September 2015 Combined Live Trip Reports

Bishoparc · Sep 14, 2015

Well folks, we made it back to the states. I've got to tell you, the Disney Cruise was absolutely out of this world fantastic. The ship & the crew were amazing. It was old school Disney service & quality at its best. If you have never gone on a Disney Cruise or if you've never cruised at all (we hadn't) I HIGHLY recommend you give Disney a try. When we were in Nassau there were ships from the majority of the other cruise lines and I can tell you BY FAR the Disney Dream was the best looking and certainly most taken care of ship there. The Carnival ships looked like they were held together with duct tape, rusted out and absolutely awful looking.

I know this is the camping forum but just wanted to share a few of these pics with my camping friends:

Bishoparc · Sep 14, 2015

Well both our 1 day before the cruise and today when we checked in, they put us in the loop we asked for in our online check-in so that's great! The RV stayed safe and sound in the overflow parking lot while we were on our cruise (they made us fill out a form releasing them from liability and a parking permit.) Our CM today was named Jean, she was fantastic! I verified with her that we were in the outside of the loop we asked for and we were so all requests were met.

Got off the cruise ship about 7:00A, stopped by Walmart and got to the Fort around 10AM. Campsite was ready to go. We're on site 907 if anyone wants to swing by and visit!

In addition to the new guard shack they are building, they're also building another check in station.

Went to MK to grab something at the Emporium and some food, it was super busy (it's Monday so somewhat expected but they were swamped.) Went to Epcot tonight and rode Test Track (it broke down right after we got off.)

Campsite pics:

MK with BoG for lunch then MNSSHP tomorrow night!

bjschil · Sep 15, 2015

Bishoparc said:
Well folks, we made it back to the states. I've got to tell you, the Disney Cruise was absolutely out of this world fantastic. The ship & the crew were amazing. It was old school Disney service & quality at its best. If you have never gone on a Disney Cruise or if you've never cruised at all (we hadn't) I HIGHLY recommend you give Disney a try. When we were in Nassau there were ships from the majority of the other cruise lines and I can tell you BY FAR the Disney Dream was the best looking and certainly most taken care of ship there. The Carnival ships looked like they were held together with duct tape, rusted out and absolutely awful looking.

I know this is the camping forum but just wanted to share a few of these pics with my camping friends:

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In January, 2015, we also went on a Disney Cruise, the Fantasy, for 7 wonderful days. You are right, Disney does it best. We are coming to the Fort on Dec 29, and staying for 14 days. We await Special cruise Pricing, so sometime, soon, we can book a cruise at the end of our camping trip. Have even considered flying to Puerto Rico, and doing the southern Caribbean, but was concerned we would not like the Dream after the Fantasy. I feel you might have changed our minds. Happy Camping. Love your pictures and decorations.

tiggerdad · Sep 15, 2015

Looking good there Bishop, appreciate the pictures. I wasn't able to view them last night when I came home and checked the Boards, but they are showing up this morning. The ship looks great. My wife wants us to take the kids on a Disney cruise sometime, maybe one of these years I'll go for it.

Your site looks really good and shaded.

Following along with you buddy.

P.S.
put out some corn for the squirrels will ya...

SouthAlabama5er · Sep 15, 2015

That's a good looking site, I really like the back side of your Musket Mickey sign, I regret not have something made on the backside of ours! A Disney Cruise is on our bucket list too. Thanks for posting, enjoy your trip!

bama_ed · Sep 15, 2015

You guys look exhausted on that cruise, Bishoparc.

Bama Ed

garneska · Sep 15, 2015

Glad you enjoyed the cruise Bishop. I have to agree something funky with pics. Some I can see on iPhone others I see on iPad. I don't get it but have not tried the real laptop yet.

jbrostek · Sep 16, 2015

Agreed, the pictures as an attachment to the disboard does not seem to be working. I usually link mine from an external source.

Bishoparc · Sep 16, 2015

Well it's been an interesting trip so far. Crowds have been unseasonably high at the parks (The Fort is pretty vacant from the driving around we've done.) FastPass lines have actually been long. LOTS of ride break downs. Yesterday we had FP's for BTMRR & SplashM but both got closed for an "electrical issue." Went to MNSSHP and it was absolutely packed. You couldn't even get candy unless you wanted to wait in really long lines. We went this same time last year and the crowds were nothing like this. All I can figure is that the new Hocus Pocus show drew a large crowd (they were actually making announcements that if you wanted to leave and come back another night to go to guest services so I guess they oversold it.) We still had fun but it was very difficult to get around (it felt almost as packed as Christmas Day.) Lots of construction going on at MK still around the castle (and yes the crane is sitting there waiting to go up for Christmas lights.)

We got to ride one of the street cars down Main Street for the first time in our lives:

Our MNSSHP costumes (I'm a Dapper Dan, wife is Minnie.)

Ran into Teresa and Kathy from the DIS Unplugged Podcast & Dreams Unlimited Travel (sponsors of the DIS.)

Today, went to HS. The Great Movie Ride caught on fire while we were on it and we had to be evacuated through the Aliens scene. They didn't give us any FP's so I tweeted that @wdwtoday account and they gave us 3 FP's to use today in any park. I'm just really not sure why the crowds have been so high this week. This is just normally one of those pretty light weeks. Started pouring down rain as we were leaving HS today. HS has a dedicated Fort bus stop now but...no cover. Ended up waiting about 30 minutes for a bus to return.

They have installed one of the bus wait time monitors at the Fort bus stop and it is pretty accurate. It does not show the times for internal bus service.

They have also expanded/re-packed the golf cart parking lot in front of Trails End:

Still raining so we'll probably just chill at the Fort for the rest of the evening.

bama_ed · Sep 16, 2015

Is this a Free Dining period at the other resorts? IIRC it usually starts late August or early September. That may be why the parks are full.

I read the DIS Resorts and Restaurants boards and I have to laugh at the people who book their Value or Moderate resorts for this time of year thinking they will then flip to FD and then complain because the eligible resorts and dates get trimmed each year. DUH, people. FD is meant to put heads in beds during a slow time. If you book the ressie in anticipation, it doesn't look slow. Disney is a text book case of offering something (like FD), gauging the guest reaction, and then cutting it back to maximize profitability. The FD example should be taught in every Business School in every American University. FD looks much different now (and the Dining Plan that's required for Free Dining) than when it was first rolled out.

Sadly, it looks like a lot of trees in the Pioneer Woods gave their lives for additional golf cart parking.

Thanks for the update, Bishoparc.

Bama Ed

PS - I love the Dapper Dans (and Voices of Liberty in Epcot) and any live entertainment because it's real and authentic and personable. Well except for the Epcot Great Britain street actors with their King Arthur show (or whatever it was) that didn't change hardly in over a decade it seemed. Even in Canada the bagpipe guys were cool, funny, and talented. Italy had musicians too worth watching. Even the banjo band in Frontierland gets my attention. So great costume choice for MNSS.

garneska · Sep 16, 2015

Loved your costumes. Yes I think the new hocus pocus show brought way more in. Can't wait to watch it from the dis. Cool pic of you and the famous ladies. Looks like you are having fun. I am already missing the fort.

Bishoparc · Sep 16, 2015

bama_ed said:
Is this a Free Dining period at the other resorts

Yes, yes it is but it was last year too and we didn't experience this. We'll make it, hopefully no more ride break downs tomorrow.

CooperPrincesses · Sep 17, 2015

I am so glad to read these reports, so I can prepare myself for bigger crowds then usual. We booked now because its usually the slowest time in the parks and I really want my two youngest to get the full experience without hour long lines. I am just going to take out all expectations and roll with the punches. Crossing my fingers that maybe things quiet down a bit by next week.

We are heading to MNSSHP on Sunday so also hoping that it is not sold out like Tuesday night, but we'll just do the best we can with what we get.

Keep the pictures coming, I have to wait a while for them to download for whatever reason but I do get to see them eventually.

Enjoy your day today!!!

ruthies12 · Sep 17, 2015

none of the pictures are coming up for me!

tiggerdad · Sep 17, 2015

You're not alone Ruthies...

Hello!? Anybody?

CooperPrincesses · Sep 17, 2015

I can see them he next day. So I am working on my patience, which is not easy. :badpc:

FortWildernessCamper · Sep 17, 2015

Cannot see pictures. My avitar was switched to older picture then back to my recent picture...but now no avitar?

KristinU · Sep 17, 2015

Yeah, can't see them either...I figured it was a work thing, but now I'm logged on at home with still no luck.

Teamubr · Sep 17, 2015

Great pics. (I can see them now. Avatars too. Couldn't yesterday.

Cute costumes @Bishoparc. Is there a story to them?

j

SimbaLover · Sep 17, 2015

Went for a walk in the 1600 loop about half an hour ago. Ran into 3 county cop cars, a bunch of policeman and a young girl, late teens or early 20s maybe, screaming she didn't do anything while in handcuffs and an older couple speaking to the police. She was saying she was in trouble for not doing anything and they were taking somebody else's word against hers. While we were further away I could hear a cop saying if she tried that again he was going to throw her to the ground. Our backs were to them so idk what happened.

We made the loop again (cause we are nosy like that) and girl was in the back seat of the car screaming and kicking while the cops were still talking to the couple.

We leave in the morning. Will update with pictures and a few highlights in a few days. Real life has been calling so might be a while.

September 2015 Combined Live Trip Reports

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Mouseketeer

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I don't always get distracted but whe...SQUIRREL!

Mouseketeer

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Earning My Ears

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