Duane

Why would one want to go to a water park from a theme park or vice versa?  When we used to go to the water parks, we would bring towels and a bag full of other assorted things like hats, bathing suits, sun screen, etc. Most folks visiting the parks are not going to want to carry all of that crap around in a theme park, then suddenly dash over to a water park...

I would think that most folks are gonna be coming from or going to a water park from a resort.  Am I missing something here?

When completed, will this be the tallest of the resorts on the WDW property?  Not sure how many stories the DVC building is at the Contemporary...

Thanks Jason!  Sorry for the late reply... was walking out the door for a business trip when I posted. Just have had time to respond. I will dive into this when I get back to my computer. 

Jason, there are some 2018 cruises listed now (through May 2018). Do you mean that Disney will open up the remainder of 2018 on February 23rd? 

Ashleigh graduates college in May of 2018 and we may be looking at a celebratory cruise...

2 minutes ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

It would be bad, but it's not going to happen.

That entire side of the resort has been closed off for the last year as they convert all of those rooms to DVC rooms.

TCD

Good to know.. I didn't realize that they had shut that side down.

2 hours ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

 

Here's where they keep the porta potties:

 

Boy, how would like to have one of those rooms above all those porta-potties?!  Especially when the weather begins to warm up and the air "ripens"

I see there is plenty of real estate on the back of that thing for a Snarky sticker!

There is also some sort of un-seen but very much felt nervous energy at the Disney hotels...  It seems like everyone is on a mission to go somewhere and not really care who they mow down to get there.  I am not anti-hotel, because on average I spend 3-4 nights per month in a hotel room somewhere.  I don't really think that Disney realizes what an "oasis" they have with the Fort... 

You guys are looking at this all wrong... Just pack your nice clothes (suits, wedding gown, dresses, etc.) in a few coolers and drive to the Fort.  Tell the guard at the shack some tale that will get you to the overflow lot.  Board the bus with all of your stuff and pretend you are going to the pool for the day... Get off at the Settlement, have your wedding and call it day.

19 minutes ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

According to the Disney Food Blog, there are retractable walls at Geyser Point which will allow the entire area to be enclosed:

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2017/02/14/first-look-and-review-geyser-point-bar-and-grill-at-disneys-wilderness-lodge/

Note that their source for that information is one of their Facebook friends.  I am not so sure about this.

TCD

I can see this happening... At Capital One's campus in Richmond, they are remodeling a couple of their eating establishments and incorporating this open panel concept in the dining areas.

Ray, I get what you are saying and do agree that if Disney is going to update the GF, they can certainly pull off bringing it up to date without changing the overall theme and atmosphere.

On ‎2‎/‎2‎/‎2017 at 9:34 AM, h2odivers...Ray said:

Agreed. If you look at the Waldorf-Astoria in NYC.  They have been able to keep the vintage look and feel of the hotel and still deliver a great product. 

Ray, when is the last time you have been to the Waldorf in NYC?   I was there several months ago and to honest, the "old girl" needs some TLC...  The lobby was beautiful and I'm sure the Tower rooms were nice, but the other rooms need some updating...  You know how woodwork looks after years and years of paint over paint, the bathroom tile had  cracks and stains... It just basically needed an update.

To me overall, Disney is beginning to get out over their skis on some of their updates...  The 2 examples that I can think of are the updates to Test Track and the new Paddlefish (Fultons Crab House) refurb.  I feel instead of giving these 2 places a refresh, they went a couple of steps too far...

The theming for TT was way over the top. Instead of adding new and updated cars and manufacturing equipment to show how cars are built, they went way into the future and killed the test track concept.  I know this has been discussed many time before around here.

The new update to the riverboat I think as well is too far into the future... I think I read somewhere that they are attempting to make the build not look like a riverboat, but something more of a modern yacht.  To me it looks to modern to fit the shape of the structure... 

I'm afraid if they try this approach to the GF, they will ruin the overall look and feel... I too think they can update and modernize and keep the original theming and atmosphere...

I know I sound like I am rambling, but hopefully you all get what I am trying to say...   

How about a trip to the Outer Banks, or any of the beaches up and down the NC/SC coast... With your kids being so young, and you guys being from Iowa that would be a change of scenery... 

I feel the same way that most of you guys do. I personally don't think it will last that long.  Seems sort of a random concept to place at DS.

1 hour ago, twiceblessed....nacole said:

Haha... we've had that discussion before.  I get so frustrated with RV dealers who don't know their product; Tom always tells me to relax and let it go and while I'm never hateful about it, it truly frustrates me because goodness... people are spending a decent amount of money (in some cases A LOT of money) on a non-necessity item.  Know your stuff people!!  I really think it should be required of anyone working for an RV Manufacturer, dealership or even a campground...that you at least camp in a rig for 2-4 weeks.  Truly.  I think it should be part of your training, during those first 90 days of employment.  I believe we all are often surprised at just how little some of the "professionals" know.

If a group of Fiends were to ever join forces and open a small dealership and campground... that would be one awesome place to shop and stay.

 

Its funny you should say this because in every situation whether it involves a large purchase of an item to getting service in a restaurant.  I often look at each situation and think to myself, if there are folks out there performing at levels where they know little to nothing of their craft or service and can make a living at it, then I will never starve or do without.

16 hours ago, Momof6....aka Marty said:

I saw this on a local Facebook group tonight:

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Marty that is funny!  I hope you don't take offense in us picking on the SC roads...

Nacole, this is slightly off topic (who would ever guess that that would happen here), but by the time you get to the end of this "RV journey" you will be well positioned to either sell and/or service RV's, sell trucks, or run a successful campground!  You go and tell your husband to hug your neck every morning on behalf of all the husbands and men on this board... Not to no way dismiss the wives and women on this board, but your desire for knowledge and answers is awesome and very impressive!!

3 minutes ago, twiceblessed....nacole said:

 

 Does this apply to the truck stops as well?

I haven't had a diesel truck in many years, but I would say if you are buying it at a "regular" station (non-truck stop) you will run into the $75-$100 limit,  If you fill up at a truck stop with the big rigs, I would say they play under different rules, but can't be sure...

In my case, I fall under the limits every time as I have to use gas and am forced to fill up at non truck stop locations.

On ‎1‎/‎25‎/‎2017 at 11:42 AM, bhall said:

I love and hate my 36 gallon tank. Great for towing. Not so great at the pump when you are on fumes and want to fill up and the card won't authorize a transaction over $75.

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Bob, you think that is bad, I have the same issue with the 75 gallon tank attached to my Ford...  A F53 Motorhome chassis. I have managed to find a few stations that will allow a $100 charge, but they are few and far between.  I just usually keep my credit card in my pocket and not put it back in my wallet until I am done.

On ‎1‎/‎21‎/‎2017 at 8:38 AM, keith_h said:

I-95 through SC has always been a mess. I try to drive in the left lane as it is smoother but rarely is the traffic light enough to be able to do much of that. It has gotten worse due to the hurricane flooding damage not being repaired well. But SC sure is proud of their low taxes.

AMEN to that Keith!  Although in a car, I have to say that the ride is not that bad, but not that good either.  However pulling a trailer or riding in a motorhome, that road (the southbound side) will shake your teeth out... 

I wonder how this will stack up against the caramel popcorn at the Werther's shop in EPCOT....?

On ‎1‎/‎14‎/‎2017 at 6:46 PM, h2odivers...Ray said:

Even though that sounds good that's not my idea of a traditional thanksgiving dinner.  Is that a northeastern thing?

I was kidding... not sure if that's a NE thing or not. I would say probably not... I am as "country" as a collard green. We still laugh about spending T'giving at Cape May.  The food was good though.

If you want the traditional Thanksgiving meal of crab legs, clams and mussels, then the Cape May Clambake may fit the bill at the Beach Club.  That's where we ate a few years ago when we were there during Thanksgiving... I like Dave's idea better, but we were staying at Saratoga Springs and not the Fort.

On ‎1‎/‎13‎/‎2017 at 10:42 AM, Specularius said:

 We met our two servers, which both ended up being great. Our main server was Delarno, from Jamaica. He was great and never played up the accent, though he did pick at me a bit about my accent. (I'm a little bit country for those that don't know me)

Man, I know what you mean about getting picked on about your accent...  My company provides real estate services for Capital One Bank and I travel all over the US and folks always look at me like I have 6 eyes when I speak (especially in NYC).  I often turn it up a notch (think Andy Taylor on the Andy Griffith show) as that is what they are expecting, and in most cases I can walk away with the store!

On ‎1‎/‎13‎/‎2017 at 11:06 AM, Specularius said:

 

As we were pulling into the port, I noticed this nice little batteau (that is coonass for Yacht) sitting at the dock.

 

Now this made me LAUGH OUT LOUD!

I too agree with the others who have posted, this story is so awesome.  Kind of gives a new meaning to a "live trip report"!