Cancelled our trip!

[North of Mouse]

After much thought, decided yesterday to cancel our 10 day trip beginning Nov. 11. We just can't seem to get 'into it' this time - hopefully that will change and we will want to go in the Spring.

All the changes in the last few years have taken it's toll on the enjoyment we have always had there. True, we will miss the Fort, always love it there, but thankfully it doesn't seem to change as fast as everything else has.

Didn't want to purchase our tickets until we got there so no advance FP's for us - plus, could not get some of our favorite restaurant ressies, have had some other great trips this year, and in general feel a little 'bummed' about all the changes in the last few years that have disappointed us.

Sorry for the 'downer' rant (have never felt this way in all the past many trips we have had), but wish the best for all you that are there, or have scheduled trips. Someone will be able to pick up our cancelled dates and be very happy to have 'found' them!!

 

[bama_ed]

I feel sorta like you do, NorthOfMouse.

I have a quick trip planned in January to run the Half Marathon but I'm not doing any parks. We did a family trip on spring break this past year because it was sort of a last Hurrah because our oldest DS will graduate college next year and in 2015 his college and our high school spring breaks don't fall at the same time as they did in 2014. So I have no real park trip planned.

I'm seeing prices for tickets and campsites keep going up but nearly nothing new or extra has shown up yet (taken away things are if anything). Yes, I know Mine Train is at MK. And lots of things are in the works at AK and rumored at EP and HS. But they will take YEARS to be ready. MDE and FP+ has forced us to pre-purchase tickets which we never did and pre-plan WAY in advance (I feel like I have to if I want to experience the key rides). If I could FP+ the night before and RELIABLY get the key rides at some point in the desired day, I would feel better about it. But now I feel like if I didn't hyper schedule months in advance, I might as well not do it at all.

I'm hoping DD and her high school band will plan another trip to Orlando in 2016 like they did in 2013 so I can tag along, stay at the Fort, and watch them march down Main Street in the MK (we met you and your DH when my younger son's class marched over at Universal). But another trip of parks and camping without a band reason? Not on the horizon. I love camping at the Fort but I also love camping at the beach, hitting the road out west, and heading up into the mountains.

So short term I'm hanging in with Disney - long term not so sure yet. Like you said, I know someone will get a reservation and camp at the Fort instead of us.

Please drop us a "virtual postcard" of any place else you visit that you would like to tell us about. I'm always looking for new places to discover.

Bama Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

Sorry to hear about the decision, but I understand why. This trip next week is only my second trip to the Fort. While you and Ed have many trips and memories, mine are just getting going. In the short span that I have been experiencing Disney I have seen a lot of change, more for the bad. But, when I see my kids lite up and jump around while they are there, it just becomes worth it to me as a "young" parent. As they grow older this will undoubtedly change, but for now I'll go along with it.

We have decided to maybe do Disney as an every other year trip and start going out west as Ed mentioned. We plan to squeeze in the beach as well each year.

Shame too, we would have been there at the same time. Maybe meet up on some other trip?

 

[North of Mouse]

Yes, Ed, the prices 'all things Disney' are getting ridiculous, and we enjoy going other places also.
Just got back from a 3 weeks trip, traveling the Natchez Trace Parkway from Nashville,TN to Natchez, MS, visiting NOLA, and having a sibling reunion for a few days in Hammond/Baton Rouge area.

We also want to go back to Acadia National Park in ME next year - beautiful, right on the rocky coast!

Tiggerdad, sorry we want be seeing y'all, but we 'do' plan to return - maybe next spring. Disney is still a great 'family' destination, but it's true some of us 'ole timers' remember a more relaxing time there! Have some fun times with your little ones though! Enjoy your trip.

I really fear Disney is on a 'roll' and will get all they can with no shortage of 'newbies' waiting in line to 'shell out the dough'!!

 

[RVMH]

Gee, guys! I just signed on for a bit of pixie dust and now I'm feeling depressed.....I understand your decision, and I'm sure I'd feel the same if I were still making the either/or decision, but as a full time traveler, I look forward to a yearly trip to the Fort and it's not just for the kids since most of our trips are just DH and me. I think I'm still looking forward to our January trip and was hoping to say a quick hello to Ed !

I too look back fondly on past trips which were cheaper and when attractions were still shiny and new; however, I've learned over MANY years that sometimes the past takes on a rosy glow that perhaps didn't shine quite so brightly at the time.

Enjoy where you are with who you're with......

 

[North of Mouse]

Gee, guys! I just signed on for a bit of pixie dust and now I'm feeling depressed.....I understand your decision, and I'm sure I'd feel the same if I were still making the either/or decision, but as a full time traveler, I look forward to a yearly trip to the Fort and it's not just for the kids since most of our trips are just DH and me. I think I'm still looking forward to our January trip and was hoping to say a quick hello to Ed !

I too look back fondly on past trips which were cheaper and when attractions were still shiny and new; however, I've learned over MANY years that sometimes the past takes on a rosy glow that perhaps didn't shine quite so brightly at the time.

Enjoy where you are with who you're with......

Hey, sorry, no need to get depressed!!

Am sure you are much younger than empty nesters dh & I. We have been camping at the Fort since the year after opening when only the MK was there, so trust me, there have been many changes - some for better - some not so!

Disney will always have lots to offer, and I hope you have many great trips, but that doesn't change or reflect on what we have experienced and seen.
Everyone is entitled to their own thoughts, opinions, facts, etc. Maybe you should not read posts that don't reflect your own opinions and experiences, if it affects you so negatively. There are many who 'do' understand my feelings. We will still enjoy the Fort, and Disney, but in our own time.

 

[2travelers]

..

 

[RVMH]

Hey, sorry, no need to get depressed!!

Am sure you are much younger than empty nesters dh & I. We have been camping at the Fort since the year after opening when only the MK was there, so trust me, there have been many changes - some for better - some not so!

Disney will always have lots to offer, and I hope you have many great trips, but that doesn't change or reflect on what we have experienced and seen.
Everyone is entitled to their own thoughts, opinions, facts, etc. Maybe you should not read posts that don't reflect your own opinions and experiences, if it affects you so negatively. There are many who 'do' understand my feelings. We will still enjoy the Fort, and Disney, but in our own time.

I am so sorry; I wanted only to express my feeling. I never intended to make it sound as if I didn't understand or thought you were wrong in any way. I am relatively new to these boards and I just wanted to exchange ideas. I'll try to be more positive in the future.

 

[bama_ed]

Well I am STILL looking forward to the January trip. I should do the Half just fine and have fun while doing it. Also look forward to meeting you folks RVMH and some other DISsers. I have been taking notes on all these recent well done pretrip/live trip reports.

Bama Ed

 

[serenitygr]

Just popping in to say hi and give my 2 cents worth . Our family is definitely in the "newbie " category, having stayed in the cabins for our first Fort trip in 2012, and then in our "rolling turd" during this past Christmas time. I feel sad for those of you who seem to miss the way things used to be- it must be hard to not still feel that same "magic". But I am very thankful that to our family the magic is definitely still there. We are planning our next trip for next fall and sometimes I miss the Fort so much my heart actually hurts.... If it was possible I'd happily get a job there and never leave! I do look forward to meeting many more of you in future visits and sincerely hope to meet some of you "old timers" someday down the road too!

 

[ColleenFL]

Sorry to hear how you all feel. I am not a newbie but I live here in FL about 2 hours away. I understand about the prices keep going up, but it does not stop the magic for us. Due to price increases I did not renew my annual pass, ended up getting a 3 day hopper which was way more affordable. I was at the fort over Halloween and purchased tickets once there we had no problems getting our FP's, we couldn't get FP for mine train so we waited in standby line 90 minutes it was worth it. The rest of the time we enjoyed the fort. We will go back 2-3 more times this year. And have next Halloween and Christmas- new years booked. When we go in the month of June and/or august I find the campsite cost is more reasonable (premium sites).
There are many great places out west if you ever get the chance to go to yellowstone it is fantastic. You all will be missed, be sure to drop in and let us know of your rv adventures!

 

[RVMH]

Well I am STILL looking forward to the January trip. I should do the Half just fine and have fun while doing it. Also look forward to meeting you folks RVMH and some other DISsers. I have been taking notes on all these recent well done pretrip/live trip reports.

Bama Ed

Thanks - hope to get a chance to say Hello. I do have enjoyed the trip reports.

 

[North of Mouse]

I am so sorry; I wanted only to express my feeling. I never intended to make it sound as if I didn't understand or thought you were wrong in any way. I am relatively new to these boards and I just wanted to exchange ideas. I'll try to be more positive in the future.

No need to be sorry for expressing your feelings - that's what I was doing!!!

Wasn't even thinking when I posted that this would be taken that negative - it's just 'us' at this time. As I said, Disney is still a great place to go and make memories with family. Most of you have not 'grown up' at Disney as 'adults' so you 'can not' know completely where I'm coming from and I respect that.

As I said in my OP it was a 'downer rant' and we 'all' have those, right???
Please enjoy your present and future trips and all the you can hold! We have every intention of future trips - just maybe not as often.

 

[RVMH]

No need to be sorry for expressing your feelings - that's what I was doing!!!

Wasn't even thinking when I posted that this would be taken that negative - it's just 'us' at this time. As I said, Disney is still a great place to go and make memories with family. Most of you have not 'grown up' at Disney as 'adults' so you 'can not' know completely where I'm coming from and I respect that.

As I said in my OP it was a 'downer rant' and we 'all' have those, right???
Please enjoy your present and future trips and all the you can hold! We have every intention of future trips - just maybe not as often.

Thanks for the explanation. I certainly understand the appeal of seeing many different places and we're all lucky to have so many beautiful parks to visit throughout the country. Enjoy your travels wherever they take you; maybe we can meet at some future Fort visit