It's a New TCD Trip Report- June 2010 at the Fort!

[figmentfan1]

[/IMG]

This survived the whole 2 day journey down and the busted as I was trying to hang it up - hence the binder clip holding the ear in place!

So cute! And good save too!!!!!

Great report TCD. Totally enjoying it.

JE

 

[seals]

Take away the cool totem poles and sign, but leave the ROCK because it is truly an amazing sight and it just screams welcome to Disney. Sheesh.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

As previously stated, I have exhausted my supply of River Country photos, so it is time for us to move along.

Like many of you, one of my favorite activities at the Fort is to just drive around on a golf cart and look for interesting things.

So, let's go looping!

We start out here at the TCD homestead for the weekend.

Site 1512.

It's on the 1500 loop.

Which is a partial hook up loop.

The cheapest campsites in the Fort.

In fact, when I price them, these sites are typically $30 a night less than the premium campsites.

Yes, you read that right.

Thirty bucks.

A night.

And you know what?

IMHO, the 1500 loop is nicer than any premium loop.

Here are some photos of our site:

I loved this site.

As you can see, it was on the inside of the loop, on a curve. So lots of space on each side, and an nice wooded area in back.

Compare this site to the earlier photos of site #617- which is a premium site, and tell me which one you would rather have? But, unless you are camping in a tent, pop-up camper, truck camper, Class B (van), or perhaps a small travel trailer, you can't stay on the 1500 loop. Sorry.

For whatever reason, there were a lot of Segway tours going on over the weekend. I don't know if they dropped the price, or there is some type of package deal involving these, or what is going on, but there seemed to be a lot more Segway tours than normal. I have never taken one of these tours. I intend to someday, just so I can say I've done it, but I think they are like $90, and I highly doubt that I will hear or see anything that I haven't already.
Here are some Segway tour photos:

These folks are riding into the Meadow recreation area.

A couple of posts back, skyp4WDW made a comment about the ruined view across the lake in the Meadow area of the Fort. This is the ruined view:

I agree that this is a ruined view. These campsites were added last year. I think it's a shame that Disney took away such a nice vista for a lousy dozen or so extra campsites.

But, that's how things are at WDW these days.

Anything for a buck.

Here are some of the canoes that you can rent if you wish:

Here's something interesting that I saw on Saturday. You know that little picnic shelter adjacent to the Meadow pool? When I rode by there before 7 am on Saturday morning, there were people there spreading tablecloths and hanging up decorations. They had taken over the whole shelter. And they obviously chose to get there early to make sure that they claimed the whole place. I guess that's how it works. Doesn't seem quite fair to everyone else. Here they are staking their claim:

These folks occupied this shelter all day and well into the evening. They commandeered all of the grills, too. I am sure they had fun. I hope they were actual guests of the Fort, because I have some doubts about this, but it didn't affect me.

There was water standing at the entrance of the 1500 loop all weekend, even though we had no rain all weekend:

Here are more Segway people leaving the 300 loop:

Now here's something interesting.

This next camper was a finalist for the TCD Real Man of Genius Award for this trip. But, as you know, that award ultimately went to the guy with the big tarp, satellite dish and utility sink on the 2000 loop. This next fellow was a real close second, though. First check out the vintage motorhome:

Take a good look. Do you see that big Darth Vader head hanging off the awning? Nice! But, did you see what is sitting there under the awning?

No?

Take a closer look:

This guy had his own personal robot!

That's R2D2!

Right?

Lucky!!!

I can just imagine it . . .

(cue the harp music)

(day-dream sequence coming up)

There I am, lying in my hammock, when I ask my robot to bring my a sandwich. And a beer. And he faithfully complies.

Has anyone here seen the movie The Benchwarmers?

How about a pudding skin and Skittles sandwich?

BTW- If you haven't seen The Benchwarmers, I suggest you check it out. For some reason, I think it's the kind of humor a lot of you would appreciate. We are talking about crude humor. Mrs. TCD hates this movie. That's a sure sign that it is a very funny movie. For reference Mrs. TCD likes Gone With The Wind, and The Sound of Music, and that type of film.

(day-dream sequence over)

Well, when I think about it, who needs a robot?

I have Mrs. TCD!

I'm kidding.

I'm kidding.

Trust me, if I ever summoned Mrs. TCD to bring me a sandwich and beer while I was lying in my hammock, a sandwich and beer would be the last thing I received.

But anyway, this guy was on the 500 loop.

And he had a robot.

And a big Darth Vader mask.

And if it wasn't for that guy on the 2000 loop, he would have won the TCD Real Man of Genius Award.

While we are speaking of Men of Real Genius, please let me introduce you to two of my other favorite campers.

These fellows were also set up on the 2000 loop:

Here's tow truck guy:

He took the whole tow vehicle thing a little too literally, I would say.

And, right next door to tow truck guy, I found Class A guy:

So these two geniuses are right next to each other on the 2000 loop. I'm guessing they knew each other. If you read the official Disney FW website, you will see that motorhomes and travel trailers cannot be accommodated on the partial hook-up loops. But since when are any rules enforced at the Fort?

Driving around during the daytime over the weekend, it was clear that a lot of folks do not hang around their sites during the day. It was too hot. The pool was hopping all weekend:

Here are the pavilion squatters. Check out the hanging macrame chairs that they tied onto the beams:

I thought about bringing my hammock down here, and tying it up between the posts and hopping in just to see what they would do. But, again, I really didn't personally care, so I let them have their fun.

I still don't think it was right, though.

The last shot I have for this post is of the canal behind the 1500 loop.

Gorgeous.

Just gorgeous.

And look at the folks enjoying the canoes and kayaks:

I love the Fort!

Next up . . .

How about some photos of Rocky?

TCD

 

[katiekomo]

Here's something interesting that I saw on Saturday. You know that little picnic shelter adjacent to the Meadow pool? When I rode by there before 7 am on Saturday morning, there were people there spreading tablecloths and hanging up decorations. They had taken over the whole shelter. And they obviously chose to get there early to make sure that they claimed the whole place. I guess that's how it works. Doesn't seem quite fair to everyone else. Here they are staking their claim:

These folks occupied this shelter all day and well into the evening. They commandeered all of the grills, too. I am sure they had fun. I hope they were actual guests of the Fort, because I have some doubts about this, but it didn't affect me.

Is that area available to rent? It doesn't look like THESE people are renting it, but LP and I saw another group in it when we were there the day before you arrived. They had a banner with the "Make a Wish" Logo on it. We assumed you could rent it assumed that's what the Make a Wish people did. We even thought it would be nice to rent when we bring our colossal family down there (right now we are 10 people... and no one has kids yet! )
If you can't rent it, is there something similar at the Fort that you can? We are loud in the day and louder at night, so I always try to find a place where we can hoot and holler without bothering others...
But these people don't appear to have rented the space. Otherwise, why show up so early??

 

[RocklandRVers]

Hey TCD. Was Rocky named after the Fort Rock?

I was lucky to find an old photo too. That ROCK was famous before the totem pole! My great great great great ... grandparents took a photo of that very same rock. Guess who was there with THEIR golf cart? Yep Fred FlintSTONE and Barney RUBBLE were havin a ROCKin good time!

As you look at that rock and consider its significance, can you hear the theme from 2001 Space Odyssey playing as the apes discover the strange granite monolith? Listen. Hear it? Imagine a dinosaur stepped on the soft mud to make the curved shape. Nah! Its just a rock

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Is that area available to rent? It doesn't look like THESE people are renting it, but LP and I saw another group in it when we were there the day before you arrived. They had a banner with the "Make a Wish" Logo on it. We assumed you could rent it assumed that's what the Make a Wish people did. We even thought it would be nice to rent when we bring our colossal family down there (right now we are 10 people... and no one has kids yet! )
If you can't rent it, is there something similar at the Fort that you can? We are loud in the day and louder at night, so I always try to find a place where we can hoot and holler without bothering others...
But these people don't appear to have rented the space. Otherwise, why show up so early??

I don't think it's available for rent. As far as I know, it is there for anyone to use. And, that is what I see most of the time- groups of people sharing it. I guess if you are so inclined, you can show up before 7 am and stake your claim to the whole place. But then your photo might show up in a TCD TR.

There really isn't another place like this at the Fort.

There are a couple of picnic tables on the Trail's End porch that anyone is free to use. And also picnic tables on the beach. For some reason I have yet to figure out, there are two picnic tables in the Cabin Pool laundry room I have often thought that would be a nice place to host a party (and get your laundry done at the same time).

Hey TCD. Was Rocky named after the Fort Rock?

I was lucky to find an old photo too. That ROCK was famous before the totem pole! My great great great great ... grandparents took a photo of that very same rock. Guess who was there with THEIR golf cart? Yep Fred FlintSTONE and Barney RUBBLE were havin a ROCKin good time!

As you look at that rock and consider its significance, can you hear the theme from 2001 Space Odyssey playing as the apes discover the strange granite monolith? Listen. Hear it? Imagine a dinosaur stepped on the soft mud to make the curved shape. Nah! Its just a rock

Hmmmm. . . .

There's something that looks a bit off about that Flintstones photo.

This isn't some kind of fake is it?



Oh, and I like the idea of saying Rocky is named after the Fort Wilderness rock. That's going to be my new story. Thanks.

TCD

 

[Mickey Mobile]

Here's something interesting that I saw on Saturday. You know that little picnic shelter adjacent to the Meadow pool? When I rode by there before 7 am on Saturday morning, there were people there spreading tablecloths and hanging up decorations. They had taken over the whole shelter. And they obviously chose to get there early to make sure that they claimed the whole place. I guess that's how it works. Doesn't seem quite fair to everyone else. Here they are staking their claim:

These folks occupied this shelter all day and well into the evening. They commandeered all of the grills, too. I am sure they had fun. I hope they were actual guests of the Fort, because I have some doubts about this, but it didn't affect me.

TCD

TCD we saw the same thing happen over Memorial Day weekend. I also had some doubts if the large group using shelter were staying at the fort. Seems odd for a group to stay all day and well into the evening at the shelter.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Let me see if I can squeeze in one more post before everyone starts their weekend. . .

I promised some Rocky photos, so here you go:

I guess before I go any further, I need to confess something.

The 1500 loop is not a pet loop.

The original plan was for Rocky to just visit for the day on Saturday. I had come over with my twin DD's on Friday, and Mrs. TCD drove over with my oldest DD and Rocky on Saturday. Mrs. TCD was going to spend the day and go home with Rocky on Saturday night. But she didn't. She and Rocky left early Sunday morning. So, Rocky was an illegal guest of the 1500 loop. But it was for less than 24 hours. And he's just a puppy. So, I broke a rule.

Like you haven't?

I probably won't do it again.

If you want to flame me, have at it

Otherwise, let's continue on, shall we?

Here's Rocky enjoying some hammock time with his pappy:

Rocky loved the Fort.

But, it was hot on Saturday afternoon.

And, Rocky's favorite place was on one of the bunks in the camper with the AC blowing right on him:

Remember way back at the beginning of this TR I posted some photos of the new Goofy Glacier sign at the Meadow Trading Post and asked, rhetorically, what kind of fool would pay for one of those overpriced fake Slurpees?

Well, here's a photo which answers that question:

(note the blue tongue)

(dumb old TCD bought the DD's Goofy Glaciers)

Rocky took a good nap on Saturday afternoon:

Please note DD's acting skills.

And the blue tongue.

Here's a great shot of Rocky:

After his nap, Rocky got to go on his first golf cart ride:

He was a little nervous at first. But, then he loved it.

We took Rocky for his first of hopefully many visits to the Fort dog park:

Rocky joined right in with the big dogs:

While we were hanging at the dog park, there was some kind of commotion over at the little lake by the 300 loop:

Here's what that was all about:

Frank?

Are you reading along here?

Look at the fish that kid caught!

He was using an artificial worm.

You can see it in the fish's mouth.

That's a nice fish, no?

Later in the day Saturday, we stopped by the campfire area to check on the ice cream activity. It was about 100 degrees out. It turns out that what was happening here is that you were supposed to put ice and rock salt in a bag, along with a cup full of ice cream mix, and make your own ice cream. I am not making this up. Here are some photos:

As you can see, it was busy. You can't see how hot it was, but it was scorching. And, there was some type of charge involved with this, but we didn't stick around to find out the details. I told the kids that I would buy them an ice cream later from the Trading Post. So we got the heck out of there. Call me a cynic, but I can't believe this activity turned out well for those involved.

Saturday night, we dined on pizza from Trail's End (it is definitely more tolerable than it used to be), and later on I fired up the grill for Smores.

We were up with the sun on Sunday morning.

And I have these photos to prove it:

Looks like that's all for this post.

Next up . . .

Some Discovery Island photos.

Don't get too excited- they are just from the resort boat.

And, then some more random Fort photos.

Many thanks to those of you still reading along.

TCD

 

[RocklandRVers]

Rocky is a good lookin pup. By the looks of his paws he's gonna get pretty good sized. He will need a popup of his own soon. Seeing you in your hammock with him brought back memories when our dog was a pup. She's a big horse now. She would knock down a hammock or even a tent I fear.

 

[LONE-STAR]

Rocky is a good looking dog. My DW loves boxers that's what she had as a kid.
She wanted another one but I said baby or dog. We now have a wonderful little girl.(in 10 days she will be 10 months) Glad to hear the pizza is getting better. As a kid I loved the pizza but in the last ten years it has gone down hill.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I bet this kid didnt release that bass....nice catch!!!!! If I was a kid pulling them in like THAT...Id pull the "But Im just a kid, I didnt know I had to throw it back..." line...then Id start crying...I bet it works!!

 

[owensmama2007]

TCD we saw the same thing happen over Memorial Day weekend. I also had some doubts if the large group using shelter were staying at the fort. Seems odd for a group to stay all day and well into the evening at the shelter.

Yep, we did, too so you must have saw the same group we did. I believe it was actually on Memorial Day when it seemed that a whole group took over the shelter!Oh, and looking at your pic of your GC, I think I remember seeing around the Fort and the kids commenting how cool it was!

TCD...please continue...I always find these TR's very interesting

 

[rm0530]

Remember way back at the beginning of this TR I posted some photos of the new Goofy Glacier sign at the Meadow Trading Post and asked, rhetorically, what kind of fool would pay for one of those overpriced fake Slurpees?

Well, here's a photo which answers that question:

(note the blue tongue)

(dumb old TCD bought the DD's Goofy Glaciers)

I love the puppy and DD's acting!

How about those gourmet jelly beans? Did you get suckered into buying any of those? I used to buy a bag whenever we visited WDW but this past February I found an entire aisle of beans at a Super Target. I won't be paying WDW's prices any more. I just have to drive 2.5 hours to that Super Target

 

[kampfirekim]

Keep it coming TR Hero! Loving the great pics and narrative!

As far as the telescoping broomstick and duct tape. KFM has a monopod. It telescopes and you can attach your camera right on there.... no duct tape is required.

Mrs. TCD and I should meet and have our own movie night. Sounds like we'd get along famously. (Although, I must admit that a little crude humor can be funny sometimes. Shhhhh...don't tell anyone I said so.) I also do not fetch beer or sandwhiches on command... at least not without someone wearing it in the end.

Last year we saw someone who could have earned a Man of Genius Award, only we didn't know of the award at the time. A MH pulling a TT....this is not the genius part. The genius of it all was the fact that he backed the TT into a campsite with the MH and they shared the site. I'm no expert, but they seemed to be violating some type of Fort rule. I didn't judge, I only admired the genius of being bold enough to pull it off!

I plan to take my own pic of the rock. It will be a Fort Legend before its all over with. Please keep it coming. I'm lovin' every minute. It's getting me revvved up for our trip in a few more weeks!

 

[LONE-STAR]

I plan to take my own pic of the rock. It will be a Fort Legend before its all over with.

It already is how else do you think Disney came up with the movie name Camp Rock & now Camp Rock 2. So you know what that means there is a second rock at the Fort that TCD must find.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Here's what that was all about:

Frank?

Are you reading along here?

Look at the fish that kid caught!

He was using an artificial worm.

You can see it in the fish's mouth.

That's a nice fish, no?
As you can see, it was busy. You can't see how hot it was, but it was scorching. And, there was some type of charge involved with this, but we didn't stick around to find out the details. I told the kids that I would buy them an ice cream later from the Trading Post. So we got the heck out of there. Call me a cynic, but I can't believe this activity turned out well for those involved.

Yes, yes I am following, and what a beautiful swimmer that is !!
See there,,THERE ARE SOME REAL NICE SWIMMERS at Disney.
How many people do you spose is gonna believe that young man when he says "I went to Disney and caught this !"
Awesome,,simply awesome.

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

Oh my gosh, Rocky is adorable! I hope that I get to meet him at the Fort dog park one day!
Still loving the trip report...keep it coming!

 

[BradyBz12]

...Rocky's favorite place was on one of the bunks in the camper with the AC blowing right on him

Ahh... good looks AND brains! He's a beauty, and so glad he enjoyed his first FW trip.

 

[Magicbus]

TCD,
As an extreme dog lover, I gutta love the Rock.

I ran the photo of the RV with what appears to be R2D2 thru PhotoShop and it's very clear that it is . What, you don't have one? Check out my site a few weeks ago at the Fort.

Hmmm, would have come in handy for your RC photo shoot. It's voice activated.

 

[OK GRUMPY]

Those are some Great pictures of your family & Rocky! He is a cutie!