Thanks, Frank, for guilting me into this report :)

[jebiford29]

So, Frank (Born 2 Fish) has guilted me into writing a trip report from LAST NOVEMBER. You all were more than helpful in my planning and I have neglected to pay it back, so here goes with my Veteran's Day 2010 Trip report. In reality, I'm happy to do it and more happy to relive my first camping experience at the Fort.

The cast:

me. I'm Jeb. I'm a 30 year old father of 3 crazy children. I work in Property Management and am a bonafide Disney fanatic.

wife: TB. She's my rock and an AWESOME mom. She's 'ok' with Disney, but has to yang my yinned fanaticism of Disney.

DS(6): We'll call him Ferb. He's a gregarious, outgoing, gifted child and shares my love of all things Disney.

We left our younger two kids (Princess Belle and Pigpen) at the ponderosa this go 'round. I had recently acquired a 1970 Coleman Pop-Up in pretty great condition for FREE, so what better place to break it in than the Fort? I've stayed at the cabins in the past, but never the campsites. So, how would it all go?

Enough introductions. Let me upload some pics to photobucket and we'll get this party started. Bare with me, though. My memory may be a little fuzzy since I'm just now getting around to writing this report. Hope to see y'all shortly.

 

[jebiford29]

I was quite excited about this trip for a few reasons, mostly having to do with spending quality one-on-one time with my wife and oldest son (we have 3 kids and this was a ‘special’ mommy-daddy-Ferb trip). Secretly, though, I was REALLY excited to get back to the fort for the first time since 1994 and camp there for the first time ever.

So, Wednesday night, I packed the pop-up and my truck and then tried to sleep (Christmas Eve Syndrome and all…). The next morning, we got the younger two kids to their preschool and headed out. We had an uneventful trip down and made it to the FORT around 12pm.

We drove to the check-in line and were told that our site was not ready. No worries. We were HERE!

I gave them my cell number and we promptly parked the truck/pop up and headed to the Tri Circle D ranch for some pony riding.

Funny story—the mule or whatever it was BIT my wife. Ha! Ahem, I mean I’m glad she wasn’t hurt!! Just after the ride, I got a text that our site was ready. We headed back up to the check in area and got our site assignment—2030. Not bad, but I was hoping for something in the 1500 loop. Turned out great. This was a great location. Not far from the comfort station, but not TOO close to hear folks going in and out of it all through the night. We set up camp and headed over to EPCOT for the afternoon/evening.

 

[MoDisneyCamper]

Yay! Frank's guilt is contagious

 

[jebiford29]

We snacked around the world. It was, afterall the food and wine festival. OMG we should have made this dinner, but we promised Ferb dinner in France. Our ressies were around 6pm (best I can remember). Our waiter, Cassinovo (yep), was prompt, attentive, and taught Ferb how to say ‘thank you’ and ‘where is the bathroom?’ in French, lol. We were all beat, so we didn’t stick around for Illuminations (besides, we saw it back in May 2010).

On our way back to the campsite, we made a last second decision to eat at Trails End for breakfast. I checked and, sure enough, they had the 7:30 reservation we needed. Tomorrow, after all, we were on an intergalactic mission to save the Universe.

 

[jebiford29]

Friday, November 12
My alarm must have been broken, since it went off WAY too early. I slowly plodded over to the comfort station with Ferb to get ready for the day. On the way, I saw lots of these guys around

**side bar** these are, by far, the nicest comfort stations I’ve ever been in. I live in Florida and all our state parks have nice CS at the campgrounds (well, for the most part), but this was just, well, Disney. **end side bar** We made our way over to Trails End and had probably the best breakfast buffet on Disney property. It truly is a hidden gem of the entire resort in my opinion.

After gorging ourselves on too much Mickey Waffles and biscuits and gravy, we headed over to Hollywood Studios to partake in the Jedi Training Academy. We were forewarned about the ‘dash’ that happens at park opening, but we weren’t prepared. Wife and Ferb literally had to run to keep up with the mob heading to check in while I peacefully raced over to Toy Story Mania to pick up fastpasses. We got Ferb into the 11:00ish show. While we waited, we headed over to and rode the Tower of Terror.

I know you can’t see it in the photo I took of the on ride photo (I'm on the bottom right in the bright red shirt with my hand over his face...huh?), but Ferb was TERRIFIED.

However, if you’ll notice in this picture, he didn’t mind us buying a him a t-shirt to commemorate the horrific experience.

In his words “I can’t BELIEVE you let your son ride this ride.”

We still had time to kill, so we rode Toy Story Mania (I won…I always do, lol). It was finally time for Ferb to learn how to use the force.

With the universe safely in check, it was NAP TIME!!!! We went back to the pop up and slept like rocks until about 3pm. For the night, we had plans of a drive in theater and some Christmas lights.

After our much needed nap, we went back to Hollywood Studios. We’ve never eaten at the Sci Fi Drive In and, despite it’s less than stellar reviews, we dined there for an early (5pm ish) dinner. I remember having the reuben, but I REALLY remember Ferb loving the campy old flicks shown on the big screen.

After dinner it was time for the Osborne Family Lights. If you’ve never done this, YOU HAVE TO. It.Is.Amazing. I took around 300 photos of the lights (I will not bore you with them) but here are a couple. You can see in one of them that Ferb was so tired and ready to go to sleep (not).

 

[jebiford29]

Departure Day

WAY too short, but what can you do? We packed the campsite, left the pop-up in the overflow parking area, and headed to the Polynesian. We ate breakfast at Ohana and headed to the Magic Kingdom so Ferb could ride Pirates of the Caribbean before we left.

After all that fun, we headed back to the Fort one last time, hooked up, and rode off into the sunset.

A couple of things I want to make sure and do next time:
1. Go longer!!! I definitely want a day just to explore the Fort. Due to our extremely short itinerary, we didn’t have time for this.
2. Fish! I love to fish (and brought my gear this time), but again, had no time to fish.
3. Catch the campfire singalong. We heard it both nights we were there, but for whatever reason (exhaustion!) didn’t make it.

Hope y’all enjoyed reading as much as I did living it and writing about it. Next time, I'll do it closer to the trip so I can get more in depth with the details and make this sucker into a 16 chapter novel!! If you have any questions, let me know. Go Noles.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

A very way cool report !
Sounds like ya'll had'a awsome time. And great pics too !
Sorry Ferb found out how the Tower of Terror got it's name (my favorite ride). But I gotta say that pic of Ferb with Mickey is one of the best,
Thanks for posting your adventures,,our universe is safe once more





man I love read'n trip reports !!

 

[cruising spud]

I noticed the cute Mickey faces you had in front of your camper. If I may ask-did you make them or buy them somewhere (if yes, may I ask, where)?

Looks like you had a great time. Tell Ferb that he is one up on me. I have nver been on the Tower of Terror.

 

[2goofycampers]

Another great TR.

My favorite pic is Ferb in front of the Castle. Is it me or is he tall for 6 ?

 

[rapriebe]

Great trip report. Thanks for writing one, always enjoy reading them. Sounds like you guys got alot done in a short trip. Hopefully next time, you can relax some and enjoy the fort.

 

[proudmomof4]

Thanks for sharing your time at the Fort with all of us.

And let's hope for a great year for FSU, GO NOLES!!!

 

[mash]

Yippee!!! Another trip report. I am so excited that so many new trip reports are being posted. Thank you so much for posting yours and to anyone who may be thinking about posting one...DO IT!

What a great idea to take just one of your children on a special trip to the Fort. I think it's so important to spend quality one-on-one time with each child if it's possible. And, what better way to do it at the Fort!

My husband will be taking our youngest child to the Fort next week for four nights. Our older child is on a big trip with his grandparents so this is our special treat for the younger child. They'll have the first two nights without me and then I'll join them for the last two. We've been fortunate enough to give each child a couple of nights at the Fort with just dad and they have both loved it.

I love all the pictures. You've given me some good ideas about things to try on our next trip that we haven't done in the 12 years we've been camping there. Mostly, going to the Polynesian for breakfast. I've heard for years about the Tonga Toast and I'm thinking this trip may be the time to try it!

You did a great trip report and I'm looking forward to reading your future trip reports. Thanks for helping to re-build this great camping forum!

 

[FansoftheMouse]

Great trip report. Thanks so much for sharing. Love the pic of Ferb with Mickey.

 

[FansoftheMouse]

Forgot to ask......
What was the check in all about for the Star Wars experience? We saw a ginormous line for it two years ago, but were told we had a "snowballs chance in Florida" to get in. (Seriously, that's what the guy in line told us.)

 

[Nature Mom]

Great trip report! We were in the 2000 loop last time too, and we loved it too, although next time I am going to take other's advice and find a site I like and ask them to change it...we were much too close to the CS & bus stop. Next time I want more interior of that loop, and it would be perfect.

I never made a trip report either. I got too busy when got home, had a family issue and then when I finally could do one, months had passed and I thought no one would be interested. You inspired me ...I'm going to go work on one now.

 

[mikmouse]

What a wonderful trip report

I especially love the pictures. Very interesting read as well.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[bama_ed]

Great trip report.

Thanks for taking your son camping at the Fort. My kids have wonderful memories of our trips there and I'm sure he will keep those memories as he grows older.

<in a conspiratorial low whisper>

Now on your next trip leave about half your days just to lag around the Fort. We spend more days at the Fort per trip now and fewer and fewer days in the parks.....

Bama ED

 

[jebiford29]

I noticed the cute Mickey faces you had in front of your camper. If I may ask-did you make them or buy them somewhere (if yes, may I ask, where)?

Looks like you had a great time. Tell Ferb that he is one up on me. I have nver been on the Tower of Terror.

I made those with some rope lights, one way fasteners, and wire wreaths. Someone on this board has really simple, easy to follow instructions on how to make them. It took about 30minutes each to make and cost about $15 for each. They look really cool at night. There's a thread on here somewhere. Just do a quick search for 'mickey head rope light' and I'll bet you find it.

And bama Ed, that's totally my plan next time we go. Spend WAY more time at the Fort!!!

 

[jebiford29]

Forgot to ask......
What was the check in all about for the Star Wars experience? We saw a ginormous line for it two years ago, but were told we had a "snowballs chance in Florida" to get in. (Seriously, that's what the guy in line told us.)

In a word: crazy. When they'd let you past the gates for the opening show, make your way down Hollywood Blvd and get as far front and left as you can. When they lower the ropes, there are 3 massive crowds; 1 going to Toy Story Mania, 1 going to TOT and rockin roller coaster, and the other one to the JTA. TB said she and Ferber literally sprinted when people started passing her (she was told ahead of time by the CM no one would run...yeah right). If you get there at rope drop, you'll probably get into a show. Word of advice though. Don't do it on a morning extra magic day. They don't start taking wannabe padawans until 9am so the line gets way longer way faster (since gates open at 8am). Try for it on a regular 9:00 open day.

 

[FansoftheMouse]

Ugh! We will have to try that this time. They boys are HUGE Star Wars fans. I'm not sure we will ever make rope drop though. Looks like ugly long lines for us.