Mamma_Eagle

Sand is not open right now.  Any recommendations on an emergency clinic near WDW ?

I tried best friends and they have no vet - I was told.  Who knows, really.  Not sure who ever was on the phone w.. me was even in FL

thank you!

thank you!

thank you!

Please tell where to take our dog who needs emergency vet care right now.  We're at WDW and when I called them they had nothing to offer me.  Our dog has bitten open his surgical site and is in need of medical attention IMMEDIATELY and we have no idea where to take him

Wow... thank you all so much for your advice and words of wisdom. Security is a big priority with me so I am leaning towards just pulling in to a campground. It's not the money so much as just the hassle that can sometimes accompany setting up in the dark and maneuvering with this big rig that we're not so familiar with, yet.

We've read about the campground near the FL line called the In and Out on this board. It seems easy and convenient. Any other ideas ?

Thanks!

We'll be taking the BIG travel trailer for the first time and will be stopping along the way before checking into Fort Wilderness. Have you ever stayed in a Wal-mart parking lot overnight ? I've heard that it's fine with the management across the nation and even welcomed. Do you know if there are restrictions or requirements to park there ? Is it safe ? Other than not having hook- ups, are there any disadvantages to doing this ? Any advice you could give is greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Mitzi

Mamma E-

Here is a map and some info on the retail operations that are just outside WDW property if you exit the back way out of the Fort:

This is the route to the Winn Dixie grocery store from the Fort.

The route begins on the left of this map at the exit from the Fort's overflow parking lot.

From there, you turn left on Vista Blvd.

Take Vista Blvd. until it dead ends into Winter Garden-Vineland Rd.

Turn right.

Take Winter Garden-Vineland Rd. until you get to Apoka-Vineland Rd.

We plan on eating at a Giordanos on Apoka-Vineland. Never been but got a groupon. Is it in that shopping center with Winn-Dixie ? Anyone know ?

Thank you for all the suggestions! It sounds as if Winn-Dixie has a lot to offer. I would love to hear more about Publix, too. We don't have one here where we live and I've heard good things about it. We have a WD so it would be fun to shop at Publix. Would depend on the distance, however.

Does Winn-Dixie have a good bakery and prepared foods section ? I want to cook very little while on vacation! :)

Hello friends,

Please tell me where we can find your favorite grocery store near the Fort.

How far away is it ?

Thank you!

Mitzi

Hi,

As you probably know by now from my numerous posts about my dog, we're taking our precious baby with us for the first time this December. I would love to know if Ft. Wilderness (or anywhere on property or nearby) offers a DISNEY photo opportunity with our dog ? Can Fido attend the camp fire for a picture with Chip and Dale? I asked that already knowing that the answer will be 'NO' but isn't that a fantastic idea ?

Anywhere at all to have the whole (that means my Kenzi, too!) family's picture made with Mickey and friends or any other characters ?

Thanks!

Mitzi

Hello friends,

We'll be bringing our precious Kezi (see avatar) with us for the very first time to Ft. Wilderness. He hasn't gotten to go with us before b/c we didn't have a hard-sided camper but now we do - YIPEE! :dance:

My question is... what documentation (if any) do I need to have with me concerning his vaccinations, etc. ? He is definitely up do date on his rabies, etc. . Do I just get a printout from our vet or what ? Are they going to ask for such things when we check in ?

Thanks!

Mitzi

Oh, yummy! Thanks for the information, Dave! That's the great kind of stuff I like to know about.

Thanks, Yvonne! We do homeschool and appreciate the information. LOVE saving money!

Wow.... I appreciate all the advice. It means a lot to have your opinions! Thanks!!! :)

Thank you for the information!

We're hoping to make a spring 2012 trip to visit Williamsburg, VA and Washington D.C.

Any suggestions on where to camp ? We've got a big 'ole travel trailer. Any experiences in those areas ?

Any tips - camping related or not ?

Could we camp in one central location and just drive to both WIlliamsburg and D.C. ?

What month is best to visit ? Missing school is not a factor.

Thanks so much!!

Mitzi

We stayed at Rutledge Lake. It was very conveniently located to Biltmore and the sites we wanted to see in Asheville. A quaint little campground. It was our first time going private since we usually stay in a state park or forest.

My only complaint was that they didn't tell us that I-26 E was CLOSED down completely with all sorts of crazy and impossible detours for a 35 ft. trailer to make. We got horribly lost. Big flashing signs said "GPS unreliable" so we called the campground to ask for directions but they were less than helpful. Said they didn't even know that the interstate was closed. Told us to just follow the detours and the GPS. I was less than happy with them. It was not very good customer service to be unaware of an alternate route for their guests to take to get to their place when their exit was closed down from the interstate. When we finally got to the place, there was no one there in the office! We had to wait and wait for nearly 1/2 hour. Then, they tried to get us squeezed into a tiny little site that our camper would simply not go into. My husband finally just said "Look... this huge rig is not going to fit into that little space" (this after they tried to 'guide' him into it for 20 minutes.) So... if the interstate isn't closed and you have no trouble parking a huge camper in a tiny site, I'd say I recommend this place.

Hi!

Me again.

Need to be in Johnson City, TN pretty soon for a wedding. Hoping to camp instead of doing the hotel thing. Never camped up that way before. Recommendations ? DH found Warrior's Path State Park on the internet. However, we don't know anyone who has actually been there. Any experience with that campground or any others in the area ?

Thank you so much!

Mitzi

Oh, thank you so much! I saw that one on the web but you just never know if it's good or bad just from the pictures. I will look forward to reading your trip report!

Thanks again!

We're taking an unexpected trip next week to Asheville, NC and thought we'd take the kids to see Biltmore Estate. We'd like some recommendations as to where to camp. We have a 35 ft. travel trailer (Jayco Eagle) so would need a place for the bigger RVs. Also, I am known around here as the American Princess and will need full hook ups. No roughing it, please.

Thanks so much!

Mitzi

Hi,

Just wondering where you purchase your sheets and other bedding to fit your RV beds ? Our new Jayco Eagle has some out of the ordinary bunk sizes. BTW - I do NOT sew! :)

Thanks!

Mitzi

Y'all are so nice here!

About us....

DH and I are in our early 40s. He grew up camping all over north America and I hadn't camped a day in my life until I met him 20+ years ago. We started tent camping for the 1st 10 years of our marriage and after we had our 3 children (triplets!), we moved up to a coleman pop - up and now have our dream camper, the Jayco Eagle with bunks.

DH and I had visited WDW when we moved back to TN from PA in 1996. It was a wonderful trip. We won accommodations at a Deluxe on a radio show so only had to pay park tix and meals. We were hooked. Fast forward 9 years and it was time to celebrate the triplets' 5th birthday. I planned the trip for almost a year. We got annual passes because although our first stay was going to be at Port Orleans Riverside in September, we thought camping at FW would be super fun at the end of January into February. We loved it! We have been back 9 times since 2005 and Walt Disney World has become my hobby. I've helped about 10 local families plan their DIsney vacations simply because I am so passionate about it and it's become common knowledge that I am a walking book of Disney vacation information! We've stayed at several Disney resorts over these years and have camped at Ft. Wilderness 3 previous times. This will be our 4th. Now that we've invested in the big camper, I doubt we'll see the inside of another resort room. But, I'm OK with that. We love our camper. It's a true blessing! Although, it is scary when driving it. We got it in OHIO and drove it back to east TN. It was a knuckle gripping, nail biting 5 hours. DH had never hauled such a big rig before. He did fine, though. Whew!

Glad to be here! That's probably more information than you wanted ..... hehee

BTW - all those in TN, we live near Knoxville and love visiting the Great Smoky Mountains!

WOW! Thank you for the warm welcome :D So nice of you all to help me with my first post.

It is tempting to look into the premium sites. I thought we'd like 300 well enough and could save some money.

I assume that one can not walk their dog anywhere else but the dog run area ? How about around the loop ? I saw one post about a dog walk trail behind 300.