ImDownWithDisney @ The Fort during Thanksgiving

[ImDownWithDisney 342]

Well, I am not much of a writer, but I will give it my best shot.....

To say that this trip was heavily anticipated would be an understatement. As a family we had been looking forward to it since January...when I made the ressies.

Personally, I had been preparing for months. I had a lot of little projects on the truck and camper that I wanted to complete before setting out on such a long trip. Thankfully, all of the work, mods, and such worked flawlessly and made for a less stressful experience. I think it was time and money well spent.

Nov 18th/19th

We had planned on leaving about 3 pm. I had already hooked up the truck and packed most of our stuff by Thursday. We pulled out of the shop and hit the road a few minutes after 3....that's the way I like to start a trip.

Normally we go through ATL on our way to the Fort, but after chatting with some Fiends (mainly TnBob I think) I decided to try a different route....I-65 to Montgomery, and hit Hwy 231 to I-10.

A few hours later all of our stomachs were empty. Luckily we were near Prattville, AL, and I knew of a Walmart with a Zaxby's out front. One thing about having a bigger rig is you just can't whip into any fast food place you see. We pretty much have to stick to truck stops, large shopping centers, etc.

$300 in groceries later and full of chicken we were back on the road and burning dinos.

I think it was about 10pm when we rolled into the Walmart in Troy, AL. I had planned on boodocking there. Our fiver has a genny so it is pretty easy to stay overnight while travelling. When I pulled into the lot I noticed a sign saying that overnight parking wasn't allowed. My wife got nervous for a second, then I saw a line of 18 wheelers that were doing the same thing. My thought was they will have to tow all of the trucks too, so I lined up with them, and we were not bothered at all. Score 1 for free camping.

We were on the road pretty early the next morning. We made good time...next stop was a rest area just outside of Tallahassee.

I snapped this pic with my phone...sorry I don't have more pics of the start of the trip...I have a lot more for later

The goal for the day was Ocala and Silver River State Park.

The remainder of the drive was uneventful. I was really pleased with this new route. Traffic and road conditions were great all of the way to Lake City and I-75. I definitely think that the added 30 miles or so was worth it.

We pulled into SRSP in the early afternoon. This is a really nice state park. I was very impressed with the facilities and scenery. Ironically, I forgot to take any pictures. But we had a great stay there. My girls rode bikes and played on the playground. I rode some really nice mountain bike trails there too. It was my first time MTB'ing in FL, and I really liked it. There is some very cool singletrack there through the huge live oaks and palms.

I had originally planned on staying 2 nights there, but being so close to the Fort was more than I could take, so we left early and headed on to the Fort.

Next up...checking in and "sir, there is a problem..."

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

Yeah!!! Another Trip report!!

[Roller ... aka Ed 351]

With all the TRs popping up, I'm going to have to pop myself - lot's of :popcorn:

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Alright! Another TR. I'm in!

We've overnighted at the Walmart in Ozark, AL...just down the road a bit from Troy. Not a bad place to stop, but don't do it on weekend nights. The local kids like drag racing just outside the parking until all hours.

[ImDownWithDisney 342]

Ok....1 more post before I turn in tonight.

Sunday Nov 20th

The kids were busting at the seams by the time we reached the gates. Truth be told I was too. The final miles into the Fort are always exciting.

We pulled up to the guard shack at the Fort and was greeted by a LOT of others trying to check in also. As luck would have it the traffic guy stopped us for just a minute, and by then lane 1 opened up and we pulled right in. This is where it almost went south for us.

We were greeted by a nice lady who informed us that this was her first day on her own without a trainer. She took my debit card to pay off the remainder of our stay. Then she says that it won't go through. My first thought was "#$%^, that double scan for the last diesel fill up probably locked my card". Normally I am an anti cash person. I just don't like carrying very much, but I had put some back in my wallet for the trip. So we were able to check in with $100 to spare. Crisis averted!

We were assigned to site 430. I had requested the 500 loop. I wasn't too impressed with 430. I liked the location along the road, but it just wasn't wide enough or long enough for rig. I had to back my truck up under the awning a bit just to clear the road. I thought about trying for another site, but frankly I was just glad to be there....and it wasn't too bad.

I tried to phone my bank to straighten out the debit card stuff, but trying to get anyone on a Sunday is pointless.

So I took a walk up to the marina and Pioneer Hall.

This area is my favorite of the Fort. I could spend all day hanging out.

I decided to try my card one more time, since I couldn't talk to my bank. Luckily, it must have been some glitch, because I walked away with 4 six day passes.

We rested up for bit then hit MK for some evening fun.

Now we have been to Disney many many times, but never during the Holidays. My wife and I were blown away with how pretty everything is.

My wife literally teared up when she saw the castle lights for the first time.

We did Pirates, BTMR, watched the electrical parade, and Wishes. It was a good first day.

Next up....HS mission

Disclaimer...normally, I post process my photos, but my desktop is down and the netbook doesn't have the ponies. I apologize for crookedness, etc, etc.

[momof3kids-Yvonne 596]

Great start! Your girls are precious.

[LONE-STAR 370]

So far so good.

[stefa70 205]

Great start! I'm glad your wife teared up at the lights, at least I know I'm not the only sappy one.

Keep it coming!!

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

That is a BEAUTIFUL Castle picture!!! I know what you mean about card troubles. Our credit card puts ours on fraud alert at the drop of a hat, grrrrrrr.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

That is one beautiful castle pic Blake!

[Sheraugh ~~~ Sheila 21]

The castle is beautiful all lit up at Christmas --- We saw it last year, and I got all misty also. It just gives you chills. We are going in a couple of weeks, I can't wait to see it again. Thanks for sharing with us.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

What do you mean you're not much of a writer?

This is outstanding!

And, your photos are great.

I love your photo of the Settlement- it is a very different perspective.

It was good to meet you last week (doesn't it seem like it was much longer ago than just last week?).

TCD

[Live4FW 30]

Great start. Sorry we only got to meet in passing.

[LORNADUCK 261]

Great start so sorry we never got to meet u our 4 days there went so fast & I dint do half of what I wanted to do

[dblr....Rennie 224]

Great start on your trip report your doing a great job, fantastic pictures and ending a post with a cliff hanger( wonder where you learned that from) any keep it up looking forward to more.

[PureTcrazy...rita 380]

Gorgeous pics!

[parrothead7368 aka Norm 101]

I don't know if I can read more than one report at a time, oh heck, might as well try. Love the picture of your girls on the wall.

Best Regards,

Norm

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

Great start! I love the photos, especially the castle. :heart:

[CKCK 45]

Your pictures are great. I may have to steal some of your ideas for my own pics!

[ImDownWithDisney 342]

Wow! Thanks for all of the comments. I don't have time right now to respond individually to all, but I will try later on. I had a long day at work today. So I am going to work on another update now.

[ImDownWithDisney 342]

Monday Nov 21st...First full day

We decided to hit Hollywood Studios this day. Our modus operandi for the parks is generally get there early (maybe for rope drop), stay to about lunch, cruise back to the camper for lunch, rest, then go back to the same park in the evening. This approach works well for the kids and us old people.

We drove over to HS instead of taking the bus. We were running a bit behind so we got there just after rope drop. I really wanted to snag some fast passes for TS. I had remembered TCD's description of the rush to TS each morning. Since we had never rode it I wanted to make sure we had fast passes. Things almost went sideways here for us. My wife wanted us to wait out front for her sister and family, but they were running about 30 minutes behind us. She wasn't too excited about going in without them. I finally convinced her of the urgency that was TS FP's. So she took off for FP's, and I went with the girls to ride TOT. The girls had never been on it, and they didn't know what to expect.

True to form...my youngest loved it, and my oldest was a little scared....but fun nonetheless.

Back to TS FP's...ours were for 1pm. My sister in law's were for 4pm....score 1 for fiend knowledge.

Next stop was Star Tours. I loved ST when I was younger. I was a huge Star Wars fan when I was a kid. The new show was really good. Both kids really enjoyed it....rode it twice.

Outside of ST....Lizzy was mesmerized by the themeing outside.

Watching Jedi training.

At this point my youngest started complaining about her foot....sure enough...blisters from the Crocs

So dad hoofed it back up to First Aid for some band aids.

Along the way I stopped to admire a few things

Cool scenery

One thing I've always like about Disney is the effort they put into things...

Such as this sign. Most people probably wouldn't admire a sign, but I appreciate the time and effort that goes into making things like this

The band aids saved the day...next stop...Stunt Show..or whatever they call it

Yep...kid approved

So after that we messed around for a bit more then rode TS, and headed back to the Fort.

FWIW, I don't really understand all of the fuss about TS. We enjoyed it, but not enough to stand in line for very long.

Next up...another first for us...Osborne Lights (with pics)

[ImDownWithDisney 342]

After some naps, bike looping (I may have run into TCD this day), and food....we were back at HS.

First stop...RnRC. I had hoped that our oldest could ride it, but it wasn't to be. She was pretty upset about it.

I stopped on the way out for a quick pic

We were quickly herded like cattle directly into the middle of the Osborne Lights. I knew it was going to be cool, but I wasn't prepared for how cool. This was absolutely the best light show ever for us.

This bike caught my eye

I could've stayed in there for hours....

[pezheadval 32]

I'm loving your trip report! Your girls are adorable and your pictures are magnificent!

I know what you are saying about the Osborne lights. I could stay there for hours as well. I just love it!

[PureTcrazy...rita 380]

I am glad that I was not the only one underwhelmed with TSM. It's ok, but I would never stand in line to ride it. Your girls are just adorable!

[Roller ... aka Ed 351]

TSM - mostly Buzz with a different theme. Not bad, but nothing I would tear my underwear over - or stand in line for!

RnRC (or other rides with a height limit) - you might want to do a height check before leaving on vacation so there are no disappointments (or melt downs) when you head to ride.

:bravo: Great report.