ImDownWithDisney

25 minutes 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.

Those days before the pool we would go over to the Polynesian. They even had a slide. I would wear that thing out as a kid. Occasionally, we would go to the Contemporary. But back then pool hopping from the Fort was ok.

Their reservation system is so jacked. I made Memorial Day weekend ressies months ago on the website. I called to add a day today and they said it was available. I then emailed my travel agent who was able to make a completely separate reservation with all of the days. I will just cancel the original. If you don't have a good TA you are screwed these days.

That 4th pic has to be at what now is FW

10 hours ago, LONE-STAR said:

Will be there soon, sounds like a great day, I hope you have several more. 

When is your next trip?

26 minutes ago, PGHFiend said:

Late to the party.  

Here at the Fort. Today was an amazing day; Trails End breakfast, horse barn, bike riding, nap under the awning, dog walking.  A few sites open in every loop, over 25 open in the 2000, saw 2 or 3 Prevost buses and a few other big ones. Mainly campers like mine and many older ones, like cousin Eddie style.

Expensive?

Yep

Value to cost?

Unmeasureable.  But for us, worth every penny. 

Ymmv!

Sounds like a perfect day to me. 

I'm sure one of these will have to be purchased by us. 

7 minutes ago, h2odivers...Ray said:

We’ve watched Jaleo being built from the outside bar at Splitsville. 

Love Tapas bars so definitely on the short list this trip. Great suggestion. 

 

We ate at Puck’s restaurant before the DS remodel. Always good food. 

We will also be at WDW during the Memorial Day holiday.  If possible I’d like to shake your hand and put a face with the name.  Perhaps we will run into each other at DS. 

Cool. We will be there the 24th to the 27th at FW. I will PM you my contact info.

Several new places at Disney Springs have got my attention. Jaleo looks interesting. The new Wolfgang Puck restaurant is also very nice looking. We haven't found the time to check them out, but I hope to Memorial Day weekend.

1 hour ago, Travisma said:

I guess the 1% are all hiding out in the 3000 loop! 

Yep, enjoying Grey Poupon, caviar, and the Mickey's Backyard Massage Parlor and Casino. Ah the life of privilege....

4 hours ago, Travisma said:

No, not all are.

Some save up for the special occasion.

Some people spend their money different ways.

But I can't remember if it was earlier in this post or in another one where someone talked about the big boom in Rving and all the people buying new campers and TVs.

With the price of a new rig costing as much as a new home, people are either going deep into debt or have a pretty large amount of disposable income.

 

Google says the top 1% of 2017 earn over $700k a year. That's your Prevost crowd at FW. There's usually less than a dozen of those there when we visit. The top 5% earn $300k in 2017. The top 10% earn $120k in 2017. I would say the 5 to 10 percenters are the bulk of the crowd at FW.

A lot of it has to do with the economy. When we were there a few weeks ago there were tons of new rigs and trucks. A lot of people are doing well, buying rv's, and going camping. It's a big change from 2008 and 2009. The US has a lot of people within driving distance of one of the premier campgrounds in the country. Of course it's going to be crowded and popular when the $ flows. Wait until another recession hits, and availability won't be a problem. 

I agree the security issue is a problem. I saw a ranger stopping a kid driving a cart. I was actually impressed, but they need way more rangers....or higher quality guests with a respect for the rules. 

2 minutes ago, DaveInTN said:

I see what you are trying to do here, but you're too late.  I already have dibs on the globe.  

Dang! I am late to the game.

Watched it 2 weeks ago for the first time in many years. My reaction....meh. It is time for a change. That hokey globe that opens up has to go.

When we were there 2 weeks ago I noticed that they have way more "special event hours" now. I don't think I saw 1 night EMH at MK. We did a few EMH mornings. They were crowded AF after 40 minutes of opening. 

As TCD says...Disney always wins.

1 hour ago, rtguy007 said:

This thread is exactly what I needed right now. As I sit here in our room at port in St Thomas on our cruise we are contemplating a DVC membership. The deals on the boat make it look good but the more I dig into it the less sense it makes. They are offering us a 150 point at Saratoga for a little under 25k (160 per point) with full benefits as of this time. Problem is the fort is the only place we would use it. They pulled up the point rate calendar for us and it showed availability pretty much every week for the forseeable future on a premium site for 13 to 15 points per night. Our upcoming trip for 2 weeks is going to cost 2k which is the most I have ever paid. We never stay in any other resort and if we do it is for a 1 night splurge to get away from the kids while their grandma watches them in thw camper. The more I look at it the less sense it makes. Honestly I would rather take the 25k and put it towards the down payment on a house in Fl vs the timeshare.

The only big advantage I see is the RCI conversion. Even then it doesnt seem to make a lot of sense as we dont travel around much.

At least we got $100 in stateroom credits and extra fast passes for our next trip for aittong through the presentation and talking to them.

Sounds like we have similar situations at the moment.

Another thing that I have been thinking about is we are somewhat fickle and obsessive about vacations.  10 years ago we spent most of our vacation time and money doing ski trips out west. It was all we wanted to do. Now we barely ski, but I am sure we will swing back that way some day. We tend to go through phases. I wouldn't be surprised in 5 years or so that our Disney trips are a lot less, and we will be on to something else.

Great report. Making memories!

1 hour ago, DaveInTN said:

For my crew, a nice dinner out at Disney can easily run $300-350, and add in characters or a show like the Hoop and we're talking $600-700.  It's just not justifiable on a regular basis.   

No joke. It is not worth it. My fuel and 7 night stay at the fort 2 weeks ago was less than 2k. You can easily spend that on food in a week if you are not careful. Camper cooking FTW.

9 hours ago, h2odivers...Ray said:

I’m your OP you said you were done with All Stars. But have you been since they’ve redone the rooms with the queen sized Murphy bed and the regular queen bed?

 

its a game changer. 

Normally my DW and DD would share a double bed and then I’d have the other double to myself.im not a big guy and my DW isn’t either but two adults in a double bed SMB. 

Also with the Murphy bed up there’s is a considerablely more usable real estate in the room. 

Actually last time we stayed at a Value resort we stayed at POP. And we are staying there this May. 

We like it better than the AS resorts.  And we like the food court there and AoA better than the AS resorts food courts. 

No, we haven't been there since the remodel. My issue with the value resorts is for us they don't offer much more than a place to sleep and maybe swim. Now that my wife's family live so close we can use a guest apartment and pool for free with a 10 to 20 min drive to anywhere on property. Plus we can cook our meals just like we are in the camper. I've learned that our biggest $ spend can be food. We don't really buy souvenirs anymore, but a family of 5 can eat a fortune on property.

9 hours ago, LONE-STAR said:

Same here buying a modern diesel made all the difference in towing, and the Fort is Disney to us. I may get a drw 3500 on my next truck depending on how our next trip to the Fort goes. It will be our first trip going that far with the new trailer. As long as there is no sway I will stay with SRW other wise DRW here I come.

It really is amazing how well new trucks do with trailers. My 450 literally handles 17k lbs like it is not even there. I know you like a SRW. Have you looked at a Hensley Arrow hitch? If you don't need the payload of a DRW I would think a SRW 1 ton with a Hensley would be rock solid with your trailer.

Well after considerable thought about joining DVC I'm not into it right now. My main reason is the Fort has become our #1 draw for a Disney trip. Using points for a site isn't a good deal. Also another reason we considered DVC was for quick trips. Owning a new F450 makes pulling the camper a non issue. It's no more stressful than driving down in our suburban. We've done a few short trips already without feeling any negatives of taking the camper. We may buy in at a later date, but for now we are still campers. 

44 minutes ago, YENSIDCAMPER said:

We are heading down for this festival.  It is an absolute awesome adult playground.  Fortunately our kids are old enough to leave behind.  Therefore we don't need all the other attractions.   As much food and drink as anyone would ever need.  Good music, good weather and a relaxing campsite to enjoy.  A great vacation in my opinion.  Expensive for sure but worth it to us.

I concur. I love Epcot festivals. Just don't predrink like I made the mistake of doing last week. 

There was a large group there last week when we were there. I would say don't plan on sleeping late. We were in the 900 loop, and I heard would hear kids screaming and having a good time by 7 to 7:30 every morning. It is a nice area for group camping. It sounded like they were having a blast all day long.

4 minutes ago, DaveInTN said:

No we don't!  

I agree....plus I think I posted it a few years ago. 

I remember those buses. I thought they were so cool. 

Dave,

I have a pic of my dad and i chilling at EPCOT in 83 with matching short shorts and white tube socks with big stripes pulled up to our knees.

If they could ban stupid people and also inconsiderate people that would be great too. I wish you had to solve a puzzle to gain entry. 

It is so crowded here for spring break! If you are not rope dropping or FP'ing you can forget it. With that said we have been doing both and having a great time. Weather is perfect, and we are getting plenty of FW time (which is the best part, imho).