Trails End

[WannaBeImagineer]

I noticed the same thing at Blizzard Beach this weekend, one person even had a full size rolling cooler, I'm not sure how he got in with that one.

 

[SunshineCamper]

Yep! You can bring coolers into the water parks. They check them to make sure you don't have any beer. otherwise whatever you want to bring in is ok.
Hey-free parking and bringing in coolers-we're happy with that. We have the after 2p annual passes and it works out great for us. We only use the passes in the summer and september but for $60 for an adult and $48 for a child it's so affordable. Not to mention the refillable mug and the cooler. The water parks are a great deal especially when it's hot at the theme parks.

 

[WannaBeImagineer]

Thanks, I had no idea, for some reason I thought you could only bring in the smaller hand held coolers, I'll defintely remember that next time.

 

[YellowXterra]

I wish the Fort had a real counter service place like all the other resorts. We camp not to save money ( we could have stayed at the value resorts this trip for $100 less. Go figure) We camp because we like to and when on vacation I don't ask the wife to cook after all she wants a vacation to. So we usually go to one of the other resorts and eat.

 

[I'mDownWithDisney]

We usually skip TE and bike over to WL. I love the fresh made salads in RF.

We used to eat at TE a lot in the past. It just seems that the prices have gotten way too high for what you get. I even skipped it while on free dining. Whispering Canyon is much better to me.

I remember eating at TE as a kid. It seemed like they had much more variety back then. Dad and I would get up early nearly every morning and eat breakfast there. I still do one breakfast there each trip for old time's sake.

 

[liv luvs disney]

One thing I noticedlast week was that a lot of people were bringing in snacks and food to the parks - it was very, very noticable. Prices have gotten way too high.

I noticed the same thing at Blizzard Beach this weekend, one person even had a full size rolling cooler, I'm not sure how he got in with that one.

Yep! You can bring coolers into the water parks. They check them to make sure you don't have any beer. otherwise whatever you want to bring in is ok.
Hey-free parking and bringing in coolers-we're happy with that. We have the after 2p annual passes and it works out great for us. We only use the passes in the summer and september but for $60 for an adult and $48 for a child it's so affordable. Not to mention the refillable mug and the cooler. The water parks are a great deal especially when it's hot at the theme parks.

Thanks, I had no idea, for some reason I thought you could only bring in the smaller hand held coolers, I'll defintely remember that next time.

At a local pool we are members of, prices for food and snacks had gotten to be outrageous so people were bringing in big coolers with food and drinks. The "powers that be" at the pool soon decided no more coolers! I hope Disney doesn't do that. You are allowed to bring in a container of water, but it has to be "shown" as you check in to make sure it is water.

We have season passes at Dollywood here in TN and you are NOT allowed to bring in coolers of any size there or Dollywood Splash Country (her waterpark).

 

[a1tinkfans]

Bama ED,

Your bill for your family of 5 is : (with 18% tip)

Breakfast = $106.15 (including tip)
Lunch= $112.05 (including tip)
Dinner= $147.45 (including tip)

total for 1 day = $365.65

Please pay your server prior to leaving!!!!!

That is one Expensive Buffet Day!!.......

We're on FREE DINE and I have an ADR/dinner there as we thought we'd try it (we usually do not do buffets) and wanted quick shot over to MK after eating....
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm I may re-think it....
is it the COST that has most of you up in arms or the TASTE or VARIETY ???

 

[auntie]

At a local pool we are members of, prices for food and snacks had gotten to be outrageous so people were bringing in big coolers with food and drinks. The "powers that be" at the pool soon decided no more coolers! I hope Disney doesn't do that. You are allowed to bring in a container of water, but it has to be "shown" as you check in to make sure it is water.

We have season passes at Dollywood here in TN and you are NOT allowed to bring in coolers of any size there or Dollywood Splash Country (her waterpark).

We used to have season passes for Great Escape, a Six Flags Park in the Adirondacks. We mostly had them because we enjoyed the water park..Splash Water Kingdom. We too used to bring our cooler. We would spend the entire day. We usually brought our breakfast..rolls/bagels that sort of thing, and sandwhiches for lunch. However, we would purchase drinks and snacks through out the day. THEN..they stopped letting folks in with coolers. Sited it as a security issue. BS...they just want you spending more money on food in the parks. We didn't have season passes after that, and in fact, we didn't even go again. Just wasn't worth the price of admission for us, since we aren't particulary "ride people" as much as we enjoyed the water park.

Good to know that Disney allows people to bring coolers in the their water parks. Who would have thought?..

 

[SunshineCamper]

I've seen small rolling coolers and large rolling coolers brought in. This was as of last september-school is out next week so we'll head out to the water parks in june to get our annual passes.

 

[liv luvs disney]

We used to have season passes for Great Escape, a Six Flags Park in the Adirondacks. We mostly had them because we enjoyed the water park..Splash Water Kingdom. We too used to bring our cooler. We would spend the entire day. We usually brought our breakfast..rolls/bagels that sort of thing, and sandwhiches for lunch. However, we would purchase drinks and snacks through out the day. THEN..they stopped letting folks in with coolers. Sited it as a security issue. BS...they just want you spending more money on food in the parks. We didn't have season passes after that, and in fact, we didn't even go again. Just wasn't worth the price of admission for us, since we aren't particulary "ride people" as much as we enjoyed the water park.

Good to know that Disney allows people to bring coolers in the their water parks. Who would have thought?..

We went several years without getting passes to Dollywood and Splash Country mainly because we were going to WDW and it was eating all of our "vacation" and "fun" money which the whole family was okay with. We did get passes this year because A)-DH works in Sevierville and he can get in free. Actually the whole family can get in free, but DH has to be with us. Well, hello, he works most of the time so that limited our time to zilch. However, becuase he works in one of the shows in the area, we got an outrageous deal on AP! If I remember correctly, we paid less than $60 for the kids and me. We bring a cooler in our van and trek out to the parking lot come lunch time. I brought $10 both times we went for a sweet snack for us to share. Every one was happy and I even brought change back!
Oh yeah I forgot about point B)-Because we are camping this year at WDW, we are saving a ton of money so that freed up some "vacation" and "fun" money allowing us to get the passes to begin with.

 

[lorac4disney]

That is disappointing about TE. I was going to eat there when we went, but I believe we will opt to drive into town instead. For that amount of money and type of food, surely we can find better for less.

We live on a budget. For us, it is a major splurge to spend that kind of money on a single meal. I spend less than that for steaks and ribs at TGIF.

I guess I wouldn't mind it if I was going to use the dining plan, but I can not justify paying adult price for my 11 yo daughter when she will NOT eat an adult portion nor from the adult menu.

I'm glad I knew about the price increase BEFORE I brought my family to TE. I'm glad I've given us a lot of non-park time. Now I will actually go to Joe's Crabshack and enjoy a seafood night instead of writing it off of my list simply because Fulton's is way too expensive to feed five of us.

 

[retired and happy]

Haven't eaten a TE, well maybe technically we have, but they stopped take out buffet a couple years ago. Never figured that one out. We occasionally get a pizza and salad to go, but that's about it. Mostly we either eat in a park before coming back to the Fort or cook out or in in our motorhome. Grill a steak or burger, nuke a few potatoes... We don't go to WDW to dine, but we do eat to survive while we're there...

 

[bama_ed]

That is one Expensive Buffet Day!!.......

We're on FREE DINE and I have an ADR/dinner there as we thought we'd try it (we usually do not do buffets) and wanted quick shot over to MK after eating....
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm I may re-think it....
is it the COST that has most of you up in arms or the TASTE or VARIETY ???

I'd say it's the "Value" I get versus what I "Pay".

I don't mind paying $50-60 for Hoop Dee Doo Review every other trip or two because you get food, beer, entertainment, tax, tip, and dessert. But for what TE costs versus what I get, I don't perceive it as worth the cost. As a camper, I can easily eat a meal (and a damn good one!) at the trailer instead. I know they are catering to more people than just us FW folks at TE but then again, it's sorta "out of the way" and not on the main stream for WDW visitors. So I think the WL/FW mgt team should be attentive to the opinions of their campers particularly.

And my meals at the camper are delicious and damn cheap! Plus, styroforam plates and plastic k/f/s make clean up a breeze. And as FWguy would say (and Al and ad nauseum), there's a cooler full of "adult beverage" outside the front door.... of the camper, that is. Why head over to TE or Crocket's Tavern when I can BYOB and sit on the porch of Pioneer Hall/TE?

Bama ED

 

[Donna]

What i like about Trails End is the convenience. After a morning or late afternoon in the parks, you come off the boat and you smell the good food and it used to be nice to walk up and get a seat in there. sooooo convenient when you don't feel like going back and cooking. That's a little pricey now for that convenience. I will probably cave to the a/c and sweet tea at least once though. i still want to know what holiday is in june though.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

What i like about Trails End is the convenience. After a morning or late afternoon in the parks, you come off the boat and you smell the good food and it used to be nice to walk up and get a seat in there. sooooo convenient when you don't feel like going back and cooking. That's a little pricey now for that convenience. I will probably cave to the a/c and sweet tea at least once though. i still want to know what holiday is in june though.

COME ON....what holiday Flag Day....geezzzz

Well, I have been a big supporter of TE, BUT, the price has gone from $8.99 for breakfast to an unbelievable $13.99! That's criminal. They have taken food away as well. There is much less selection of fruit, the hash is gone and the omelet of the day is history. Shame on Disney. I'll boycott TE on my next trip in a few months.

I noticed the price jumped shortly after Allears wrote TE was the best kept secret at WDW. Hmmm, well not any more.

Alternatives will be
Good home cooked meal at the popup or
A a pleasant boat ride over to WL and breakfast or a nice bike ride over to WL for breakfast. Hey, whats wrong with this picture, campers heading over to a luxury resort for breakfast because the value resort is too expensive. Go figure.

 

[liv luvs disney]

What i like about Trails End is the convenience. After a morning or late afternoon in the parks, you come off the boat and you smell the good food and it used to be nice to walk up and get a seat in there. sooooo convenient when you don't feel like going back and cooking. That's a little pricey now for that convenience. I will probably cave to the a/c and sweet tea at least once though. i still want to know what holiday is in june though.

Did you say sweet tea? They have sweet tea? The only negative thing I could say about WDW from my previous trips was that I went days w/o sweet tea? Every restaurant I went to said, "there is no sweet tea on property." I am from the south and I have to have my sweet tea! That was like #1 on my list of pros for camping...I can make my sweet tea in the camper. Well I'll be!!

 

[datgrt@fw]

Did you say sweet tea? They have sweet tea? The only negative thing I could say about WDW from my previous trips was that I went days w/o sweet tea? Every restaurant I went to said, "there is no sweet tea on property." I am from the south and I have to have my sweet tea! That was like #1 on my list of pros for camping...I can make my sweet tea in the camper. Well I'll be!!

They do have 'Sweet Tea' and they serve it in Mason Jars! Believe me, it is delicious if you like sweet tea!

Doug / datgrt@fw

 

[liv luvs disney]

They do have 'Sweet Tea' and they serve it in Mason Jars! Believe me, it is delicious if you like sweet tea!

Doug / datgrt@fw

Sweet tea in mason jars. That's just how we drink it at our house. We like it sweeeet too! In fact, we prefer a little tea with our sugar to be honest with you.

 

[Donna]

Oh their sweet tea is second to none, good and cold and especially sweet! If Ken makes it, it's the best! When you're almost ready to leave, ask for a refill to go!

 

[liv luvs disney]

Oh their sweet tea is second to none, good and cold and especially sweet! If Ken makes it, it's the best! When you're almost ready to leave, ask for a refill to go!

Well, I had nixed my plans to eat there because of all the "bad press". I may reconsider. Reckon why other restaurants on the grounds don't serve sweet tea?