Showing posts with label florida travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label florida travel. Show all posts
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Walt Disney World Souvenirs are Cheaper at Wal-Mart
On a recent trip to Walt Disney World, we rented a car so that we could eat offsite and visit other attractions in the Orlando area. One of the best cost savings opportunities we found was on a visit to a nearby Wal-Mart. We had looked at Disney souvenirs at Downtown Disney but had not yet bought anything. Good thing we didn't. Wal-Mart had a large selection of Disney frames, tshirts, beach towels, and other knick knacks for a fraction of the price offered onsite at Disney. The quality of these items was just as good or near as good as those offered on-site at Disney but were significantly cheaper. So it does pay to venture outside of Walt Disney World if you have a car and are interested in saving a few dollars!
Disney's All Star Resort is a winner for Families!
We picked the Disney All Star Resort for our stay at Walt Disney World. It is one of the economy or value resorts and it was really worth it. The hotel rooms were large enough with 2 double beds, a small table, drawers and TV and small but manageable bathroom. We also rented a small refrigerator for drinks and snacks.
Our room was near to the main pool area which was very nice and clean. There were more than enough chaise lounges and restroom facilities nearby. Lifeguards kept a watchful eye over the pool to ensure safety first.
The snack bar restaurant area was much better than expected with a large menu at reasonable prices. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks and ice cream are offered most of the day. I recommend that people eat breakfast at the hotel before heading to the park.
The Disney transportation buses offer a ride to and from all of the parks, Downtown Disney, etc. They do not go to every hotel though. So if you are planning a visit to another hotel you will need to transfer buses at Downtown Disney. So plan enough time if you a booked a reservation for a character breakfast at another hotel. The concierge can provide assistance on gettting to another location via the transportation system.
Although the higher priced Disneyworld hotels are beautiful and offer upgraded amenities, if you are on a budget the All Star Resort is a great choice!
Our room was near to the main pool area which was very nice and clean. There were more than enough chaise lounges and restroom facilities nearby. Lifeguards kept a watchful eye over the pool to ensure safety first.
The snack bar restaurant area was much better than expected with a large menu at reasonable prices. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks and ice cream are offered most of the day. I recommend that people eat breakfast at the hotel before heading to the park.
The Disney transportation buses offer a ride to and from all of the parks, Downtown Disney, etc. They do not go to every hotel though. So if you are planning a visit to another hotel you will need to transfer buses at Downtown Disney. So plan enough time if you a booked a reservation for a character breakfast at another hotel. The concierge can provide assistance on gettting to another location via the transportation system.
Although the higher priced Disneyworld hotels are beautiful and offer upgraded amenities, if you are on a budget the All Star Resort is a great choice!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Daytona Beach Dog Races
During our Spring Break trip, my sister and I went to the dog races at the Daytona Beach Kennel club. The races are now held at a very new location that also has poker available. You can also bet on all sorts of dog and horse races across the country. I was amazed and a little overwhelmed.
Dog races are a family affair unlike horse races. Families come to the races, especially those that are tourists. At first it looks like a fun actitivity. However, I have so many concerns about the greyhound dogs used for this "sport". I feel so sorry for them which is why I only go to these events once every 5 years or so.
There were also many people at the dog races who looked like they did not have the money to gamble. It looks like they come hoping to score a big win. We saw many of them leave very disappointed. Makes me wonder if that money was meant to pay the rent and now it is gone. I could see how people could get pulled in by the "rush". But these are the same people who can't manage their money, maybe depressed, etc.
People bet on a dog races using so many different methods. Some people go by the name of the dog, their number, or even those who get into all of the stats. I am somewhere in the middle. I try to look at the stats but to tell you the truth I really don't understand all of it. It becomes analysis paralysis. So then I look at the dog and it's name to see if I get a feel for the dog that will be the winner.
Well, needless to say, I was not lucky. I obviously did not have the right process to place bets. Hey but for $20 I had fun. My sister was much more lucky than I. It was a fun way to spend an evening.
Dog races are a family affair unlike horse races. Families come to the races, especially those that are tourists. At first it looks like a fun actitivity. However, I have so many concerns about the greyhound dogs used for this "sport". I feel so sorry for them which is why I only go to these events once every 5 years or so.
There were also many people at the dog races who looked like they did not have the money to gamble. It looks like they come hoping to score a big win. We saw many of them leave very disappointed. Makes me wonder if that money was meant to pay the rent and now it is gone. I could see how people could get pulled in by the "rush". But these are the same people who can't manage their money, maybe depressed, etc.
People bet on a dog races using so many different methods. Some people go by the name of the dog, their number, or even those who get into all of the stats. I am somewhere in the middle. I try to look at the stats but to tell you the truth I really don't understand all of it. It becomes analysis paralysis. So then I look at the dog and it's name to see if I get a feel for the dog that will be the winner.
Well, needless to say, I was not lucky. I obviously did not have the right process to place bets. Hey but for $20 I had fun. My sister was much more lucky than I. It was a fun way to spend an evening.
Spring Break at Hammock Beach, Palm Coast Florida
I had the best time this Spring Break with my sister, Diane. We stayed at a condo at Hammock Beach which is an awesome resort located on Florida's east coast between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach. Check out their website at http://www.hammockbeach.com/.
We spent time reading and walking on the beach, reading and drinking by the pool, sightseeing, etc. It was the first time that two of us spent a whole week together without our husbands. It was also different since our other sister, Donna, was unable to come due to her work schedule.
One of our excursions was to the Daytona Beach Flea Market which is open every weekend. The flea market is spread over several large buidlings. There is everything from fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, vitamins, to discount tourist tshirts, jewelry, luggage, belts, etc. The only thing I bought were reading glasses which were a bargain at 2 pairs for $8!
Another excursion we took was to St. Augustine which is a beautiful historic city. I love looking in all of the little shops. There are also many photo opportunities in this town. I had the best hand scooped ice cream at Kirwin's. It hit the spot on a warm day.
The weather was great during our week at the beach. We couldn't have asked for a better week!
We spent time reading and walking on the beach, reading and drinking by the pool, sightseeing, etc. It was the first time that two of us spent a whole week together without our husbands. It was also different since our other sister, Donna, was unable to come due to her work schedule.
One of our excursions was to the Daytona Beach Flea Market which is open every weekend. The flea market is spread over several large buidlings. There is everything from fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, vitamins, to discount tourist tshirts, jewelry, luggage, belts, etc. The only thing I bought were reading glasses which were a bargain at 2 pairs for $8!
Another excursion we took was to St. Augustine which is a beautiful historic city. I love looking in all of the little shops. There are also many photo opportunities in this town. I had the best hand scooped ice cream at Kirwin's. It hit the spot on a warm day.
The weather was great during our week at the beach. We couldn't have asked for a better week!
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