Love To Travel

Branson Spring Break

2010-03-30T09:46:00.000-05:00

We just returned from a a few days in Branson, Missouri. The weather was pretty good for this time of year. There were a few showers on the drive up but then the weather turned really nice the next couple of days. We had sunshine and tempeeratures in the 60's.

I wanted to let you know about a couple of new things we did during the trip. The first was a trip to Chateau on the Lake for a spa day. This was very refreshing and invigorating. We did this on Friday during the middle part of the day and we practically had the place to ourselves. The service is very good and the facilities are unbelievable. For the price of an hour long massage at an upscale spa in the city we had the run of the place for about 4 hours. This included access to the steam room, dry sauna, indoor and outdoor jacuzzi, lounge with HD television and snacks, full shower facilities and amenities as well as an hour long massage. How could you not come out of there feeling relaxed and refreshed! Check out their website here . If you can't get away to Branson or the Chateau anytime soon check out this Spa Basket for Women. It will help you get away for a few hours and get that relaxed and refreshed feeling.

We also had breakfast for the first time at the Belgian Waffle and Pancake House. We always say we are going to eat breakfast there but we usually end up eating the free breakfast at the hotel. This time we decided we would eat a late breakfast there on our last day. The service was friendly and the food was good. My wife and daughter had waffles. I had a traditional bacon and egg breakfast. My son had an omlette. Everyone said the food was good. Price was just slightly higher than an Ihop or Waffle House. Make a note here if you decide to eat there. They do not take credit cards or debit cards. They take cash and checks. The waitress said they would take a check from anywhere so if you are running a little short on cash and don't want to hit the ATM just write a check!

Create your own vacation packages at ReserveBranson.com

Branson 2010

2010-03-07T08:34:00.004-06:00

Spring is almost here! Hasn't it been a cold, wet, snowy, winter? Well, spring break is just a few weeks away for most folks. For many it's in 2 weeks. You need to get your plans made now if you don't already have them. A trip to Branson can be fun and economical. There are many new things coming this year to Branson, Missouri in terms of entertainment and attractions. I will be outlining those over the next few posts. So, what are you waiting on. Get your plans ready now for Branson.

Create your own vacation packages at ReserveBranson.com

Branson for Thanksgiving?

2009-11-20T10:11:00.006-06:00

Although I am a proponent for spending Thanksgiving with family for many folks Thanksgiving is a 2 day paid vacation tacked in front of a weekend. With 4-days to get away what better way to do it than spend it in Branson. Branson, MO is nestled in the Ozark mountains between Harrison, AR and Springfield, MO. It is a touristy kind of town like Gatlinburg, TN. Branson will be decorated to the max with Christmas lights everywhere during the Thanksgiving holidays. Branson and the surrounding areas are very beautiful, especially this time of year.

If you were to spend Thanksgiving Day in Branson you would find many restaraunts and shopping outlets open. In addition there are going to be over 60 shows open on Thanksgiving Day in Branson. Of course you will need to find lodging and there are many hotels with fantastic rates for the entire Thanksgiving weekend. It's not too late to book your room and make your way to Branson for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend! Go ahead...what are you waiting for...an invitation? You got it. Just click the link below and book your room and any shows you may want to see. Then head to Branson and enjoy a long Thanksgiving weekend.

Create your own vacation packages at ReserveBranson.com

Branson Shopping -Black Friday

2009-11-17T11:36:00.004-06:00

I know many of you will be heading to Branson, Missouri to take advantage of the many shopping opportunities the day after Thanksgiving (commonly known as Black Friday). What many of you may not know is that many stores will be open at Branson Landing on Thanksgiving Day from 11am until 5pm. I am personally not a fan of being open on Thanksgiving day, however, if you do plan to arrive in Branson on Thanksgiving day before 5pm you will have the opportunity to get a head start on your shopping.

You can also get started early at the Tanger Center Outlet Mall with their Midnight Madness Sale that starts at Midnight on Thanksgiving. Follow the link to print a page of the discounts being offered at the various stores in Tanger not only at Midnight but for the entire weekend.

You will enjoy your trip to Branson not only because of the shopping but also because Branson, Missouri is beautifully decorated this time of year. It will literally be lit up like a Christmas tree. So take time to enjoy the lights of Branson. Maybe check out the Shepherd of the Hills Trail of Lights of the Old Time Christmas at Silver Dollar City. You can find out more about both of the these events by following the link below.

Create your own vacation packages at ReserveBranson.com

NOAH The Musical

2009-08-18T09:18:00.012-05:00

If you haven't made your trip to Branson this summer you need to get it scheduled. Labor day is just a couple of weeks away and it's just about time for school to start back. We made a short visit to Branson a couple of weeks ago and stayed 3 nights. We had some relatives down from Washington state and they enjoy Branson and wanted to make a return visit. One of the things everyone wanted to do was to see NOAH The Musical.

I will have to admit I didn't have extremely high expectations for the show. It did start off a little slow but it built up steam after the first 15 or 20 minutes and just continued upward after that. I don't want to put any spoilers in here but after intermission the stage setting that opens the last half of the play is unbelieveable. This is a very good show!

The Sight and Sound Theater, where the show is performed, is very nice. There is plenty of parking, the climate control in the theater is good, the seating is good, and there are plenty of refreshments to purchase in the lobby before the show and during intermission. The only thing I thought could have been better was the capacity of the restrooms. Both the men's and women's restrooms had long lines during itnermission.

Overall I would recommend attending this show. The ticket prices are comparable to other shows in the area and the 2nd half of the show really makes it worthwhile. Prices, including taxes, range from $53 for and adult, $25 for teens up to 18, and $16 for children ages 2 through 12. You can follow this link to get your NOAH The Musical tickets.

Pet Airways

2009-07-10T09:29:00.004-05:00

Have you seen this? Can you believe this? They now have an airline for pets. Not for people who want to bring their pets, just pets! No cargo hold transportation for these pets...just first class treatment all the way.

The video below shows their commercial....

I will admit I don't have pets at the moment because I'm too busy to have time to care for them and give them the attention they need. But an airline for pets? I guess I'm just a little too old school.

Branson Missouri - July 4th Fireworks Displays

2009-06-19T10:28:00.007-05:00

Do you have plans for the July 4th weekend? Are you looking for a great place to take in some fireworks shows? Well let me suggest Branson Missouri.

The Branson area has several fireworks shows scheduled for July 4th. Let me give you a quick recap of what you could be missing...

Chateau on the Lake Resort will be hosting a BBQ and fireworks display on July 4th. Chateau on the Lake is Branson's only AAA Four Diamond Resort. If you would like to book the July 4th weekend at Chateau on the Lake you can follow this link. Create your own vacation packages at ReserveBranson.com

Big Cedar Lodge which is one of the more popular resorts in the Branson area will be hosting a fireworks display at dusk on July 4th.

Next door to Branson in Hollister, MO a fireworks display will be held at dusk on July 4th. This is one of the longest running fireworks displays in the Ozarks. It has been conducted for over 50 years.

Can't wait until July 4th for your fireworks? Well, Branson Landing will be hosting it's 2nd annual Liberty Light Up Fireworks show on JULY 3rd. The program will kick off at 8pm with a concert in front of the beautiful fountain located in the the heart of the Landing. This is a choreographed fireworks show and it will be first class. Come early and shop and stay late for the show!

If you are not native to this region of the country let me give you a couple of pointers. It will be warm outside. Actually before dark it will be hot. Dress appropriately. The temperature will likely be in the 80's after dark. And speaking of dark you can expect it to be dark enough for the fireworks by about 9pm. Most of the fireworks displays will be between 30 minutes and an hour in length. Be patient when the shows are over it will take a little time to get back to your lodging due to traffic.

You still have time. Go ahead and follow this link and plan your July 4th weekend trip to Branson today! Create your own vacation packages at ReserveBranson.com

Walt Disney World Vacations - Create Your Own Free Customized Maps!

2009-06-10T14:43:00.009-05:00

Walt Disney just announced a new feature on their website that will help you plan your trip to any or all of their parks. It is an interactive feature that will let you pick the places you want to visit in each park. You then will have the choice of either immediately printing your customized map of each park OR they will print it and mail to your home! This is a pretty cool feature if you have been to the parks a time or two and would like to either a)make the best use of your time at the park, or b)make sure don't miss any of the new rides or attractions that been added since your last visit.

Create customizable Disney Map!

Create your own vacation packages at ReserveOrlando.com

Crater of Diamonds State Park - So Easy a Dog Can Do It?

2009-06-01T10:14:00.003-05:00

I wrote a little blurb last month about the Crater of Diamonds State Park located in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. At that time I was telling you about a large diamond that had been found by a visitor after a series of rainstorms. Well, everyone wants to know how hard is it to find a diamond at the Crater of Diamonds State Park. Not everyone will find a diamond but once you read this story you will want to go try for yourself. I mean it's so easy even a dog can do it!

Check out this story about a little pooch that found a nice diamond 2 days ago at the Crater of Diamonds State Park....Dog Finds Diamond.

Universal Orlando Islands of Adventure

2009-05-29T12:00:00.001-05:00

Islands of Adventure is the 2nd of the two Universal Orlando Parks. This park is much more ride oriented. Especially when you think of traditional theme park rides like roller coasters. In holding with it's sister park as well as the Disney Parks Islands of Adventures is divided into 5 areas.

Marvel Super Hero Island
This area is based on comic book hero's. This is also the area where you will find my favorite ride in Orlando The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman!

The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman is a 3D high tech thrill ride. You are in a roller coaster type car but you are traveling indoors through a city. A city in search of a hero. A city in search of Spiderman. The coolest part of the whole ride is when Spiderman appears to swing through the air and land right on the front of your car. This is a must do ride!

Incredible Hulk Coaster. This big green monster of a roller coaster is not for the feint of heart. This is a high speed coaster that will send you blasting through the air at Hulk like speeds. This is one of the favorites of my kids and my wife.

Dr. Doom's Fearfall. Have you ever been to Space Camp and rode the Space Shot? That's pretty much what you get with Dr. Doom's Fearfall. You set in a seat type car and are strapped in and then you are catapulted 150 ft into the air! Just like being blasted into space by a rocket.

Toon Lagoon. Prepare to get wet when you enter this area. Here you will experiece cartoon characters you know and love from years past.

Dudley Do-Right Ripsaw Falls! This is a log flume ride that is lots of fun. Did I say you would get wet?

Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges. This is river rapid type ride with Bluto, Popeye and Olivie Oyle. Oh yeah, you will get wet!

Me Ship, The Olive Oyle. This is really more for the kids. A big ship with water guns and squirting devices.

Jurassic Park Warning, warning, warning....way cool ride in this area. It can also be a little scary for the little ones.

Jurassic Park River Adventure. A river ride through the Jungles of Jurassic park. Be prepared to get a little thrill on this ride. Again, the younger kids might get scared on this ride. If you are lucky enough to get a front seat in this ride you will likely get wet. But don't turn down the front seat...it's the best one on the ride!

Jurassic Park Discovery Center. A place to learn about dinosaurs.

The Lost Continent This area is the land of ancient myths and legends. This area is also home to a great roller coaster.

Dueling Dragon Roller Coaster. Fire and Ice. Blue or Red. This big dragon shaped roller coaster is a thrill a minute. And folks, they really do duel. At one point you like you are heading right into the opposing coaster. This is also a big favorite of most park goers.

The Eighth Voyage of Sinbad. This is a show and a good one. Lots of stunts and breathtaking scenes.

Poseidon's Fury. This another show/experience. This is ok, but if the line is too long skip it.

Seuss Landing We all know Dr. Seuss and this is his domain at Islands of Adventure. This is really an area for small kids and I haven't spent much time here but the rides are as follows:

The High In the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride. A nice gently trolley/train ride that goes above the Seuss Landing.

The Cat In the Hat. Ride a couch through the story of the Cat in the Hat and meet that crazy cat!

Caro-Seuss-el. A merry go round.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish. Guide your fish through an obstacle course made of fountains.

If I Ran the Zoo. An interactive play area full of strange creatures.

We have already talked about admission to Universal Orlando so there is no need to cover that again. The dining inside Islands of Adventure is pretty typical of park fare. Mostly fast foods, ice cream, and cold drinks. These are the things you need to get you through your day at the park. There really isn't a must do on the dining menu at Universal Islands of Adventure.

I will have one last post on Universal Orlando and that will be to discuss the City Walk area (think downtown Disney).

Create your own vacation packages at ReserveOrlando.com

Branson Missouri Upcoming Events

2009-05-28T14:44:00.008-05:00

I wanted to give an everyone update on a few upcoming events at Branson so you can mark your calendars and plan your trips accordingly.

June 6 - August 9, 2009 is Kidfest at Silver Dollar City. You can be a kid again during Silver Dollar City's Kidfest. Interactive exhibits and multitudes of entertainment for the entire family during this summer festival. The magic of Pete Gossamer will return as will JEERK! a Swedish rythmic and percussion group that has been a real hit in the past at Silver Dollar City. Check out the video at this link. Here is link to the Kidfest brochure. Veggie Tales will be back presenting their Invention of Silliness. There will also be many other events going on for the entire family. All of this for the price of admission to Silver Dollar City. Remember, you can Create your own vacation packages at ReserveBranson.com

June 20-21, 2009 over at the Titanic Museum you will find the Father's Day Boat Show. Yes, believe it or not Father's Day is just around the corner. If Dad is a boat lover this is the place to be. You can read my post about the Titanic Museum.

July 14-17, 2009 is the Branson Gospel Music Convention. If Gospel music is your thing this is where you want to be. There will be performances by Marcey Wall, Blackwood Quartet, Chuck Wagon Gang, Eric Hinson, Crossway, Shannon Bunch, Samaritan Revival, Young Harmony, Jay Stone Singers, Minister’s Quartet, The Parish Family and The Ladds plus many, many more. This will be held at the Branson Convention Center. You can find out more at the Gospel Music Convention.

Create your own vacation packages at ReserveBranson.com

Universal Orlando Tickets and Dining

2009-05-27T15:01:00.005-05:00

Univeral Orlando consists of 2 parks. This makes the ticket pricing and the options a little simpler than when buying tickets for Walt Disney. Below is is quick summary of the ticket prices and options available this season (2009).

1 Day 1 Park Pass - $75 at the gate or $73 if you purchase online and print your own ticket

1 Day 2 Park Pass - $90 at the gate or $85 online (go to both parks on the same day)

2 Day 2 Park Pass - $120 at the gate or $95 online (go to both parks on two days)

Unilimted 2 Park Pass - $125 at the gate or $100 online (unlimted admission for 7 consecutive days to either park)

I can do both parks in 2 days and cover the rides that I want to ride and see the shows I want to see. However, I don't recommend this for first time visitors. I would recommend the 2 Day 2 Park Pass and visit each park for the better part of a day, especially if you have young children. Be sure to evaluate whether it is beneficial for you to stay at a property hotel. If you stay at the property hotel you will get the Univeral Express Pass included with your hotel stay. This automatically moves you to the front of the line at Universal. If you don't stay on property you can purchase the Universal Epxress Pass separately.

Dining inside Univervsal Studios is good. It's pretty typical as far as the food goes. I am going to be honest with you and tell you that when I'm at Universal I'm not spending a lot of time at a restaurant or hunting food. I'm more interested in the rides and the shows. However, there are a couple of places that I will suggest you try when inside Universal Studios Orlando.

Finnegan's Bar and Grill is great little Irish/American bar that serves up some really great food in a great atmosphere. I'm not big on Corned Beef and Cabbage but the Irish Stew and the Fish and Chips are excellent. You can have a beer with your meal here or you can order something a little stronger if you like (Irish coffee anyone!). This is located in the New York area of Universal Studios.

Schwabs Pharmacy is located in the Hollywood area. You will want to visit them to try one of their great ice cream sundaes or hand-made milk shakes. Think of the 50's style drug store and and that is Schwabs.

You can find a Ben&Jerry's as well as Starbucks inside the park along with many other fine places to eat.

Create your own vacation packages at ReserveOrlando.com

Universal Studios Florida

2009-05-21T11:21:00.010-05:00

One of the immediate differences you will notice when you enter the grounds of Universal Orlando is the huge parking deck. If you are driving this is where you will park. There is a cost to park in the deck. I believe it is around $10. Once you exit the parking deck you will find walkways (some with moving sidewalks) to get you over to the main park area. You will enter through CityWalk. This is the Universal Shopping and Entertainment area. (Think of a smaller version of Downtown Disney). Pass through CityWalk and bear to your right to enter Universal Studios. If you head to the left you will end up at Islands of Adventure.

Hopefully you have purchased your Universal Tickets in advance.

Tip=> Universal Studios has a feature called Universal Express. This is a separate pass that you can purchase that will give you front of the line access for all of the featured attractions. This is a little different than FastPass at Disneyworld. At Universal this is a purchase you can choose to make (it is not required) to speed up your wait time in the lines. If you have an Express pass you can go in a separate line at the attraction and be placed at the front of the line. The other way to get an Express pass is by staying at one of the 3 hotels on Universal property. If you stay at one of their hotels you can simply show your room card as your Express pass. Now, if your budget allows for this you can save a lot of time. I have done Universal both ways and with the Express pass it is better. We will discuss the cost of the Express pass in a little more detail when we discuss Universal ticket prices. However, just an fyi, the pricing is tiered based on time of year. Busier times the Express pass cost more. When it's not so busy the Express pass is less. The Express ranges in price from $26 to $53 per person.

Ok, so you have made it into the park. You will immediately encounter the Hollywood area to your right. In Hollywood you will find:

Terminator 2: 3-D

Universal Horror Make-up Show

Lucy A-Tribute

The Terminator show and the Lucy show are a must see in this area. Just be warned that the Terminator show is loud (includes a motorcycle being ridden inside a building, plus gunshots). Everyone in my family are fans of Lucy, especially my daughter, and that show is excellent. They have a Lucy store where can shop for Lucy souvenirs.

If you continue to your right, going counter clockwise, you will encounter the KidZone. My kids are older so we didn't spend much time here. However, it does appear they have beefed up the area a little over the last few years. They have Fivel, Curious George, Barney, and ET in this area, as well as others.

The next area is the World Expo which is where you will find the very popular ride Men In Black Alien Attack as well as the brand new Simpsons Ride (opened May 16 2009). I am going to be honest with you. I was never a fan of Men in Black and the line was always horrendously long, even with Express, and so I never did participate in this ride. However, from what I gather it is a more adult version of the Buzz Light Year ride you find at Magic Kingdom.

Next is the San Francisco/Amity area. Here you will encounter a version of the famous Fisherman's Wharf as well as the following attractions:

Jaws
Disaster
Fear Factor Live
Beetlejuice's Graveyard Review

Jaws is classic and it is a must do ride. Disaster is great as well. You will experience an earthquake equivalent to 8.3 on the Richter scale. Both of these rides are must do. Fear Factor was not there on my last visit and Beetlejuice is a musical type review featuring Beetlejuice and other Universal studios "monsters".

Next up is New York. Keep in mind that San Francisco and New York can be used as back drops in movies. These are quite elaborate areas. In New York you will encounter two other very popular attractions at Universal Florida:

Revenge of the Mummy the Ride

Twister Ride It Out

Blues Brothers

Twister is one of our favorite attractions at Universal Studios as it takes you inside the movie Twister. You get to see how the created tornadoes and some of the sets from the movie. This is very interesting attraction. During my last visit the Revenge of the Mummy Ride was new and we chose to skip it. It is an indoor roller coaster type of ride.

Finally as you work your way back toward the entrance you will encounter Production Central. This is an actual area of working studios for television and movies. The two attractions here are:

Shrek 4D

Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast

Both of these are good shows and worth the wait in line and are very kid friendly and entertaining for all ages.

Tomorrow we will talk about tickets and dining for Universal Studios Florida.

Create your own vacation packages at ReserveOrlando.com

Universal Orlando

2009-05-19T14:53:00.008-05:00

Universal Florida is a great place to go on your vacation. There are a total of 3 parks at Universal Florida is if you count the Wet N Wild water park. The emphasis of the next few posts will be on Universal Studios Orlando and Islands of Adventure.

Universal Florida is a movie based theme park. They have a sister studio in Hollywood California which I actually went to many years ago. As you can imagine a lot of the attractions and entertainment are movie or television based. For example, Twister, takes you through some of the processes used to make the movie Twister as well as the special effects. This is very entertaining. On the other end on the spectrum you have the Terminator 2:3D experience, which is probably really hoping now the release of the new Terminator movie coming up in a few days. You also have Jaws, Shrek, Fear Factor and the new Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.

Next door at Islands of Adventure you get to visit your favorite cartoon, comic books, myths and legends. I may have hinted at this in one of the Disney post but The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man is my favorite ride in Orlando, and it's a ride good for almost everyone. One of my other favorite rides is Jurassic Park. Wow, the first time you ride this you will probably scream! There are also roller coasters, and other water based rides which we will cover in more detail later.

In the next few days we will be covering these two parks in detail!

Create your own vacation packages at ReserveOrlando.com

Disney World Parks

2009-05-18T12:00:00.002-05:00

We have had a nice visit over the last couple of weeks of the 4 major Disney World theme parks. I really enjoy going to Disney World and experiencing what their parks have to offer. The parks are always clean, the service is great, and I have yet to come away with a totally bad experience at one of their parks.

Take advantage of the FastPass that is available at all of the Disney Parks. This can save you some wait time for the most popular rides. Try to go early, before the park opens if you have access to that, and head to the back of the park to enjoy those rides first. Then, as you work your way back to the front of the park you can hopefully benefit from shorter lines there as well.

I recommend a character breakfast if your budget allows. My favorite is at Magic Kingdom at Cinderella's castle. You can also take advantage of the character breakfast at Chef Mickey at the Contemporary resort (it is not necessary to stay at that resort to book the character breakfast there). I also enjoyed the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall breakfast at Epcot. You can check out my posts on the Disney FastPass and Character Breakfasts.

Make arrangements in advance to get your discounted tickets as well as book your Orlando vacation through ReserveOrlando.com. Check out my post on ReserveOrlando.com

Personally my favorite Disney World theme park is Epcot. I just enjoy the various attractions and the entertainment at that park. I also like the way it is layed and never seems as crowded as some of the other parks even though I know there are just as many people there.

After Disney Epcot, for me, it is basically a tie between Animal Kingdom and the Magic Kingdom. Both of these parks are very enjoyable with plenty of attractions, entertainment and dining. I do find that these parks appear a little more crowded just based on the way they are designed. Also, I think a lot of people who travel to Disney World for the first time feel obligated to go to Magic Kingdom as that is the park they have probably seen and read the most about. Bringing up the rear of the 4 major Disney World theme parks is Disney Hollywood. (Remember this is just my opinion). Disney Hollywood is a nice park and it is worth your time to check it out. For a movie based theme park I prefer Universal Studios.

So, if you landed on this post as a first time reader, please take the time to go back and read all of my posts on Disney World as I think you will find them meaningful and helpful as you plan your first trip to Disney World. Also, I strongly recommend you make the investment in the "Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide". You will find a tab for it at the top right corner of this blog.

Tomorrow we will continue our trip to Orlanda with a visit to Universal Studios!

Create your own vacation packages at ReserveOrlando.com

Arkansas Crater of Diamonds

2009-05-18T09:15:00.004-05:00

Are you looking for a quick get away this weekend? Do you live within a few hours driving time of south Arkansas? I would recommend a day trip to Murfreesboro, Arkansas and the Crater of Diamonds State Park. This is the only park where you can walk in, search for diamonds, and walk out with what you keep.

The best time to look for diamonds on the surface is after a rainfall. And believe me, we have had a lot of rain in Arkansas the last few weeks. There have already been 418 diamonds found in the park this year for an average of about 2 a day. There is a current post on this at the Arkansas State Parks website. Check it out and happy hunting!

Memorial Day 2009 Travel

2009-05-17T22:30:00.002-05:00

The fuel prices are trying to inch upward again as we near the Memorial Day weekend. Here in the United States it seems as if Memorial Day usually kicks off the summer travel season. Although most schools have not yet dismissed for the summer the long weekend and warmer weather usually have folks heading to the favorite lake, beach, or other holiday destination.

Do you plan to travel this Memorial Day weekend? If so, how far to you plan to travel and where do you plan to go? Please leave a comment and let me know your travel plans for the upcoming holiday weekend!

Disney Animal Kingdom Attractions

2009-05-15T12:00:00.002-05:00

Disney Animal Kingdom is a large park and there are many attractions to enjoy during your visit. I want to highlight some of the attractions that you can enjoy on your next Orlando Vacation.

Disney Animal Kingdom Attractions

Expedition Everest - This is the newest attraction at Animal Kingdom. During my last visit this ride was actually under construction. This ride looks like it's a blast. It is basically a roller coaster type ride for the big kid visitors to Animal Kingdom. Sharp drops, hairpin turns, all wrapped around and through Mt. Everest.

Kilimanjaro Safari - I talked about this attraction in yesterday's post. It is a must do ride at the Animal Kingdom and it is for all ages. See details on Kilimanjaro Safari.

Kali River Rapids - Warning! You will get wet on this ride...and that's not necessarily a bad thing! This a fun river rapid type ride in a large circular raft. The ride is experiences a 90 foot drop and has lots of twists and turns. Watch out for the water fall! Did I say you would get wet? You will. Take advantage of the storage to keep your shoes and socks dry. Your clothes will dry quickly but it's nice not to squish for the next hour or so in wet shoes.

Maharajah Jungle Trek - A walk through an Indian Jungle where you will encounter ruins and tigers and a few other exotic animals. This is an enjoyable attraction.

The Tree of Life - This is very cool and another must do attraction at Animal Kingdom. This is located in the center of the park. You can't miss it. Inside the The Tree of Life is a theater where you will see the #d show It's Tough To Be A Bug! This is really funny with lot's of surprises. Everyone can enjoy this and it's good place to cool off and have a short respite during your day at the park.

There are many other attractions within Disney Animal Kingdom but these are my favorites and the most popular. You will need an entire day to visit this park. Tomorrow we will discuss dining and entertainment at the Animal Kingdom.

Create your own vacation packages at ReserveOrlando.com

Disney Animal Kingdom

2009-05-14T12:00:00.000-05:00

Disney Animal Kingdom is one of my favorite Disney World theme parks. As you can imagine from the name the focal point of the Animal Kingdom is the opportunity to get unique viewing opportunities of animals normally found in Africa. The park is huge, covering more than 500 acres, and it is home to more than 1700 animals.

My favorite attraction at the Animal Kingdom is the Kilimanjaro Safaris. The ride takes you on an African safari where you get to see giraffes, elephants, lions, and many, many other wild animals in a very natural environment. You ride in a safari type vehicle (see picture), think large army type truck with rows of seats, that is open air allowing you many opportunities to photograph the animals. This is a must do ride and it is for all ages. My suggestion is to go to this attraction first. The animals tend to be out more in the mornings due to the cooler weather and also due to feeding times.

My favorites show in the Disney World Parks is also at the Animal Kingdom and that is the Festival of the Lion King. All I can really say about this show is WOW! Get there early and try to sit on the first row or two. If you don't that's ok because all of the seats are good. This is a 30 minute Broadway caliber show with amazing costumes, amazing singing, and amazing performances by the monkeys, the giraffes, Timon, Pumba, all of them. I will say this, if you only see one "show" in your entire trip to Orlando, see this one!

There are many dining opportunities, and we will talk about those in a future post, but my suggestion is call in advance and make lunch reservations for the Rain Forest Cafe located near the entrance to the park. It's a great place to cool off and the food is very good. And of course you have the entertainment inside the cafe as well!

Details tomorrow on the various attractions at Disney Animal Kingdom.

Create your own vacation packages at ReserveOrlando.com

Disney Hollywood Dining

2009-05-13T10:59:00.009-05:00

There are many options for dining at Disney Hollywood. The prices are typical Disney Dining prices and the choices are wide. The prices will range from $15 to $50 per head depending upon your menu choices. A quick run down of the Disney Hollywood Dining choices are as follows:

Disney's Play and Dine

Toy Story Pizza

Starring Rolls Cafe

Backlot Express

ABC Commissary

The Hollywood Brown Derby

Hollywood and Vine

Mama Melrose Italian Restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine In Theater - My personal favorite

50's Prime Time Cafe

There also ice cream shops and a French Fry stand

I really enjoyed dining at the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater. The food was good, American cuisine, and the atmosphere really takes you back in time to the 1950's. Your "table" is actually a car that you sit in while watching an old sci-fi movie on a large screen. It replicates a drive-in theater, but you are indoors.

I am not as familiar with the other restaurants in this park but the ABC Commissary would be high on my list to try. Lot's of food choices, including healthy choices, and it is a quick service type establishment.

Other Things to do at Disney Hollywood

This park is Hollywood themed so much like the entertainment business things change here. Most of the items listed below here were not there during my visit to this park a few years ago. However, you can bet one thing, Disney goes first class with everything it does and these shows and entertainment opportunities will be fantastic.

Block Party Bash-Much like the Magic Kingdom parade this is an opportunity to see the characters up close and in a fun environment.

High School Musical 3: Senior Year - A 15 minute live show.

Fantasmic - The end of day show at Disney Hollywood. 25 minutes of fireworks and water show.

Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage - A 25 minute Broadway style performance. If this is anything like the Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom then it's fantastic.

And of course character greetings.

This wraps up my look at Disney Hollywood. Tomorrow we will move on to the Animal Kingdom!

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Disney Hollywood

2009-05-12T08:00:00.004-05:00

Disney Hollywood studios will celebrate its 20th anniversary this month. The studio was originally known as Disney MGM Studios. The name was changed in January 2008 to Disney Hollywood Studio's.

I'm going to be right up front with you about this park. I like it but it is not my favorite. I actually prefer Universal Studios over Disney Hollywood. I will also admit I have only been to this park once or twice and it is actually number 4 on my personal list of the 4 major Disney Parks. Now, understand I'm not saying this is a bad park, quite the contrary, I'm just saying my preference for this type of park would be Universal Studios. That being said let's get to it.

Disney Hollywood is just that. A theme park wrapped around and covered up with movie and television related attractions and shows. It is a fun park to visit so if you have plenty of time during your Orlando vacation be sure to allow time to visit this park.

There are some must see attractions at Disney Hollywood.

Studio Backlot Tour - This is a very interesting tour that lets you in on some of "secrets" of making movies. You will be shown how sea storms and sea battles are created. You will encounter pyrotechnics. You will be taken through a prop warehouse where you will stage settings and props from shows and movies. Let's not forget the earthquake, the flash flood, and of course and a couple of really cool explosions.

Star Tours - This tour is not about movie stars. No, it's about Star Wars. And it is one of the better attractions inside the Hollywood park. This is basically trip through space Star Wars style and it is fun. You will be greeted outside by R2D2 and C3PO.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - This attraction is not for the little guys or the faint of heart. Experience a 13 story drop as you visit the once famous Hollywood Tower Hotel.

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular - This is another very good show to attend while at Disney Hollywood. This is a 30 minute show that recreates many of the famous scenes from the Indiana Jones movies. Remember the giant rolling boulder? You will see it here! Also, you will learn how many of the stunts and special effects from the Indy movies were done.

Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show - Another stunt show with automobiles as the main attraction. Cars flying through the air, explosions, fire and lot's of near misses. This is a 33 minutes long show that is also very good! Think of the movie Fast and the Furious combined with Evel Kneivel. Here is a short video clip!

Tomorrow we will look at in park dining as well as other things to do at Disney Hollywood!

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Disney Epcot-FastPass

2009-05-11T08:03:00.005-05:00

As we wrap up our visit to Disney Epcot I wanted to quickly review the FastPass rides with you. If you missed my post on how the FastPass works you can click the link to read about the Disney Fastpass!

The FastPass can save you time at Disney Epcot just as it can at the other parks. Again, I would recommend you go directly to Test Track and Mission: Space and actually ride those first, if you get there when the park opens. Otherwise, use your better judgement to determine if it is better to wait in line for a bit or take the FastPass and return at a later time.

Disney Epoct FastPass rides are as follows:

Soarin

Honey, I Shrunk the Audience

Test Track

Living with the Land

The Maelstrom

Mission: Space

For a map of Disney Epcot click here!

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Disney Tickets at ReserveOrlando.com

2009-05-08T12:00:00.006-05:00

ReserveOrlando.com is the best place to buy your Disney Tickets. Right now they have a special promotion going on that you need to take advantage of today.

If you buy a 4-day Disney World theme park ticket, either adult or child, you will get the 5th day free. If you buy a 5-day DIsney World theme park ticket, either adult or child, you will get the 6th day free. This is approximately a 10% savings over buying your tickets direct from Disney. They have additional discounts if you want to buy 8,9, or 10 day tickets.

In addition to buying you Disney tickets you can book your entire Orlando vacation with ReserveOrlando.com. Why should you use these fine folks? Not only do they have an easy to use website and great prices but they also have a very helpful customer service staff. You can call them anytime at 1-888-590-5910 and talk to a real person who will be happy to help you with your vacation. Also, they are not a timeshare promoter. Call them or use their website for your next Orlando vacation. And best of all your reservations through them are 100% guaranteed!

Disney Epcot - Best Rides

2009-05-07T12:00:00.006-05:00

Disney Epcot is one of my favorite parks and visiting it is one of my favorite things to do in Orlando.

The best rides, in my opinion, at Epcot are as follows:

Mission Space

Honey I Shrunk the Audience

Soarin

Test Track

Mission Space is a 6 minute long motion based ride that takes you on a trip through outer space on a mission to Mars. It is essentially a giant motion simulator similar to the ones used to train pilots and astronauts. This ride has two teams (read levels of intensity) an orange team and a green team. If you tend to get a little "green around the gills" from motion then you should select the green team as this version of the ride is less intense. You will still find it enjoyable you just will not experience some of the g-forces and motion that you do on the orange team. I think it's great that Disney Epcot has done this allowing even those of us who get a little queasy the opportunity to enjoy a great ride without....well, you know, getting sick.

During the mission you will blast off from earth and head to the moon. You will use the gravity of the moon to slingshot your craft toward Mars. You will also land on Mars and then blast back to Earth. Great ride, not for little kids.

Honey I Shrunk the Audience is a 3D experience. I say experience because not only are you watching a 3D movie you are also moving. Your chair moves, you experience smoke, and don't forget the dog sneezing on you ( I love that part)! There is one part where a large python with fangs seems to come after you (hey, it is 3D) that some small kids might find scary. Otherwise this is a blast! You must do this. This is also another place to cool off on hot day. The theater is dark and cool and rather refreshing to step into after a hot day.

Soarin is a newer ride to Disney Epcot. It is breathtakingly simple ride. You experience the thrill of hang-gliding without actually hang-gliding. You soar high over the state of California seeing many of its beautiful vistas as well as the cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Malibu. You will see the Golden Gate Bridge, a PGA Golf tournament, as well as seeing skiers and snowboarders. This ride actually lifts you up about 40 feet into the air where you are surrounded 180 degrees by an Imax Projection Dome. This is a really cool ride. I'm not great with heights but I had no problems on this ride!

Test Track as I told you in a previous post is one of my favorites in all the parks or Orlando. Go ahead and click this link for a brief video on Test Track and then come back here for more details.

Okay, now that looks like fun doesn't it! Let me qualify my comments here about Test Track. I'm not a big car person (not into driving fast, or NASCAR). In fact I'm not a big ride person (I tend to shy away from most roller coasters whereas my wife and kids seek them out). There is something about Test Track that you can find very exhilarating without feeling terrified. This ride will take you up to 65mph during the speed test. But because you are lower than normal to the ground and you have an open top it seems as if you are going much faster. The banked turns are fabulous and the fact that you are "testing" an automobile gives you leeway to test the brakes, drive across bumpy roads, climb hills, and of course come down those same hills all in an open air vehicle. I love this ride and you must do this if you are going to go to Disney Epcot!

There are many more attractions as Disney Epcot but the ones listed above are the ones on my personal must do list. Do you prefer one that's not on the list? Leave me comment and let me know.

The fireworks/laser/water show each evening is called Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. It is spectacular! Just the right combination of fireworks with laser and water show make this my favorite amongst the park closing performances. I mean the fireworks show at Magic Kingdom is very good I just like this one a little better. The show takes place above the World Showcase lagoon each evening. Find you a spot around the lagoon about 30 minutes before show time and prepare to be in awe of the Illuminations spectacular!

TIP>> This is a simple tip for Disney Epcot but it will work if you get to the park early, like when it first opens. Most everyone will gravitate toward Spaceship Earth because it is near the entrance. Bypass that and head toward Test Track or Mission Space. Ride those first and then you can start to work your way back through the park. Make Spaceship Earth your last stop or a late afternoon stop during your visit to Disney Epcot!

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Walt Disney World - Epcot

2009-05-06T12:00:00.003-05:00

Disney Epcot is probably my favorite Disney World Park. I think it stems from my first visit there and seeing Spaceship Earth. I have always had an interest in technology and this made Future World right up my alley. Add to the fact that, in my opinion, Epcot is more laid-back park with not quite the hustle and bustle of Magic Kingdom or Disney Hollywood. I enjoy walking through the World Showcase and visiting the various countries. With that said, let's take a closer look at some of the things you will find at Epcot.

One thing I should not have to say about visiting the various theme parks in Orlando Florida, but I will, wear comfortable shoes and clothes. If you have never been to these parks before they are unlike anything you have seen or visited before. Maybe not the rides in particular, but they cover acres and acres of ground. For example, Epcot is 300 acres....and that is 2x the size of the Magic Kingdom.

There are two areas within Disney Epcot. Future World and World Showcase. And their names are pretty descriptive. Future World includes Spaceship Earth (the big giant golf ball looking display) as well as many exhibits of technological advancement and innovation. There are some pretty neat animatronics in Future World as well. And the World Showcase is a massive exhibit from various countries around the globe. A place where you can not only see but you can touch, feel, and eat things from other countries as well.

Epcot Future World
Definitely take the Spaceship Earth ride. It is low key and for all ages. It is a tour through technology, space, and time. It is a good ride to cool off on in the summer time as it is about 15 minutes in length and it is cool and dark on this ride. You will also want to check out "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience", Mission Space, and Test Track. All of these are entertaining rides. Test Track is my favorite ride at Epcot (and close to being my favorite ride in all the Disney Parks).

Epcot World Showcase
The World Showcase consists of pavilions of several different countries from around the world. The pavilions are situated around a large lagoon so the area is very open and easy to walk and easy to navigate. Each pavilion has shops, entertainment and restaurants. The countries of the World Showcase are as follows:

Mexico

Norway

China

Germany

Italy

United States

Japan

Morocco

France

United Kingdom

Canada

I find all of these enjoyable, educational and entertaining. However, my two favorites are United States and Germany. The United States pavilion has the American Adventure Pavilion. There you can see an animatronic review of significant events and people in American history. It is very enjoyable. The German pavilion has the Biergarten which is my favorite restaurant. I'm not a big beer drinker, and you can get a beer here, but the bratwurst and the chicken schnitzel are very good. Save room for dessert because the Bavarian cheesecake, the black forest cake, and the apple strudle are out of this world.

Allow a whole day to visit this park. Tomorrow we will talk more about the rides at Epcot and the fireworks/laser/ water display, IllumiNations.

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Branson Air Show

2009-05-06T09:56:00.006-05:00

Just a quick reminder that the 1st annual Branson Air Show get underway this weekend. Activitiies kick off Friday afternoon at 6pm and continue Saturday and Sunday. Keep in mind that this airshow is being held in conjuction with the Grand Opening of the new runway at Branson Airport. Most military airshows are free to the public, however, this show does have an admission charge. Advance tickets for adults are $16 and $18 at the gate. Advance tickets for children ages 6 - 12 are $5 and $6 at the gate. The Thunderbirds will be performing on Saturday and Sunday only. For more details on the Branson Airshow click here.

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Walt Disney Time Saving Tips

2009-05-05T09:00:00.007-05:00

A short video with ideas on how to maximize the use of our time while at Disney World.

Walt Disney World Time-Saving Tricks

Click here for video!

A few more time saving tips for Disney Parks:

If you stay at Disney Hotels you are admitted an hour early at different parks on different days. As I indicated in a previous post anytime you can get advance entry into the park you will have a much shorter wait time on the first 2 or 3 rides.

Go to the ride you want to ride the most first. Lines will only get longer as the day goes on.

If you leave before the park closes be sure to get your hand stamped. You may get your energy back after a short rest period and decide to return to the park. The stamp will get you back into that park that day.

Use the theme park maps to navigate your way quickly and efficently through the park.

Take advantage of the Disney FastPass!

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SeaWorld Manta Flying Ray Roller Coaster

2009-05-04T21:38:00.005-05:00

We temporarily interrupt these posts on Walt Disney World to bring you some breaking information from SeaWorld in Orlanda,Florida. Tomorrow, May 5, will be the debut of the new Manta Flying Ray Roller Coaster. This looks to be an incredible ride and a great addition to SeaWorld. SeaWorld has always been a little ride lite but they have been making improvements the last few years. The construction for the project is ahead of schedule and SeaWorld has made the decision to open the ride tomorrow, 17 days ahead of schedule.

Here is a link to the SeaWorld site that gives you detailed information on the coaster as well as a short video.

SeaWorld Manta the Flying Ray Roller Coaster Video

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Disney Fastpass

2009-05-04T12:00:00.011-05:00

Disney FastPass is a cool service that Disney offers on many of it's most popular attractions. Disney World is a busy place and there are lot's of visitors there wanting to take in the full Disney experience. This includes riding the best rides. Disney developed a service call FastPass that allows you to obtain a "pass" that will allow you to ride a specific ride during a specific time window allowing you to avoid the long normal line.

Think of the Disney Fastpass as your personal place holder in the line to ride the most popular rides. Let's examine this in a more practical way. You want to ride Splash Mountain. So you make your way to Splash Mountain only to find the wait time for the ride is 75 minutes. You don't want to stand in line for 75 minutes so you decide to get a Fastpass for this ride. You walk up to the Disney FastPass distribution point (see picture for an example) near the ride entrance.
There is a clock that tells you if you take a fastpass you will be able to ride Splash Mountain between time X and time Y with a much shorter wait time (say 15 minutes). You decide to take advantage of this. You insert your park pass into the fastpass machine and it prints out a Disney FastPass ticket for you (see example picture of the yellow machine). The ticket will tell you the return time window for you to use the FastPass. You return during the designated time and go the line marked FastPass ticket holders. You are usually able to ride the ride within 15 minutes. The Fastpass window for most rides is 1 hour. You must return sometime within the designated hour to use your pass. For shows the fastpass is for a specific show time. So you will need to be there for the beginning of the show.

What rides use Disney Fastpass?

Magic Kingdom

Splash Mountain

Space Mountain

Big Thunder Mountain

Buzz Light Years Space Ranger Spin

Jungle Cruise

Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Peter Pan's Flight

Mickey's PhilHarmagic

When we discuss the other parks we will list the FastPass rides for them at that time. One other thing to note about the FastPass. Everyone in your group who is going to ride must have a FastPass to use the FastPass line. So, if you are in a group of 4, including 2 children, you will need to scan each person's park admission ticket to be issued a FastPass ticket for use at the designated ride or show. Also, there is a limit to how many FastPass tickets you can be issued at once. You usually can't be issued a FastPass for another attraction until you use the FastPass you had already been issued, or two hours after your prior FastPass has been issued. This keeps you from going to all the FastPass stations and collection FastPass tickets to use back to back.

Disney Tips and Tricks can be found here. It is worth the money!

Dining at Magic Kingdom

Let's not beat around the bush about this topic. Food and drinks inside the Magic Kingdom are not cheap. However, if you are careful about how you plan your day, and your meals, you can complete the day and meet your food requirements (not starving to death and not carrying around a grocery bag full of food) without totally destroying your budget. Now keep in mind here we are not talking about McDonald's prices so you need to look for value not just price. I really think that the best meal of the day for value at Disney is the Character Breakfast (remember this is my opinion). So, book your character breakfast 90 days in advance. Call the Walt Disney Dining Number (407) WDW-DINE and work out the arrangements with the reserving agent.

TIP>>To have the best chance of getting the day and time that you want, especially for Cinderella's Castle, call exactly 90 days in advance. Wait later than that and you will taking what you can get.

My favorite option for this is the Cinderella's Royal Table which is breakfast in Cinderella's Castle inside the park. I recommend you take the earliest breakfast possible. Why? Because you will get early admission to the park and you will avoid much of the opening rush. You will be escorted to the Castle upon entering the park. Once your reservation time arrives you will be seated and served a wonderful hot breakfast (eggs, sausage, homemade breads, danish, juices, coffee). This is meal that will last you well into the afternoon unless you have just a voracious appetite. The other good thing about breakfast at the Castle is you get to meet the characters up close and personal. Generally each one will stop by your table, sign autographs, and allow you to take pictures with them. This is great! A nice relaxing environment without being crowded by a bunch of different folks trying to do the same thing. Usually you have Cinderella, her Fairy Godmother, and other Disney Princesses such as Belle, Snow White or Aurora. This meal is going to cost you in the neighborhood of $40 per person. But wait, there's more (I always wanted to say that). If you managed to book the early breakfast when you leave breakfast the park will just be opening. You are in the center of the park. Walk to your favorite ride on the back side of the park and you should be one of the first in line. Almost no waiting. You should be able to get two or three rides in with minimum wait and without having to use a FastPass!

I also like the Chef Mickey character breakfast at the Contemporary Resort. It is less expensive than Cinderella's Castle, but remember, you are not in the park for this breakfast. It will cost you about $22 per person. Also, you will be seeing Mickey Mouse and his buddies and the Chef Mickey breakfast. Finally, I also enjoyed the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall breakfast at Epcot. This was a Norwegian Style breakfast and it was also very good. Your characters here are the Disney Princesses.

There are plenty of places to walk around and grab a hot dog or a burger or some unique treat in the Magic Kingdom. However, for a sit down lunch I recommend the Liberty Square Tavern. It is always good with an nice variety on the menu and each time we have dined there we have been happy with both the food and the service!

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Disney Magic Kingdom

2009-05-03T12:00:00.003-05:00

You have been looking forward to this day for some time now. You have planned and budgeted for the trip and the day has finally arrived. You are headed to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World!

Take the bus or your car to the Disney parking area where you will head to the Monorail station. Board the Monorail for your trip into the Magic Kingdom.

Secret Tip==> If you happen to be fortunate enough to end up in the front que for the 1st Monorail car ask the conductor if you and your children can ride in the engineers car with them. This is an especially awesome view at night. You have an unobstructed view going into to each stop and into the Monorail station at the Magic Kingdom.

Disney Tips and Tricks can be found here. It is worth the money!

Once you deboard the monorail at Magic Kingdom you will head toward the main entrance which is just a short walk. My suggestion to you at this point is to invest in an "Autograph Book" so that your children, or you, can collect the signatures of the various Disney characters that you will encounter at the various Disney Parks. (Tip>>>Bring a pen or two as the characters to do not carry pens with them. Also, some of them have a difficult time grasping a small pen because of their costume so you may want to bring one that is easy to grip.) Also, at this time I would suggest you obtain a park map so can navigate the Magic Kingdom. If you have older kids make sure you arrange for a meeting point at a certain place in the park at a certain time so you can regroup.

The park is divided into 7 different area's:

Mainstreet USA

Adventureland

Frontierland

Liberty Square

Fantasyland

Mickey's Toon Town Fair

Tomorrowland

Mainstreet USA is just that. You will find the Disney Railroad and the trolley cars. It is one of the first area's you encounter when you enter the Magic Kingdom. Ther are many shops as well. I suggest you make a quick pass through Mainstreen USA upon entering the park and head to one of the other areas that have rides. Mainstreet is also the headquarters for the City Hall, the bank (ATM), reserve dining privileges, pick up wheel chairs, strollers, etc.

Adventureland is an Adventure. The Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean are just two of the many rides in Adventureland. You really must do the Pirates of the Caribbean. I can still remember the first time I rode this ride as a youngster. The cannon's firing, the smoke, the water, the waterfall drop. WoW! And it really is pretty tame and for the whole group!

Frontierland takes you back to the old west and the frontier life. There you will have the opportunity to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain. Be sure you do this.

Libertyland is about the coming of age of our great country, along with a few other things. We always enjoy the Hall of Presidents. The animatronic presidents are quit good as is the animatronic narrator, Mark Twain. Also, another must do attraction in Libertyland is the Haunted Mansion. This is a really fun tour through the Haunted Mansion.

Fantasyland get's you more into the actual Disney fantasy adventures. It's A Small World, Peter Pan's Flight, Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh, and the Mad Tea Party are just a few of the rides in this area. I know it may be a little hokey for the adults, and you will be humming the song for the rest of the day, but you really must ride the It's A Small World ride. The music and the animated dolls are very good. Just think about this ride and how long it's been around and it's still good!

Mickey's Toon Town Fair is where many of the characters are located. There you can see the "homes" of some of the Disney characters. The main thing here is to keep your autograph book and camera handy as you should encounter Disney characters.

Tomorrowland is the future. Here you will encounter Space Mountain, Astro Orbit, Buzz Lightyear Ailen Encounter, and the Tomorrowland Speedway. I would recommend Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear in this area. Space Mountain is basically an indoor roller coaster (you are riding a rocket ship through space) and the Buzz Lightyear ride is interactive as you are shooting your "laser gun" at aliens scoring points along the way!

Parades and Fireworks

The "Dreams Come True Parade" is held every afternoon at 3pm. Find a place along the parade route where you can watch the parade and take pictures. This is a very colorful and exciting parade. I would recommend trying to get near the central hub on Main Streen to watch the parade because there is shade and you will be able to see the entire parade. Pick out a good spot and get there a little early to find you a spot.

The Disney Wishes fireworks show is held each evening at 10pm. This fantastic music and fireworks display is first class all the way. It basically wraps up the festivities for the day and shuts down the park each night. Be patient if you stay for the fireworks show. It will take a little time to exit the park, catch the monorail or other transportation and get back to your hotel.

Tomorrow we will discuss FastPass, dining in the park, and character breakfasts at Magic Kingdom.

Buy your Magic Kingdom Tickets Here at ReserveOrlando.com

Things To Do In Orlando

2009-05-02T12:00:00.002-05:00

There are a lot of things to do in Orlando. Once you arrive and get checked into your hotel you will have a multitude of options. Hopefully you will have planned your itinerary in advance as this will allow you to make the best use of your time during your stay in Orlando. In this post we will give you a high level look at the various attractions and things to do. In following posts we will delve into the details of the larger attractions in the Orlando area.

Orlando Theme Parks

Disney World is THE primary attraction in Orlando, Florida. When most people say Disney World they really mean all the Disney related parks. These are the 4 big parks under the Disney umbrella:

Magic Kingdom - This is the oldest park and the park that most people think of when you say "Disney World". It is the one with Cinderella's Castle, Space Mountain, and of course Mickey Mouse.

Epcot Center - This park was built after the Magic Kingdom and it is an interesting park and one of my favorites. It contains Spaceship Earth. This the most notable visible icon of Epcot. It looks like a giant silver golf ball. This park contains a lot of information about technology and has World Showcase which allows you to "visit" several different countries around the world.

Animal Kingdom - The Tree of Life is the focal point of Animal Kingdom. There are lots of opportunities to see animals, especially on the Safari. In addition they have recently added a new ride attraction called "Expedition Everst".

Disney Hollywood - This park is about entertainment in the form of movies and television. There are live stunt shows and high speed rides. Don't miss the Tower of Terror and Honey I Shrunk the Kids.

For special Disney Savings...

Universal Studios is one of my favorite parks if not my favorite. There are really two parks here. Universal Studios where you will visit movie sets and see live action shows, stunt shows, and adventure rides. After you finish up at Universal go next door (literally) to Islands of Adventure. This is for the thrill lovers and the folks that like rides. Multiple roller coasters like Hulk and Dueling Dragons and thrill rides like Spiderman (the BEST) and Jurassic Park (very good).

Seaworld is an old standby that is always good entertainment. Especially if you like animals. Some of the shows are very entertaining. Don't miss Shamu! Seaworld has worked on upgrading their park with some thrill rides. Journey to Atlantis is a very good ride.

In addition to the Theme Parks there are go-cart parks, water parks, and a Ripley's Believe It or Not. There are shows like the Blue Man Group and the Arabian Knights Dinner Attraction.

If your schedule permits and you are up for it drive over one day to the Kennedy Space Center. Not only is it educational it is very fun for the entire family. Who knows, if you are lucky you may be able to catch a rocket launch or even better a Space Shuttle launch.

Create your own vacation packages at ReserveOrlando.com. Use them for things to do in Orlando.

Orlando Florida Hotels - Where to Stay on Your Trip to Orlando

2009-05-01T11:59:00.010-05:00

Orlando has so many hotels to choose from that is seems to be an almost insurmountable tasks. Do you want to stay in a luxury hotel with great amenities? Or do you prefer to go low budget because you are going to be on the go all the time anyway? Or do you want something in between? We are going to look at these three options in this post. What we are not going to do yet is specifically look at the on property Disney Hotels like the Grand Floridian and The Contemporary resort. We will look at these in a future post.

I want luxury. This is going to be my ultimate vacation!

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort
My family and I stayed in this resort a few years back and let me tell you it is wonderful (see the picture accompanying this post). They have one of the most elaborate pool areas you will find anywhere. It covers over a half acre with waterfalls, swim through "cave" type areas, and of course a super water slide. The adults and children alike enjoyed this feature of the hotel. They have bikes you can take out and ride around the property. They have a pitch and putt area for golfers. They have access a Jack Nicklaus designed golf course as well. Of course they are nearby to all of the major attractions like Disney World, Universal, and Seaworld. You will truly be impressed with the interior of the hotel as well. The rooms are clean, large, and very nice. You can actually see the night time fireworks display at a couple of the parks from the one side of the hotel each evening. You do need to be on the upper floors to see it though. I just checked the price for mid-June for 2 adults and 2 children and the rooms are starting at $132 using Onetravel.com which you will find on the right side of this page or at the bottom of this post. That is a fantastic price for this luxury hotel. If you stay here you need to realize you will want to spend some time on the grounds because it is that nice. So factor that into your time budget.

I want a nice hotel with shopping nearby.

The Regal Sun Resort. Formerly the Grosvenor.

Ok, this is the last hotel I stayed at in Orlando and it is right beside Downtown Disney (a fantastic area of shops and restaraunts). I will be honest with you...I was not too impressed with the property. The interior of the hotel was a little dingy and seemed a bit run down. The rooms were not what we expected at all. And this was a Disney Hotel? We had some issues that we had to get addressed once we checked in and that is not usually a good sign. Anyway, it seems as though the property has received a MUCH NEEDED UPGRADE. A $25 million makeover which included every portion of the property. I mean every room has been redone. This has to make this a good opportunity now if you are headed down to Orlando. While we didn't love the hotel at the time we did love the location. You can catch the Disney transportation system (bus) right at the hotel and ride to and from the properties. You can also walk about 1 - 2 blocks and be in Downtown Disney. Lots of shops and places to eat, things to do, people to see. So, believe it or not they are running a standard room for $60 per night (2 double beds). This is a great price. You can upgrade from there if you like. Please use the Onetravel.com logo on the upper right side of the page or the one at the bottom of this post.

I want to go cheap! Besides, I'm not going to spend much time in my room.

Holiday Inn Maingate East

It has been several years since we stayed in this hotel but at the time it was clean and nice with a good pool. It is very close to Disneyworld. We didn't spend a lot of time in the room because we were constantly on the go, as you probably will be. So, if that's the case save some money on your lodging and use it on your entertainment or food budget. This hotel seems to still be in good shape and you can find rooms starting at $50 per night. I believe we used a Kids Suite when we were there and those are running $73 per night at Onetravel.com.

So, there are three options for those heading to Orlando in the coming weeks or months. And I must say I am impressed at the prices available on lodging for the summer months. It looks like a really good time to go to Orlando Florida.

Orlanda Florida Vacations

2009-04-30T12:00:00.008-05:00

Orlando Florida has become one of the top travel destinations in the world. Wait a minute you say. How can a town in central Florida be a destination for travelers all over the world? The answer is simple and I'm sure know what it is....its Disney World!

Over the next several posts we are going to look at several aspects of Orlando Florida and all the things you can do while vacationing in the Orlando area. I have been to Orlando several times and stayed at various places, including the Disney hotels, and went to all of the major attractions.

To start with, unless you live within a 6 or 8 hour drive I highly recommend you fly into Orlando International Airport. The airport code for Orlando International Airport is MCO. Of course prices will vary depending upon your departure location, but I will tell you now that the airlines prices have come down and if you do your homework you can get a good deal on your tickets. Check out this early post on how to save money on your airfare. Even flying into MCO is nice. It's a clean airport that has well manicured and attractive grounds. You will take a tram once you deplane to the main terminal to pick up your luggage. This tram will remind you of the mono-rail at Disney World. I suggest you click the OneTravel.com box on the right hand side of this blog to get your ticket pricing. Just click the Flights Tab or the Flights Button once you are on their site and enter your home airport code and MCO as your destination airport. There is a promotion on that site now to save $10 per airline ticket (this should be automatic when you book through the banner; if not the coupon code is ORLANDO10).

Rent your car in advance so that you can arrange to pick it up at the airport. You can rent all types of vehicles from compact cars to mini-vans to SUV's. Unless you absolutely have to have the more expensive vehicle I would go for a full size sedan. You can usually Find Cheap Rental Cars at OneTravel.com. Book a Car Today! I have always found Orlando pretty easy to navigate, and I'm not the best navigator just ask my wife, but you will encounter some toll roads so be prepared for that.

Ok, so next up we will look at lodging in the Orlando area, including some options on Disney property and Universal Studios property. You will find with lodging that you can spend as much or as little as you like it's just going to be a matter of what type of arrangements are going to meet your needs.

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Branson Missouri A Fun Vacation

2009-04-29T09:55:00.013-05:00

Well, we have covered a lot of ground on our Branson vacation. We visited Silver Dollar City where we had a really good day. We watched live shows there as well as enjoyed the local craftsman showing us how to do everything from blow glass to blacksmith.

We spent a day shopping Branson visiting the both the local crafts and antique stores as well as the Outlet Malls and Branson Landing on Lake Taneycomo.

Let's not forget the food you can find in Branson. There are numerous restaraunts, cafes, and buffets to insure that you do not go hungry.

We also took a look at some of the exciting upcoming events. Things that will give a reason to go or to go back! Just a side note here, I believe the 1st annual Branson Air Show is going to be a great success. If you love aircraft or enjoy being entertained for an entire day without spending a ton of money you need to get to Branson for this event.

These last several posts on Branson will hopefully give you an idea of the myriad of things to do at Branson Missouri if you have never been. If you have been, I hope these posts will make you want to go back. Not only is Branson a place you can vacation but it is a place where you can spend time with your family in a laid back environment. Slow down a little and enjoy yourself! See you in Branson Missouri!

Oh, by the way. Do yourself a favor and stop by the Panera Bread Company on the way out of town and pick a loaf of fresh baked bread. And, if you happen to be driving south on Hwy 65 on your way home make a stop at Coursey's Meat Market just outside of St. Joe, Arkansas. They have the best smoked ham and turkey you can find. And if you like Beef Jerky don't leave there without some of their's. You will be glad you did!

You can find great savings on your Branson Vacation by clicking on the small banner below.

Branson Titanic Musuem

2009-04-28T13:28:00.008-05:00

Branson Titanic Musuem is more than just another Branson attraction. It's the world's largest musuem attraction. The Titanic Towers over 100 feet above street level and is loaded with over 400 artifacts and interactive exhibits to keep even the most reluctant musuem goer engaged.

Not only will you see an exclusive exhibit of interior and exterior photos of the original Titanic ship you will also have over 20 rooms to tour and of course the grand staircase to walk! Interactive exhibits let you feel an iceberg as well as 28 degree water. How long can you keep your finger in 28 degree water much less your entire body? This was the temperature of the water where the Titanic sank.

This is one attaction that everyone in your family will enjoy during your trip to Branson Missouri.

Need tickets for the Titanic? Buy your Titanic Tickets at ReserveBranson.com

Branson Missouri Fishing

2009-04-27T12:00:00.003-05:00

If you like to fish then the lakes located in and around Branson, Missouri are just another reason for you to make the journey to the southwest Missouri destination. Fishing in the Branson area runs from the elusive rainbow trout down to the "lowly" but exceptionally good eating catfish. And of course there bream, crappie, and bass as well.

You will likely need a fishing license and or a trout stamp to pursue your quarry in the Branson area. I have summarized the fishing regulations for you below:

FISHING REGULATIONS:
DAILY FISHING PERMIT: $7.00
May be purchased by residents and nonresidents for multiple days.
RESIDENT YEARLY FISHING PERMIT: $12
RESIDENT HUNTING AND FISHING PERMIT: $19
For fish, frogs, mussels, clams, turtles, crayfish and live bait, birds except turkey, mammals except deer, and to sell furbearers taken by hunting.
NONRESIDENT FISHING PERMIT: $40
TROUT STAMP: $7
You must also have a fishing permit. A trout permit is not needed where a daily trout tag is required.

If you are between the age of 16 and 65, you need a Missouri fishing license before you can legally catch fish. A license is also required for non-residents of Missouri over 65 years of age.

For more information on fishing in Missouri and the Branson area check out the Missouri Department of Conservations Fishing page.

The three closest lakes to Branson Missouri for fishing are Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo and Bull Shoals.

On Table Rock Lake you will find a large variety of fish to pursue:
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
White Bass
Kentuck (Spotted) Bass
Rock Bass (Goggle Eye)
Channel Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Bluegill
Crappie

On Lake Taneycomo you will find the local trout fishing:
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout

Bull Shoals contains the same same species as Table Rock Lake. However, please be aware when fishing Bull Shoals that part of the lake is in Missouri and part of the lake is in Arkansas. On the Arkansas side of the lake the Arkansas fishing laws apply, including the necessary licensing.

So, on your next trip to Branson be sure to enjoy Branson Missouri Fishing!

Create your own vacation packages at ReserveBranson.com

Travel to Mexico - Travel Health Update

2009-04-27T09:13:00.006-05:00

We temporarily interrupt these posts on Branson, Missouri to bring you a quick update on travel to Mexico. Because Mexico is such a popular destination among American tourists, and particularly those who live in the the southern portion of the United States, I wanted to get this travel update out to you.

At the moment there is an outbreak of Swine Flu that the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organizations believe started in Mexico City, Mexico. There have been over 100 reported deaths as of this writing and it has begun to spread to the United States, Canada, and New Zealeand where there are confirmed cases reported.

As of this writing there are not any government imposed travel restrictions to Mexico regarding the Swine flu. For updates on Travel Health please follow this link to the Centers for Disease Control travel health updates.

If you have plans to travel to Mexico by car, plane, or cruise ship in the next few weeks please be mindful and watch for updates not only from the CDC but from your travel carrier and the state department.

Branson Golf

2009-04-25T12:02:00.002-05:00

Branson golf is highlighted by a group of six courses that really stand out in a crowd. These courses are challenging but they are set in the scenic beauty of the Ozarks which make them fun to play even if you are having a tough day on the course.

Branson Golf Courses

Please click the link, when available to get detailed information on each course.

Let's start with Branson Creek. It is an 18 hole par 71 course managed by Troon Golf. This is part of a resort community that includes hotels and timeshares. So, if the idea of golf every day or every morning before you start your day, then Branson Creek may be for you. Green fee's run from $50 to $100 per person depending on the time and day of the week as well as the time of the year.

The next course on our list is Holiday Hills. It is an 18 hole par 68 course that is on flatter terrain that some of the other Branson courses. It is also a little more budget friendly with green fees ranging from $35 to $60 per person including a cart.

One of the newest Branson Golf courses is Murder Rock. This is PGA winner John Daly's new course. It is also an 18 hole Par 71 course. It is part of the Branson Creek resort community as is the Branson Creek course. Rates here run from $50 to $80 for green fees. It is semi-private but open to the public.

Point Royale is an 18 hole par 70 course that is part of the Point Royale resort and convention center. This course was reworked the last half of 2008 and to get golfers back on the course they are offering a 7 day golf special. Unlimited golf for 7 days for $249. That inlcudes green fees and a cart. See their site for specific details.

Thousand Hills Golf Course is located centrally in Branson and for this reason it is the most popular course in Branson. Another thing I like about Thousand Hills is the two different specials they offer. For $25 you can play the back 9 during the first hour the course is open in the morning, and that includes a cart. OR, you can come back late in the evening and play 18 holes for $29, cart included, as part of their twilight golf package. You have to print the specials page from their website to get the special rates.

Branson golf wouldn't be complete without a trip to the 9 hole par 27 golf Top of the Rock course designed by Jack Nicklaus at Big Cedar lodge. Unfortunately, Top of the Rock is currently closed for renovation.

Branson Golf courses are designed with everyone from the casual golfer to the serious player in mind. So, if gold is your game, check out the Branson Golf courses.

For all of your Branson travel needs please use ReserveBranson.com.

Branson Missouri Restaraunts

2009-04-24T12:00:00.004-05:00

Branson Missouri has numerous restaraunts to choose from for your dining pleasure. You can get everything from home style cooking to fine dining. Let's face it. You came to Branson either to have fun for the weekend or for a family vacation. So, let's make the most of our dining experience by having a little fun along the way!

For breakfast I usually do one of the following options:

The first option is to eat at the continental breakfast provided at the hotel. You can do this if your hotel has a breakfast feature.
Another choice, not personal favorite but one the kids always enjoy, is the Krispy Kreme donut shop located right on Hwy 76 near the entrance to the Tanger Outlet Center which I discussed in a previous post. Just look for the sign in the window to be lit indicating that hot, fresh donuts are available.
A personal favorite, and a family favorite as well, is the Panera Bread Company. They have wonderful muffins, pastries, cinnamon rolls, bread, breakfast sandwiches, and very good coffee. I'm picky about my coffee and Panera Bread has very good coffee. Panera Bread is on Green Mountain drive. Turn left at the McDonalds off of Hwy 76, if you are heading west, and follow the road about 1/3 of mile to the bottom of the hill. Panera is on the right.
Finally, if I'm looking for a big, hearty breakfast I usually drop in on the Cracker Barrel and have the Uncle Herschel or Mama's Pancake breakfast. Either of these meals will last you until late in the afternoon, unless your out lumberjacking or maybe you run a marathon a couple of hours after breakfast. Cracker Barrel is on Hwy 76 farther down the strip. It is near Olive Garden (across the street).

I'm not one for a big lunch. I usually try to stay reasonably light.

One of those fun little places to have lunch is the Hard Luck Diner. The Hard Luck Diner is located in the Grand Palace Shops next door to the Grand Palace Theater. Now, you can go their for dinner if you like but my recommendation is for lunch. They have good cheeseburgers, club sandwiches, chicken sandwiches and thick shakes. This is a 50's style diner and that is pretty cool in itself. It even has a soda fountain. But the fun thing about the Hard Luck Diner is the waiters and waitresses sing between orders. You will hear everything from gospel to country to oldies to pop! Most of the them are pretty good too! And of course they sell their CD's at the checkout counter.
Now, I know we listed this folks for breakfast but I like them for lunch as well. That's the Panera Bread Company. (Trust me folks the one in Branson is really good) Sandwiches, salad, and soup are on the menu. I usually will grab a half sandwich and a cup of soup. If it's summer time or warm out I usually order a salad. The food is always fresh and well prepared.
Another place for lunch is Fuddruckers. Fudd's is fairly new to Branson but I like it. They have wonderful hamburgers, sandwiches and salads. I also like their milk shakes. Fudd's is located near Dixie Stampede. It is closer to Hwy 65 than the other dining establishments discussed so far.
There are many other places for lunch I just hit on a few of my favorites here.

For dinner you again have numerous options. You can have dinner and a show, or you can just focu on dinner. We will focus on dinner here. Click on the link in the last sentence that will take you to my post on entertainment where I recommend two dinner/show choices.

One of my personal favorites is the Outback In Branson Grill. I don't think these folks are associated with the Outback chain. Their steaks, chicken, and shrimp are all excellent. Most entree's are served with a salad or soup, a side, and fresh baked bread. I don't make it by the Outback in Branson everytime I go but I sure try! It is located across Hwy 76 from the Hwy 76 Shopping Center.
Another place for dinner is Joe's Crab Shack. It is located in Branson Landing. I would suggest an early evening their and ask to be seated on the patio so you can enjoy the night breeze off of Lake Taneycomo. You know about Joe's I'm sure. Fresh seasfood, entertaining wait staff. I have not personally eaten at the one in Branson but I have eaten in 2 or 3 other Joe's. The one in Destin was really good. The one in San Diego was pretty good. My wife and daughter have eaten and the one in Branson and said it was a little smaller than the other Joe's Crab Shack's but the food and service were excellent. A
Another great place for lunch or dinner is McFarlain's. McFarlain's is located in the Imax Entertainment Complex. You will find homestyle cooking at McFarlain's. If you are going for the first time or if you have been before and are taking some Branson newbie's with you be sure and ask for the "rising table". It start's out at normal table height. It gradually move upward until it's up around your chest. This is very gradual so it's a really good prank. McFarlain's is located just off of Shepard of the Hills Expressway.

There a large number of dining establishments in Branson. I suggest you visit DineBranson.com at the link below to review their extensive listing of restaraunts in advance.

Branson Restaurant Information

Remember, book all of your hotel and entertainment needs for Branson at Reservebranson.com.

Branson Missouri Upcoming Events

2009-04-23T12:00:00.004-05:00

There are several upcoming events in Branson that you may be interested in participating in or attending.

Currently underway is the WorldFest at Silver Dollar City. This began on April 4 and runs through May 3. So you still have a couple of weeks to catch this. This is on Wednesday through Sunday's only. International performers and craftsman from around the world gather at Silver Dollar City to peform and share their craftsmanship.

Coming up this weekend is the Missouri Wine Festival. It is April 25 and April 26. It is held at Chateau on the Lake resort. If you can't make it this year then mark it on your calendar for next year.

If you like motorcycles then you will have plenty to entetain you in Branson. The Goldwing Motorcycle Riders gathering is April 30 - May 3. This is sponsored by Area 57 events. In addition the following weekend is the 8th annual Branson Motorcycle Rally. This will be held near the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater complex.

Something new for Branson, and always a big draw at the local air force base, is the 1st annual Branson Air Show. As usual Branson does events like this first class. They will have the USAF Thunderbirds as well as USArmy Golden Knights parchute team. Additional high performance military aircraft will be performing as well as on static display. This event will be held at the new Branson airport and will be held May 8 - May 10.

Finally if you are an adventurous soul and a have a desire to be on television the Wheel of Fortune will be holding audtions May 9 - May 10 in Branson at the Welk Resort. Go early and get in line if you want a chance to audition for the show.

Branson Missouri Shows: Entertain Me!

2009-04-22T12:00:00.004-05:00

If you can't find a show you like in Branson Missouri, well then, I'm afraid that's your problem. There are now so many types of shows to choose from that anyone can find something they will delight in during their visit to Branson.

The original shows of Branson, The Presley's and The Baldknobbers, are still in production today. The Baldknobbers have been performing now for 50 years. Both of these shows are country music (both old country and new country hits) as well as slapstick country comedy. You will leave either of these shows laughing and feeling entertained.

If your prefer dinner AND a show then I would encourage you to check out either the Dixie Stampede or the Branson Belle. The Dixie Stampede is Dolly Parton's showcase. You will be served a 4-course meal and then entertained by a mock battle of the North and South. The audience gets to participate and it is a fun time. The Branson Belle is a dinner cruise on Table Rock Lake followed by an entertaining show featuring ventriloquist Todd Oliver and his talking dogs!

If you prefer something a little different in the musical category try Shoji Tabuchi. He is a world renowned fiddle player that will absolutely amaze you with his ability play the fiddle. Many times his wife and daughter perform with him. These tickets always go fast.

Do you prefer to be impressed by magic? If so check out Kirby and Bambi VanBurch. Their show is quite good. They incorporate the use of tigers. They also usually have one really big illusion like making a car or helicopter disappear from the stage before your very eyes.

There is literally a show for everyone in Branson (prefer a dance show..check out Spirit of the Dance). The ticket prices will vary but you can put categorize most of them into the $30 - $50 range per ticket for adults. Most shows have a teenager price that is about $10 cheaper and a children's price that is anywhere from free to $10 depending on the show.

Everyone wants to know if you can get discounts on the show tickets or get free tickets. Well, if you want to go to a 2 or 3 hour condo tour/sales presentation you can often get a free ticket or two. But is this how you really want to spend your vacation? You can also pick up coupon sheet and coupon books all over Branson that will save you a couple of dollars on each ticket.

The best way to get you tickets and the best price is to buy them in advance. You can do this by clicking on the banner in the upper right corner of this blog or click Branson Missouri Shows. Be sure and select the tab for Branson Shows to get the best prices on your tickets.

Branson Missouri: Shopping

2009-04-21T12:00:00.001-05:00

You have found your hotel or condo and gotten properly settled. You spent a day at Silver Dollar City enjoying the rides, watching the craftsmen, taking in shows, and of course enjoying the good home cooking there.

Now, for your next adventure, if you so choose, I suggest spending a few hours enjoying the shops and shopping malls. Branson originally had a few local crafts stores and the normal grocery and shopping stores you find in most small towns. Once Branson began to catch on as a tourist destination one of the first things to go Big in Branson was outlet mall shopping.

The first of the outlet malls to be developed was the Factory Merchants Mall. This is known to Branson regulars as the red-top mall. (Three guesses as to why it's called the red-top mall). The Factory Merchants Mall is still open in Branson. It's a nice very open and spread out mall. There are a couple of different levels since it's built onto a hill-side. If you want to see a detail list of stores click the link provided in the previous sentence.

The second outlet mall is the Tanger Outlet Center. The Tanger Center is known by Branson regulars as the blue-top mall. Yes, it has a blue-top. This mall is newer than the red-top mall and tends to be preferred by the younger crowd because of the store line-up. You can find a Nike store, Bannana Republic, Reebok, Aeropostale, American Eagle and Old Navy just to name a few. They have some really good prices especially if you catch them at season change (back to school and spring).

The other outlet mall is The Shoppes at Branson Meadows, which also has a movie theater attached. This is located a little off the beaten path on the northside of Branson. If you can see the big white water tower on the hill to the north of Hwy 76 then The Shoppes is just below the water tower. The last time I was in Branson this particular mall had only a few shops open. There were many vacant stores. So, I'm not sure if it is to be closed or the owners are going to try and obtain new tenants. The one store that I really liked at The Shoppes was the VF Factory outlet. There was also a nice little bookstore that had mostly books that were not new releases.

Now, the newest shopping establishment in Branson is Branson Landing. Branson Landing is much more upscale and is not an outlet mall. It is has first run merchandise and many of the newest stores. Please click the link to see a complete list. One of the nice things about Branson Landing is that it's on Lake Taneycomo and there seems to always be a nice breeze into this open air shopping facility. There is also a Bass Pro Shop on one end that can keep most men entertained for at least an hour or so. The other big plus with Branson Landing is that there are real restaraunts and other places to get a coffee or ice cream. The other outlet malls are really lacking in this area. I would suggest you either go early and finish up with lunch at Joe's Crab Shack or maybe end your day at Branson Landing and have dinner at Garfields or Macaroni Grill.

If you prefer to shop for something a little more "crafty" I would suggest the Engler Block or the Branson Craft Mall. Either of these will let you get a feel for the local craftsmanship and provides and opportunity to purchase unique items.

Don't forget. Before you head out on your trip to Branson you will want to Create your own vacation package at ReserveBranson.com !

Branson Missouri: Lodging

2009-04-20T14:00:00.001-05:00

Branson Missouri has numerous hotels, motels, inns, condo's, Bed and Breakfast Inns, and even cabins that you can rent on your trip to Branson. Now, you can go fancy or you can go no frills it really is up to you. I would suggest you ask yourself a few questions.

What is your budget for lodging for the trip?

How much time do you plan to spend in your room?

How long are you going to be in Branson?

If your trip is short and you are going to be busy shopping, going to shows, and taking in the sites of Branson I suggest you pick a clean, moderately priced hotel. Basically you are going to be there to shower, sleep, and maybe take a nap. Try the Branson Towers Hotel. You can usually get a room there with 2 queen size beds for between $65 and $100 per night depending on the time of year you are going. I have stayed there many times and I probably averaged around $58-$65 per night. Now, for this you get a clean room, 2 queen beds, indoor swimming pool, indoor hot tub, continental breakfast, on-site restaraunt (Whispers), and the opportunity to participate in the ice cream social that usually starts around 9 or 10 pm in the evening. The picture shown above is the Branson Towers Hotel.

If you are going to be in Branson for a longer period of time, say a week, and you want to spend a little more time in your room and have a little more space I would suggest a condo. Someplace like Indian Point Resort on Table Rock Lake. Indian Point is located near Branson on Table Rock Lake and it is away from the hustle and bustle. But only a few minutes by car to Silver Dollar City and the shows of Branson. Your room here will run from $99 to $150 per night depending on the number of bedrooms, the day of the week, and the time of year you are traveling.

You can book both the Indian Point Resort and Branson Towers or Create your own vacation packages at ReserveBranson.com by clicking the link.

Branson Missouri: A Family Vacation Destination

2009-04-19T14:32:00.001-05:00

Branson Missouri is a great family vacation destination. It is centrally located in the in the United States and with it's newly expanded airport it has become much easier to get there for those who either don't want to drive or the drive is to far.

What better way to begin a stay in Branson than with a trip to Silver Dollar City. Silver Dollar City is located just a few minutes west of the Branson Strip on Highway 76. At Silver Dollar city you will find many rides and shows for the entire family. They now have the Giant Swing, which is literally a giant swing. The Powder Keg which is a roller coaster that will take your from 0 to 53mph in 2.8 seconds, wow! You can see a short video of the powder keg here. For those a little more laid back you can ride the Silver Dollar Line Steam Train and the kids can enjoy Geyser Gulch (warning somebody will get wet)!

If you have never been to Silver Dollar City you need to plan to spend the entire day there. Go early and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Have a pastry or cinnamon roll at Eva and Delilah's bakery. Then take a stroll around the park and enjoy the many demonstrations of craftsmanship. Then when you are ready take on some of the rides. Surely by now you need a bite of lunch. Try Big Jack's Sandwich Shop or one of the many other eateries inside of Silver Dollar City. A few more rides and you will want to sit down and rest a bit. There is plenty of shade and plenty of places to sit in Silver Dollar City. Why not take in a show while you are resting? There are over 49 live shows daily! Everything from comedy to bluegrass to Chinese Acrobats. After the show(s) take in a some more rides or just walk and enjoy the shops and the craftsman that are demononstrating their skills.
You are certainly welcome to head back to town for dinner but I would encourage you to check out Molly's Mill restaraunt or Aunt Polly's Fried Chicken. You will be glad you did.

Before you head out on your trip to Branson you will want to Create your own vacation package at ReserveBranson.com !

Is your Next Flight Going to Cost you Twice as Much?

2009-04-15T11:25:00.001-05:00

Well, we knew it would eventually happen and now it has. United Airlines announced today that it will charge larger/heavier passengers for two seats rather than one. The criteria is spelled out at their website, but in a nutshell:

If you are unable to fit into a single seat in the ticketed cabin OR

Are unable to buckle the seatbelt using a single seatbelt extender OR

Are unable to put the seat's armrests down when seated

Then you will be denied boarding unless you purchase an extra seat. Great news, huh. For those of you who may fall into this category you may want to consider purchasing a first class seat. They tend to be larger. However, depending on your destination and your departure airport, this may be cost prohibitive.

This is affective for tickets purchased after March 4, 2009 and for travel beginning on or after April 15, 2009.

This makes it even more important for you to shop around not only for the best airfare but also for the airline that is best able to accomodate your individual needs.

American Airlines has stated that while the have the right to require a second ticket they will only do so if it can find no other solution, such as moving the larger passenger to a seat next to an empty seat.

Save Money on Airfare!

2009-04-08T14:44:00.002-05:00

Two Tips to Save Cash on Airfare Immediately!

I'm sure you've seen the advertisements on television or the banner advertisements on the internet. You know the ones that promise to save you big money by buying your airline tickets from their website. Seems like they all claim to save you big money, if you only buy from their website.

Well, the two simple tips I'm going to share with you are free. I used these two tips on a recent family vacation to save over $1600 in airfare. You can also save money using these two simple tips. And, it doesn't really matter which website you use to purchase your tickets!

Tip number one. Fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Now, I know you have seen or heard this tip before. But it is true. If you are flexible enough in your travel schedule to depart and return on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you will save money on your next flight. You can save between 8% and 10% by just using this tip. Now, that's not a lot of money if you are talking about one person, but if it's a family of four this could easily save you from $80 on up just by being flexible with your dates. This could pay for a night of the hotel expense or another meal out, depending on where you live and your travel destination.

Tip number two. This airfare saving tip requires a little more effort on your part, but can pay big dividends. After checking your local airport for pricing, check nearby airports for prices and departure times to your destination. Departing from a nearby airport can save you anywhere from a few dollars to several hundred dollars. Again, the key here is flexibility. Let me give you an example. We were planning a family vacation to Hawaii in 2007. We knew this a year in advance. We did not have a concrete date set, but we knew that we wanted to leave about the time school dismissed for summer break. We begin looking for airfare about a year in advance just to get an idea on prices. The fare from our local airport was running anywhere from $780 to $900. About 8 months prior to departure I was checking airfare prices for the local airport (leaving on a Tuesday or Wednesday of course) and the airfare was $780. I checked a neighboring airport (about a 90 minute drive away) and found the tickets for $380 each. We immediately bought 4 tickets and saved $1600 on our airfare. Of course this doesn't factor in gas for the drive over and back but trust me, it wasn't $1600 dollars.

So, when planning your next trip try these two little tips to see if you can save money on your airfare!

It's Been Awhile.....Comments wanted

2007-05-03T09:30:00.001-05:00

I've been working a lot and it's been some time since I have updated the blog. What I'm looking for today is some input from the wonderful ebay community. As you know, if you have read my other blog entries, I love to travel to Hawaii. I will be winging my way back to the islands in the near future. This time I will be spending the majority of my time on Maui. I have a pretty good idea of some of the things I would like to do. However, I would like some real inside scoop on something to do that most visitors never do or see. Can anyone out there help with that? It may be a particular view, a certain beach, a place, an activity....anything that would be great to do that most visitors do not do when visiting Maui.
Got to run. Your comments are appreciated.

Hawaii: Tips for Your Trip!

2006-07-09T15:27:00.000-05:00

Things to do on Oahu-Part 1

Below are listed some things to do on your trip to Oahu. They are not listed in a particular order, but these are some things that I would consider must do. Some of these are items that I have written about individually but I wanted to include them in the list to emphasize the value.

1. Diamond Head Crater Adventure - As I wrote earlier this is an unbelievable experience if you are in fairly good physical condition. You will need to be able to walk quite a distance, uphill. However, the results are worth the effort. Go in the morning before sunrise so you can watch the sun rise up out of the ocean. I recommend you do this the day after you arrive. Why? You will likely be awake well before sunrise due to the time change and why not take advantage of that with a wonderful hike and gorgeous sunrise!

2. Stars & Stripes Tour - This is something that I think everyone should do who visits Oahu. This is a somber experience but it is one that leaves you wondering what it must have been like for the young men aboard the Battleships that were sunk at Pearl Harbor. As a side tour that goes hand in hand with Pearl Harbor is the Punchbowl Crater tour. This is the National Cemetery of the Pacific. It is very interesting and doesn't take a great deal of time. Also, from the lookout point nearby you have a beautiful view of downtown Honolulu.

3. Polynesian Cultural Center - The Polynesian Cultural Center is just that. It gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the cultures of the various peoples indigenous to the south pacific. You will want to allow all day for this. So sleep late, have a leisurely breakfast, and then have the tour bus pick you up mid-morning. Enjoy the ride over and spend the day visiting the various villages within the center. Then, wind your day down with the Ali' Luau and the magnificent Horizons show.

4. Dole Plantation Hawaii - This is a perfect way to spend a couple of hours. Enjoy the train ride around the plantation, learn about the pineapple, go through the Pineapple Garden Maze , and enjoy pineapple treats inside the gift shop. If you do that maze plan on 2 hours, if not you will need about an hour. We made our stop on the way to the North Shore.

5. The North Shore - We were in Hawaii in December 2003. December is when the large waves are prevalent at the North Shore. In fact, the Xbox surfing championships where going on while we were there and the waves were huge. There are several small villages and beautiful beaches on the North Shore. If you go to Oahu don't skip this!

Flight of a Lifetime!!

2006-07-05T17:00:00.000-05:00

I told you in the last post that I was going to tell you about an exciting way to see Oahu. If you haven't experienced a helicopter tour before, you may not appreciate the exhilaration of this ride, but it is quite fantastic! Our helicopter tour was with Makani Kai Helicopters of Oahu. This was a first class tour and a first class operation. Let me back up just a second...We booked most of our excursions before we left the mainland. However, we wanted to do a helicopter tour but was a little leery of booking and paying in advance for a certain time when we were unsure of the weather. So, after spending the morning at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet (this will be a future blog entry) we returned to our hotel in the early afternoon. The weather was gorgeous and we didn't want to spend the afternoon hanging around the hotel. So, before we went back to our room we stopped at the activities desk in the lobby of the hotel. We asked the attendant to see if we could book a helicopter tour. She made a phone call and said that two seats were available if we could leave in 10 minutes. It was that simple and 10 minutes later the shuttle arrived and took us to the heliport.

We boarded the helicopter and we had the two front seats. There was a party of four and they took the back seats. The entire flight was video taped. These are availabe for purchase at an extra price. The scenery was beautiful as we basically covered a majority of the island by air. Diamond Head, waterfalls, Pearl Harbor, the huge waves of the North Shore home of fantastic surfing. The views of the pineapple fields and downtown Honolulu were unbelievable as well. If you go to Hawaii I highly recommend that you budget for this experience. The tour we were on was called the Hidden Oahu Tour and cost approximately $175 per person for a 45 minute flight. I'm fairly conservative when it comes to spending (my spouse would say I'm so tight my shoes squeak) but let me tell you, I wouldn't swap that experience for anything!!

For all your travel needs....
Kelly

You are in Paradise....

2006-06-30T22:17:00.000-05:00

And it's 3 am and you are wide awake. Not because you want to be, but because of the 5 hour time change. You really can't believe it, but hey, a small price to pay to be in such a beautiful place! There is one thing for certain, you are pumped about today's adventure.

You catch the shuttle downstairs at the hotel at 5:30am. You are there with a few other early birds. Just a short drive away from Waikiki and you begin up a winding road that ends in a parking lot with booth with an attendant. It's dark outside and really can't see much. The driver gives you a flashlight and begins up the trail and you follow closely behind.......(tune in tomorrow)

One More Note on Places to eat...

2006-06-29T13:01:00.000-05:00

When you visit Honolulu, HI

Ok. I do love CHEESEBURGERS IN PARADISE but sometimes we want something a little more, oh I don't know, upscale maybe, or maybe the word I'm looking for is sweeter....No, No, I've got it! Something more decadent! Now, let me tell you this, just a short walk down Kalakaua Avenue from Cheeseburgers in Paradise is the CHEESECAKE FACTORY. (Is it just me or am I developing a cheese theme here..) Anyway, from entree's that contain more food than you can ever eat to the absolutely decadent selection of cheesecakes you can't go wrong with the CHEESECAKE FACTORY. A couple of suggestions for you when you visit this wonderful restaurant. If you are dining with your significant other, I suggest you split an entree. The portions are so large that if you eat it all, you will have no room for dessert. AND my second suggestion is make sure you save room for dessert! The selection of cheesecakes is almost like going to Baskin Robins and trying to pick one of the multitudes of flavors available. They are all good, but you will have to try a few to determine your favorite. I ended up with two favorites...the strawberry cheesecake and the turtle cheesecake.
Another way to enjoy this restaurant is after a day of walking and sightseeing stop in at their dessert bar pick up a slice of cheesecake to take back to your room for dessert. Besides, with all that walking you did today, you deserve a treat!
Kelly
http://www.xscapetoparadise.com/
Let me help you plan your next trip....

You Have to Eat Here!!!

2006-06-28T22:37:00.001-05:00

You Have to Eat Here!!!

When you go to Honolulu, HI there is absolutely one super fun, fantastic atmosphere, great food kinda place that you have to experience and that place is CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE! Here is what you get at this great place.....across the street from Waikiki Beach. You will enjoy a Tiki hut type atmosphere with open windows and gentle breezes. Tropical drinks, huge salads, and unbeeeliveable burgers! Did I forget the fries.....oh yeah; one order will feed two, or maybe three depending on your appetite. Don't forget the constant flow of great music and the most unbelievable wait staff and service. So, when you go to Honolulu, make sure to get your Cheeseburger in Paradise !!

Let's GO!!

http://www.xscapetoparadise.com/

Love To Travel

2006-06-28T22:37:00.000-05:00

I love to travel! Our favorite place is Hawaii. I wish we could get there more often. I hope to discuss many things in this blog including airfare, airlines, hotels, cruises, travel tips, destinations, and travel related business opportunities. I consider this to be my opening remarks so I will keep it short. The next entry will be about Hawaii, so, please mark this blog and come back to visit!