Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Work, Womenz, Weunion, and Welaxation Trip Report, Part 1

Walt Disney World Resort, Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, Site 1741, Water, Electric, Sewer, Cable, February 16 - March 2, 2012

INTRO

Here is a tale of the wackiest trip I've ever been on.

As usual, I had all these great plans, but work got in the way.

The plan, Arrive Friday, Feb 17th, have a great weekend with the Wild Fiend Womenz, then my family would join me after the girls left, and we would have a great remaining week with the boys and their girlfriends, departing on the 26th.

Now what actually happened is a complete twain wreck, but here we go!!!!!!

I found out a week or so before the trip that I would not be able to attend the girls weekend, cause my long running project was now due on Tuesday, Feb 21, so since I am always the last to touch the project, I knew I'd be working all weekend.

So, in all this planning, and twists and turns, Lorna offered the loan of her motorhome for my boys to save me setting up tents when the family arrived.

Since I was primary on the reservation, and all the girls were counting on me, I still made arrangements to get the T@B onto the site before the girls weekend.

So, on Sunday, Feb 12th, we got the camper loaded and hitched, then I hopped on a plane for Virginia.

Wednesday, Feb 15th

Rick drove the T@B down to Florida, and I met him there by flying down.

We stayed Wednesday night at the Ramada on 192.

It's actually a pretty good hotel, and with all my work travel, we usually stay there free on points.

Also, with all my work travel, I rented a car in Orlando for just the cost of the taxes and gas, to save Rick a trip to the airport with the T@B in behind.

After a quick dinner from the hotel restaurant, time for bed!!!

Here is why we like this hotel. If you get an upper floor facing 192, you have a GREAT view of WDW!!

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Here are a few pics of the room

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Coming next, arriving at the Fort!!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

T@BS and Fiends and Spooks, Oh My! Oct 25 - Nov 6, 2011, Part 4

Friday, November 4, 2011

Another beautiful morning, another morning of putzing around the site, and some looping.

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I'm sure we went to Trails End for breakfast, and then we decided to go to Magic Kingdom

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The Magic Kingdom was mostly all decorated for Christmas already!! Beautiful, but waaaay too early in my opinion!!!

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To Infinity and Beyond!!

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A few Fantasyland construction shots

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Even the inside of Pooh's tree had a construction wall up

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We're still at Magic Kingdom and heading to Haunted Mansion

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A little bit of a rant here. While I appreciate that the HM line is now fully accessible, I really don't like the way it is accomplished. You go through the line with the scooter/wheelchair, go through the stretching room, and then you are directed outside to park at the exit (in the mausoleum), then brought back in to the exit of the attraction to board. It really makes for a disjointed experience. If the attraction line isn't too long, I think we'll just park the scooter somewhere and walk the line.

After HM, we headed towards Pirates, with a stop at the Dole Whip place.

A few pics in the area.

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Some Pirates pics

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We then left Magic Kingdom and headed for the Fort to get ready for our evening at DTD with some of my T@B friends.

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Here we go!!!

As I said, some of my T@B friends actually came over to Disney after St. Augustine for a few days, and we decided to get together Friday night at DTD. Apparently, a LOT of you met them, because they were stopped by many Fiends asking if they knew me and received Fiend cards!!!!

Anywho, we went to Earl of Sandwhich for dinner, Yummmy!!!! and wandered around the shops. Here are a couple of pics. (Didn't take many).

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This was in the Little Miss Matched Store. Rick found this place hilarious.

They had this stocking mask and neck scarf. Too funny!!!

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One of my T@B friends lives locally and is a Reedy Creek EMT (also considered cast members).

She was very generous and used her 40% holiday discount to purchase us all some great gifts. (after an exchange of some cash from us).

We took the opportunity to receive these for the camper!! I would never purchase them for myself, but as a gift (after an exchange of some cash from us). they are wonderful!!!

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Well, sadly, it's time to finish this one up. I only have a few pics left, and I'm sure ya'll don't want to hear me just rattle on.

Saturday, November 5th, 2011

Once again, a georgeous morning!!!

A few pictures around Trails End.

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We spent the afternoon breaking down all the (crap) stuff we set up, and got it down to the bare miniminum, all hitched up, and ready to roll early in the morning.

We spent the evening having one last dinner with Lorna, Richie, Rita, and Joanne, and watched the Alabama game outside their camper under the awning, along with consuming more Toasted Almonds!!

Sunday, November 6th, 2011

We have a pretty standard getaway plan from WDW. We schedule an 8:00 am breakfast at Hollywood & Vine, then join the Toy Story Mania stampede, then load the scooter in the truck and head on down the road. (Usually out of there by 9:20 am).

So I drove the truck and camper over to the Studios, stopping to fill up at the Boardwalk Hess on the way, while Rick took the bus with the scooter.

A few pics of the Studios

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Our breakfast at Hollywood & Vine

A comment here. The characters at this meal are pretty unknown to us, but the FOOD here is OUTSTANDING!!!! They really do a great breakfast here!! So, that, and the quick entry for rope drop, make this a perfect getaway plan.

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Waiting at rope drop

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Toy Story Mania

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And home we go........

The sky at sunset

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Back at home tucked back in her garage, impatiently awaiting her next trip out

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Thanks for reading everyone!!!