October 2017-The countdown begins!

[Christine9125]

I have been to Disney a lot of times, but only once have we stayed at the Fort. I have always wanted to go back and it never seemed to work out. This time I am making sure it works out. We will be celebrating our 2nd anniversary, but will also be our honeymoon and our first time together at Disney. We have had several bad years of medical issues as my husband has gone thru and come out on top of Colon, Bladder and Liver Cancer.

Anyways, we were given a 1986 Coachman Crusader by my dad. It has 37,000 miles on it. I have redone the "couch" cushions, made new curtains and oiled the cabinets. Looking at new carpet, or carpet runner and cleaning the shower out to make it storage since it really isn't usable.

My husband has put a new battery in it, worked on the engine a little, changing the brake lights and headlights and put 2 new tires on. He also sealed up all the leaks.

I have Disney decals to go on all the windows, it is packed with the kitchen essentials. I am ready to go, I want to be at the Fort so bad, can't wait to get there. I have a countdown to the day I can make reservations and a countdown for when we leave.

TIA for listening to me.

 

[4077]

Wow....congrats on all the good news your husbands fight through the cancer! Sounds like you'll have a lot of reason to celebrate with an awesome trip to Disney and the Fort! Lot's of nice folks here will love to hear about your adventure as you prepare for your trip and while your there if you have the chance! Looking forward to hearing how it all goes!

 

[Christine9125]

Thank you, I can't wait to try the camper out this summer. I love camping has been several years since I have been.

 

[4077]

Oh yeah....pics are always appreciated....would love to see the motor home someday if you get the chance!

 

[ruthies12]

Woohoo! Count me in! We stayed at the fort for the first time last Nov/Dec and loved it. We are avid campers and have been for years. I have to space my Disney trips every two years usually because of cost and distance for us. I am, however, getting an extra trip in this year- my sister decided to take my niece and invited me and my oldest DD with her so we are doing a long girls weekend. but that trip won't be to the fort sadly, we are flying and staying in various hotels for universal and Disney.

Right now my next Fort trip will be October 2017 as well. I just bought 7 day tickets from Undercover Tourist this morning to save on the price increase. I will book our campsite this summer after I get my dd's school schedule for 17/18 year. They always get an entire week in October for fall break and I plan to come to the Fort that week.

Right now my countdown is at 249 days for my girls trip this November. I will switch it over to next October after that trip. I too would like to see pics of your camper and your upgrades! Here is a pic of our campsite from our last Fort trip.

 

[jjbmk144]

I understand the thrill of "The Countdown". Back in 1986 we had bought a new car and I put on a new hitch and wired it so we could pull our pop-up. That summer we (myself, DW, DS 9years old, and DD 7years old) were camping with my in-laws, who owed a Class A motor home. We all had been to WDW, but not together, and around the the nightly campfire we were telling stories about our Disney experiences and somehow it was decided that we would all meet at Fort Wilderness during the 3rd week of that coming April. So, our first WDW Countdown started and every Friday we would set down to eat and the kids would quiz me about how much longer they had to wait and I'd tell them how many weeks (once it was under 100 days, we counted days). The longest time we counted down from was just a few weeks shy of 2 years. My DW and I still enjoy counting down the weeks and days until our next Fort visit. When I think about WDW it seems like I'm always put in a better mood. Enjoy all the great little things at the Fort!

 

[Christine9125]

Its always better to have a countdown to Disney, gives you something to look forward to.

 

[bama_ed]

Boy, you October 2017 people are on the ball. Counting them down ALREADY. I am impressed and I know I'll need a big bag of popcorn to see me till then.



Bama Ed

PS - jjbmk144, and Christine, congrats on all your good news.

 

[Christine9125]

So this weekend we did a lot of work on the camper. Bedroom is done, just have to clean the carpet. Vent cover is changed over the shower (aka storage), brake lights changed. Radiator Leak sort of fixed, but still dripping, something else is leaking now. Vacuum hose fixed. now on to cleaning the rest of it.

 

[4077]

Vent cover is changed over the shower (aka storage)

Nice thing is that the Fort has super nice/clean/spacious comfort stations. Big plus #2.... You don't need to buy so many latex gloves with your supplies

 

[Christine9125]

Took the camper to get the water pump changed and he also did our fuel pump while it was there. While it was in the shop I spent the day at the hospital, twisted foot and/or have a torn ligament due to stepping out of camper wrong.

 

[4077]

Ugh.....

 

[FortWildernessCamper]

Hope your foot is ok. You will get to the Fort you know!

 

[tigger92662]

Glad to hear your husband is in good health. Don't let the issues with the rig stress you. Take your time and get them fixed and you'll enjoy your time. Pictures when you can please, always love a pre trip/trip report. I showed the kids your doggie picture, they loved it. Oh, and watch that first step, it's a doozie. Relax your foot, and if you have any questions, fire away. We're here to help you have a great time!

 

[Christine9125]

Thank You all, I know we will get there, one way or another. This week we had the water pump and fuel pump changed. We also had a lot of rain so we know all the leaks are fixed. I believe the only thing major left is the brakes and exhaust. The rest is just cleaning. I will get pictures up, when I can get back in it lol

 

[Christine9125]

We got the exhaust fixed today and found out the heater core needs changed. Anyone know how hard this is on a 1986 coachman crusader?

 

[Christine9125]

These are the curtains I made, they cover the windows at night and are black outs. Below is the Paper Bag Wall in the kitchen I did today.

[GALLERY=][/GALLERY]

[GALLERY=][/GALLERY]

 

[Christine9125]

These are the couch cushions I recovered

 

[Christine9125]

 

[Teamubr]

That looks great. I love the seat back cushions and the paper bag wall.

I may be joining you October 2017 countdown. We are definitely going to the Fort in 2017. Deciding now what month, but September/October is looking better and better.

j