4DisneyAddicts
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2004
- Messages
- 307
We are on our way home from our FW stay, the second in our RV. We stayed in January but we transferred from the Contemporary so the moving around made for a hectic trip. This trip was much more relaxed. We have stayed in cabins several times so I guess I count this as my first official RV stay in Disney.
First some general comments:
1- DH and I both thought the CMs in ALL of Disney were very friendly and helpful. This is something we have noticed had been lacking in recent trips so it was a nice change.
2- still miss the peacocks
3- Disney in summer is definitely hot but if you prepare and stop in AC often enough then it is bearable.
4- I wish FW had a counter service restaurant
Checked in on Wed 8/22 around 11 o'clock. It almost seemed deserted. No one was checking in. We requested 1400 loop because this is where we stayed in January. We like the proximity to Meadows TP, pool, and the campfire. We were told we could choose almost any spot because it was pretty open. We requested near the back of the loop, close to but not next to the comfort station. We were assigned 1429 but after seeing it we went back and asked for 1430. 1430 was shaded and more private - no problem with switching...1429 was in full sun and they were working on the loop behind 1400 loop so there was a bulldozer working back there. The loop really was almost empty. As the days passed it got a little more busy but never more than 1/2 full...
After we set up our site we rode bikes to the Trading Post to get our first fix of Disney merchandiding and to soak up the Fort atmosphere. We rode our bikes to Wilderness Lodge for lunch at Roaring Forks (?) the food court type restaurant there. Lunch was good. Then off to the Wild Lodge store for more shopping!! We went to the Meadows pool for about an hour. I was surprised it was not at all crowded. The water was pleasantly warm. DSis and mom were in a cabin so we met them for a cookout complete with Mickey burgers, which we purchased at home. Funny how my kids will eat almost anything when it is shaped like Mickey...After dinner we went to campfire singalong where DS6 was happy to be included in the Happy Birthday song, kids didn't want to stay for the movie so we went back to RV to get a good night sleep for early day tomorrow...
On Thursday we woke up EARLY to get to EMH at MK. Took boat to Contmp and walked to MK. I was a little disappointed because I have always wanted to get to MK at opening to see the characters come in on the train. I discovered that for some reason they don't do this on EMH mornings. Oh well, we had an early start nonetheless. MK was crowded so we only did a few rides. DS1 got his first haircut at MK barber shop and got the free 1st haircut ears hat. He really enjoyed it, the barber at home will have a hard time topping that experience. We took a monorail ride (monorails are DS6 and DS9s favorite thing) to Poly for lunch at Kona Cafe. This was a first time for us to eat there, it was very good. The waitress brought DS6 a small dessert with Happy Bday written in choc on the plate for his bday (even though it wasn't until the next day). We went back to MK for more rides and we went to Casey's for a light dinner. I parked myself on the circle by the castle at 7:30 for good seating for SpectroMagic and Wishes with Mom as others went on rides. It was worth the wait as I always seem to have some obstruction or bad view and this was the first time I got to watch the fireworks from a good location. Besides, the ice cream form Main Street helps to pass the time!!
Friday was DS6's bday. We didn't rush to wake up because yesterday was such a long day and I tend to enjoy myself much more when I am not rushing everywhere...We went to MGM and took boys to see Indiana Jones for the first time. Did RockN Rollercaoster with DS9 and had lunch at Backlot express. I ordered a kids grilled chicken meal for myself. It is really a great option when you are at a counter service restaurant. For $4 I got good quality grilled chicken strips, baby carrots, brocolli, celery sticks, dip, grapes, applesauce, and a small water bottle. The kids enjoyed the High Sch Musical Pep Rally. It was getting ready to rain so we tried the Great Movie Ride for the first time, and the last time. The wait was long, the AC was not working in the waiting area and the ride was OK at best. A CM told us to make sure we sat in the 1st car for DS's bday but there was no special recognition so that was a little disappointing. Anyway we wanted to try new things so now we know to not do the great Movie ride again! We went back to the RV to change for DS's birthday dinner at Chef Mickeys. The kids tried out the new arcade at the Cont and we went to dinner. I had ordered a special cake and we were pleasantly surprised to receive a chocolate monorail on top of the cake. I told the CM who took my order that he loived monorails and she indicated they would do a printed picture. I mentioned the chocolate monorail because I had seen pics posted on other boards and she said it would be too expensive. So...I was really happy when it showed up on his cake. It sells for $40 but was included for "free" on the $25 cake. DS6 loved it and DS 9 was very jealous! Mickey joined us for singing happy bday and the waitress boxed up the cake for us to enjoy back at the Fort. They even give you a disposable cake cutter.
On Saturday we took a day off from the parks. We went shopping at Downtown Disney, ate a kitchen sink Ice Cream Sundae at Beach Club, and went to Meadows pool. There was another big storm this night so we orderd take out Pizza from TE.
On Sunday we went back to MK and rode lots of rides with the kids. We found 2 paint brushes on Tom Sawyers Island so that was a fun new event for the kids. Plus we got 2 sets of fast passes for finding them so we had no lines to wait in. We got Dole Whips and waited in line for them longer than any ride we went on! It was worth it though. We usually go in the winter so they are not always available then. Another storm was coming so we tried to get the boat back to FW so we could get the bikes back. We almost made it. We got drenched because the sky opened up about 1/2 way between the marina and our site. The rains each night were very strong and there was a lot of lightning. Luckily the days were sunny. We ate at Trails End (the food was a little disappointing) and went back to MK EMH when the rain cleared. I think the rides are more crowded during EMH. I had heard this was the case but now I really believe it!
Overall we had a great trip. We tried some new things and did some of our traditional things. We love Fort Wilderness and can't wait to go back! I hope you enjoyed my report. I always enjoy reading everyone else's.
First some general comments:
1- DH and I both thought the CMs in ALL of Disney were very friendly and helpful. This is something we have noticed had been lacking in recent trips so it was a nice change.
2- still miss the peacocks
3- Disney in summer is definitely hot but if you prepare and stop in AC often enough then it is bearable.
4- I wish FW had a counter service restaurant
Checked in on Wed 8/22 around 11 o'clock. It almost seemed deserted. No one was checking in. We requested 1400 loop because this is where we stayed in January. We like the proximity to Meadows TP, pool, and the campfire. We were told we could choose almost any spot because it was pretty open. We requested near the back of the loop, close to but not next to the comfort station. We were assigned 1429 but after seeing it we went back and asked for 1430. 1430 was shaded and more private - no problem with switching...1429 was in full sun and they were working on the loop behind 1400 loop so there was a bulldozer working back there. The loop really was almost empty. As the days passed it got a little more busy but never more than 1/2 full...
After we set up our site we rode bikes to the Trading Post to get our first fix of Disney merchandiding and to soak up the Fort atmosphere. We rode our bikes to Wilderness Lodge for lunch at Roaring Forks (?) the food court type restaurant there. Lunch was good. Then off to the Wild Lodge store for more shopping!! We went to the Meadows pool for about an hour. I was surprised it was not at all crowded. The water was pleasantly warm. DSis and mom were in a cabin so we met them for a cookout complete with Mickey burgers, which we purchased at home. Funny how my kids will eat almost anything when it is shaped like Mickey...After dinner we went to campfire singalong where DS6 was happy to be included in the Happy Birthday song, kids didn't want to stay for the movie so we went back to RV to get a good night sleep for early day tomorrow...
On Thursday we woke up EARLY to get to EMH at MK. Took boat to Contmp and walked to MK. I was a little disappointed because I have always wanted to get to MK at opening to see the characters come in on the train. I discovered that for some reason they don't do this on EMH mornings. Oh well, we had an early start nonetheless. MK was crowded so we only did a few rides. DS1 got his first haircut at MK barber shop and got the free 1st haircut ears hat. He really enjoyed it, the barber at home will have a hard time topping that experience. We took a monorail ride (monorails are DS6 and DS9s favorite thing) to Poly for lunch at Kona Cafe. This was a first time for us to eat there, it was very good. The waitress brought DS6 a small dessert with Happy Bday written in choc on the plate for his bday (even though it wasn't until the next day). We went back to MK for more rides and we went to Casey's for a light dinner. I parked myself on the circle by the castle at 7:30 for good seating for SpectroMagic and Wishes with Mom as others went on rides. It was worth the wait as I always seem to have some obstruction or bad view and this was the first time I got to watch the fireworks from a good location. Besides, the ice cream form Main Street helps to pass the time!!
Friday was DS6's bday. We didn't rush to wake up because yesterday was such a long day and I tend to enjoy myself much more when I am not rushing everywhere...We went to MGM and took boys to see Indiana Jones for the first time. Did RockN Rollercaoster with DS9 and had lunch at Backlot express. I ordered a kids grilled chicken meal for myself. It is really a great option when you are at a counter service restaurant. For $4 I got good quality grilled chicken strips, baby carrots, brocolli, celery sticks, dip, grapes, applesauce, and a small water bottle. The kids enjoyed the High Sch Musical Pep Rally. It was getting ready to rain so we tried the Great Movie Ride for the first time, and the last time. The wait was long, the AC was not working in the waiting area and the ride was OK at best. A CM told us to make sure we sat in the 1st car for DS's bday but there was no special recognition so that was a little disappointing. Anyway we wanted to try new things so now we know to not do the great Movie ride again! We went back to the RV to change for DS's birthday dinner at Chef Mickeys. The kids tried out the new arcade at the Cont and we went to dinner. I had ordered a special cake and we were pleasantly surprised to receive a chocolate monorail on top of the cake. I told the CM who took my order that he loived monorails and she indicated they would do a printed picture. I mentioned the chocolate monorail because I had seen pics posted on other boards and she said it would be too expensive. So...I was really happy when it showed up on his cake. It sells for $40 but was included for "free" on the $25 cake. DS6 loved it and DS 9 was very jealous! Mickey joined us for singing happy bday and the waitress boxed up the cake for us to enjoy back at the Fort. They even give you a disposable cake cutter.
On Saturday we took a day off from the parks. We went shopping at Downtown Disney, ate a kitchen sink Ice Cream Sundae at Beach Club, and went to Meadows pool. There was another big storm this night so we orderd take out Pizza from TE.
On Sunday we went back to MK and rode lots of rides with the kids. We found 2 paint brushes on Tom Sawyers Island so that was a fun new event for the kids. Plus we got 2 sets of fast passes for finding them so we had no lines to wait in. We got Dole Whips and waited in line for them longer than any ride we went on! It was worth it though. We usually go in the winter so they are not always available then. Another storm was coming so we tried to get the boat back to FW so we could get the bikes back. We almost made it. We got drenched because the sky opened up about 1/2 way between the marina and our site. The rains each night were very strong and there was a lot of lightning. Luckily the days were sunny. We ate at Trails End (the food was a little disappointing) and went back to MK EMH when the rain cleared. I think the rides are more crowded during EMH. I had heard this was the case but now I really believe it!
Overall we had a great trip. We tried some new things and did some of our traditional things. We love Fort Wilderness and can't wait to go back! I hope you enjoyed my report. I always enjoy reading everyone else's.
