The Unnamed Trip Report. September 5-8, 2014

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

 

So correct me if I’m wrong, but now resorts that are not in the MK area offer bus service directly to MK right? Rather than the TTC like before? You’ll have to forgive my ignorance on this subject as I hadn’t stayed in a WDW resort in 2010-2012.

Resorts have had direct access to MK for ages. Now in 2001, the Fort still was dropped off at TTC, but that even went away by 2002-2003

[FunFinder265....Cody 36]

EDIT, I added the pic of the monstrosity from The Contemporary to the last update. 

 

I missed it some how.

 

Sorry.

 

Cody

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Great updates and pix.

Pulled pork nachos. Yummy.

124 pressed coin machines between the four parks and DTD. Don't know how many are in the resorts.

There are actually more than one birdcage in the GF. DD noticed that there were no birds in the cages a few ago and she asked me why. So of course I made up a good story and then asked a CM when she wasn't looking and she said they were just for decorations and they've never had birds in them. I don't know if it's the truth but that's what the CM said.

[FunFinder265....Cody 36]

Resorts have had direct access to MK for ages. Now in 2001, the Fort still was dropped off at TTC, but that even went away by 2002-2003

 

Shows you how much I don't know about WDW transportation. I just always use my PV.

 

I was under the impression that if you wanted bus transport to MK, it would take you to the TTC, and then you catch a boat or monorail.

 

Thanks for clearing that up Carol!

 

Cody

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

Great update and photos.  That is one scary-looking cloud!

[Lou... 3,118]

then asked a CM when she wasn't looking and she said they were just for decorations and they've never had birds in them. I don't know if it's the truth but that's what the CM said.

That's true for the smaller cages, but the huge aviary housed two lovebirds until a few years ago.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

That's true for the smaller cages, but the huge aviary housed two lovebirds until a few years ago.

How many cages are there?

I remember the big one and one that looked like it came from India or the East. I think it was made from reeds or maybe bamboo.

I know there was more than two.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

That's true for the smaller cages, but the huge aviary housed two lovebirds until a few years ago.

 

Was this while you and Gail were building your house?  

[Lou... 3,118]

Was this while you and Gail were building your house?  

 

Wow, that's a very spooky post because in fact I was a CM at the GF while our house was being built.

I walked by that cage many, many, times because concierge guests were greeted at the main lobby and escorted.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Excellent update, Cody.

 

Good job making it past the extensive security they have to keep the riff-raff out of BLT.

 

I can't believe how close together those bungalows at the Polynesian ended up being. They really are going to block the view from the beach for everyone other than the lucky rich folks who are staying in them.  Bad show there, Disney.

 

I hope you made it back to your site before the bottom let out of that cloud.

 

TCD

[FunFinder265....Cody 36]

Excellent update, Cody.

 

Good job making it past the extensive security they have to keep the riff-raff out of BLT.

 

I can't believe how close together those bungalows at the Polynesian ended up being. They really are going to block the view from the beach for everyone other than the lucky rich folks who are staying in them.  Bad show there, Disney.

 

hope you made it back to your site before the bottom let out of that cloud.

 

TCD

My original plan was to walk in the lobby and go from there, as I have heard that the bridge was locked down, but when I saw my victim walking across the bridge I improvised and went that route. Glad I did, because when we got down to the lobby there were 5 CMs there to greet people walking in the lobby, my guess is to stop riff raft from entering the compound that way.

I thought the same thing about the bungalows, no more view for us regular folks (the regular ones who can afford to stay at the Poly)

The cloud.....well, may or may not have ended up like you when you came to visit.

Cody

[fladogfan aka Gretchen 259]

I love that cloud photo! 

 

Scary, wicked and so menacing.

[FunFinder265....Cody 36]

Who remembers where we were at?

Anyone?

Thats right, there was a big cloud getting ready to let go on us.

We were on the boat from MK to The Fort.

Heres the picture I snapped of that cloud.

Well I would love to say we got there in time, but....we didn’t.

It was a gully washer. That cloud had some water in it.

We hung out underneath the marina building while the brunt of it passed, along with some other friends.

Then we headed for our golf cart.

Here’s the walk down, with my favorite FW sign.

As I mentioned, we had FP+ set up for Maelstrom and Test Track over at EPCOT. So our plan was to wait out the rain, then head that way.

The rain passed and we got in the truck and headed over to EPCOT.

Standard picture that must be taken of the Spaceship Earth.

From talking to Lou earlier, he had told me he was working the Illuminations Dessert Party. It was being held over in The Odyssey if I’m not mistaken. I walked by to see if he was out front, he wasn’t.

Oh well.

We had a schedule to keep, and off to Maelstrom we go.

I love that ride, but haven’t been on it in some time, so I was excited. Plus, this might be the last time we get to ride it, due to the rumors at the time that have since been confirmed.

Just like DTD earlier, EPCOT was pretty empty.

Heres walking into Norway.

That pic is crooked too, wow.

Walking in to the ride.

I love the mural.

Its awesome. I’m really disappointed to see it go.

Look! I found the Hidden Mickey

Go me, I’m on a roll.

I think this part of the mural is my favorite.

It has an oil rig that is somewhat similar to the one I currently work on, and the vessel underneath the rig with the black hull is very similar to my last job.

The worker on the manifold is clearly out of the 1980s. A watch with a metal wristband would never fly in today’s oilfield.

Ok, so maybe the ride is dated, but get rid of it for Frozen? C’mon man!

Anyway, the ride was good.

Always has been.

Here’s even more proof that the rumor is true. (Again, it has been confirmed since I rode it)

We had about 30 minutes to kill before our FP+ for Test Track would be ready, so we headed over to Mexico.

They have a cool pavilion.

We went straight over to the boat ride.

The inside of their pavilion is pretty cool as well.

I like that ride to.

Its dated, but its still a good one, in my eyes.

Next up was Test Track.

Maybe I’m a space cadet, who knows, but I completely forgot they just did a refurb on this ride.

I was surprised when we walked in and saw this.

I thought What The Fort?

Then I remembered.

Duh Cody.

News flash guys, you get to design your own car and ride it. Pretty cool.

We made a truck.

Heres our pic.

Guy in the red knew it was coming.

I didn’t.

Oops.

After the ride we got our evaluation.

203?

Is that good?

Is that average?

Well heres the day’s top performer.

This was at 8:23 pm, park closes at 9:00 pm.

Not too bad if I do say so myself.

Might have to get into concept car design, its never too late for a career change.

My rating of the new Test Track?

Thumbs up, I like it.

Will ride again.

After our ride and some messing around in the after show area, we went back over to Mexico to grab a quick bite so we could beat the crowds out of the park before Illuminations ended. And we could beat the crowds at Best Friends to pick up our boy.

We split the tacos, they were good.

So good, I didn’t take a picture.

On our way out to the parking lot I saw something that made me think of another position at WDW that must exist, along with lost ball retriever guy.

Look at this:

Surely there is a wheelchair/scooter/stroller picker upper guy. Kind of like a cart collector at a grocery store.

Never really thought about that.

We beat the crowds out of EPCOT and to Best Friends and got our boy back. He was full of energy when we picked him up, I was surprised.

So when we got back to The Fort, we decided we would take him over to Waggin Tails to wear him out. Once we got to the site and in the golf cart, he climbed right up on mom’s lap and promptly fell asleep before we even exited the 500 loop.

So we looped back around the 500 and came back home.

Tug was tired.

Dad was tired.

Mom was tired.

Off to bed we go.

Good ending to a good Saturday.

Cody

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Great update.

Like most of us would say... I'd rarer have a rainy day at the fort then a sunny day at work.

I'm going to miss Maelstrom also. Great score on TT.

I think we had to pay a deposit on the ECV we rented for my mother and I imagine there would be a deposit on chairs also. So I bet Disney doesn't mind having to pay some one to collect those chairs.

I bet Tug was just happy to see y'all.

[Beckers 1,136]

There is (or was) free wheelchairs at Epcot to let you use from the buses to the gate so you could get your rental wheelchair. Or I should say, there was a place for them and it was empty when we looked (mom hurt her foot and we looked for one to get her to where we could rent).

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

Great update!  I'm gonna miss Maelstrom too.

[alexwyattmommy 181]

Sorry you had to wait out the rain, but the rest of the day turned out great.

[FunFinder265....Cody 36]

Update time.

 

Sorry for the delay guys, work got pretty busy the past couple of days and I haven’t had time for FF.net or my TR.

 

We left off with the ending to Saturday.

 

On Saturday we went to SSR, Treehouse Villas, DTD, The Contemporary, BLT, Poly, GF, and EPCOT. I met Lou, and got spiked.

 

Good day if I do say so myself.

 

We didn’t get back to The Fort until a little after 11pm.

 

We slept great.

 

I woke up Sunday at about 7am.

 

My favorite time at The Fort.  

 

Fiancee was still sleeping, but Tug was ready to go, so we hopped in the cart and off we went to Waggin Trails for a morning playtime.

 

The park was empty, Tug went right to his fence post, and apparently it was taken by someone else, so he marked it again.

 

Next up, we were going to head down to The Outpost.

 

When we came in the night before I saw a crew of roofers working on it, so I wanted to see the progress they made.

 

Heres my view on the way south.

 

 

Its so beautiful in the mornings at The Fort.

 

I mean look at this:

 

 

 

What other WDW resort can you see that? 

 

Don’t say AKL, because you just can’t compete with that, at all.

 

We made our way down to The Outpost, and look, they added some new wood shingles.

 

 

 

Lets take a closer look

 

 

 

Nice to see some improvement work going on, thats always good.

 

I know some of you have asked if Tug likes the golf cart.

 

Take a look at these pics and decide for yourself:

 

 

 

 

I’d say he does.

 

Next I wanted to swing by fiancee’s truck to make sure my golf cart ramps were still in the bed.

 

Overflow wasn’t very full, but there was the church group bus that had the 1900 loop blocked off on Friday night there.

 

 

Uh oh, look, one of those rule breakers who has his trailer facing the WRONG way and taking up TWO spots.....nice.

 

 

I follow the rules....most of the time....

 

I’d make a good FW ranger/overflow lot Paul Blart.

 

The ramps were still secured in the truck, so all is well.

 

One more shot of The Outpost before we move on.

 

 

Next up, Peacock Pass and the cabin loops

 

 

What a beautiful picture, I’m good

 

Remember when I said it was raining a lot?

 

Look at the standing water near the cabins

 

 

 

The is a mosquito haven. Not good.

 

Check this out.

 

 

I almost mistook this for a new “DVC Super RV Premium Site” till I saw the hoop in the back.

 

Or maybe the hoop is part of the site?

 

Do you get that special treatment for being a DVC member?

 

At SSR you get a cornhole set, so maybe when they take over The Fort, you’ll get a personal basketball court.

 

Look at this sign.

 

 

Remember when I said I follow the rules most of the time?

 

Well not this time folks, as I have a GAS cart.

 

Hope Barney doesn’t find me.

 

Went through the 2500 loop and noticed a handful of cabins have new porches.

 

 

And you guys say they don’t do anything at The Fort.

 

So far I’ve seen Pioneer Hall getting a refurb, The Outpost getting a new roof, a tree cut down near the 1400 loop, and now new porches.

 

Management really does care about us.

 

They even have single parking spaces for golf carts in the cabin loops

 

 

Is that what that is? A golf cart parking spot? For one? 

 

Seems random.

 

Tug and I continued through the loops and I captured what I think is the best picture of the entire trip.

 

 

 

It was a stare down.

 

Tug wanted to play, but something tells me that the deer would think otherwise.

 

What would you do if you were a doe and saw a wolf looking dog running at you?

 

Me too.

 

We exited the cabin loops and made a left towards the 2000 loop and Creekside Meadow.

 

I took a picture of the FW logo on a trashcan at the 2000 loop bus stop.

 

 

They haven’t changed it to reflect the new watch tower on Pioneer Hall yet.

 

I’m sure it’s in the works.

 

Creekside Meadow was pretty empty, I expected to see more people, since there were several church groups at WDW for Night of Joy, but to my surprise, they weren’t here.

 

 

 

 

Want to see more pics of Tug on the golf cart?

 

Sure you do!

 

Here you go.

 

 

 

Looped back towards the south and left Creekside Meadow behind us. 

 

I noticed this guy sleeping in one of those hammocks that TCD mentioned in his July 4th TR. 

 

 

I move to much to be comfortable in one of those I think.

 

I headed over to The Meadow because I wanted to pick something up.

 

And I did.

 

 

They will find a home in my camper.

 

Then headed south again to the 4-way and back up towards 500.

 

It was time to get our day started.

 

As I mentioned before, DIT and TCD helped me with information on the FWRR, and they said the woods across from the 1400 contained some evidence, but advised me not to try trekking through there this time of year.

 

Boy were they right, check this out.

 

 

No thanks.

 

Maybe in January when I go.

 

Like I said, it was time to get the day started.

 

Where were we going?

 

Best Friends to drop off Tug for another day of daycare. 

 

Then to a WDW resort I have heard plenty about, but have never been.

 

AKL.

 

Stay tuned.

 

Cody

[fladogfan aka Gretchen 259]

Hope for some cold temps to kill the green stuff. 

Tug owns that golf cart!!

[Beckers 1,136]

Tug on a golf cart = adorable. Tug is living the dream!!

[LONE-STAR 370]

Just wondering why you say that trailer is facing the wrong way?

Oh and where was the Elec. cart only sign. I don't like that as my carts are gas to.

[lklasing 16]

They even have single parking spaces for golf carts in the cabin loops

 

 

Is that what that is? A golf cart parking spot? For one? 

 

 

It's sadly been a couple of years since I've stayed in a cabin, but in all my stays there, I've never seen one of those.  I'm guessing it's golf cart parking, but am wondering whether they put a charger near there?  If so, then that's definitely a nice addition!

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

I can't believe I got behind on this report. 

 

That cloud was scary. 

 

Tug on a cart is CUTE! 

 

Love the deer photo. 

 

I think Sanford is too crazy to loop, but we might be getting a cart of our own soon. 

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

This TR got a bit buried, so I missed the update.

 

Excellent morning at the Fort.

 

I have never seen that little golf cart parking space.  Where was that?  It looks like it's near the cabin pool.

 

That dude sleeping the hammock is my idol.  I want to do that sometime.  I've tried in my old rope hammock, but it's hard to stick with it when I have a bed and air conditioning calling my name.

 

Love the photo of Tug and the deer having the stare down.

 

TCD

[FunFinder265....Cody 36]

Hope for some cold temps to kill the green stuff. 

Tug owns that golf cart!!

 

He sure does, he really loves that thing.

 

Tug on a golf cart = adorable. Tug is living the dream!!

 

Thanks! He is always wanting to ride it, even around the house.

 

Oh and where was the Elec. cart only sign. I don't like that as my carts are gas to.

 

I can't remember exactly where that sign was, but I do remember seeing it near or within the cabin loops somewhere. However, those signs are all over The Fort, so I finally snapped a picture to complain for us gas folks.

 

It's sadly been a couple of years since I've stayed in a cabin, but in all my stays there, I've never seen one of those.  I'm guessing it's golf cart parking, but am wondering whether they put a charger near there?  If so, then that's definitely a nice addition!

 

 

I can't believe I got behind on this report. 

 

That cloud was scary. 

 

Tug on a cart is CUTE! 

 

Love the deer photo. 

 

I think Sanford is too crazy to loop, but we might be getting a cart of our own soon. 

 

I am working on my next updates, so stay tuned for more!

 

I have never seen that little golf cart parking space.  Where was that? 

 

The little parking space was at the exit to the 2500 loop.

 

Cody