back from 10days at FW

[michelle9343]

Monday we got back from a lovely 10 day stay at Fort Wilderness.
The golf cart rangers patrol every night and I really think they are making a diiference with safety. I spoke to one, Lee, Who was telling me they have been really trying to cut down on the underage drivers and just making sure people drive safely. I saw them "remind" many drivers that the loops are one way and to please follow street signs. They are also helping security with reminding people only one car to a site. he said they wont make you more the second car but they will gently remind you everyday!! But when people have the thrid and forth car they will witout a doubt make sure the vehicles are moved.
Another new thing was the security gaurds on bikes evey night. I was at medows one night and the security gaurd was staying in the parking lot waiting to speak to the two car owners that decided to park their cars in the golf cart parking. I first saw him around 8:00PM and at 10:00PM he was still "waiting".
And last but not least the "forever" mugs. We had been having no issue using them for the first 5 days of our trip. On the 6th day my DH went to get me some unsweet tea at Trails End and a very snotty manager informed him "that she will no longer let us get away with using them for any kind of beverage that her CM's would have to get. If you wanted to use it at the soda fountain for now she would let you get away with it FOR NOW!" I do not drink soda and I did end up buying a mug for the rest of this trip. They were great while they lasted!!!
We had needed a second cart this trip and Kenny from Tee Time was EXCELLENT aagain. What a super nice guy
All in All the Fort was as wonderful as ever and I can not wait to be back there.

 

[sweet maxine]

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Nature Mom]

Sounds like a nice time, even with the cup issue! Thanks for sharing...and thanks for reminding me to call Kenny to reserve our cart!

 

[bama_ed]

Golf cart rangers and parking lot cops? Sounds like new mgt has finally acted and GOOD FOR THEM.

Bama ed

 

[railmail]

Monday we got back from a lovely 10 day stay at Fort Wilderness.
And last but not least the "forever" mugs. We had been having no issue using them for the first 5 days of our trip. On the 6th day my DH went to get me some unsweet tea at Trails End and a very snotty manager informed him "that she will no longer let us get away with using them for any kind of beverage that her CM's would have to get. If you wanted to use it at the soda fountain for now she would let you get away with it FOR NOW!" I do not drink soda and I did end up buying a mug for the rest of this trip. They were great while they lasted!!!
QUOTE]

OK, I'm really confused on this "forever" mug issue. What good is this mug if you can't get the refills? How are they being marketed? Are they good for just so many days? your whole trip? a month? a year? Please somebody tell me the juice about this item.

 

[2goofycampers]

But when I bought my mug they told me it was good forever? Was I lied to?

Maybe. Depends on when you bought your mug. General rule of thumb is that if you bought before 2000 or 1999 these may well be the ‘forever’ mugs. Otherwise, yeah, you were lied to. Look on the side of your mug for printing if you’re unsure.

from; http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2447967&highlight=forever+mug

 

[DisCamper]

But when I bought my mug they told me it was good forever? Was I lied to?

Maybe. Depends on when you bought your mug. General rule of thumb is that if you bought before 2000 or 1999 these may well be the ‘forever’ mugs.

The Forts 'Forever Mug' program ran from 1986-1991 after that they change to Length of stay and where only for that resort. I believe in 2002 they went to using the same mugs at all resorts. In 2003 they started putting the year on them. But now all resorts have same generic mug with no dates on them.

 

[bgula]

They are also helping security with reminding people only one car to a site. he said they wont make you more the second car but they will gently remind you everyday!! But when people have the thrid and forth car they will witout a doubt make sure the vehicles are moved.

Hate to disagree with you on this, but we just got back from a 2 1/2 weeks stay at the Fort and had the "luck" for a couple of nights to have a few families occupying several sites, one right beside us, and they all seemed to want to park on the site right beside us. It got to the point where there were 4 vehicles parked overnight. I complained about this to the front desk and they seemed like they were going to do something about it, but nothing was ever said to them (that I'm aware of) or done about it. Luckily they left after a couple of days.
I did see the bike security go by during my stay and I do like this added feature, however, they also ignored the vehicle situation next door.

 

[cruising spud]

Thanks for keeping us up-to-date with what's happening at the Fort. I like the idea of bike security. One of our town's policemen does the same thing during the school year, as the schools let out for the day. I think it encourages people to talk to the police, so thinking the same thing at Disney.

 

[dissybroad]

I've always liked how national and state parks have "host families" who stay long term and monitor activity on their loop. They also serve as a resource for campers who need assistance.

 

[Sinclare]

From my experience with the Fort staff, they are very selective with who they enforce the rules on. It's got worse lately;especially over the last several years. They would come by telling us we have to move one of our trucks when we first get there and are trying to unload while multiple people around the loop have 3-4 cars parked on their sites. My parents went up several times to ask why we couldn't (not that we actually wanted to) when they wouldn't do anything to the others and the CM's just blew them off.

To make matters worse, because we complained the "police" started making loops around our loop looking for anything they could catch us on. They ended up giving us a ticket because my son and nephew were riding their rip sticks on the road in front of our site. A WARNING TICKET because a couple kids were riding their rip sticks...and no they weren't acting up or anything. This was while the other people still had multiple cars parked on their sites and other kids were riding the same thing around the campground (also saw roller skates and pre-teens on golf carts). It was overly obvious what they were doing and makes my blood boil as I think about it.

Another thing that was overly obvious was that almost all of the "groups" that got to do whatever they wanted was of the non-english speaking variety and were of the same heritage of the "police" CM's. I don't care who they were or what language they spoke but making us follow every rule by the letter while letting them do whatever they want just isn't right.

Make everyone follow the same rules or let everyone do what they want but don't make separate rules for different people. Agh.. Ok gotta quit now before I need blood pressure medicine.

 

[MICKEYLOVINMOMOF5]

From my experience with the Fort staff, they are very selective with who they enforce the rules on. It's got worse lately;especially over the last several years. They would come by telling us we have to move one of our trucks when we first get there and are trying to unload while multiple people around the loop have 3-4 cars parked on their sites. My parents went up several times to ask why we couldn't (not that we actually wanted to) when they wouldn't do anything to the others and the CM's just blew them off.

To make matters worse, because we complained the "police" started making loops around our loop looking for anything they could catch us on. They ended up giving us a ticket because my son and nephew were riding their rip sticks on the road in front of our site. A WARNING TICKET because a couple kids were riding their rip sticks...and no they weren't acting up or anything. This was while the other people still had multiple cars parked on their sites and other kids were riding the same thing around the campground (also saw roller skates and pre-teens on golf carts). It was overly obvious what they were doing and makes my blood boil as I think about it.

Another thing that was overly obvious was that almost all of the "groups" that got to do whatever they wanted was of the non-english speaking variety and were of the same heritage of the "police" CM's. I don't care who they were or what language they spoke but making us follow every rule by the letter while letting them do whatever they want just isn't right.

Make everyone follow the same rules or let everyone do what they want but don't make separate rules for different people. Agh.. Ok gotta quit now before I need blood pressure medicine.

You actually got a ticket for kids riding rip sticks? is that not allowed? I'm confused! :

ignore this question if it requires you to take meds.. LOL

 

[Sinclare]

Yes we got a warning ticket for them riding them. Apparently roller skates, rip sticks, skate boards and other such things that are not bicycles are technically not allowed (buried deep in the fine print) and can be used against anyone they don't like (ie. it's not generally enforced unless they want to).

Now the fact that something is banned doesn't bother me, it's the fact that the "police" car started making loops while it was just me and the boys playing in front of the campsite. Within minutes of my parents getting off the bus (back from the front desk to talk to the CM's who blew them off), is when he stopped and gave us the ticket. When I say it was overly obvious why he was doing it, I really mean it was overly obvious. The 3-4 car groups were never made to move them or even asked from what I could tell. I watched him circle the loop and just pass them by.

 

[littlejoe]

Monday we got back from a lovely 10 day stay at Fort Wilderness.
On the 6th day my DH went to get me some unsweet tea at Trails End and a very snotty manager informed him "that she will no longer let us get away with using them for any kind of beverage that her CM's would have to get. .

I wonder if that "Snotty Manager" was named LeeJean. We had a problem with her back in April and Disney upper management said they would talk to her. Question: Is this the same manager that still doesnt get it or is it another one that shows us that Disney is slipping when it comes to hiring people with people skills.

There is a right way and a wrong way to get across policy changes.