May the Force be with Us... June FW Pre-Trip Report

[Chkysbak]

Ok this might take awhile so please hang on tight to your keyboards. First things first... A little back ground.

Me: I am 38 years old and a member of the Navy Reserves. I am a Mechanical Project Managerr for an HVAC company in NC.

DW: She is well 25 and counting and works for another HVAC company doing Service Contracts. We have been married about 14 years.

DD: She is 21 years old, and graduates from ECU this May.

DS: He is 14 years old and is a pistol. He is just like his daddy.

OK background.... Check

As you can tell from my signature, we have been going to Disney for quite some time with many resorts. This trip was planned about 4 months ago, as my DD is graduating from ECU and she stated that she wanted to go to WDW with her boyfriend as her graduation present.

This is my DD graduation cap that she decorated:

Anyway, in 2014 we decided to go to FW for the first time. As an avid Disboard member, I search the boards and posted many questions/comments to assist with our first trip. We were towing our 30' TT this trip and stay in October without my DD, as she was in college at the time. This trip was so great and DW and I decided this is the only way to visit WDW. So much in fact that we traded in our TT for a 36' Gulfstream at Camping World in Orlando before we left. See before and after pictures:

This was our TT as we were getting ready to leave the house:

This is our new to us MH at Camping World:

This is actually a great story as when we went to pick it up, and do the final walk-thru we noticed that the generator wasn't working. Needless to say when we got back home to NC, CW replaced the generator with a new Onan, free of charge. Can't be that

After getting the MH back from CW, I immediately began to work on the mechanical aspects as I wanted to make sure that I had a good starting point. Below is the list of what I have already completed Mechanically:
Spark Plugs, Wires, New Tires, Inspected Brakes, New Brake Fluid, Belts, Hoses, Flushed Radiator, New LCD for odometer (Module Masters) as the old one was unreadable, Check valve brake bleeders

I have also changed out the Old CRT TVs, with new LED Flat screens as well as a new Receiver with HDMI in/outputs. Of course ran new HDMI cables to both the rear and front TVs. Since we had most of the camping gear from our TT, I didn't have to purchase a bunch of stuff for the new MH. I have purchased a freezer chest to go in the back for more storage, and a small refrigerator and stored it under the MH for cold beers...etc

Enough Background, moving on to our next FW trip!!

When the DD decided about this trip I planned it for when Star Wars Weekends and lucky for us the dates were released and we are able to get to the last day of SWW. We have been to SWW before in 2009, but with the new movie coming out I had to cease the moment when I could. Our dates for this trip are June 12th-21st. Below is our planned itinerary:

Friday: Leave NC and head to Jacksonville KOA
Getting situated in Room etc...

Saturday: Arrive at FW around Noon
Set-up and explore FW, get Golf Carts (2) from Kenny, go to SOG to get Military Tickets for WDW and Universal

Sunday: Hollywood Studios (SWW)

Monday: Magic Kingdom

Tuesday: DD, her Boyfriend, & DS to go to Universal. Alone time with DW to relax and unwind

Wednesday: DD & her Boyfriend to go to Universal. The rest of us will go to BB and or DD.

Thursday: AK/EP

Friday: EP/MK

Saturday: Check out at 11AM and head to DD. We will travel to Savannah GA as my DW wishes to visit so she can probably eat at a restaurant.

So anyways when we went to FW last October, we decorated the campsite a little. My DW noticed that I didn't have as much decorations as others, so this trip I have made the following to assist:

Mickey Mouse LED Rope Light (will hang on the front of the MH with Suction Cups):

LED Mickey Lamp (This changes colors continuously):

Well, I think that is enough for now. I'm sure that I will be posting again soon but for now that should be enough to get people on board and commenting on my OCD

 

[tiggerdad]

SWW are fun, but can be crowded. Get there early that day.

Looking forward to your adventure

 

[bama_ed]

Good lookin' RV man!

I'm going to take it easy and just watch.



And congrats to DD on graduating.

Bama Ed

 

[growinupdisney]

Hi op, we are from NC too and my daughter will be graduating next year from Ecu (attended NCSU her freshmen year) looks like we will be leaving the day your coming in!

 

[2goofycampers]

I'm in.

 

[Chkysbak]

Ok, sorry I haven't posted lately had military drill this past weekend. I did want to share everything that I have purchased on Amazon and other website in preparation for our upcoming WDW trip.

TST 507 - Temp & Pressure Sensors for Tires (Haven't installed this yet, but they had great reviews)
http://shop.greatrvproducts.com/product.sc?productId=313&categoryId=29

Shower Caddy:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ZOHLYE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Digital Converter box (Previous one was dead):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I2ZBD1U/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Camco EZ Level:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DW954UC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

LED Lights: (I used these on my last TT, and they worked great!)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BSGE74A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Ok, most of everything else came from our last TT, so no big deal. Wife wanted the Shower Caddy, as this shower has much more room than our last one. I have used the EZ Level once before in my driveway, and it seemed to work nicely.

Probably going to have to de-winterize my RV this or next week as we are planning a weekend trip to start off the camping season. These small trips are great as they let us know what we do/don't need.

Anyway, thanks for listening.... More to come later.

 

[peg110]

Nice list, but with all that, you really have an Analog TV? I think I might have saved the money on the converter and gotten a newer TV that is digital capable (or am I missing something?)

 

[tiggerdad]

Let me know how those bulbs work out.

 

[Chkysbak]

Nice list, but with all that, you really have an Analog TV? I think I might have saved the money on the converter and gotten a newer TV that is digital capable (or am I missing something?)

It is also generates a guide depending on the channels that I get as well as adds the ability to record shows to a hard drive. Below is a list of things it can do:

• Converts Digital Broadcast to your Analog TV, Analog Pass Through, Favorite Channel List, Parental Control Function
• Auto Tuning, HDMI 1080P Output / YPbPr output / Coaxial Output, Closed Caption,
• Real-Time recording & Programmed Time Recording, Auto, 16:9 Pillar Box, 16:9 Pan G Scan, 4:3 Letter Box, 4:3 Pan G Scan, 4:3 Full, 16:9 Wide Screen
• Timing Start Up & Shut Down, USB Multimedia Player

 

[Chkysbak]

Let me know how those bulbs work out.

I used the lights during a trip that we did before we winterized the RV. They worked great, didn't generate heat and were a bright white.

 

[Chkysbak]

Ok first things first, My Wish list on Amazon for items:

Smart Solutions (00002) 48" x 20" 2-Piece Rock Solid Tow Guard
**Going to install this so I stop the rocks and debris from hitting our TOAD.

The next three items are so I can hook up my Gas grill & Turkey Fryer to our camper.
Camco 59213 Female POL/ Male ACME X 1"-20 Male Propane Adapter
Camco 59133 Brass 90 Tee with 3 ports
Camco 59043 12' Propane Extension Hose

Ok, well this weekend we are going camping to work out any bugs that we may find. This past Sunday, I washed the RV and finished the removal of the safeties for the TV & Surround Sound. Basically when you have the RV running the TV doesn't work and the surround sound only plays the radio not what going through our receiver. Needless to say, google is a wonderful thing and was able to bypass all these so my family can watch a movie while we travel.

I installed the Tire Pressure monitor, and needless to say I had to modify the special tool to attach the sensor to the tire. There wasn't enough room with the wheel cap. I think I'm going to purchase an extension so it won't be a huge hassle down the road. While I was washing the RV this past weekend, I noticed that the roof needed some attention so this week, I will be applying lap sealant and Eternabond to seal up any issues that may occur. I will be also cleaning the roof with oxidation remover and waxing it as it didn't seem that soap and water did anything.

Well with 53 days until WDW, I am starting to get anxious Sorry for the random posts, but I like to use the PTR as a bouncing board so I don't go insane. If you have any reviews on any of the items in this post let me know, as I will purchase them soon.

 

[Chkysbak]

Just paid in full our Campsite and completed the online check in

I also purchased Memory Maker for our trip, as I usually do Photopass+, but that is no longer an option.

51 Days and Counting

 

[peg110]

We did the memory maker last year (Nov/Dec 2014) and we love it. It doesn't stop us from taking our own pictures with camera's phones, etc... but it's nice to not have to worry about the ride photos as well.

 

[Chkysbak]

Ok, been a busy week at the house

Got back from our small camping trip and it worked well as can be expected.

Problem # 1: Well I noticed that the EWH was working, but it was putting out really hot water, and then it stopped. Got back to the house and diagnosed the issue (Temperature & Element), but decided to replace the electric element, Hi/lo Tstat & Tstat for both gas and electric, as well as the T&P valve. This way I know the starting point for everything and the parts were quite cheap on Amazon.

Problem # 2: Well the sewer hoses that I used with my TT were older and the cheap ones, and this trip they started to show their age. So I replaced them with this: Camco 39867 RhinoEXTREME 20' Sewer Hose Kit with Swivel Fitting

Problem # 3: The deck plate opening in the sewer/water compartment is only a 3" connection and will not allow the above fitting through it so guess what, I replaced it with a 5" deck plate to make sure I have plenty of room. JR Products 31035 Black 5" Access/Deck Plate

Problem #4: The campsite were we went didn't have cable, so I cranked up the old antenna and guess what, it didn't work. So off to Amazon again... See a pattern yet? King Controls OA8200 White Jack Antenna with SureLock & King Controls MB8000 Mounting Plate (Worth it!!!) I installed it this week, and it worked beautifully and glad I purchased the mounting plate to cover the existing holes.

Problem #5: My wife wanted new cookware, as the old ones were very cheap. Amazon again Cuisinart 44-10N Contour Stainless 10-Piece Cookware Set

Well glad that was over, but finally got everything ready I think. Now just comes the waiting!!! 36 Days

 

[tiggerdad]

You make me want to buy Amazon stock.

 

[Chkysbak]

You make me want to buy Amazon stock.

My wife says the same thing...LOL

Well with only 32 day, only 15 days at home (Military) remaining until our trip. I think I have finally finished up the major things that I wanted to get done. Now its just food & clothes. Honestly, the food and clothes are my wife's department. I only pack them in the MH.

Went to my DD graduation ceremony this past weekend. It's sad that my little girl is all grown up now, but she will always need her daddy

 

[Chkysbak]

Ok so now I'm getting nervous, we are at 7 days and counting
I have drill this weekend, so that will take my mind off the WDW trip, but then we start packing and grocery shopping Sunday night. I have to admit, I have already generated a packing list, but the wife says she has all the groceries planned. I know that this means, we will be walking up and down every else at Wally world pickup up items as she thinks. Of course with this being the first trip that are taking longer than a weekend in the MH, I have an idea that she will over purchase things that won't fit and she will look at me and say, I need more storage...LOL

Luckly, I have already planned for this but I'm not letting her know this

 

[tiggerdad]

Well, you could just bring the whole bank and just buy your supplies at the Meadows...

 

[Chkysbak]

As much as I would love to, I think that Wal-mart would be the cheaper and lesser of the two options...LOL

 

[Corndog88]

That's funny, we're headed in from NC as you are headed out!!! I'm at drill also this weekend and need to start my pre-trip prep too!!! Keep us posted on your adventures.