DIS Dads The DIS Dad's Club X: Por favor mantengase alejado de las puertas

[twokids0204]

We went to DC last year and had a great time. First I’ll second what has already been said: “Do not drive in town”. It is much more affordable to stay on the Virginia side of the Potomac and use the blue line to get in and out of town. Fed’s suggestions for lodging are probably the best ones, but just for comparison, we stayed in Alexandria at a place called “Washington Suites”. It’s on older apartment building that was converted into a hotel with kitchenettes (it’s also popular with folks working on various diplomatic staffs so we meet a number of folks from a number of different countries). They’re located several blocks away from the metro station, but they run a regular shuttle.

The Tomb of the Unknowns really is a must if you have the time and there are a number of bus tours that will take you all around the major point of the city. There are a number of different Smithsonian museums, so there are a lot of different experiences to chose from. How old are your kids and what interests them? If they like animals, they’ll probably like the Natural History Museum. The American History museum has many different types of artifact to get into, so that may work well to. There are a several museums that are run separately from the Smithsonian that might also be good. I know there is a Childress museum and the “Spy Museum” is quirky and very popular.

Did you have any thing specific in mind? Holler back and I’ll dig into my books and maps and see if we can’t get your questions answered.

I'd recommend the National Art Gallery. It was free last time I went and there's a lot of famous paintings that you can walk right up to. My 10 year old loved it.

I think Fed and Rob's advice was right on. The Metro is by far the best way to get around town, and easily reaches all the important destinations. The only things I'll add is that there are a few museums that aren't free but might interest you: the National Holocaust Museum (not for kiddies), the Spy Museum, and the Newseum. All are fairly close to the Mall. Ford's Theater is also a short walk from the Mall. If you want to go up in the Washington Monument, your best bet is to go to the National Park Service website for the WM and reserve tickets--they get reserved months in advance and go very quickly.

We went to DC during Spring Break 2010. We had rooms at the Best Western - Pentagon. Was nice enough just had went thru a refurb it looked like. And we had free shuttle service to a Metro Station where you can take a quick ride to anywhere you need to get too.

Some of the most impressive thing we did were...in no particular order...

The Capitol Building Tour.
The Amreican History Museum.
Vietnam Memeorial wall
Korean War Memeorial
WWII Memeorial
The Air and Space Museum at the Udvar Hazy Center...a few clicks West of DC...something like $14 to park...but worth the trip. Link

Also I would recommend you buy one of the National Mall tour bus passes...as your feet will thank you.

pending on which way you come down from the great white north, you may be within a few miles of me.

I grew up in DC.
As a kid my favorite museums were the Air and Space Museum, American History and Natural History Museums.
The old Smithsonian Castle is also neat.
Depending on what days you're there and your kids ages you might be able to see one of the kids plays at Fords Theatre.
The Zoo is really great. I loved watching the seals. There's not a lot of enclosed or covered space so it could be Animal Kingdom hot though.
The capital tour is neat.
I also like the American Indian Museum. Its got a pretty good restaurant in it.

I think both the Holocaust Museum and Vietnam Memorial are must sees. You need tickets for the Holocaust Museum but it is free. Make that museum the first stop to pick up your tickets and then go see other stuff until you can get in.

If you aren't staying Downtown Stay on the monorail line. You can stay as far out as Falls Church VA and its only about 30-45 minutes outside of the city.

Driving there does suck and parking downtown is a pain.




All good recommendations. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and Arlington National Cemetery in General is very somber. Changing of the guard is very touching.

If you're up by the Zoo you are also close to the National Cathedral.



If your kids like airplanes the Air and Space Museum Annex in Dulles Virginia is awesome. Its got a huge hanger. The last time I was there they had:
an SR71
a space Shuttle.
A Concord
and the Enola Gay
a whole bunch of other planes.



All good suggestions.

I think's Fed's advice about the hotels is good (I'd lean toward Alexandria, myself -- if you go down King Street toward the river, there is a nice Old Town area. Also, Hard Times Cafe for chili. Yum.). Close to Metro is good. It really is the best way to get around downtown. Driving is not terribly scary (I would rank Boston and NYC as a little scarier to drive in than DC), but DC does have a quadrant system for streets, so you end up with this situation:

"I'm trying to get to 1400 C Street."
"C Street Northwest, Northeast, Southwest, or Southeast"
""

It makes it easier to get screwed up driving, or thinking that things are closer together than they are. Also, there are indeed Alphabetical streets, but no J Street.

The great thing about the Smithsonian is that they all have free admission, so the only cost is time if it turns out your family doesn't care for it. My family likes:
1. Natural History -- Dinosaurs! Bugs! The Hope Diamond!

2. Air and Space -- Lots of fun stuff for any airplane or space buff

3. National Zoo -- Yup, part of the Smithsonian, and also free. It's in the Woodley Park/Cleveland Park area of the city, in the Northwest Quadrant, so it's off the beaten path, but easily accessible by the Red Line Metro (Hint: On the way there, get off at the Cleveland Park station; the walk from the Woodley Park station is uphill to the Zoo. The walk from the Cleveland Park station is flatter and the incline for the hill is less. Or I might just be lazy.)

4. American History -- It's especially fun if your kids have gotten some American History in school. The exhibit on the First Ladies' Dresses was fun for people in my family who were not male...

You can also scope these out at http://www.si.edu ahead of time to plan visits to the museums.

The Spy Museum is a lot of fun (well, for me, at least), but there is an admission charge. It also has been known to generate Disney-like lines.

Also, if you have the mobility, Reston Zoo, out in my direction, is a cute little zoo with some barnyard animals, and some that you would see at Animal Kingdom. Here's the link http://www.restonzoo.com/. You know those Watusi cattle that you can see on the AKL Savannah and on the Kilimanjaro Safari from about 100 yards away? Yeah, you can pet those there. Nowhere near the fit and finish of the National Zoo, but a lot of fun nonetheless because of the interactivity with the animals.

And, although I am a ways out of the city, I am happy to come in to meet DisDads. Or we could arrange something if you do end up at the Reston Zoo, or the Udvar-Hazy Center out closer to my place.

twokids0204, the Spy museum is interactive and fun my DGD 8 loved it. Also, if you go to the National Cathedral, look for Darth Vader on the roof.

Wow, all great advice... You guys are awesome.

Now to compute, and plan.

Any good places to eat in the area?

 

[AirGoofy]

Carl, this is so cool. Thanks.

Nate, have a great time.

Barry, Bambi's got a smart friend to decided to have her wedding at Disney. What is your role? Guardian of the Bar?

Heck I might even get married again if she promissed we would have the ceremony at Disney.

I looked at renewing wedding vows there with DW when dds are older. But, a trip to Aulani would be special as well.

3 out of the last 4 page ownages... I smell a dynasty...

I would love to trash talk execution, but I'm really on my phone and can't see more than a few multi quotes on the screen at one time. I try for some, but others are just luck.

 

[twokids0204]

I reserved this spot

 

[twokids0204]

So that I could

 

[twokids0204]

Dethrone AirGoofy

 

[Turkey Lurkey]

Just found out that DW did not get a part in the show.

So I guess that for the next several weeks it's just be me in the company of a dozen or so cute ladies in skimpy outfits dancing around provocatively.

While my wife stays at home with DD.


Poor me.


TL



C-C-C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!!!!! Theatrical Ownage.

 

[twokids0204]

Instead Turkey snuck in there!!!

Good job..... Giggity.

 

[wasnotafan]

Just found out that DW did not get a part in the show.

So I guess that for the next several weeks it's just be me in the company of a dozen or so cute ladies in skimpy outfits dancing around provocatively.

While my wife stays at home with DD.


Poor me.


TL

Ouch. You will have to make it up to her by telling her how much you wish she had gotten a part and not you. Make sure to discuss all the cellulite on your fellow cast members and how their arms jiggle when they dance as well.

 

[twokids0204]

Just found out that DW did not get a part in the show.

So I guess that for the next several weeks it's just be me in the company of a dozen or so cute ladies in skimpy outfits dancing around provocatively.

While my wife stays at home with DD.


Poor me.


TL



C-C-C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!!!!! Theatrical Ownage.

My heart breaks for you... If it's any consolation, I am willing to step in for you.

 

[theduck619]

Just found out that DW did not get a part in the show.

So I guess that for the next several weeks it's just be me in the company of a dozen or so cute ladies in skimpy outfits dancing around provocatively.

While my wife stays at home with DD.


Poor me.


TL



C-C-C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!!!!! Theatrical Ownage.

Way to take one for the team

 

[carlnix30]

Nice view on the web cam... just saying..

 

[RodBelding]

Instead Turkey snuck in there!!!

Good job..... Giggity.

Hahhaa, well played either way!

 

[AirGoofy]

Just found out that DW did not get a part in the show.

So I guess that for the next several weeks it's just be me in the company of a dozen or so cute ladies in skimpy outfits dancing around provocatively.

While my wife stays at home with DD.


Poor me.


TL



C-C-C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!!!!! Theatrical Ownage.

Instead Turkey snuck in there!!!

Good job..... Giggity.

Bravo.

 

[RodBelding]

Just found out that DW did not get a part in the show.

So I guess that for the next several weeks it's just be me in the company of a dozen or so cute ladies in skimpy outfits dancing around provocatively.

While my wife stays at home with DD.


Poor me.


TL



C-C-C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!!!!! Theatrical Ownage.

Hmmm. Perhaps, for the sake of the DisDads, you should set up a streaming cam at rehearsals? Carl can probably help if you need assistance...

 

[twokids0204]

live stream is up!! check it out at disdads.com/wdw-live​

Very cool....

 

[AirGoofy]

Hmmm. Perhaps, for the sake of the DisDads, you should set up a streaming cam at rehearsals? Carl can probably help if you need assistance...

My dds have dance recital on Sunday. My oldest is in 4 routine (jazz,tap,ballet and 1 of same). Then, she has to lead for a younger dance group, and youngest dd has 2 routines. They are so happy, but I don't get it. I just smile and say they did great.

 

[AJRitz]

Nice view on the web cam... just saying..

Just in case you're wondering, we've completely blown away our previous record for page views at disdads.com thanks to the webcam. As of a few minutes ago, we were at 560 page views. Our previous high for an entire day was 450 page views, back on April 6.

 

[AirGoofy]

Just in case you're wondering, we've completely blown away our previous record for page views at disdads.com thanks to the webcam. As of a few minutes ago, we were at 560 page views. Our previous high for an entire day was 450 page views, back on April 6.

Bravo. You may have just picked up a lot more business.

 

[theduck619]

Carl, we are enjoying the view as a family. Any chance I ca get you to say hi to my dd's Kate & Olivia?

 

[theduck619]

Just in case you're wondering, we've completely blown away our previous record for page views at disdads.com thanks to the webcam. As of a few minutes ago, we were at 560 page views. Our previous high for an entire day was 450 page views, back on April 6.

Very cool