twiceblessed....nacole

So... as I've mentioned, many issues with our Keystone.  A couple large ones.  I was anxious about sending the rig up with a transport company, but I knew that the kids and I would have to drive up there (from Atlanta), to pick it up and the thought of making that drive twice was exhausting.  Gave in and the transport company picked it up.  The driver was actually really nice (I posted on this under "what did you do to your camper today").
It's been 8 business days with no update... until this morning.
Keystone has decided that fixing our rig is not a good idea; so they are sending us a brand new one.   Good customer service, I give them kuddos for that.  Kind-of sad because I'm an emotional thing and we have personalized this rig and traveled across the country in it, twice.  Many memories.  So, feeling sappy.
Before the transport company took the rig, we empty out 85% of our possessions, but because I was planning to drive up and pick it up, I left items (bedding, dishes, waffle iron, some bathroom stuff etc).  Keystone said they'd move it over to a new rig, but I think I'd feel more comfortable doing it myself, so that's where we're at.  If possible (depends on his work schedule), I think I'll leave the kids and dog at home with Tom so I can push myself and make it up in one very long day (I'm hoping they'll let me sleep in "our" rig), then I'll come back the next day.
Ugh... not looking forward to any of this. 

Well, I'll be honest and say.... we have done that.  Had to park our huge girl in the overflow, while waiting for our site, and there were several utility trailers taking up RV spots.  We simply moved one a spot over, so it was sharing with another utility trailer. 

Well, I'll be honest and say.... we have done that.  Had to park our huge girl in the overflow, while waiting for our site, and there were several utility trailers taking up RV spots.  We simply moved one a spot over, so it was sharing with another utility trailer. 

Okay... just realized that last Monday was the 6th, so I could have just said Monday.   Goodness... this past week was crazy busy; feels like we left FL weeks ago.  LOL

Currently visiting the Fort today (breakfast at TE).  Spoke with Mark (management) in the barn....the new barn is going in behind the 700 loop.  They are scheduled to be over there, by September.  Pony rides are currently up front, but will come back down once the new barn is in place however...the pony paddocks are not being rebuilt.  The ponies will have room, in the new barn.  The new barn will be slightly larger to accommodate the ponies and each draft will have his own run out.
Mark also said that he’s been told that a new bike/jogging path between the Fort and the Lodge is supposed to be put in.
Currently two babies at the Fort (mamas are Cinderella ponies).  One was born 8 weeks ago and the other 3 weeks ago.  Older one is all white so she will be a Cinderella pony herself someday; the other had some champagne on her...so no castle days in her future.

I think this one is my favorite thus far!!

Oh my goodness, yes!
I will tell you... no way I'd want to be a CM at MGM for those first few months 

Yes.  I will go pick it up and go over every inch with them.  I hope I'm always nice.  I can be firm... but hopefully I'm always kind and respectful (even if I have to remind myself of this, several times during some conversations ).

Disney taking advantage of the opportunity to earn another buck?!  Shocking.  Never gonna happen.

Hate it...hate it..hate it.
I know we've tossed the idea back and forth but... my gut says Disney will get rid of the Fort.  They've pushed prices as high as they can go and we all agree, the prices are ridiculous and yes, the Fort is full most of the time HOWEVER:  think of the prices on this new resort.  What do you think, $250/night+ per room?  Waterfront suites will cost what, $1000/night?   Then think about how many buildings/rooms they could put on the (Fort's) property?  I don't know.  I think they've been pushing pricing to capitalize on the RV market and to prepare for further expansion.  I mean, this new resort is coming a whole heck of lost closer than I thought it would.  I knew they were taking down the BBQ and stables, but I figured that was for solid green space and a buffer of sorts; it doesn't look like that's the case  
My opinion is that they'll be looking at the Fort's property, within the next 10 years.

$150/night hurts just saying it. 
When we went to the SW last Spring, I cancelled a week at the Fort (8 nights I believe).  That one week paid all of our camping fees (we were gone 4 weeks), plus $200 or so left over and applied towards the cost of fuel.

This is hard to hear... that green space is such a pretty area.  We loved to walk over that way and visit the barn and ponies.  Always so peaceful.

I also hope that they are (very) careful to preserve the Fort.  I do have my doubts though, hopefully I'm wrong.

Just echoing what was said above... stick around!  We're in the same boat as you (and many others):  prices have pushed us out.  Ugh, that's tough to say but it's where we're at.  Now we try to camp locally and just eat on property.  Even without your camper, your comments are welcomed and wanted!  We Fiends have to stick together!!

Just echoing what was said above... stick around!  We're in the same boat as you (and many others):  prices have pushed us out.  Ugh, that's tough to say but it's where we're at.  Now we try to camp locally and just eat on property.  Even without your camper, your comments are welcomed and wanted!  We Fiends have to stick together!!

I actually made this comment to Disney, when I wrote in after this last visit.  Disney called me and I spoke with a CM in their "executive office" (not sure if that was true or not) and told her that on our last visit, I saw a tent behind the 700/800 loop in the dog walk area.  As to which site the tent belonged to... who the heck knows.  "Hard to say if it belonged to any site", is exactly what I said to her.  The tent was super small so I wouldn't be surprised if you could fit it into a backpack. 

Very cute.

Sorry...I've lost track of what has or has not been reported.
We were at the Fort this weekend... the BBQ area is now very bare.  You can see some tape/markers in the woods around the Fort.  I spoke with two different CMs (one at the barn and the other, up a the trail rides); both confirmed that the horses and trail rides will remain.  The current barn (I think this was mentioned before) is being torn down and a new one built somewhere else on property.  Neither of them knew anything about TE and I forgot to ask when we ate there.  I think the bike path and bus lane (to the Lodge) will remain.  

Yeah... ours was around $800 I think for the 4 of us.  You should have seen Tom's face, when I told him the total... his was the same response as below 
 

I think this one is my favorite thus far!!

Love it!

Sigh.... breaks my heart. 
So many precious memories:  missed.

Picked this up, for less than $7.  Figured we'd use it for both the beach and parks/playgrounds:
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Perfect-Weather-Proof-Resistant-Turquoise/dp/B017XLIDHK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1543246673&sr=8-1&keywords=Camco+Handy+Mat+with+Strap%2C+Perfect+for+Picnics%2C+Beaches%2C+RV+and+Outings%2C+Weather-Proof+and+Mold%2FMildew+Resistant+(Green%2FTurquoise+-+60"+x+78")+(42806)

Things have gotten super expensive, I'll agree with you there.
I think most really nice, resort, trips are super expensive anymore.  Tough part for us, is we love our memories from the Fort, so we want to keep going but... sadly, we just can't do it.   
But, I think for those who do Disney once in a lifetime or once every 4 or 5 years, the price is comparable to any nice resort (and I get that the Fort isn't a "resort", but for those of us who love our rigs and the camping experience, it's pretty darn close ).

I have a video, of them putting the "snow" (powdered sugar) on the roof this week.  If I could figure out how to post it, I'd do so.  LOL.
On a different note:  they had a sign out saying that the 20th Anniversary is on November 14th, 2018.   Tom and I thought that was pretty neat, as November 14th is also our 20th (wedding) anniversary ❤️