EagleHasLanded
With the original Buzz
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2004
- Messages
- 67
We just returned home from AllStarSports and wanted to offer a few tips that made our stay more pleasant, and even saved a few bucks along the way. I posted this on the Families board and then saw this board and thought this would be a good place also.
* We took the Osceola Parkway to the new Super Wal-Mart on Hwy 535. We learned that instead of taking it all the way to 535, you can avoid the 75 cent toll (to and from) at the 535 exit. Heres how:
On Osceola Parkway, turn left onto South International Drive (this is the traffic light at the Gaylord Palms Resort). Proceed about 1 mile and you will run right into Hwy 535. Now turn Right, go about ½ mile, and the SWM is on your right. Just reverse to go back. You will save $1.50 each time you go. I know it doesnt sound like much but for us it added up.
Additionally, back at the Gaylord Palms Resort traffic light, if you were to turn Right and go about ½ mile, on the left just under the overpass is a Publix Market (very nice), and that next traffic light is Hwy 192. This is useful if you need groceries only, it is closer than the SWM.
* We are thinking about staying off-site next year in a rental home (large group of us), and while we were there this time we took the opportunity to check out a few of the offices that we had narrowed down from the web. I think we are going to go with VillaDirect, (www.villadirect.com) as they seem to have the most homes closest to the Disney area. They have a large inventory of all different size homes, and the ease of check in after hours was a big factor for me. (We have rented other places in the US and sometimes checking in after hours was a real pain). I was also impressed with their operation, staff, and quality of rental homes. Their Website is very nice, their prices were comparable, and overall seemed to be the best value.
* We reserved numerous baby needed items from A Babys Best Friend again, (www.abbf.com) and were very, very pleased with everything. This is about the third time we have used them, and what a joy it is to arrive and have a full crib with a REAL mattress, clean bedding, clean strollers, clean toys, and even a refrigerator and microwave waiting for us at the resort. (And I know some of you will ask, so I will go ahead and tell you: the resort does not care one iota that we got a fridge and micro from an outside company). They have recently added gas BBQ grills to their inventory, and we will be getting one of those along with pools toys next year at our rental home. I have been very impressed the last few years by ABBFs quality of items, staff professionalism, and service. They have a fabulous Website, and we saved time, aggravation, and money using their service.
* Last, if you have never had a Krispy-Kreme doughnut you are missing out. There is a store on 192 where you can watch the automated doughnut maker, and it is really something. From the light at 192 after the Publix (see above) turn Left and go about 2 miles on 192, Krispy-Kreme is on the right side before Poinciana Blvd.
Hope this helps some of you save some money and make your trip more enjoyable.
* We took the Osceola Parkway to the new Super Wal-Mart on Hwy 535. We learned that instead of taking it all the way to 535, you can avoid the 75 cent toll (to and from) at the 535 exit. Heres how:
On Osceola Parkway, turn left onto South International Drive (this is the traffic light at the Gaylord Palms Resort). Proceed about 1 mile and you will run right into Hwy 535. Now turn Right, go about ½ mile, and the SWM is on your right. Just reverse to go back. You will save $1.50 each time you go. I know it doesnt sound like much but for us it added up.
Additionally, back at the Gaylord Palms Resort traffic light, if you were to turn Right and go about ½ mile, on the left just under the overpass is a Publix Market (very nice), and that next traffic light is Hwy 192. This is useful if you need groceries only, it is closer than the SWM.
* We are thinking about staying off-site next year in a rental home (large group of us), and while we were there this time we took the opportunity to check out a few of the offices that we had narrowed down from the web. I think we are going to go with VillaDirect, (www.villadirect.com) as they seem to have the most homes closest to the Disney area. They have a large inventory of all different size homes, and the ease of check in after hours was a big factor for me. (We have rented other places in the US and sometimes checking in after hours was a real pain). I was also impressed with their operation, staff, and quality of rental homes. Their Website is very nice, their prices were comparable, and overall seemed to be the best value.
* We reserved numerous baby needed items from A Babys Best Friend again, (www.abbf.com) and were very, very pleased with everything. This is about the third time we have used them, and what a joy it is to arrive and have a full crib with a REAL mattress, clean bedding, clean strollers, clean toys, and even a refrigerator and microwave waiting for us at the resort. (And I know some of you will ask, so I will go ahead and tell you: the resort does not care one iota that we got a fridge and micro from an outside company). They have recently added gas BBQ grills to their inventory, and we will be getting one of those along with pools toys next year at our rental home. I have been very impressed the last few years by ABBFs quality of items, staff professionalism, and service. They have a fabulous Website, and we saved time, aggravation, and money using their service.
* Last, if you have never had a Krispy-Kreme doughnut you are missing out. There is a store on 192 where you can watch the automated doughnut maker, and it is really something. From the light at 192 after the Publix (see above) turn Left and go about 2 miles on 192, Krispy-Kreme is on the right side before Poinciana Blvd.
Hope this helps some of you save some money and make your trip more enjoyable.
