JN Travel

Alaska Ski Vacations

June 29th, 2009

Alaska, which has always been a source of awe and mystery, has some of the best skiing in the world, and the Alyeska Resort is one of the finest resorts in the state. With a top elevation of 2751 feet and a 2501 vertical drop, the area gets an average of 31 inches of snow annually.

Although this is some of the best skiing in the world, you won’t find the slopes overly crowded, and here are no long lift lines. There are nine lifts, including six chair lifts and two surface lifts, and one cable car line. There are 68 trails for beginners, intermediates, and experts, with the majority of the trails designed for intermediate skiers.

Night time skiing is allowed, which makes your ski experience more adventurous and thrilling. You will see snow capped mountains, hanging glaciers, and of course, the famous Northern Lights. This resort is ranked number nine of the top twenty-five killer ski trips by Skiing Magazine.

The season begins at the Alyeska Resort in mid November, and runs through mid April. This area of
Alaska boasts the longest daytime areas in the United States, with approximately sixteen hours of daylight each day during April. During December, however, there are only about seven hours of daylight – which makes night time skiing necessary if you are going to get in the time that you want to spend on the slopes.

The Alyeska Prince Hotel is the place to stay! Here you will enjoy elegant rooms and fine dining. Nightly entertainment is available as well. There are other nightlife spots in the area as well, that are not associated with the Hotel.

If tubing interests you, then visiting the Glacier Tubing Park is an absolute must! Featuring two lanes of terrain and a surface lift, everyone in the family will enjoy spending time at the tubing park.
The Alyeska Terrain Park is a must for snowboarding enthusiasts. Other winter activities that can be enjoyed in and around the Alyeska Resort include flight seeing, helisking, ocean cruising tours, dog sledding, ice climbing, back country skiing, mountaineering, and polar bear viewing.

At the Alyeska Resort, the ultimate winter vacation can be experienced. Brave the elements, then return to the Hotel for some pampering. Get a taste of what Alaska is really like, and what skiing is meant to be! There are activities for the entire family to enjoy, and there are many area sights and attractions to be enjoyed as well. This really is an awesome winter family ski vacation!

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Big Sky Ski Vacations

June 19th, 2009

With all that Big Sky, Montana has to offer skiers, it is amazing that so few know about its existence! Known for its wide open slopes and short lift lines, Big Sky Ski Resort has one of the largest lift served vertical drops in the United States. Over 5300 acres of ski slopes and trails await skiers, with over 33 feet of snowfall each season.

Big Sky Ski Resort features twenty three lifts, 220 trails, and a 4350 foot vertical drop. The top elevation is 11154 feet. Along with the ski lifts, there are also two cable car lines available. While there are beginner slopes, most of the slopes are geared toward intermediate and expert skiers.

There are many places to lodge in Big Sky Resorts Mountain Village, which rests at the foot of the impressive Lone Peak mountain. Enjoy Sleigh Ride dinners, ice skating, parties, snowmobile tours, and a variety of community events. At Big Sky, there are no strangers. Big Sky, Montana is one of the highest rated Ski Resorts in the United States, and there is something here for everyone.

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Your Disneyland/World Ticket - Why It’s Important

February 16th, 2009

Being able to visit Disneyland is like a magical dream come true for many. However, before you get this dream going, you will have to return to reality and realize that you need a ticket before you can start your adventure.

There are different kinds of tickets along with different features. Nevertheless, the importance of your Disneyland ticket does not stop after you have entered the park gates. Your ticket will be your best friend during your Disney vacation, other than your companions.

Why Is It Important That You Buy A Legitimate One?

There are various ways to get discounts or even free Walt Disney World passes. Nevertheless, there are still people who prefer to deal via the non-legitimate way and end up being ripped off.

Partially Used Tickets

To avoid being ripped off, you should refrain from buying tickets that are partially used. To tell you the truth, there is really no way for you to know whether the ticket being sold to you is still valid or not, unless you try them out at the gates.

Finger Print Scans

Additionally, park tickets are non-transferable tickets. They use a high technology based system in which they take note of the finger print of the person using the ticket. If a person just used the pass and is trying to sell their pass to you, it’s impossible for you to use their tickets.

Online Scams

Purchasing your tickets from a Web site selling low priced tickets can pose a risk. Most of these sites are actually scams. The tickets they are selling are likely to be frauds. Additionally, buying tickets from eBay or Craigslist can give you the same high risk of being scammed.

Why Is It Important To Keep Your Ticket?

Your park tickets will not only be used for your entrance. You will use them to ride park rides. You should take good care of you ticket while on your trip. Do not get overwhelmed with the trip that you forget your tickets. It is vital that you keep your tickets in a very secure place to avoid losing them.

After paying for your Walt Disney World tickets, never forget to photocopy its reverse side with the magnetic stripe. This is imperative, if you really want to make sure that your tickets are secure.

If you meet with bad luck and you lose your tickets, the only way to have them replaced is to have a copy of the info on the back of your ticket. Those numbers, dates and letters you see on a number of spots on the back of your ticket will help management replace your tickets.

Although it is stated in the tickets that the management is not responsible if you lose your ticket, they are still kind enough to replace them. It is important that you can provide the information that is needed. If not you do not have this information, you will have to buy a new tickets.

If you buy your ticket at the park gate, it is helpful if you save you receipt, doing this can be helpful if ever you lose your tickets. This is only applicable if you bought the tickets from Disney. If you got them from a non-Disney source, your receipt will not be of any help if you lose them during your trip.

 

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When to go on Disney world vacations

February 14th, 2009

Before going on a Disney world vacations, it is a must that you familiarize yourself with everything that you need to know. Conducting a simple research about the place will give you an idea of what are the things that you need to prepare for, an estimate of how much you’ll be spending, where are the best places to stay, and the activities that you can do while you’re on Disney world vacations.

One of the most important things that you should research is the best time to go on a Disney world vacation. This is very important because by knowing this, you will also know the best means of getting around the area faster, easier, and more convenient. Knowing the best time to go here is also very crucial because it will help you save time finding and traveling to each site as well as giving you an idea how to adjust in the new environment.

The right time for Disney

For many people, vacation is the best time to get away from it all while having an enjoyable experience. Some would prefer it on a luxury cruise across the Caribbean while others spend the long break away from the city and stay closer to nature. But for families, especially those that have children, going on a Disney world vacations are the best because they get to experience exciting activities and see sights that each member will treasure for life.

No matter where you want to go with your family or friends, the important thing is that you do it together with the people you love. This is why it is important before hand to know when is the best time to go on vacations to a famous destinations such as the Disney world. If you don’t want to spend half of your vacation time finding the theme features that you are fascinated with or experiencing the things that you enjoy, you should make sure that you know how to get around Disney world before finally setting foot on this magical and exciting land.

In choosing your time to visit, the most important factors should include the size of the crowd, the weather, the park hours, and the special events that will take place in specific dates because these will determine the success and convenience of your trip.

Many say that summer time is the best time to go on Disney world vacations because this is when the weather is great especially for those who would want to bask in sunlight, there are extended parking sites and hours, and lots and lots of special events for the whole family to enjoy. However, since summertime is the peak season, there is larger crowd, which can affect your chances of enjoying the attractions. If you are not after seeing special events, opt for end of April or first week February schedule. For lesser crowds, choose September, which is perfect for those who have little kids. For beautiful sights, choose between Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons because the place is heavily decorated. And for those who are on budget, opt for January and August because these are the off season, meaning discounts are offered.

 

 

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What You Should Be Doing In Disneyland

February 12th, 2009

After months of planning, you have finally arrived at your destination namely Disneyland. Now that you are here, it is time for you to enjoy everything it has to offer from the rides, the shows and the fireworks.

You better wake up early so you can be one of the first to enter the amusement park. This is because there are not that many people but this will change in the afternoon.

Before you enter the park, be sure to read the bulletin board because it states what the waiting times are for the popular attractions, which of these are closed or undergoing maintenance and the times of shows and parades.

Some of the attractions you shouldn’t miss in Disneyland include Animal Kingdom which features some wild animals and exotic plants, shows like Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold, Lion King or a ride down Splash Mountain.

Of course there are other places to check out but if you are traveling with kids, make sure that the attraction is suitable for their age.

You can skip the line though by use a Fastpass ticket which is free and cuts down the waiting time so you can spend the rest of the day doing other things in the park.

Junk food like fries, hotdogs and burgers are usually served at the park. If you are hungry stop going for light snacks, sit down and go for a buffet. This will allow you to have seconds or even thirds which will get you through the day up until dinner time and save you time and money.

If you have a camera, you don’t need to buy souvenirs that are sold at the shop. This is because you will hardly use them when you get back home and these will just end up in a drawer or box. But if you want to buy something, make sure their useful things like perhaps a paperweight.

Don’t leave the park just yet. One thing you shouldn’t miss is the fireworks show which is minutes before closing and done all year. This goes on for a few minutes with an excellent soundtrack playing in the background.

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What You Get When You take a Disney World Tour

February 10th, 2009

Disney World is composed of 4 theme parks, 2 water parks and more than 14 other attractions. If you are here on vacation, visiting one is not enough so you really have to plan out your trip by knowing what each park has to offer.

One of the first thing you shouldn’t miss is Magic Kingdom. This place is historical because this is where it all began. Chances are, your parents have been here. Since it first opened in 1971, various attractions have been added which comprise several distinct lands namely Main Street USA, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square and Tomorrowland. You won’t miss this place because at the center is Cinderella’s castle.

For many years, Disney has been making movies. To continue this tradition, the company joined up with MGM studios. This has been renamed Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Some of the attractions you shouldn’t miss are the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Aerosmith’s Rock N Rollercoaster, the Back lot Tour and the Great movie ride. Aside from that, there are 6 themed areas to explore that highlight various movies which have hit the box office including Beauty and the Beast, Indiana Jones, the Muppets, Honey I Shrunk The Kids, Star Wars and a lot more.

If you love animals and want to learn more about them, you can go visit the Disney Animal Kingdom. This 500 acre park opened in 1998 and houses various animals like the antelope, hippos, giraffes, lions, monkeys and the wallabies. There is also Dinoland inside that the kids will surely love, the dinosaur adventure ride, Bug’s Life 3-D show, Kilimanjaro Safari and Kali River Rapids.

There is also Epcot Center where you will visit 11 different countries each with rides, shows, food, gifts, costumers and culture. The various places mentioned are only available t Disney World Florida.

As for the water parks, you can choose from Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon. The themes in both places are different but you are sure to have fun while you are getting wet.

So, if you really want to use a Disney World Tour, you should head down here and visit not one but 4 amusement parks, 2 water parks and some other attractions all in one week. You just have to book your plane ticket and the hotel where you will be staying.

 

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What you can do during Disney world vacations

February 8th, 2009

When people speak of vacations, Disney world vacations is the first thing that comes one’s mind. This is because Disney world is one of the most popular vacation destinations especially for families.

Aside from being a world of wonders and a great place to wander, there are two reasons why people go to Disney world. The number one is the Walt Disney World Resort and number two would be the Universal Studios the two of the most popular destinations that have lots of things and activities to offer.

Disney world is synonymous to world class and state-of-the-art theme parks that house massive collections of rides and attractions. One great example is the Walt Disney World Resort, which has over 14 themed-resorts, numerous world-class hotels, a wide array of shops, and four amazing theme parks on a large land area.

For kids and those who are kids at heart, the main attraction of Disney world is its theme parks because these represent most of the well-visited places in the area. Take a closer look at the four major theme parks and you will have an idea what the activities that await you:

1. The Magic Kingdom Theme Park. Number one on the theme parks in Disney world list would be the Magic Kingdom Park. Being one of the “firsts” that built, the Magic Kingdom is where you will usually see the characters of Disney fairytales come alive in their own world. The signature attractions of the Magic Kingdom are “The Haunted Mansion,” the three-mountain roller coasters including the ‘Space,’ the ‘Splash’, and the ‘Big Thunder’, as well as other minor attractions. Contrary to popular belief that the Magic Kingdom is only for kids because of the attractions such as the ‘Dumbo tea-cup ride,’ carousel, ‘Winnie the Pooh,’ ‘Peter Pan,’ and the like, adults especially can relive their childhood memories here.

2. The Epcot Center. Epcot is a Theme park and one of the world’s finest and fairest one. The concept of the Epcot was visualized from a world trade fair back in the 50’s and the 60’s where people from all over the world display in true street market style whatever it was that they had to offer.

3. The Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Disney’s Studios are real working studios that were opened to the public to compete against the sights of the Universal Studios Orlando. Here in the Disney’s Hollywood studios the public can take advantage of the musicals and live shows that they have daily.

4. The Animal Kingdom. Disney world vacations would not be complete without visiting the Animal Kingdom. This park is the largest of all Disney world’s resort theme parks because it is five times the size of the Magic Kingdom. Most of the space is dedicated to the Kilimanjaro Safari, which is a recreation of what people would normally expect from the traditional African Safari.

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What to prepare during Disney world vacations

February 6th, 2009

Disney world vacations are indeed the most exciting adventure any person may ever have. This is because it provides a venue where everyone can relieve their stress through the activities and services offered.

Contrary to common conception that Disney world vacations are only for kids, more and more teenagers and adults are getting hooked on it because there is always something that for them to do.

Disney world vacations are indeed the “one-stop-shop” for fun, adventure, and excitement for the whole family because everything is there sights, sounds, good food, and activities that anybody will surely enjoy.

But, before you start day dreaming about the things that you can do and the overall experience during your vacation, make sure that you have done your “assignment”, firsthand research.

This is very important because it will help you deal with one of the hardest things to deal with when going on a vacation: the packing stage.

Top tips in packing

Now that you have almost everything planned for that perfect Disney vacation, it’s now time for the equally tiring but enjoyable part packing.

Your savior would be your Disney vacation checklist, “must haves,” and “must dos”. Here are the things that you should prioritize when packing:

1. Clothing. When it comes to packing clothes, you should bear in mind to pack compete sets of comfortable clothing for each person, include jackets, extra shirts, shorts, and blankets.

2. Set of toiletries. Next to the set of clothing, a set of complete toiletries is a must for a Disney vacation. Be sure to carry enough bath soaps, mouthwash, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorants, cologne/perfume, tissues, cotton swabs, lotion, cosmetics, cotton balls, combs and brushes.

3. Medical kit or first aid kit. For families who have children, a medical kit or a first aid kit is a must, make sure to prepare a simple first aid kit that contains band aids, aspirin, moist towellets, sunscreen and gauze.

4. Basic necessities. Some of the “must haves” when going in a Disney vacation include wallet and/or purse, cash, credit cards and/or traveler’s checks, car, house keys, eyeglasses and/or contact lenses, prescriptions and other medications, itineraries, tickets and reservation confirmations, maps and directions, camera, film, digital camera memory cards, and batteries.

These are the most important things or necessities to ensure that you enjoy everything while on your Disney world vacation. Make sure that you have them ready a week before to ensure that you don’t forget anything.

 

 

 

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What Is A FastPass

February 4th, 2009

Disneyland is one of the most popular attractions that people from all over the world love going to. In fact, there are some that even travel halfway around the world just to get there. You can expect that not a day goes by that the park is empty.

Due to the number of people visiting the park, long lines are always expected. Disney’s management has devised a way to solve this problem.

The Resolution

To help reduce long lines for popular attractions, Disney launched an innovative system in 1999. This system is called the FastPass. From the first day it was used up until now, it has been very successful.

This pass is available to everybody. You do not need to have a special ticket to get one. As long as you have a ticket to the park, then you are entitled to a FastPass. This pass is not to be bought. It is already included with your admission fee. If a stranger approaches you and tries to sell you a pass, decline it.

The Mechanics

If you see a FastPass Attraction, you will notice 2 clocks. One will inform you on how long the wait is for entrances. The other will tell you the time that you come back if you have a FastPass ticket already.

Basically, FastPass is a system that can reserve you a ride while you go do something else. In this way, you will not have to waste your magical park time waiting in long lines. Once you get a FastPass for a certain attraction, you can go to other attractions. You can shop. You can eat. Do whatever you want to do. You still get to see the attraction as long as you go back at the specified time.

How To Get A FastPass Ticket

At the entrance of an attraction, you can spot the FastPass machine for that attraction. Approach the FastPass machine and present your admission ticket. Insert the card to the card slot. Do not force the card inside. Your FastPass ticket will be out in no time!

What Is Written In Your FastPass?

On your FastPass ticket, you will see some encoded information. Take note of these important details. The ticket will indicate the time frame that you can go back to that attraction. That is the period of time that you can return for the ride/attraction.

Do not forget that there are some attractions that have a window of only 10-15 minutes, like the Little Mermaid Show and Honey I Shrunk the Audience. It is better for you to just wait or simply stay within the area, so that you will not be late when your window comes around.

What To Do When It’s Your Window Already

As soon as your FastPass window or time frame arrives, it is important that you go back to the attraction. Go to the FastPass holders line. Make sure that you have secured your ticket and have your FastPass ready. Show it to the Cast Member. While waiting in line, a Cast Member will actually get your FASTPASS ticket.

Important Things To Remember

There are some important things that you should remember when using FastPass. If you have a FastPass, this doesn’t entitle you to bring your crew with you. They will need to get a FastPass ticket too. Nevertheless, getting a FastPass ticket can be done by one person only, as long as they have the admission tickets for everyone in the group.

If you have a baby or a toddler that came into the park for free, there is no need to get them a FastPass. You cannot go FastPass Hopping to different attractions. All ticketing machines issuing the pass are linked together. A machine will not issue you another, if you have not used the previous pass that you just received for a different attraction.

 

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Useful tips during Disney world vacations

February 2nd, 2009

Vacation time is the best time to reunite with family and friends to have some fun and rekindle bonds. And what perfect way to do this than to go on Disney world vacations?

This is because Disney world can cater to a lot of audiences regardless of their ages, preferences, and gender. Disney world is one of the best places to go to because it has so many attractions to offer. These include theme parks that feature world class amenities, restaurants that offer delectable and international cuisine, accommodations that fit people in all walks of life, and exciting activities that everybody would simply enjoy.

The most sought-after attractions in Disney include its four major theme parks: the Magic Kingdom, the Epcot, the Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the Animal Kingdom. Seeing and experiencing these major attractions is one-of-a-kind experience because you are a part of the Disney world history.

For first timers, Disney world can be overwhelming. Not only because of the amazing attractions, world-class facilities, state-of-the-art amenities, the size of the entire area and, the amount you may spend being here on vacation. To ensure that you have a great time despite spending lots of money, here are some tips for you:

- Plan well and carefully. The planning stage is probably the most crucial part of any vacation especially that of Disney world vacations. This is because it will determine if you will have a great time once you set your foot on the place. To help you plan carefully, conduct research about the place first. This will give you an idea what it is like, what can you find there, the things that you can do, and how to get to and around the place. Once you fully understand what the place is like and how everything works, you can proceed on to your planning stage.

- Consider you ticket purchase. The first thing to be considered is the ticket purchase because this will be your major passport in Disney world. The tickets that are sold online are the best ones because rest assured that you could use them immediately. Just make sure you buy the tickets that have plus options.

- Be meticulous about the time of the vacation. Your schedule should depend on your purpose, interest and budget. If you’re going there for sky is the limit fun and adventure, pick the peak season, which is summertime. Lots of activities and special events such as live entertainment are scheduled during this time for guests. If you are concerned about the crowd and budget, choose the time that is off-peak which are months of January and April and because there are lesser visitors and there are lower rates.

- Write an itinerary. Itineraries really work for tight schedules so if you are going on Disney world vacations, come up with a simple plan that will suit the ages of the people involved. (TIP: You should also check the availability of the rides, the park calendars for events, the distances of the parks and available transportation.)

 

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