bmci3398

Wow- talk about customer service for a magical vacation! Last night on the way to Magic to watch the electric parade I opened the "My Disney Experience" on my phone to make/change FP changes for the next day. Upon opening the app I received the message that DD and DS were out of days and that I needed to add admission tickets to enter FP choices. Of course, I panicked because we still had 3 days left on our hopper passes. I asked a cm at the main gate and they sent us to guest services. So I stood in line forever- missing the parade. However, when it was our turn the young lady who helped us was amazing. She wasn't sure why this happened, reassured us that we did, indeed, have 3 days left, and proceeded to make our FP reservations for us. After asking me what I'd intended to sign up for, she began her work on the computer. Making small talk with my daughter, she asked her what she wanted to do. Of course, DD said, "I want to meet

Anna and Elsa! At this point I laughed and explained to her, for the millionth time, that the FPs for Princess Hall were booked a long time ago and we weren't going to wait 2+ hours to see them- maybe next time. When the CM finished our FP reservations she wrote them on a card and called me over to the end of the desk "away from people who might overhear." I was confused but met her there. She handed us the card for our FP times and said, "I added Anna and Elsa for you." I was in shock and literally started to cry. I would have jumped across the help desk and hugged her if I were a more agile person! For my daughter, the CM made her trip truly magical!!

Bull and Bear (off property)

Yachtsmen Steakhouse!

Many more

Ever heard of Johhny's Hideaway? DH's friend suggested it.

As soon as I figure out how (took me forever just to upload a profile picture) I'll post it.

I can't find a dining on/off property thread (but that could be because I'm using my iPad). DH and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary while at the Fort. Thinking of a nice dinner- just the two of us. DH is a meat and potatoes kind of guy and I prefer a surf and turf option. We both love decadent desserts too. Any dining suggestions either on or off (close by) the property?

Thanks for the suggestions- scavenger hunt is all typed up and ready to go!

I understand that no one here knows me but bragging on my kiddos is impossible to pass up. DS17 made National Honor Society and was chosen to attend American Legion Boy's State this summer. He loved Boys' State and came home with a new respect for making his "bunk", an up close and personal view of county and state-wide politics, public speaking, and Marine Sergeants. He now calls dinner "chow" and is applying for Navy ROTC at Cornell or University of Rochester. Hard to believe he'll be a senior this year. DD10 aced the front/American Crawl at swimming lessons and landed a part in our local summer drama club at church.

Congrats to your kids! That's great. What time is chow by the way?

Lol- next week 18:00 hours. Ha!

I understand that no one here knows me but bragging on my kiddos is impossible to pass up. DS17 made National Honor Society and was chosen to attend American Legion Boy's State this summer. He loved Boys' State and came home with a new respect for making his "bunk", an up close and personal view of county and state-wide politics, public speaking, and Marine Sergeants. He now calls dinner "chow" and is applying for Navy ROTC at Cornell or University of Rochester. Hard to believe he'll be a senior this year. DD10 aced the front/American Crawl at swimming lessons and landed a part in our local summer drama club at church.

Coleman Roadtrip and full griddle accessory for Papa Joe's pancake, bacon, and egg breakfasts!

Cell signal in the parks depends on your carrier.  I've got Verizon and haven't had any issues.

 

You can get on the Disney WiFi easily enough, but if it's a busy day expect it to be pretty slow.

 

Even if you reserve your FP+ through the website now, I'd still download the app in case you want to make any changes once you're there.

We like to play Boggle or MadGab. Fun games.

I've got our scavenger hunt list started. Could someone tell me what/where bear rock is?

Thanks for the short-cut tip.  We'll check that out too.

Received my tickets and bands today.  Went to reserve Frozen Summer Fun Package - SOLD OUT!  Bummer.

 

So, if they want to hit Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, they take the yellow or green lines from the outpost directly to the water parks?  

The only thing that map should be used for is to learn your colors.

I'm still not sure about chartreuse!

Does anyone know about how long this takes (on average) given the amount of stops?  

Travel time from FW to TL and BB is no more than 15 minutes. They may make one additional stop before heading to the waterpark depending on the time of day.

That's not bad at all.  Terrific.

Also, can you give us any tips on getting to Universal from FTW? Suggestions on that front?  

I would get a GPS if you're going to be doing a fair amount of driving.

Um, in case I didn't specify... DH is, indeed, a man...GPS? Surely you jest.  LOL. (I honestly don't know why he's so against those things, but he is).

 

I wouldn't use this map to plot out your transportation around WDW.

 

Getting to the parks is actually very simple.  For all parks except for Magic Kingdom, go out to the bus stop at the Outpost area of the Fort and just wait for the bus to pull up with the location you're looking to go to on the front.  They won't be color coded.  Even the water parks will have dedicated buses. 

Thanks! I wondered about dedicated buses to the water parks.  I've never been to the water parks so I never paid attention to those; I wasn't sure what to tell the boys.

 

For Magic Kingdom, go to the Settlement/Marina area of the Fort and catch the MK boat.

Yes, DH, DD, and I LOVED taking the MK boat from the Marina.  

Driving to Universal isn't too difficult.  The easiest route if you don't know the area is to head out of WDW and get on Rt 4 East towards Orlando.  There will be several clearly marked exits for Universal.

I think we'll take a practice run to Universal from FTW upon arrival so DH and I can check out the traffic patterns and the boys can familiarize themselves before I let them take off by themselves- IF I let them.  

I wonder how accurate this is....

 

I'm sorry.  I just want to make sure I'm reading this map correctly.  My DS17 and DAS18 (I made up a new abbreviation- DAS- Dear "Adopted" Son - son's best friend goes everywhere with us ;0) want to go off on their own to do their own thing.  So, if they want to hit Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, they take the yellow or green lines from the outpost directly to the water parks?  Does anyone know about how long this takes (on average) given the amount of stops?  Also, can you give us any tips on getting to Universal from FTW? They are both licensed drivers, but we live in the middle of nowhere so their experience w/ city driving is minimal.  Suggestions on that front?  Thanks!

That's if you're slacker source gets it to you by then.

Lou, just curious:  Do your posts get sweeter after you've had some apple pie?  If they do, I might have to make 2 pies for you upon arrival just to give our Fort Fiends a break! LOL.  

Oops! Posted this twice.  Well, it might need repeating.  I'll set up a fan while the pies are cooling and that way I won't need to post our site #- you can follow the aroma right to us.   :rofl3:

That's if you're slacker source gets it to you by then.

Lou, just curious:  Do your posts get sweeter after you've had some apple pie?  If they do, I might have to make 2 pies for you upon arrival just to give our Fort Fiends a break! LOL.  

Thanks everyone.  I think we're going to leave the house early Saturday morning.  DH thinks we can drive straight thru so we'll be on the road on the 2nd.  I'll just wait until we get there.  I imagine the schedule at the pool doesn't change that much so I'll use that for guidance.  We'll arrive Sunday before check-in if all goes well and I wanted to know what activities we could check out while we're waiting for the site to open up and RV to arrive.  Will we be able to swim, etc. while we're waiting or do we have to wait for check in time?  Now that I think about it, will they even let us into the campgrounds before check in?  Hmm... might be a problem.

I read suggestions on another thread, such as checking out other resorts in Animal Kingdom, etc.  So, I just assumed if other people can visit other resorts before check in, we could walk around the campground before check in.  Then I realized the set-up at the gate so now I'm worried.  

Thanks everyone.  I think we're going to leave the house early Saturday morning.  DH thinks we can drive straight thru so we'll be on the road on the 2nd.  I'll just wait until we get there.  I imagine the schedule at the pool doesn't change that much so I'll use that for guidance.  We'll arrive Sunday before check-in if all goes well and I wanted to know what activities we could check out while we're waiting for the site to open up and RV to arrive.  Will we be able to swim, etc. while we're waiting or do we have to wait for check in time?  Now that I think about it, will they even let us into the campgrounds before check in?  Hmm... might be a problem.

The schedule info has been posted on this page...

http://www.fortfiends.net/_/activities/holiday-activities-july-3-4-2014-r366

Does anyone know when the FTW August schedule will be available and where I could find it (online)?  Thanks!

A full review will be in my TR, but spoiler alert... I'd do it of I were you.

That's what I was thinking!  I can't let my little DD10 down!  :heartsmiley:

We did the premium package today. I'm debating doing a review of just it or including it in my TR.

What did you decide? I understand this is just another way for Disney to rake in more $ but as the mom of a 10 yr old daughter visiting in August I'm very tempted.

Only thing the MB were good for at the Fort was spending $$.

 

Didn't work at the comfort stations or the gate.

 

What was funny is we drove over to Saratoga to visit relatives and they scanned my daughters band at the gate and it came up Fort Wilderness, so they welcomed us home.

Magic bands are new to me as we didn't have them for our 2013 stay.I also don't remember the comfort stations being locked. So, when we get there what will we use to get into the comfort stations if the magic bands don't work?

Love this idea! Now I know how I'll offset the next 3 weeks of waiting to get there. This will be fun! The last time we were at the Fort we ended up extending our stay another day just so we could relax and check out the camp. I was debating whether or not to get 4 or 5-day hoppers but this makes that decision easier. Of course, some of my time over the next 3 weeks will be spent practicing my mad apple pie baking skills.