TCD + DC Games + FW = FUN!

[Tri-circle-D]

The TCD gang is back from a quick visit to the Fort this past weekend (Wednesday April 30th through Sunday May 4th). The purpose of our visit was to attend the Disney Channel Games during the week, and the Concert at the Wide World of Sports on Saturday night May 3rd.

We succeeded in meeting a ton of the Disney Channel stars. If you have any young ones in the family, check back later, and I will post some photos of the Disney Channel celebrities that we got to meet.

But, since this is the Camping Board, I must start with my traditional reporting on new developments at the Fort. For those of you familiar with my work, you will recall that the TCD gang just returned from a spring break trip at the beginning of April. So, I did not expect to find anything new to report on this trip, which was just a few weeks later. But, as often happens, I was wrong! It seems lately that the Fort is in a constant state of change.

It was not even a full month ago that I snapped this photo of the path next to the 1500 loop bus stop that goes back to the 1500/1600 loop comfort station. At the time I commented that for some reason, this area had not been cleared like almost everywhere else in the Fort:

Well, here is the same area now (use the little utility pole in both photos as a reference point):

No big deal you say?

Well, over by the Meadows pool, a new building has suddenly appeared:

That building was there on April 30th, but was not there earlier in the month.
What gives?

It is a Disney Vacation Club station. The one down by Pioneer Hall is still there.

See that little white bag hanging on the new building. Do you wonder what is in there? So did I. It held the permits for the building. Here is what they looked like:

So, at first I think this is an odd location to put a DVC stand. But, when you think about it, there is a ton of foot traffic at this location. The stand was manned (well, in this case actually womaned) on Friday, and the agent there was engaging a lot of folks in conversation:

And, that is not all . . .

Check back later for some more news and photos.

TCD

 

[PolynesianPixie]

As usual, I am anxious for the next installment!

 

[beccaewert]

me too, I am curious about what new stuff I might encounter in 3 weeks....

 

[VACAMPER]

Always enjoy your reports.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Well, here is the same area now (use the little utility pole in both photos as a reference point):

OMG!!!!!! Fort Wilderness is becoming Fort NOT-SO Wilderness!!!

Hangin on the edge of my seat, as ususal....waiting for the next installment!!!

 

[3gr8kids]

WOW - the difference in the two photos is unbelievable!! I like the landscape of the first one better. Hopefully by the time we get there next April it will be all filled in again.

Can't wait for more report/pics!!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

OMG!!!!!! Fort Wilderness is becoming Fort NOT-SO Wilderness!!!

Hangin on the edge of my seat, as ususal....waiting for the next installment!!!

WOW - the difference in the two photos is unbelievable!! I like the landscape of the first one better. Hopefully by the time we get there next April it will be all filled in again.

Can't wait for more report/pics!!

I really don't like the extent of the clearing that they are doing, but in a lot of areas, they have planted new plants, and have even installed irrigation lines. I have faith that the final result is going to be nice. And, as much as I don't like these changes, seeing all the time and expense being invested in the Fort bodes well for the future.

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

There were crews of workers installing new roofs on the Meadows Trading Post and the 900/1000 comfort station last week:

I don't know if you can make it out in the photo, but instead of using tar paper as the base of the roof, which is what I commonly see in Florida, the bottom layer of the roof is copper sheeting. This has to be a big expense for Disney- another good sign that the Fort will be around for a long, long, time.

TCD

 

[beccaewert]

is all the changes necessary? Just curious if it was to "fix" or just make it easier to see? I mean a simple sign would let them know a comfort station was there...

I hate to see stuff (trees) disappear!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

is all the changes necessary? Just curious if it was to "fix" or just make it easier to see? I mean a simple sign would let them know a comfort station was there...

I hate to see stuff (trees) disappear!

I don't like seeing the brush go, either, but the stuff that they have been removing is non-native, nuisance vegetation. They are leaving the large trees, but they are trimming those back too. I posted this flyer that I received back in November, 2007 on another trip report thread, but it kind of explains where management is going with all of this:

So, some day, this is all going to look better than what was removed. For now, though, it makes things too open and bare.

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

For Clkelley and the other tear-drop fans out there- here is an interesting set-up on the 1500 loop. There is a custom tent attached to the trailer that provides a neat extra space:

TCD

 

[Colson39]

Woohoo, love the new report, looking forward to more!

 

[PanFanAL]

WOW! That must be a heavy teardrop to need an Excursion as a TV. I jest, but anyway, your TR is awesome. I loved the last one, and I am enjoying this one as well.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Wait, there's more!

Beginning this month, the traditional movie calendar (which has been just a monthly calendar printed on the back of the resort map) has been replaced by a new publication that includes all of the recreational activities available at the Fort. The other WDW resorts have similar publications. I found the sheet to be a little difficult to use at first, but I think I like how this one document lists all of the recreational choices. The original is on 8 1/2" by 11" glossy paper. Hopefully this isn't reduced too much for you all to read:

Also, take note of the "fancy" names that some of the old favorites now have. E.g. dodge ball is now called "Chip N' Dale's Acorn Toss." Someone is getting a little carried away in the creativity department, don't you think?

TCD

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Wow...I really like the movie/activities schedule. I wish we could get ahold of that on a regular basis to post here in a sticky. I call the bike barn and they are usually nice enough to email me the movie schedule if I cant find it already posted on other sites...but I wouldnt even have the nerve to ask them to type up all the activities. I wonder if we could talk MsSundee into posting a scan of that here for us once a month. We would need someone with HIGHLY INFLUENCUAL FRIENDS AT THE FORT to ask her to do this...hmmmm...I wonder who might have friends like that.

 

[RvUsa]

Rog, I thought I "heard" on here that she transferred somewhere else?

TCD I am going to take up a collection to send you to the fort every 6 weeks, just so we can all read your reports, you are the ABSOLUTE BEST!!!

Keep it up.

 

[stacktester]

Wow...I really like the movie/activities schedule. I wish we could get ahold of that on a regular basis to post here in a sticky. I call the bike barn and they are usually nice enough to email me the movie schedule if I cant find it already posted on other sites...but I wouldnt even have the nerve to ask them to type up all the activities. I wonder if we could talk MsSundee into posting a scan of that here for us once a month. We would need someone with HIGHLY INFLUENCUAL FRIENDS AT THE FORT to ask her to do this...hmmmm...I wonder who might have friends like that.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm, without his posse I wonder just how powerful he'll be on future visits.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Rog, I thought I "heard" on here that she transferred somewhere else?

TCD I am going to take up a collection to send you to the fort every 6 weeks, just so we can all read your reports, you are the ABSOLUTE BEST!!!

Keep it up.

No way???? Was she????? I missed that post. I was looking forward to introducing myself to her this trip....dagnabbit!!!!

I guess I'll have to use my own lack of charm to intimidate, er, I mean sweet talk someone at the fort to consider doing this for us....unless anyone else here has any connections in this area.

 

[the5coops]

For Clkelley and the other tear-drop fans out there- here is an interesting set-up on the 1500 loop. There is a custom tent attached to the trailer that provides a neat extra space:

TCD

I took a picture of this too to post! I was so excited I made DH turn the golf cart around and we drove the wrong way in the loop to get the picture. Now if I only knew how to get the pics off my camera!

They were repairing the roof on the Meadows on Thursday.

Edited: Oops you mentioned the Meadows in a later post.

Shelley

 

[HappyCamper87]

Thanks for the Fort Update!