Just got back from first Fort trip - it was soooooo awesome!

[mgsmom]

Great trip report! I am looking forward to reading more!

Thanks! I'm certainly not going to be accused of being too short, that's for sure! Glad you're reading along - another fellow Carolinian! (is that the right word? )

 

[AnotherAlice]

Enjoying your TR, it takes me back a few years to when I took my kids to WDW for the first time. It was so much fun watching their reactions to all the sights and sounds. Can't wait to read more!

 

[stefa70]

I understand your reasoning for blocking faces, but I bet the look on your daughters face when meeting snow white was PRICELESS!! I can just imagine how excited she must have been! That's what MK is all about. Love your tr!!

 

[DaveInTN]

Went back to the cabin, DD fell asleep quickly. DH and I enjoyed our pizza and a few cold beers out on the deck. We already were talking about how much fun we were having!

Loving the TR so far!!! Keep it coming.

Now, your statement here summarizes when of the things I love most about the Fort. After a FULL day of fun, put the kids in bed and kick back with pizza and beer. Nothing like some quiet time at the end of the day.

 

[DaveInTN]

Snow White - and only 4 people in line!!!!!

Wow, good for you!

I've never had that kind of luck with dear Ms White.

I'm still convinced she doesn't like me.

 

[2goofycampers]

Great TR, I'm late but I'm in.

 

[OK GRUMPY]

Great TR!

 

[hotmamac]

Loving the trip report!

 

[mgsmom]

Enjoying your TR, it takes me back a few years to when I took my kids to WDW for the first time. It was so much fun watching their reactions to all the sights and sounds. Can't wait to read more!

Thanks! It really is exciting seeing their reactions that first time!

I understand your reasoning for blocking faces, but I bet the look on your daughters face when meeting snow white was PRICELESS!! I can just imagine how excited she must have been! That's what MK is all about. Love your tr!!

That's so funny you should say that - we learned a good lesson on this first encounter - that someone should be in FRONT of DD with the camera - we mostly just got her back on the initial reaction. After that, we made sure someone had an angle to get her facial expression!

Loving the TR so far!!! Keep it coming.

Now, your statement here summarizes when of the things I love most about the Fort. After a FULL day of fun, put the kids in bed and kick back with pizza and beer. Nothing like some quiet time at the end of the day.

I hear you! I can't imagine where we would have had quiet time staying anywhere else! I just love hanging out and having pizza and beer - I call myself a cheap date - DH is kind and says I'm just low-maintenance

Wow, good for you!

I've never had that kind of luck with dear Ms White.

I'm still convinced she doesn't like me.

I actually thought about your trip report after we saw her - I was like "Oh, he'd be sooo jealous"

Great TR, I'm late but I'm in.

Welcome! Glad you're here!

Great TR!

Thanks!

Loving the trip report!

Thanks! Getting ready to keep it goin...

 

[mgsmom]

So, it's 11:40 on our first day in MK and we are at Crystal Palace for lunch! I read loads of good reviews and everyone said it was a "must do" for breakfast. But, if you know the mgsmom gang you will realize that scheduling an early breakfast would NOT be a good idea.

I had no idea what our schedule would be like in the evening - but I was pretty sure we'd be ready for lunch by noon so I took a chance and made a reservation. Turned out to be the perfect time! Woo hoo!

Here is what you see in the entryway at CP:

We had a seat just to the left when you enter and we had a nice view of the castle:

These next pics are of DD and the characters - just know that she was smiling - I mainly posted these so you can see the characters - the big 4 were all there:

Piglet was up first - DD calls him "Puh-liglet"

Next up is Eeyore - he got a kiss on the nose

Then the big man - Pooh!

Last, but certainly not least, was Tigger! He was the most playful with her and tried to steal her cupcake - too cute.

We did not do the dining plan thing - decided to play it by ear this trip. So, this meal was $26 a piece for me and DH (DD is 2 so free ). By the time we paid for a couple of diet Cokes and left a tip, it was $70. I know this makes most people But, I thought it was totally worth it. We had a really good time - an hour of a/c was priceless - the service was wonderful and the personal time with the characters was fantastic. We enjoyed the food - there was a big variety and good stuff for kiddos (mac n cheese, pizza, etc). Nice dessert bar, too. Sorry, no food pics, we were too busy with Pooh and the gang!

So, for those of you who have not done a character meal before, here is how it panned out:
When they seated us, they told us which direction the characters would be coming from and their general pattern of travel. This was very helpful in planning trips to the buffet (I was wondering how that would work)
We were about 6 or 7 tables into our section, so we had pretty good notice when someone was coming.
When Tigger initially came around, I had taken DD to the potty and we missed him! But, I told the server when she came back and she said that if he didn't come back around by the time we had dessert to let her know and she'd get him for us.
I didn't feel rushed - I guess we could have sat there as long as we wanted. But, in just short of an hour we had salads, lunch, dessert, saw all 4 characters, and had a potty break (having a 2yo sure gives you a "potty mouth" doesnt it? I crack me up...)

We were getting ready to leave and DD tripped and hit her mouth on the tile floor near the entrance - poor thing! She started crying and was very upset - she's usually pretty tough so I figured she hit something. She had a tiny bit of blood on her tooth so I think she hit her mouth. I tell you this because in pure Disney fashion, we had 5 CM's around us with glitter Mickeys, hugs, and directions to First Aid quicker than you can say boo-boo DD was fine - glitter Mickeys worked great! One of the CM's was from Fort Smith (she spotted my Razorback visor) so that was cool.

I love looking at the CM tags to see where they are from - does anyone else do that, or is it just me?

After that we headed back to the car and drove back to the cabin for a break. More later!

 

[DaveInTN]

I love looking at the CM tags to see where they are from - does anyone else do that, or is it just me?

I do that. I find it interesting, and will quite often ask a CM about where they are from.

We love CP! Have only done dinner there though. Will have to try another meal some day.

 

[mgsmom]

I do that. I find it interesting, and will quite often ask a CM about where they are from.

Good to know DH & I aren't the only ones! I especially like doing that at Epcot, too.

 

[mgsmom]

So, we drive back to FW and enter our cabin. We are tired and have full tummies, so naptime is in order!

Here is what we saw upon entering:

kitchen:

bathroom:

bedroom:

Our mousekeeper really had fun with our cabin! I called housekeeping to find out if we'd have her again - I wanted to be sure and tip her - turns out we would have her the whole visit!

Well, DD rested in her bunk and DH & I hung out in the living room. No naps were actually had - DD just wouldn't give it up! But, she did lie around in bed for an hour and a half talking to her babies, so at least that's rest!

We got moving around again - outfit #2 for everyone - I"m glad I brought 2 sets of clothes for everyone for each day. After coming in out of the heat, it was really nice to take off those sweaty, stretched out clothes and start fresh again!

So, off to Epcot we go! Goals: see Nemo, feed DD, walk around WS a bit.

 

[mgsmom]

Off we go, on our first experience with the busses. Our cabin was on the inside of the loop, the second cabin in. There was a bus stop right across the street from the entrance to our loop - how convenient

We get out there and there is a covered area with a bench and a drink machine. Perfect. The first bus comes by and says "Settlement" on the front, so we figure "don't get on that one". It's really not rocket science. The driver did stop and ask where we were going - we told him we were going to the Outpost and he advised us that we should be sitting on the bench on the other side of the road. Thanked him for the heads-up, moved across the street (another bench there). Maybe 2 min later a bus comes by the says "Outpost". So, we get on. Already, I'm wondering why people make such a fuss over the internal busses. They come by all the time and it says right on the front where they are going. We sat there a grand total of maybe 5 min and saw 2 busses. Works for me!

We get to the Outpost - which is an even larger covered area with several benches. This one has a drink machine and a snack machine. I didn't bother to check the cost, but figured it would be convenient if you're in a pinch!

Waited about... hmmm... 5 min or so? Didn't seem long at all. An Epcot bus pulled up very shortly. I don't even think I sat down to wait. It was nice talking to other people also waiting.

Ride to Epcot wasn't too long - I think it would be a solid 15 min drive no matter what your mode of transport. Bus had a/c and people to talk to, so went by fast!

Got to Epcot (DD called it Epcok) and DD was fascinated by the "big ball". She kept asking how it got up there and how it would get down -

So, we headed through FW to get to the Seas and Nemo - the character spot was hoppin' - 50 min wait - um... no. Pretty soon, we saw some familiar birds:

We went in, rode the seashells, explored the aquarium, and did Turtle Talk with Crush. The seashell thing was really cute - DD was a little quiet so I'm not sure if it overwhelmed her - it was dark, too. Overall it was great - I was worried about one scene when I saw it coming, but it turned out to be really tame. DD was SO happy to run around the aquarium and look in every tank and every window. She just LOVES aquariums. We took her to TT w/Crush and that was fun. When you are waiting for the show, there are fish tanks to look in, so that's nice. She was excited to see the "jellies". She seemed to lose interest about 5 min to the end of the show, but overall pretty good for a 2yo!

Took her to the Electric Umbrella to eat - good call! I would recommend to anyone to go there! She got a cheeseburger kids meal and I got a chicken wrap kids meal ($5 each). DH not hungry yet. I think he's saving himself for WS.

I have to tell you, I don't have any other pics of Epcot to show. I did a terrible job of taking pictures this time - but we go again another night and I did better then.

After eating, we headed over to WS. Must stop in Mexico to ride the boat ride. They've added a lot to it since we were here last (2004) and it's really cute. DD liked it - she's a big Donald fan anyway.

On the way out of Mexico, I grabbed a Margarita and we started to do a "walk around". Then we stopped. DD is tired, with no real nap and all, and she just ate. It's our first day and we're not sure how long she'll last. So, we decide to backtrack to UK so DH can get a beer and then see how it goes from there. By the time we got to UK, DD's eyes were half-mast. We sat for a minute and people-watched. Then, we took our beers and headed back to the entrance (yes, I had already pounded that margarita. What? It was hot... )

By the time we got to the bus stop, DD was full-on asleep! We waited about 5 min for a bus and we got on. I had to get DD out of her stroller, but she didn't miss a snooze. It was nice to sit in the a/c with her sweaty little body smooshed up against me.

Smooth ride back - although we did have to go to the WL lodge first which took longer than I thought - but we were fine. There was an internal bus actually at the Outpost when we got back so there was no stopping us!

Got back to the cabin (8:30ish?) and put DD to bed all sweaty and dirty. (What? We're on vacation...) We did manage to get a clean pull up and tshirt on her without waking her up.

Sittin' out on the deck take TWO! Cold beer all around! We enjoyed re-hashing the day again and planning the next day. Realized DH hadn't eaten yet - being the good wifey that I am, I heated up a hot dog and gave him some leftover french fries. He was happy with it - he's not a big eater, especially later at night.

Thanks everyone for reading along! Next edition starts at DHS... I'll do better on pictures...

 

[mstmp]

I love your trip report. My son is 3 1/2 and still a napper!! He can get away without one now but at your daughters age timing was everything.

We will be going for the first time October 2011 with him for 8 nights to Fort Wilderness. I have been to Disney over 10 times but I have never stayed at the Fort. My son has been to Disney just for one day when we were on a cruise this past March and did really well.

There are about 20 of us going My sisters and there kids, grandparents, friends!!! My son will be almost 5 when we go. I just can't wait to experience everything with him

 

[beccamarie]

Loving your trip report! We just got back too and stayed offsite. We want to stay onsite next time and we are considering the FW cabins. Glad the busses don't seem to be much of a problem. Your daughter is so cute!

 

[mgsmom]

I love your trip report. My son is 3 1/2 and still a napper!! He can get away without one now but at your daughters age timing was everything.

We will be going for the first time October 2011 with him for 8 nights to Fort Wilderness. I have been to Disney over 10 times but I have never stayed at the Fort. My son has been to Disney just for one day when we were on a cruise this past March and did really well.

There are about 20 of us going My sisters and there kids, grandparents, friends!!! My son will be almost 5 when we go. I just can't wait to experience everything with him

That's going to be so much fun! I think even at age 5, a nice break in the middle of the day might be good medicine. It definitely was good medicine for me - and I'm a little bit older than 5...

Loving your trip report! We just got back too and stayed offsite. We want to stay onsite next time and we are considering the FW cabins. Glad the busses don't seem to be much of a problem. Your daughter is so cute!

Oh, you should def try the Fort! We found the busses to be very convenient and easy. There was always one coming!

 

[kampfirekim]

Great to hear you had so much fun! My parents were in a cabin in 2100 loop so we searched for ears several times, but never saw any.

 

[mgsmom]

Great to hear you had so much fun! My parents were in a cabin in 2100 loop so we searched for ears several times, but never saw any.

OMG - that's so funny! We did not have much time for loopin' so I didn't get to find you - my ears that I made to put in the window kept falling out - all that planning and I didn't take any tape...

I was really hoping to find you, too!

 

[kampfirekim]

OMG - that's so funny! We did not have much time for loopin' so I didn't get to find you - my ears that I made to put in the window kept falling out - all that planning and I didn't take any tape...

I was really hoping to find you, too!

Too bad you didn't find me...I had tape!