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Old 05-20-2010, 02:51 PM   #1
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A Day out with Thomas and Dutch Wonderland COMPLETED 7/26

Hello,

I’ve been a long time reader of various trip reports but have never posted anything. I thought I’d finally give it try and post a pre-trip report for my upcoming long weekend in LancasterPA. But first a little introduction…

I’m Holly, single mom of a very rambunctious 3 ½ year old boy Evan. He is the light of my life and a joy beyond compare. We live in Marlton, NJ about an hour from the SOUTHJerseyShore and 20 minutes from Philadelphia. I’m a computer programmer by day and in every sense of the word “a full time parent” the remainder of the time. Oh and we also have a wonderful 11 year old beagle mix named Wrigley. I hope to dig out some photos this weekend to post along with this report.

I’ve been to Disney many times and can’t wait to get Evan down there but alas – no trip scheduled at this point. I am hoping to take him after he turns 5. His birthday is in October so I’ll have almost 11 months before he will start kindergarten and hope to take him during that time frame- but nothing booked yet. But that is all for another TR on another day. This one is about everyone’s favorite “Really Useful Engine, Thomas”.

The cast of characters:
Me – Holly – mom
DS – Evan – 3 ½
DM – Jan
DN(nephew) – Eric – 4 ½

Dates: Saturday, June 12, 2010 to Monday, June 14, 2010

Plans:
Saturday, Take dog to kennel, drive out to Lancaster PA, Check into hotel, then head over the Dutch Wonderland (water park area)
Sunday, Full day at Dutch Wonderland
Monday, Ride Thomas the Tank Engine in the morning then head over to the Choo Choo Barn for some toy train fun. Then back home.

Web sites:
http://www.dutchwonderland.com/entertainment/index.php
http://www.strasburgrailroad.com/
http://www.choochoobarn.com/


Coming up:
Last year was so much fun, we are doing it again.
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Old 05-20-2010, 03:59 PM   #2
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Great start Holly!
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Old 05-20-2010, 04:54 PM   #3
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Welcome to the boards!

We did that a few times when the boys were younger. It's a lot of fun,
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Old 05-20-2010, 08:48 PM   #4
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Great plans!! Welcome to the boards!
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Old 05-21-2010, 01:51 AM   #5
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Welcome to the boards!

Great start to your trip report!
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Old 05-21-2010, 12:30 PM   #6
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Welcome to the boards!

Great start
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Old 05-24-2010, 12:34 PM   #7
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Great start!
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Old 05-24-2010, 01:14 PM   #8
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Sounds like fun we did the Day out with Thomas several times in NC.
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Old 05-24-2010, 01:28 PM   #9
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Good start! Welcome to the boards neighbor! I grew up in Delran and Mt. Laurel. I remember as a kid I took an art class at a place on Main St. in Marlton. That picture of your little boy is too cute!
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Old 05-24-2010, 02:03 PM   #10
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HI Everyone Thanks for all the warm greetings. Can someone tell me how can I post a link to my TR in my signature? Also how do I subscribe to another person's TR or profile so if they begin a new report, I can be notified. Or kindly point me in the right direction on the website. I was poking around but couldn't quite figure it out. THX.
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Old 05-26-2010, 12:39 PM   #11
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TR Update: May 26, 2010

So last year we (me, Evan, Mom and Eric) went out to do a “Day Out With Thomas” and go to Dutch Wonderland and HersheyPark. We had such a good time last year; we decided to go again this year.

Last year my sister and her family also came along for the ride but they won’t be coming this time. Last year everything went fine except trying to get the 2 little ones settled in for their naps and bedtime each day. We had one whole day of rain and had to change our plans around a little. We just hung around the hotel most of that day – thank God for the indoor pool, what a life saver.

Because of the lack of sleep and rain, we ended up cutting one day off the trip and never made it to HersheyPark.

This year we have a better idea of where everything is and the stamina level of the boys so we are cutting one day off the trip and I’m bringing a rope and a shower curtain to hang between the beds in the hotel for nap times . I think if the boys can’t see each other they will settle down much faster at bed time. Also, if there is no rain they will be more active and hopefully more tired.

I laid out our plans in the prior update but here are a few photos from last year’s trip.


Choo Choo Barn - Thomas!


Choo Choo Barn - one section of layout. A miniture Dutch Wonderland


Choo Choo Barn - sorry a little dark, this is the Red Caboose Motel


The "Real" Thomas himself DM, DN, DS and me


Eric and Evan with some new friends

Dutchwonderland and our FAVORITE ride - Monster Trucks


I'm getting hungry!


Enjoying the train ride at Dutchwonderland


my cutie pie Wrigley - sorry flash didn't go off


No not King Tut - just Evan being silly (which he does very well)

Coming up next: Final plans

Until next time .
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Old 05-26-2010, 01:01 PM   #12
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Love the photos from last year!
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Old 05-26-2010, 02:20 PM   #13
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Great pictures!
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Old 05-26-2010, 04:41 PM   #14
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Great photos!
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Old 05-27-2010, 10:20 AM   #15
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Okay my photos are all gone - I'll need to figure this one out

Holly

Round 2 with the photos - I went to photobucket this time - lets see if that works.

Is there any way to get the photos to post direclty from my computer like the siggie pic rather than uploading them to a site like photo bucket???
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