Disneyworld!

Going to the Farmer's Market today in Mt. Pleasant. It's just one of two in the area, but it only happens once a week. I'd like to go by myself today to kind of scope it out, and, who knows, maybe bring someone along next week. Although I think that I'd be much happier just going alone, so that I can savor the sights and colors and make my own conclusions.

So, we're back in South Carolina... We went to Disneyworld this weekend for the 4th of July. This has been the second weekend in a row that we (Andy, I, Nick, Tim, Mom, Shawn and Tim) have driven down to FL. It's hard, but a lot easier when you're sleeping. Sleeping road trips are always the best. What's not fun is getting woken up at 1 AM to leave for the damned thing and to then have the driver blaring Black Eyed Peas while you try to reclaim anything of a normal night's rest. I understand the need for the driver to be awake etc. etc. but why couldn't we just have left a little earlier?

Epcot Center was probably my favorite. We went there the first day. They had manitees, dolphins, and a shark (!) at the Finding Nemo ride. The last day (Sunday) we did the Toy Story ride at Hollywood Studios. That was fun because you got to shoot virtual projectiles onto the screen for points! Andy and I were neck and neck until the little toss over the aliens, and I plummeted... Anyway, seeing that I had never been on the Buzz Lightyear ride (Which I did, too!!) at Disneyland, this definitely compensated.

Speaking of family trips to amusement parks... do you know how much the average family can save just by taking food into the park? It might not be the most convenient, but I'll show you how you can save lots of money just with a little pre-planning.

Family of 4. At $20 a piece (which is a modest amount for a typical meal at Disneyworld, drinks included), that is $80 per meal. Let's say your hotel gave a continental breakfast (ours didn't, because it was a resort. Watch out for that). So you're set for one meal, but come lunchtime the youngsters are whining about hamburgers and those delicious breadsticks you smell coming from Animal Kingdom. You shell out the cash, everybody's happy. Let's say the same thing happens for dinner. Now, along the way your little munchkins will probably get hungry, thirsty, or hot sometime between there. Let's say you buy everyone a frozen lemonade. At $6.50 each you're up to $166 + tax simply for food which you will never see again this side of the latrine.

Now, let's take that same family and buy them sandwiches. I'm not saying you have to, but Subway is healthy, convenient, and pleases just about everyone in the group. Without buying drinks (you filled your water bottles before entering the park, didn't you?), the bill will be roughly $40 plus tax for a family of four. I usually eat half of my footlong sandwich, then save the rest for later, thus eliminating the need for a midday snack. This leaves dinner. Let's say after all the fireworks and festivities your little troop is still hungry. Claim Jumper anyone?

The point is to spend money where you really need it. I was horrified as we rang up over $40 for a three person meal, for lunch no less, at Animal Kingdom. The portions turned out to be quite large, but were probably not the healthiest option. Another thing to forego-soda. It's might be refreshing, but you are doing your body no good except filling it with sugar or, if it's the diet kind, chemicals. The caffeine even negates any type of "hydration" you are expecting. And at $6 a pop, I'll have water, thank you.