1st stay on site

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I will be staying at ASMo from 4 November 2004 for 2 weeks with my husband. My sister, brother in law and 2 girls aged 9 & 10 are also going. This will be our first time staying onsite
We are all non drivers - hence are taking the Virgin coach to and from airport. Please can you recommend some good buffet restaurants off site, which are reasonably priced and preferably within walking distance? Also I have never been to a WALMART and would like to experience this - is there one near disney, which would not be too costly by public transport?

 

[HopperFan]

You may want to try this question on restaurant board....

I don't believe you are not in walking distance to anything.

You could possibly bus to DTD and then walk Hotel Blvd to the Crossroads shopping area but that would be very time consuming and I don't know that what you may save would be worth it.

Have only really gone outside the "world" a few times and never saw a Walmart. Am sure they are there, but again, no transportation ???

Good Luck.

 

[MickeyMike]

It sounds from your post that you have been to the world before. If so, you probably already know that WDW is HUGE. Something like 46 square miles I believe I heard. There are many excellent restaurants on property, and there are ways to keep your family well fed without spending a fortune. You can save a large amount of money by eating late in the afternoon before the dinner time pricing goes into effect. Most restaurants serve large portions so many times it it possible to ask the waitor to "split" the order and serve on seperate plates. We do this at times and always get plenty to eat. They are generally very happy to provide this service. There are many restaurants close by off property but the cost of transportation would erase any savings you were hoping to get.

As for Walmart...I can understand the curiosity but IMHO it is not worth spending valuable vacation time visiting a store like that. I see from your location though that it could be quite attractive to pick up some real bargains. Have fun on vacation!

 

[noodle7729]

Just wanted to ask if you have an ASDA near you. I know that they are all over England, not sure about Ireland. If you've been to ASDA you've been to Walmart. I noticed very few difference other than the types of food sold when I was in England last summer. Hope this helps.

 

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Many Thanks for all your advice - unfortunately we don't have an ASDA in Ireland either but I still might venture to find a Walmart - not really to shop in - just to see something so big, with so much under one roof!

 

[earlydisneyfan]

Hi, Buffer!

We just returned yesterday from our first on-site stay at the All Stars Music Resort (and we loved it!). Just adding to what others have said: there aren't any non-Disney restaurants within walking distance. Since we drove, we did venture out Tuesday night and ate at Shoney's on Hwy. 192. Food was great and employees were extremely friendly. The buffet looked wonderful, but after a long day on our feet, we just wanted to sit down and have someone bring the food to us! I wouldn't worry about outside restaurants. The selections at the food court at ASMu were very good, and the items were not really that expensive. We could have split an order and been satisfied.

As for Wal-Mart, there is a Wal-Mart Super Center also on 192, but it is somewhat of a distance from Disney. And the store was packed with lots of people, too! They do sell Disney-related merchandise there, and it is a little less expensive than what is sold in the parks (but the items are not labeled "Walt Disney World"). I'm not sure what public transportation would cost to go there, but I don't think it would be worth the expense.

Have a great time!

Delaney

 

[pampam]

The only restaurant within walking distance is Mac Donalds. The Food Court is ok but no buffet. If you want to leave the property, go to the TTC at MK, and take the #56 bus. It runs twice an hour. $1.25 In about 12 minutes you will be on #192 at Old Town. There is a Ponderosa and a Western Sizzlin. Each have a buffet. I would not recomend the Western Sizzlin. Now, if you take the bus to the end of the route at Osceola Mall, about a 45 min. trip, and walk up Vine Street (#192) The Golden Corall serves an excellent Buffet. Also, I believe across the street from Osceola Mall there is a Sizzlin Restaurant with a buffet. The Sizzlin and the Western Sizzlin are 2 seperate restaurant chains. Also at Old Town there is a Checkers , Burger King, MacDonalds, KFC, Red Lobster, Dennys, Logans, Brennegans, and probably a few others I've forgotten. Also, nearby, there is a Publix grocery store, if you want to pick up a few things to take back to All Star. I've bought chili to heat up in the microwave at the food court. there is also a toaster guests can use in the food court. The Lynx bus service is pretty good, and the bus drivers are quite helpful. For schedules you can check on line, or go to the bus information kiosk at the TTC. Hope this helps.

 

[pampam]

I forgot to mention, the Walmart is on the same bus route, about 35-40 min. from the TTC. It's a super walmart, so they sell groceries as well as being a department store.

 

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Thank you all very much - you have been very helpful,