Back for two weeks and it stinks!

[Live4FW]

Hey everyone,

I am not much of a trip reporter but I did want to share a few of our experiences while at the fort.

We were there from 5/23 to 6/1. This was the first time back in over two years.

We planned no trips to Disney Parks. We spent 1 1/2 days at Sea World and had a really great time. My oldest DS went back for another 1/2 day just to ride Manta a few more times. We did go to Typhoon Lagoon from open to close on one day and had a really enjoyable time. Got a little bit of rain but it just kept things cooled off.

One of the things we made sure to do this trip is hotel hop. The kids really missed doing this on our last trip.

We went to: Poly, Contemp, Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Kidani Village, Coronado Springs, and Saratoga Springs.

Kidani is really nice and I will be going to Sanaa restaurant on my next trip. I was ready to drop the money on DVC in a second (oh, I guess it would help if I had the money first)

Food in general was disappointing. They have made many changes to Pepper Market and it is not as appealing. Looked at TE Buffet a few times and was never impressed. Ate at Whispering Canyon (our server was awesome food was mediocre - they no longer have cloth napkins to spin around). We walked up at 5pm and they were booked solid past 9pm. Funny, they had many tables empty. Hostess said "let me see what I can do" and then was able to seat us. Many tables stayed open the whole time we were there.
We looked at several menus while hopping around and found prices significantly higher and selection reduced. It seems all the restaurants have a few signature items and then the rest of the menu is the same as everywhere else. I have a hard time not blaming the DDP for all of this. The only really positive meal was the giddy-up and go we brought to the pool on our last night.

Pool, Slide, and Hot Tub are awesome. It is so nice not being the "red headed ugly stepchildren of Disney resorts" anymore. Youngest DD got to be the slide conductor on our very last morning prior to checkout.

Went and visited a "highly influential friend" from the fort and she is doing great and really enjoying her new role.

The rain was a big downer, especially early in the week. By mid week though it was pretty much back to normal.

Met a few Dissers (CLKelly, NikkiPowell) but missed out on the big get together Saturday night. Had the sign out all week, but no one stopped by.

Scheduled to be back Thanksgiving week and it can't get here soon enough.

Oh, the new truck worked great, cut nearly two hours off the trip by being able to drive speed limit and reduced stops due to larger fuel tank. Mileage not as good as expected. ~9mpg. The new Prodigy P3 controller was great, set it once and forgot it was there it worked so well.

 

[auntie]

Yeah...the back home blues. Sounds like you had a great trip though. Thanks for the report. I would agree about the dining. It used to be much better. I can't believe it..NO CLOTH NAPKINS at the Whispering Canyon. Boy, are the cheapin' out.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

For not being much of a trip report writer, you did a pretty good job.

Thanks for sharing. I agree with your assessment of the dining options at WDW. It is really a shame. But, the Dining Plan seems to be working for WDW management, so I can't blame them for sticking with it.

So, what loop/site were you in?

And, what is it with the "highly influential friend"? You aren't talking about someone who used to work at the Fort, but now works at SSR, are you?

TCD

 

[Live4FW]

For not being much of a trip report writer, you did a pretty good job.

Thanks for sharing. I agree with your assessment of the dining options at WDW. It is really a shame. But, the Dining Plan seems to be working for WDW management, so I can't blame them for sticking with it.

So, what loop/site were you in?

And, what is it with the "highly influential friend"? You aren't talking about someone who used to work at the Fort, but now works at SSR, are you?

TCD

We were in loop 1700 (1726). Beautiful waterfront property for most of the week anyway.

Ahh yes, that would be who I am talking about

 

[Live4FW]

Yeah...the back home blues. Sounds like you had a great trip though. Thanks for the report. I would agree about the dining. It used to be much better. I can't believe it..NO CLOTH NAPKINS at the Whispering Canyon. Boy, are the cheapin' out.

At one point I went to reach for my napkin to twirl it around and went "duh these are paper". Bad show Disney!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Actually, I really liked your trip report. I am a concise, to the point guy and like others to be the same. I am no fan of the reports that include how many boogers little Billy picked out of his nose waiting for Buzz lightyear and what everybody ate for each meal and their snacks, although many are and that's okay.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

We were there basically the same time- 23rd thru 30th. I'm so sorry we didn't manage to find you and we also missed the Saturday group thing (we arrived later than expected on that Saturday and with set up, kids wanting to invade the pool first thing, cooking dinner, etc. it was late before I knew it! And we had a park day on Sunday so we didn't really want to stay up late that first night)

I'm sorry we didn't get to meet up though! I did drive thru 1700 loop once looking for the sign but it was kinda dark and I guessed I missed seeing it. Thanks for the trip report!

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

Glad to hear the "highly influential person" is doing well.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Glad to hear the "highly influential person" is doing well.

I am glad to hear that, too. And to the OP, it was very nice of you to take the time to go and visit the "highly influential person."

TCD

 

[Live4FW]

I am glad to hear that, too. And to the OP, it was very nice of you to take the time to go and visit the "highly influential person."

TCD

Are you kidding, DD asked at least twice a day and sometimes more when we were going to visit. There was no way we wouldn't get over there.

For those that may not know who I am talking about - I am referrring to Ms Sundee who used to do the campfire show at the Fort. She is now over at Saratoga Springs in their recreation dept. They have a nice setup there and I can see many things that were started at the Fort now being done there (bingo, movies, etc). Please stop by and say hi if you get the chance.

 

[Live4FW]

I'm sorry we didn't get to meet up though! I did drive thru 1700 loop once looking for the sign but it was kinda dark and I guessed I missed seeing it. Thanks for the trip report!

I also rode through 1400 several times but mostly at night and never saw your sign. Sorry I missed you guys.

 

[auntie]

Actually, I really liked your trip report. I am a concise, to the point guy and like others to be the same. I am no fan of the reports that include how many boogers little Billy picked out of his nose waiting for Buzz lightyear and what everybody ate for each meal and their snacks, although many are and that's okay.

I know what you mean.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I also rode through 1400 several times but mostly at night and never saw your sign. Sorry I missed you guys.

Well when you first drove in- if you didn't take the right and went straight you'd see our site first on the right. If I showed you a picture I'm sure you'd recognize it since you went thru there but unfortunately my camera decided to be a big patooty head... the pictures from the trip there, set up and most of the FW photos (those taken the first few days) are GONE! And the rest of the photos throughout the trip have the wrong date on them- even though I hadn't set it up to put a date on them in the first place. I'm really annoyed with this camera and I guess it's time for a new one- I've had this one so long it's not even funny and I guess it showed me didn't it.

 

[RocklandRVers]

I tend to be verbose so concise trip reports like yours balance us out.

We always hate leaving the Fort. Even though our last stay May 16-21 was not the best due to the constant downpours, it was still loaded with fun. Whats the old saying? "A bad day at Fort Wilderness is still better than a good day at work!"

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Are you kidding, DD asked at least twice a day and sometimes more when we were going to visit. There was no way we wouldn't get over there.

For those that may not know who I am talking about - I am referrring to Ms Sundee who used to do the campfire show at the Fort. She is now over at Saratoga Springs in their recreation dept. They have a nice setup there and I can see many things that were started at the Fort now being done there (bingo, movies, etc). Please stop by and say hi if you get the chance.

That's good to know. One of these days, I am going to need to visit the campfire and give Chuckwagon Bob (or whatever his name is) a try. The TCD gang has boycotted the campfire since Ms. Sundee left. So far, I don't see that it had done any good.

TCD

 

[kaguilbeau]

For those that may not know who I am talking about - I am referrring to Ms Sundee who used to do the campfire show at the Fort. She is now over at Saratoga Springs in their recreation dept. They have a nice setup there and I can see many things that were started at the Fort now being done there (bingo, movies, etc). Please stop by and say hi if you get the chance.

Thanks for explaining that! I wondered what ever happened to Ms. Sundee (or as I called her 'the lady singer'). Now I know!

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

That's good to know. One of these days, I am going to need to visit the campfire and give Chuckwagon Bob (or whatever his name is) a try. The TCD gang has boycotted the campfire since Ms. Sundee left. So far, I don't see that it had done any good.

TCD

I think it was cowboy Bob while we were there, the man can play but he aint Ms Sundee (but who is)