djsamuel

Not really a trip report but a nice story anyway. My wife and I got back last night from visiting our daughter and son in law who live in vista, CA, just north of San Diego. As part of the visit we spent a few days at the Grand Californian hotel and spent time in Disneyland and California Adventure. One night we were eating dinner at the Carnation Cafe (delicious) and this older gentleman (dressed as a guest) approached our table and asked us if we’ve been there before and how we liked our meal. At first I thought, “Who is this guy?”. Then our server came over and as she was putting something on our table said, “Excuse me Oscar.” Then I realized it was Chef Oscar Martinez who retired from Disneyland in 2017. He started in fast food in 1956; moved to the Carnation Cafe in 1967. He remembers Walt Disney walking the parks in the morning. 

In any case, after he finished with us, I watched him move from table to table; a retired chef still making sure people enjoyed the restaurant. It was a really special thing to see. 

3 hours ago, h2odivers...Ray said:

Interesting. I never knew or thought about a resorts parking lot getting full.  I just figured they had more than enough parking spots for all their guests. 

You would think so but especially for those resorts close to the parks people try to avoid the parking fee by parking at a resort. 

9 hours ago, h2odivers...Ray said:

“They try to limit access when lot is closed”

what lot is closed?   The resort lot?  Or the parks, parking lots?

it would make sense for the guards to be on high alert if the parks are full.

 

ive gone to the several resorts during the busiest time of the year, Christmas and said we are going to take pictures or walk around  and we’ve never been turned away.

I mentioned swimming pools are reserved for resort guests and forgot the fitness center. Your right the fitness center is for resort guests only.  

 

The resort lots.  At the resorts the guards will often (at some resorts including Fort Wilderness) get a call to restrict access based on the number of remaining open parking spots and/or the current occupancy of the resort.  This is especially true at the monorail resorts, Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, The Boardwalk and the Yacht and Beach Club.

You're very fortunate to be able to get into any of these resorts around Christmas.

On 4/18/2019 at 12:20 AM, h2odivers...Ray said:

Besides the swimming pools. 

Disneys policy is that everyone, not just AP holders are entitled to use any and all facilities at any resort, including the Fort, that they want to.   So what exactly are AP holders demanding access to that is against Disney’s policies???

 

Any local, Floridian, AP holder,  Texan, New Yorker, etc can go to the camp fire, or Crockett’s tavern, or clementines beach, or go to the beach at the Poly or Grand Floridian and watch the fireworks. 

Go to PO Riverside and watch YeeHaw Bob or ride a surrey bike. 

They can go to Saratoga Springs and play golf. 

Etc. Etc. Etc. 

They try to limit access when the lot is closed.  Sometimes the guards get notified as early as 8:30am.  Yes, people can ride bikes, go see YeeHaw Bob, eat at restaurants  if the parking lot is not closed to outside guests.  If the lot is closed, the only way they are supposed to get in is if they have a dining reservation.  They are NEVER supposed to be using all facilities such as the pools, fitness rooms, etc. 

1 hour ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

Wow!!

I probably wouldn't be surprised.  I blame the internet.

While I check out the Fort Wilderness facebook pages, I can't bring myself to participate.  All they seem to concentrate on is how to game the system, and also the latest fad they "must do".  That is what makes this site the best for Fort Wilderness.

2 hours ago, Travisma said:

We used to be freeloaders to a certain extent.

When we drove from Tampa to Orlando to shop or do touristy things, we would always stop at the Fort.

We would take the tram down to the settlement store, go to the deli counter, purchase made to order sandwiches, get some chips, sodas and a beer ($1.25) from the cooler, then walk down to the picnic tables at the beach. 

We'd eat lunch/dinner and watch the kids play in the sand and wade or swim in the lake.

So technically we were freeloading since we didn't stay on property, but the Mouse still got $$ from us.

This was back when you actually had breathing room at the Fort and didn't risk getting run over by golf carts.

There were no pools to swim in and the Meadow was nothing but a meadow.

But you used a key word; "purchase".  We will still take the bus to Fort Wilderness sometimes to walk around, or have breakfast at Trails End.  To me, freeloading is using the amenities that should be strictly for the people paying to stay there (or another Disney resort when they allowed pool hopping).  This would mainly be the pool.

37 minutes ago, Starbuc71 said:

I agree with you, but In past references on this site, locals were tagged as freeloaders who used amenities without being a paying fort visitor.  Not saying per say that people who live in Florida are all freeloaders.  You get the point

Absolutely agree 100%. And to add to that, people would be surprised how many non-Floridians, who may own or be staying at vacation rental homes, are also trying to freeload.  😊

35 minutes ago, Seals said:

Wow !  How are the parks crowd wise?  My kids and a lot in our area are on Spring Break this week because they always have it around Easter. We've been the week before Easter before, even camped at the Fort that week although that was a few years ago, and it was so crowded. 

I was wearing my WDW tshirt to physical therapy this morning and a woman told me her son and his family were there this week and I answered "I wish I was."  Now I really wish I was.

I know someone who is a guard at Fort Wilderness.  This past weekend, someone pulled up in a camper asking if there were any openings.  He directed them where to go to check.  They were able to get a spot.  This was on a Saturday.  I was shocked.

On 4/4/2019 at 7:35 PM, keith_h said:

We've been happy with our Winnebago Micro Minnie. It is 7 ft wide and several models have slides. If you want a standard width trailer the Minnie line is the same build and finish quality. In particular their customer service has been very helpful sending me drawings without question of the sidewall and slide construction for adding a topper. The also rejected one warranty repair but when I called them to explain what was going on they approved it and expedited the parts to my dealer. Both the number of initial problems, how they were handled and materials used are leaps and bounds above what we had with our old Palomino product (same dealer for service). 

The Micro Minnies look like really nice trailers.  There is a lot to be said for the 7' width.  I have a 21' Camplite which is 7' wide and I love it.  Great visibility down the sides from the truck, really easy maneuvering to get gas, easy to back into a site and more.  My standard mirrors on the truck are more than sufficient and the slide gives us plenty of room inside.  

1 hour ago, Travisma said:

Part of the issue, is that it's wide open from multiple points.

Boat, bus, private vehicles.

Some of the other resorts have a lot of access, but they make it harder to bring in your 3 ice chests and wagon full of picnic supplies.

I've seen multiple cars stop at the back side of the meadow by 1500, unload enough gear to equip an army, and tons of people climb out like one of those clown cars at the circus.

Other resorts will turn people away without reservations or charge for Valet Parking.  I know around major holidays the Fort will turn visitors away, but people still come in somehow.

 

 

Agree 100%.  To me, the biggest thing the fort can do is require Magic Bands to gain access to the pool.  You do that, you take away the main reason people come in.  I have friends who are guards there and they block a LOT of people trying to get in.  They even try to monitor the camera at the side gate, yet people keep trying to tailgate a bus to gain entry.  I've seen some tailgate a bus to drive down the service road from Fort Wilderness (when it was open).  And as you stated, you have the buses and boats adding to it.  We've been on a bus to the Fort from Disney Springs and have seen families get on carrying pool toys and towels while in their bathing suits! They were dry and were obviously not coming from Typhoon Lagoon since the Typhoon Lagoon bus used to drop everyone off at Disney Springs. 

The thing is, as long as you have people so willing to do what they know is wrong, they will always find a way.  Eliminate the "prize" , i.e. the pool access, and you will greatly reduce those trying to get in.  

On 4/15/2019 at 1:10 PM, Starbuc71 said:

Wow, didn’t expect that kind of response from you. I’m not looking at the glass half empty. I have been very Cordele about what and how I said things on here and most are true even if they are my opinion. You sound more jealous that you can’t be a fort weekend warrior like we used to be.  I hate the negativity about Florida people on here.  There is a difference in definition between Floridian and locals when dealing with the fort.  All the more reason why I’m happy not to be a camper anymore.  Probably my last post now 😡

Actually, as a local, there is no difference between a Floridian and a local by any definition.  I live 30 minutes away, my wife worked years for Disney and retired and now we enjoy the benefits she earned when we can fit it in around my work schedule.  We use the amenities at the Fort when we are PAYING to stay there. What the Fort needs to control are rude self centered people, be they from 5 miles away or 1,000 miles, paying or freeloading (which by definition is rude and self centered).  Unfortunately that is the problem and is a reflection of society not Disney.  Knowing some people who work at Disney and the Fort as well, they are trying VERY hard to improve things and still maintain an enjoyable atmosphere that allows people to enjoy themselves.  We've witnessed freeloaders at the Fort from many states away who aren't staying on Disney property at all.  The guards have to put up with people flashing their annual pass and demanding access to everything at Fort Wilderness.  It is a very tough job.

23 hours ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

I agree, if it's just zipping back and forth on Big Pine Drive, from the Settlement to the Outpost, one bus ought to be fine. 

There's going to be A LOT more traffic on Fort Wilderness Trail from 1100/1200/1300 to the Settlement. In addition to the purple bus, all of the Settlement and horse barn CM's will be driving down that road. 

That's not good.

TCD

At least when we were there on Sunday, cast members were still driving down the back road and entering through the open gate near the back of the barn. I assume they don’t want the guests to see the construction mess. 

23 minutes ago, YENSIDCAMPER said:

 

Thanks to both of you for keeping us posted on the changes.  I am so captivated by this change.  Not sure why.  I think it is because for the first time my wife and I got a cart for trip last fall.  We usually biked, walked or bused the Fort.  We enjoyed the looping experience so much we bought our own cart.  We are headed back next fall and I am hoping to be able to enjoy the Fort just as much.

I hope the information keeps flowing at the progress changes.  Did anyone see what the new beach was looking like?

Yes, we went to the new beach. They’ve spread some more sand but still have more work to do. The equipment is still there and more piles of sand. 

1 hour ago, mouseketab.....Carol said:

We were at the Fort yesterday morning for breakfast also. While I didn't physically go over toward the construction area, I can also note that Purple/Orange is now combined. The bus goes through the cabins, then by 2000, then down to the group camping area, then U-Turns at the turnaround, and then goes back to the 4-way and down the center road. (Reverses the process from Settlement to Outpost). I also did see Wilderness Lodge buses at the Outpost stop. Have no idea if it turns into Yellow, or if it's a standalone bus.

The Wilderness Lodge bus is now a stand alone bus route. 

56 minutes ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

Thanks for the update!  I can't tell from the photo, but there has to be a gate there somewhere that they will open for the construction traffic, right?

I agree. There's no reason that they can't reopen the path and road once construction is done. Access to WL will be a selling point for the new resort. 

TCD

Yes there is a gate to the right of the photo, much closer to the area behind the barn.

I agree regarding reopening the trail. Nothing is being done to remove the trail. There is too much activity in that area right now. 

Taken today:

We were at Fort Wilderness today.  The road between the Fort and Wilderness Lodge is now closed.  The bus to Wilderness Lodge now drops you off and picks you up at the Outpost.  A large fence now blocks the road and the area just past the barn.  In the picture, that is the cross walk to the trail to Wilderness Lodge.  You can see the fencing just past that.

55 minutes ago, The Troll said:

Man, I'm late to this party. Sorry to be so far behind...but is there evidence the Pioneer Hall is going away???

Pioneer Hall is staying.

4 hours ago, ImDownWithDisney said:

Any info on where it's going or going away? 

Last I heard it was going away, but I was told that could always change.

1 hour ago, ImDownWithDisney said:

Does anyone know if the backyard bbq pavilion is being relocated to the same area as planned before?

 

 

As far as I’ve heard there are no plans to relocate the backyard BBQ back there anymore. 

2 hours ago, Strawberry Moon said:

is that on the far end away from old River Country?

 

Yes, it is the area east of the boat dock. 

Construction of the new Beach has started.

12 minutes ago, Travisma said:

Not to be snarky and not being judgmental, but how do Fiend non retirees, have the time and $$ to visit the Fort multiple times during the year for more than a week at a time?

Have you saved vacation time from previous years so you can take more time off in one year?

Do you work from home?

Do you own your own business and have reliable employees that take care of the business while you are away?

I see the same thing on other Disney camping site... "we have 4 three week vacations to the Fort planned this year!"

Just being nosy.

 

The only way we can do it is because my wife is retired from Disney.  I am not retired yet, still 2.5 years to go.  If we can get her discount we go, otherwise we don't.  We used to go about 8 times a year (both before and after her retirement), but now we've lowered it to three times a year, but made the trips a bit longer.  Still, the total number of days is way down.  Some of the trips, I will drive to work from the campground and she enjoys the day at the campground or in a park.

Talked to a friend involved with this. The picture shown here sounds fairly accurate. There will be no house boats, they were cancelled. No plans for Discovery Island, nor will there probably ever be. There was a waterfront restaurant planned but that was removed. The A frames shown in the beach are lodging like the cabins at Fort Wilderness. 

Was at the Fort today. The dog park is now  newly sodded. The fence needs to be finished and a few other items cleaned up.