DramaMama .......... Janet

Not sure if this comes under "rennovatios" or not but the old pay phone boxes are being taken down this morning at the 1500 comfort station. 

Glad to have ya!  You'll love the time at the Fort. As for built in sitters, we have had that luxury on occasion with my in-laws. Those are great times to do the late park closings or head to a nice restaurant for a date. Boma is our choice for date night!  

We have picked up cards a few times on the last couple of trips. We each got new packs a few days ago and did a few "missions".  They are cool, but we did a lot of backtracking looking for windows and our youngest got his feelings hurt when his "spell" wasn't chosen (if more than one of us was holding up a card). He'll toughen up (and sometimes I "forget" to get my card ready in time.).    But, the boys love that they get to keep the cards and they have really hit that collecting stage. (Had to ban them from asking for the the transportation cards. They got a bit too intense!  :-)   

I like the Perry game in Epcot better - it seems more group inclusive.  They have made a few changes to it since it was Kim Possible. Of course I am a huge Phineas and Ferb fan. 

We got to ride the night safari a few days ago. I really liked it. It seemed longer (or maybe it was because they did drive a LOT slower) and it seemed like we went on a different path a few times. Might not have been - it is so easy to get turned around in the dark. There were a few theatrical parts but, for the most part, it was a lot more genuine ride/look at the animals. We did get very good looks at some animals though I don't think they have nearly as many out as in the daytime.  It is definitely worth your time. By the way, the only Fastpasses we could get were for 9:45.  I hear that if you can ride it nearer dusk you will likely see more animals either because of the light or those that haven't gone in for the night. 

12 hours ago, WalkerFiend said:

We're in 1447. Hi neighbor. :)  I'll get my shorty ears out there tomorrow. 

14 hours ago, Timsmith7 said:

Hey Walkerfiend, im at 1458, just look for the Mickey Ear RV. Stop by and say hi.

We are in 1520. Just look for our sign and 2 purple flamingos with homemade coonskin hats. The rain has not been kind to the hats so they look like little drowned rats  on their heads. Thrill says they look like they have Beatles' hairdos.  I hope Snarky will be impressed by my efforts- if not the outcome!

Other than looking like a swamp, 1500 faired very well last night. I must say, that 4:00 am restroom trip was an interesting decision: relief or risk getting hit by lightning. I held my umbrella by the plastic end and moved VERY quickly down the path!  We have had a few light showers this morning but not enough to keep us out of the pool.  We did nix our plans to go to AK but decided it was a good time to do laundry.  By radar it looked like the worst went below us.  Looking forward to Hoop De Doo this afternoon!

I would like a Snarky sticker.  However if I counted right, I am #18.   

Phooey!!!!!

"I need a Snarky sweatshirt!"

Yep, I could deal with some serious Snarky gear!  Love the anniversary design!

Some people have said they got checked in a lot faster by going inside where the cabin people check in. We used to rent cabins and there was usually a line, but they had 3 or 4 CMs working the counter.

Just an idea.

True, but only until a certain time at night.  When we have gotten there 9 pm or later there are no CMs outside.  Everyone has to go in.  When we just had the tent we learned to park in the car lot and walk in.  Pulling the camper means we have to queue in with the big RVs or at least pull over to the side in that area.  Leaving your RV in line and going in to one of two open desks means someone will end up done and waiting for the person parked in front of them to get done.  This last time there was no available CM to open the arms so we managed to get turned around and drove through the regular parking lot. That was the weekend before Thanksgiving week.  Seven campers in line at 11:00pm.  

Here is a link to an old trip report I did about 1500 loop marathon/tent/cold weather camping.

http://www.fortfiends.net/topic/14715-our-marathon-weekend-at-the-fort-2015/

Welcome!  We tent camped for a few years and just got a pop up.  We still take the tent for a closet/dressing room.  You are on the right track with partial - and yes - beg for 1500.  Best loop ever!!!  Do lock up valuables, secure food (Fort squirrels are very good at chewing through plastic - especially for cake and cinnamon rolls), and bring a fan to keep the air circulating at night.  

Travisma:

PS... we started back camping with a tent about 2 years ago.  We moved up to a POP UP and a tent.  We now look like the Beverly Hillbillies when we arrive.

Hey now!

Looking forward to arriving mid day (and mid week) for the next trip.  The last few trips we have arrived Friday nights after 10:00.  Took over an hour to check in last time.  Serious line, few CMs.

I can see it now.... L,M,A Driver Team Meeting:

"Ok guys, you all know that our show has been cut. In an effort to keep you on the payroll there are several positions throughout the property that you can apply for:

Bus Driver at Fort Wilderness

 

I think there may already have been a transfer - when we were there in November there was one bus driver that was a bit more "enthusiastic" in his driving.  He took the turns into the outpost bus stop so fast he almost hit the poles.  Definitely went over the yellow lines.  

I don't know.  These drivers could certainly liven up the transportation system!

Wonder if situations like the one I overheard at check-out last week was one of those contributing factors:

Evidently the person making the reservation for like 5 sites was the only one of the group who hadn't shown up yet to the Fort.  Lady next to me wasn't happy that they couldn't check in.  CM kept trying to tell her that the person who had reserved the sites with their credit card needed to be there before that happened.  Lady wasn't offering to pay.  Hmmmm.....

We had a preferred site last week.  We have a pop up so it is shorter than your camper, but we used a tent in the back of our site as a wardrobe/closet/dressing room.  We put our clothes, pop up hampers, and basket of towels out there.  With 6 sleeping in a pop up, space was a premium.  It worked great.  We plan to do it from now on - even when it is just the 4 of us.

 

Excellent job!  Based on the photo of your boys, and your comment that you took that shot immediately after you turned from taking the photo of the cat, the cat must have been above one of the doorways on the main New York Street, right in the middle of everything. 

 

So, that's where I looked for the cat this past Friday night, November 27.  But it wasn't there anymore.

 

I found it down a side alley on the side street (the one with the canopy):

 

 

That cat is definitely being moved!

 

TCD

Yep.  If the cat had been in this spot when we were there I would have had an easier time finding it!  We stood near this spot for a good while watching a family trying to get the perfect picture of their teen son "shooting a basket".  

Took this Sunday night.  Not sure exactly the location, but while standing in the same spot I turned left a little and took this of my guys.

So, unless there are two cats, they are moving it around.  I was having trouble finding it.  Thrill found it for us.

Awesome!  Thanks!  I will have to try it.

Sunrise in MK is beautiful.  Twice I have joined hubby as he drove from the Fort to Epcot for the marathon.  I rode the monorail to T&T and switched to go to the Contemporary, walked over and stood on Main Street until he ran by.  I am not a morning person, but I will have to say it was pretty special to be near the castle at sunrise.

Directions please!!!

We were in the parks Saturday through Wednesday. There were indeed increased security. Bag check was normal holiday busy except for Monday at AK. We stood in line there for 30 minutes! I also noticed that the bag check guys really made eye contact with us and most asked us something - not necessarily security related, maybe just to be gauging how comfortable we were with them. All were friendly but very thorough. Especially at MK we saw many, many more CMs wandering about (those not in any specific uniforms - higher ups?) and standing in ride queues watching people. This was also the first time I saw armed security guards in the parks. Made us wonder too if there had been a new threat

We just somehow seem to wind up there on really crowded days, I guess.

The bathrooms at MK on the right side between the Plaza and Tomorrowland Terrace.  They are rarely busy.

I have YET to have a calm, relaxing, non-regretted meal at Restaurantosaurus.  Long lines, pricey "meh" food, metal chairs that scrape loudly on the floor...  

Here is a link to our last tent camping trip at the Fort.  It will give you an idea of our set-up.
 

http://www.fortfiends.net/forum/topic/14715-our-marathon-weekend-at-the-fort-2015/