Our First Trip to the Fort

[parrothead7368 aka Norm 101]

Well, here is my first trip report. It's going to be a little slow, since I have to watch the girls at night and be forewarned that there aren't a lot of pictures of the Fort, since it was girls first trip to Disney. The cast of characters included myself at the age of 43, my wife Anne who is 34, my 70 year old mother who also name is Anne, and my darling daughters Cadence and Claire who are 4 & 3 respectively.

First off, I would like to say, that I had a lot of help from people on this board directly and indirectly. I took in much information over the last few months from this board and put it together with my stuff and POOF!! a trip came out of it. So with that said, thanks to everyone.

As some of you may or may not know, we decided not to tell the girls we were going and make it a surprise trip. Of course we had to tell them we were going somewhere, so we told them we were going to a race track that I had gone to and since they have been to Watkins Glen before this was nothing new, so off we went.....

We left at 11PM on Friday and this was a stop off in South Carolina at the welcome center on Saturday morning.

Cadence loves pine cones and SC has some big ones, so she was excited to find these.

We finally got into Florida and headed to the race track.

Thanks for the tip to go around Jacksonville on 9A, it was simple and a nice quiet ride. Going to Daytona, we always headed down 95, now we have solved that nightmare.

We than proceeded to tell them, that we had about an hour to get to the campground we were staying at. We jumped on I-4 and headed West.

Made good time to Orlando and started seeing the signs.....

Down 192 we went and headed for THE SIGN where we were going to tell them.

Here is the video of the magical moment.

http://youtu.be/Zyptn5wQikI

That's it for this segment, hopefully the pics came out, I think I did it correctly. I will try and do the next segment tomorrow.

Best Regards,

Norm

[gramme 2]

Norm, What a precious video. I was crying at their excitment. You will treasure that video for years!!!!

[stefa70 205]

Great start Norm!! Love the picture of Cadence with pine cones. It's great when the kids are excited about the simple things.

Then I got to the video! :heart: I have tears in my eyes, and there not even my kids. Thanks so much for sharing that. There is nothing like the excitement in the little ones faces!

[FigmentChick 0]

Such a sweet moment! Hope you guys had fun!

[LORNADUCK 261]

Wow thanks for sharing such a special time with us. I have chills watching the video, what a thrill for the girls and you.

[PureTcrazy...rita 380]

That was just awesome! Thanks for sharing and looking forward to more!

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

If the rest of the trip is anything like the start, I will be on on continuous crying jag. Thanks Norm, I may not be going to Disney World but I'm along for this ride :heart:

[BouncingTiggers 98]

Great start to your TR!! When the kids realize they're in Disney is always one of my favorite parts. Keep the great pics coming.

I just want to offer one word of advise. If/when you go again don't ever tell the kids ahead of time. We did that this year & it just wasn't the same.

[Lou... 3,118]

That video is priceless.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

What an awesome moment! Can't wait to read more.

[H in SC 85]

Great pics of the trip down. Loved the video, happy kids that is what it is all about.

Well happy parents and grandparents is important too. Loving the TR. :)

[dblr....Rennie 224]

Loved the video, you got my vote for mom & dad of the year Your video is better then any commercial, priceless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Fantastic, Norm!

Great job on the start of your report. Like everyone else, I loved the video. Your daughters are adorable, and I love the fact that grandma got to come along too!

I am looking forward to reading a report through the eyes of a first time visitor.

TCD

[momof3kids-Yvonne 596]

I loved the video and the pictures you have posted so far. Your girls are precious. Looking forward to more of your trip.

[Lizzy Dorie 777 1]

Oh my gosh, that was the sweetest thing I have seen in a long time. It made me cry thinking about when we surprised our girls. I hope your little princesses have a wonderful, magical time

[parrothead7368 aka Norm 101]

I'll promise no more tearjerker moments. We are headed for the place of fun and happiness, there's no time for crying.

Well, we get through these gates....

we take a right and finally get to see this....

We get to the gates, and there was only one other camper, so we drove right up to a window and started checking in. It was only 11AM, so our site wasn't ready yet, but they were going to give us a site on the 1500 Loop and they would text me when it was ready. I was happy we got what I requested, so a little magic happened early.

After about an hour wait, we got the text and headed for our new home for the week, site #1519. We got set up and here are a few pics of our site.

As you can see in the picture, we rented a golf cart from Kenny. It got dropped off at our site with no problems.

I attached some cards to my sign and by the end of the week there were a few missing, so hopefully we'll get a couple new members.

I put the girls princess tent underneath the rear bunk to use to put the empty bins and golf cart charger. Worked out like a charm and we had much less clutter laying around in and out of the camper.

All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better site. It was on the canal, good vegetation to the left of us to block the other site, and far enough away from the bus stop to barely hear it. My mom was a little far away from the comfort station, but she managed. Also, we did rent an ECV for her to get around the parks from Apple Scooter Rental and I recommend them. The chair was waiting at the Outpost when we checked in and after we set up, I went up and got it, and rode it back to the campsite.

Also had some wildlife the first day run through. These were pretty good size turkeys.

We than headed to Downtown Disney for the night to grab something to eat and look around. We ended up using our first QS at the Earl of Sandwich and were very pleased with our selection. Here are the girls checking out the sights.

and I would love to have one of these in my yard for my flowers.

Well, that pretty much sums up our first day at Disney and it was time to head back to the camper to get some sleep. We are going to get to rope drop in the morning and we need to be ready.

See you all tomorrow

Norm

[stefa70 205]

Great idea of using the girls' tent as storage!

:suspense:

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

I'm so gald your request was granted! Looks like you had a very nice site. So did a turkey find it's way home, Thanksgiving is right around the corner DTD is usually how we spend our first day at the Fort too. The looks on the girls faces tell the whole story. Thanks for sharing :heart:

[We4mickey 6]

Great start to the trip report. What a wonderful surprise for your daughters. I would love to do that to my grandsons. Can't wait to hear more.

[FigmentChick 0]

This brings back wonderful memories of my DD's first DW trip. Your campsite was very nice! I noticed your sign hanging from the tree...neat!

[gramme 2]

Norm Great TR. Daughters are so beautiful. Glad your having a wonderful time.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Great update- Norm.

Good job on getting a site on the 1500 loop- that's where I like to be as well.

You did a nice job setting up your site.

I'm looking forward to hearing about the rest of your trip.

TCD

[itch 5]

Great start, I wish I could fool the twins. But anytime we head south they know the way already and there only 4 .

[Lou... 3,118]

Great start, I wish I could fool the twins. But anytime we head south they know the way already and there only 4 .

Where you been Itch?

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

He must be hibernating already. It's always a little colder on his side of the Mitten. :)