My Better Late Than Never Trip Report, October 28, 2005, Day 1, Part I

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

A Long Drive, Orlando Traffic, and Ft Wilderness Cabins (with a few pics)

Our trip to the World began on DH’s birthday, October 28th so I’m a lot late writing this! All I can say is “better late than never” so that’s what I’m naming my trip report! I’m finally getting around to writing this now that all the holidays are over

We are a family of 4: DH, myself, DS (9) and DD (5). We had a rough beginning to our trip. I forget what it’s called but I came down with an ear thing a couple of days before we left that causes vertigo and my equilibrium to be off. Try packing for a trip while stumbling around like you’re drunk! I was determined to go on our trip though so I toughed it out.

We got up at 4:30 am to start our drive from NC to Orlando. I’ve done this drive in 9.5 hours with another adult and no children but factoring in the kids makes a huge difference, lot of stretch breaks and stopping for sit down meals so everyone can take a break. Traveling on I-4 we got to the east side of Orlando, I think it was about 4:30 pm? 12 hours later! We thought we were just about there but oh no, I didn’t know about the dreaded Orlando traffic! We hit Orlando at rush hour on a Friday afternoon, learn from my mistake – do not do this! It’s a nightmare! We didn’t get to Ft Wilderness until just after 6:00 pm!

Now, the reason this was a huge problem is because I had secret plans for DH’s birthday. We had a 6:15 ADR at San Angel at EPCOT and obviously were going to miss that! We were traveling on a Magic Your Way Package with park hoppers and the dining plan. Would need to check in and get our passes before we could go to a park or eat with our dining plan meals. Only waited a couple of minutes at the Outpost before being checked in. Asked the CM at Ft Wilderness about canceling the San Angel ressie for me and he said don’t worry about it. Check in at Ft. Wilderness Outpost was smooth, no problems, and we were off to our first time in a Ft. Wilderness cabin .

We find Peacock Pass (very close to the Outpost) and the 2800 loop, not the loop I requested but it didn’t matter that much. As we drive up to 2816 I realize that there’s a ramp so this is probably a handicap accessible cabin. We open the door and my first impression was “wow, this place is huge!” and the second was “Oh my gosh, look at all the goodies! What is going on here!” On our dining table was a plethora of gifts! Something for DH’s birthday? I was beginning to realize that this was probably the work of my wonderful SIL, Steph H on these boards. She and her DH, Jason had arranged a surprise for us with GF concierge, they had stayed there a couple of weeks prior to our trip. What an incredibly magical way to start our trip! There was a 50th anniversary commemorative plate (in the box), a box of candy, pins (one which said “Super Sister”), a 50th anniversary pen and photo album, in the envelopes were Disney dollars for each of my kids – just so cool!

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/ladytrampscampandangel/Ft Wilderness Cabin/63cd8f62.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/ladytrampscampandangel/Ft Wilderness Cabin/aaca29f8.jpg

Above links are pics of the goodies. We didn’t have too long to hang out as I had another surprise scheduled for DH’s birthday, an Illuminations fireworks cruise on the Breathless! He doesn’t know about this or the missed dinner so I hurry everyone to change and get ready to “go to dinner”. The Breathless cruise is worthy of a post all its own so that will be Part II of our Day 1!

Here are some pictures of the towel animals we found upon arrival and the cabin in general.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/ladytrampscampandangel/Ft Wilderness Cabin/6042ad76.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/ladytrampscampandangel/Ft Wilderness Cabin/1e311668.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/ladytrampscampandangel/Ft Wilderness Cabin/fff776e6.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/ladytrampscampandangel/Ft Wilderness Cabin/db667183.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/ladytrampscampandangel/Ft Wilderness Cabin/7f8215f5.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/ladytrampscampandangel/Ft Wilderness Cabin/a9274f6a.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/ladytrampscampandangel/Ft Wilderness Cabin/d2e27c7e.jpg

Our little princess holding a map of Ft Wilderness:

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b235/ladytrampscampandangel/Ft Wilderness Cabin/47e641e7.jpg


To be continued . . .

 

[dismom9761]

Great start to you trip report.Looking forward to reading more.We are thinking of staying at Ft. Wilderness next time.

 

[lookingforward]

YEA! My family is going to stay in one of the cabins this March and I have been searching for trip reports from Ft. Wildnerness. Looking forward to reading more. Happy New Year!

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks. We enjoyed the cabins very much. There are some pros and cons, I'll try to touch on those as I write the rest of my trip report

 

[dismom9761]

Are you going to post in this thread or do I need to look for another?

 

[byoung]

Good start.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Thanks!

dismom - I''ll start another thread for part II. I've got to get the pictures from our Breathless cruise uploaded for it. Will work on it tomorrow. The cruise was wonderful

Have a great evening!