Otter Spotter aka Debbie

Have there actually been any houses built in there yet? I know the high-rise is well underway. So underway, you can see it when you loop around the Fort - which sort of destroys the idea of camping in the wilderness.

Welcome! Since no one answered your question about 1700 or 1800 loops & being away from comfort stations....Sites 1800-about 1820 are not only away from the comfort station but, away from the bus traffic noise. Sites 1710 - 1726 are away from the comfort stations but you might hear bus noise. If you have an android cell phone download the app "Sites at the Fort". There's also an i-phone app, but I don't know what it's called. If you search "i-phone app" under forums, you'll find the info. These apps show you site by site pictures of most sites. My favorites are 1720, 1722, 1801, 1803,

Perhaps the explanation will be that the Hessian's built a fort with a castle somewhere off the Mississippi in Louisiana?

We walked past there on 11/29. It won't be opening anytime soon. Now that being said, it was about 9pm and construction crews were hard at work.

Cute!!

I'm not sure they won't be Disney cast members. Starbuck's is probably paying Disney a hefty price for such visibility - yet Disney holds all the cards. You just can't get better advertising than this and it includes an international audience. Disney has ALWAYS gotten big business to pay for (or in today's world partner with) attractions. Have none of you ever seen the term "Sponsored by" at the various attractions? Walt was the inventor of getting others to pay for his dreams. Brilliant, if you ask me!

Starbuck's coffee is preferable to any coffee Disney makes. The bakery is no loss. Since they contracted with Aramark some years ago, and did away with the actual baking for Main Street Bakery, the baked goods were no better than what you get at 7-11. And I can't tell you the last time I went into Fountain View.

It can be a lot of fun. Is the food worth the price? No. But that's almost anywhere at Disney. We've gone there one time on our own and 2 other times because visiting friends or family wanted to go. In my opinion, once was enough but, it was cute enough that we went back because our "peeps" wanted to. Don't expect a show, but do expect to be entertained - especially if somebody asks for ketchup!

I vacillated about getting an e-reader for about a year after they came out. Finally my DH said, "Will you just order the damned thing? I'm tired of listening to you." It is without a doubt the best purchase I've ever made. I have the Kindle 3G & have had it for almost 4 years. If it craps out on me, I'll probably get another one. My DH has a tablet set up with my Kindle account and I also can get to my library on my Samsung droid. I'm too old to read books on my droid (or rather, my eyes are) - so that's out. The tablet is to heavy and too cumbersome - so that's out. My Kindle fits ni

Thanks for the info!

Yep - we saw "Dead Big Red", the plane, and the rifle wielding cast member on the AP preview, too. The dead elephant was a bit much - so I was glad they removed it. Now - for kids and first timer's, the "Simba 1" & "Little Red" shtick is okay. When you've heard it more than once, no so okay. I rather see real animals and not plastic replicas. The other item open on the preview was the boat ride in the "river" around AK. We loved it! When they opened the park to the public, it was closed. :argh:

Just curious as to what time you were there. I thought Boardwalk was open until something like 2am or later because of Jellyrolls, ESPN, and other clubs.

My thoughts exactly!! Great medal!!

Me too!! Rick gets so frustrated that I have to stop him from going over and helping. Like I tell him - they gotta learn sometime!! Like Dave, over the years we have seen lots of damage done when people are backing in. Not as much now as in years past when the sites were smaller and the roads were narrower. Disney's done about as much as they can to improve the campsites without completely ripping out the infrastructure and starting over. With what they charge, that's exactly what they should have done with all the "big improvements" of 2008.

Yep!! As much as I love OLJ, Lea Salonga has the voice of an angel. She was in the 25th Anniversary Edition of Les Mis and her performance captivated me! Out of this years line-up I've seen NPH, Whoopi, Gary Sinise, and Marlee Matlin. Out of those four Gary Sinise was hands down my favorite. Marlee's performance is unique and if you can you, should try to see it. We did the reserve seating years ago but now we just wander around until the performance begins & can usually sneak in and get a seat. If nothing else we sit on the planter in front of the America Pavilion & you can hear e

I'm all in on this report!! What a beautiful location, Rita. I had no idea how charming Apalachicola is - so need to make a point of getting up there. Love how "Skinny Mama" scarfed up the hash browns! I'm still laughing over that. Thank you for the beautiful pictures - especially the "Artsy Fartsy" one!! :rofl3: Oh - and YaY ED!! He did the Fiend's proud and wore his colors well!! Muah!

Drunken posting is the best posting! Drink on!!

Wow!! Beautiful site, Dave!! Hope you have a fire stoked up by now & the kids are busy making s'mores!!

I agree with Jen. The 200 loop is one atop the other. You have a ressie for a premium & if it's in your budget, keep it. As far as which loop is better or which site is better, that's subjective to what your preference is. If budget is a concern, try to downgrade to a full hook-up and ask for either 1700 or 1600 loops.

There was an article in the Orlando Sentinal awhile back about black bear sightings around central FL. It seems their natural habitats have been encroached upon so severely that they keep moving, looking for new places to exist. With all the development in and around Windemere it's only natural that the bears would end up in the undeveloped areas of Disney. With their food supplies diminishing, they will seek easy food targets, i.e. trash cans & food left out in the open. What better place to find these things than at the Fort? I really don't want to meet one face to face but, I also feel

Last night we overheard a Ranger talking about a "sighting" on his radio. We didn't hear the whole thing - but I told Rick (DH) that they probably had a black bear sighting. Grumpy & Grandma confirmed my suspicions.

Very nice!!!

We were on site 1724 9/27 to 10/1 - no wi-fi. I had to get a kit from the front desk. I was told I would be charged the $125 deposit & then credited that amount when I returned the kit. I saw nothing on my credit card. Thanks for scouting things out for us, Dave!

Word has it that Stacktester's daughter got her learner's permit and he had her out driving on 9A & Butler!! :bugeyes: Actually the last time I was in Jax (in June) the construction wasn't too bad but, do as FtWGuy suggests and you'll be fine.

We got the internet cable kit when we were there 2 weeks ago. I didn't get billed anything. They held my cc acct number in case I didn't return the kit - then I'd get billed the $125. But so far - no charge. Do make a note that there is no wi-fi in the 1700 loop yet & they cannot tell you anything when you check in other than "try it and see".