The open October 2015 pre-trip report

[jbrostek]

I paid 2.199 for Diesel this weekend out near Winchester. 100 bucks was worth 45 gallons. I just hope the trend can stay because it will only cost me 400-500 for fuel in February vs. the 700-800 I was budgeting when it was closer to 4 bucks a gallon.

I am jealous you all get to go now, but I am looking forward to February and then again in August 2016.

 

[tiggerdad]

No kidding jbrostek, I'm hoping it will trend down a little bit more before I fill up with the 90 gallons. That should be enough fuel to get me all the way from Mississippi to The Fort. This trip will be cheaper than last November's trip in regards to fuel for us as well, so it is a welcome site for me.

Off and on rain today, so no camper cleaning. Did get the interior decorations up though. This is my wife's touch...



Mickey counter says 11 days...

 

[Yellowstonetim]

Check in tomorrow morning for our first stay. It will be 10 nights so we will be in the October and September threads. We are in Titusville with family prior. Looking good. I hope the site will have room for our rig... a 14' Jayco TT. Can't wait!

 

[lindsey]

Leaving Wednesday, night in Savannah KOA cabin, then on to Fort Wilderness on Thursday! We are staying 14 nights. This is the longest we have ever camped, so it's going to be interesting! Everything to go in back of truck is sitting in the screened in back porch (it's been raining for four days).

 

[tiggerdad]

Yellowstonetim and Lindsey, will see you guys there. At least i think. Tim, what date do you leave? We have a down day on the 9th when we arrive so we'll need to get together and shake a hand.

 

[jbrostek]

Tigger - I hear you. For me my fuel budget is around 175-200 gallons for the round trip. That all depends on head winds, weather, idle time at the rest stops. I expect them to start to move up during heating season, but one can be hopeful that is only 10-20c a gallon max.

 

[knitngurl]

4 days until we leave and nobody in my house but me is packed. Since everyone else here is over the age of 12 (and only one of them is still legally a minor) I just gave them a list of suggestions and told them they need to be packed by tonight since we are super bust with school and work stuff the rest of the week.

 

[FortWildernessCamper]

ATTENTION: Sadly we have to cancel our October trip to the Fort. Want you all here to be the first to know that I will be calling and cancelling our October reservation of October 11th thru October 23rd on Thursday Oct 1st in the am. It is for a full hook up site.

 

[PaHunter]

Sadly diesel up here is still at $2.70 a gallon, of course over 50 cents is state tax. Love seeing everyone getting ready, wish we were headed down. Maybe sometime in the future for the holidays, for now just dreams.
Snowmedic, you may need a boat to get down and thru the Mid Atlantic. Maybe the storm will go to sea. Everyone be safe and well try to stay dry or dry out if you are water logged.

 

[sirenia88]

Bummer FortWilderness camper. Sorry to read such bad news. I hope everything returns to normal and works out in the end.

 

[sirenia88]

No kidding jbrostek, I'm hoping it will trend down a little bit more before I fill up with the 90 gallons. That should be enough fuel to get me all the way from Mississippi to The Fort. This trip will be cheaper than last November's trip in regards to fuel for us as well, so it is a welcome site for me.
Mickey counter says 11 days...

I take it you got the auxillary tank for the short bed. That 26 gal tank does not do the diesel justice in the Super Duty.

Tigger - I hear you. For me my fuel budget is around 175-200 gallons for the round trip. That all depends on head winds, weather, idle time at the rest stops. I expect them to start to move up during heating season, but one can be hopeful that is only 10-20c a gallon max.

I am not too far behind. I think I will be around 270 gallons myself for this up coming trip. I didn't write down the fuel load from last year. However, a rough estimate is right around 270 gallons with a fuel budget at 2.25/gal (Gas) The first time I went to the Fort, my F150 got 8 MPG. Fuel cost was about $1000! In 2014, it was $0. How? Well I drove my parents down to the Fort. They picked up the gas tab. It was a nice treat. However, I think it was around $800 round trip. During the route planning, I roughed out the fuel bill. I should be around $500! I can deal with that. My F250 usually averages around 9.5-10 with the trailer depending on speed and winds.

Sadly diesel up here is still at $2.70 a gallon, of course over 50 cents is state tax. Love seeing everyone getting ready, wish we were headed down. Maybe sometime in the future for the holidays, for now just dreams.
Snowmedic, you may need a boat to get down and thru the Mid Atlantic. Maybe the storm will go to sea. Everyone be safe and well try to stay dry or dry out if you are water logged.

At least you are not NY or CT, the prices are even higher for diesel and even gas. I hate filling up at those prices especially when I filled up in Jersey for less with someone to pump it for you. BTW, I got my boat ready too.

 

[benjyt]

OK, we've got a working plan. I love a "working" plan - makes you feel like you're prepared, but deep inside you know that you could throw it all out if you wanted to...

Arrive in LBV this Friday at about midnight. Staying at Courtyard LBV in Marriott Village. DD has to have first floor room. She's picked up a phobia of elevators. Not sure why - but no elevators at the Fort!

On Saturday, head to FW at 10 am or so. I've been told that it will be packed and busy, so don't expect an early site. While we wait for Florida Camper Rental to set up our RV, we'll get our golf cart, maybe take the boat to WL for lunch at Roaring Forks, cruise the Fort, etc. After the rig is set up, we'll go out for groceries and either make an easy dinner at the site or find something quick at the resort. Easy night.

Sunday is Epcot day. My favorite - kids, not so much. I guess we'll get that one out of the way... One day, they'll cry when the Voices of Liberty sing, too.

Monday is Typhoon Lagoon, our first ever WDW water park adventure. We're all excited - hope it's not too crowded. We're thinking we'll be done in time to make DHS by 4 pm or so. (Any advice/insight on that is appreciated!) Just a few experiences at DHS, mostly Fantasmic!

We're doing MNSSHP on Tuesday night. Not sure about the day - may go to MK and make a full day of it (with afternoon break). DD has a school friend going to MK that day. Or, we may just sleep late, enjoy the FW pool and other stuff, and head over at 4 pm. It'll be a long, fun night!

Wednesday looks like our day off, enjoying FW and maybe other resorts. Another family staying at ASMu is planning to visit us at the Fort, so we may cook out and go to Campfire/Singalong/Movie.

We're reserving Thursday and Friday. One of those will certainly be AK, the kids' second favorite behind MK. The other day may be the park everyone would like to visit one more time. (I'm hoping for Epcot...)

On Saturday, we'll make the relatively short but sad trip home to Statesboro.

All in all, it sounds like a great week. I'm trying to clear out enough at work to cut down on the worry/guilt of being away, and think I'll be successful. It's been a trying year for us - the passing of my Mom, the frightening car accident for my DW and kids - we need some fun, relaxation, and Disney Magic. (Not the cruise ship - just the ordinary magic.)

Thanks for letting me join in the fun on this thread. I hope to see some of you there!

 

[jbrostek]

PAHunter - Prices are great, search gas buddy and knowing your range you can pick where to fill and save some money. Since I can carry up to 90 gallons between the truck and extra 45 gallon tank I can skip over the expensive states like NC. Usually I fill up in VA, top up in SC or GA, and do the same on the way back. And when you are talking 60-70 gallons per fill savings of 15-25c a gallon adds up fast.

 

[tiggerdad]

Today should be a holiday! According to my Disney countdown...

IT'S SINGLE DIGIT DAY!



Got some projects done today. During my walk through on the camper I noticed that when the camper was unplugged the lights wouldn't work. Inspection of the battery revealed it was nearly out of water. Added some distilled water and plugged it back up. Will check it again tomorrow and see if that fixes the problem.

I spoke to Kelley at Tee Times Golfcart Rental this morning and made some changes to my reservation. I had originally booked for the 10-17 since I wasn't sure about arrival day and being able to meet up but right now we look pretty solid to leave soon enough that I should be in Wildwood around 2-3am and be able to stop and nap and finish the trip on down to the Fort around 8-9am. This will let me be able to go ahead and round up the cart on arrival day, which will work out better since it is a down day and will not interfere with visiting the parks.

I got the roof and half of the outside done today and will finish the other half tomorrow. I also cleaned the awning. Not sure how you guys do it, but I have found that a bleach/water mix sprayed on both sides of the awning then rolling it up for about an hour and hosing it off seems to work really well.



Also started dragging out some of the decorations



We picked both of these up at discounted prices from what was on the box last October. I think we got them for like 70% off of the printed price. I got three inflatables for this trip. When I get them out I'll post some pics.
More to come...

 

[snowmedic]

Has been raining all day today with a high of 54, got soaked, hopefully don't end up catching a cold before our trip. Kids school work is all done to they wont have to worry about any while at the Fort. I have 2 1/2 days left at work to get lose ends tied up before we head out.

Snowmedic, you may need a boat to get down and thru the Mid Atlantic.

I was looking at the track of the storm last night. Thinking it would be best to head west from NYC for a bit then drop down. Sent Sirenia88 a message and he told me of some routes to take. I will check on the weather track Sunday morning when we head out for the best possible route.

DD 17 doesn't work Sunday or Monday so we will be leaving early Sunday morning and.........checking into the Fort Monday morning. So reservation dates are now Oct. 5 - 17

 

[tiggerdad]

Way to go Vince! Looks like you will be able to sit back and drink a beer while you watch me backing in.

 

[tinman694]

Sunny at the Fort Now (in the 400 Loop At Least) with partly cloudy skies. It is a bit humid in the Mid 80's after all of the moisture yesterday...

Diesel is 2.19/9 at the Speedway at world center (535) if you are making a run to the Wal Mart

 

[sirenia88]

the excitement builds...

Way to go Snow medic. I will be moving equipment on Monday. Looking forward to what should be a quiet round up Tuesday.

 

[benjyt]

Tomorrow, I'll be humming "Just One More Sleep til WDW..."

http://christmas-specials.wikia.com/wiki/One_More_Sleep_'til_Christmas

 

[SouthAlabama5er]

Not sure how you guys do it, but I have found that a bleach/water mix sprayed on both sides of the awning then rolling it up for about an hour and hosing it off seems to work really well.

I am going to have to try this, my awning is need of some TLC.

I really enjoy these pretrips, I'll be glad when it's our turn in February!