I haven't written a trip report for sometime but I thought that some of our experiences may be of interest to others.
Last year husband wasn't impressed that I'd booked tickets for March as the golf is dearer then. He met a couple from Michagan and played with them most days. As they are snow-birds he was keen to go around the same time. We had Virgin Miles to spend so had to go with the dates offered. Luckily he can also pick and choose when he works so we booked a 3 week trip. His golf buddies at Kissimmee golf course got him a special deal and he played golf 19 days for less than he would have paid for 10. Don't know if all courses are offering discounts but his buddies also paid 1/2 of what they paid for a block booking for 3 months.
The weather was very kind to us and my sister and I spent our mornings shopping and the afternoons lazing around the pool.
We were disappointed to find that Bells Clearance had closed down from the Osceolla Mall on 192. The main store has now moved to The Loop where Belks used to be.
Near to the end of our shopping days we found that a new shopping centre has been opened opposite Kissimmee Oaks golf course. It's where the Publix used to be on Hoagland Blvd and OBT. At the moment it has Bells Outlet and a Deals. Both stores are fresh and modern, the Bells especially, it doesn't feel so cramped like the one on Marker 13. I always used to call it Bealls as the bell in the centre looks like an A. Soon a Ross will open there so anyone who likes to find a bargain should head there.
Bells Outlet has a one card and if you are over 50 then you get 15% of your purchases on a Monday and 15% for under 50's on a Friday. At Ross they have a Tuesday club for over 55's on a Tuesday.
Last year we ate in the villa quite a bit. This year we bought a Crock Pot or slow cooker from Walmart for $15. Best money we have ever spent. The meals were superb and we recommend the America's Favourit Pot Roast, beef stew (2) and Classic Marinara Sauce. All these recipes can be found on www.crockpot.com
We got most of our meat from Winn Dixie. When you go in apply for their card and you get discounts on meat and other things on special that week. Walmart has opened grocery stores they are labled green instead of blue. We found that cucumbers were selling for 25c there whilst in the normal stores they were 72. These are the Pepinos, small ridge cucumbers they sell in Spain.
Talking of Spain I found that the staff in most Walmarts were more interested in talking to each other than serving or helping customers. I'm used to Spainish ways as we own a property there but even I found it annoying.
Most of the other ingredients for our recipes we found in Dollartree, herbs, spices and beef broth. So much cheaper than Walmart, Publix etc.
The 3 of us ate well, including 4 meals out for $900.
Hope this information helps those who are new to Florida.
I'm off now to research where I can find Italian Sausage in UK for the Classic Marinara Sauce
I hope this reads ok as the curser keeps disappearing of the page and I'm not sure where I'm typing, perhaps the threads too long and I should have broken it up.
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