, etc).
But the best advice of all is to play around with it... you can't break it! You'll be amazed what you can discover. Under the Places pane, there is a Layers pane with TONS of cool stuff to explore... try turning on 3D Buildings and check out the Disney Parks! Here is the 3D view of the Meadows area:

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/3D.png

Have fun!

:santa:

[shasta31]

Shan, did you get the emails I sent yesterday? Let me know if you didnt or if I did something wrong.

[Shan-man]

New release! Now with a fairly accurate representation of the expanded 600 loop thanks to track information provided by Shasta31, and a few other tweaks. Thanks Donny.

:santa:

[shasta31]

Wonderful, I hadn't messed with the GPS and Google Earth and .kmz files so I was worried if it worked or not, glad to help and if you need anything else let me know. We will be at the Fort the week of Christmas so we will meet you then.(Edit) Oops, you'll be gone when we get there, maybe some other time.

[Shan-man]

Just a little bump since there has been some related discussion in other threads.

:santa:

[gmflanigan]

Just a little bump since there has been some related discussion in other threads.

:santa:

DH and I have been looking it over. Awesome, time consuming job. Did you see any big difference in 400 and 500. We've stayed in 500 and liked it. Not sure whether to try 400 or stay put.

[ob1quixote]

Is there a reason such hard work by so many cant be rewarded with a pinned thread?

I'm DLing Google Earth right now, and will have a look. Being a compu-cretin, I'm sure I will ooh and aah with no understanding of all the work it took!

Can I be of help with my digital video camera? Might be able to video tour whatever loop I'll be campin on in 2 weeks.

[Shan-man]

DH and I have been looking it over. Awesome, time consuming job. Did you see any big difference in 400 and 500. We've stayed in 500 and liked it. Not sure whether to try 400 or stay put.

Glad to hear you appreciate the map. As for 400-500 comparison, I really prefer 500. According to my recollection and impressions (i.e. this is opinion) 400 is less shady and feels more cramped, probably because of less vegetation. It is closer to the marina so it is a bit more convenient.

:santa:

[gmflanigan]

Glad to hear you appreciate the map. As for 400-500 comparison, I really prefer 500. According to my recollection and impressions (i.e. this is opinion) 400 is less shady and feels more cramped, probably because of less vegetation. It is closer to the marina so it is a bit more convenient.

:santa:


Thanks--we requested 500 when we made our reservations so I think we'll leave it at that. Keep up the good work!!

[Shan-man]

There have been a couple of minor updates made to the file. Delete the old Fort Wilderness folder from your GoogleEarth places pane before you download and open the new file from here (http://sites.google.com/site/shanmansdisney/fort-wilderness-site-maps/fortwildernesssitemapsisinalpha-release). Enjoy!
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/ShantaClausSm.png

[Tri-circle-D]

Shan-man- Thanks for the upgraded map! I sure wish someone would make this thread a sticky, because this map is a great resource.

TCD

[Tri-circle-D]

Hey- Shan-man this thread is now a "sticky!"

Thank you Mr. Moderator! :worship:

TCD

[Shan-man]

Wow, This is a week for firsts! I just got my first points (filter violation :( ) and now I got my first sticky! http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/sc_biggrin.gif

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/ShantaClausSm.png

[Disney Campers]

[QUOTE=Shan-man;33445121][font="Garamond"][size="4"][color="#006400"]Wow, This is a week for firsts! I just got my first points (filter violation :( ) and now I got my first sticky! http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/sc_biggrin.gif

Now just a darn minute there, no points were involved:thumbsup2:thumbsup2

[Shan-man]

Oh, my mistake. I thought everytime you pulled a flag from your belt it was a point! Shows how much I know about violating rules! http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/sc_rofl.gif Thanks for the sticky, though!

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/ShantaClausSm.png

[dfchelbay]

popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::

I'm intrigued.

[auntie]

Oh, my mistake. I thought everytime you pulled a flag from your belt it was a point! Shows how much I know about violating rules! http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/sc_rofl.gif Thanks for the sticky, though!

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/ShantaClausSm.png

You know..I don't get the whole filter violation thing. :confused3 I honestly thought that was a good thing. :laughing: You know..showed some creativity and a desire to not offend.
Mod's might want to be taking a look at what's on the "Dis-name" thread. :eek: Tell me that's not a filter violation in itself. :rolleyes1
Talk about 'creativity"....:scared1:

[Shan-man]

For what it's worth, the violation was from a 4 month old post. My guess is someone was reading old threads and came across it and complained. I didn't even know it was frowned on to 'slip' a curse word in by *-ing out a couple of letters. I changed the post to read "that's a load of crap"... I was referring to the suggestion that the $5 pet surcharge was to cover the cost of poop bags. $5 covers a LOT of poop bags! Ok, enough of that, back on-topic!

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/ShantaClausSm.png

[thomasclan85]

:goodvibes:goodvibes

[JohnWhite1]

I agree, it wasn't very obvious. On my mac it downloaded to my desktop but that's probably just a quirk. I'm glad you found them and got a look though

[latinqt]

Wow, I'm really impressed with this Google earth of Ft. Wilderness. I downloaded your first one and now on this last page I see you have a new one. I'm not computer savy, do I really have to delete the first one before I download the more recent one? :goodvibes

[Shan-man]

Wow, I'm really impressed with this Google earth of Ft. Wilderness. I downloaded your first one and now on this last page I see you have a new one. I'm not computer savy, do I really have to delete the first one before I download the more recent one? :goodvibes

I'm delighted you find it useful! If you don't delete the old one before opening the new one both may remain visible, i.e. everything would be marked twice, and one set of marks would be the older and might be wrong info. So I'd say yes, delete the old Places folder first. Just open GE, find the folder in the sidebar to the left called Fort Wilderness (the one that contains all the placemarks) and click on it and hit delete. Now you have a clean slate to open the new file into.

Remember, if you are always going to be using GE where you have an internet connection you can download the Network Enabled version and never have to download a future update since it always uses the most current version over the internet. You might also want to notice that next to the Fort Wilderness folder there is a checkbox. This checkbox controls visibility. If you uncheck it the placemarks in the folder will not be visible. I mention this in case you want to have two versions at once, for instance the Network Enabled version and a regular version in case you ever want to use it where you have no internet. When you're on the net you can have the Network Enabled folder checked and the regular folder unchecked, and when you are off the net reverse the checks.

Hope this helps!
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/ShantaClausSm.png

[SFTrny]

This is REALLY cool! Nice work!

[Shan-man]

Ok Folks! The day of my departure for the promised land draweth nigh! If anyone has ideas about how the maps might be improved, now is the time. I have a fair amount of data I plan to collect this trip, especially since it may be the last one for 18 months or more. So let me know, soon!

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/ShantaClausSm.png

[Tab2Disney]

I LOVE, LOVE, really Love this!!
By the way is there any way to label the pet loops?
I don't know which ones they are, it would be great to have it on the map.

Thanks for all of your hard work!
:worship:

[Shan-man]

I'm glad you are enjoying/making use of the maps. What were historically pet loops are actually already marked, they are the pins with the stars in them... but, there is no official listing as to which loops are pet loops these days. Disney has been fairly regularly placing dogs in all loops which is why I haven't been more overt in my marking of these loops. I saw two big dogs in 100 this last trip, which used to be one of the verboten loops for dogs... no more. If Disney ever releases something official, you can be sure it'll make the map! Thanks for the compliments!

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/ShantaClausSm.png

[Marbel]

This is AMAZING! Thank you so much. Your hard work sure is appreciated. I'm just amazed.

What is the significance of the red strip near the bike barn? I can't figure it out.

Thanks!

[Shan-man]

Thanks for the compliment Marbel. The red strip is to indicate cart parking and the cart path. I hope to one day have all the paths drawn in and color-coded to indicate what types of traffic is allowed. Red would indicate pedestrian, bike, and cart; yellow would be pedestrian and bike only; and green pedestrian only (of which there are precious few).

[4mickey2]

why can't i find specific sites? i thought i had too many ft's on the side in places and tried to delete a couple. but, i am just not getting it. i am guessing not all sites are able to be viewed or am i doing something wrong.

[Shan-man]

Sorry, I don't know how I missed this question. There are a couple of things that might be going on. First, you may be zoomed out too far. To make sure the map isn't cluttered with thousands of markers jammed in too close to be useful, I made it so the site numbers are only visible when you zoom in close enough for them to be useful. If you are zoomed out, you will only see the loop number, zoom out further and you will only see the Fort logo.

If that is not it, the next probable culprit is the items you want to view are not check-marked in the Places pane on the left. Only checked items are visible. You should have a Place named Fort Wilderness.KMZ, if the box in front of the name has a dash in it that means some things in the folder are visible and some are not. Click the box and it should change to an empty box (nothing in the folder is visible) and click again and it will change to a check mark (everything in the folder is visible).

Note also, that inside the Fort Wilderness folder there is a folder called Site Maps, and in that are folders for each loop, and in those are Place marks for each site. If you want to fly to a particular site you can find it in this list and double-click on it. When you do the site will center in your view and you will be zoomed to an appropriate level to see the site.

Let me know if that helped or not.
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/ShantaClausSm.png

[Robert6401]

Shan-Man, do you need videos of anything specifically? I am going down on next week and just got a new video camera, so I'd be happy to do some filming for you. Let me know if I can help out.

[Shan-man]

Thanks for the offer Bob. If you have a tripod, I'd love to have a clip of the campfire sing-a-long in progress since a lot of folks seem to not know what it's like. I'd love to have a long clip of the launch arriving and docking... maybe 5-10 minutes worth to really capture the atmosphere of the marina. I think either of these would make a nice addition to the Site Maps project. Hope you have a magical visit!

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/ShantaClausSm.png

[Robert6401]

Shan, I'll see what I can do. Is it the boats launching to go to MK and the Contemporary that you want? If so, is there a certain location you would like for me to get the launch from?

[loveDmouse]

This is really cool Shan-Man! Thanks for all the hard work. :thumbsup2

[TOGA]

I finally just had a chance to check this out and it is amazing! Thanks for all the work that must have gone into this.

[justcynn]

Great Work Shan-Man! Its fun to scroll around and pretend we are there. Also - what is the building on Discovery Island that is all overgrown? It really surprises me Disney just abandons places like River Country and doesn't make more of an effort at demolition - seems like a potential liability issue?

[jenscourt]

Thanks Shan-Man! :thumbsup2 I had a chance to look at this today and it was great to be able to visualize where everything was and decide what loop I wanted to request. Good job!

[Shan-man]

Thanks again, guys. I'm really glad folks are getting some good use (and plain ol' enjoyment) from the project. One of these days I'll find the time to make the enhancements for which I already have the data.

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/ShantaClausSm.png

[krisdancravey]

Thank you so much.... I have been wondering why someone hasnt looked into this before now!! Good for you!!

[mikhen]

Maybe you can help me. Every time I try to run Google Earth, my computer freezes. It's not just with the campsites, it's any Google Earth map.

[Robert6401]

Hey Shan,

I got some videos of the boat landing and the sing-along like you requested (I've had them for months but just now got around to separating them from the lot of trip videos). How do you want me to get them to you?

Bob

[Shan-man]

Excellent! Thanks so much. I think the easiest way would be to just upload them to YouTube and then I can link to them there. That's what I did with the loop tour videos.

Thanks again,
Shanta

[Robert6401]

Shan,

I may try instead to upload them to Photobucket or something, and then provide you a link. I would prefer to give you an opportunity to make sure its what you want before they are put on public display. Let me know if this won't work for you.

Bob

[Robert6401]

Well Shan, I spent some time last night trying to upload the videos to youtube but didn't have any luck. I am thinking that the files may be too large. They are in HD and are not short videos. When I tried to upload multiple files I kept getting an error, then when I tried to do one at a time it uploaded so slowly that I finally had to give up. I will try again, but I just wanted to let you know that Ia m trying to get them to you.

[The Disney Dude]

Well, I just got back on the boards this week, due to a last minute trip to WDW that we are planning, and I saw this post. This is a very cool idea! :cool1:

This project is right up my alley and I only wish I would have been able to contribute to it before. I love taking my GPSr with me on my hikes and trips so that I can track where I've been and import it into programs like Google Earth. It's always fun to look at where you've been. :)

It looks like you have everything you need already but I will be at Fort Wilderness the first week of August. So if there is anything I can do while I am there to add to this project, let me know. :)

[Glite]

That's interesting stuff. I always liked seeing the google earth maps.

[DVCajun]

I'm having a little trouble downloading the FW attachments. I downloaded GoogleEarth just fine, but nothing happens when I click "download" on the attachments. Do you think it's because I have a mac? :confused3

[Shan-man]

I'm having a little trouble downloading the FW attachments. I downloaded GoogleEarth just fine, but nothing happens when I click "download" on the attachments. Do you think it's because I have a mac? :confused3
I'm terribly sorry, I have no idea why those links broke, but they should be working now. Just go to the development page (https://sites.google.com/site/shanmansdisney/fort-wilderness-site-maps/fortwildernesssitemapsisinalpha-release) and click the download link next to the .kmz file.

Sorry again for the trouble,
http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/ShantaClausSm.png

[DVCajun]

They're working now. Thank you! :goodvibes

[girlcop]

This was just what I needed. Easy to follow, super valuable. You did a great job!

[ynottony99]

I haven't been on the Google earth site for a while so I don't know how long it's been that the images have been showing the 600 addition. I wish I had done a screen cap before they updated.

[Shan-man]

Ah! Good catch. I need to update the loop road and a couple of site numbers. But as far as seeing the pre-expansion pics, that's easy. In GoogleEarth's toolbar across the top is a clock icon. Click that and a slider will pop up. Grab that slider and set the date to 2008 or earlier and you will see historical imagery that was available at that date... your own little time machine!

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/ShantaClausSm.png

[fugarwe]

Thank you again for doing this work. I am in the process of making plans for our third trip to FW, and this is helping alot. We have some special needs, we have to be near a CS, but would not like to cross any roads to get to one for the kids. This helps ALOT. We were in 515 last year, and it was right next to the path to the CS, so we'd like to be one or two away.

[fugarwe]

I forgot to mention, I'll be sure and make a few vids of stuff when I'm there to add to the project.

[D NONI]

this is great.! just finished setting up Google Earth and loading the program.. thanks so much for the time and effort put into this program. :thumbsup2

[mhhorowi]

This is very helpful. I'm surprised that Disney doesn't buy this from you and make it widely available instead of the very limited maps they provide now. Great job and thank you for all the hard work.

[Tab2Disney]

Hi,
I am loading the Fort Map on my sons computer.
I was wondering should I load the kmz file or the network enabled file?
Thanks for this it is fantastic.
Makes it hard not to be there!!
:)

[Shan-man]

I would do the KMZ file so that you can use it whether you have an active internet connection, or not. The nice thing about the network enabled file is that you will automatically load the latest updates every time you use it, and I will be updating it a bit soon to match the new imagery for 600 loop.

http://i523.photobucket.com/albums/w359/SLSettles/Web%20Graphics/ShantaClausSm.png

[gtigger]

Hi,
New here...wow I can't believe someone did something very cool like this...its immensley helpful especially in locating where you would like to stay in FW...I can show the rest of the family and say this is exactly where we will be in just over 9 months...thanks in bunches.

gtigger

[Shan-man]

Hope you enjoy your virtual tourism!

[Marando4]

Great job and thanks.

[OziJo]

This is fantastic. I have been viewing FW on Google Earth and this gives me a greater perspective. Mind you my too wise for her years 13 year old said to me "Stop looking at all that mum. It will be like you've been there before we even leave". :surfweb:

[gots2pitt]

Is Shan-man still here? :santa:

[mikmouse]

Is Shan-man still here? :santa:

I don't believe so. He's moved on.