I guess it's over, we are back home

[Trophy Husband]

Arrived home Wednesday after two weeks at the fort. We will try to put together a trip report soon. I do have a few random thoughts to share for now.

We had the opportunity to meet Dave near the beginning of his trip. He is a genuinely nice guy who made quite an impression on our three year old with a simple gift, a glowing bracelet. For the rest of our trip, she would remind us to go by and check on Dave. We did, but never caught back up with him. We hope that his wife is well and that the castle is up. We cruised by Mikmouse's site a few times but could not catch them there. We saw CCIntrigue's site on our last day when our trip was coming to a crashing hault and we did not have the energy to socialize.

I think this was our fifth December Fort trip, and definitely the coldest we have ever experienced. We have endured some cold spells in the past, but this trip seemed to be much colder than usual. It felt like sustained winter weather interspersed with occasional warmth. We did not get to swim this year, a real bummer.

My in-laws stayed in a cabin and qualified for free dining. As a result, we were constantly in motion trying to make it to one reservation or another. It really added a level of annoyance to our trip, and I think we have decided that it is much more relaxing to eat meals at the camper. Perhaps I am burned out on Disney food at the moment, but I am not recalling our dining experiences very fondly. The restaurants were crowded, noisy places and many of our servers seemed overwhelmed.

The last three days of our trip were spent battling an intestinal virus. As soon as one member of our family got better, another would fall ill. We are still feeling the effects, with some of us suffering relapses and lingering symptoms. We are disheartened by this development, because we are the people who pull out hand sanitizer after we get off of a ride. We also clean our restaurant tables with Clorox wipes before eating. We are not sure what we could have done differently. The end of our trip was miserable and we, quite frankly, could not wait to get home.

It will take a few days for us to feel better, sort through the pictures, and craft some sort of report. Take care everyone.


TH

 

[Lil' Lisa]

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[anolefan]

The last three days of our trip were spent battling an intestinal virus. As soon as one member of our family got better, another would fall ill. We are still feeling the effects, with some of us suffering relapses and lingering symptoms. We are disheartened by this development, because we are the people who pull out hand sanitizer after we get off of a ride. We also clean our restaurant tables with Clorox wipes before eating. We are not sure what we could have done differently. The end of our trip was miserable and we, quite frankly, could not wait to get home.

It will take a few days for us to feel better, sort through the pictures, and craft some sort of report. Take care everyone.

Sorry to hear this.

That is not a fun way to end your trip.

Glad you are home safe and can't wait for the pictures.

 

[ILOVECAMPING]

Did your IN LAWS like the cabins?

I arrived home Wednesday, also.
Yes, it was very cold and the parks were very very crowded. Years ago, I used to go to WDW at this time of the year. The rides used to be walk on or 5 minute waits.
I could not believe how crowded WDW was.

I wonder if the crowds were due to conventions or everyone taking advantage of the free dining packages?

I wanted to tour the fort Sunday, But DH had to go back to the room because the bug hit him all of a sudden. Then the rain came, which brought the cold and wind. So, I never had a chance to go back to the fort. I did meet Feisty!!! I love her "Homestead"

My son caught the bug, later.
We carried Pepto in our bag.
The security guards laughed when they searched out bag and found the bottle of pink stuff.

The bug must of been going around because I found the parks and resorts smelled like Clorox.
Late Friday night, the Swan's walking path was wet and had a strong Clorox scent.

In the bathrooms, the CM were spraying strong sanitizers. It was so strong it was hard to breath and it made my eyes cry. Several people had to get out the bathroom because of the strong scent.
One day, I was walking the halls of the resort and two male CM were spraying a room with a strong Clorox scented sanitizer.
I said, "Someone must of had the bug in that room." They gave a chuckle.

 

[PrincessNP]

Hi! I am the other half of TH

My parents do love the cabins. It was a life saver with the GI bug for us to have a big tub and big kitchen to deal with DD1 and DD3's symptoms for 2 days. Poor things!

My Mom thought the mattress was very uncomfortable on the double bed in the back. They actually slept most nights on the Murphy bed which was better she says. THe Mousekeeper was AMAZING!! We had to call urgently for more towels and linens when the girls got sick and they were quick! She also prioritized our cabin for cleaning Tuesday morning and clorox was the star of the show!

We are glad to be home and I am sure my amazing TH will have a great trip report and pics to come soon!

 

[Trophy Husband]

Yes, it was very cold and the parks were very very crowded. Years ago, I used to go to WDW at this time of the year. The rides used to be walk on or 5 minute waits.
I could not believe how crowded WDW was.

I wonder if the crowds were due to conventions or everyone taking advantage of the free dining packages?

We have noticed for the past two years that the crowds seem to be heavier during the first two weeks of December. In years past we would see a 10 minute wait time for an attraction and decide to come back later when the line was shorter. Now we have to be there at park open on a Wednesday to get a break in the crowds. There were some situations that were obviously a result of Pop Warner, for example we could walk right on Buzz Lightyear but there was a 70 minute wait for Space Mountain. The Haunted Mansion was packed every time we walked by.

There were clearly alot of people using dining plans also. All of the popular restaurants were crammed with people trying to get full value out of their paid or free DDP's. This is reminiscent of what we saw last year when free dining was in effect.

I realize that none of this is news to anyone. I only note the above points because 4 years ago the December experience was completely different.

TH

 

[Violet Parr]

The last three days of our trip were spent battling an intestinal virus. As soon as one member of our family got better, another would fall ill. We are still feeling the effects, with some of us suffering relapses and lingering symptoms. We are disheartened by this development, because we are the people who pull out hand sanitizer after we get off of a ride. We also clean our restaurant tables with Clorox wipes before eating. We are not sure what we could have done differently. The end of our trip was miserable and we, quite frankly, could not wait to get home.

It will take a few days for us to feel better, sort through the pictures, and craft some sort of report. Take care everyone.


TH

I have to post a trip report too, but we just got back on Thursday and we got the virus as well! Started with vomiting, then the D word, then extreme fatigue. ONe person would get it and then when they got better the next person got it. Misery. Not to gross anyone out, but we saw vomit in several places around the Fort.

VP

 

[Magicbus]

Here's what you have to do to avoid catching whatever you caught. Get into a moving steel tube for 6 to 8 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week, with as many as 75 people at time. And make sure you touch as many ECVs and wheelchairs as you can. Can't remember the last time I had a cold or anything else for that matter.

 

[ILOVECAMPING]

I pray everyone is feeling better now.

My DH caught the bug after eating breakfast at Trails End.

DS caught it after eating dinner at Tony's in the MK.

The food was very good at both restaurants.
I wonder if the food handlers were sick with the bug?

MAGICBUS,
Your remedy sounds similar to Doctor offices.
I often wonder why health care workers seldom get sick.

Trophy,
Thanks for the update about December crowds.
Is the first and second week of December more crowded now than the third and Christmas week?
Which time of the year is NOW known as low crowd times?

 

[mikmouse]

Arrived home Wednesday after two weeks at the fort. We will try to put together a trip report soon. I do have a few random thoughts to share for now.

We had the opportunity to meet Dave near the beginning of his trip. He is a genuinely nice guy who made quite an impression on our three year old with a simple gift, a glowing bracelet. For the rest of our trip, she would remind us to go by and check on Dave. We did, but never caught back up with him. We hope that his wife is well and that the castle is up. We cruised by Mikmouse's site a few times but could not catch them there. We saw CCIntrigue's site on our last day when our trip was coming to a crashing hault and we did not have the energy to socialize.

I think this was our fifth December Fort trip, and definitely the coldest we have ever experienced. We have endured some cold spells in the past, but this trip seemed to be much colder than usual. It felt like sustained winter weather interspersed with occasional warmth. We did not get to swim this year, a real bummer.

My in-laws stayed in a cabin and qualified for free dining. As a result, we were constantly in motion trying to make it to one reservation or another. It really added a level of annoyance to our trip, and I think we have decided that it is much more relaxing to eat meals at the camper. Perhaps I am burned out on Disney food at the moment, but I am not recalling our dining experiences very fondly. The restaurants were crowded, noisy places and many of our servers seemed overwhelmed.

The last three days of our trip were spent battling an intestinal virus. As soon as one member of our family got better, another would fall ill. We are still feeling the effects, with some of us suffering relapses and lingering symptoms. We are disheartened by this development, because we are the people who pull out hand sanitizer after we get off of a ride. We also clean our restaurant tables with Clorox wipes before eating. We are not sure what we could have done differently. The end of our trip was miserable and we, quite frankly, could not wait to get home.

It will take a few days for us to feel better, sort through the pictures, and craft some sort of report. Take care everyone.


TH

So sorry we missed you! I was disappointed no one came by, but, yes, it's hard to catch up with everyone since we're usually at the parks all day and come home late. Bummer, would have been lovely to meet you.

So sorry you got sick. We got colds and it's still hanging on.

Yes, we're prepared every year at this time at the Fort for the cold, but this year it was exceptionally cold. Hope it's not that way next year.

Our little secret is out and the first two weeks of Dec. are now more crowded than they used to be. However, it's still much better than going during the really busy time. I love Disney at Christmas.

Hope to meet you next year and say hello to many more Disers. Thanks for stopping by.

Have a great holiday!

 

[AuburnJen92]

Here's what you have to do to avoid catching whatever you caught. Get into a moving steel tube for 6 to 8 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week, with as many as 75 people at time. And make sure you touch as many ECVs and wheelchairs as you can. Can't remember the last time I had a cold or anything else for that matter.

You could teach for a living too. That works as well.

My DH calls me Typhoid Jen.

 

[Trophy Husband]

I pray everyone is feeling better now.

Trophy,
Thanks for the update about December crowds.
Is the first and second week of December more crowded now than the third and Christmas week?
Which time of the year is NOW known as low crowd times?

I really wish I could help you, but we don't know anything about the second two weeks in December. We have to go home when the rates go up. We actually plan our trips by looking at the rate calendar and picking our departure date first, which is usually around the 17th. Our next Fort trip is the second week in April. We have never been that week and really have no idea what to expect. We have AP's burning holes in our pockets so we are going... crowds or not.