Another Auld Lang Syne: The TCD Gang Rings in 2014 @ The Fort!

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

It stinks that they take down the decorations so early.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

 

I ordinarily reserve comment on nativity scenes, as that tends not to go well for me, but is the bird playing the role of the Savior?

 

I'm glad you saw that, Norm.

 

I recall that those blow-up nativity scenes touched a nerve back in the day.

 

Even I must raise an eyebrow at Woodstock playing the role of Baby Jesus.  I mean, really?

 

FWIW, the Peanuts Nativity was sold through Lowe's this season. Now, the breakdancing snowman, that's unique!

 

I didn't see that in my Lowe's. 

 

That sassy snowman was unique.

 

It stinks that they take down the decorations so early.

 

Well, it's just at the campground.

 

Who cares about us?

 

The rest of the resorts and parks still had their decorations.

 

TCD

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

We visited that site in the evening at least once. It was pretty cool. The kids loved it.

I didnt even notice Woodstock or maybe i blocked it out.

[caveat lector 181]

A tip of the cap to TCD. Who else could sneak an Al Bundy cameo into a TR.

[Laura 17]

Wow! Thanks for sharing the decorations! I am so depressed here in the tundra....I used to think I would miss winter and snow. Now I am thinking Florida pine needles will go great with my Christmas decor. Funny,My Mom just gave us that Peanuts Nativity Blow up for Christmas.   I love that they had a path for viewing, very well done! Note to self: get more blow ups.  I wish I could find the Reindeer one where they are all lined up.

We packed up after rain last trip and unfortunately, we had to roll our awnings up wet, and of course when we got home and we went to open everything up to dry out they were frozen shut. Always waiting for a thaw in Wisconsin.

[LONE-STAR 370]

We got there on 11/10/13 and stayed for 2 and half weeks.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

It's official....Christmas has gone to the birds.  

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

We visited that site in the evening at least once. It was pretty cool. The kids loved it.

I didnt even notice Woodstock or maybe i blocked it out.

 

It looks much better at night.  I'm pretty sure we walked around the path every night we were there.  it's almost as good as the Osborn lights.  Maybe better, what with the Woodstock Jesus and all.

 

A tip of the cap to TCD. Who else could sneak an Al Bundy cameo into a TR.

 

I'm glad you noticed that, Fred.

 

It's funny- I still call Ed O'Neill Al Bundy.  My girls know him as, Jay,  the father on Modern Family.  He's very good in that show.

 

Wow! Thanks for sharing the decorations! I am so depressed here in the tundra....I used to think I would miss winter and snow. Now I am thinking Florida pine needles will go great with my Christmas decor. Funny,My Mom just gave us that Peanuts Nativity Blow up for Christmas.   I love that they had a path for viewing, very well done! Note to self: get more blow ups.  I wish I could find the Reindeer one where they are all lined up.

We packed up after rain last trip and unfortunately, we had to roll our awnings up wet, and of course when we got home and we went to open everything up to dry out they were frozen shut. Always waiting for a thaw in Wisconsin.

 

Wow, I guess I shouldn't complain about having to pack up my wet camper.  At least when I got home, it wasn't frozen.

 

We got there on 11/10/13 and stayed for 2 and half weeks.

 

Good for you.

 

We didn't make it for Thanksgiving in 2013.

 

Hopefully, I'll catch you this year.

 

It's official....Christmas has gone to the birds.  

 

LOL.

 

And not just any bird.

 

A hippie bird.

 

Disrespect.

 

TCD

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Well, it looks like we've reached the end.

 

Of this trip anyway.

 

But not quite the end of this trip report. 

 

There was a one day WDW visit last Saturday.  The TCD twins had a long weekend for MLK day.  We had to go to the parks to say goodbye to an old friend who we won't be seeing anymore. Ever.  At least that's how it appears.  But, that will come in the bonus features.

 

For now, we're still at the Fort.

 

You know what I forgot?

 

My site 617 photos!

 

So, here you go:

 

 

Such a great campsite:

 

 

Since I was here, I figured I would visit my second favorite footbridge in the Fort:

 

 

The Fishin' Hole doesn't look so pretty on a gloomy day:

 

 

The didn't forget to take down all of the Christmas decorations and the little Christmas tree at the campfire area:

 

 

 

But they left the hay.  I'm not sure what this hay is here for.  It looks like it's a photo backdrop.  I wonder if C & D pose for photos now?  We didn't make it to the sing-a-long this trip, or the one before that, or the one before that either, so I'm out of touch about what is going on here:

 

 

Back across the bridge:

 

 

The canal is looking a lovely shade of green this morning:

 

 

And so was the Fishin' Hole:

 

 

I headed back to the site and got the girls going.  They were going to head out to try to find the new food item they had heard about while I packed up.

 

Nobody was awake when I got back to the 1000 loop, except for this guy:

 

 

While the girls got ready, I walked over to the Meadow trading post, and found some of the Grinch's assistants busy at work:

 

 

 

You can see here that Mickey has lost his Davy Crockett gear and is being dressed as some kind of ridiculous farmer.  I'm glad I wasn't here earlier when Mickey was completely disrobed:

 

 

Hey, they forgot one of the Christmas decorations!:

 

 

Here's a better look at Mickey's new duds- looks like he's a Florida Citrus Grower^TM :

 

 

When I got back, the girls headed off on their mission, and I got busy with the packing up.  Since I had done the express set-up, the packing up wasn't as bad as it usually is.

 

And, at least it wasn't raining.  The sun even tried to come out:

 

 

I remember that as I was packing up, I got a visit from CampingDawgs-  good to see you again!

 

The sun actually did come out for a brief while.  Long enough for this CM to try and mow the grass outside the Meadow Trading Post:

 

 

I learned via Instagram that the girls found what they were looking for in Epcot:

 

 

Do you know what those are?

 

They are called cronuts.

 

I guess they're a cross between a croissant and a donut.

 

They are all the rage in NYC.

 

In fact, check out this article about how a bunch of Yankees came out in a blizzard just to get a cronut:  http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-cronut-line-storm-new-york-020140103,0,2423614.story#axzz2rGDaUcY3

 

The girls liked the cronuts.

 

I still haven't tried one.

 

I had never even heard of these before the girls said they wanted to go and get one.

 

After I got done packing, I made one last visit to the Settlement.  I ran into FP4 there.  Good to see you, Cyndee.

 

And then I left.

 

I headed over to WL to wait for the girls.

 

Parked right here by Lightpole #12:

 

 

I never knew the lightpoles were numbered.

 

But I guess they are.

 

So, there was a blizzard in NYC, but this is what I got to enjoy at the Lodge:

 

 

 

I also found out it wasn't just the Fort that got struck by the Grinch overnight.  The big WL Christmas tree was gone too:

 

 

And that's the last photo I have from this trip.

 

I met up with the girls here, and we headed home.

 

No flat tires.

 

Made it home fine.

 

Then they went back to school.

 

The End.

 

But there will be bonus content.  From that daytrip we made to say goodbye (forever) to an old friend.

 

TCD

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

I plan to try one of those cronuts on our trip!

 

Glad there is bonus material coming up.

[devores 382]

I have tried the cronut at EPCOT. Its ok. I wouldn't venture out in a blizzard for one, or make a special trip. But it was good.

 

If you cant make it to EPCOT, you can make them at home:

 

Quick and Easy Homemade Cronut

Ingredients

For dough

For decoration

1. Canola oil
2. 2 (8-ounce) canisters Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
3. 1 (4-ounce) snack-size container of vanilla pudding
4. 6 cups powdered sugar, divided
5. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6. 1 cup milk
7. 1/4 cup granulated sugar
8. 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
9. 1 lemon, juice and zest separated

Instructions

To fry dough:

To make vanilla glaze

To make cinnamon sugar

To make lemon glaze

To assemble

1. In 2-quart heavy saucepan, pour enough oil to fill at least 2-inch deep.
2. Heat over medium heat to 350ºF.
3. Open dough canisters and divide dough into sets of two triangles.
4. Press perforations together on each pair to seal and form a rectangle.
5. Stack 2 rectangles on top of one another, press them together, and then fold widthwise. Press down.
6. Repeat with remaining dough.
7. Use 3-inch round biscuit cutter to cut round from each rectangle stack and then a 1-inch round biscuit cutter to cut the hole in the center.
8. Keep remaining dough.
9. Fry dough in hot oil for 45-90 seconds on each side or until golden brown and cooked through.
10. Drain on paper towels and allow to cool before glazing.
11. In a medium-sized bowl, mix 4 cups powdered sugar and vanilla together and then add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until a smooth, glaze-like consistency forms.
12. In a small bowl combine granulated sugar and cinnamon and mix.
13. In a small bowl, mix 2 cups powdered sugar, lemon juice, and half of the lemon zest together, until a smooth, glaze-like consistency forms.
14. Reserve remaining lemon zest for garnish.
15. Split a fried and cooled croissant doughnut in half and place 2 tablespoons of vanilla pudding in center.
16. Sandwich halves back together, and drizzle glaze of your choice over top.
17. Roll in cinnamon sugar, optional.
18. Serve immediately.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Goodbyes (forever) are sad.  I don't think I want to keep reading. 

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

I plan to try one of those cronuts on our trip!

 

Glad there is bonus material coming up.

 

I want to try a cronut too.

 

The girls said they were very different- and good.

 

As far as I know, they only have them in Epcot, at the place that used to sell McDonalds French fries there near Canada in the World Showcase.

 

 

I have tried the cronut at EPCOT. Its ok. I wouldn't venture out in a blizzard for one, or make a special trip. But it was good.

 

If you cant make it to EPCOT, you can make them at home:

 

Quick and Easy Homemade Cronut

Ingredients

For dough

For decoration

1. Canola oil
2. 2 (8-ounce) canisters Pillsbury refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
3. 1 (4-ounce) snack-size container of vanilla pudding
4. 6 cups powdered sugar, divided
5. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6. 1 cup milk
7. 1/4 cup granulated sugar
8. 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
9. 1 lemon, juice and zest separated

Instructions

To fry dough:

To make vanilla glaze

To make cinnamon sugar

To make lemon glaze

To assemble

1. In 2-quart heavy saucepan, pour enough oil to fill at least 2-inch deep.
2. Heat over medium heat to 350ºF.
3. Open dough canisters and divide dough into sets of two triangles.
4. Press perforations together on each pair to seal and form a rectangle.
5. Stack 2 rectangles on top of one another, press them together, and then fold widthwise. Press down.
6. Repeat with remaining dough.
7. Use 3-inch round biscuit cutter to cut round from each rectangle stack and then a 1-inch round biscuit cutter to cut the hole in the center.
8. Keep remaining dough.
9. Fry dough in hot oil for 45-90 seconds on each side or until golden brown and cooked through.
10. Drain on paper towels and allow to cool before glazing.
11. In a medium-sized bowl, mix 4 cups powdered sugar and vanilla together and then add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, until a smooth, glaze-like consistency forms.
12. In a small bowl combine granulated sugar and cinnamon and mix.
13. In a small bowl, mix 2 cups powdered sugar, lemon juice, and half of the lemon zest together, until a smooth, glaze-like consistency forms.
14. Reserve remaining lemon zest for garnish.
15. Split a fried and cooled croissant doughnut in half and place 2 tablespoons of vanilla pudding in center.
16. Sandwich halves back together, and drizzle glaze of your choice over top.
17. Roll in cinnamon sugar, optional.
18. Serve immediately.

 

 

If that's the quick and easy recipe, I don't want to see the long and complicated one!

 

Have you made your own?

 

Goodbyes (forever) are sad.  I don't think I want to keep reading. 

 

You're right.

 

But being able to say goodbye was good for us.  It would be worse to know that our friend was gone forever and we didn't get a chance to say goodbye.

 

TCD

[devores 382]

No I have not. That's too much prep work for me.

[dblr....Rennie 224]

I want to try a cronut too.

 

The girls said they were very different- and good.

 

As far as I know, they only have them in Epcot, at the place that used to sell McDonalds French fries there near Canada in the World Showcase.

 

 

TCD

 

We saw them when we were there but do not think they are worth what they are charging for them. Plus the ones we saw from NY look much larger and the ones at EPCOT just looked like a regular donut. But they did smell really good. I saw a lady pay almost $60 for those and coffee and a couple of hot chocolates  for 4 people.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

No I have not. That's too much prep work for me.

 

No kidding- plus, that recipe is basically fried pre-made crescent rolls.  I can't imagine that they're worth the effort.

 

We saw them when we were there but do not think they are worth what they are charging for them. Plus the ones we saw from NY look much larger and the ones at EPCOT just looked like a regular donut. But they did smell really good. I saw a lady pay almost $60 for those and coffee and a couple of hot chocolates  for 4 people.

 

Sounds about right for Disney prices.  The girls specifically mentioned that the texture was completely different than just a regular donut- which sounds interesting.  I'm going to still give it a try- if they're still selling them the next time I'm by that way.  I'm sure this is just a passing fad.

 

TCD

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

That goodbye sounds sad!

[caveat lector 181]

I'm glad you noticed that, Fred.

 

It's funny- I still call Ed O'Neill Al Bundy.  My girls know him as, Jay,  the father on Modern Family.  He's very good in that show.

 

TCD

Not bad for a guy that once scored 4 TDs in a game for Polk HS

Sorry for the continued hijack, but MWC is my all time favorite show

[Seals 111]

Note to self: Never be at the Fort on Jan. 2nd. Too depressing.  Have they not heard of the 12 days of Christmas -- when the wise men bring gold, frankincense and myrrh to Woodstock baby Jesus? 

 

My husband has been to Laugh Floor maybe four times and has been picked as Sully twice, but never "that guy". 

[Starbuc71 162]

We had a cronut on Sunday while we were at Epcot. It's good. It's basically like fried dough in donut form. Glad there were restrooms right next door because they get sticky with all the sugar

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

That goodbye sounds sad!

 

It was sad.

 

But, again, I'm glad we got the chance to say goodbye.  And, we will always have our fond memories.

 

 

Not bad for a guy that once scored 4 TDs in a game for Polk HS

Sorry for the continued hijack, but MWC is my all time favorite show

 

I was a big fan myself.

 

I've met the lady who decorates that site every year.  I want to know if she was the one watching MWC before 8 am.  

 

 

Note to self: Never be at the Fort on Jan. 2nd. Too depressing.  Have they not heard of the 12 days of Christmas -- when the wise men bring gold, frankincense and myrrh to Woodstock baby Jesus? 

 

My husband has been to Laugh Floor maybe four times and has been picked as Sully twice, but never "that guy". 

 

Yeah, it's odd to be enjoying the Christmas atmosphere one day, and then it's all suddenly gone the next.

 

I guess you should consider yourself lucky that your husband was not seen as being old or clueless enough to be That Guy.

 

We had a cronut on Sunday while we were at Epcot. It's good. It's basically like fried dough in donut form. Glad there were restrooms right next door because they get sticky with all the sugar

 

Fried dough in donut form?

 

Sounds good to me.

 

But why are all the Yankees going berserk over them?

 

TCD

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Hay explanation:

Chip and Dale are escorted to the singalong by a family chosen by a CM.

The family meets Chip and Dale on the porch for pics, autographs, etc.

Then the family escorts Chip and Dale to the singalong.

Also, on one of the busier nights when we were there, they had the chipmunks stand on the porch and had the guests form lines to meet them during the singalong instead of the munks walking around to meet everyone. They did not do that on the other nights when we were there. We were picked as the escort family.

[fortpartyof4 108]

It was nice to see you too!

 

As for the setup by the movie theater, I believe that is for C&D photos.  Now, you wait in line like a regular character greeting.  Seems to work out better and gives everyone a chance.  Here is one I took in August, there aren't as many hay bales but my guess is they've added more for group shots?  My boys are way past the character greeting age, and well, they're boys……but indulged me since I love Chip and Dale.

 

ETA:  looks like Aaron already explained…..nonetheless, this is kinda what it looks like:

 

 

Just before I took this, Chip was ruffling one son's hair, and Dale was thumb wrestling the other!  Good CM's.

[fortpartyof4 108]

I don't know if it has anything to do with all of the activity going on around the canal/dam, but I saw some guys from Reedy Creek Energy doing some surveying on 12/31:

 

 

 

 

This was on the main road between the entrance to the full hook-up loops and the 1500 loop.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Hay explanation:

Chip and Dale are escorted to the singalong by a family chosen by a CM.

The family meets Chip and Dale on the porch for pics, autographs, etc.

Then the family escorts Chip and Dale to the singalong.

Also, on one of the busier nights when we were there, they had the chipmunks stand on the porch and had the guests form lines to meet them during the singalong instead of the munks walking around to meet everyone. They did not do that on the other nights when we were there. We were picked as the escort family.

 

 

Congratulations on being the family of the day!

 

So there will be photos of this in your trip report?

 

Yay!

 

The only problem I see is you haven't started your TR yet.

 

No pressure.

 

 

It was nice to see you too!

 

As for the setup by the movie theater, I believe that is for C&D photos.  Now, you wait in line like a regular character greeting.  Seems to work out better and gives everyone a chance.  Here is one I took in August, there aren't as many hay bales but my guess is they've added more for group shots?  My boys are way past the character greeting age, and well, they're boys……but indulged me since I love Chip and Dale.

 

ETA:  looks like Aaron already explained…..nonetheless, this is kinda what it looks like:

 

 

Just before I took this, Chip was ruffling one son's hair, and Dale was thumb wrestling the other!  Good CM's.

 

 

That is a great photo!

 

I'm sure the boys won't admit it, but they actually look like they're enjoying themselves.  Even though the whole thing is totally lame.  Totally.

 

Your photo shows that old blown-up photo that they had in that window there on the porch forever.  I noticed it's gone now too.

 

Was it still light out when you took this photo?  It's so bright!

 

I don't know if it has anything to do with all of the activity going on around the canal/dam, but I saw some guys from Reedy Creek Energy doing some surveying on 12/31:

 

 

 

 

This was on the main road between the entrance to the full hook-up loops and the 1500 loop.

 

Hmmmm.

 

I wonder what that was all about?

 

The truck says Reedy Creek Energy Services.

 

I'm guessing a new lightpole.

 

TCD