Brent... Just Brent

I really do always want to like them, but like Carol said, when it comes down to price, that wins over location. Plus I hate the coquina. If I have to deal with that, then the sites in the Full Hookup loops are bigger and cost less. And just like Carol, I'd rather splurge on premium sites. They're generally larger and all paved. It makes a HUGE difference to me, but not everyone is me...

I'm planning to be there the entire week - Sunday to Sunday. Anyone else?

I used the facilities in December and no charge. You just leave your ID at the desk.

So a pizza that serves 3 to 5 people is $41?

Forty one?

Dollars?

American?

That better be some good pizza.

Looks like there are some unusual choices- anyone have a recommendation?

TCD

Three of us split the one size down from ginormous pizza last year and there were pieces left over. It was the white one Mo mentioned and was fantastic, outstanding, delicious... You get the picture. In the end we left stuffed for about $14/person including tip. There aren't many TS restaurants in WDW where you can do that!

I absolutely love it, but I'm also a very adventurous eater. Curries and spices are my thing. Breakfast there is good, but I noticed last summer it was really carb heavy.

I have to say that the cabin pool was a life saver the week of July 4th. It was 300x quieter and more relaxed, but it also felt about 20 degrees warmer around it.

And as an aside, why didn't they bother putting in some cart parking there? There are just a few spaces and they're always full.

AGR (another great report)!

Regarding the speakers on Main Street, I've seen them close on several occasions. The easiest is after Wishes! finishes. They play that slow song and then they begin to close. Hang around sometime and I'm sure you'll see them. It's pretty cool.

I'm late to the party, but wanted to comment on the Diesel situation at the Car Care Center there at the MK Toll Plaza. Their diesel pumps are far from well kept. The last time I got diesel there (November), there was a lot of me yelling in the speaker. Turns out, their diesel pumps don't take credit cards (even though the have a reader) and you have to go in and pre-pay. It's a pain if you're trying to fill up. Still, good prices and for diesel, the next closest station is way out on 192 near Celebration.

So I've been slack in my posting on FF.net for way too long. I love the Fiends and I love the Fort, but sometimes that whole life/job thing really gets in the way of my having any free time. This TR is about my annual Fall Fort Pilgrimage that took place November 26 - December 3. I don't have a ton of photos, so it should be quick.

A little big of quick background... this trip was ruined from the beginning. I normally go the week before Thanksgiving, but that just couldn't happen this year unless I was going to drive from Lexington, Va. back to Charleston and then the next day load up and drive to the Fort. So I had to change my plans, and in the end it all worked out AND my good friend Justin was able to join me, which helped keep me out of the parks and slow down a little.

The plan was to leave at 10am on Monday, November 26. As with all of my plans, it didn't quite work out. I think we finally left about 3pm when Justin finished a work project. I wasn't mad, though. We were going to the Fort (and he was driving, so I was sleeping to the Fort). Here are my last minute things waiting by the door.

(I don't pack in garbage bags, but it was the easiest way I could come up with to get a blanket there)

About 5pm, I took over driving.

FINALLY, we arrived at the Fort a little after 9 on that Monday night and there may have been some mumbling about me breaking the sound barrier in a VW, but I don't remember that being the cast. Check-in went smoothly (so smoothly the night guy never asked to see my ID or Visa card that I had done online check-in with) and I had gotten one of the sites I requested - 1638. It was a little short, but it turned out to be a GREAT site for a couple of specific reasons (why I requested it).

I had rented a camper from my usual company and they also gave us a golf cart. (I won't name the company since they're not a FF sponsor, so rent from those guys. They're really great). The owner texted me that everything was setup and the golf cart was in overflow next to "a little white Disney trailer." Well... I think I recognized that trailer.

It was the Mouse-ke_T@B!

I dropped Justin off, we got the cart and then headed to find our site. As I was pulling into the 1600 loop, a nice couple on a golf cart pulled over to wave me by. It turns out this was our very own Mo and Brian... and the only time I'd actually see them that week.

I had a lot of trouble wiggling the car in the leftover space in the site, but eventually got it. Justin just parked the golf cart on the grass. We got the basics setup and unpacked and eventually called it a night. I think I looked at my watch and it was around 3am when I finally got on the pullout sofa "bed".

Tuesday, November 27

As is usual when I'm at the Fort, I couldn't really sleep in. Sleep was also inhibited by the tree trimmers on our site working on the Palmetto trees. With motorized saws. At 8am.

Turns out it was our neighbor who had called them. One of the trees was rubbing her MH and ants were coming in. Needless to say, I couldn't really be mad about that. And, it turns out, our neighbor was Nancy the Bird Lady! Great meeting her (I don't think she's on here) and couldn't have asked for anyone nicer around that week.

I went off to get creamer from the Meadows and then made coffee. Coffee at the Fort, under the awning, in a reclining chair (photos later). Life doesn't get any better than that.

I'm not 100% sure of the days activities, but I know we went to the Winn Dixie to stock up on food for the week and we decorated. Well, Justin decorated. I'm not much of a decorator, but I think the results were pretty good. The cart also got Fiend-ified for the holidays.

Yes, it has a tail. That was not my doing. I also bought some of those battery operated LED lights for it. They worked GREAT and I think I only charged the batteries once that week.

I feel that it's important to point out here that the cart didn't have a windshield. It wasn't "cold" by most standards that week, but when you're out in it for 10 hours and moving at 8 MPH on a cart, you are FREEZING. I spent the week wrapped up in layers.

Here are some of the site decorations.

That's it for Tuesday and I'm close to the photo limit I'd guess. Coming up... I'm going to get called up for the PGA tour and/or as a PIXAR animator.

I'm late to the party, but I'm in. Great trip so far it looks like. You were, at least far enough back in 2000 that it should have been pretty quiet, but sounds like maybe not...

Great TR MD. Looks like everyone had a great time. So three cases of beer and you needed to replenish on day 2? No wonder you're always in bed by 9pm!

Just catching up, but great trip report Dave. That was a lot of eating two weeks. I applaud you sir!

I'm in! Looks like that fridge can hold a lot of punch!

I've been very bad in my commenting, but I have been reading.

I spent last New Year's eve in Epcot and I have to tell you the scene was very different. The night was very enjoyable and there was plenty of space to stand around world showcase. It looks like it was a very differencing this year. At least you had fun!

Thanks everyone!

I can't believe that I worked, drove down and still made it over to drink punch and hang out with y'all! It was a fun evening. I believe that Trevor and I made plans to go in to business in another state!

The conversations we were all having that evening were.... interesting. I just remember being in Stef's chair and having to roll out onto the ground so I could standup near the end of the night.

True. And I know both of us went into it expecting the worst. I guess we were pleasantly surprised when it wasn't as bad as we thought. I think most people were just drinking themselves silly, so I also wouldn't recommend it for some families. It felt a little more geared towards adults.

I disagree, but I didn't have a stroller, so can't factor that in. I was at EP last year for NYE. I thought it wasn't so bad. Definitely crowded, but not much worse than a busy food and wine day. They had extra food stands and lots of drinks stands around. Concerts and other things going on. The wait for Soarin' was about an hour, so again, not much different than a busy day. We got a great spot for fireworks and all. The only thing I will say is that there were very long lines for the restrooms and I'd DEFINITELY take Disney transportation. It took an hour just to get out of the parking lot, but again, we left right after midnight instead of staying until 2am when it would have been better.

Compare the look on Justin's face in those two photos. It wasn't "ewww" - that was the 'punch' look on his face.

I agree. Stef is being really, really nice. It was definitely the, "I've been drinking punch for 7 straight hours" look on his face.

I'm in. That story about the cooler sounds like a decent explanation for chilling the punch keg-style. Then again, I don't think anyone would notice after a glass or two.

It was great last year. Very reminiscent of CW. Doubt I'll be back again this year, but enjoy!

OK, so yeah... Peter Pan girl is creepy. What I got from that, though, is that Peter is a pro. Props to him for (apparently) handling that situation well.

Glad you're having fun. I rode by quite a few times, but never saw you guys around. Have a great least few days!

That is the first I've heard of it

Same here. They had that several years ago, but I haven't heard it's back. Then again, I've been out of the loop for over a week now.

I did that yesterday. It was interesting. Very cool effects, for sure, but once was probably enough.