*April PreTrip & Trip Reports*

[doolittle]

So doolittle. Where in Upstate NY are you coming from? We are from Kinderhook which is about 30 min south of Albany. We have been driving the 81,77,26,95 route. How about you?

Clifton Park, so not too far from you. We've always done the Thruway to 287 to 95 all the way down. Only one time in the last 5 or so years where we really got held up in the Baltimore/DC area on a Friday night. Most of the time hitting the south Jersey to DC area at night, then stop below there somewhere when tired(usually NC).

This time, though, we will be doing the 81,77 route because we are going to stop at Univ of Georgia on the way down to do a quick tour for DD17 and friend. Then continue on to FW from there. It should only be about 7 hours from Athens GA, i hope.

 

[tiggerdad]

March is just about up...looking forward to reading along. Already been to Sam's to get me the big box of popcorn.

 

[PaHunter]

Thanks, next big tow is to FW in August with Caren and the Kids. Right now Caren and I are planning a weekend away to NYC in May. She has never been, and its partially where I grew up (LI being the other part.) So I will enjoy showing her that (and walking the 3 story Disney Store at Times Square)

Wow, going to the big city. Don't miss driving bus in that town. Wife keeps bugging, she has never been there. Maybe one weekend I will take off work and we will go. Only a quick hour bus trip from our place.

 

[Chickp]

My DH just asked what I am going to do next week since all our reservations are made and we don't leave til next Sunday! We usually leave on Easter and drive down after work, but this year we have an extra week and it is so weird.

Other than regular stuff like, you know, WORK, and driving my kids around, I am going to do some fun meal planning and shopping. Any creative Fort meals? We are tent camping and usually stick to the classics (burgers, brats, etc) but I want to kick it up a notch.

 

[Teamubr]

Any creative Fort meals? I want to kick it up a notch.

Here's what I would do.

1. GAG- Giddyup and Go dinner.
2. Trains End
3. Crockett's Tavern for after dinner drinks
4. Hoop-D-Do
5. Take the little boat to the Contemporary for California Grill or Chef Mickey
6. Or the little boat to Wilderness Lodge for Artist Point or Whispering Canyon
7. And top it off with dessert of S'mores at the campfire.

j

 

[Napria]

My DH just asked what I am going to do next week since all our reservations are made and we don't leave til next Sunday! We usually leave on Easter and drive down after work, but this year we have an extra week and it is so weird.

Other than regular stuff like, you know, WORK, and driving my kids around, I am going to do some fun meal planning and shopping. Any creative Fort meals? We are tent camping and usually stick to the classics (burgers, brats, etc) but I want to kick it up a notch.

We're in an rv and we figured we'd save money by eating most meals in the camper. Then we booked lunch & dinner for every day but one!

We're bringing homemade lasagna and chili to heat in the rv. Chili might work for you, but I don't know how to reheat lasagna when tenting.

 

[Chickp]

Here's what I would do.

1. GAG- Giddyup and Go dinner.
2. Trains End
3. Crockett's Tavern for after dinner drinks
4. Hoop-D-Do
5. Take the little boat to the Contemporary for California Grill or Chef Mickey
6. Or the little boat to Wilderness Lodge for Artist Point or Whispering Canyon
7. And top it off with dessert of S'mores at the campfire.

j

Haha! Sounds amazing! We will be eating at the Disney restaurants plenty...just trying to balance it out a little bit by cooking dinners several nights. I am definitely going to try crocketts this time.

 

[Teamubr]

just trying to balance it out a little bit by cooking dinners several nights.

We actually do the same. Nearly all breakfasts are at the camper. We are usually in a park for lunch and typically grab a counter service somewhere. Dinners are a split. Usually a couple at the camper and the rest at a nice table service somewhere.

I make a few ADRs for the week, but most meals we just decide when we get hungery.

j

 

[tiggerdad]

Here's what I would do.

1. GAG- Giddyup and Go dinner.
2. Trains End
3. Crockett's Tavern for after dinner drinks
4. Hoop-D-Do
5. Take the little boat to the Contemporary for California Grill or Chef Mickey
6. Or the little boat to Wilderness Lodge for Artist Point or Whispering Canyon
7. And top it off with dessert of S'mores at the campfire.

j

On the same day!?

I am partying with you bro!

 

[Teamubr]

I am partying with you bro!

Two more months and you'll have your chance.

I'm considering driving 3 hours over to Panama City Beach one day to go by the restaurant on the beach that was next to our condo last year. The steaks and seafood were absolutely worth it. DW and DS both said we have to go back since "we're so close".

j

 

[mich1073]

Just moved my reservations up two weeks, so now will not be there until May 6-9. Also I maybe cancelling some of my BOG late lunch reservations too. At least adjusting it down to only 3 or so. I have 7 booked for April 23. If anyone wants them before I do, let me know. I think they are for either 2:20 or 2:30. I think my sister may take my daughter. I have to go to a family wedding now as they were getting married, then not, then yes and then not... And finally its an official yes we are on April 23rd. Oh well, at least two weeks after was still available!

 

[jbrostek]

Wow, going to the big city. Don't miss driving bus in that town. Wife keeps bugging, she has never been there. Maybe one weekend I will take off work and we will go. Only a quick hour bus trip from our place.

I grew up there, so for me its just adjusting to home again. But we are not driving, instead taking Amtrak out of DC. My office I can see Union station, and she works close to Metro. So its not that difficult to get to the train, it will take the same amount of time to drive and we settled on a great deal I got for a hotel right at Time Square, 42nd and 8th ave.

 

[Napria]

April 1st is just TWO DAYS AWAY!!!!

I'm getting more and more excited as the trip gets closer. My coworker told me yesterday that I'm already at Disney, lol!

(You'd think I was a little kid!)

 

[lynzi2004]

We will be there April 22-26. First trip to the Fort and first trip as a family to Disney! Will be taking our kids (DD4, DS2, turning 3 on the Monday we are there) Will be tent camping in a full-hookup site (all that was left), have requested loop 1600. We have tent camped with them many times, but this whole trip is a surprise for them so DH and I are just giddy!

 

[bjschil]

We will be there April 22-26. First trip to the Fort and first trip as a family to Disney! Will be taking our kids (DD4, DS2, turning 3 on the Monday we are there) Will be tent camping in a full-hookup site (all that was left), have requested loop 1600. We have tent camped with them many times, but this whole trip is a surprise for them so DH and I are just giddy!

Have a wonderful time. Your kids will be so happy and excited when they discover "where they are". Enjoy, and Happy Birthday to your son who turns 3 on your trip.

 

[mich1073]

We will be there April 22-26. First trip to the Fort and first trip as a family to Disney! Will be taking our kids (DD4, DS2, turning 3 on the Monday we are there) Will be tent camping in a full-hookup site (all that was left), have requested loop 1600. We have tent camped with them many times, but this whole trip is a surprise for them so DH and I are just giddy!

Take your bikes or rent a cart for a day or two. You can take the buses around too, they are very easy. But I love riding bikes at the fort!

 

[hsmytwins]

If you got your magic bands (ships within 30 days of arrival) you can do Early Check-in online via MDE and put in your requests then.

Go to MDE, look at your reservation portion for the Fort stay, and there should be a link out to the right that says something like "Early Check-in" (this link appears 60 days before arrival IIRC). You can choose 2 preferences. All the loops are listed so choose 300 (pet Preferred loop) and I think there is also an option for a pet loop so check that. Other options include things like "close to transportation (bus stop)", or "close to Comfort Station" and things like that.

You can also enter what time you are estimating to arrive and leave on arrival/departure days, if you want a credit card linked to your MB for easier purchases, and a cell number to text from Disney - they will message you when your site is ready if it's not when you check in.

Of course, these are only requests but this is the way to request loops now. No more faxing, no more calling. They will attempt to meet your requests.

Bama Ed

Thanks. That was helpful. I was hoping to request a particular site, but I guess that's not possible? How do I know which loops are both Premium + pet? I could end up requesting entirely the wrong loop?

 

[saw1810]

If you got your magic bands (ships within 30 days of arrival) you can do Early Check-in online via MDE and put in your requests then.

Go to MDE, look at your reservation portion for the Fort stay, and there should be a link out to the right that says something like "Early Check-in" (this link appears 60 days before arrival IIRC). You can choose 2 preferences. All the loops are listed so choose 300 (pet Preferred loop) and I think there is also an option for a pet loop so check that. Other options include things like "close to transportation (bus stop)", or "close to Comfort Station" and things like that.

You can also enter what time you are estimating to arrive and leave on arrival/departure days, if you want a credit card linked to your MB for easier purchases, and a cell number to text from Disney - they will message you when your site is ready if it's not when you check in.

Of course, these are only requests but this is the way to request loops now. No more faxing, no more calling. They will attempt to meet your requests.

Bama Ed

So u guys dont fax in a loop request anymore about a week prior your stay? I kno when we made our reservation i gave them a couple of sites to note on my reservation but i still planned to fax, unless thats not workn anymore

 

[peg110]

So u guys dont fax in a loop request anymore about a week prior your stay?

Fax????


Okay, seriously now.... It's funny that faxes are still used. I know many places are now getting completely away from them. They will have an "Email" set up to receive "Scanned" documents.

Interestingly though, when we were purchasing our new TT, I was talking with the dealer about the details (because my work schedule was more conducive to this). In the conversation, the dealer asked if my DW had access to a FAX. I responded "Receiving or Sending"? She has a fax at work that she can "SEND" but really not appropriate for her to receive (particularly personal stuff). Also at home, my printer is a Multi-Function (Fax, printer, scanner, copier, etc...) and while I CAN fax, I don't have a dedicated number for it.

He just needed a copy of her license and I told him that I could "Scan and email it" which he liked better.

 

[2goofycampers]

So u guys dont fax in a loop request anymore about a week prior your stay? I kno when we made our reservation i gave them a couple of sites to note on my reservation but i still planned to fax, unless thats not workn anymore

No more fax requests. We put them on our original reservation and online check in now.