Can I just vent about something? V&As new kid ban...

[vixen101485]

I think my favorite reply was the one that included "my 6-year-old is the best behaved 6-year-old ever."

And I have the best behaved almost 5 year ever....yeah and I have a Brooklyn Bridge to sell ya too.

Apparently, that would offend people and they would go elsewhere to vacation. I swear, I really should drink more.

Just think, the more ppl you offend the less crowds will be there, which in turn means less SG's

StephM, if you don't like flying, why not take the train when you come to CA? Not only do you dodge the security, but you get to see alot more stuff than you would by flying. Okay, granted it takes longer--about three days to cross the country one way, but hey, it's more relaxing. .

Great suggestion FelineFan. I love the train.

Your family would enjoy it a lot Steph. There are places the train goes that you will never see by plane or by car. Beautiful wild places that the only thing you see are animals and trees. One of the trips I took from PGH to Las Vegas had us going thru these really cool salt beds (or something). It was out in the middle of this really mountainess region and believe it or not there was a nice house almost smack dab in the middle of them.
On the way back Amtrak had a National Parks Ranger onboard in the community car talking about the landscape and pointing out animals. I got to see a red fox and an eagle. Sooo very cool. And the food is not bad either. :D:

[EpcotFan]

WE ARE taking the cross Canadian train trip later this year, after I retire!! Vancouver to Toronto!! WooHoooo!!!

The trip through the Rockies is the best part of that trip! I did Mission, BC to Banff, AB a couple of times in my college years for Christian young adults conferences and youth conferences. The scenery is gorgeous.

BTW, I'm single and I enjoy eating at the California Grill. I haven't had a youngster melt down next to me, but generally the sound level doesn't bother me. Of course I usually get 8 pm or 9 pm reservations (so we can catch the fireworks), so there's probably fewer families with young kids at those hours. I know its not a "quiet" restaurant--if I really wanted that I would probably go over to Citricos. Part of the sound level is just the way the restaurant is designed. Some places are designed for quiet conversation, others have a fairly loud ambience regardless of whether there are kids or not.

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

The trip through the Rockies is the best part of that trip! I did Mission, BC to Banff, AB a couple of times in my college years for Christian young adults conferences and youth conferences. The scenery is gorgeous.

BTW, I'm single and I enjoy eating at the California Grill. I haven't had a youngster melt down next to me, but generally the sound level doesn't bother me. Of course I usually get 8 pm or 9 pm reservations (so we can catch the fireworks), so there's probably fewer families with young kids at those hours. I know its not a "quiet" restaurant--if I really wanted that I would probably go over to Citricos. Part of the sound level is just the way the restaurant is designed. Some places are designed for quiet conversation, others have a fairly loud ambience regardless of whether there are kids or not.

Too Cool!! we started talking about it as a before or after trip with WDW, but realized that it would really detract from each experience, so we are doing them seperate, plus we would have to put the pups and Kitty in the kennel for boarding, and didn't want to leave them there that long! The web site makes us want to go NOW!!!

We took a train when were in Alaska and really enjoyed travelling that way.

Couple that with a nice hotel or B&B, and some sightseeing in the various destinations, and we could spend weeks on the road!!

[Randy B]

And I have the best behaved almost 5 year ever....yeah and I have a Brooklyn Bridge to sell ya too.


Just think, the more ppl you offend the less crowds will be there, which in turn means less SG's


Great suggestion FelineFan. I love the train.

Your family would enjoy it a lot Steph. There are places the train goes that you will never see by plane or by car. Beautiful wild places that the only thing you see are animals and trees. One of the trips I took from PGH to Las Vegas had us going thru these really cool salt beds (or something). It was out in the middle of this really mountainess region and believe it or not there was a nice house almost smack dab in the middle of them.
On the way back Amtrak had a National Parks Ranger onboard in the community car talking about the landscape and pointing out animals. I got to see a red fox and an eagle. Sooo very cool. And the food is not bad either. :D:

Since the route goes from LA to Chicago you probably will be going through the Grand Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado. The train runs down along the river with the canyon so narrow there is no room for a road so the road for the cars is WAY up on the cliffs. Also be sure to watch for the Moffat tunnel through the continental divide. Lots of spectacular scenery through Colorado.

BTW the route mentioned previously went to Chicago and then to NY before turning south. You might look at changing in Chicago to go south to N Orleans. (And if you do you will be flying right past my apt, so wave.) :D:

Randy

[Shorty82]

You might look at changing in Chicago to go south to N Orleans. (And if you do you will be flying right past my apt, so wave.) :D:

Randy

Looking at the route map this is a LOT shorter way to go.

If you go this way also wave as you go through Pensacola, that's where Whazzup and I are at.

Amtrak sounds like a cool way to travel but sadly they closed down the station here a while back so it isn't to much of an option for me.

[vixen101485]

Since the route goes from LA to Chicago you probably will be going through the Grand Canyon of the Gunnison in Colorado. The train runs down along the river with the canyon so narrow there is no room for a road so the road for the cars is WAY up on the cliffs. Also be sure to watch for the Moffat tunnel through the continental divide. Lots of spectacular scenery through Colorado.

OH OH OH...that describes the one place I went thru to a "T" I remember it vividly cause there were no roads except this one, WWWAAAYYYYY up on top of the hill. SO VERY PRETTY.

OH and all the numerous tunnels thru the Rockies past Denver are so neat. Tho I wasnt excited about our train deciding to have issues halfway up the mountain and almost not making it altogether.

[Randy B]

OH and all the numerous tunnels thru the Rockies past Denver are so neat. Tho I wasnt excited about our train deciding to have issues halfway up the mountain and almost not making it altogether.

True there are lots of tunnels (small T) but you will never forget the Moffat. It is 6 miles LONG! Now that's a Tunnel with a capitol T. :D:

Randy

[Kwahati]

True there are lots of tunnels (small T) but you will never forget the Moffat. It is 6 miles LONG! Now that's a Tunnel with a capitol T. :D:

Heh...at one point, I worked at Winter Park ski resort, and smoked cigarettes while waiting for the ski bus within spitting distance of that tunnel. Never had the opportunity to go through it, but I did learn a few things about it while I was there. The most important thing we learned, though, is that the "Ski Train" comes through that tunnel every weekend bearing loads of terrible skiers. When the Ski Train is in the station, it's best to stay farther up on the mountain or risk getting senselessly injured by some newbie on rentals.

I do love Banff though. Beautiful national park. I was just talking to Vixen yesterday about Lake Louise and how beautiful it is up there. The whole of the Rockies (both Canadian and American) is just a wonderful thing. Crazy stuff up there. You know, there's this one spot in the rockies where they have hot water that just shoots out of the ground at random! :p:

[StephM]

Aye yi yi.

I have now been informed that the banning of children from V&A's is just like the Holocaust. And that next they will be banning them from rides.

Someone shoot me.

I once thought I would love to work part time at Disney if we make the jump to central Florida. Now I think there is not enough Tylenol or alcohol in the world. :D:

Honestly, you guys and girls get the "most patience in the universe" award from me.

[Princess Susi]

It's Pacific'o, 505 Front Street. It's sister location, I'o, is next door. Pacific'o is also a great place for lunch. Sit at the bar and schmooze with Pepe the bartender while watching the tourists learn how to surf. There's usually a nice onshore breeze so it's a very pleasant way to kill few hours.

If you come at Christmas time we'll get you set up with reservations at 5:30 so you can see the sunset.

Okay, I will write that one down! That is on my list of places to eat in Hawaii and also #1 on my list of things to do is *Bug Hobie* :twisted:

Well, my support of 1 crappy signature restaurant being 10 and over has gotten me some fans elsewhere. :D:

Now I have a "problem with children."

Also, I have been told that someone's 6-year-old has a palate for finer dining. When I was 6, I was in Kindergarten. I liked steak, seafood, etc, too. I also ate paste (didn't it taste like peppermint, or was it just me?).

Someone's 9-year-old was turned away from an adults restaurant on a cruise (not DCL). The child was "appalled." Can a 9-year-old BE appalled?

Wow, I have been in such a snarky mood recently. I mean, obviously, SOME kids are used to eating that way all the time. Those kids could sit WITH me at V&A's. But I am sorry, most kids could care less. And would probably prefer not to spend 2 hours at dinner.

I don't know. Maybe I am just getting old. All of the people who are against the 1 signature restaurant idea are FOR the V&As ban, it seems.

I was thinking about proposing that the signature restaurants do away with kid's menus. Then, the people with gourmet 6-year-olds could still go. I think that might get me called a whole bunch of cool stuff! ;)

I think my favorite reply was the one that included "my 6-year-old is the best behaved 6-year-old ever."

I saw your posts and let em talk over there. I posted too, but you would never know who I am there, do not use the same name. I will PM you my name there. ;)

I do think they should make more of the restaurants adult only or adult only after a certain hour. That way we could all have a nice time without screaming and crying and hurling children not to mention the kids coming up to your table and staring you in the face while they lean on the table and poke their little head up and start giggling while you eat. It is unnerving to try to eat that way. Oh, it has happened to me!!! Little people just keeping their big, round eyes on you while you chew and then they giggle and make some child comment about how you eat and run away!

It CAN be cute in restarants where kids are in their natural environment and I don't mind it at all some times. I gioggle with them and engage them in convrsation if they are old enough. What irks me, is that the parents are LETTING their kids go up to strangers and do this. I love kids under the right circumstances, not at a nice candlelit meal.... I enjoy engaging children at the Parks and playing hide and seek with the babies on their parents shoulder. Sometimes the little cusses make me sad I never had one, especially when I meet that child with the perfect mix of personality and utter cuteness.

Oh my, my nesting instinct reared it's ugly head. Back now where you belong under the desire to have more quiet cruise with hubby and ADULT time. :D:

What about Disney Cruises? Is there enough space to have quiet time without children underfoot ALLthe time. I like to watch the little one's faces light up when they see a new thing or character, but not all the time. I know there is an adult pool, because I read a thread on another board where the poster was ANGRY that her little darling got kicked out of the adult pool and was told to go to the children's pool. What is the age limit? Do tweens and teens hang out at the adult pool on board? And I know there are adult eating places only, like Palo. So that is good. I want to take a cruise and am not sure a Disney Cruise would be right for us. We love Disney though and want the magic of that, but want the peace of a quiet cruise, sitting on a deck chair reading and napping, eating wonferful fruits and vegetables at meals and quiet moonlit walks! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh....romance! But I would also like to see Mickey and Minnie and the gang and have fun with on board pin trading, sooooooo what do you suggest?

StephM, if you don't like flying, why not take the train when you come to CA? Not only do you dodge the security, but you get to see alot more stuff than you would by flying. Okay, granted it takes longer--about three days to cross the country one way, but hey, it's more relaxing.

I agree, kids these days are out of control. There should be some places for adults only. Perhaps they could work out a compromise--like IKEA has a play center in their stores, maybe if they have the space, the kids could go to a kid's club while Mom and Dad enjoy a fine meal together. Of course they'll have to hire nannies, but hey, look at it this way, they would be giving jobs to people--just make sure they're here legally, haven't swiped someone's identity, and have never been in prison for anything. And a personality test or two wouldn't hurt, either.

You have hit on one of my favorite topics: travelling by train!!!!
I absolutely ADORE the train. We have taken the California Zephyr out of Denver several times in the past because of my fear of flying. Now when we fly, I just load up on drugs and sleep the whole flight. Not the best way to fly! I am deathly afraid of flying and taking the train was the one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I loved the rocking motion, the whistle in the night and having a private sleeper compartment was great. You have you own bathroom in there, although it is VERY tiny, it is convenient to have it right in your compartment. The compartment is not very big, you are on a train after all, but it is very comfortable. The smaller sleeping compartments were a little tighter on a trip that I took by myself to visit a friend in California. Raffle and I always get the larger, private compartment when we go together. And the food in the dining car was fabulous. It rivaled any 5 star restaurant in my opinion. The price was not bad, I think we paid 900.00 for each of us for the round trip with the sleeper car and meals included. It was first class all the way. I could not do it in a sitting car. NO way. I need a bed at night to let my back flatten out. I would be immobile if we were to sit the whole way. They have a wonderful observation car where you will see all kinds of wildlife through Colorado if you are lucky and/or patient and watch with an eagle eye. The trip through Nevada was the most boring part. It was all brown and flat. The east side of Utah was gorgeous with all the canyons and beautiful rock formations. I have lots of pictures from out train journey to California. I think I must have taken 500 picture just on the train trip itself. That was before my digicam, so I have to scan them all in and post some here for you to see what the trip looks like. We went during a huge snowstorm once and it was gorgeous in the Sierras! My mom and dad live in Grass Valley and the Colfax train station in the foothills of the Sierras is about a 2-3 miles from their house. They got the schedule of when the train was going to be coming through and they went to the station and waved at us fromthe station as we stopped for 5 minutes. No one was allowed off, except those disembarking at that station, but we saw them through the windows and waved like crazy! That was fun! We were not stopping there, but continuing on to the Bay Area and would come back laster via rental car to see them.

Ooh, Ooh, maybe this next trip at the end of January, we will take the train into Colfax and get off there to see my folks and my best friend in Redding first, then rent a car or take the train to the Bay Area to visit my in-laws and then from there to Carmel to visit with Ralph's uncle and then end the trip at DL for my birthday! That IS a thought, rather than flying into OC first and then travelling north.

What a great way to travel. I love trains! Wooooooooooooooooo.... That is a train whistle in the middle of the night. Wooooooooooooooooooooooo....I love that sound. The house I grew up in as a child in the East Bay city of Concord, had traintracks not far from it and we wouild hear the trains coming all the time. We used to play under the trestle over the creek behind our house and always scurried away when the trains went over. I did not want to be THAT up and close with them 3 feet over my head. The boys in the neighborhood stayed under there It was cool to wave at the engineers as the trains went by, They would ALWAYS wave and blow the whistle for us! :D: Gad, what great memories this has brought up for me. I love trains!

Those tracks are gone now, another fallen icon to progress. The only train that runs through that area now is BART, Bay Area Rapid Transit, not anywhere near the romance of a train, though it was cool when the monorail type system was finally up and running. The romance wore off when it became just another NY subway ride, people smashed into the cars like sardines to get to San Francisco... :( Then I wanted the trains back more than ever! :(
Take the train before you can't anymore. ;) It will be one of the best memories you keep the rest of your life! A chance to ride the rails is a golden opportunity to also teach your kids about what the trains meant to this nation at one time. :) Buy some good children's books on train travel in the 1800's and teach them a little of our country's history while you travel. Read them stories on board that will make their eyes glow, because they are on a train too!!!!! :D: Can you tell, I love trains!!!!!!! :love: :bananana:

I was worried they were going to shut down the trains, due to lack of business, but they are still going. There was a LOT of talk about them shutting down several years ago. I have to do it again! It was the most relaxing way to go, even though it took 2 days from Denver to the Bay Area's Emeryville stop. I want to do the Starlight line along the coast of California up to Oregon. They have wine and cheese socials and it is supposed to be a very nice train to take. I have heard the compartments are a little more luxe as well, don't know for sure, never have been yet!
Take the train! You will never forget the special experience and may not have the opportunity to do it much longer.

I hate the way the government bails out the airlines but will not do that for the trains. It makes me mad. :mad: They need to to do the same for the train system, before we lose it altogether...
susi*I love riding the rails*slicker