Yo, I Got Your Chit Chat Right Here

[terri01p]

Someone is trying to get rid of moderators on the Budget board...haha this should be good :

Is there a way to get rid of moderators?

 

[Us3]

Polypix and/or VaCamper....what is the weather like there now? I need a get away and my family and I might just pack the camper and go! btw, WAY back in the day dh use to guide on one of those rivers close to you guys (i think its close anyway). I'll have to ask him the name, but I remember him saying something about a gorge, new river and an incredible bridge???

Anyway, is it sunny and hot there too?

 

[VACAMPER]

It's been in the upper 80' and lower 90's. Today is a little cooler, we finally got some much needed rain last night.

The New River Gorge is in W Va but not that far from us. The bridge is amazing. Come on up. we'd be glad to have ya.

 

[Us3]

It's been in the upper 80' and lower 90's. Today is a little cooler, we finally got some much needed rain last night.

The New River Gorge is in W Va but not that far from us. The bridge is amazing. Come on up. we'd be glad to have ya.

Thanks for the info! Do you have any recommendations for places to camp? I'm not sure if this is going to happen...but a get away right now is just what we all need before school starts in 2 1/2 weeks!

 

[VACAMPER]

Do you have an exact area your looking at? Close to the Gorge or maybe along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Alot of people love Fairystone State Park. I like Goosepoint Campground thats on the same lake. My kids love Lake Ridge Rv resort. It has alot for kids waterslides, paddleboats, karaoke and Bingo nights. I've never posted links, Ami can probably do that for you.

 

[Us3]

Do you have an exact area your looking at? Close to the Gorge or maybe along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Alot of people love Fairystone State Park. I like Goosepoint Campground thats on the same lake. My kids love Lake Ridge Rv resort. It has alot for kids waterslides, paddleboats, karaoke and Bingo nights. I've never posted links, Ami can probably do that for you.

That sounds awesome!! I keep saving these places you guys post so we can visit them eventually. I just spoke with dh and he suggested we stay further down this way in the mountains. ...so we can maximize our relaxing time. Makes sense though. So we may end up somewhere near Asheville NC. I'm researching campgrounds now...so if y'all know of any, please let me know!! This will be our end of summer (last minute) get away!

 

[ntsammy5]

The New River Gorge is in W Va but not that far from us. The bridge is amazing. Come on up. we'd be glad to have ya.

When we drive to Charlotte that's a must stop place. Great overlook! I'd like to raft there sometime.

 

[VACAMPER]

I'm not sure how far Ashville is from Ashboro but, The NC Zoo in Ashboro is awesome. It might be worth a day trip for your kids. It takes an entire day to go through.

 

[VACAMPER]

I haven't rafted because I panic in water but i watched my friends video and it looked like they all had a blast. Maybe one day i'll get my nerve up. I doubt in though i about had a panic attack in one of those water tube slides at splash country last week.

 

[ntsammy5]

I found this to be interesting. It looks like the economy is having a big affect at Disney.

I've posted this elsewhere.. but I think this answers the OP's question pretty resoundingly..

WDW Resort attendance which is usually at LEAST around 87% for the first three weeks of July (and sometimes in the 92-95% range.. ) ... is hovering around 65% occupancy for the first three weeks of July.

Normally certain resorts are sold out this time of year and for the past three weeks, they haven't even been using all the available buildings .. Now the sources I have who are very well placed to know these numbers do indicate that the attendance picks up a bit next week.. but still doesn't crack the 80% occupancy level.

For this time of year.. that's bad... bordering on disastrous. June & July are Disney's 'bread and butter' months to a large degree and the guests are just not there.

And when you add to that significant drop in attendance, Disney is paying almost TWICE as much in fuel costs to run all those DME buses, almost twice to run the intra-park/resort buses, almost twice to run the parking lot trams ... than they were in August of 2007.

Then.. factor in that the costs for raw ingredients for the restaurants have been on a steady climb, fed mostly by increased transportation costs; and resort laundry and other areas of the parks are facing increased energy usage costs.

Disney got slammed in 2008 with all the increased costs that are directly attributable to the price of oil.. and no way to recoup those hard costs beyond raising stroller rentals and the 'holiday' dining surcharge.

And remember that a 22% to 30% drop in resort bookings can mean a MUCH larger drop in park purchases and food bills ... in part because those who do bother to make the trip are much most price sensitive and consider carefully every expenditure; often forgoing a TS meal or a souvenir that they might have otherwise bought if their own personal budget wasn't also under many of the same strains as above.

Just something to think about... especially as we near August 1st and what is very likely to be a major ticket structure realignment.. and yes, at the very least.. probably a price increase for comparable entitlements...

To sum up - Yeah, it's affecting Disney big time.

Knox

 

[Us3]

When we drive to Charlotte that's a must stop place. Great overlook! I'd like to raft there sometime.

Dh has a great story to share with you about being sucked under on that river while rafting. (sorry, probably not what you wanted to hear vacamper!)

I think we may check out Biltmore Estate and then we're going to look for something fun for the kids. I really just want to go camping in a nice place and RELAX!!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I don't think I'd have to use the bathroom anymore if I walked in and saw that!

Probably not any longer, but you WOULD need a change of panties!!

All these title changes on these couple of threads are really starting to make me nuts.

Yeah...like you werent NUTS BEFORE all this started!!!!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

That sounds awesome!! I keep saving these places you guys post so we can visit them eventually. I just spoke with dh and he suggested we stay further down this way in the mountains. ...so we can maximize our relaxing time. Makes sense though. So we may end up somewhere near Asheville NC. I'm researching campgrounds now...so if y'all know of any, please let me know!! This will be our end of summer (last minute) get away!

Asheville is wonderful! There is so much to do and all sorts of campgrounds! I really love the little town there. Asheboro does have an incredible zoo....but it really isn't too close...like 3 hours or so. We've stayed in campgrounds around there, but it was all primitive camping, not really RV, so I can't think of any recommendations. I'll ask around though!

Are you sure you don't wanna come up to the Blue Ridge????? I'll post more pics and change your mind! I'll lure you with Kungalooshes and Otter Pops!

 

[g8trmom1]

Asheville is wonderful! There is so much to do and all sorts of campgrounds! I really love the little town there. Asheboro does have an incredible zoo....but it really isn't too close...like 3 hours or so. We've stayed in campgrounds around there, but it was all primitive camping, not really RV, so I can't think of any recommendations. I'll ask around though!

Are you sure you don't wanna come up to the Blue Ridge????? I'll post more pics and change your mind! I'll lure you with Kungalooshes and Otter Pops!

Ami, after seeing Tungpo's vacation pictures in the cabin in Pigeon Forge, TN, Pete and I want to take the kids there for a long weekend. Those cabins are to die for, and the view is unbelievable! Probably would have to wait till next year, spring or fall.

 

[AuburnJen92]

Someone is trying to get rid of moderators on the Budget board...haha this should be good :

Is there a way to get rid of moderators?

oh Lord, don't let them come over here...I am happy with the ones we have!

 

[Gatordad]

i'll get rid of them for ya.

 

[terri01p]

oh Lord, don't let them come over here...I am happy with the ones we have!

Ya I hear you, Rhonda is the only one that gave me warnings everyone else gave me points...for dumb stuff too..

 

[seabee]

She lives in Maine. She's already had her one day of summer for this year. It's a fleeting season up thar!!

Not thar, "Theyah" Actually I feel like I'm in Fl, it has been so muggy, I can't stand it. Everything feels damp. It cooled down today though, and it says it is going go rain pretty much through out our trip. Wonderful. I told the girls to pack some good board games. Well, off to finish my potato salad that we are taking with us. We never go without the potato salad.

 

[des1954]

Privacy!!! NO PRIVACY!!! Quote from Carousel of Progress!!

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Good Morn'n Ya'll !!
It's another beautiful day !
Rise an shine ! Teeth brushed ? Hair combed ? Face washed ?
Okay then, Let's Do It !!!
Time to get this day started !