caveat lector

The photo linking thing didn't help

The way RV's are selling I wouldn't hold my breath.

2.5 hrs of sitting in a recliner eating heavily butter flavored popcorn.....how can that be bad... it's better than being at work by a long shot

2.5 hrs of sitting in a recliner eating heavily butter flavored popcorn.....how can that be bad... it's better than being at work by a long shot

I REFUSE to use MDE while in the parks. I will make my three FP+ and dining reservation before I get into a park, then load them into my calendar app so that my phone buzzes at me when it's time to get to my next attraction or meal, and that's it. I don't tweet, snap, or #anything, and posting pictures here or to family on FB can wait.

Classic.
They add the ability to order one drink, and they jack up the price for the plans.
Disney always wins.
Call me when they have a refillable beer mug.
TCD

I envision a human sized frogger type game getting across I4. Think of the feeling of satisfaction for those that actually make it across.

I envision a human sized frogger type game getting across I4. Think of the feeling of satisfaction for those that actually make it across.

I envision a human sized frogger type game getting across I4. Think of the feeling of satisfaction for those that actually make it across.

Thanks for TCD on the scene reporting.
I think that's plutos paw print on the do not disturb hanger. We should probably get the snark forensic team involved to verify. 

I forgot to post the most important photo of all- Rocky enjoying the cabin porch:

Note that he is wearing his official $100 bandana.
TCD

I have a first-hand report about having a dog at the cabins.
The TCD gang made a quick two night visit over Thanksgiving.  Just Wednesday and Thursday nights.
I would have liked to stay longer, but we had to pay rack rates for the cabin, and they are expensive.  Plus, we did have to pay the $50 per night pet fee on top of that.
I checked in on Wednesday, November 22, at just before noon.
I did not do online check-in, but it was offered to me.  I wanted to check-in in person, so I would be sure to get the pet goodie bag that is part of the deal.
This is what the Disney Parks Blog says about that:
At check-in, Pluto’s Welcome Kit includes mat, bowls, a pet ID tag, courtesy plastic disposable bags, puppy pads and dog walking maps. Also included: a Pluto “Do Not Disturb” door hanger indicating to hotel staff that a pet is in the room.
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/10/dogs-welcome-at-select-walt-disney-world-hotels-starting-oct-15/
And this is what I got:

All of the stuff you see on the table was inside the yellow bag.  There was no pet ID tag, but there was a bandana.  There was one "puppy pad," and the bowls were suitable for a small dog.
As far as them keeping dogs on certain loops, I was assigned to the 2600 loop, and the CM told me that they did not have any open cabins on the two designated dog cabin loops. 
I was required to sign this pet agreement:

And they gave me this set of rules for the dog park:

This is the "Pluto" "Do Not Disturb" door hanger.  I don't see anything about Pluto on it:

As everyone here already predicted, there were dogs on all of the cabin loops.  There were dogs in the cabins on both side of our cabin. 
Fortunately, all of the dogs around us were well behaved, and we had no incidents.  One of the dogs next door barked at anything that walked by, but other than that, it was quiet.  I did hear some loud and constant barking coming from a neighboring loop, though.
For us, the experiment was a success.  It's way overpriced though, so I am not sure that we will be doing this very often.
TCD

That's fairly badass.

Speaking of cuties, this is our little furry companion, Chap. He's a Pomeranian who loves to hang out in the living room. We raised him ever since he was a pup and has been a bundle of joy all throughout the years. He also likes to play outdoors, so as a precaution, we bought a wifi dog fence, just so he wouldn't stray far from our yard. He would cuddle up during the night and would even lick us in the morning. Overall, he's a really good dog.

I just wanted to say thank you to all my brothers and sisters who have served and sacrificed.   And those that are serving now.
And to the families that sacrificed so they may serve.
 Thank you all so much!
God bless you all!

Rookie TR, but it's a place that we've visited several times.  Seemed worth a shot.  I'm also going to try using Google Photos to link.  Maybe utter failure.  We'll see.
 
First off, I live in El Paso.  It's a short 1 hr 15 min trip to White Sands National Monument (WSNM).  We loaded up the cooler, sleds, sand toys, and lawn chairs for a ride into the desert around 1pm and hit the road.  WSNM is out in the middle of nowhere. If you are approaching from the SW (which I was), the nearest town is Las Cruces is about and hour away.  It's a big town with plenty to eat, shop, RV resupply, etc.  Coming from the NE, it's Alamagordo and is about 20 min away.  It has the essentials, but nothing mind blowing.  WSNM is the only oasis in between.  Get your fuel or potty stop in before you cross into no man's land.  
 
We arrived just after 2pm.  We drove towards the back of the park.  We found a pull out in between the Backcountry camping trailhead and the Heart of Sands picnic area (https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/map-files.htm#UnigridMap).  The two picnic areas have tables with shades on them and some scattered charcoal grills.  Because we wanted to be on our own and were on a cold cut diet, we opted for seclusion.  Once we hit the ground, the kids jumped straight into sledding and playing in the massive sandbox.
 

Prepping the sledding luge.  The NPS plows the sand regularly, so you might want a shovel to make the end of the run a slope instead of a ramp!

Brother still sandbox playing.  Sis making another run on the slopes.

Look out below!
 
Eventually I gave them the idea to dig a huge hole.  Why not?!  Huge hole.
 

FIL and MIL helping the kids start their hole.

A little deeper.

Brother about waist deep.  
 
 
We set up our chairs and table for an easy cold cut sandwich dinner and waited for the sunset.

MIL and DW watching the kids sled on the hill in front of them.

This is the best I could do with my phone, but the sunset and the following twilight were unreal.  The sand and dunes really plays with the light.
 
This place is incredible.  My pictures don't begin to encompass the expanse of the place.  In our prior trips we've hiked some of the trails and the kids picked up their Jr Ranger badges (a program that they absolutely love by the way).  If you want to visit I recommend three things:
-Buy sleds before you get here.  The old saucer sleds are the best.  They'll sell you a new one at the gift shop for $16 and buy it back when you are done for $3-4.  
-Bring baby powder to help removing sand from skin.  The sand is the finest stuff I've ever experienced...on the order of table salt.  It will stick to a kid that's gone A over A on a sled and the baby powder really helps knock the stuff off.
-Pack in food.  There is nothing other than some minor lickies and chewies in the gift shop.  You'll have to drive into Alamagordo to get a full meal.  There is water (for bottles, not RVs) at the gift shop and vault toilets scattered throughout the park.
If you are staying all day, especially in the summer, a canopy for shade wouldn't be a bad idea.  It's super bright from the reflection off the sand.
 
Anyway, we watched the sun go down around 615pm and had to boogie out before the gate locked at 7pm.  Again, we love this place and make the trip up when out-of-town visitors are here or when we get an itch for the beach and/or sledding.
 
Thanks for reading.
 
 
Edit:  I fixed the pictures.  Thanks bdm for the explanation here:  
Edit 2:  I added the distances to the nearest towns.
 
 

Studios was fully decorated for Christmas yesterday morning, and the big tree was INSIDE the park. (Usually it is outside in the courtyard.)

If I'm there, you guys are fighting for 2nd place. :)

If I'm there, you guys are fighting for 2nd place. :)

Oh yes.
Here are some sample schedules from the TCD archives . . .
2015:

2014:

2010:

2006:

2007?:

I have to accept blame for the discontinuation of the Thankful Board.  That ended up being used as a way to air grievances, and the management decided to take that platform away from guests.
TCD

I'm still a little bitter about that year they had the donut eating contest.
Back in those days, we had to drive home for Thanksgiving with the extended family, and then hightail it back to the Fort, so I would always miss the best Thanksgiving activities.  I really wanted to compete in that donut eating contest.  Or at least see it.
I did get to witness the dodgeball game that year.  They did it on the tennis court by the pool.  Hundreds of people on either side of the net.  Absolutely savage. 
Ah, the good old days . . .
Thanks.
At least the schedule mentions that there will be Thanksgiving activities.  So we know there will be something.  I'll bet there will be a detailed schedule published at some point.
I wonder if they're bringing back the donut eating contest, but they're just trying to keep that quiet?
A man can hope.
TCD

2007 donut eating contest.   I smile just thinking about it.
The TCD archives are quite extensive.  The library of Congress on line 2 

Exactly.
The bottom line is always the bottom line.
If this latest scheme makes money it will stay, and if it makes a lot of money, it will expand.  If it doesn't, then they'll can it and cook up the next scheme.
Don't think for a minute that any of this has to do with giving something to the guests.  Of course the rules will be confusing and enforcement will be spotty.  They don't want to spend money on any of that stuff.  They just want the $50/night and the $75/night at the Yacht and Beach club.  I'll bet reservations were down anyway, and they had extra rooms that they needed to fill.  So, let's try this.
Disney always wins.
TCD

I cant speak for all Travel Agents. Some do not book it directly with Disney but use other options as they may make more commission or don't specialize in Disney. 
I do book directly through Disney. Everything except making a change or making a payment should work exactly the same as booking directly yourself. 

I bet this will open up Disney properties for additional conventions and meetings. That will be a new convention revenue stream.