Fru-Gal Friends

Subject: My totally non-frugal vacation Thu 01 May 2008, 9:50 pm

I just got back from a totally non-frugal vacation at the Hard Rock Hotel and Universal Studios in Orlando, and aside from the company, I really didn't like it. It all started last year when I decide not to go on the annual family cruise this year, I was burnt out on all the kids (other peoples' not ours Wink

consumerism and waste. My cousins were disappointed and suggested I join them for the last portion of their vacation 5 days in Orlando. Foolishly, I never inquired about all the costs, I just figured, no airfare, I'm sharing a room with one of my best friends (and cousin) and we're booking way ahead for the best deal. Stupid, stupid, stupid! My cousins save up all year for this cruise and Orlando extravaganza, and while the cruise is all inclusive, Orlando is NOT. My half of the room was $800 (it did include all the Universal Studio tickets). Breakfast each day was $20, (no free continental at the HR) Parking each day was $15. Plus, it caters to young families, the very people I was trying to avoid! The rooms are nothing to write home about and Buy This, Buy This is everywhere you look. The nicest part of the hotel complex were the beautifully groomed ggrounds and the free water taxi. What was I thinking going to a theme park when I don't like kids or do amusement rides????? Although I had never been to one before I certainly should have figured out there would be kids there! Each dinner meal was planned far in advance to be sure to try all of the "best" restaurants. So we ate at the Hard Rock Cafe, Emeril's, The Royal Pacific Luau, the Palm Resturant and Margaritaville. The food was wonderful but, I wish I could have spread all those dinners over the whole year instead of 5 days, (so does my butt and my liver). All in all, I had a wonderful time with my cousins, I went on some of the rides at the theme park, saw some fun shows and danced with the Hawiian dancers at the luau and let myself just go with the flow and didn't snap at even one unruly child! I'm glad I did it once, but I'll know it's not my thing in the future.
_________________
Dear Lord, help me remember how lucky I am on both the good and the bad days!

Moderator Age : 27 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 1693

Sorry you didn't have as much fun as you hoped, Teri.

Subject: Re: My totally non-frugal vacation Fri 02 May 2008, 6:41 am

Teri I love the picture. Sorry you didn't have as much fun either. Well you can say you did it and you made some memories.
_________________
Vicki

Subject: Re: My totally non-frugal vacation Fri 02 May 2008, 7:24 am

Glad you had a safe trip Teri. I'm sorry to hear it wasn't all you'd hoped but you live and learn, eh? At least the company was good.
I DO love that photo though, it's great! Smile

_________________
~ By sowing frugality we reap liberty, a golden harvest. --Agesilaus ~

Subject: Re: My totally non-frugal vacation Fri 02 May 2008, 8:39 pm

sorry you didnt have a good time Teri
_________________
Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Subject: Re: My totally non-frugal vacation Fri 02 May 2008, 9:41 pm

I really did have a good time, I just learned a lot of frugal lessons from the trip. I loved spending time with Judy, Kathy and Kathy's family and I was wicked impressed by the special effects that Universal has created. It's just that I have an equally good time with my family in a not so expensive enviroment. I should stress that Kathy and Judy save and plan for this trip all year long, they don't use credit cards and they knew what they were getting into pricewise, it was my own lack of planning that caused my distress.
_________________
Dear Lord, help me remember how lucky I am on both the good and the bad days!

Subject: Re: My totally non-frugal vacation Fri 02 May 2008, 9:42 pm

P.S. the hula dancer was really, really cute, even though he was younger than my son Michael!
_________________
Dear Lord, help me remember how lucky I am on both the good and the bad days!