Have you been to Graceland? I have a question...

[acejka]

I'm going to be passing through Memphis and love Elvis, so my DH offered to stop so we could tour Graceland.

No problem right?

Wrong.

I have this thing with mass transportation of any kind. It just freaks me out to no end, I don't even like to ride in a car with more than the driver and myself (can anyone say irrational fear with me?) and from what I understand, you have to take some kind of shuttle bus to the mansion.

For anyone who's been, and might remember, how long is the shuttle ride, and is it the kind of thing where everyone gets in and sits down or is it like a public bus where people can cram in until there is no extra room and people are basically standing on top of each other?

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I Elvis!!!

Graceland was a wonderful experience for myself. It was so beautiful and you really got to know more about who he was and his charities and things like that.

As for the mass transit. Yes in order to take the tour, you have to get in the bus, I don't get it but it is small and its only for those that it seats. I am going to say 25 people maybe? It was 2 years ago but its literally 7 mins. If you love Elvis like I think you might. Its TOTALLY worth it!!!

Good Luck!!

 

[CathrynRose]

Gosh, its been yearssss since I've been to Graceland - my 14 y/o was probably 4... but anyways, I don't remember any sort of bus at all????

I know the parking lot / museum was across the street, and I'm trying to remember if it was a shuttle from lot to mansion - which would just be across the street - but I can't recall. I'm sorry.

I can tell you this.... no bedrooms. Still irks me, and I have no idea why. I felt like Pee Wee at the end of The Alamo tour.

 

[lila]

I think it's like literally across one street from the parking lot, but I was there about 5 years ago. I am no Elvis fan, but I really enjoyed Graceland. I think it would be worth it for you.

If you don't mind me asking, how do you manage to travel to Orlando and go on any rides at the Disney parks? Do you take trams, monorails or the Small World boat?

 

[chisnpeke]

The bus ride was short...like 5 minutes and it has seats so everyone sits down. Maybe 15-25 people could fit on one bus, I can't remember for sure. Definitely worth it to visit Graceland.

 

[crazee4mickey]

The mansion is basically across the street (approx. 1/2 block at the most)from the museum of Elvis' planes, cars, etc. and this is where you buy tickets and board a shuttle to basically get you safely across the busy street to the mansion and up the huge drive--its a very short trip and it was not crammed at all and our tour was sold out.

As for the upstairs being closed off which is where his bedroom was and the washroom where he died--they said it is out of respect for Elvis' memory and his family.

There is plenty to see and it is a gorgeous property. You are each given a headset so you can go through at your own pace----we (Dh, myself and 4 kids)enjoyed it immensely!

 

[acejka]

I think it's like literally across one street from the parking lot, but I was there about 5 years ago. I am no Elvis fan, but I really enjoyed Graceland. I think it would be worth it for you.

If you don't mind me asking, how do you manage to travel to Orlando and go on any rides at the Disney parks? Do you take trams, monorails or the Small World boat?

I don't mind at all. We drive to Orlando, it's only 12 hours and we love stopping Savannah for a night. We love exploring so we feel when we drive we aren't held to someone else's schedule and can stop when and where we want so the 12 hours doesn't bother us.
I can say that I would never take Disney transportation, like the buses. The trams are ok, they are open air and they only let a certain number of people on, and my husband makes sure that I am on the outside since I feel more comfortable there. And when we go on rides, like its a small world I just make sure we are either in the very front or very back and he makes sure that I am on the outside of the row if there are more people than us. I think it is more of a claustrophobia thing for me. I am not comfortable on metro where people are allowed to cram on as many people as possible.

I do fly, and again since it is a controlled number of people that doesn't bother me too much- its the turbulence! UGH. I hate to fly because of that. I plan on exposing my kids (when I have them) to as many flights as possible, to make it "normal" for them. I never flew until I was 22 and I feel like if it was normal to fly for me (like it is for my husband) it wouldn't be such an issue.

And the 7 minutes to Graceland, I will make myself deal with. If it is a short trip and controlled number of people I can usually stay calm enough to get through it.

 

[acejka]

Thanks to everyone who replied! I think I will be able to do 7 minutes or so, especially for the experience, and its a controlled amound of people on the bus, not a free for all!

 

[luvflorida]

We took a road trip to Memphis a few years ago and spent a day touring Graceland. You have to take a small shuttle bus to and from Graceland. There were a lot of people around (buying tickets and waiting in lines) but I remember the shuttle bus being very clean, and the ride being a very short one. Everyone had a seat on the bus.

If you are a fan of Elvis, you will love touring Graceland. As other posters have said, you will have a pair of headphones and will be able to tour at your own pace. There is a ton of memorabilia on display. The thing that I remember most was the size of the swimming pool at Graceland. It was very small, especially compared to the mega-pools that most celebrities own these days. I figured Elvis would have had a much bigger pool!

 

[Snoopymom]

Sit in front where it feels more open, and then you'll also be able to ask the driver questions to keep your mind occupied. Our driver had met Lisa Marie and had nothing but funny and great things to say about her, said she stays at Graceland when she's in Memphis.

I took a photography class where the instructor had just returned from visiting during an anniversary of Elvis's death and I didn't really understand why he was so enthusiastic about the experience, nor did I appreciate his amazing photos until I was there at the end of the tour when you exit and see the graves with all the flowers and teddy bears with messages from all over the world...can't describe it, it just hits you, maybe because I was just a kid when he died and he didn't seem like a real person until then...all I can say is don't miss it!

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[C.Ann]

Gee.. Now I want to go..

Have a great time - and give us a full report when you get back..

 

[sbell111]

We did the Graceland thing many years ago. I barely remember it.

What I do remember is that when we were buying our tickets, my wife asked the ticket seller if seeing the plane was worth it. The girl replied, "It's just a plane with a bed." We skipped it.

If you have some extra time, make sure you check out the zoo. Memphis has a pretty good one.

 

[tinatark]

We did the platinum tour, I think it was. Less than 5 min on the shuttle. I like that the upstairs is closed - I think Lisa said in the audio, no one EVER went up their - it was the family's (Elvis, Lisa, and his current gf) private space. The planes tour was nice - the smaller jet was in need of refurbishment, but the big jet was so much more than a plane with a bed! In the after dark section, we saw some of his more casual outfits, etc.

As far as the pool being small by celebrity standards, remember, he died over 30 years ago - in the mid 70's, that was a niiccee pool. I thought about that as I went through the house, too... he died that long ago but the house could very easily be transformed back into a home - with little renovations.

When we were there, walking out to the gravesites, a hush almost fell over the group. It was awesome. I loved the history of the meditation garden.

 

[RadioNate]

I have nothing really to add about the ride. It is a small bus and everyone gets a seat. They literally take you across the street. The gates to Graceland are closed so no one can just walk up to the house. You park on the west side of the street at the 'visitor's center' and purchase tickets there. That is also where the plane and car museums are.

You board the bus at the time on your ticket and they drive you across the street, though the gates to the front door. I'm nearly positive that there is part of the audio tour on the bus. Just a short introduction and maybe some instructions.

It has been a few years but I've been to Graceland A LOT.

Live in Memphis and you go with everyone who comes to visit!

Also, who ever mentioned the Memphis Zoo. Just a note that they are one of the 3(?) US zoos that have pandas. Kinda fun to see if you haven't before.

I'd also recommend staying downtown and not anywhere near Graceland, in case you were wondering about that. There is a Hampton Inn on Peabody Place and I think 3rd (4th?) that is pretty nice, reasonably priced and convenient to Beale Street, etc.

Back to the original question. I just googled and found a map of the attraction. The house is at A and the 'shuttle boarding' is clearly marked. It is really a super short ride. It is to prevent people from just randomly walking up to the house. And for safety as Graceland is on a high traffic street.

After thinking about it more Memphis has a lot of great attractions if you are interested in doing more than just Graceland. In addition to the zoo there is the Rock and Soul Museum, the National Civil Rights Museum, Sun Records, the Pink Palace, Beale Street and more.

http://www.memphistravel.com/

 

[luvflorida]

As far as the pool being small by celebrity standards, remember, he died over 30 years ago - in the mid 70's, that was a niiccee pool.

I know the pool was built a long time ago, but I still thought it was awfully small, even for that era. I mean, we're talking Elvis here.

In addition to the zoo there is the Rock and Soul Museum, the National Civil Rights Museum, Sun Records, the Pink Palace, Beale Street and more.

We loved the Memphis zoo, and were surprised at how close the pandas were for viewing. They're not nearly that close at the Washington National Zoo. Sun Studios was also a favorite with us; a lot of music history in that recording studio! Seeing the ducks at the Peabody and taking a boat ride on the Mississippi River were fun activities, too.

 

[lila]

Sun Studios is just great - I had no expectations going in and loved it.