Laughing Lindsay

Travel Reviews, Giveaways, & More!

A Look Back at 2025

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Since it’s the last day of the year, I thought I’d post a look back at 2025!

A Look Back at 2025

A Look Back at 2025

Well, back in 2024, I said that I wasn’t sure where 2025 would take me. However, I hinted at a bucket list trip to kick off the new year. That trip was to New York City with my husband! From there on, the year was filled with several last minute trips. I don’t particularly care for last minute trips and prefer to be more intentional with my trips. However, that’s just how some years go! In 2025, I managed to take 9 trips! Granted, several of those were quick 24-48 hour weekend trips. Nonetheless, I felt like I traveled too much in the first half of the year (6 trips) and slowed way down in the second half (3 trips). I also got sick in October and that lasted until late November (Covid that turned into bronchitis). So, that also slowed me down. I’m currently looking to plan some trips in 2026, just trying to narrow down my options. Here’s a look at where I’ve been in 2025 though.

New York at Christmas

My 2025 started with a bang! My husband and I visited NYC in early January to experience it at Christmas! I finally got to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in person! I also go to see the Rockettes perform! It was a quick 48 hours trip, but it’s one I think about often. I hope I get to return to NYC at Christmastime again someday.

Dollywood by Myself

In March, I made a real last minute trip to Dollywood… by myself! You see, I’m not much of a driver. It tends to cause me a lot of stress. So, this was the first trip I’ve taken where I drove myself! I knew if I made a plan too far in advance, then I might chicken out. I booked my room a week or so out and then didn’t tell anyone except for my husband just in case I didn’t do it. Ha! I surprised my mom by sending her pictures of my room and she was absolutely shocked that I drove myself. It sounds crazy, but I am proud of the progress I’ve made to overcome my driving anxiety.

The Beach

The first trip my mom and I ever took after my dad died was to Myrtle Beach. That was in 2013. However, we hadn’t returned to the beach since then. When we were attempting to nail down a spring trip, I suggested returning to MB and my mom liked the idea. We ended up spending a few days in Myrtle and then a night in Charleston. It was a nice trip that I’m glad we took together.

Epic Universe

Yet another last minute trip happened at the beginning of May. I got to visit Epic Universe for park previews before its official opening! I can’t believe I got to experience a park before it officially opened to the public. It’s a real pinch me moment. It was so surreal and I’m glad I had the time and funds to make it happen.

Return to Tweetsie

The first theme park I ever visited was Tweetsie Railroad! I visited with my aunt and cousins as a child, but hadn’t returned. I kept talking about returning as an adult, but it wasn’t until May of this year that I finally did it. My husband and I took a real last minute weekend trip down to Boone, NC and visited this park. It was neat to re-create photos from my childhood and to see how things are going now. I hope I can return someday to experience its Halloween and Christmas events.

I Met Bob Gurr

In September, I took a whirlwind trip to California. While there, I got to meet former Disney Imagineer and Disney Legend, Bob Gurr! Talk about another pinch me moment. I still can’t believe that happened either. However, I am so thankful I was able to meet him and see his home. During that trip, I also got to eat at Tam O’Shanter, a Walt Disney favorite. Then, I went down to Anaheim to visit Disneyland for Halloween again. It was a tiring trip made worse by a flight diversion to Charlotte at the end. Anyways, I’m not sure I have it in me for another West Coast trip anytime soon.

Looking Ahead to 2026

I always like to give a little preview of what’s to come in the new year in these posts. However, as of this writing, I don’t have it figured out yet. Traveling has gotten much harder for my mom. She now requires lots of breaks and we will probably stick to driving distance trips. It’s all pretty new, so we are still figuring it out.

Although, I did renew my Dollywood pass for 2026 and upgraded to a Diamond pass for the first time! So, there should be at least 1 or 2 trips there next year.

Where do you plan on visiting in 2026? Where do you think I should go?

The Time I Met Bob Gurr

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Back in September, I traveled to California and I met Bob Gurr! So, I thought I would relive that experience by sharing it with my readers.

I Met Bob Gurr

I Met Bob Gurr

Unless you are a theme park nerd, then you are probably wondering who Bob Gurr is and why I would write an entire post about meeting him. Bob Gurr is a former Disney Imagineer! In fact, he was hired by and worked alongside Walt Disney himself! Mr. Gurr is responsible for many popular Disney parks ride vehicles, including the Haunted Mansion Doombuggies! He also helped work on the T-Rex animatronic for the 1993 Jurassic Park movie! So, if you’ve visited a Disney park or seen Jurassic Park (or 1998’s Godzilla), then you have Bob Gurr to thank!

How I Met Bob Gurr

Back in my The Garland Hotel review, I mentioned that I had plans on Sunday in the Burbank area. Those plans were to meet Bob Gurr! I initially booked his Waltland tour to see places that were relevant to both Mr. Gurr’s life and Walt Disney’s life. Unfortunately, Mr. Gurr has been having back issues so the bus tour was cancelled. In fact, they don’t expect him to resume those tours due to his back. In place of the tour, they invited everyone who had purchased a ticket to Bob’s house! I excitedly rsvp’ed yes to the alternate plans and eagerly awaited the day to meet Bob Gurr.

His House

While we didn’t get to ride around LA on a bus seeing the historic sites, we did get to see a pre-recorded video of Bob giving the tour a few years back while seated in his garage! Next, we went out to his backyard for lunch! Sidenote: Bob has an amazing backyard with magnficient views of mountains and a valley!

I had purchased upgraded seats on the bus to be near Mr. Gurr. Since the bus tour didn’t happen, they allowed those of us who had paid extra to sit with Bob for lunch! It was so neat to have a small group conversation with this legend. I will never forget hearing stories over a turkey sandwich with the beautiful mountain backdrop.

Following lunch, we got to have self-guided tours of his home. It was so neat to see various artifacts from Bob’s life and work up close! After that, there was a larger group Q & A session that we listened in on. Lastly, the day ended with a personal meet and greet with Bob himself. We were allowed to purchased some items for him to sign as well.

A Day to Remember

For a Disney parks fan, this was an amazing day that I won’t forget. I’m forever grateful that I was able to meet Bob Gurr, get his autograph, and see his home. It was a true bucket list item for me.

Have you ever met Bob Gurr?

El Capitan Theatre Tour Review

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Back in September, while visiting California I went down to Hollywood for a guided El Capitan Theatre Tour! I couldn’t find many reviews prior to my trip, so I wanted to be sure to write one myself.

El Capitan Theatre Tour

El Capitan Theatre Tour

Just a primer for anyone reading this who doesn’t know, the El Capitan Theatre has a storied history. It’s perhaps most-known for being the theater willing to premiere Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane film. However, there’s so much more to its history. Additionally, for any Disney fans reading, the building is currently owned by Disney. In fact, Disney Hollywood premieres (and lots of press events) are held here. Jimmy Kimmel’s show is currently filmed next door. So, the building has lots of history and would be of interest to many different types of people.

Scheduling a Tour

Similar to scheduling a tour at the other famous Hollywood theatres, it’s a matter of luck of the draw if it fits your schedule or not. They do not publish the tour schedule online. In fact, you have to call to actually book a tour. I was able to get a schedule of tours via email a few weeks out. Once again, the other historical theatres don’t know their tour schedules more than a few weeks out either. Since they are historical and located in Hollywood, they are often used for premieres, award shows, and press events. So, they can’t schedule tours too far out.

Currently, the tour costs $25/person and lasts approximately 45 minutes. Tours are typically available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I had a tour on a Saturday afternoon.

The Tour

I was shocked to discover that I was the only person to book my tour time slot. So, I was lucky enough to get a solo tour of the theatre! It was so neat to learn more about the history of this building and to be able to ask questions freely. I enjoyed learning about the restoration efforts that took place when Disney came in, especially the detail about having to remove years of smoke from the ornate celing.

It was surreal to go backstage and be able to step on the stage itself! It was so cool to be reminded of the various events that took place right on that very stage! I also got to go into the Richard & Robert Sherman Star Dressing Room! If you know anything about the Disney Parks history, then you who they are! Well, they named the dressing room here after them!

I also got to see the organ up close. It’s a beautiful piece! I also got to see some unique equipment that is used to put people on stage and there’s one even used in Fantasmic! So, that’s a was another nice park reference!

I also got to go behind the theatre and see the back entrance to Jimmy Kimmel! It was neat to realize just how many famous people have been right where I was standing!

Souvenirs

The tour ends with some small gifts. They provide you with a free bag of popcorn and a El Capitan Theatre postcard featuring Mickey & Minnie Mouse! I thought both of those were a nice touch. I was hoping for a little more theatre specific merch in the ice cream shop next door, but only saw one shirt. So, a postcard is a nice way to remember this tour.

Is the El Capitan Theatre Tour worth it?

At only $25/person and 45 minutes, I think this tour is very much worth it. It would be the perfect Hollywood activity for any movie buffs or Disney fans. I enjoyed being somewhere historic and hearing stories about the place. It was a nice addition to my Disney history evening in LA since I had dinner at Tam O’Shanter after my tour.

The Garland Hotel Review

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Back in September, I spent a night at The Garland Hotel while visiting Hollywood. So, I thought I would do a review of my stay.

The Garland Hotel

The Garland Hotel

Prior to my stay in Anaheim back in September, I spent the night in north Hollywood. I selected The Garland Hotel for my one night stay due to its location, history, and calm vibes. Plus, I appreciated the on-site restaurant.

The History

For those who don’t know, The Garland Hotel was initially built by actress Beverly Garland and her husband, along with a Las Vegas hotelier back in the 1970s. It was built to be an oasis away from the hustle and bustle of Hollywood. Today, the hotel is run by Beverly’s son James. So, it’s still a family run business.

The Location

One of the reasons I chose this hotel is for its location. I flew into Burbank airport so that I would be closer to my plans for Sunday, which included going to Bob Gurr’s home and meeting him! So, I wanted something in between Burbank and Anahiem. This hotel stuck out as something in between the two locations, but with a relaxing vibe.

Let the Good Times Roll

The Garland is truly a relaxing oasis outside the hustle and bustle of LA. I instantly felt more relaxed when I got out of the car and entered the property. If you are someone like me who isn’t accustomed to the city life or someone who wants a break from the traffic, then this may be a great option for you.

Garland Hotel Premium King Bed

Since this was a solo trip, I indulged with a king bed. It felt wonderful to have a huge bed all to myself. The room was more than adequate for my one night stay. Although, I did have some issues getting the sliding glass door to the patio to close securely. Also, the shower was interesting without a door to close. I also heard some loud people in the hallways since I went to bed earlier than some folks (I’m from the East Coast and this was during Halloween Horror Nights season). Overall though, I’d say it was a comfortable place to stay.

Front Yard Restaurant

A quick note on the hotel’s on-site restaurant. Eat there! The hotel special that I booked came with a dining credit that I was able to use at the restaurant. I got a grilled chicken sandwich (the Socal Chicken Sandwich) and a Wildberry Pop Tart at brunch when I arrived. I was starving and it filled me up. In fact, I saved the majority of the tasty Pop Tart for breakfast the next day and it was still good. I highly recommend trying this restaurant if you are staying here. It’s definitely worth it.

Pros

  • Relaxing vibes – This was a nice change of pace from the crowds and chaos of Hollywood.
  • Location – It’s excellent for a visit to Burbank and/or Hollywood.
  • Cool history – There’s even a documentary on the hotel tv about Beverly Garland. I recommend checking it out during your stay.
  • Great food – The Front Yard is a great restaurant. It’s super convenient too.
  • Friendly staff – Everyone I encountered here was really friendly and helpful.
  • Luggage storage – Since I had plans in the area on Sunday, luggage storage was very important to me. I was pleased that they were able to store my luggage securely.

Cons

  • Balcony door – I had housekeeping look at my door and they had to get maintenance to come close it securely. I was afraid to pull too hard on it to check to see if was closed securely afterwards. However, I consider that door a con as it’s difficult to know it’s closed for sure.
  • Shower doesn’t have a door – The shower set up is interesting, but I have since had another shower without a closing door on it at another hotel. So, I assume this is fashionable now.
  • Some noise – While this was definitely quieter than staying in Hollywood, I still heard some loud people in the hallways. However, that’s almost par for the course at hotels these days. Also, it didn’t go on for too long.
  • Tad pricey – Then again, all hotels in this area are expensive. I paid $315 for the daily rate, which came to $377.80 after taxes. However, that also includes a dining credit that I used for two meals.

Is The Garland Hotel worth it?

I found The Garland Hotel to be a relaxing experience with good food. I’d stay here again. I think it’s worth it if you are doing things in the area and want a break from Hollywood.

Dollywood Christmas Guided Tour Review

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I recently had the chance to take the Dollywood Christmas Guided Tour with my mom. So, I thought I would share what that entailed.

Dollywood Christmas Guided Tour

Dollywood Christmas Guided Tour

Back in June, my mom and I took the Summer Tour. During that tour, our tour guide recommended that we come back to do the Christmas tour specifically. He said that it was the best seasonal tour they offer. So, when we planned a return trip during the holidays, we knew we wanted to try it out as well.

This tour typically costs $79, but Gold and Diamond passholders receive a $5/$10 discount. When I renewed my pass for 2026, I upgraded to the Diamond. I was able to receive my Diamond discount of $10 when I booked this tour online a week out.

The Tour

The tour technically begins at 6:30. However, you are instructed to check in prior to 5 PM. That’s because similar to the I Will Always Love You Tour, you start the tour with reserved seating for a show! We had reserved seats for the 5:30 showing of the Christmas in the Smokies show. Following the show, we got to take a picture with some of the actors from the show. Then, we moved outside for a quick restroom break. Then, we made our way over to the train where we had reserved seats for a ride.

Following the train ride, we moved to the in park chapel for the carolers. Unfortunately, the tour didn’t include reserved seating for this show. Rather, everyone just had to stand and watch. After the show, we were able to take another picture with the group of carolers.

After that, it was snack time! Everyone was given a mini loaf of cinnamon bread and a hot chocolate to enjoy. Then, the tour ended in Wildwood Grove where we were able to see the Snow in the Grove show.

Is the Dollywood Christmas Guided Tour worth it?

As with anything, value is subjective. However, this tour is probably only worth it for a select group of people. For starters, it’s a fast paced tour. My mom struggled to keep up with the group. I don’t think this tour is great for people with mobility issues or children. While it was great to have guaranteed seating for the show and for the train ride, the rest of the tour you can do on your own. Additionally, this eats up a lot of time. The show was at 5:30 and the tour ended around 8 PM. We didn’t get to see all of the park’s decor and didn’t have time to stop for pictures of the park. So, I definitely wouldn’t recommend it for first time goers with only one park day.

This tour is ideal for repeat park goers who want to experience the park in a new way. I also encourage everyone to consider if they and their loved ones are in good enough shape to be walking briskly around the park prior to booking this one. While I enjoyed the tour, it wore my mom out. So, just keep in mind each person’s needs and wants before booking this tour.