First Night of First Trip at Fort

[justcynn]

Ok so we leave Fort Desoto at 9:30 on the way to the Fort - GPS says 105 miles, not bad, ut oh I4 is closed just outside of Tampa, quick get the map - we miss that and see some pretty back country in the Plant City area, roll into the Fort at 12 or so, get up there and the first thing the attendant says is you have been upgraded to Saratoga Springs for 1 night, well this would be great but for a two day trip we just wanted to stay at the Fort...so we say no thanks and get our site assignment, 2000 loop - we were hoping for 1500 but we got the GC so we are ok with it...wow the sites are beautiful, the Comfort Stations are luxurious to my standards and the whole place is just awe inspiring, do some looping, go to Meadow Pool - way too busy, back to the pool by the cabins where we had it practically to ourselves...then time to make a grocery run, over to Publix by International drive, ugh the traffic - wait there is Orlando Premium outlets, pretty sure I read here in disboards I could get a FW Tire Cover for 1/2 price, convince DW to stop, we check it out I cant find it anywhere and contrary to my general nature - I ask - the guy says there have been a lot of people asking for these but he would check - in luck they have some, he said they only have small - well I will take a chance, turns out small fits 14" tires pretty well, off to publix - ugh very busy, and expensive!!! Get what we need, get back have dinner and off to the Camp Fire Sing a Long, a little corny but the kids liked it, we skip the movie, make up some strawberry smoothies for the kids (daquiries for the adults) and loop around till we find the marina, watch the electric light parade and the MK fireworks...wow, its now 10:30, time for bed...

Amazing to me is we didn't really go anywhere but the day flew by...now if we were trying to do parks too it would be one tiring experience!!!

Day two is half over but we hit Meadow pool early, got some showers and now off to check out the Transportation system and hopefully Downtown Disney in the process...

I can see why some of you stay a couple weeks at this place, it is trully amazing!!!

 

[OK GRUMPY]

Thanks for the up to the minute report! Our last trip we were there and we didn't do any of the parks except DTD and had a blast and something to do all the time Glad your enjoying your time at the Fort!

 

[WeCampDisney]

justcynn, be carefull, it sounds like you are falling in love. We have been there, that first trip to Fort Wilderness is awesome! Keep us posted on your trip, we love it. I so wish we were there right now!

 

[disney4dan]

I love that quote "Congratulations, you've been upgraded to Saratoga Springs" - I don't THINK SO, mister. To me, that would be a downgrade compared to the Fort. Nothing against the SS, but there is just that something about the Fort....

 

[justcynn]

Ok, so now we are in Nashville TN, but day two at the Fort started with some swimming at Meadow Pool since it wasn't, as busy the then we wanted to check out Disney Transportation, we took the Ferry to Magic Kingdom, hopped on the Monorail to the Polynesian, then a bus to Downtown Disney - ate at the Earl of Sandwich (per reccommendations on this board and it was good), bought the boy a lego set and the girls a few Mickeyy souvenirs. Bus back to the Wilderness Lodge and a Ferry back to the Fort. The Transportation was so easy and fast. All of this is less than 3 hours. Back at the Fort we did some more swimming, looping and had dinner. Then off to the Campfire and movie, tinkerbell...back to the camper and went to bed. Day three - check out day we get up early and get to Wilderness pool early, our family had the whole place to ourselves until 9AM, back to the camper- it was really nice of Walt to give us a private pool party, pack up and we are on our way to Panama City Beach by 11AM.

Drive to PCB was easy, all interstate or 4 lane - Stayed at St Andrews State Park in PCB for two nights - we could also stay here a week! We got to see wild Gators at Gator Lake, spent a lot of time at their awesome beach - they had a Jetty side that was much safer swimming for the kids, ate at Pineapple Willys (food was terrible but the kids liked the Virigin Daquiries in the souvenir mugs, adults liked the real thing!). Place is right on the beach, definitely paying for the atmosphere. Kids really got a kick out of the warning "Don't feed the seagulls or they will poop in your food".

Yesterday we drove from PCB to Nashville Jellystone Park, now half way home. The drive from PCB to Montgomery AL seemed as though it took forever but we got here in about 8.5 hours total, last night ate at the Nashville Palace watching the hopeful Country Music Singers trying to make a living. Today we have a full day here, plan to the Opryland Hotel and check out the Planned Activities here at Jellystone Park. Tommorrow we drive 350 Miles to Eureka MO to Jellystone Park and then after that 350 miles home.

The trip is working just as planned, kids get to see a little of everything so that when we make the next trip we know exactly where we want to go. the Fort is definitely on top of the list!!

 

[liv luvs disney]

Sounds like ya'll are continuing to have a great time.