Return to River Country . . . And More! A New TCD Trip Report- April 2010

[BigDaddyRog]

... Although, the Kungaloosh band looks kind of suspicious.

They are a SPIRITual group!!!

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

Loving the report!

 

[indimom3]

You waited in line with them and held their umbrella?!

Best.Dad.Evah!

 

[shepcrew]

Looks like a 2001 or 2002 Coleman Grand Tour Elite Utah. I have the same model, same add-a-room, etc. Bought ours new from the dealer in '01, last visited the Fort the week of Christmas.

 

[LONE-STAR]

TCD I have to say you are very good to your girls.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Very nice clothesline tied to the trees with the airstream. Does FW allow this? I didn't think so.

I don't know how this vicious rumor got started, but let me dispel it. You can hang as many clotheslines as you want at the Fort. All day long. Heck, all night long. Knock yourself out. As far as I know, there is only one person who cares. And he is not a castmember.

What is it with the clothesline hate?

Would you prefer that people drape their clothes over tree branches, like the cavemen who were camping next to me (see photo above)? (My apologies to any cavemen reading along).

I'll make a guess!!! The Kungaloosh?!? Am I right? What do I win?!?

Well, that was supposed to be the correct answer. And you were going to win a fabulous prize. But then DaveInTN had to chime in and point out that The Kungaloosh are a real band.

You know what?

I will award you your prize anyway.

It is a genuine piece of bark from the Lawnmower Tree.

The only catch is I can't ship it. You have to pick it up yourself. And, actually, I don't have it. It is still there at the Fort. Right next to the Lawnmower Tree. But, it's all yours. Congratulations, and thanks for playing.

The Kungaloosh is a real band. My DD14 has a poster of them on her wall. It looks something like this:

I didn't know THEY were a band. I would never let my kids listen to any of their music. You had better check on this Dave. You can never be too careful.

I fear that I too am uncool. I'm older than 40 but younger than 50 and I have never heard of any of these bands. Although, the Kungaloosh band looks kind of suspicious.

I am with you on this. Those Kungaloosh people do look a little shifty. I'll bet some of them are closet hippies. I say we keep our eyes on that guy with the beard in the upper right corner.

Ive heard of Never Shout Never...but only because my daughters have had that whiney little punks voice blasted at 10.5 decibels for about the last 3 years. The singer of NeverShoutNever is the sole blame of my daughter's Vegetarian phase...which Im proud to say she snapped out of day before yesterday!!!! Her first real meal after a 1.5 year stint of rabbit food? Wendy's chicken nuggets!!! Of all of the grilled steaks she's missed out on...the ONE thing she missed the most was friggen Wendy's nugget!!!! So, TCD....dont feel bad for not knowing the groups....Im a DJ and only know ONE of them under protest....they most likely will never be "rock n roll hall of famers".

Congratulations on getting your DD back from the Vegetarians! And, I got to see the lead singer of Never Shout Never when I went to pick up my daughters. His name is Christopher Drew. The genius decided to have his tour bus pull out from behind the House of Blues about a half hour after the concert ended. Of course there was a mob of girls waiting there for this very occurrence, and they swarmed the bus. Old Chrisopher then thought it would be a good idea if he showed his face and put his arm out the window. The bus got mobbed, and one of my DD's allegedly touched his hand.

So there you go. I have seen the lead singer of Never Shout Never. And my DD claims to have touched his hand. How do you like me now? TCD is pretty hip, no?

You waited in line with them and held their umbrella?!

Best.Dad.Evah!

Tell me about it. And, I also got major points for agreeing not to come in to the concert. You know, all those other girls in line apparently don't have parents, because my DD's would die of embarrassment if any of them ever found out that they had a father, or, even worse, if anyone ever saw them with their father. I kind of had to hover off in the distance so that no one saw me.

And that reminds me of something important. In case any of you ever find yourselves escorting your children to a concert at the House of Blues, and find yourself facing a long wait in line . . . They have a bar there at the House of Blues. Outside. Where you can sit on a bar stool. And still see your kids in line. And, they have happy hour from 3 to 6 pm. Where domestic beers are only $2. Yes-I said $2. In Disney World! And, if you partake, you will have fun commiserating with other parents who are in your exact same shoes. Fun times.

Looks like a 2001 or 2002 Coleman Grand Tour Elite Utah. I have the same model, same add-a-room, etc. Bought ours new from the dealer in '01, last visited the Fort the week of Christmas.

Close. That my friend, is a 2000 Coleman Utah CP. Do you have the CP? Do you know what the CP is? I love the fact that it is emblazoned right there on the side of my camper.

I also bought mine new. In November 1999. We have had it for over 10 years now. And we have used the heck out of it! Best purchase I have ever made!

And, I see you are from U.C.L.A. I have a friend who I've mentioned before whose wife is from L.A. (Enterprise), and who tells people all the time that he is going to L.A. when they go to visit her family. Also, you have been a Disboard member since 2007, and you have four posts. What's up with that?

TCD I have to say you are very good to your girls.

In a few years, you will be doing the same thing for your son. Although maybe you will be going to sporting events instead of lame concerts. But, you gotta do what you gotta do. KWIM?

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I know what some of you are thinking.

You are thinking this has got to be the lamest TCD trip report ever.

Has there been even one photo taken from someplace that guests are not supposed to go?

Has there been any daring?

Has there been any adventure?

You are thinking TCD is getting old.

Washed up.

Soft.

Lame.

Well, all I can say to that is wait one cotton pickin’ minute.

This trip report ain’t over yet.

On Sunday morning, as is my practice, I found myself at Trail’s End for some of that delicious freshly brewed coffee. At least they say it’s coffee. And I'm lying about the delicious.

As I stood there enjoying that first cup of the morning, I gazed at Pioneer Hall:

I love Pioneer Hall.

I dare say it is the heart of Fort Wilderness.

It always looks great. And there are always beautiful flowers in bloom all around it:

You know what I have always wanted to do?

Stand up there on that balcony and see how the view is from up there.

But, there are no stairs on the outside of Pioneer Hall leading up to the balcony.

And, there has been all this talk lately about Disney cracking down on “explorers.”

But, I can confirm that there is no sign posted anywhere on Pioneer Hall prohibiting climbing the columns outside.

And, I have watched a couple episodes of that new lumberjack show on the Discovery Channel.

So, why couldn’t someone just shimmy up one of those columns?

If someone did that, I imagine the view would look something like this:

And, do you wonder, like me, if there is anything up there on that balcony?

In fact, I think there is. But, nothing interesting. Just some miscellaneous junk. This is how I would picture it:

There, that’s better.

Coming up. . .

The End . . .

TCD

 

[BigDaddyRog]

...

So, why couldn’t someone just shimmy up one of those columns?

If someone did that, I imagine the view would look something like this:...

No way!!!! Those are the BEST pictures of imagination I have EVER seen!!!!
(C'mon....you didnt "shimey" up one of the colums, did you? Really? Im thinking youve got some good friends that forget to lock doors at the fort! Cuz shimeying up one of those poles with a fresh cup of Trails End delicious coffee in one hand is nothing less than a display of true super-hero powers!!! )

 

[Tri-circle-D]

No way!!!! Those are the BEST pictures of imagination I have EVER seen!!!!
(C'mon....you didnt "shimey" up one of the colums, did you? Really? Im thinking youve got some good friends that forget to lock doors at the fort! Cuz shimeying up one of those poles with a fresh cup of Trails End delicious coffee in one hand is nothing less than a display of true super-hero powers!!! )

You know, since I have grown old and un-cool, I have started to have a hard time remembering things.

So, I'll say I can't remember how I got those photos.

Maybe I duct-taped two broomsticks together, and then taped my camera on the end?

Maybe I duct-taped my camera to a squirrel?

Maybe my good friend six-bits borrowed my camera and took them?

Maybe they were still on my memory card from my last visit when my cousin Yuri borrowed my camera?

I just can't recall.

TCD

 

[shafke]

When were those poles installed on the path to block the carts from driving past Pioneer Hall? Its been a while since I have been to FW but I don't recall them being there on our list visit in 2007. mAybe they were there and I just did not notice.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

When were those poles installed on the path to block the carts from driving past Pioneer Hall? Its been a while since I have been to FW but I don't recall them being there on our list visit in 2007. mAybe they were there and I just did not notice.

Those have been there a long time. At least for as long as I have been visiting the Fort. They were definitely there in 2007.

For what it's worth, they do lift out. Not that I have any personal experience with that or anything.

TCD

 

[kampfirekim]

Those have been there a long time. At least for as long as I have been visiting the Fort. They were definitely there in 2007.

For what it's worth, they do lift out. Not that I have any personal experience with that or anything.

TCD

I do believe the posts go back as far as 2004...maybe farther.

Hilarious TR! Love the shimmying up the columns. I may try that myself this trip! That would be quite a pic in itself! (sidenote: I still love the ) More, more, tell us more!

 

[DaveInTN]

Oh big deal! I shimmied up a Pole once. I remember it well. I was at a nightclub in Krakow....

 

[des1954]

TCD!! Oh no, you di-int!!

I'm LMAO at the though of someone climbing up to the balcony!!Wherefore art thou, Romeo?

 

[des1954]

I do believe the posts go back as far as 2004...maybe farther.

Nope, further back than that. My first recollection of them was in 1999 - the year after we got our first golf cart.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Oh big deal! I shimmied up a Pole once. I remember it well. I was at a nightclub in Krakow....

Dave- Dude! You are killing me here! If I had not met you, I would be pretty much scared of you right about now.

TCD!! Oh no, you di-int!!

I'm LMAO at the though of someone climbing up to the balcony!!Wherefore art thou, Romeo?

As I have tried to make clear, the shimmying was hypothetical. But even if I did shimmy, it would be no big whoop! It's not even that high. And, as you can see from the photos, no one was even around.

Nope, further back than that. My first recollection of them was in 1999 - the year after we got our first golf cart.

I can't ever remember being able to drive a golf cart in front of Pioneer Hall. But, I do remember that you used to be able to drive them back around the horse barn and petting zoo area, and to Wilderness Lodge, so maybe you could.

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

If you are reading this, let me be the first to congratulate you.

You have made it!

This is the last chapter of what has turned out to be a rather lengthy trip report.

But, I think you will agree we covered a lot of ground.

I hope that I have given you your money's worth.

These next photos were all taken on Monday morning, April 19, 2010.

One thing I forgot to mention about the sites in the 1500 loop is that there are some mature citrus trees scattered around this loop. You may have noticed some oranges lying on the ground in some of my previous photos. These had fallen off of the trees. By this time of year, all of the fruit that could possibly be reached by campers is gone. But, typically, there are a few stray pieces that can’t be reached. These just fall when they become over-ripe. The reason I mention all of this is because citrus trees typically blossom in March in these parts. If you have never smelled orange blossoms, you don’t know what you are missing. As I was lying in my hammock one afternoon, I kept on smelling the faint scent of orange blossom. Sure enough, there were a few blossoms left on the tree at the back of my site:

(for you Yankees that thing that looks like a piece of popcorn in the center of the photo is an orange blossom).

Remember how the 1700, 1800 and 1900 loops had emptied out on Sunday?

Do you wonder why?

Well, as I was packing up on Monday, I kept hearing noises coming from over by the 1700-1900 loops. Like construction noises.

So, I had to go over and check things out.

Nothing was happening on the 1700 loop, but as I headed in to this area, I saw a bunch of workers and activity on the 1900 loop. Usually when they start a project on a loop, they put a fence across the loop with a sign telling folks to keep out. But, the fence and sign people must have had Monday off, because there was no fence or sign. Not that either would have stopped me, but I mention this because I want to be clear that this loop was completely open for anyone to come In and take a look around. So I did.

I almost immediately saw this dumpster parked in one of the sites near the comfort station:

And, I saw a worker on the roof of the comfort station, and a storage container parked on the next site:

The storage container looked like it was there to hold the washers and dryers and some of the other fixtures from the comfort station:

Here we see some workers busily moving wheelbarrows full of debris out of the men’s side of the comfort station:

There was another dumpster parked in a site right across from the comfort station:

Here we can see a worker on the roof (I think there might even be some butt crack). Also, if you look in the men’s room door you can see the old style tile on the walls:

The 1700/1900 loop comfort station is the last of its kind. All of the other comfort stations have been updated in the past few years. Even the one at Creekside Meadow. After this, all of the comfort stations will be updated.

Here is a shot looking in the ladies’ room door. You can see the old tile in there, too:

Also note that they are in the process of putting up a construction barrier with the plywood panels and blue plastic barrels. I am not sure why they are bothering with this, as the 1700 and 1900 loops are unoccupied. Perhaps they are going to put campers on the 1700 loop, and these barriers are to keep them out of the construction area?

This truck was parked along the loop:

And, this truck was parked in a site:

These trucks tell us that the men working on this renovation are not Disney employees. They are subcontractors working for an outside company.

As we go around the loop, we find another crew doing some work:

These guys are working on the sand pad of one of the sites. As you can see, these guys have a Disney truck, and presumably are Disney employees:

Traveling around the loop just a little bit further, we come to yet another work crew:

These guys are digging up the sides of the loop road on both sides:

They have their own truck parked in one of the sites:

You probably can’t read it, but this truck is from Advanced Paving and Sealcoat Company.

So, these guys were there to do some paving work:

Some of the paving company’s equipment was parked in the 1800 loop:

Guess what?

Chicken butt!

Just kidding.

This report is done.

There was a report posted in the last week by Des1954 that there has been some extensive widening of the 1900 loop by the paving, and that all of the roads in the 1600-1900 loop area have been re-paved. If I recall correctly, the comfort station renovations in the past took about three or four weeks. So, that work should still be continuing.

Otherwise that’s all I got.

As always, I will stick around to answer any questions.

I am not sure when I will be back to the Fort.

I am still protesting.

But, I can’t completely stay away.

If I go, you’ll hear about it.

So, until the next time . . .

TCD is out.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

Another great report. Thanks TCD!

 

[lklasing]

Awesome, awesome report! Thanks as always!

 

[DaveInTN]

Thank you TCD. Great report!

And as Bert said to Mary Poppins...."Don't stay away too long".