ceemike...Mike & Judy

More breaking news:
THIS JUST IN, ON THE SCENE VIDEO FROM FORT WILDERNESS FLORIDA
 

http://www.inquisitr.com/4290722/walt-disney-world-to-erect-lighthouse-statue-in-honor-of-lane-graves-toddler-killed-by-alligator-last-year/
One year ago, a young two-year-old boy by the name of Lane Thomas Graves was attacked and killed by an alligator in Walt Disney World, and the company wishes to honor his memory. Wednesday marks one year since tragedy struck on the edge of the beach at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, but the wounds will never heal. To pay tribute to young boy, Walt Disney World is going to erect a lighthouse statue which is the icon and symbol of the Lane Thomas Foundation.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, the family founded the Lane Thomas Foundation to not only honor Lane but also support the families that have been there for them. With the lighthouse as their symbol, they state it can serve as a “beacon of hope in the depths of despair.”
Disney is looking to do their part as well. George A. Kalogridis, the president of Walt Disney World Resort, issued a statement on Tuesday to detail the company’s plans.
Even though Wednesday is the one-year mark since Lane’s death, a spokeswoman for Walt Disney World did say that no ceremony was planned.
While spending time with his family on the beach of the Grand Floridian Resort on June 14, 2016, Lane was simply playing with a beach pail and scooping up some sand. That was an alligator unexpectedly came out of the water, grabbed the child, and pulled him into the water.
Matt Graves, Lane’s father, attempted to wrestle with the alligator and get his son out of the animal’s clutches, but he could do nothing. More than 16 hours later, police located Lane’s body and after an investigation, his death was marked as an accident.
Over the following months, Walt Disney World made a number of huge changes to its resorts which sat on the edges of lakes and other waterways. Beaches were closed for weeks as rock walls were erected and fencing was put up to further separate beaches from the waterways.
Signs have been put up all over property to let guests know there are dangerous animals such as alligators, snakes, and other creatures in the water and marshes.
Kalogridis did not say where the lighthouse statue was going to be erected on Walt Disney World property, but only that it will arrive later this summer.
The family still has no desire to speak publicly about the tragedy from last year as they just want to live their lives without publicity.
Lane Thomas Graves lost his life far too soon in what can only be seen as a tragic accident that affected his family, friends, and so many others. The alligator attack that killed the child ended up changing so many things at Walt Disney World in an attempt to make all areas as safe for their guests as possible. While those new barriers and safety measures serve as a reminder, the lighthouse statue will serve as an honor and tribute to Lane.
article credit: doctordisney.com and Danny Cox

LOL. Keep it all coming. Sooner or later I will have enough of this work I love to leave my day job and do an even better job for all of you. 

Poor guy was hoping to see some Stormtroopers in March of the First Order, but instead all he saw was the Moons of Endor.

Great shows,  Some clips from our seats Friday night.  Stayed for all 3 shows.
 
 
 
 
 
 

We love Le Cellier, especially the Le Cellier Signature Poutine and the filet.

Greetings all!  My first post here, so feel free to move this to the right category if needed.
We recently completed a restoration of a Super8 home movie from 1976 that I think you will all enjoy. There is general footage of the Fort from 1976. There are great scenes of the beach/boat area, Meadows Depot, Settlement Depot and more! And of course, some of the best footage of the FWRR I've seen. Enjoy!
(We have some great vintage River Country footage too if anyone is interested).

Full article about the film: http://www.retrodisneyworld.com/imageworks/films/art-and-linda-go-to-fort-wilderness-including-fw-railroad-restored-super8-film
-RetroWDW

Very true, but it's my bed, my recliner and my germs, not somebody else's.  We also have our kitchen, fridge etc.  We can really relax in the FW, something I find very hard to do in any Resort Hotel.

Boy, they have that tied up with a nice little bow, don't they. [emoji12]
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So Just got home from being a weekend warrior at the Fort. It was a last minute decision that worked out for the best. I saw some new Signs from other guests and thought I'd share. I don't know where they got them from, but they were cute.
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My phone is so old I think it's stuck on the Mud update.

Thanks for the trip report. We went to the festival on Monday, sunny and cool and uncrowded, a great day for walking around the World Showcase. We finally bought the David Doss print Fun at Fort Wilderness, and got it signed by the artist.

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Thanks for the trip report. We went to the festival on Monday, sunny and cool and uncrowded, a great day for walking around the World Showcase. We finally bought the David Doss print Fun at Fort Wilderness, and got it signed by the artist.

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Thanks for the trip report. We went to the festival on Monday, sunny and cool and uncrowded, a great day for walking around the World Showcase. We finally bought the David Doss print Fun at Fort Wilderness, and got it signed by the artist.

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Just walked out to the mailbox and retrieved by box from Disney containing my Magic Band...  As Jen said, the new style Magic Bands are being shipped even though the website still shows the pictures of the old style.  They even threw in the little passholder slider.  Now just need to go and schedule a trip!

Determined camper heading to the Fort.
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I had to venture out earlier, and the roads were very slick and snow covered.  Yes, I live in the south, but many of you know I lived the first 35 years of my life in Buffalo and know how to deal with snow.  The problem here is that we simply don't own the equipment to effectively salt and plow when this happens.  I don't care how much experience someone has driving in winter conditions, ice is tough to deal with.  But I made it back home safe and sound...only to slip in my driveway and land flat on my back, twisting my neck in the process.  Did someone say scotch?  
Sure is pretty though.  But Fire is not amused....


Her brother even less amused.

 

Determined camper heading to the Fort.
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For all y'alls in Georgia. [emoji2]
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Stopped at the Bike Barn this afternoon. They have a sign out advertising something called Camp-or-Treat. They gave us a flyer that reads:
"Sign up at the Bike Barn to be a host site for Camp or Treat. You will receive a "Trick or Treat" sign that must be displayed in your campsite. On the day of the event, you can pick up a list of all the participating locations. You are responsible for providing candy. All candy must be distributed in their original wrappers.  Camp or treating will take place on Monday, October 31 from 7:00pm-9:00pm."

This kind of begs the question, how many big bags of Halloween candy should I buy at Costco before we get to the Fort? I thought about sending the DW out in costume to trick or treat and use her loot to keep the bowl filled!  

This kind of begs the question, how many big bags of Halloween candy should I buy at Costco before we get to the Fort? I thought about sending the DW out in costume to trick or treat and use her loot to keep the bowl filled!  

Pilot also owns the Flying J truck stops. Most Flying Js in the South and Southeast have dedicated RV lanes, which have both gas and diesel and allow pay at the pump. The Pilot RV charge card can also be used at the Flying Js and you get the same 5 cent per gallon discount.  The Pilot smart phone app also includes the Flying J locations and RV islands is one of the filters. If you stop at a Flying J, the RV islands are out front with the gas islands, but well off to the side so you have plenty of room to maneuver. 
 
 

This kind of begs the question, how many big bags of Halloween candy should I buy at Costco before we get to the Fort? I thought about sending the DW out in costume to trick or treat and use her loot to keep the bowl filled!  

This kind of begs the question, how many big bags of Halloween candy should I buy at Costco before we get to the Fort? I thought about sending the DW out in costume to trick or treat and use her loot to keep the bowl filled!