TCD is Thankful for Thanksgiving at the Fort Trip Report

[parrothead7368 aka Norm 101]

Love the TCD Tree Hugger. Have to get me one of them.

Best Regards,

Norm

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Loving the report!!!!!

Sounds like our trip Christmas day 2009. We had not been fully indoctrinated into the Disney transportation ways and wanted to go to Epcot Christmas day to see all the different Santa's. We hoped the boat to the Magic Kingdom in hopes of getting on the Monorail. When we got to the Magic Kingdom, the Monorail was not running and the crowd was huge waiting on rope drop at the Magic Kingdom. We got on the ferry to Transportation Central, then got on the monorail to Epcot. We still made rope drop at Epcot, how I do not know. Must have been a little pixie dust involved. The day turned out to be the best day of the trip and the crowds were non-existent at Epcot. This really surprised us because we heard that the Magic Kingdom closed the gates due to being at capacity.

Anxiously awaiting the next update!

Specularius?

Where the heck have you been?

It's good to "see" you here!

What's new?

You usually head to the Fort around this time of year, don't you?

I know I haven't seen your big old Pete out in the parking lot, so you haven't been at the Fort when I've been there.

I hope all is well with you and your family, and thanks for posting!

TCD

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Another update, wow!

I love the hammock pictures, they help me get through the cold winter days up here.

I don't find it strange at all to have tater tots for breakfast. To me they are a munchkin version of Mcdonald's hash brown.

I agree with Stef, I don't want to think about what happens in the Romper Room. Ewwwwww

Sorry about the cold weather, Doodle.

I won't mention that it was 80 and sunny here today.

And I'm serious about saying that everyone is welcome at the Fort- if Grumpy and Happy want to romp in the privacy of their MH, then more power to them. The Fort, and ff.net is for everyone. But that also means that everyone is fair game to be picked on.

Love the TCD Tree Hugger. Have to get me one of them.

Best Regards,

Norm

Yes, the Tree Hugger is officially endorsed by TCD. I really like mine- you see how I can have my beef and cheese slicer right there next to my official Food and Wine beer mug? Awesome!

In fact, I'm going to award myself a belated TCDRMOG award for buying that thing!

I rock!

TCD

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

Sorry about the cold weather, Doodle.

I won't mention that it was 80 and sunny here today.

Gee thanks for not rubbing ii in. :rofl2:

[Specularius 102]

Specularius?

Where the heck have you been?

It's good to "see" you here!

What's new?

You usually head to the Fort around this time of year, don't you?

I know I haven't seen your big old Pete out in the parking lot, so you haven't been at the Fort when I've been there.

I hope all is well with you and your family, and thanks for posting!

TCD

We had to take a break from the Fort to build the wife the bathroom of her dreams. It should be finished by the first of February so we are headed back to the Fort for Mardi Gras!!! Big 'Ol Pete will be there then.

[caveat lector 181]

Now I see why TCD has such good luck. He always keeps the horseshoe on his tree hugger ponted the right way.

[Lou... 3,118]

Andrew, I didn't think it was possible, but you're outdoing yourself, a lot of great stuff.

There is one mistake though. Dave's secret mission is no secret. He's been bragging about it for months. I bet even the brown painter specialist knows about it. If there is a Melvin the moose at the Fort, which there isn't, he's painted it brown by now.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Andrew, I didn't think it was possible, but you're outdoing yourself, a lot of great stuff.

There is one mistake though. Dave's secret mission is no secret. He's been bragging about it for months. I bet even the brown painter specialist knows about it. If there is a Melvin the moose at the Fort, which there isn't, he's painted it brown by now.

Well I'm not going to tip my hat, and I'm not going to say that Melvin still resides at the Fort....BUT there may be a surprise or two concerning our little antlered friend coming up in my TR.

Just sayin....

[CKCK 45]

You definitely delivered.

It's amazing that I pay more attention reading a TCD trip report than I do actual books....

Yes, I read books on occasion (mostly right now about Disney, but that's beside the point).

There should be tests at the end of TCD trip reports....I would get an A for sure.

[LONE-STAR 370]

I agree the music was loud and the stage was strange. With that stage I thought there was going to be a special event.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

We had to take a break from the Fort to build the wife the bathroom of her dreams. It should be finished by the first of February so we are headed back to the Fort for Mardi Gras!!! Big 'Ol Pete will be there then.

Wow, that must be some bathroom!

But, I'm glad to hear that y'all will be heading back to the Fort.

Maybe I'll see you there!

Now I see why TCD has such good luck. He always keeps the horseshoe on his tree hugger ponted the right way.

True.

And, that is a genuine WDW horseshoe from a genuine WDW horse. Smitty the blacksmith gave it to me. It has always brought me good luck!

Andrew, I didn't think it was possible, but you're outdoing yourself, a lot of great stuff.

There is one mistake though. Dave's secret mission is no secret. He's been bragging about it for months. I bet even the brown painter specialist knows about it. If there is a Melvin the moose at the Fort, which there isn't, he's painted it brown by now.

Thanks, Lou.

But I see what you're doing.

First you butter me up.

Then you bluff about everybody knowing about the secret mission so I will spill the cowboy beans.

Well, it ain't going to work.

I'm keeping the details of the secret mission secret.

And I don't believe that the barrel painter knows anything other than how to hold a paintbrush and paint stuff brown.

Well I'm not going to tip my hat, and I'm not going to say that Melvin still resides at the Fort....BUT there may be a surprise or two concerning our little antlered friend coming up in my TR.

Just sayin....

What is this?

Lou just got done telling us that there is no Melvin the Moose at the Fort.

Are you saying that Lou is wrong?

We all know that has never happened.

Oh boy, I am going to be following your report closely to see if you came up with some kind of scoop on this.

You definitely delivered.

It's amazing that I pay more attention reading a TCD trip report than I do actual books....

Yes, I read books on occasion (mostly right now about Disney, but that's beside the point).

There should be tests at the end of TCD trip reports....I would get an A for sure.

Smart man.

I agree the music was loud and the stage was strange. With that stage I thought there was going to be a special event.

Well, I am considering that big stage a mystery.

I don't know of any reason why it is there.

Maybe there is some kind of party or special event coming up that hasn't been publicized.

TCD

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

I said I would try to post an update this morning, and by golly here it is.

We are still on Tuesday morning, November 22.

We had spent a leisurely morning at the Fort.

But, now we are heading to Epcot.

We didn't really have a plan on what we would do when we got there, other than we all agreed we would hit up the Fish and Chips place for lunch. We like the fries.

So off we went.

Normally, when we go to Epcot, we are in a hurry to get there. We might have been going for a rope drop. Or to hit the Food and Wine Festival, or an EMH, or for some other reason. We normally always drive there. Sometimes we will take the bus. But, it has been a long, long, long time since we have taken the monorail there. Why? It's a PITA compared to the other options. But, we all like the monorail. So, for this trip, we all agreed that's how we would go.

To get to the monorail, we had to get to the Transportation and Ticket Center. That meant a boat to either the MK or Contemporary and a ride on the Resort monorail.

So, we headed down to the marina.

The MK boat was pulling up as we got there, so we hopped on it.

No wait.

Sweet.

Here we are casting off. Look at the decorations on the marina building:

There was some suspicious activity going on around the shoe tree:

I think this guy may have just added a pair of shoes!

Here's a look over at the Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower as we approached the MK dock. Look at that beautiful blue sky!:

It was actually a very warm day. I would say over 80 degrees. On November 29th. It was snowing some places. But we were here.

It is good to be TCD.

As we approached the dock, I looked over to the monorail station to see what the situation was there. There was a monorail waiting to depart. Chances are that we would miss that one. Then I noticed that one of the big ferry boats was approaching.

Do you know when the last time was that we all rode one of those big ferry boats?

Never!

It's true, the TCD twins had never ridden one of those ferry boats.

We are monorail people. Or bus people. When we visit the MK, we never park in the main parking lot. Never.

So, the girls had never been on the ferry.

I know that I have been on the ferry before, but it has been a long, long time.

So I suggested that we try it today.

The girls were aghast.

They have never heard of such a thing.

But I pointed out that the ferry was about to dock, and that we would have a straight shot across to the Transportation and Ticket Center.

They saw the logic of my idea.

So, for the first time in their poor deprived lives, the TCD twins rode the ferry across the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Here is the official photo commemorating this historic event:

We were aboard the Admiral Joe Fowler.

I have never paid much attention to the ferries.

I'll tell you one thing: They are big!

And, I never noticed that they have two wheelhouses.

They don't turn the ferries around. The captain goes from one wheelhouse to the next, depending on whether he is going to or coming from the MK.

I took a photo of the captain, and ended up with this pretty cool photo which shows the Grand Floridian resort there across the Seven Seas Lagoon and the reflection of the Contemporary Resort in the glass:

As we traveled along, a taped spiel played on the loudspeakers telling us about the Seven Seas Lagoon, and confirming that it is man-made, and how long it took to excavate it. I think the tape said it took three years!

As we traveled toward the Transportation and Ticket Center, another ferry was heading from there to the MK. You can see it here- this also shows the two wheelhouses. This ferry is called the Richard Irvine:

I don't know if these are the only two ferries, or if there are others. I believe that they are named after men who were involved with the construction of WDW.

Traveling by ferry gave us a very good view of the entire Polynesian Resort:

I never realized how big the part of the resort on the left was, or how far some of those rooms are from the lobby. We have been fortunate enough to have stayed at the Polynesian a few times, but for some reason, we have always had rooms in the portion of the resort you see toward the right in this photo, which is close to the main pool and lobby.

The Polynesian has a big beach, and they still have hammocks on their beach (no fair!):

Here we are approaching the dock. It look like there is only space for one boat to dock at a time:

This bumper was covered with coins. This is a tradition that I have never heard of:

You know what I thought of when I saw all those quarters? - How much ice I could buy with them at the Fort!

There's the waiting area for folks wanting to board the ferry:

And, here's another look at the Polynesian Resort's beach- note the kids splashing around in the water:

Before disembarking, I took a photo of the Grand Floridian from here. You can't see it too well in the photo, but there is a green construction fence set up around a big area to the left of the resort. If the rumors are true, a big new building is about to be erected in that area. Some day, I will return here and snap another photo, and we can look at the difference. So, this will be the before photo:

The ferry docked and we headed off.

This part of our journey had only taken about 20 minutes.

That was pretty good in my book.

Now, we just needed to hop aboard the Epcot monorail, and we would be good.

We were all glad that we took the ferry.

As I exited the boat, this guy pushed his way in front of us.

He apparently was in a hurry:

What is this tool's problem, I thought to my self.

Then I noticed he had something written on the paper sticking out of his backpack.

Maybe that would explain why he was in such a hurry:

There you have it.

This guy was on a mission to find a plastic table cloth and ponchos.

Good thing he made a list.

I would never be able to remember all of that.

And, by the way, I'm not sure that ponchos was the second thing.

If you look, it doesn't say ponchos.

It says ponochs.

Or maybe it's ponoche.

I don't know.

I just let it go.

I'm glad that I'm not him.

What a stressful life he must have trying to remember all of that stuff on his list.

I noticed that WDW even went to the trouble of planting a bed of poinsettia plants here at the ferry loading area:

Tell me anyplace else in the world where you see such attention to detail!

That is the type of thing that makes me love WDW.

We made it to the Epcot monorail loading area, and our monorail arrived in less than 5 minutes from that.

We hopped aboard, and were on our way.

In just a few minutes, we were approaching Epcot:

My favorite thing about the monorail ride to Epcot is the loop you take around Future World. Here we are above the entry area as we began our loop. You can see the holiday plantings are in place, with poinsettia plants and Christmas trees there in the entry garden:

You see that Bambi topiary there?

That is a leftover from the Flower and Garden Festival.

Nice job there, Disney!

I snapped this photo as we cruised past Spaceship Earth. I was surprised to see the patched cracks. This isn't the type of thing that guests are supposed to see:

Here we are cruising around the small lake outside of Future World. This is the lake that is usually surrounded by tons of colorful flowers for the Garden Festival in the Spring. It's a wonder to me how the grass can look so good here:

You have got to hand it to the WDW groundskeepers.

We have already seen the Hollywood Studios Christmas Tree. Now here is the Epcot Christmas Tree:

I have a minor grievance to air here. - Back in the day, the TCD gang would love to visit Epcot after it was decorated for Christmas because they used to have these huge arches covered with lights which were called the Lights of Winter. They stopped putting the Lights of Winter up a few years ago. That's fine, times change. But, they haven't replaced them with anything. I don't like that one bit.

Here we are going around that lake again:

And now we are passing over the roof of the building attached to Spaceship Earth. Not so magical:

Here's a good shot of the tombstones that everyone hates in the entry area:

Actually, not everyone hates the tombstones.

For example, I don't hate them.

The TCD gang has their mugs on those tombstones.

And every now and then we stop to look at them.

So, I hope they stay there forever.

Sorry tombstone haters.

Now we are approaching the station, and we can see the other side of the entry garden. There's a re-purposed Thumper and Flower there:

The last thing we passed over were the entry turnstiles.

It looks like at some time in the recent past, there were blue and white streamers shot off here:

I wonder why?

Our monorail pulled in to the station about 35 minutes after we left the Fort.

That was pretty good.

But the pixie dust didn't stop there.

In fact, we found some almost as soon as we entered the park.

I'll tell you about that in my next post.

TCD

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

Great update, Andrew!

[kampfirekim 260]

:yay: Great update!

I cannot believe that the TCD twins had never ridden on a Ferry before. Way to go in correcting that. Actually, it has been many years since we've ridden one. We are monorail to Epcot people... no matter how inconvenient it is. (It keeps Gabe calm.. that is reason enough) ;D

Sorry, but I am Anti-Epcot Tombstone. Except for the one with the TCD gang. They should scrap them all but that one. Then they could just plant a flowerbed around it as a tribute. Just a thought.

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

Sorry, but I am Anti-Epcot Tombstone. Except for the one with the TCD gang. They should scrap them all but that one. Then they could just plant a flowerbed around it as a tribute. Just a thought.

HEY!!!! Mine and Rick's mug is up there too!!!! (It was our 10th anniversary, and we were feeling sappy!!)

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

OK, now that I've fussed at Kim, my comments!!

Great report!! Gosh wasn't the weather wonderful!!!!!

Oh, there are new signs up at Hoop De Doo. Pictures of said signs will be forthcoming in my trip report. They have the new times on them. They have also added a new sign telling folks that direct bus transportation is available after the two later shows with the revised times on them.

And yes, you should try free dining one of these days. I only do the dining plan when I can get it free, and only when it's almost time, or time to renew my annual passes. With the two day ticket requirement, I don't want to let those things stack up. I just did the free dining last week. I stayed at POP, I upgraded for $11 per day to regular dining plan. It worked this trip, cause it was a trip heavy on the parks, and hanging with friends that like the sit down restaurants. My AP expires December 30th, so I will hang on to that 2-day ticket and when I get a new annual pass, I will use the cost of that ticket to lower the cost of my AP.

We were at the late Hoop De Doo on a Thursday night. The lower floor was completely full, and the upstairs was about 1/3 full.

[stefa70 205]

I made it, and only missed one update!

Good for the girls getting the opportunity to ride the big ferry. It's the little things that thrill me. It's been many years since I have rode one too. I prefer the buses. (the drivers are much better looking!)

I will try to check back while I'm here, I wish you guys were here too, but I'll settle for your TR.

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

Oh, one more comment about the vehicle tags. I'm guessing in California, you can't have tag frames either, or front plates since California requires front and rear plates on your vehicle. I wanted to purchase a "Disneyland" front plate and/or tag frame and they don't carry them.

[Lil Lisa 53]

I haven't been on a big ferry since I was a really lil Lisa (like 5 or 6 years old). I always remembered that they smelled like diesel fumes. Not very magical. Once my parents got their MH it was all the fort, all the time and we had no more need for a stinky ferry.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Great update, Andrew!

Thanks, Cherie.

Stay tuned.

I'm going to try for two today!

:yay: Great update!

I cannot believe that the TCD twins had never ridden on a Ferry before. Way to go in correcting that. Actually, it has been many years since we've ridden one. We are monorail to Epcot people... no matter how inconvenient it is. (It keeps Gabe calm.. that is reason enough) ;D

Sorry, but I am Anti-Epcot Tombstone. Except for the one with the TCD gang. They should scrap them all but that one. Then they could just plant a flowerbed around it as a tribute. Just a thought.

You know, I meant to give you credit for planting the seed in my mind to take the monorail to Epcot again. I remember you mentioning it and posting photos of it in your trip report, and I remarked that it had been a long time since we had done that.

I think your compromise on the tombstone removal is a great idea. I would also be OK with moving my tombstone to Fort Wilderness.

HEY!!!! Mine and Rick's mug is up there too!!!! (It was our 10th anniversary, and we were feeling sappy!!)

OK- we must save yours too.

Do you have a photo of yours? I have some of ours somewhere, I just need to find out which computer they are on I guess I have never posted them. But I'm gonna.

OK, now that I've fussed at Kim, my comments!!

Great report!! Gosh wasn't the weather wonderful!!!!!

Oh, there are new signs up at Hoop De Doo. Pictures of said signs will be forthcoming in my trip report. They have the new times on them. They have also added a new sign telling folks that direct bus transportation is available after the two later shows with the revised times on them.

And yes, you should try free dining one of these days. I only do the dining plan when I can get it free, and only when it's almost time, or time to renew my annual passes. With the two day ticket requirement, I don't want to let those things stack up. I just did the free dining last week. I stayed at POP, I upgraded for $11 per day to regular dining plan. It worked this trip, cause it was a trip heavy on the parks, and hanging with friends that like the sit down restaurants. My AP expires December 30th, so I will hang on to that 2-day ticket and when I get a new annual pass, I will use the cost of that ticket to lower the cost of my AP.

We were at the late Hoop De Doo on a Thursday night. The lower floor was completely full, and the upstairs was about 1/3 full.

See, Carol, that is the type of expert advice I need. We camped next to some folks once who explained this all to me before. That is back when you just needed to buy one ticket for your party (I think that is what it was), and they went through everything you just told me about how to use that ticket, etc. What always stops me is when I think about all the advance planning required. That, plus the thought of being cooped up in a hotel room. But, I know I wouldn't be cooped up, and I have stayed in the values a couple of times recently, and like them just fine, so you're right, I just need to do it.

Do you think there will be any free dining offers in the spring? Maybe that will be when we try it.

I made it, and only missed one update!

Good for the girls getting the opportunity to ride the big ferry. It's the little things that thrill me. It's been many years since I have rode one too. I prefer the buses. (the drivers are much better looking!)

I will try to check back while I'm here, I wish you guys were here too, but I'll settle for your TR.

I wish I was there, too.

Don't spend your time at the Fort looking at your computer.

Go and have some fun!

This report will be here when you get back.

TCD

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Oh, one more comment about the vehicle tags. I'm guessing in California, you can't have tag frames either, or front plates since California requires front and rear plates on your vehicle. I wanted to purchase a "Disneyland" front plate and/or tag frame and they don't carry them.

Now that is interesting.

So a Disneyland license plate would be a rare thing to have.

I haven't been on a big ferry since I was a really lil Lisa (like 5 or 6 years old). I always remembered that they smelled like diesel fumes. Not very magical. Once my parents got their MH it was all the fort, all the time and we had no more need for a stinky ferry.

I did not smell any diesel fumes. I wonder if they changed the engines?

Now that you mention it, I have this recollection of diesel fumes from the buses at the Fort. Does anyone remember if they used to be diesel? I know that they're not now.

TCD

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Now that you mention it, I have this recollection of diesel fumes from the buses at the Fort. Does anyone remember if they used to be diesel? I know that they're not now.

TCD

My understanding is that the buses now run on a blend of sarcasm and bile.

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

See, Carol, that is the type of expert advice I need. We camped next to some folks once who explained this all to me before. That is back when you just needed to buy one ticket for your party (I think that is what it was), and they went through everything you just told me about how to use that ticket, etc. What always stops me is when I think about all the advance planning required. That, plus the thought of being cooped up in a hotel room. But, I know I wouldn't be cooped up, and I have stayed in the values a couple of times recently, and like them just fine, so you're right, I just need to do it.

Do you think there will be any free dining offers in the spring? Maybe that will be when we try it.

Yes, there are current Free Dining Offers for the Spring

For a limited time, get a FREE Disney dining plan when you buy a full price 2012 Magic Your Way vacation package (including accommodations and tickets) for select dates at select Walt Disney World resort hotels.

Offer is valid for check-ins 1/8/12–1/12/12, 1/21/12–2/2/12, 2/11/12–2/16/12, 3/3/12–3/8/12 and 3/24/12–3/29/12. Some dates may have extremely limited availability. Some of the most popular resorts and/or room types may not have any availability. Based on similar offers in the past, the offer can apply to your entire stay as long as you check in within one of the allowed sets of dates.

• Stay at select Disney Value resorts and get the Quick Service Dining Plan for FREE.
  
• Stay at select Disney Moderate, Deluxe and Deluxe Villas resorts and get the regular Dining Plan for FREE.
  

The package includes:

• Accommodations in a select Walt Disney World resort hotel (3 nights minimum, 14 nights maximum)
  
• Walt Disney World theme park Base Tickets (2 days minimum; can be upgraded to include add-ons such as Park Hopper and/or Water Park Fun & More at an additional cost)
  

Book by 12/17/11. No group rates or other discounts apply. Excludes suites, campsites and 3-Bedroom Villas. Advance reservations required. Excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Children ages 3-9 must order from the children's menu if available. Some table-service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.

Thanks to Small World Vacations for info.

To book the Fall/Winter FREE Dining Package, please contact a

travel agent who specializes in Disney vacations and request the appropriate code:

2012 packages: P49 for Quick Service Dining Plan at Value Resorts; F4M for regular Dining Plan at Moderate, Deluxe & Deluxe Villa Resorts

This is from www.mousesavers.com

One other tip, if you need ticket media for the trip you are getting free dining on, purchase a big enough ticket to cover your trip, THEN upgrade to APs AFTER you use all your dining credits. There is something in the system that messes up the dining credits when you remove the tickets from the package. However, if your APs are still good, then just don't use the tickets on the package and save that card and upgrade when you need to.

Oh, and your checkin date has to be within the dates above, not your entire stay.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

About Admiral Joe Fowler:

He was a retired navy admiral who was in charge of construction of both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. And interestingly, the ferry named after him that crosses Seven Seas Lagoon is not the first Disney vessel to bear his name. From Wikipedia - there was a riverboat in the MK named after him before the ferry was given his name....

"Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat was named for a retired Naval Admiral who played an important part in the building of Walt Disney World. Admiral Fowler had run the San Francisco naval shipyard during WW II, when Walt Disney was looking for a naval expert to help with the building of the Mark Twain Steamship in 1954 for the then under-construction Disneyland. He found the retired Admiral supervising the construction of tract homes in the San Francisco region, and hired him as the construction boss for the whole Disneyland project. After Disneyland was completed, Fowler stayed on as General Manager of the park for its first 10 years, and assisted with the construction of Walt Disney World. He retired from the Disney organization in 1978, though he continued as a consultant.

When a second steamship was added to the Rivers of America in 1973, it was named for imagineer Richard F. Irvine. The original Fowler was damaged during a refurbishment in 1980. The Disney company decided that having two steamships in the Magic Kingdom was not necessary so the Fowler was scrapped.^[1]

In 1999, one of the ferries that crosses the Seven Seas Lagoon taking guests from the Ticket and Transportation Center to the Magic Kingdom was renamed in his honor; it was originally known as the Magic Kingdom I, and is the one with the green side panels."

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

Yeah, I have a photo of our picture, but the last time I took one was probably way before I started depositing stuff on photobucket, so it would take lots of searching to find it. (On a CD somewhere)