geoffdaddy

(insert grumblings of toll bridge on major interstate in the first place...) ;)

My wife has traveled this way for family visits a couple times since Riverlink went live and I've got a couple observations: The first was right after it went live. It's a toll by plate/transponder system only, and after she crossed over, I looked up the info and it said that if you had no account that the system would monitor for a round-trip within I think a 2 week period and you would be mailed an invoice. The first sign of mail I got was a "2ND NOTICE" that tacked on another $5 administrative charge even though we never received a first notice. We called to complain of course, but after spending 45 minutes on hold we decided that we were beaten and paid the extra $5. The next time she went I opened an account. Even if you don't have a transponder on your car, you can register your car plate and add funds to the online account. So I registered both our cars and put some money in... the system worked as advertised and recognized our plate on each crossing. Riverlink sent us two free transponder stickers in the mail a la the SunPass transponders. It wasn't clear from the website that they would do this but sure enough, two free stickers arrived in the mail a couple weeks after I signed up. I think between SunPass and RiverLink we've got most of the east tolled stuff covered now.

Boy, talk about a misleading headline! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I guess I shouldn't point out that it's probably pretty easy to photocopy a parking pass.

Update: We just returned from our 1400 mile round trip to the Fort with the new tires and I'm happy to report that the Carlisles performed admirably. Trailer rode nice and no issues.

Seems like if they're going to do this then you should get a partial discount for the early park closure.

We didn't either until this last trip... the front desk told me the same thing so we hung around and went swimming for a couple hours after check out.

I asked about this yesterday and apologies if this has been covered already, but my understanding is that campers get one free pass under this new policy. To hedge my bets I went ahead and made a reservation yesterday for March 2019 in case we have others come with us since it only applies to new reservations after the 21st. Anywho, I am of two minds about this... on the one had I agree it sucks royally. On the other hand, I wonder if it will help open up reservations which are getting difficult. I know we have been several times to be told that the campground is all full up only to see several vacant sites the whole time we're there, and we know it is a common practice for some unscrupulous people to stay off site and get a burner campsite reservation for the free multi-car parking, magic bands, and extra magic hours. Maybe on the plus side this will cut down on some of that.

I have to wonder what leverage these resorts had over Disney to allow for this. Doesn't seem like it's in Disney's best interest.

Oooh, they better not! Our girls loved the pony rides and I enjoy seeing the stables and the pristine open areas. I'd rather leave the big parking lots in the front.

We like the all you can eat at Paula Dean's restaurant at the Island. We haven't tried anywhere else yet.

I would try to find someplace off the main drag in Pigeon Forge. Gatlinburg road access is horrible on the weekends and unless you want to do something in Gatlinburg proper it's best to take the bypass around to get to GSMNP.

I'm starting to wonder if I've blabbed one too many times about how great the Fort is. "The First rule of the Fort is, you don't talk about the Fort...." Hey, maybe there's something to that. It's not like Disney actually advertises the Fort all that much...

I wonder where they intend the entrance to this thing to be. I imagine all those high paying guests are not going to want to sit through the check in line with all the pleb RV campers.

I've yet to test drive mine yet. I pulled all four of and just took the loose wheels to Sam's. I pulled all the bearings and inspected them and put new seals in so it was convenient to do while they were out. While I had the drums off I discovered that all four brakes were contaminated with grease, I'm sure from using the ez lube system for the past 7 years. I guess I understand other people's reservations with ez -lube now! At least the bearings were good. What I cant understand is the pricing of trailer brakes. The best price I could find on brake shoes was $25 per wheel. The local shops were twice as much as online. But, talking to a local shop they said they always replace the whole assembly. Seems super wasteful to me, but what do you know, I found a deal from a place in Florida on Amazon that sells the whole backing plate, springs, adjusters, shoes, magnets, as a bolt on assembly for $110! Nutty. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk