Laura

I didn't read all the comments, so forgive me if this had been pointed out before. I think the reason they offered the SOS on Memorial Day was as a salute to the troops who have eaten it in so many mess halls over the years.  The chocolate bar was, I believe, a nod to soldiers eating military rations during WWII.  In the days before MRE's, soldiers would get daily rations, which always included a chocolate bar.

As much as it hurts, and brings up very bad memories, this story is stacking up to be very true. The father has wounds from wrestling with the gator to try and rescue his son. This family needs lots of prayers. Losing a 2 year old is the most damaging thing a parent can endure. It is not easy, it never leaves your mind, and stories like this knock you back into a downward spiral of despair and depression. Time will not heal. Time just allows you to deal with it easier. Again, they need prayers.

And thank you all for the great pictures!  
Sincerely,
Freezing and cold in Wisconsin.

I feel I need to confess. Our last couple of trips we have been in the last couple of sites in the loop and I would spy out if there was any traffic coming out of the loop and, if not, I would dash in the exit and into my parking spot before anyone came around the right way. I know, lawless visigoth! I feel better having got that off my chest, though. But yes, none of y'all should do that!

Hi. She means me Campingdad. You can either message me on here or at [email protected]. I would be happy to help you in any way I can. 

I impressed the TCD twins this past weekend by telling them that this photobooth exists.
 
We found it, and had a little fun:
 

 

 
Thanks, Dave!
 
I have not seen anything announcing that this photobooth exists, and nobody else was using it while we were there.
 
I claim SMPBBR! (Space Mountain Photo Booth Bragging Rights)
 
TCD

Nothing new, but a nice gee whiz bit of info.
Did you know that photo pass has a photobooth located in tomorrow land?
In the space mountain gift shop sits an unsuspecting photobooth. When you enter, you can scan a photo pass card or magic band and have your photos taken and associated with your account. You can then purchase a strip of the photos directly from the machine. The photo strip is similar to any other photo booth.
There is no cost to have your photos associated to your account and you can buy the strip online later if you decide. The strip is $5 for 3 strips with 4 poses.
If you have memory maker, you can download the photos as part of that entitlement.
A fun way to capture a few memories.

We have just about everything if you need something Marty.  We are in 1103.  
Laura

Welcome.
 
I agree with contacting a good travel agent (Jason) and working with him for your reservation needs. Jason knows Disney, and more importantly, he knows the Fort.
 
As for the rest, don't get so worked up.  In my opinion, the biggest rookie mistake is over planning.  Sure, make some plans, but allow plenty of time to be flexible.  Your family may end up loving something that isn't on the schedule.
 
So, keep the planning light, and be ready to go with the flow.
 
TCD

Drive it out onto a frozen lake.  Make sure it's at least 8' deep.  When the ice thaws, your problem will be solved.
 
TCD

You don't scare me Lou

Well,  I hope when they move it they pick out better music. Bing Crosby, Nice Christmas music, classics... The music they picked last year was not good. Why everyone always thinks they have to improve on a good thing just drives me nuts. It was loud and annoying with the exception of maybe 1 or 2 songs. Maybe I am getting old. 

Umm Excuse me Mr. Ranter, Doth my eyes deceive me or is that a BACKPACK in the stroller not another kid. duh. AND My DH carried my son all through The World in the baby carrier (in man colors of course) and Lukas loved it. I think we need someone to make a huge Troll carrier and carry you around for a bit. You will be singing kumbya before you know it. 

x7 He did the impossible for us and got The campsite we wanted AND a Cabin for my Mom right next to us. Very grateful. Thanks Jason!

Could be nothing.
 
I've seen lots of assemblies like that before.
 
They could just be discussing where to go for lunch.
 
TCD

I think their staff is hit and miss.  Seems like everywhere I went there were more awesome cm's with one ding dong. Almost like they have to throw an idiot in to be politically correct.  When we checked in, My husband, myself and baby were outside our bus checking in, when Jim went back to get something out, the door would not open. Something in the lock had broken and if you have ever seen a Prevost you will know there is no getting in from the outside. Leaving us stuck in the check in line with us outside and my Mom and Daughter stuck inside. During all this, the check in ladies held our baby, got me a chair, got a ladder, water, closed the lane so we would not tick anyone off ect...  they were so nice.                                                                                                                           When we first hooked up, we had no power.  Withing 30 minutes there was a crew there to help. And technically we were not supposed to be in our site yet.   My husband is not a good "Wait for the text kinda guy" we got the text saying our site was ready 5 1/2 hours after we were already in it.
When I had to go to the Customer Service counter because our bands would not work we got a very nice lady who took our bands looked at our keycards did something on the computer and said we were all set. Next day I was back because we still could do no charging with our bands or cards for some reason ( but we could get a snack on the DP) Boy the Park missed an opportunity that day! This time I got a very nice lady with a brain and took the time to make us new cards and whatever she did on the computer worked. Now we could open doors with our cards, charge with cards and bands ect...When I was waiting for her to finish there was a guy to my left with an British accent? Complaining that he had spent more of his vacation in the customer service lines then he did "enjoying what was supposed to be his 2 weeks of heaven" He was VERY loud and VERY upset, they brought out what I assume was the manager of the resort? and they took him in the back room.  They probably had him wacked.  I never saw him again.  
I went back the day after that to pick up a package for my Mom and the awesome lady came right over to me in line thinking things still we not working. She was so nice.
So, I still feel there are more awesome CM's then ding dongs.  

Im going to jump in here and defend photopass.
 
To start, the photographer who told you that you could enter your band ID into the website was mistaken. How it works is, when we scan the bands, the photos are associated to that band ID. The band ID is encoded to the photos and they belong to that band ID. There is no way to screw up the system. Its automatic. Where the problems arise are when the bands are associated to your MDE account. If the bands are not properly associated, or the MDE account and mydisneyphotopass account are not related properly, then the photos will never make it to your account. This has nothing to do with photopass. This is the mymagic+ side of the equation. The disassociation could come from various places. Changes were made to the reservation, new bands were issued, changes to your MDE account were made, whatever. Its a finicky system.  
 
With that said, it is unfortunate that you lost your photos. I am glad that they found some. It is a new system and there are growing pains. For future reference and to benefit anyone else if this unfortunate thing happens to them, there is a form you can fill out on the website that you can use to find those lost photos. You can even upload a picture of your family so the tech can verify the correct photos are put on your account. You send in the form and in a couple of days, your photos magically appear in your account. 
 
We do not anticipate this, but know that it will happen.
 
There are allot of photos taken in a typical park day.
 
In an average 8 hour shift, I can average around 2500 photos. That's just me. There are 200 photographers who work at the MK a day. That's 500000 photos taken and sent through cyberspace to the server located 10 miles away. Add in the other 3 parks, downtown Disney, ESPN, and every resort. You can see the technological feat.
 
If you can, please humor me and do a few things for me.
 
First,
 
Log into your MDE account, the one with the bands, and click on the photopass link.
 
Across the top, under where it says memories, you should see some links. These will be the parks you had your photos taken. You should see Magic Kingdom, and one that says Resorts and More.
 
Select Resorts and more.
 
Since this was a MVMCP, your photos should be here.
 
Im sure you already knew this, but many do not.
 
Now, were all of your pictures scanned onto the same MB or were they on different MBs?
 
If they were all on the same, skip the next step.
 
If they were all on different MBs, Is it just the photos form one particular MB missing, or is it random?
 
Think very hard about one of the photos you had taken. One with a character is easier. Date, aprox time, location, and what you were wearing.
 
Now, send me a PM with that info, and possibly post a picture here from that day, and I will search for the photo. If they are form the same MB, all I need to find is one and I can find the rest, add them to a card and send the card number to you. If your pictures were scanned to different MBs, it will be a little more difficult as I will need a photo from each MB scanned to find them. Our system will register each individual band and will not know if they are associated with any others.
 
Also in the PM, include the MB id numbers of the ones you scanned photos to and an aprox number of photos you are looking for. Sometimes they will show up in our system but not the website, due to the association problems in MDE.
 
I cannot guarantee anything, but if I get the info I will look and see what I can do.

We were there this morning. Our reservation time was 10:15. We actually got in about 10:25.
The buffet was full of fresh food. If something was low there was a panfull right behind the low one ready to be replaced. We were impressed.
Here is a list of what I can remember. ... fresh fruit.breads.pastries.salmon. eggs benedict.breakfast pizza.bacon.sausage.bisquits.gravy cheese grits.waffels.scrambled eggs.french toast bread pudding with pecan sryup.... those are the highlights I am sure I forgot something. We were happy. I bet you will enjoy!

We've never rented while at the fort but we used to rent when staying at BC all the time. Sometimes even just for a day or two to hit Universal Studios and the outlets. Alamo/National at the Swalphin offer great service and more flexibility, especially when dropping off. You can easily get there & back from DTD, Epcot or DHS. After hours you just leave it with valet parking. Haven't rented a car in a few years now, but I highly recommend the budget option of picking a day or two at the beginning or end of your vacation instead of paying to have it sit parked most of your vacation.
 
You can also drop off cars rented at the airport or other locations at the Swalphin. It may have changed but in my experience we've never been charged a late fee when leaving it with the valet after hours either. The rental office at the Car Care Center always had limited hours. The Swalphin Valet is 24/7.

Alamo/National has offices at the Car Care Center and Swan/Dolphin. They will pick you up at the Fort.

Hopefully DaveInTN will see this.
 
I know he has rented a car while at the Fort.
 
The on-property car rental place will pick up/drop off from the Reception Outpost at the Fort.  Here's a link to the Official Disney Site:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/car-rental-services/
 
TCD

LOL!
 
I think it's funny how Wilderness Lodge now shares with the Grand Floridian.  That makes no sense.  But, I guess it keeps the deluxe guests from having to share with a bunch of scummy campers.
 
TCD

This trip report is nothing but a bunch of pictures of food. 
 
I love it! 

Ray I know you warned us, But you still owe me that 3:45 of my life back. 

I'm in!!
Dave