My First Thanksgiving in Orlando

My family came down to visit this week to celebrate Thanksgiving and to see how I was getting on. To say I was glad to see them was an understatement, even after staying with them this summer and it only being a couple months since the move.

Prior to their trip, we checked into TG buffets and dinners around the area, as well as some fun things to go do. While the latter was a plethora of options (and yes I do know what a plethora is and have seen that movie too), the former was a little tricky. We'd thought of TG at a Disney resort restaurant, but all I could find was an event at either the Swan or Dolphin hotel...and, it was booked solid. The rest of the resorts seemed to run standard menus and nothing special for the holiday. This wasn't a bad thing, but it was surprising.

After a couple conversations upon their arrival, we opted for The Black Angus on Apopka Vineland. It was close to the folk's hotel, had traditional holiday food, and had a varied regular menu. (While I am a picky eater and have expanded the palette in the past few years, there's this perception I don't like traditional TG food. For the record, turkey, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, and even stuffing are all winners.) This ended up being a low crowd, good service, relaxed meal. The folks enjoyed their traditional dinners and I, my crab legs (smirk).

To avoid food coma, we toured the artist formerly known as Downtown Disney and poked around in the shops for a while. With the sunny day, the crowds were in the parks. The folks got to see the Vinylmations at D Street, decaying undead pirates at World of Disney, taste free peppermint bark at Ghirardelli, ooh and ahh over the Christmas store. We notably skipped Pin Traders. Why? For me, it's like waving a donut in front of a dieter. Too much temptation. ;)

Next up was seeing the minimalist/mid-century mod/beach-condo-in-training, aka my studio apartment that looked like a camping display at Bass Pro. (No really. REI would be proud here.) Amazingly, my parents had fit the remainder of my worldly possessions in the SUV for the trip and I was able to take majority the first night they were in town. And now they saw the fruits of 2 am quick decorating. Yes friends, they beheld the wonder of LED rope lighting, thrilled to the compact awesome of my George Foreman grill, and witnessed the pure creative bed making, known lovingly as, '"The Cannoli". Dad also laughed during his experience in "The Micro Cabana".

To cap the day, we had a late dinner at CiCi's near Apopka Vineland. Yes friends, now they too know the power of the buffet and buffalo chicken pizza. I even got a Spanish lesson from a lady who works there (I'm a bit of a regular).

This Thanksgiving was definitely a good one, fitting in well with many good times had during travels. I'm glad the parents could come down and see the reasons Orlando, as a city, brings me so much joy. They had a good time and said they'd be back at Christmas...for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Oh, and golf too. Yep, they're hooked (snicker). ;)

I hope all of you had good Thanksgivings with family, friends, or loved ones. And, as always, thank you for reading. Cheers!