I cancelled our trip a few weeks back.
As we approached our 60 day mark and I was trying to figure how many park days we needed so I could be prepared to book our fast passes on day 60. Well, I soon discovered their new changed their ticket timeline structure. Now, it really bothers me on several things that have changed over the course of a few years. Seems like lots of changes, but none that seems to benefit us, the family campers. Trails End cost us $21 for an adult dinner the first year we went, six years later that price is now almost double.
The straw that broke this camel's back is the new ticket policy.
Once I read the new ticket policy on the
MDE I headed over the boards to confirm this. I was shocked to read I had a much smaller time window. Well this really bothers me. I really enjoy hitting the parks one day and then taking at FW day the next, avoiding weekends, avoiding MK on a Monday, I'm a professional at this by now. I know when to go to what park and on what day and what to avoid. This new system, now changes all that. If I wanted to go with the five day hopper (that I had planned), I couldn't do a FW day then a park day. That's out. I'm not going to pay their extra additional fee to have back the 14 day window. Nickel and dime! No, thanks.
I remember the first year we went, we had five day tickets. My oldest was still in high school and brought a friend, Grace was four, Daniel was two. We have seven nights in the cabins and were planning on spending the last day at Sea World (no purchased tickets yet). On our fifth ticket day, we all left the Magic Kingdom a couple inches shorter that day. I remember I cried a tear as we left it was so magical. Later that night, back at the cabin, stewing on the fact I wish we had another day, it occurred to me that maybe we could add on to our tickets. I called down to the front desk and was floored we could add on an extra day for only $10 per person! Are you serious? I asked her to confirm twice. I couldn't believe it, ten bucks!!! The next day our feet didn't hit the ground, we all lived like KINGS for the day and there will never be a day like that. I'm so thankful we had that extra day as a family. It will always be one of my best family memories on that extra bonus day! Then, I have to read about a family that recently tried to do the same thing as I did, except they had to pay an additional $80 per person to add that extra day. That family couldn't afford that additional cost and that kills me that they maybe missed out on a last day like we had. Pulls my heart strings a bit too much.
Now, I love Fort Wilderness with all of my heart, but it is time for a break and time for a change. I was feeling really sour for a good while with all the changes. I still do. I don't want to sour out completely, so its just time for a change. Next January or the January after that, Charlotte will be in those magical years time, and we will be back!!! And not sour. Between now and our next Fort Wilderness trip, I will live through all your trip reports. I'll be happy for you and wish I was along with you on your journey.
We are going west a few times in 2019. Time to see some national parks, see the west! Time to take a nice long drive down the Pacific Coast Highway, time to see some Redwoods and everything in between. Kids have been reading their travel books, and I have been reading up on mine.
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