Retired and Happy (Ken)

Let 'em lock up all the phones and such.  My grandkids can't sit or stand up straight without something like that in their hands.
 
Dang!  Now I'm starting to sound like Lou.   :rofl3:

I'd love me some "plush fire flames".  I could put them on the floor of my bedroom and "Be at the Fort" every night.  And I guess I'd need a plush fire flame extinguisher just to be safe.

Hi blessed.  Welcome to Fort Fiends.  A group of the nuttiest camper oriented people you can ever hope to know...and to know which ones to stay away from.   :rofl3:
 
Seriously, ask any questions you may have and ignore any comments after Post 10.  It usually goes crazy from that point.

Hey FWG, Is a Brazillian more than a Gazillion?

No visit to the Fort is complete without a visit from a crabby wonderful bus driver.  It's especially well received if Buddy, what's-his-name, and Gail accompany him.    If you're new and he comes bearing a large spike, be not afraid.  Accept it as a symbol of welcome to a crazy group.
 
A good report on Lorna and Richie.  Thanks.
 
Hey Lou,  I cooked an apple pie last week just for an excuse to heat up the oven.  It was cold around here.  Only had one can of apple pie filling, so I drained a can of pear slices and added those in.  It came out pretty good considering it was my first try.  I'll send you a slice or bring a piece when we come down at Christmas.  It may be a bit moldy by then, but a little penicillin never hurt anyone.  :rofl2:

My Disney budget may be going to cover the increased deductibles and co-insurances for my healthcare plan.  

Well,  I hope when they move it they pick out better music. Bing Crosby, Nice Christmas music, classics... The music they picked last year was not good. Why everyone always thinks they have to improve on a good thing just drives me nuts. It was loud and annoying with the exception of maybe 1 or 2 songs. Maybe I am getting old. 

Actually that's not where I got the name from, it's work related.
Buses are referred to based on whatever bus hub they're operating from.
If you're working out of DHS, you're a Studiosbus, if you're working out of Epcot, you're an Epcotbus, and if you're working out of the MK, wait for it,........... you're a Magicbus. The other hub names didn't sound as good as Magibus, and as I liked driving out of the MK, it was Magicbus.
 
And while I have your attention Ramon, I'd like to respond to something you said in a previous post.
 
"Next time your in the MK look into the eyes of those little ones that are seeing Main Street USA and Cindys castle for the first time and tell me you don't see the magic in their eyes".
 
There is no need for me to go into a park to witness that, and I'm assuming that the other drivers have experienced the same thing, but I have seen that same look in hundreds of kids eyes over the years as they get on the bus.
 
They'll look up at me, pause, and look at me as if I'm something special, not just schmuck face bus driver.
Sometimes, I'll get a little wave from the real little ones as they pass by in their parents arms. Or every once in a while, after the ride is over, one will ask for a hug. And even though you all know I don't hug, I do.
 
There are 2 incidents that really stand out though. The first was when a little boy ran up to me, he was very excited. He opened up his hands and showed me a little toy Disney bus that he had just gotten. His mom told me that he just had to show it to me, wow.
And the other was when another little boy handed me a home made card when we arrived at the park which read, thanks for making my visit magical. Whoa, another big wow.
These types of incidents caught me off guard when I first started, and I remember telling my wife about them when they occurred.
 
My time as a WDW bus driver is probably drawing to a close in the not too distant future. It's become a job now, and after six years, it's getting kinda old. I'm going through the motions, but one of the things that keeps me going are those types of incidents, which btw, and I'm glad to say, still happen on occasion.
 
So yes, I do know what the magic is, and where to find it.

Even worse as the second half gets underway.

To those reluctant to use assistance devices:  Do be reluctant.  You are paying for your vacation.  You deserve to play that out in as much comfort as your condition allows...whether it is a temporary or permanent condition.  You do not need to be put in the position of being a burden just because you are bull headed or embarrassed.  Let the detractors, the bad looks, and the snide comments slide off.  We could not take our kids to WDW without their wheelchairs, and we had a great deal of trouble without our chairlift on this past trip.  We will definitely have it for the next trip.  These conveniences are often necessities.  Use what you need.  Go about your enjoyment and ignore or smile at the detractors.  

There's usually a site contest and a cart parade.  Both are signed up for at the Bike Barn, usually by the day before.  I don't know the schedule, but it seems like maybe Christmas Eve for both judgings.  Will you be there?  We'll be there from around the 8th thru Jan 5.
 
Oh, and :welcrowd: .  You will find that in addition to some good info around here, threads will quickly veer off topic.  From then on (usually post # 10) anything goes.  Enjoy.

I know there's abuse in the system. I've seen it myself. But is there enough to justify spending all this time and effort to stop a few idiots? Just train the CMs who give out the passes to ask a few extra questions and tell the people who don't need a GAC sorry. And give those who could use the extra help a GAC about the size of a fast pass and save a ton of money.

Ray-
 
My heart goes out to you, and it especially goes out to parents visiting the parks with a special needs child.  If someone really needs some kind of special accommodations, I have no problem whatsoever with that.  I know that Make A Wish kids get front of the line privileges, and they can cut in front of me all day long. No problem.  God bless them.
 
What makes my blood boil is people who blatantly abuse the system.  Shame on them.  They have ruined something nice and simple that Disney put in place for those who really need it.
 
TCD

My DW won't let me get camping dates...unless it's her, of course. :rofl2:

We have traveled for many years with our special kids, and this would have been nearly impossible without a MH (or other RV).  We have added a chairlift to the side near the door to move the kids from their ground level wheelchairs to the floor level of the the MH.  We have added an Add-A-Room for sheltering the chairs and for any overnight visitors we may have.  We tow an enclosed trailer to carry a golf cart for mobility around the Fort.  The trailer is also handy for carrying a rack of oxygen tanks, cases of diapers, liners, wipes, formula and baby food, and the necessary obnoxious Christmas inflatable decorations.  :rofl3:   Most of our travel has been annual trips to WDW, with some shorter trips to the Dollywood area in TN.
 
As Judy mentioned above, we currently have four kids (DS17, DD15, FS14mo, and FD5mo), but we have taken five to the Fort in the past, probably when we were younger and crazier.  Four wheelchairs+ are not easy for two people to push, but we managed.
 
All this said, we would not consider visiting WDW (or other location) without our MH and other paraphenalia. 
 
Although some loops share comfort stations, most site are releatively close to one.  You should include the desire to be near a CS in your reservation.  Everyy CS consists of a men's restroom, a women's restroom, and a laundry.  There are several shower stalls in each section, including an accessible stall, which is larger than the standard stall for maneuvering a chair.  The laundry has (I believe) five washers and six dryers, each of which eats eight quarters per load.  There is a change machine which will change a $1 or $5 USD into quarters.  We collect quarters all year for the occasion.  There is also an ice machine outside one end of the CS with bags furnished.  The ice machine also eats 8 quarters a bag.  Ice is also available from either of two Trading Posts (one at the Meadows (mid-campground) and the Settlement (near the Marina).  I understand the bags are biggers and the ice is colder, and therefore lasts longer. 
 
I don't know if you have any special food requirements, but the GAG is a popular fried chicken dinner for take-out from the Trails End resturant in the Settlement.
 
There is a bus depot near the Settlement and another at the Outpost (where you checked in).  Busses to all parks except MK leave from the Outpost.  MK is accessed by boat from the Marina.  Boats from the left side of the dock can handle wheelchairs.  We also go to Epcot by boat to MK, Ferry to the TTC, and monorail to EPCOT.  This is at least in part due to the desires of our 17 year old.
 
Enough for now.  Ask any other questions you may have.  And I appreciate the support shown by other members of this panel for my wife and me.  We do what we can for our children.

We have traveled for many years with our special kids, and this would have been nearly impossible without a MH (or other RV).  We have added a chairlift to the side near the door to move the kids from their ground level wheelchairs to the floor level of the the MH.  We have added an Add-A-Room for sheltering the chairs and for any overnight visitors we may have.  We tow an enclosed trailer to carry a golf cart for mobility around the Fort.  The trailer is also handy for carrying a rack of oxygen tanks, cases of diapers, liners, wipes, formula and baby food, and the necessary obnoxious Christmas inflatable decorations.  :rofl3:   Most of our travel has been annual trips to WDW, with some shorter trips to the Dollywood area in TN.
 
As Judy mentioned above, we currently have four kids (DS17, DD15, FS14mo, and FD5mo), but we have taken five to the Fort in the past, probably when we were younger and crazier.  Four wheelchairs+ are not easy for two people to push, but we managed.
 
All this said, we would not consider visiting WDW (or other location) without our MH and other paraphenalia. 
 
Although some loops share comfort stations, most site are releatively close to one.  You should include the desire to be near a CS in your reservation.  Everyy CS consists of a men's restroom, a women's restroom, and a laundry.  There are several shower stalls in each section, including an accessible stall, which is larger than the standard stall for maneuvering a chair.  The laundry has (I believe) five washers and six dryers, each of which eats eight quarters per load.  There is a change machine which will change a $1 or $5 USD into quarters.  We collect quarters all year for the occasion.  There is also an ice machine outside one end of the CS with bags furnished.  The ice machine also eats 8 quarters a bag.  Ice is also available from either of two Trading Posts (one at the Meadows (mid-campground) and the Settlement (near the Marina).  I understand the bags are biggers and the ice is colder, and therefore lasts longer. 
 
I don't know if you have any special food requirements, but the GAG is a popular fried chicken dinner for take-out from the Trails End resturant in the Settlement.
 
There is a bus depot near the Settlement and another at the Outpost (where you checked in).  Busses to all parks except MK leave from the Outpost.  MK is accessed by boat from the Marina.  Boats from the left side of the dock can handle wheelchairs.  We also go to Epcot by boat to MK, Ferry to the TTC, and monorail to EPCOT.  This is at least in part due to the desires of our 17 year old.
 
Enough for now.  Ask any other questions you may have.  And I appreciate the support shown by other members of this panel for my wife and me.  We do what we can for our children.

It's worth a visit from Buddy, even if he brings Lou along.  And on rare occasions you might even meet Gail, the brains of the outfit.

It's worth a visit from Buddy, even if he brings Lou along.  And on rare occasions you might even meet Gail, the brains of the outfit.

If not DEER, could it be BEER?? :doublebeer:

Mental illness is tragic. The impact on families can't be imagined by those whose lives have not been touched by it. As much as acceptance has improved, the prejudices still thrive. I am afraid this incident will set back any advances made in acceptance by many degrees.

Pitchers and catcher report next month. Go Braves! (further than late September this year...please???)

Since we are complaining about dummies, I have a big one.
Idiots on golf carts who refuse to let buses and other vehicles pass.
The golf cart rules clearly say that golf carts are supposed to pull over on the Fort roads to allow buses and regular vehicles pass.
But, every time I am at the Fort, there will be at least one time that I get stuck behind some idiot on a golf cart driving slow and who refuses to pull over.
Rude.
TCD

One year we had a little boy, about 6 or 7, coming to our site and just coming right on in to the side room, was not zippered closed as I was outside. When I asked him what he wanted he said to play. I told him our children were in wheel chairs and could not play.
He kept coming back and trying to get in. I finally told him not to come on our site any more or I would have to visit his parents.
I did not see him again at our site. But I have to admit I was afraid he would come while we were gone.
Now, just because this is WDW and most people camping are honest people, did those parents have no concern for their child?
We could have kidnapped the child and who would have known. People MUST be careful with their children. Most of the time when I see this happening it is with first timers or parents who send the children out to roam so they can have peace and quiet. One day, God forbid, something is going to happen to the children and no one will ever know.
Again, there is no cure for stupidity.

Devores, it sounds like we may have crossed paths, and I am sorry if it was us. My two cents for what they are worth... I have taught my children the rules of the road, and I frequently look behind me to see what they are doing. One safety concern I have with both riding a bike and a golf cart on Ft. Wilderness property is that golf carts have no horn or signal light capability. The only time I heard the person that yelled was when they were passing me, saying "Get off the road". Electric golf carts do not generate a lot of noise. I agree that there are many children just "cut loose" on the Fort, and I do not want to be considered one of those parents. If you happen to swing by our site again, Whip and I would be more than happy to meet you!

The Cards were the team for the Southeast in the 40's and 50.s No team was geographically closer and the radio stations carried there games around here. Take that you young punks!..Nothing better than a ball game on Saturday with everyone gathered around the old Philco.