Travisma

We made reservations Wednesday for yesterday and today for partial hook ups. Friday I faxed a request for the 1500 loop. I also did the on line checkin. That allows you to select 2 loops, special preferences( near comfort station), if you want to be near someone else, and if you need extra space for slide outs. We checked in and got the 1500 loop.

I was able to pick a few days here and there over the last week to get what I wanted. I found that mid morning I got more options to pop up when searching. Good luck!

You are correct about mid morning.  We've been trying to get a partial hookup for this weekend since Sunday and haven't had any luck.  Even Jason was unable to find anything.  Well this morning about 10:15 I checked availability and was able to get Friday and Saturday night!  Thanks for the suggestion.  Do you have any pull with the weather Gods?  Hope it dries up and doesn't rain.  We've been getting soaked down here this summer.

The bargain was in poor shape. High and dry meant 20 + years in the Florida sun in an apartment complex parking lot. The body was plastic, brittle to the touch and all 4 corners were destroyed by shopping carts. I can do repairs, but that was way past my skill level. I had asked my wife about buying it to convert to a storage trailer but we both decided against it.

I was talking to my wife last night about the posts and the increasing prices.  It is hard to swallow spending $60 + a night for a partial hookup site (we just got a tent). 

We have been utilizing Priceline name your own bids for the last couple of years to do extended weekend trips to the Disney area.  We have lucked out most of the time getting nice hotels and amenities.  Our best deal so far has been the Embassy Suites for $35 a night with free breakfast and evening (adult beverages) happy hours. 

But, when you look at the things to do at the Fort, and start comparing the free things you get to what you have to pay for in the real world, it doesn't seem to be as bad and takes some of the sting out of the price. 

Look at the ferry ride to Caladesi island, a 20 minute trip for $14 round trip.  Disney price around Bay Lake $0. 

Swimming with a water slide $0 at the Fort, $5 to park at a community splash ground in Oldsmar. 

Bike trails, well most places they are free, but you may have to contend with traffic and unsavory characters. 

Campfire and a movie?  Most communities won't take the liability for a campfire, and some charge for the dive in movies or movies on the green.

For your Disney $$$ you do get a lot of nice features that may nickle and dime you on the outside. 

That said, I would like to see the $10 1977 prices come back!  :-)

Saw one of these on I-4 yesterday heading eastbound out of Tampa. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vixen_(RV)

The one I saw didn't have the A/C on the roof or the upper windows/bubble like the one in the wiki article

It was an interesting looking RV.  First saw it in my rear view and couldn't figure out what it was.  It definitely was low and wide.  I was doing about 65 in my Caravan work vehicle, and it ended up passing me.

Too bad they aren't still around, considering the cost of fuel nowadays.

I found another site with some for sale, anywhere fron $17 to $28K.

http://vixenrv.org/tiki-index.php?page=vixens+for+sale

Need some expert advice.

Going to check out an 89 Coleman pop up this week.  Haven't had a lot of communication with the owner yet, he's out of town.. He says it's been high and dry for the last 10 + years.  Says he has the title and that the tires hold air ( I know they will need to be replaced, just want them to last until I can get it home about 30 miles).

Don't know the size yet, what options it has, etc, just know the year, brand and price $150. 

Besides having to replace tires, pack bearings, checking the canvas, what are other hidden things.  I can look for rotten, water damaged, termite eaten wood, non working plumbing, etc.  We would probably gut the interior, take out the sink, etc unless they are in excellent condition. 

When he says high and dry, I don't know if it's been off the ground on jack stand, blocks, or just in a covered area.  if it's on stands, can the frame warp ?

I know this is going to be a fixer upper project of varying degrees.  Wood repair doesn't bother me, like I said I may take out the water system anyway,  Leaky roof I can seal.  Stove isn't a factor. We have crockpots, and electric skillets.  Deal breaker will be if the canvas is rotten, quick check online shows replacements are in the $1K range.

Hey Troll, I hate golf carts! Does that count?

Guess the feeder just caught my eye this time since I wasn't chasing the granddaughters and avoiding flying hooks.  We didn't bring poles this trip.

I love the way everyone decorates for Halloween and Christmas. 

We always drive over from Tampa with the grandkids around those times of year, resort hop, then end up at the Fort at night to walk around. 

I'm amazed at the amout of Disney blow ups that were/are available. 

At least the sites are getting their lot rental monies worth of electricity! 

When the Fort starts glowing brighter then the Magic Kingdom or the parking lots, then it might be getting to be a little too much!

Those campers make the Fort unique.

I was just giving it back to Tri D, we had it in the open on the picnic table.

We even used the grill without the grate down!

I think I used the open flame rules handout to start the fire.

Andy, that's it !!! Thanks

We had it inside of an upside down can to conform to Fort Rules !  Maybe that's why it didn't work so well.  :-)

Tri D, now that you mentioned it, I remember the trail.  My kids and I rode our bikes on it.

Wasn't the original meadow pool small, just a little bigger then the one near the cabins?

They added to it over the years.

I wish I could remember the first lop we stayed at in 77, and the one that had the camper we rented.

There was no cart path behind the 100 loop going to the settlement.

Goof, I was just thinking about the petting zoo on Sunday when my granddaughter went on the pony ride.

Can't beleive I didn't add that.

There's no more peacocks?

Vaguely remember the dock/raft.

Being fairly new on the site this may be a redundant topic, so forgive me, and move it over to the correct forum please.

We first visited the Fort in the fall of 1977 on a trip to Florida.  My wife and I came down in a van that we had modified into a semi camper.

We instantly fell in love with the Fort and FL and moved down to Tampa the beginning of 78.

We've visited the Fort numerous times over the years and have noticed changes, some glaring and some subtle.

In 77 they had the railroad that you could ride for 50 cents all day.

Trams were the king, no busses.

No golf carts.  You walked, rode the tram or bikes

There was an old pick up truck that visited the loops every morning selling sundries out of it.  It had a chugging soundtrack like it was on it's last legs, and when he stopped he rang one of those triangle shaped bells.  They had milk, juice, meat, eggs, everything you needed for breakfast.

The meadow and the settlement  stores had deli's in them and lots of groceries.

Each evening they had the Marshmallow Marsh excursion.  Big multi seated war canoes left the pond behind the Meadow trading post  (there was a dock) and raced thru the canals to the edge of Bay Lake.  There was a roaring campfire going where you roasted marshmallows, had a sing along, and got to ask the Disney folks all sorts of questions.  Afterwards it was another race back to the trading post.

On that visit I don't even think the equipment barn was there

You swam in Bay Lake!  There was a great beach to the right of the boat house.  You could walk up to the Settlement store get a sandwich and a beer and relax on the beach.  Later years when we would go to Orlando for shopping we would take the kids to the Fort, take the tram down to the lake and buy dinner at the deli and let them play while we relaxed.

Later years we rented a trailer that was set up on a random lot.  It was a Disney one, but a far cry from the cabins they now have.  There wasn't even the cabin loops around.

I don't even think (I could be wrong) that there was a swimming pool at the meadow.  If there was, it was a very small one.

You could really see the mower blades in the lawnmower tree... the tree was still alive, and there used to be a sign in from of it with the story of how the blades got in there.

You didn't have to have eyes in the back of your head to keep from getting run over by some reckless golf cart driver.

I think tent camping/no or partial hookup was about $10.

If I'm not mistaken, there was a dump station where the hitch/unhitch pullover is.

Years later, even though the train was gone, you could still see the tracks throughout the Fort.

The trams gave way to busses.

The pickup grocery truck was stopped.

River Country and Discovery Island were shuttered

The deli's and groceries died a slow and painful death.

The killer carts arrived.

The cabin loops were built.

Everything became more corporate and money making. 

Don't get me wrong Disney has a right to make a $$$, but those little touches made it a truly unique place to camp.

We still love to go there, kids have now given way to grandkids, and probably some of the changes have made it easier for our old bones, but i still miss the Old Fort.

We were there last weekend 8/16 -8/18.  Flies were worse than mosquitos, but easier to kill.  They were slow and you could swat them when they landed on you to dine.

I didn't get any mosquito bites until Saturday evening at the site.

The Tampa newspaper had an article yesterday that they are worse this year because we had 2 fairly dry years previously and a lot of eggs laid dormant.

This year with all of the rain the 2 previous years plus this years batch all hatched.

We had a citronella candle and one of those Off gadgets you hook on your belt going, along with a couple of different types of spray on protection.

What have others found to be effective?

Shutterbug, don't know your financial situation, but have you looked at Golden Oaks?  http://www.disneygoldenoak.com ?

It's the new housing developement right on Disney propert just down the street from the Fort.

The beach just outside of the equipment rental barn.  Cast member came over and showed us the secret.  Tiny hooks, tiny pieces of hot dogs and you will get some fish.  They will be small, but it keeps the kids interested.  Just don't plan on fishing yourself because they are quick and bait stealers.

It looks like they anchored a fish feeder in that area recently.

Years ago my son hooked a decent sized bass down at the flood gate on the lake side using a lure.  We have never duplicated that catch.

Canal behind the 1800 loop looks promising, but it had a lot of overgrown weeds and brush.  What was odd is that the opposite shoreline is clear down to the waters edge.  Maybe they don't trim the campground side to discourage fishing there?

We were walking across the meadow bridge (back side one) and saw a lot of ripples in the canal there.  Looked promising.

Everything I've heard from cast members is hot dogs are the bait of choice.

Empty water bottles + Dollar Tree light sticks + ball = night time bowling.  Drop the light sticks in the water bottles.

Dollar Tree can be a life saver for cheap activities.  If something gets lost or broken no big deal.

They have kites, flying toys (my favorite that they no long have was a 4 blade propeller on a stick that you launched. That thing easily went up above the trees), foam airplanes, frisbees, water guns, foam ball guns, etc.

Chalk to decorate the pads, water colors.

ANYTHING that lights up!  I've gotten LED bracelets, 4 color finger lights, small light up batons that flash like crazy, cheap flashlights, clip on LED lights for glasses or hat brims to read with or just for hands free light.  The plus with the light up stuff is you can see where the kids are.

Check Pintrest for other ideas.

Thing with camong at the Fort is you can do summertime activities just about year round (except water gun fights in mid February).   :-)

We have done the Whispering Pines family style dinner a couple of times and it was always enjoyable though pricey.

Nothing can beat the Hoop De Do Revue.  With little ones I would suggest trying to get the early seating.  It's a great show and the family style food was great... but we haven't been there in years so others may want to chime in.  Everytime we walk by during a show it sounds like everyone is having a good time.

Some of the dining at the Animal Kingdom Lodge looks good also.  Also, there are tons of activities to do with kids at the lodges.  We have done cookie decorating, face painting, crayon rubbings, blocks, projects all for free.  They do have mug and t shirt decorating for a nominal fee.

Also, they have marshmallow roasts at the poolside nightly, no charge.  They provide everything including wipes for sticky hands.

Luau at the Poly?  Shows at late and involve fire.

We did a character breakfast buffet a couple of years ago at one of the resorts across the lake from the Boardwalk hotel.  Can't remember if it was in the Beach Club or Yacht Club hotel.  Characters start coming around after everyone had a chance to get food and eaten a bit.

Years ago did a character breakfast at the Grand Floridian and also one at Downtown Disney on the big Paddlewheel Boat.  Not sure if they still have them.

Biggest thing is to stay calm and relaxed, and no matter where you take them they will have a blast.

Some of our best times were having picnic lunches throughout the Fort.

You can always go to Publix and get sub sandwiches or takeout chicken, stake out a table or 2 near a playground and let the kids go crazy. 

Definitely do the evening wagon ride.  Took the then 3 and 7 year old grandkids on it and they thought it was the greatest thing going.  Don't waste your $$ on the carriage ride, the wagon is better.  And for the smaller younger ones the pony rides are good.  Height and weight restrictions ar 48 inches or 80 pounds. $5 well spent.

Dumb question, but is there a "monthly" discount rate at the Fort?

I'm thinking roughly $70 a day x 30 equals a pretty expensive apartment, not counting the price of an RV.

My daughter has a two bedroom apartment across from the entrance to Celebration in a new (year old) complex, and she's paying around $1100 or $1200 a month with cable included.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to be a resident of the Fort, but at $2100 that's more than my mortage.  Of course I guess if you include utilities it makes it look like a better deal.

No A/C, but enough rain to cool it down. 

Friday night we had a pretty intense storm after lights out.  It helped knock down the humidity. 

Saturday night was acceptable also.  It rained earlier.

Maybe we lucked out with our tent purchase.  The front part is almost like a screen room, large flaps that zip open into screens.  Wife and I slept in that area.  I put a tarp up over the entire tent, so that allowed us to sleep with the flaps open, no rain got in.

I wouldn't mind a small fan just to circulate the air around.

I was just surprised about the checkout.  We've always gotten late checkouts when we stayed at the cabins, and they seem a lot more labor intensive to prep for the new customer.  Campsite is blow the sand off the slab, hose it down, and maybe rake the sand pit.  Takes maybe 20 minutes?

All in all it was a great time.  Just need to get a little better organized.  Each trip will be a learning experience.

We were at the Fort this weekend, and one of the Disney cast members at the pool told her that the DVC was definitely going in.  He said that they put out surveying stakes last week.

We just left the 1800 loop and there was no signal.

Got 2 to 3 bars at the campfire movie.

I thought they had signal at all the loops.

We were in the cabins a year ago and had it there.  Guess I was just spoiled staying in those.

Went on a quick trip this weekend to the Fort.  We've been going there on and off since 1977 when we did a road trip from NY to FL.  That was in a van that we made into a mini camper.

We liked FL so much we moved to Tampa in 78.

Since then we have gone to the Fort in the van, tent, small pop up, then for the last few years we have rented the cabins.

Well a week ago we became the propud owners of a 10x14 Coleman quick set up tent, and my wife decided we were going to christen it by taking my 2 granddaughters to the Fort.

She called for reservations last Monday 8/12 trying to get Friday and Saturday nights and was told there were no sites available (started asking for partial, then full , then preferred) but no luck.

She then called back Wednesday afternoon and tried for Saturday on a partial site and was told they had openings for both Friday and Saturday.  She asked if we could get the 1500 and was told if they could accomodate us they would and we would find out on check in.  Asking the agent why there were now openings, she got the standard, maybe people cancelled...

So the marathon packing began, trying to figure out what 2 adults and 2 grand daughters (8 and 4) would need for a fun filled weekend, and still be able to fit everything into a mid sized (Durango) SUV.

By the time we were done, the Clampetts didn't didn't have anything on us.  Let's just say my outside mirrors got used a lot.

Got to the Fort about 3:45, pulled into the check in lane surrounded by RV's that blocked out what little sun was shining.  We were told that our site wasn't available? which was odd because we hadn't been given a site #.  They bumped us up to a full site in the 1800 loop which was fine because it was fairly close to the Meadow.  The agent told us if they sand pad wasn't big enough to let them know and they would move us.

It was a good site, close to the comfort station, loop was small enough to allow the 8 year old to ride her scooter around with out us trailing her.  Even with the rain it turned out to be a great time.

We took a walk around the loop Saturday, and noticed about 11 or 12 empty lots (out of 32).  One of the Disney employees told my wife they were only at 23% capacity, but I think he meant they were 23% empty.  Armed with that knowledge, Saturday evening I called the front desk to see if we could get a late check out.  e were hoping to let everything get dried out before packing.  I was told it came back as pending and to call again Sunday morning.  Called around 8:30, and was told that the request was denied, but that we could park outside and come back in.  I was really shocked that we couldn't get the late check out with all of the vacancies.

I took a drive thru the 1500 loop when I left, and that was probably about 50% vacant, of course some people had probably already left.

All in all it was a great weekend, and both of the girls were sad to leave and wanted to know when we could go again.

My wife and I just need to go thru the things we forgot (really nothing) and the things we gon't need.

I need to get better at hanging a tarp up over the tent.  We stayed dry, but I could've done better.