Roberta

Pop Century has a turkey now. She moved onto the property during hunting season last year. 

I forget her name, Matilda or Mildred or something like that. No fear of people at all. Just hangs outside the food court. 

Ewwww, of all the resorts to expand. I can't stand that place. 

3 hours ago, Retired and Happy (Ken) said:

Interesting stuff about the Inn&Out area.  When we get there we usually are in for the night, then stop at Arby's (our son's favorite place to eat) the next day for a brunch meal on the way north or south.  So we are not exposed to much of the area...except sometimes a stop at Wal Mart.  Inn&Out used to have a lot of "permanent guests", but they have gotten most of them out and somewhat upgraded the place.   At any rate it is a good place to get gas and propane enroute.

Yes, Inn & Out does have a lot of permanent residents. I've noticed lately, they have been cleaning that situation up quite a bit. I will never understand why they put them in the front. If they put the long term people in the back, over night guests would never see them. Even so, I drive through every once in awhile, and see the front from Dairy Queen parking lot and have noticed the changes.

Even so, it's never been Inn & Out that was the problem. They just happen to be situated right between two homeless camps (one building and one outdoors) and the sketchy Steak & Shake. The homeless camps have been cleared out now, and the one that was a building was torn down and a new business built there. All of this happened during 2016, so has not been a long term issue. And the building boom on 90 has really made things nicer. Our Walmart still looks like crap, and the opening of the dead end side road it was on has created quite a mess of traffic situations. Even as bad as it looks, no crime issues there.   

14 hours ago, twiceblessed....nacole said:

Good to know about that CB, we almost stayed there in November, but I decided that I wanted power, so we continued on to Casey Jones.  We typically stay at the CB in Gainesville and have never had an issue, but CB is not as well lit as a Walmart or truck stop...so I can see a definite value in those.

Honestly, the Cracker Barrel would be fine if they would close the Steak & Shake. That is the sketchiest place in that whole area of town. A lot of the employees are the problem. Two shootings there in a year, both involving employees. One domestic, one drug related. I have heard that they deal drugs out of there, and the shooting backs ups that rumor. Drugs are probably the only way it stays in business, honestly. I don't know a single person who would ever go there. 

With all the dozens of new restaurants that have come in 2016, along 90, and as many more under construction, I think Steak & Shake will eventually be a thing of the past, which will make things nice there. It's like an ugly mole on that entire end of town. 

5 hours ago, Retired and Happy (Ken) said:

Atlanta vs New England...as you probably know by now.  I would recommend the TV from home, connected to the Disney cable hookup. My luck would be to meet someone with an outdoor setup and it would RAIN that day.

 

BTW, we always stop in Lake City on our way to and from the Fort.  The Inn&Out RV "Resort" on highway 90.  Been doing that for years.

Yep, I found out last night. DH is now neutral. Really wish Steelers were in it, then won, and came to Disney World. My DH would be the happiest man alive to see the MVP there. We have a cable hook up in our Pop-up, and plenty of space for a 32" tv, so if it rains, will just watch it inside. 

We have a new Dairy Queen next to Inn & Out now. It's an okay place to stay overnight, but that little area of town has declined over the past year. Police are working hard to get it nicer again. What happened, is a business closed, and vagrants took over the empty building, just a block from there. Also, some anonymous town paid for bus tickets and food vouchers to send several bus loads of vagrants to our town last winter! Many set up a tent city in the woods on the opposite side of 90 and, needless to say, there was a big increase in drug traffic and crime in the immediate area.

They finally ran out the tent city. One of the larger local churches put a program in place to help those who are genuinely homeless, and want to get back on their feet. The ones who just wanted to stay street people have been run off, for the most part. There are still a few hanging around. The Inn & Out was actually robbed not too long ago, but they caught both guys the next day. 

The Steak & Shake, right next to the Cracker Barrel, has been the scene of TWO shootings in the past year. One was domestic, involving a Steak & Shake employee, and the other drug related, also involving a Steak & Shake employee. The Steak & Shake is just a very sketchy place all together. Steer clear of it. I went there once, before I knew better, ten years ago. They tried to convince me that our strawberry shakes were the orange cream that we ordered, despite being pink and having actual strawberry seeds in them .....

We do have a probably a dozen or more new places to eat in that stretch of 90 now. A HUGE amount of development has taken place and I hope to see Steak & Shake shut down for good. That place is the only source of any problems on this entire end of town. 

27 minutes ago, sherryberry said:

You're very sweet. We appreciate the invite. We're looking at getting a small TV for camping also. We will probably get a 24" or 32" for the tent. I told Kenneth that I really would rather not go to a bar or lounge because I'd rather just go to bed when the game is over. I'm not a football fan, but I'll be watching the game since our team is playing. And hopefully there will be some decent commercials. Go Falcons! Maybe we'll run into each other sometime during the week. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we can get into the 1700 loop.

Okay, well no problem. We will be bringing the tv anyway. We are trying for 1500 loop, unless there is a large group camping there. Have to send in my loop/site requests soon. 

Since your team is in, we will be rooting for you! Hopefully you get to run into the MVP while you are there, or some of the other players. 

In Lake City, never park at Cracker Barrel. Nothing but trouble over in that corner of town. Between the CB, the Steak n Shake and hotel across from it, there have been three major incidents in the last year. It "looks" like a nice shady place to park out of the way. Don't do it. 

Go down a few blocks and park at the Walmart, that is much less appealing, but a million times safer. 

We do have an a Inn & Out trailer park right off 75, the exit before Casey Jones, but I wouldn't stay there either. 

1 hour ago, sherryberry said:

We're in the same boat. When I made the reservations, I had no idea we were arriving on super bowl Sunday. And now, Atlanta is in it (we live in a metro Atlanta suburb), so Kenneth has to watch it! We talked about buying a tv for our tent, but we would only use it a couple times a year. And we also never got a tv for the tent, because we don't want to be tempted to stay in the tent watching tv the whole week. We still have time to decide about the tv and try to figure out the best place to go, to catch the game.

We will bringing a 32" flat screen. We have decided not to go to any bar due to the expense. If you like, you are welcome to come watch it with us. We were going to try to score an invite from from some other campers, but given we are just arriving Sunday, won't have much time to make friends. You are more than welcome to join us. I'm going to bake some pepperoni rolls for during the game. 

We are not big drinkers, but DH does like to drink some beer during football games. The only problem is that DH is a Steelers fan (WV native) and if they make it in our DH's will be rooting for opposite teams. This is absolutely no problem for us, DH is totally chill. If Steelers don't make it in, DH is neutral. 

Thanks for the suggestions. Making friends with other campers that have a set up sounds ideal! I hope that happens. 

I Googled about it and found out that Crockett's Tavern will be playing it. I pulled up their menu and saw lots of fancy drinks and wines on it, but did not list beer. Surely, a tavern must serve beer? Maybe the menu just assumes people will take that as a given. Could get expensive though. 

Maybe we will just come stocked with a good extra supply of beer to pitch in, in hopes that we find a group to join and watch. And I'll bake up a bunch of pepperoni rolls to share too. This would be much nicer for DH than sitting at our site with son and I who are not football fans. I suppose we will pack one of our large screens just in case we don't find a group for DH. I know this was sort of a joking answer, but seriously, I hope it happens. 

That option had not even occurred to me, so thanks for the suggestion. It sounds like the most inexpensive and most fun for DH, since I accidentally planned for him to be camping on the most important day of his sports year.  

Is there anywhere in the Fort that DH can go to watch the Super Bowl? I just realized it is on the evening of our arrival, and he is probably going to flip out when he realizes it. Our annual passes are only the weekday ones, so we can't go anywhere in the parks to watch. 

We have a cable hook-up in our camper, but usually only keep a little 5" screen DVD player combo in there. If there is no place he can watch it, do they have real cable at the Fort, or just Disney channels? We could always bring one of our larger flat screens. 

Thanks in advance. 

22 hours ago, BigTom said:

e Something else to think about, I was there when they had a fire call, some fool had dumped their burning charcoal in one of the trash drums and started a fire, the new trash cans shut and will smother out a fire. He claimed this was a common ocurance and maybe this is another safety measure. They had the loop closed and several  fire trucks were there.

  I always make fun of the signs on the dumpsters at FL state parks because they say not to do this. I never imagined that anyone would ever need a sign to understand what a bad idea that is. I suppose I was giving people too much credit. 

12 hours ago, ThemeParkCommando said:

As a dog trainer, I go to many dog events and public, dog friendly events here in the scorching Texas summer.  Most people who have service dogs and performance dogs are very aware of the impact of hot asphalt on their dogs feet.   They generally take paths where they will be in the shade, or the dog has a grassy area to walk in.   If the dog has to hit the hot pavement, the owner will generally go quickly to the next patch of shade, and will otherwise be considerate of their dog's needs.

The problem is, as the sun shifts, so does the shade. It's hard to tell if the pavement there is just as hot, even though it's currently in the shade. Also, dogs have a fur coat on year round, so it's a lot of time in the sun for them. They need to make ECVs with doggy sidecars with fans on them, to keep service dogs cool and off the pavement. 

Ours will more than likely go to Disney, even though it's a place she is really needed. I just see too many negatives, both for dog and handler. 

On 1/8/2017 at 4:15 PM, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

Disney supposedly allows service pets on attractions where they can safely ride. I always wondered what happened on attractions where that's not possible. Mystery solved. :)

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

I wondered about this as well. I have never seen a kennel at any ride. Even so, I would opt to take turns rather than using it.

I also wonder about having a service dog at that parks at all and what it would do to their paws to walk on asphalt all day long. In the summer, it seems like it would be downright animal cruelty. Even in cooler months, I would think the asphalt heats up from the sun and can't be good for them to walk on. And so many children at Disney that would want to pet the service dog. For a person with PTSD or anxiety issues, this could be a nightmare. The last thing those people want is other people noticing and approaching them. 

As much as the parks would be some of the top places certain kind of services from dogs are needed, I see so many issues with having them there. 

Does anyone here have a service dog? Take them to the parks? Any insight on the things I've mentioned? 

 

Maybe I should specify in my fax that, although I would prefer 1500, my first priority to be far away from any "group."

Second priority - in sight of comfort station

Third priority - privacy. 

I know I can't have everything. For our first time, just not being near a group would be good enough and we can work around everything else. 

Bear proof? At Fort Wilderness? 

I must be totally missing something. Fort Wilderness isn't exactly "wild" enough for bears. 

Maybe they are intended to be rat proof or something? I saw a HUGE rat - I'm not exaggerating, it was the size of a cat - at MK one night. I sat on a brick wall right outside of a store. There was a bunch of foliage behind the wall. A rat like I have never seen the likes of went running out and across the pavement to the next patch of bushes. 

I had the creeps and chills the rest of the night, especially considering the foliage had been touching my back. Getting creeped out thinking about it. 

15 hours ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

There is a group from a Clearwater school's All Pro Dads organization who have taken over the entire 1500 loop for the past 5 Presidents' Day weekends.  The Fort gives them the entire loop, and each site gets a golf cart.  They set up a communal dining area along the banks of the canal.  From all reports, they are a respectful group, but it's not great news for anyone hoping to camp on the 1500 loop that weekend, and no matter how respectful they are, that many kids on such a small loop are going to create some disruptions.

In the fall, there is a huge church group from Tampa who take over a full hookup loop or two on whatever October weekend the schools make a three day weekend.  Same deal- nice people- but not nice if you're not part of the group.

TCD

Thanks for the information, I will definitely take note. 

I have been feeling like I've been too needy with all the semi-paranoid questions I've been asking. I am very high anxiety over our first Fort trip in many years, with new family dynamics. 

All of your answers are making me feel much less silly. 

2 hours ago, Avatab.... Steve said:

There's another Church group that shows up every year on the 2000 loop in March I think, sets up loudspeakers playing music and announcements, creates a "mega-site" with all of their tables in one spot, places all their chairs, children and toys in the middle of the road (One year Disney worker bees were actually directing cars trying to get by to drive between trees to get out of the loop rather than disturb the party going on), and generally makes life miserable for the other people on that loop.

This is completely outrageous. If we ever got stuck in something like this, Disney WOULD be upgrading me to a different site or resort. 

It's appalling that this is a church group, showing and teaching their children such a total disrespect for others and their surroundings. 
 

1 hour ago, keith_h said:

My understanding of the group areas though is they don't have hookups and such to support RV's or other high utility users. If they were more like traditional loops with hookups and CS they would work better than the old scout style camping areas.

Exactly. They do need an RV group loop. By reading the replies here, even more desperately than I realized. 

6 hours ago, mouseketab.....Carol said:

6 days is a good amount of time for an outside vendor. It will definitely save you money over 4 days with Disney, probably break even with 3 days at Disney, but like we said, you will have to take time to go offsite, pick up the golf cart, then return it at the end of your trip.

One vendor in particular (TeeTime) will meet you right off property, allow you to use their trailer (and truck if needed), to get the golf cart, then you have to return the trailer right after dropping the cart at the Fort, then at the end of your trip, pick up the empty trailer, bring it back to the Fort, load the cart, take it back to the vendor. 

Thank you for the info. I knew about going to get the trailer and cart, but completely forgot about returning it at the end of the trip.  I was thinking two trips out on arrival rental day only - clearly didn't think that one through. Three trips out is kind a lot for me. I hate packing up to go home from camping anyway, and with only being there for 6 days this might add too much to my stress level. DH just told me he wants to rent a pontoon boat one day, so we may just use the buses this trip. Information is great to know for possible future trips, though. 

Or we may rent one from Disney for one day just to go looping. I'm really excited about looping, and a golf cart just seems so much more fun. 
 
I sure hope Disney never does this to ECV rental. 

Trying to keep this a budget vacation as much as possible, especially since we were just at POP for a week in December. I do feel blessed that our version of a budget vacation is something most families up north have to save for. Being a Florida resident certainly has it perks. We only pay $13.65 a month for our weekday annual passes. I love that they have that option now! Only $50 night for our PUP site, and really hoping that most meals will be eaten at camp. We will be bringing groceries and have a full kitchen, but it's yet to be seen if we actually go through with using it for all meals as planned. If so, we will be able to stay longer next time. 



 

4 hours ago, h2odivers...Ray said:

Port orleans riverside is still there. And we really enjoy staying there. 

Why can't you have a campfire?  You can bring an approved fire pit with you. 

Not sure why I was under the impression that it wasn't. Must have gotten the idea in my head from somewhere and it just stuck. I've never actually looked because we prefer POP and always book there. 

I mean a real campfire. If all goes well, I will look into buying one of the metal ones. I've looked at the approved models and thought they would go on clearance out of season, but have yet to find that. They put everything else on clearance in Florida, pretending it's not still summer, but not those. I've never seen one come up on the local buy/sell either, unfortunately. 

If the Fort becomes our regular spot, rather than POP, I'm sure I will get used to the metal pit and make enough great memories that it will no longer seem lame to me. It's just a matter of what I associate with camping now. 

On 1/11/2017 at 10:45 AM, Beckers said:

That's where they put us. I wouldn't have chosen it either. Honestly I Like Pop Century better. Value or deluxe works for me,  I see no need for moderate (unless you have 3 kids).

I couldn't agree more. I despise CBR. I spent one night there about 7 years ago, and couldn't stand it. I moved to POP (my favorite of all time.) At CBR I didn't even feel like we were in Disney. The room was supposed to be a pirate theme but came off as dark, dingy, depressing. Nothing about the grounds make me feel like I'm at Disney. It was a horrible experience, honestly. The only moderate I have ever liked is POR Riverside, and I'm not even sure that even exists anymore, or they may have renamed it. 

When I was a kid, we always stayed at the Contemporary. It was the only hotel I was aware of at that time. I'm not sure if Poly existed or not yet. My sister and I used to take the monorail over to MK all the time ALONE! I don't remember my parents ever going to the park. I was 8 years old and my sister was 11 on our first trip in Dec. 1971. We went every year after that. Can you imagine two kids hitting the parks alone nowadays? Someone would call the police. They would be stopped at the gate. Such a different world not. 

I've stayed at Poly twice - on both of my honeymoons, about 7 years apart. Way out of our price range now, as is Contemporary. 

We've stayed at all the Values and like them all, but POP our favorite. I hope to say that the Fort is our new favorite. Haven't been there in so many years that I won't know until we are there. I know I'm super excited about having my own bed/blankets, and kitchen so we don't have to eat expensive Disney food. Also excited that we will get to be outside when not at the parks. I wish we had a campfire, but hopefully the rest of the Fort will make for the lack of one. 

On 6/22/2016 at 8:16 PM, Lego Lima's said:

We have a  2003 Coachman Clipper Model #107 pop up and just now in need of some MISC repairs.  And we have no idea where to go for advice/instruction!   There are millions of places on the interwebs, but can someone just direct us on a trusted place to go for instructions on how we can fix the following.....

We need to replace some rotted wood where the spare tire is hanging and some rot where the exterior locks go.  We also need a new exhaust fan on the ceiling.  

TIA

Did you get 'er done? 

10 minutes ago, mouseketab.....Carol said:

Their equipment is not very sophisticated either. My DH was wanded a few times instead of going through the scanner (He has a scooter). The wand did not even detect his knees (2) hip, and back implants.

They never picked up any of my son's titanium either, and he had LOTS of it. From ankle to hip rods, pins everywhere, four plates in his head. I know for a fact that most metal detectors alert on titanium because we've been through them in a number of other places.  

I thought I would revive this thread. :-) 

When we were there last month, two of our grandsons were there at the same time. They are 7 and 4. Their favorite thing to do was ride the monorail around. Second favorite thing was swimming in the hotel pool - go figure, they have a pool at home! They also really enjoyed the Lego Store in Disney Springs and the hotel arcade. 

The only rides they really liked enough to do again were Peter Pan and Buzz Lightyear. (they didn't go to HS so didn't try Toy Story)

Basically, their parents don't even need to buy park tickets! I know they would love the Fort because they both love camping. They would love to ride their bikes on paved loops. We only live on dirt/sand here. And I know they would love Chip 'n' Dale's campfire. 

Wow, thanks for the tip. I'm buying this. Always looking for great games that will hold my family's interest. 

All we currently have in the camper is Yahtzee and Yahtzee Free For All, along with a Monopoly card game. I forget what that one is called, but it's a quick, fun game for those who can't deal with the time it takes to play regular monopoly. It takes about 10 to 20 minutes to play. 

I don't mind the metal detectors, although I've never been put through one. I guess us 50 something women don't look too sketchy. 

Unfortunately, my disabled son was "randomly" selected every single time, without fail. He looks nervous, because he is. He also looks mostly normal at first glance. A closer look will reveal question mark shaped scar around the entire side of his head, and a fairly large dent under his hair on one side, called "wasting." The titanium rods all the way up one leg, pins in both legs and titanium plates in his brain clearly don't show. 

I completely understand why they target him. He doesn't make good eye contact, and nervously darts his eyes about. Even so, it separates us from him every time and security tries to make us keep moving. My son becomes even more nervous because it takes him a minute to process questions, even more so when he is already stressed, so he can never keep up the pace of what they want him to do. It would be so much better if Disney just put everyone through the metal detector every single time. We could all stay together, and I could help guide him. 

Disney really is behind on this type of security. When we lived up in the DC area, we used to go to Kings Dominion. They put every single guest through metal detectors and that was 25 years ago. 

Our youngest son, 23, was with us on this last trip and he got randomly selected once. Neither DH or I was ever selected. 

Thanks everyone. :-)  

Can anyone give me any idea on the price of outside vendors. For instance, would renting six days from them be not much more than 3 days from Disney? Or is six days too short a time period as well. I have noticed that when people go to the Fort nowadays, it's for a few weeks or month at a time - something I would love to do some time. 

Thank you, Carol! 

I have read about an MLK gang as well, but thankfully that's in January.