Tri-Circle-D

It was a long time coming, but it has finally happened. The GIddyap and Go is off the menu at Trail's End Takeout. There is still an 8 piece chicken meal, but it's not called a GAG. GAG's were a ten piece meal with steak fries, a choice of biscuits or cornbread, and one other side. The new menu does offer some interesting alternatives: 

I don't know if it's a typo, but the posted menu doesn't offer fries as a side with the meals. The online menu doesn't either:
P & J's Southern Takeout Menu March 2018
They obviously have fries, as they are offered with the burgers and sandwiches.  It's weird they're not listed as a side for the meals on either the posted or takeout menu.
TCD

I have a report on the podium/seating situation at Geyser Point. We went there at around 8 pm last Saturday night. There are signs posted telling guests to report to the podium. We checked in there and the CM took a cell number and told us we should get a text within 15-20 minutes. We walked over to look at the geyser, and in about two minutes we got the text. 
We were seated at table facing the water, and a server brought us menus from both the bar and quick serve. The server took our food and drink orders and delivered it all to the table. It was full service at quick serve prices. 
I actually like the podium and hostess. Before, we would have to stalk tables and compete with others to grab one. It's much more civilized now, and the full service is great. 
TCD 

Wait. They're serving tater tots at Trail's End?  
TCD 

You are assuming that Fort management is actually going to enforce this new rule.  My prediction is that nothing will change at the campsites.  They say there is space for one car per campsite...in fact, re-read the language we've seen:
Complimentary standard parking is available to Guests staying at Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort. Each campsite provides parking space for one (1) motorized vehicle
How is this any different from what is already in place?  This tells me that they will not charge for parking for campsite guests.  They reserve the right to charge if you have more than one vehicle, and perhaps they will try to do this, at first.  But then they will have to police every site.  They'll have to leave notes on cars where there is more than one per campsite.  Ok...so what exactly has changed here from the way it has been for many years?  Other than the possibility of more revenue, but Disney likes revenue that is easy and non-confrontational to obtain.  In this case, they'll have to continually piss off guests by telling them they will need to pay for that extra car or 2 on the site.  Fort management has shown zero inclination over the years of wanting to enforce rules that tick off guests.  So I predict nothing will change, no one will be charged, and the huge groups that take over on weekends and holidays will continue to do so.  

The reaction online every time Disney increases costs or implements new fees is predictable.  Outrage, and proclamations of "I'm done!  I'm spending my vacation dollars elsewhere!".  I've done it myself...many times.  And I have reduced frequency of visits, and gone to other places.  And yet, WDW attendance has not declined, and most of us do return at least occasionally.  Why?  Because, let's face it, there is nothing comparable elsewhere.  Sure, there are other theme parks, resorts, and fun destinations.  But there is no other place that offers everything WDW does in one massive, magical, pixie dust filled bubble.  That is why they get away with this, and will continue to get away with it.  If your local restaurant tried to keep raising prices, competition would do them in.  But at this point, Disney doesn't have that problem.  If you stay away, another American, or 15 Brazilians, will take your place.   The MK is already near capacity most days.  Pandora has helped AK approach capacity.  Just wait until SW Land opens and HS will max out.  I'm sure Epcot will get there too once they complete all of the upcoming work, and if not they'll just add more festival days.  So the point is, if you don't like this, I don't blame you.  But your choice is to suck it up, or go elsewhere.  Disney doesn't care what you do.  Their capacity is going to be maxed out for many years to come, barring a significant worldwide recession, so driving some guests away doesn't hurt them.  This is simply the law of supply and demand on painful display.    
Now, with that said, I need to go make some ADR's....

This is just the logical extension of what Disney has been doing for several years now:  monetizing things, services, and events that used to be free or were included in the park fees or hotel bills...... The Year of a Million Schemes....
Instead of expanding the parks, or the parking, Disney has created artificial demand and then charge handsomely for fulfilling that demand.
Couple that with a doubled US population since WDW opened, and you've got too many people chasing too few goods and services.
My guess is that it will get worse before it gets better. As others have said above, resort fees are coming plus whatever other things they can dream up.
 

And don't forget the Minnie Vans. With the parking fee, guests will skip renting a car. They just need to slow down the bus service a little more, and that will drive business to the Minnie Vans. 
Disney always wins.
TCD 

Hey it worked that time!
WBI

Well technically eight videos...
That's right, I'm not going to write up a traditional trip report, but I have been creating some videos from each day of our December Disney Cruise so I thought I'd share them here in case ya'll want to check it out.
The details:
We went on a Disney Very Merrytime Christmas Cruise out of Galveston in mid December on the Disney Wonder.
This was our second Disney Cruise, our first was on the Fantasy in 2015.
Galveston Port was super easy, parking was slightly offsite but not too bad.
The drive was great for me!  Only 3 hours and we got to stop at Buc-ee's both directions.
I won't make you wait for the end but we loved this cruise!
The weather wasn't great on our first day, and the water in the Caribbean was a little cool but I'd do it again in a heart beat.  
Ok let me see if I can post the youtube link.
WBI

Crazy talk. 
BPG has one set of spotless white coveralls and one paintbrush. He is done when he is done. You can't rush art.
 TCD 

Is that a trick question?
Not only have I seen it, I have a photo of Brown Paint Guy delivering some freshly painted chairs (I had to dig deep in the TCD archives for this photos- it's from 2010) :



TCD

 

So is this evidence that the chairs are simply gone to be repainted before the Spring Break Crush descends on the Fort?  If that's the case, why don't they buy more chairs, and rotate them into and out of BPG's shop so that there is never a chairless day at the Fort? 
That porch, as well as the porches at both Trading Posts, should be LINED with chairs.  If Cracker Barrel can do it, why can't Disney?  (yes, I realize CB is selling the dadgum things....imagine how much the Mouse could charge for Fort rocking chairs?)

Over the years there have been many, many things that have disappeared from the Fort.  The train, the peacocks, swimming in the lake, the totem poles, the covered wagon, the River Country wagon, the lawnmower tree....just to name a few.  Everything on that list either had a good reason, such as maintenance issues, or while they impacted the ambiance of the resort, they maybe didn't directly impact my enjoyability of spending time there.  But this one crosses a line.  There is nothing I enjoy more than some quality rocking chair time on the porch.  In fact, when I'm at the Fort, I do it AT LEAST twice per day.  I enjoy coffee on that porch in the morning, while Anna plays on the playground.  And I enjoy a beverage in the late afternoon, before we embark on our evening dinner plans whether they be back at the campsite or off on a boat or bus for a dining adventure.  Those rocking chairs are a big part of The Fort to me.  Yes, all of the other things I listed above were enjoyable, but as I said, I understand why the train went.  I don't necessarily understand why the River Country wagon is gone, but its removal, which we personally witnessed on March 18, 2010, hasn't really impacted me.  This does.  And this one actually hurts more than the MSB cinnamon rolls.  

It's been a while since all the rocking chairs went missing. But they're gone again. And just in time for the busy spring break season! As of March 4, 2018, there were only four of those awful metal picnic tables on the porch and zero rocking chairs: 


TCD
 

The normal link for the recreation guide was not updated for February or March, but I have connections:


Note that there are double features at the movies on Friday and Saturday evenings, and there's a 5K race on St. Patrick's Day. 
TCD 

Years ago it was reported that Bill Gates and his wife were setting up a foundation and donating $$X amount ( I don't remember the figure) but the author likened it to an average person donating the change in their pocket.
People/companies do good deeds all the time, but people always want them to do more, while they sit back on their butts, write articles, and complain.

Great story about a company giving back to the community and then the schmuck author ruins it by calling $1 million “chump change.”  He should have just left it at they are doing a good thing.
je also didn’t mention that it cost over $200 million dollars to make and that doesn’t even include marketing and advertising  and Disney has done and is doing a lot of that  
I reporters would just report the 5 Ws like I was taught in journalism school.  And quit adding their own bias.
BTW.  I didnt read were he donated any money to the boys or girls club. 

Hold that thought. 
They are selling giant pretzels with cheese sauce now:

Yes, they are the same pretzels they serve in Germany at Epcot. 
I must have fallen asleep during the part of the movie when the giant blue aliens served colossal pretzels with cheese sauce. 
TCD 

That would explain the rumored name change too....Be Our Guest (As Long As You're Willing To Spend A Minimum Amount).

From the Disney Parks Blog...
 
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2018/02/enhanced-dining-experience-coming-to-be-our-guest-restaurant/?CMP=SOC-DPFY18Q1wo0215180221180011C

A development that got lost in this discussion is that they expanded the golf cart parking area at the Outpost. I saw this at night, so I don't have photos, but the area between the bus stop and the corral is now a golf cart parking area. 
TCD 

@djsamuel wasn't lying. I ran into him and his wife over at Roaring Fork this afternoon and he has photos to share. 
But so do I . . . 
Nothing looks too different as you walk toward the marina, but look at all the bikes up ahead on the left:

Here's a closer look at the new bike racks and boulders which now block all the parking spaces closest to the playground:

The area to the right as you approach the marina now has four metal picnic tables parked on it:

The ultimate indignity is the placement of this fake boulder on the site of the Lawnmower Tree:
[URL=http://s301.photobucket.com/user/Tri-Circle-D/media/05 28 17/IMG_2730_zpsqztrkmw4.jpg.html][/URL]
The prexisting parking area to the north of the Settlement Trading Post is still there:

There are no signs restricting driving on any of the existing paths. So all that has happened is the removal of about 20 cart spaces. Pedestrians arriving or departing from the marina area will still have to dodge the golf carts driving in and out of the area on the lake side of the Trading Post. 
TCD

Out of curiosity how many of you would like your address and a description of your home out on a public forum? 
Just because she has a business doesn’t mean she has to give up a right to some level of privacy. 
If she had posted this herself it would be one thing but it’s being posted by others and more and more pieces of her info filled in. That’s the o my reason I think this post shouldn’t not be up. 
I know I wouldn’t want my home location shared far and wide on the internet. Is it out there sure but make them work for it. 

If she wanted to advertise she would. 
She doesn't call attention to herself, and I think this thread should be deleted. 
TCD

If she wanted to advertise she would. 
She doesn't call attention to herself, and I think this thread should be deleted. 
TCD