After setting up camp, we ...

[LarryJ]

We go down to the settlement and sit on the front porch and watch the tourists.

That's a great idea, but for me once I get comfy in one of those rockers and put my feet up on the porch railing it's like 5 min and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Larry

 

[LarryJ]

I was thinking of making HDDR reservations for the night we arrive and kick off the evening since we can now do that 6mos in advance.

About when do the fireworks and water parade start in December?? I would like to do that several times and the campfire. So much to do, so little time.

Don't wait too long to make ressies for the HDDR, IIRC you can make those either 1 year or 18mos in advance, so call and find out when and make sure you call the day you can make them.

The fireworks are every nite and not sure how different they are around Xmas, but they have dual fireworks (additional ones from the island between MK and Poly) on NYE which is great. Disney has really gotten good on their fireworks and now look for things like squares, ovals, circles and at some point I bet they will have Mickey ears done. When we were there over Xmas 2005 I was amazed at how sophisticated they had gotten even since 2000 which was our previous visit.

Larry

 

[ntsammy5]

have you camped with us before?

There's a good possibility!

 

[2DIZNY]

After we get set up, we always take the boat to the Magic Kingdom and eat hot dogs at Casey's! That really tells us we have arrived.

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

That's a great idea, but for me once I get comfy in one of those rockers and put my feet up on the porch railing it's like 5 min and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Larry

Isnt some of that ZZZZZZZZZZ the whole point of a vacation ?
I try not to sleep too much in public, I have this fear that I will wake up with drool on me and everyone will be pointing and laughing.

 

[luke6417]

Usually, if we are fortunate to check in early, we will head straight to Trails End for lunch. After that we tend to cruise around on the golf cart. I really like seeign everyone else's set up. When the sun starts to go down, we hop the boat to the Magic Kingdom. We find a spot to watch Spectro Magic and Wishes and we take turns getting food and bringing it back to the table. I believe in one sitting we've done pineapple dolewhips, hot fudge sundae, a hot dog from Casey's and Ribs from Cosmic Ray's. Good thing there were only two of us, or this could have gotten expensive.

 

[Mr Man]

Definitely drink a beer......although Spring Break 2007 we got early check-in......pulled into our site at 6:30am.....

Still had a beer.......then slept for a few hours.......best sleep EVER!

Our usual routine is to set up camp, pick up the golf cart, do a few donuts around the old peacock perch tm all rights reserved and then take the bus to Downtown Disney for any of the following:

1. Eat a sammich at Duke of Earls (not sure why, the sammiches are just ok)
2. Use up our passes for Disney Quest
3. Shop (this is actually where the ladies shop and the men lumber around Ragland Road swagging brews and telling lies).

then back to FW......baths for the kids......drinks at Crockett's Tavern.....and fireworks by the shoreline.....

Ok.......I have 171 days until my next WDW trip. This is going to be an eternity!

 

[Gatordad]

Isnt some of that ZZZZZZZZZZ the whole point of a vacation ?
I try not to sleep too much in public, I have this fear that I will wake up with drool on me and everyone will be pointing and laughing.

do you think that's why people laugh at me?

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

do you think that's why people laugh at me?

One of many I am sure

 

[Gatordad]

maybe i should start wearing a bib.

 

[lawnspecialties]

Have had many opportunities to try the "earl of sandwich". Unfortunately the temptation of the hot fudge sundae at ghiradelli's has kept us from getting to the restaurant for a real meal, unless you count chocolate for a food group. Which we do, it's on top of the pyramid. What is the sandwich speciality at the earls that your wife is fixated on?

Honestly, she just prefers a turkey on bagel. No big deal.

I think it's just the fact that she knows when she's eating that sandwich in that restaurant, she's at Disneyworld and her vacation has just begun. To me, I get the same feeling when I pull out of the driveway with the camper, heading to the fort. It just feels different than other trips.

 

[mike k.]

After we set up our camp, we take off to get the cart. After all this business is taken care of, we treat ourselves to a snack from the grocery stores. Since we don't go to the parks on our check in day, we have the rest of the day to have fun away from our camp but still at the Fort.

At the Fort but away from your camp, what do you look forward to do on your first day???

Last trip down in Dec./06, we arrived at 8:30PM just in time to watch the night launch of the SPACE SHUTTLE . It was a cloudless moonlit sky that was about as postcard perfect as one could wish for. we talked about that the rest of the night. We usually arrive on Saturday evening around 8-9 depending on where we stopped for lunch. we have setup down to about an hour. Usually try to meet the neighbors as they come back from the parks,etc.

Can't wait to get back. Next trip ,I think we're leaving the teenagers home!

 

[JAM'S MOM]

Honestly, she just prefers a turkey on bagel. No big deal.

I think it's just the fact that she knows when she's eating that sandwich in that restaurant, she's at Disneyworld and her vacation has just begun. To me, I get the same feeling when I pull out of the driveway with the camper, heading to the fort. It just feels different than other trips.

There is definitely magic at WDW. Sandwiches taste better, drinks taste better and so many activities trigger the official start of vacation. Even now, just thinking of rocking on the porch drinking lemonade at the Settlement, puts me in a great frame of mind. And, reminds me to count how many more days until our next visit beginning December 29.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

We check Mickey the Wonder Beagle in to the kennels, then ride our bikes to the Marina, take the boat to WL and have lunch at Roaring Forks.

 

[FloridaTeacher]

Can't wait to get back. Next trip ,I think we're leaving the teenagers home!

You are either really brave or really nuts!!!!

 

[clkelley]

You are either really brave or really nuts!!!!

We've been leaving the "kids" at home for a couple of years now (20 & 21). Stop the mail, lock up the liquor, and have grandma drop in or call at weird times. (Hubby's sister also lives next door which helps ) She will happily drop by and embarrass the stew out of them if there is something she thinks is not right

Also leave lots of microwave meals or a Dominos Gift Card with them

 

[LarryJ]

We've been leaving the "kids" at home for a couple of years now (20 & 21). Stop the mail, lock up the liquor, and have grandma drop in or call at weird times. (Hubby's sister also lives next door which helps ) She will happily drop by and embarrass the stew out of them if there is something she thinks is not right

Also leave lots of microwave meals or a Dominos Gift Card with them

Just wait till they are actually gone and can't show up on the spur of the moment since they live far away. Ours are now 34 and 29 and doing dishes in the buff is an event especially if you have a dishwasher and something you can talk about when you really get old and can't participate like you did way back when.

Oh don't ask I ain't telling and you have to find out for yourself

Larry

 

[lawnspecialties]

..... and doing dishes in the buff is an event .....

Larry

Agghh!! Stop the madness!! Must get image out of my head!!!

Quick, somebody post that pic of Rosie O'Donnell again!

 

[2tiggerriffic]

Don't wait too long to make ressies for the HDDR, IIRC you can make those either 1 year or 18mos in advance, so call and find out when and make sure you call the day you can make them.

The fireworks are every nite and not sure how different they are around Xmas, but they have dual fireworks (additional ones from the island between MK and Poly) on NYE which is great. Disney has really gotten good on their fireworks and now look for things like squares, ovals, circles and at some point I bet they will have Mickey ears done. When we were there over Xmas 2005 I was amazed at how sophisticated they had gotten even since 2000 which was our previous visit.

Larry

Thanks Larry for the ressie info. My DSIL checked and HDDR ressies can only be made 6mos in advance.

We'll be sure and check into fireworks schedule so we don't miss them whether in the park or the Ft.

 

[AuburnJen92]

After getting there and setting up we are just so glad to have it all done, we usually just ride around in our golf cart and check out the campground.

ditto, we do the same thing