Songbird76
Well-Known Member
That's great!! How many teams compete in a competition like this? And how many members are there in their ensemble? It looks HUGE!!
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That's great!! How many teams compete in a competition like this? And how many members are there in their ensemble? It looks HUGE!!
Zipadeelady
Well-Known Member
There are 22 World Class drum corps. They come from California to Massachusetts. The top 20 will perform in finals at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN in August (not sure why but Indiana is big for marching bands and drum corps and finals are always held in Indy). Phantom Regiment is known for being a fan favorite but usually get the top half of the top ten. Groups like Bluecoats, Blue Devils, Boston Crusaders, and Carolina Crown are usually in the top 5. Zane's goal is to play Marimba for Bluecoats. He only has one year left. The members age out at 21. I believe there are about 170 members this year in Phantom.
Thanks for asking.
rshell68
Well-Known Member
Remember this post...yeah, well, unfortunately Saturday we went to Lowe's for one can of paint......we left with a new kitchen sink and faucet. 2 days later, 10 more trips to Lowe's and the help of an awesome friend project was complete. Oh, and found out we really didn't need the paint so that went back in one of the 10 trips
Looks beautiful!Remember this post...yeah, well, unfortunately Saturday we went to Lowe's for one can of paint......we left with a new kitchen sink and faucet. 2 days later, 10 more trips to Lowe's and the help of an awesome friend project was complete. Oh, and found out we really didn't need the paint so that went back in one of the 10 trips
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rshell68
Well-Known Member
Thank you!!
Darstarr
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
And I still haven't painted my bathroom after three trips to Lowes, 10 paint chips and four jars of samples. Picking the color is hard. I may just paint it samsies.Remember this post...yeah, well, unfortunately Saturday we went to Lowe's for one can of paint......we left with a new kitchen sink and faucet. 2 days later, 10 more trips to Lowe's and the help of an awesome friend project was complete. Oh, and found out we really didn't need the paint so that went back in one of the 10 trips
View attachment 651421
TheMouseFan
Well-Known Member
Hey friends! Now that Logan's graduation trip is over, I have to start planning Lily's! I can't believe she's a senior this year!! Anyhow, she wants to go to New York City, so no Disney for me!
We will likely be driving. Anyone have any suggestions for places to stay? Not sure if we should plan to stay right in the heart of things, or stay on the outskirts and drive, or stay on the outskirts close to public transportation, or something else!?! We are also open to suggestions of must see things and must visit places. I appreciate any help that can be offered!
We will likely be driving. Anyone have any suggestions for places to stay? Not sure if we should plan to stay right in the heart of things, or stay on the outskirts and drive, or stay on the outskirts close to public transportation, or something else!?! We are also open to suggestions of must see things and must visit places. I appreciate any help that can be offered!
Let me just redirect you back to the first post in this thread and the advice I ignored from @Darstarr !!!Hey friends! Now that Logan's graduation trip is over, I have to start planning Lily's! I can't believe she's a senior this year!! Anyhow, she wants to go to New York City, so no Disney for me!
I admit it is a little different in that yours will be a celebration trip not moving but I seriously have a little post stress over that crazy!
It's like when the hyenas in Lion King say Mufasa...except New York, shudder!
Totally agree. My walls were construction white for a long time!
Luckily my kids both have a good eye for color and pushed me along.
Songbird76
Well-Known Member
So it's a pretty big deal! Do they audition for their spots, or is it by recommendation from their director? That must be really nerve-wracking!! I always hated doing auditions for choir.
Songbird76
Well-Known Member
When my choir was singing in Carnegie Hall, we stayed at the Grand Hyatt. It's right next to Grand Central Station, so easy to get to everything with public transportation or even walking. No idea how expensive it is, since we had a package deal with the choir. But my brother and my mom and I drove out, and they stayed with some cousins in Connecticut I think? There was a train station in a tiny town called Baker or Bakersville or something like that, and it was only a few miles from where my cousins lived. So every morning, they just took the train into the city. I want to say it was less than an hour to get to Grand Central, but I'm not sure. But there are a ton of those little towns with train access to NYC, and I'd imagine that the hotels there are cheaper than in the city themselves, though I don't know how much difference it makes when you also have to buy train tickets. It was cheaper for my mom and bro, because they were staying for free with family, but I don't know if that would be true if you were in a hotel. I guess maybe look at at map, see what's right around there, and how much train tickets cost into the city, and then look at hotels and see what the price difference is.Hey friends! Now that Logan's graduation trip is over, I have to start planning Lily's! I can't believe she's a senior this year!! Anyhow, she wants to go to New York City, so no Disney for me!
I have no idea about NYC, but when we went to Paris, we stayed in a cheap motel right outside the "ring" and it terrified me walking back from the subway station to our hotel at night. It was NOT a nice neighborhood. Cheap, yes....safe, not so much. So you may want to consider that in your planning. I would imagine any large city would have similar issues....some areas are safer than others, and depending on what you plan to see, you may be traveling back to your hotel late at night. Look at what time the last train goes to wherever you want to stay, and make sure it's not in a sketchy area.
Zipadeelady
Well-Known Member
It really is a big deal now. You have to audition for your spot and the fees to join are pretty expensive (some groups charge up to $4,000) but it takes a lot to run a group. Phantom is on its way up to Wisconsin, Minnesota, then heading to Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, and Georgia then making their way back up to Indiana for finals in August. Joe and I aren't helping with costs this year so Zane wasn't going to join. Phantom did get a recommendation for Zane from a director of another group because Phantom had someone drop out. It is pretty intense but he loves it. Below you can see Zane in the back ground. That's him for the entire show, he's so animated and passionate. I could bore you with the many faces of Zane but I wont.
He normally plays the Marimba, the large instrument with the wooden keys in the front of the photo. The spot he filled for Phantom was Vibe, it is similar but smaller and with metal keys. Both are played with two and four mallets. 
Zipadeelady
Well-Known Member
I don't know anything about NYC but Joe and I just got back from Boston and I was so freaked out on what to do with transportation. We decided not to do any driving and use public transportation. So glad we did! It didn't take long to figure it out, although we kept a map with us every time we used it and it was so much cheaper than Uber. Plus we felt like we were getting the whole experience by riding the subway/train. As for where to stay, I don't know of anyplace but when we were in Boston we stayed out of the city. I loved our location and I would stay there again since it was the last stop for the train and made it easy to get back to the city but if my kids were with me I think I would've preferred to stay closer to the city. That way you'd be closer to shows, museums, all the tourist stuff. Like Central Perk!!Hey friends! Now that Logan's graduation trip is over, I have to start planning Lily's! I can't believe she's a senior this year!! Anyhow, she wants to go to New York City, so no Disney for me!
Maybe check VRBO. That way you'll have a kitchen and can save money on a couple meals a day.
Good luck!
cgersic
Well-Known Member
Last time I was in NYC, we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in Chelsea (flower district). I loved everything about the location and the hotel itself was fabulous. It's close enough to everything that we walked most everywhere and if we couldn't make it back, just hailed a cab. Soooo much fun - I love the City!Let me just redirect you back to the first post in this thread and the advice I ignored from @Darstarr !!!
I admit it is a little different in that yours will be a celebration trip not moving but I seriously have a little post stress over that crazy!
It's like when the hyenas in Lion King say Mufasa...except New York, shudder!
Darstarr
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
Location location location!Hey friends! Now that Logan's graduation trip is over, I have to start planning Lily's! I can't believe she's a senior this year!! Anyhow, she wants to go to New York City, so no Disney for me!
Figure out what you want to do first.
Broadway plays?
Art museums?
The zoo? Aquarium? Beach?
NYC mugging?
Then you can narrow your location down from there. (Make sure you consider the fact that you will need to park your car at the hotel or a garage nearby$$$)
I am interested to see if this will be more or less expensive than a week at WDW.
Also, perhaps talk to @amjt660 (I know, he is Canadian not New Yorkian) as he may have some current insights for you.
My one bit of advice I like to give, if it seems to good to be true, it is. (Also, wear shoes outside. Every inch of the city is covered in urine or other human biological fluids.)
TheMouseFan
Well-Known Member
I already have her working on a list of things she wants to do, so hopefully soon we can have a loose plan in place and start looking for a place to stay. I am already assuming that it will be just as expensive or more than a WDW trip!
Zipadeelady
Well-Known Member
TheMouseFan
Well-Known Member
My exact thought! I was actually just doing some research and the blog I was reading went so far as to say don't even wear sandals because of the grossness!!
Zipadeelady
Well-Known Member
Boy, Boston is seeming better and better. It was very clean. Even the harbor was blue. I can see the draw for teenagers to NYC though.
HouCuseChickie
Well-Known Member
Hey friends! Now that Logan's graduation trip is over, I have to start planning Lily's! I can't believe she's a senior this year!! Anyhow, she wants to go to New York City, so no Disney for me!
I'm not sure if this will help or not, but here goes...
I had stayed at the Millennium Hilton right near the UN several years ago. I picked it because it was near a wedding I was attending, but it was also a bit cheaper than the places right on or just off of Times Square or Broadway. I also found the rooms to be larger than what I'd expect for Time Square and Broadway. I had an incredible view and it was also pretty quiet. Don't get me wrong...there are times when I love the buzz of the city, but it was nice to have things a bit more peaceful. And with the UN right across the street, security is really great in the area. That being said, Lily may want the iconic, middle of it all hotel.
If you want more luxury, I'm also a fan of the Pierre. It's right across from Central Park (lower portion) on the corner of 5th and E 61st. My university has a satellite building just down the street, so we had a few occasions growing up to pop in there.
I grew up in NY metro New Jersey, so most of my experiences are taking the train or bus into the city. Whenever I go back up, the museums are my must do, with The Met being my favorite (Natural History is second). It's way up town, but The Cloisters is also a nice stop and I believe it's still affiliated with The Met. If weather is good and you all like animals, The Bronx Zoo is usually a hit. This may be the Jersey girl in me speaking, but when going to the Statue of Liberty, I prefer to access it from Liberty State Park on the NJ side...same goes for Ellis Island. Hey, you'll have your car and it would be an excuse to drive through one of the famous tunnels. But do all of the touristy stuff...whether it be a bus tour, Circle Line, a building tour, etc. If there's a Broadway Show that's a must, start looking into tickets. If you can play it by ear, check out a TKTS tickets booth to see what you can get on discount. Parking is not exactly cheap in the city. I only have experience parking as a day guest, but whatever hotel you select may have some suggestions on nearby garages that are good. Subways are the way to go from a cost perspective, but when visiting as a tourist, I like to be above ground. That's not saying take a cab or walk everywhere, but walking is a great way to see the city. Also, check to see if there are any shows that you like that film live in the city. Each has their own hoops and such to go through to get tickets, but it's a pretty neat experience to be in the audience for a live show. I had a total geek out moment in 2002 when I got us tickets to Letterman.