JUST BACK - A Short Visit To The Fort

[thegooftroopfla]

Thanks for keeping site 617 in mind never thought I would see that photo again.
Did the ferry stop at the fort or just take u snorkeling. I love the fort. And the water us so clear there it is unbelievable. They used to let u snorkel the moat, which was pretty neat but uneventful. If you want to see a movie on the fort look for . Dr. Mudd. It is the story of the fort through his eyes. Thanks for the report

 

[bama_ed]

Thanks for keeping site 617 in mind never thought I would see that photo again.
Did the ferry stop at the fort or just take u snorkeling. I love the fort. And the water us so clear there it is unbelievable. They used to let u snorkel the moat, which was pretty neat but uneventful. If you want to see a movie on the fort look for . Dr. Mudd. It is the story of the fort through his eyes. Thanks for the report

Gooftroop,

We were told we could NOT snorkel in the moat at all. We were able to go around the old coaling piers (two of them) and outside the moat wall both in and outside the swimming area. We stayed in the main swimming area near where the tent campers stay.

I walked the moat wall its entire length around the fort (the low wall about 3 feet high above the water) and didn't see anything in the moat that looked interesting snorkel-wise. So you are correct - it is uneventful.

One funny story as we were snorkelling: my three kids and I were out there around some fresh coral and the lead swimmer would point to all the colored fish they saw so the rest of us would see them. We came up on a 4-foot barracuda about 15 feet away from us which freaked my DD out. It had that long silver jaw with jagged teeth watching us with its eye on that side. When we surfaced to talk about it I laughed and told her I wasn't worried because 'cudas only eat girls . She's only 12 and believed me so I had to backpedal furiously.

I knew of Dr. Mudd and would like to see a movie about him.

The ferry did dock at the pier at the Fort and we got off and got a brief tour of the Fort before lunch on the boat. After lunch is when we snorkelled.

Thanks, Bama ED

 

[thegooftroopfla]

Yeah they stopped swimming in there about ten years ago because of falling bricks. There used to be a huge jewfish under the ferry dock. The barracuda story is awesome. My 15 year old daughter still hates them and we go diving all the time. They are knarly looking for sure

 

[lklasing]

Don't know how I just found this thread. Great report! Glad to be able to put a face with a name. Looking forward to more!

Leslie

 

[Joe's Girls]

We have never been to the 4th floor observation deck. Great views!!!!! We are going try that when we get there next month. Is it outdoors? Is it crowded? Are there chairs? Are there speakers linked to the MK music like at the FW beach? Also, really enjoyed your pics.

 

[bama_ed]

We have never been to the 4th floor observation deck. Great views!!!!! We are going try that when we get there next month. Is it outdoors? Is it crowded? Are there chairs? Are there speakers linked to the MK music like at the FW beach? Also, really enjoyed your pics.

Joe (or the Girls),

It is a different perspective that you should try. We stayed at the campfire/singalong until the movie started then left heading for the 1400 loop bus stop. Had to wait a long time for a bus to the FW marina. When we got there, there was a suprisingly long line for the WL/CR boat. We had to wait through two loads then got the third boat to CR. All in all it was 70 minutes to get there (longer than I would have thought).

Get off the boat at CR and walk up through the CR pool area and into the CR and turn to the right. Ride the escalators up (2 or 3 of them) until you come into the main concourse area where the monorails are, restaurants, gift shops, and the cavernous ceiling. Bear to the right toward the Magic Kingdom end of the building interior (don't go up to the monorail waiting platform) and the viewing deck is on the level of the walkway over to Bay Lake Towers.

They do pipe the music in to the deck and there is some bench seating out on the corner of the deck nearest the MK. But those seats were taken when we got there with about 10 minutes to spare. There are external stairs on the underside of the Contemporary wings (we chose the side nearest the MK which has an angled view but the side of the CR on the FW side staircase had a direct view to the fireworks).

I took many pictures and most were not very good (after the fact). Fireworks are hard to take. But there are spotlights shining on the castle and moving before the fireworks show started and I would like to have gotten there sooner to see more of it. Heck, you know when you're the photographer you don't get to enjoy the show, you're too busy trying to capture it. Next time I'm just going to watch it and let someone else take the pix.

So it's a nice change of pace. It is outdoors and it wasn't too crowded (although like I said the limited seating was filled - about 10 seats). The ride back to the Fort, as I said in my TR, is delayed but if you're in no hurry it's a pleasant way to spend the evening.

Bama ED

 

[Joe's Girls]

Thanks Bama Ed. We are veteran Fort Wilderness people (every year for the last 12 years) but new to this Board. I'm shocked on how much I'm learning.