Debated on whether to share this with you all or not, but hey we are all fellow DISers here right? Might shed some light on some of the previous stories.
Up until our previous two trips to WDW, on which we were able to do the Dining Plan and stay onsite at the POP, the previous 4 trips were low budget trips, we just couldn't afford to go all out, but by careful budgeting and such, were able to make the trips (my wife, two kids and myself), the last one we were even able to take my mom eight years before she passed away.
The only way we could afford to go was either borrowing a camper from friends and camping on the way down and while in Orlando. The second time we borrowed a large tent. The last two we were able to "upgrade" and stay at Kamping Kabins at KOA's. No way could we eat onsite! We would pack a cooler with lunch foods, kept in the car or back at the campsite, leaving the park at lunch, coming back after cooking supper at the campsite. Not only could we not afford to eat onsite, we one time splurged and shared a Dole Whip between the four of us! What a treat it was! And yes, we had a great time! We all remember those trips and the great time that we had. I won't have traded those trips and their memories for anything and neither would my wife or kids, who are now young adults.
As I said earlier, now we can afford to go all out, even though that is a little stretch, but using part of the inheritance from my mom's small estate, we have been able to go "whole hog" as we would say back home where I grew up. And have had a great time doing it this way as well, the last time both of our kids as young adults went with us!
While some people's behavior in cheating the system is not right. Those who either chose to go "economy" when it comes to food, either because that is the only way they can do WDW or because of their own choice, may seem odd, and yes, sometimes not so wise health wise, who are we to make judgments?
Thanks for letting me share my own story. Next year when we go again, we'll all get our own "Dole Whip!" Now, that is as close to heaven that we are going to get here on earth!!!
Up until our previous two trips to WDW, on which we were able to do the Dining Plan and stay onsite at the POP, the previous 4 trips were low budget trips, we just couldn't afford to go all out, but by careful budgeting and such, were able to make the trips (my wife, two kids and myself), the last one we were even able to take my mom eight years before she passed away.
The only way we could afford to go was either borrowing a camper from friends and camping on the way down and while in Orlando. The second time we borrowed a large tent. The last two we were able to "upgrade" and stay at Kamping Kabins at KOA's. No way could we eat onsite! We would pack a cooler with lunch foods, kept in the car or back at the campsite, leaving the park at lunch, coming back after cooking supper at the campsite. Not only could we not afford to eat onsite, we one time splurged and shared a Dole Whip between the four of us! What a treat it was! And yes, we had a great time! We all remember those trips and the great time that we had. I won't have traded those trips and their memories for anything and neither would my wife or kids, who are now young adults.
As I said earlier, now we can afford to go all out, even though that is a little stretch, but using part of the inheritance from my mom's small estate, we have been able to go "whole hog" as we would say back home where I grew up. And have had a great time doing it this way as well, the last time both of our kids as young adults went with us!
While some people's behavior in cheating the system is not right. Those who either chose to go "economy" when it comes to food, either because that is the only way they can do WDW or because of their own choice, may seem odd, and yes, sometimes not so wise health wise, who are we to make judgments?
Thanks for letting me share my own story. Next year when we go again, we'll all get our own "Dole Whip!" Now, that is as close to heaven that we are going to get here on earth!!!
but I sure have to agree with you about the Pepsi thing....Coke is not my favorite. (and Lunapnp, please don't think I'm picking on you...its just the mental image that particular typo left with me....I wish my own typos were that entertaining.)
I didn't even notice I did that! Maybe that's what they were feeding Paris Hilton and that's why she wanted to leave! 
I guess when you have less it takes less to have fun. WDW with a cooler packed behind you, a warm egg sandwich, pb&j, or baked potato is better than no WDW at all for some. I'm using this thread in reverse and getting some money saving ideas for future trips. I am not as cheap as that one family though with the small ice cream. I could see getting several dole whips to share.
Gotcha
or the sharp pointy knife that made it past security somehow? 
Some of the other stuff...a whole baked potato? Cold hot dogs dipped in mayo? Everyone has different tastes, I guess...
We've never tried the legendary Dole Whip and none of us are big fans of pineapple, but I've heard so much about them that I want to try it anyway. So we'll be the family of 4 passing around a small Dole Whip, but don't think we're too terribly cheap - we just like to share so that we can try more different things! Last trip, we shared our way around the F&W festival. This trip, we're going to share our way through all the DIS favorites - school bread & pastries from Main Street bakery and Boulangerie Patisserie & candies from the confectionary and from Goofy's & Figaro fries from Pinocchios. I actually have a list! 
