bert425

Trip booked, and Williamsburg/King's Dominion portion set. so now have turned my attention to the Washington, DC portion. Question for those into the "culture" aspect. . we've never been to DC, and as noted, were able to snag a hotel walking distance to White House/National Mall. Unable to get tix online to enter the Washington Monument (which is kinda ok, since my partner doesn't like heights anyways. . and besides, we'll try walk up tix on day of), but we were able to book a tour of the US Capitol. Our plans are basically to stay in the National Mall area for 2 full days, hitting mostly the Smithsonian Museums we're interested in, as well as the Lincoln, Veteran's, and other Memorial/Monuments, and possibly Library of Congress, and then on the 3rd day do the "satellite" Smithsonian Museums (Air & Space out near the airport, the Zoo) before checking into our final night hotel near the Pentagon. We're going to meet a friend one night for dinner, and I'm seriously considering splurging on a touristy "Monuments by Moonlight" tour for one evening. but my real question is: Does it make any sense to do a daytime tour in Washington DC? I see several of them offered, and, on paper, they seem to be a good deal. . . but as a planner, I'm wondering if it makes more sense to just plan things out myself, and if we WANT to stay longer at a museum, we can -- instead of having "30 minutes to explore" at each stop. for those of you Culture folks. . how would you proceed? Full day tours? or just maybe the 1 evening tour (after all the monuments and museums have "closed" to the public). . but day on my own schedule to hit what we're interested in (and maybe miss out on something we arent' aware of?).

is it gone? it's on the current BGW maps? (we're going in June, so have been looking)

Also passing today, was Jack Ely, the lead singer of the Kingsmen. you know him from this: [youtu_be]https://youtu.be/4V1p1dM3snQ[/youtu_be] http://www.ew.com/article/2015/04/28/louie-louie-singer-jack-ely-kingsmen-dies-71

Way too young at only 52, but Suzanne Crough (Tracey from the Partridge Family) has died http://www.ew.com/article/2015/04/28/suzanne-crough-dead-partridge-family

from the stories, it seems as if people called the news stations, because it stopped a couple of times. but yeah, the over the top implication that the park is unsafe is hysterical. I shared because it's sad that's what folks will take out of it

Carrowinds is all over the news today, but not for a great reason. . seems that Fury got stuck AGAIN: http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/carowinds-tallest-ride-stuck-third-time-parkgoers-/nk4CH/ and it's not the only ride in the park having issues: http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/problems-plague-carowinds-rides/nkygq/

Our trip thru Pennsylvania last year knocked off the list: Kennywood, Knoebels, and HersheyPark and this June, we also take care of King's Dominion and Busch Gardens Williamsburg. meaning the only parks left on my bucket list will be: Cedar Point Six Flags Magic Mountain Europa Park Tokyo Disney/DisneySea Disneyland Paris

too bad it's a family park. they shoulda named it "Mustache Ride" instead of "Tempesto"

Photo we took ourselves (while on the Knoebel's train) Photo we politely asked someone to take a picture of us and handed our camera to: no question whatsoever which is the "better" picture. selfie sticks are stupid. . ban them all.

I just got a 3ft Godzilla at a small comics convention in Dallas! (cost me only $30)

good to hear! we're hitting it on Friday 6/19, so the park is open daily by that point, but this is the first day they are open until 10pm

Great trip report. too funny that I book a June trip to BGW and KD,and suddenly a few Trip Reports show up. we're doing the opposite of you tho, with two full days as BGW (we want to do all the shows and take our time there), and only one sorta full day at KD (on the way to Washington DC we're stopping there for 4-5 hours). hopefully we'll be able to get in everything I want to do. . . we DID consider doing a coaster tour at BGW, but decided that since we're going to do shows, as well as the riverboat, we'll just take our time in lines

I'm hoping our visit on a Friday in mid June will have similar crowds!

I don't quite understand the themeing (what are they trying to steal from the goose that will save the orphanage?. .is it a golden egg?). but I LOVE this. it's like the best parts of Peter Pan's Flight, combined with elements of a coaster. I'd ride this sucker over and over, and I'll bet it's amazing at night with the lights hitting the disco ball in the dance scene!

since I got such a good price on the hotel in DC, we're just planning on leaving Williamsburg on a Friday, hitting KD for the day, and then just driving to Washington for hotel check in. it's the first Friday that KD is open until 10pm. . so although we're likely only to stay until 6pm or so (since the drive to Washington is still 2 hours or so). . .I'm hoping it still won't be too crowded, as it's a Friday (6/19)

we carry a rain poncho in our back pocket (and keep money, ID, phone, Keys, etc, in a zip lock baggie in our front pockets. that way if we're ever pick-pocketed, they swipe the poncho rather than a wallet (and it HAS happened to us in the past).

I kinda have a feeling that they didn't apply for "Amazing Race" but rather for some extreme dating show. . and the Producers of TAR just picked a few couples to compete once the decision was made to incorporate the dating. the only explanation I can come up with for why only the blind date couples had issues with stick shift.

spent the morning booking, actually, so trip is all set. we were considering staying on-site at CW, but found a comparable level (ie: sorta nice) hotel on expedia for $119 a night and grabbed it. It's 1 1/2 miles from BGW, and 2 miles from CW. . so right in the center. also ended up buying the Bounce pass online, which gives 7 days unlimited entry to CW, BGW & Water Country, + free parking, for a price that was less than the Club TPR price (tho still going to use my Club TPR discount for King's Dominion ). really, really looking forward to it. got flights booked (ended up being less than $400 round trip!) AND snagged a hotel thats 15 minute walk from White House and 10 minute walk from Lincoln Memorial/National mall. . for $140/night. some final details to work out (such as which Smithsonian to visit, and on which days ). . but for the most part, we are ready to go!

you do realize that you don't come off well in this story either, right? two people acting like douchebags (him for pulling out the Selfie Stick, and you for leading an anti-Yankees chant), didn't help anything. . just made things more uncomfortable for everyone. why not just be quiet and let the park employees handle it? hmmmm?

Fiesta has an included good size Waterpark. . with a HUGE wave pool, and a lazy river (so two things that get you cooled off right away without having to wait in line for a slide) the Flume and Gully Washer (roaring rapids) won't get you wet . . .so bring a suit, and spend some time in the water section! Tho if it's a hot day? everyone will be there, leaving all the coasters as walk ons

thanks! since we want to do 2 days at Busch, I'm debating buying the Williamsburg Flex pass. . seems to be good for BGW and CW for 7 days, and it's only ~$125. . seems to be a rather good deal, as opposed to buying separate day passes for BGW, and then a day pass for CW. just need to figure out where to stay. . i'd rather stay closer to BGW, even tho they seem to be close to each other. I'd love to find a hotel that offers shuttles to both BGW and CW. . that would be the perfect thing. But I just started digging. .

yay. . ok, got him to buy off on the proposed trip. booking Plane and Car rental this weekend, and then need to get Hotels and attraction tix bought. So now I need to know what suggestions do y'all have for Restaurants, and Hotel in Williamsburg? CFC / SuperShawn ? (should I start a new thread for that, I wonder?). also, just starting to research Colonial Williamsburg, and we have a full day for that. . any "don't miss" tours y'all would recommend? thanks! bert

Mine too. (yeah, I'm one of the few folks on the planet without a Smartphone, so my pics are taken with a digital camera when we go on trips (tho my partner takes iPhone pics as well)). I'd guess that it won't be enforced. they likely just put the ban in the rules so they can enforce the Selfie Stick when someone complains, but I highly doubt they'd stop anyone using a "real" camera (especially the more professional ones with the interchangeable lenses).

maybe it's just a misunderstanding? no, you don't need to POST crap to win a "Bag-O-crap"

I just wish it didn't "smell" like an outing. they were married last year, and kept it quiet (even going so far as to not file paperwork so there was no record). .and then suddenly one of the guests talks to "People" and "the National Enquirer" ? I'm happy for him and his Husband, but not sure on the circumstances.