Tnvolcamper

Thanks for the help!!!

Our golf cart batteries are dead and we haven't even used it yet (we bought a used one) any suggestions on where to find any online? stores that carry? I do know that they are expensive....VERY expensive !!!!

Going to Cracker Barrel and Lowes this weekend!!!!

What do you all think about the 900 loop? It's pet friendly, isn't it?

Oh! I LOVE THIS!!!! Thanks!

I made one last night with a chocolate cake mix and a 7up,then I topped it with Nutella while it was still warm....soooooo good!

Take ANY flavor cake mix and pour in 1 can of Diet 7up....bake as directed on box...no eggs, no oil, nothing else....Easy and Light and tastes surprisingly delicious!!!

I have actually wondered the same thing. Last visit, there were several campsites that the people looked like they were permanently staying....one had a full size fridge outside of their camper and an unbelievable amount of Halloween decorations.....we drove our golf cart around this site several times just to look at all of the decorations...I thought it was pretty cool, but I cannot imagine someone setting all of that stuff out (including the fridge) just for a visit!!!

I haven't been to Epcot in many years, and my girls (ages 7 and 13) have never been. We are adding to our list next visit...what are must sees/things to do there for kids those ages?  

I have no idea why I am just now finding out about this show, but I am intrigued....We have never seen it...what do you all think about it? I may have to add it to the list next visit! And, while I am at it...what are your favorite things to do at Hollywood Studios. The day we went last year was rainy and I had a grumpy 6 year old with me, so I didn't get to see as much as I would have liked...What are your favorite things to do/see there?

THANK-YOU for sharing this....I cannot wait to try it! One of my grandpups is a little yorkie and she is the pickiest thing...this may do the trick!!!

i have been threatening to do this for a long time. i started to make my dogs food. it's going to be a lot of work but, it is time. i am tired of all the recalls and the recalls have gotten to the better foods lately. so, i made a recipe yesterday and another today. with 4 dogs getting about 1 cup each the food doesn't go far.

but, if i can do 2 recipes per week i might be able to keep up. this round i am trying to use up their dry food. so, i am giving a half cup of dry food and half cup of home made food. boy, do they gobble it up.

the first recipe---not written by me. i do measure the food to freeze. :)



Zuchini casserole (makes 12 cups)
1/2 pound ground beef (only 7% fat) hard to find 1/2 pound so buy the 1 pound and freeze half of it for another time!
2 teaspoons of thyme
1 tablespoon each of extra virgin coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil
2 green zucchinis
1 bag frozen carrots cooked in microwave
1 cut quinoa (rinse well before cooking)
1 clove garlic
3 tablespoons fresh parsley
1 egg
1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese
1 tablespoon flax seed
1/3 cup low sodium beef broth

Rinse the one cup of Quinoa very well to get all the bitter taste out of it and cook it in 3 cups of water for 30 minutes. This is NOT the recommended cooking time on the box but the recommended cooking time for this particular grain for dogs. I am seeing this grain in my local Safeway now so it should be easy to find though you can substitute couscous if you can't find.
Shred the two washed zucchinis with a box shredder. You can use a food processor.

Sautee the zucchini in the oils for five minutes and then add the diced garlic and cook until all in tender on medium heat. Be careful, garlic can burn if cooked too high and it taste nasty then and even a dog won't eat it then!

Now cook the meat in the same pan that you cooked the zucchini and add the thyme.
Add the cooked quinoa to the cooked zucchini and then add the cooked beef breaking up all the clumps of beef to evenly distribute the beef.

Put the cooked carrots, garlic and parsley in the food processor (you can even put the beef in here)
Now mix everything up including the egg and cottage cheese and beef broth.
place it all in a well oiled pan and bake for 20 minutes in a 375 over

With my dinner casseroles, I measure out servings and freeze each serving.

the dogs love this and it smelled really good, too. i know monique--raw would probably be easier but, i just can't go there.

I discovered this recipe last year and the kids ask for it ALL of the time! It's a camping favorite now! Take corn on the cob (if buying corn in the husk, remove husk and let it soak in cold water for about 5 minutes before starting).....Rub extra virgin olive oil, generously, all over corn...sprinkle garlic powder, nutmeg, sea salt and, and cracked black pepper...loosely wrap in aluminum foil (sealing the foil edges, but leaving plenty of room on the inside so the foil isn't directly touching the corn. THEN, put on the grill for 20 minutes.....it's simple, but tastes FANTASTIC!

We LOVE our Class C ....we also had a TT, but found a great deal on a Motorhome, and I absolutely love it. We took it to the Fort last Fall, my daughters sat at the table, colored, played games, and watched movies while my husband and I took turns driving (I find it easy to drive....feels like driving a truck)....we also camp locally (almost every weekend in the summer) and it is so nice to just jump in the camper and go....It is a Vista Cruiser mini...looks small on the outside, but extremely roomy on the inside. Oh yeah, we also have to little pups underfoot as well!!!! I think you will be happy with a Class C!!!!

The TT we have now is on the small side, very little storage options and only a half slide so not much room to move, especially with one or two small dogs under foot. Pretty much any upgrade we do will be more space. We are only a family of 3 so we don't need huge space, just more. We ran the numbers again (we aren't making the purchase until early 2015) and yes, we probably could replace our truck and do a 5th wheel but honestly, along with all the reasons Gwen listed, we especially love the idea not having to hitch and unhitch a trailer. We found a class C that we really like and if we get all our financial ducks in a row I think that is the best fit for us.

The TT we have now is on the small side, very little storage options and only a half slide so not much room to move, especially with one or two small dogs under foot. Pretty much any upgrade we do will be more space. We are only a family of 3 so we don't need huge space, just more. We ran the numbers again (we aren't making the purchase until early 2015) and yes, we probably could replace our truck and do a 5th wheel but honestly, along with all the reasons Gwen listed, we especially love the idea not having to hitch and unhitch a trailer. We found a class C that we really like and if we get all our financial ducks in a row I think that is the best fit for us.

I may just stick with our early Oct plans.....I love that time so much! I will try to hide out in Gatlinburg since it is close to our home during Thanksgiving I guess ...lol...holiday time means family drama time....and I am already planning ways to avoid it....so it's either Gatlinburg or a case of Pinot Grigio :-)

Crowded levels according to Tourplans.com predict it to be a 10 out of 10.  Which for some means no go and for others means good planning.  We have been the week of Christmas and it was busy but we expected that.

We have been to Disney twice with our girls and both times have been late Sept., early Oct...and the lines are short, the weather is perfect, and to be honest, I think it's the most ideal time to go...However, there is a change in the school calendar next year for Fall break so it has me questioning whether or not we should go to the Fort at Thanksgiving, plus the thoughts of being with only my husband and 2 girls and away from our maniacal extended families is very enticing...Is it too crowded then?

Thanks for the link! I think we are going to give it a try when we go! May not be the best food, but it sounds like a fun experience!!

Here's a review from easywdw

 

http://www.easywdw.com/dining/sci-fi-dine-in-theatre-restaurant-review-at-disney-world/

YES! They work great! I don't put mine in the little door compartment, I just throw a cube in every cycle!!!

So do you pop these out of the ice cube tray and end up with little blocks similar to those expensive Cascade or Finish brand ones? 

ME TOO!!!! My favorite combination is processing 2 bars of ivory soap (free and clear), then mix that with 2 cups each of borax and washing soda....2 tbls per load and it works great and is allergy-free as well!!! 

Thanks for sharing! I've made my own laundry detergent with similar ingredients. 

I haven't seen anyone review the Sci Fi Dinner Theater yet!!! Is it worth it? It sounds really cool, but I don't know of anyone who has actually gone to it!

I would like to try the Le Cellier as well!

^{So glad you started this thread.  We are looking for good places too.  We have tried many but I want to venture out a little this time.  Places we have on our list are Sci Fi, BOG, 'OHana,  Le Cellier and Tusker House.   All favorites of ours.  Well I loved BOG it will be his first time there.}

I make my own dishwashing detergent and it saves me LOT of money (the store bought ones are so expensive) so I thought I would share some of my hillbilly chemistry with you all if you're interested! This is for one ice tray: 1 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda, 1/3 cups epsom salt, and the juice of one plastic lemon ... Mix together, spoon into an ice tray....let sit overnight or dry all day in the sun...and, you now have the best diswashing detergent ever....no more spots!

There are 4 of us....my husband and myself, plus our soon to be 13 year old and 7 year old!!!

I second Be Our Guest, but make sure you get online at 6:00 AM exactly at your 180 mark to make your ADR. It books fast.

Who is in your party? That would influence my recommendations.

Thank-you! I am a camping nerd....I actually have a notebook where I write all of this stuff down so I will remember!!!!

Definitely the new Be Our Guest is worthwhile.  I almost canceled our reservation in January as I didn't want to spend that much, but am very glad we did it. 

 

In Epcot, I like to get pizza at Via Napoli.  It's very good.  I also loved the buffet dinner in Germany.  That was a lot of fun and very good food. 

 

In Hollywood Studios we love 50's Prime time Cafe. 

Last year, we learned that we need reservations to go to the Sci-Fi drive-in dinner place in Hollywood Studios (so that's on my list for next Fall unless you all tell me it's not worth it)....but, what other BIG, dinner attractions would you all recommend?....I am assuming the new Beauty and the Beast dining is worth a reservation??? And, what about Epcot? What are the best places to eat there? I know the Fort has the hoop de doo musical review is a favorite with some, but we live in East TN and very close to Dollywood....every DAY is Hoop De Doo. I appreciate any input!  :thank-you-smiley3:

I enjoyed their pizza. We ordered one and ate it on the porch while my husband and my youngest daughter played checkers...Of course, after a full day at MK, a beer, and relaxing in one of the rocking chairs...I was a happy girl....some frozen pizza that I didn't have to cook made it even better!