Travels With Teens: Take Two “I Can Organize This Trip in My Sleep!”BC Dee in DC Roti & Fini p. 40
- Thread starter natebenma
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pas130
Always missing Florida....
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I can't be the only one who thinks the White House should be incorporated into a WDW ride 
I don't think there were too many pics at all, I really liked our virtual tour, and yes Ben has the same smile (smirk) in both pics Your initial pic from the White House looks like the Spaceship Earth is in the background, I guess everything is Disney to me 
I don't think there were too many pics at all, I really liked our virtual tour, and yes Ben has the same smile (smirk) in both pics Your initial pic from the White House looks like the Spaceship Earth is in the background, I guess everything is Disney to me 
SarahDisney
So ... Yeah
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I love your "outside the White House" story & picture!
All of your White House pictures are great! I really would love to go back there and actually take pictures (back when I did the tour there were no pictures), there really is so much to see there and it's so beautiful!
All of your White House pictures are great! I really would love to go back there and actually take pictures (back when I did the tour there were no pictures), there really is so much to see there and it's so beautiful!
natebenma
Beach Club Dee
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Although it is just a small percentage of the building that you see there are some pretty significant spaces on the tour like the East Room and the State Dining Room. I also like to imagine that I am seeing the same view the President sees from the Oval Office when I look out the Blue Room windows.
I can't be the only one who thinks the White House should be incorporated into a WDW ride
So, this update would be the "Hall of Presidents"?
There is so much to see in DC. And the great thing is, most of the things to do or visit have no admission cost. I hope you do make it there. Spring and Fall are lovely times of the year to visit. We have been in October and April, both lovely and July (HOT)!
The White House story has been one of our family legends since it happened. My dad can't believe I got away with it with my smart aleck response!!! And of course I am forever associated with taking forbidden pictures.
Wood Nymph
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This is a great story. I wonder if he got in trouble for letting you keep the picture.
natebenma
Beach Club Dee
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Gosh, I hope not! It certainly was a different time...
I think I was good for the rest of that trip. However when Mark and I visited in the early '90s I took an unauthorized picture in the Senate chamber. On the trip with the boys in 2012, I took a picture of Madeleine Albright's pins, prior to seeing a sign that said "No Photos, please"
I don't think I took any banned photos during this past trip, but any of you who guessed that I took a forbidden picture in the museum certainly had justification for your suspicions.
HockeyMomR
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Fun tour! We simply love DC. Enjoying reading your perspective. 
natebenma
Beach Club Dee
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Working on the next update (Washington Monument) and Contest Standing update. I should have it posted in the next day or two.
Thanks!
Do you get to DC often? Or is it like Boston for us? So close that we don't do the tourist thing very often.
Thanks for reading when you can! No worries about replies.
I was smart enough on our trip 5 years ago, when photos were still prohibited, to know that I wouldn't get away with that kind of explanation as an adult.
Fun tour! We simply love DC. Enjoying reading your perspective.
Thanks!
Do you get to DC often? Or is it like Boston for us? So close that we don't do the tourist thing very often.
Thanks for reading when you can! No worries about replies.
I was smart enough on our trip 5 years ago, when photos were still prohibited, to know that I wouldn't get away with that kind of explanation as an adult.
HockeyMomR
DIS Veteran
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Hey Dee - we typically do DC touristy things a couple of times a year. Love the cherry blossoms, the museums, just walking the mall for the monuments, Art Museum (could hang out by the Monets and just stare) and of course the zoo!
I get it living near a popular city. We don't get down to DC anywhere as much as we did. I grew up in this area and Kennedy Center was just the place my mom and I went for our season tickets to the ballet! You know, you get used to it just being there. Totally get it.
Truly enjoying reading from your perspective!
I get it living near a popular city. We don't get down to DC anywhere as much as we did. I grew up in this area and Kennedy Center was just the place my mom and I went for our season tickets to the ballet! You know, you get used to it just being there. Totally get it.
Truly enjoying reading from your perspective!
EastYorkDisneyFan
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Just caught up on the washington trip. I have one question do they mention anything about the british attack on the white house during the war of 1812? The story we get told in canada is thath the president left to meat them with dueling pistols well the first lady tried to hide the silver and the servants removed paintings from there frames. There is a los a story about them finishing the presidents dinner before setting fire to the white house.
They also broke into the US capitol building rode horses in and gathered all the wooden objects into the main hall and set fire to them.
They also broke into the US capitol building rode horses in and gathered all the wooden objects into the main hall and set fire to them.
natebenma
Beach Club Dee
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Thanks for reading!
Was that your first trip to DC or a return visit? What were the highlights of your trip?
I'm glad to hear that you get into the city often. I wish we spent more time exploring Boston, but honestly, we are homebodies (except when we travel)
In our history classes, the War of 1812 is not really explored in nearly as much detail as the Revolutionary War or the Civil War. We are told about First Lady Dolley Madison and her servants saving some of the White House treasures before leaving the White House.
The White House tour is self-guided. The informational plaque in the East Room, where Gilbert Stuart's famous portrait of George Washington hangs today, tells how it is the only object from the original mansion currently in the White House.
I don't have a great photo of the painting
natebenma
Beach Club Dee
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Washington Monument
Our next stop was the Washington Monument.
From the National Park Service website:
“The Washington Monument towers above the city that bears his name, serving as an awe-inspiring reminder of George Washington's greatness. The monument, like the man, stands in no one's shadow.
The Washington Monument, designed by Robert Mills and eventually completed by Thomas Casey and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, honors and memorializes George Washington at the center of the nation's capital. The structure was completed in two phases of construction, one private (1848-1854) and one public (1876-1884). Built in the shape of an Egyptian obelisk, evoking the timelessness of ancient civilizations, the Washington Monument embodies the awe, respect, and gratitude the nation felt for its most essential Founding Father. When completed, the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world at 555 feet, 5-1/8 inches.”
As you look up at the monument, you will notice a change in color of the stone. During the 25 years that construction temporarily stopped, the original quarry where the stones came from closed. The builders switched over to stones from Massachusetts, but they were a noticeably different color and of inferior quality, so the remainder of the stones came from a quarry in Maryland.
You need to have reserved-time tickets if you want to go inside and up to the top of the Monument. You can do this by standing in line at the Visitor’s Center when it opens at 8:30 am for same day tickets (first come, first serve, free) or you can reserve tickets 3 months in advance for $1.50 per ticket processing fee.
For advance planners like us, reserving the tickets for the small fee was a no brainer. So Mark put an alert in his phone to notify him when it was time to get the tickets. Unfortunately, he had to reprogram his phone and he lost all of his alerts! When he realized a week or two after the tickets had become available, the times were all sold out!
Fortunately, the tour planner for Seth Moulton, our district representative to the US House, was able to get tickets for us a month before the trip, in addition to arranging the White House and Bureau of Engraving and Printing tours.
PHEW!!!
We waited at the base of the monument until they called for people who reservations at 2:30.
We then rode the elevator with a few other people for the 70 second ride to the top. Once there, you may stay as long as you care to, until the monument closes for the day.
There are a number of windows that look out on the sights below.
North- The White House, Treasury Building, National Cathedral, Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
East- US Capitol building, Supreme Court building to the left of the dome, RFK Stadium
South- Bureau of Printing & Engraving, Jefferson Memorial, Reagan National Airport, Pentagon
West- WWII Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, JFK Performance Center
The ride back to the ground is 2 minutes long, and along the way, the elevator slows at pre-programmed spots and you can look through the windows that open to see some of the memorial stones that have been donated from all of the states in the Union, foreign countries and from other entities.
My family was embarrassed when I saw this stone and squealed excitedly:
Home to University of NH, my dad’s alma mater, mine, Mark’s and is the school Nate will be attending in September.
After we were back on the ground and headed to our next destination, we heard a noise overhead. It was 3 helicopters. Two peeled off and the third landed at the White House! That would have been very cool to see from the top of the monument! Actually, would have been pretty cool if that happened while we were at the White House.
I’m pretty sure that the helicopter that landed was Marine One. At the same time as the landing, we saw and heard firetrucks with the lights and alarms going on the road next to the White House- I believe that is protocol when a helicopter is landing there. The following evening, we saw a helicopter practicing landing and taking off from the White House again and again for HOURS, but it was a single copter. When the President, or members of his family, or other dignitaries travel, it is usually in a convoy of 3 helicopters so you can’t tell which one is carrying POTUS.
Contest Questions for next chapter(s):
In the next update, we go to the American History Museum for a couple of hours. We saw 3 of the following 6 things. Which 3? 10 points for each correct guess
Dinner was with longtime friends I know from the DIS who live in the DC area, but had never met in person. You don’t get to guess who because I posted on Facebook after meeting up with Missy (missyrose) and Franklin (pixeldust). But you do get to guess where. 20 points
Hint: Casual Chain Restaurant for example, Five Guys
That is NOT the answer- the boys had lunch there that day.
To end the night, the 4 of us went to the lounge at our hotel for a late night snack and drinks. Why did we leave without getting anything? 20 points
Our next stop was the Washington Monument.
From the National Park Service website:
“The Washington Monument towers above the city that bears his name, serving as an awe-inspiring reminder of George Washington's greatness. The monument, like the man, stands in no one's shadow.
The Washington Monument, designed by Robert Mills and eventually completed by Thomas Casey and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, honors and memorializes George Washington at the center of the nation's capital. The structure was completed in two phases of construction, one private (1848-1854) and one public (1876-1884). Built in the shape of an Egyptian obelisk, evoking the timelessness of ancient civilizations, the Washington Monument embodies the awe, respect, and gratitude the nation felt for its most essential Founding Father. When completed, the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world at 555 feet, 5-1/8 inches.”
As you look up at the monument, you will notice a change in color of the stone. During the 25 years that construction temporarily stopped, the original quarry where the stones came from closed. The builders switched over to stones from Massachusetts, but they were a noticeably different color and of inferior quality, so the remainder of the stones came from a quarry in Maryland.
You need to have reserved-time tickets if you want to go inside and up to the top of the Monument. You can do this by standing in line at the Visitor’s Center when it opens at 8:30 am for same day tickets (first come, first serve, free) or you can reserve tickets 3 months in advance for $1.50 per ticket processing fee.
For advance planners like us, reserving the tickets for the small fee was a no brainer. So Mark put an alert in his phone to notify him when it was time to get the tickets. Unfortunately, he had to reprogram his phone and he lost all of his alerts! When he realized a week or two after the tickets had become available, the times were all sold out!
Fortunately, the tour planner for Seth Moulton, our district representative to the US House, was able to get tickets for us a month before the trip, in addition to arranging the White House and Bureau of Engraving and Printing tours.
PHEW!!!
We waited at the base of the monument until they called for people who reservations at 2:30.
We then rode the elevator with a few other people for the 70 second ride to the top. Once there, you may stay as long as you care to, until the monument closes for the day.
There are a number of windows that look out on the sights below.
North- The White House, Treasury Building, National Cathedral, Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
East- US Capitol building, Supreme Court building to the left of the dome, RFK Stadium
South- Bureau of Printing & Engraving, Jefferson Memorial, Reagan National Airport, Pentagon
West- WWII Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, JFK Performance Center
The ride back to the ground is 2 minutes long, and along the way, the elevator slows at pre-programmed spots and you can look through the windows that open to see some of the memorial stones that have been donated from all of the states in the Union, foreign countries and from other entities.
My family was embarrassed when I saw this stone and squealed excitedly:
Home to University of NH, my dad’s alma mater, mine, Mark’s and is the school Nate will be attending in September.
After we were back on the ground and headed to our next destination, we heard a noise overhead. It was 3 helicopters. Two peeled off and the third landed at the White House! That would have been very cool to see from the top of the monument! Actually, would have been pretty cool if that happened while we were at the White House.
I’m pretty sure that the helicopter that landed was Marine One. At the same time as the landing, we saw and heard firetrucks with the lights and alarms going on the road next to the White House- I believe that is protocol when a helicopter is landing there. The following evening, we saw a helicopter practicing landing and taking off from the White House again and again for HOURS, but it was a single copter. When the President, or members of his family, or other dignitaries travel, it is usually in a convoy of 3 helicopters so you can’t tell which one is carrying POTUS.
Contest Questions for next chapter(s):
In the next update, we go to the American History Museum for a couple of hours. We saw 3 of the following 6 things. Which 3? 10 points for each correct guess
- Piece of the Berlin Wall
- General George Washington’s Uniform
- Original Kermit the Frog Puppet
- Fonzie’s Leather Jacket (Happy Days)
- Archie Bunker’s Chair (All in the Family)
- Julia Child’s Kitchen
Dinner was with longtime friends I know from the DIS who live in the DC area, but had never met in person. You don’t get to guess who because I posted on Facebook after meeting up with Missy (missyrose) and Franklin (pixeldust). But you do get to guess where. 20 points
Hint: Casual Chain Restaurant for example, Five Guys
That is NOT the answer- the boys had lunch there that day.
To end the night, the 4 of us went to the lounge at our hotel for a late night snack and drinks. Why did we leave without getting anything? 20 points
Last edited:
natebenma
Beach Club Dee
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- Jul 19, 2008
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- 20,143
Scoring Update from Last Two Chapters:
The Obamas have two dogs, Bo and Sunny. Did we see them during our White House tour? 10 points for guessing whether we saw 0, 1 or 2 of the first pets this year.
SarahDisney and bookgirl each get 10 points for predicting that I did not see either of the First Dogs Bo or Sunny on our White House tour (although we did see Bo in 2010)
When you are in the elevator going back down in the Washington Monument, windows open and you can see special stones donated from around the country and world. I was excited to see one from NH. Was it Dover NH or Durham NH (5 points) and why are these cities significant? (5 points each)
The stone we saw inside the WM was Durham, NH, home to UNH.
Dover, NH is my hometown- born and raised there.
Wood Nymph- 20 points. 5 points for guessing Durham, 10 points for knowing the significance of Durham and Dover and 5 points for being the first to post the significance, so everyone could copy!
Sarah Disney- 15 points
Rteetz- 15 points
Annie170- 10 points
When we were finished touring the Washington Monument, and were back outside, we witnessed something really cool that would have been even more awesome to see while we were still up there. What was that? (15 points)
Marine One landing at the White House
5 points of a total of 15 to rteetz for guessing Presidential motorcade.
Updated Leader Board, July 12
rteetz: 115
luvpoohandcompany: 95
SarahDisney: 85
Wood Nymph: 80
afwdwfan: 50
annie170: 45
bookgirl: 30
pas130: 20
The Obamas have two dogs, Bo and Sunny. Did we see them during our White House tour? 10 points for guessing whether we saw 0, 1 or 2 of the first pets this year.
SarahDisney and bookgirl each get 10 points for predicting that I did not see either of the First Dogs Bo or Sunny on our White House tour (although we did see Bo in 2010)
When you are in the elevator going back down in the Washington Monument, windows open and you can see special stones donated from around the country and world. I was excited to see one from NH. Was it Dover NH or Durham NH (5 points) and why are these cities significant? (5 points each)
The stone we saw inside the WM was Durham, NH, home to UNH.
Dover, NH is my hometown- born and raised there.
Wood Nymph- 20 points. 5 points for guessing Durham, 10 points for knowing the significance of Durham and Dover and 5 points for being the first to post the significance, so everyone could copy!
Sarah Disney- 15 points
Rteetz- 15 points
Annie170- 10 points
When we were finished touring the Washington Monument, and were back outside, we witnessed something really cool that would have been even more awesome to see while we were still up there. What was that? (15 points)
Marine One landing at the White House
5 points of a total of 15 to rteetz for guessing Presidential motorcade.
Updated Leader Board, July 12
rteetz: 115
luvpoohandcompany: 95
SarahDisney: 85
Wood Nymph: 80
afwdwfan: 50
annie170: 45
bookgirl: 30
pas130: 20
Last edited:
luvpoohandcompany
DIS Veteran
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- Sep 30, 2009
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- 4,754
Ok I'm getting my guesses in early before I forget lol
I'm guessing you saw 1,2,&6 I have to go and find out what chain restaurants you have as I'm guessing you didn't eat at McDonalds lol and I think you didn't eat or drink anything at the lounge because you couldn't find anyone to take your order.
Great updates by the way. Reading on my phone so can't wait to see all your photos on a laptop when I get the chance
I'm guessing you saw 1,2,&6 I have to go and find out what chain restaurants you have as I'm guessing you didn't eat at McDonalds lol and I think you didn't eat or drink anything at the lounge because you couldn't find anyone to take your order.
Great updates by the way. Reading on my phone so can't wait to see all your photos on a laptop when I get the chance
SarahDisney
So ... Yeah
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- Jul 23, 2014
- Messages
- 9,322
I love all of the pictures from the Washington Monument - the view from up there really is amazing! I was sad that it closed a few years back after the earthquake, but I'm glad it reopened!
Piece of the Berlin Wall (because those things are everywhere)
Original Kermit the Frog Puppet
Julia Child’s Kitchen
Hmm ... I don't really know restaurants at all, even the big ones, so I'm gonna go with ... Olive Garden.
It closed early for a private event.
Piece of the Berlin Wall (because those things are everywhere)
Original Kermit the Frog Puppet
Julia Child’s Kitchen
Hmm ... I don't really know restaurants at all, even the big ones, so I'm gonna go with ... Olive Garden.
It closed early for a private event.
The Washington monument looks awesome! Glad you were able to get those tickets in advance.
The view from the top just look incredible and you can see everything.
My answers
2. General George Washington's Uniform
3. Original Kermit
5. Archie Bunker's Chair
Side note: I am a Happy Days fan. The show was based in Milwaukee which is where I am from. Downtown we have a the "Bronze Fonz" statue.
chain restaurant... I am going Cheesecake Factory
The lounge was closed...
I can't believe I am in the lead!
The view from the top just look incredible and you can see everything.
My answers
2. General George Washington's Uniform
3. Original Kermit
5. Archie Bunker's Chair
Side note: I am a Happy Days fan. The show was based in Milwaukee which is where I am from. Downtown we have a the "Bronze Fonz" statue.
chain restaurant... I am going Cheesecake Factory
The lounge was closed...
I can't believe I am in the lead!
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