*April PreTrip & Trip Reports*
- Thread starter Napria
- Start date
tigger92662
They're more like guidelines than actual rules
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Flametamr & Garneska, hope both of you have safe travels. Can't wait to see some kinda trip reports! Garneska, my kids were just asking me the other day how your pups were doing, everyone OK? My son still laughs about the picture of Mallory on the beach!
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- Feb 10, 2008
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FYI.... from wdwinfo
Walt Disney World Railroad closed 4/11/2016- 4/23/2016 - Because of this closure, the train will not be part of the morning Welcome Show that takes place to open the park. The show will still take place, just without the train. The train will return to the show when the Walt Disney World Railroad reopens on 4/23.
Walt Disney World Railroad closed 4/11/2016- 4/23/2016 - Because of this closure, the train will not be part of the morning Welcome Show that takes place to open the park. The show will still take place, just without the train. The train will return to the show when the Walt Disney World Railroad reopens on 4/23.
peg110
DIS Veteran
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- Mar 25, 2015
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Well that sucks (for those going to the park those days). It's not a "Huge" deal, but I just think it's cool to watch them come in on the train.
Napria
It really *is* the Happiest Place!
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2003
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- 797
WDW is indeed eating up our time
Baci loves our site and so do we! It's the best site we've ever had and worth waiting all those years not getting into 700 loop. The weather's been amazing and we've be constantly on the go, but dd & I did EMH at MK last night and got back to the camper at 2:30AM last night (this morning). This morning it's rainy, off and on. So I'm taking a moment to check in here.
We've been taking Baci to the dog park every morning for his "park" time. He seems to look forward to it as much as we look forward to going into the Parks.
Some random thoughts...
Skippers Canteen (in Adventureland) is my new favorite restaurant in the Magic Kingdom. From the atmosphere to the menu to the corny jokes, it's an all-around winner.
Outdoor Kitchens at the EPCOT F&G Festival are fantastic! But be careful if you're not young anymore. My constitution can no longer take eating -- and drinking-- like a dope, as my dh says. I needed to eat much fewer calories and more veggies over the days following our EPCOT day. And we're going back today, just as I've recovered, lol.
There were no PhotoPass photographers at Blizzard Beach. When I asked a lifeguard where they all were, she said they are no longer in the water parks. Well, heck, 60% of my Memory Maker mailer shows Waterpark pictures! I hope she's mistaken and it was just a seasonal thing.
Lots and lots of Brits in the Waterparks. Lots in the Parks. None that I've noticed at the Fort. It may start to become crowded here because I struck up a few conversations and told some of them how great the Fort is and how they can stay here in a CABIN!! Hehe.
As for pictures, they're mostly on my camera. I'll have to post later. Right now, I've got to take Baci to play in his park, then off to EPCOT!
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peg110
DIS Veteran
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- Mar 25, 2015
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Shame on you.... It's hush hush.... mums the word.... We have to fight through enough to get our sites.....
Okay, just kidding.....
I am just as bad. I love telling others how awesome it is at the Fort. Just don't tell them all the secrets. Allow them to discover some of them on their own. That, in my mind, is part of the magic!
garneska
DIS Veteran
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- Aug 4, 2003
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- 4,658
@tigger92662 thanks for asking about the pups. They are hanging in there. I was going to say Mallory has gotten slower in her cart (and she has) but tonight's walk she was chasing horses. Yeti is just a tad faster but his arthritis is really bothering him. We just keep doing what we have been doing. Mallory will be thrilled to be at the fort.
@Napria what site in 700? It is my favorite loop. Mallory loves the dog park.
@hsmytwins the dog park is about .5 acres. It is not split for large and small dogs, just one big area. It is near the 300 and 500 loops, there are signs to direct you. Mallory loves it. Unfortunately Yeti does not do well with unneutered males so sometimes we can't go in. Plus if it is wet Mallory has issues with her wheels. It also has water available. Depending on the crowds we have enjoyed a couple hours at the park with dogs playing and dog parents chatting.
We just changed our fast passes around, thinking of skipping DHS except to see the Star Wars Fireworks. Honestly, am so stressed at work I am looking forward to 3 days off. Yes we are working 2 days when we are there.
@Napria what site in 700? It is my favorite loop. Mallory loves the dog park.
@hsmytwins the dog park is about .5 acres. It is not split for large and small dogs, just one big area. It is near the 300 and 500 loops, there are signs to direct you. Mallory loves it. Unfortunately Yeti does not do well with unneutered males so sometimes we can't go in. Plus if it is wet Mallory has issues with her wheels. It also has water available. Depending on the crowds we have enjoyed a couple hours at the park with dogs playing and dog parents chatting.
We just changed our fast passes around, thinking of skipping DHS except to see the Star Wars Fireworks. Honestly, am so stressed at work I am looking forward to 3 days off. Yes we are working 2 days when we are there.
Napria
It really *is* the Happiest Place!
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2003
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- 797
Today is our last day We have to return the cart and dh wants to do AK, which the rest of us would happily skip. But a trip to the World isn't complete without Festival of the Lion King. Maybe we can return early and I can hop in the pool!
CruisingCamper
DIS Veteran
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- Jul 31, 2007
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- 1,410
Hi There Folks! I have returned! I know that I should have posted but we were so busy at Disney that every time I thought about updating on here, something else came up for this momma to do I came back to work to rest today
We left central LA on Easter Sunday about 5PM to head to the Fort. This night we got to Spanish Fort, AL just across the bay from Mobile about 11pm. We cheated and spent the night in the Bass Pro Shop parking lot. I called ahead and was told that this was alright to do, as their parking lot is considered the property of the City of Spanish Fort and over night parking is allowed I learned something new! The next morning early, abut 6AM, we were pulling out and headed to Disney.
We arrived at the Fort a day early on March 28th! We had planned to stay in Clermont this night, but since we were so close and the kids were all excited (and Momma too we decided to see if the Fort had a spot for us. Luckily they did! We arrived late in the day, between 6 and 7, which is not something that we usually do...our usua is to stay close and drive over about 7am. We had requested Loop 700, but they put us in Loop 800, on Site 871. Then, I looked at an App that gives you the info on each site at the Fort and asked if we could move to another site based on the App information of 871 being a "short" site. We were given 834, and we were happy with that one. Once we pulled into our site and got all plugged up and such, we went out for a few supplies. We had a look at Site 871 and the App was wrong, that site was actually bigger than the one we were in and closer to the Settlement...go figure. I will not be believing that App again
On the morning of the 29th, we slept in and then went to get our golf cart from Kenny at Tee Time. That was easy, as always. We use them every time and have never been disappointed. DH's cell phone, which he needed to use for business purposes, was on the blink and not working. So, we then headed over to the Millenia Mall to the Apple Store to get his phone fixed. We signed up at Apple, then went for lunch at Johnny Rockets. I was a little disturbed bc this little outing was cutting in to my "Disney" time. Anyway, right after lunch and a great lunch it was, Apple called and they could see him. We were told it could be up to a 3 hour wait!!! But it wasn't, thank goodness. They fixed the issue and he was back in business. We headed back to the Fort and immediately headed to MK. We had a great first night and stayed until about 11PM.
On the 30th, we got up early and headed to DHS for opening. We had a fantastic day there, we got to ride everything and crowds were not too bad. The kids enjoyed the last time at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area. It closed for good on April 1st. At 5:30 we headed over to Shula's Steakhouse at the Dolphin by boat. That's a nice ride, and very quick. We had a wonderful meal, some great steak and crab cakes and were back at DHS by 8 and we able to see the fireworks there before calling it a night. These fireworks are incredible!
My Birthday Day, the 31st - We went to MK since it was an easy boat ride from the Fort and my parents were suppose to be at Fort by 2ish. We didn't want to go to the other parks bc it would take too much travel time and we wouldn't get to stay very long. So we rode the boat to MK, rode a bunch of rides and ate a hotdog at Casey's before coming back to the Fort. We went "looping" while we waited for the GPs to arrive. I always love going around and seeing the Fort and all the different set-ups. It's like RV shopping too! My parents arrived and got all settled in. We had to take our jeep to the overflow so my dad could park is truck at our site. About 4:30 we went to Disney Springs. We had dinner at The Boathouse. It was a very nice meal. I had the coconut shrimp and they were awesome. We even splurged and took a ride in the Aquacar. It was a fun experience. I realized it's expensive, but compared to what we spent on Disney a year, it's really just a drop in the bucket. We then got back to the Fort in time to watch Wishes on the beach and see the water parade.
On April 1st - It was MK day and my parent's first time to join us. We had a blast but were exhausted by 2ish so we came back to the Fort to rest and unwind for a few hours before going to dinner at the Wilderness Lodge. We ate at Whispering Canyon. Then went back to see the parades and Wishes at the castle. Once we got to MK, we got a great spot picked out and sit to wait for Wishes. It never disappoints!!
On April 2nd we had a Fort Day!!! And got some much needed rest! We slept in, then what happened - it RAINED!!!! I was so upset! So, we rode to Lazy Days to look a new RV that we wanted to see. Nothing else to do in the rain! That evening, we went to Mickey's Backyard BBQ. The kids always love to do this even though I don't care much for the food. They had a wonderful time and spent some time with the characters. After dinner we enjoyed being at the Fort.
On the 3rd, my parents left pretty early and then we went to Epcot. I love the Flower and Garden Festival! We stayed all day, ate lunch at the Garden Grill for the first time. And I must say, I was really impressed here. The food was outstanding and the character interaction is awesome. The kids got to spend a lot of time with them and you had not one else trying to see them when you were due to the set up of the restaurant. There is no one between you and the characters. After lunch, we went to ride Test Track and it was my DS4's first time. He loved it! After seeing all in Future World, we went to see the World! I had gotten us tickets to the Dessert Spectacular for Reflections, so we didn't eat a sit down dinner, we just snacked our way around the world. The dessert party was a great thing to do one time The location is good and the food was excellent.
On the 4th - we headed back to MK. This is my family's favorite park and it is our tradition to always spend our last day here. We had lunch at Casey's and then ride back to the Fort to pack up our campsite and about 5, we drove over to the GF for dinner at Narcoossee's. It was sad to head back to the Fort our last night.
ON the morning of the 5th we headed out!
I wish we had gotten to stay longer as it flies by so fast! And I'm hate that I never had time to check in while I was there. When you have two young kids, it's hard to keep your head above water!
On the way home we overnighted at Gulf Pines KOA in Milton, FL which is half way home for us. Then, we went to the National Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL and watched the Blue Angel's Air Show Practice.
And then we overnighted again at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL. Then headed home yesterday and now sadly, I am back at the office!!!
I came back to work to rest todayWe left central LA on Easter Sunday about 5PM to head to the Fort. This night we got to Spanish Fort, AL just across the bay from Mobile about 11pm. We cheated and spent the night in the Bass Pro Shop parking lot. I called ahead and was told that this was alright to do, as their parking lot is considered the property of the City of Spanish Fort and over night parking is allowed
I learned something new! The next morning early, abut 6AM, we were pulling out and headed to Disney.We arrived at the Fort a day early on March 28th! We had planned to stay in Clermont this night, but since we were so close and the kids were all excited (and Momma too
we decided to see if the Fort had a spot for us. Luckily they did! We arrived late in the day, between 6 and 7, which is not something that we usually do...our usua is to stay close and drive over about 7am. We had requested Loop 700, but they put us in Loop 800, on Site 871. Then, I looked at an App that gives you the info on each site at the Fort and asked if we could move to another site based on the App information of 871 being a "short" site. We were given 834, and we were happy with that one. Once we pulled into our site and got all plugged up and such, we went out for a few supplies. We had a look at Site 871 and the App was wrong, that site was actually bigger than the one we were in and closer to the Settlement...go figure. I will not be believing that App againOn the morning of the 29th, we slept in and then went to get our golf cart from Kenny at Tee Time. That was easy, as always. We use them every time and have never been disappointed. DH's cell phone, which he needed to use for business purposes, was on the blink and not working. So, we then headed over to the Millenia Mall to the Apple Store to get his phone fixed. We signed up at Apple, then went for lunch at Johnny Rockets. I was a little disturbed bc this little outing was cutting in to my "Disney" time. Anyway, right after lunch and a great lunch it was, Apple called and they could see him. We were told it could be up to a 3 hour wait!!! But it wasn't, thank goodness. They fixed the issue and he was back in business. We headed back to the Fort and immediately headed to MK. We had a great first night and stayed until about 11PM.
On the 30th, we got up early and headed to DHS for opening. We had a fantastic day there, we got to ride everything and crowds were not too bad. The kids enjoyed the last time at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area. It closed for good on April 1st. At 5:30 we headed over to Shula's Steakhouse at the Dolphin by boat. That's a nice ride, and very quick. We had a wonderful meal, some great steak and crab cakes and were back at DHS by 8 and we able to see the fireworks there before calling it a night. These fireworks are incredible!
My Birthday Day
, the 31st - We went to MK since it was an easy boat ride from the Fort and my parents were suppose to be at Fort by 2ish. We didn't want to go to the other parks bc it would take too much travel time and we wouldn't get to stay very long. So we rode the boat to MK, rode a bunch of rides and ate a hotdog at Casey's before coming back to the Fort. We went "looping" while we waited for the GPs to arrive. I always love going around and seeing the Fort and all the different set-ups. It's like RV shopping too! My parents arrived and got all settled in. We had to take our jeep to the overflow so my dad could park is truck at our site. About 4:30 we went to Disney Springs. We had dinner at The Boathouse. It was a very nice meal. I had the coconut shrimp and they were awesome. We even splurged and took a ride in the Aquacar. It was a fun experience. I realized it's expensive, but compared to what we spent on Disney a year, it's really just a drop in the bucket. We then got back to the Fort in time to watch Wishes on the beach and see the water parade.On April 1st - It was MK day and my parent's first time to join us. We had a blast but were exhausted by 2ish so we came back to the Fort to rest and unwind for a few hours before going to dinner at the Wilderness Lodge. We ate at Whispering Canyon. Then went back to see the parades and Wishes at the castle. Once we got to MK, we got a great spot picked out and sit to wait for Wishes. It never disappoints!!
On April 2nd we had a Fort Day!!! And got some much needed rest! We slept in, then what happened - it RAINED!!!! I was so upset! So, we rode to Lazy Days to look a new RV that we wanted to see. Nothing else to do in the rain! That evening, we went to Mickey's Backyard BBQ. The kids always love to do this even though I don't care much for the food. They had a wonderful time and spent some time with the characters. After dinner we enjoyed being at the Fort.
On the 3rd, my parents left pretty early and then we went to Epcot. I love the Flower and Garden Festival! We stayed all day, ate lunch at the Garden Grill for the first time. And I must say, I was really impressed here. The food was outstanding and the character interaction is awesome. The kids got to spend a lot of time with them and you had not one else trying to see them when you were due to the set up of the restaurant. There is no one between you and the characters. After lunch, we went to ride Test Track and it was my DS4's first time. He loved it! After seeing all in Future World, we went to see the World! I had gotten us tickets to the Dessert Spectacular for Reflections, so we didn't eat a sit down dinner, we just snacked our way around the world. The dessert party was a great thing to do one time
The location is good and the food was excellent.On the 4th - we headed back to MK. This is my family's favorite park and it is our tradition to always spend our last day here. We had lunch at Casey's and then ride back to the Fort to pack up our campsite
and about 5, we drove over to the GF for dinner at Narcoossee's. It was sad to head back to the Fort our last night.ON the morning of the 5th we headed out!
I wish we had gotten to stay longer as it flies by so fast! And I'm hate that I never had time to check in while I was there. When you have two young kids, it's hard to keep your head above water!
On the way home we overnighted at Gulf Pines KOA in Milton, FL which is half way home for us. Then, we went to the National Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL and watched the Blue Angel's Air Show Practice.
And then we overnighted again at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, AL. Then headed home yesterday and now sadly, I am back at the office!!!
CruisingCamper
DIS Veteran
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- Jul 31, 2007
- Messages
- 1,410
I'll post some pictures tonight!
peg110
DIS Veteran
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- Mar 25, 2015
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- 4,180
That is generally how I feel. Because you spend so much time in planning and in $$$$, you want to make the most of it. Do as much as you can, see as much as you can and experience as much as you can.... alas, for us, the downtime on our vacation, well, is just going "Slower" instead of just relaxing (at the pool or the camper or whatever).I came back to work to rest today
So I get to rest when I get back to work.
Napria
It really *is* the Happiest Place!
- Joined
- Aug 13, 2003
- Messages
- 797
Great trip report! I am having some unplanned downtime my last day because my son had a hard time waking up this morning so I sent my dd & dh off on their own. They went to AK, which I'm not so fond of anyway. I'm enjoying quiet time with my dog and son (who just woke up)You know, the Fort is awesome for unplanned quiet time. If we were in a hotel, I'd be stuck inside a room. Instead I'm truly enjoying relaxing outside, listening to the sounds of nature and waving to the occasional passerby.
Last edited:
tigger92662
They're more like guidelines than actual rules
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2015
- Messages
- 1,923
Great trip report Steph, anxiously awaiting pictures
Looks like a new picture thread. We have feet up on the railing photos, how bout feet up at your site with pet? I'm relaxed just looking at Napria relaxing!
Looks like a new picture thread. We have feet up on the railing photos, how bout feet up at your site with pet? I'm relaxed just looking at Napria relaxing!
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