I can't believe our much anticipated trip to WDW and FW is now behind us! 
Well, I would like to be able to do a full trip report but that is impossible right now due to getting back to work. I did want to start with Day 1 of what will eventually be a total review (maybe Part 2 later today). I enjoyed reading all I could here on the boards preparing for our trip so I want to "give back".
We (5 of us - me, DS, DIL, GS and Sis met us there) flew in last Friday on Delta from Boston and we used the Magical Express services from the airport. The whole ME thing went very smoothly. Of course FW was the last stop with our bus going to KW, PO (both sides) and then SSR before finally arriving at FW. We got to the FW check-in desk at about 1 PM after landing at 11:30 AM. It was soooooooo hot and humid! Not my favorite kind of weather! It had been noted on the reservations that it was DS's birthday (it really was) and he was given his birthday pin.
I requested a cabin in the "re-furbished" areas but was told none were available. I then requested a cabin where standing water wasn't an issue. That was a very difficult request for the CM and she seemed to think she had us in one (Cabin 2656). A van took us over to the cabin. Boy were we surprised to see our luggage in a metal cage rolling off of the truck as we got into the van.
When we arrived at the cabin, the area was surrounded with green....yucky water.
Since we had a 3 year old with us I was a little hesitant but we decided to just roll with it. 
If we had been on the inside of the loop instead of the outside (backing up to Peacock Pass) then we would have been better. It ultimately turned out to be fine and bugs were not an issue....which would have been my worst concern other than a 3 year old covered with YUCK!
We opened the door and loved the whole set-up of the cabin. We tried to get my GS down for a nap but that was impossible as there were so many WDW workers in the area cutting, clearing, chopping up and driving big machines through our loop.
Yes....the brush clearing, clean-up team would be working in our loop and area not only that day but also on Monday - Wednesday (when we would be leaving). 
Of course once gone from the cabin it was not an issue but these guys would show up at 7:45 AM and begin the noise at 8 AM.
My DIL was ill
and stayed behind on Monday for bed rest and she couldn't have been there a worse day as they were doing the work around our cabin and those near us. She could not get any rest as the noise was too much. 
She finally left the cabin and took the cart to the main pool and laid in a lounge chair there for a while. Of course in the high heat and high humidity as well as with the pool activity, that didn't work out real well either. She then returned to the cabin thinking they would be done but the extensive work was still going on. They really were working...using the chain saws....to cut all the fallen trees and old stumps out of the "yucky" areas around the cabins. Although we understand the need for the work, there were plenty of other cabins around that we could have been in M - W. The cabins through the weekend looked to be booked as we rode around but M - W was pretty empty. "Next" time, I will ask about any work in the area. Again, this didn't ruin our vacation as nothing would ever ruin a vacation 
n: as far as I'm concerned but to anyone heading to FW, you might just want to ask the question....Where is the clearing / clean-up crew working? 
My DS and I rushed to the Bike Barn to get our reserved golf cart. We did have my sister's car to use but I wanted to enjoy using the cart as well. Seeing the Birthday pin, they offered my DS a free fishing rod rental or canoe ride. That was so awesome but he declined the nice offer since we still needed to get something to eat.
When we got back to the cabin, we decided to go to WL for something to eat since no naps would be easy. We took the car and went over to the WL. We had the DDP (free with our stay) so we went to the Roaring Forks counter service restaurant. The CM at the register must have been pretty new as she was unable to help me with what we could get with our DDP. we eventually figured it out though. We had a nice meal there and had some desserts and yogurt to bring back to the cabin. We didn't linger at the WL as we would be back later in the week for dinner in the Whispering Canyon plus we have been there many times before.
When we got back to the cabin...our luggage was there!
The gals quickly unpacked while DS and GS headed off to the pool. 
Our cabin / loop was very close to the smaller pool. It would have been very easy to stay there without the use of a golf cart or car. The bus stops were right at the entrance to the loop. Our cabin was about 7 cabins down from the entrance to the loop. I then headed off in the car to the Winn-Dixie Grocery store to stock up on some beverages and food. It is so handy having the kitchen and being able to eat something while getting ready in the morning before leaving for the parks.
We went to the Campfire to be there for the sing-along with Ms. Sundee. Dear GS wanted to toast marshmallows as well. Just as we got there, the rain started and of course that meant that Chip & Dale would not be making an appearance. Just as Ms. Sundee was heading to the stage, a bright flash of lightning and the following sound of LOUD (very nearby) thunder struck. Then the skies opened up and the pouring rain began (for the next few hours).
Ms. Sundee sent us all over to the covered area by the pool. Although they couldn't seem to turn off the music that was playing on the loud speakers, Ms. Sundee was able to sing for about 30 - 40 of us who were there. As she sang, the storm continued to rage outside with bright lightning and very loud thunder. She had my DS go up front with her and sang Happy Birthday to him. She later started to talk about what a special / poignant day September 14th was for her as it was the day she lost her brother to in an accident. She said it was 35 years ago. I spoke up and said that my DS was born on the 14th in 1972....the day her dear brother died. She was quite emotional over that and "felt" a connection with my DS. I have a great photo of her hugging him and a few tears in her eyes. It was very emoitional. 
The rest of the sing-along was great and everyone enjoyed themselves despite the weather. What a nice lady Ms. Sundee is and a terrific entertainer. We went back later in our stay to see her again. Don't miss her when at the Fort!
So now we had to find the right time to get in the golf cart and head to the cabin. The lightning seemed too close to leave right away so most of us stayed under the covering and waited.
Then the rain seemed to let up slightly so we made our break for it. We put on our ponchos and off we went. The pathways and streets were flooded and my DS could barely see where he was driving. About halfway to the cabin, a loud crack of lightning struck and I knew it hit somewhere really close by. I couldn't wait to get inside and I was a little (okay VERY) scared. Needless to say.....the amount of standing water around our cabin as well as throughout FW was amazing after about 2 - 3 inches of rain!
We got to the cottage and ran inside....drenched to the bone! We then called it a night as the rain pounded on the roof of the cabin. A few more "close by" lightning strikes kept me alert for a while but then even I enjoyed a good night's sleep.
Well, that's Day One.......more to come when I can get to it!
Sorry this is so long!
Well, I would like to be able to do a full trip report but that is impossible right now due to getting back to work. I did want to start with Day 1 of what will eventually be a total review (maybe Part 2 later today). I enjoyed reading all I could here on the boards preparing for our trip so I want to "give back".
We (5 of us - me, DS, DIL, GS and Sis met us there) flew in last Friday on Delta from Boston and we used the Magical Express services from the airport. The whole ME thing went very smoothly. Of course FW was the last stop with our bus going to KW, PO (both sides) and then SSR before finally arriving at FW. We got to the FW check-in desk at about 1 PM after landing at 11:30 AM. It was soooooooo hot and humid! Not my favorite kind of weather! It had been noted on the reservations that it was DS's birthday (it really was) and he was given his birthday pin.
I requested a cabin in the "re-furbished" areas but was told none were available. I then requested a cabin where standing water wasn't an issue. That was a very difficult request for the CM and she seemed to think she had us in one (Cabin 2656). A van took us over to the cabin. Boy were we surprised to see our luggage in a metal cage rolling off of the truck as we got into the van.
When we arrived at the cabin, the area was surrounded with green....yucky water.
Since we had a 3 year old with us I was a little hesitant but we decided to just roll with it. If we had been on the inside of the loop instead of the outside (backing up to Peacock Pass) then we would have been better. It ultimately turned out to be fine and bugs were not an issue....which would have been my worst concern other than a 3 year old covered with YUCK! We opened the door and loved the whole set-up of the cabin. We tried to get my GS down for a nap but that was impossible as there were so many WDW workers in the area cutting, clearing, chopping up and driving big machines through our loop.
Yes....the brush clearing, clean-up team would be working in our loop and area not only that day but also on Monday - Wednesday (when we would be leaving). Of course once gone from the cabin it was not an issue but these guys would show up at 7:45 AM and begin the noise at 8 AM. My DIL was ill
and stayed behind on Monday for bed rest and she couldn't have been there a worse day as they were doing the work around our cabin and those near us. She could not get any rest as the noise was too much. She finally left the cabin and took the cart to the main pool and laid in a lounge chair there for a while. Of course in the high heat and high humidity as well as with the pool activity, that didn't work out real well either. She then returned to the cabin thinking they would be done but the extensive work was still going on. They really were working...using the chain saws....to cut all the fallen trees and old stumps out of the "yucky" areas around the cabins. Although we understand the need for the work, there were plenty of other cabins around that we could have been in M - W. The cabins through the weekend looked to be booked as we rode around but M - W was pretty empty. "Next" time, I will ask about any work in the area. Again, this didn't ruin our vacation as nothing would ever ruin a vacation n: as far as I'm concerned but to anyone heading to FW, you might just want to ask the question....Where is the clearing / clean-up crew working? My DS and I rushed to the Bike Barn to get our reserved golf cart. We did have my sister's car to use but I wanted to enjoy using the cart as well. Seeing the Birthday pin, they offered my DS a free fishing rod rental or canoe ride. That was so awesome but he declined the nice offer since we still needed to get something to eat.
When we got back to the cabin, we decided to go to WL for something to eat since no naps would be easy. We took the car and went over to the WL. We had the DDP (free with our stay) so we went to the Roaring Forks counter service restaurant. The CM at the register must have been pretty new as she was unable to help me with what we could get with our DDP. we eventually figured it out though. We had a nice meal there and had some desserts and yogurt to bring back to the cabin. We didn't linger at the WL as we would be back later in the week for dinner in the Whispering Canyon plus we have been there many times before.
When we got back to the cabin...our luggage was there!
The gals quickly unpacked while DS and GS headed off to the pool. Our cabin / loop was very close to the smaller pool. It would have been very easy to stay there without the use of a golf cart or car. The bus stops were right at the entrance to the loop. Our cabin was about 7 cabins down from the entrance to the loop. I then headed off in the car to the Winn-Dixie Grocery store to stock up on some beverages and food. It is so handy having the kitchen and being able to eat something while getting ready in the morning before leaving for the parks. We went to the Campfire to be there for the sing-along with Ms. Sundee. Dear GS wanted to toast marshmallows as well. Just as we got there, the rain started and of course that meant that Chip & Dale would not be making an appearance.
Just as Ms. Sundee was heading to the stage, a bright flash of lightning and the following sound of LOUD (very nearby) thunder struck. Then the skies opened up and the pouring rain began (for the next few hours). Ms. Sundee sent us all over to the covered area by the pool. Although they couldn't seem to turn off the music that was playing on the loud speakers, Ms. Sundee was able to sing for about 30 - 40 of us who were there. As she sang, the storm continued to rage outside with bright lightning and very loud thunder. She had my DS go up front with her and sang Happy Birthday to him. She later started to talk about what a special / poignant day September 14th was for her as it was the day she lost her brother to in an accident. She said it was 35 years ago. I spoke up and said that my DS was born on the 14th in 1972....the day her dear brother died. She was quite emotional over that and "felt" a connection with my DS. I have a great photo of her hugging him and a few tears in her eyes. It was very emoitional. The rest of the sing-along was great and everyone enjoyed themselves despite the weather. What a nice lady Ms. Sundee is and a terrific entertainer. We went back later in our stay to see her again. Don't miss her when at the Fort!So now we had to find the right time to get in the golf cart and head to the cabin. The lightning seemed too close to leave right away so most of us stayed under the covering and waited.
Then the rain seemed to let up slightly so we made our break for it. We put on our ponchos and off we went. The pathways and streets were flooded and my DS could barely see where he was driving. About halfway to the cabin, a loud crack of lightning struck and I knew it hit somewhere really close by. I couldn't wait to get inside and I was a little (okay VERY) scared. Needless to say.....the amount of standing water around our cabin as well as throughout FW was amazing after about 2 - 3 inches of rain!We got to the cottage and ran inside....drenched to the bone! We then called it a night as the rain pounded on the roof of the cabin. A few more "close by" lightning strikes kept me alert for a while but then even I enjoyed a good night's sleep.
Well, that's Day One.......more to come when I can get to it!
Sorry this is so long! 
time for day 2..... please
