bdm

I asked the guy at the check in if he'd take the truck and camper to the site set it up and get dinner going so I could go into MK..  I even offered him $20.. nadda 

This will be my first ever trip report, and it may be a bit heavy on pictures so sorry...
My sister and her family lives in the Knoxville area so we decided to do a relaxing trip down to Great Smokey Mountains national park, and visit with the family.  Turns 2 of her 3 girls had a cheer function in Pigonforge that weekend, bonus.
 
So on Wednesday we packed up the truck hitched up the camper and were on the road heading south on 75 by 9am.  Traffic was light and everyone but me got to nap.  Five hours and a few pitstops later we pulled into Ancor Down RV park

Great place super friendly and very quite after dark..
Camp was set up quickly and dinner was started, Hmmmm chili
Cody made great use of the abundance of stones for his many, many, MANY tractors we had to pack..

 
After dinner, it was warm, around 80f or so.  The decision was made to head down to the pool and splash around a bit, Only one small problem. DAD forgot to pack codys swim trunks.  So we got to swim in a swim diaper and t-shirt..  He's 2 he didn't care, Mom was a bit annoyed.

 
As it got later, and the sun started to set we decided to head back to the camper, get showered up and try to get the boy to sleep.  We had big plans for Thursday.  Go into Gatlinburg, and then head into the mountains for some hiking!!
Day 2 posted tomorrow.  
 

That is, but i do know just where it was taken in the park.

We don't hate the bunk house, but with a 2 year old and a new born in planning we don't think we will "need" a bunk room for 4 or 5 more years, and it could be time for another new camper by then.
The biggest problem we have with bunk house floor plans is the lack of windows in the family room / kitchen area.  We camp at a lot of state and federal parks and love to see the out doors if we are stuck inside.   We are also currently stuck looking at campers in the max weight range of 14,000 lbs due to limitations of our tv

Just gotta say this..,
Real trucks don't use spark plugs...
Enjoy.
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My 10 year old son tells me, "Dad the adventure starts when we leave the house." We now, as a family, see it as "We get there when we get there."

Wouldn't you think that, with AK right on property and, I assume, someone on staff there with some familiarity with the native wildlife of Florida and their habits, at least one of those yellow vested minions would be one of those experts and would be able to advise Disney re. This project and the relative effectiveness in deterring gators?  My guess is that, upon closer inspection, these are the same college aged geniuses you see everywhere carrying clipboards and traveling in tight packs around the property.

I've always said I'll pay a extra for good customer service.  That's one reason I stopped flying, zero customer service.
 
Glad to year they treated you well and completely fulfilled your expectations for service. 

We took our camper from Central Florida a couple of years ago and drove out to the Grand Canyon, staying at Trailer Village.  It was our third trip out there, but first with the camper.  Trailer Village, although basic, was a great place since you were inside the park, about a half mile from the rim.  We spent six days hiking and wished we stayed longer.  From there we drove to Moab, UT, which is a great drive through Monument Valley.  Incredible scenery.  We stayed in Moab and visited Arches National Park for the second time, as well as Canyonlands National Park.  Just a terrific trip.
Although we've been to Bryce and Zion, we want to go back with the camper, and hit the North rim of the canyon again as well as Capital reef National park, which we've never visited.
May be tough drive with a 2 year old, but won't be too long before it will be fine.
 

We've traveled in the south west, just never by camper we would fly in and visit parks and cities then fly home.  Its a 3 day drive from Northern Ky and now days we travel with our 2 year old...

I 2nd this.  Epcot was my 2nd favorite part right behind MK.  Now I like MK, then AK.  I what a full retool of future world!! and I want it NOW