DinDavie

How in the world did this thread go from FF dying to Moose?

OK so I got my shots, I'm retired but we still need to wear a mask out in public and we can't get into the Magic Kingdom because of it being the Easter Season.  I had to get out of the house.  You know you are bored silly when the only thing you can think of doing is going to a new gas station that's 45 miles away.  And that's how we found ourselves at Buc-ee's.  If you are traveling south to I-4 you will drive right by it.  Exit onto LPGA Blvd which is just a few miles north of the I-4 turnoff.  The place is huge.  It has 104 fueling pumps and 53,000Sq ft of retail space inside the store.  Gas is cheap by comparison.  The price for regular at the Race Track station in Winter Springs on March 24,2021 is $2.79 and at Buc-ee's its $2.56.  This is not a truck stop so you will not be competing with big rigs for space at the pumps but it you are driving a big Class A and towing a trailer you might want to rethink your visit.  I did see Class A's getting gas however.  Once you walk inside you understand where the real profits are made.  It is a very efficiently run operation with well over 200 employee's.  When I was in there at 1:00pm there were around 1000 customers looking at food, snacks, clothing, toys, and other household items.  I like to think of myself as someone with strong control over my impulses but after only 1 hour in the place I had dropped over $120 not counting gas.  In my defense I was with my wife.  Try to imagine a giant Cracker Barrel inside a Bass Pro shops with an upscale surf shop and Texas BBQ.  After sampling some of their signature sandwiches I think the BBQ Brisket sandwich will have you coming back on your return trip home. The only downside is they do not have any tables or seating so it is all take out.  Did I mention that the rest rooms are huge, clean and they sell art work in them.   

Thanks I'm going to do all three, call the suggested restaurants direct, and check out Disney Dining.  I'm also going to disinvite the vegans to make the party smaller and then get a birthday cake from Publix and have it at the camp site.
 

Well it was our 49th anniversary on June 5th and our trip to the Fort had been cancelled so we decided to go to DS just because we were really missing Disney.  I just want to report on our experiences so other people can plan accordingly.  You have to park in the Orange parking garage which is the furthest garage from the older parts of Disney Springs.  There were lots of spaces on the first and second floors so parking is easy.  You are met by friendly CM's who direct you to a quick moving line for a 1 second temp check while still in the garage.  As you walk through the mall you notice that most of the small shops are still closed and there are no crowds so maintaining a social distance is not an issue.    Yes, we did wear masks as soon as we exited our cars so no one had to remind us.  We walked to the World of Disney store and entered on the west side of the building.  Its the only entrance.  All the other doors are for exit only.  Once inside we noticed they had removed a lot of the round shelving units to make more room to walk around.  Most patrons chose to wear masks.  We did see small children not wearing masks and  it did not cause any conflict with other patrons or CM's.  WE did experience difficulty walking out side with our masks but not inside.  It was a hot and humid day and once the masks got a little damp from breathing and the weather it became difficult to suck in air.  We ate inside at the Boatyard and noticed they had the tables separated at least 12 feet apart.  The food and service were great.  WE did not have to wear the masks inside but the entire staff did.  AS we walked back to the parking garage we both had to stop and rest twice because the masks made it difficult to keep enough O2 coming in.  There are CM's every where cleaning all surfaces.  One of the reasons why we like coming to Disney is because it is one of the happiest places on Earth.  With most everyone wearing a mask its difficult to see their smiles or hear their voices. So it didn't seem so happy. We left  2:00PM Wondering how we are going to go to the parks in August, our next reservation at the Fort.  We are hoping the pools are open by then.  It was good to be back if only for a few hours.  None of us know how this is all going to work itself out.  We are 70 ish so we may have to plan our trips using more rest periods or time in restaurants with A/C.  Finding ways to keep masks dry will also be an issue.

Thanks for all the reply's.  The website was very instructive.  I have a hat and t-shirt that says "remain calm and be Dapper."   As for who told me I was going, that would be DW and DD.  I have a very important task of pushing the baby buggy around with the grandson in it.  I am much relieved that I will not have to sing.

Thanks for all the reply's.  The website was very instructive.  I have a hat and t-shirt that says "remain calm and be Dapper."   As for who told me I was going, that would be DW and DD.  I have a very important task of pushing the baby buggy around with the grandson in it.  I am much relieved that I will not have to sing.

I went last year in the last two weeks of August.  Florida Kids go back to school so it is less crowded with the exception of the pool at the Fort.  Everybody staying at the Fort is in the pool in the after noon.  I hope you like people because it can get a little tight.  While the water is wet, it is not cooling.  I would also suggest that you bring a hat for everyone in your party and wear a cheap T shirt at the pool so you and yours don't look like that guy who glows in the dark when the sun goes down.

You don't buy an RV as a investment.  Everything goes down in value.  Some more than others.  While I agree with much of what the article writer described in his article, his recommendation was a Casita.  No way will that be comfortable for more than 1 person.  There are a few manufacturers that have an excellent reputation for quality but you will find that you will still have to do maintenance on all of them.  You will also have to recognize that you will pay for what you get.  There is one very large manufacturer that claims 80% of the RV market.  That is based on price not on quality.  The quality manufacturers do not have problems with delamination because they build a quality product using quality materials.  While an EPDM roof is guaranteed for 12 years it should last 20.  It will tear if you let a tree branch scrape across it.  Don't ask me how I know.  Many quality companies use fiberglass roofs and fiberglass front and rear caps.  The quality manufacturers for Class A's are Newmar, Tiffin, Winnebago and Fleetwood.  The next time you go camping look around and see what everyone else has.  The new ones are going to be different from the old ones.  The units still on the road after 10-20 years will most likely be the ones I mentioned.  But there are always exceptions.  The writer found a few really bad pictures and used them to slam the entire industry.  In most cases that's fair but not in all cases.  My current RV is a 2007 Newmar Baystar.  Its built on the same assembly line that their $1 million dollar Essex's are build on by the same people.  My unit is an entry level Class A with a Ford Chassis.  I never had a leak and the quality of the components are generally good but I still had to fix the hot water heater, the refrigerator and the automatic steps over the years.  If I had to do it all over again and I just might,  I would stick with a gas Class A with a full body paint job, Fiberglass Roof  and a residential refrigerator.  But units from those manufacturers with those features are not cheap. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
rv*& market

They sell stuff in an spray can that can be sprayed in a stream.  You still need a ladder to get up to the side of the slide out so you can spray along the top gasket.  I';m not sure I will do that again because now when I open and closed the slide it sounds like I'm slowly rubbing a balloon.  The talcum powder in a sock on a stick seems to be the best idea.  

To make it simple, You can use an adapter to get 30 amps to your unit but you just have to manage a few things.  The second AC will have to be turned off.  You should also watch what you use when the AC is on like your hair dryer and the microwave.  Everything else like the TV, lights, refrigerator and hot water heater should work just fine with the AC on.  I have not found any problems with the electric at the fort but most of the problems in other camp grounds comes from low voltage.  If you can't afford a surge protector right way I suggest you get a $12 voltage meter at home depot for cheap insurance.  To paraphrase Keith h, quality matters in all things.  I just lost a $375 surge protector because it was the cheapest one Camping World had.

To make it simple, You can use an adapter to get 30 amps to your unit but you just have to manage a few things.  The second AC will have to be turned off.  You should also watch what you use when the AC is on like your hair dryer and the microwave.  Everything else like the TV, lights, refrigerator and hot water heater should work just fine with the AC on.  I have not found any problems with the electric at the fort but most of the problems in other camp grounds comes from low voltage.  If you can't afford a surge protector right way I suggest you get a $12 voltage meter at home depot for cheap insurance.  To paraphrase Keith h, quality matters in all things.  I just lost a $375 surge protector because it was the cheapest one Camping World had.

I admired your pluck for tenting in Florida in the dead of summer.  I had one of those dual power fans and an extension cord I tried to deliver to you but I did not know what site you were at.  I guessed you had a yellow tent but you were never home.  After reading your trip report I understand why.  Let me tell you what you missed at the Fort While you were enjoying the parks.  Hot followed by high humidity.  The Pools felt wet but not refreshing in anyway.  I did go to Typhoon Lagoon and agreed with your assessment.  The water was cleaner and a degree or two cooler.  I did five loops of the lazy river thinking it was named after me.  The grand kids where always able to find me when they needed money.  Next time I suggest you try coming when this group has a grand gathering.  Halloween and Christmas are the usual times.  Campfire conversations are always fun even if they don't allow an actual fire and you sound like you have some interesting stories to tell.  The last time I went to Disneyland they still had the Monsanto home of the future.  (1959).  I hear things have changed.  

I have also had a DVT due to extended times behind the wheel of my Motor Home.  I first felt it in Arizona and drove all the way back to south FLA before going to the Dr.  He put me in the hospital and kept me there for 5 days.  I'm sure your Dr. also explained to you that DVT's are OFTEN fatal.  So when I follow Dr's orders I drive for no more that 2 hours at a time and stop to stretch and do some exercises.  I will often drive as much as 400 miles a day but will always stop by 4-5 PM.  If you go on line you will find there are exercises you can do while sitting in a car or airplane that are recommended for DVT people.  This is not something that is negotiable. You must pay attention to these simple preventive measures or the next time may be worse.  Drink lots of water and keep the driver drinking lots of water as well so you are both forced to stop to use the rest rooms.

My DW was on the phone with Disney today asking about making a reservation in the new loop for October of 2017.  She was advised that they are taking reservations and there will be two new loops but the reservations desk had not been advised yet about the type of site and the facilities or equipment provided at this time.  Although these new loops may add to the available inventory of available sites, I'm not sure how they will be an improvement over my favorites sites closer to the outposts and pool.

I like the 800 loop because the sites are bigger and there is a dog walk in the back of the outside sites.  Look at the sites towards the back.  I love site 841 as an example.  Florida does have mosquitoes but Disney sprays when everyone is asleep and they encourage the growth of bats to eat mosquito larvae.  Not that I think bats are such a big improvement.  May should be a good time to come down.  The pool water is still refreshing, not hot, it should not be crazy crowded and if you go to the parks you shouldn't burn in the sun to badly.  I found the walk from the back of the 800 loop to the pool took me 7-10 minutes and did not tire me out.  I did find a thirst for a frozen margarita along the way but I'm not sure if that was because of the walk or the fact that it was 3:00 PM and I always need one at that time. I also found that a thermocell is an excellent investment if you are worried about mosquitoes.  I also recommend bringing a large supply of your own bottled water.  Florida tap water is an acquired taste and buying a case of water at the settlement store will send you into shock no matter what your economic status is.  $17.00 for 24 16 oz bottles.  Still a little chafed over that one.

More horse power dictates how fast you will hit a fence.  More torque dictates how much fence you will destroy. 

Do you have any experience with Orlando weather in late August.  I know its the value season and so the costs in the tent loop are reasonable in comparision to other times of the year.  I see people do it but it will not be comfortable.  The golf cart will save you money in that with it, you will be able to skip a day or two of going to the theme parks and just stay in the campground.  Golf carts are $50 a day and a theme park is $105 a day per person.  Renting a pop up is a good suggestion (because it will have a refrig and A/C)but it could be more expensive than buying a tent,$200, a box fan, $25.  a small refrig, $80. and a good air mattress, $60.  I would look at what Walmart has so that you can order it from Walmart.com in advance and have it waiting for you at the local store.  You won't need sleeping bags, just a sheet from home.  If your plans are still incomplete in July, sent me a PM.  I like to come up then only because the price is reasonable and I have a spare small refrig and fan.  It is still to early for me to make plans that far out.

I woke up to 30 degrees. Got on a bus at 440 am then stood in corral E until 630 am. When we finally got started the legs did not want to go. My goal was to stay 3 steps in front of the street sweepers but I finished in 62 minutes. This was more fun than I expected.

I agree that you should break up the vacations as there is just to much to see in one trip.  We did the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon and Flagstaff and it took two weeks not counting travel time to get there.  Our best trip was to the Grand Tetons, and Yellowstone.  We went in early June and all the Bears had just come out of hibernation and looking for food.  The Tettons and Jackson Wyoming plus a side trip to Cody took us away from home for almost 3 months.  The thing about the Grand Canyon is that you can't just go and look at it.  You need to stop and experience the sunset from the east entrance.

Any advice on how to correct this angle would be appreciated.

I'm thinking you guys are not seeing the possibilities of a Florida Centered Souring ride and I would like to offer a few ideas that people hovering at low altitude might find interesting.  You could weave in and out of traffic on I-95 from Miami to Fort Lauderdale just like the natives do on rice rocket motorcycles or you could swoop down on "Katherine the Great" white shark as she swims just off the Fort Lauderdale Beach.  Then you could swing down to the keys and glide under the remains of the seven mile bridge and smell all the rotting fish guts from the decades of fishermen who clean their catch and leave it there.  But wait there is more.  How about a fall into a sink hole that opens up under you and as you are rescued by a impossibly good looking fireman, you are greated by your insurance agent who tells you that you are not in good hands and there for not covered.  You could then fly over the Tallahassee Capitol building, observe the expensive suites being worn by all the politicians and see what your insurance premiums bought.  You could then fly up the coast line from South Beach just like the Border Patrol and Coast Guard helicopters do and look at all the topless beaches.  The ride could then swing over to the Cape where you could witness a Rocket Lauch without having to wait days for the weather to clear or the technical glitches to be fixed.  I'm telling you, the possibilites are endless.  I still think the chocolate flavored love bugs are pure tourist gold.  

I'm with Big Tom.  I used to think that I could fix anything cheaper than a repair professional could because I don't have to pay myself but I proved myself wrong while doing a brake job on an old car.  The parts to replace the brake shoes cost me 30 bucks.  The trip to the emergency room to save my eye was much more even with insurance.  My first reaction to this thread is, Yes you can fix it but how good do you need it to look.  First I would duck tape over the rotted area immediately to stop any more water from coming in.  When you have more than a weekend to spend on the project you could pry off the edging, pry back the exterior sheeting if it is not glued to the ply wood then cut out the bad plywood with a reciprocating saw.  Then go to Home Depot and buy a small piece of plywood that is the same thickness as the wood you cut out.  Glue the exterior sheeting back over the plywood and then replace the angle piece at the corner with a new piece that you should have also bought at the Home Depot.  Then you will have to paint the entire pop up to help hide all the imperfections in your week end mechanic repair job.  OR,  you can take to your local dealer and let them replace the entire side and front of the unit with factory made parts.  I vote for number B.  But thats just because i hate looking all the mistakes I made in all of my repair projects.  You could be different.

First I have trouble listing just one recommendation.
1.  Listen to everyone else about just staying at the fort.  We go to the fort for a week every 2-3 months and rarely go to a theme park.
2.  Rent a golf cart.
3.  Bring at least 2-3 cases of bottled water.  A case of small bottles at the trading post is $17.00.  Publix sells the bigger bottles for $3-4.
4.  The same advice goes for adult beverages.
5.  If you follow #4, please post the dates you will be there so that I can come and help lighten the load for the trip home.

Hi Dave, Glad you made it.  About the sign.  Drive up and down SR 192 through Kissimmee and you will notice little signs along the side of the road advertising all manner of stuff and services.  When you see one tha advertises a politician or a job that you can work in your home you can do a public service and clean that part of the road way by taking the wire frame that holds the sign up and then recycle it by using it to hold your sign up.  You can do what you want with the sign because they are all illegal anyway.

Hi Kelly,  Your going to be just fine.  You got some good advice here but I will add my two cents.  First, you can pick up a spare tire already mounted on a wheel at many Walmarts.  Check to see how old the tires on your trailer are by looking for the manufactured date on the side of the tire.  If it is over 6-7 years old I would consider replacing them.  If you see little cracks on the sides of the tires, definitly replace them.  Your getting a AAA card and that is great.  In addition to the good discount you get on your stay at the fort you should get a trip tick for your trip.  Have them blow up the major intersections at Jacksonville and on I-4 approaching the fort so that you can plan ahead to be in the correct lane for your exits.  I've towed and traveled all over the country and the worst thing that happens is getting off the wrong exit.  Drivers don't seem to want to cooperate with you when you want to get in another lane at the last minute and trying to find a place to turn around and get back on the right path is not so easy.  Coming south on I-95 you want to be in the middle lane to continue through Jacksonville.  Don't bother with I-295.  Generally you want to stay in the right lane when on highways so faster traffic can get around you.  You will find driving 55-60 mph will be much less stressful but plan the time of your trip accordingly.  If you find yourself getting stressed out for whatever reason, stop at the next rest stop and take a little walk around with the kids.  We all need the exercise every couple of hours.