Carnage, Mayhem & Pixie Dust: a “frightful” & delightful Halloween-Inspired, Offsite TR (Oct. 2015)

Awesome report!

Soooo, when does the PTR start?

A great trip report Gina, thank you for sharing I hope you all have a great Christmas trip and enjoy all the brilliant Christmas decorations and events.

I like your cost break down, I daren't do mine from our July trip, it was for 3 weeks and the flights alone are quite spectacular

Aw, lots of big feelings on leaving. I'm glad you got a little good-seat karma and a smooth flight.

I admire that you itemize and add everything up like that. I do add it up but I only make five categories (flights, food/shopping, hotel, park tickets and rental car/airport parking).

And hey'll you'll be back so soon and then you'll be really glad to get a break from the winter. I'm so wishing we had a trip planned but it's not to be this school year anyway with trying to (still) sell our house and move.

Looking forward to your next report! Put a link here when you start it so I can find it easily!

Rubbertops said:

Great report. Thanks.
Helps me look forward to our April trip to Universal.
Hopefully our dollar will be better by then...

Click to expand...

Thank you!! And amen on the dollar value....it doesn't have to get back to par, but 85 cents or so would be fabulous. I'm keeping my fingers crossed (but not holding my breath, lol!).

grantclaire said:

Thanks for another great trip report! BTW when we stayed at the Vistana Resort a few years ago, some of the staff warned us about the gas station right across from resort. They have been known to jack up the gas prices to hit tourists and for not posting the correct price. Will look into the prepaid option next time. Thanks again.

Click to expand...

I am not surprised by the warning....some definite gouging going on. I am really, really hoping that Budget has the prepaid option for our December rental....that's my homework for this week, to find out .

dixonsontour said:

Really enjoyed your report again and look forward to your December one.

DH has got off the plane in shorts to snow outside before, caused a raised eyebrow or two.

You are good to add everything up. I like a bargain and feel like we get good value on our trips but I fear DH would say never again if he saw it all as a list.

Funny how your excahange is the other way. We knock 1/3 off so $300 is approx £200. Generally we find things a bit cheaper in US than England, not the same as the days when is was $2=£1. Eating out definitely is cheaper, we are the same as you all this food for only $30 or something.

Click to expand...

lol, my husband is always eager to know the final tally. Once his eyes get back in their sockets, he usually just shrugs his shoulders and says "well, it was worth every penny. I wouldn't have changed a thing".

We put a cost summary in the back of every photo book from each trip. Its fun to look back and see what we paid for things in 2009, 2012 and some of the earlier vacations. Our Disney trip in 2009 was SO CHEAP compared to current prices!!

afan said:

I enjoyed your TR! I love the Tim Horton's cups with the hockey players on them! And I didn't know they served hash browns now. Though, the rare occasion I get to one I always get donuts Very few places in the Seattle area to get donuts aside from the grocery store, I wish they would come down here.

Click to expand...

The hash browns aren't my fave....their old versions were MUCH better (now they are just like McDonald's).

I think those cups were last year's Christmas ones. They must have been trying to get rid of them, lol! This year's are red with snowflakes. Much as I love our Tim's brewed in the villa, its just not the same as enjoying my morning java from a Tim Horton's paper cup .

bankr63 said:

And so Gina's TR catches back up to real time. Of course you're what, 3-weeks away from catching that next plane south? Hardly even time to start a PTR! (And don't take that as a request - I know how much needs to be accomplished with the holidays AND vacation approaching!)

One suggestion regarding extraneous minions. We have a good size duffle bag that folds into it's own compact pouch that always accompanies us down. Probably big enough for 2 or 3 unexpected tag alongs - Bob and Dave MacMinion indeed. It has transported all sorts of unexpected goodies back from the US and Mexico for us, and takes almost no space on the way down. Ours is from Lands End, but I have seen very similar ones at Eddie Bauer too. It is always great to have an extra piece of luggage along just in case.

Have fun getting ready for your next adventure. I'll bet Christmas will be special for all 3 of you this year!

BTW - we are now leaning towards another drive down for March break this year. With the lousy dollar, we are having a hard time finding anyone to take our week off our hands. I don't want to deposit it with RCI; I've already got 200 ETP's on deposit there - enough for another 10+ good vacations! So we may end up using it ourselves after all.

Click to expand...

You are not the first one to suggest the duffle bag....and I'm thinking it might be a good plan for April and beyond. Though I have no idea where I'm going to put any more stuffies in my rec room , its getting pretty full down there with all "the guys"!

I am so glad to hear that you have a trip in the works for March!!! Dollar value be darned, go and have a great time. Your kiddos are not getting any younger, either. You will soon be in the same boat as I am, with those family trips being a rare treat.

I am not gonna lie.....we are super excited about our little family getaway. I am savouring these moments. I am just hoping that there are no freak snowstorms that bury Buffalo in another 8 feet of snow (a la 2014) to delay our depature. It can keep us from returning from Florida all it wants, but please dont make it so we cant get there, lol!

JaxDad said:

Awesome report!

Soooo, when does the PTR start?

Click to expand...

Hey, ya never know! Maybe this week if I find my fingers yearning to return to the laptop. I am always kind of lonely when the reports come to an end!

Mrs Doubtfire said:

A great trip report Gina, thank you for sharing I hope you all have a great Christmas trip and enjoy all the brilliant Christmas decorations and events.

I like your cost break down, I daren't do mine from our July trip, it was for 3 weeks and the flights alone are quite spectacular

Click to expand...

lol, it is most definitely tough to see the numbers when its all added in. But you cant put a price on memories......so whatever it turned out to be, I would bet it was worth every penny .

ArwenMarie said:

Aw, lots of big feelings on leaving. I'm glad you got a little good-seat karma and a smooth flight.

I admire that you itemize and add everything up like that. I do add it up but I only make five categories (flights, food/shopping, hotel, park tickets and rental car/airport parking).

And hey'll you'll be back so soon and then you'll be really glad to get a break from the winter. I'm so wishing we had a trip planned but it's not to be this school year anyway with trying to (still) sell our house and move.

Looking forward to your next report! Put a link here when you start it so I can find it easily!

Click to expand...

Thanks, my friend. I was so glad to have you as part of this report!

Best of luck with the house sale and move. I hope 2016 brings you all the things you are hoping for .

I will absolutely post a link here if I can get a December PTR in motion. I have managed to get most of my Christmas shopping done and wrapped this weekend, so I am starting to see daylight once again. Bring on the holidays!

Thanks for sharing your trip with us! I loved it and even went back and read your older trip reports. Steak n Shake and Congo River golf are officially on the list for our next trip.

Hemlock said:

Thanks for sharing your trip with us! I loved it and even went back and read your older trip reports. Steak n Shake and Congo River golf are officially on the list for our next trip.

Click to expand...

Thanks for reading along .

Steak n Shake and Congo River are great choices....they never disappoint!

I had mentioned earlier in the thread that I finished my photobook a week or so ago, and I said I would post a link to it at the end of my report. So....for anyone who wants to check it out, you can find it here:

http://www.picaboo.com/?share=15c73ef0d32ceb4568108c88af4d4ab2&version=664874&siteID=ViaPreview

The finished product turned out awesome! I love picaboo products!

Photobook was neat to see.
I enjoyed the chocolate museum too. Loved the savor suggestion. I got the groupon deal with a cup of coffee and mug. The mug was really nice and is a fun reminder. It was packed in a box ready to take home. The coffee was good too.


Just think, in less than a month, we will be on our way again.

Lynne G said:

Photobook was neat to see.
I enjoyed the chocolate museum too. Loved the savor suggestion. I got the groupon deal with a cup of coffee and mug. The mug was really nice and is a fun reminder. It was packed in a box ready to take home. The coffee was good too.


Just think, in less than a month, we will be on our way again.

Click to expand...

I can hardly believe it. It has roared up so fast . Your family must be growing very excited, too!! I know the fact that we're now only 18 days out is causing a lot of chatter among my fellows!!

With another trip officially under our belts, I had to revise the list of attractions we've visited and places we've dined. Assuming I haven't missed anything, here's the update as of October 2015. Always more to be added on future visits!

ATTRACTIONS & SPECIAL EVENTS:

 Magic Kingdom
 Epcot
 Hollywood Studios
 Animal Kingdom
 Blizzard Beach
 Typhoon Lagoon
 Downtown Disney
 Universal Studios
 Islands of Adventure
 CityWalk
 Seaworld (incl. a VIP Tour and their Christmas Celebration)
 Aquatica
 Discovery Cove
 Showcase of Citrus
 Gatorland
 Wild Willy’s Airboats
 Titanic: The Experience
 Outta Control Dinner Show
 ICE! at Gaylord Palms
 Cocoa Beach
 Gator Golf
 Volcano Island Mini Golf
 Hawaiian Rumble Mini Golf
 Pirates Cove Mini Golf (2 locations)
 Congo River Mini Golf (2 locations)
 Mighty Jungle Mini Golf
 Haunting of Ghostly Greens Mini Golf
 Kissimmee Go-Karts
 Orlando Magic Game (Amway Center)
 Premium Outlets (Vineland)
 Premium Outlets (International Dr.)
 Lake Buena Vista Factory Outlets
 Nike Clearance Store & Nike Outlet (both in Kissimmee)
 Ron Jon Surf Shop (Cocoa Beach)
 Daytona Beach
 Ripley’s Believe It Or Not Museum
 Makaio Watersports – Jet Skiing (Lakes Minneola & Minnehaha)
 Orlando Eye
 Skeletons: Animals Unveiled
 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
 Halloween Horror Nights
 World of Chocolate Museum & Café


RESTAURANTS:

 1900 Park Fare (character dinner)
 ‘Ohana (character breakfast)
 Tusker House (character breakfast)
 Chef Mickey’s (character dinner)
 Crystal Palace (character dinner)
 Pinnochio’s Village Haus
 Earl of Sandwich
 Sci-Fi Drive-In
 T-Rex
 Mama Melrose
 Chili’s (2 different locations)
 Olive Garden (3 different locations)
 TGI Friday’s (multiple locations)
 Buffalo Wild Wing (multiple locations)
 Cici’s Pizza (multiple locations)
 Golden Corral (multiple locations) (breakfast and dinner)
 NBA City
 Wolfgang Puck Express
 Giordano’s Pizza
 Friendly’s
 Shrek Feast @ Gaylord Palms (character breakfast)
 Dine With Shamu (SeaWorld)
 All-day dining at SeaWorld (Voyageurs, Seafire Inn, Mango Joes, Terrace Garden Buffet, Spice Mill)
 All-day dining at Universal (Circus McGurkus Café Stoopendous & ??)
 World’s Largest McDonald’s & Playplace
 Shoney’s (breakfast buffet)
 Sonic Drive-In
 Checkers
 Popeye’s
 Dunkin Donuts (multiple locations)
 Wood Grill Buffet
 Dick’s Last Resort
 Twistee Treat (3 locations)
 Steak & Shake
 Nascar Sports Grille
 Zimmies @ Sheraton Vistana Resort
 Krispy Kreme
 Hash House a Go Go (breakfast and dinner)
 The Knife
 Simpsons Fast Food Boulevard (Krusty Burger, Cletus’s Chicken Shack, Lard Lad)
 Confisco’s
 Leaky Cauldron
 Three Broomsticks
 Finnegan’s Irish Pub
 Mythos
 Monsters Café (Scareactor Dining Experience)
 Bubbalou’s Bodacious Barbecue
 Hog Heaven (Daytona)
 IHOP
 Margaritavilla
 Millers Ale House
 Carrabba’s
 Tom + Chee
 Freddy’s Steakburgers
 First Watch
 Flippers Pizza
 Tacky Tiki Bar (SVR)


On December's trip, we are poised to add Sea Life Aquarium, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, Wild Florida and Fun Spot to the list as far as attractions go. Hopefully Celebration's Now Snowing too! On the dining side, NBC Sports Grill is on our to-do list.....not sure of any others yet.

That's some list you've kept. I can't remember some of the places we've been and some of the restaurants have closed down, especially that Italian one in Kissimmee where the waiters came and sang some opera to you at your table. That was embarrassing!

Thank you for your incredible report! Have you finished packing yet for your Christmas escape? Some people love it (I do) and some people just don't. At all.

What an incredible list of attractions and restaurants. I didn't see Sonnys BBQ pit on there. Its a chain but the ribs are incredible. Some locations can be a bit rough around the edges (like so much else, depends on the neighbourhood) but I've been to the one in Vero Beach and one in Titusville and enjoyed. Pretty sure they have some locations in Orlando.

Have a great vacation & Merry Christmas/Happy New Year!

Loved, loved, loved your trip report from beginning to end.

We just returned from our first stay at SVR yesterday and had a great time. The only thing we'd do differently is to politely INSIST on a top floor location because the group above us were like a herd of elephants the entire week.

Definitely try and get to Celebration, we've done the now snowing a few times and enjoyed it.

If you are looking for bbq we tried 4 rivers and loved it at winter park, was about 20 mins drive north of Universal.

You need to take the boys to Teak too.

Gina, I have been stalking your reports for a long time and want to finally come out and say thank you for sharing! I always enjoy reading your reports and have gained so much knowledge... I especially like your restaurant reviews! Thanks again for another great trip report, looking forward to reading the next one!

Hi Gina

I know I have not checked in much but have read your report from start to finish. It was awesome as usual. Looking forward to the PTR. I am sure you are looking forward to another vacation and most of all having Jake along.

Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina said:

I can hardly believe it. It has roared up so fast . Your family must be growing very excited, too!! I know the fact that we're now only 18 days out is causing a lot of chatter among my fellows!!

Click to expand...

Gina do you flynthe 18th or 19th? JetBlue from Buffalo? We are flying the 18th Buf to MCO and home the 26th. But I believe your 19th to 27th? We are early the 18th late the 26th.

Mrs Doubtfire said:

That's some list you've kept. I can't remember some of the places we've been and some of the restaurants have closed down, especially that Italian one in Kissimmee where the waiters came and sang some opera to you at your table. That was embarrassing!

Click to expand...

I think dining is one to-try list that we'll never be caught up on. There are always new places opening to keep the list forever g-r-o-w-i-n-g !

lol, I'm not sure the opera singers would have been our cup of tea, either. That would have caused us to lose our appetite all on its own .

samsteele said:

Thank you for your incredible report! Have you finished packing yet for your Christmas escape? Some people love it (I do) and some people just don't. At all.

What an incredible list of attractions and restaurants. I didn't see Sonnys BBQ pit on there. Its a chain but the ribs are incredible. Some locations can be a bit rough around the edges (like so much else, depends on the neighbourhood) but I've been to the one in Vero Beach and one in Titusville and enjoyed. Pretty sure they have some locations in Orlando.

Have a great vacation & Merry Christmas/Happy New Year!

Click to expand...

Thank you samsteele!

Never heard of Sonnys BBQ pit, but my guys are meatatarians so we'll definitely keep our eyes open for it. They've never met barbecue that they didn't like, lol!!

I haven't even given a thought to packing yet....we usually don't break out the suitcases until the weekend before we leave. We've become pretty well versed at packing for our Orlando trips, so we can usually whip things together in an evening. Most of my recent efforts have been focused on shopping and wrapping for Christmas....I have to have everything done before we leave, and time feels very short when viewed from that perspective!! Christmas cards are on my to-do list today .

Gr8t Fan said:

Loved, loved, loved your trip report from beginning to end.

We just returned from our first stay at SVR yesterday and had a great time. The only thing we'd do differently is to politely INSIST on a top floor location because the group above us were like a herd of elephants the entire week.

Click to expand...

Yup, that's us too . Top floor or bust. So far, we've never had that request not honoured.....hopefully we never will.

I am so glad you enjoyed your stay there!! We love SVR!

dixonsontour said:

Definitely try and get to Celebration, we've done the now snowing a few times and enjoyed it.

If you are looking for bbq we tried 4 rivers and loved it at winter park, was about 20 mins drive north of Universal.

You need to take the boys to Teak too.

Click to expand...

Ah yes, Teak!! Those massive burgers!! Ya never know, thanks to your reminder it might just make it on the itinerary for this Christmas trip! (if not, April is a possibility too)

Is there lots of parking at Celebration? That's the only thing we're worried about.

tdollar said:

Gina, I have been stalking your reports for a long time and want to finally come out and say thank you for sharing! I always enjoy reading your reports and have gained so much knowledge... I especially like your restaurant reviews! Thanks again for another great trip report, looking forward to reading the next one!

Click to expand...

Thank you tdollar! Thanks for reading along!

tristyp said:

Hi Gina

I know I have not checked in much but have read your report from start to finish. It was awesome as usual. Looking forward to the PTR. I am sure you are looking forward to another vacation and most of all having Jake along.

Click to expand...

Aw, thanks tristyp . I am not ashamed to admit that I'm all giddy excited to have the three of us together in Orlando for the holidays. That's a gift all in itself.

greenclan67 said:

Gina do you flynthe 18th or 19th? JetBlue from Buffalo? We are flying the 18th Buf to MCO and home the 26th. But I believe your 19th to 27th? We are early the 18th late the 26th.

Click to expand...

Yes ma'am, we are flying from Buffalo. We fly to Orlando on Saturday the 19th (8:35 am departure from Bufflao) and we fly home on the 26th (8:05 pm departure from Orlando). We have the exit row (12) on each flight. Am I sensing a Dismeet??? Are you guys doing the SeaWorld parks on your trip?

Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina said:

I think dining is one to-try list that we'll never be caught up on. There are always new places opening to keep the list forever g-r-o-w-i-n-g !

lol, I'm not sure the opera singers would have been our cup of tea, either. That would have caused us to lose our appetite all on its own .



Thank you samsteele!

Never heard of Sonnys BBQ pit, but my guys are meatatarians so we'll definitely keep our eyes open for it. They've never met barbecue that they didn't like, lol!!

I haven't even given a thought to packing yet....we usually don't break out the suitcases until the weekend before we leave. We've become pretty well versed at packing for our Orlando trips, so we can usually whip things together in an evening. Most of my recent efforts have been focused on shopping and wrapping for Christmas....I have to have everything done before we leave, and time feels very short when viewed from that perspective!! Christmas cards are on my to-do list today .



Yup, that's us too . Top floor or bust. So far, we've never had that request not honoured.....hopefully we never will.

I am so glad you enjoyed your stay there!! We love SVR!



Ah yes, Teak!! Those massive burgers!! Ya never know, thanks to your reminder it might just make it on the itinerary for this Christmas trip! (if not, April is a possibility too)

Is there lots of parking at Celebration? That's the only thing we're worried about.



Thank you tdollar! Thanks for reading along!



Aw, thanks tristyp . I am not ashamed to admit that I'm all giddy excited to have the three of us together in Orlando for the holidays. That's a gift all in itself.



Yes ma'am, we are flying from Buffalo. We fly to Orlando on Saturday the 19th (8:35 am departure from Bufflao) and we fly home on the 26th (8:05 pm departure from Orlando). We have the exit row (12) on each flight. Am I sensing a Dismeet??? Are you guys doing the SeaWorld parks on your trip?

Click to expand...

We will be flying home together and probably having a sleepover at the Days??

Gina we too love Celebration and have been at Halloween and Christmas. It can be busy, but parking is either on the street (although the Main Street is closed for the nightly snowing) or there is a small car park behind the shops, near to the hotel. We have always managed to find somewhere.

In July we ate at the Italian, D'Antonios and it was a lovely meal. Also enjoyed a few drinks and appetisers at the Celebration Town Tavern