20041113 - A Philadelphia DIS Meet?

[Gaspode]

Hiya,

Myself and my DBF will be stopping over in Philadelphia for two nights on our way from the UK to WDW.

I've already posted this on the Angel thread and we appear to have quite a few ppl coming which is great but wanted to open up to all DISers and see how big a gathering we can get :Pinkbounc

Unfortunately I don't know much about PA so am throwing it open to the forum as it were... what ideas are out there? Where could we meet? What could we do? Any thoughts at all....?

We will fly in on Nov 12th and leave on Nov 14th for Orlando so I'm proposing a meet on the 13th.

Any one going to join us?

I'll keep posting as more decisions are reached :0)

Gaspodé

[Breezy_Carol]

Hi Melissa. I would like to attend as I am only a hour south. Sorry I am not much help on a location. I would prefer afternoon because I want to go to a Band Competition at Giants Stadium outside of New York City that evening.

[Loubon]

Melissa,

A few ideas:

This link is to the Philadelphia Historic District (http://www.ushistory.org/tour/philmap.html). Plenty of things to see here such as the Liberty Bell etc. Also on the map you can see the South Street area which is about 6 blocks of trendy restaurants, bars etc. and also the Penn's Landing area which is also a fast developing area.

There is also the Philadelpia Zoo and Atlantic City (Casinos) is just a little over an hour drive away.

:wave:

[Gaspode]

A DIS meet in a zoo sounds like fun!

Any other thoughts?

*inspired*
Gaspodé

[mickeyfan1]

If You Have 1 Day--Start at the Independence Visitor Center and the adjacent Liberty Bell Pavilion in Independence National Historical Park, then move south through Independence Hall and on to residential Society Hill, which is steeped in U.S. history. In the evening, if you've still got the history bug, stay for the multimedia "Lights of Liberty" show that uses the Park as backdrop. If not, see what's on at the Academy of Music, the Kimmel Center, the Annenberg Center at the University of Pennsylvania, or the CoreStates Spectrum for sports.

If You Have 2 Days--Follow the itinerary above for Day 1. On Day 2, starting at City Hall, walk up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to Logan Circle and spend the afternoon at Franklin Institute or the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Try to circle back to Rittenhouse Square and the Liberty Place complex before it closes (7pm most nights, Wed to 8pm).

If You Have 3 Days--On Days 1 and 2, follow the itinerary given above. On Day 3, spend the morning in Old City viewing its Christ Church and Elfreth's Alley, then explore the expanding Delaware River waterfront attractions and the Independence Seaport Museum at Penn's Landing. Finally, either visit the New Jersey State Aquarium and the newly docked Battleship New Jersey (take the ferry to Camden for these attractions) or on shore to eclectic South Street.

If You Have 4 Days or More--Days 1 through 3, follow the itinerary given above. On Day 4, explore the Rittenhouse Square/South Broad Street area, with a visit to the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, winding up with a stroll through Reading Terminal Market (it closes at 5pm) and Chinatown. On Day 5, hit Fairmount Park's Zoo and the many restored colonial mansions. Farther out, Franklin Mills and King of Prussia Court and Plaza have become magnets for millions of tourists who want to save on clothing from America's finest stores, retail and discounted, with no state sales tax.

[mickeyfan1]

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/philadelphia/0023020865.html

http://travel.discovery.com/destinations/fodors/philadelphia/overview.html

http://www.philamuseum.org/main.asp

http://www.philadelphiazoo.org/

http://philadelphia.areaguides.net/google.html

That should give us a good start. BTW, I get in about 6 on Friday and leave about 6 on Sunday, I think.

[Breezy_Carol]

I think Penn's Landing or the zoo sounds good.

Oh Boy. I get to meet Marsha too.

[mickeyfan1]

Carol, too bad I am not driving, I would love to do the band competition with you, too! But I think it is a little far. Or not, maybe I will check to map!

[paras4ri]

Originally posted by mickeyfan1
Carol, too bad I am not driving, I would love to do the band competition with you, too! But I think it is a little far. Or not, maybe I will check to map!
Fly home out of Newark and you're right there!

[mickeyfan1]

Gee Gail, that's a plan....................NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really don't want to be anywhere near EWR at anytime in the future. I have done my time there in the past.

Geez, nothing like hijacking a thread,eh?

[kpgclark]

If you are only here a few days I'd skip the zoo. Where are you staying?

[mickeymom923]

I would definitely be interested in a DIS meet. Are you planning on meeting at a public place like at the zoo or renting a conference room at a hotel where everyone could meet? If you are flying into Philadelphia, there's a Holiday Inn in South Philly not too far from the airport and near the stadiums that everyone could meet. Or if you are staying someplace near the airport maybe they have an area to meet. I guess it depends on where you are staying and how far you want to travel.

If I can do anything to help, please let me know.

Bev

[mickeyfan1]

I will be staying at the Embassy Suites Philly Center City on Ben Franklin Parkway, as will Gaspode. am not planning on renting a car, but I will probably look into it after I return from F&W Festival. I I don't know who else from out of town will be there. We still haven't decided where to meet yet, but it will probably start late am and end late afternoon as some people will be driving in for the day only and will have to leave for other commitments that evening. WHile the zoo is probably nice, I would prfer something more historically touristy, as I have never been to Philly and would rather take advantage of seeing the things that I can't see elsewhere, like the Liberty Bell. JMHO.

[Breezy_Carol]

Maybe we can find a place near the historic area to meet for lunch then walk the Liberty Bell, etc.

[tiggerwannabe]

Philly has quite a bit to offer;

for the Liberty Bell, you'll need tickets. The ticket can include the new constitution center, independance hall, Betsy Ross' house, & (St Mary's?) Church.

There are many museum's, the Art Museum, the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences-all individual tickets.

There's Penn's Landing-the ticket includes the navy history museum, a tour of a ship & a submarine. The Ferry can take you from the Landing to Camden where the Battleship New Jersey is.

and South Street-food, shopping, eating and people watching.

The Philly Zoo is worth a trip over there-if you like zoos-I like zoos.

[kpgclark]

Skip the zoo. You are too close to interesting sites to make the trek to the zoo. You can see caged animals anywhere.

[mickeyfan1]

Originally posted by tiggerwannabe
Philly has quite a bit to offer;

for the Liberty Bell, you'll need tickets. The ticket can include the new constitution center, independance hall, Betsy Ross' house, & (St Mary's?) Church.

There are many museum's, the Art Museum, the Franklin Institute, the Academy of Natural Sciences-all individual tickets.

There's Penn's Landing-the ticket includes the navy history museum, a tour of a ship & a submarine. The Ferry can take you from the Landing to Camden where the Battleship New Jersey is.

and South Street-food, shopping, eating and people watching.

The Philly Zoo is worth a trip over there-if you like zoos-I like zoos.

Thanks for this info. Just what I needed. I really want to do the Liberty Bell thing, and that combo ticket looks like a great group of stuff. Maybe the out of towners will do that, and meet the intowners for a lunch and chat fest between sights?

[tiggerwannabe]

Our girl scout troop had an escorted tour of the historic sites;
for the Liberty Bell, you'll need tickets. The ticket can include the new constitution center, independance hall, Betsy Ross' house, & (St Mary's?) Church.
We met our guide across from the first bank of philadelphia and were taken to every site mentioned above. At the end of the tour, near the constitution center, we were taken to the Bourse Building to eat.

Let me know if you would like me to ask my co-leader what company she used for the tour...

[The LK 4]

I'll be there with my kids while DH is working in NJ that weekend. Marsha - I agree with you. I'd rather see things like the Liberty Bell, etc.

[mickeyfan1]

PLAN YOUR VISIT
Operating Hours & Seasons

The Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall are open from 9 am - 5 pm daily. For hours of operation of other park sites, visit our expanded web pages by clicking on the In Depth button on the menu bar to the right. A visit to Independence National Historical Park should start at the Independence Visitor Center located at 6th and Market Streets in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Here you can get a park brochure, park map, and your free timed tickets for guided tours of Independence Hall. Park Rangers and city tourism officials are available to answer your questions and help you plan your visit. The Liberty Bell Center and the buildings on Independence Square, including Independence Hall, Congress Hall and Old City Hall require visitors to process through a security screening facility located directly across the street from the Independence Visitor Center. On busy days lines can be long, so when you get your ticket for the Independence Hall tour allow enough time for security screening. There are no restroom facilities within the secure area of the park (Liberty Bell Center and Independence Square) so be sure to use the facilities in the Independence Visitor Center or those located on the corner of 5th and Chestnut Streets before entering the Liberty Bell Center. After leaving the security screening facility you will be directed into the Liberty Bell Center where you can enjoy exhibits explaining the history of the Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell is on display in a glass chamber at the south end of the Center. Once you leave the Center, you will have a choice of either leaving the secure area of the park (if you do you will not be permitted to reenter without going through the security screening facility again) or crossing the street onto Independence Square. Once on the Square you can visit Independence Hall (with a timed ticket), the Great Essentials Exhibit where you can see original copies of our country's founding documents, Congress Hall, Old City Hall and Philosophical Hall


Copied from:http://www.nps.gov/inde/pphtml/planyourvisit.html

LK is SB going to come with you too?

[The LK 4]

My family is driving out to NJ on Thursday morning. SB, Donna, and Sue are driving in on Friday evening.

I'm really interested in the Liberty Bell Center tour information you just posted. What does everyone else think? I think it would be fun to meet there and tour the area together.

[mickeyfan1]

I read more indepth. We can get tix ahead of time, for $1.50 per tic, but they are free if you walk up. THey will give 6 per person, or if the whole group is there, they will give enough to the "group leader". I will defer to Gaspode, but I think it's a great plan. WHere are all of y'all staying??????

Hmmmm Hi, Jack!

[The LK 4]

Lenny is being sent to NJ that weekend for work, so we are staying at a Marriott in Bridgewater, NJ. I believe SB, Donna, and Sue will be staying at the same place. I think it's about an hour away from Philly.

[mickeyfan1]

I have stayed there. It was very close to work, isn't that amazing? Guess I will have to entertain Melissa and Jon all by myself. Wonder if they imbibe?

I should stop thinking about this and stick to my next week trip! When I get home, I will get cracking on something fun for us all to do on Saturday. I should put that travel agent training to work for me. I will be tour guide, if needed.

[Breezy_Carol]

YAY!! for Marsha. She's our tour guide. I'm ready for anything....with in reason.

[tiggerwannabe]

I'll be in the city this Saturday with my DD,
would you like me to pick up any brochures?
:idea:

[shamrock bunch]

I'm up for that tour too Marsha!

[mickeyfan1]

Oh tiggerwannabe, that would be great. I am thinking that if we dod the Independence Hall and Liberty Bell tour starting late morning, then lunch and chat somewhere nearby. ANy tourist type stuff you can gather would be great!

[tiggerwannabe]

You got it. -I'll post whatever I find-
look for my response on this thread on Monday.:teeth:

[firstmickey]

The Liberty Bell tour thing and lunch sounds good to me too.

::yes:: :teeth:

[kpgclark]

There are two areas near the Liberty Bell that might be fun. The Reading Terminal Market is an experience. It is a place for locals to sell food and goods. You can lunch there but it might be hard to find a good meeting place. The other place that is nearby is Chinatown. It is not that big an area. I've never been but there is a Hard Rock Restaurant nearby as well. Depending on the day of the week, the Art Museum is great on Sundays. It is free to get in and the brunch there is very nice. It is very easy to get there.

[tiggerwannabe]

Keep posting!

I'm writing down all of your interests and will follow through with details from each place you'd like to visit...;)

Tours:
Independance Hall & Liberty Bell Tour
Art Museum Brunch (?)

Eateries:
The Bourse Building
Chinatown
Reading Terminal Market
Hard Rock Cafe

Any other interests/suggestions?

[tiggerwannabe]

Ok, I'm back....:wave2:
The tour of Independance Hall and the Liberty Bell is Free!

The rest of the details are too much to mention here.
I am copying what I picked up in Philly for you all, this past Saturday, who wants the email?

[mickeyfan1]

You can email it to me! mmorlock@yahoo.com

[Breezy_Carol]

I may br taking Amtrak into Philly at 8 or 9 AM. So Marsha, will you be up then?

[mickeyfan1]

I will be up then! I got all the info from tiggerwannabe. It is great.

A good plan would be to meet at the Bourse Building which is across from the Liberty Bell Center. There is a food court with 13 different restaurants in it, something for everyone. ThHen onto the touring. If we arrange for tickets for Independence Hall ahead of time, they are $1.50 per person. That guarantees that we will all be able to tour together. I think that this is a great idea. There needs to be a head count, so any of you who want to be on that tour, please PM me and I will make sure that the numbers are correct.

[The LK 4]

Marsha, you can add me, Logan, and Leah to the list for tour tickets.

If anyone else is a definite for attending, please post! We don't want to miss anyone at the meet.

[tiggerwannabe]

I'm glad the info helped and hope you all have a good time.

:wave2:

[mickeyfan1]

Time change update.

We will be meeting at the Ticket Center, touring, and then doing lunch. This is due to ticket availability, people driving from other states, and making sure we can all find each other.

At this time I believe there will be 14 people: (I am going to abreviate) LK3, Bon4, SB, BN, FM, MF1, BC, GP & Jon. I have not heard from any locals that posted before, but if you want to come along, let me know so we have the right number of tickets arranged ahead of time.

[cubsfan]

OK!!! I'm In!!!

:teeth:

[Gaspode]

Giant thanks to EVERYONE for all their help on this thread :) and a special mention of course to Marsha who has stepped up as our tour leader :)

I have had so many things going on here and then my computer wouldn't let me on the DIS this past week - eek! So I really appreciate all your efforts.

This is going to be fantastic fun and I'm so happy to see everyone coming :) I'm going to put out a few PMs to ppl who a while ago said they might come and see if we can get some last minute additions!

The liberty bell tour and lunch and everything sound wonderful and I think booking tickets in advance is certainly the best way to go.

Thank you all, we just can't wait to meet you!!!!
Gaspodé & Jon

[The LK 4]

I can't wait!:Pinkbounc

[firstmickey]

Me too! :jumping3: :jumping3: :jumping3:

[Breezy_Carol]

Marsha, I am going to PM you about the time.

The USSBA schedule just came out and the University of Maryland band plays at 6:24 PM at Giants Stadium. I haven't talked to Jack but I think that means leaving Philly by 3 to be sure we get there in time. Any chance of moving the meet a little earlier, say to 10 or 11? I am really torn. I definitely want to be at the meet but I also want to see Sarah perform. This is bad.

[Gaspode]

Originally posted by Breezy_Carol
Marsha, I am going to PM you about the time.

The USSBA schedule just came out and the University of Maryland band plays at 6:24 PM at Giants Stadium. I haven't talked to Jack but I think that means leaving Philly by 3 to be sure we get there in time. Any chance of moving the meet a little earlier, say to 10 or 11? I am really torn. I definitely want to be at the meet but I also want to see Sarah perform. This is bad.

Well Carol I'm sure we can sort something out! Obviously you can't be late setting off... but, at the very least, Jon and I will be there already so you can meet us anyways :)

Cya soon!
Gaspodé

[Breezy_Carol]

Melissa, looking forward to meeting you and Jon and Marsha and everyone else. This will work out!!

[mickeyfan1]

Attention anyone who is planning on joining the 15 I already know about.

I am going to pre order tickets to Independence Hall later today. If you want to join us, let me know ASAP. Tickets are $1.50 each if ordered ahead of time, and the only way we can be guaranteed to do the tour together is to preorder.

[Gaspode]

:sunny: :sunny: :sunny:

Almost time!!! Can't wait :)

Anything else we need to decide, sort out, do?

Another thanks to Marsha is in order for getting the tickets ordered!! Cheers!!!

Cya all real soon,
Gaspodé

[Gaspode]

See you all Saturday!

I'm off to bed and then tomorrow at 9.30am our taxi whisks us off to the airport !!

Cya,
Gaspodé