Starbuc71

WOW.. there are just no words to say about this.

We stayed in about every loop and finally settled on 1100 being our favorite  I think its one of the only non pet premium loops which I enjoy.  We were an 800 fan until the past few times there would always be a dog locked in an RV all day long that would not stop barking.  I like being far away from the settlement.  I wish they would fill in the low spots in the 1900 loop and make it a premium.  We would always be there then

I'm still speechless.  I heard today Dolly Partons foundation is giving $1000 a month for 6 months to families who lost their homes.  Sounds like something Walt would have done when he was alive.  I also saw they have over seven suspects that they think started the original fire.  I haven't felt this bad since the gator incident st Disney. God bless these people and their communities 

I'm sure many of you have read already that Gatlinburg and pigeon forge were brutally damaged by a horrific wildfire. People have described it as the apocalypse in downtown Gatlinburg.  Many homes business and I'm sure campgrounds were destroyed.  This is one of our most favorite vacation spots and we were actually heading there in 4 weeks for New Years.  Please put these families in your prayers. It goes to show you are not safe anywhere in this world. 

I still think Star Wars land could have been built in future world at Epcot or it could have been an "actual" addition to HS instead of a replacement 

Well, we leave in the morning.  We had a great trip. I will have to agree with Lone star. It has gotten more crazy over thanksgiving. The golf cart shenanigans after 10pm has been crazy. The rangers seem to be out and about more, but when you speak with them, they are short and to the point.  The under age drivers seem to be  on private carts so the rangers do nothing.  I believe people in general just care about themselves these days and that changes the way Disney and everything else runs.  I do think the new management has done better than any other management over the past 10 years. Some things look better, some the same and very little worse. 

28 minutes ago, PGHFiend said:

It's a bummer to look at, sure. Maybe it's on a 4 year replacement plan......and this is just year 3! Don't let something like that keep you from enjoying yourself though .  

Never.  Still the best campground at least in FL and we are having a good time

41 minutes ago, DaveInTN said:

It may seem like a trivial thing, but at one time Disney had an attention to detail that set it apart. It also justified the higher cost of vacationing there. This is just one example of how things have slipped. Walt would not be pleased.

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You're totally correct. The attention has gotten much less

We went last night. My opinion it was nothing special. It could have been so much more. They basically tarped around the old bus depot and had maybe 12-15 themed trees(mostly photo opportunities).  I thought it was going to be trees throughout Disney springs you had to find or follow. I wouldn't say epic fail, but mild fail in my book

Golf cart idiots at fort?  Say it ain't so

Andrew, you beat me to it. At least the string that's out is in the back. 3 years in a row now. Sad.....

Hooray??????

.....a few other things

i got busted by the rangers for using an unapproved fire pit. Mine has an open top with a screen. Bad S71.  I know why they are so strict (at times) due to all the stupid people who could burn the place down

also, I saw them putting notices on cars that had tires off the pads

9 minutes ago, DaveInTN said:

Should we start the whole "Florida grey water dumping laws" discussion again?  Seems to come up every year about this time, when the dishwashers appear at the Fort.  

I thought the same thing....lol

I thought I'd post a thread where fiends could post things strange, new or whatever during thanksgiving week. Here a few I saw

1.

this was only parked for a day near the DVC kiosk. Never saw it before. 

2.

new whatever's being built by the lodge.  Back when I was here in July, they were just clearing the land.  They look huge.  I think I counted 16 on each side of the lodge

3. Empty sites

as of Tuesday morning, there are 13 empty sites on the 2000 loop, 8 between 1600-1900 and 3 on the 1500 loop.  I haven't checked the rest yet but I'm sure there are at least 10-15 more between the other loops  The new loop looks nice   It has 3 empty sites

4. Refrigerator group

i thought I was going to report no sighting of the large group who are always here that bring a full size fridge and dishwasher but I was wrong. They are on the 1500 loop with (3) full size fridges and at least (2) full size dishwashers....no comment

5. Fence frenzy update

looks like all fencing is complete at the fort. All 3 playgrounds are now all fenced in with black chain links and gates. The pool fencing is complete (with no card readers) and most of the water eats in common areas gave the rope fencing. Creeks/canals behind most sites just have gator and wildlife signs posted 

6. Less merchandise is offered at the trading post than years past.  It looks like less toys and clothing 

7. No main tree near trails end as of yet and a lot of garland not lit on trails end

8. Seems all the buses have a digital sign on the back that says do not pass. Also it looks like all the buses were retro fit with HID lights. They are all super bright now. 

9. Epcot has minimal holiday decorations compared to other parks  Maybe this was always so   Future world continues to become more pathetic   

Going to Disney springs tonight  will report on new things 

I will keep you all posted. If it's going up, I would think it would be up by Thursday 

Here are my kids posing for their annual picture by the fort tree.  Still hoping it will magically appear 

Jason

  I sent you a message

I just paid $5 for a toll house ice cream sandwich ?

Some of the old timers on here know that the fort has been our family tradition each thanksgiving for the past 10 years. As I sit in my recliner at the fort, I tell the wife I better make reservations for next year. As I check online, I'm crap out of luck for anything next thanksgiving. So, I called Disney reservations and they stated they are totally booked. Now I'm hoping someone cancels in the next few months. I am suspicious as stated before that Disney holds back sites closer to the actual date. I'm a planner and like everything booked and set as early as possible. My next question is, should I now look online everyday to see if those dates pop up if and when a cancellation comes to be?  I even tried the old trick of booking a month forward or back but no luck.  Some of you may think I'm crazy worrying a year out, but Disney hardcores know the drill

Well, it's Saturday and it seems all the decorations are up except for the tree. I'll report back when it's up.  Not many Christmas decorations on the sites as of yet

I will report on Saturday

Two years in a row the main tree at the hub by trails end has had a strand of lights out right in the middle. Let's see if brown paint guy notices it and fixes it or at least reports it

I would give my thoughts but TCD nailed it. Oahu is too over populated and too much of a tourist attraction these days. We spent a night in Oahu just to see Pearl Harbor then 7 days in Maui at Kaanapali beach.  I also agree with the road to Hana.  We rented a jeep convertible. Loved it. Just remember to keep an eye on your things. We got all our beach bags and cameras stolen watching kite surfers not even 20 feet from the jeep. Locals told us many people prey on tourist there.  Other than that, I would definitely spend the majority time of a Hawaiian vacation on Maui.  I get enough Disney here I don't need it half way around the world

We love the smokies almost more than Disney. I'm always looking for new and interesting campgrounds even though we love smoky bear campground. I got on the anchor down website and looked at the photos. It floors me how places claim to be luxurious when there is hardly a tree on the property. I mean the fire pits look nice and all but the aerial shots look like an RV dealership.  I know each their own, but camping to me is being in the woods with some space between campers. It looks like a very clean place and with the lake, I'm sure it has a lot of activities. I would think you would have at least an 45 min to an hour drive to Gatlinburg depending where on the lake this campground is. Look forward to reading more.