Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo..Karla

The darned Class A's keep catching my attention. If I were up for dealing with the maintenance, I'd probably already have one. Please don't encourage!

Sometimes that motorhome seems like it's the biggest money pit!

Luckily DH is very good at doing the maintenance on ours or we'd never be able to afford a Disney trip.

Boy, the camping box just keeps growing.

We can think of lots more things that you need....better get that bigger camper soon! ;D

"While the rides did reopen the following day, word is there are new belt checking procedures, security camera angles have been changed, more cameras are on the way, and unfortunately, the belt straps are going to be changed in the near future"

We were just there and I can tell you with absolute certainty that there are NO new belt checking procedures.

Are you bringing that sweetie pie?

If we get approval from his Mommy and Daddy. :)

I know he would love to meet your great dane too! (But I think Mason is still his favorite!)

We are signed up for October 24 to November 7

Karla - Can you take care of those by the time I arrive? I'd really appreciate it!

Working on it..... :laugh:

Looks like I have a little competition. I think I can still take him.

You're correct....he is :hah: "little" competition for you and Buddy!

The yellow flies are back....got my first bite of the season today down by Crockett's.

Durn sucker itches already!! :argh: Doesn't seem to matter what kind of repellant you use on against them.

We purchased our APs at AAA in Orlando. The savings was $20.

Of course, you have to consider the expense of gas to get there.

We were going there anyway so it didn't matter to us.

This is the only AAA that I know of where you can purchase APs.

They will sell to any AAA member no matter what state your AAA card is from.

Great pictures! You're making me wish memorial day would get here sooner.

Come on down!!!

Except for the weekend, this is what the Fort looks like.....EMPTY!!

This guy is the only one in the entire loop....

I do not know anything about the Fort's tent rental system either, but I would gladly pay top dollar for the young man in the pictures of the tents.

I bet you would too! Of course, we all know he's there in his role as the official "Snarky Fiend Greeter" :heart: . He was out looking for his Princess and her dog, err....well, one of his many princesses.

Here he is with some of his entourage at the beach.... :rofl3:

How about some different vehicles found around the Fort?

This doesn't look to different....

But here's a close up of the front. We thought it appropriate with Star Wars weekend coming up soon.

The design between the colors on this unit is made to look like barbed wire (I think this is a friend of Hilda's)

This was in the parking lot

And these were just funny

Did you know that there are two different types of tents you can rent from Disney to use at the Fort?

The bigger tent is the old style, but it appears that there is now a smaller tent available. I'm know nothing about tent camping, but it looks like the smaller tent will sleep about three adults or maybe two adults and two small children. When I stepped inside to take the pictures there was still definate "new" smell lingering inside.

I don't know if each size tent has different rental charges...something to ask about when I'm at the front desk next time.

Here's the two different kinds of tents

This is the new smaller tent

And here's the inside of the smaller tent

And here's the larger, original rental tent

So the next few updates will be stuff we've seen around the Fort.

Here's a few animals we saw...

Here's Momma and her baby chicks

All the babies are now hidden under Momma...well, almost

Animals...as in the DOGS (not the people) These dogs were only puppies!

These are two I hear about frequently, but I can't vouch for either since we always stay at Disney... :)

http://www.tropicalpalmsresortfl.com/

http://www.cityoforlando.net/fpr/html/parks/billfrederick.htm

Unfortunately after checking space availability in SC state parks (Huntington, MBSP), there is very little to be found (unless you want winter camping). State parks are very popular and get booked early. Few, if any, have sewer hook ups.

Private parks - like in Myrtle Beach - are just too expensive unless you wait until way out of season and then it gets too cold.

And then there's nothing located centrally....it's either east side (Myrtle Beach, etc) or west side (Table Rock, Lake Hartwell).

I'm still open to suggestions, but I've pretty much given up the idea of a SC GG :'( .

Then we tried out Goofy’s Barnstormer

Last year this was Aiden's very first roller coaster. Judging by the expression, I think he liked it!

The area was not too busy. I really like early May when it is so less crowded.

You can now take the train in and out of this area. The redesigned station is very nice and there are bathrooms (including a companion bathroom) in the train station. Unfortunately when we stopped there the air conditioning was not functioning well and the bathrooms were very hot.

If you haven’t seen it already, here’s the newest MK weathervane on top of the train station.

By this time we were hot and tired. Time to call it a day so we hopped on the train back to Main Street. As we pulled into the station the Avengers monorail (don’t look Lou! - well, I guess I shouldn't worry because Lou doesn't read TRs) was pulling into the station.

Then it was onto the boat and back to the Fort.

Next up….some pictures from around the Fort.

On with the next installment….

We were persuaded by Aiden that the Magic Kingdom should be our first park to visit. Pirates and Dumbo lead the list of must sees, along with Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, and everything else he could possibly think of to ride.

On our way to the boat we saw these big vultures sitting on the dock and sunning themselves on Clementine’s Beach.

Here’s some of the sites along the way…

Obligatory River Country pictures

The boat going to Wilderness Lodge

Waiting for the ferry to pass across

First order of business in MK was getting the little chick magnet made more irresistible to unsuspecting female Fiends. This involved a trip to the Main Street Barber Shop….

Judy was our haircut specialist. Here’s Aiden’s “before” picture

A couple of “in progress” pictures…

Almost done…

The final product…..what do you think?

Traveling down Main Street we were greeted by the Mayor

And we heard some funny jokes

And got serenaded

We made our way to Adventureland where Aiden was lucky enough to get chosen to go on stage with the notorious Captain Jack! Pirates (including Peter Pan and Capt. Hook) are his favorite. Aiden doesn’t know it yet, but he will be going to the Pirates League next week. More pirate pictures will surely be posted then!

Next up, some fun in the Haunted Mansion graveyard….

We worked our way through Fantasyland and ended up at the newly opened area in Storybook Circus. Dumbo was a must ride (at least that’s what Aiden told us!)

Here’s a few shots of the construction work taken while riding Dumbo. The cranes are very, very tall and there is a lot of steel work being installed. Maybe this is for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride?

You can see the new Dumbo still under construction.

Time to continue this in another post…..

The mugs were $11.95 plus tax and the total was $34 something. So about $8 for shipping 10-15 days expected arrival.

Sorry for the threadjack too.

Wow! I knew those mugs were heavy!

Thanks for sharing your trip! I'm in for the whole month of May!

Welcome to the "slow" boat TR.

Thanks all!

I'm the one who asked the questions that jacked the thread - my bad, sorry!

Thank you for these great photos! I want to pick up the phone and book right now. No free weekends though Who signed my children up for all of these darn activities and sports??? Oh right. That was me.

No apology needed.

Retirement (and being empty nesters has definate advantages like being able to travel whenever you want.

Nice!!!!! A month at Fort Wilderness.

That's our goal some day :jumpforjoy

Have fun. Looking foward to more.

As I said...retirement is so nice!!

I am in! Cant wait for my first trip to the fort!

A Fort newbie!!! Yeah!!! Welcome!!! :wave1:

I'm hooked!

....and we haven't even been to Bob's fishing dock yet!

Weeee! I'm along for the ride too!!!

It will be a slow ride all month...the Fort is my happy place where I come to relax.

Awesome!! Can't wait to read more!!

Hi Carol! Wish there had been more time to sit and chat last March!

Count me in too! Aiden is growing up so fast! What a cutie!

They grow so fast and get cuter every day. Of course, I'm not at all prejudice.

Just an FYI For anyone else interested, I called 1-877-569-6477 and was able to order two of the mugs!

Thanks for your kind offer to get mugs for us!

YC

No problem...glad you were able to get them!

I love this! Wonder if there are instructions online somewhere.

YC, what did they get you for shipping on the mugs?

Seems like they are pretty easy to make if you're handy with pvc cement and a saw. That means it's NOT a job for me to take on!

WARNING THREADJACK

For flag pole plans see below. I am not affiliated with this site, just sharing. Googled, "PVC flag pole".

I imagine you could use a T joint and a piece of PVC for the plate holder/arm.

http://www.google.co...ved=0CBUQ9QEwAQ

END THREADJACK

Aren't threadjacks part of the fun??

WOW on the First Page NO LESS!

Guess maybe I should get some more pictures posted quickly!

I'm in!!

Hi TJ – sorry no food or bacon pictures yet.

I was just thinking it's time someone starts a new trip report! :jumpforjoy

Welcome Aboard! :heart: for Anna and your girls! Anna sure is cute and growing up so fast.

I'm in and I want 2 mugs! We won't be there until June 1. How can we work this out? PM me if you think you we can pull it off. They were all gone when we were there at Easter and I don't want to risk them being gone before we get back in June.

YC...Eric

So sorry we will miss you!

I want a mug too but won't be there til Halloween (hopefully) and then December. Hey Lou........want to shop for a mug for me?

Maybe by Halloween they will figure out how to order bigger lots of mugs....well, probably not!!

I'm in! I'll be there memorial day weekend. I'll be sure to look for you.

Looking forward to meeting more Fiends. We will bring our "official Fiend greeter" to you.

I'm in!

Welcome!! I've been reading your CTSTGTTW-YIRDTSMTGTTF trip report too!

You know once I saw this picture, the rest of the TR sounded like blah, blah, blah.

I can't wait to see my Prince Aiden!!

Hope you guys have a blast, and I'll see you all on the 23rd. :wave1:

Your prince has missed you too! He is also patiently waiting to see Mason again.

it did take some time to move beyond the cuteness to finish the post!

Another victim Fiend falls prey to the "chick magnet" :rofl:

Will you adopt me. I won't fit on the dashboard, but you can just strap me to the roof. please.

:hugs2: :batman:

More please!

Thanks for sharing. :heart:

Hop on board (as long as you can catch us as we zoom on down I-95)...hope you can run real fast. ^-^

Karla-

It's great to see a new trip report from you!

You are off to a great start.

I have not seen the new Ft. Wilderness pin before, or that barrel by Feisty's site, so I have already seen two new things.

I hope that y'all have a great stay.

And I'm looking forward to a lot more photos.

I know you can find lions and tigers at AK.

I'm not sure about bears, though.

TCD

Thanks TCD! By the way...in this TR there will be a couple of pictures of particular interest for you.

And, we will find bears somewhere (that's call foreshadowing - I learned that from TCD reports ;D)

It's time for our annual May trip to the Fort.

Since we are here for the whole month of May, this will be a very sporatic trip report. Now that wifi is free, we did manage to snag one of Disney's cable routers to make picture uploading a little faster than using our Verizon Mifi.

You can find us in site 401...stop by and visit for a while if you're in the area.

Here we are on final approach. The guy ahead of us couldn't decide which way he wanted to go.

On Tuesday at noon time there was very little traffic. The skies were slightly overcast. Has anybody noticed they took out the concrete dividers between the lines? No more scuffed tires. Now if they would just remove the speed bumps. :argh:

Aaahhhh! We've finally arrived!

No line up at security. The flowers in this area are looking very nice.

Not very busy at check-in either.

This is Eddie who checked us in. The good news...we got one of our requested sites. The bad news...it was still occupied (at Noon) and we had to go to the holding area.

Look who's along on this trip...my favorite little Chick Magnet and Fiend Greeter, Aiden!

While having lunch and waiting in the holding area for our site to be ready, we saw these turkeys.

This guy was huge! Unfortunately it's just too darn early for Thanksgiving!

An hour later our site was finally ready. We were told the hold up was that the prior site occupants decided 11AM check out did not apply to them so they stayed until 1 PM before leaving. Of course, there were many other sites to choose from but we like the corner site for it's ease to walk to the MK boats, Crockett's and the playgrounds.

And that's just what we did after getting set up...we took a walk to Crockett's and ordered a pizza to have on the porch.

We saw that the bicycle rack had been moved. But, that doesn't matter because you just park your bikes against the fence anyway.

I guess this guy decided the bike rack was too far away so he parked right in front of the porch and went in to get a take out dinner.

"Doug" (the horse) was busy tonight giving rides to couples and families. The flowers here are getting a little sparse - time for some new ones.

Spent a little time with Aiden at the playground but it was getting dark and our bellies were full. Time to walk back.

Made a detour through the Trading Post and found these little beauties. The CMs said the mugs sell faster then they can even put them out and there are very few left from this shipment which came in a couple weeks ago (when TCD was doing his WDW pop from the Pop). If anybody coming for Memorial weekend wants one I will be happy to pick it up and hold it until you get here.

We walked back past Feisty's site and noticed the addition of a barrel to the barrier poles. I think somebody must have already run into the barrel - notice how one of the bottom rings is falling off.

These folks are across the walkway. I like their signs (Looks like they just have room to add a Snarky license plate).

Just as we got back to our site along came a Fiend...fladogfan aka Gretchen. We had a nice chat and I learned some interesting information about dog sledding. If you haven't done so already, be sure to visit the Red Tail Hawk Cam link that Gretchen posted. We got to see the babies in the nest. It got dark before I remembered that I didn't take a picture so Gretchen will have to come back for another visit and photo op.

And so ends our first day back at the Fort.

Aiden is looking forward to going on safari and finding some lions and tigers (and maybe bears), so hopefully we'll have some Animal Kingdom pictures to share in the next post.

Thanks for reading along.

Just loving your trip report!!

On the stroller....sometimes the simplest things defeat us. To fold that stroller there is a handle in the middle of the seat...just pull up on it and the whole thing collapses! No locks to undo or buttons to push. Don't ask me how I know...

And a GAG!!! Can't wait until tomorrow and I can get one for real!!! :drool1:

Here's some things I learned after experimenting and making t-shirts for my Aiden... ^-^

Inkjet transfers for dark shirts are a thin plastic like material and they do not breath very well. Transfers for light colors have a tendency to "crack" easily. Sometimes the ink colors on the transfers get blotchy or run if they get seriously wet and are not dried immediately or come in contact with sweat. (To stop this from happening, after you finish making the shirt you're supposed to machine wash them using 1 cup of white vinegar in the water.) The transfers are not cheap. I got the best deal at Michael's with a 50% off coupon. Designs need to be printed out on the highest quality setting which uses a lot of ink and ink can get expensive. After making this last bunch of shirts, I seriously wished for one of those hot pressing machines for transferring the design to the t-shirt. My arm got real tired using a home iron because you and need to use so much pressure. If you don't use enough pressure and the transfer doesn't bond properly to the shirt it will peel off and/or crack.

I agree that putting the transfer on the pocket would be a good idea. For the cost of the materials, and a quality t-shirt (since your DH would be putting the shirts to some serious use every day) maybe you want to look into the cost of having the pocket embroidered (ask Jen) or have the design silk screened onto the shirt (maybe the back?)