TN22.....Brady

we're the first ones in the 1100 loop.  "If you're not first you're last"-Ricky Bobby

First thing that popped into my mind...

Welcome to the forum. Those are some great questions, and there will be many different answers. Here are my general responses to those questions, with the understanding that everyone's preferences and experiences are different regarding brands and new vs old.
 
Ok, we had about an hour to kill and went to a local RV dealer. Wow!
Nice stuff!
But how do I know i'm getting a good deal? Typically you should expect 30% off of MSRP if buying new
Advice for first time shopper? - Look at all of them, without the salesperson in tow, picture yourself packing, unpacking - where will it all go, how easy is everything to get to. Stand in the shower - lay on the bed - open all doors - 
(we've been renting up until now)
How may trips do ya'll make a year? (non-Disney included) - We use ours 10 months per year - at least one trip per month - some are weekend trips, extended weekend trips, and some are two week trips to Disney - really need to use it more than 1 or 2 times to justify the spend.
Is it like a car, should we look at brand new ones? I typically stay away from any rig 10 years old or older  - two reasons - some parks don't allow rigs older than 10 years - and the roof is the most susceptible to time, has it been in storage, under cover, or out in the open - the sun is the worst enemy
Are there a lot of incidentals or hidden costs? (maintenance, repairs, etc.) - Just like owning a home that goes through a level 3 earthquake every time to you go somewhere - things will flex and move, sometimes resulting is minor repairs, tires should be replaced every 4 years at least, along with all the grease fittings tended to regularly
Are some brands better to stay away from? Dangerous question - I am partial to Jayco and Grand Design as the brands to consider, just because I have had really good luck with both brands.
 

We are booked for Site 57.

Looks like WalMart has them for $21.
 
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-30M-30F-Amp-25-PowerGrip-Extension-Cord-125V-3750W-10-gauge-cCSAus/21009152?action=product_interest&action_type=title&beacon_version=1.0.2&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&client_guid=c153b74f-c0f2-42d8-3c70-31d7d806a23c&config_id=106&customer_id_enc&findingMethod=p13n&guid=c153b74f-c0f2-42d8-3c70-31d7d806a23c&item_id=21009152&parent_anchor_item_id=29764593&parent_item_id=29764593&placement_id=irs-106-t1&reporter=recommendations&source=new_site&strategy=PWVUB&visitor_id=bKEkzHI2eGdyf4YpLoL_Z4
 
 

You would not survive in Texas,  you just described everything we eat. 

Agree 100% In addition, there is a big problem with an increasing number of guests feeling the rules don't apply to them.  That makes it even more difficult to enforce.  This includes far more than the golf cart rules.

We are booked into site 118.

Yes, one entire site for just this display, they told us yesterday they hope to have it up and running Sunday night

If any of those JFL teams are looking to round out their schedule, the boys from Knoxville might be interested......
 
Yes, tough to be a fan this year.......

The Flavors From Fire Pancake was my favorite F&W item. ( I specify F&W item, because my all time favorite anything at Epcot is the Cheese plate from inside the Germany wine cellar. )
The SPAM hash from Hawaii was excellent! (I know, excellent and SPAM don't usually go in the same sentence).
Pomegranate beer, although skeptical at first, turned out to be one the best beers of the day, so good in fact, we had seconds, and maybe thirds.
Friends of ours had the beer cheese soup and filet from Canada, and they agreed it was excellent this time around.
Lobster Roll from America was not drowning in Mayo, and looked appetizing, friends with us said it was very good.
Scallops from Earth Eats were not that tasty, they were chewy and overcooked in my opinion.
Wine & Dine Studio cheese plate was alright, nothing spectacular, so would not get it again. However, friends got the scallops from there and they loved them, they also looked much better than the ones from Earth Eats.
 
 
I have pictures, but no way to post them directly, so I guess this will be a review without pictures, but it did happen!

Small children get a pass, but under no circumstances should an adult male be using inline skates. Automatic man card revocation.

please, PLEASE don't speak his name......
 
 

I vote for a second German pavilion. We could use 2 Octoberfest restaurants and 2 caramel shops.
 
Sent from my handheld doohickie
 
 

Alcoholic drinks have always been part of the 3000 loop dining plan.  In fact, if you choose the soft drink option, it costs more.

w00t....I was mentioned in a TCD report. I am famous now!

I've found, it's how you express frustration that (sometimes) yields the best results.  Simply walking up to the front desk or calling the 800# is (simply put) lazy and typically results in small results.  However, if you/we actually take the time to put pen to paper and send a letter (registered or priority mail) to the corporate office, this sets your comments apart. Also, when I write, I remind them of my goal:  not to complain, but to keep Disney the magical experience we all love.  Their job is NOT an easy one.  Look what they have to work with.  So many people anymore, show no respect for others or private property.  The air of disregard and entitlement through out Disney, is both obvious and pungent. Complaining to the front desk, might get you a free night, but no real changes.  Taking the time to express both your passion/appreciation for Walt and his dream, as well as pass along your frustrations, in the form of a written letter might produce actual changes and true results.  No guarantees, but for those of us who have been in an upper managment position ask yourself... if you were sitting in that office and you were the one who had the ability to made some actual changes, what would make the greatest impact on you?  Hearing from your staff that guests are complaining (I mean, are they really complaining?  Are the complaints justified or is it just another adult with the "world owes me" attitude wanting a free night).  As I said, I think theirs is a hard job.  It's an uphill battle that requires both discipline and encouragement.  They have to babysit their staff and the public, more than ever before... I imagine it's exhausting.
I don't know... just how I see it 

No thanks. I'll stay in our fiver for around $100 a night and cruise FW on the cart. 

Mornings at the Fort are so nice. One of my favorite times of the day really. Quite, just me, nature and my coffee. 
 

The doughnuts are back??? And fondue? Can't wait!

There is a loophole though that might save you some bucks.  If you can be at AK the day The View is taping, you can observe the elephants for no additional charge.  

The locals want everyone to know that Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville are open for business. Please do not cancel reservations in these two towns, or make plans to go somewhere else. That area survives on tourist dollars and although Gatlinburg was the hardest hit, there are a lot of families that have businesses in all three towns. Even though Gatlinburg is closed, and will be for some time, the other locations have vacancies. I was in Pigeon Forge today and it is business as usual, just without the Christmas shoppers.
For those of you who are familiar with the area, below is a link showing what areas are affected.
http://www.arcgis.com/apps/PublicInformation/index.html?appid=8c18c70f55ac4f81b683454fc7573d76

The locals want everyone to know that Pigeon Forge, and Sevierville are open for business. Please do not cancel reservations in these two towns, or make plans to go somewhere else. That area survives on tourist dollars and although Gatlinburg was the hardest hit, there are a lot of families that have businesses in all three towns. Even though Gatlinburg is closed, and will be for some time, the other locations have vacancies. I was in Pigeon Forge today and it is business as usual, just without the Christmas shoppers.
For those of you who are familiar with the area, below is a link showing what areas are affected.
http://www.arcgis.com/apps/PublicInformation/index.html?appid=8c18c70f55ac4f81b683454fc7573d76

I agree that Diesel is tops. sure there are some increased maintenance costs.  But amortizing the total cost of ownership out over the extended average useful life of a diesel mitigates most of that impact. They will have to pry my Diesel from my cold dead hands.

I'm in for the TR!
I've said it before but I love to see my "backyard" through other people's eyes.