Okieatheart

I just returned home after being at the Fort with Gwen and David for a week.  Let me tell you, Gwen was in terrible pain, but - like the trooper she is - she didn't let that stop her.  She and David were such wonderful hosts, going with me to the parks, fancy restaurants, and sharing a memorable evening at Crockett's Tavern.  I have never seen such gracious hospitality under such dire conditions - and I so appreciate the efforts they made to make my visit so special.  Gwen and David are wonderful people - the "salt of the earth" kind - and if you're at the Fort now, try to meet them.  They are very special people!  Love you, David and Gwen!!!

I just returned home after being at the Fort with Gwen and David for a week.  Let me tell you, Gwen was in terrible pain, but - like the trooper she is - she didn't let that stop her.  She and David were such wonderful hosts, going with me to the parks, fancy restaurants, and sharing a memorable evening at Crockett's Tavern.  I have never seen such gracious hospitality under such dire conditions - and I so appreciate the efforts they made to make my visit so special.  Gwen and David are wonderful people - the "salt of the earth" kind - and if you're at the Fort now, try to meet them.  They are very special people!  Love you, David and Gwen!!!

I'm enjoying this TR!  However, I could have done without that cinnamon roll picture.  Started my diet today.  Oh, well, I'll start it after my run to the donut shop!  Looking forward to your adventures!

What Gwen is not telling y'all is that it was she who saved MY sanity!  This trip was a much needed escape for all four of us!

That's it, exactly.
 
Based on what I've seen, the problem is that there are guests using the Fort as a place to congregate and party- not to camp.  Over Thanksgiving weekend, there were a couple of large groups on the 2000 loop.  One of these groups had about ten sites.  Every one of those sites had a small U-Haul trailer on it in addition to multiple cars.  One site had two U-Haul trailers.  Why the Fort does anyone need a U-Haul trailer to tent camp?  These folks weren't there to camp.  They were there to party, and the tents were just there for them to sleep it off.
 
Looking at the bigger picture, the problem with a lack of consideration for others isn't confined to the Fort.  It is engrained in our society now.  One of the reasons that the comfort stations aren't as clean as they used to be is that people have become inconsiderate slobs who make messes and leave them for someone else.  It's not just at the Fort.  You can see it in the restrooms throughout Disney World or at your local mall or movie theater.  Also, have you noticed how there's more trash on the ground at the parks?  Disney used to be much more vigilant about picking it up.  And guests used to be much more considerate about making sure trash was properly thrown away.
 
If we lived in a society where people were considerate of others, none of the new rules the Fort has implemented would be necessary.  If the idiots in charge would enforce the rules, then maybe some of the inconsiderate guests would take their U-Hauls elsewhere.
 
TCD

I guess I've been really lucky because every "old-timer" I've encountered has been pleasant, friendly, and attentive both during the daytime and in the evening.  I've had "old-timers" offer to go to the back to try to find a size for me, visit with me about Texas, ask me about Ft. Wilderness, and so on.  The only times - two, to be exact - I've been treated rudely came from young people.  One was reading an obviously riveting e-mail on his phone and couldn't be bothered to check out my bag of popcorn at the Confectionary.  The other one - in response to my question - rolled his eyes and pointed, never uttering a syllable.  (I wanted to ask him if he could see his brain when he did that.)  I'll deal with the jaded "old timers" anytime.

Beautiful pictures; I'm envious of your trip.  
 
 

2) Texas has more crosses, American flags and pro-gun signs/stickers than any other state (and were very friendly).
 
You pretty much nailed Texas right there in that one sentence.  We love God, our country, hunting, and saying "howdy" to strangers.

Oh, shoot!  I really liked the fife and drum corps - a really neat piece of Americana.  But, then again, I love the Main Street Philharmonic and the Dapper Dans in MK.  

Oh, shoot!  I really liked the fife and drum corps - a really neat piece of Americana.  But, then again, I love the Main Street Philharmonic and the Dapper Dans in MK.  

My dear friend from high school and her husband spent Christmas with us last year.  As a hostess gift, she gave us a personalized dog placemat for our Abby.  They flew in from Virginia and it fit perfectly in her luggage, didn't weigh much, and didn't take up any room.   She got it on Amazon, and I just love it!  It was the perfect gift for us.

My dear friend from high school and her husband spent Christmas with us last year.  As a hostess gift, she gave us a personalized dog placemat for our Abby.  They flew in from Virginia and it fit perfectly in her luggage, didn't weigh much, and didn't take up any room.   She got it on Amazon, and I just love it!  It was the perfect gift for us.

And his fate is still unlearned (poor ol' Charlie).

Beautiful pictures, Gwen!  They make me think that I might need to get my lazy self up to see one of these one day!

I think it might be time for this video.  
Crank up the volume, make it full screen size, and enjoy!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gv0H-vPoDc

I think it might be time for this video.  
Crank up the volume, make it full screen size, and enjoy!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gv0H-vPoDc

I left about an hour ago to watch the Astros lose, and when I returned there were three pages added to this thread!  This is SO much more interesting than the Astros game!

Yes, I did.  My two friends, who were staying with us in our motorhome during our November 2013 trip, bought vouchers from a vendor - I forgot which one (not UT).  I got their voucher numbers and entered them on MDE.  The numbers were accepted and I was able to make Fast Pass+ reservations for them right along with mine and my husband's.  

We also saw the parade from the second story of the Train Station.  We got there about 2 pm and stood directly behind a couple sitting closest to the railing.  I asked her what time they had arrived to secure such a coveted spot, and she said at 1 pm.  This was on Tuesday, the 9th.
 
The parade was spectacular from this vantage point, but I agree with other posters who said they missed much of the action on the ground.  But on any level, this is one of the coolest parades I have ever seen!
 
A bit of trivia - the parade arrives at the corner of the Confectionary at 3:23 pm - just in case you were wondering.

We also saw the parade from the second story of the Train Station.  We got there about 2 pm and stood directly behind a couple sitting closest to the railing.  I asked her what time they had arrived to secure such a coveted spot, and she said at 1 pm.  This was on Tuesday, the 9th.
 
The parade was spectacular from this vantage point, but I agree with other posters who said they missed much of the action on the ground.  But on any level, this is one of the coolest parades I have ever seen!
 
A bit of trivia - the parade arrives at the corner of the Confectionary at 3:23 pm - just in case you were wondering.

Ah, Lou - dear, dear, gorgeous-when-you-were-young-but-not-so-much-now Lou.  Bless your heart.  You just can't help it, can you?  It must be that inner urge you have to rain on parades, to burst bubbles, to laugh in the face of danger.  But no one can take the magic that is Disney away from me.  
 
The minute I walk into Magic Kingdom I'm mentally transformed into that little girl of so long ago who sat mesmerized in front of the TV, idolizing Annette, Sharon, Cubby, Karen, Bobby and the rest of the Mouseketeers.  I remember a time when my parents could solve all of my problems, take away every pain, and make me laugh so hard I thought my sides would burst.  I also am reminded of a time when the only "ism" we feared as kids was Communism - even though I really didn't know what it was.  We knew nothing of sexism, racism, or the other terms that darken our attitudes and our world today.  
 
There you have it.  It's a magical escape for me, back to the land of the Mickey Mouse Club - and no other "amusement park" affords me that unique pleasure.  
 
So, go back to your puking, and I'll continue to look forward to the next time I can visit that Disney magic.

Lou, I especially like the Disney parks when I visit on my own because I feel safe, I can step off the airplane and immediately start enjoying the Disney experience at MCO with Magic Express. I can act like a kid when riding the rides like Buzz and Toy Story Mania. There is always something that makes me say "WOW" and there's normally no one to puke on my fun.

I do love the magic. I have taken my fair share of vacations around the country. So far there is exactly one place where I actually dont think about my full time job, I dont worry about the house or whats going on back at home. For however long I am there I dont have much if any cares at all. I enjoy myself and do the things I want to. I even permit myself to have  a few drinks here and there which I almost never do at home, because I know the excellent bus drivers will get me back to my resort safely and I dont have to worry about any possibilities of me causing an accident due to having a drink. 
 
That is magic for me. No cares and I come home actually relaxed. Worth every penny for me. 

Sometimes yes. But in all honesty I really do enjoy helping with planning their vacations. Silvia says it would drive her crazy. Looking at all the places. booking all the vacations you wont be going on, but for me knowing I helped people relax a little bit when going and while on vacation is great. 
 
Oh and currently its more like Magic =$ for Jason.  You had a few too many dollar signs there Lou. 

All this talk of ruining the magic. I live it, day in and day out. I see things back stage that should ruin the magic. But I still love enjoying the parks as a guest. It makes it better for me knowing what goes on behind the scenes and knowing the people who accomplish it everyday. I work with Mickey, have lunch with the princesses, and attend training classes with Goofy. And I still get excited when I see them as a guest. It makes it even better when they recognize me and go a little above and beyond when meeting me and my friends and family.

If I may interject. No I don't feel safer at the other excellent, and in ALL cases, inferior Florida parks. Disney seems to promote a more family, less party, atmosphere then other parks. We did Universal for New Years several years ago it seemed like ever drunk in Orlando was there. Yes there are drunks at Disney also. But nothing compared to universal.
I believe you yourself once commented on the fact that a lot of Disney security is behind the scenes and not necessarily seen by the public, but you can definetly tell the security is tighter at Disney then other parks.
And if you think they are superior because they may have a bigger or faster roller coaster your sadly mistaken. A single attraction, even Harry Potter, or high speed roller coaster doesn't compare to Disney in its superior theming, characters, service, and most importantly the memories we all have from are childhood movies and shows.
My DD's look on her face the first time she say Cindy's castle or when she met Belle for the first time is priceless. Yes she got excited when she saw Shamu but nothing like when she sees Mickey.
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. Schmuckface. (The schmuckface was for Judy, she's to nice to call you by your pet name)