Where To Go First?

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#1

Now is the time

of year leading up to Christmas, and, as a tradition, over the Christmas holidays we arrange our holiday for the

following summer. I’ve always, always wanted to visit America, and next summer, we might have the chance to do

so.

The problem is, we don’t know where to start, so here’s where you come in. :smiley: Imagine you were

going to America for the first time ever. Where should we go first? What sights should we see? We might be able

to go to up to three different states, but the holiday’s not going to be longer than two weeks.

I know I

could find this out on the internet, but I figured it was better to actually ask people currently residing in

America itself, so as not to miss out.

#2

Well, I’m gonna suggest you start in Orlando

Floida. Home of Disneyworld. The park will be decorated with a Christmas theme.

#3

Disney World is gorgeous during the holidays. If

you’ve never been there before, now would be a great time to go.

~~=oP

#4

The holiday’s going to be

in the summer- we just arrange it during the Christmas holidays so as to be prepared. :laughing: But yeah, Orlando

sounds good.

#5

I’m glad you finally have an opportunity to visit America the following year! Our country is,

indeed, a beautiful one…depending on where you go.

Since I have only ever been to three states in the

United States (California, Minnesota, and Georgia), the most information I can give you would be information

concerning the state I currently reside in, which is sunny California.

Besides being the official home of

Pixar Animation Studios, located in the town of Emeryville, California also offers many sights and sounds native

to the land, some of which are worth seeing. I recommend that you either:

a) Contact a travel guide,

b) Obtain a map of the area in which you plan to visit in California, or
c) Buy a travel book detailing

every aspect of the state of your choice.

You can probably find a travel book in your local book store or

mall.

Here are some places of interest in California:

The Redwoods -

Everyone who comes to California shouldn’t leave without sampling a taste of the Redwoods. I have never been

myself, but would not pass up the opportunity to explore the area. With fantastic scenery, miles of hiking

trails, and several tourist attractions, you will not be disappointed, especially if you are a nature-lover.

Websites:

[url=http://www.redwoodsinyosemite.com/]Redwoods in

Yosemite[/url]

Santa Barbara - Located

in southern California, Santa Barbara is a location that is constantly teaming with tourists, restraunts,

shopping malls, botanical gardens, beaches, and more. I have been there many times myself…and have always loved

the experience. Don’t forget to check out the small – but engaging – Santa Barbara Zoo!

Websites:

[url=http://www.santabarbaraca.gov/home.htm]The City of

Santa Barbara[/url]

Santa Barbara - The American Riviera

The Santa Barbara Zoo

I recommend the second

website for city and tourist attraction information.

Disneyland - What is a trip to

California without an adventure at the famous park and resort: Disneyland? I have been going since I was a wee

youngin’ (4 yrs. old - present). May I warn you, though, that Disney executives have made a few

“tweaks” to the park over the years. For example:

[i]Crash on the

Tracks[/i] - Not a few years ago, the “head honchos” in charge of the Disney company made

the decision to cut back on the number of employees and maintainance workers/technicians at the Disneyland

Resort/Park in California. Soon afterwards, a few of the rides began to malfunction, one of the main ones being

Thunder Mountain, a rollercoaster train ride and one of my favorite rides in the

park. It crashed a couple of times, one of the carts flying off the track in the process. I believe a young boy

was killed in the first incident, and a middle-aged man was injured in the second. I believe that the ride has

also broken down a fair few times. People still ride the thing, but I am not one of them. It is a shame…but

what can you do?

Pink and Purple - Remember how medieval-looking and

majestic the Sleeping Beauty castle used to be? Well folks, that has all changed

since a few executives decided to “fix” it. The castle is now a pink, blue, and purple-ish color, with

crowns fastened around each spire of the castle. It is things like this that make alot of us Disney fans red with

anger…

Out with the Old and In with the New - Some time ago, a ride known

as the People Movers was replaced with a rollercoaster ride christened the

Rocket Rod. Unfortunately, the track structure of the previous ride wasn’t designed

to accomodate the new addition to the park, and so Rocket Rod was removed. The

tracks you see above you in the Tomorrow Land section of the park are simply the

remains of the People Movers attraction.
The [i]Sky

Ride[/i] was also removed many years ago, when a proposedly over-weight lady complained that the

ride’s seats were not large enough to accomodate her.
I never had the privelege to ride the

Submarine Ride, which is a shame, because it has now been taken out and will be

replaced with a certain Finding Nemo ride. Not that I’m complaining – heheh.

One more thing: the Pirates of the Caribbean adventure ride received a few new

“additions” to it’s looming depths only a few months ago. Jack Sparrow and his companions from

Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean film made their way onto the set just recently.

Now this I’m complaining about, but what can I (or anyone else) do?

There

is also talk on Jim Hill Media (website) that the ever-popular [i]Tom

Sawyer’s Island[/i] will be changed to a pirate-themed attraction – we all know why that is.

Hopefull, this decision will be abandoned.

However, this doesn’t mean that Disneyland itself is

horrible. There are many fun attractions, rides, restraunts, and daily shows that manifest themselves most

spectacularly throughout the park. To see for yourself, just follow this link:

[url=http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage]Disneyland

Resort[/url]

I hope I was of some assistance to you. Please enjoy

your American vacation next year, if you have the chance! :smiley:

#6

Make sure you go to New York Too lizardgirl.

#7

Wow, thanks for the info! Though, and I’d better say this quickly now- we have no

plans to go to Disneyland. I know that it’s kind of the whole 'if you visit California you must see

Disneyland’ thing, but both me and my mother are just not into that thing.

But apart from that,

everything else sounds really good! Santa Barbara sounds lovely.

#8

lizardgirl - You’re welcome! :smiley:

And yeah, it’s perfectly fine. We all have

our likes and dislikes, and it’s your choice whether you would like to go to Disneyland or not. Actually, it’s

probably better that you don’t. It’s extremely expensive now: about $60 a person!

:stuck_out_tongue:

Santa Barbara is lovely, indeed. Stay away from the beach bathrooms though… :stuck_out_tongue: :unamused:

#9

Aaah, now here’s

another reason to go to America- now, $60 sounds like a lot, right? But ?30 does not! :laughing: Our money will go a

long way there, especially since things are generally cheaper in America as well, as far as I’m aware.

#10

lizardgirl - :open_mouth:

That’s not fair! You get to spend less than I do! :stuck_out_tongue: (snigger)

Well, as Sally said: "Good luck in

California." (If you ever do go… :wink: )

#11

I can tell you where not to go, which would be right

here in Virginia; hardly anything to do, in my opinion. :unamused: Unless you’re a gigantic history buff, in which

case this is your state, my friend. Then again, I would guess that the chances of someone from England being

enthralled with learning everything and then some about the American Revolution and the American Civil War are

pretty slim, so maybe not.

Only other place I know a fair amount about is New York City, which of the

places I’ve been in the U.S. is my favorite so far. Or, you could take a Route 66 trip! :smiley: Although two weeks

probably isn’t enough to do that justice.

So, yeah, my advice would be New York: zoos, Broadway, plenty

of famous sights, and the ultimate big-city feel that I personally love (although probably just as many people

don’t particularly like).

#12

DElf - Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t there a fabulous water park in your

state of Virginia? I could have sworn I heard about it on the Travel Channel…

#13

Mitch: Yeah, there is Water

Country U.S.A., and the roller coaster parks Busch Gardens and Kings Dominion, but unless you’re a huge

amusement park freak, those alone hardly merit a trip to Virginia, especially when you’ve only got two weeks at

the most to see the country. :stuck_out_tongue:

#14

DElf - Heh – yeah, I guess you’re right. I forgot about the rollercoasters,

although, like you said, it isn’t much for a two week trip. Oh well. At least the area is beautiful, no?

#15

Well, I wish I could go to that water park. I love water parks. Felf, where you

live just sound oh so spectacular.

#16

What we recommend will actually depend on which parts of the country you’ll be

visiting. Are you going to the Northern U.S? Western? If you haven’t gotten as far as deciding which part of the

U.S. to visit, and you’re on a bit of a time limit when visiting, then I’ll take the liberty of saying that a

visit to the states DEMANDS a visit to Manhattan, New York. I live clear across the country from the city, and

lemme tell you; there is nothing on the good earth like the city of Manhattan, at the risk of sounding uber movie

cliche. :smiley: You HAVE to go to New York. Go see the Statue of Liberty, Times Square; take the Sex and the City

tour. :stuck_out_tongue:

#17

New York does sound SO appealing, and

it just looks amazing…It’s definitely one to consider. And DElf, the water parks do sound fun! I’ve just got

to consider the fact that it’s not just me going on this trip- it’s my mother too… :laughing: But I’d love to see

Virginia one day. I’d love to see everywhere in America one day! :smiley:

#18

well , as a girl up in the north , i suggest

you take a visit to New York City . Broadway , shopping , and chinese take-out , my favorite combination !

New Jersey is my next choice . The piers are fun to walk on and have some fun , not to mention i hear

they have deep-friend twinkies ( which are actually pretty good . they have deep-fried chocolate bars too ) .

Then the beaches are fun too , and there aren’t sharks ( unlike Florida , sorry that’s my least fav about the

state ) .

Last but not least is my lovely Massachusettes . It’s fun to go around the Cape and take a

ferry to Martha’s Vineyard for a weekend . And then you can go to Plymouth Plantation , which is where they

dress up like pilgrims and do a small role-play so you can see what it was like in the 1600’s .

My

favorite is New York , but if your not a city person , then i would choose MA and go to Martha’s Vineyard

.

oopsie , just noticed someone commented on New York ! Oh well , a better reason for you to go !

:wink:

#19

Oh yeah! If I could find an apartment (that I could afford) in Manhattan, I’d pack up

and leave in a heartbeat. ;D I loved this city so much.

#20

Thanks for the

info, gottalovepixar. New York is looking VERY appealing right now! :smiley: