March 2016 Pre Trip and Trip reports

[bama_ed]

That is a cute little access point. Does it let you set up security or restrict connections? I may look into one of those for home. I am looking for something to extend my signal by the pool.j

This may be the unit for you, Jim. It can also act as a repeater/extender. It had a default security password (changeable). Pretty nice unit and worked right out of the box for WIFI.

We went to the MK at 230pm. Pirates had a posted wait time of 15 minutes on the app; by the time I got there the sign out front said 20 minutes; the actual in-line time was 23. Not too bad. Did Country Bears next. Walked through Fantasyland into Tomorrowland and road CarouselOfProgress and PeopleMover. Then back to Main Street and rode a loop on the train. Back on the boat to the Fort.

Our poster Corgidad came by just after I got back. You know him and DW when they drive up in their golf cart because the two dogs in the seat with them are their calling card. I caught up on conversations from the first time we met two years ago. Great to see him again.

I had precooked some food to heat in the microwave before I left so we pulled out some burgers, warmed them, and had them with take-out french fries from Trails End. Also the Giddy Up and Go (GAG) now is only $23.39 but comes with only 8 pieces of chicken and sides. If you want to upcharge to all chicken breasts, it is $27.99.

Fireworks at 9pm are going off now as I type. I talk about liking the Preferred loops 100/200 because of the auditory experience. You can hear the boat whistles coming in/out. I can hear the steam train whistle wail from the MK. Fireworks, the music, EWP, it's all part of it. I know some of these things can be heard elsewhere around the Fort but the Preferred loops are the best for it.

Fort was very full this morning. Some vacants this afternoon but they are all filling up with the spring break crowd. The overflow lot was overflowing on the grass yard back across the road toward the stables. Tomorrow will be a busy day getting moved to my new site, doing some more setup (EZ up, lights, etc.), and going back to the MK.

My daughter is marching with her high school band 30 minutes before the MSEP at 10pm tomorrow night. We have a BOG reservation for dinner beforehand (me and the family here). No FP+ for today, tomorrow, or Monday. Just getting there late, walking around, riding something or seeing a show if it suits us, and enjoying the scenery.

Starting Tuesday things will slow down a little and we will be around the Fort more. Then I will take some Fort pix and post them because that's what people like to see.

Good night from the Fort.

Bama Ed

 

[Teamubr]

This may be the unit for you, Jim. It can also act as a repeater/extender.

Pirates had a posted wait time of 15 minutes on the app; by the time I got there the sign out front said 20 minutes; the actual in-line time was 23. Not too bad

I'm going to look into that WAP. I can use it as a repeater and use my MAC address protocols on my current router to keep the bad guys out.

I was wondering how the wait time test went. 3 minutes off is pretty good. It sounds like they have the bus wait boards pretty accurate too. That's another thing Disney does well, is tracking people.

Have a great week and hopefully the crowds aren't too bad.

j

 

[JETS70]

We have stayed in both the 100 and 200 loops and I'm with you Ed in that the sounds in these loops just add to the Fort experience. Nothing like waking to the whistle of the boat launch. That has to be a cool experience that your DD gets to march in the MK. Have a great trip!!

 

[tltay2005]

Getting the camper ready to go, loading what I can now, everything else will go in on Wednesday before we head out. Not liking the weather report at all!!! We haven't had rain here in over a month, now its time to camp and it's going to rain almost every day we are there . Hoping for a change before Wed, after all it is Florida.

 

[bama_ed]

Well we started out with rain this morning but by 9am it stopped and here at 10am the sun is out and blue sky is back but the ground is still wet. I went for a walkabout this morning.

Down at the beach while the sun was trying to rise, a cast member was hard at work in the rain running the little tractor over the sand pulling a rake making all those nice little parallel lines.





Over in 500 loop just inside the entrance three sites were prepping for departure and their big trucks were all idling. I call it "Symphony of the Diesels". Being Sunday, there are a number of folks getting ready for home. Went past our poster Boomer1's site with the Happy Easter sign and pink flamingo by their site marker.

Back at Trails End the azaleas are in bloom around the porch.



Over by the sign in the picture, my DW admired the flowers. She said they seemed to be arranged in a "High/Low" fashion.



Later, ya'll.

Bama Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

Always like your point of view and narration Ed. I thought I was the only one who saw the beach that early in the morning.

 

[peg110]

Wow, Not logged on for a weekend and I have 2 pages to catch up on on just ONE thread.

It was awesome reading though. Sounds like all are having a good time despite the problematic rain. I hope the weather holds out for you all. Our trip is counting down. August will be here before we know it.

 

[CruisingCamper]

Thanks for all the updates to those of you who are lucky enough to be at the Fort right now! We spent the weekend getting ready. I shopped all day Saturday for trip essentials while DH installed the base plates on the new Jeep. Sunday, I cleaned the RV from top to bottom. Sometimes, I don't know why I bother to do this when it seems to be dirty by mile 10 after we leave home!
I had some child labor! The 4 year old likes to vacuum

And here is a shot with the new Jeep. We had different tires and rims put on and it looks totally different than the base model we bought.

 

[Nan P]

Love the new Jeep. We bought a new silver 4 door Wrangler with soft top in 2007 and had a tow package installed. Been serving us Very Well as a tow vehicle ever since. Best of Luck. Enjoy the vacation at the Fort.

 

[CruisingCamper]

Love the new Jeep. We bought a new silver 4 door Wrangler with soft top in 2007 and had a tow package installed. Been serving us Very Well as a tow vehicle ever since. Best of Luck. Enjoy the vacation at the Fort.
View attachment 157423

Thank you! I know it will be a great ride for many years to come!

 

[Teamubr]

And here is a shot with the new Jeep. We had different tires and rims put on and it looks totally different than the base model we bought.
View attachment 157420

Great looking combo.

But how does that Jeep tow that big MH?

j

 

[bama_ed]

We moved to site 104 yesterday. I wanted to be in 100 loop. Teamubr, your old site 103 was open overnight across the way but just now someone has rolled up to fit.

Big news is the camground wifi is up and the wired loaner modem appears to be dead. It worked with my little wap yesterday just fine and today i could connect to the wap again but it doesnt see the net. The service is named "Guest WiFi (Disney)". I will do a speed check here and post results.

Pictures and more updates tonight. Going to MK now.

Bama Ed

 

[peg110]

Awesome the WiFi is up! Boo that the wired connection no longer works. Oh well, I still have a good data plan on my Cell phone so I should be okay when I go. It's not like I am going to be streaming movies or anything. Most of anything I'd be doing is occasional email, FB and of course DisBoards!

 

[amcc]

We reinstalled our countertops this weekend. We got rid of the original sink and stovetop and replaced it with new stained wood tops plus a new table. We hinged the countertops to make it easier to find things and pack it up.


While doing that, we noticed that the air conditioner was leaking condensate in there and that the compressor was cycling on and off too much so I put in a while researching this and we sealed up the return, tightened the unit on the gasket, and cleaned out the pans on the roof. Phew...the air was working much better. I CAN"T sleep if I'm hot.

I will pack clothes and toiletries tonight and my husband will do the grocery shopping and the vehicle packing tomorrow. Today the bikes are getting checked and the new bike rack installed.

 

[bama_ed]

It is an open system. Link speed is 39Mbs.



Bama Ed

 

[tiggerdad]

Wonder how well it will hold up under evening and other heavy use times?

Thanks Ed for the information and update.

AMCC, getting closer and closer. Glad you sorted out the AC unit issue beforehand.

 

[peg110]

I can surely see that WiFi getting bogged down as TiggerDad suggests during the "Heavy" times. When people come back and want to upload their pictures??? Oh Boy!

Oh well. At least now they have the WiFi. Wonder if there are "Dead Zones"?

 

[snowmedic]

We pulled out of the Fort Sunday morning at 8:20 and made it home at 12:30 this afternoon, only stopping for gas and meal breaks. I took the 95-26-77-81 route home because I seen that Saturday there was a storm that was suppose to hit, so I wanted to stay west of it. Did not run into any weather.
When we arrived home, I took a quick shower and then went to work to get a truck. Mine is prepped and waiting to be painted and put back together. My phone started ringing about 10:00 this morning from work wondering if I was going in tomorrow.

Every one have a great time at the Fort and I will be reading along.

 

[snowmedic]

Wonder if there are "Dead Zones"?

I did notice in the 1500 loop there are two wifi towers. One just after the walk way to the comfort station and the other was across from 1516. Not sure how many are in the bigger loops.

 

[CruisingCamper]

Great looking combo.

But how does that Jeep tow that big MH?

j

LOL