fortpartyof4

I've had luck in the past getting last min. reservations at Christmas when people cancel in that window you mentioned.  But that was when I lived 3 hours away, and could go with a day's notice.  And, I was home all day and could stay on hold with Disney for hours on end trying to get in.  Now, I've wised up and book the following year as soon as it can be reserved.

Are you camping or trying to get a cabin?  You could also try to get in at one of the campgrounds in the Orlando/Tampa area, then cancel it if you get in at the Fort.

X2 the recommendation of Jason.  He handled our summer trip and took care of everything!  Smooth and simple, less hassle on my end!  Winning!

I try to stop at Flying J truck stops whenever I can because most of the ones along the interstates have RV islands that sell both gas and diesel. I have every Flying J location along I-95 from VA to St. Augustine saved in my GPS, which is the Garmin RV 760 LMT.  I've learned from experience not to depend only on a GPS. I also use Microsoft Streets & Trips to plan a route and I'll use Google Earth to look at gas stations for entrance and exit if I can't find a Flying J on the route. 

I also used Google Earth to try and get an idea of how some of the roads were…..but many were in the mountains, and not really easy to tell as far as grade/shoulder, etc.

I am seriously shocked at the locations of some of the CG's I looked into here in PA.  They say they're "big rig friendly", but I wonder how some of them can even get to the CG to begin with when looking at the inbound back roads!

Thanks to everyone else for the tips on finding good fuel stops.  We're just gas but like you've all mentioned, finding one that's not a left turn with only  2 bays can be a challenge!  I remember when we were using my late father's diesel truck for a while after buying our first TT.  Trying to find diesel is even harder in some areas.

We've stayed in 1600 our last 4 or 5 trips.  Some sites have a good bit of shade, some do not.  We were in 1608 this summer and it was pretty shady, and high and dry (it rained a LOT).  At Christmas, we were in 1605.  Again, ample space, some shade, pretty good privacy.  I would say only 3 or 4 sites really "back up" to the canal, and what TCD points out is something to consider - people will be walking behind your camper all the time, and you may have to dodge dog doo.

We like it because of the proximity to everything and the rate.  1700 seems to have more space, and maybe more shade.  That would be my 2nd choice.

I think I am going to spring for the full concrete next time.  Tired of bringing home several pounds of coquina every time!

One more thing - the comfort stations can be busy if you use them much.  1600 has 2, one shared with 1500, one shared with 1800.  

Wondering if you can recommend one, are they reliable, worthwhile?  After our last trip and getting on a couple of roads we probably shouldn't have been on with the camper, we need some kind of reliable, up to date source for planning our routes.  If it also points out fuel stops we can fit into, that'd be a plus!

We have Good Sam, but will expire in Nov. and they have ticked my hubs off one too many times so we will probably not renew.

Rennie……yes still have your #.  Will text if I go to Hershey!

That video….oh my.  I can't even imagine.  Our trip this past weekend had us on some roads I would rather not have towed the camper on.  We went back a different way than we came.  Which reminds me, I need to search FF for tips on apps to use when planning out an RV friendly route to travel.  Or I am afraid we may wind up in a similar situation this poor fellow did!

I am going to try to get to J&D after everyone's thumbs up reviews.  We wound up at a place called Silver Valley in Saylorsburg/Poconos.  Beautiful area, close to a lot of stuff to do.  CG itself was just OK.  Not the worst, but dated and had one or two permanent dwellers whose sites were kind of junky.  I'd go back, but it's not at the top of my list.  We went whitewater rafting but no parks.  Enjoyed the cooler mountain temps and views!

We will be at the Hershey show, camping at Pa Dutch then, also going to try to meet up with ceemike..Mike & Judy there on what they called old geezer day :rofl2:. But I usually get the multi day pass to go more then once and see some seminars also.

Not sure if I qualify for old geezer day just yet…but may try to get over for a day trip just to grab some freebies and CG discounts.

What seminars do you sit in on?

I'm in Bucks County….NE of Philly.  Unfortunately, I have 2 teenagers with schedules that keep us from doing much camping during the school year any more.  Well that plus our district doesn't do a lot of long weekends like we had back in FL…..(BOO)!

But I'd be up for lunch or something some time if it wasn't too far away.

Any of you going to the Hershey RV show?

No luck with J & D…so not going to Knoebels this time around.  Ended up in the Poconos at a place called Silver Valley.  Not close enough to go to Knoebels but it was the next one that had a spot, and had full hook ups.

Plans include rafting on the Lehigh river for the dam release on Sat., maybe - a big MAYBE - Dorney Park, depending on timing and weather.  Otherwise just chilling and enjoying the beautiful weather that is in the forecast before school starts this week and everything hits the fan, leaving no time for camping in the near future.  

Beckers I will check out that CG you mentioned for a future visit.  There are so, so many here in PA!  

This is so great!  Found out yesterday that the hubs could take Friday off.  On top of the fact that we found out our oldest son's marching band isn't going to Friday night's game.

SOOO…..I have been online off and on all day trying to book a last minute camping trip since we found ourselves with an extra day on a long weekend!

A googling I go to check out CG's near Knoebels here in PA…..found J & D, looked for images to check out……3rd image in came from none other than Fort fiends dot net!!  Hip Hip!  I was like, well why didn't I just check there in the first place?!?!?  Who needs Woodall's??

Cross your fingers we get in……...

What, you don't think that's really me?

Josh is a little bit better looking than that actor me.

It's the bangs.  The bangs give it away.

I predict seeing a head shot of that chubby freckle-faced actor Lou likes to post, saying he is Josh?

Oh come on Ray, you've met me.  Do you think it's possible for these well-deserved compliments to give me a higher opinion of myself than I already have?

 

 

Preach it sister!

 

This is so true.  WDW is like any other business- it has its good points and its bad.  For me, the good outweigh the bad, but that doesn't mean I have to ignore the bad.

 

 

I like Josh's site for the most part.

 

But, the fact that his real girlfriend gets him CM discounts skews his views of the food offerings at WDW.

 

 

LOL.

 

 

LOL again.  Good point.

 

Women say that they want men to be honest.  But we all know that they really don't want to know the truth when they ask : "Do these jeans make me look fat?"

 

TCD

I need reminding of who this Josh is and what does he do, blog?  Or work for Disney?

There is just so much out there about Disney and who can help you make your vacation great and who knows all of the insider info about all of it.  As with everything, information overload.  That's why I like to stick to one or two, particularly here because I pretty much only stay at the Fort.

TCD yes we want honesty, as in where you're going and how much you really spent at that football game.  Does anyone in their right mind even ask if they look fat any more?  Besides, they make skinny jeans in every size now, so….problem solved!

Very good point about the writing.  Probably another reason I enjoy your work more than all the fluff out there, plus you notice many of the same things I do that don't seem quite right!

For a long time I thought TCD was a writer of some sort. But he is not.

Sure, he is!

Well I guess he is a trip report writer so never mind.

Exactly…..and he has a knack for writing as so many of us "think"…which keeps us reading along!  I think he has been told more than once to publish a collection of his reports.

What remnants did you see?

 

From what I saw- they had everything completely cleaned up and back in place the next morning.  Except for the picnic tables, which had not yet been put back in the pavilion.

 

TCD

Yes - tables missing/out of place, and barricades I don't recall seeing before.  But, those may have been put in place some time in the past year, when my visits to the Fort were greatly reduced and I am not remembering things like that from one visit to the next.

It could also be that some of what I observed - I seem to recall some sort of equipment, too - had to do with the work being done on Pioneer Hall, not the LB concert.

In any case, I'm still baffled that an event like this happened at the Fort!  A good thing, though - they realize what a great place it is and shouldn't be messed with or changed in any way!

The image in my mind of you poking around with your camera trying to capture videos and photos is priceless.  You missed your calling.  You should've been a beat reporter for a newspaper!  

  

Still cool ether way. Wish we would have been there. We checked in the following week.

Same here!  And we saw some of the remnants of the big bash during our first couple of days the following week.  I had skimmed this thread on the drive down to FL, so had a rough idea of what was going on.  Not a country music fan myself, but this dude is hot right now and I admit I was a little bummed to have just missed the chance to hear him live!  I know he was touring, too, because many of my FB friends had posted from some of his shows.  So he took a break from that to perform for these folks - WOW!

I, too am trying to get caught up from everything that I've missed around here…. but fear I never will…so my comments are VERY late!

This is something that I never knew went on at the Fort, or any resort, for that matter.  I knew celebs and wealthy guests did private things at parks, but this?  Mind blowing.  I am not very far from where this family lives - hmmm wonder if I might get on the guest list for their next epic adventure?  Nah.  I agree with many of you.  This is a disgusting display of how the filthy rich spend their spare change.  So much good could be done with this cash!  

Another thing that occurred to me while reading this last month during our stay was that is HAD to be some kind of B.A.D. to have TCD lurking in the bushes by the barn, posting live ON A WEEKEND!

That seems crazy, cause I have young kids like you two do.....and yet I was 9 years old when Elvis died.  

Me too Dave!  Mine are not quite as young - but I was 11 when Elvis died!  I remember it well because my Dad was a big fan and he was very upset.  My parents had seen him in concert not long before he passed, probably one of his last shows?  I do recall my mother saying something about how heavy he was and that he didn't look good after they went to the concert.

Cool postcard!  Thanks for sharing it.  I had no idea there was something there prior to the resort that's there now.  The villas look like they were very nice for that time period.

I wish.

 

If I saw Stacy at the Fort, I'd have to sit down and breath into a paper bag.

 

The closest I've ever gotten to her was when she was in New Fantasyland to film and update after BOG opened.

 

As far as I know, they haven't shown her on the Mine Train, so an update is due.

 

TCD

I remember reading that TR, when you happened to be there while they were filming!  

I have Stacy on my Facebook page. Haha

Jason I worry about you.

Well, isn't this interesting?

I know.  That gave me pause, too.  hmmmm….

Are you talking about Stacy?

And her "Must Do's?"

TCD

Yes!

Is she a friend?  Boy is she enthusiastic.  Like a modern day mousketeer!

The FB poster stated that he inquired and was told it was something that would air on the Disney channel.

My first thought was footage for that channel with that annoying young lady who does small informational videos on each resort/park, etc…..the channel that only shows what WDW has to offer…..forget the name of it.

Just saw a post by someone on the "Disney Campers" FB group that there was some filming going on today at the Fort?  Looked like it was by the Bike Barn.  

Apologies if this has already been covered….so far behind!

Dan, I really enjoyed reading this TR after reading your posts earlier this year about your secret plan.  Thanks for sharing it through the stages of planning and execution.  What a fabulous memory you'll always treasure!

I would like to add my husband's name to the class roster for the training.  He has 6 years to learn this.  Of course, by then we'll have 2 kids in college and probably won't be able to afford to order a pizza for our 25th, let alone go to WDW!

I think your son's 8th grade promotion ceremony must have been the same week as my son's 6th grade ceremony (middle school is 7-9 here).  It was SO hot that night.  Fortunately, his school did have AC, however we had gotten there very early to get a good seat and they didn't open the school up until 5 min. before the kids had to be there so we had to line up outside in the heat.  We were all drenched in sweat in our dressy clothes.  I regretted my decision to wear my long hair down and put makeup on - pretty sure that ended up sliding right off of my face onto my blouse.  Needless to say there were no selfies taken that night!  haha.

Side note:  my boys and their Dad just returned from Rodney Scout Reservation in MD.  They had their camp late this year (planning within the leadership kinda fell apart), but got it squeezed in!  They had a great time, lots of swimming and kayaking on the Chesapeake.  Only complaints were the bugs and the food being the worst they've ever had at a Scout camp.  All things considered, successful week, plenty of merit badges earned and plenty of dirt brought home for me to wash! 

Anyone ever requested a specific site and gotten it only to find a huge dually parked partly in the street where you needed to back in.  Or found the late night neighbors who partied into the morning next door?  In other words, does it always work out as you expected?

That's a chance you take at any campground, and as Mo said, in any loop at the Fort.  Even your favorite.  

Funny you mention this, we had some inconsiderate neighbors this last stay.  It happens.  But I just try to focus on the fact that I'm in my happy place and I'm not gonna let anyone spoil it for me!  Plus I wandered over to the house phone at the comfort station and reported them:)

If it is the call center they will make a note on your ressie which will get forwarded over to the Fort. Also online check in let's you put a loop request in.

I would do both. That is what I am doing for my clients and myself. Fax and ressie note over the phone.

Jason did this for us on our recent stay in July.  I also noted my preferences on the online check-in form.  When we arrived, the CM who checked us in confirmed those preferences without my asking.  We got our second choice in our first choice of loops.  

Faxing has worked for me a number of times now.  I send it within a week of arrival.

As for calling, you really never know who will pick up.  They may well be physically at the Fort but still may not know what to do or even what you're talking about.  I have had in-person experiences with CM's in the front office at the Fort that have made me doubt some of the knowledge they possess about the property, rules, policies, etc.  All very friendly folks who want to help, but sometimes can't.  Get most of my answers here!

Always loved your TR's.  Yes, you wrote this in May.  So what if it's now August?

Elephant in the room made me literally laugh out loud…..because I did note the minivan before you pointed it out.  Good thing you still have your truck so you get to keep your man card.  (you do still have a truck, right?)  otherwise you can slap that big L on your forehead now

2 kids, loads of sports, carpools, road trips, scouts, band instruments, and all that being a mom entails……and I've never been able to bring myself to drive one.  

Sorry, folks.  Not a fan.  Of the minivan.  I may or may not even duck when I have to ride shotgun in my best friend's.

Looking forward to reading the next CK squared TR!  Along with all of the others I have missed out on during my absence.

Thank you Dave!  That is what I thought.

Cyndee