djsamuel

8 hours ago, momof3kids-Yvonne said:

I recently took a trip with my daughter where we would be looking at some out of state colleges that she is interested in attending. Knowing that we would be traveling on toll roads, bridges (Chesapeake Bay) and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel I wanted to go ahead and purchase a pass. The EPass is now the Uni Pass. I purchased mine on Amazon simply because I could get it in the quickest amount of time. I was nervous at first that I didn’t have it placed right in the car. Until I got to the Bay Bridge Tunnel all tolls were non manned. When I checked the App I was not seeing my account decrease. Thankfully the morning we were going across the bridge/tunnel my account finally showed what had been paid in tolls. Also they had people manning the toll booths so, I went through a manned toll booth and the person lifted the arm gate for us to continue through. 
I purchased the one that can be used in more than one vehicle. I just have to be sure to update the vehicle information when I move the transponder. Here is a link to the information about the UniPass. 
https://www.cfxway.com/uni/

 

Thanks for posting this.  I did not realize they changed the name.  That's good to know since now I know that my Epass Extra is still good and the same as the Uni Pass.  We used it on a trip up to NJ and the pass worked great for us too.

They changed the transponder to the same as the Sunpass; much smaller than the Epass Xtra I have and has suction cups instead of the velcro that sticks to the windshield.  

19 hours ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

We're in NH and right now are booked for a few weeks in November. Really hoping things are a lot more "normal" by then.  As much as we love hanging out at the Fort, it's too far for us to go and too much for us to spend if so many things in the parks are still weird/closed.

We had hoped to be there for the 50th, and it's our 25th anniversary to boot, but if things aren't more open by then we may shorten our time at WDW and maybe head to the coast or Keys for the rest.

Remember, the 50th anniversary celebration will be going into 2023, so you have all of 2022 available.  Things BETTER be back to normal by then. 😄

Wow, so much of what he says is wrong.  Indoor seating for P&Js has been happening since they reopened.  The bus to Wilderness Lodge has always been there and has always shared its spot with the Magic Kingdom bus.  It is not an indication that Trails End is not coming back.  I finally stopped watching it.

My wife is retired from Disney, so as a result, her and I have passes.  We go in at least once a week and have enjoyed the parks.

That said, my wife frequently states that if she was a paying guest, she would be upset.  Even though we have the passes and only live a short distance away, we find the need for park reservations, the lack of restaurants and missing attractions frustrating, but at least we can come in for a few hours and enjoy ourselves.  Disney has done a great job dealing with the pandemic, and we do feel safe.  However, as they raised the capacity to 35%, they've obviously hit their limit in terms of social distancing.  The longer lines are getting really long.  For example, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train's line will stretch from the entrance, around the ride (in the direction of Dumbo) and ends across from the Little Mermaid ride.  Last Friday we were at Studios and the line for the Mickey and Minnie Railway was about an hour and weaved back in forth in front of the Chinese theater.  Remember, that 35% is a percentage of capacity; so the parks are not empty.  Add to that the fact there are fewer restaurants, and no character greetings, etc, and the crowd seems pretty normal.  Magic Kingdom a couple of weeks ago was similar to a typical day in August in terms of crowds; not packed but not what used to be off season.  

On the flip side, it is an opportunity to see things being run differently.  We do enjoy the Character Cavalcades instead of the parade.  It is much nicer to not wait for the parade.  The cavalcades are spontaneous and enjoyable.  I will also say that the cast members are excellent.  It is obvious that the ones who were retained were retained for a reason.  Most, but not all have seniority, and they all would have stood out for the quality of their service a year ago.  At the Fort, while I miss Trails End, I really enjoy having the dining area open for takeout from P&J's.  They've tried very hard there and it really shows.  

So, if you can come with limited expectations and want to take time to just relax at the Fort, then I think you won't be disappointed.  If you are looking for a full experience, then I agree with others; delay your trip for a year.  There is a LOT missing, and some frustrating polices as well.

As far as the masks go, I have a couple of things.  My biggest frustration are the guests.  You see several who do their best to get away with not wearing one, or at least pulling them down when they think nobody is looking.  When we were in line for Rise of the Resistance on Friday, we watched people walk up to cast members with the mask down at their chin and the cast members said nothing.  We watched other cast members try very hard to enforce the rules.  Watching it is very frustrating.  It is a private business and some people get borderline abusive with cast members.  As far as the new mask policy at the restaurants, we ate at the Brown Derby Friday and nothing was different.  There were no new signs, and once seated, we took our masks off. All of the tables in the restaurants are separated by plenty of distance and we are comfortable.  

On 2/28/2021 at 7:18 AM, Katman1356...Jason said:

1900 tends to flood the most. I was in there once and will avoid if at all possible in the future. 

 

Thanks.  That's great to know.

On 2/26/2021 at 3:55 PM, Grumpy and Grandma said:

Many of the full-hookup sites are as large as the Premium they just don't have the larger pad.  Avoid the 1900 loop.  

Just curious, why?  Never stayed in that loop, but doesn't look bad. 

37 minutes ago, Travisma said:

Don't have to fret about that now, Gideon's is closed. 

Posts don't know if there was a problem, or if they just had the soft opening for the Christmas season, and are now closed until their official grand opening at a later date.

 

There is another Gideon's here

EAST END MARKET

3201 Corrine Dr
Orlando, Fl 32803

Yes, some people who "say" they are employees are stating the issue is COVID related.  Who knows?

18 hours ago, fladogfan aka Gretchen said:

WOW!

There were signs saying surface lots were closed, guess they changed that.

 

I was really surprised to see them allowing people to park on the surface lots.  It explained why it was so crowded.  There were more people there than I remember during previous Christmas seasons.  They were limiting the number of people inside the buildings, but that was about it.  The line for Gideon's Bakehouse stretched past Morimoto Asia and around the corner.  They finally switched to a virtual cue for that.

17 hours ago, fladogfan aka Gretchen said:

A few days ago we were on our way home and the line of stopped cars heading into Disney Springs was loooong.  All directions.  Wondered if Disney let them in the parking garages?

We were there Sunday and it was nuts.  The garages were full and the traffic was being parked on the surface lots.  We got there in the morning and it wasn't too bad but by early afternoon it was crazy and we left.  The traffic leaving the orange lot was backed all the way up the exit ramp to the top level due to people trying to get into the surface lots.

Walked by your site at 706 but you were not at the site.  Nice location.  That loop seemed really nice all December.

1 hour ago, Travisma said:

On 11/8 djsamuel mentioned that 5G was getting installed around the Fort.

 

They may need to adjust the WI FI equipment.

I would notify the front desk that there are problems so they can let the installers know.

We were there this weekend and saw some work being done in many areas; including some of the wifi towers.  Maybe they are in the middle of maintenance.  When we stayed for two weeks last month, the wifi was spotty.  Sometimes it was great, other times non-existent and I used my phone as a hot spot.  We were close to an antenna as well, so that wasn't the issue.  

12 hours ago, Grumpy and Grandma said:

I always had 2' 25 water hoses, 2 10' sewer hoses and an 30' power extension cord.(Actually more since we did a lot of Fairground Rallies)  The other 64 thousand dollar question is where are the connections are your rig. 

I agree with this.  Unless you have some really unusual connections, these lengths should be fine.  My sewer hose is 20' and on a couple of occasions where the hookup was more towards the front, I was glad I had the twenty feet.  The power is usually more to the rear and the water near the front; but as stated above that can vary.

42 minutes ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

Not sure if this info will be helpful - the thread I found it in is pretty old - but there was mention that someone used him in 2016...

I also found these recommendations, again from old threads...

Frank's Mobile RV 
(407) 922-7302

Camping Connection RV Service, Parts and Accessories
(407) 397-2267

Good luck!

At least the Camping Connection store is now closed.  Don't know if their mobile service continues.

Jim Shutt is another option.  941-479-0742

We walked it yesterday.  It is really very nice.  The whole walkway is very well done.  Best of all, on our walk back from the Grand to the Magic Kingdom, you do not have to pass through security to get back on the boat to Fort Wilderness.  Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge now use the new boat dock right next to the walking path to the Grand.

On 11/19/2020 at 10:08 AM, Katman1356...Jason said:

When IOS updates it sometimes requires that Supergeek update the app to be compatibility and until he does and it is verified it is removed from the store. 

Got it.  Never realized that. 🙂

15 hours ago, Katman1356...Jason said:

I suspect the latest IOS update requires changes. I will send a message to Supergeek to see if that is the case. 

I'm up to date and the app works fine.  Strange that it isn't showing up on the app store.

2 hours ago, Betty said:

help - can iphones access the app for campsites at fort wilderness?  

 

I have it on my iPhone now and it works fine.  However, I cannot find it by searching in the app store.

We are at the Dort now and they are installing 5G on poles. There is a pole going in behind site 228.

We’re staying here now and the Settlement playground area is now open. Sign says there is a limit of 10 people. There is also a mask sign as well. 

It is mind boggling.

12 hours ago, Grumpy and Grandma said:

Probably House of Blues too. 

Yes, that would be another good one.

At Disney Springs you should have no issues at Maria and Enzo's or a place like STK Steakhouse or the Boathouse.  Depends on the type of food you're looking for.  In the hotels it may be a bigger issue, especially during dinner hours since many of the hotel restaurants are still closed and those that are open are filling up each day.

23 minutes ago, Tri-Circle-D said:

T

One more thing- if any of you Disney lovers out there think this won’t affect you, think again. Disney is firing performers who are irreplaceable, and has decimated its Guest Relations staff. The things that distinguished Disney from a Six Flags amusement park are all but gone. The current management thinks guests won’t care.  We are all in for a rude awakening. 

TCD

So sorry to hear about this.  The layoffs are going far beyond the performers and Guest Services.  I have friends with 25+ years in at Team Disney in the same situation.  Other whole divisions have been completely wiped out and eliminated.  It is not a good situation at all.  If they don't get California opened soon, it is going to get much worse.

8 hours ago, Travisma said:

Didn’t they get rid of the Dapper Dans a while ago?

The Dapper Dans are back.  We watched them last weekend.  They are in their Halloween costumes as the Cadaver Dans.