Changes to Overflow parking lot????

[FlaFortCampster]

Just read on one of the threads that there were some changes happening at the overflow parking lot. But, I can't find that thread. So I need some detective...(TCD)...to fill me in on what's happening.

I have company coming on my next visit and I don't want them running into any unpleasant experiences.

This could have something to do with that creep that hit on the young girl several weeks ago. WDW might be tightening up who comes and goes from the Fort which isn't such a bad thing.

Any info is greatly appreciated.

[rapriebe]

They are also closing off some of the entrances in the large overflow lot. They are putting up posts so you cannot get in. So far they have closed off the first one on the left as soon as you pull off the main road. They have also closed the first one on the left after you make the left turn that leads to the kennel area (the route that buses take). I was in the lobby picking up a UPS delivery and I asked one of the "suits" what they were doing. It was a very young guy and he didn't have a clue but mentioned that possibly they were trying to control all of the traffic so that everyone would have to enter through the guard shack. :confused3 The only thing I could think of was they are trying to eliminate outsiders from parking in the lot and then catching a bus to the parks inorder to avoid the parking fee. I would think this would cause a problem for people parking there for the HDDR or the campfire. It will be interesting to see if they are going to close all exits and re-open the entrance between the two parking lots. Only time will tell what they are doing.:confused3

This is what I posted on another thread.

So far only the 2 entrances that I mentioned have been closed off. There are still at least 3 more entrances that are open. Nobody was working on them today but I will post if anything more happens.

[SandrA9810]

I noticed it too. I'll stop by and ask about it. I like the fact that there's no guard house there. But I understand the safety concerns/abuse of the fort programs by non guests.

[Tri-circle-D]

Just read on one of the threads that there were some changes happening at the overflow parking lot. But, I can't find that thread. So I need some detective...(TCD)...to fill me in on what's happening.


The good Lord willing, I will be camping at the Fort some time this month, and I will be happy to file a full report. Until then, rapriebe is our eyes and ears. He (or she?) broke this story, and has kept us updated on it.

TCD

[Pirate-Jeff]

Maybe it will stop the free parking abuses and the locals/non-guests from trick-or-treating at the Fort.

[des1954]

There used to be a guard station outside of FtW on Vista Blvd just east of the entrance to the overflow lot. It was taken down in 2003. It sounds like they're once again going to monitor all traffic in and out of FtW. I wondered how long this would take.

The only problem with one guarded entrance is that traffic will back up like it used to before they put the carded gate in. Remember when ALL traffic into FtW proper had to go thru the guard? Some days traffic would be lined up from the guard shack to the entrance on Vista Blvd. It peeved me big time when I was coming back from grocery shopping & was sitting there with my frozen items slowly defrosting while the guard was conversing with a guest & holding up the line (busses too).

[rapriebe]

There used to be a guard station outside of FtW on Vista Blvd just east of the entrance to the overflow lot. It was taken down in 2003. It sounds like they're once again going to monitor all traffic in and out of FtW. I wondered how long this would take.

The only problem with one guarded entrance is that traffic will back up like it used to before they put the carded gate in. Remember when ALL traffic into FtW proper had to go thru the guard? Some days traffic would be lined up from the guard shack to the entrance on Vista Blvd. It peeved me big time when I was coming back from grocery shopping & was sitting there with my frozen items slowly defrosting while the guard was conversing with a guest & holding up the line (busses too).

Yeah, I remember that guard shack; what a pain. I was wondering if they would be putting up another guard shack or key card entry at the road which enters by the kennels - the entrance the buses use. Remember when they had the key card entry over by the bus stop, that large intersection by golf cart parking. Guess they will just keep moving it around till they get it right.:confused3 Whose knows what's coming.

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

Maybe it will stop the free parking abuses and the locals/non-guests from trick-or-treating at the Fort.

HEY! I resemble that remark!! Locals come for more that just trick or treating, and I know we spent some $$ at 4th of July this year to see the fireworks. Plus we come to go walking on the trails, and there are OTHER ways to get to the fort w/o parking there. It's more of a pain, but it can be done.

Besides, you can get into ANY of the reports just by telling the guard that you're coming for dinner, etc. They just look at your ID and let you through.

[Tri-circle-D]

Besides, you can get into ANY of the reports just by telling the guard that you're coming for dinner, etc. They just look at your ID and let you through.

Maybe not for long.

TCD

[rapriebe]

HEY! I resemble that remark!! Locals come for more that just trick or treating, and I know we spent some $$ at 4th of July this year to see the fireworks. Plus we come to go walking on the trails, and there are OTHER ways to get to the fort w/o parking there. It's more of a pain, but it can be done.

Besides, you can get into ANY of the reports just by telling the guard that you're coming for dinner, etc. They just look at your ID and let you through.

I'm alittle confused here. When you say that locals come for trick or treating are you saying you are staying at the FW to trick or treat or do they just park in the overflow lot, hop on the bus and come in for some free candy.

[Tri-circle-D]

I'm alittle confused here. When you say that locals come for trick or treating are you saying you are staying at the FW to trick or treat or do they just park in the overflow lot, hop on the bus and come in for some free candy.

That would be door #2, Monty.

I had a lot of them (non-camping locals) visit me at my site last year.

And they were proud of themselves, too.

TCD

[BradyBz12]

When I was a kid we lived in a development with lots of houses pretty close together. It was not at all unusual for station wagons FULL of kids from "somewhere else" to get dropped off in our neighborhood on Halloween.

No wonder my parents went through cases of candy!

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

Our neighborhood doesn't do trick or treating, at least we had no kids last year. And we normally just do the NSSHP anyway. This year we are planning on coming to the fort, at least we WERE.... We came last year to do the hayride, only to find out that they stopped doing that in Oct. which is the perfect time of the year to do it.

I've tried to get a spot for Halloween weekend, and there's nothing right now. Tried to do it last year too, nothing.

There's a lot of locals who go to DTD for the trick or treating there too.

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

Maybe not for long.

TCD

Well, as a passholder AND a shareholder, I'd still better get in.... Or I'll stop giving Disney my money.

[TheFlame]

I can't even imagine how many people come for trick or treating that are not staying at The Fort.:headache:
I also have a problem with the people that crowd the campfire sing-a-long and movie that are not staying at The Fort and that INCLUDES the ones that are coming from other Disney resorts. :mad: We saw an outdoor theater at the Contemp. on the beach and one at the Lodge next to Bay lake. I don't think that other resort guests and off-site people should be able to use and crowd the campfire. BUT, that is JMHO!:rolleyes1:goodvibes

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

I can't even imagine how many people come for trick or treating that are not staying at The Fort.:headache:
I also have a problem with the people that crowd the campfire sing-a-long and movie that are not staying at The Fort and that INCLUDES the ones that are coming from other Disney resorts. :mad: We saw an outdoor theater at the Contemp. on the beach and one at the Lodge next to Bay lake. I don't think that other resort guests and off-site people should be able to use and crowd the campfire. BUT, that is JMHO!:rolleyes1:goodvibes

They do it the Yacht & Beach club too... And when we did the movie in 2007 the movie wasn't crowded at all (and we were staying there), before that was really crowded. We just went late. I'm not impressed with their "campfires" anyway.

[SandrA9810]

The deluxe resort movie program is just a rip off of the Forts.
We won't be camping the the 31st, but we're checking in on Nov 2. But going Halloween night has been something we've done for years now (and we were resort guests, even if it was the one night). My sister is going to be here this year and I really don't want to deal with her kids at the Fort, so we'll be going to DTD.

If they do put up a guard house, it's gonna be a pain because that lot fills up really fast in the afternoon before the Hoop-De-Doo starts, and in the morning it fills up fast with campers waiting to get thier site.

Maybe they'll put the Orange bus back to the TTC after the Lodge stop. I wouldn't mind parking at the TTC and riding the bus in that way. But I don't think there's anything to really prevent people from abusing the Fort.

[Pirate-Jeff]

I just talked to George a CM friend. I don't know how accurate his info is but it sounded about right.

Fort Wilderness will be like every other resort now. New Tighter Security from several "issues" over the past year.

Meaning you must go through the key card readers with a Fort Wilderness key card or through the guard to get in to the parking lot or resort. Those with HDDR or Trails End reservations you must be on the guards list to park for free. Then you will be limited to 3 hrs, over 3 hrs will be charged a parking fee. If you state you are eating at Trails End or HDDR without a reservation or without any other WDW resort car pass you will be charged for parking and issued a refund if you have a current HDDR or Trails End receipt unless you are over the 3 hr limit and you will be charged. If you have a car pass from any other WDW resort you can park free for 3 hrs after the 3 hrs you will be charged.

He was really into this 3 hr time limit.
Is 3 hrs enough time for the campfire and movie ?

I asked how much $ for parking.

His answer: No charge for FW Guests. as far as non-guests he was not sure yet but they are thinking the same price as at any of the theme parks.


He also said look for more security coming to DTD.

Seams that DTD has had some issues too. He wouldn't go into what any of the "ISSUES" were but He said they made the local news paper. He did say that several days this summer that the overflow lot was full of vehicles without a pass and that FW quests had no where to park.
There must be a lot of people parking in the lot to avoid the "parking charge" and going to the parks.

[BradyBz12]

Meaning you must go through the key card readers with a Fort Wilderness key card or through the guard to get in to the parking lot or resort.

That's been the case at all the other resorts we've visited, so it seems to make sense as long as they don't create a massive traffic jam for the Fort folks. :confused3

Those with HDDR or Trails End reservations you must be on the guards list to park for free. Then you will be limited to 3 hrs, over 3 hrs will be charged a parking fee.

Veeeery interesting! We've always been given a parking pass for 3 hours when we go to Poly/Contemp for dinner. I've heard that most/all MK/EP resorts already do this to cut down on the people trying to skirt the parking fee at the parks. So that seems to make sense too.

If you state you are eating at Trails End or HDDR without a reservation or without any other WDW resort car pass you will be charged for parking and issued a refund if you have a current HDDR or Trails End receipt unless you are over the 3 hr limit and you will be charged. If you have a car pass from any other WDW resort you can park free for 3 hrs after the 3 hrs you will be charged.

Now that last bit ought to be particularly interesting to see shake out. If Disney is going to continue to allow non-FW guests to participate in FW activities, that 3 hour pass may not quite cut it and they may end up with a lot of p-o'ed people. Hmm... wonder how they're going to charge people to park who've overstayed their pass on the way OUT?

And I wonder how will that work if you're a FW guest and you have someone coming to visit you for the day??

No charge for FW Guests. as far as non-guests he was not sure yet but they are thinking the same price as at any of the theme parks.

Well if they're trying to nab the people skirting parking at the parks, that would make sense.

There must be a lot of people parking in the lot to avoid the "parking charge" and going to the parks.

Judging by how often it comes up on the theme park board, I'd say there definitely are. And now that parking went up to $14/day, it's likely to get even worse. :sad2:

[des1954]

HEY! I resemble that remark!! Locals come for more that just trick or treating, and I know we spent some $$ at 4th of July this year to see the fireworks. Plus we come to go walking on the trails, and there are OTHER ways to get to the fort w/o parking there. It's more of a pain, but it can be done.

Besides, you can get into ANY of the reports just by telling the guard that you're coming for dinner, etc. They just look at your ID and let you through.

I'm a local, and I enjoy going to FtW to ride bikes, walk, take the bus to the marina to watch the fireworks...the usual things day visitors go to FtW to do. That being said, before 2003, you could not do this without going through a guard - so we didn't do it. We never really gave much thought to doing this.

There was a time you could park at the CR or PR and take the monorail into the MK and avoid the parking charge and the hassle of the parking lot. Then it was abused by both local people and people staying off property. Now, you have to show the guard ID's at those two resorts, and they give you a parking pass good for 2 hours. How well do they patrol and enforce those passes? I don't know. I don't want to know. Perhaps they will start doing this at FtW.

It is, after all, their property and that means they can do whatever they wish. An AP only gets you free parking at the parks & use of Disney transportation. It entitles us pass-holders to nothing else.

In the FtW day lot I often see an old "bread truck" style Winnebago parked in front of the kennels when we go to ride bikes on any given Friday. They have their generator running. Why do you think that is? My guess is that they are using the parking lot as "home base" and use the facilities at the fort as if they were a guest of FtW. We have seen it enough times to know this is a regular occurance and not just a once in awhile thing. Now, does that make me any better because I bring a car with my bike carrier? No - not really. I'm just not as obvious. I also try to meet up with Disboard members who are staying at FtW when on my biking excursions. I guess that makes me a visitor of a paying guest. We also usually end up spending $$$ at either of the trading posts.

Anyhow, it is the blatant, obvious abuses that causes the "suits" at Disney to make the decisions they make. I have to admit that I too, have taken some liberties I probably should not have assumed I could take. It was nice while it lasted. When we go at the end of this month I will talk with Jason & ask if there is any way we can continue to come in as day visitors & continue riding our bikes. If he says no, then we will abide by the rules.

[clkelley]

I agree with Deb on many of these points. Truly Ft. Wilderness is the only resort (except maybe Boardwalk in the public lot) where anyone can just come in and park.

Do we really want that to continue?? As a guest there, I would really like to think there is some modicum of security as to who enters the campground with their vehicle.

Granted, if just anyone can't enter the lot with the car, there are still "many" ways to get into the campground proper without parking in overflow.

As long as DTD does not charge for parking, and the buses don't check resort IDs, then any individual in the world can get into any resort at Disney. There is no security in that, "except" that Disney can control their egress from the property because they then have to take some form of Disney transportation to get back to their vehicle. So if someone reports a wrongdoing soon enough, perhaps they can stop them.

Really what are we complaining about, the ability to ride a golf cart around and pay a reasonable price for it.

I have a golf cart for the Fiends gathering at Halloween reserved from Kenny, but I don't have a cart reserved for my December trip. I'll be at the parks a lot, I'll be at SeaWorld for a couple of days, so at the most, I'll rent one from Disney for one or two days to take pictures of the incredible Fort decorations, but to have one for two full weeks will be a waste.

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

Veeeery interesting! We've always been given a parking pass for 3 hours when we go to Poly/Contemp for dinner. I've heard that most/all MK/EP resorts already do this to cut down on the people trying to skirt the parking fee at the parks. So that seems to make sense too.

When we were there in July for my youngest birthday meal at the Poly, we didn't get any pass for parking OR have to prove reservations, just told them we were coming in for breakfast, showed ID and that's it.

HOWEVER, several years ago, we did have to be checked against a list and were given a 2 hour parking pass, but that hasn't happened since we moved back to FL 3 years ago. And we go down quite a bit since DH's parents come down often (and are DVC members) and we go to visit them for the day. Sometimes they get us a parking pass and sometime they don't. The last time we didn't have one, and that was in Aug.

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

I'm a local, and I enjoy going to FtW to ride bikes, walk, take the bus to the marina to watch the fireworks...the usual things day visitors go to FtW to do. That being said, before 2003, you could not do this without going through a guard - so we didn't do it. We never really gave much thought to doing this.

Deb, So am I. And what you do is basically what we do. We don't go to the campfires when not staying there. And I remember having to pass through the guard shack on the road back there, going to FtW or not. And we usually only go down to the Fort about 4 times a year (once a quarter or so). We do go to the other resorts more than that, but mainly due to the in-laws being in town and that is the way they see the boys.

[ob1quixote]

I have no problem with bona fide guests of paying FW patrons, but locals just dropping by to have a swim or catch a cartoon? Sorry, I am paying premium prices to stay onsite and enjoy the amenities, I would like to think that most everyone I see while on the property is paying them too.

During my visit in August, some non-paying visitors were rather easy to spot, no telling how many made an attempt to look the part of a paying RV/tent owning guest.

They can boot folks out of MK at 10pm on extra hours evenings, I think they can maintain a bit more reasonable security at FW. It may be a bit of a pain for those who come and go, but at least you would have some kind of record if something happened, you and every other guest.

Me, when I turn the ignition key off, it doesnt get turned again 'til I'm headin' for home!

[becky1960]

As far as going to other Resorts to dine, the last time we drove to AKL to eat at Boma's the guard stopped us and asked our mission and we said to dine and he said " let me check the reservation list" which we were on.. I guess you could take a bus and avoid security..

[TheFlame]

I have no problem with bona fide guests of paying FW patrons, but locals just dropping by to have a swim or catch a cartoon? Sorry, I am paying premium prices to stay onsite and enjoy the amenities, I would like to think that most everyone I see while on the property is paying them too.

During my visit in August, some non-paying visitors were rather easy to spot, no telling how many made an attempt to look the part of a paying RV/tent owning guest.

They can boot folks out of MK at 10pm on extra hours evenings, I think they can maintain a bit more reasonable security at FW. It may be a bit of a pain for those who come and go, but at least you would have some kind of record if something happened, you and every other guest.

Me, when I turn the ignition key off, it doesnt get turned again 'til I'm headin' for home!

Nuff said!!!!:thumbsup2

[stacktester]

This is the deal folks. Disney owns Fort Wilderness and can do whatever they please with the prices and the overflow lot. Is a Disney cart worth $62 a day? Hell no!!!

I think it's a privilage to be able to bring your personal cart with no trail fee as it is. I have a cart and know many that bring their own. I think if any of the posters who've complained about Disney shutting outside vendors out had someone doing this to their business they would be doing the same.

There's plenty of days I've heard no carts available so that tells me WDW has a lot of carts rented out.

I like having my cart but if need be I can do without. I like looping at night and doing the parade on 4th of July but I also ride my bike a lot too. I don't see the big rant here.

[LONE-STAR]

I can't even imagine how many people come for trick or treating that are not staying at The Fort.:headache:
I also have a problem with the people that crowd the campfire sing-a-long and movie that are not staying at The Fort and that INCLUDES the ones that are coming from other Disney resorts. :mad: We saw an outdoor theater at the Contemp. on the beach and one at the Lodge next to Bay lake. I don't think that other resort guests and off-site people should be able to use and crowd the campfire. BUT, that is JMHO!:rolleyes1:goodvibes

I agree

[Gatordad]

good thing I'm giving up camping.

[lauraebeth]

I can't even imagine how many people come for trick or treating that are not staying at The Fort.:headache:
I also have a problem with the people that crowd the campfire sing-a-long and movie that are not staying at The Fort and that INCLUDES the ones that are coming from other Disney resorts. :mad: We saw an outdoor theater at the Contemp. on the beach and one at the Lodge next to Bay lake. I don't think that other resort guests and off-site people should be able to use and crowd the campfire. BUT, that is JMHO!:rolleyes1:goodvibes

The fort has one of the best programs. Lights are off, screen is large and easy to see, and the sound is good.

it's another experience for the families that want to stick their toes into the camping experience without having to stay there.

[des1954]

Does anyone know if a gate will be put up at the entrance to the day lot for busses only? You know...the ones similar to the gates at Port Orleans and other resorts? I would hate to think we will be going back to the Disney busses using the same main entrance as the guests. That caused a lot of problems.

On another note... I also remember in the 70's and early 80's that you HAD to show the bus driver either a resort ID or a valid admission ticket to board any of Disney's transportation. For some reason I think that ended when MGM Studios opened - maybe because there were too many levels of admission tickets available after that.

It seems to me that Disney could come up with some method to insure only authorized people use the transportation. If you don't have a valid resort ID or AP, then perhaps they could have a special booth set up at the parks & DTD to issue bus wrist bands to people with valid park-hopper tickets or seasonal tickets. If you bought a one day one park ticket, no band. If you purchased multiple day admission without park hopping priviledge - no band. If you bought a water park only ticket - no band. If you came to shop at DTD and have no Disney ID of any kind - no band. Yeah, it might be perceived as inconvenient to some, but so what? You can either do that or pay $12 per theme park to park your car if you're on a park hopper ticket or seasonal pass. If you park at DTD to avoid the $12 parking fee - then you'd be SOL, wouldn't you?

[Tri-circle-D]

Deb- Get with the times, parking is now $14! See here: WDW Parking Fee Increase (http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Parking.htm)

I don't think Disney cares who rides on their transportation. But they do want their $14 or more from each vehicle. I don't see them going back to requiring ID to use the transportation, but I do see them tightening up any possible way to skirt the parking fee.

TCD

[rapriebe]

Here's a link to another thread started on the overflow lot. Thought it would be nice to have all the information available in one thread. It contains some new info -

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2304653

[Shan-man]

I certainly remember having to show a valid ticket to get onto transportation, too... I almost got stranded at EPCOT because of it! I don't remember all the details but I think I arrived a day earlier than I was going to the parks and decided to take in the beauty of the monorail loop through EPCOT and the got off to listen to the music at the gates. When we went to get back on the monorail to get back to the car the ramp attendant asked for our tickets and it took many pleas (and probably a fib or too) to get back on. If I remember correctly, they sold a separate transportation ticket which we were nearly forced to buy to get back! It's all a pretty foggy early-'80s memory, but I do remember the fear... thanks for brining that back up Deb ;-)

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

[des1954]

Deb- Get with the times, parking is now $14! See here: WDW Parking Fee Increase (http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Parking.htm)

I don't think Disney cares who rides on their transportation. But they do want their $14 or more from each vehicle. I don't see them going back to requiring ID to use the transportation, but I do see them tightening up any possible way to skirt the parking fee.

TCD

I don't pay too much attention to the parking fees because of my AP....which to me, just became more valuable.

We have seasonal tickets to U.S. and everytime we say "let's go", I say, "ya know....I just can't justify spending the $$$ on parking, getting stuck in the outer most regions of the garage, and having to walk all that way just to get to the entrance of the park. Let's go to Disney, instead!" Yep, that's what I always say.

And thank you rapriebe for the link to my other FtW overflow lot thread on the community board.

[meggymouse]

I'm local but I've never been to the Fort unless we were camping there. Is it ok to have guest come and visit you there? In February we are going camping for a long weekend for my kids birthday. They are all in the same month. We thought me might a have a few friends and family come to our site to cookout. Is that allowed? This summer while we were staying there I saw a family setup a birthday party at the picnic tables next to the snackbar by the pool. They had a ton of people there who weren't staying and used that spot from about 10am-7pm.

[mnsprk]

Shan-Man, your bringing back memories of the A-B-C-D & E tickets as well!!

[des1954]

I'm local but I've never been to the Fort unless we were camping there. Is it ok to have guest come and visit you there? In February we are going camping for a long weekend for my kids birthday. They are all in the same month. We thought me might a have a few friends and family come to our site to cookout. Is that allowed? This summer while we were staying there I saw a family setup a birthday party at the picnic tables next to the snackbar by the pool. They had a ton of people there who weren't staying and used that spot from about 10am-7pm.

Yes, your friends can come & visit you. They will have to park in the overflow lot & either take a bus to your loop & walk to your site, or you can drive up to the lot & pick them up. Only one vehicle is permitted to park at a site.

Shan-Man, your bringing back memories of the A-B-C-D & E tickets as well!!

How about the "Keys to the Kingdom" tickets?? IIRC, you had to be a Magic Kingdom Club member to purchase those.

[mnsprk]

How about the "Keys to the Kingdom" tickets?? IIRC, you had to be a Magic Kingdom Club member to purchase those.[/QUOTE]

Yep! Then you had all "E" tickets that were good at both parks and didn't expire. Oh the "days when things were simpler", or were they?

[Shan-man]

Did they still have "E" tickets when EPCOT opened? I thought those had gone away before then? But yeah, I certainly remember going home with ticket books half full of A and B tickets and not an E in sight!

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

[mnsprk]

Did they still have "E" tickets when EPCOT opened? I thought those had gone away before then? But yeah, I certainly remember going home with ticket books half full of A and B tickets and not an E in sight!

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

Since that was 27 years ago (EPCOT Center, as it was orginally named then opened in 82) I'm a little foggy, but I know they didn't do away with the Magic Kingdom Club until around 2000..There also was the Magic Kingdom Gold Card but that had a fee. The orginal Magic Kingdom Club was available to larger companies or groups (Credit Unions, etc) free.

[tim5055]

[font="Garamond"][size="4"][color="#006400"]Did they still have "E" tickets when EPCOT opened? I thought those had gone away before then? I do think that the "tickets" went away before Epcot.

Now, in honor of your being "stranded" without a transportation ticket I have scanned one and posted it on my Fort Wilderness Scans Web Page (http://www.popupcamping.info/FWScans.htm):rolleyes1

And, check out some of the other scans - Parking was 50 cents!!

[we3peas]

So does this mean my family can't go at Christmas time to the resorts and view the decorations? We have been able to do that each year and then we bike through FW to see the sites and how they decorated. We are locals so we don't have passes and are not going to the parks, just sightseeing. We have never gone to the campfire, swimming, etc without staying at FW.

[des1954]

So does this mean my family can't go at Christmas time to the resorts and view the decorations? We have been able to do that each year and then we bike through FW to see the sites and how they decorated. We are locals so we don't have passes and are not going to the parks, just sightseeing. We have never gone to the campfire, swimming, etc without staying at FW.

As of yesterday when I spoke with a Guest Relations Manager (Jason) at the FtW Front Desk, all is normal and at this time they have no plans to close off the overflow lot. You should be able to pull into that lot as normal & go biking thru the Fort.

Just keep looking back at this board to see if anything changes. I will be camping at FtW at the end of this month, in November & again in December. If anything changes, I'll post what has happened. I know there are others that are frequent Fort visitors who will keep us updated, as well.

[ftwildernessguy]

As of yesterday when I spoke with a Guest Relations Manager (Jason) at the FtW Front Desk, all is normal and at this time they have no plans to close off the overflow lot. You should be able to pull into that lot as normal & go biking thru the Fort.

Just keep looking back at this board to see if anything changes. I will be camping at FtW at the end of this month, in November & again in December. If anything changes, I'll post what has happened. I know there are others that are frequent Fort visitors who will keep us updated, as well.

I just got a call from Bobby. He said Jason called him with a great idea about closing the overflow lot at FW to curb abuse and increase parking revenues. He said he never thought about it until he got a call from some woman asking about the status of the overflow lot. Thanks, Deb.

[FlaFortCampster]

I just got a call from Bobby. He said Jason called him with a great idea about closing the overflow lot at FW to curb abuse and increase parking revenues. He said he never thought about it until he got a call from some woman asking about the status of the overflow lot. Thanks, Deb.

:lmao:Cute:lmao:

[TheFlame]

The fort has one of the best programs. Lights are off, screen is large and easy to see, and the sound is good.

it's another experience for the families that want to stick their toes into the camping experience without having to stay there.

Why should they get to poke their toes into the experience that I have PAID to have? During busy times and holidays, I am sure that a lot of the people at the campfire program and movie don't belong there! I know for a fact that some are coming from HDDR and the BBQ and quite a few are riding from the parking lot and getting off at the campfire. This affects the people that are staying at the Fort and are paying to use the amenities. It affected us in Nov. when the crowds were so bad at the movies that you couldn't see or hear anything! :mad:

[SandrA9810]

Well I really don't see how they can increase the parking revenue by blocking it off. All you have to do is keep going on Vista, right on world drive, left on seven seas, left on floridian way, and left again before the toll plaza to get to the MK parking. But they really don't seem to care at the TTC, you can give any reason to go through.
When I had my dog at the Epcot kennel, they either checked my papers or made me show ID/Maingate to get through... the TTC, they'll waive you right on through before you even get close to them. That or our truck is just memorable to the CM's that we see every day going through...

[des1954]

I just got a call from Bobby. He said Jason called him with a great idea about closing the overflow lot at FW to curb abuse and increase parking revenues. He said he never thought about it until he got a call from some woman asking about the status of the overflow lot. Thanks, Deb.

Anytime, Jim! You & I will discuss this further with Bobby at BATWiT. You did remember to invite him, didn't you?

[ftwildernessguy]

Anytime, Jim! You & I will discuss this further with Bobby at BATWiT. You did remember to invite him, didn't you?

Talked to Bobby about this last night. He says there will be too many hostile people there and he fears for his safety. I have assured him I would protect him, but he is the nervous type. Maybe I can get Sam to join us.

[DVCajun]

Overflow parking wasn't closed off as of yesterday...

Don't really see how it could be as it's where anyone can park for HDDR and other FW activities.

[WannaBeImagineer]

Hey everyone, just wanted to give an update. I drove by the Fort yesterday (Sunday) after the Race for the Taste and the overflow lot is still open.

Don't worry though I didn't park and use Disney Transporation. :)

[rapriebe]

Overflow parking wasn't closed off as of yesterday...

Don't really see how it could be as it's where anyone can park for HDDR and other FW activities.

They haven't added any more posts on the entrances so I suspect the project is on hold. Possibly the first few posts were meant as a deterant??

As far as where they would park for HDDR and other FW activities -- it would be in the same parking lot but they would have to enter throught the guarded gate just like you do when you have dinner at any other resort. I personally think it's a good idea as long as they put another gate with key car access over by the kennel.

[des1954]

They haven't added any more posts on the entrances so I suspect the project is on hold. Possibly the first few posts were meant as a deterant??

Rapriebe:

Are you referring to the posts that block the overflow lot from the main lot? If so, those posts have been there a long, long time.

[WannaBeImagineer]

Rapriebe:

Are you referring to the posts that block the overflow lot from the main lot? If so, those posts have been there a long, long time.

I believe he's referring to the new posts that were added last week to block off the first entrance to the over flow lot from the side road, they also added posts to block the first parking aisle in front of the kennel. Sorry it's kind of hard to explain, but they're definitely new.

[des1954]

I believe he's referring to the new posts that were added last week to block off the first entrance to the over flow lot from the side road, they also added posts to block the first parking aisle in front of the kennel. Sorry it's kind of hard to explain, but they're definitely new.

I think I understand what you mean. When you come in the entrance to the overflow lot, the immediate left turn has posts. Then, the two-way lane in front of the kennel has posts. Right? Oh well, it's their lot and they can do whatever they want to with it.

I'm not sure they could completely close the entrance to the overflow lot without redesigning the lot. The CM's use this entrance to get to their parking lot back at the old Railroad Roundhouse, and that's the entrance the busses use.

I'll see for myself on 10/28.

[WannaBeImagineer]

I think I understand what you mean. When you come in the entrance to the overflow lot, the immediate left turn has posts. Then, the two-way lane in front of the kennel has posts. Right? Oh well, it's their lot and they can do whatever they want to with it.

I'm not sure they could completely close the entrance to the overflow lot without redesigning the lot. The CM's use this entrance to get to their parking lot back at the old Railroad Roundhouse, and that's the entrance the busses use.

I'll see for myself on 10/28.

Yes to the first part, but no they didn't close the 2-way road in front of the Kennel, they only closed one of the parking lot aisles (which doesn't make much sense). So right now anybody can still go into the lot.

For what its worth, I agree Deb it's their lot so they can do whatever they want.

[rapriebe]

Rapriebe:

Are you referring to the posts that block the overflow lot from the main lot? If so, those posts have been there a long, long time.

The posts I was referring to are the same ones I referred to in post #2 of this thread. These are the same posts that have prompted all the discussion on pending changes to the overflow lot.

[LONE-STAR]

So many posts about posts. It made me want to post.:confused3

[homebrew2]

So many posts about posts. It made me want to post.:confused3

Yeah Mike...kinda does make ya wanna go postal don't it.:rolleyes1

[RvUsa]

Yeah Mike...kinda does make ya wanna go postal don't it.:rolleyes1


Denny, Denny, Denny, you had built up your reputation with the post about the batwit arrests, and you go and blow it all with that one.... :sad2: :lmao:

[des1954]

I would like to work for the post office. They get great pay, great benefits, and lots of holidays. Okay - so their uniforms are dorky - but the pay is good.

[rapriebe]

So many posts about posts. It made me want to post.:confused3

Okay, all right, already. I'm going down to the posts that we talked about in the previous posts and I'm gonna post some post-it notes on those new posts.:lmao::lmao:

[homebrew2]

Denny, Denny, Denny, you had built up your reputation with the post about the batwit arrests, and you go and blow it all with that one.... :sad2: :lmao:

Well....after all it ain't like I'm Big Rog or anything:laughing:

Cut me some slack willya? It's hard to get all the brain cells movin
the same direction when yer my age.:confused3

Besides...I knew it was a "groaner" when I posted it.:stir::rolleyes1