djsamuel

I hope sooner rather than later.   Thanks for the update!

Cabins, tiny homes, wilderness trailers, whatever you want to call them have been at the Fort for a long time...  The DVC cabins that Disney is putting in are basically the same thing that is there now.   I think this was a way for Disney to pay for replacements on someone else's nickel.  Plus, they have an opportunity to market to a different demographic.  On how successful they will be, is anyone's guess.  The cabins will still be available to the cash paying public as well as now being inside the "DVC bubble". 
The inside layout has changed a bit, but the number of beds still turn out to be the same. The outside aesthetics look different, however, when you boil it all down, they are still the same thing in terms of the product being offered.  I do think this new design looks somewhere between a park model trailer and a shipping container, but times change, and we all know how Disney's designers have gone off the "old school reservation" here lately in terms of theming...
I personally think this is a precursor to bringing back the Reflections property, and rolling it all into one... 
 

When we were last there in October it was a wooden Fort Wilderness sign.  It was actually pretty nice.

AGM have a different charging curve than your traditional wet cell lead acid battery so depending upon the age of the converter and coach alternator these might still need upgrading. There is no way to get an idea without the model number of the converter and year/model of the coach.

We heard a crew shortage.... better ask a bus driver.....

Like a lot of things at Disney, they themselves are some of the biggest rule breakers by looking the other way. If someone is breaking the rules using a Disney cart, Disney should impound the cart and they should forfeit their entire payment.  Same thing for other rule breakers, impound the devices until check out.

Unforunately, this is another example of a few spoiling it for many.  We spent four weeks at the Fort from early December to early January.  There were quite a few people; many of them too young for a drivers license, who were riding around in what would be better described as electric motorcycles.  The had wide tires, a motorcycle like frame, useless pedals, and were FAST.  They also had loud radios and many were being driven very recklessly.  The Fort Rangers were trying there best to pull them over and keep them under control.  I have to admit, those electric sooters weren't slow either.  My wife and I both said that someone was going to get hurt.  I wonder if something finally happened.

Unforunately, this is another example of a few spoiling it for many.  We spent four weeks at the Fort from early December to early January.  There were quite a few people; many of them too young for a drivers license, who were riding around in what would be better described as electric motorcycles.  The had wide tires, a motorcycle like frame, useless pedals, and were FAST.  They also had loud radios and many were being driven very recklessly.  The Fort Rangers were trying there best to pull them over and keep them under control.  I have to admit, those electric sooters weren't slow either.  My wife and I both said that someone was going to get hurt.  I wonder if something finally happened.

Still a great view out on the dock.

Up and running, thanks to Super Geek (Chris) for reworking the program.

Jen said to let y’all know Chris is Fixing the database for the app. It should be up and running correctly soon.

Hopefully the answer is not very long.

I retract my statement.  Those prices aren’t at the level I expected.  I’m going to see if Door Dash delivers to TN.   

I'm retiring in December after 41 years of civil service with the Navy.  I'll get a few certificates. I am getting a flag flown over our building, but my boss has to pay for that.  I didn't ask for one but she is insisting; which is nice of her to do.

I said all along that working for the Disney company is a love hate relationship. Loved the actual work but hated how day to day things were managed. For me it was an occasional and temporary escape from my actual profession for the first twelve years and then a retirement job for the last ten, I never had to climb the corporate ladder. And when they did offer me an interview for a full time position in the Ride & Show group, I declined because I knew I wouldn't last when it became real. 
Now after having received my Mickey gold watch from Disney and retaining all my benefits, I look back and feel good about my couple of decades as a CM, no regrets, I had a lot of fun. I'd still be a CM if I could.

How is that any different than a vast majority of CO-OP jobs at any college?   You get to work for slightly above minimum wage for College Credits and no other benefits and there is no guarantee that you will be hired after graduation.  I have a good friend who swears by the College Program and he "Loves DIS" for the doors that the program opened for him.  He is currently the Director of Ticket Operations for an NFL team.

I'm going to touch on a few topic that i've read in this multi page thread.
 
1. Is FF slowing down?  Answer yes, I think other social media consumes peoples free time online.  I think they get most of their breaking news / updates there and come here just to see if anyone they know has something going on.  I'm not a social media user I only use Discord and involved in several topic servers there.
2. There are no moose in Great Smokey Mountains National Park, they would be Elk very very big elk.
3. The cost, and frustration of going to DW or the Fort.  My wife, our son (now 6) and I have been going to the fort every fall (Mid Sept) for over 10 years.  Our first year going we made reservations about 8 weeks out and hand APs for the parks.  As they years went by and my son was born (Oct 1, 2014) we moved our trip to Late Oct - Early Nov so we could do the Halloween Party and Christmas Party.  By this time we had to book our site over a year in advance.  This is where frustration with Disney, and the booking systems started for me in 2014 or 2015.
We missed 2020 due to me coming down with Covid but had done a fly down trip and stayed in a resort.  Then another fly down trip in March 21 when we renewed our APs and they gave us a large discount on a room.
Our  trips into the parks where a huge letdown.  While the parks were open, and most attractions were open they Magic was gone.  Completely Gone.  We saw No cast members making magical moments by interaction with guests.  The parks were not clean (clean to Disney Standard).  We will be leaving on Sep 10th for a 3 week stay at the Fort, but this trip is a lets see how it goes trip for us.  The park reservation system is by far the worst thing that's been implemented.  We enjoy waking up and deciding where we want to go that day.  We never pre book Fast Passes, usually only pre book a few meals.  Disney has taking our laid back family vacation and put us on their schedule.

I am so looking forward to eating here.  This restaurant is a must do for my family.  Good hot and sour soup, the spicy honey crispy chicken ( Or honey sesame chicken if you are not into spicy) is so good I found a copycat recipe to make at home.  I still think it is better here, though ( because I don't have to cook it!).  
I am not a fan of any kind of chinese beef dish, so I've never tried them here.   I may get adventurous on my upcoming trip and try the crispy duck fried rice, but I have a hard time not eating my favorite dish that I only get once ever 5 years or so from here!

Nine Dragons Reopens

Blood suckers - this will be brutal for the average family for 4 - 
 

I imagine pricing will be determined in real time in the app using algorithms based on crowd size and location, date, time, and whether Chapek has met his quota triggering bonus and restricted stock grants.  

Oh and yes I will be doing this as a crazy Star Wars fan. 

we were told yesterday that the 2000 loop will be closing soon.  The 500 loop was just opened.  Across the property they are upgrading the electrical system and they've had some scheduled short power outages.  But the loops are remaining open during the power upgrades.

We stopped over there last night and 1500 was open.  They are doing work in some loops.  The 700 loop is now closed and they are replacing the timber that line the pads.  Also, in the 1900 loop (I believe) they are replacing an entire pad with new concrete.  That loop is open though.  They've done a lot of work as well lately installing 5G.