Sirenia88's So yeah I'm at the Lodge but I have not seen the construction TR

[sirenia88]

Well the planning season is upon us. We are not going to be staying at the fort this time though. The DW has put her foot down and proclaimed we will fly to the land of the mouse because of time constraints.

Right now our projected arrival is going to be the Friday before Halloween and leaving the next weekend. This way we get the Halloween and some of the "Winter" festivities. We are deciding which resort to stay at since the Fort is not on the list. With that said, we are planning on dropping by for breakfast or a dinner or both! We could also visit a few camping peeps just to stop by to say "hi!" if in the area.

Stay tuned for more updates...

 

[Maligator]

Why not do the cabins and appease the DW while still enjoying the Fort? On the other hand, a different experience is sometimes good as well.

 

[sirenia88]

The cabins did come to mind. However, we also felt it would be nice to try another resort. Let's put it this way, just about every resort is on the list. Wilderness Lodge is in the lead as we like the access to transportation to MK and TTC for the rest of the complex. It's a bit of an adjustment of not having a vehicle like we would normally have.

 

[peg110]

I don't think we could do it without the vehicle. On property or Off property, Hotel, Condo, or the Fort, we love going to WDW, but we also like OTHER stuff NOT Disney (Although we have never been to Universal. Maybe someday). That and just the freedom to "Change your mind" and take the Car instead of the bus.

Even if we fly in (Rare) we get a rental car. It's worth it for us.

 

[Barney Fife]

Back in 2008, we went to the Fort for 12 days. Bought APs for the whole family. Within two months after, we sold the camper because we started building our house. But we still had the APs.

Drove down to Contemporary one long weekend in June and then did POFQ one long weekend in August. Friday-Monday. At the end of the August trip, the kids said they had fun but didn't want to come back again until we got another camper.

 

[tiggerdad]

Out of the Deluxe resorts, Wilderness Lodge would be my choice as it matches the closest to my outdoor kinda personality.

 

[sirenia88]

Now the Poly is in the mix. I just want a cabana at Typhoon Lagoon drinking beer in the shade...

 

[FtW Mike]

The cabins did come to mind. However, we also felt it would be nice to try another resort. Let's put it this way, just about every resort is on the list. Wilderness Lodge is in the lead as we like the access to transportation to MK and TTC for the rest of the complex. It's a bit of an adjustment of not having a vehicle like we would normally have.

No knock on Wilderness Lodge it is choice NUMBER ONE after the fort for us but you might want to reconsider it at this time.. Over Passporter it is the subject of a lot of discussion as it is undergoing an extensive renovation that will go on for an expected 2 years and work only just started

 

[sirenia88]

Houston, we have a booking! We are going to be staying at the Wilderness Lodge from the Thursday 10/27 til Saturday 11/5. It took a long time to get to this point. We originally had plans 2 weeks earlier but they really didn't work with what we were trying to go for. However, it looks like there is a slight lull within the parks since it's right after the Halloween rush and right before the Jersey week which kicks off the holiday season rush. Anyway, more details to come...

 

[sirenia88]

Things picked up today. We have several reservations in the system.

Liberty Tree Tavern for Lunch
1900 Park Fare for Dinner
Whispering Canyon Cafe for Breakfast

Specials
I'm getting my hair cut at the Main St barber finally.
Halloween party tickets for the 31st also picked up.

Helpful hint for those who don't know. You can combine your gift cards up to $1000.00 o nthe gift cards page!

More to come!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

The cabins did come to mind. However, we also felt it would be nice to try another resort.

1) I think cabins at The Fork is a better choice.
2) You can still "visit" the other resorts.

 

[FtW Mike]

Congrats on ressies and like your ADRs

1) I think cabins at The Fork is a better choice.
2) You can still "visit" the other resorts.

Personally I prefer the cabins at the Fort over those in The Fork

 

[sirenia88]

My wife and I were talking about this. The cabins almost got booked. We wanted to try a different resort. The Fort does not have a quick service option for obvious reasons (you bring the quick service with you.) I know I know. However, Trails End would get really expensive after awhile. However, we will be visiting the Fort for Trail's end at least twice for Breakfast and Dinner. However, we are going this way this time. The next time we come down it will probably camping at the fort.

 

[sirenia88]

I know. I know. This is not even camping! Well the preparations have been coming along. The DW and I have been figuring out which flight would work the best down and back. Then figuring out the tickets. Our "vacation fund" is going to fund these from gift cards.

Point Rewards cards used in the right way can make your vacation dollar go further. We have an airline card for the flight and the main card we use now has Disney cards for points redemtion. So no more getting one gift card to trade it in for another. So what my family and I spend on our regular purchases, pretty much pays for part of the vacation. Example. The room was paid for with the main card which in turn added points into the account for Disney cards. Winning!!! LOL

It is easier to hook up the trailer, however, don't let the DW know this, it is kind of nice to know we will be in Orlando in 2 hours not 1.5 days on the road.

Well that's all for now. It is kind of weird not posting on here all the time anymore like trips past. However, new and different experiences await. DW surprised me with a MK behind the scenes tour as I would find the inner workings engaging to me. Staying somewhere else than the Fort will be new. The lodge just has the wilderness feel like the Fort. The Fort is still a boat ride away for some kickin' time on the porch and maybe some one here is going to be there at the same time for a little spin in a cart around the Fort just for that taste of sweet Fort sugar. LOL Who knows where the adventure is going to take the family and me this time.

BTW, any recommendations for Downtown Disney, I mean Disney Springs? My uncle and his companion have recently moved to Florida. She would like to meet up with us when we are there. We have just done the walk through and even then it was during the construction phase. Any one have one of those " must have" stops for a good dinner. I know a quite dinner is not going to be feasible but any offerings will be considered.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Personally I prefer the cabins at the Fort over those in The Fork

When you come to a Fork-in-the-Road (or at WDW), take it.

 

[peg110]

So no more getting one gift card to trade it in for another.

But you could STILL do this to save that much more.

It is a bit of a pain, but I have started doing this. My logic is, that if I am going to spend the money ANYWAY, then why not save that much more. I have about $1300 of gift cards (consolidated on to 1 card) for which I saved about 10%, not to mention the cash back rewards I got when I bought the initial GC purchase. I do, however, understand how it can be a pain to deal with, but for me the extra $100 - $200 is an extra ADR or souvenir (or 3).

Anyway, hope your trip is an awesome one.

 

[sirenia88]

But you could STILL do this to save that much more.

It is a bit of a pain, but I have started doing this. My logic is, that if I am going to spend the money ANYWAY, then why not save that much more. I have about $1300 of gift cards (consolidated on to 1 card) for which I saved about 10%, not to mention the cash back rewards I got when I bought the initial GC purchase. I do, however, understand how it can be a pain to deal with, but for me the extra $100 - $200 is an extra ADR or souvenir (or 3).

Anyway, hope your trip is an awesome one.

Before my DW would get the Target gift cards and use them for Disney cards. However, this year the points program has Disney GCs. Other gift cards come from warehouse stores which have a small discount. Plus my DW's rewards program at work also has Disney GCs for redemption. This is why I was " like yeah what ever about the golf cart price" last year. However you are right you can easily save enough for that "free" ADR or 2. Looking forward to the trip though.

 

[peg110]

I'll take the discounts where ever I can get them.

 

[sirenia88]

We are just about 60 days out. The flight down is booked. The tickets have arrived. Another round of gift cards delivered. Next up. Fast Pass booking. The DW is not happy as the policy has changed from 12 AM to 7AM. She rather force herself to stay up and book vs having to get up early. This trip seems to be much easier than the last couple when it comes to planning. The DW only has 3 spreadsheets for the trip

 

[sirenia88]

Ah.... officially 7 weeks out. I purchased a hot spot for the fast passes as we were camping the weekend of the scheduling. It worked out better than expected. The hot spot was the way to go. Everything is booked. Flights. Tickets. Fast passes. ADRs. Specials. Everything done and pretty much paid for. All we need is our magic bands or what I like to call my APD when I'm going around the world in Epcot. Right now, my DW is currently looking to book some surfing lessons for the DD and I. Now I am starting to get that Disney feeling. However if we get there early it will be pool time.