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bali's picture
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subvetss wrote:
We might have an advantage over some of you going to WDW. First we are retired. We can go whenever we like. Unless we are staying more than 5 days we go during the week when the crowds are at the smallest. We never go to the theme parks so we don't see many crowds anyway. Since Jan is in a power chair we always get loaded on the buss first. No waiting in long buss lines. We live just over 2 hrs from WDW so getting there is never a long process. Can make it round trip on 1 tank of fuel in the car. We always go during Fl. Resident rates. For 6 nights in Sept. our room rates are $72.00 including tax. We don't have any young children with us so we are never rushed about anything. We don't plan our days. We just do what we feel like doing at the moment. We know the transportation system inside out. We pretty much know where to get the most reasonable (It's Disney after all so nothing is cheap.) and decent food.
It was always fun going with all the kids and grand kids but in the past few years, since we have been making the trip by ourselves, we have discovered a new magic. We are in the twilight days of our life. We are just as much sweethearts as when we first met 54 years ago. Being in WDW at this time of our life is the happiest of all times.

You know, I've learned so much from people on this board already. Was just talking to my boyfriend about the positive and thoughtful posts from some recent additions to the board, including you, Joe. Being a part of this community puts things into a great perspective.

So, Joe, how long have you two actually been married? Have you told us and I missed it?

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bali wrote:
subvetss wrote:
We might have an advantage over some of you going to WDW. First we are retired. We can go whenever we like. Unless we are staying more than 5 days we go during the week when the crowds are at the smallest. We never go to the theme parks so we don't see many crowds anyway. Since Jan is in a power chair we always get loaded on the buss first. No waiting in long buss lines. We live just over 2 hrs from WDW so getting there is never a long process. Can make it round trip on 1 tank of fuel in the car. We always go during Fl. Resident rates. For 6 nights in Sept. our room rates are $72.00 including tax. We don't have any young children with us so we are never rushed about anything. We don't plan our days. We just do what we feel like doing at the moment. We know the transportation system inside out. We pretty much know where to get the most reasonable (It's Disney after all so nothing is cheap.) and decent food.
It was always fun going with all the kids and grand kids but in the past few years, since we have been making the trip by ourselves, we have discovered a new magic. We are in the twilight days of our life. We are just as much sweethearts as when we first met 54 years ago. Being in WDW at this time of our life is the happiest of all times.

You know, I've learned so much from people on this board already. Was just talking to my boyfriend about the positive and thoughtful posts from some recent additions to the board, including you, Joe. Being a part of this community puts things into a great perspective.

So, Joe, how long have you two actually been married? Have you told us and I missed it?

In December we celebrated our 50th anniversary at WDW on our 50th trip there. I started dating Jan when she was 15 and I was 19 and in the Navy.
The Pix: We stayed at Pop Century for our anniversary and found this in our room the evening of the anniversary after coming back from dinner.
Joe

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Did you intentionally plan the 50th on the 50th or did it just turn out that way?

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Well I remember talking it over with Jan back in 1958 but I don't remember if Disney would take our reservations that far in advance.
Just kidding Brad. When the time was getting close we made the reservations for the week of our anniversary. Got a lot of money gifts so that insured we were going to eat while we were there.

Joe

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subvetss wrote:
Well I remember talking it over with Jan back in 1958 but I don't remember if Disney would take our reservations that far in advance.
Just kidding Brad. When the time was getting close we made the reservations for the week of our anniversary. Got a lot of money gifts so that insured we were going to eat while we were there.

Joe

rolling

Ahem. Since you guys go so frequently do you do most of your anniversaries there?

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Joe those are great pics of the Anniversary things in the room. Did you guys let Disney know it was your anniversary when you booked, or when you checked in?

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admin wrote:
Joe those are great pics of the Anniversary things in the room. Did you guys let Disney know it was your anniversary when you booked, or when you checked in?

This was the first trip to Disney during our anniversary. We let them know when we booked the room and again as we checked in.It was housekeeping that was so creative. We were sure to leave a little something for the girl that did it when we checked out.
Our anniversary is on Dec. 13th. We have wound up there usually before or after that date. Dec. is cold for us in WDW so none of the swimming that my wife loves.
The pix is in the Grand Floridian last Dec..
Joe

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Ooh! Did you buy some gingerbread from the Gingerbread house?!?

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I tried but I got karate chopped from behind by a CM when I attempted to rip off a roof tile.
Pix not to clear but you get the idea.
Joe

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subvetss wrote:
I tried but I got karate chopped from behind by a CM when I attempted to rip off a roof tile.
Pix not to clear but you get the idea.
Joe

Oooh. Ouch! laugh Thanks for the gingerbread house pic, though! Have you seen that Samantha Brown episode where they explain how they make that thing?! Seem so cool.

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subvetss wrote:
I tried but I got karate chopped from behind by a CM when I attempted to rip off a roof tile.
Pix not to clear but you get the idea.
Joe

I think they put lacquer on the house after they've built it, so I'm not sure you would have enjoyed your stolen roof tile that much anyway.

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Indeed, gingerbread houses for display are not well suited for eating (as a rule). That said, Joe was just joshin'. I found it highly amusing, picturing him looking once over each shoulder, then reaching for the GB house when he was sure nobody was looking, only to have a CM jump out ninja-style and *hiYA*. laugh

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I'm guessing Joe could manhandle most of the CMs anyway.

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cdub wrote:
I'm guessing Joe could manhandle most of the CMs anyway.

I would buy that 1oo%, BUT I would also say he's too much of a gentleman to do that. Do I dare say that his bark would definitely be worse than his bite. laugh awesome

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Jan could have just hitched her chair up to it like her "trailer" and driven off with the gingerbread house. laugh

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Boat rides are always fun.
Pi: On our way to Old Key West resort.
Joe

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subvetss wrote:
Boat rides are always fun.
Pi: On our way to Old Key West resort.
Joe

Geez, that's a really nice boat -- I haven't been on a DTD boat in years. I like the u-shape of the seats.

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Ready to start a new daily adventure from Pop Century.
Joe

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subvetss wrote:
Boat rides are always fun.
Pi: On our way to Old Key West resort.
Joe

Looks so relaxing. Oddly, I often look sweaty and frantic in Disney World laugh

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You only look sweaty and frantic in Disney World by choice.
Joe

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BTW Took this video our last trip to Ft. Wilderness in May----and it will be our LAST trip to Ft. Wilderness.
Joe
[url=]Ft. Wilderness swamp video[/url]

Pix:The way the campsites were before Disney removed all the underbrush.
Don't ask me why.

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I'm not sure why I'd be that interested in being outdoors if there's not going to be any vegetation. silly

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subvetss, if dw wasn't having trouble with the camper would you still choose to stay in fort wilderness, or does the change to the underbrush factor in as well?

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greebil wrote:
subvetss, if dw wasn't having trouble with the camper would you still choose to stay in fort wilderness, or does the change to the underbrush factor in as well?

I'll try to explain my position without making anyone upset.
First I am a country boy (not a boy anymore). I spent most of my time in the woods. I was a scout leader for over 40 years. I have done many wilderness campouts including backpacking in the Rockies. Of our 52 trips to WDW over 35 of them were stays at Ft/ Wilderness. I really loved that place but now it looks like a large motor home sales lot. So the vegetation does make a difference. I don't believe WDW will allow it to grow back in my life time. My wife loves and needs the pool to help her physically. The Meadows pool was one of our favorites. It had a deep end that was quiet and peaceful. Not any more since they installed the slide and changed the depth. So that's out. They made that change to accommodate the families with kids. I have no problem with that. But they have been making major changes in the campsites to accommodate the super size motor homes. Most of those super large motor homes are owned by older folks without kids. So what's Ft. Wilderness' point? Everything about Ft. Wilderness was wonderful but I don't crunch the numbers so what do I know? Also my motor home is getting older, as you can see by the picture, and so am I. Hooking up the sewer, hooking up the electric and water, putting out the awning then getting it all jacked up then having to pay more for gas to run the motor home and having to pay more for a camp spot than for a room at Pop Century has about done it for us. Ft. Wilderness holds many wonderful memories for my family but it's over. For anyone that will not notice the changes and have young kids you can't beat it and there is sure plenty for the family to do there.
Over the years we have seen many changes in WDW. Some pleasing and some not too pleasing for us. "To each his own".
At this juncture of our lives going to anywhere in WDW is the most wonderful Thing. Our trips are about 90 days apart and we count the days between every one.

Pix is of our 2 daughters motor homes and ours. Great days.
Joe

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Joe:

I saw the Fort Wilderness area for the first time not too long ago and I had sort of the same impression. There was a lot of great stuff but a large area of it seemed like a camper parking lot. I suspect that I was noticing the same things that have been bothering you.

On the plus side I think Pop Century is a blast and you guys will have a lot of fun staying there. It will be interesting variety. Will the pools there work better for Jan?

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Yes Brad. The pools at Pop Century do work well for Jan. Thanks for asking. This picture is her favorite Pop Century pool.
BTW: With over 5,000 pictures at WDW I will have one for almost every comment I make. Hope that's not overdoing it?
Joe

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I really enjoy seeing the pictures, Joe. It's like reading an illustrated storybook Laughing out loud

The one of the three camper vans is great; you guys had your own little neighborhood, it seems!

You're right, though, Disney World will keep changing. They have their bottom line in mind, and as families and budgets change, people will want to spend for different things than they used to. Disney's just trying to keep up and we can't fault them for that.

We used to vacation on a lake quite a bit, but over time, things changed there, and we were looking for a little "less exhausting" vacation (no more gathering firewood, no more cooking, no more beach weeding, etc.)

Overall, POP and the other values might offer a bit more relaxation, anyway, since their sewer is all hooked up already! (ha ha.)

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I just want to chime in for a sec here on the removal of the underbrush. The last several years Florida has been having a terrible time with wildfires. We lived in Orlando 2 years ago, during the time when Gatorland burned down. It's a little scary to be that close to a wildfire...nothing like the ones in California but still when you walk outside and see and smell the smoke it's a little disconcerting.

Many areas are undergoing "prescribed burns" where they burn off the underbrush to reduce the risk of fire. This may be part of Disney's reasoning for removing the underbrush...in addition to making room for the larger motor homes.

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milliehubbard wrote:
I just want to chime in for a sec here on the removal of the underbrush. The last several years Florida has been having a terrible time with wildfires. We lived in Orlando 2 years ago, during the time when Gatorland burned down. It's a little scary to be that close to a wildfire...nothing like the ones in California but still when you walk outside and see and smell the smoke it's a little disconcerting.

Many areas are undergoing "prescribed burns" where they burn off the underbrush to reduce the risk of fire. This may be part of Disney's reasoning for removing the underbrush...in addition to making room for the larger motor homes.

Great point. There may be many reasons for why they do something like that. I do think I agree with Joe that the net effect is a less appealing Fort Wilderness. Of course I'm not sure I'd think an inferno was all that appealing either. laugh

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milliehubbard wrote:
I just want to chime in for a sec here on the removal of the underbrush. The last several years Florida has been having a terrible time with wildfires. We lived in Orlando 2 years ago, during the time when Gatorland burned down. It's a little scary to be that close to a wildfire...nothing like the ones in California but still when you walk outside and see and smell the smoke it's a little disconcerting.

Many areas are undergoing "prescribed burns" where they burn off the underbrush to reduce the risk of fire. This may be part of Disney's reasoning for removing the underbrush...in addition to making room for the larger motor homes.

That may well be the reason. There have been others , on another WDW BBS, that think it was done because there were too many crawling critters around. As an avid, experienced outdoors man, if in fact this was their reasoning, I disagree with that line of thought. Disney is equipped to contain any fire quickly and efficiently without removing the underbrush and during about 35 campouts there I have only see a snake (and it was harmless) maybe 2 times. Saw a gator once in a canal about 15 years ago.
What is curious, though, is why, when rebuilding the 'Treehouse Villas', they went to great extremes to NOT disturb the natural vegetation growth. OH well! Disney is still the most wonderful place in the world for Jan and me.
Joe

Pix is of Treehouse under construction.

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