Tangerine Travel News Blog

"WingRider Coaster"

Over the Memorial Day weekend, the traditional opening for seasonal parks began, bringing with it at least 20 new roller coaster thrills at theme parks nationwide! Among these extreme attractions to hit the tracks are three “winged” coasters (first ones in the US!) with seats that jut out from either side of the track to give riders the sensation of soaring through the air. The first opened in April at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and another followed at Great Flags America in Chicago. A third variation opened Saturday at Pennsylvania’s HersheyPark. Also in Pennsylvania, a 13-story-tall boomerang-style coaster called “Stinger” is now open at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown. In Texas, a new amusement pier echoing one built in the 1900s, opened Friday in Galveston. Among the 16 rides on the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is the “Iron Shark” coaster, complete with a vertical lift of 100 feet and speeds of up to 50 mph! On Saturday, SeaWorld San Diego introduced the “Manta” roller coaster, which features water and video elements.
Looking for a more immersive experience? Disney California Adventure Park in Anaheim will now have two such attractions with “Cars Land” and “Buena Vista Street”, both opening June 15th. “Cars Land” incorporates three separate attractions in tribute to the 2006 animated movie Cars. “Buena Vista Street” replicates 1920s and ’30s Los Angeles architecture and characters of the era. Over on the East coast, the first phase of Walt Disney World Resort’s expanded “Fantasyland” opens in July in Orlando with the Dumbo-themed “Storybook Circus”. On Friday Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles unveiled “Transformers: The Ride – 3D”, featuring sophisticated visual effects and pitting riders against evil Decepticons! Opening later this summer at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando is the “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” attraction, which partners a ride with a show, parade, and dance party.
With so many new coaster and theme park thrills opening this summer, you have plenty of ways to get that adrenaline rush! Give your Tangerine Travel advisor a call and we’ll find the perfect summer 2012 theme park destination and attractions for you and your family! (425) 822-2333 – (800) 678-8202

Oceania cruises sale ends June 30- book now to get these great savings on select Oceania sailings:

Free airfare for 2 for 1 cruise fares, plus bonus savings of up to $2,000 per stateroom and 2 for 1 deposits. For more information or to get a quote on your Oceania cruise, get in touch with Tangerine Travel cruise specialist at 866-445-0433 or email at tangerine@tangerinetravel.com.

The Hunger Games

Want to follow forest trails in search of Katniss Everdeen’s life-saving pond? Or visit the hometown of Peeta Mellark’s family bakery? Frenzied fans of the ‘Hunger Games’ are being lured to movie locations around the state of North Carolina where the scenes of the well-known blockbuster movie were shot. Several scenes were filmed in the woods of DuPont State Forest, a 10,400-acre wilderness where waterfalls, lakes, and fishing streams provided ideal settings for the movie’s outdoor scenes. Visitors can follow beautiful forest trails in search of character Katniss Everdeen’s pond, the bottom of Triple Falls waterfall, and the remnants of the movie’s fireball chase scene. A hike to Hooker Falls, Triple Falls, and High Falls is part of the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy’s eight-hike challenge. Visitors can also check out the abandoned Henry River Mill Village, about 70 miles from Asheville in the small town of Hildebran, which was home to the film’s “District 12″ Mellark family bakery and the Everdeens’ home. The movie’s stars themselves spent their after-work hours in Asheville, a town you’ll enjoy regardless of your interest in the film. Asheville’s funky architecture, independent spirit, and thriving restaurant and brewing scene, are signs that the artsy town didn’t need a movie to confirm its tourist appeal. Actors reportedly dined at the Laughing Seed Cafe, Lexington Avenue Brewery, Wasabi, and the Southern Kitchen and Bar. Like cast member Woody Harrelson, visitors can also scale the 46-foot rock-climbing wall at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, which served as the capitol in the film. Don’t want to plan the entire trip yourself? Let us set you up with an itinerary and list of the most popular places to experience the movie. Give your Tangerine Travel Advisor a call and we’ll make your North Carolina ‘Hunger Games’ plans easy! (425) 822-2333 – (800) 678-8202

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Known as the “coolest plane in the sky” Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner has tickets on sale for the first time, after United airlines announced its Denver-to-Tokyo service this week. Seats are now available for flights beginning some months ahead, with the first scheduled to take off from Denver International Airport on March 31, 2013, and return from Tokyo Narita the following day.

The Denver-Tokyo route is one of those low-traffic flights sometimes described as “long and thin,” meaning it’s intercontinental, but not in particularly high demand, due to the size of one or both cities it connects. With a little over 200 seats it’s both smaller than other long-haul craft and fuel-efficient. The only Dreamliners currently in service already fly out of Japan as part of the JAL and ANA fleets.

There currently are no nonstop flights to Asia from Denver International Airport, and Boeing’s new 787 is considered to be particularly well suited for Denver-Asia flights given its passenger capacity, range, and fuel efficiency. Customers will enjoy the direct, nonstop service on the new Boeing Dreamliner aircraft, which will provide a spectacular flying experience. Keep reading…

Washington, D.C. Memorial Day Parade

Want to stay true to the holiday and make your Memorial Day weekend vacation a patriotic one? New York vacation rentals will provide you with some of the nation’s most beloved Memorial Day events. A highlight is Fleet Week, commemorating the US Navy and Marines, where you can take a tour of a ship and watch sailors perform musical acts. Manhattan also hosts a Memorial Day Parade. As you may have already guessed, Washington, D.C. is the most patriotic place to celebrate the holiday, complete with a parade and special military ceremonies. Visitors can’t miss the National Memorial Day Concert on Sunday, taking place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol from 8 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.
If you’re looking for a destination with guaranteed summer weather, take a trip to Palm Springs, California. While most beach seasons are only just beginning, Memorial Day marks the end of bearable temps in Palm Springs, so hotels are running specials for the holiday. Palm Springs has nonstop sunshine, plus dozens of vintage shops and acclaimed restaurants to visit. The surrounding desert landscape is also a perfect spot for hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing.
Looking for a weekend filled with activity? Follow the crowds to the free rock concerts and pool parties in Las Vegas! Along with New Year’s Eve, Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas is one of the busiest times of the year. Parties held around the resorts’ elaborate pools are the big event, and become daylight nightclubs with DJs, drink carts, bottle service, cabanas, and more. The Tropicana Las Vegas opens its brand new Bagatelle Beach & Nightclub this Memorial Day weekend, featuring Mediterranean food and comfy daybeds to lounge in by day, and offers poolside dining and a new nightclub by night.
It’s not too late for a last-minute trip! Whether you want to spend your weekend attending patriotic ceremonies and events, relaxing by the pool, or taking part in the crazy nightlife of Vegas, we have the destination for you! If you need help with your travel this weekend, give your Tangerine Travel advisor a call: (425) 822-2333 – (800) 678-8202

Northwest Folklife is a year-round nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for all people to appreciate, share, and participate in the evolving traditions of the Pacific Northwest. Every year since 1972 they have presented the Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle Center on Memorial Day Weekend.

Click here for this year’s schedule: Folklife Festival 2012 Schedule

This year there are over 6,000 performers. A little overwhelming huh? Well don’t let it be! Take a look at this list of highlights:

• The Balkan Misfits Show: A swirling whirlwind that will sweep up even unsuspecting bystanders in its wake, featuring Balkan brass bands Orkestar Zirkonium and Nu Klezmer Army! Join the parade that leads to this show at the Fountain. Friday, May 25; Fountain Lawn Stage, 6:00–9:00 PM
• The inaugural Northwest Stringband Throwdown: Shake a leg with these young, up-and-coming string bands. Friday, May 25; Fisher Green Stage 6:00– 9:00 PM
  
• In the Loop: Is this the future of folk? Three groups play traditional music but use modern technology such as looping. Friday, May 25; Folklife Café, 7:00–9:00 PM
• Legacy of NW Improvised Music: This is a brand-new showcase featuring some of the best improv jazz players in the region, including the renowned Wally Shoup. Friday, May 25; Center House Theatre, 7:00–10:00 PM
• The first-ever Bollywood Showcase! This dance performance extravaganza will feature classic Bollywood hits and choreography. Friday, May 25; the Ex Hall, 8:30–10:00 PM

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Save up to $1,000 per stateroom plus $100 on board ship credit per stateroom. There are over 80 cruises on sale from September-December 2012. Just to name a few of the destinations: 7-day Caribbean, balcony starting at $799, 7-day Canada & New England, balcony starting at $999, 10-day Panama Canal, balcony starting at $1599. Call your Tangerine Travel advisor at 800-678-8202 or email tangerine@tangerinetravel.com for more information and to take advantage of these great savings.

The Internet Crime Complaint Center warned travelers about uploading malware while using hotel-provided Internet connections. The warning, based on FBI and other government agency data, noted several instances in which travelers receive pop-ups requesting software updates when setting up their hotel Internet connection. Clicking on the pop-ups installs malware onto the laptops. The pop-up windows appear to be offering a routine update to a legitimate software product for which updates are frequently available. The center said travelers should check the digital certificates of prompted updates while traveling, regularly perform software updates immediately prior to travel, and upload software only directly from vendor websites while traveling.