We3Peas Fortastic Halloween 2011

[we3peas 12]

Day 1 Friday 10/28

Our 2011 Halloween Adventure begins with my DD(13) K and I going to Ft Wilderness early and checking in at 9:30 am. DH was coming later with the RV so it was me and DD in the car for the morning with plans to hit MK and the Poly. Always love to see this sign when arriving:

This was the first time we ever pulled up and had NO ONE in front of us.

No waiting. Yeah!

The cast member offered us 1219 and after checking on her S-L-O-W computer for the other sites we'd requested we ended up in 1219.

This ended up being a great site for us. Directly across from the bathhouse, near a playground, bus stop and close to the Meadow area for the pool and activities. It was also a very quiet loop which I really like. The only weird thing to us was the older couple across from us swept their site off every 2 hours. They must hate pine needles because the wind would blow them down and they'd be right back out there sweeping them off. I know I've got better things to do at the Fort then sweep. :laugh:

After we checked in and parked the car on the site,we walked down to the Marina to catch the boat over to the MK. On the way we checked out some of the decorated sites. I know everyone has seen the decorations but I want to share mine too....

We arrived at the marina just in time to board the launch and away we went.

After docking at the MK our plan was to check out just the shops on Main Street while waiting for DH to arrive. This always seems to become an afterthought when we are in MK. We are too tired or need to leave so we never really get a good look around. So today that's what we did. We got to watch the glass blower, saw the barbershop, looked in the vehicle barn, and went up to the 2nd floor of the RR for some good shots of Main Street.

K's other vinylmation joined us for part of the trip. His name is Jett.

K wanted to ride Space Mountain so we made our way around the Move It Shake It parade (I was wishing they would move faster...) and walked into Tomorrowland for her ride. I love that she's old enough now to like the rides and be able to ride by herself too. I get vertigo so I really can't go on many of the cooler rides anymore.

When she was finished we walked back through to the confectioner's shop and drooled over the sweets.

We ended up ordering a brownie though because chocolate always wins with my crowd.

After looking through the Emporium we hopped on the Monorail for a trip to the Polynesian to get our Dole Whip. K was making a tiny one, making sure it was all symmetrical but I told her it was all about HOW MUCH you got in the bowl so I had to help...It wasn't pretty but it was large.

Jett joins us again, he better not eat my share!

After we finished with that we walked around the Poly and then took the boat back to MK and then caught the launch to FW. On the way back we saw this cool GC at the Trading Post.

I left K at the large playground and walked back to our site through the Meadow area. I arrived just in time to see DH and our RV coming around the corner. I helped him park and level, we plugged in and then called K to tell her we'd pick her up at the 3 way stop so we could be on our way to EPCOT for our final day of F&W.

It was drizzling about then so we made sure we had our ponchos and umbrellas and hit the road. The goal here was to let DH try whatever interested him since K and I had been quite a few times this year. I also had 2 pours left on my Wine Walk I wanted to use up in France and Germany.

When we arrived it didn't seem very crowded but it did get progressively more crowded as the day went on in spite of the drizzly weather. We stopped at Hawaii so DH could try the pork slider and then on to Desserts where K wanted to try the trio. She really liked the Lemon Chiffon cake giving it a 4.5.

We stopped at Greece so I could get the Greek salad again and met a couple that encouraged us to try the Canadian Sausage which we rated a 4.

[we3peas 12]

Day 1 continues....

We stopped in France to let DH try the Coq au Vin, which he really liked and for my Wine pour.

Since DH is the better cook I hope to eat that dish at my own table soon. It was starting to rain harder so we ducked into the store in Japan so K could look at all the Domo stuff. Then we left to try the Pork Kakuni which we rated a 5 without the side sauce which was very hot to us.

We stopped at the American pavilion to check out this puzzler.

Does anyone know the answer? We couldn't find the pineapples at all. Maybe the lens was wet?

Then back on to Italy because even though Lou doesn't like the ravioli my DH really does so we had it again.

K got herself another smoothie as well. I walked over to Germany to get my last Wine pour on my Wine Walk card. We squished in the rain over to China for the pot stickers which K liked. Then on to the Caribbean for the Ropa Vieja and Argentina for another empanada.

We saw Duffy was out so we got into line and as soon as we did he left, but he came back within 10 minutes so the wait wasn't too long. K and I had our pictures taken

and then we decide that we'd eaten around the World again and we could go now. We wanted to stay for the fireworks but they were still 3 hours away, we were wet and so we left.

Made our way back to the car and headed back to the Fort. Arrived at our site, dried off and rested awhile then went back out to Port Orleans Riverside to see Bob that TCD talked about. His show was good but the service was not. We sat down at 8:30 pm and didn't get any drinks until 9:15pm. Unless you were with a large group, the waiter (that's right just one) didn't come around for your order.

DH finally caught K getting into the act. Every time he went to get a picture of her, she would duck and hide her head.

Notice the empty table.....

We finally stopped another person but that didn't get us a drink either. If you do participate in the audience portion, bring your own drinks is all I have to say, or your throat will be very dry. Bob was great and he keep the crowd entertained. We stayed til about 10 pm and then called it a night.

On to Day 2.....

[SCTigerCock 171]

Enjoying the TR!!!!! :heart:

[Roller ... aka Ed 351]

I agree about the service - or lack thereof. One server that confused orders; was SSLLOOOOOOWWWWWW; and ... .

Let me also say the drinks served were lacking in alcoholic content - as in, they tasted like there was NO alcohol in them.

Yehaw Bob was good, though!

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Great start to your report.

Your DD did great with the Dole Whip!

Your DD and her friend made it by the TCD site for Trick-or-Treating- so I got to meet her, sort of.

Don't hold back on your Halloween decoration photos- even though there have been a lot, everybody captures a little something different.

Sorry about the slow service at the POR Riverside- there was only one server working when we visited as well, but that lady sure could multi-task!

Looking forward to the rest of your report!

TCD

[we3peas 12]

Sorry about the slow service at the POR Riverside- there was only one server working when we visited as well, but that lady sure could multi-task!

Looking forward to the rest of your report!

TCD

Maybe women are better at multi tasking that's why God made us the Moms! Or so I tell my DH.

My DD did say she met you on Halloween night, were you the one giving out full size candy bars? That always rates a memory to her!

[stefa70 205]

I saw Duffy out there too on Friday. We were probably there around the same time.

Great job on the dole whip! No one ever said it had to be pretty.

I agree with TCD about the decorations. I think the golf cart parade will be the same way, but everyone "looks" at things differently.

[Momof6....aka Marty 769]

:popcorn:

[PureTcrazy...rita 380]

I am so glad we got to meet yall!

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

It was great meeting you,I wish we could have spent more time. It seemed like I was was always being pulled in 3 directions.

Your report is great, and I'm jealous, I still haven't had a Dole Whip this trip.

[dblr....Rennie 224]

Great trip report and really loving the pictures, looks like you had a great time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[we3peas 12]

Day 2 Saturday

Woke up Saturday morning to find out we'd been spiked! I guess TCD went around in his stealth mobile and spiked everyone who had a FF sign at FW. Thanks TCD! My daughter loves it!

After breakfast we decorated our site since it had rained all day on Friday and we never got to it.

K wanted to see River Country, or what we could of it so we set off on our bikes to see what we could see. Which was not much. None of us came prepared to walk through high grass so we gave up too easily. Besides isn't that what Cousin Yuri is for? Instead we took pictures at the Backyard BBQ decorations

We left K at the playground again after a marathon hula hooping tour,

and DH and I rode our bikes around the Fort. We took in more decorations...

(This one was behind the 1200 loop)

and then we headed behind the 300 loop to check out the cabin back there. Along the way we saw these guys...

this is why I like the Fort, there is still wildlife around everywhere you look. We didn't make our way over to the cabin because there was a Disney van sitting on the other side of the canal so we didn't chance it.

We then changed direction and rode our bikes towards the cabin loops and on the way saw this beautiful creature...

we finally rode up to the cabin pool and found it very quiet.

We also saw this sign

which did not please us as we wanted to come back and use the hot tub. Don't know if they got it fixed while we were there though as we didn't go back...

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Day 2 Saturday

Woke up Saturday morning to find out we'd been spiked! I guess TCD went around in his stealth mobile and spiked everyone who had a FF sign at FW. Thanks TCD! My daughter loves it!

Yep. That's how it works. Every Fiend must be spiked. The next time we elect a Fort Mayor, my campaign slogan will be "A Spike For Every Fiend!" Donnie had better watch himself. The only problem with this plan is that there has never been an election, and probably never will be. Donnie is Mayor for life.

All kidding aside, If a Fiend lets it be known that he or she will be at the Fort, and has a sign out, he or she will be spiked.

and then we headed behind the 300 loop to check out the cabin back there. Along the way we saw these guys...

Excellent job! Gators are hard to spot at the Fort- that's a good sized one!

TCD

[we3peas 12]

Excellent job! Gators are hard to spot at the Fort- that's a good sized one!

TCD

Actually it looks a lot larger in the picture. It was a baby no more than 3.5 ft long. I was using the zoom on my camera...I know not to get close to a gator!

[we3peas 12]

Day 2 continues.....

At this point we were getting hungry so we headed back to the RV for lunch. After that I started getting ready for the Wine Party. Had a lot to do cutting up cheeses, setting out crackers, and especially the chocolate. This is where DH and DD usually help...they eat the chocolate. I cracked open a couple of bottles for everyone to try. After setting it all up we sat back and waited.

Poor DD was getting antsy since she would be having a friend join her today but not until later. Originally the friend had hurt her ankle in a basketball game and was going to be with us the whole weekend but she miraculously got better so she could play on Saturday, and her brother had a championship game later in the day that she wanted to see, so...this meant no friend to entertain said 13 yo for the whole afternoon. Lucky we had wi-fi at our site. Don't know what we'd do if we didn't have internet.

So about 2:30 or so Karla, Paul and the official Fort greeter, Aiden, show up to get the party started. It was so great meeting them, and like everyone else has said-Aiden is a sweety. Then soon after Pam, John, Starla and her guy(sorry I never did catch his name), and KK showed up. Following them was Paula and Jim for a short time.

We talked and got to know each other until after 5 pm when some had to leave to tie dye and my family wanted to see the pet parade. Lucky for us we made it just in time to see them coming out of the 300 loop and to announce the winners.

This lady and her poodle won an award for best owner/dog costume.

and this one won for best family themed costumes. Her dog was a greyhound or whippet dressed like a pumpkin.

After the parade was over we headed to get our first ever GAG meal. While waiting DD and I tried out the hula hooping again. She is SO much better than I am...

She can practically go to sleep while hooping.

After getting our meal we headed back to the RV to consume it. Here's what it looked like in the pre eaten stage.

We went with mac and cheese and mashed potatoes and gravy. The lady asked my DH if he wanted the gravy when we ordered the taters. He gave her a look like "are you serious?" Like you can ever have mashed potatoes without the gravy...she must of been a northerner...

About an hour after eating DD friend showed up and they were history. I really don't remember where they went, they just did. Maybe to the pool...DH and I took our nightly stroll and then when it was closer to time for the fireworks we made our way down to the beach after calling DD and JB to meet us there. We watched the fireworks (sorry no pictures-DH just wanted to enjoy them) and DH left us as he would be getting up pretty early for his run in the morning. DD and JB stayed to watch Lou's favorite show the Electrical Water Parade. It was getting cold on the beach since the wind had kicked up. So we were happy when it was over and we started to walk back. I was showing JB the elaborate decorations when we stopped at this site on the 1000 loop:

There were a few people there admiring the setup. One of the pillars had what looked like a human in it. A young boy kept touching the person's hand and DD did the same and said it feels real. JB went up to touch him too and the man reached out his hand to grab her and she screamed. We were laughing so hard at her screaming we almost wet our pants. The people at this site I heard won first place in the decorating contest. Wonder what their prize was?

After this we headed back to the 1200 loop and I went to bed. Teenagers stayed up all night from what I heard later. If only I was young again...

[polkadotsuitcase 12]

Looks like so much fun! And I'm totally drooling over those sweets at the confectioner's shop -- YUM.

Great TR so far! Loving the photos.

[we3peas 12]

Looks like so much fun! And I'm totally drooling over those sweets at the confectioner's shop -- YUM.

Great TR so far! Loving the photos.

Thanks Kate

Hubby takes SO many and then I take more so it's hard to chose which ones to use. Good thing it's all digital now so they are easy to store.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

That chicken looks good! I'll be enjoying it in less than 2 weeks!!

[we3peas 12]

That chicken looks good! I'll be enjoying it in less than 2 weeks!!

Loved the cornbread..have some for me!

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

There were a few people there admiring the setup. One of the pillars had what looked like a human in it. A young boy kept touching the person's hand and DD did the same and said it feels real. JB went up to touch him too and the man reached out his hand to grab her and she screamed. We were laughing so hard at her screaming we almost wet our pants. The people at this site I heard won first place in the decorating contest. Wonder what their prize was?

Great update!

I agree that the photography is superb.

I can confirm that the site in your photo did win the decorating contest this year.

This fellow comes from Inglis, Florida, and has been at the Fort for Halloween for the past several years. He used to always be on the first site on the outside of the 800 loop, but he has moved around for the past few (he was on 1400 last year, and on 1700 the year before that). The spot he had this year was perfect for his set-up under the new rules.

That pillar with the young man scaring people was a new addition this year, and it was great. We stopped by several times over the weekend to watch people get startled by it. The boy who was doing the scaring was very good at staying still and patiently waiting for the right moment to scare the unsuspecting guests.

This family does a great job every year, and I'm glad they won the contest this year.

TCD

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

Great report , and I can tell you as a northerner, the CM must have been from Mars. No naked taters up here either. We actually prefer a little mashed potatoes with our gravy :rofl2:

[we3peas 12]

You sound like my DH Doodle. The more gravy the better. I always have to make 2 batches. 1 just for him.

I know in the South where DH is from they put gravy on everything, nobody ever wold ask "do you want gravy?" cause they would already be

pouring it on for you!

[we3peas 12]

On to Sunday 10/30....

Today is the day where DH gets in his long run. He is following the Jeff Galloway plan for marathons. He ran the Disney marathon last January and said it was crossed off his bucket list. Well...he actually enjoyed it so much he's coming back for more this January and bringing the whole family. To help his dad get in shape he said he would run the 1/2 marathon with him and invited his Uncle(dad's brother) and wife to run as well. DD, myself and MIL are in the 5K on Friday. DH, Uncle, Uncle's wife, and FIL are in the 1/2 on Saturday and DH and Uncle are running the full marathon on Sunday (it's called the Goofy when you do the 1/2 and full together, you also get a special medal).

Anyhow today was his morning to run 26 miles. He had mapped it out and realized he was going to have to run every loop(including cabins) and wilderness about 3 times each just to make those miles. Well he did accomplish it but said he's probably going to have to rethink his shoe choice. After he had breakfast we jumped on our bikes and went to the hot tub so he could work out some of the kinks. It was a cool morning so not many people were there and he was able to go down the slide a couple of times as well.

Then we commenced looping again when he had his fill of the pool.

We came across this sign, which has a special meaning to our family:

We then biked over to the 1600-1900 loops as we had not been there yet. On the way I had an accident....

Good thing we were near a comfort station so I could clean up.

We saw these sites:

And look TCD I didn't know you had friends camping on the 1900 loop.....

[Roller ... aka Ed 351]

We then biked over to the 1600-1900 loops as we had not been there yet. On the way I had an accident....

OUCH!

And look TCD I didn't know you had friends camping on the 1900 loop.....

I wonder if they play accordions ... :rofl2:

[we3peas 12]

Well we continued on our way until DH said he was too tired so he left me and went back to take a nap.

This is how I found him on my return....

I continued on my way down to the wilderness. Mission to see more animals, since DH said he saw bunnies, and armadillo, an owl, and several deer this morning while running

Saw these 2 and they posed so prettily for me.

Had enough of looping at this point and returned to find DH sleeping and thought a nap was a great idea so I took one too. My DD and her friend were out wandering around the Poly trying to make a better Dole Whip then I did. Her friend JB tried to make a small pretty one and DD told me she grabbed it and said "yhe idea is to make the biggest one you can!" JB wasn't happy that her Dole Whip was "ruined" :rofl3:

Most of the day after that was spent relaxing until we wanted to walk over to the Train Guy's site to see if he had finished it yet. On the way we passed the pumpkin carving contest and they had some really good ones as always...

I'm just glad I wasn't a judge I really don't know which one I liked the best!

We continued to walk to Train Guy's site and met him but he was frantically setting things up still. So we left him to it and walked back to our site to get our stuff and walk over to the Potluck gathering at wdpoohbear's site in the 1600 loop.

We arrived and found Ed, Karla, Aiden, John and Jennifer already there, but it was getting dark fast and she had only one light. So DH and girls volunteered to go get another one as well as plates and silverware. I think Karla left to get some more as well. We had also brought the wines from the afternoon before to the dinner. Ed had made this fiery chili no one would touch except for small tastes until Tracy(?) with Pam's group said he would have some. He actually ate a large helping and was soon coughing and asking for water! I think I saw tears running down his face from the heat. After eating and conversing for awhile we ended up leaving as the girls wanted to see the movie and DH was pretty dead to the world since he had gotten up so early that morning. So we called it a night and went back to our site.

Tomorrow is Halloween!