Tony

Side benefit of all this is we may save a small fortune if we quit going. 

While I check out the Fort Wilderness facebook pages, I can't bring myself to participate.  All they seem to concentrate on is how to game the system, and also the latest fad they "must do".  That is what makes this site the best for Fort Wilderness.

My next suggestion would be to go to the Wilderness Lodge to the outside bar area by the lake.  They have good reasonably priced food, great atmosphere, and a good bar.  I would recommend the Bourbon Breeze to drink.

If you haven't seen the trailer yet and don't want to read spoilers, stop reading.
Who else was blown away?  I mean, the opening scene when Rey jumps the tie fighter was awesome,  and seeing Lando was very cool,  but did anyone not get goosebumps by the maniacal laughter at the end?  Wow am I excited for December. 
What are your thoughts? 

Cool! Looks like a couple of Cypress Gardens pictures thrown in there too.

We own our business. And plan carefully 

I just go. Long ago came to the realization that on my death bed, I won't remember the extra time that I worked but will remember every walk down MK main street.

You need to get into the fast lane of cooking and invest in a Ninja Foodie! 
 
The Ninja® Foodi™ | Pressure Cooker That Crisps | NinjaKitchen.com‎

Well after considerable thought about joining DVC I'm not into it right now. My main reason is the Fort has become our #1 draw for a Disney trip. Using points for a site isn't a good deal. Also another reason we considered DVC was for quick trips. Owning a new F450 makes pulling the camper a non issue. It's no more stressful than driving down in our suburban. We've done a few short trips already without feeling any negatives of taking the camper. We may buy in at a later date, but for now we are still campers. 

We went when I was a kid and they had a loop coaster - the kind that literally went back and forth through a loop and that was it.
The park was pretty empty that day and I think I rode that thing 27 times.

In my opinion, the problem at Disney Parks isn't the big strollers, or the wagons.  And the problem isn't the scooters.  The problem at Disney Parks is all of the dadgum people.  There are just TOO MANY PEOPLE in those parks.  Reduce capacity, and allow the folks to just enjoy their day without getting all stressed out over crowds, fastpasses, fireworks viewing spots, long lines, finding a seat at a restaurant, etc.  That's why I bailed on Disney and just go to Dollywood.  I can walk in at park opening without an ounce of planning, ride everything I want, get a great meal without a reservation, walk into a show and find a good seat, and leave not feeling like I need a week of vacation to recover from my vacation. 
There are big strollers and scooters at Dollywood.  You just walk around them.  Because you can.  

I'm lucky that my company offers generous vacation time. I typically have 5 to 6 weeks a year available. Also I have to work every 4th weekend. That gives me 2 days off the following week. So I can take 3 days and be off for 5. I try to always schedule a work weekend before vacation to cut down on time. Now that my wife is working again we are constrained by her time off. For example the kids and I check in on Saturday, but she is flying down Tuesday night. I also own a fabrication business. It takes up nearly all of my free time, but I have my father working with me so he looks after things when I am gone.
We also like to do short trips at times too. We've done 2 long weekend trips so far this year.
On the $ side we are fortunate to have some disposable income, and I don't mind spending it on memories while my kids are young. We buy AP's to help on park fees, but honestly we probably spend more as a result of AP's lol.

If you're a beer or wine drinker, you're allowed a six pack of beer or a bottle of wine per adult. Your beer will taste better than the $8 beers they sell on the ship. 
TCD

Sometime's when it's time to turn the page to another chapter in life, we resist mightily.  We are supposed to move on to a new, exciting phase in our lives, but we can't get there if we hang on to the past.  Perhaps your last RV purchase was that....it was time to move to the next chapter but you weren't ready and you were hanging on to what was.  I know I tend to do that.  But now it's time to jump with both feet and find out what is in store for your family.  I bet it'll be every bit as fun and fulfilling as those camping trips to the Fort....just different.    I hope you stick around here to let us know what you are up to, and how your family is doing.  

Just echoing what was said above... stick around!  We're in the same boat as you (and many others):  prices have pushed us out.  Ugh, that's tough to say but it's where we're at.  Now we try to camp locally and just eat on property.  Even without your camper, your comments are welcomed and wanted!  We Fiends have to stick together!!

ONCE A FIEND!  
ALWAYS A FIEND!
You can’t get rid of us that easy!
like Dave said you don’t have to camp at the fort to be a fiend. 
We all share a love of the fort, Disney’s, and the friends we’ve met there and here on this forum.  
Please keep posting. You’ve got years of experience and wisdom to share.  

You're still a FORT FIEND... We haven't camped for 2 yrs, but everybody's still stuck with me posting....😂

Relax and take turns having a drink at Crockett’s tavern while the little one plays at the playground with your significant other. 
Watch the electric water parade from Clementine’s beach at night. 
Go fishing at the pond. Just watch out for this crankynold guybthat claims ot for himself. Lol. 

"Thanks a lot, bin Laden"
 
Before anyone gets upset this is a reference from The Hangover. 

We have a trip booked in Nov pending Brian’s time off being approved and I’ve got to tell you, the more I think about the cost the more I’m like wth are we thinking? It’s a crap ton of money and sure we will have fun but will we really have $5,000 worth of fun?

If this was a once in a lifetime trip, $5000 would probably worth it to some people for a family vacation.
For a yearly or multiple times a year trip that's a lot of $$ (at least to me).
But then again I'm cheap...

All right!!
 

Very cool!!!

The Family and I representing the Fiends for Christmas. I didn't even catch this my friend just text me and told me to check the out the Group cover photo!
Maybe this will get us a boost in membership??