WannaBeImagineer

I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed but WDWNT has been posting some artist renderings of the new Reflections resort.  They have been rolling them out a little at a time, like they do everything else to get more clicks, but that got me to thinking, where are they getting this info.  So I did a little digging and the first thing I found was this:
Permit Plans
I'll let you click through and look at the details in that post, but some highlights are a new dock next to the existing one at the Fort, parking right next to Pioneer Hall, I mean that literally, look at the handicap spots, and their appears to be more cabins than we first thought that are not right on Bay Lake.
Oh and if you want to see what the inside of the rooms and new building look like check out WDWNT.
WBI

I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed but WDWNT has been posting some artist renderings of the new Reflections resort.  They have been rolling them out a little at a time, like they do everything else to get more clicks, but that got me to thinking, where are they getting this info.  So I did a little digging and the first thing I found was this:
Permit Plans
I'll let you click through and look at the details in that post, but some highlights are a new dock next to the existing one at the Fort, parking right next to Pioneer Hall, I mean that literally, look at the handicap spots, and their appears to be more cabins than we first thought that are not right on Bay Lake.
Oh and if you want to see what the inside of the rooms and new building look like check out WDWNT.
WBI

I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed but WDWNT has been posting some artist renderings of the new Reflections resort.  They have been rolling them out a little at a time, like they do everything else to get more clicks, but that got me to thinking, where are they getting this info.  So I did a little digging and the first thing I found was this:
Permit Plans
I'll let you click through and look at the details in that post, but some highlights are a new dock next to the existing one at the Fort, parking right next to Pioneer Hall, I mean that literally, look at the handicap spots, and their appears to be more cabins than we first thought that are not right on Bay Lake.
Oh and if you want to see what the inside of the rooms and new building look like check out WDWNT.
WBI

I also really like Illuminations!
I also would not be opposed to a new show.
What I really like about Illuminations is the ease of watching it!  I have great memories of watching it from all these different places, and not being in a mob like Magic Kingdom or not having to line up and wait like Fantasmic.  We've also been very fortunate to get some pixie dust thrown our way a few times giving us access to special viewing areas.  But what other park can you be enjoying an adult cocktail inside a bar, walk outside and watch the fireworks the instant they start?
WBI

I'm thinking this one... 

Am I the only person that never ate at Artist Point?  We always intended to try it but never found the time, we did enjoy Territory Lounge though.
On another note, they just converted half of WL to DVC, then refurbed the concierge lounge, and then temporary stopped the antics at Whispering Canyon saying they wanted to make the Lodge feel more like a high end deluxe resort...now the silliness is back and they are adding dwarfs?  Odd.
WBI

Great update!
I really want to drag the camper out to that section of the US, one of these days I'm going to.
Thanks for posting the trip report!
WBI

Hey everyone!
I was just looking at some of my ongoing projects and realized I never posted our video from our Fredericksburg trip we took way back in February.
Since there was some previous interest in Fredericksburg, I thought I'd go ahead and post it.  Feel free to ask me any questions.  
 
We camped at Oakwood RV park, it was pretty good, nothing fancy, our spot was basically a parking lot type area on gravel with a concrete pad for the picnic table.
We at some good German food.
Ate great BBQ
Hiked at Enchanted Rock
Went to the National Museum of the Pacific War
Went to a couple vineyards and wineries
at Mexican food
and all kinds of other things (mostly eating)
WBI
 

Ok one more video in case anyone is interested.  I just finished this one up today and sorry its a little long.
We once again camped over spring break at Grayton Beach State Park on 30A in the Florida panhandle.  They have a limited amount of campsites and they book up a year in advance but we love this place, mostly for the beach and proximity to the 30A things we like to do, aka Seaside.
Thanks for watching!
WBI
 
 

These things always have an ebb and flow.  Yes, the RV market has exploded in the last few years.  But at some unknown point a combination of things will change that:  the economy will go into recession, gas prices will spike, an international crisis will send consumer confidence plummeting, people will simply tire of RVing and move onto the next big thing.  Etc etc.  Other than a huge hit to the value of our used RV's as hundreds of thousands of unwanted units glut the market, the exit of all of those people from the lifestyle will be somewhat positive for those of us that might remain and will be able to snag campsites again.  It's happened before, and it'll happen again.  Just look at the economic history of Elkhart, IN.  Boom, bust, boom, bust, and so on.  The issues is, there is no way to know when it'll happen.  But when it does, watch out.  I wouldn't want to be one of the large banks lending in that space when the bottom drops out.  Repossess a house, and you have a chance of getting out.  Repossess an RV in a down market, and you've got a depreciated, rotting hunk of junk.  

We were there last week of March thru first week of April. Crowds were ridiculous, but it was still fun. Avatar rides are spectacular. I do agree that we will probably try to avoid spring break in the future, but a summer trip could be fun. The new 5th wheel has 2 air conditioners so staying cool is not a problem. I wish I was sitting in my chair on lot 1417 right now. Thinking about whether a GaG was in my future, or maybe jumping a boat to the magic kingdom for a casual walk and some treats, maybe take the pups for a walk to the dog park, figure out what movie is playing tonight, or hoping the resort boat to a nice formal meal.
Expensive.....yep
Crowded.......yep
Do it again in a minute......yep
.

We have been  back almost a month now and we are ready to go back. It was still to crowded cost to much and I already booked it again for next year. We will never learn.

I also really like Illuminations!
I also would not be opposed to a new show.
What I really like about Illuminations is the ease of watching it!  I have great memories of watching it from all these different places, and not being in a mob like Magic Kingdom or not having to line up and wait like Fantasmic.  We've also been very fortunate to get some pixie dust thrown our way a few times giving us access to special viewing areas.  But what other park can you be enjoying an adult cocktail inside a bar, walk outside and watch the fireworks the instant they start?
WBI

Thank you!
I did book one, but it's just a placeholder, not an actual cruise. We don't have one scheduled yet.
WBI

Exactly!
I fully agree, I'll spend every dime I can on memories and family time!
WBI

Hey it worked that time!
WBI

Well technically eight videos...
That's right, I'm not going to write up a traditional trip report, but I have been creating some videos from each day of our December Disney Cruise so I thought I'd share them here in case ya'll want to check it out.
The details:
We went on a Disney Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise out of Galveston in mid December on the Disney Wonder.
This was our second Disney Cruise, our first was on the Fantasy in 2015.
Galveston Port was super easy, parking was slightly offsite but not too bad.
The drive was great for me!  Only 3 hours and we got to stop at Buc-ee's both directions.
I won't make you wait for the end but we loved this cruise!
The weather wasn't great on our first day, and the water in the Caribbean was a little cool but I'd do it again in a heart beat.  
Ok let me see if I can post the youtube link.
WBI

I finally watched that movie last week, not too bad.
WBI

I hate boats, and always avoided cruises because I thought I'd be fearful being onboard one.  But I have no issues on a big ship, it turns out.  
The bus ride is about an hour, IIRC.

Take Z to the pub and let the boy fill up.  
I REALLY broke my diet on this cruise.  I never eat wings at home, but I did on the Wonder.  Which lead to eating further things I never eat at home.  Which lead to weight gain.  LOL.  
There you go, Kelly.  Take Z for some wings.  
And Nick, I like your style....using the boy to distract the female CM's while you scarf down some wings.  

The nice thing about the Pago Pago building is it's a relatively short/easy walk to the TTC to catch the ferry over to MK, so that's what I did at lunch.

I went to the Starbucks on Main Street and the guy could not have been more disinterested in my birthday... despite wearing my birthday button (which I only wore on my actual birthday, not the rest of the trip) and asking about using my birthday reward. No little happy face on the cup or anything. No Starbucks magic for me. But I did get to be on Main St for my birthday so that's plenty good.

I had some fun with a PhotoPass photographer on my way out. I tried flirting shamelessly with him but I expect I just creeped him out. I should really start acting my age now that I'm well into my 40s...


When this trip was planned/booked I knew I'd be here for my birthday so I thought quite a bit about where I wanted to go for dinner... So I booked us Hoop Dee Doo!

Bucket of salad? Check.

Tasty corn bread? Check.

Beans, corn, and spuds? Check.

Sad because you've already gone through your first bucket of meat? Check!

My sister was thrilled to see Chef TJ who came around because we'd indicated gluten-free. My sister asked him for the gluten-free cornbread and TJ said, "Sorry  - we don't have any". My sister was pretty disappointed until he  reached into his chef coat pocket and produced the gluten-free cornbread he'd had all along. That was good for a laugh. And they were generous with the refills too.
Speaking of refills... I ordered the white sangria and a lemonade.


When I finished the white, I figured I should try the red. Our server brought that AND she brought along her own special blend. The blend was fantastic! It's mostly white, with a bit of red, and a bit of orange soda. Amazing! I didn't finish the red - I was ready to float away with all those liquids.
The show was as good as always. They seem to enjoy themselves and I think they're often genuinely cracking up.

My strawberry shortcake came with a candle. 🙂

When we got outside it was raining but this time we were prepared with ponchos! I wanted to check  out the Trading Post so we went there and browsed for a bit, then took the bus back to the parking lot and drove back to the Poly. Not a bad birthday!

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

I head out on number 3 Wednesday 

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

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