lightbikes

Anybody know if you can make reservations for Trader Sam's??

More drinks:

 

The Pearl:

 

One in every 100 is a black pearl, randomly inserted. The pearls are collected for each drink from the large oyster shell on the bar.

 

 

 

I'll apologize for the bad photos, these are from my friend's phone.

 

 

We also tried the Spicey Pineapple on the terrace, and let's just say i think Mo will be spending some time there on her next trip.

 

Interactivity:

 

Starting with the pearl as an example, ordering each of the main tiki drinks causes *something* in the bar to happen. The Krakatoa causes a volcanic eruption in the windows and much hooting and hollering by the staff (Evacuation procedures! Pay your tab!).

 

 

 

The shrunken zombie head causes jungle drums and shrunken heads to light up. Ordering a Hippomaitai causes hippo noises to be heard, followed by the infamous 'two shots..' shouted by the staff.

 

Ordering the Uh Oa causes the statue to come to life and speak to you:

 

 

 

Ordering the Nautilus, well, that's something you'll have to find out for yourselves. Let's just say it involves Captain Nemo and an octopus.

 

The staff is great and people will either love or hate the interaction. It's like the old Adventurer's club. Lots of bad puns and in-jokes. 

 

Back side of water, anyone? Eighth wonder of the world!

 

 

Which was the other complaint I heard. People went there and didn't get the schtick. Too loud, too much joking around. Really? Come on, people.

 

Oh, and watch out for your bar stool. You may end up feeling mighty low.

 

This is what I meant earlier when i said people would either love it or hate it. The drinks and food aren't cheap, but it's the entertainment factor and interactivity you want to go there for. The atmosphere there at 4 in the afternoon is much different than at 11 at night. Families can bring kids in up until 8 PM.

 

So, in summary, if you appreciated the Adventurer's club, loved the tiki room, and think the jungle cruise is the best, you should all go. And have a Shrunken Zombie Head for me.

 

 

Thanks for this report it  may just get us back to WDW - we loved the Adventurer's Club - thanks for all the details

 

 

More drinks:

 

The Pearl:

 

One in every 100 is a black pearl, randomly inserted. The pearls are collected for each drink from the large oyster shell on the bar.

 

 

 

I'll apologize for the bad photos, these are from my friend's phone.

 

 

We also tried the Spicey Pineapple on the terrace, and let's just say i think Mo will be spending some time there on her next trip.

 

Interactivity:

 

Starting with the pearl as an example, ordering each of the main tiki drinks causes *something* in the bar to happen. The Krakatoa causes a volcanic eruption in the windows and much hooting and hollering by the staff (Evacuation procedures! Pay your tab!).

 

 

 

The shrunken zombie head causes jungle drums and shrunken heads to light up. Ordering a Hippomaitai causes hippo noises to be heard, followed by the infamous 'two shots..' shouted by the staff.

 

Ordering the Uh Oa causes the statue to come to life and speak to you:

 

 

 

Ordering the Nautilus, well, that's something you'll have to find out for yourselves. Let's just say it involves Captain Nemo and an octopus.

 

The staff is great and people will either love or hate the interaction. It's like the old Adventurer's club. Lots of bad puns and in-jokes. 

 

Back side of water, anyone? Eighth wonder of the world!

 

 

Which was the other complaint I heard. People went there and didn't get the schtick. Too loud, too much joking around. Really? Come on, people.

 

Oh, and watch out for your bar stool. You may end up feeling mighty low.

 

This is what I meant earlier when i said people would either love it or hate it. The drinks and food aren't cheap, but it's the entertainment factor and interactivity you want to go there for. The atmosphere there at 4 in the afternoon is much different than at 11 at night. Families can bring kids in up until 8 PM.

 

So, in summary, if you appreciated the Adventurer's club, loved the tiki room, and think the jungle cruise is the best, you should all go. And have a Shrunken Zombie Head for me.

 

 

Thanks for this report it  may just get us back to WDW - we loved the Adventurer's Club - thanks for all the details

 

 

Final Thoughts

 

Well, we've reached the end.  

 

2 full weeks at the Fort, including Christmas and New Years.  

 

5 park days.

 

Countless enjoyable meals.  

 

Lots and lots of character interaction, including some good touchy-feely time with Princesses.  

 

AWESOME Fiend time, including a GG with new and old friends, and sharing a loop with the Dawg Fans.  

 

A DIT family reunion at the Fort.

 

A brand spankin' new motorhome.

 

A fun, special meal at Trails End.

 

We surprised the girls with New Years Eve at the HDDR.

 

Super treatment from cast members toward Anna, including some "re-rides" on the Mine Train.

 

Date night with my beautiful wife at California Grill.  

 

Yep....this trip really sucked monkey butt!   :rofl2:

 

So let's get real....we had a very good trip.  Not perfect, of course,  because what IS perfect?  But it was great.  

 

Yes, it ended on a very sour note.  One that made us truly not want to return to the parks for a while.  I do think Disney has screwed up some things terribly.  I'll address all of that separately.  I know I've dragged it all out for months now....not intentionally, it just worked out that way as it naturally would have come at the end of this report as it happened on the last evening.  And I became conflicted on whether to share it at all.  But I will.  

 

So where do I stand on the whole Disney thing now?  

 

I still love Disney.  

 

And I also hate Disney.  

 

They do so many things right.  But at the same time they are NOT the company they used to be.  Management makes SO MANY boneheaded decisions.  I seriously shake my head at some of them.  And I think some of those decisions are terribly unfortunate.  But there is still no place on the planet that compares to WDW.  There is no place that offers everything that is offered at WDW on one property.  Where you can park your car and never drive it again for 2 weeks if you don't care to, and visit different theme parks, multiple hotel resorts, water parks, countless dining and nightlife options, and shopping, all connected by transportation.  Nothing compares.  Which is why it's heartbreaking when you see the STUPID decisions that current management makes at times.  

 

So I'd say I have a love/hate relationship with the place.  

 

My family is kind of over it for a while.  We are going to spend our dollars elsewhere this year.  We'll still have lots of fun, and we'll see new places.  Nothing wrong with that.  I know we'll be back at the World someday.  I have no doubt about that.  And we are planning another Disney Cruise later this year.  But for now....as far as WDW is concerned, we are done.  

 

And so is this report.  

 

Thanks for reading!  

Wonderful trip report and I loved the title you finally settled on.

And I think you nailed our current feelings about the place precisely with your comment above -

"They do so many things right.  But at the same time they are NOT the company they used to be.  Management makes SO MANY boneheaded decisions.  I seriously shake my head at some of them.  And I think some of those decisions are terribly unfortunate.  But there is still no place on the planet that compares to WDW.  There is no place that offers everything that is offered at WDW on one property.  Where you can park your car and never drive it again for 2 weeks if you don't care to, and visit different theme parks, multiple hotel resorts, water parks, countless dining and nightlife options, and shopping, all connected by transportation.  Nothing compares.  Which is why it's heartbreaking when you see the STUPID decisions that current management makes at times.  

So I'd say I have a love/hate relationship with the place."

That's us love it/hate it - don't know what to do with that!!!!

Thanks again

My thanks to everyone who has posted pictures of this new "hub" and provided updates on where not to stand and waste fast passes I've decided that if/when we return to MK it will be with a view to avoiding this at all costs.      

I'm so sorry to see that beautiful rose garden destroyed.  It was one of the loveliest places in MK to just go and sit and enjoy.    

Predictably, new merchandise too!

 

 

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2015/03/first-look-at-disneyland-resort-diamond-celebration-merchandise/

Thanks for the link -

I would love to get one of those diamondy t-shirts and bomber jackets - top it off with diamond "ears"  -  very glittery.

Favourite Spots:

1) view behind 1511 looking out over the Canal

2) Fireworks from the beach

3) Fireworks from TCD's favourite spot when they do  360 show

4) shoreline path between the Fort and Wilderness lodge that comes up behind RC 

What everyone else said -  sad because it reminded me of the times we took our kids went to River Country and sad because of how it looks now - 

but happy to see so many wonderful pictures and all the wonderful memories it brings back.

Thank you !!!

HURRAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:dance:  :dance:  :dance:

Those old Fort photos are great!

 

I miss when Mickey had a gun.

 

And there was wilderness at the Fort.

 

And log benches.

 

And totem poles.

 

TCD

 Me too

Those last pictures show what almost looks like a railroad crossing.  Weird.  But that can't be.  I can't imagine something as cool as having a railroad in a campground, and someone being so dumb as to get rid of it.  

Yep

And by the way I sure wish the water looked that clean again!!!!!!

Wow that's a fantastic trip - saw you're going to Zion - National Park is stunning.

Everyone hates MDE - I spent so much time and energy trying to get passes, link with friends who came and went, just trying to get three people the same time was two hours of wasted time!!!

MDE ranks right up there with selfie sticks for me - 

I always thought these would be so great and wanted one so bad    so I would so pay the $$$ -   BUT ONLY IF I CAN DRIVE IT!!!!!   If I want a Disney "pilot" I can ride any boat - phooey!!

Keenfamily - it is a long drive but we'll do anything to get out of as much winter as we can dodge!!!!  

We're about 90 minutes west of Kenora so we drive down through Grand Forks on I 29 straight south to Kansas City then east to St Louis then south/east until we hit Orlando.  Assume you'll pick up the I-57 through Paducah to Nashville? We pick it up at Mt Vernon - it's very nice now that the construction is done.  

Slowest/worst part of the trip is always Atlanta - traffic there is always heavy -doesn't seem to matter what time of the day or night and all it takes is one accident or slow down and you're even longer.  We always take the by-pass as soon as we can get on it but other people say they're are quicker to go straight through the centre.  Have no clue which is better - both are busy.  

I think you are thinking of Eagles Roost in Lake Park, GA....about 3 hours from the Fort I think.  I'd highly recommend the place.  

Thank you DaveinTN - I knew someone would know that name

We are planning a trip from Dryden, Ontario, Canada (north of Minnesota) to FW, and we will be driving.  The route will take us into the U.S. via International Falls, Bloomington, Nashville, Atlanta, Macon.  We have four kids, ranging from 7 to 1 years old, and will be towing a pop up.  The drive is about 30 hours.

 

We are thinking of a 14-16 day trip, with 10 days at FW, and a 7 day Magic your way ticket (the other days we'll explore FW, or visit some local attractions).

 

Our options for driving are - straight shot, starting around 4pm, or doing one or two stops along the way.  If we do a stop, we may stay for a day in the cg (so a 2 night stop).  

 

What are your reccomendations - straight shot or stop, and if we stop, where would you suggest along that route.

We drive from Winnipeg  to the Fort every year - have done straight through and with stops.

For us it depends on when we get away and how much time we have.  Usually we wind up getting away later then we plan!!!

Our last trip we had three drivers so we did a straight through drive.  Left Winnipeg at 5:30 PM on the Friday before Christmas and turned on to Western Way at 6:13 AM Sunday morning.  BUT the caveat was this time we had three adult drivers who are all comfortable with driving/sleeping and eating fast food!!   

If we can leave early in the morning (like 5 AM) then we go as late as we can, usually to somewhere around Paducah, maybe Murfreesboro.  Usually a motel that night because we usually go down in the winter,  late November early December and a lot of campgrounds aren't eve open. Again an early start in the morning and as far as we can make it that night.  Most of the time that means Orlando area and into a motel.  Next morning is grocery shopping and into the Fort as soon as our site is available.

If it's later in the day or early afternoon when we leave and just the two of us  we will usually drive all night, just switching off drivers ever 5-6 hours and all day the next day.  The other one sleeps.  That means a stop that night, usually somewhere past Nashville or depending on the weather after Atlanta.  Always into a motel, by that time we don't want to camp - just eat and sleep LOL   The next day it will again be an early start and again straight in to the Fort.

Years ago hubby and I used to do straight through drives with four kids in the car too but all our kids had a really high tolerance for road travel and were good at entertaining themselves and each other - if we ignored the periodic squabbling and she/he poked me!. The were also a bit older - our first trip to the Fort with them they were 4, 6, 8 and 10.   It could be lot harder with younger kids to do a straight through.

It is also tough call depending all too often on weather and highway conditions.  We've only been down in October/November twice, usually when we go we can wind up with some horrible weather.  October should be much better for you.  

OK - So let's make this more specific.  We've now booked the vacation, and booked at FW.  We'll be looking for a campsite for Halloween, about 2-4 hours North of WDW that will be our target for October 31.  Worst comes to worst, we'll stay in a hotel.  Any suggestions?

Sorry just saw this - a number of folks on here have recommended a campground just inside Georgia - sorry don't remember the name of it - can someone else chirp iin  

Have a great trip, the Fort is always fun at Halloween.  

This looks like a wonderful trip - so nice to do it with your kids when they are young.  Four cities/areas we love are New Orleans, San Antonio, San Diego and San Francisco.

NO for the history, great museums, Preservation Hall for the jazz,  and there are lovely self driving tours to take out through the plantations and bayous and the food is so much fun.

San Antonio for the Alamo is basic but they have a River Walk that runs right through the heart of the city and there are museums and galleries at one end and restaurants etc all the way along.  It make for a great couple of days just exploring a people friendly city.

San Diego is great there is so much to see - zoo, Balboa Park are obvious but there's amazing history and entire neighbourhoods are being restored.  There's an Old Town that's great to poke around through - plus you can go across to Coronado and out to Point Loma

San Francisco - not only the City but up into the Napa Valley and wine country - lots of places for foodies to enjoy .  And just for fun you have to go to the Ghirardelli Chocolate factory.  If you're there in September they actually have a Chocolate festival! 

All four places have some really nice KOAs that are good for a week's stay.    San Antonio and San Diego's KOA's are right at the bus stops and the public transit system makes it really easy to get around, especially San Diego.  New Orleans is a little bit more out of the way but a really nice campground and near the river.   San Francisco KOA is across the bridge but you can drive down to the ferry and take it across the harbour to spend the day in the City and you don't have to struggle with parking or anything and the downtown is very walkable.

Oh and I second (third) the suggestion of the National Parks.  The US national parks have some of the most stunning scenery in the world and they are pretty well maintained.  

Hope you have wonderful trip and please post about it along the way - no matter what you wind up naming it!

These are wonderful memories - I loved the Skyway but I don't remember those elephant topiaries?  Wish they'd bring some of them back

Looks like something to take on a Safari - keeps the lions out - but if the wind comes up too strong wouldn't it blow over?

Our longest consecutive stay was 112 nights - but that was before the rates went through the roof!   

Thank you for the review TCD - appreciate you saving us the money!

Regarding how the food bloggers make their pictures look so good - many years ago I was involved with a photo shot doing the pictures for a cook book - the food was all pre made, some of it frozen and placed out so it wouldn't melt, some was actually spray painted and shellacked to make it look nice and shiny!

They had me at George Clooney :)

Me

You and me both.

Me too!!!!!!

Thanks everyone -

I was as p@SS@D of as it was possible to be about the blasted bands before reading this - now all I can see is 'big brother' and all I can think of is that TV show on these days called "Person of Interest"  =    DISNEY IS WATCHING ME!!!!!

And I have to agree = it's all about grabbing as much of my cash out of my wallet as they can - my "experience" be damned!

Food at AK is among the best on property - Love Boma and Saana both - they rank right up there with Spice Table in Epcot for interesting flavours and texture and the prices aren't bad for the quality and volume of food.  The Mara is great for quick service, two soups and the half chicken more then comfortably feeds two adults.  Find Jiko slightly pricier and a bit more mainstream.  

Nice "not a trip report" by the way

"Bottom line- the FP+ viewing area is a huge waste of a FP+ choice."

Thanks TCD we have friends going down shortly and they're trying now to get fast passes - I'll warn them not to waste one on the fireworks!!!!  And send them to the fountain you recommend