Travisma

It is a good place to eat.
 
The original location in Tampa opened in 1905 (1905 Salad) and has been in the same family ever since.
 
Celebrations location opened in 1997.
 
The original Columbia Restaurant, located in the historic Ybor City neighborhood in Tampa, Florida, is the oldest continuously operated restaurant in Florida,[1] the oldest Spanish restaurant in the United States[2] and one of the largest Spanish restaurants in the world with 1,700 seats in 15 dining rooms taking up 52,000 ft² over an entire city block.[1] Founded in 1905 in, the landmark is still owned by the Hernandez/Gonzmart family and serves Spanish and Cuban cuisine.[3]
In June 2009, the Columbia Restaurant was selected as one of the 25 iconic restaurants of the Tampa-St.Petersburg area by Laura Reily, the food critic of the St. Petersburg Times.[4] Also Nation's Restaurant News named it a "Top 50 All-American icon."[1]

This to me was a very interesting and scary look at the way Disney has been pricing tickets from the first day Disneyland opened up until present time.
 
They even talk about the tiered pricing based on crowd projections survey that went out and was talked about on a thread a while back.
 
It comes from the Theme Park Tourist page.
 
http://www.themeparktourist.com/features/20150814/30480/e-ticket-ride-walt-disney-world-ticket-prices-through-years
 
It seems factual, and I'm not an economist, but the figures seemed to make sense.
 
And I think Walt must be spinning in his grave seeing how his vision of a wonderful place that families could enjoy has been turned into such a money grubbing behemoth!

Wonder how many more Billions they need to spend to fix it and really make it user friendly?

I feel the same way. It used to be with a pass, at least for us locals, you,could just go to the parks, wander around and go on whatever rides didn't have a long line. Sooner or later you would get on everything. But now everything is booked up by people 6 months out. Last time we went camping and had passes, everything felt rushed and not nearly as enjoyable as just hanging out at the Fort.

This will need to go on a treeless site!
 

 
New cart rentals coming to the Fort

Hopefully this doesn't become true for you, but RAMS's do rule
 
...

Welcome.
 
Typically with hotels, most people leave on a Friday or Saturday, and most check in on a Sunday.
 
We have had good luck getting sites we like by arriving at the Fort on a Friday.  It's usually in the afternoon because we get our granddaughter out of school early then have about an 1 1/2 hour drive.

Oh joy..... more self centered me generationals and their devil spawns filling up camp grounds and wanting instant gratification.
 
They never were taught what real (or semi real) camping was all about.  Setting up a tent, PUP or TT.  Getting dirty and meeting your neighbors.
 
They'll be wanting Starbucks spigots at every site and turn down service in their RV's.
 
And Rutherford and Missy will be driving their own golf carts even though they are 8 and 10 because mummsy and popsy said they could.

Oh joy..... more self centered me generationals and their devil spawns filling up camp grounds and wanting instant gratification.
 
They never were taught what real (or semi real) camping was all about.  Setting up a tent, PUP or TT.  Getting dirty and meeting your neighbors.
 
They'll be wanting Starbucks spigots at every site and turn down service in their RV's.
 
And Rutherford and Missy will be driving their own golf carts even though they are 8 and 10 because mummsy and popsy said they could.

Conspiracy theorists keep claiming that the guvment is trying to control everyone.
 
They need to wake up and look at everyone walking around with Starbuck$ cups, from young kids to advanced middle agers.
 
Who knows what they are putting in their drinks to keep everyone coming back and shelling out big $$$ for a drink that costs pennies to make.
 
Talk about mind control.
 
Personally, the only reason I step foot in one is to use the bathroom if someone I'm with has to have their "fix".
 
And it seems like it's more of a generational, younger crowd that goes there.
 
Guess us old geezers can't handle paying $3 for something that used to be 25 cents and you got a free refill.

I dont love starbucks coffee... however their Frap or what ever it is... are good
they have a smores one.... mm mmm good
 
rather than to to starbucks daily, I make my coffee at home using the following method.
 
First I spell my name wrong, then I fill the coffee grinder with beans and turn it on while trying to have a conversation with my wife about the plans for the day, then i brew the coffee, light a $5 bill on fire, scream out my name and then drink 

I thought Merida's mom ate them while she was a bear!

I thought Merida's mom ate them while she was a bear!

What they need is FUTBOL!  Goalllllllllll.  They would make a mega ton of money off of the Brazilians!  The line would stretch all the way back thru the entire complex to the toy store and the splash fountain.

Let us know the name, and how the place is.
 
Also if they allow PUPS.

Available until Thursday
 
Mickey or Minnie in EPCOT Space Suits
 
Sorry can't post pictures
 
Link to Minnie
 
http://www.disneystore.com/tees-tops-shirts-clothes-minnie-mouse-future-world-tee-for-women-epcot-limited-release/mp/1384622/1000228/
 
Mickey
 
http://www.disneystore.com/tees-tops-shirts-clothes-mickey-mouse-future-world-tee-for-adults-epcot-limited-release/mp/1384636/1000228/

There is a back way onto the property that has very little Disney signage.  None of the big overhead ones, just a couple small signs directing you to some of the resorts.
 
I can't link the map, but if you go to Google maps and enter these streets it'll make sense to you.
 
The only drawback to coming this way is you will have to do a sharp about 120 degree turn into the driveway.  Not sure if the big boys can handle that turn, my pick up and little PUP can do it.
 
Maybe some Class A or TT people will chime in about the turn.
 
535/Winter Garden Vineland Road to Vista Blvd.
 
Stay on Vista past the stop sign, then thru the stop light at Golden Oaks, and you'll arrive at the Fort on your right.
 
It's about 2 miles from the 535 turn off.

It was odd or even day! Only enforcing those site #'s

With all the money Disney is raking in, they should dome all of the parks and resorts!

People always bemoan (including myself) the rising site costs and the vanishing amenities/things that make the Fort unique.
 
Do we have anyone out there that has knowledge of the Forts profit or loss (ha ha) per site compared to a room at a resort?
 
To me, it would seem that a site is more profitable since there is less daily upkeep... no fresh linens, maid service, restocking soaps, cleaning the room before the next guest, etc (except the cabins).  There are no fancy lobbies or hallways to keep clean and upkeep, no A/C usage, less water usage, no fancy grounds or pools to maintain, less maintenance/maid/front desk staff.
 
To turn a Fort site, Joe leaf blower comes in, blows the trash off the site (picks it up if it's big enough) hoses the pad, and maybe rakes.  I have a feeling they don't check the water, electric, or cable connection unless someone has complained.  Takes about 10 minutes to flip a site.
 
If you're lucky the trash crew comes around daily to empty the loop cans.
 
The lawn crew has maybe more grass but less fancy flower beds to maintain.
 
So even if  a room is 2 to 3 times more than a site, there seems to be a lot more overhead cutting into the profits at a resort, even the moderate ones.
 
If a room stays vacant, there is still A/C cooling it.
 
If a site sits empty, it may get a few leaves on the pad that may or may not get cleaned off before you check in.
 
To me, the Fort seems like a cash cow to Disney that should be treated a lot better than it is, and maybe even expanded.
 

OK, no one else needs to enter this contest since we have already won it.
 
I have the drawing from my granddaughter to prove that I'm the best grandpa.

Maybe you could Facetime or Skype one as long as your wi-fi signal stays connected!

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/07/international-drive-to-host-media-based.html
International Drive to Host a Media Based Scavenger Hunt
Orlando’s International Drive consists of 11.1 miles of entertainment, shopping, food, and hotels, and it only continues to grow. Ongoing improvement projects promise to make I-Drive an even more inviting, thrilling place to stay and play.
That said, the northern end of I-Drive doesn't seem to get enough recognition. In an effort to show just how much fun can be had in one very full weekend, a new scavenger hunt will be hosted to promote the offerings of north I-Drive.
On July 10, CSI: The Experience and Leonardo da Vinci: Man-Inventor-Artist-Genius will be kicking off an original scavenger hunt, based in social media. The hunt will last from July 10 - July 24, 2015, and the prize winner will be announced no later than Friday, July 31, 2015.
The Grand Prize includes 3 day/2 night stay at a local resort, and tickets to attractions and dinner shows. All participating attractions are within reasonable (even walking) distance to the host resort.
More details about the hunt (as well as the prize package) will be revealed just before or during the launch of the game. Stay tuned on OTPN and the Facebook pages of the participating attractions (such as CSI: The Experience, Leonardo da Vinci: Man-Inventor-Artist-Genius and many others, which will be announced soon) for updates, information, and clues.

Getting stuck on the Orlando Eye
The Eye lost power today stranding 66 riders for more than 45 minutes.
Power was restored but firefighters had to open the cabs manually.
An Elite Rescue team was on standby.

First, you now need reservations if you want to eat inside, which is where you can still get the real Kitchen Sink, the mini sink, real food and other treats. There is a to go line, not sure if you can get food in it or only ice cream treats. There you can get the mini kitchen sink. It's close to the same price as the big one, but about 1/2 the amount of ice cream. But you do get to keep the bowl.