Thomas The Train Is Coming To Edaville!!

MATTEL & EDAVILLE USA ANNOUNCE TICKETS FOR
FIRST NORTH AMERICAN THOMAS LAND™ NOW ON SALE

With Grand Opening of Thomas Land on August 15^th, Island of Sodor Comes to Life in
New England’s Famed Edaville USA for Thomas the Tank Engine’s 70^th Anniversary &

Edaville USA’s 70^th Anniversary

Families Will be Able to Enjoy a Variety of Thomas & Friends® Experiences Across North America Throughout 2015

New York, NY– Peep! Peep! This August, everyone’s favorite #1 blue engine and the Island of Sodor will come to life at Thomas Land™ at Edaville USA.  Tickets to the first Thomas Land™ theme park in North America are now on sale atEdaville.com/ThomasLand. Mattel has teamed up with Edaville USA, a family amusement park and heritage railroad located in South Carver, MA to open Thomas Land, the largest permanent Thomas & Friends® attraction in North America.

Thomas Land at Edaville USA welcomes visitors for the first time as part of Thomas the Tank Engine’s 70^th anniversary global celebration in 2015, and Edaville USA’s 70^th anniversary.  The grand opening of Thomas Land this summer on Saturday, August 15, 2015 continues a year of celebration for Thomas & Friends in 2015 as the brand celebrates its 70^th anniversary with new content, partnerships and activations around the globe.

Thomas Land™ is set in the lush New England landscape of Edaville USA, covering 11.5 acres and boasting 11 rides based on Thomas & Friends and the Island of Sodor.  Attractions at Thomas Land will feature a 20-minute long, scenic train ride on a life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine™, and theme park favorites including a roller coaster, drop tower, Ferris wheel, soft-play area and much more. 

All of the rides and attractions will feature full scale and working models of beloved characters such as Thomas, Diesel, Toby, Cranky the Crane, Harold the Helicopter, and more favorites.  Guests can visit familiar destinations around the Island of Sodor like Tidmouth Sheds, Knapford Station, and Brendam Docks.  Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor, will be on site to greet and take photos with guests.  Even more details will be revealed leading up to the park’s grand opening.  Tickets for Edaville USA, including Thomas Land™, are on sale now and available by visiting Edaville.com/ThomasLand.  Ticket prices are $29 per person for ages 3 and up.  

For Thomas fans who can’t wait for the opening of Thomas Land, little engineers will be able to enjoy a Thomas & Friends experience at other exciting venues throughout 2015.  These attractions include: 

·         Day Out with Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2015 is a fun-filled event that provides children of all ages the opportunity to climb aboard and take a ride with Thomas as well as participate in Thomas & Friends themed activities.  The tour, now in its 20^th year, will make stops in 42 U.S. cities and is expected to welcome nearly one million passengers in 2015. At each stop, little engineers and their families are invited to take a 25 minute ride on their favorite engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt®, and enjoy a day of Thomas & Friends themed activities including arts & crafts, storytelling and more. Tickets for Day Out with Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2015 are on sale now and available by calling Ticketweb toll-free 866-468-7630, or by visiting dayoutwiththomas.com or ticketweb.com/dowt. 

·         Introducing children to Thomas the Tank Engine™ and his engine friends from the Island of Sodor in an interactive learning environment, Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails is a touring children’s museum exhibit that combines exciting play opportunities with important concepts in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails will be at Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga, TN, from May 23-September 13, 2015 and at Discovery Children’s Museum in Las Vegas from September 26, 2015 through January 10, 2016.  For more museum exhibit locations and dates, please visit events.hitentertaiment.com.

This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.

New Disney Store Opening In Burlington MA On June 13th!! #Disney

DISNEY STORE CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF LOCATION IN BURLINGTON, MA

WHAT: Disney Store will celebrate the grand opening of the store at Burlington Mall in Burlington, Massachusetts, on Saturday, June 13, 2015. Burlington Mall is one of several Disney Stores to celebrate its Grand Opening across North America in 2015, offering an immersive retail experience with a touch of magic for Disney fans of all ages. New for 2015, the Disney Store grand opening celebration will feature a festive song, composed specially for Disney Store and performed by the store Cast Members. Additionally, the first 500 guests to attend the opening celebration will receive a free gift and an opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in the Lower Level Center Court from noon to 4 p.m.

Remodeled to include unique elements including a blue Pixie Dust Trail, Magical Trees, Disney Store Theater and Storytelling Neighborhoods featuring Disney, Marvel and Star Wars product statements, the Store also includes design elements exclusive to Burlington. As guests enter the Store and look above, they will see a customized skyline incorporating local landmarks – including the Burlington Town Hall and the Francis Wyman house – in addition to classic Disney features and magical storytelling moments.

In anticipation of the upcoming theatrical release of Disney·Pixar’s Inside Out on June 19, 2015, Disney Store locations, including at Burlington Mall, will host a special in-store event to introduce Riley’s emotions in a fun and engaging way. The Inside Out event will run on Saturdays for four weeks – June 6, June 13, June 20, and June 27 – at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. During the activity, guests will enter Control Central inside Riley’s mind where they’ll see how Anger, Fear, Sadness, Disgust and Joy work together to create memories that come in all colors!

The event will include:

·         Interacting with all of Riley’s emotions on the Media screens in the Disney Store Theater

·         Learning how each emotion makes you feel and how it is best to express that emotion

·         Discovering that all emotions are important and that they help make up who you are

·         A FREE memory ball for guests to store in their own Long Term Memory**

·         During Summer Play Days, guests will also receive an Inside Out button when they attend any event between Sunday, June 6 and Sunday, July 5**

WHEN: 

GRAND OPENING – Saturday, June 13, 2015

• 10 a.m. | Disney Store Grand Opening Ceremony where one lucky child will be invited to “Unlock Imagination.” The first 500 guests will receive a free gift.*

*While supplies last

• Noon – 4 p.m. | Meet and Greet with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in the Lower Level Center Court. Guests are encouraged to bring their cameras.*

*Characters alternate every 30 minutes. Character appearances are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

WHERE:

Disney Store at Burlington Mall

75 Middlesex Turnpike
Burlington, MA 01803

VISUALS:

• First look at remodeled Disney Store, including the blue Pixie Dust Trail, Magical Trees, Disney Store Theater and Storytelling Neighborhoods
• Local families enjoying the immersive experiences, and meeting with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse

**All giveaways are subject to availability. Outlet Disney Stores will only host spontaneous entertainment.

ABOUT DISNEY STORE NORTH AMERICA
The Disney Store retail chain, which debuted in 1987, is owned and operated by Disney in North America, Europe, and Japan. Disney Store is the retail merchandising arm of Disney Consumer Products, the business segment of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) and its affiliates that extends the Disney brand to merchandise. Disney Store carries high-quality products, including exclusive product lines that support and promote Disney's key entertainment initiatives and characters. Disney Store opened its first store in Glendale, California and, in doing so, originated the themed retail business model. There are currently more than 200 Disney Store locations in North America; more than 40 Disney Store locations in Japan; and more than 70 Disney Store locations in Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom, plus online stores www.DisneyStore.com, www.disneystore.co.uk, www.disneystore.fr, www.disneystore.de, www.disneystore.se,www.disneystore.dk, www.disneystore.it, www.disneystore.es and www.disneystore.co.jp. Each Disney Store location offers a magical shopping experience that can only be delivered by Disney, one of the world's largest and most successful entertainment companies. For more information, please visit www.disneyconsumerproducts.com/press/us/disneystore or follow us at www.facebook.com/DisneyStore and www.twitter.com/DisneyStore.

This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.

Celebrate Father's Day With A Hands-On Culinary Experience At The Saybrook Point Inn!!

Saybrook Point Inn & Spa Celebrates Fathers The American Way

Dads to enjoy hands-on culinary experience with Grilling & Chilling Food Lover’s Package

OLD SAYBROOK, Conn., (April 13, 2015) – The Saybrook Point Inn & Spa is excited to announce a new Grilling & Chilling package as a part of its Food Lover’s Weekend Getaways. The weekend of June 12-14, 2015 will be dedicated to the special men and grill masters of the outdoors. The Grilling & Chilling Food Lover’s Weekend offers a wide range of activities for fathers and families to spend quality time together during the shoreline’s greatest time of year. 

With the help of Fresh Salt’s incredible award-winning chefs, guests will learn to prepare a colorful and delicious summer menu using the season’s freshest ingredients. This fully hands-on culinary experience will allow guests to learn every cooking aspect of the grilling process, including farm-to-table. First, guests will visit local farms and markets to personally choose fresh produce and prime cuts of meat and fish. In addition, they will experience the joy and excitement of gathering fresh fish caught right off the docks of Saybrook Point Marina.

Guests will also cook alongside Fresh Salt’s chefs to prepare for a special Saturday evening Gala. They will learn the mastery behind cooking the perfect Butterflied Leg of Lamb, Rib Roast “Prime Rib,” Grilled Romaine Caesar, Grilled Hearth Bread Salad with roasted strawberries, mystic cheese, and honey grilled corn, Barbeque Baked Beans, and fresh farm stand Ratatouille.

The Grilling & Chilling Food Lover’s Weekend package also includes a class dedicated to grilling the most delectable gourmet burger, as well as a pastry class to experience the magic behind preparing America’s favorite summertime treat – Native Strawberry Shortcake with sweet cream. And during Saturday evening’s Gala dinner, guests will also relax and enjoy a special local craft beer tasting.

The Grilling & Chilling Food Lover’s Package will prove to be a great weekend of celebration and sunshine for all participants. The package includes a welcome reception, breakfast (2), lunch and full dinner with a craft beer tasting on Saturday night. The Package starts at $658, and day passes are also available at $175.95 per person. For more details or to book a reservation, please call 800-243-0212.

About Saybrook Point Inn & Spa

Situated along the picturesque coastal community of historic Old Saybrook, Connecticut, in the hamlet of Saybrook Point, the Saybrook Point Inn & Spa features 82 elegantly appointed guestrooms, the rejuvenating full-service spa SANNO, and casual fine dining restaurant Fresh Salt. The property also features the historic Three Stories guesthouse, where each room conveys the story of a famed local resident, including Katharine Hepburn’s mother, who was a leading suffragette. This completely renovated Italianate home overlooking Long Island Sound was originally built in 1892 as a single-family home for the prominent engineer William Vars. Today, as an eight-room guesthouse, it features wrap-around porches, private gardens, balconies, fine linens, heated bathroom floors, extensive water views, and original artwork by local artists. The Saybrook Point Inn & Spa also shines with the historic Saybrook Point Marina, a landmark yachting dock conveniently located at the mouth of the Connecticut River with easy access to Long Island Sound. It can accommodate vessels from 12 to 200 feet and has received numerous premier Connecticut marina awards. More information is available at www.saybrook.com.

This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.

Edaville's Christmas Festival of Lights- Now Until January 1st

Christmas Festival of Lights Nov. 28-30, Dec. 1-Jan. 1

Edaville's Christmas Festival of Lights is arguably the most-loved festival of its kind, having earned generations of loyal fans. Passengers relax comfortably in warm and dry coaches while riding through a spectacular holiday setting featuring an explosion of lights.

Kids of all ages will enjoy an array of vintage amusement rides and a visit with Santa in one of our indoor play areas.

Stay for a delicious full meal or enjoy seasonal treats while roaming our sprawling and beautifully decorated grounds featuring thousands of Christmas displays.

Trains typically run on an hourly schedule beginning one hour after opening and the last train is at 8pm.

Celebrate the Holidays at Edaville's Christmas Festival of Lights Now-Jan. 1


This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.

Here Are The Winners Of The 31st Annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla

Crowd favorite - "Yellow Submarine" - photo by Brad Austin Butler

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC - Named one of the Top 20 Events by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2013, the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla celebrated its 31-year anniversary in Wrightsville Beach over Thanksgiving weekend.

An estimated 50,000 visitors, gathering on water and land, cheered on the parade of yachts and motorboats, each decorated with a holiday theme and thousands of glittering lights. The flotilla followed a 4-mile route through Motts Channel, Banks Channel and the Intracoastal Waterway, passing the judges' viewing stand at Blockade Runner Beach Resort.

A panel of judges, including John Boy, of John Boy and Billy's Big Show, carefully selected the winners, all competing for $10,500 in cash prizes plus holiday bragging rights. Text voting continued this year, with Crowd Favorite and People's Choice Awards determined by spectators.

The evening ended with a stunning 21-minute, 4,000-round fireworks display by Zambelli International, illuminating the night sky, and showering the waterway with sound and color.

Fall weather conditions were favorable with mild wind, clear sky, and fall temperature in the upper 40s.

2014 winners include:

Best Overall - "Good Tiding to You, Turtle" - photo by Beth Watson Hedgepeth

Category: Best Overall
Captain: Mike Spivey
Vessel: Angler Management
Theme: Good Tidings to You, Turtle

Category: Peoples Choice
Captain: Ava and Scott Werstlein
Vessel: No Name
Theme: Furtilla

Category: Crowd Favorite
Captain: Skip Wilson

Vessel: The Bottom Line
Theme: Yellow Submarine

Category: Best Powerboat 31ft. and over
Captain: Bob Bleecker
Vessel: J&B
Theme: Salt Life Santa

Category: Best Powerboat 23ft. - 31ft.
Captain: Eric Burns
Vessel: Chuck Norris
Theme: Sleigh Surfing

Category: Best Powerboat 22ft. and under
Captain: Brent Jernigan
Vessel: Craig Cat
Theme: Christmas Hummingbird

Category: Best Costumes & Crew Spirit
Captain: Castle Branch
Vessel: The Jolly Roger
Theme: Peter Pan

Click here for list of winners and photos

Flotilla website: www.NCHolidayFlotilla.org 

NC Holiday Flotilla Fireworks - photo by Brad Austin Butler

This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.

Howard Johnson Is Looking For Former 1960's Employees #HOJO

In celebration of 60 years of hospitality, Howard Johnson is launching a nationwide search for former employees who were once the stars of the brand’s 1960’s ad campaign, “Spotlight On You”, with the hope of bringing them into the orange limelight once more.

The iconic Howard Johnson chain is looking back at the milestones throughout the years: from Howard Johnson’s drugstore ice cream counter— with its infamous 28 flavors— to the opening of the restaurant chain, the first hotel in 1954, and ultimately the expansion of the brand internationally, the Howard Johnson brand has become synonymous with Americana.

Through the end of the year, Howard Johnson is searching for the 14 former hotel and restaurant employees featured in the “Spotlight on You” ads. These former associates will receive a free stay at a Howard Johnson hotel, and may also be invited to participate in an upcoming company ad campaign.  For additional information, visit www.hojoadsearch.com.

About Howard Johnson

Part of Wyndham Hotel Group, the Howard Johnson® hotel brand is a global chain of nearly 440 hotels with locations around the world, most of which offer an array of complimentary amenities including free Wi-Fi and free Rise & Dine® continental breakfast. Many properties also offer meeting and fitness facilities, swimming pools and the opportunity to earn and redeem points through Wyndham Rewards®, the brand’s guest loyalty program. Travelers can join the free program at www.wyndhamrewards.com. This year marks the hotel brand’s 60^th anniversary. 

Each Howard Johnson hotel is independently owned and operated under franchise agreements with Howard Johnson International, a subsidiary of Wyndham Hotel Group and parent company Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN). Reservations and information are available by visiting www.hojo.com.

This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.

31st Annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla

This looks like a lot of fun.  I wish I lived closer!!

31^st Annual North Carolina Holiday Flotilla

A Thanksgiving Tradition

NC Holiday Flotilla, photography by Joshua McClure

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC - Named one of the Top 20 Events by the Southeast Tourism Society in 2013, the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla weekend, a coastal Thanksgiving tradition, returns to Wrightsville Beach,Nov. 27-30.

Celebrating a 31-year run, the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla attracts 50,000 visitors to its culminating event, a maritime parade featuring thematically decorated power yacht and sailboat floats. The spectacle, reflected in the Banks Channel, glitters with thousands of twinkling lights.

Located directly on the parade route, sponsor and host hotel Blockade Runner Beach Resort launches the weekend with a gala, Thanksgiving Day feast for early arrivals. Soundside, Cape Fear Naturalist Captain Joe Abbate navigates local waters guiding Masonboro Island, Harbor Island and Sunset Cruises for the family.

Friday brings Santa Claus and the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony to Wrightsville Beach Town Hall Park. Children anxiously await, list in hand, for a personal audience with St. Nick. At 7:00 p.m., The Embers - Featuring Craig Woolard, headline Atlantic Marine's festive Flotilla Launch Party, including dancing, hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and silent auction of gifts from civic-minded supporters.

"One of the hidden gems during flotilla weekend is Saturday's Festival in the Park for the children," said Pres Davenport, Chairman of the Holiday Flotilla board.

From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the park is bustling with bouncy houses, slides, climbing walls, the Arab Choo Choo, live blue-grass music, an antique auto show, and, an estimated 100 booths featuring local merchants and arts and crafts vendors. Children will have an opportunity to decorate and submit entries in the flotilla boat-coloring contest, and Home Depot will be on site with wooden boat kits, free for young carpenters. Admission is free for the entire family.

2013 Best In Show, Photography by Beth Watson-Hedgepeth

Saturday at 6:00 p.m., a short burst of aerial fireworks will light up the sky announcing the twilight parade of beautifully lit and decorated power and sailing vessels. The flotilla weaves a 4-mile route through Motts Channel, Banks Channel and the Intracoastal Waterway, passing the judges' viewing stand at Blockade Runner, all competing for $10,500 in cash prizes. A panel of judges, including John Boy, of John Boy and Billy's Big Show, carefully select the winners. Text voting continues this year, with the Crowd Favorite and People's Choice Awards determined by spectators.

Immediately following the flotilla, a stunning 21-minute, 4,000-round fireworks display illuminates the night sky, showering the waterway with sound and color. "We have a long show by Zambelli International, one of the most reputable fireworks companies in the world," said Davenport. "We're able to put on a really impressive display that rivals or surpasses most July 4^thshows. Most shows are 15 minutes. That additional five to six minutes puts a great cap on the weekend with an impressive fireworks finale."

"Another thing we're really excited about this year is the fact that the Surfrider Foundation has volunteered to help clean up the waterway and beaches the morning after the fireworks show, to make sure the debris is gone and we are good stewards of the environment," said Davenport.

Flotilla website: www.NCHolidayFlotilla.org

Host hotel accommodations: Click here

 
This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.