Breezy2

It sounds like the return of ticket books in virtual form. For no additional cost Genie will direct you to the A, B and C ticket rides. Pay $15 and you get access to the D ticket rides and pay an unknown amount for access to the 'E' rides. 

It was odd indeed. But all worked out in the end. We arrive early and have always received a text while still on I-4 just before the DW exit. So there is definitely some inconsistency between your reservations and ours concerning text messaging. I truly do feel sorry for the Cast Members during these unusual times. Change is the new norm and adaptability is a virtue. Fortunately I feel we’ve both enjoyed DW and The Fort in its glory days and can only imagine what the new norm is going to be. Would like to see them go to site selection upon reservation but I’m sure they have their reasons for not doing that. Interesting times. Enjoy camping during the upcoming holiday season! Any day at The Fort is a good day 😄

Correct-the "number" is still attached to a fax machine but the "assigning procedure" has changed. Our experience the week before Labor Day, when the campground was deserted, was totally different than in the past. "For the first time in forever" our request, sent 10 days in advance, was ONLY attached to our reservation and our preferred site NOT pre-assigned as done previously. We were texted a site that was NOT on our list. We drove up to registration, they had our list on our reservation, and REASSIGNED us to our preferred site. Obviously they got our fax, and maybe it was a matter of timing. But unfortunately our experience was a waste of the registration Cast Members time to reassign us to our AVAILABLE preferred site when we could have just driven directly to the site. The fax machine still works but for us it appears the assigning procedure has changed. Still happy campers, and it all worked out just fine, but felt bad for the Cast Member having to do extra work for something that worked so seamlessly in the past. 

It was odd indeed. But all worked out in the end. We arrive early and have always received a text while still on I-4 just before the DW exit. So there is definitely some inconsistency between your reservations and ours concerning text messaging. I truly do feel sorry for the Cast Members during these unusual times. Change is the new norm and adaptability is a virtue. Fortunately I feel we’ve both enjoyed DW and The Fort in its glory days and can only imagine what the new norm is going to be. Would like to see them go to site selection upon reservation but I’m sure they have their reasons for not doing that. Interesting times. Enjoy camping during the upcoming holiday season! Any day at The Fort is a good day 😄

See, we're just the opposite (but yes local).
We've gone for the 4th of July week on two different trips and never went to the parks (Silver blackout dates),
Found it relaxing just hanging out, resort hopping (now blocked), and going to DS and off site shopping.  
Not going to the parks, lets you feel like you're getting your $$ worth out of your site! 
 

I'm afraid you are correct. We all should help out are family, friends, and neighbors, if possible, if the need arises.

I’m grateful they didn’t rebrand it as the Reflections Lakeside Disney Resort Equestrian Center.
TCD 

It looks like they’re down to the finish items on the new barn:

I don’t hate the new sign:

TCD

We've done the border crossing dance numerous times over the past three years and you never know what the "rule of the day is"-LOL! The written rules are just a guideline that includes the word, "may". All depends upon the mood, friendliness, and political persuasion of the border agent on both sides of the border. As a general guideline, and it doesn't matter if it's a US or Canada crossing, we avoid having any fresh produce, meats or dairy in the refrigerator. Also, they don't always ask the " produce, meat, dairy" question but if they do answer honestly and be prepared to drive to their dumpster and throw away any "fresh" items. Or, in some instances they will ask to "take a look around" and do exactly that. Crossing is easy just as long as you don't try to second guess the food issue or go crazy trying to interpret the guideline in your favor. Have a "border crossing party" the night before you cross, eat what you can (save some for breakfast), and share what's left with your camping neighbors. Better to share than to throw it in the dumpster. Bon Appetit!  
 

We've done the border crossing dance numerous times over the past three years and you never know what the "rule of the day is"-LOL! The written rules are just a guideline that includes the word, "may". All depends upon the mood, friendliness, and political persuasion of the border agent on both sides of the border. As a general guideline, and it doesn't matter if it's a US or Canada crossing, we avoid having any fresh produce, meats or dairy in the refrigerator. Also, they don't always ask the " produce, meat, dairy" question but if they do answer honestly and be prepared to drive to their dumpster and throw away any "fresh" items. Or, in some instances they will ask to "take a look around" and do exactly that. Crossing is easy just as long as you don't try to second guess the food issue or go crazy trying to interpret the guideline in your favor. Have a "border crossing party" the night before you cross, eat what you can (save some for breakfast), and share what's left with your camping neighbors. Better to share than to throw it in the dumpster. Bon Appetit!  
 

I wish they had some sort of ticket for a FL Passholder to buy an out of state visitor  inexpensive tickets.

I figure that is probably what would be their issue-- the idea that we might use it as a camper.  We are not looking for using it as a camper while we are there, but it will have all of our stuff in it and is our vehicle.  And yes, there are sleeping accommodations for everyone in the cabins.  We have 8 adults and 3 grandchildren (8, 3 and 1).  The bunk beds in one of the cabins won't even be used.  But when I am looking for my whatchamacallit or my thingamajig, it's likely to be in the camper so I don't want it parked elsewhere.  Obviously if we are forced to, that will be that.
 
My husband did mention it when he made the reservations but the CM didn't seem to know the answer and was like "You might have to park it in the overflow lot"  I am hoping we run into nice CMs who are understanding and allow us to park it in the driveway.  

Don't worry too much about that.  The reservation CMs are nowhere near the Fort and there's a darned good chance the person he talked to has never even been there.
If you don't do online check-in you can talk with an actual Fort CM when you get there and explain it to them.
If you do online check-in you can just go to your site and take a chance they'll just ignore your RV in the drive (kind of the "ask forgiveness instead of permission" scenario).  Worst case you may get a "love note" telling you to move it.

Rode RotR on Tuesday and to date IMHO it is the best ride I have ever been on hands down.  No spoiler alerts here but I will say if you get sick on simulators or are plan tired of boring overused simulator rides this ride is the answer you’ve been looking for. Disney has set the bar high for future rides. Congrats to Disney for giving us a REAL ride!

The frame for the Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian has been erected.
These are the themed trees at Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail.
I hope it's cooler this year, we were sweating walking thru the trail last year!
 
The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail will be back for the 2019 holiday season and is set to begin welcoming guests beginning Friday, November 8, 2019, through January 20, 2020.
This walk-through experience in the Marketplace at Disney Springs has photo opportunities galore along with holiday music and falling “snow.” Keep an eye out for special food and beverage kiosks and merchandise from select shops throughout the trail as well.
Some themed trees will not return this year such as Pluto, 101 Dalmatians, The Jungle Book, The Muppets, and Alice in Wonderland and a few new trees have been added including Aladdin, The Lion King, and a Walt Disney World Theme Parks tree. Although subject to change without notice, below is the list of Disney-inspired Christmas Trees coming to this year’s Tree Trail:
Walt Disney World Theme Parks Mickey & Minnie Mouse Beauty & the Beast Sleeping Beauty Aladdin Frozen The Princess & The Frog The Little Mermaid Mulan Haunted Mansion Snow White Pinocchio Toy Story Disney Villains Dumbo Cinderella Robin Hood Star Wars Peter Pan Tangled The Lion King Mary Poppins Fantasia

IMHO my visit to Star Wars:Galaxy's Edge felt like buying a cheap knockoff Star Cluster:Spiral Universe toy at a local Flea Market. You know what it's supposed to be but somethings missing. The whole place felt like a total outlet mall experience of the real thing. Like PGHFiend I'm in no hurry to go back. I don't think the new ride is going to salvage the overall "meh" overpriced land perception. Disney just learned just because you build it doesn't necessarily mean they will come. There's more to it than that. They misguidingly gave us the fake when we wanted the real thing.

I miss the big things (Train, Tram), but I really miss the small things like the stump trash cans, covered wagon, cannons, log benches, petting zoo, peacocks wandering, etc that made the Fort unique.
It's sad that they can spend thousands$$$ on themeing the littlest things at the other resorts, but everything that that made the Fort the Fort has been removed and replaced by items you can find at any municipal park/playground.

Checkmate! Locked up the lucrative Orange County Convention Center area. Now if the South Florida train comes to fruition with a stop at the Orange County Convention Center they've showed their hand. Not to mention they are a "Gold Key Attraction Sponsor" of the Convention Center. Good move, Universal and Orange County. Done and done. 

You mean the Mickey Intelligence Agency is tracking down moles?

The Fastpass/Maxpass system for DW just like DL could be a step in the right direction. No more advanced reservations and placing all guests on the same level playing field. Good point djsamuel! 

The Fastpass/Maxpass system for DW just like DL could be a step in the right direction. No more advanced reservations and placing all guests on the same level playing field. Good point djsamuel! 

You are probably right. We are one of those pesky locals who used to clog up the fort on the weekends with a weekend trip. We work so during the week is out. At least there will be one less local family taking up a weekend reservation now..lol

I actually went and booked a site the day it was announced. No issues at all and plenty of availability. The 60 days doesnt matter as there are no fastpasses being offered when the land opens. 

Instead of charging more for the sites closer to the Meadows, they should just charge less for those sites further away....lol.
 
I also agree with PGHFiend. Any type of new investment in FW, even if it is for the high brow elites and us low life rednecks will never set foot in it, is a good thing. Maybe they will invest in some new common amenities too. But this raises the question of how high are rates headed in the short term. Is $250 a night coming in the new few years? I hope not.

I'm just glad they see the potential in the RV market.  I also hope that this will mean that the Fort is here to stay for another 47 years.