Seals

Definitely Old Salem if you like history or it's just a nice place to walk around. NC Zoo in Asheboro (southeast of W-S; not the same as Asheville) is nice if you like zoos. It's big (or at least was, we haven't been in about 5 years). NC Transportation museum in Spencer if you like trains. NASCAR museum in Charlotte if you like NASCAR. Tweetsie RR is for young kids. Boone/Blowing Rock/Banner Elk area has lots of nice outdoor areas -- Grandfather Mtn., Blue Ridge Parkway. Can't really help with food. We have friends who live near Winston-Salem and we eat at their house when we go to that are

We are pretty low budget travelers. The only places we've ever eaten a Downtown Disney are : McDonalds (gone), pollo campero (gone), takeout window at Bongos (?), Earl of Sandwich (?) and the free chocolate at Ghiradelli's. I think we'll have to pack a lunch or eat before we get there next time.

This is all very interesting. I think I thought Disney Paris would be more unique and European not just rides from Disneyland and WDW transported as "American" rides/attractions. I don't know why. I know Walt was American and all. But it also may explain why, from the sound of it, French attendance is not what they thought it would be. Interesting also about how some ride names are in French and others in English with no apparent reason why. Why not Pirates Plage ? Isle d'Adventure? The Statue of Liberty hallway, which makes sense I guess, looks really neat. Reminds me of the exhibit areas u

Looking forward to your report. 18 months is such a fun age. I bet you had a blast. That looks like a good itinerary and one I'd want to do for Western Carribean. I've been on the Wonder and the Dream so looking forward to comparing to the Fantasy. The only time I've bought trip insurance was for a cruise. To me it was worth it for not worrying that everything was going to prevent us from going.

The cabins look very cute. I have a question and I know I could look it up, but it's so much easier just to ask you. How far is Disneyland Paris from the actual Paris? And related questions -- if the train pulls up right near the front gate (how cool is that!) does it go through Paris on the way there? Or does one take a different train if one wants to go to the actual Paris? I'm waiting for you to announce that they are building a Four Seasons resort abomination right there next to Davy Crockett Ranch. And LOL at you thinking a 4ish year old boy even HAS an indoor voice.

So were those costumes, props, etc. created just for this event? Or are they sitting around in a storage building somewhere?

My twins just got back from their 8th grade end of middle school trip to WDW. One of the main comments: "there were a lot of rides that were down because they were broken." Wondering if they'll use that extra higher tier $ to fix the rides.

That's London Bridge? It's not even falling down. Someone has a lot of explaining to do. So you're afraid of the height of the bridge but you'll go up in the London Eye. Didn't you realize that capsule's not going to do anything to protect you when the cable breaks and you start plunging to your death. At least on the bridge you can hold on to something.

Gorgeous view from the Contemporary. I guess it's too late for the TofT ride photo, but next time you need to remember to go for asking forgiveness rather than asking permission. Because now we need to see that photo. Did I miss something about the bag of hangers?? Looking forward to the rest.

I've never heard of Holiday World so I'm looking forward to seeing more about it. And I love the names from the campground -- lots of reindeer names to choose from. Love Blitzen Kitchen.

Posting AFTER I've read the installment (not pointing any fingers -- at all you "I'm in now I'm going back to read" people). And by reading along I found out that you already answered my first question -- did you plan to go to Dublin or did you go because of the airfare? And since you said the first, I guess that means the cost of staying in Dublin and then traveling to what would have been your first, or one of your, destinations, still made it cheaper (hotel + additional transportation)? I've never been across the pond so I am looking forward to your tips about what to do/ not to do. And

They will now. Thanks a lot for suggesting it. And tshirts more in the summer, sweatshirts more in the winter, poncho price automatically goes up on rainy days. Keep thinking. There have to be other ways to make more $$$$.

We have 3 park days left on our non-expiring tickets. I'm taking note of the Gold days so that we will get the best value for what will probably our last WDW park days in a long time. But if implemented it will be interesting to see the statistics on attendance related to cost. I'm sure that's already been predicted. And in the example, is the bronze the current prices? I'm not up to date but some friends were in Orlando last week and told us they considered WDW but then saw it was going to be $100 per person to get in and they went somewhere else instead.

I had a mixed reaction. I liked it, but I thought it could have been better. The story could have been tightened up, less jumpy, more unique. Why people don't let me preview their movies and give them suggestions is a mystery to me. . My 14 year old twin boys thought it was "ok." I thought the two main young women were great and I liked that they were young women. They made the movie fun to watch. I liked the message. I wish we had seen more of Tomorrowland the place and learned more about it. We had a lot of questions that the movie didn't answer, while it went overboard on some things

We've been to Dollywood several times over the past 10 years and Busch Gardens in Virginia once in the summer of 2013 -- we had a week long pass and went several days in the late afternoon into evening. My husband and I don't do big coasters / thrill rides but my 3 boys do. They loved Busch Gardens' coasters and I'm sure would rate them higher than Dollywood's but we were bored. To me, Dollywood has more variety of things to do and see for all ages, more family rides, better shows and more atmosphere. And most of the people who work there are really really nice. It just amazes me. And the ke

We've found minimum 2 full days or 1/2 day/full day/1/2 day is the best way to go for us to see and do it all, and re-do some of the rides (my teenagers don't feel they've done the coasters unless they've done them each several times). Like elsewhere it depends on if you get there at rope drop vs late morning. We go fairly full steam. Also consider whether or not you want to do back to back shows (and you should get to the shows early -- 30 min or so depending on crowds -- if you want good seats). And some shows aren't offered on certain days. If you haven't been before you should go throug

My boys are now teens. Over various summers we've done East Coast driving trips with a few days each in Charleston SC, Boston, Philly, NYC and DC (one city each trip; not all at once). Most of these were combined with visits to family. Our visits include a lot of walking around experiencing the city and a major tourist attraction or two. We've done a road trip from Panama City Beach along the coast to New Orleans. We've done Williamsburg several times, the last time combining it with Busch Gardens (week long passes to both places where we did mornings in Williamsburg and evenings at Busch Gar

Gorgeous pictures! I love the close up of the flowers especially. You know, the last time we were on the Safari we were delayed starting and then had to stop for animals a couple of times and then the driver went really fast too. And I was mad that we missed some things. It's unfortunate that they feel the need to still keep on schedule on a ride that doesn't lend itself to that at all. It really takes away from the experience.

I have no opinions on your opinions since sadly I haven't experienced any of them personally, but I already give the TBOG :top-points-smiley: just for the use of the word excoriated. I also enjoyed your reference to the "The Bing Bang Theory". And, although I'd never had a strong desire when reading about it before, now I really really want to go to Trader Sam's. Please continue when you are ready.

When we were there at the end of March they were putting up the base and we thought it would probably be a new sign. Looks nice. Dollywood is great. Snarky seems to be ready for relatively short lines, friendly employees and no plan your life in advance FP+ (although they do have some pay-for express pass system that I only saw 1 family using).

This was me as a teenager. I was so thrilled when my parents got a station wagon like that. My older and younger brother, and the dog, got the middle row and I sat in that seat facing out the back window, surrounded by luggage, and pretending I was traveling with a whole different family. You know, the kind that appreciated me!

Thanks. After a lot of searching I found the thread under the Members/Community board. For some reason I only log in to look at the Members section every couple of days. I was wondering why there wasn't much outcry about this here, but after reading the 5 pages of posts, I see the answers to my questions and that many others have similar thoughts.

I've been in there with 3 young kids and a husband who doesn't like to crawl through things. Not that I do either. He watched the exit and I crawled my way through. I still remember the smell. Somewhere I have a picture of myself on the roll of film slide.

What??? I'm going to focus on the part of this thread that most concerns me. I guess I missed this. So what is going to be the impact on making a reservation? More availability because people can't hold longer time periods and not cancel until the last minute? I've only made a couple of reservations over the past 5 years (and haven't been since 11/13) but each time I've had to make one for more days and then reduce them to get the days I wanted.

I'd be tempted to give that kid ice cream every day just to see that face. He needs to be in commercials -- for swimming pools, princesses and ice cream. Ugh for those FP+ return lines.