General Travel

Relax…you CAN get to Tom Sawyer Island from here!

A trip to Walt Disney World is one of the ultimate American family vacations.

That said, a day at Disney can be an exercise in sensory overload that can leave you – especially as parents – more than a bit frazzled. One of our favorite ways to relax when visiting the Magic Kingdom, is some time spent exploring Tom Sawyer Island.

Tom Sawyer Island is often considered a somewhat minor attraction at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. But, when researching for this post, I discovered that it has a unique claim to fame. From Walt Disney World’s official website: [Read more…]

Time Traveling in Beaufort County, North Carolina

By Mark

It’s awfully cold here in North Carolina these days.

While a 70 degree day in the middle of winter is pretty commonplace, this year we’re getting used to the temperatures in the teens, and some of us are having constant dreams of palm trees and rum drinks!

With a high in the 20s last Sunday, I wrote this post enjoying a little sun from the inside of the south side of Southern Girl Travel’s Eastern Office – our house down in what’s affectionately known as Little Washington, North Carolina. Also known as the Original Washington (because it was the first town named after the good general and president, George Washington back in 1776), it’s the County Seat of Beaufort County, North Carolina.

Sunset over the Pamlico River along the waterfront in Washington, NC

Starting now, it’s pretty easy to get confused.

Little Washington is in Beaufort County, North Carolina. There’s also a Beaufort County, South Carolina, though it’s pronounced Bew-fort and opposed to Bow-fort, as we say here in North Carolina. And while the town of Beaufort, South Carolina is in Beaufort County, South Carolina, the town of Beaufort, North Carolina (one of our favorite getaways) is actually in Carteret County, North Carolina.

Beaufort County is about 50 miles north of Carteret County, though Bath, North Carolina, also in Beaufort County, has a Carteret Street. [Read more…]

Exploring the Eno!

By Mark

You might be asking, what exactly is the Eno?

The Eno is a small river that snakes about 40 miles through central North Carolina’s Orange and Durham Counties, until it joins a few other rivers and streams to form Falls Lake and the Neuse River. The Neuse goes on to empty into the Pamilco Sound not too far from one of our favorite travel spots anywhere, Beaufort, North Carolina.

Back when I was a kid, the Eno was one of my favorite spots for adventure. [Read more…]

Why We Love The International Gateway…Epcot’s Best Entrance!

By Mark

Have you heard of Epcot’s International Gateway entrance?

Chances are that you may have missed it if you’ve never stayed in one of the Epcot Area resorts. The Magic Kingdom will always be king of the Walt Disney World parks, most especially for families with children on the younger side. But, Epcot is becoming a real family favorite of ours – both for me and Jennifer, and for the kids who are now 8, 10, and 12.

Heading into Epcot through the International Gateway Entrance

Though we always experience a wide range of Walt Disney World so that we can advise you on all the best, with Epcot as a family favorite, we’re gravitating towards the Epcot Area Resorts as our home base when visiting Walt Disney World. And the International Gateway is one of the reasons we love the Epcot Area.

Why?

A few reasons, but first a little more info on the Area itself: The Epcot Resort Area includes those Disney Resorts surrounding Crescent Lake near Epcot:

The Yacht Club
The Beach Club
The Boardwalk Inn

The area also includes two non-Disney hotels, the Swan and the Dolphin, along with a number of excellent dining options, great walking and running trails, some fun entertainment and activity options, and the best pool complex at Walt Disney World – Stormalong Bay. [Read more…]

Polynesian Construction Update!

By Mark

Recent shot of construction at the Polynesian

The Polynesian Village Resort is one of our favorite places to stay at Walt Disney World. It holds some great memories for our family as it was where we stayed on our very first Disney vacation together.

In fact, the Poly – as it is often known at Disney – was instrumental in converting me from a Disney skeptic to a raving fan. You can read more in our oddly named post, Dr. Strangedad…or how I learned to stop worrying and love Disney.

The Poly has been in the midst of a major renovation this year and on a trip to Walt Disney World earlier this month we were able to take a good look at the construction and gain a feel for how the current Poly experience might be for guests. [Read more…]

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