It's Over Already!!

[des1954]

Wow! These last 10 days have flown by!

DH & I checked into the Fort on 11/29 around 1pm & were put in site 1731. I was very disappointed with the site as there was a HUGE drop-off from the concrete pad. It was, however, right across the street from the comfort station on the 1900 loop, which was convenient on occasions!!

My DBro, NTSammy5, came in to MCO around 10am on 11/30 at which time the Disney Parks Marathon officially began! From MCO, we went directly to Shades of Green for him to get his annual pass, went to the Fort to drop off his stuff at our MH & headed directly to Epcot so Bro could "beer" his way thru Epcot!! (Which he did on several occasions!)

Early morning on 12/1 as I was pulling my GEM out of my site to go for a ride, I heard this "gruff" voice telling me to hurry up and get outta the way! It was none other than BigDaddyRog!!! My DH & DBro were still sleeping (I said it was early), but I got them up to meet Rog! What a cool guy he is!! We sat and talked for about 45 minutes (not nearly long enough) and I felt like I'd known Roger for my whole life instead of just meeting him. Unfortunately, we never got the chance to catch up with him and his family again, although we did see his cart parked at various places.

I came across another cart that had a Dis-Board sign on it & flagged them over. It was Jasmine's mom - but we never got a chance to meet Jasmine herself!

The Fort was 99% full the entire time we were there. As soon as a space emptied, a couple of hours later it was occupied once again.

The weather was SPECTACULAR -even though for me - it could have been a little cooler. We did however, have a couple of nights I had to turn the heat on in the MH - so I can't complain too much!

The Christmas decorations the campers have put up in the Fort were awesome!! People in the 700 loop IMHO won my award for the best decorations!! The 300 & 1600 loops came in a very close second!! They were all good!!

Even though DH & I take our bikes to FtW every weekend, and have seen the clean-out as it has progressed, I was saddened to see so much of the Fort ripped out. To me, it looks very battle-scarred, and has lost much of it's warmth and ambience. Also, a lot of sites looked very, very dangerous - as they've left a lot of small tree stumps that could very easily be tripped over or fallen on. I actually fell off the concrete on our site & hurt my foot, knee, and shoulder (and that was without any beer)!!!

For those of you who live close enough to WDW but will not be staying there - you HAVE to get to the MK to see the castle! It is so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes!!! When it is lit up at night it looks like it is encased in crystal!!! Pictures could never do it justice - you just have to see it with your own eyes!!

Of course, the Candlelight Processional at Epcot is always a "must-do"! I've seen it each year since the days they use to do it at the train station at the MK, but I still am brought to tears by the music and majesty of the performance. Christmas at Disney is so special in and of itself - and being able to stay at FtW during this time makes it that much more spectacular!

Even though I tried my darnedest, I couldn't find any otters on Bay Lake!! So I did the next best thing & went to Sea World with DBro & found otters there!!!

This will probably be our last Christmas time at FtW for awhile, as we have our home up for sale & plan to move to the North Georgia Mountains. After 34 years of living in Florida (and my DH his entire life), we're both ready for a change of scenery! Our plans are to come to FtW for the month of January each year from now on until we are no longer able to either physically do it or afford it (which ever comes first). So..... if anyone out there wants to buy a home only 25 miles away from Disney that has a motor-home port to park your rig under - send me a PM!! We'll negotiate!!

All in all - our time at FtW was great! I have so much more I could say - but it would more than likely be boring - so I'll stop here!

BTW - the original FtW brown mugs are still being honored as, when they originally sold them back in the late 70's or early 80's, they were sold as "life-time" mugs. As reported previously by another poster, there is a "take-out" window on the porch at T.E. from which they will be selling beverages from Crockett's Tavern. It wasn't being used while we were there, but we were told it would be in operation soon.

My DBro, NTSammy5, took all the pictures, so look for him to post them soon.

TTFN!! Debbie

 

[OK GRUMPY]

Moving out of Florida. My DH and I have talked about this several times. We both have lived most of our lives here. Loved you report. I'm planning to make it down to WDW the 4th of January so I hope they still have the castle decorated. The pictures that I've seen of the castle look awesome. Glad you had a good trip!
Thanks for the Report... Its alway nice to here how the Fort is!

 

[Shannone1]

Wow! These last 10 days have flown by!

Early morning on 12/1 as I was pulling my GEM out of my site to go for a ride, I heard this "gruff" voice telling me to hurry up and get outta the way! It was none other than BigDaddyRog!!! My DH & DBro were still sleeping (I said it was early), but I got them up to meet Rog! What a cool guy he is!! We sat and talked for about 45 minutes (not nearly long enough) and I felt like I'd known Roger for my whole life instead of just meeting him. Unfortunately, we never got the chance to catch up with him and his family again, although we did see his cart parked at various places.


Very cool. I hope I get to meet a DISser one day

The weather was SPECTACULAR -even though for me - it could have been a little cooler. We did however, have a couple of nights I had to turn the heat on in the MH - so I can't complain too much!

I've noticed that about FL, sometimes you need shorts during the day, but the furnace at night !!

Even though DH & I take our bikes to FtW every weekend, and have seen the clean-out as it has progressed, I was saddened to see so much of the Fort ripped out. To me, it looks very battle-scarred, and has lost much of it's warmth and ambience. Also, a lot of sites looked very, very dangerous - as they've left a lot of small tree stumps that could very easily be tripped over or fallen on. I actually fell off the concrete on our site & hurt my foot, knee, and shoulder (and that was without any beer)!!!

I understand WHY they are doing the clearing but from the pictures I've seen I think it looked better before. Hopefully one day it will be grown in again but this time with healthy plants that are good for the campground and not as much of a fire risk.

This will probably be our last Christmas time at FtW for awhile, as we have our home up for sale & plan to move to the North Georgia Mountains. After 34 years of living in Florida (and my DH his entire life), we're both ready for a change of scenery! Our plans are to come to FtW for the month of January each year from now on until we are no longer able to either physically do it or afford it (which ever comes first). So..... if anyone out there wants to buy a home only 25 miles away from Disney that has a motor-home port to park your rig under - send me a PM!! We'll negotiate!!

I think a change will be exciting for you. You will be able to check out some new camping places too
All in all - our time at FtW was great! I have so much more I could say - but it would more than likely be boring - so I'll stop here!

I'm glad you had a nice time.

My DBro, NTSammy5, took all the pictures, so look for him to post them soon.

TTFN!! Debbie

I look forward to seeing them.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

It sounds like you had a wonderful time!!! Thank you so much for the report. We ae leaving in a few days, and this just gets me that much more excited!!!!! I can't wait to see the pictures!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Early morning on 12/1 as I was pulling my GEM out of my site to go for a ride, I heard this "gruff" voice telling me to hurry up and get outta the way! It was none other than BigDaddyRog!!! My DH & DBro were still sleeping (I said it was early), but I got them up to meet Rog! What a cool guy he is!! We sat and talked for about 45 minutes (not nearly long enough) and I felt like I'd known Roger for my whole life instead of just meeting him. Unfortunately, we never got the chance to catch up with him and his family again, although we did see his cart parked at various places.

It was the highlight of my trip, and I mean that...you guys are great.....45 minutes really wasnt enough...I could have easily spent the day with you guys and enjoyed every minute of it.

I was saddened to see so much of the Fort ripped out. To me, it looks very battle-scarred, ...edit... a lot of sites looked very, very dangerous - as they've left a lot of small tree stumps that could very easily be tripped over or fallen on.

The 2800 loop wasn't so bad, but some of them looked like the traps you see in movies that are deep holes with spikes at the bottom....imposible to walk through

...you HAVE to get to the MK to see the castle! It is so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes!!! When it is lit up at night it looks like it is encased in crystal!!! Pictures could never do it justice - you just have to see it with your own eyes!!

Im a super macho manly, Gaston type o'guy...so pretty castles ain't gunna make me cry like a wuss...BUT, if'n I were a rega'ler feller, it might'a brung a tear t'mah eyes too!!!! Me, the DW, and 2youngest DDs had dinner in the castle Wednesday night...half way through dinner the fireworks started, and we were lucky enough to have a window seat.....by far the most amazing, magical experience I've ever been through in my entire life....right up there with the birth of my first kid...well....real close, anyway. And the server insisted on calling me "M'Lord"....I felt like a chauvinistic pig,....and LOVED it!!!

Even though I tried my darnedest, I couldn't find any otters on Bay Lake!!

I must admit....I was (only a little bit) doubtful about the otters...I thought for sure Deb was mistaking them with nutria....but lo and behold...at about 7:50am on Thursday, just before the boat to MK arrived...there was the most playfull otter Ive ever seen....well, the ONLY otter Ive ever seen not in captivity.....I was a little excited about seeing it and like a little kid, I yelled with all my might "There's the otter!!!!" everyone waiting for the boat backed up a little like I was some sorta nut, but they ALL saw it and were as excited as me...almost. They just saw an otter.....I saw DEB'S OTTER!!!

...Our plans are to come to FtW for the month of January each year from now on until we are no longer able to either physically do it or afford it (which ever comes first).

Looks like the FORT WILD KLUB meets may be getting held in JAN???

 

[Magic Fanatic]

We just returned to Atlanta after a week at the Fort. I will say that it was everything everyone has said it would be. At one point during the week I was speaking to one of the castmembers at the concierge's desk (begging to extend until Sunday) and we were discussing the clearing of the sites. The lady explained that the clearing of underbrush was part of the on-going recovery effort from the storms 2 years ago. There were many trees that were lost and as such there was an increase in underbrush. She went on to say that while some areas look bad now, they are actually undergoing a huge replanting of trees and other vegitation to restore the camp ground and that the current state of things is temporary.

In another note, this same lady as well as a life guard at the meadows pool related that there are DISCUSSIONS underway to renovate the meadows pool by adding a hot tub and slide. There is no date for this but it is something that is being worked on. Personally, I would love to see the hot tubs, that is the only thing we missed from staying at the the other resorts.

 

[des1954]

I saw DEB'S OTTER!!! - quote from BigDaddyRog!!

Excited, excited, excited!!!

Someone else has witnessed "the otter"!

Ya "otter" be proud, Rog!!

Here's a for you!

Deb♥

 

[stacktester]

I know exactly how you feel. DD and I have been 13 times to the fort, most recently during Thanksgiving weekend. It's only been 2 weeks since we left and I was calling today to get a ressie but nothing was available. I know that sounds sick lol. I'm trying to get something after xmas but before New Years. Yeah right. I unlike others am going to try and meet BigDisneyDaddy. No matter if I get a site at FW I'm coming over, so Scott have me a nice ribeye and Baked potato please.

 

[Gatordad]

good luck trying to get a spot. I was on the phone via 3-way when someone cancelled their ressie, it went to ressie hell.

 

[ntsammy5]

Even though I tried my darnedest, I couldn't find any otters on Bay Lake!!

That's not entirely true. We did see this one. They're carrying weapons now to protect themselves from the peacocks.

 

[loveDmouse]

We saw an otter. Cute little guy. We were on the boat coming back to the Fort from Magic Kingdom. I didn't get a picture of him. It happened so quick. He was on his back looked like he was finishing up eating something then he splashed around some and then dove under the water.


We had a great time. I saw BigDaddyRog's cart but that is it. I am sad to say I had my little sign (that he so kindly had posted for us all) ready to go for our cart and I left it home on my desk. I will try to do better next time.
The weather was real nice. A bit warmer then I would like but that is ok. Not a drop of rain. It was more crowded then last year when we were there around the same time. Seemed to be loads of locals. The people that pulled up next to us the day before we left said they lived an hour and a half from the Fort. Sure would be great to be that close to the Fort. I think the good weather helped with that. Last year the weather was cooler.

The castle is beautiful!!!!!! I think they should leave it like that all the time.

We had a great time. Our trip didn't seem to fly by like they usually do but now we are home it is hard to believe it is here and gone already. Now I am ready to plan next years trip. I was thinking of trying a different time maybe before Thanksgiving but I think I would miss all the wonderful Christmas things going on.

 

[TiggerinBama]

Wow! These last 10 days have flown by!

DH & I checked into the Fort on 11/29 around 1pm & were put in site 1731. I was very disappointed with the site as there was a HUGE drop-off from the concrete pad. It was, however, right across the street from the comfort station on the 1900 loop, which was convenient on occasions!!

My DBro, NTSammy5, came in to MCO around 10am on 11/30 at which time the Disney Parks Marathon officially began! From MCO, we went directly to Shades of Green for him to get his annual pass, went to the Fort to drop off his stuff at our MH & headed directly to Epcot so Bro could "beer" his way thru Epcot!! (Which he did on several occasions!)

Early morning on 12/1 as I was pulling my GEM out of my site to go for a ride, I heard this "gruff" voice telling me to hurry up and get outta the way! It was none other than BigDaddyRog!!! My DH & DBro were still sleeping (I said it was early), but I got them up to meet Rog! What a cool guy he is!! We sat and talked for about 45 minutes (not nearly long enough) and I felt like I'd known Roger for my whole life instead of just meeting him. Unfortunately, we never got the chance to catch up with him and his family again, although we did see his cart parked at various places.

I came across another cart that had a Dis-Board sign on it & flagged them over. It was Jasmine's mom - but we never got a chance to meet Jasmine herself!

The Fort was 99% full the entire time we were there. As soon as a space emptied, a couple of hours later it was occupied once again.

The weather was SPECTACULAR -even though for me - it could have been a little cooler. We did however, have a couple of nights I had to turn the heat on in the MH - so I can't complain too much!

The Christmas decorations the campers have put up in the Fort were awesome!! People in the 700 loop IMHO won my award for the best decorations!! The 300 & 1600 loops came in a very close second!! They were all good!!

Even though DH & I take our bikes to FtW every weekend, and have seen the clean-out as it has progressed, I was saddened to see so much of the Fort ripped out. To me, it looks very battle-scarred, and has lost much of it's warmth and ambience. Also, a lot of sites looked very, very dangerous - as they've left a lot of small tree stumps that could very easily be tripped over or fallen on. I actually fell off the concrete on our site & hurt my foot, knee, and shoulder (and that was without any beer)!!!

For those of you who live close enough to WDW but will not be staying there - you HAVE to get to the MK to see the castle! It is so beautiful, it brought tears to my eyes!!! When it is lit up at night it looks like it is encased in crystal!!! Pictures could never do it justice - you just have to see it with your own eyes!!

Of course, the Candlelight Processional at Epcot is always a "must-do"! I've seen it each year since the days they use to do it at the train station at the MK, but I still am brought to tears by the music and majesty of the performance. Christmas at Disney is so special in and of itself - and being able to stay at FtW during this time makes it that much more spectacular!

Even though I tried my darnedest, I couldn't find any otters on Bay Lake!! So I did the next best thing & went to Sea World with DBro & found otters there!!!

This will probably be our last Christmas time at FtW for awhile, as we have our home up for sale & plan to move to the North Georgia Mountains. After 34 years of living in Florida (and my DH his entire life), we're both ready for a change of scenery! Our plans are to come to FtW for the month of January each year from now on until we are no longer able to either physically do it or afford it (which ever comes first). So..... if anyone out there wants to buy a home only 25 miles away from Disney that has a motor-home port to park your rig under - send me a PM!! We'll negotiate!!

All in all - our time at FtW was great! I have so much more I could say - but it would more than likely be boring - so I'll stop here!

BTW - the original FtW brown mugs are still being honored as, when they originally sold them back in the late 70's or early 80's, they were sold as "life-time" mugs. As reported previously by another poster, there is a "take-out" window on the porch at T.E. from which they will be selling beverages from Crockett's Tavern. It wasn't being used while we were there, but we were told it would be in operation soon.

My DBro, NTSammy5, took all the pictures, so look for him to post them soon.

TTFN!! Debbie

why do you have to stop except in January? we are in montgomery, Alabama and this is are 7th trip down there this year. just takes a little more planning, but you will need to get annual passes, and out of state does cost more but if you use them enough they will pay for themselves. I think it's about ten days, to be worth it.

 

[des1954]

We don't have to limit to January, but, part of our plan is to actually start using our MH to go to places other than FtW! I figure that one concentrated trip ought to satisfy my need for WDW!! In our 34 years of marriage, we've basically used our tents, trailers & MH's at FtW - with maybe one or two trips to state parks here in Florida! It's time to be adventurous!! WDW AP's will always be in my wallet!!

 

[DebbieT11]

Waving to another "Bama" Dis-er!!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I truelly enjoyed the fort and plan to stay there from now on, I hope. But...this is a great big beautiful country we live in...and there are lots of gorgeous places to visit, especially being in the Georgian Mountains....you guys aregonna be livin it up. I love going to new parks and forests....Ive done ALL of Louisianas for the most part...thats why I was asking for Ideas a couple of weeks ago...I want to see as much of this country's purple mountains majesty as I can before I croak and someone sprinkles my ashes on some un-named ride at DisneyWorld!!~~~OK, JOKING, DONT SEND THE ASH COPS!!!