H and KFK's Fourth at the Fort AND BEYOND!!!!

[kampfirekim 260]

Great updates TJ and Carol! I feel like I was there! ;D

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

Day 4 continues….

Now that we were loaded onto the golf cart we were ready to roll. Here are some of the photos we snapped along the way in no particular order. I really don’t have many comments on these but I hope you enjoy them just the same. We rode around, ended up at the 300 loop playground and rode around some more.

Day 4 continues….

During our looping rounds we spotted this fiend. TNBob and MrsTNBob! Awesome! We were lucky enough to get to know them during the Stone Mt. GG! And even luckier to get to spend a good amount of time with them at the Fort! :heart:

Notice the Coleman tent in the foreground. The orange one right there in the front of the photo. We have one just like it and use it for Lil' H's Cubscout campouts. Just a little tid bit of info. :)

I’m not sure of the photo limit or even how many photos I’ve tried to cram in but there are more coming in the next installment.

I know we were in the 600 loop... that fact will not escape some of you. You're probably wondering why there is no photo of a special site in 600 loop. Don't fret there are some photos coming up later.

I love the Fort and God Bless America.

[Total Joker ... TJ 203]

This is one of those site's that say "Welcome Home"...

HIDDEN JOKER

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

Found it!!

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

Found it!!

almost too easy

[kampfirekim 260]

Found it! :yay: But that was one of your easier ones. ;D

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

Kim,

why do I get this weird feeling of Deja Vu? :rofl3:

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

Day 4.… Yep! There’s more!

500 Loop Bus stop. Wasn't this Terry Trail many moons ago?

While looping we spotted this little fiendmingo. If my memory is doing it’s job I believe that belongs to 4Brians. We had an opportunity to meet them before the GG. Very nice folks!

More scenery…

Only Disney would dress up the path to a comfort station this way. Just beautiful!

Here’s a couple of shots of the TNBob and MrsTNBob site. He kept his lamp green just to aggravate the Queen of Snark.

As promised… site 617. I agree with TCD. This is the WORST site in all of Fort Wilderness. Not good. Not good at all. Except for mockery and ridicule.

We saw a couple of other campers fill this spot and I believe there are photos of those guests as well. We’ll see as I sort through the gazillions of photos.

I love this bridge to the sing along area.

In my opinion these are the unsung heroes of FW. Just imagine life at the Fort without them. Ewww!

As we got back to Quail Trail we noticed these workers cutting huge branches out of this tree.

I think I’m very close to my quota of photos so I’ll stop here but there’s more from day four coming up. Believe it or not I’m only posting a fraction of the photos taken. :rofl2:

I'll be taking Lil' H on a cubscout campout tomorrow so it will be Sunday before another installment. As long as this TR is... there are bound to be distractions. Try to behave while I'm gone. Yeah right! :rofl2:

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

FINAL INSTALLMENT…

Of Day 4

We are coming to the close of day 4. Apparently we had gone back to 912 and have taken another GC tour of the fort as the streets are wet from rain and weren’t earlier… or maybe it rained while we were out. Who knows? Anyhoo… we’ll continue on.

Don’t worry these aren’t the only 2 pics of the RC area. There are a lot more coming up when I get to my bike tour of a lifetime installment.

More photos …

Since we were getting hungry and Trail’s End is right there we decided to order a little takeout, ride around till it’s done and come back for pick up.

Looks like I’m nominated to go in for pick up so I decided to snap a photo of the fella’s first.

With takeout in hand and seated in the GC it’s time to head back to Quail Trail.

I don’t know why but I decided to snap a pic of the ring carver stand. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anyone buy a carved ring but that stand has been around for quite a while so I guess someone’s buying them.

I know that the word takeout inspired thoughts of the highly famed Giddyap and Go. A.k.a. GAG.

Sorry to disappoint you. We had fried chicken on our first night at Lake Magic...the Non magical, non lake campround.

We weren’t ready for more fried chicken so ....

we ordered the very fresh

made to order

culinary delight you see here….

I know some of you are ready to hurl insults at me over this. :rofl2: Gabe had been begging for pizza and we were hungry. No one wanted chicken and I wasn’t cooking. So there.

Actually it wasn’t has horrible as some we’ve had in the past. Not great but we lived through it.

After our tummies were no longer rumbly the KFKids felt like a little sword play.

As far as I can tell that ends the photos from Day 4. If I find more I’ll let ya’ll know and randomly work them into the TR. I never promised this would go in order.

[Total Joker ... TJ 203]

Day 5 July 1

Epcot

After a rainy but fun filled day at the Fort we were ready to venture out and head to Epcot (at least lil’ H was). We like to take the boat to MK then a monorail to Epcot. It takes longer, I know, but we just enjoy going that way. Here are a few photos while we were waiting on our MK boat.

H captured this photo of the Pirate Cruise. Lil’ H did this a few years ago with his cousin and said it was AWESOME! Poor thing had a broken leg but the CM’s made him feel better by making him the mascot “peg leg” pirate.

Do you know how it feels when you’re on World Drive and you see the first monorail of your trip? I always get excited thinking that we ARE that monorail for some of the guests arriving.

And here are some shots from the monorail…

After we’d made our way through security Lil’ H really wanted to ride Spaceship Earth. We are never anti- long ride seated in the a/c soooo…. Spaceship Earth it is.

Another photo of the backside of KFK and a KFkid. H may lose his photography priveledges.

I really like this 40th anniversary logo. The retro world with Mickey Ears inside the D take me way back.

Since this IS Shark Week and I happen to have several photos of the boys posing with Bruce and the other sharks from The Seas With Nemo and Friends… I’ll go ahead and share a few.

H and the boys enjoying one of the many aquariums.

After enjoying a VERY LONG visit with the fishies (Gabe could stay in there all day!) it was time to move along.

We decided we would rather ride Soarin’ and the boat ride at the Land before Journey into Imagination. We didn’t take any photos of Soarin’ but we did overdo it on the boat ride with 2 photos. :rofl2:

Next we backtracked to the Journey Into Imagination pavilion. The photos are pretty underwhelming… just the backs of the boys heads doing stuff so I’ll wait and share photos from our second visit to Epcot. Then we, with a lot of help from lil H, decided to head over to Test Track and Mission Space. Gabe has decided that he is no longer a fan of TT and there was no way on this planet was he getting in one of those cars so just before we got to the loading area I had to find an exit. Fortunately he did still enjoy Mission Space so all of us were able to ride together.

I had too many images so I had to split up this installment. BRB.

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

(day 5 continued)

Now we were ready to walk around World Showcase. Yeah Right! We usually make it about halfway when the whining starts. One day we’ll get to do that again. At least that is what we tell ourselves.

One of our favorite’s just so happens to be our first stop. Mexico. We all love the boat ride. I loved it before the change but I think I love it even more now. I know the boys do because they are huge Donald Duck fans. Who isn’t?

Lil’ H always NEEDS to try on a sombrero.

I’ve always avoided this ritual but this time the little kiddo got me. How can I refuse that sweet face?

Gabe usually doesn’t care about these types of things but surprisingly he didn’t want to be left out this time.

Last year when we came out of Mexico. Caballero Donald was there for a meet and greet. We tried to get in line but we were too late. We could only stand there and watch the last few children have their photos with Donald. The pitiful faces of my own kids were nearly unbearable. But not this year!!! :banana:

I had really wanted to head to France for a certain pastry that my cousin told me about but the kids were tired, there was a Bon Jovi tribute band and a funnel cake stand was right there in front of the American Adventure. While I have been to a (real) Bon Jovi concert, I’ve never had a funnel cake before. I suppose that made me a funnel cake virgin. Something had to be done about that. I’ve heard to much about the joys of funnel cake so there was no need to take another step toward France.

The Bon Jovi tribute band was proving to be pretty darn good.

*I took a photo of the funnel cake but I can’t find it for the life of me. Sorry. When I run across it I’ll post it either here or on one of the food threads. I will say that it was pretty good. One funnel cake was enough for all of us.

When we got back to Quail Trail I noticed that someone new was in the site next to us. Bear in mind that Ally, aka keylime and I had been furiously texting back and forth for days. She really wanted that site. I was hoping it was her but a man walked out that didn’t look like her hubby so I, with my sad face, walked away. My sadness would be short lived. H said “Hey! Guess who’s across the street!!”

They weren’t home until late that night but I knew I’d finally get to meet my fiend face to face very soon! Yes! All is well on Quail Trail!!!

[BouncingTiggers 98]

Kim these pics are even better the second time. :rofl2:

[Total Joker ... TJ 203]

Day 5 just a little more before moving on …

Before we move on to Day 6 I found the missing photo files. You know…the one with the funnel cake pic. Don’t you just love it when your photos upload to some obscure, weird place on your puter! Anyway here are just a few more photos of Day 5 Epcot.

If I remember correctly this was taken out on the street in front of China. Lil H loved the marionette animal puppets. He was pretty good at manipulating them too!

Yummy! I’m sure glad I found this photo! KFK’s very FIRST funnel cake. It’s amazing that I could live nearly 43 years in the south without having one of these!

Lil’ H never passes up an opportunity for a photo op!

He even wanted his pic beside an Epcot trash can. To each his own. Our fam tends to be a little different. :rofl2:

One last shot of Spaceship Earth before catching a monorail back to the Fort.

I promise that is really the end of Day 5. The evening photo of the Great Epcot Ball should be proof enough.

Coming up: Another day at MK and a few photos from the Grand Gathering of Fiends.

[Total Joker ... TJ 203]

DAY 6 July 2 Magic Kingdom

Since the GG is tomorrow and we’ll be staying ‘home’ at the Fort all day we decided to go ahead and pay another visit to the Magic Kingdom.

There’s an attraction that I haven’t been to in many years and we’ve never taken the boys. Hopefully it will all work out and we’ll be able to work it into our day.

I’ll start with the ritualistic photos of our boat ride over…

I never get tired of looking back at the Fort Wilderness dock as we sail away.

In honor of Independence Day (a day early)…. God Bless America!

The men folk enjoying a leisurely ride to the Kingdom.

Did I mention that we love WDW transportation?

KFDad’s fave resort. The Contemporary Resort was our first so he’s very sentimental that way.

I was 4 years old the first time we stayed here. I think it was around $25.00 per night.

If I could get that rate… Oh well, nevermind. Even WDW ain’t gonna give me that kind of magic.

Almost there..

As we stepped out from under the train depot Lil H was approached by a CM and challenged to a pirate sword fight! Awesome! Lil’ H laughs in the face of danger!

After the sword fight lil H was awarded a Magical Moment certificate and given an I’m Celebrating button! Good for him!

After we said our goodbye’s to Edwardo the pirate CM we made our way down Mainstreet, USA.

It is very difficult to pass this spot without going inside for a treat. The aroma draws me like the pied piper.

This is one of my very favorite photos of the trip.

From the angle I’ll wager that there are a few of you that have already figured out which way we’re headed.

If you didn’t guess it on the first try maybe this will help you out.

Yep! Our Elephant Walt Tour of Tomorrowland!

The holy trinity of our tour are Buzz Lightyear’s Spaceranger Spin, Carousel of Progress and the Peoplemover. I wasn’t kidding before when I said we never deviate from this ritual. At least not the first time in Tomorrowland after every entrance into the park. :rofl2:

BLSRP

COP

Peoplemover

We were all ready for a little snack at this point and found a great little spot that we’ve always passed by without really noticing it. Maybe you’ll recognize where we are.

Not yet?

How about now?

After our tummies were full H took one of the kids for a potty break. Here I am with the other one waiting on them.

I do believe I have hit my pic limit so I’ll stop here for now.

Coming up … The rest of our MK day, a visit from great fiends and a surprise visit from a fiend I’ve been waiting a long time to meet. Missed this fiend last year but not today.

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

Day 6 More Magic Kingdom, a visit from Special Fiends and a Fireworks Finale.

I believe we left off with our snack and rest after the EWTOT.

Of course, the Tomorrowland Speedway is a must at least once per trip, so….

BOOGITY BOOGITY BOOGITY BOYS! LET’S GO RACIN’!

Lil’ H especially loves this ride now that he’s tall enough to drive himself.

Gabe and I.

Another shot of H and lil H.

After the big race we were all getting a little tired and ready to head back to Quail Trail for a while but not before one last ride. Looks like Winnie the Pooh wins the majority…ok, unanimous vote.

How can you beat riding in a hunny pot? Sweet ride!

On our way out H snapped this shot of Cinderella Castle.

With our last ride of the morning complete and one last shot of the castle taken we’re on our way back to the Fort.

Ahhhh… Home Sweet Home

For the record. We are VERY anti-new Settlement sign. Boo!!

After we get back home and rest up a bit there was someone knocking on the door..

It was Bob, Kathy and the kids! Yay! We were fortunate enough to spend a great deal of time with them. :heart: It wasn’t long after they got there we heard someone else knocking at the door…

To our delight it was this wonderful fiend!

Our very own magicbus!!! Yay! We missed him last year but this was our lucky year! (A sighting of the one of a kind Disney bus on Day 1 really did pay off!) What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon…with some of the nicest people you could ever meet! :heart:

ETA: I forgot to mention it before but notice the bus in Gabe's hand. It was a gift from Lou. How sweet. Knowing Gabe, I knew it would probably never leave his hand except to eat, sleep and potty. Thank you magicbus!!!

After our visit ended we headed back to Magic Kindom for a few more attractions and to end our day with Wishes. With the weather being very rainy this trip we wanted to make sure we got to see it!

Lil H, being a good Cubscout, asked it he could carry the back pack for me. :heart:

We somehow avoided the EWTOT and headed toward Frontierland. Lil H was ready to ride Splash Mountain. Gabe…not so much. Apparently he remembered that was the direction of Splash. He grabbed my hand yelling NOOOO!!!! Then pulled me in the opposite direction. There was no way he was going on that ride so no use trying. It would have been worse than trying to get him in a poncho. No thank you.

The two H’s are on their own.

Now it’s getting a little later and cooler so this might be the time to take the boys on one of my favorite attractions for the very first time. I haven’t been in many years and am getting a little excited myself. I KNOW this is going to be a hit!

Can you figure it out?

How about now? (Their faces prove I’m right about this being a hit!)

There should be no doubt now as to where we’re headed.

Just exceeded my photo limit. Be back afterwhile with the rest of Day 6.

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

Day 6 More Magic Kingdom, a visit from Special Fiends and a Fireworks Finale (Continued..)

I’ve just gotta say that Tom Sawyers Island is way cool! The scenery is beautiful and it gets you out of the hustle and bustle.

Where else can you get a glimpse of the Haunted Mansion like this?

We all met back up and headed for the barrel bridge. I didn’t know if Gabe would do it but he’s often full of surprises. We all had a blast crossing it.

We’d been here for a while and were about ready to go but lil H begged for a do over on a couple of things. Gabe and I found a nice shady spot to have some cold water and wait.

Nearly back to civilization…

We made it back to civilization only to be placed in stocks. Bummer.

All of that exploring had worked up an appetite. See these hungry looks on their faces..

Most of you may recognize the background of the above pic. It is our most fave counter service in all of Magic Kingdom. Columbia House. We try to stop there a couple of times per vacation.

After our tanks were full and we were feeling refreshed we probably rode Small World and did a few fantasyland things before headed to Main Street for the fireworks. I say probably because there are no photos to jog my memory. :rofl2:

I like other fireworks shows. I can appreciate WDW changing them for special occasions, but with the exception of 4th of July… Wishes just can’t be topped.

Starlight, Starbright

First star I see tonight.

I wish I may, I wish I might

Have this wish I wish tonight.

We’ll make a wish and do as dreamers do

And all our wishes

Will come true

Oh a world of wishes

A world where dreams come true

So make a wish, see it through

Dare to do what dreamers do

Wishes,

Dream a dream

Wishes,

Set it free

Wishes,

Trust your heart

Just believe…

It doesn't get anymore magical than standing on Main Street with Cinderella castle in front of you, your family around you and such an emotional story being told with amazing fireworks done Walt Disney style! Yes, I still cry. Everytime.

I am going to try to add a link to our Wishes video here a little later. We are about to leave on our last mini trip before school starts back so it will be a few days before the next installment. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and weekbeginning. :)

ETA: As promised here is a link to the video of Wishes I captured. It's my first time using You Tube. Hope it works!

http://youtu.be/F_uFsoAHS3s?hd=1

[Roller ... aka Ed 351]

I have been accused of helping to perpetuate this thread. I have a few rules for you to check before thinking this is true ...

Rule 1 - It wasn't me, it was Dave!

Rule 2 - If you think you have proof that I was involved, see Rule 1.

Rule 3 - If still in doubt, MPR is in effect ...

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

Day 7 July 3 The Day of the Grand Gathering!!!

Ahhhh!!! It is soooo nice to be able to sleep in this morning. As if we didn’t most other mornings.

We are at the Fort. It’s July 3 and we’re not going in a park. What should we do? Go looping of course!!!! After a nice breakfast, I can’t remember what it was but I’m sure it was fabulous, we all piled on our super fast Kenny cart and hit the Fort Wilderness Trail. Literally. That’s the name of the road right? We were zipping around having loads of fun when when we passed Tnbob on his stylish and faster than the speed of light golf cart. Hehehe. Thank goodness we passed him or we’d have missed the tie dye going on at Jen and Chris’ site! THANKS BOB!!!! Of course we immediately headed for Jen’s on the 1700 loop.

Here’s lil H man working on his T shirt. It turned out fantastic! I’ll have to post a pic later on as I don’t have one in my vacation photos.

Gabe was getting a little restless so H took him on a GC ride and left us to finish up the tie dye project. He said he’d be back to pick us up in a few minutes. After we were done we visited for a while and the fiends started to go their separate ways to prepare for the GG later on. We waited……

And waited….

And waited….

Thankfully Kathy was still there and offered us a ride back. We ended up stopping by their site so she could put a ham in the oven. Do I know who to hitch a ride with or what? My hitchhiking turned into quite a nice visit!

Thanks to lil H, our budding photog, we have a few shots to show for our visit.

As you can see… H did finally decide to pick us up. I was starting to wonder if he‘d tried to make a clean break.

Gabe and Kathy

As much as we were enjoying our time with the TN Fiends, we had promised the boys a trip to the pool. If we were gonna have enough time to let them swim before the GG we’d better get going.

Yes, our boys still love the kiddie splash area. Yay! Makes it easier to keep an eye on them!

H acts like he’s coming down Humunga Cowabunga!!! :rofl2:

After a nice time cooling off we didn’t have much time to waste. We really needed to get back and get ourselves ready for the GG!!! When we got back to 912 H went on inside with the kids and I stayed outside to do something.. Can’t remember what now.. When someone yelled out scaring the daylights out of me!!! It was Kel!!! Aka. Tiggerinbama!!! We’d just met at Jen’s but it was nice to have a few minutes to chat again. Finished getting ready and off to the GG we go…

By now you’ve all probably picked up on the fact that I take lots of photos. Keep in mind that I’m not even posting 1/3 of what I took. You would think that I would be sure to get great shots of the fiends. Sadly, sometimes I get caught up In the excitement and my photos suffer for it. Some of these are blurry b/c I didn’t take time to hold the camera still.

Scooterminnie, Magicbus, total joker

Auburnjen, Harlie Quinn, Keylime, mrsTnbob, me.

MandMluvMMDVC… mmmmmm and mmmmmm whatever and Total Joker.

What the heck are ya doing Bob? Ha!

Mr. Scooterminnie, Richie(Mr. Lorna duck), the Devores

Bob, Kathy, Homebrew, M and m and mmmmm’s son

H and Gabe.

Bob, Tiggerinbama, Jen, Total joker.

Lil H and Baily (TN grandkid)

H, Lou and Jen deep into a very important conversation.

Center of the photo is 4brians or at least 1 of the 4brians.

Our original plan was to leave the GG and head over to the Polynesian Resort to watch the Fourth of July fireworks since Magic Kingdom does them on the 3rd and 4th. Of course, hanging out with all the fiends, having a magical time we couldn’t pry ourselves away in time so we decided to watch them from Clementine’s Beach.

I have to give a shout out to the traffic CM’s on our way TO the beach. Very organized and hassle free. Leaving the beach AFTER the fireworks… not so much. L Anyhoo….

Unfortunately we weren’t able to find any fiends to sit with but we still had a great time. I only took a few pics of the fireworks from the beach b/c we had plans to watch them from Main Street on the Fourth.

It was a great day.

I love the Fort and God bless America.

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

I just have to say it's amazing that it seems like I can remember having seen these pictures before.... must be the ghost of KFK is playing with my mind :rofl3:

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

Day 8 July 4

Golf Cart Parade, Fort Fun, MK Patriotic Fireworks Display

I failed to mention that a day or two ago we’d been out on a golf cart excursion and when we got back H noticed a note on our steps. I heard him exclaiming “Awww man!!! No way!!!!” It was a note from TCD. We’d been spiked! Cool beans! We were very excited at having our own piece of the FWRR!

Since we’d never met TCD in person we were really hoping to catch up with him at some point. He’s not easy to find due to the fact that he is rarely at home. After waking up one morning (one of my few mornings of actually sleeping in a little late) H said “you just missed him. He was just here for a visit and we had a nice chat.” What the Fort? He couldn’t even wake me up? Chicken. TCD already covered that discussion in his TR so I’ll leave it there. But not before I call H a chicken one more time.

CHICKEN!

Anyway… time to move on to our Fourth of July at Fort Wilderness.

After having a quick breakfast we high tailed it over to find a good spot for the Golf Cart parade.

Gabe still has the Disney Bus in hand. Go Lou! You made a friend for life with that little gift.

I know you’ve already seen loads of photos better than the ones I took of the GC parade so I’ll try to keep mine to a minimum.

Besides, that will only leave room for other FW photos in this installment.

See I told ya I’d keep the GC pics to a minimum.

After the parade was over we went back to the site to stash all the goodies, the boys had heaps of candy and favors… enough to keep their dentist living the good life for quite some time. :rofl2:

Gabe chillin out with his parade beads and a cuppa joe… :eek:

Lil H was wanting to ride his bike around the loop and this seemed like a perfect time for just such an activity.

Gabe didn’t want to be left out. This is how he takes his bike for a spin.

All the times we’d been around this loop in our coming and goings of it all….

We never noticed that there was another fiend among us. If I hadn’t been walking with Gabe I may have never seen this …

We’d been neighbors with Princess nana for days and had no idea! Now that I knew she was there I kept my eyes and ears open for an opportunity to stalk… I mean meet her. My stalker skills did finally pay off . As they were leaving one morning I ran over and introduced myself. Very nice family!

My parents and bro had already arrived and were staying at the Wilderness Lodge. The plan was to meet them in the MK later on for a few rides and watch the fireworks. We were already a little park weary so we weren’t in a real hurry to get there. Besides, it was the 4th, the park would be very crowded and we weren’t really wanting to do anything but the watch the fireworks anyway. Soooo we did what any good fiend would do in this situation. We hopped on our kenny cart and headed for who knows where…

It occurred to us that we hadn’t yet met a certain fiend yet so we sped on over to the 1500 loop hoping that we could catch him. Right there in the very first site I spotted a familiar face! A TCD twin! What a darling! Really, I’m serious. Very sweet girl! She pointed toward Meadows and said that her dad was right up there at the footbridge talking to someone.

As we pulled up to the footbridge we quickly realized that TCD was there chatting with the Devores, whom we‘d already met. Wonderful family! It was like a mini gathering right there in the street. Very super nice folks! Great to meet you Andrew! Some of you already know that TCD was coming from the pool. Yes, Mrs. Devore and I had a chat with TCD while he was in his swimsuit. Eat your hearts out ladies.

All good things must come to an end and it was time to be moving on… the little KFNatives were getting restless. So we thanked Andrew for our spikes, said our goodbyes and hit the FW Trail.. Actually Big Pine Way, but you get the idea.

First on our agenda was the playground at Pioneer Hall. Lil H had been begging to play on that particular one soooooo ….. Here we go.

View from the playground bench..

After a little while on the playground we wandered around the area and took it all in.

I can’t remember what It’s like to do this without wild youngun’s.

I’m sure it was nice but I think I like it with wild youngun’s best.

“All I wanna do ooo ooo ooo is linger here… on the froooo ooont porch with you…”

I love Burl’s porch don’t you?

We were pretty relaxed and enjoying the porch but we wanted to take in a few more areas of the Fort before meeting up with the family.

The entire day was spent doing what families should be doing. Spending quality, relaxed time together at WDW.

I love Fort Wilderness.

Coming up: MK 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular! And I’m not exaggerating!

[kampfirekim 260]

I have been accused of helping to perpetuate this thread. I have a few rules for you to check before thinking this is true ...

Rule 1 - It wasn't me, it was Dave!

Rule 2 - If you think you have proof that I was involved, see Rule 1.

Rule 3 - If still in doubt, MPR is in effect ...

I am so Pro-Runner...aka Ed right now. :rofl2: :heart: :rofl3:

I just have to say it's amazing that it seems like I can remember having seen these pictures before.... must be the ghost of KFK is playing with my mind :rofl3:

I think the entire host of ghosts has run amuck here. Forget double posting.. they're going for triples and quads. :rofl2:

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

DAY 8 JULY 4 continued…

Sorry this TR is taking me so long. Those of you who have met me understand why…

We spent the majority of the day enjoying family time at the Fort but now my parents have arrived and we are good and ready to meet up with them at MK. They had already been in the park for most of their day so unfortunately dad and bro pooped out early but, in true KFM style, mom soldiered on and met us for a few attractions and to watch the 4th Fireworks. Nothing, and I mean nothing, will keep her from seeing the grandkids on her first day at WDW! Most of you already know that KFM rocks! Bigtime!

Making our way up Mainstreet, USA

While we were walking up Mainstreet I was trying to get lil H to stand in front of the CM with the big bunch of balloons that cost a thousand dollars each….

Then something magical happened…..

Tony, a wonderful CM, said “I’ll let him hold the balloons and pose for a pic!” What!? Really?! Cool!

Yet another sprinkling of pixie dust for lil H! He’s a great kid and an even better big brother to Gabe so he really deserves a little extra attention sometimes.

Of course first on the agenda is our EWTOT…

In no particular order here are a few pics.

Our new favorite hideaway for a rest and a snack.

H getting geared up for the Tomorrowland Speedway or as it’s been known in our family going back to when my bro was a tot, “green light to go”. LOL!

Gabe still has a little jelly on his face from his PBJ uncrustable. (We bring our own)

Race time!

Buzz and COP

With our EWTOT complete it’s getting about time to find KFM and land a spot for the fireworks. Thanks to technology we were able to reach her on her cell and chose a meeting place.

After we found her we still had a little extra time before actually having to get a spot for the fireworks so we found a comfy curb to sit and wait until it was time. Mom thought it would be a great idea to get Gabe to mimick silly faces. Before it was over with we were all joining in. I’m sure the guests around us thought we were nuts. LOL! ( I will not be sharing my silly face photo. There’s one out there already that I’m not going to live down anytime soon.)

Scenery from the curb.

We were noticing that people were starting to gather in the streets and did likewise…

H, KFM, and the boys.

Getting dark..

Crowd pic.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

If you ever have a chance to see the Fireworks on Fourth of July… DON’T MISS IT!!!

These photos don’t even come close to doing them justice. I don’t even have the words to describe out beautiful and inspiring this display is.

Thank you to our servicemen/women and to all our veterans for your great sacrifice and…

God Bless America!

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

I think the entire host of ghosts has run amuck here. Forget double posting.. they're going for triples and quads. :rofl2:

you mean we have the ghost of the ghost of the ghost of KFK..... I'm starting to get scared of this thread!

[Total Joker ... TJ 203]

Let that be a lesson to you!

To further prove that I’m not yeller… Here’s a crazy face pic of H. He’s gonna kill me for this one! :rofl2:

[Total Joker ... TJ 203]

Day 9 July 5

Usually about this time in our trip H or I will say, “I can’t believe our trip is half over.” Then the other one will say, “ I know, me either. Aren’t we blessed that we’ve been here a week and still have a week left?” This year was no different. It is always hard to believe how fast the time goes when it’s filled with magic. Since we may be skipping a year *GASP*, we were especially nostalgic and feeling grateful that we’ve been able to take our kids every year up to this point. We try to never take our blessings for granted. J

Mom, Dad and Bro were here until July 10 so we were trying to spend some time with them each day. The penalty of denying them Lil H and Gabe time at WDW is far to harsh to take any chances. :rofl2:

The next park on the itenerary is Epcot. Apparently we’d just missed an Epcot bus so we had a little time to kill while we waited.

Here is Lil H examining the map. He wants to be an archaeologist so maps are of great interest to my little guy.

Our view of the Outpost from the bus stop.

The boys waiting patiently.

Since the boys were waiting patiently and we still had a little time…. I thought it would be nice to walk over to the TCD Ranch. Normally, I don’t go over there due to time and wresting kids but it looks like things are going my way at the moment.

View of the bus stop from the Ranch.

I’m going to emphasize here that Gabe LOVES Nemo and Friends. Not just a little bit. A LOT! If we let him he would literally stay in there all day staring into the aquariums. That is why this is always our first attraction of Epcot. Everytime.

Here is an example of Gabe staring into the aquarium.

There were 3 scuba divers cleaning the reefs. Here’s one of them.

The boys still enjoy Journey into Imagination and the fact that there is NEVER a crowd is a bonus.

Gabe enjoying one of his favorite activities.

Lil H making his own Figment.

“One little spark can light your fancy… One little spark can make your fancy fly..” :rofl2:

I don’t know why that little song cracks me up so much. Yes, I do.. I’m so juvenile. LOL!

Disclaimer: I know that we did some attractions twice but the photos aren’t really uploaded in order and I can’t remember so from here on out may be sort of random but I’ll try to at least keep related photos together. No promises though.

I love MK, it’s my fave, but I have to admit that I think Epcot is absolutely beautiful.

Wouldn’t it be great if the monorail went through the middle of Magic Kingdom?

After lunch at the Electric Umbrella (a must do for my bro) we were off to Mars! Mission Space is one of Lil H’s favorites at Epcot.

The Moon Buggy

Lil H has been wanting one of these since last year. This was his lucky year.

silly face

Epcot scenery. I wish we’d had more blue sky days for pictures. Oh well.

Well, I do believe I’ve come very close to the photo limit so I’ll stop here for now. I should be able to get the rest posted tonight since there aren’t that many more photos from today.