Spotlight: Orange County - Great Wolf Lodge

Spotlight: The Great Wolf Lodge is a chain of 15 resorts around the country (and even Canada) which specialize in Indoor Water Parks. Now you might wonder why southern California needs an indoor water park. Although Orange County is known for its mild winters, it is still too cold to go swimming outside - which makes the Great Wolf Lodge a fabulous destination for those seeking a respite from winter doldrums with a shot of warm weather. The temperature inside the water park area stays in the 80's whether the weather is 40 degrees or 90+ outside.

Location: The Great Wolf Lodge Garden Grove is located at 12681 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, CA.

Cost: Standard room packages are $299.99/night; Themed room packages are $429.99/night; Premium room packages are $649.99/night. Packages include water park passes and select activities.

Time: We stayed one night, which gave us access to the water park from check-in (1:00 pm) until closing time (8:00 pm) the next day. This was perfect for us, but we didn't really take advantage of the other activities.

Description: Although the rooms are nice and roomy, and include some fun themed rooms (caves and cabins), you probably won't spend a whole lot of time in them. There is too much to do. Some of the many family-friendly activities included in your vacation package include: yoga (for kids), the Forest Friends show, a Wolf Walk, arts & crafts, face painting, balloon twisting, and a PJ party with dancing, games, and a bedtime story. Woodland characters often appear at these activities adding a little spice to the event.

     In addition to the above activities, there are other attractions which cost extra. These include: MagiQuest, Lazer Frenzy, the Ten Paw bowling alley, miniature golf, the Northern Lights Arcade, and the Creation Station (where you create your own plush toy).
     There is also a wide variety of dining options for whatever suits your mood: the Lodge Wood Fired Grill, Hungry as a Wolf (pizza), Buckets Incredible Craveables (poolside burgers, hotdogs, etc.), Grizzly Jack's Bar & Grill, the Loose Moose Family Kitchen, Dunkin' Donuts, and Bear Paw Sweets & Eats. And of course there are several themed gift shops.

     Of course the main attraction is the water park (which is included in your vacation package). There are activities for visitors of all ages. The first thing you'll see is the Fort Mackenzie Tree House which sports water blasters, a variety of slides, and a giant bucket that dumps gallons of water into the splash zone every couple of minutes. There are a variety of themed pools with fun activities and features - obstacle course, basketball, floating animals and lily pads, shooting fountains, water blasters, the Crooked Creek, and a wave pool. One of more popular attractions is the Wolf Rider Wipeout - featuring both flowboarding and bodyboarding. And then there are the slides. The Mountain Edge Raceway allows riders to race each other down four slices on mats. The River Canyon Run sends 2-5 riders down a long twisting slide in a giant rubber raft. The Howlin' Tornado (my personal favorite) sends 2-4 riders down a steep enclosed slide in a giant raft. Alberta Falls sends riders down twisting slides on one or two-person inner tubes. Coyote Canyon features a 40-foot drop (in inner tubes) into a swirling vortex where you can catch your breath before being flushed down the drain into the wading pool. The craziest ride is the Wolf Tail. Riders climb inside a coffin-like tube and stand against the wall with their arms and legs crossed waiting for the floor to open up and drop them down a twisting chute.

Mountain Edge Raceway

Tubing

Fort Mackenzie

Water dump

Rating: 4 1/2 stars (out of 5) - would have been 5 more of the other attractions didn't cost extra

Things You Should Know: - Customer Service was great. I lost my phone while there and checked with the front desk. They checked their lost and found and it hadn't been turned in. I filled out a claim form but figured it was gone. A couple of days later, I got a phone call informing me that it had been found, and offered me a few options on how to claim it. My mother, who made the reservations, also raved about the excellent service she received when making the arrangements for our entire clan to visit over Thanksgiving.
- The Wolf Rider Wipeout has different times for bodyboarding and flowboarding. I missed out on flowboarding because I didn't go right away.
- All guests have access to the fitness center 24/7.
- Guests may continue to use the water park for the rest of the day even after they check out.
- If you go during the holidays, the lodge will be all decked out in festive decor.

- Other cities that host a Great Wolf Lodge include: Traverse City, MI; Wisconsin Dells, WI; Grand Mound, WA; Colorado Springs, CO; Kansas City, KS; Grapevine, TX; Charlotte/Concord, NC; Williamsburg, VA; Atlanta/LaGrange, GA; Cincinnati/Mason, OH; Sandusky, OH; Scotrun, PA; Niagara Falls, Canada; and Fitchburg, MA.

Nearby: Haster Basin Recreational Park, Anaheim Stadium, Disneyland, Adventure City, Medieval Times

Spotlight: Orange County - Downtown Disney

Spotlight: Downtown Disney District is the name given to the group of stores and restaurants situated adjacent to the Disneyland Resort. Stores include: Anna & Elsa's Boutique, the Build-A-Bear Workshop, Disney's Pin Traders, Disney Vault 28, the LEGO Store, LittleMissMatched, RIDEMAKERZ, the Star Wars Store, the WonderGround Gallery, the giant World of Disney store, and more. Restaurants include: the ESPN Zone, the Rainforest Cafe, Crossroads at House of Blues, La Brea Bakery Cafe, Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, Napolini, the Earl of Sandwich, the Catal Restaurant, and more. Entertainment venues include: the ESPN Zone Sports Arena, the Flambeaux's Jazz Club, the House of Blues Stage, and the AMC Downtown Disney 12 Theaters.

Disney's Pin Traders

The popular ESPN Zone restaurant and arcade

Location: Downtown Disney is located adjacent to Disneyland at 1580 Disneyland Drive.

Cost: Parking is free for the first two hours, or up to four hours with validation from participating locations. Ice skating costs $17/adult, $15/child, $10/military (with ID)

Time: 1-4 hours; Stores are open from 7:00 am - 2:00 am

Description: Downtown Disney is home to a variety of themed stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues for visitors to the Disneyland Resort. Naturally, due to their location, the stores and shops typically have a Disney theme associated with them. Of course, their proximity to Disney creates prime real estate, which hikes up lease prices, which is often passed on to buyers in the form of inflated prices. Although I found that most items cost more than I'm willing to pay, it is still fun to walk around and browse. Here are three of my favorites:

The fountain outside the popular World of Disney store

The Incredible Lego Store

WonderGround Gallery

     In addition to the normal entertainment options, Downtown Disney is also host to seasonal entertainment venues. For example, when we visited during the Christmas season last year, the area was decorated as a Winter Village. The Village included Olaf's Frozen Ice Rink and quaint shopping chalets. The Ice skating rink was open from 3:00 pm - 10:30 pm for 90 min. segments, followed by 30 min. breaks.

A very Disney Christmas tree

Olaf's Frozen Ice Rink

Rating: 2 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - You don't need to have tickets to one of the parks in order to visit Downtown Disney, since the entrance is totally separate.

Nearby: California Adventure, Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Knott's Berry Farm, Medieval Times

Spotlight: Orange County - Medieval Times

Spotlight: Medieval Times is a dinner show set in 11th century Spain. Guests feast on "baby dragon" while watching their territorial knight compete against knights from the other five regions to earn the favor of the princess. The champion gets the opportunity to defend her honor against the villain. The story is based on historical documentation of a real family from that era.

Location: There are several Medieval Times Castle restaurants. The one we went to was at 7662 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA. Other locations include: Kissimmee, Florida; Lyndhurst, New Jersey; Chicago, Illinois; Dallas, Texas; Toronto, Canada; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Baltimore, Maryland; and Atlanta, Georgia.

Cost: Adults (13+) - $61.95; Children (3-12) - $36.95 (but look for discounts)

Time: Showtimes vary depending on the season. Check the schedule at their website. Most dinner shows last about 1 1/2 - 2 hours.

Description: The Medieval Times dinner show takes place in an arena. Guests sit in one of six sections around the arena. Each section is dedicated to an area of Spain, and its corresponding knight. The show consists of various displays of horsemanship, falconry and banner waving, followed by a competition involving the six knights. Following the various skills competitions, knights compete in a joust to earn the title of Knight of the Realm. The knights face off in full armor, "fighting" each other using lances, swords, axes, maces, and shields. The winning knight is then called to defend the kingdom against a foreign threat. Although the swordplay is obviously scripted, the duels are very impressive.

the villian

The Royal Court

The Champion Knights for each territory

Jousting

Which will be the Princess's champion?

     The meal is served on period style plates and bowls. The meal consists of tomato bisque, baked bread, roasted chicken, buttered corn on the cob, an herb-basted potato, and a pastry, as well as beverages (Pepsi, iced tea, or water and coffee).

     In addition to the arena, the castle has a garden, a dance floor, a Hall of Arms, stables, a gift shop, and a Medieval Torture Museum.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - There are 1-3 showtimes a day. Check out times in advance.
- Traffic is horrible on Orange County freeways in the evening if you are traveling any distance, so leave yourself plenty of time so that you don't arrive late for your show. Seating is based on a first come basis.
- The menu is the same for all guests; though a vegetarian meal is available upon request.
- You eat as if it were medieval times; so don't expect silverware. You eat with your fingers.
- The food is good, but not fantastic. You are paying for the show more than the meal. Personally, I feel the price is way too expensive. However, you can find big discounts online if you look for them. So buy your tickets ahead of time.
- There are various upgrades available to make your experience more memorable.
- Children under three may sit on their parents' laps, but are not provided with a separate meal.
- Dress is casual.

Nearby: Pirate's Dinner Adventure, Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland, The Queen Mary

Spotlight: Orange County - Chill at the Queen Mary

Spotlight: Chill is an annual Holiday event that takes place in Long Beach, CA on the grounds of the Queen Mary. This year's theme (2016) is Alice in Winterland, an interactive experience featuring hand-crafted lanterns, made from hundreds of pieces of silky cloth, that guide guests to such places as Hall of Doors, the White Rabbit's Kitchen, Mad Hatter's Work Shop, the proverbial Tea Party, and the Hedge Maze. There will also be visits from the Caterpillar and the all-new Queen of Diamonds.
     In addition to the Alice in Winterland exhibit, other attractions include: a 6,000 square foot ice skating rink, a holiday village, Candy Lane, Glacier Glide Ice Tubing, and of course the Queen Mary itself.

Location: Chill takes place on the grounds surrounding the Queen Mary Steamship, located at 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA.

Cost: Event tickets start at $34.99/adult and $24.99/child if purchased online. Prices go up on weekends and holidays, or when purchased at the door. An E.L.F. (Express Lane Fast) pass can be purchased for an additional $15. Although several attractions are included, ice skating costs extra ($15).

Time: Chill opened for the season on Nov. 23, and goes until Jan. 8, 2017. It is closed on Mon.-Wed. when school is in session. Most days non-school days, it is open from noon-10pm; but check the calendar for a complete list of times and prices.

Description: We attended CHILL last Christmas season (2015) with my extended family. The theme was A Christmas Carol, and the highlight was the Ice Kingdom exhibition, featuring ice sculptures of different scenes from the movie/play. That exhibit has been replaced by the Alice in Winterland exhibit.

Ice Slides

     Also inside The Dome, is the Glacier Glide Ice Tubing. Riders tube down the 100-foot six-lane ice luge. Other activities include the Curiouser Carousel, the Magic Mushroom bar, caricatures, face painting, and the Winterland Court which features a variety of live entertainment.

     Holly Grove is home to the Queen Mary's 26-foot tall Christmas tree. Activities include decorating gingerbread houses (extra $) inside Chill's life-size Gingerbread House, artificial snowfall at the Snow Zone, paintball (extra $) at the Tinsel Toy & Paint, and pictures with Santa (extra $) inside Claus Cottage.
     The North Pole Village is a Dicken's era village. Activities include: writing a letter to Santa at the Post Office, create a stocking (extra $) at the Stocking Craft Shoppe, sipping hot chocolate and eating cookies during storytime with Mrs. Claus (extra $), and bouncing around inside the Candy Lane Bounce House.
     At the Looking Glass, guests can skate (extra $) at The Looking Glass Rink, right beside the Queen Mary. They may also ride the Swinging Sleigh Ride (extra $), or climb up the World's Largest Rocking Horse (15 feet tall, 24 feet long, and 8 feet wide).

Swinging Sleigh Ride and Rocking Horse

     Inside the Queen Mary Zone, guests can explore public sections of the ship on their own, take a tour (discounted prices), eat Breakfast with Santa (Saturday only, extra $), stroll along the Promenade Deck and enjoy Christmas carols along the Promenade of Trees, or enjoy the Polar Express 4-D movie.

Dining exhibit on Queen Mary

Exploring the Engine Room

Rating: 3 1/2 stars (out of 5); it would have been higher if more activities were included free with the event pass.

Things You Should Know: -Riders on the Glacier Glide Ice Tubing and the Swinging Sleigh Ride must be at least 42 inches tall.
- Snow falls in the Snow Zone daily at 10:30 am, 1:00 pm, 3:30 pm, and 7:00 pm.
- We enjoyed exploring the Queen Mary and we loved the Polar Express 4-D movie.
- The Queen Mary serves as an upscale hotel for guests who would like to spend the night on the historic boat. It also has several fine dining options. There are also several less expensive food court options available on the grounds.
- There is no access to the Queen Mary on New Year's Eve unless you purchase a New Year's Eve party ticket.

Nearby: ShoreLine Aquatic Park & Shoreline Village, Aquarium of the Pacific, Palos Verdes Shipwreck Hike, Medieval Times

Spotlight: Fort Worth - The Stockyards

Spotlight: The Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District preserves the history of Texas's legendary livestock industry. Between 1866 and 1890, drovers channeled more than 4 million head of cattle through Fort Worth, inspiring the city's nickname of Cowtown. After the railroad arrived in 1876, the city built the Union Stockyards in 1887. When funds ran low, new investors decided to develop Fort Worth's meat-packing industry rather than just ship the stock off to other markets. Construction soon began on new pens, barns, a Livestock Exchange Building, two new meat-packing plants, expanded telegraph and railroad offices, and other support businesses creating an industry often referred to as "The Wall Street of the West." In 1907 the Cowtown Coliseum was built as an indoor show arena. The industry continued to grow until it reached its peak in 1944. Following WWII, the railroad industry began to decline with the rise of the automobile; and the decline of the cattle industry soon followed. By 1971, both major meat-packing plants were forced to close. In 1976, Charlie and Sue McCafferty founded the North Fort Worth Historical Society to preserve Cowtown's livestock heritage. Through the Society's efforts, the Fort Worth National Historic District was founded. It has continued to grow as new businesses have replaced the old ones, with the new focus shifting to tourism and entertainment.

Location: The Stockyards are located at 130 E. Exchange Ave. in Fort Worth, Texas.

Cost: Free to get in, but individual activities cost extra.

Time: Schedules vary from place to place within the Stockyards. Locations start opening around 9 am and close at around 5 pm. Plan on spending about 1-4 hours, depending on what activities you do.

Description: The Stockyards has dozens of different activities you can do, ranging from shopping to dining to riding a mechanical bull. There are dozens of shops that cater mostly to tourists by selling Old West souvenirs and clothing. There was also plenty of room for expansion when we went it 2014.

     Some of the activities available at the Stockyards include: perusing the Visitor Center, finding your way through the Cowtown Cattlepen Maze, taking a tour (walk, bike, Segway), searching for your favorite Old West character's "star" on the Texas Trail of Fame, seeing a rodeo, visiting an Old West saloon, watching the Cattle Drive, getting your picture taken in old western garb, visiting historic buildings such as the Livestock Exchange Building, riding a mechanical bull, sitting on a live longhorn, perusing one of the museums, visiting the Cowboy Hall of Fame or the Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, trying out your skills at the virtual gun range, petting the animals at the Petting Zoo, admiring the various livestock in the barn, or participating in various special events. For more information on individual activities, visit the Stockyard website.

Cattlepen Maze

     One of the best reasons to visit the Stockyards is the availability of a wide variety of dining options. We ate at Riscky's Bar-B-Q. A large sign warns visitors: "Our Ribs May Be Habit Forming!" Naturally we tried the ribs. The sign wasn't exaggerating. Other restaurants include: Billy Bob's Texas Honky Tonk Kitchen, Cattlemen's Fort Worth Steakhouse, Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Q, Habanero's Grill and Cantina, Horseshoe Hill Cafe, Hunter Brothers H3 Ranch, Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, Love Shack, Trailboss Burgers, and more.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - If you go to the Website, there are advertisements for the Stockyards Adventure Pass. It is pretty pricey, especially since you can do several of the things listed for free without buying the pass. It appears that the main benefit of the pass is that you get a knowledgeable guide to accompany you as you explore the Stockyards.
- The Cattle Drive is held daily at 11:30 am and 4:00 pm. We stayed to watch it and were a bit disappointed. All they did was walk slowly down the main street and back to their pens. Rather than organize your day around the "drive", just visit the longhorns in their pens.

Cattle Drive

Nearby: Diamond Hill Park, Forth Worth Nature Center & Refuge, Fort Worth Botanical Garden, Fort Worth Water Gardens

Spotlight: Dallas - The 6th Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

Spotlight: President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding through Dealey Plaza in a motorcade on Nov. 22, 1963. The assassination of John F. Kennedy is probably the second most infamous murder in the history of the United States (after that of Abraham Lincoln). Numerous conspiracy theorists have tried to link the two assassinations. Hundreds of volumes have been written about the similarities and differences between these two iconic American figures, their murderers, and the assassination plots that brought about their earthly demise. In fact, so many works of literature have been dedicated to these two men that many Americans seem to have forgotten that two other U.S. presidents were also assassinated in office (James Garfield and William McKinley).
     One reason why the assassination of John F. Kennedy has had such an impact on U.S. culture is the fact that his brother, Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated only 4 1/2 years later while campaigning for the 1968 presidential election. Another, is that it remains the most recent successful assassination of a U.S. president. A third reason is that practically every president since Pres. Kennedy has also had a documented assassination attempt on his life (most notably Pres. Reagan who was actually shot, but survived).
     The 6th Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is a trove of memorabilia (photos, artifacts, video) highlighting the life and presidency of John F. Kennedy, the political climate (Civil Rights, Cold War, Space & Technology), the assassination, and the investigations that followed.

Location: The Museum is located at 411 Elm St. in Dallas.

Cost: $16/adult, $13/youth (6-18), $14/senior (65+), children 5 and under are free

Time: The museum is open from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm daily (except Mondays 12-6). Allow 1-3 hours to take the audio tour and peruse the museum and grounds.

Description: The 6th Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza was created to honor the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States of America. The audio tour takes you through various exhibits that highlight various aspects of his presidency:
     The Early 1960's outlines the social movements and political climate that characterized his presidency, while giving guests insights into his family life.
     The Trip to Texas escorts guests through the two-day five-city trip through Texas immediately preceding his assassination. It also explores the political climate in Texas at the time.
     The Corner Window (the southeast corner window on the 6th Floor of the Texas School Book Depository) has been recreated to appear as it did on Nov. 22, 1963 when it served as the sniper's perch for the assassination. Interactive touch-screens overlooking Dealey Plaza give visitors a glimpse into the past.

The X on the road marks the spot where the assassination occurred

     The Crisis Hours highlights the search for the assassin, the arrest of Lee Harvey Oswald, and his subsequent murder at the hands of local nightclub owner Jack Ruby.
     The Investigations analyzes the Warren Commission's 889-page report on the assassination which determined that there was no evidence of a conspiracy. The exhibit includes criticisms of the report including video that explores various aspects of the investigation, including acoustical evidence, photographs, forensic and ballistic tests, and other materials.
     The Legacy section includes a video tribute of John F. Kennedy, highlighting the global impact of his legacy in civil rights, space & technology, arts & culture, and volunteerism.
     The Corner Staircase has also been recreated to appear as it did in 1963. On display is an Italian made Mannlicher-Carcano rifle identical to the one found by investigators in the northwest corner of the 6th floor.
     In addition to the permanent exhibits, there are usually various special exhibits on display on other floors. Currently on display is a Photomosaics exhibit by artist Alex Guofeng Cao that from a distance appears to be giant black and white portraits of JFK and his wife Jacqueline. Upon closer inspection, the viewer notices that the portraits are a collage of thousands of smaller images.

     It is worth the time to walk around Dealey Plaza and contemplate the events that took place there. The plaza has some fountains and an obelisk, and provides views of the building itself.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - Since the museum works on a timed entry model, it is recommended that you purchase tickets online ahead of time.
- If I remember right, you aren't allowed to take pictures in the 6th Floor museum itself.
- A self-tour audio/ASL guide is available for all guests with purchase of admission. The guides are available in the following languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese and Mandarin Chinese.
- As you leave, you are invited to write your impressions in the museum's Memory Books.

Nearby: Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture, Dallas World Aquarium, Perot Museum of Nature & Science, Reunion Tower