fladogfan aka Gretchen

This was a fun trip report.  You did so much even with having to work. 
Bet the kids like getting the one on one attention and much easier to cater to that child's wants/needs.
Thanks for a well written report.

Usually go with the flow as long as it's not way over the limit.
I hate those selfish drivers who weave in and out, so dangerous to themselves and everyone else near by. 
Another pet peeve is the drivers who tail gate so closely I can't see their head lights.  Why don't they just pass me?  Plenty of room in either lane.  Sometimes I move to the right lane, let them go pass in the middle lane,  move back and watch them tail gate the next car in the middle lane.  Jerks.
Right lane driving takes lots of patience to avoid on-coming traffic.

I feel for you- that is a very bad stretch of road. My oldest DD currently lives right outside Winter Park, about 20 miles from WDW. She often declines offers to meet up at WDW because traffic is so bad on I-4, and the alternate routes are no better. 
TCD

I agree, they came out very clear.
I wish I had more stamina to be able to keep up with you two.

Lol. Those comped tickets cost me quite a bit.  
 
Most concerts like most most sporting events prices drop dramatically if the venue is not sold out.    And the opposite is true if it’s sold out. 
But you need to buy them from individuals or scalpers. 

Our reservations are for 11/11 - 12/11.  Looks like we'll be able to see some of you at Thanksgiving!

Not sure how many people would get that reference.  
 

Nah, I think you're being too critical. I don't see it.
 

Note the purple hat on Grumpy. I always knew he was a Fort Fiend!


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I think ponies are used with individuals who have paralysis, as they can handle some weight being put on them.

On another note, one day in Epcot I saw a group of helper animals being trained.  They were standing around the jumping water near the bridge to the worlds.  5-6 dogs in their training vests, each with a human teaching the dog.  All of a sudden over on the left side I saw the last helper in line, a small pony.  Still wonder what he/she was being trained to do for a human.  

Okay... last I'll say and then I'll stop hijacking (sorry).
My mom has lived with chronic severe pain, her entire life.  She has horrible arthritis. It's attacked every part of her body.  Her first memories of being in severe pain, were age 8.  Age 8.  And yet, she never used the handicap spaces until her mid-60's, when she (basically) could not walk.  She never used those spots because she would say, "I remember being with Grandpa, who truly needed a spot, and people had abused the system and taken up those spaces, so he didn't get to go to the store that day.  As long as I can walk, I will walk".  
You don't abuse the system.  You don't dismiss the people, who need the help.  

I would be amazed if Disney had that level of organization or even has access to that information.  Actual Police Agencies have to jump thru hoops to get and keep access to State and Federal Firearms databases. Any abuse of that access is a Federal Offense and can get your entire Dept kicked off the net.
And don't forget that this is the same outfit that can't train it's Security Guards to give the same answer twice let alone enforce rules evenly.
I mean, what are they going to do if you say "No" to any of their questions? Are the Security Guards going to bring out the portable Lie Detector?  Are they going to start waving RV's into a TSA type vehicle search?
There's a reason most of us in Law Enforcement call this stuff "Security Theater".....
 
 

I will take part of the blame for that.  I have been very sick during 2017 and I am not a very public person.  The WWW group has known because we all talk privately on our phones.  However, I have been doing all I can just to keep my head up at work.  In addition, I was attacked at school after my surgery (to fix what was wrong) and had to immediately change jobs.  If you noticed, I disappeared.  I didn't mean to but something had to give and that is why I have some other people who help me in the background who I could not thank enough.  My goal in 2018 is to hopefully get everything back up to steam.  I cannot and will not beg people to come back, however, I can recruit new people to stop by for information.  I am not here to spread pixie dust, but the real deal.  I am working on being at Disney more often and reporting from there for the site.  The app will be updated this year come hell or high water and work on all platforms.  (or supergeek will not go to Blizcon, hahaha)  I apologize for not being the admin you expected me to be.  Unfortunately, when I get sick, I get really sick.  I will do better.  We will also be camping more and hopefully we can get some GG's planned for the year as well.  I know it is not much of a comfort for 2017, but it can be a building block for 2018.  Every site goes through ups and downs.  We have had our down and now it is time to go up again.

Do any of you remember years ago when the MK would be closed to more people entering? I think it was because the main parking lots were full.  That was back in the days before any other parks were built and fewer hotel rooms were available on property.  Now so many rooms with transportation included so the main parking lots don't fill up.  
Cram as many $$$$$ oops guests in as possible is the way it works now.

Do any of you remember years ago when the MK would be closed to more people entering? I think it was because the main parking lots were full.  That was back in the days before any other parks were built and fewer hotel rooms were available on property.  Now so many rooms with transportation included so the main parking lots don't fill up.  
Cram as many $$$$$ oops guests in as possible is the way it works now.

We hopped a small boat back to WL during the fireworks. We were just behind you.  The boat captain slowed down in front of MK to let us watch tink fly and see the grand finale. It was almost like a private fireworks cruise lol

It's funny, I was packing up our tiny Disney tree today to take with us and in the 4 parks ornaments set I have the Epcot ball has the wand.  I guess they're older than I thought!

Someone needs to come up with a shirt like this. Giant Snarky head on the front and on the back #TeamFortFiends.

The original Disney management would not recognize what Disney has become.
But, the same thing can no doubt be said about every Fortune 500 company that existed 50 years ago and still exists today.  A lot of them are already gone.
The times have drastically changed.
Everything is now driven by pure, unmitigated, blind greed.
Nothing else matters to them.
And that's why companies like Disney are in the messes that they're in.
Greed has been the cause of death of many companies in the past 50 years, and it very well be the cause of Disney's death as well.  Thousands, maybe millions, of folks will lose a lot as a result, but the guys and gals who are piloting the planes into the ground will jump out with their golden parachutes and live out their lives with more wealth than they can ever possibly spend.
TCD
 

What they said!  :)
Even with the new fencing there's still lots of sand to play in. And lots of other stuff for kids to do.
My brother's family is coming down to stay with us over Thanksgiving.  My 8yo nephew has been looking at Fort maps and activity schedules and videos and is losing his mind with excitement.  He has a long list of things he wants to do on this trip - they're all at the Fort!  In fact, his mom is a TA and they've stayed concierge level at a few deluxe resorts (this kid also like to order room service), and when he found out he could camp at the Fort he asked her why they've been staying in hotels.  LOL!!

I'm entirely with you on this one. While there are exceptions for special needs circumstances where a device might help, I think it's unfortunate how many miss the park atmosphere due to electronics. 
We have three kids (currently 12, 11 and 8), and we constantly struggle to find the right balance with electronics, particularly with the older two since the phone is the basis of their social engagement. It's really hard to know where the line is.  That said, we have had the kids there at every feasible age from 8m to 12 - and we have NEVER allowed them to use any electronics in the parks. We play word games, I spy, or just sit and rest, but we never allowed them to miss the wonder around them by burying their faces in a gadget. 

It's funny because when I went with my brother's family in October we split our stay with Beach/Poly (because I am the luckiest freeloader alive-LOL).
They didn't kill themselves, and did plan a couple of pool days for some down time, but they were trying to cram as much park stuff in as possible. And even then, they never made it to DS and only briefly saw a couple of other resorts when we went for dinner.
And then there was me - who would have been more than happy to spend all my time at the resorts, especially at the Poly (sigh). My SIL even commented about how much time I spent on the balcony. Shoot, if I could have dragged the couch out there...  

Just want to throw this out there.
Our last trip we were fortunate enough to stay at the Grand Floridian and their pools did not have MB scanners, anyone could walk in and out of either pool.
We thought we saw some people pool hopping but you really never know if they were or not.  I do know that their pools are much larger and nicer than the Fort.
YOU HEAR THAT FREE LOADERS!
Go to the Grand Floridian, they have two pools, a waterfall, waterslide a zero entry, hot tub, two bars, complimentary towels and a kids play area!  They also have grills near by because of the GF Villas!  Go there and give the Fort a break!
lol
WBI

The Fort is built on a reclaimed cypress swamp.  There is water everywhere.  Most likely hurricane Irma took care of a good bit of the vegetation which offered privacy.  Your best bet may be the 3000 loop.