Scary Weekend at the Fort

[Lil' Lisa]

I've been going to Disney World since it first opened. I grew up going to the Fort. I can tell you definitively that in the 70s and 80s, Disney wouldn't allow this.

Times change, I guess.

Disney was always very guarded about its manicured, polished appearances in the 70s and 80s. We've turned what was a very nicely themed, quaint, and charming campground into a high rent trailer park.

Walt's vision was to allow people to escape their tired, mundane world for a little while. He went to great lengths to conceal the real world's "ordinariness" from his guests.

I suppose the corporate suits don't care about that as much.

I would say that in the 70's and 80's, Disney hadn't thought of this...

The decorations that people put up are an extra treat when camping at the Fort over the holidays. It adds to the festive atmosphere that accompanies the season. Many of the folks put a lot of time and money into their decorations. I would hardly call them ordinary. I would call them extrordinary!

I, for one, appreciate the hard work that these people put into decorating their sites. I was thrilled that people had started decorating already when I was there at the end of September. Thank you to everyone who took the time for making my trip just that much more memorable.

 

[MandMLUVMMandDVC]

Yes, some of us spend a great deal of time, effort & money to do these displays. It is a matter of love for the holiday and/or Disney and/or trying to entertain others. I'm sorry some don't care for it, but the majority do, so I shall continue decorating. Thank you also to all of the others who do these displays. From what I understand, Disney knows that people like these activities, and therefore they approve of the efforts. If anything were truly 'tacky' I'm sure Disney would require it to be removed. As for Fort Wilderness being a 'high rent trailer park', if you feel this way you probably should consider other resorts to stay at.

 

[Total Joker]

WOW! Really??? Life is too short people! Enjoy the ride while it last!

I tried to be tacky, I'll try harder next year!! PROMISE!!!

 

[takeme2epcot]

If anything were truly 'tacky' I'm sure Disney would require it to be removed.

If?!?

If this doesn't meet your definition of tacky, I'd hate to see what does:

And quite frankly, how do you know that the "majority" of people like this? All you're hearing is the opinions of people who do like it. The people who don't, by and large, just shake their heads and say nothing because they'd rather avoid the awkward confrontation.

And, yes, flame away, folks. Flame away. I can take it.

 

[BradyBz12]

Just as you'll find people that don't agree as to whether the decorations are a good thing or not (I happen to think they are) you'll find people that don't agree on what is and isn't "tacky."

It's all subjective.

For me, whether I personally think it's "tacky" or not, I appreciate the effort and the spirit behind each and every display.


We can't all be Martha Stuart.

 

[2goofycampers]

Excuse me,,,,,,, Halloween = tacky, over the top, once a year thing,,,,,that's the whole idea.

Geeze Louise, it seems us campers are taking more than our fair share of insults around here lately.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

If?!?

If this doesn't meet your definition of tacky, I'd hate to see what does:

And quite frankly, how do you know that the "majority" of people like this? All you're hearing is the opinions of people who do like it. The people who don't, by and large, just shake their heads and say nothing because they'd rather avoid the awkward confrontation.

And, yes, flame away, folks. Flame away. I can take it.

It isn't a matter of whether or not you can "take it". I would think that the person who took the time to create this display would find your statement hurtful. Just because a thought crosses your mind, it doesn't mean that you have to share it. Some things are better left unsaid.

Do you know what I think folks???

 

[dalovett]

Hey DisCamper, GREAT photos. Thanks for sharing.

Dave

 

[AuburnJen92]

If?!?
And quite frankly, how do you know that the "majority" of people like this? All you're hearing is the opinions of people who do like it. The people who don't, by and large, just shake their heads and say nothing because they'd rather avoid the awkward confrontation.

Really? Wow. I talked to these very people and complimented them on all the hard work they did. They were in a TENT and had all that stuff packed in a trailer, which took them a better part of two days to pack up and put away. I am so glad that I don't adhere to your sense of taste and such. I too have been going to FW since the beginning and "grew up" there as you say. I don't agree with you at all to say that Walt wouldn't agree with the decorations. It brings in many more people than it detours. If it detours crotchety people that tell me how to think; then fine, I am fine and dandy with that. I don't listen to people to tell me CNN is the only news media to watch, nor do I listen to people that tell me what EVERYONE else thinks. For you to think for someone else is ludicrous. Please work on your own brain. I am sure it is enough work for you each day. As for your opinion, it is your own and not shared by many of us here on this board, as you can see. I went and talked to MANY people at the Fort this past weekend and found not a single person who disliked that display. That is how I know.

 

[AuburnJen92]

WOW! Really??? Life is too short people! Enjoy the ride while it last!

I tried to be tacky, I'll try harder next year!! PROMISE!!!

Hey, don't forget, I helped you out in that department!

 

[takeme2epcot]

Do you know what I think folks???

Ahh, yes. The troll accusation. I disagree with something you're saying, so therefore, you're a TROLL!

Whatever. You know, there are folks in the world who have differing opinions. They shouldn't be chastised for expressing them.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

Ahh, yes. The troll accusation. I disagree with something you're saying, so therefore, you're a TROLL!

You know, there are folks in the world who have differing opinions. They shouldn't be chastised for expressing them.

Nor should they be chastised for putting up Halloween decorations. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

And the picture is based on reading your posts in previous threads, many of which have been rather inflamatory...

 

[AuburnJen92]

Ahh, yes. The troll accusation. I disagree with something you're saying, so therefore, you're a TROLL!

Whatever. You know, there are folks in the world who have differing opinions. They shouldn't be chastised for expressing them.

Nor should they be chastised for putting up Halloween decorations. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

And the picture is based on reading your posts in previous threads, many of which have been rather inflamatory...

Hmm, normally when people join a board, they wait a while to become pompous and generally unaccepted. Differing opinions are always welcomed. Condescending, berating opinions that are informatory generally are not. Interesting. Lisa, I do believe you left this at my house on your last Fort trip. I tend to agree that overall behavior has made me go and get this out of the closet.

 

[stmboat2010]

Listen!!! Who care what one person thinks. I wouldn't miss Halloween at FW for anyone. It is absolutely the best place to spend Halloween with your family. I met so many great people this weekend and participated in all the activities I could. Loved the cart parade!!! We were Steam Boat Willie and I can't wait for next year. Thanks for posting the pics!!!

 

[takeme2epcot]

Hmm, normally when people join a board, they wait a while to become pompous and generally unaccepted. Differing opinions are always welcomed. Condescending, berating opinions that are informatory generally are not. Interesting. Lisa, I do believe you left this at my house on your last Fort trip. I tend to agree that overall behavior has made me go and get this out of the closet.

Hey, so I don't like the Walmart blowup things or blood splattered murder scenes or Mickey Mouse wearing a bizarre, blood stained Kabuki mask when I'm visiting Disney.

How does that make me pompous?

Sorry...I'll butt out of the thread now...I don't want to steer it off course any more than I have!

 

[DisCamper]

 

[des1954]

I've been going to Disney World since it first opened. I grew up going to the Fort. I can tell you definitively that in the 70s and 80s, Disney wouldn't allow this.

Well then....you took a LONG hiatus from the Fort from about the late 80's until recently. The first time I recall this kind of decorating was in 1987 when three families from Tampa took the three sites at the entrance to 1300. They had every square inch of the sites decorated for Christmas. And guess what? The hayride at the Fort changed their route to include viewing these sites. So much for your theory about Disney not allowing decorations.

It is my guess that when you went to the Fort in the 70's and 80's, you were but a wee child. Why do I say that? Because in the 70's and 80's there wasn't the availability of decorations that there are today. Also - large displays back then (when you could find them and afford them) were made of hard plastic and didn't fold down for easy storage. Also, RV's back then didn't have the available storage that they do today.

I too, have been a faithful guest of FtW since 1974 - as an adult - several times a year. I have NEVER seen so much as a hint suggesting that campers limit their decorations. The reason you didn't see this back in the 70's and 80's is the same reason you didn't see lavish decorations on homes back then. There weren't cheap, easily stored decorations available back then.

Now, my suggestion to you is, if you don't like it, don't go to the Fort. Problem solved.

 

[Solamom]

I tried to be tacky, I'll try harder next year!! PROMISE!!!

You really scared my daughter w/ the inflatable gator. That was hysterical! We were across from you, about 3 sites down

 

[BRDof3]

Hey, so I don't like the Walmart blowup things or blood splattered murder scenes or Mickey Mouse wearing a bizarre, blood stained Kabuki mask when I'm visiting Disney.

How does that make me pompous?

Sorry...I'll butt out of the thread now...I don't want to steer it off course any more than I have!

Life is too short to be a crab. If you don't like it, camp somewhere else. While I wouldn't pack all that to take with me, I wouldn't waste time thinking that nobody else should, either.

No need to flame. You're the one that has to wake up to that personality every day. You'll do your own self-flaming.

 

[Total Joker]

You really scared my daughter w/ the inflatable gator. That was hysterical! We were across from you, about 3 sites down

Thank you, I had a blast! We had three teenage girls come by that screamed
loud enough the whole loop could hear them!