Just back from the fort

[Texas2Disney]

We got home yesterday afternoon. It was a pretty good trip. We way under utilized the fort though. I think the earliest we got back to the site was 10 pm. I was little disappointed about the lack of "magic" throughout the property. Just didn't seem the same. Not nearly as many Christmas decorations as I remember. The fort itself was great. Even with my disappointments we all had more fun, and food, than we could handle. Gotta start planning the next trip.

 

[articfox676]

Seems to be a theme here with the Christmas decorations. We will be checking in the 23rd and will bring our 5 container to help the cause.

Glad you had a great time.

 

[bama_ed]

I'm glad you got back home safely, Texas2Disney.

I don't know what it is but others have echoed what you said. I don't know if it's the economy or what (everything now on one site-no public areas). The days of Samantha Brown doing the Disney specials on the Travel Channel (she did a bit on the FW camper decorations) are behind us it seems.

Here is the FW video courtesy of YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM7kvK3FR2w&list=PLC917D0FF3926D7EF It says trademark 2007 so it was probably filmed in 2006.

But by it's very nature a day at the Fort is better than a day in the office.

Hope you make it back soon!

Bama Ed

PS - in Ed's opinion (and it's worth zero) the economy coupled with the sky high jacked up rates for Fort campsites are putting a squeeze on the buying public. People may be going all out but they aren't showing up 30 or 60 days before Christmas - maybe only two weeks before. It's another version of declining by degrees. It's still the Fort but I think those of us who remember the "good ol' days" may have to reset expectations.

PPS - oh, BTW, I am expecting articfox676 to pick up the slack...

 

[serenitygr]

I'm not sure how much help we will be, but we are checking in on the 22nd and we'll sure do our best! I believe we requested the 800 loop, so that MIGHT be our area- we'll see! I do have a green Santa DIS sign that we'll be putting up = any and all are welcome to stop in if you see us! I will have a coffee pot, and would love to visit with anyone who happens to stop! I think we counted 14 things we need extension cords for, not counting our lights! So hopefully we'll be adding some color and cheer! We will be there 2 full weeks! Leaving for Florida exactly one week from today- me, my better half, my 4 little angels ages 8,8,11, and 11! And my mom coming along with us, altho once we get there she'll be staying at POP. To say I am excited is an understatement. We were there in 2/2012, and that was our first Disney trip. I cried when we left, and I vowed to be back. And now here we are- I feel like I'm coming home again. I have no doubt I will cry when we get there...

 

[Texas2Disney]

I got a few stories from regulars why the decorations just aren't there. Not sure how accurate they are though. I've heard that Disney upset a lot of the people that did the "all out" site decorations, and they decided to just leave.

BTW, when I said "the entire property" I was referring to all the parks. The Disney Christmas magic and cheer was lacking from what I experienced.

 

[bigblock396]

I got a few stories from regulars why the decorations just aren't there. Not sure how accurate they are though. I've heard that Disney upset a lot of the people that did the "all out" site decorations, and they decided to just leave.

Well, that's one way to put it. Not sure how many of them left on their own accord. Disney doesn't mind if you decorate, as long as you follow the rules.

 

[bama_ed]

I got a few stories from regulars why the decorations just aren't there. Not sure how accurate they are though. I've heard that Disney upset a lot of the people that did the "all out" site decorations, and they decided to just leave.

I'd like to hear some stories, please. I don't think Disney has a problem with "all out" but tampering with the electrical system and going off your site might have gotten them to leave.

Keep it short and sweet, please, but do tell.

Bama Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

I'd like to hear this...

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Well, that's one way to put it. Not sure how many of them left on their own accord. Disney doesn't mind if you decorate, as long as you follow the rules.

Disney has rules ?!?!? I've heard rumors of these rules some time many moons ago but thought they were just myths cause they weren't enforced.

 

[articfox676]

Have to wait and see how the rules change or are enforced with the new general manager for FW and WL. Could be better unless it's worse.

 

[tiggerdad]

Could be better unless it's worse.

Well said

 

[Texas2Disney]

I'd like to hear some stories, please. I don't think Disney has a problem with "all out" but tampering with the electrical system and going off your site might have gotten them to leave. Keep it short and sweet, please, but do tell. Bama Ed

Well, first story I got was that Disney changed the requirements for decorations. Must be 3ft from sidewalk, 15ft from road, etc. Disney would then come inspect your setup...number of cords, number of lights per strand, tripping hazards, etc. I heard that it became too much of a hassle.
Second story I got is that Disney has midweek discounts for Florida locals. That a lot of these locals are the ones causing problems around the fort, not following rules, and damaging property.
Again, don't know if these are even a little accurate. Just the word I got from a few people that travel to the fort every year at this time.

 

[nwcaninecenter]

Our decorations have been up since November 13. No inspections, no CM has ever stopped by to our knowledge. Our decorations are not 3 feet from the road.
We stay on our own electric. That's just common sense.

 

[tiggerdad]

Maybe Scupper will come by and can further clarify. I'm not buying it.

 

[2goofycampers]

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Maybe Scupper will come by and can further clarify. I'm not buying it.

1) I will check into this, as I haven't heard it before (eg. inspections).
2) HOWEVER, just because I am out-of-the-loop, it doesn't mean it isn't so.
3) Stay tuned, film at eleven.
TRS

 

[serenitygr]

What does it mean that cords have to be "secured"? We will have quite a few extension cords, but assumed they could just lay along the ground tucked out of the way as good as possible. We don't want to be tripping on them anymore than we want anyone else to! But how do we "secure" them?

 

[tiggerdad]

Ummm, if you have a site next to a roadway doesn't this technically mean you can't have decorations on your site since you are within 30 feet?

Thanks for the post 2goofy

 

[Mmketeer]

I got that same guideline form when I checked in too before Thanksgiving and I didn't secure my cords for my decorations and I seriously doubt they were 3 ft from the road. Their just isn't that much space to decorate both sides of the sites on Loop 800 as it is. We even had a CM come over and ask if we wanted our site blown off and we said yes. If we were in any serious violation of the rules I think he would have said something.

I think just using some common sense and courtesy is the main thing here. If you have a site that is big enough for a walk through viewing, then please tie up your cords etc. Can you imagine the lawsuits that would come from someone not paying attention and tripping over something like that? If you get complaints from the neighbors or are in anyway destructive to the site or environment of course they are gonna say something.

I am mean my lights can be bright at night (could be considered annoying to my neighbors) and my blow ups aren't quiet, so I put my stuff on a timer so it all goes off at midnight and I can turn it back on whenever. Usually, I just let it come on at dusk.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I got that same guideline form when I checked in too before Thanksgiving . . .

1) I don't do guest check-in, so I wasn't aware of the form.
2) Now I am.
3) But, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, there have been no inspections.

MY PERSONAL GUESS, ONLY,
. . . this protects Disney from fall/trip/fire issues caused by site campers
. . . if a site is too cluttered, they can demand changes