After a 10 year hiatus...we are back... sort of...

[sirenia88]

Howdy,

Still camping just more locally due to my job. Haven't been on here in a while either. DW and I booked a real last minute trip to the Fort but we are taking the cabin route this time. Never stayed at the cabins before but the updated models look really cool. So we are giving a shot. We were at Disney last year for our DD's school band trip. I had a stack of points we stayed at the Hilton by Disney Springs. We did come on to the property I want to say 2017 when we stayed at Wilderness Lodge for a meal. I heard things changed and some things are still the same. No more Trails End as a sit down. Its a quick service i believe. Neither here nor there, we make the most of the time there. However I will probably miss the 10 days we use to do with the trailer. We will see where the adventures go...

Flight for Florida leaves tonight...

 

[Teamubr]

Welcome Home!

Post as you feel like it and have a great time.

j

 

[bama_ed]

Alan,

Good to hear from you.

Have a nice stay and if you can, get out to take some pics around the Fort and post them here in your thread please.

Ed

 

[sirenia88]

The trip is the adventure….

Now were are settled into the Fort, I can send the first part of the report. We landed on Thursday night in to Tampa. Refreshed from our United First experience of an actual in flight meal with drinks, DD, DW and I disembarked from our comfortable nest of a seat. We made our way to baggage to claim the luggage we brought down. Then got our ride to a local hotel, a Hilton Garden Inn for a good night sleep for a fun Friday. Just to make it clear, our flight was all points due to my travel for work. So it was nice to be able to take teh family on a trip without spending tons of cash on flights. The hotel was the same thing.

After getting a nice hardy breakfast, I headed over to the vehicle rental center to pick up the ride for the next week. We headed over to a Rugby event taking place in the area. Several of the DD’s team mates were playing in the event. Her teammates were very happy to see her supporting them. After watching a few of the games, we made our way to our next stop which was going to be Sarasota for the evening. The plan was to stop in the area for the Mote Marine Lab. On our way to the exit, The vehicle threw a CEL and Low oil lights! We pulled off and found a place to park it. Contacted the rental center. They said they would call ahead and let another location know we were coming and to have a vehicle ready for us. We limp the vehicle to another location. Get there to find out they don’t have another vehicle after all. They were going to offer us a Mitsubishi Mirage compact for 3 people and 5 bags. I had one for work, it barely got me to the job site as well as carry my gear and luggage to the location.

After a few minutes, I spoke with the manager. He was like we got a vehicle in but it wasn’t checked in. So they did a quick turn around on it and then turned it over to us. We loaded up the right. I worked with the counter on paperwork, we were back on the road. Headed to the hotel for the night. So far, this Chevy hasn’t broken down unlike the other one. It only had 8000 miles on it.

Saturday Morning we get on the road and find a nice cafe for breakfast. The crew fueled up, we headed to a few hours of Aquarium fun. The Mote lab is really cool place to visit for all things Marine science based. After our trip, we headed to a local store for a few supplies. The wife dropped me off at a local mall in which I picked up an Apple Watch. DW and DD have them and use them regularly. Well I joined the cult with one as well. I wanted it to track my fitness. Usually it fit in this sandwich in my mouth LOL. However, got all set up. Have it set up and worked pretty good so far. After our shopping adventure, our travels to my uncle’s place commenced.

We got there according to schedule. My uncle was so happy with our visit. We took him out for dinner and after wards we just relaxed for the rest of the evening. The next morning, we went for a walk. I got to really try out my new watch. We had some time afterwards to talk about things. Then headed for brunch with the family. Once we got back, got packed up and headed to the Fort.

The ride was uneventful. We got to the land the mouse by 5 PM. The check in was quick and easy. As we were checking in, I had to look back to make sure the trailer wasn’t in tow . The CM asked if this was the first time at the fort, we said nope and it was the first stay in 10 years. They welcomed us back. After check in it was pick up of the cart. After a couple of minutes, we are on our way the Red Wolf Loop aka 2600 loop.

And just like that…we leave with a cliff hanger.. Check back tomorrow…

 

[bama_ed]

And just like that…we leave with a cliff hanger. Check back tomorrow…

 

[sirenia88]

As anyone knows when it comes to Disney, sometimes getting to it tomorrow is a concept

Where were we? Getting the golf cart…. Ah the cabin. Yes. It’s pretty nice. We were welcomed on the TV of course in Disney Resort fashion. We surveyed our new surroundings. DD claimed the Murphy bed in the living room. We unpacked and headed to check out the fort as we had not been on property since 2017. when I say on property, we stopped at TE and also visited @bama_ed for a few minutes. At that time we were only a few minutes away at the Wilderness Lodge. Overall the look hasn’t changed. We did some shopping at the two stores looking. Dinner was a pizza of all things from TE as we just wanted to get something for the evening. So there I was at the table of the cabin eating Pizza and drinking a beer. The whole fam was tired. One thing that loomed on the skyline was the construction of the neighbor. Thankfully we are no where near that noise of the construction.

Monday Morning. I got up first and took a walk around the campground. Got in 2.5 miles of walking before making breakfast at the cabin which worked out to be a perfect solution. DW and I figured that it was easier to pick up some breakfast items from the store for the next couple of days here. Make a quick breakfast and hit the parks. The nice thing with the cabins is they have the basics to make a meal. Plus the full kitchen is good. Nothing like us campers have in our trailers maybe the bigger fancier one might have similar size. However, these cabins are definitely camper’s dream in that department. Got food made. Then made the plan for day. Epcot was on the docket.

We took the boat to MK and picked up the Monorail to TTC and finally to Epcot. At first, the girls were not having that. DW wanted the bus. DD was like whatever and said the boat/MR might not be a bad option. We surprised the DD with the fact we got the LLP package for the day. My wife did not tell me she did it either thinking I would open my mouth. I was like I had no idea what you booked or planned. Anyway we made our way around Epcot starting with Spaceship Earth. Too me it is still dated. Made our way the correct way around World showcase via Mexico. I do get a good chuckle with shirts in the parks. Someone had a shirt that said “Friends don’t let friends start in Canada” Honestly, I have gone both directions. Especially if you are at the Yacht and Beach resort. You are on that side of the showcase. However I have noticed a clockwise direction to the path. Found GOTG ride the music changed up. What a great ride in general. To me it is the modern space mountain.

We headed back to the fort. We wound up with the monorail option. This time we went to Poly for a quick dinner at the Kona Cafe. Then to the Contemporary for boat ride back to the fort. Transportation wise, we had excellent timing up until the boat ride back to the fort. Along the way, I conversed with a guy whose first visit to the fort was in 1980. He asked if this was my first time, I said nope but the first time back in 10 years. He was from upstate New York. We got back to the cabin. Settled in for a nice long slumber.

As I update and of right now, the crew is still sleeping. It is DHS day. I should get them going. This dad wants to go mess with the tourists of start wars land. I also want to beat them at TS mania too. Am I boasting?

Oh here are are some pictures!


Welcome to the cabin.



Dinner on Sunday evening…



My “base of operations”. Those penguins are from SeaWorld’s Antarctic exhibit from a trip in 2022 to the area.



Monday Morning breakfast in the kitchen. Gives an idea of what you are working with.


The construction of the Fort’s and Lodge’s new neighbor.



How can I forget. Biergarten for lunch at Epcot.



I have given the picture people their request. I will try to get some fort pictures at some point.

 

[bama_ed]

We unpacked and headed to check out the fort as we had not been on property since 2017. when I say on property, we stopped at TE and also visited @bama_ed for a few minutes.

Thanks for visiting ED. I fear the ED may not survive given the way the future is headed. But ED also survives to this day in a nice different quiet place with good foot traffic. Great pictures so far.

Ed

 

[sirenia88]

Howdy!

Got finished with dinner a few minutes ago. We did DHS today. Only 7 miles of walking. Sci Fi for lunch. Took a leisurely route through the park today. I wound up spending time in Stars Wars land with Datapad. I had more time around here, I would have spent more time on another game. We bussed back and forth today.

Tomorrow is MK day. It is going to be a split day. we are going early for a breakfast. Spend a few hours there and then come back to Fort for several hours of looping and recreation. I see there is a couple of loops having work done. We will see where the adventure takes us.

Pretty tired but wanted to get these thoughts out there. Ed, I feel you about things. So far an overall good experience. However still 1/2 the vacation to go.

 

[bama_ed]

Only 7 miles of walking.

 

[sirenia88]

Howdy,

Split shift for the day. We headed over to MK early. Got the early magic hours for Tomorrowland. Did Buzz Lightyear. Then headed over to Crystal Palace for breakfast. Afterwards, we climbed trees, saw the backside of water, and watched birds singing. Off to find some treasure on a pirate voyage. Fun fact. There was an actual Capt jack Sparrow. He did his work in the Mediterranean Sea and for a time lived in North Africa. Capt Jack was actually a pretty successful. DW and DD did the Bayou adventure while I waited. Off to take a rail road for a new land.

We found ourselves on a plane trip and then took off on a light cycle before calling it a day. Now back at the fort, we are going to go swimming and looping maybe. Get a little rest in before heading back to MK….

 

[Teamubr]

That's quite a bit for a 1/2 day. I checked wait times now (4pm Disney time) and nothing is real long except the usuals, Tiana, 7 Dwarfs and Tron.

j

 

[sirenia88]

@Teamubr, easy. Lighting Lane Premium. Basically, my wife got a larger than expected bonus this year. we actually discussed doing a private tour of MK. However when we broke it down, LL Premium actually went to 3 of the 4 parks. At 11:15 PM tonight it was still 40 minutes for tron. We were going to do mine train but it was still around 30 minutes at 11:15PM. we were all tired, so heading back to the cabin was the best option.

we didn’t go looping. Spent a good amount of time at the pool. A quick refresher then back to the park around 4 PM. At this point, we placed an order at Pinocchio Haus and got a table next to the windows for small world. They took away the signs However, we got in a meal. Then did a few slow rides to allow the food to digest a little. My wife found one of the fireworks meal and seating events. She booked it yesterday. So we had seating on the terrace eating area for a sweets and seats events. I got myself a nice cold beer. we had a couple of plates of assorted items. It was really nice. Something we would not normally splurge on. After that we did a Monsters laugh floor. Headed back over behind the castle for Peter Pan. Also the haunted mansion was walk on. We did a couple of small quick rides and walked out around 1130 PM.

BTW, walking wise i did only 7.5 miles at DHS. I didn’t take a walk in the AM. Today, No time for a stroll around the fort either due to a breakfast res. However I was surprised at only 10.1 miles. Animal Kingdom is up next. We have a set game plan there. Need to stop at Disney springs for some shopping before wrapping things up.

Lastly some pictures..