FOURTH AT THE FORT!! WE'RE BACK!

[Madonna3]

GRR!!!

SO DISNEY'S RESERVATION SYSTEM IS MESSING WITH ME!!

I can book 07/03-07/07 at FULL PRICE ($369/night), but I CANNOT add on 07/03 or even book 07/03 by itself!!

Stupid algorithm!!

 

[bama_ed]

GRR!!!

SO DISNEY'S RESERVATION SYSTEM IS MESSING WITH ME!!

I can book 07/03-07/07 at FULL PRICE ($369/night), but I CANNOT add on 07/03 or even book 07/03 by itself!!

Stupid algorithm!!

They got you right where they want you. Let it go...

 

[Madonna3]

YAY!! Disney helped me and pulled through and got me the extra night at the Florida resident rate!!

Now we are 07/03-07/07

 

[Madonna3]

They got you right where they want you. Let it go...

BWAHAHAHA! I am WOMAN. I NEVER give up. I just nag till I get what I want.

 

[Madonna3]

So, I told my son today that I added on an extra night. He's pretty excited. No response yet from my husband. The whole purpose of getting there on the 3rd is to decorate and prep the cabin. Also, the kids want to be in the parade and they have to register by 07/03, so now I will be on property to do that. I was going to do all the shopping prep in my kitchen and then pack the car and head to the Fort. Now, I will go buy the stuff out there and haul it back to the cabin so I don't mess up MY kitchen and have to clean before I leave. Now, I can mess up someone else's kitchen and someone else can clean it up

I am very excited that I can do all this work on the 3rd and enjoy the fruits of my labor on the 4th and beyond. I will likely still prep some stuff at home, but with the amount of crap that will be in the trunk of my SUV, I am excited that I don't have to figure out how to pack a bunch of coolers as well.

The rate for 07/03 was $27/night more expensive than the other nights. But, I am not going to complain over $27. I think Disney did me a solid and I am happy to have the night added on to my reservation.

 

[Madonna3]

They got you right where they want you. Let it go...

bama_ed, it's because of you I was able to get the additional night. I found another thread where a poster was talking about being disappointed when trying to mod a reservation the opposite way of what I was trying to do (go from longer stay to shorter vs shorter to longer). I tested your theory about not allowing for a single night when inventory was available, but rather trying to book a longer stay. Sure enough, if I booked 07/03-07/07, it came up, but at the regular rate. So, clearly, the night was available. However, I was NOT paying full price for one night. So, I called and I reasoned with the CM, who in turn reasoned with Guest Relations for me, and they went ahead and booked the extra night at the Florida resident rate, but I had to pay the difference of the first night vs. the night I originally started with which was $27. That was fine with me.

So, while I am glad I had your advice, I am disappointed to see Disney has instituted this very flawed algorithm.

 

[Lildancer]

How exciting for you! Glad you could make it work! We are creating and doing Mickeys Backyard Bbq on the 4th ( per my 3 yr. olds request), so no food prep needed here!
Anyone know if they do anything different/special for the 4th at the BBQ? I know some people don't like it, but we thought the food was fine, the ice cream was great, and the unlimited wine and beer was fabulous!

 

[Madonna3]

ALL CHECKED IN!! I requested the 2300 loop and to be near transportation.

We are a confirmed party of 5 the first 3 days. Then an unofficial party of 7 the last night. (shh!) I am super excited because a friend I have not seen in 15 years will be joining us. I switched Friday July 1 for Sunday June 26th, so I will be off work for the first half of July. So here's the new schedule:

July 3 - Leave for the fort sometime around 9am. Since I am off the 1st and 2nd, I will shop and prep on these days. My cleaning lady will be at my house on the 30th, so no worries there about trying to get the house clean/organized. I should be at the fort by noon. The boys will go register for the parade and I will start decorating! I'll start the meal prep and I will treat the boys to Trails End or some other place that they can choose for dinner so this way I can get a small break from all the prep work. I will have to pick up my friend from the train station at some point this evening.

July 4 - Pick up my golf cart. I decided not to get it for the 3rd since I will have the car and the boys will have their bikes. It's like $60/day and I just don't see needing it very much until this day. The more I think about it, I'm not really sure we'll need it at all. Let the festivities begin! Some other friends will be joining us just for the day to participate in 4th of July BBQ that we'll be hosting.

July 5 - Relaxing day at the Fort.

July 6 - My neighbors arrive to spend the day at the Fort. This night we have reservations to attend the Beach Party at Typhoon Lagoon. Some of my other buddies will be meeting us at the water park for a confirmed party of 12!! THANKS DVC!!

July 7 - There will be a group of 6 or 7 of us (depending on what my friend decides to do) heading to Blizzard Beach for the day. I rented a Cabana so we're gonna have a nice relaxing end to our stay. We'll head home after park closing cause we're the type of people they have to nicely escort to the front to get us to leave.

 

[Madonna3]

Well, we're less than 30 days to go and now there's nothing to do but wait.

I did some minor shopping because my husband works at Home Depot and they were having some big Memorial Day sales so he clued me in as to what was a good buy. I got bags of charcoal (18lb bag) with 2 bags per package with each package for $10, so basically, $5 a bag. I grabbed some citronella candles and some other décor as well as bottled water for $2 for a 24 pack.

Before I go on a vacation, I demand that any projects around the house be completed. Well, I got really ambitious this weekend and got my kitchen painted and everything done after 18 months of working on it. I wasn't working on it every day. I'd do some work here and there and then take a break from it and then get aggravated at it and go back to it. I'm disappointed in the color that I ended up getting, but hopefully it will grow on me and maybe I can decorate the kitchen a little to make it more tolerable. I was going for a gray with a blue tint to it, but this came out way more blue than I had hoped, but if I take the paint outside, it looks gray. I am going to ask my husband to change the lighting in the kitchen and hope maybe that will help. He buys these LED's and they give off these weird colors. Maybe if he changes the bulbs they won't make it look so blue. I don't know... I just know that I am so tired of being disappointed in my kitchen after so long and feeling so helpless about it.

BUT, the good news is, the project is DONE and WAY ahead of schedule. Usually, I procrastinate and end up trying to cram it in last minute and making everyone miserable. So now, I can just focus on some spring cleaning and my bowling tournaments. It feels really good to have this done.

Our magic bands are ordered and are on their way. I will mail the Magical Express luggage tags to my friend along with the band. Does anyone know exactly how Magical Express works? I added it to my reservation for him when I checked in, but I'm not really sure how that all works.

Anyway, talk later, gotta get running.

 

[Judyfun]

Well, we're less than 30 days to go and now there's nothing to do but wait.

I did some minor shopping because my husband works at Home Depot and they were having some big Memorial Day sales so he clued me in as to what was a good buy. I got bags of charcoal (18lb bag) with 2 bags per package with each package for $10, so basically, $5 a bag. I grabbed some citronella candles and some other décor as well as bottled water for $2 for a 24 pack.

Before I go on a vacation, I demand that any projects around the house be completed. Well, I got really ambitious this weekend and got my kitchen painted and everything done after 18 months of working on it. I wasn't working on it every day. I'd do some work here and there and then take a break from it and then get aggravated at it and go back to it. I'm disappointed in the color that I ended up getting, but hopefully it will grow on me and maybe I can decorate the kitchen a little to make it more tolerable. I was going for a gray with a blue tint to it, but this came out way more blue than I had hoped, but if I take the paint outside, it looks gray. I am going to ask my husband to change the lighting in the kitchen and hope maybe that will help. He buys these LED's and they give off these weird colors. Maybe if he changes the bulbs they won't make it look so blue. I don't know... I just know that I am so tired of being disappointed in my kitchen after so long and feeling so helpless about it.

BUT, the good news is, the project is DONE and WAY ahead of schedule. Usually, I procrastinate and end up trying to cram it in last minute and making everyone miserable. So now, I can just focus on some spring cleaning and my bowling tournaments. It feels really good to have this done.

Our magic bands are ordered and are on their way. I will mail the Magical Express luggage tags to my friend along with the band. Does anyone know exactly how Magical Express works? I added it to my reservation for him when I checked in, but I'm not really sure how that all works.

Anyway, talk later, gotta get running.

When He gets off the plane, there are directions all over the place on where he needs to go (lower level), he will check-in, they will tell him a line to get in, board a bus, and then travel to the campground. This process can take anywhere from 1 - 2 hours tops. I am not sure how the luggage works at the campgrounds, but when I have used, I leave the luggage behind and it shows up in my room.

 

[Madonna3]

AWW NUTS!!

I didn't think of the parade logistics and had planned to pick up a cart on the 4th, forgetting that in order to be in the parade with the cart myself or even sit in the cart on the side of the road, I would have to get the reservation for the 3rd as pick up isn't until 1pm on the 4th! NUTS! I put myself on the waiting list and I even went ahead and contacted Tee Time and I am hoping that maybe Kenny can come through for me with a rental or I'll just let the boys go with their bikes and I'll find a spot to just sit and watch. I'm leaning toward finding a place I can pull the car over and just sit in the back with the hatch open. If I can't I'll just walk to the nearest spot to our loop and plop down a portable chair. NUTS! NUTS! NUTS!

Can anyone recommend any other company besides Tee Time? I searched the forums and didn't really see anyone else recommended.

 

[amcc]

July is fast approaching! We will be there July 20 (or 27, depending on my husband's schedule). Will you be keeping this thread as your individual trip report? I was going to start a general July PTR and TR thread but not sure what was your intent with this thread and I want to make sure I respect that Can't wait to get back to the Fort!

 

[bama_ed]

Madonna3,

Tee Time is the only reputable alternative for a golf cart other than Disney that I have heard of.

Bama Ed

 

[Madonna3]

July is fast approaching! We will be there July 20 (or 27, depending on my husband's schedule). Will you be keeping this thread as your individual trip report? I was going to start a general July PTR and TR thread but not sure what was your intent with this thread and I want to make sure I respect that Can't wait to get back to the Fort!

To be honest, I am not one to actually follow through and post a Trip Report. I am definitely a PTR kind of person, but after the trip I get kinda lazy and writing trip reports actually makes me sad. I appreciate the respect, but please, feel free to do as you wish. If I did follow through, then yes, I would use this thread, but I wouldn't feel any disrespect if someone started another and yet I would feel kind of delighted if others posted their plans and reports!!! I enjoy the pre trip discussions and I LOVE reading everyone else's trip reports. I spent about an hour looking for some yesterday where people stayed in the cabins. I didn't find any though

Madonna3,

Tee Time is the only reputable alternative for a golf cart other than Disney that I have heard of.

Bama Ed

Nuts. They're sold out too.

 

[proudmomof4]

Well, despite my best efforts to "hack" Disney's rec calendars, I have made a rough itinerary. So far, the cast of characters consists of myself, my husband, our son, my best friend from NJ, and our son's friend. The last time we went to the fort, our son had a wonderful time, but he kept latching onto other families and while everyone at the fort didn't seem to mind, I felt bad he didn't have a friend of his own. So, we solved that this time. I am bringing the boys' bikes so they can ride around at their leisure. I am hoping to add on another night because the boys want to participate in the parade. My son is trying to decide on bringing his bike or his electric scooter to decorate.

I have a preliminary menu all planned out and I am super excited to being shopping for it, but it's too early yet, so I have to wait

We're having:
Hamburgers and potato salad
Lobster rolls and shrimp skewers
BBQ chicken and macaroni and cheese
Rib eyes w/ Tarragon butter sauce and bacon ranch potatoes
Ribs and beans

I will also be making some unique desserts like:
red, white, and blue rice krispy treats
red, white, and blue strawberry shortcake
red, white, and blue banana sundae bites

of course we'll have the staples of watermelon, lemonade, and corn on the cob!

Wow, that is quite a feast you have planned, I might have to wander over towards the cabins, I'll know where you are by just following the delicious smells....just kidding. We aren't planning anything nearly as wonderful, just pulled pork, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, potato salad, soda, beer.

 

[Guyton dis lover]

To be honest, I am not one to actually follow through and post a Trip Report. I am definitely a PTR kind of person, but after the trip I get kinda lazy and writing trip reports actually makes me sad. I appreciate the respect, but please, feel free to do as you wish. If I did follow through, then yes, I would use this thread, but I wouldn't feel any disrespect if someone started another and yet I would feel kind of delighted if others posted their plans and reports!!! I enjoy the pre trip discussions and I LOVE reading everyone else's trip reports. I spent about an hour looking for some yesterday where people stayed in the cabins. I didn't find any though



Nuts. They're sold out too.

Golf carts are good ,but you really don't need one.

 

[Madonna3]

Golf carts are good ,but you really don't need one.

I don't "NEED" a Disney vacation either, but yet, here we are

 

[Madonna3]

Well, we're exactly 1 week out...

And of course everything has changed. Well, not everything, but we definitely altered the original arrangements.

So, we were successful with our July 3rd add on and our dates are July 3-7

Our cast of characters changed. Our neighbors were supposed to join us for the Typhoon Lagoon DVC member event, but they had to cancel. This works out as we were going to have to play musical beds for our last night, but now that won't be necessary. Blessing in disguise I guess. We'll be going with them in August to Blizzard Beach so we get to look forward to that.

Since they canceled, we canceled our last day's events since we were supposed to go to Blizzard Beach and instead we will go to Disney Quest. I just learned it's still open and my son who is only 14 and can now go there for the first time by himself was devastated to learn of its pending close. He will be super happy to spend a day there with his friend. My husband and I have decided that we'd rather go see a movie. Then we'll all meet back up and hit Splitsville for some bowling since we're all bowlers and it's funny for us to try and bowl without our usual equipment.

My friend who was flying in from NJ, and still is, has decided there are other things he'd rather do besides hang out at Disney the whole time and he has plans to meet up with other friends as well. For the most part, it will be just my husband and myself and the 2 boys. This is ok, it all just works out since I don't need a 6 person golf cart anymore, I don't need to pack an air mattress,

I had invited friends to join us on the 4th to have dinner at the cabin and watch fireworks, but with Disney going nuts in recent weeks I think I may need to withdraw the invitation. I tried to book a specialty cruise instead, they're all booked up for right now. I will keep checking back each morning up until we arrive since someone may spend too much money and decide to cancel. Part of this whole trip was to be able to go down and sit on the beach for fireworks and with that not being possible it kind of takes the wind out of my sails a little. There are other places we could go, but they're not as convenient as just plopping our butts down on the sand. I'll need some suggestions to help put the excitement back in this event.

ETA: Just found out their opening the beaches for the fireworks and EWP so YAY! for that.

 

[Madonna3]

I'm sitting at work today as today was my trade day. I traded working Sunday for Friday. On Friday I have a hair and nails appointment and I need to start my prep work for the trip. Our pool has been under construction since DECEMBER (don't ask) and is scheduled to be completed by this weekend so if that happens then it will truly be a wonderful start to my vacation. I can throw some chemicals in the water as its filling and be sitting pool side in between prep work!

Here's our schedule which was copied from the itinerary brochure I made. I'll have to screen shot it and upload it. I can't do that from work so it will have to wait until I get home, but trust me, it's really neat


July 4th at Walt Disney World

Hosted by: The Poirier Family

July 3-7, 2016 at

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

JULY 3:

7:00AM: LEAVE PORT CHARLOTTE AND STOP AT CRACKER BARREL FOR BREAKFAST

11:00AM: ARRIVE AT FT. WILDERNESS RESORT FOR CHECK IN

(PUBLIX RUN)

1:00PM: LUNCH

Publix Subs

Ice Pops

Lemonade

2:30PM: SHOPPING AND PIN TRADING

4:00PM: CABIN DECORATING!!

6:00PM: DINNER

Sausage and Peppers on Buns (this is subject to change. I'm not really feeling this and think I might replace it with hot dogs or campfire French bread pizzas)

Potato Salad

Watermelon

Lemonade


8:00PM: POOL TIME


JULY 4:

8:30AM: BREAKFAST

Cereal/Yogurt

Fresh Fruit

Assorted Pastries

Orange/Apple Juice


10:00AM: GOLF CART PARADE!!


11:00AM: ARTS AND CRAFTS NEAR BIKE BARN/PICK UP GOLF CART

1:00PM: LUNCH

Hamburgers w/ Potato Salad

Fresh Watermelon

Lemonade


2:00PM: FREE TIME


3:00PM: POOL GAMES



6:00PM: DINNER

Shrimp Skewers & Lobster Rolls

Red, White, and Blue Layered Drinks

Red, White, and Blue Strawberry Shortcake


7:30PM: CAMPFIRE W/ SMORES


9:00PM: FIREWORKS!!


10:00PM: POOL

JULY 5:


9:30AM: BREAKFAST

Cereal/Yogurt

Fresh Fruit

Assorted Pastries

Orange/Apple Juice


11:00AM: ARTS AND CRAFTS AT BIKE BARN


1:00PM LUNCH:

BBQ Chicken w/ macaroni & cheese

Fresh Cut Peppers & dip cups

Frozen Banana Sundaes (banana quarters dipped in blue yogurt and sprinkles frozen w/ whipped cream and cherry on top

Lemonade


2:00PM: FREE TIME


3:00PM: POOL GAMES


6:00PM: Dinner

Rib Eye steaks w/Tarragon Butter Sauce

Bacon Onion Foil Potatoes

Corn on the cob

Watermelon Pie


JULY 6:

9:30AM: BREAKFAST

Cereal/Yogurt

Fresh Fruit

Assorted Pastries

Orange/Apple Juice


11:00AM: ARTS AND CRAFTS AT BIKE BARN


1:00PM: LUNCH

Sandwiches

Fresh Veggies

Rice Crispy Treats

Lemonade


2:00PM: FREE TIME


5:00PM: DINNER

Roasted Spare Ribs

Macaroni Salad

Lemonade

Campfire Apple Pie

(Sliced apples in foil with apple pie ingredients) served w/ Vanilla ice cream


7:00PM: TYPHOON LAGOON BEACH PARTY!

12:00AM: RETURN FROM TYPHOON LAGOON


JULY 7:

9:00AM: WAKE UP CALL

PACK/CHECK OUT DAY


9:30AM: BREAKFAST

Cereal/Yogurt

Fresh Fruit

Assorted Pastries

Orange/Apple Juice


11:00AM: CHECK OUT


12:00PM: KIDS ONLY

DISNEY QUEST


1:00PM: ADULTS ONLY

Now You See Me 2


4:00PM: BOWLING AND DINNER


SPLITSVILLE LUXURY LANES


8:00PM: HOME

“Never say goodbye, because saying goodbye means leaving and leaving means forgetting.” –Peter Pan

I plan on getting to work SUPER EARLY on Thursday so I can LEAVE SUPER EARLY on Thursday and go home and maybe hit Sams Club for the adult beverages or just go get myself organized before sleeping in on Friday and then going to get my hair done followed by a pedi and a mani.

My son is super excited to help me get everything prepared, I just need to remember the "clear" cups for 4th of July so our tri-colored drinks show. I'll also need to remember to buy a clear colored trife dish for the strawberry shortcake.

 

[Guyton dis lover]

I don't "NEED" a Disney vacation either, but yet, here we are

Well you will find that you have to reserve one a bit sooner. Go rent a bike you will enjoy the ride. Nice and sweaty this time of year. Enjoy I will be there at the same time at POFQ. You can get one off property but you got to go pick it up.