I couldn't help myself...

[YodaGirl]

EVERYONE is going to WDW! DB, DSIL, and DN are going in October. My neighbor just left today. My parents just booked a 35th anniversary trip for late nov/early december.

DH and I have tried to think about roadtrips for this summer, but nothing seems to be very inexpensive. Finally, I told DH that we could drive down to WDW just to stay at the Fort for that. Then it hit me...why COULDN'T we do that?



A phone call to WDW later, and we now have ressies for a partial (forgot to request 1500 loop - must call back) for Oct 5 - Oct 9. We're not going in the parks at all (with the exception of an early Christmas present from my parents of MNSSHP tickets). We are focusing our energy on the Fort and some resort hopping. We have plans to be back in March '11, so I'm not too worried about the parks this trip.

Honestly, at this point, I may become semi-responsible and decide that an extra 4 months won't kill us and cancel our reservations. The plan, however, is definitely in place, and barring anything unforeseen, we will most definitely be enjoying the trip.

Yes, folks. You have read it correctly. We are loading up the Saturn, a 3yr old, the good ol' tent, and driving 16 hours just to stay at the Fort for 3 or 4 nights.

Crazy? Maybe. BUT...I'll be in the Fort. And that, my friends, is all that matters.

 

[LONE-STAR]

That's not crazy.

 

[kampfirekim]

Sounds perfectly reasonable and responsible to me. Afterall, you're not buying park tickets and there's a free outdoor movie, singalong and marshmallow roast every night. Plenty of stuff to do. Yep! Sounds like a good solid, grown up decision to me! Have a great time!

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Sounds perfectly reasonable and responsible to me. Afterall, you're not buying park tickets and there's a free outdoor movie, singalong and marshmallow roast every night. Plenty of stuff to do. Yep! Sounds like a good solid, grown up decision to me! Have a great time!

Theres grown up's at the Fort ??WHY ?!?!

 

[des1954]

Yes, folks. You have read it correctly. We are loading up the Saturn, a 3yr old, the good ol' tent, and driving 16 hours just to stay at the Fort for 3 or 4 nights.

Crazy? Maybe. BUT...I'll be in the Fort. And that, my friends, is all that matters.

Crazy is standing in the middle of the highway at 3am buck nekkid. Crazy is trying to jump from one balcony to another on the 10th floor of a hotel after you've consumed copious amounts of alcohol. Crazy is trying to do all the Disney parks at commando speed in two days.

NOT crazy is driving 16 hours from Kentucky to Florida in a Saturn loaded with tents and camping gear so you can spend 4 nights at the Fort. That is a completely sane idea!

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

Another vote for not crazy!

(Disclaimer: I come from a family who will drive NY-->DC-->NY and call it a day trip.)

Have fun!

 

[DaveInTN]

Sounds awesome to me! Life has been a rollercoaster ride lately, and you do come to realize that life is all too short. Why not go to the Fort when the opportunity presents itself?

Have a great time!

 

[stefa70]

Not crazy at all! We let our annual passes expire last year and still enjoy the fort 3 or 4 times a year. To be honest, we haven't even missed them yet! We like the "no schedule" idea of camping, and just cruising around relaxing! There is so much to do right there, you'll have a GREAT time without visiting any parks! Have fun!!

 

[kampfirekim]

Theres grown up's at the Fort ??WHY ?!?!

Somebody has to keep an eye on the hippies! The grown up's don't have to ACT grown up if they don't wanna.

Crazy is standing in the middle of the highway at 3am buck nekkid. Crazy is trying to jump from one balcony to another on the 10th floor of a hotel after you've consumed copious amounts of alcohol. Crazy is trying to do all the Disney parks at commando speed in two days.

NOT crazy is driving 16 hours from Kentucky to Florida in a Saturn loaded with tents and camping gear so you can spend 4 nights at the Fort. That is a completely sane idea!

OK, I'm not admitting which 1.5 on des1954's list I am guilty of..... Guess that means I'm only HALF crazy!

Nothing crazy at all about a 16 hour drive to FORT WILDERNESS! I'd go right now if I could....and it would only take me 8 hours in a Saturn.

Sounds awesome to me! Life has been a rollercoaster ride lately, and you do come to realize that life is all too short. Why not go to the Fort when the opportunity presents itself?

Have a great time!

Once again, Dave....Amen. You never know what life holds from one moment to the next. Enjoy your family and make every minute count.

 

[YodaGirl]

Crazy is standing in the middle of the highway at 3am buck nekkid. Crazy is trying to jump from one balcony to another on the 10th floor of a hotel after you've consumed copious amounts of alcohol. Crazy is trying to do all the Disney parks at commando speed in two days.

NOT crazy is driving 16 hours from Kentucky to Florida in a Saturn loaded with tents and camping gear so you can spend 4 nights at the Fort. That is a completely sane idea!

Okay, so I may have actually done one or two of those things in the crazy list...

Sounds awesome to me! Life has been a rollercoaster ride lately, and you do come to realize that life is all too short. Why not go to the Fort when the opportunity presents itself?

Have a great time!

So true! Thank you.

Not crazy at all! We let our annual passes expire last year and still enjoy the fort 3 or 4 times a year. To be honest, we haven't even missed them yet! We like the "no schedule" idea of camping, and just cruising around relaxing! There is so much to do right there, you'll have a GREAT time without visiting any parks! Have fun!!

I'm looking forward to it very much. We've always wanted to just take a couple of days and enjoy the Fort, but we've never really done it. I'm VERY excited! Thanks!

 

[novdisneydreams]

I think your plan sounds terrific

Heres a sort of funny thing. My family and I did GAD last winter. I have the vouchers and I am always thinking up ways to get there before December 15th for our free day of magic. Because, frankly, a vacation (esp a big one) is really not in the budget. But we desperately need one. We've had some rough times financially. Hubby's been working two jobs. Kiddos are growing like weeds right before my eyes. We could really use some family time, like I honestly believe most people could - whether they have a ton of money or not. You know, slow down and hang out with your kids kind of time.

Anyway, a few months back I posted (on another board) my grand idea to simply take a summer road trip to Florida, use our one day tickets, explore resorts, go to the beach, maybe KSC. Pack all our food, get a super cheap hotwire hotel. Swim in the pool. Hang out together. And while some nice, supportive people did eventually show up in that thread, initially I got slammed. Called crazy, pretty much. Told if I couldn't afford a proper Disney vacation with all of the amenities that I should just not go at all. Apparently it is practically child abuse to take your kids to only one of the four Disney parks. And to pack your lunch. It really upset me. It made me feel awful. It made me sad, and mad. What has the world come to when a family vacation is invalid if it doesn't include all the bells and whistles???

Then recently, because I am buying a new tent for some local overnighters and I was curious, I came to this board. And it is completely different. It seems like the people here are so much more friendly, so much more open to other people's situations and to the value of the simple things in life. Just nice people.

And because of reading here I am very seriously considering packing my husband, three kids, GAD vouchers, tent, and a/c(!) into my escort and taking off the for the fort in August. 18 hours away. A real roadtrip. Sounds so great doesn't it? An old fashioned adventure. I can't stop thinking about it.

So YodaGirl - I am inspired by what you are doing !!! I hope that you and your family have an amazing time together.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

...Crazy? Maybe. BUT...I'll be in the Fort. And that, my friends, is all that matters.

I think you forgot who you are talking to here!

...I am very seriously considering packing my husband, three kids, GAD vouchers, tent, and a/c(!) into my escort...

If you can fit all of that in an escort, then I say go for it! and WOW! That is some creative packing!

 

[rm0530]

What has the world come to when a family vacation is invalid if it doesn't include all the bells and whistles???

I've been reading other boards since I'm on summer vacation and have nothing to do. A lot of what I've seen is craziness. Deluxe dining plans (and all the ADR drama for 3 table meals per day) and people who won't go to Disney unless they are in a deluxe resort. I've seen posts complaining that they can't visit enough. I wonder if they realize how much more they could do if they scaled back. We drive 12 hours round trip, get a partial site when possible, and eat 90% of our meals at the campsite. We have 5 trips planned for this year, longest one being 6 nights.

Don't let the bring you down. It's so stressful if you go into debt just to provide a 'proper' vacation for your family. Trip binders, ADRs, and matching t-shirts don't make or break a vacation. You know what works best for your family. You will have a magical time just being together.

 

[owensmama2007]

Sounds wonderful to me, too!

Yes, it's nice to have tickets to the parks but there is also something nice and special about just hanging out at The Fort!

 

[kampfirekim]

You go novdisneydreams! Who cares what a tooty fruity snooty has to say anyway! They're too bogged down in matching outfits and eating at every fancy restaurant they can to know a good time if it walked up and bopped 'em on the head! Pack up that Escort, (I used to have one and you can pack a lot in that hatchback!) and hit the open road! I hope it is the greatest time ever! I love a good road trip! (Life's too short to read a crummy board anyway! Just stick with us!)

 

[YodaGirl]

I think your plan sounds terrific

Heres a sort of funny thing. My family and I did GAD last winter. I have the vouchers and I am always thinking up ways to get there before December 15th for our free day of magic. Because, frankly, a vacation (esp a big one) is really not in the budget. But we desperately need one. We've had some rough times financially. Hubby's been working two jobs. Kiddos are growing like weeds right before my eyes. We could really use some family time, like I honestly believe most people could - whether they have a ton of money or not. You know, slow down and hang out with your kids kind of time.

Anyway, a few months back I posted (on another board) my grand idea to simply take a summer road trip to Florida, use our one day tickets, explore resorts, go to the beach, maybe KSC. Pack all our food, get a super cheap hotwire hotel. Swim in the pool. Hang out together. And while some nice, supportive people did eventually show up in that thread, initially I got slammed. Called crazy, pretty much. Told if I couldn't afford a proper Disney vacation with all of the amenities that I should just not go at all. Apparently it is practically child abuse to take your kids to only one of the four Disney parks. And to pack your lunch. It really upset me. It made me feel awful. It made me sad, and mad. What has the world come to when a family vacation is invalid if it doesn't include all the bells and whistles???

Then recently, because I am buying a new tent for some local overnighters and I was curious, I came to this board. And it is completely different. It seems like the people here are so much more friendly, so much more open to other people's situations and to the value of the simple things in life. Just nice people.

And because of reading here I am very seriously considering packing my husband, three kids, GAD vouchers, tent, and a/c(!) into my escort and taking off the for the fort in August. 18 hours away. A real roadtrip. Sounds so great doesn't it? An old fashioned adventure. I can't stop thinking about it.

So YodaGirl - I am inspired by what you are doing !!! I hope that you and your family have an amazing time together.

I know EXACTLY what you mean about needing a vacation!

I've also seen conversations like that. I'm amazed at the people who act as if you're having a sub-par vacation because you utilize the free water at CS. I hope that you go and have a blast!

I think you forgot who you are talking to here!

You're right. Silly me!

I've been reading other boards since I'm on summer vacation and have nothing to do. A lot of what I've seen is craziness. Deluxe dining plans (and all the ADR drama for 3 table meals per day) and people who won't go to Disney unless they are in a deluxe resort. I've seen posts complaining that they can't visit enough. I wonder if they realize how much more they could do if they scaled back. We drive 12 hours round trip, get a partial site when possible, and eat 90% of our meals at the campsite. We have 5 trips planned for this year, longest one being 6 nights.

Don't let the bring you down. It's so stressful if you go into debt just to provide a 'proper' vacation for your family. Trip binders, ADRs, and matching t-shirts don't make or break a vacation. You know what works best for your family. You will have a magical time just being together.

I think that it is very sad that so many people go all or nothing that they miss out on so many good opportunities. We had many wonderful vacations over the years without the stress of over-planning and letting vacations be ruined because our itinerary was not followed and everything not checked off.

Sounds wonderful to me, too!

Yes, it's nice to have tickets to the parks but there is also something nice and special about just hanging out at The Fort!

Thanks! I agree. I don't think that I've paid ample attention to the Fort. I am determined to rectify that situation!

You go novdisneydreams! Who cares what a tooty fruity snooty has to say anyway! They're too bogged down in matching outfits and eating at every fancy restaurant they can to know a good time if it walked up and bopped 'em on the head! Pack up that Escort, (I used to have one and you can pack a lot in that hatchback!) and hit the open road! I hope it is the greatest time ever! I love a good road trip! (Life's too short to read a crummy board anyway! Just stick with us!)

I agree!

 

[ambertides]

I think your plan sounds terrific

Heres a sort of funny thing. My family and I did GAD last winter. I have the vouchers and I am always thinking up ways to get there before December 15th for our free day of magic. Because, frankly, a vacation (esp a big one) is really not in the budget. But we desperately need one. We've had some rough times financially. Hubby's been working two jobs. Kiddos are growing like weeds right before my eyes. We could really use some family time, like I honestly believe most people could - whether they have a ton of money or not. You know, slow down and hang out with your kids kind of time.

Anyway, a few months back I posted (on another board) my grand idea to simply take a summer road trip to Florida, use our one day tickets, explore resorts, go to the beach, maybe KSC. Pack all our food, get a super cheap hotwire hotel. Swim in the pool. Hang out together. And while some nice, supportive people did eventually show up in that thread, initially I got slammed. Called crazy, pretty much. Told if I couldn't afford a proper Disney vacation with all of the amenities that I should just not go at all. Apparently it is practically child abuse to take your kids to only one of the four Disney parks. And to pack your lunch. It really upset me. It made me feel awful. It made me sad, and mad. What has the world come to when a family vacation is invalid if it doesn't include all the bells and whistles???

Then recently, because I am buying a new tent for some local overnighters and I was curious, I came to this board. And it is completely different. It seems like the people here are so much more friendly, so much more open to other people's situations and to the value of the simple things in life. Just nice people.

And because of reading here I am very seriously considering packing my husband, three kids, GAD vouchers, tent, and a/c(!) into my escort and taking off the for the fort in August. 18 hours away. A real roadtrip. Sounds so great doesn't it? An old fashioned adventure. I can't stop thinking about it.

So YodaGirl - I am inspired by what you are doing !!! I hope that you and your family have an amazing time together.

Come, come! I grew up in Florida and never went to more than one park for one day, and never more than twice a year (usually for a school field trip). And felt spoiled being able to go!

There are great beaches on both coasts.