twiceblessed....nacole

I think the best day to start a vacation is today, with tomorrow running a close second.

 

(Seriously, I hope you have a great vacation!)

Agreed! :)

Ahhhh.... so, we keep going back and forth.  Should we buy a pup and tow with our van (2007 Honda Odyssey), purchase a used class C...or purchase a used truck and TT (BOTH of which, we would only use for camping).  With the class C, I like the idea of having access to the camper when driving.  With the TT, I like the idea of having the tow vehicle to make runs to the market while camping.

So, my question is:  if we decided to buy an old/used truck to tow a TT, any recommendations?  We wouldn't need one with all the bells and whistles, just safe enough to tow and something that would fit two adults and two children (with car seats).

Thoughts?

Oh... also, any opinions on if a truck with a lot of miles is okay or a really bad idea...?

Great, thanks for the feedback fiends! :)

We've never ordered their take out.... would you fiend recommend the chicken??  We've eaten at Trails End several times, but I honestly can't remember if we had the friend chicken and we usually eat breakfast there (we have had one or two dinners there, but I can't remember the chicken).

Also... can one GAG feed the four of us?  Two adults and two small children (ages 7 & 2).

Okay... so we broke down and went to the RV show.  Nice that it's inside, because it was freezing outside!  Impressed with the amount of rigs they managed to get in there.  A bit tough with the two little ones, because there were so many people there but... still worth the trip as they had a little of everything (pups to the largest of largest...and everything in between).   :)

I'm not crazy, I'm Dopey ... and I have the shirt AND the medal to prove it! :rofl2:

Haha...  :rofl2:

Thanks for the feedback.

2013 Forest River Sunseeker 3100 with a gas engine & no toad.

 

MPG:  Depends on a variety of factors.  Diesel / gas.  No toad / toad.  Highway / city.  Flat / hills.  Speed has a LOT to do with it.  I've tracked 3 longer trips.  Got a 7.7, 7.7, & 9.2 depending upon the combination of factors above.  Around an 8 is what I use for planning purposes.  Sounds expensive but you need to do the math.  Works out for longer trips better.  We spent $800 in gas to go from Cincinnati, OH to the Fort & back last spring break.  Way cheaper than airline tickets.  Takes longer though.  Also allows you to stay onsite without a rental car which is better than staying offsite with a rental car (in our opinion at least).

 

Pros:  You didn't say if you have anything now.  We had 2 pop ups for nearly 20 years.  Setup / teardown is way faster vs a pop up. Comfortable.  As for me personally, MY clean shower & toilet are the biggest positive factors!

 

Cons:  Not a cheap hobby.  I mention setup / teardown as a positive but the offset is there is more ongoing maintenance such as oil changes, exercising the generator, etc.

 

Layout:  Are you talking 2 beds in the back bedroom or two bunks apart from the bedroom?  If you are talking the former, it isn't popular so it might make resale difficult.  Just something to consider.

 

Regarding a Coachmen Leprechaun:  I don't know if I'm supposed to steer you to another website but...  I know you said used, but if you are considering a newer used ('13 or later), you may want to take a read through this thread on RV dot net.  In fact, that website in general & specifically the class C forum will have a lot of great info to read as you consider this purchase.

 

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/27253634.cfm

 

(Mods:  I apologize in advance for directing someone to another website if I'm not supposed to do that but it's in the spirit of informing them prior to such a large purchase.)

Thanks for the link.  Regarding what we have, nothing right now.  We have a rather large tent :)  My DH just had to buy a newer vehicle, but opted for a car over a truck (gas mileage) because he drives so much for work.  A class C might be an option next year, but we're still weighing all the options.  As for bunk beds, we have two little ones and the Leprechaun had two beds in the back...but we looked at some class C's today and we might work the sleeping arrangements a different say so...right now we're just trying to take it all in.  I like the idea of driving down the road and having the access to the MOHO however, I can also appreciate trading my van in for a towing vehicle and getting a TT (benefit of not having to drive the MOHO to the market if/when we need groceries).

Thanks again for the feedback fiends  :bighug:

Man... I'm exhausted after reading all of this  :whew:

Top notch research, amazed by the information that was provided on this post!  For our family, what we appreciate is that The Fort can be quiet and as close to nature as you'll get at Disney.  While improvements could be used, for us there is also something to appreciate about the quaint feel.  We are camping after all :)  The plans for this new project look beautiful... as long as the impact on The Fort is minimal (which, unfortunately, is probably be unlikely).   Changes will be required, as there is only so much land/room, but here's hoping that a "tree-hugger" heads up the new project and attention is paid to preserving, if not improving, The Fort.

Considering that most are not going to translate it, pretty sure.

:rofl3:   

Thanks... entered.  I'm sure I'll just get more junk mail but hey, guess it's worth trying! :)

:postcount:       But seriously... welcome! :)

Please tell me the year, make/model and MPG.  Plus any pros or cons that you might want to throw it 

We're considering a class C moho for our family...something used.  We like the Coachman Leprechaun, if it has the two beds in the room as that works best for us however, those have been tough to find.

Here's some food for thought. . .

 

Do you know how many pet-friendly campsites there are at the Fort vs. non-pet sites?

 

I just counted them up.

 

483 of the 799 campsites are on pet-friendly loops.

 

That's just over 60%.

 

Seems like that's plenty enough that they don't need to let guests with pets stay on the non-pet loops.

 

This could all be solved by clearly stating the rules on the website, and enforcing those rules. It's not rocket science.

 

TCD

:bravo:  

 

There will always be people to fill a vacant site.  Disney knows this.  It's the reason they keep jacking up the prices despite complaints by regular Guests.  That's why I really don't think it's a case of not wanting to lose a paying customer, since they're doing that now - and in many cases pissing off the good and loyal customers in favor of the ones that just cause them headaches, and the potential loss of other customers.

 

So true and so, so sad.  I bet Mr. Disney is turning over in his grave...from all I've read and watched on him, he was a man who yes, wanted to make a buck (a lot of them) but he valued people.  

What this all comes down to, is people's lack of respect for others.  Yes, my sweet girl is very afraid of dogs...but if (all) dog owners respected other people and made sure their animals were taken care of (kenneled or in the RV during the day when they are at the park or always on a leash and not allowed to bark incessantly) then the concern for a non-pet loop wouldn't be as huge.  If you respect others enough, to not bring an aggressive animal to the campground and if you cleaned up after the animals that you did bring... then this issue would (my guess) all but go away.

But... people no longer respect other people.  The same as with the example of the teenagers being reckless on the golf carts... my dad would have come close to beating the living crap out of me if I was so disrespectful to others.  Or heck, the grown adults who have had too much to drink and act likes idiots on their golf cart or are way too loud at their campsite... no respect for others.

As for Disney stepping up and enforcing the rules....much needed. Didn't I read somewhere that a new GM took over in the last year or so...? Has that helped at all??

Didn't know there was an RV show this weekend in Atlanta.. just checked the website, pricey   There is another one at the end of February that's less expensive...we may try that one.

Have fun!!

The appropriate response is for Disney to follow their own rules. If a guest has a severe medical response to dogs - allergic or anxiety- then Disney would be liable if they sued ... and we know someone will. Because there is a written policy that is commonly ignored by the Fort CMs and Security, Disney would have to suck it up in Court. They have to pay, and it is us that would pay for it.

You check into a non-pet loop because you didn't tell them you have a dog ... tell them to leave.

Not a popular solution, but I'd rather see them enforce the rules than have to pay because Disney got sued.

I agree... except I would say that I'd want Disney to enforce the rules, because they are the rules.  Everyone should have the right to enjoy the parks and this includes the resort that you stay at.  Accountability is huge in my book.  If Disney has non-pet loops, then they offer non-pet loops and families with children (or adults) who are afraid (or simply don't like) dogs, should have the right to stay in those loops...without the concern of their family members being afraid.   People walking their pets is different because the pet is gone in a few moments... if the dog (or dogs) was in the loop next to us, it would create an issue our entire stay.

First I have trouble listing just one recommendation.

1.  Listen to everyone else about just staying at the fort.  We go to the fort for a week every 2-3 months and rarely go to a theme park.

2.  Rent a golf cart.

3.  Bring at least 2-3 cases of bottled water.  A case of small bottles at the trading post is $17.00.  Publix sells the bigger bottles for $3-4.

4.  The same advice goes for adult beverages.

5.  If you follow #4, please post the dates you will be there so that I can come and help lighten the load for the trip home.

Haha.. gotta love #5 :)

ONE piece of advice- Don't over-plan.

 

For an 8 day trip, make sure to leave a couple of days open to spend time at the Fort.

 

Go with the flow.

 

TCD

Second that!  

We're another family, that has a child who is unbelievably afraid of dogs.  Even though she is turning 7 in a couple of weeks and almost comes up to my chest...she will literally try to climb up me (like a tree) if a dog comes our way.  Poor baby is incredibly scared of the animals.  Even if the owner has them on a leash, if the dog notices her...she gets upset.

Having said that, if there are dogs in our loop, we will say something to Disney.  The only exception we've had over the years, is owners who have small dogs (very small,10lbs and under)  AND if the owner has them on a leash.  If the dog ran at her, she would scream...but if the owner walked by, she would be okay.  Also, in the past we've stayed in RV spots and the owners kept those small dogs inside the rig.  This year, we're slated to stay in the 1500 loop, so dogs would be more of an issue as most of those spots are occupied by tent dwellers. 

I know that for many families, dogs really are "part of the family" however... if that's the case, I feel that those families really need to find a pet loop.

Guess I would have to agree with Ken above me and say... "rant over"  :)

Thanks for all the feedback!  Thanks Kelly, for the great review :)

I think we may have to try this out...they're closed in February, but we've got a May and October trip planned as well so... we'll shoot for one of those trips.

Thanks again!!

For those of you fiends who have done this meal...is it worth it?  Looks like the same food they serve for the Hoop-Dee-Doo (which we think is "ok").  Do the characters come to your table for pictures... or is it basically a show (like the Hoop-Dee-Doo) with Mickey and friends?

Okay... UPDATE:

I received my email (with the APs) from AAA and I tried to link the passes to our magic bands online, through MDE.  I tried several times and could not get through the last step (said there was an error).  So, I called Disney and asked for help with the magic bands (when prompted by "the voice", I said I was having troubles with the website), a CM was able to link the tickets and I am selecting my FPs now 

Notice that nobody is smiling in the picture?

 Very true!  

Still... the idea of traveling around the country, in an RV, with your family sounds like such a neat adventure.   Disclaimer:  I think I'd love it, but after 9-12 months, I'd probably be ready to get back to my brick & mortar home... and I only have two beautiful kiddos 

For us, Blizzard Beach was the favorite for a long time.

 

But, after they opened Crush N Gusher at Typhoon Lagoon, that became our favorite.  The Typhoon Lagoon wave pool is way more fun than Blizzard Beach's.  Also, Typhoon Lagoon has Shark Reef, where you can snorkel above sharks.

 

The lazy river and slides at Blizzard Beach are better than Typhoon Lagoon's, but Crush N Gusher tips the scale to Typhoon Lagoon for us.

 

TCD

Okay... so after reading about the shark reef, I had to go online and take a peak... that looks awesome!  I love snorkeling in Hawaii and this looks like the chance to have a similar experience, without the threat of being snacked on  :thumbsup1:   We'll have to try this park in a couple of years!

Yay!   :doodebug:

We booked, for our mid-May trip, through AAA back in December and got a 15% discount on a tent site....

The only time I've been to one of the water parks was to Typhoon Lagoon when I was 13. I got separated from my family in the lazy river area and couldn't find them for about ten minutes. Maybe at 13 I should have been more level headed, but I remember being absolutely terrified.

 

I guess it left a bad taste in my mouth, because as an adult, I've never had any desire to go to the water parks!

  :hugs2: