swimmarz

The article skipped what happens at Fort Wilderness.
 
We were there for Hurricane Floyd in September, 1999.
 
It was just before I bought the TCD pop-up.  I actually rented a pop-up camper for this trip to see how we liked it.
 
I remember that for some reason, we arrived after dark the first night, and did a very basic set-up, with the plan that I would finish the set-up the next day.
 
Well, the next day, we were already being hit by some of the outer bands of the storm, and it rained all morning.
 
Late in the morning, we all got a letter from the Fort telling us that they were going to shut down the campground, and we had to pack up and leave.  We had the choice of getting a refund, or going to Port Orleans and staying in a room- no extra charge.
 
I didn't want to pack-up.
 
We were camping with some friends, and they had a pop-up too.
 
We started drinking early that day, and the other dad and I got the idea that we wouldn't pack-up and leave, and see what would happen.  It seemed like a good idea after a few beers.
 
We were on Little Bear, and kind of secluded.
 
We watched as all of our neighbors packed up and left.  Somewhere in there, a Fort security guard came around and asked us if we knew we had to go.  We said we were working on it, but we really weren't.
 
Finally, we were the last ones on our loop.
 
The rain kept up, but there was no wind yet, and we were feeling proud of ourselves.
 
But, then two security guards showed up and said we had to go.  And "no" wasn't an option.
 
So, we packed up our wet campers, and headed over to Port Orleans.
 
They gave us a room there.
 
But there was nothing to do.  The parks were closed.  I remember that the food court was a zoo.  It really wasn't a lot of fun.  And, yes, there were pets everywhere.
 
That night, we decided we'd head home in the morning.  We hadn't prepared anything at home for the storm, and no one knew where it was heading.  We didn't want to get trapped at Disney World.  So, we headed home in the morning. 
 
Our friends stayed. They reopened the Fort that afternoon, and they finished out their trip.
 
All in all, Disney handled this very well.  But, it was a major pain.
 
One thing that surprised me then, and still surprises me now, is that they had enough vacant rooms to accommodate everyone who needed to evacuate from the Fort.  And that included all the cabin folks too-they also had to evacuate.  I think that Disney purposely holds large blocks of rooms for this very purpose.
 
TCD

AKA the size of the 80s thru early 00s full sized trucks.

3000 loop.

I have been looking to put in an voltmeter and like the idea of the USB ports for charging. It sure beats tying up outlets with wall warts. I think you've just given me my next project along with a rack to hold the devices being charged.

Nice.

I dont love starbucks coffee... however their Frap or what ever it is... are good
they have a smores one.... mm mmm good
 
rather than to to starbucks daily, I make my coffee at home using the following method.
 
First I spell my name wrong, then I fill the coffee grinder with beans and turn it on while trying to have a conversation with my wife about the plans for the day, then i brew the coffee, light a $5 bill on fire, scream out my name and then drink 

I dont love starbucks coffee... however their Frap or what ever it is... are good
they have a smores one.... mm mmm good
 
rather than to to starbucks daily, I make my coffee at home using the following method.
 
First I spell my name wrong, then I fill the coffee grinder with beans and turn it on while trying to have a conversation with my wife about the plans for the day, then i brew the coffee, light a $5 bill on fire, scream out my name and then drink 

Conspiracy theorists keep claiming that the guvment is trying to control everyone.
 
They need to wake up and look at everyone walking around with Starbuck$ cups, from young kids to advanced middle agers.
 
Who knows what they are putting in their drinks to keep everyone coming back and shelling out big $$$ for a drink that costs pennies to make.
 
Talk about mind control.
 
Personally, the only reason I step foot in one is to use the bathroom if someone I'm with has to have their "fix".
 
And it seems like it's more of a generational, younger crowd that goes there.
 
Guess us old geezers can't handle paying $3 for something that used to be 25 cents and you got a free refill.

I dont love starbucks coffee... however their Frap or what ever it is... are good
they have a smores one.... mm mmm good
 
rather than to to starbucks daily, I make my coffee at home using the following method.
 
First I spell my name wrong, then I fill the coffee grinder with beans and turn it on while trying to have a conversation with my wife about the plans for the day, then i brew the coffee, light a $5 bill on fire, scream out my name and then drink 

While at lazydays this past weekend, I ran in to a couple who were trading in their trailer for a Diesel pusher.
I ran into them while in the Accessory store, they were waiting on the "numbers" from the dealer 
While talking to them I did mention this site, after they said they were avid FTW campers, they said they were member's, but i cant remember their names.
 
I did happen to seem them pulling out in the new RV later that day as i was leaving to get dinner for the family.
 
Anyway I just wanted to say congrats on the new camper!  
hope to run into them again soon as they were very nice, and funny!

just an update, we picked up the PUP, they had it set up on the delivery lot and said we could spend the night.
no major issues with the unit, it was missing 1 fan/light and the other fan/light looked like it was dropped, working, but visible damage.  The dealer is sending 2 new units to the home as they didn't have any in stock.
 
We got there at 10:45, and after redoing all the paperwork, we were doing are PDI/ walkthrough at 11:45.
 
Left the unit and went to dinosaur world, that was 10 min up the road, its actually not bad for $16

 
the heat index was 105 and we saw some storms starting to roll in

 
So we got to experience our first "sever weather" in the unit,  as my phone had alerts going off to seek shelter, back to the pup we go!
 

no Leaks, no issues, it was quite windy, with frequent lighting and some heavy rain for about an hour.
 
We got her closed up sunday morning and the guy in the site next to us told me to get new tires as the ones on the trailer were junk, however he did like the unit and was helpful with lining up the TV with the trailer.
 
I am going to post a question here and on another forum about pop up tires and sizes...
they are 185/80 R13 load range D tires (1710lbs) , westlake super ST's and I am thinking of going up to a 14 inch rim/ tire if it fits with a higher load and speed rating just to be safe
 
As for the tow, it was nice and easy, we kept the Xterra at 60-63 depending on traffic and had no sway even when semi's were going by at 10mph faster than me.

All of that looks amazing!!!   We're camping next to you :)   

Bahia Honda is the only place I have been camping at on the beach, and I loved every minute of it.
Its very popular so it books up quickly
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Bahia-Honda