ImDownWithDisney

We've been the last week of May and into Memorial Day. It's been pretty warm, dry, and low crowds except for the holiday weekend. We will be there again this year. 

8 hours ago, twiceblessed....nacole said:

It's been wonky, since day one.  Basically the middle of the rig is bending where it shouldn't.  We've had one slide come off track and another does not close properly (it closes... but not as it should).   The middle of the RV has a hump that is causing the slide to rub on the floor and push up on one of the kitchen cabinets.  It's probably what caused our front door to have so many issue (they had to rehang it twice because it would not close).  I'm not 100% convinced, that the frame didn't play a part in our leaf spring weld fiasco, last Spring.  Now, the fab shop that fixed the rig in Tampa (after the weld snapped), did say that the weld was incomplete so... who knows.  There is also this strange "patch" on the frame that I have never noticed before (who thinks to check for these types of things when you've picked up a brand new rig?), but the fab shop pointed it out.  He said that the frame had been repaired.

So.... Keystone has to pull out on the slides, brace up the frame, cut all the supports (that's not what they're called, but I cannot remember the name at the moment)...then straighten out the frame, re-weld the supports (hangers maybe??) plus add a couple more, then put the slides back in and lower the rig back down.  All while not cracking any of our sidewalls.   Ugh.  REALLY wish we didn't have to go through this but, again, thankful that the dealership fought for us (Keystone actually wanted the dealership to do the work, to which they replied, "no way!").  Now we're praying that Keystone doesn't fight us on reimbursement for lodging.  It won't be cheap:  $100-$150/night.  But I need to be able to cook and we have a dog (plus I want to feel safe with the kids as Tom probably won't be able to join us) so... not just a cheap hotel.

 

Thank you.   Right now, it's looking like July 15th - 26th.  It would be great to see you!

Dang, sorry to hear about all of that. Hopefully, they will fix it once and for all. I own a fab shop. If you ever need anything or a 2nd opinion hit me up. 

17 hours ago, twiceblessed....nacole said:

So... the frame on our rig has never been right.  Our dealership has fought with Keystone and they have agreed to take it back.  I don't trust any transport company (I've seen too many of those fly by me on the interstate), so we are taking the rig up there and staying until the work is complete.

I'm looking at the KOAs in the area, as we'll need a cabin.

Is anyone familiar with the KOAs near Elkhart?  This is for the month of July.

What's wrong with the frame?

12 hours ago, YENSIDCAMPER said:

We stayed in site 1919 last fall and loved that loop!  Wouldn't have liked it without a cart though.  Do you remember which site number?  

When we were looping last fall we noticed in the 700 loop many of the site markers used different fonts and were different sizes and sometimes they were high on the post and sometimes they were lower on the post.  Anyone else notice something like that in other loops?

I've seen those in the 700 too. I've seen a few others, but the 700 visitors must be hell on posts.

I bet someone could get away with stealth camping at FW for a while. You could just move a tent around every few days and place it in between 2 sites along the canals. Or go totally stealth with a small camo tent in the woods, go in and out of the tent at dark, carry a backpack with a change of clothes to the comfort station, and just chill at the pool and marina all day.

13 hours ago, PGHFiend said:

Are there any originals left? I mean to say people who worked directly with Walt or who would still be actively working for Disney today?

I know there is at least 1 imagineer left. I saw an interview with him on youtube with some goofy Disney fan a few years ago.

My sources tell me it will be 101 Dalmations themed, covered for bad weather, and includes a meet and greet (photopass optional). $5 per turd or $99 with a desert party option.

Another Disney OG has passed.

Variety: Ron Miller, Former Disney CEO, Dies at 85.
https://variety.com/2019/film/news/ron-miller-dead-dies-former-disney-ceo-1203134582/

I loved the site we had last year. I'm going for one of those again . 

 In!

11 hours ago, DaveInTN said:

So this dog is living at the Fort free of charge, getting food handouts and not having to work for months on end?  If you had figured out how to get away with that, would you want to be caught? 

Yeah, no crap. The owners probably kept it caged all day and dressed it in silly outfits. Little dude finally had enough and said "peace out". Now he is hanging out with raccoons, rabbits, and gators all day. Then raiding the trash and campsites at night like the little boss that he is.

In 2 years not 1 email about anything passholder related 😠

I am pretty sure all sewage is handled at the plant just north of AK.

12 minutes ago, DaveInTN said:

.... And it'll cost a lot less than $12,000.  Well...a little less anyways.  

Not when you factor in child support

1 hour ago, djsamuel said:

My wife was in the Magic Kingdom with friends yesterday.  It was crowded, and she noticed a small group being led onto a ride with 2 guest service cast members (which is provided with this tour).  The thing that bothered her was the fact that the people in the group were smoking around the regular guests, and the guest service cast members did nothing about it.  I wonder if that is one of the additional perks. 

For the price they should let you snort a line from Elsa's cleavage 

5 hours ago, Seals said:

I wonder why alcohol is in quotation marks!?

• All meals included (3 a day, with select “alcohol”)

 

I'm usually immune to Disney schemes but I have to say if I had $2000 to spare (going with 5 other people) this would be a fun way to spend a special day.  

Yeah I would do that, but it would cost me 4k. There is no way i could sneak off without the wife in tow.

Alcohol is included. So if you went with 5 more heavy drinkers you could make Disney lose money for the day.

Plot twist...the adhesive on the labels could cause cancer.

3 minutes ago, DaveInTN said:

C'mon Blake.  What's more important....me, or Disney? 

Although, you (& family) are one of a kind... my love for FW and looping is just a bit stronger. Don't be jealous

Dang, we are leaving for Disney the next weekend so we probably wont make it, but we will drive up for a visit. Its not far from our house.

1 hour ago, keith_h said:

It's not like there aren't already thousands of pictures of WDW all over the internet for free along or satellite images with the granularity to count the number of kids and number of adults in the Meadows Pool.  

I can understand some concern and would have complied with Security's request but think they went a overboard.

I agree and also understand their position. I can't imagine the stress that Disney's security management team is under. With the reports of the Pulse shooter scouting DS plus all of the other unreported incidents they really can't be too careful.

On our last trip I was hanging by the entrance of MK waiting on the family, and I noticed 2 older guys dressed in tourist clothing just standing and talking without any intention of going into MK. They both were wearing the tiny clear earpieces for coms. I started looking around and spotted 4 more. I bet their daily security detail is unreal.

"Thanks a lot, bin Laden"

Before anyone gets upset this is a reference from The Hangover. 

8 hours ago, WrigleysWagon said:

Anyone have any experiance with Greenbriar Campground in Gatlinburg TN?  Looking to take a trip coming up, and thought we would try a new place. Seems to get good reviews, but I always like to get some trusted Fiend advice!  Thanks. 

We have rode through to look around. Very nice cg, some sites are tight, but a lot of them are on the creeks. There is also a very nice swimming hole at the back of the cg. We plan on staying there in the future. I like the sites on the right when you enter the gate.

That early in March may not be super busy. Early June/Memorial Day will be very crowded and hotter. I would say early March would be more enjoyable overall. In 2017 we did a week at spring break (late arch), April and early June. The March trip was a lot cooler and the crowds were tolerable. 

5 hours ago, BradyBzLyn...Mo said:

And here's one from WDWNT, who is not known for sugar-coating their reviews...

https://wdwnt.com/2018/12/review-storybook-dining-with-snow-white-characters-begins-a-new-chapter-for-artist-point-disneys-wilderness-lodge/?fbclid=IwAR20YB3GT_DZyzVdoal0_aRXydw8cRECZF6DVrDRULn2ZZR0s_D2z4K9eHI

Best info in that was that the bisque is still available at Territory Lounge