16 day report for the slow and cheap Part 1

SlightlyGoofy

<font color=green>I shall be forced to take you on
Joined
May 5, 2001
Messages
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This being the third trip this year and wanting to celebrate our anniversary with some style we decided to stay for a full sixteen days, a personal record. Did not start out that way but checking the Eat to the Beat schedule we HAD to see the Beach Boys and Three Dog Night and that is what it took. The Temptations and Commadores filled in very nicely in between. If we had won the lottery we might have stuck around for a few more weeks to catch Chubby Checker yet again. LOL

To introduce ourselves, myself, 56 and slower than the ice age due to some medical problems and dh, age 70 and in great health due to absence of any form of physical activity. After being on a low carb diet for a considerable time I was looking forward to partaking of some forbidden foods while enjoying the atmosphere and dh, whose hobby is eating was just looking for food. LOL

We checked in on the 11th during a thunderstorm. (addition to original report - I must apologize to the CM who checked me in. Seems that Touchdown was being renovated and I needed a room near the buses and parking lot. I politely asked a coupld of times for another room other than assigned to no avail. Turned out to be one of the best rooms ever location wise. It was in Surf's Up right across from the pool, near the food court, bus line and just behind a parking lot. sure made our stay a whole bunch more comfortable. ) Our planned half day at EPCOT was delayed in an effort to avoid drowning. Having spent much time studying the DIS boards I had the idea of trying out the Orlando Ale House that I had heard much about. Even with my poor directional skills I was able to find it, just behind the 7-11 to the left of the Crossroads Shopping Center. I thought I had died and went to heaven when I saw their Low Carb menu. I had a strip steak, with a shrimp sauce topping, mashed cauliflower with cheese and spinach souffle. Tasted sooo good and was on my food plan as well. Was about $13. DH had the 22 oz porterhouse and all the trimmings for $13 as well, about the same price as Disney would charge for a burger and fries. (grin) Back to the room to unpack and rest up for what was to come.

Oct 12 - We got a late start and got to EPCOT about 11 and headed to the Biergarten for lunch. This remains one of our favorite place to eat while Norway has fallen from our graces due to the changes in menu etc. Had a table full of fun loving people, always sure to make the experience the best. Pretzel bread was what I had dreamed of since our last visit and it did not disappoint. Plenty of meats and veggies to be had. The desserts are not worth the calories IMHO and it is just as well. When it came time to pay I whipped out my Rewards card and showed my husband, yet again, why he was a wise man to marry for brains rather than looks. (ROTF) We wandered among the countries and I met many lovely people while dh shopped his little heart out. The shopping rule in our household is sort of like the dating rule, look but do NOT buy. :hyper: Got to save our money for more important things, like our next trip to DW. We met a couple who we are friends and neighbors with for the Beach Boy concert. First time I have ever seen such a line for one of the concerts. We stood, off and on, for over 2.5 hours. Was well worth it although very hard on me. We were in the handicap line, the other line was all the way down to Germany. A nice lady in a wheelchair allowed me to lean on her chair when I needed. I can walk, slowly, but am unable to stand still for long periods of time. We saw all three shows from a few rows back and in the center, perfect. Illuminations was showing as we headed for the front of the park, with frequent stops, to head back to the buses.

Oct 13- Our anniversary. Tom requested Boatwright's for breakfast to start the celebration.. Being the kind hearted person I am I drove him down there. The food was adequate but not anything special. Our memories of better times keep us hoping for them to return but no such luck this time. I did persuade him to have the sweet potato pancakes for a bit of the unusual but they were not all that. $24 for that meal. Drove over to MGM for the Millionaire show, my personal favorite. Got second place on the board a couple of times and manged to get first on the last game just as it was ending, figures.

::yes::

We were unable to get the Fantasmic package as there were quite a few people ahead of us but we were comforted by the fact that we would be back and soon. LOL

We rode the Great Movie ride a few times when there were no lines and met George, the driver. We sat right next to him and he confided many secrets that I did not know. One was that he was an actor in Appoclypse Now and was the person on the left side top of the screen in the montage at the end. I got my picture taken with him and awarded him with one of my Thank You cards that I made up before we left. He liked it and offered us a certificate for our anniversary.

I saw a strange sight I had not seen before, an utility Segway. I think these things are going to be everywhere one day. I have mixed feelings as it sure will not help with the overweight problems we have much but there are times I would gladly own one myself. Just for the walk out of the parks it would be heaven. LOL

We went to TGIF for dinner. I had a coupon and it was dh's choice. He had ribs but they sure were not what he had expected, a bit on the small side, but tasty. I had the pecan chicken salad. Our waiter was a delightful young man and very good at his job. He even insisted on treating us to a dessert for free, our choice from the menu. Naturally I picked chocolate but luckily it was not good enough to tempt me into more than a couple of bites. DH, who I also call Junkyard Dog was able to finish it off though. No waste around our house. LOL $34 with a very generous tip to our server.

I will write more as I find time. Laundry is done, phone calls returned, emails in process of being caught up but I have to get ready for hundreds (really) of little ghosts and goblins who will be knocking at our door this evening.

Slightly Goofy/Linda
 
great report, can't wait for more.

What is an utility Segway?
 
Hi there Mom of 3 (you lucky gal)

The Segway had a small bed, sort of like a pickup bed, on the back. Had tools and such in it. Was cool.

SG/Linda
 
I'm really enjoying your reports!
You make me LOL!
 

Lynn, I am always happy when I can make people smile. Thanks for the compliment.

Next installment coming later.

SG/Linda
 
Linda, I have just come from trick-or-treating with the kids and was so glad to see some of your reports available... Keep them coming! You know much we missed you while you were gone from the Community Board. It's so nice to hear all about your visit. Sixteen days sounds like heaven to me... I KNEW it seemed like you were gone a long time!

See you in the suite.
 
Your detailed reports are fantastic! I can just see your adventure play out and your personality! Great writing. I will definitely read all 16!

Christamae
 
Yep, might not have good looks, bunches of money but I sure do got personality!! :sunny:

Glad you like the reports. I tend to ramble. When I was in school I loved essay questions. Even if I did not know the answers I could bluff my way through several pages of prose to totally confuse the teacher into believing I knew what the heck I was talking about. LOL

SG/Linda
 
I'm really liking your report!
Nice to see someone my own age here.
My son did the Segway Tour along the lake in Chicago and it was awesome.
I don't understand the bed part though, it's just like a stand up scooter.:wave:
 
Lynn, it was just a smallish bed and was even with the standing platform on the Segway. It was rather practical looking.

I would love to do the Segway tour as well. Lots of things I would like to try, tea party at the Grand Floridian and all sorts of girl type things but with so many grandsons and other things not likely to happen. Maybe I can borrow a girl sometime? LOL

Sorry to hear that you are an old lady like myself. (grin) Do you go to the concerts at EPCOT? It is so neat seeing all the musicians from my youth.

SG/Linda
 
No, I never knew about it and it's hard for me to find anyone to go with.
My sister is going with me Dec. 3-7th and she hasn't been there since 2000 so after that I will be on the streets with a sign saying "Anyone need a WDW Trip Partner?":D
 
I am afraid that the concerts are in the spring and fall but I think the Christmas concert should be there when you are though. I saw it once and it was awesome!!

Have you thought about checking out the site for who might be there when you are so you will not be reduced to carrying a pathetic sounding sign around with you? If you pick someone you have chatted with before it should not be so bad. Maybe just make a date for a meal and then go from there to see if you are compatible. Just cause they are nice does not mean that you would have enough in common to enjoy spending a whole day together. (sure wish I had been that smart when I was young and dating) LOL

Maybe you could start a thread where other singles could hook up for a bit and keep the best ones for yourself? Just a thought.

SG/Linda
 
Originally posted by SlightlyGoofy
Yep, might not have good looks, bunches of money but I sure do got personality!!

Don't let this woman called SlightlyGoofy fool you. I met her during her vacation and she is one of the most beautiful people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. And her husband is an absolute doll. What an adorable couple they make.

SlightlyGoofy, I can't wait to read the rest of your trip report.
 
Awwww Gawrsh!! Me thinks that Janet might be in need of glasses but sure is a nice thing to say anyway.

eternaldisneyfan, I managed to keep it down to 5 installments. Did not want you to miss any sleep in wading through 16. (yawn)

Ron, glad you are enjoying the reports but believe me if was much more fun actually doing it. The highlight was all the wonderful people we met along the way. Every person has a story and I enjoy hearing them.

SG/Linda
 














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