mrsrogo

Wow! I need to change the title of this thread to "The Dog Loop Debate" instead of newbie questions.

But really, it's good info for a newbie, because if you do your research, you could end up as confused as I was.

We have already started prepping DS for dog sightings, and understand our situation is a little different than just the annoyed camper.

Thanks for the info. I may take 114 off my list. We do AM EMH & RD, but I think the milk man came a little earlier than I'd want an alarm.

Maybe if we get 116, I can "borrow" wifi from the cabin. 70 days to go...

Change of subject...TCD, you mentioned you've been in the 100 loop over the past year. Any comments on the noise level/foot traffic (especially around park closings) for sites 114 & 116 that straddle the walkway? Do people cut through there that aren't on the 100 loop? I can't tell from some of the vids if the tree line is high there. It's not a huge concern, because we are camping and expect noise, just wondering.

So in summary, it's a free for all with rules to be bent. That's so against my nature, but with DS it's also a daily occurance. We'll deal with whatever happens and make the best of it. (Give DH a high five...he talked me down from blowing my top).

Thanks to all that have passed on information. I probably would have blown my top on site and ruined our vaca without the forewarnings and great tips!

I'll be calling the Bike Barn in a few days about that golf cart and will update.

I said I'm requesting, not that I requested. I planned to request not to be in 300 due to it being the pet loop via fax when the time comes.

Although the DW site doesn't designate any loop specifics, just about every other website I did my research through (there were a lot) said that Loop 300 was the preferred pet loop. It was my assumption and obviously my mistake, that the other loops didn't allow pets. I guess we will have to deal with it.

 

That way if one of your requested sites isn't available, you will still get what you want. How big of a deal is the middle hook-ups? We've never looked at where the hook-ups are and have never had a problem. BTW, check out site 124 in my TR. It was pretty sweet and sounds perfect for you. 

 

I really don't know how big of a deal the middle hook ups are.  We are fairly new to RVing and have only done local sites.  Hookups are DH's job and my assignment was to find sites that had middles.  I do know out W/S are in the middle of the rig and the electric is in the back.  He said it would be easier to run the electric than the W/S.  I dunno...

 

 

Saw your pics on your TR. 124 is HUGE!!!  If the other 100 sites are about the same, we have no issues.  Your TR said you got a boat in about 2 minutes to MK.  That is awesome.  Hope we have that kind of pixie dust.

 

Decided to bus it to AK.

 

 

Don't forget about off site Golf Cart rentals. There is no way I would pay Disney prices for the GC, but the offsite rentals (Kenny's) makes it more manageable.

 

Won't need one the whole week, so going offsite wouldn't save us any money.

 

DH is "thinking" about making a reservation for the golf cart on our rest day.  He was happy to hear the internal buses would be useful for getting to the pool, but also conceded that a DS meltdown, could make having that cart handy.

 

Does anybody know how hard/easy it is to get one the day of without a reservation?  Or if we do reserve if there is a cancellation or no show fee?

 

 

I am not sure anyone else has mentioned this - FW is not strict about pets only being on pet loops.  You might want to note that on your site request.  part of the problem, I think, is people who don't mention their pets when checking in.

 

This could be a major issue.  I'm requesting a non pet loop for the safety of my child.  When I say safety, I don't mean because a dog would attack him, but because I don't know how he may react.  I know how he reacts at home, but this isn't home and there are so many things (in my head) that could happen.  Again, we are working on this at home, with neighbor/family dogs, but these will be strange dogs in a strange place.

So, what can I do about it?  Will reporting them get them moved.  Will I be expected to move?  This could become very unmagical if it happens, and it IS something I need to be prepared for.

It looks like all of your questions have been answered.

 

The only correction I see is that the walking distance from the back of the 100 loop to the pool is more like .7 miles, rather than .5.

 

It's a very pleasant walk, with sidewalks the whole way.  Or, you can grab a bus from the Settlement bus stop and ride to the 1400 loop entrance (second stop on the Yellow Route).

 

TCD

That's great info about the internal bus to add to my binder.  Thank you!

Hmmm......... what dining plan are you doing? Have you used something like http://www.distripplanner.com to see if it's saving you money? You might be able to find your cart money by paying for food out of pocket. 

The regular one that gets you a TS, CS and snack a day.  I did the math and its a toss up on whether we will break even.  We wanted the ease of not having to worry about it.  When I said "Finances dictate no golf cart", I should have been more clear  (my bad :faceplant2:).  I will not pay DW prices for one for a whole week.  I checked out Tee Time (is that right?) and although he is much cheaper, we have 3 MK and 1 EP day that we won't need the cart for transpo to bus stops/food/pool, so it would be a waste of money.  Hypocritical of our reason to use DDP, but I can see the golf cart just sitting there, whereas, I can't say if DH is going to order the T-bone or the turkey sandwich or if DS will eat at all, even though he eats like a linebacker at home.  Does that make sense?

5. That's great info.  I'll be showing this to DH.  Maybe I can talk him into reserving a cart just for the day so I can stop worrying about it.

6. Darn bugs! 

8. Not an option.  We are doing DDP and there is no way I'm going back and readjusting ADRs for the one's we would lose by dropping a night.  Figuring all that out was a nightmare in the first place.  Can't do the day before either due to vaca days at work.  We'll just have to deal with whatever comes up with late arrival.  I'd leave at 3AM, but I'm not driving, so its not my decision.

Thanks for all the feedback.  Going to share this with DH and see if he has any more specifics to ask.

I've done a lot of research but need some expert assistance to the following questions:

Trip Dates:  May 8-16

Loop Reservation:  Preferred (this is best for our situation and plans)

Rig:  35ish' 5th wheel, 1 slide out - pulled by truck

Us:  Me, DH, DS8 - no traveling pets

Plan:  Arrive 7PMish Fri, Rest/Explore Sat, AK Sun, MK Mon, EP Tue, Rest Wed, MK Thu & Fri, Leave 5AMish Sat

If there are links to any of my questions, please add them.  I can read them so you don't have to retype.

1.  I've used the FF app, GE, YouTube vids and whatever other info I could find to narrow down which sites we would like to request.  I've narrowed it down to 108, 114, 116, 122 & 123.  All outer loop sites with middle hookups.  I plan to request that we don't get put in Loop 300 as DS is on the autism spectrum and afraid of dogs (working on making sure he knows they will be around).

What are your pros and cons on these choices?  I'm concerned about 114 & 116 being next to the walkways (high traffic at park closing/noise/nosy peepers).  What order would you put them in for priority pick in your fax request?  I do understand it is just a request.  Any favorites in Loop 200?  Hoping to get 100, but will have backup requests in hand if needed.

2.  I have read that the boat from FW to MK does not run until 30 min prior to scheduled park opening and that doesn't include AM EMH.  We use AM EMH as much as possible and RD all parks.  What is the best strategy to get to MK and EP on AM EMH days?  If what I’ve read in past posts, one of our options is to boat over to WL then boat over to MK.  How early does the boat from WL go to MK?  I have us leaving FW to WL at 6:30am for an 8:05 ADR at MK on my spreadsheet.  Too early, too late, just right?

3.  Help me sell DH on driving to AK.  “If it doesn’t save us at least 30 minutes, what’s the point?”  Consider AM EMH getting out of FW, traffic, parking and walking to park in your argument. Go…

4  Really confused about wifi?  Does FW get it or not?  Alternatives?  We have AT&T and I used 4D more than wifi in the parks last year without any big issues.  Stick to that plan?

5.  Finances are dictating no golf cart.  With 3 MK days and 1 EP, we won’t need one all week.  How long is the walk from Loop 100 to the Meadow Pool?  If we somehow hit the lottery before our trip, is it difficult to rent a cart for just a day, without a reservation?  I’m thinking by our middle-of-the-week rest day, I’m going to get to say “I told you so.”

6.  Tell me about mosquitoes at the Fort.  I know the parks are well maintained and I didn’t have any trouble with them last year.  However, I’m the one in the group of 10,000 that that one sucker finds and bites.  My perfume of choice is Ode de OFF.  Can’t seem to find if we are allowed to have citronella candles or torches on the campsite. Yes or no?  They don’t do me much good, but work for DH and DS.

7.  How crowded is the Fort in early May?  Just want to get a feel so I can work with DS on what to expect as far as other kids running around, stranger danger and the such.  I know our park days are in the 4 & 5s and he dealt well with 9 & 10s last year, so yea for lower park crowds.  Also he has a tendency to cross the road without looking first, so I need to keep traffic in mind.

8.  Late Friday arrival.  Hoping for 7PM. but could be later.  What should we know to expect upon arrival?

I think that covers my questions for now.  I’m sure I’ll have more, but these were the ones that were bugging me.  Thanks for your input!!!