He's trying to tell you to turn around and come back in the fall

If the Orlando tourism people ask, you didn’t hear this from me.

I’m pretty sure I could have my Florida driver’s license revoked for what I’m about to tell you.

*deep breath*

Disney World sucks in the summer.

It’s true.  Tell a Florida resident that you’re planning to visit Disney World in June, July or August and you’ll be met with a look of confusion and pity.  And possibly a little smugness because clearly you are not as “in the know” as the locals are.

Yes, we know, it’s the happiest place on earth.  From October to April, many of us wholeheartedly agree that Disney World rocks.  We’re iffy on September and May, but we’ll let those months slide.  But a visit to Disney World during the height of summer?

No way.

5 Reasons Why Disney World Sucks (In The Summer)

A magical concrete jungle

1. The heat.

I love warm weather.  In fact, it’s one of the main reasons I moved to Florida in the first place.  I can even tolerate the 100+ degree heat that is prevalent all summer long.  What I cannot tolerate is 100+ degree heat in the middle of miles and miles of concrete, with precious few shaded areas as big as my thumb.  The air is heavy and sticky and hot and the misting fans do very little to relieve the oppressive heat.

2. The lines.

Magical lines.

Despite the fact that the summer season provides the worst climate for enjoying Disney World, tourists from all over the world still visit in droves all summer long.  Plan to wait 45 minutes for everything - from a hot dog to a character meeting - on almost any summer day.  If you’ve got your heart set on hitting one of the more popular rides, you could spend hours waiting for your turn.

But, hey - what little kid doesn’t love standing in line for hours, right?

3. The crowds.

Magical crowds... as far as the eye can see!

Forget the lines.  Try walking to a bathroom.  Or getting through the front gate.  The sheer volume of people milling around Disney World during the summer makes simple navigation agonizing.  You’ll spend your entire day shoulder to shoulder with strangers and strollers.

4.  The cost.

Sure, Disney World is always expensive.  If you’re planning a trip to Disney World you’re already prepared to shell out lots and lots of cash.  But if you’re traveling in the summer, be prepared to pay a premium for everything.  The best deals on everything from park admission to Disney hotels are usually found during the fall and winter months.

5.  Thunderstorms.  Oh, and hurricanes.

Now doesn't that look HAPPY?

Summer is Florida’s rainy season.  It is also hurricane season.  Chances are very good that at least one part of your vacation will be rained out by an afternoon shower - if not completely ruined by high winds and federal evacuations.

Now, none of these things seem that bad - on their own.  But add it all up and you have a recipe for hot, tired, crabby kids (and adults), spending hours on end standing in line and crammed up against thousands of other hot, tired, crabby kids (and adults).  OOH!  That sounds like fun!

Or not.

If you’re dying to visit Disney World (and truly, I actually like Disney World), consider visiting in October when the weather has cooled and the crowds have thinned considerably.

If you absolutely must visit Florida in the summer, check out the beaches where you can get relief from the heat with a coastal breeze and water.  Or skip Disney World and head to Universal Studios.  Yes, it’s still hot, but Universal Studios offers an Express Pass ticket upgrade that allows you to skip the lines for every single ride, all day long.  Eliminating the long lines makes the entire amusement park experience much more enjoyable.

Let the Celebrations Begin!

Summer is officially full on!  June is quickly becoming a memory (it’s been two whole days now) and it’s time to turn focus to July.  July is a special month for us as a nation for in this month we celebrate one of the most significant events in our short history.  My birthday!

Some like to think that the parades and fireworks displays, backyard barbecues, cookouts and community gatherings centered around the July 4th weekend are in celebration of our nation’s independence.  Whatever helps you sleep at night, friends.  That stuff is for me!

Actually, it’s not.  My special day isn’t until the 10th.  Fact is,John Adams envisioned these celebrations on the day before the official signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776 and stated such in a letter to his wife “….solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

Red, White and Boom!

July 3rd Columbus, OH will hold true to Mr. Adams’ wishes with the 29th presentation of Red, White and Boom! The celebration is a day long event held in downtown Columbus.  The atmosphere is essentially festival.  There are numerous stages with live entertainment, food, parades, activities and of course, fireworks.

Red, White and Boom! Event Map

Activities throughout the downtown area begin at 10:00 am and will culminate with a 27 minute fireworks display scheduled to begin at 10:00 pm.  For a more thorough list, be sure to check the Red, White and Boom! website.

Here’s a few tips to make your Red, White and Boom! experience a memorable one—in the good way.

• Do not bring alcohol, portable grills, or generators.  There are more than enough food vendors and alcohol may be purchased and consumed in the Taste of Boom area in the Arena District.
• Do not bring portable swimming pools.  Seriously, it’s in the FAQ section.  It must have been an issue at some time in the past.
• Also, do not bring pop-up tents or canopies.  They will be confiscated.  Lawn chairs and blankets are perfectly acceptable.
• Do not bring your own fireworks–even sparklers.  They too will be confiscated.  And honestly, do you think that your $2 Black Cat Popper is going to compare with the 27 minutes of sonic explosions scheduled for 10:00 pm?
• There are dozens of public parking facilities in the downtown area.  Keep in mind that they will fill early.  Very early!  Carpool when you can or make use of the COTA  services (Central Ohio Transit Authority).
  COTA will be providing extended local route service for Red, White & BOOM! on the following routes:

  #1 Livingston Ave.

  #1 Cleveland Ave.

  #2 E. Main St.

  #2 N. High St.

  #3 W. Mound St.

  #3 Northwest Blvd.

  #4 Indianola Ave.

  #4 Parsons Ave.

  #5 W. Fifth Ave.

  #6 Sullivant Ave.

  #6 Mt. Vernon Ave.

  #7 Whittier St.

  #7 Neil Ave.

  #8 Hamilton Ave.

  #8 Frebis Ave.

  #9 Leonard Ave./Brentnell Ave.

  #10 E. Broad St.

  #10 W. Broad St.

  #11 Oak St./Bryden St.

  #11 St. Clair Ave.

  #15 Grove City

  #16 Long St.

  #16 S. High St.

  #18 Kenny Road

  #19 Arlington/Grandview

  COTA will provide frequent service traveling downtown on local routes until approximately 9:00 p.m.

  Express service to downtown from 5 Park and Ride locations will continue between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. These include:

  EAST/SOUTHEAST

  Reynoldsburg Park & Ride

  #45 Reynoldsburg Express

  2100 Birchview Dr. South

  Near Birchview Dr. & Eastgreen Blvd.

  NORTHEAST

  Westerville Park & Ride

  #34 Annehurst Express

  W. Main St. & Collegeview Rd., east of Cleveland Ave. on the north side of W. Main St.

  SOUTHEAST

  Grove City Park & Ride

  #64 Grove City Express

  2321 Old Stringtown Rd.

  Southwest corner of Stringtown Rd. & Parkmead Dr.

  NORTHWEST

  Dublin Park & Ride

  #58 Dublin Express

  4450 Dale Dr.

  Northeast of US 33/SR 161

  NORTH

  Crosswoods Park & Drive

  #31 Worthington Express

  7460 Huntington Park Dr.

  Northeast of US 23/North High St. & I-270

  After the fireworks, buses will leave downtown from designated Red, White & BOOM! boarding zones at 10:45 p.m., 11:30 p.m. and midnight.

  COTA Local Fares:

  $1.50-Adults (each way)

  $.75-Children 48″ tall and over, through age 12 and for Senior/Key/ADA ID card holders (each way)

  F REE-Children under 48′ tall (limit 3 with adult family members)

  Round trip Express fares:

  $4.00-Adults

  $2.00-Children 48″ tall and over, through age 12 and Senior/Key/ADA ID card holders (each way)

  FREE- Children under 48″ tall (limit 3 with adult family member)

  COTA’s customer service call-in service hours have been extended to 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. the day of the event to assist customers with their transportation needs. To reach customer service, call 614-228-1776.

• The best viewing areas will be in Batelle Park and Genoa Park along the river, Nationwide Blvd, Long St, and Washington St.  Bear in mind there are huge crowds and spots will be taken up quickly.  There are also a few local hotels that provide some good vantage points to view the fireworks but unless you booked them last August you’re SOL.
  

  Red, White and Boom! Fireworks

• Boats are allowed on the river but not within the fireworks zone.  Direct you questions regarding this to the Columbus Parks and Recreation Department at (614) 645-3300.
• The Independence Day Parade starts at 6:00pm and will follow a route along Broad St. and north onto Front St.  Early is key here if you wish to catch the parade as over 125,000 people are expected to line the streets to view it.

For families attending the celebrations, the Childrens Park is open from noon to 6:00 pm.  Located along the riverfront between Long and Broad streets the Childrens Park will have entertainment, inflatables, face painting and loads of family friendly activities.  Make sure to stop by the Childrens Park at KidsLinked Central for a free safety bracelet that you can write your name and cell phone number and place on your kids in case they get lost.  Click here for the Official Parent Guide of Red, White and Boom!

Red, White and Boom Fireworks

Red, White and Boom! in downtown Columbus is the perfect way to celebrate our nation’s independence with a few hundred thousand of your closest friends.  Just remember, be safe and have fun.  And save a little something for the 10th, when we’ll really have reason to celebrate!

(All photos courtesy Red, White and Boom! official website.)

Disneyland in Anaheim, CA feels pretty patriotic on the 4th of July.

Photo by W. Honea

Patriotic Party Time

Naja’s Place, a divey little bar on the Redondo Beach Pier south of Los Angeles, CA, is known for its endless selection of beers from around the world.  On July 4th they open at 10am and the band, Land Sharks, starts at 8pm.  Flag t-shirts are on sale now for $10.  The pier is accessible by foot, bicycle, car, or boat.

American Flag over the observation deck of the ESB

This photo was taken on the observation deck of the Empire State Building, a must see destination on any vacation to New York City.

Seattle Sparkles on the 4th of July

Photo from flickr creative commons by mr.bmonroe

My daughter, in July 4th attire

A very patriotic ice skater

North Idaho’s Silverwood Theme Park, located on Hwy 95 between Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint, is the Pacific Northwest’s largest amusement park.  Each 4th of July, they feature a fireworks extravaganza to light up the sky.  That’s after a day of train rides, rollercoasters, water slides, and a very colorful ice show featuring a cast of champion caliber skaters.

Photo by Phil Corless

Moonlit Fireworks - photo by Laura Charon

Ooh.....Ahh.....