*April PreTrip & Trip Reports*

[peg110]

Premium site booked for April 23-30. Requesting 800 loop. We'll be rolling in after dark so keeping our fingers crossed for getting it.

Our first time at the Fort in 2012. We got into the area and went right to Sea World with our TT (Coachmen Capri 27TBS) to spend the day there. They do have space to park the RVs and such (where buses also park). Anyway, we spent a day at Sea World and then came back to the Fort to check in. No real issues checking in (other than they put us in Preferred rather than Premium, but that's a whole other story). We got our site assignment (in the 300 loop) and trying to get our rig in to position, in the dark, with people at their sites and cars/trucks/carts overflowing it made it challenging but not impossible.

We were one of those (on this trip) that people would sit back and "Watch". The site we had (I forget the actual number, I think it was like 308) was tight anyway, but because the surrounding sites seemed to all have extra vehicles didn't help. Plus my DW still doesn't understand that if I can't see her in the mirror, that I can't see which way she is waving me to go, particularly in the DARK.

Alas we got it in without too much difficulty, all things considered. A better look in the morning and I realized I did a stellar job in locating it. It just took longer than I really wanted.

All that to say that depending on the size of your rig, the "Drivers" ability to handle it, (assuming they have a good idea of what to do), and the "Neighbors" ability to keep their vehicles/equipment contained on their site, you should probably be okay.

Our next trip down will be even more interesting for us. Going from the Coachmen Capri 27TBS to a Coachmen Catalina 343QBDS (Queen beds in front and rear) will be more fun. I think from tail of trailer to tip of Truck, I will be close to 60 feet long. (Yikes! ). I am super excited though.

With the Premium site you should be okay, so I hope no issues and safe travels to you. Kind of Jealous.... I have to wait until August!

 

[CruisingCamper]

Yay! The first of us April people to head down! Safe travels

Safe travels! We check in on March 29

 

[jeffrey1966]

Traveling from upstate New York and checking in on April 17. It's been 2 years and just can't wait to get there. Magic bands arrived today so the excitement is really starting to build.
We have requested loop 700 also. Napria, I hope you get it! We check out on April 29th.

 

[doolittle]

Our first time at the Fort in 2012. We got into the area and went right to Sea World with our TT (Coachmen Capri 27TBS) to spend the day there. They do have space to park the RVs and such (where buses also park). Anyway, we spent a day at Sea World and then came back to the Fort to check in. No real issues checking in (other than they put us in Preferred rather than Premium, but that's a whole other story). We got our site assignment (in the 300 loop) and trying to get our rig in to position, in the dark, with people at their sites and cars/trucks/carts overflowing it made it challenging but not impossible.

We were one of those (on this trip) that people would sit back and "Watch". The site we had (I forget the actual number, I think it was like 308) was tight anyway, but because the surrounding sites seemed to all have extra vehicles didn't help. Plus my DW still doesn't understand that if I can't see her in the mirror, that I can't see which way she is waving me to go, particularly in the DARK.

Alas we got it in without too much difficulty, all things considered. A better look in the morning and I realized I did a stellar job in locating it. It just took longer than I really wanted.

All that to say that depending on the size of your rig, the "Drivers" ability to handle it, (assuming they have a good idea of what to do), and the "Neighbors" ability to keep their vehicles/equipment contained on their site, you should probably be okay.

Our next trip down will be even more interesting for us. Going from the Coachmen Capri 27TBS to a Coachmen Catalina 343QBDS (Queen beds in front and rear) will be more fun. I think from tail of trailer to tip of Truck, I will be close to 60 feet long. (Yikes! ). I am super excited though.

With the Premium site you should be okay, so I hope no issues and safe travels to you. Kind of Jealous.... I have to wait until August!

peg110,
Thanks for the advice. Good luck with the bigger trailer and the observers I'm sure you'll have as you're trying to get into your spot!

We were in 800 in November 2013 and got into our site no problem with our 40' Newmar. I do remember that it was fairly tight because of vehicles sticking out in the road. It was Thanksgiving week so the loop was pretty full.

"Plus my DW still doesn't understand that if I can't see her in the mirror, that I can't see which way she is waving me to go, particularly in the DARK." LOL, been there, done that! Maybe i should give my wife the flashlights the ground crews use at the airport to bring the planes in to the gate.

We've done the parks enough in the last several years, so we don't feel we have to be on the go the whole week. Should have some time to relax and take in the sights at the Fort.
At the 30 day mark now so it won't be long. The only thing i'm not looking forward to is the 20+ hour drive from Upstate NY with 3 females, 3 dogs, and no relief driver!

 

[peg110]

he only thing i'm not looking forward to is the 20+ hour drive from Upstate NY with 3 females, 3 dogs, and no relief driver!

I hear you on that too. For me it's about 17+ (assuming no stops) drive from NEPA. 3 Females (DW, DD19, DD11) and the DD19's Boyfriend... No pets this trip but we did it before with our 120+ pound Yellow Lab. He rode in the TT and didn't like being away from us. It's just too crowded in the cab (He wouldn't mind though).

No relief driver for me either. DW doesn't want to drive with the camper (she will drive the truck without though), and I am not sure if I am ready to let DD19 to try. Even her BF22 I am not sure about. He's only been driving for a year or so and certainly nothing as big as an F250 Towing 8000+ pounds. (trailing some 38 feet behind).

It is what it is though. I just need a caffeine IV and a "Stadium Buddy" with high capacity.

 

[jbrostek]

Paul - I am in the same boat. Caren is willing, but has yet to drive just the truck all by itself and being much longer, wider and horrible turning radius compared to her Toyota Sienna. She needs to know the truck before the next step which is truck and golf cart trailer.

The good part is I have done many a long trip as the solo driver. So either running with friends in a convoy, or being the sole driver with a full truck will not be an issue for me. I know my pace, I know how many hours a day I can handle, and we plan our stops accordingly. I expect to make the trip in 18 hours road time over 2 days.

 

[peg110]

Sounds about how our trips go. Hope you have a safe one too.

 

[jbrostek]

Thanks, next big tow is to FW in August with Caren and the Kids. Right now Caren and I are planning a weekend away to NYC in May. She has never been, and its partially where I grew up (LI being the other part.) So I will enjoy showing her that (and walking the 3 story Disney Store at Times Square)

 

[hsmytwins]

Our magic bands arrived yesterday. I am now feeling the pressure to do a lot of shopping and planning (ordered a ton of stuff from amazon last night, so it's going to look like Christmas in a few days). We are new to camping & have only taken our Prevost out twice -- both of the last weekends -- for a drive to an Indian casino to parking lot camp and eat in restaurants. My dh has only had to back up twice & once was a straight shot backwards.

I'm unclear as how to "request" a loop. Our dog sitter will be on vacation at the same time as us, so we will need to get a pet loop. (Reservation is currently in Preferred, if that's the big one).

Do I need to call Ft. Wilderness directly?

 

[CruisingCamper]

Our magic bands arrived yesterday. I am now feeling the pressure to do a lot of shopping and planning (ordered a ton of stuff from amazon last night, so it's going to look like Christmas in a few days). We are new to camping & have only taken our Prevost out twice -- both of the last weekends -- for a drive to an Indian casino to parking lot camp and eat in restaurants. My dh has only had to back up twice & once was a straight shot backwards.

I'm unclear as how to "request" a loop. Our dog sitter will be on vacation at the same time as us, so we will need to get a pet loop. (Reservation is currently in Preferred, if that's the big one).

Do I need to call Ft. Wilderness directly?

I bet your motorhome is beautiful! Prevost is the top of the line, that's camping the right way for sure!!! My parents have always wanted to purchase one, but haven't yet. The preferred loops aren't the longest sites, the premium are the ones for big rigs. But some have said on the boards, that they will get you one in preferred that you will fit in to, so hopefully they will be able to do that for you. When do you arrive?

 

[jeffrey1966]

So doolittle. Where in Upstate NY are you coming from? We are from Kinderhook which is about 30 min south of Albany. We have been driving the 81,77,26,95 route. How about you?

 

[hsmytwins]

I bet your motorhome is beautiful! Prevost is the top of the line, that's camping the right way for sure!!! My parents have always wanted to purchase one, but haven't yet. The preferred loops aren't the longest sites, the premium are the ones for big rigs. But some have said on the boards, that they will get you one in preferred that you will fit in to, so hopefully they will be able to do that for you. When do you arrive?

Thanks. We think it's beautiful. Tell your parents to GO FOR IT! There was just a Prevost show in Tampa last week. A lot of buses get sold there!

I had to look up my notes. We reserved a premium campsite. We will be there April 17-27.

 

[Napria]

I just got a mailer promoting Memory Maker (the photography service). This is most likely our last trip as a family. I'm really on the fence about it.

Anyone have any experience with it? Yea or nay?

 

[CruisingCamper]

Thanks. We think it's beautiful. Tell your parents to GO FOR IT! There was just a Prevost show in Tampa last week. A lot of buses get sold there!

I had to look up my notes. We reserved a premium campsite. We will be there April 17-27.

Hate that we will miss you, we leave on the 6th We live in La and there aren't many Prevost here, when they find one they want to look at, they always have to travel. They are joining us at the Fort for a few days this time, but staying with us. They have plans to go see about several Prevosts while they are in Florida. They have a Silver Eagle right now, which is getting really old, so they need a new one now that they are retired.

 

[bama_ed]

I'm unclear as how to "request" a loop. Our dog sitter will be on vacation at the same time as us, so we will need to get a pet loop. (Reservation is currently in Preferred, if that's the big one).

If you got your magic bands (ships within 30 days of arrival) you can do Early Check-in online via MDE and put in your requests then.

Go to MDE, look at your reservation portion for the Fort stay, and there should be a link out to the right that says something like "Early Check-in" (this link appears 60 days before arrival IIRC). You can choose 2 preferences. All the loops are listed so choose 300 (pet Preferred loop) and I think there is also an option for a pet loop so check that. Other options include things like "close to transportation (bus stop)", or "close to Comfort Station" and things like that.

You can also enter what time you are estimating to arrive and leave on arrival/departure days, if you want a credit card linked to your MB for easier purchases, and a cell number to text from Disney - they will message you when your site is ready if it's not when you check in.

Of course, these are only requests but this is the way to request loops now. No more faxing, no more calling. They will attempt to meet your requests.

Bama Ed

 

[peg110]

I just got a mailer promoting Memory Maker (the photography service). This is most likely our last trip as a family. I'm really on the fence about it.

Anyone have any experience with it? Yea or nay?

Well the memory maker seems to be very contested. Some love it, Some Hate it. We get it and we love it. We also make sure we get lot's fo poses with the CM's at the various locations. Our last trip we probably had over 300 pictures from the MM. Plus with the MB, many rides that do pictures will be automatically added to your MM (Assuming those MBs are linked to your MM).

If you are not inclined to have the photos done by the CM's at the locations they are at or don't have a lot of pictures taken, then it's probably not worth it. We have gotten it every time and have not regretted it, but them my DW is a Photo Nut too.

 

[peg110]

Also on the MM, you tend to get pictures that include the WHOLE family/group instead of the person taking the photo always being left out of the picture.

 

[Chickp]

We got it a few years ago when we did a big trip with all the parks and it was a GREAT investment! I have a couple pictures on my wall from that trip still that the Disney photogs took. Plus all the little magic things they do are awesome (they'll insert little characters now and then). If my whole family was going to the parks for a trip for more than a few days, I'd totally do it again!

 

[jeffrey1966]

I just got a mailer promoting Memory Maker (the photography service). This is most likely our last trip as a family. I'm really on the fence about it.

Anyone have any experience with it? Yea or nay?

Napria, I decided to try out the memory maker for our upcoming trip because in the past our pictures are almost always missing one of us. this way we won't have to take turns being the one who isn't in the picture.

 

[peg110]

I will also say, that even if you go to the Photo spots, the CM there will also take pictures with YOUR camera as well and they are usually very good too, but as Jeffrey1966 points out, you won't get the "Magic" in your pictures without the MM (adding characters, framing, etc). I guess, if that stuff isn't important to you, then it's really a matter of if the cost is worth it to you. For us, it usually is. (I hate taking all the pictures, but the DW always wants them, but she won't carry the "Big" camera.)