Last trip of the year

[Tim5055]

Well, we are back from the last trip of the year.

Friday the 5th the DW picked me up at work at 6:30am (I worked midnights that week) and we were southbound.  Around 4PM we pulled into Hunting Island State Park for a few days of relaxation.

Hunting Island has over a hundred sites divided up into individual loops with a bathhouse for each.  On this trip, the very back loop was closed, so we had to find a new "favorite" site.  This just reinforced our habit of walking any campground we visit and rating the sites.  When we checked in and were told "our" loop was closed, we were able to open our log book and select a site while we were standing at the counter.  HI was almost deserted, I figure less than a dozen sites were taken.  Plenty of sites right on the ocean, but we decided to camp alone back in the woods.  This park is beautiful and sites right on the ocean.  We have found it is a great half way point for our trips to Disney.  

The bathhouse was clean with plenty of hot water, but I noted that there was no heat or air conditioning, just open screen windows.  On this visit it was quite cool , downright cold at night so the bathhouses were a bit uncomfortable.

Even with temperatures dipping to the 30's at night, we were able to keep the pop up warm at night just using the Pelonis Ceramic Disc Heater.  OK, Natasha helped keep the bunk warm at night .

We were scheduled to stay at HI Fri, Sat & Sunday nights, but by Sunday afternoon I wanted to get to Disney.  Having worked midnights the week before, I was wide awake at night, so when the DW lay down Sunday night I began packing up the site.  By 1 AM everything but the bed she was sleeping in was packed.  I woke her up, popped down and was on the road by 1:30am.  THis was one of the best decisions I made all week.  Between road construction areas and traveling through Jacksonville & Orlando had we waited until the morning I figure the drive would have been better than 8 hours.  As it was we sailed through in around 6.

We arrived at Fort Wilderness a little after 8 am.  We parked in the day lot (the old River Country lot) and broke out the bikes.  Even though we have a list of favorite sites, we road back to the 1800/1900 loops to check things out.  The 1900 loop was almost deserted so we picked out a couple of sites and road back to the reception outpost.  Less than five minutes later we had checked in and had keys to the gate.  By noon, the whole site was set up and we had a full day that normally would have been used driving.


Tuesday took us to MGM and the Magic Kingdom and Wednesday it was Epcot and back to the Magic Kingdom.  Thursday was the first time I ever went to Universal Studios.  I think I Will stick with Disney .

Friday was a relaxing day around the campground and Friday night we went out to dinner at Emerils.  Expensive, but well worth it for a special night.

I rode my bike around all of the loops every day.  Lots of pop ups around, but no PUT stickers (OK, no PUX stickers either).  

FW is well on it way to getting things worked out on the new system of allowing pets in all preferred loops.  Most of them have the signs at the front of the loop "No pets beyond this point" as well as the clean up bag poles.  They have added another pet walk area behind the 700/800 loop.  It goes along the small canal behind the 800 loop.  So, you have nice pet walks at the old 1600-1900 loops, one at the 300 loop and now one for the 700/800 loops.  I would suggest that folks who walk their dogs a lot make reservations for one of these loops until pet loops are set up for the other loops.

This was the first time that we had to sign a liability release to bring a pet in, and it specifically stated pets are not allowed in tents or pop ups. I kind of ignored it and they never questioned me, so Natasha did visit the site. :confused:   The previous rule was that pets were not allowed to be left unattended in a tent or pop up, so this may be a change in policy.  I intend to write a letter to the FW/WL General Manager asking for a clarification.  While I think it is reasonable no tho allow unattended pets in tents or pop ups, I don't see a problem if they are watched.

OK, more later :eek:

[tlhdoc]

It sounds like you had a good trip.  How were the crowds?  What didn't you like about Universal?  I agree with you about driving at night.  When I worked night shift I would come home and sleep as long as I could.  When I got up in the afternoon we would get ready and hit the road.  There was always less traffic and it made for a more relaxed drive. :Y

[DiW]

Glad to hear the trip went well. I'd love to camp there sometime.

We've also found it desirable to drive at night, esp with kids. Amazing how quiet it is, no fighting, etc. I usually pop a book on tape in, set the cruise control and I'm good to go. Chris can't do stories (he says they put him to sleep).

We're hoping to do the drive in a week or so (but no popup). Just hope the weather holds out. Had another storm here today.
Diane

[Miss-Teri]

Glad you had a great trip!  I would also like to hear what you find out about the rule, as you know about the pet rule problems we had earlier in the year.  I do enjoy a couple of rides in Universal so much that I'd pay for a ticket there just to do them, and I absolutely love Islands of Adventure!  I think the Spiderman ride is my favorite ride of all time, even though I love the big coasters.  Did you only do Universal, or both Islands and Universal?