VernRDH
Sharing the same birthday with my baby girl and Mi
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2005
- Messages
- 1,891
DH, DD and I just returned last night from our 8 night stay at the Fort. It was our first time there, and we stayed in a cabin (2529). Just some random thoughts and observations we had:
Cabin was terrific! Tons of room, though not as many drawers/storage spaces in the bedroom as I expected. Loved having a real bathroom. The kitchen was nice, though we didn't use it too much. Mousekeeping was Fantastic, and we tipped at the end of the week. The location was okay, the fort is so spread out though. We only had a few stops to get to the Outpost or the Meadows, the Settlement took quite a bit longer. Unfortunately, the bus stop was right outside our bedroom window and people from the loop went through our "yard" once they got off the bus.
Transportation: this was an issue. Not so much within the fort, but just the to and from. The orange and purple buses seemed to come regularly. The marina was fine to get to MK (except on Sunday, when the triathalon was happening and there was no boat to MK until 9:30). The buses from the parks however were a NIGHTMARE! Very long waits at all the parks. I understand that there may not be as many folks using buses as lots of folks at the fort use their own car, but there is no reason why us and a family with 3 small kids had to wait almost 40 minutes for a bus at DHS (in the 96 degree heat no less). Sharing the bus with WL was not a problem, and only the one night at Epcot was the bus being crowded a problem.
Food: It is really disappointing that there isn't a real counter service restaurant at the fort. The Meadows snack bar closed at 5, and on Tuesday night when it was hailing and pouring rain, we were stuck. We were on the QSDP, and unless we wanted to traipse to WL or a park (which we really did not) we had to pay for a meal. We got take out from Trails End (pizza was so so, DD loved the chicken meal). I understand that many people are camping and bring their own food, but would it be so hard to do a CS at TE? The chicken meal could be a CS credit, it is actually cheaper than some CS meals in the parks.
Trading posts: The Meadows had way more selection than the Settlement. Having to pick up packages from the park at the store was kind of a pain too. I can't understand why if you are staying in a cabin, they can't deliver the packages to you. The staff was hit or miss, sometimes very friendly and helpful, other times not.
Campfire and trail ride: Let me start with the positive: the trail ride. DD and I did this on Weds morning, and we had a blast. We did the 8:30 am ride (not too hot yet). DD rode Toby (a slowpoke) and I rode Bugsy. Neither of us had ever ridden before, but Carrie and Justin our guides did a great job in helping us. Carrie was super sweet and an all around asset to Tri Circle D.
The campfire, well let me say that we had fun making smores, but the behavior of others left us with a sour taste. While I will never win a mother of the year contest, I pay enough attention to keep my child from doing things are are dangerous to themselves and others. There was a young boy, about 5, who had a very large branch (probably 3 feet long and 2 inches in diameter). He was swinging it around, nearly hitting his brother in the head. Then once the campfire was started, he would stick the branch in the fire then swing it around. I went up to the chuck wagon and told the CM there, since the parents weren't going to do anything about it (too busy drinking their beer). Then he climbed over the railing around the fire pit and was practically IN THE FIRE! Again, mom and dad did nothing. I know that kids want to get close to toast their marshmallows, but mom and dad should have been supervising. My DD is 9, I did not let her go up alone and told her where she could stand.
All in all, the cabin was great for the space, but I don't think we will stay at the fort again. Next trip is in Jan for the half marathon, and we are staying at POR.
Cabin was terrific! Tons of room, though not as many drawers/storage spaces in the bedroom as I expected. Loved having a real bathroom. The kitchen was nice, though we didn't use it too much. Mousekeeping was Fantastic, and we tipped at the end of the week. The location was okay, the fort is so spread out though. We only had a few stops to get to the Outpost or the Meadows, the Settlement took quite a bit longer. Unfortunately, the bus stop was right outside our bedroom window and people from the loop went through our "yard" once they got off the bus.
Transportation: this was an issue. Not so much within the fort, but just the to and from. The orange and purple buses seemed to come regularly. The marina was fine to get to MK (except on Sunday, when the triathalon was happening and there was no boat to MK until 9:30). The buses from the parks however were a NIGHTMARE! Very long waits at all the parks. I understand that there may not be as many folks using buses as lots of folks at the fort use their own car, but there is no reason why us and a family with 3 small kids had to wait almost 40 minutes for a bus at DHS (in the 96 degree heat no less). Sharing the bus with WL was not a problem, and only the one night at Epcot was the bus being crowded a problem.
Food: It is really disappointing that there isn't a real counter service restaurant at the fort. The Meadows snack bar closed at 5, and on Tuesday night when it was hailing and pouring rain, we were stuck. We were on the QSDP, and unless we wanted to traipse to WL or a park (which we really did not) we had to pay for a meal. We got take out from Trails End (pizza was so so, DD loved the chicken meal). I understand that many people are camping and bring their own food, but would it be so hard to do a CS at TE? The chicken meal could be a CS credit, it is actually cheaper than some CS meals in the parks.
Trading posts: The Meadows had way more selection than the Settlement. Having to pick up packages from the park at the store was kind of a pain too. I can't understand why if you are staying in a cabin, they can't deliver the packages to you. The staff was hit or miss, sometimes very friendly and helpful, other times not.
Campfire and trail ride: Let me start with the positive: the trail ride. DD and I did this on Weds morning, and we had a blast. We did the 8:30 am ride (not too hot yet). DD rode Toby (a slowpoke) and I rode Bugsy. Neither of us had ever ridden before, but Carrie and Justin our guides did a great job in helping us. Carrie was super sweet and an all around asset to Tri Circle D.
The campfire, well let me say that we had fun making smores, but the behavior of others left us with a sour taste. While I will never win a mother of the year contest, I pay enough attention to keep my child from doing things are are dangerous to themselves and others. There was a young boy, about 5, who had a very large branch (probably 3 feet long and 2 inches in diameter). He was swinging it around, nearly hitting his brother in the head. Then once the campfire was started, he would stick the branch in the fire then swing it around. I went up to the chuck wagon and told the CM there, since the parents weren't going to do anything about it (too busy drinking their beer). Then he climbed over the railing around the fire pit and was practically IN THE FIRE! Again, mom and dad did nothing. I know that kids want to get close to toast their marshmallows, but mom and dad should have been supervising. My DD is 9, I did not let her go up alone and told her where she could stand.
All in all, the cabin was great for the space, but I don't think we will stay at the fort again. Next trip is in Jan for the half marathon, and we are staying at POR.
good part is they cleaned it up afterwards, you gotta love the camping life...haha
I think my kids and husband tried the movie the night you are talking about and they finally left because of the kids running around, people talking and not being able to see or hear the movie. The campfire is a nightmare on weekends. 
I am not planning on using my car when we visit in September. That is part of the reason why I stay on site. 
How frustrating!
Even for those who have their own campers. Sure if you have your own camper.. you can cook your own meals. Yet, most have spent a long day touring the parks and really don't want to start cooking dinner. We left the Fort and went to the food courts at POR and CBR when we wanted a quick bite. Trails End just didn't appeal to us. 
For the prices they charge for the cabins, and even for the increase of the price of the sites...something more needs to be done in the way of dining options.
