“While we were at Castaway Cay on the last day of our Disney Magic cruise (December 20-27, 2008), a familiar-looking ship (the Disney Wonder) just happened to cruise by the island and toot its 7-note horn in greeting. Captain Tom told us it was only the 3rd time in his 8 years that the Magic and the Wonder had been together like that. That was a neat treat.”
Thanks to Scott R. from Missouri for this photo story.
by Tim Larison
For the past three years I have attended the Luxury Travel Expo at the Mandalay Bay Conference Center in Las Vegas. This event, held in early December, is one of the biggest travel “trade” shows around. Every year I marvel at how many different travel suppliers and destinations are represented on the huge trade show floor. It is a challenge to manuever around the many travel agents in attendance, too (the photo above is of the trade show floor).
No travel agent has been everywhere and that is certainly true for me. That’s why I feel a trade show like this is very important to attend. I enjoy talking to many different suppliers represented to see if their business philosophy and passion for travel matches ours. At this year’s conference one of the many suppliers I connected with was Moo Bishop from Thomson Family Adventures - we will now work with this company to plan “adventure” travel trips for our clients (click here to read an interview we did with Moo about their adventure trips)
In the travel business, like many other businesses, I often find “who you know” is just as important as “what you know”. Attending an event like the Luxury Travel Expo increases the number and quality of relationships we have with others in the travel community. And it is always fun to visit Las Vegas, too!
Andrew at Old Key West Resort, Disney World
Here is our son Andrew at age 6 enjoying the balcony at our Disney World Old Key West resort. We loved the space in the one bedroom units at this resort and especially the relaxing views on our own private balcony.
by Tim Larison
I was in Las Vegas last week and saw a fun show - Fab Four Live at the V Theatre in the Planet Hollywood shopping mall. The V Theatre is a simple one - when I entered I thought it looked more like a warehouse than a Vegas showroom. Soon though an Ed Sullivan look-a-like appeared from behind the curtain and introduced the “Fab Four” just like the real Ed Sullivan did back in 1964 on his TV show.
The vocals were very good as the band played many familiar Beatles songs through a non-stop 75 minute show. I sat next to a gentleman from Tampa who said “the concierge at my resort said to close your eyes, and these guys will sound just like the Beatles.” He was right!
Songs for the early Beatles era were performed in addition to selections from the Sgt Pepper’ Lonely Hearts Club Band album. I especially enjoyed the John Lennon tribute towards the end of the show. The Lennon “look a like” stepped out of character for a minute and gave a sincere tribute to Lennon followed by a performance of “Let It Be”.
With many Las Vegas shows pricing at over $100/ticket the Fab Four Live concert is a good value (general admission at $50/ticket as of December 2008). If you enjoy the music of the Beatles I recommend this show!