At Windsor Hills RIGHT NOW....

[december]

We are staying in a 3 bedroom townhome next summer-with 2 older kids and a baby I think it will be perfect! How far is Target from WH? And what other restaurants (especially steakhouses for dh) are close?

 

[sympatico]

We are staying in a 3 bedroom townhome next summer-with 2 older kids and a baby I think it will be perfect! How far is Target from WH? And what other restaurants (especially steakhouses for dh) are close?

Target is about 3 miles or so ( 5 minutes) west on 192. There's a Black Angus Steakhouse about a minute from WH entrance. It's on the corner of Old Lake Wilson and 192 ( on the right). There's an Outback Steakhouse in the Formosa Gardens Village across from Red Lobster (sort of), about 3 or 4 minutes away.
They are marked on this map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...8.272032,-81.608849&spn=0.068335,0.11055&z=13

Black Angus #156 Outback #158 Target #134

 

[december]

thanks!

 

[TnTWalter]

Oops I forgot to look at my plan last night. We were supposed to have the 69 cent burgers and shakes from Checkers. LOL.

But I had an Olive Garden gift card [only $15]. I sent hubby to SuperTarget and the Olive Garden is really close to it....so I had him get a pint of meat sauce and a pint of alfredo and a dozen breadsticks....<$14!! I boiled pasta and made salads.....PERFECTO. You can even carryout their dressing...mmmm. So there's a cheap easy half in half out meal tip.

Trish

 

[TnTWalter]

hey sympatico...where is the grill? haven't looked very hard but was thinking of maybe grilling tomorrow...tonight is chicken enchiladas. Mmm Mmm.

Another SUPERTARGET tip.....they have some light up Disney Spinners...I had DH grab them last night for Illuminations. They're small and don't have the things that protude but kids could carry them in their fanny packs. They LOVED them. $4 each. They're in the toy aisle on an end cap. Not in the Disney section.

We went to Epcot until 4 yesterday and returned 7:30. It took 20 minutes from parking lot to parking lot. We had a great spot very close. After Illuminations [ended at 9:15] we walked leisurely to our car [were able to park close even the 2nd time]. Home by 10pm.

Note: kim possible ends at 7:45...oops. We were going to squeeze one more mission in so we got fps for that and test track before we left. oh well. test track was still fun.

Trish

 

[luchamouse]

Trish, these are great tips. I am eating these up.

Checkers huh? .69c sounds good to me

 

[sympatico]

hey sympatico...where is the grill? haven't looked very hard but was thinking of maybe grilling tomorrow...tonight is chicken enchiladas. Mmm Mmm.

Another SUPERTARGET tip.....they have some light up Disney Spinners...I had DH grab them last night for Illuminations. They're small and don't have the things that protude but kids could carry them in their fanny packs. They LOVED them. $4 each. They're in the toy aisle on an end cap. Not in the Disney section.

We went to Epcot until 4 yesterday and returned 7:30. It took 20 minutes from parking lot to parking lot. We had a great spot very close. After Illuminations [ended at 9:15] we walked leisurely to our car [were able to park close even the 2nd time]. Home by 10pm.

Note: kim possible ends at 7:45...oops. We were going to squeeze one more mission in so we got fps for that and test track before we left. oh well. test track was still fun.

Trish

The grills at WH are behind where the condos are . On this WH map it's where it says GOLF/COURTS. There's a gazebo type thing and grills.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bQv1oPRCk...AAARw/sCTaWOkayxg/s1600-h/windsorhillsmap.jpg

 

[sparkyboy]

thanks for the update--I hadn't considered staying off property, but your pics have convinced me to really think about staying at WH.

 

[Zoebear]

These are really really helpful .
I'm working your ideas into my plans too!

Thanks for taking the time to post while you're there. I'm living vicariously through you !
Cant wait- 32 days !!!

 

[scrapbookmom5174]

Super Target is right down street and tons of Disney stuff [autograph boks, water fans, etc.] for MUCH cheaper. Plus groceries.

Any questions, ask away!

Trish

Thanks for sharing. We too are staying at WH in August and plan to eat in our condo for most of our meals. You said SuperTarget had groceries? Were their prices reasonable?

Thanks!!

 

[pickleo]

Thanks so much for sharing your vacation with us! We arrive in 52 days to a WH condo...can't wait. I am glad to hear there is a Super Target near there. I was thinking of heading to Walmart, but i can get my groceries there! Also, we have never stayed there, and I couldn't visualize where exactly WH was until you mentioned the Angus steakhouse and outback...now I know exactly where they are located. Thanks for so much info!

 

[luchamouse]

Thanks so much for sharing your vacation with us! We arrive in 52 days to a WH condo...can't wait. I am glad to hear there is a Super Target near there. I was thinking of heading to Walmart, but i can get my groceries there! Also, we have never stayed there, and I couldn't visualize where exactly WH was until you mentioned the Angus steakhouse and outback...now I know exactly where they are located. Thanks for so much info!

Yes, thanks Trish, I hope you and your family are having a WONDERFUL day at the Parks. I am living vicariously through you also.

20 days. Can't WAIT!

 

[crusoe2]

Oops I forgot to look at my plan last night. We were supposed to have the 69 cent burgers and shakes from Checkers. LOL.

But I had an Olive Garden gift card [only $15]. I sent hubby to SuperTarget and the Olive Garden is really close to it....so I had him get a pint of meat sauce and a pint of alfredo and a dozen breadsticks....<$14!! I boiled pasta and made salads.....PERFECTO. You can even carryout their dressing...mmmm. So there's a cheap easy half in half out meal tip.

Trish

Trish, I have added both these ideas to my planning notes. Thanks so much for sharing. You've helped me get back to being more budget-minded but in a fun way. Can you tell me more about the 69 cent deals at Checkers? We haven't had a Checkers near us in awhile. Is there one fairly close to WH?

 

[TnTWalter]

Checkers...I just had it in my notes from this site 'best offsite restaurants' I think. I got the Logan's deal there too. I put it in my planner. Note make sure to READ the planner. LOL.

Thanks for the WH grills....might have to do that tomorrow.

We spent this morning at Studios and then went to DTD to spend $$$ on souveniers. Kids are super excited...all 3 [even the boy] are now playing with the littlest ponies steal of a deal....we fit every princess outfit accessory 1 bed + 3 ponies and brushes and clips in the box for $18!! Crazy. My son made a light saber $20 and my oldest started collecting pins she's my saver...she only bought 2 and looked for the cheaper ones. LOL. Then we went to the $10 or less and spent about $20...

I REALLY wanted to go to the outlet [Character premier] but this was easier. Hubby HATES to shop. Sigh. I was going to treat myself to some croc flips if they had them.

We also ate at Earl of Sandwich....a little more expensive than I anticipated but not bad...$41 for all 5 of us...3 kid sandwiches, 3 small strawberry shortcakes, 1 milk, 4 small sodas [splurge] 2 adult sandwiches. Yumm-O.

 

[TnTWalter]

Groceries at SuperTarget...

I used no coupons. I bought groceries for the week for $196. Reasonable. Included in this were 3 autograph books $2 each and 1 spray mist fan for $6. I also include a clearance 4 pack of soft soap for the bathrooms, toilet paper [4 pack] and 1 Viva paper towel roll, and a big ol' kid 3 in 1 shampoo.

I planned tacos one night, chicken enchiladas, pasta [knew we were going to do Olive Garden sauces]. We packed a few lunches so had lunch fixings. TONS of healthy snacks, frozen fruit for smoothies, eggs, snacks for home, case of Bud for DH [brought wine for me from home], 2 cases bottled water, capri suns, etc. etc. fruit, salads, dressing, etc. OJ Milk.

We did also bring fillers from home...some dried fruit, pancake mix from Trader Joe's dips etc.

I still have plenty left.

Oh and we've spent $475 total on other expenses; $100 on souvies and the rest on meals so far....Sat-Thursday. I'm guessing another $100 for food before we leave Saturday at noon.

So $475 eating out $200 groceries. Our big ticket meal was CRYSTAL PALACE BREAKFAST...that was $120 by itself!!! But so worth it with the insane crowds for characters we were dealing with.

 

[TnTWalter]

Disney Magic...

I was also concerned about this. But I have to say the kids haven't even noticed....isn't that funny. I originally wanted a tastefully Disney themed condo or house. I was hesitant to book this one as it's more resort tropical. But the price sold me.

The kids are so in love with the tvs, pool, space, Disney theme parks, eating out....they haven't really said one negative thing. We were even talking this morning about the Disney buses and I said 'do you miss the buses?' EVERYONE YELLED NO. LOL. We actually thought they were fun when we were riding them. It's just really truly so much easier and faster and nicer to be in your own vehicle.....I didn't really believe all the people who said that. I do now....

 

[december]

I'm getting so excited now (and I'm only 408 days out). I've only been twice and stayed at AllStar Sports both times. But dh has never gone with us. He agreed to go this trip, but only if we stayed offsite and he can golf while we do WDW (he is doing Kennedy with us). If he can eat steak dinners and have some Bud Lite at the house, he'll be a happy man!

Where did you find the info for best offsite restaurants?

 

[TnTWalter]

Wow...you are a PLANNER december!!! You will love it. I was hoping to take pool pics today but weather is NOT cooperating. I'll try to do that tomorrow. We really havent' had as much pool time as planned....this pool is perfect for our needs.

 

[december]

I am an obsessive planner, but this trip was supposed to be this summer. The little one in my avatar (she is 3 wks old today) is why we postponed until next summer. Very much worth it though!

 

[pdietz]

We are sitting in our townhome now waiting out the rain and hoping to make it DTD tonight. Thanks for the grill tip will have to check them out tomorrow.