Disneyland is incredible no matter what time of year you visit, but the holidays are really something special. It starts with Halloween, which, at the Disneyland Resort kicks off September 16, 2011 (and runs through Halloween night). Halloween is too much fun to celebrate it on just one night. Disney gets it.

In addition to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure (DCA) being decked out for the fall holiday (including a Nightmare Before Christmas update to The Haunted Mansion) you can also attend the after-hours fun of Mickey’s Halloween Party. Mickey’s party is a separate-ticket event ($49 – $64 per person, priced by date). It’s a great opportunity for kids of all ages to dress up and trick or treat with their favorite Disney characters (they dress up, too!). Read More »

Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water… it’s another round of Travel Around the Internet! (no sharks were harmed in the writing of this post).

Here’s how it works. We look at stuff on the internet and then tell you about it. It saves you time and keeps us from working too hard. it’s a win-win!

If you would like to see your travel-related link featured on UpTake contact us via the Editor’s email link in the right sidebar. We’ve also been known to Twitter.

And here we go:

GQ’s guide to Seattle isn’t really just for men.

Marc and Angel Hack Life share 54 lessons from 14 years of travel.

Frommer’s ranks some hotel rooftop bars, because they found a way to get paid to drink. Well played, Frommer’s.

USA Today thinks people won’t travel this Labor Day.

National Geographic lists 20 places in the U.S. to see animals FOR FREE (not counting your neighborhood park).

Lonely Planet talks destinations and desserts.

MSNBC reports that Irene cracked the Washington Monument.

Time, says Gadling, stands still in Texas (something I’ve often suspected).

Hurricane season is hurting cruises at CNNTravel.

New roller coasters on deck for 2012 at Jaunted.

BootsnAll lists 12 of the best train rides in the world.

CBS:Best of L.A. walks you through the Dinosaur Hall.

The Disney Blog reports on the expanding kingdom of Adventures by Disney.

And that concludes this week’s installment of Travel Around the Internet. Please note that opinions here are those of the editor and not necessarily those of UpTake, although they should be. I’ve got good opinions.

Travel well!

This weekend (or Thursday as the case may be) kicks off another fall American tradition, football season. That’s right, we’re ready for some football!

Whether you are a fan of the college gridiron or that of the National Football League (NFL) there will be plenty of weekend getaways available to you and your friends over the course of the season. We’re talking tailgating, folks.

They say that football fans travel well, with some teams traveling better than others, but one thing is the same for any pigskin pilgrim — you’ll need a place to stay and places to eat. Also, drinking.

Lodging

If you’re lucky, you know someone in the city that you’re visiting and can save some money by crashing in their guest room or on the couch. If you go that route keep in mind that your friend is doing you a favor, not planning your itinerary. Don’t assume they’re taking time out of their lives to show you the sites. It’s bad enough you’re rooting for the visiting team, don’t be a jerk about it.

Lots of hotels offer game-related deals and discounts, often as part of a package deal with airfare, game tickets and/or rental cars. The best place to locate such information is on the official site of your respective team or a travel site specializing in the town your team plays in.

Dining

Just because your football trip is taking you to a stadium and not a museum doesn’t mean you won’t be able to soak up some local culture. Eat what they eat! If you are in Philly find the best cheesesteak. If you’re in San Diego grab a fish taco. If you’re in New Orleans, get some gumbo. See how that works? That’s culture you can eat!

Drinking

Keep in mind that bars are prone to loud, excessive and sometimes uncool behavior. Also keep in mind that the local fans already don’t like you because of the colors you’re flying. You are on enemy turf, so be nice, have some fun and buy a drink or two — the latter could be the difference between a very unpleasant outing and a memorable one.

Kids

Kids are fans, too. Nothing is going to shine an uglier light on you and your hometown team than being rude and vulgar in the stands. It happens. Usually about four beers in. If you are taking your kids with you prepare them for what could be an ugly situation. If you aren’t taking your kids, be aware of those around you. Grace under fire, people.

The bottom line is, football is a game, and while you may bleed team colors, remember, you’re just an adult cheering for guys playing said game, not some militant last hope of football kind. Have fun. Be cool. Cheer accordingly.

Major metropolitan areas don’t often cater to the nature-loving crowd, but that doesn’t mean you can’t camp while getting your urban fix. Why would you try, especially when visiting New York City? Because camping in the NYC area is about a quarter of the cost of your average Manhattan hotel room, and that’s a room that’s likely going to include one bed and not near enough room for a family.

My family of four is 3 months into our year-long RV tour of the United States and we recently made a 2 week stop in the Big Apple. We were surprised to find that New York City actually offered the most convenient big city camping experience thus far, and camping allowed us to experience a big bite of the city without breaking our itty-bitty budget.

The secret? We didn’t actually camp in New York City.

Short of pitching a tent in Central Park and hoping you don’t get busted by park security, the closest camping is going to be found outside of Manhattan. (OK, there is camping in Long Island, but that doesn’t count, nice as it is.) Jersey City, New Jersey is home to the Liberty Harbor Marina and RV Resort. The word Resort really should be in quotes. It’s a parking lot.

Actually, it’s a parking lot with a small lawn near the restrooms where you can pitch a tent if you’re camping old school style.

The real appeal of this location is its, well, location. It’s a five-minute walk from a PATH station, the subway system that connects New Jersey and lower- and mid-Manhattan. A ride is just $1.75 per person, even less than a genuine subway ride on the MTA system. The trains come often day and night and deposit riders at the World Trade Center or at several stops throughout midtown. At $60 a night, this is a great way to experience the city with a family.

Photo by Britt Reints