Thanksgiving 2006

[Tri-circle-D]

Just back from a week at the Fort.

We had some very cool evenings- low 40's several nights. No rain, though, so overall the weather was pretty good.

Here are some things that we picked up at the Fort:

This is a letter that was at the Bike Barn, and in the Trading Posts (I hope you can read it):

We checked in on Saturday 11/18, so we did not get to see the parade.

We did get to do the Scavenger Hunt.

Here is the hand-out for the Scavenger Hunt:

We completed this succesfully, and brought our sheet up to the front desk, where we were presented with this certificate:

My DD also got another certificate, making her a FW deputy, complete with a gold star badge!

The first document above mentioned a special campfire on Sunday night. We stopped by to check that out. There was a special FW birthday song, and they had tables set up in front of the movie screen with all of the fixings for free Smore's! You heard that right-free! The campfire was not very busy that night, because it was cold, and because the movie was Bedknobs and Broomsticks (which apparently was released in 1971-the same year FW opened). We sure enjoyed the free smores (LOL-I think a Smore kit is less than $2.00, but we sure enjoyed the free ones a lot more).

The last thing I have to share is a special list of the Thanksgiving activities:

The campground was pretty much full all week, and the crowds in the parks were unbelievable-the busiest I have ever seen, but it was always nice and peaceful in the Fort. It was a great week.

The folks in site 301 put up their decorations throughout the week- their site is looking good. There was also a huge display on the 1600 loop. Even bigger than 301's. Not sure how long those folks are going to be there, but I would say that they had 301 beat-if you can imagine that.

TCD

 

[Colson39]

We just returned this morning from the same Thanksgiving week, I'll post some pictures in this thread tonight.

I wasn't as impressed with 301 this time, I don't know, it felt more forced than normal, like I didn't get the "wow" factor. Just basically how many blow up characters can we put out. I really enjoyed the 1600 one, it was great.

We had our white light mickey mouse ears hanging up from the tree, so if you drove by that was us!

It was definitely cold, Tuesday/Wednesday nights were the real killers it dipped down into the low 40's, and I believe probably the high 30's on one of them. I actually noticed that they still had the signs up for the fire ban in place, but on those cold nights, the rangers didn't say anything because it was just way too cold outside.

The crowds were definitely huge, but I think we did it right, we went to Animal Kingdom on Thursday (which wasn't that bad), Epcot on Friday (which one against, wasn't too bad). Fiancee and my mom went to Magic Kingdom on Saturday and left after an hour and a half because they said it was ridiculously packed (2 hour wait for Mansion and Pirates). We all went back on Sunday and it was really nice, longest we waited was 20 minutes for anything.

As I said, I'll post some pictures later tonight!

We had wanted to go to the Arts and Crafts festival on Thanksgiving Day, but got sidetracked and were never able to make it, mom was really looking forward to it.

 

[auntie]

Sounds like a good time. I never realized that Thanksgiving was such a popular time to be at Disney.

 

[mash]

We were at the Fort for Thanksgiving Tuesday through Sunday. I have to say that I was very disappointed with the lack of decorating from Disney compared to years past. There was only a tree at the Settlment area with the lighted garland at Pioneer Hall. Compared to previous years this is definitely a downgrade.

On the positive side - we had a great time at the campground. Our boys played football in one of the group activities and the Disney castmembers did a great job of organizing it.

The parks were very full. We did the extra magic hour evening at EPCOT Friday night and it was terrific. I thought it would be very crowded but in fact it was the opposite. The World Showcase was practically empty. We also got to ride Test Track and Soarin with a less than 20 minute wait time. Great night!

 

[auntie]

Are you referring to Christmas decorations.....being that it was only Thanksgiving perhaps they don't decorate as of yet?...Haven't been there during the holiday season, how do they decorate FW...and is it decorated by this time normally?

 

[mash]

In the past the decorations included lighted garland on all the stores, the entrance sign and every light post plus a lighted Christmas tree at the Campfire program. They stopped putting the lighted garland on the light posts a few years back. Every other resort we visited was completely decked out so it seems like they are just not doing as much at Ft. Wilderness this year.

 

[Colson39]

Hmm, strange, even though it wasn't totally covered in Christmas decorations, I still definitely felt in the Christmas spirit, it seemed like there was Christmas stuff everywhere! Plus the cold weather helped

 

[luke6417]

I noticed fewer decorations this trip as well. I couln't put my finger on specific things, but it seemed that there were definately fewer decorations this year. I also didn't care for the placement of the Christmas tree in the Magic Kingdom. I liked it better on Mainstreet by the train station. They also changed some of the Candlelight Music just a little. I only noticed it because I sang in it four times. I'm not saying that the changes were good or bad, just different.

 

[surferrat]

Also back from Turkey weekend at the Fort. We were at loop 1900 and had a great 5 day stay.

The crowds were definetly huge this year. It seems as if each Thanksgiving the crowds get bigger and bigger. Having the Fast Pass helped out big time!

Traffic going there was not bad as we took 417. The traffic back was also fine thanks to 417.

The weather was nice and cool, a few nights colder than others but all in all it was a great trip.

We booked out January trip and March trip and made sure our reservations for next Thanksgiving was in place.

Animal Kingdom was a crazy packed, so we did not get to do Everest this time, but no biggie we will catch it in January.

I was highly disappointed in the Pirates changes. For all the hype, it was very disappointing and I think they could have done a better job.

Jungle Cruise was also bad. The past few trips the cast members have done a poor job and you end up wondering if jumping in the water would make things better.

The Nemo and Friends ride was awesome! That is a must see!

And I think we soent way too much on X-MAS shopping also..lol...

time to save for the next upcoming trips!

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

I also didn't care for the placement of the Christmas tree in the Magic Kingdom. I liked it better on Mainstreet by the train station.

I believe it is only at it's current location for a little while. After they film the Christmas Parade for TV they should move it back to main street.