Make-M Pay

[John VN]

I think it is about time that FW puts a meter on every site and after a specified amount of electricity is used an additional charge is added to the site fee. If someone wants to light up their site with 10,000 bulbs, blow up figures and anything else that uses the power that normally would not be used, they should foot the bill and not get assistance from me. Could be that some of the site rate increases is due to all the displays.

Flame suit on from head to toes.

[becky1960]

When Cap & Trade goes into effect, look for large increases in site cost as Electricity is supposed to double according to Electric generating Ceo's. Disney uses a huge amount of electricity.

[Abagpiper5]

popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::

[3gr8kids]

popcorn::

[k4dcf]

So let's say I am a thirty amp coach paying for a premium fifty amp site can I burn an additional twenty amps (2,400 watts) of decorations before I get charged extra.:confused3

[stacktester]

Who really gives a **** John? Why don't you do a little homework to see how little electricity lightbulbs and fans actually draw. I wanted to see exactly what my camper a/c pulls and with the assistance of a friend who works for the power company he measured it running on a 24 hour basis. It costs about $7 a day for our rates here. An a/c pulls a heck of a lot more power than these displays at the fort. FW actually gives sites to certain people during Christmas and other holidays. 99% of everything you've ever posted is negative BS that you have no idea what you're even posting.

[mnsprk]

I thought we were supposed to enjoy WDW and the FORT...Let's not start a feud!!!

[BigDaddyRog]

Im pretty sure John was given empty boxes for christmas as a child.

[ftwildernessguy]

I got a rock.

[VACAMPER]

I like turtles.

[big kahuna1]

I think it is about time that FW puts a meter on every site and after a specified amount of electricity is used an additional charge is added to the site fee. If someone wants to light up their site with 10,000 bulbs, blow up figures and anything else that uses the power that normally would not be used, they should foot the bill and not get assistance from me. Could be that some of the site rate increases is due to all the displays.

Flame suit on from head to toes.



http://bigkahuna1.smugmug.com/photos/64294320_pnumQ-Th.gif

[DaveInTN]

I'm not typically one to jump into the fray of threads like this, but I will say that the site decorating at Christmas (not to mention the other holidays) is one of the top draws that brings us back to the Fort each year. We do a minimal amount of decorating ourselves (mainly as I don't have to means to acquire, store and transport a ton of decorations from TN), but we LOVE looping around the resort viewing all of the displays that folks put together. We make hot chocolate for the DD's, something a bit "warmer" for my wife and me, and make a night of it. Several nights in fact. It is one of the things that makes FW magical for us. If the "over the top" decorating was not allowed or discouraged, our trips would likely be shorter and less frequent. I imagine others would feel the same way.

For just my family, if we reduced our stays by one week per year, or 7 nights, that would eliminate $525 in site revenue at an average rate of $75/nt. I don't know what the rate per kw hr is in central FL, but I would guess $525 would light a lot of lights and run a lot of blow up fans. And that's just me! And that doesn't include all the money I spend besides the site fees on tickets, food and souveniers, which are typically several times the actual site fees per trip.

Furthermore, I think Disney is way smarter than that anyways. Throughout WDW, they go all out with decorating the resorts and parks for the Holidays, mainly Christmas and Halloween. They spend a ton of money on this, as they know it creates magic which pulls the people in. And yet, at the Fort they have somehow gotten a situation where the guests do most of the decorating for them! All they do is supply the electricity. WE do all the work! I really doubt they would discourage that.

So, that's my opinion and I'll shut up now and get back to the sidelines. :flower3:

[stacktester]

Excellent response. They hardly do any work at the fort so it's a great trade for them. If they didn't allow decorations it would be pretty bland. One of the reasons we book Thanksgiving weekend is to experience the decorations all over Disney.

[SandrA9810]

I love how the 300 loop decorates to the hilt for Halloween. It definatly makes the carriage ride that much cooler.

I love all the decorations for the different holidays, or the golf cart parade for the 4th. I really don't think the amount of decorations for the holiday have any effect on the price of the campsites. All the Disney resorts seem to go up a steady price every year, and the fort is no exception.

[laura-k]

Oh please ,I don't bring all my decorations with me ,but i do enjoy the ones that
others do and at around 100.00 a night (i usually stay in the 300 loop) I am quite sure that covers the electric cost quite easily !

Laura

[laura-k]

Oh please ,I don't bring all my decorations with me ,but i do enjoy the ones that
others do and at around 100.00 a night (i usually stay in the 300 loop) I am quite sure that covers the electric cost quite easily !

Laura

[mamaloya]

The cost is high over the holidays because it is the holidays and one of, if not THE, busiest times of the year.

And yes, the over the top decorations is one of the big draws of the fort. They were even feature on that travel show with Samantha Brown. Do you actually think they would discourage something that gets them free attention?

[ftwildernessguy]

The cost is high over the holidays because it is the holidays and one of, if not THE, busiest times of the year.

And yes, the over the top decorations is one of the big draws of the fort. They were even feature on that travel show with Samantha Brown. Do you actually think they would discourage something that gets them free attention?

That show and Sam's T-shirt sparked quite a bit of discussion when it first aired. Ahhhhhh......the memories.

[des1954]

Just for anyone who is interested.... WDW power, water, and sewer is all provided by Reedy Creek Improvement District, a company created by, owned by & operated by Disney. They do not buy power from anyone. As a matter of fact, Tampa Electric Company (TECO) connected a sub-station into the RCID power grid near the Disney Studios in 1995 and the two companies signed a contract stating that TECO would pay RCID a 25% capacity fee, annually. I don't know the time terms of this contract, but just to give you a hint of what the terms might be, when the U.S. Armed Forces took over the old Disney Inn and created Shades of Green, the Gov't signed a 99 year lease on the property with WDW.

When driving from Tampa east on I-4 towards Disney, the signature "Mickey Ears" power tower you see on the north side of I-4 was designed, built by and paid for by TECO. So, I don't think the WDW/FtW "suits" are losing any sleep over campsites being decorated to the hilt.

As another matter of fact, towards Christmas the hay wagon ride will sometimes go through loops they ordinarily don't go through so the guests can see some of the great decorations.

So John, you can rest easy now. Or...if you still feel you're being ripped off because someone else's joy of decorating is giving you sorrow, then take your business to another campground. Nobody makes you stay at Ft. Wilderness. That'll leave a site open for someone else to enjoy.

[AuburnJen92]

I think it is about time that FW puts a meter on every site and after a specified amount of electricity is used an additional charge is added to the site fee. If someone wants to light up their site with 10,000 bulbs, blow up figures and anything else that uses the power that normally would not be used, they should foot the bill and not get assistance from me. Could be that some of the site rate increases is due to all the displays.

Flame suit on from head to toes.

I just got home from CVS, found a useful item on the shelf...

http://www.jazztelia.com/myfiles/sibylla/258Troll_spray.jpg

[des1954]

Pass it over here when you're done, Jen!

[sshudson99]

For some reason, I am in the mood to watch Mickey Mouse Christmas Carol (bah hum bug) :rotfl:

[DisCamper]

Well I worked for Disney in the late 80’s. Disney pulled power from 3 counties. So they would never have a blackout. So I have to question your info. I can’t tell you now how it done But I can take you anywhere on the property if you can show me an Electric plant?

[SandrA9810]

Well I know of two you can see from a guest road. The one behind the MK there on Center Dr, and the other sitting next to the Epcot cast lot, which you can also see from the Test Track ride.

I don't know if there's more, or where they're at. But those two are ones that I do know of.

[BRDof3]

Regardless of where it comes from, anyone who says that the electrical demand of Christmas lights and blow-ups is a significant portion of Disney's daily load can't know too much about it all. :3dglasses

[DisCamper]

{SandrA9810 }Sorry - both places you mentioned are housekeeping or Cast member laundry for Epcot and MK, not power suppliers for WDW.

[Pirate-Jeff]

If Disney really cared about the electric they wouldn't be helping some folks install lights and Disney wouldn't have site decorating contests at every holiday. :santa:

Someone must have gotten COAL for Christmas.

[stacktester]

Sorry - both places you mentioned are housekeeping or Cast member laundry for Epcot and MK, not power suppliers for WDW.

Disney actually has it's own power plant behing Magic Kingdom. Trust me I tested it before. There were 3 gas turbines last time I tested them. They use a co. out of Pensacola now that handles all their environmental needs and last I heard they don't even go out on bid anymore.

I think Progress Energy actually owns the Mickey power pole in Intercession City. I can count about 5 power plants in the Kissimmee Orlando area that I'm sure Disney purchases power from if they need additional power. They probably only get outside power when people play Clark Griswold and suck up all the juice with those Christmas lights at the fort. What's the world coming to when people decorate with lights and inflatables? :confused3

[g8trmom1]

Who really gives a $hit John? Why don't you do a little homework to see how little electricity lightbulbs and fans actually draw. I wanted to see exactly what my camper a/c pulls and with the assistance of a friend who works for the power company he measured it running on a 24 hour basis. It costs about $7 a day for our rates here. An a/c pulls a heck of a lot more power than these displays at the fort. FW actually gives sites to certain people during Christmas and other holidays. 99% of everything you've ever posted is negative BS that you have no idea what you're even posting.

Thanks for making my smile Donnie after the crappy few months I have had!!!

[figment1986]

I think Progress Energy actually owns the Mickey power pole in Intercession City.

Nope, I believe it's still a TECO Energy substation which the "Mickey Pole" is located within, according to an old press release, The TECO contract with Reedy Creek runs through 2017.

[des1954]

Well I worked for Disney in the late 80’s. Disney pulled power from 3 counties. So they would never have a blackout. So I have to question your info. I can’t tell you now how it done But I can take you anywhere on the property if you can show me an Electric plant?

It's called Reedy Creek Energy Services. They have a natural gas powered plant - which was built in lieu of the original plans for a nuclear power plant. They are connected into Progress Energy & TECO as back-up in the event of an outage.

Reedy Creek Improvement District is a unique part of Disney, was approved by the state legislature in 1967 so that Disney had total control of all things within their property. Reedy Creek was the first name for the Downtown Disney area, which is now named the City of Lake Buena Vista.

A March 30, 2009 Reuter's report stated that the Energy Service division accounted for 56% system revenue. How can they pay themselves you might ask? They don't. The public energy grids RCID is connected into has to buy excessive power that is generated. That's a state law.

Do some digging into RCID & also, if you have Disney stock, read their annual report. It's very interesting.

[des1954]

I think Progress Energy actually owns the Mickey power pole in Intercession City. :confused3

Nope - definitely TECO, Donnie. I had to order and arrange land lines for that area when TECO was preparing to build it.

And DisCamper - I too worked for Disney (albeit briefly) - at Epcot - and there is a sub-station in CM parking lot. There's also a huge sub-station where they dock the barges for the Electric Light Parade.

And Donnie is correct about a natural gas power plant at the MK. That's the site where the original nuclear power plant was planned to be built. I think the nuclear idea was shot down by the NRC. That's one gov't agency Disney can not buy their way around.

[stacktester]

Nope - definitely TECO, Donnie. I had to order and arrange land lines for that area when TECO was preparing to build it.

And DisCamper - I too worked for Disney (albeit briefly) - at Epcot - and there is a sub-station in CM parking lot. There's also a huge sub-station where they dock the barges for the Electric Light Parade.

And Donnie is correct about a natural gas power plant at the MK. That's the site where the original nuclear power plant was planned to be built. I think the nuclear idea was shot down by the NRC. That's one gov't agency Disney can not buy their way around.

It doesn't surprise me that Walt wanted Nuclear. He was way far ahead of his time.

[Running_Bell]

hey.... we will be in Disney Friday and are very much looking forward to looking at Halloween lights. We've never been to the Fort during a "decorating" event. I'm hoping there will be lots and lots, we are renting a golf cart just for that reason......

life is just too short to worry about little stuff like this.... if my dad were still alive... he'd have his camper decorated like the 4th of July and be loving every minute of it!!!

[ftwildernessguy]

It doesn't surprise me that Walt wanted Nuclear. He was way far ahead of his time.

Right now he's just "chilling" out, waiting for a cure for his lung cancer so he can thaw out and take control of this mess the business graduates have created.

[BRDof3]

I think everyone should be charged for their campsite by the foot, based on the total length of the tow vehicle and camper, or moho and toad. There should be a minimum charge, and no credit for not using all of the paved pad. If you have a tent you have to pay a surcharge for the sand pad at the back. There should be an extra charge for any additional extension cords plugged into the service. If you cook your meals at the campsite, there is an extra charge for the ashes you leave behind.

I shouldn't have to pay the same as the guy next door, when his trailer is 3' longer than mine. He uses more air conditioning, and has more water lines in the camper. That means he costs more than I do. After all, fair is fair. :3dglasses

[des1954]

SHUT UP, ROB!! :lmao:

[DaveInTN]

PRECISELY why it would be more cost effective to share a site with someone. Oh man, I probably shouldn't bring that up again! :rotfl2:

[liv luvs disney]

PRECISELY why it would be more cost effective to share a site with someone. Oh man, I probably shouldn't bring that up again! :rotfl2:

Dave, you're suppose to be on the sidelines.

[BigDaddyRog]

Site sharing comes with some pretty strick rules!!!!!

[ftwildernessguy]

I think everyone should be charged for their campsite by the foot, based on the total length of the tow vehicle and camper, or moho and toad. There should be a minimum charge, and no credit for not using all of the paved pad. If you have a tent you have to pay a surcharge for the sand pad at the back. There should be an extra charge for any additional extension cords plugged into the service. If you cook your meals at the campsite, there is an extra charge for the ashes you leave behind.

I shouldn't have to pay the same as the guy next door, when his trailer is 3' longer than mine. He uses more air conditioning, and has more water lines in the camper. That means he costs more than I do. After all, fair is fair. :3dglasses

Bobby called me. He wants to talk to you about a possible position in management at WDW resorts. He said something about you being real Disney executive material.

[clkelley]

Don't talk too loudly. There are campgrounds that charge extra if you use 50 Amp service vs. 30 Amp service.

[TiggerinBama]

well hello there, John

I'm one of the one that do the decorating on the 800 loop cornor.
Disney lets us decorate so people come over and spend time at FW instead of at all of the parks so it want be as crowd that's one of the crowd control things to do. with that said disney doesn't pay us to decorate. We do it because we love it, and like to see peoples reactions to our decorations. People pay to ride the carraiages, buy food and drinks, rent golf carts and what better way for the locals who might not be able to afford to come to disney get to see all of the decorations.
We usually sit across the street and watch people come see our site it's fun and you get to meet different people from different places. we have spent the CHRISTmas holidays at disney since my daughter was three, and she 15 now. It's our tradtion. bottom line is that they make enough money to do what they want and they do. It's a pitful person who would begrudge a child to expericence such happy things in life.

I own 2 dvc contracts about 800 points worth now and I spend alot of time at disney, heck I even worked there last year. So I'm paying for my site how about you? I give them enough of my money and the people who come and stay for the winter keep things in balance after all it is a business. no offense to my friends on here but maybe they should charge people who don't decorate for the holidays because thier losing money.

[stacktester]

I believe I found a pic of John in the flame suit he mentioned in his post. Since he hasn't flamed on like he promised I thought I'd help him.

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s193/stacktester/flamethrower-jap.jpg

[lawnspecialties]

Although I'm sure John is a nice guy, he is the one who got all bent about the squirrels/monorail joke thread. I'm seeing a pattern here.

I have a feeling all those posts he's accumulated were definitely not in the camping forum.

Don't worry though John. "O" is going to fix everything in all our lives. :thumbsup2

[manning]

settle down folks I checked the rules and it didn't say anything that Grinch can't post here.

I think it is more like Disney's worship of the buck.

[Gatordad]

disney charges big money because you disney people will pay it.... plain and simple... if the demand curve were to shift, so would prices.

I blame you know who...

[3gr8kids]

I blame you know who...

Donnie?

[AuburnJen92]

settle down folks I checked the rules and it didn't say anything that Grinch can't post here.



http://content.ytmnd.com/content/6/0/2/6023360ad8eadacb757254e6dc692aa6.jpg

(i think we figured this out on the first page...thanks)

[PrincessNP]

Thanks TiggerInBama for your decorations! Wondered who that was.....a good southern soul of course! We have made CHRISTmas time in Disney a yearly family tradition as well and we are so excited to have our DD's enjoy the lights again this year. We hope to contribute a nice light/decoration display on our loop this year, too!

:santa: :grouphug:

[keylime359]

Dear OP:
I will be at Disney next week. I will put up an extra airblown and string of lights in your honor. Maybe I can fire up the blender and make some drinks to raise a toast to your smashing idea as well.
Cheers!
Keylime
<end rant>

[Gatordad]

I'm bringing crap that i won't even use to plug in.... an extra fridge, blender, air mattress, air compressor, pitching machine, tv, soda machine, you name it.....

[des1954]

I'm bringing crap that i won't even use to plug in.... an extra fridge, blender, air mattress, air compressor, pitching machine, tv, soda machine, you name it.....

I have dibs on the fridge. I'm going to need it for Al's beer.

[Gatordad]

and i'm gonna run my a/c with the windows open, run with scissors and go outside with my hair wet.

[BRDof3]

I have dibs on the fridge. I'm going to need it for Al's beer.

He only said he was bringing one, though. The rest of the beer will have to be stored under the camper. :lmao:

[BRDof3]

and i'm gonna run my a/c with the windows open, run with scissors and go outside with my hair wet.

And turn on every light in the trailer. Maybe plug a nightlight into the electric post.

[lawnspecialties]

and i'm gonna run my a/c with the windows open, run with scissors and go outside with my hair wet.

The next time we go, I'm going swimming right after I eat.

[5stljayhawks]

I totally agree with you John, FW should put meters on the all the sites, because hanging at the fort is really not that cool during Halloween or Christmas and with out ALL the lights it would be SO much better!!!


In addition, I think Disney should also monitor the water and sewer discharge, because we wouldn’t want to take more than one dump a day per person. I here you have diarrhea of the mouth. Oh yeah let’s not forget the cable, if you watch more than 1 hour of cable, you will be charged $1 per min. and lastly we are in Disney’s air space, so you are only able to breath 30 times a minute, over that it’s 1 cent per breath.


I really think you are on to something, keep up the outstanding post!!!
Nothing personal, just the idea that sucks.

[BRDof3]

I totally agree with you John, FW should put meters on the all the sites, because hanging at the fort is really not that cool during Halloween or Christmas and with out ALL the lights it would be SO much better!!!


In addition, I think Disney should also monitor the water and sewer discharge, because we wouldn’t want to take more than one dump a day per person. I here you have diarrhea of the mouth. Oh yeah let’s not forget the cable, if you watch more than 1 hour of cable, you will be charged $1 per min. and lastly we are in Disney’s air space, so you are only able to breath 30 times a minute, over that it’s 1 cent per breath.


I really think you are on to something, keep up the outstanding post!!!
Nothing personal, just the idea that sucks.

Man, you are on a whole new level. Dumping fees and pay-per-(minute of)view. Why didn't I think of that? :worship:

[Gatordad]

The next time we go, I'm going swimming right after I eat.

in bay lake I hope... and then i'm going to bring this really neat bowl of candy for halloween with starlight mints and make the kids eat that instead of cool candy.

and i'm against pay per turd... or PPT.

[FlaFortCampster]

I had a problem at the site in Sept. with the load center. One of the plugs blew. I didn't find out until returning to the pup only to find the frig not running. UGH. :scared1:
ANYWAY, a very pleasant maintenance man came out and fixed it in minutes. I asked him about how the sites handle all the decorations especially at Christmas time. He said that the 50 amp service can run quite a bit and that WDW knows at that time of year, many of the sites will be running extra pull on the power and they prepare for it.
He did say, as it has been mentioned already, that the lights don't pull that much at all, the inflatables pull more than lights, but overall, the total isn't that much.
If I'm paying a little extra $$ so others can decorate, I think I'm coming out ahead. I can't believe all the work some folks go to with some of the displays.
I put up a few items last year and it took me almost an hour. If I put up what some folks do by the time I got done, it'd be time to packup and head home. So, let em decorate, and thank you for doing so. :thumbsup2

[BRDof3]

and i'm against pay per turd... or PPT.

For this crowd the worse thing would be PPG, or pay per gallon. All the beer and kungaloosh consumed would create so many gallons we'd have to have an extra credit card just for that. :drinking1

[Gatordad]

I pee in the bushes.... it keeps them well irrigated and cuts down on the sewer bill, I get a credit from Disney for it.

[BRDof3]

I pee in the bushes.... it keeps them well irrigated and cuts down on the sewer bill, I get a credit from Disney for it.

Great. With all the alcohol metabolites, now the bushes are drunk.

[AuburnJen92]

Great. With all the alcohol metabolites, now the bushes are drunk.

pete likes to spread the "wealth" (or drunkeness) as they say.....

[bigdisneydaddy]

PPT will force me out of the Fort, its simply will be unaffordable..... and oh BTW, diesel hit $3 a gallon here last night :headache:

[Gatordad]

ppt is ok if you get the rebate for the irrigation.

[LONE-STAR]

Really due to the great fertilizatilon instead of ppt they should be paying you pt.