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]

Originally Posted by 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. 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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).

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. Whose knows what's coming.

[MomofPirate&Mickey]

Originally Posted by Pirate-Jeff

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]

Originally Posted by MomofPirate&Mickey

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]

Originally Posted by MomofPirate&Mickey

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]

Originally Posted by rapriebe

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]

Originally Posted by Tri-circle-D

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.
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. 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!