 PartyofFive - P05 | All Comments |
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| 13th December 2009 P05 | - From: Christmas at Great Wolf Lodge The room was $199 Canadian and many activities were included. The waterpark, the horse ride, the science show, the nightly story time, and some activities in the kids club were free. The food, arcade, and a few of the kids club activities (such as craft projects) were an extra fee. |
| 11th December 2009 maqueda davis | christmas - From: Christmas at Great Wolf Lodge how much do it cost to rent a room and do the cost include all activties. |
| 27th August 2009 adrienne holtzman | DJ was Ryan Levin - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 The DJ was Ryan Levin...I will forward him your compliment! |
| 2nd July 2009 gail | Colorful Creations - From: $1500 Cape Cod Challenge Day 6: Shopping, JFK Museum (almost), and other indoor activities I was in Hyannis last April. I made a point of going to the scrapbook store and never realized until later that the JFK museum was across the street. Guess I'll have to plan another trip. I also did'nt realize how quick the Cape Cod potato chip tour was, but I love their chips. |
| 7th June 2009 Allison | - From: Christmas at Great Wolf Lodge Hi, I just wanted to say thanks for the great review - I found your link to this blog from the Dis boards and took your suggestion to book a room through ratestogo. We saved a huge amount of money this way and even let our daughter bring a friend with her. As I was checking in I kept expecting there to be some catch but there wasn't and we had a great time. Thank you for taking the time to post about your experience, you helped my family have a great time! Allison |
| 20th April 2009 anonymous | past experience vs present - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll just wanted to add my comments as a long-time egg roll participant... I started attending in '99 and have attended about seven times, always camping out, usually with a group of friends! I hate that some folks this year did not have a great time and had to wait around so long. In the past, we've never had to wait much, and have gotten great pictures with Aly and AJ, Jack Hannah, tons of WH people, etc. I've heard the new administration has had some organizational issues in other areas, and this seems no different... probably trying to make it more "fair," but in the end, it sounds like more frustration and disappointment. Like other people said, it's one thing to get in the line early and be beat out, but then when you see some people were on the computer for tens of hours, and were beat out by someone that could have been on the computer for five minutes, that's tough to swallow! Hopefully, they'll learn and find a better system next year! |
| 16th April 2009 ECMom in MD | First Time - Group C - Disappointed - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 Alexandria Mom (above) had almost the same experience I was going to describe. My kids - 5 and 3, were exhausted from the walk from Metro to the Ellipse. We didn't sneak food/drink in so my kids were thirsty and hungry. We didn't appreciate watching other kids eat food smuggles past security either. Once on the WH grounds, we used the potty, decorated and Egg carton, and had our picture taken with the Easter Bunny on the way to the Egg Roll line. We weren't far from the front when the Egg Roll was shut down around 1:15pm. Needless to say, I was disappointed. However, we did manage to get a poster on our way out after I pleaded with the woman that we didn't even get to do the Egg Roll. I'm hoping that it's better organized and less crowded in the years to come, but I can't see myself trying to go back. |
| 15th April 2009 Liz Christianson | Not worth it! - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 Everything you wrote was exactly our experience. We were at the same time frame, and on of my girls with autism had a really hard time with the constant lines. It seems like too many people were allowed in this year and all semblance of class was removed. |
| 15th April 2009 ICA09 | need a poster... - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 We did make it with the help of friends in high places. The clicking away was very frustrating to say the least. Your blog and reading the comments was very entertaining! We did have fun, we love PBS Kids programs and were able to get pictures with the characters and see The Electric Company. Everything was definately different and not necessarily better. Spending the night on the Ellipse in the cold and snow, then coming home like a true warrior with tickets in hand was a triumphant feeling (and great story to tell). We were in the last group and didn't get a poster. If anyone knows how to get one, the space on my son's wall has 3 previous posters and was waiting for 2009. |
| 15th April 2009 Momof4 | Group C : Memorable Short Timer - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 Awesome blog...Our trip started out with the metro ride from Springfield, VA to the Ellipse. It was my 4yr old and nephew's first metro train ride. They were so excited about going to see President Barack Obama and his family at the WH. We got off the metro at Federal Triangle and walked from 12th street to the Ellipse. Thank God, I brought my daughter's stroller. We were suppose to be on the Ellipse at 10:30 am, with a 11:30-1:30 pm entry/play time. Needless to say, we were running a tad bit late (LOL) and didn't arrive until 11:15am. My sister and I new we had missed our opportunity to be a part of history, but for some reason there was some sort of delay, Group C was still waiting in this long line for the previous group to be processed in. With the delay, we were still able to take part in this historical day. Once we were on the grounds of the WH (apprx 12:45 pm), we went directly to the egg roll line, which was long but well worth it, since it was a WH tradition. My daughter fell asleep while we were waiting. Finally, we were getting near to the front of the line, so I started to wake her. She was not a happy camper. I told her it was her time to roll the egg. She got out of the stroller and said, I don't know how to do it. I told her that someone would show her. She had a blue egg and asked for a pink one. The volunteer was so helpful, she gave her a pink egg. The announcer told all of the kids to get ready. I helped her with the first roll of the egg. Then my daughter all of a sudden declared that, "I don't want to do this and I want to go home". I guess, I should not have awaken her. I should have allowed her to sleep. The kids had to go to the bathroom, we found plenty of those. After the bathroom break, we got water from the First Aid station, because the kids were so thirty and hungry. We then stopped to watch Ziggy Marley, took and couple of pictures. Then proceeded to find the Kids Korner. On our way, we stopped at the Egg Station, then got our posters. My nephew did the basketball thing, then we heard an announcement, that the C Group had to exit. The kids got their eggs and we left. We were only there for approx. 45-50 minutes. In closing, we were happy for the delay, because we were still able to participate, but we weren't able to spend much time on the lawn, because our time was cut short. I would do it all over again, if I had the chance. |
| 15th April 2009 J. Johnson | The DJ - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 The DJ's name is Ryan he runs a company called 4 sure entertaintment. His email is ryan@4sureentertaintment.com |
| 15th April 2009 anonymous | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Great experience @ The White House Easter Egg Roll!!!! I was in the first group, 8 am w/ my sister and 2 year old niece. We left my house in Northern VA at 6:00 am and arrived on Constitution avenue @ 6:20 am, then waited in line and went through security, before stepping foot on The White House Grounds @ approximately 8 am. The first thing we participated in was the egg roll, which was exciting for me to videotape and take pics. Then my niece was lucky enough to meet The Imagination Movers and take a pic w/ them. Then she got to meet Clifford, Curious George, A Princess, Elmo, Handy Manny and The White House Easter Bunny, while I was lucky enough to meet Suzanne Malveaux (CNN White House Correspondent), Al Roker (from The Today Show), and Robert Gibbs (Current White House Press Secretary), which I was most excited about. After walking around with my sister and niece for the remainder of our group time, we headed to the basketball court and got to play for a few minutes which was awesome. Although our exit time was 10 am, and The First Family came out to play at 10:30 am, it was an unforgettable experience for not only my sister and I, but more importantly my niece. Thank you for this blog and lets do it again next in 2010!!! |
| 15th April 2009 Mom | Reply - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 Thank goodness for those DJ/entertainers outside at the Ellipse where everybody had to wait. There were 2 young guys who really made my kids excited while they had to await a 1.5 hour line in the freezing cold with no food or drink, those guys were a big contribution of the day. |
| 15th April 2009 P05 | - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 Well we thought Ryan was great. Does he have a website he wants to post here? Maybe it could lead to more bookings. |
| 15th April 2009 Janis | THE DJ - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 The Dj, is my son! Ryan knows how to rock a party! |
| 15th April 2009 CC | We had fun! Are we the only ones??? - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 Thanks again for this blog...I was anxious to hear about everyone's experiences. We were in group B. We got in at about 10:15, instead of 9:45. We were in line earlier than the 8:45 suggested time...probably at about 8:20. We went right to the egg roll, and then the Bidens and Obamas came out and Fergie sang the anthem. I was right up front and got great pictures. Then I followed the president over and we watched him read to the kids. A kind stranger pulled me from the back of the crowd to the front, so I got amazing pictures of him reading; and of Michelle, Sasha, and Malia reading. We got to do the egg roll, egg hunt, face-painting, soccer, and yoga- plus a bunch of pictures with characters. We watched Fergie's concert as we stood in line for the kid's kitchen, but weren't able to ever get into that. We did pretty much everything we wanted and we were so thankful for seeing the Obamas so closely. We took turns waiting in line and taking the kids to activities. I found the volunteers and fellow attendees to be really friendly. The kids loved it, although my 3 year old was a little disappointed because, "Rock Obama didn't hug me." =) Just before leaving, we took a group picture right next to the White House, looked around, soaked everything up, and tried to capture the moment. We left happy, and I hope others have some happy memories, too. |
| 14th April 2009 b0bby | First 8AM -10AM session and First Time - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 Overall it was great experience for the kids, (twins boy/girls) first time to see WH up close and a draining experience for parents. There was a lot of kids in groups of 8-10 with only one or maybe two teachers supervising. The lines for Egg roll were very long, as many people skipped ahead. It was quite difficult to tell who was in a line, as one person would stand in for a group of 8-10 kids. Others were just milling around waiting to jump the queue. We did egg roll twice. Fortunately, there were two different stations setup (didn't know that earlier). Kids enjoyed the most where there was no line, for WH basketball court, jump rope, hands on science. Cannot comment about staged entertainment, we didn't wake up at 0500AM in the morning to see fergie. As a note to future parents attending, there is a LOT of walking and LOT of standing around, maybe bring a lightweight stroller for smaller kids up to security, then fold away or carry on your back to stand in line for various activities. We were able to get posters (just sitting on a table?), easter eggs, small items. This WH easter blog was very helpful. Was experience worth it ? Priceless, this the administration's "first WH Easter " |
| 14th April 2009 Alexandria Mom | Group C review - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 We were new to the Egg Roll this year and it the C group. I'm not sure I'll do it again next year, but if I do, I'll be better prepared. We had to wait one hour into our two hour time (our time: 11:30-1:30), were told we'd get our full two hours, and then were told to leave after being inside only 45 minutes. I didn't get a poster and was very, very bummed about that. We did get some character pictures (smaller lines, but lines nonetheless), but that was all. We were standing in line for the egg roll when they booted us out. When I asked my 5 year old daughter if she had a good day, she said, "Yes, but I was very sad not to get to do the egg roll." In retrospect, the most exciting part of their day was the metro ride to the WH. |
| 14th April 2009 ann | my son was happy - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 My 5.5 yr old son is a HUGE Obama fan. I took him to see the inauguration and was lucky enough to get the tickets for this egg roll. The things a conservative republican ma-ma will do for the love of her son. We were group B, but we came early to be the first few in line for our time slot. We were up front when the Bidens came out and also when the Obamas made their apearance followed by Fergie's nathional anthem on the balcony. We saw Obama read the "where the wild things are". He then walked about 5 feet away from us, and my son was estastic. The kids got a chance to do the egg hunt, color on head bands, draw on the veterans sheet/quilt, made a jump rope, and got the easter egg. The other booths available we did not wait in line, but watched from a distance. I was one of the moms that brought snacks and drinks and willing to throw it out as we reached the gate. Took about 175+ photos. Would do it again if given the chance. |
| 14th April 2009 megan | re:ditto - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 LOL! Well two words technically db = douche bag |
| 14th April 2009 P05 | - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 Takiesha, I was hoping you'd log on to leave a comment. :) I'm glad you were able to see the Obamas. That stinks about your camera. I hope it turns up. |
| 14th April 2009 Takiesha | Egg Roll - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 You summed it up perfectly! I told my husband who worked so hard to get those ticket from work, that I appreciated his work, but I will not go back again. I too followed the rules. I was in Group A. We had to get up so early to get there at 7 am. I three all of my snack away walking from the Metro and when I got there, tons of people had both food and drinks. My daughter was so hungry and in such a funk, she would not get out of the stroller. It was also freezing at that time. Once we got in there, it was so beyond crowded, the lines were so long that we didn't do one activity. I did see Fergie and the Imagination Movers, but since my daughter was in a mood, she missed out on the dancing. I tired make a jumprope with her but again it was packed. I was getting stepped on. My son slept through most of the event. When it was time to leave, I was able to stay in longer since my husband works there. I just wanted to see the Obama's They didn't say what time they were coming out officially, but I knew it was going to be at 10. They announce VP Biden and Dr. Biden then the Obama's come out. I was standing next to the story station and my husband takes of running to film. He tosses me his camera. He is a videographer/photographer for the White House. I was able to get awesome pics with that professional grade camera. So then a guys who works for my husband who was filming the story station told me to take my daughter to the front row to hear the story from the President. They would only allow the kids. She is 3 and she cried because she wanted me with her. She wouldn't go. So he let her stand next to him in a press box. They Obama's come out to read and I got mobbed by the parents. I swear the parents were worse than the kids. It was TERRIBLE!!!! I finally left at about 11-1130ish. I did get my eggs even though I was late leaving. The worst part is now I can't find my camera. I am in Ohio now, but when I get back home to MD, I'll post the pics to my travel blog (twaitesthierry). The two hours was not nearly enough time to participate in all activites, they need to make a lot of changes for next year. Also I think there should be a minimun age. I saw so many people they with newborns and no other children. That is ridiculous. |
| 14th April 2009 P05 | - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 Kia, I'm glad my blog has been a help to you. :) Sounds like you had a good experience overall. Meeting Fergie would have made me forget all about those lines. Ziggy- Yup we missed the posters. They used to hand them to you at the exit with the eggs. I also wondered if this being a transitional year affected things. We started going to the roll during the last 3 years of the Bush presidency. They had lots of time to work out the kinks. I have high hopes that next year will be smoother for the Obama administration. |
| 14th April 2009 Kia | First 8AM session and First Time - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 First I want to say thank you for the blog, it was my support group from waiting on how the tickets would get distributed to this point. I was blessed enough to get the 8AM session and 6 tickets for my entire family. We were in line by 7:00AM and did not have to wait long, we were on the Lawn by 8:15AM. There was a brief moment that the line was still because The President and his family came out to do the Opening Ceremony. We did hear Fergie sing the National Anthem. Once on the Lawn we found the lines were short so the kids got to do all the activities. Fergie's husband read a book at the story activity we listen to that and to my surprise Fergie was sitting down in the front. It looked like no one knew who she was so I jumped at the chance to and ask her if I could take pictures with her and my kids. She walked around for about an hour. We watched her concert and she was entertaining. We were all so tired from waking up at the crack of dawn and cold from the morning air, we decided to leave once our session was over. Not to mention and not a complaint but there was nothing to drink and my kids were getting thirsty and hungry. I know this was a big problem for the other sessions among other issues. I feel fortunate that we were able to get in the first session. It looks like the other sessions had long waits and could not get their kids to all activities due to overcrowding. All this to say I'm glad my kids had a chance to experience history but I'm not sure you will see me next year! |
| 14th April 2009 ziggy | overcrowded - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 Posted comment on earlier blog line as it was an update to view while trying to get tickets all day. As most know, expectations sometimes lead to disappointment. Hopefully the planners for this event will find out what worked and what didn't in an effort to make it better for next year, as this tradition will continue on. Inaugural events (logistic problems as well) only happen every 4 years. We definitely had problems in our Easter Egg afternoon time slot, but I was really shocked to learn that the time period where the First Family entered left a majority of the ticket holders waiting outside the gates during their entire time period - that, along with the poorly regulated way to get group's to exit after their group's "time slot" - I am positive the group that missed their time period stayed, what else were they going to do. I don't think anyone could bring their children- wait in the lines to get in, followed their ticket rules and said 'Well kids, we have 10 minutes, here's the grass in their backyard, roll down the hill - no line, let's leave.' I can see how the traditional commemorative poster could be missed - I can't imagine them running out - it was cute, but not a keepsake for most families. The poster was not given away at the exit, there was a table set up that was handing them out and we just ran into it, easily missed as it was amongst the myriad of fences set-up, the crowds and lines could have easily blocked the table. When the few acts the children recognized were listed in the program it provided a glimmer of hope only then dashed when realized they couldn't see them during our time period. It is always good to try and improve things and I think not having a frenzied crowd anxious to see head-lining entertainment like the Jonas Brothers or Hannah Montana was a great idea. Afterall it is not a teen concert tradition, I am sure that caused some of the hype over trying to get tickets, but it needs to be more organized. Maybe this is a transition year and it will be realized that not as many tickets need to be given out and not as many people will want to travel by plane for the event. We sadly ran into a family who after leaving the event went to get a snack from the vending vans on their way to the airport (came just for the event), the meltdown poored out of the child when it was realized they were out of a favorite snack. Well it is always good to know that we are lucky enough to be near the Nation's Capitol and can come to visit when the crowds aren't as bad. |
| 14th April 2009 P05 | - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 What's the DB word? Can I buy a vowel? LOL. |
| 14th April 2009 Megan | ditto - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 I was also in the 9:45 to 11:45 group that had to wait. The kids made the best of the event, but having to wait that long really put a damper on everything. They were ready to go by the time we got in. I think the most fun they had was with the Yoga. They were so excited to get their faces painted, but my daughter ended up crying about hers because she thought it was ugly.... I have to agree, it was the first time the volunteer had ever painted faces. Also as we got past the security, there were a couple of security guards standing there with children all around them having a personal conversation and used the DB word. I was shocked!! I almost told them to watch their language but I was too busy keeping track of the 4 kids by myself since we only had one adult ticket. It seemed that the area around the egg roll, yoga, and stage was not as crowded as everything else, so perhaps it was poor lay out. We skipped most of the smaller activities because there were too many people. I would go again, but really hope that it runs smoother next time. |
| 14th April 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll It wasn't just you. I'm hearing lots of reports like yours. Click on my user name at the top of this page and you'll see a list of all my blog entries. I want to hear other reviews about this year's egg roll. Please post them under my new entry. |
| 14th April 2009 MdMommy | So-So Experience - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Hi All, not sure where the new blog is...but I wanted to write about my experience at the Whitehouse Easter Egg Roll. This was my first time attending. We were the last group and it said doors open at 2pm...so we got there at 1:45...and we didn't get in the Whitehouse until 3:30. When you have a 2-year old...it's hard to be patient. And I didn't pack snacks b/c the tickets said no food or drink. When we finally got in....there were lines everywhere and after waiting an hour and 45 minutes to get in...I wasn't in the mood to wait in lines. And it seemed like some of the lines were not organized....we didn't know where it started...how many lines there were. We didn't even to the egg roll...b/c the line was so long. My daughter and I left the whitehouse...after staying an hour. It seemed like it wasn't all that...was the prior years better? Was this year good and it was just me? |
| 14th April 2009 K | Way too crowded - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 I agree...it was way too crowded. We are a military family that is stationed locally and were able to get tickets online this year. I would have been very unhappy if I would have been a family that would have traveled from another state just for this event. We were only able to do one thing (colored an egg). We stood in a line to stand in a line to stand in lines to stand in a line to leave. :) I hate to complain about a free event, but our expectations were just so much higher than what we experienced. I hope others had a better experience and were able to catch a glimps of the Obamas. |
| 14th April 2009 ASM | 5 hours without food and water - From: Review: White House Easter Egg Roll 2009 We, too, experienced delays getting in during our ticket time (9:45-11:45). In fact -- we never made it in. A large portion of our ticket group got locked outside the gates when the Obamas came out -- and they never let us in or explained why. We stood outside the gate of the lawn, past the initial security checks, from 9:45 - 11:45 without food, water, or bathrooms (after arriving at 8:45 and standing in the security line). Kids were crying and hungry. They finally let us in two hours later with the next group (making it even MORE crowded) -- but there was no food or water inside either - for a total of 5 hours without food or water (not counting your commute time). We missed the Obamas, we missed Fergie, and the volunteers on the lawn seemed as cranky as we were. Lots of good ideas, VERY poorly executed. I hope that's not a sign of the next four years. |
| 14th April 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I encourange anyone with reviews to post them under my new blog entry about this year's event! You got a poster? They didn't have any for my group. |
| 14th April 2009 ziggy | overcrowded - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll This year's egg roll tried to allow for more people to come, but we were in the afternoon time slot and it was way too crowded by then, most of the visitors probably stayed past their time slot, because we left at our time slot and no one was checking wrist bands, the "incentive" they had for exiting was that you only had 15 minutes to receive your souvenir egg, but people from other groups could easily stay until the next group's exit time. The entrance time for our group (6,000 at each time) was delayed by 30 minutes and we were near the beginning of the line for our time. Each traditional activity on the lawn had long lines, so it was discouraging to stand in them -- thinking you only had 2 hours to be there. Aside from Fergie, who wasn't at each time slot, the entertainers weren't that well known. The commemorative poster was very cute and well drawn but it was a child's rendition of the White House, and if you didn't know the child, it wasn't something every family would want a large poster of?! It was special to be there, but maybe it could be improved somehow. |
| 13th April 2009 Alexandria Mom | Thoughts on the process - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Yes, they website should have been better prepared, but I still think this was the best way to give out tickets. Camping in line for days? That is so crazy and really only works for so very few (compared to the many who were able to try online). Yes, technology is frustrating, but even though we live in the area, camping out for days was NOT an option for us. We were lucky - got tickets, but even if we hadn't, I still think this was a better way. Next year, it will be even better. |
| 13th April 2009 Erica | reply Liz - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Me and my 2 boys are in group d and hope you have as much fun as we will |
| 13th April 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll The tickets this year say no recording equipment which rules out video cameras. You may be able to bring regular cameras, I'm not sure. My plan for tomorrow is to bring a camera that I don't mind tossing in the trash if security asks me to. I'm not sure how strict they will be about the age limits. I know in previous years, when the limit was 7 years old, I brought two "tween" nieces and had no problems. In years past, the President and First Lady have appeared at the beginning of the egg roll. |
| 13th April 2009 Liz | just curious - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll i am wondering if The President and First lady will make an apperance? anyone know? I cannot wait until tomorrow.. who else is in Group D?? see you all there! |
| 12th April 2009 S G | Tickets - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Hello everyone! congrats to all who were able to get tickets. I just wanted to know your take on the ticket rules. My husband and myself are going along with our 2.5 yr old daughter. We have one additional ticket i would like to give to our cousin who is 11. I read the rules that at least one child in the group should be 10 and under, but the others can be older than that as long as there are only two adults. My husband sees it as each child attending should be 10 and under. Does anyone know the right rule? Thanks. We are in group D so see you guys there... so excited |
| 10th April 2009 rhp | camera/video camera allowed? - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll just wondering if we can bring our cameras with us to capture memories? |
| 9th April 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Ziggy Marley will be there. Usually they have various people from all walks of life. He is the only one I've heard of so far that will be making an appearance. |
| 9th April 2009 Kathleen | Celebrity Guests? - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Now that we have gotten our tickets (YAY!), has anyone heard who will be performing at the White House? I have been checking the Easter Egg Roll Website but there has not been any information listed. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. |
| 9th April 2009 patientlywaiting | WH Easter Egg Roll Tickets - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll YIPPY!!!! I retreived my tickets today. We are in Group B, I am so so so excited. I went to the Easter egg roll when I was a little girl and now for the FIRST TIME my 4 & 6 year olds get to go and have that experience. My mom has a pic of me on the WH lawn during the EER now I get to take a pic of my kids on the WH lawn during the EER. I am so glad the ticket where done this way. Yes, there were a some quirks in the system but never-the-less, I'm glad to have been able to have this opportunity. I hope we are early enough to get a glimps of the President & Mrs. O. SEE YOU THERE!!! :-) |
| 9th April 2009 marcia | Received the tickets late last night! - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Finally received the tickets! Thanks so much for this blog, I was getting so nervous until I read that most people had not received the official email. We're in group E. Anybody else during that time? |
| 9th April 2009 Ozzie | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll FINALLY!!! GOT THE EMAIL.....8 AM GROUP A......CANT WAIT, SEE EVERYONE THERE!!! HAVE A GREAT DAY!!! |
| 9th April 2009 sartek | PrintPass email arrived - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Wow, I guess the system really worked. I'm with a previous poster, I was not so confident after so many failed attempts to get tickets March 26th. Success! May everyone find relief in their email today. |
| 9th April 2009 sartek | Easter Egg Roll Tickets - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Greetings everyone, The email actually came, finally. I think you're right PO5, it does feel like they printed them in order of "purchase", because I got mine very late in the day. I was kind of thinking that, myself, so great minds think alike - LOL! I hope everyone else gets thiers soon. I want everyone to feel the same relief I feel. sartek |
| 9th April 2009 gg | just gottem - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll for group c does anyone know how many tickets they gave out in the past? I heard that they gave 2000 tickets to this years to local school kids.....just wondering the total number.....see you guys there. fingers crossed for great weather. |
| 9th April 2009 Jill Harris | Easter Egg Roll - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I got mine about one hour ago. I am so excited, we are packing the car right now. We are leaving in the morning. Author of the blog what time slot do you have? Maybe we will see you there. I hope everyone one has alot of FUN. |
| 8th April 2009 Liz | woohoo - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Ask and you shall recieve.. as soon as i wrote my last msg about not yet getting my Printpass tix... up popped an email saying that they have arrived.. I AM SO EXCITED!!! KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED FOR NICE WEATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :o) LIZ~ |
| 8th April 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I just got it! |
| 8th April 2009 Kathleen | Group D- Got mine - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I just got the email. I am in Group D. So excited. Thanks everyone... |
| 8th April 2009 Angel - A | Patience and Persistance - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll President Obama gave exhortation to the American people telling us to be patient and persistent. We must first believe we received and make sure we are persistent enough to make it come to pass. CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE has come. Never give up and never say die! I used to watch on t.v. all the priviledged kids go to the Easter Egg Roll at the White House and now my kids and I are priviledged to go. I am humbled at the opportunity. |
| 8th April 2009 Liz | no Printpass Tix yet - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I am in Group D. i am getting nervous b/c i have been checking all day for an email and nothing.... is anyone else in Group D and if so did any of you get your email yet... i am going to make a phone call.. getting nrvs... especially since the whole ticketing process was messed up...... keeping my fingers crossed!!!! :O) |
| 8th April 2009 CC | Yeah! - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Ours came, too! Success!!! Keep an eye out for yours, I'm sure they're on the way! |
| 8th April 2009 Angel-A | I received My Tickets - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Hi, everybody I received my printpass tickets! I am in group A. I have been pretty blessed to have had no problems throughout this process. While I waited since 12:00 midnight to see when they where going to make the tickets available by 8:00 am it opened and I received tickets the very first time I went in! We will be celebrating my daughter 4 th birthday on this day. Congratulations to all! |
| 8th April 2009 P05 | None for me... - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Well I guess if they're emailing them out in the same order people scored the tix online, I'll be one of the last to receive an email. I don't know if there's any rhyme or reason to this though. |
| 8th April 2009 bobby | Print Pass Tickets just arrived - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I just received the print pass email. we are excited to visit the white house early morning. good luck to everyone. |
| 8th April 2009 ann | got the printpass e-mail - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll wooh-hoo, it finally came to my inbox! |
| 8th April 2009 alicia | Stilling Waiting - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I haven't received my email either. I hope they come tonight. My son is so excited. This waiting is a bad as waiting for school lottery results! |
| 8th April 2009 CC | At least I'm not the only one! - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I'm waiting for my tickets, too. We leave tomorrow for our DC trip, so I'm getting anxious! Thanks for this blog- it makes me feel like I'm not so alone in this process. |
| 8th April 2009 Kathleen | Waiting on Printpass too... - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I got my tickets at 9:07 am and I thought for sure I would have gotten the email from Printpass my now. I am really getting nervous. On the confirmation email it said if you had any problems to email hello@frontgatetickets.com. I did. Still no response. It is 4:04 pm EST. I am with the other parents wishing I had never said anything to my kids until after I got the actually email with the tickets. I really hope they come. We will be devastated if they don't. |
| 8th April 2009 Brian | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I just called Frontgate tickets. They advised that they are still in the process of emailing the printpass tickets and to be patient. I called 4/8/09 at 3:42pm EDT. |
| 8th April 2009 patientlywaiting | WH Easter Egg Roll Tickets - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll So...I'm NOT the only one! What a relief. I was able to get tickets too. I secured my tickets @ 8:15am for Group B on 3/26 and have been anixously waiting for April 6-8 to come. Well, it's April 8 the time 3:45pm EST and I have still not received my PRINTPASS email. I was getting very nervous, until my search I found this blog. I am relieve to know I'm not the only one waiting. If anyone finally receives their PRINTPASS email please keep all of us posted. I have also email the ticketing agent with my order number and any status information. NO RESPONEs YET! |
| 8th April 2009 carol | no tickets yet - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll It's almost 4pm. here in northern va. I was out all day so I expected to have received the tickets by the time I got home. I guess I might not be as concerned if the whole ticket process hadn't been such a mess. I hope they come through. |
| 8th April 2009 Ozzie | Tickets - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I got the tickets @ the 2 pm slot time as well for the 8 am group, but still havent received the email yet for the actual tickets. They said they will be emailed from the 6th - 8th. Does anyone have a number to call to ask them about what we should do? |
| 8th April 2009 sartek | No email and trains and streets - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll It's 12:13 PM EDT and still no email. I am also responding more to the question about how the trains and streets will be. We were there for the inauguration and were able to get around pretty well on the trains, just had to wait a much longer time than is usual. But everything still was pretty easy for 1.8 million people, so I'm guessing that Monday will be rush hour in the AM and just fine otherwise. Well, still waiting on the email. I'm planning to take my receipt/order # with me if there is no email before we leave on Saturday. I'll post back if I get the email, too! |
| 8th April 2009 Char | Waiting on Printpass! - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I'm getting a little nervous now!! Still waiting on printpass and I haven't seen where anyone has recieved printpass but have heard people from different groups such as Schools in the District and Prince Georges county MD got actual tickets!! Still waiting and trying to be patient...only because I told the 5 year old we had tickets! Should have kept my trap closed until I had them in hand or on computer ;) |
| 8th April 2009 Ann | still waiting on PrintPass e-mail - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I had tickets for the 9:45am time slot, but still have not received my PrintPass e-mail. |
| 8th April 2009 Alexza | Still waiting & nervous - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Hi, I got tickets too. I'm still waiting on the official email. I know I am more excited than my kids are. LOL It felt like winning the lottery for me. My kids and my hubby laughed at me. I'm also nervous about getting around on Monday. I wonder how packed the trains and the streets will be. |
| 8th April 2009 Debbie | PrintPass Tickets - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I received my comfirmation at 2:20 pm. on Thurs, 3/26 and I still haven't received an email regarding the printpass tickets. |
| 8th April 2009 marcia | Printpass - still waiting - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Hi, I got lucky enough to get tickets to the 3-5pm time slot. I still haven't received the "official" printpass tickets either. I'm very nervous about not getting it yet and sent them an email. Still no response, hopefully it'll come soon. We're traveling tomorrow to DC, so I'm crossing my fingers! This will be our familys first egg roll and my boys ages 5 & 9 are so excited to be able to go. (I think that I'm even more excited!) |
| 8th April 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I haven't gotten my official email yet. I'll let you know when it comes. |
| 7th April 2009 Jill Harris | Easter Egg Roll - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Has anyone got there e-mail with there offical tickets and agenda? I haven't got my e-mail yet with my print passes and was scared that something was wrong. |
| 7th April 2009 sartek | PrintPass - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll How has PrintPass worked for those who have received the email with the tickets? I was able to get tickets on the last run of the day on March 26th, so I'm guessing I won't get an email until the end of April 8th. Just curious. Thank you, PO5 for a positive blog post in the face of so much hassle trying to get tickets. It was a long process for me, too, and if I hadn't gotten tickets I would've been OK, too. But when I actually succeeded and got an order number, I was like some of the other posters - acting like I'd just won a lottery - for about 2 seconds. Then I calmed down because I want my son to place importance on people around him and the values inside of himself rather than valuing events or things outside of himself. Even if we never get the email/tickets he told me we'll have a good time in DC, anyway. Yessssss! But I'm still eagerly awaiting the email :) ! Does that make me two-faced? |
| 6th April 2009 Jill Harris | Easter Egg Roll - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Did you get your e-mail today for the Egg Roll? I was just wondering if it told who was going to be there at the Roll. What time slot did you get? I won tickets my family is so excited to go. This will be our first time going. I hope you and your family have alot of fun. |
| 4th April 2009 Lila | April 3 - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I was also disappointed because I was unable to get tickets. I started checking the White House web site at midnight DC time, then 3am, then 6am. Though I was checking frequently, along with a friend of mine, we didn't see the website updated to click for tickets until 10:00 am DC time. Did other people have this problem? |
| 31st March 2009 lUIS | TICKETS TO EGG ROLL AT WHITE HOUSE - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Like so many of you have posted. I was so dissapointed. I woke up at 6 am (Pacific standard time) thinking by getting up early ticket would be distributed from 8 am or 9 am EST, so I got up early to tackle on the task. At first I would reach the selection window for tickets, but no response to the selection of tickets, system eventually froze. I logged out , logged back on and every time tickets will be distributed throughout the day, this message I received till 4:40 pm PST, at around 5 PST, I finally reached the selection window again, again not able to make a selection to secure the tickets, next thing the window refreshes with Sorry all tickets are out. SO Dissapointed, so displeased. System sucks. |
| 28th March 2009 Kelly | thanks for your blog - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Just wanted to say that your blog gave me great information on how to get tickets to the egg roll. I went from I don't think I can spend the night in D.C. to this is an opportunity of a lifetime that I would probably do only once. I actually looked forward to camping out with my friend. We had it all planned out. And to me waiting in an actual line gave me hope that indeed I would actually be able to give my kids an opportunity to play on the white house lawn. How awesome would that have been? WOW!!! When the process to get tickets changed, I was disappointed, but I do see the point of letting those who can't camp out to get tickets. Like everyone else, my plan had changed. When the process was announced for getting tickets, I felt so lucky that I did not have to work on Thursday the tickets were being distributed. I was going to be able to be on the computer and get tickets. I felt like I still had a chance. And like you mentioned, you still had to camp out. Starting at 12 a.m. the camping out begun in front of the computer. Finally when the tickets started being distrubuted I would get to the point of putting the code in. No luck. All day, the same thing. I, like you, feeling that my internet was too slow to compete, went to my husbands office to get a faster connection. The office workers would come and ask Any Tickets Yet?? Anyway, to sum it up I never was able to secure tickets. I would get so excited after making a ticket selection only to be disappointed as the next screen would never come up. I even thought the ticket distribution may have lasted for more than one day. I was so disappointed when the announcement was made there were no more tickets were available. In disbelief, I went to the website again and again just to make sure. Yes,I know it, I was getting a little mental. In fact, I thought I was going to have a mental breakdown. I'm sure a lot of it was mental and physical exhaustion. I felt so sad that after 19 1/2 hours of waiting in front of the computer I was ticketless. After getting a full night sleep and a couple of days later I realize it's not the end of the world. Congratulations to those who got tickets!! I hope all that did get tickets use them and realize what an awesome experience it will be! Okay, I said my peace (my husband will be happy, he's getting a little sick of easter egg roll ticket talk). Now I look at it as there will always be next year!!!!! Thanks again for a great blog. It was a great thing to go to during ticket distribution day, kind of like a support group!!! |
| 28th March 2009 Shane | John: Audacity of Hope - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll John: It is very surreal for me and my family. I am very excited though. I think it should be a blast. Thanks, |
| 28th March 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll In the past, the president has appeared right at the beginning. I don't know how it works, b/c I've never been there that early before. Hope you get a glimpse of him! |
| 28th March 2009 Ozz | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll For those who unfortunately did not get tickets, I am sorry. I do agree the system was very unfair, although I somehow was able to get 4 tickets, 2 adult ones and 2 child ones for the 8 am group. I waited from 12 am and I was lucky enough to get them at around 2:30 pm, 2 hours before I had to go to work my night shift. I consider it complete luck and I feel for those who did not receive tickets. However, for those who do have tickets for the 8 am group, do you all know of how it works with the first family coming out, because I have heard that they do come out for the first group? Let me know, thanks! |
| 28th March 2009 Shanda | I GOT TICKETS FOR THE 3 TO 5 SLOT!!! - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Ok, we live in Henrico, VA and I nor my husband would have been able to camp all night for tickets for our 4 year old. We wanted him to have this experience and with the hope of possibly meeting the First Family!! Next year we may not be able to get tickets but to me the online way was good for us. And yes, I was on line as early as 4 am and didn't get my tickets until the last ticket session. I was able to get my four tickts to the check out box but couldn't confirm them, on the last try, it just so happened I grabbed my tickets and they were waiting for me. We I went in to grab more, it took me to the check out!!!! How excited I was, I screamed for two minutes. And yes, my husband and kids just laughed. We are excited and I pray that this date is a fun filled day with no issues. I want to come back home with happy memories and a very exhausted 4 year old with tons of photos!!!! See you guys on the13th at 2 pm in line!!!! |
| 27th March 2009 John | Audacity of Hope - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Shane: Ditto your experience. Have you come down from your high yet? After all of that, it felt like winning the lottery! |
| 27th March 2009 PerfectCircle | Egg Roll 2009 - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I live in the DMV so I feel awful for saying this...but I really was looking forward to camping out, especially after reading your travel blog! Even though we finally got tickets during the last release (after 12 hours of the "enter" and "back" key). My husband and I jumped up, screamed (loudly), had some wine drink and went to bed. The whole experience, for me, was extremly exhusting...I feel abused (LOL). |
| 27th March 2009 Catherine | Bummer - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll There was absolutely no way to get on to the tickets website yesterday from 6am-9am. I tried and tried and tried and continued to be timed out due to 'high volume.' What did I expect? As a single parent, I sadly do not have time to sit online, or on line all day/night, to give my kids the thrill of a lifetime. C'est la vie I suppose. We'll stick with local pleasures in Brooklyn. |
| 27th March 2009 local | Ellipse Festivities - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I haven't seen this in print, but after speaking with a National Park Service employee, they said that there would not be the same type of free activities (as they have had in the past) for the public on the Ellipse this Easter Monday. The outdoor Easter Egg Roll Festivities would only be on the South Lawn. There will be the Easter Egg Roll related activities (storytelling, coloring, etc.) at the White House Visitor Center during the Easter Egg South Lawn activities as the Visitor Center has had in past years. |
| 27th March 2009 JK in Jersey | another evening sucess story - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I wanted to add we had the same early day and afternoon web-crashing struggles as most posters did. We didn't give up and were fortunate enough to get 4 tickets (2 child, 2 adult) around 7:30 EDT. Obsessive Mom 'summed' up strategies for future success for tickets well. Thank you for the helpful blog thru this new ticketing process. |
| 27th March 2009 Shane | FRUSTRATION TURNED TO JOY - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll My journey started out at 12 a.m. EST 3/26/09 to secure 6 tickets for my family for our 1st experience with the White House Annual Easter Egg Roll. Like most individuals on this blog and others, my sister and I planned to spend the overnight weekend before the egg roll to get tickets. We planned the whole "camping out" excursion from before the election in November 2008. I was on the whitehouse.gov for 3 1/2 hours then finally decided to go to bed so that I could arise at least before I went to work to try again. I called my sister to let her know that she should try before she went to work as well, which was before 8 a.m. She called me around eight to say that the site had not gone live yet, she could only access the Whitehouse site. I was able in between getting dressed go on the Whitehouse site around 9 a.m. and I still could not go any further than that. It did not have any "click here," link. I got so engrossed that I continued and before I knew it, it was a little after 10 a.m. and I noticed the you could go to the new site. I immediately "click here" and the site came up. I tried to order from the main page, but ended up having to "register" because it would not let me go access the site unless I did. I immediately created an account and went to my inbox to retrieve the new password. Once I retrieved it and went directly back to the site, I enter my email and password and accessed the site, however, there was nothing to "buy" as indicated on the site. So I browsed around looking to see how you get your tickets for about 30-40 minutes. After which, the site automatically stated that I have to "check back later." I was like "whatever" at that point. So, I looked at the time and was like I am seriously late for WORK! However, because I was determined to try to get these tickets from my family I soldiered on…. At this time it was about 11:15 or so and I was like I know they are not going to bring the site up because, the President was having his "e-Town-Hall" live mtg. Therefore, I tried to no avail to access the ticket site anyhow thinking that just maybe they would have it up simultaneously. NOT. Time went on ended up listing to his whole "speech and answer" session, thinking they must bring it up after he goes off the air. So once that happened low and behold… NOTHING!! The now familiar phrase of, DUE TO HEAVY VOLUME…….CHECK BY LATER." This happened for another 1 1/2 hours. All of which I was checking every 1 to 2 minutes (seriously). 2:20-25 p.m. site comes live again, I immediately entered email/password clicked go got to the 1st screen click the time I had wanted and click continue (red flag came up) then I had to dropdown menu that it was the 6 tickets that I wanted(even though it already said that). Click continue as fast I could, came to the scramble security code screen read/typed as fast as I could clicked continue again, came to the 3rd screen for deliver confirmation clicked continue got to the 4th and final screen check the "I attest this is true" box, and hit as fast as I could the enter button to purchase! Well, I was literally screaming at this point because I hit the purchase and it was "processing." So I was like "I am home free!" NOT NOT NOT the screen timed out several times and then some. I had to hit the back button at least 10 times, and then it took me to the "holding room." Which I was there for at least 40 minutes (NO JOKE). I was like, "NO WAY!" This is not happening, however, it was. Make long story short. I hit the back button and the initial ordering screen came up with my initial order for 6 tickets and the time. So I was like, "great." At least I still might have a chance to get them because technically, I was stilled "logged in." My sister called me and said the site is not even coming up on her end she was getting a "No website found" message. I told her where I was at in the ballgame. She was like, "just hang in there." Well after 2 1/2 hours it automatically kicked me out of the system, which immediately after, most of us know the statement, "CHECK BACK LATER!" That went on for approximately, (NO KIDDING) 31/2 hours. However, during that time (YES, I Stayed home). I was constantly, literally, constantly in my address bar going to 09whegg……com. Until 7:22 p.m. I kid you not; my fingers were constantly clicking on that site the whole time. And every now and again, I would open a new window to Google "white house egg roll 2009 online problems," for I knew I could not be the only one FRUSTRATED. Walla..I found this site. Read a few comments and then got back to clicking away because I didn’t want to come so far knowing the hour was getting late in the evening and the probably would come up at any moment. Well they did and I immediately signed on (because by this time VERY familiar w/the process), clicking away as fast as my little fingers would go praying all the way and my little girl went in her room (unbeknownst to me, until later) and prayed also. I went from step 1 to 4 in about 30 second (NO KIDDING) and immediately after pressing "purchase" my CONFIRMATION NUMBER CAME UP!!! YES YES YES, I thanked the Lord literally, yelled, screamed, jumped with happiness and frustration and was relived that my journey ended with JOY! |
| 27th March 2009 steve | cant get tickets - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Its a shame we didnt know about this earlier. I would rather have stood on line like I did last year for two days knowing I was getting tickets instead of wasting all this time for nothing .Thank you all for your input. |
| 27th March 2009 P05 | Obsessive Mom... - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll You should have your own blog, LOL! I'll post my strategy tomorrow. |
| 27th March 2009 Obsessive Mom | My Strategies (cont) - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll (Whoops, site owner, you're welcome to combine these messages --I hit enter by accident) I proceeded to do this nonstop, until I got into the site at about 2:30 p.m. EDT when another block of tickets were released. At this time, I began the ordering process, but the website sent an error message, and I had to begin at least two more times. By that point, I still had access to the ticket site, but the tickets were gone. I proceeded to click 7X/minute for the rest of the afternoon. Actually, I had to pick up my kids, and go to various lessons, so I paid my babysitter to come click for me during this time. I figured it was worth $10/hour since the tickets are free if you can get them. I told her to bring her IPOD. (While I was clicking, I listened to books on tape. It was much more pleasant.) She began clicking and continued while I was out. At the third release, she got into the site and was able to get tickets. Needless to say, we were thrilled. I really believe that only the very, very lucky or those who click nonstop will get tickets. Here are a few additional strategies: 1) When you get to the ordering site after hours of clicking, don't freak out. We both felt this impulse, btw. It's a lime green screen. 2) Every second counts when tickets go live. Don't waste them. 3) The first click on the ordering site is a time choice. If you know you want to go in the morning, click one of the first two quickly. If you want to go in the afternoon, click on one of the last two sites quickly. 4) Then the site asks you how many tickets for adults and children you want. EX: one adult, one child all the way to two adults, four children. Scan this as quickly as possible, click in the button, be sure to fill the number in midway through the line, and then hit the buy button. The tickets are free, but you have to hit buy anyway. Hit it as fast as you can. 5) Proceed as quickly as you can. Don't bother with quick checkout, just go ahead with the registration. I tried to get an account when I accessed the site at 2:30 EDT, but no password was mailed to me, so I don't think this is a working feature. 6) Presto! You should have tickets. If it doesn't work, go back as quickly as you can, and choose a different time. I also learned that if a time frame says that there are not enough tickets available for that slot, there are fewer tickets that what you requested, but there a still 1-5 available. You can choose a lower number if it works for you and possibly get them. But I'd try for a different time first. Last few hints: if you access the site but don't get tickets, you may be able to keep it up on your screen on the "time request" page. If you can, keep that window open and unused and begin your clicking in a different window. If the site goes live, access it in your click window, but also change quickly to your "time request" screen and hit the button. Use both at once. A related strategy: as soon as you get into the site and as you're waiting for it to load, load it in a different window that you have ready. This will help if the site has an error message as it did for me this morning. Both of these suggestions assume you have good internet access. Last hint: at least if what they did today is how they will operate tonight and tomorrow, after they do a ticket release, you will have at least 2-3 hours before another one. I wouldn't give up clicking, but you can take a very quick break during that time to start dishwasher, put laundry in the dryer, have lunch, etc. Good luck! |
| 27th March 2009 CJ | At least it's finally over! - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I feel so fortunate to have gotten tix for my family of 5. I started at 12am checking the site, and got ours right at 8am. However, I spent all day (literally 12 hours!) trying to get 2 tix for my mother and my niece. I really thought I would get them, but no luck. I feel so bad...they are so disappointed- as I'm sure many, many of you are. So, mixed feelings for me. |
| 27th March 2009 Obsessive Mom | My Strategies - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Dear Fellow Ticket Seekers, We spent all day today clicking for tickets. We got some at the last release. I thought I'd tell you about our experience in case it helps you. I believe tickets have been released three times today, around 11 or 11:30 a.m. EDT, 2:30 EDT, and 7:30 EDT. (We are actually in MDT.) I checked the site first thing this morning, and checked back several times before I went to exercise but there was no "click here" line on the site yet. Sometime during that hour, the site went live, and the first tickets were distributed. When I returned from exercising, I was very unhappy that I missed the first round, but I began clicking nonstop: Hit the "click here" on the White House Site, hit the http link, get the not available screen, and hit the return arrow to get back to the White House. Repeat process. I found that I can do this about seven times a minute. |
| 27th March 2009 steve | response cant get tickets - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I dont really get this. My wife has been on since 1am this morning and I took over at 8am this morning and now it's 8:10pm and there's no more tickets. How did anyone manager to get one ticket on this crazy web site. We have been on this site for 21 Hrs and couldnt get past confirming a time. There's has to be more to this. Maybe there will be another load of tickets like the did last year when people had to get on line the following day....So much for change!!!! |
| 27th March 2009 Disgruntled in Atlanta | No more tickets available - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll It sure has been an EXTREME day of frustration in our home. And, to no avail, we are ticketless. Upon another try moments ago we received a message that there are no more tickets available for the 2009 egg roll. UUGGHH.. I've been trying like so many since 12:00 am to secure tickets for our darling children. I have written a professional, but indeed frustrated email to the White House and encourage you to join me - When you exit the White House page to the egg roll page the box that pops up gives you an opportunity to make a comment. This is where I sent my email from. Congratulations to those who made it through and secured tickets. Thank you for all the great information on this blog. It rocks! |
| 26th March 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I finally got tickets at about 7:35. I'm bleary and crossed eyed right now and I'm going to bed. I'll update my blog tomorrow. Lots of comments from readers that the tix are sold out now. I haven't seen that message myself. If I go back to the website it says try again later. Good luck to everyone still looking. |
| 26th March 2009 LT | Father and son outing. - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I cannot believe they are all out of tickets, I was looking forward to this all year. I only need two tickets, for me and my son. If anyone out there has two tickets to spare please e-mail me at lterrellwilliams@gmail.com. I have faith that I will get two tickets from someone. :) |
| 26th March 2009 HLG in DC | Tickets gone - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Well it is 7:55 pm and I checked for the last time only to see the message that the tickets had been distributed and no more were available. |
| 26th March 2009 mamidetres | I think that's it - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I just checked again and finally a new page, only to tell me they are all out! Sorry guys I thinks that's-Congrats to those of you who were able to get tickets-I guess we'll try again next year! |
| 26th March 2009 Sandra | Tickets No Longer Available - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I just checked and the site says that the tickets are no longer available. |
| 26th March 2009 amy | it's over - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll the tickets are gone...cant believe it! |
| 26th March 2009 Lgarc | Never mind - now they're all gone - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I got tickets and immediately tried again for my good friend and neighbor and by the time I clicked refresh, they were all gone. I'm glad I got tickets but I am so sad and disappointed at the process and the fact that so many people were left out. I'm especially upset that they are already on sale on ebay and craig's list. Don't bother with that though because you can easily get scammed. |
| 26th March 2009 anonymous | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll The tickets for the Easter Egg Roll are sold out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just tried at 7:43pm. |
| 26th March 2009 Lgarc | I finally got tickets 7:36 pm eastern time - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I have been at it all day and had all of the same problems but I just got in out of the blue. Keep trying people! |
| 26th March 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I can totally relate! |
| 26th March 2009 Kelly | loved your commet!! - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll It's me again and I agree-----I wish they would tell us if there is no hope!!!! It would have been fun to be in a line with everyone and talk to people face to face. By the way, right now I am listening to cranky kids because I have spent way to long on the computer and have been a bad mother today. Can anyone relate? |
| 26th March 2009 Silvi | I'd rather stand in line - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll The Internet distribution was too frustrating and time consuming. At least when you stood in line, chances were, you got some tickets to the White House Easter Egg Roll. Back to basics? |
| 26th March 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Please God let them tell us when they're sold out....put us out of our misery! |
| 26th March 2009 anonymous | no tickets either - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Are they going to tell us if the tickets are sold out? and how much longer is this going to go on for tonight? |
| 26th March 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I would not assume that activities on the Ellipse will be open to the public this year. They have been in the past, but if there's anything this year has shown us, it's all bets are off. Keep watching for more info from the White House. |
| 26th March 2009 P05 | Response to My Rocky.... - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Your email address doesn't show up on my blog, but I saw it when you left your comment. I want to give a shout out to all the ladies over there at that website. I lived on those forums for about 5 years. The cycle buddies I made helped get me through some really rough times! I'm sorry you didn't get tickets yet (neither have I). Good luck! |
| 26th March 2009 kdmk | no tickets - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I've been following your blog for a year and planning... Good info, but I was not able to get any tickets for the easter egg roll. Do we still need tickets to see the events on the Eclipse? Or will I just have to enjoy the museums, monuments and zoo ? |
| 26th March 2009 Alex B. in DC | Got Hope? - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll The new system for the easter egg roll ticket distribution is so random. I've been at it all day. One second you are on the screen selecting how many tickets you want the next the site has crashed. One second you are putting in the coded word the next the website has crashed. I wish for the old days. The one great thing about being on the ellipse in DC is that you could see how many people were in front of you. Also you'd get encouraging words from the park rangers they would and they'd let you know if they thought you'd get tickets or not based on you position in line. Plus you got to really be a part of the history of the tradition. The stories that you could tell about that night were great. You could talk about how many different people from all over the country and world you met while waiting. Talk about how good or bad the weather was. What's more you spend time with you family outside, in DC, at night in a tent and be completely safe. I had so much hope.... |
| 26th March 2009 MyRocky | No tickets - the is probably the last year we can try - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll We have always wanted to go but logistically with the handicapps my daughter has, there is no way we could wait in line camped out. We were hopeful when the tickets were to be given out online. This was probably the last year we would be eligible to go. For a president that is so tech savvy, what a shameful fiasco with the set up to give out the tickets. |
| 26th March 2009 Happy camper | Got tickets!!! - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll My wife got tickets this morning around 8 to 8:30am. We order 4 tickets and got a confirmation order #. Our time is for 1:15pm to 3:15pm. They are suppose to email us the tickets between April 6-8, through something call PrintPass. I hope everything is on the up and up. |
| 26th March 2009 M | up and down - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll the site was up momentarily and by the time i clicked on one link it was down again. This is just a not funny joke and worse waste of time than standing in line. |
| 26th March 2009 Robin | got to secure check out and BANG! - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Have been on top of my computer since midnight. 1st link was on about 9:00 that I could find. Got as far as secure checkout & it crashed!!!! I have been praying all day....come on!!! We tried so hard this has to work!!! Good luck to all! |
| 26th March 2009 anonymous | tickets - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll What time were tickets first available this morning? It's now 2:00 and the site is still saying check back later. This morning I was able to choose a ticket option, but then it said they weren't available for that size party. I tried various categories and times for over an hour. What a waste of a day! |
| 26th March 2009 Angry Dad | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I began checking the sight at 4 am. Finally at 8 am, the link was posted. For two hours the website was down, then finally at 10 am I got through and successfully ordered tickets, as I proceeded through the "checkout" process, the site crashed. I went back in and began to repeat the same process, only to have the system crash yet again. Of course within the hour the tickets were completely sold out. The vendor should be utterly embarrassed that their site failed so poorly. I am disgusted. |
| 26th March 2009 carol | no tickets for me - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Stayed up to midnight eastern time, no luck. Kept trying at different times til finally got through after 8a.m. only to have the sight crash after ordering the time and decoding the word. Finally got nothing. Totally frustrating. It is after 1:25 pm and nothing yet. You would have thought they would have expected a deluge and been prepared. |
| 26th March 2009 Trish | No LUCK - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I'm so disgusted at this process. I would have rather camped outside for 2 days. At 11:00am (MA time) was the first I could even get on the link to purchase tickets only to read that there are no tickets for purchase right now. Good thing I have nothing on the calendar for the rest of the day!!! Good luck! |
| 26th March 2009 C- | Frustrated! - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Sailing with all of you on the Egg Roll Voyage.....no tickets Yet! One would have thought from past experiences with numbers so great .....website planning & possible situations would have been discussed/brought to the table. |
| 26th March 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll DO NOT BUY THEM FROM EBAY!!! I haven't been able to secure tickets but I WAS able to read the FAQ section this morning. Your ticket will be a sheet you print from your email account with a bar code on it. If you buy an email from someone off of Ebay you will have no way of knowing if someone just photocopied their email and sold it to many different people. The bar code will only work the first time it's scanned. Plus, the FAQ said selling of tickets was prohibited. |
| 26th March 2009 VAMom | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I have tried since they were released this morning and got to the "buy now" screen many times for several different time frames and was repeatedly told that no tickets were available. Some people have gotten through because tickets have been sold on ebay for $700 and some are listed on craigslist for $500. They should have stuck with the old system. |
| 26th March 2009 steve | response of cant get tickets - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I talked to the webmaster of the third party website that hosts the eastereggroll website for the whitehouse. They have been experiencing trouble with the website (go figure)and had to take it down. Their IT guy is working the problem. They said to check back up later. In reading the earlier blog, one of the bloggers said she was able to get tickets early this morning (alaska time). That is the only positive result I heard all morning. |
| 26th March 2009 Jeanne | Don't give up - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I got on this morning (for about the fifth time to check) at 8 and finally got the link to the ticket site. It took me about an hour and a half of reloading, retrying, etc., but I finally got tickets for my family of 4. We're in the 3-5 group. I created an account (which is free), because I kept freezing up during the ticketing process. Next time I got through, I did express checkout with my account info and it went through. Good luck to all! |
| 26th March 2009 PC | no luck in Anne Arudel County - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I have been home all day on my computer and checking every 15 minutes. I have gotten as far as the order tickets screen and then that's it. |
| 26th March 2009 Gwen in Lorton | No such luck yet - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I have been up and down all morning, with no luck. I think it started about 9am EST. I have gotten to the buy tickets now section with no luck. Keep trying.......I will. |
| 26th March 2009 Ozz | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I have gotten the same screen for the past few hours, its pretty frustrating. How are we supposed to know what is going to happen next, or if they are going fix the problem. |
| 26th March 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I wouldn't be surprised if this website crashes too. I've had an astronomical amount of hits on this blog today. No luck so far for me. Good luck everyone. |
| 26th March 2009 Carol | Issue Getting Tickets - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I'm getting the error too since 8am EST. I've made it to the order screen time but got an error each time. Now I just get a green page with the text "Tickets will be available at various times throughout the day. This is to allow as many people as possible to attend. If you are unable to order tickets at this time, please check back later." I think I much prefer the Elipse method. Has anyone actually had any success with the website? |
| 26th March 2009 Trish | Easter Egg Roll mess - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Has anyone been able to get tickets to the 2009 White House Easter Egg Roll? I've been trying since midnight which is how I found this website. I don't think this online tickets is working so well. Thanks |
| 26th March 2009 Cheryl Washington | Ban Web problem preventing entering lottery for Easter Egg Roll - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I'm having extreme difficulty with the Easter egg roll site today. I am constantly getting an error message," Connection Interrupted". Please correct. |
| 26th March 2009 steve | Cant get tickets online - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I havre been on the website www.whitehouse.gov/eastereggroll and it has been erroring out since 8am this morning. It lets you get as far as selecting the time you perfer and it errors out and you have to start all over again. Anyone experiencing the same problem? |
| 26th March 2009 Ray | Servers overwhelmed - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll LOL...good luck getting tickets. Servers are jammed... |
| 26th March 2009 Alaskan Mama Who Supports Obama | Got Tickets!!!! - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I have been up since 1 a.m. my time (Alaskan Standard Time). Was fortunate enough to get tickets to the 1:15 session. Wish you all the best of luck!!! Hope to see you there! |
| 25th March 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll In the past entertainment acts have been announced a week in advance of the event. There has been no word on who is scheduled to appear yet. |
| 25th March 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll You are allowed to bring cameras...well in the past we were allowed. I don't know if that will change this year or not. |
| 25th March 2009 heather | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll do you know if the jonas brothers are going to be performing this year? because they were there last year (2008 easter egg roll) and i went. but i really only want to go if they are performing there. so please get back, thanks. |
| 25th March 2009 Jill Harris | Easter Egg Roll - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll How did you get a camera in to the Easter Egg Roll. IF I won tickets I would love to take pictures. Did you have any prombles getting the camera in the gates. |
| 23rd March 2009 Sweet Tooth | Time difference - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Hi! This was what I found in the White House press release from today: The annual White House Easter Egg Roll will be held on Monday, April 13, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the South Lawn of the White House. so all of us have chances until 5pm... |
| 23rd March 2009 JT | Sad news!! I was excited about camping out! - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I was going to be joining you on Monday to try and get in line to get tickets. Now I get to try online and HOPE we don't crash their servers... |
| 21st March 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Ticket date? I'm sure you mean event date. April 13, 2009 8-2pm is the actual time of the White House Easter Egg Roll. They'll have to give the tickets out before then. |
| 21st March 2009 Perfectcircle | White Easter Egg Lottery - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Our local news in the DMV finally stated what you’ve been saying for quite sometime. This is a quote from Mike Allen’s Playbook from Politico.com. “NUGGET OF THE WEEK: “The traditional White House Easter Egg Roll this year is planned to be the largest ever, with tens of thousands of visitors expected. Tickets will be distributed online for the first time, making it easier for families to plan and, [Desiree] Rogers hopes, allowing more people to attend from outside the Washington area.” The NPS or White House is not giving any details on procedures, but they have listed the ticket date: April 13, 2009, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| 14th March 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll They start closing everything down at 3pm. I left just after 3 last year. I don't know if they go around an herd people out of there who are lingering, b/c I wasn't around that long. |
| 14th March 2009 bev | Done at 2pm? - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Does the White House Easter Egg Roll ticket have a time when you're requested to exit? Or just the time you're to enter? |
| 10th March 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll We don't know for sure if there will be a lottery at all this year. I'll update my blog when there's official info from the White House. In year's past, the White House has updated their website with details a week before the event. So we might not know for sure until the last minute. Keep an eye on their website and you'll know when I know. |
| 10th March 2009 NJ MOM | How do you enter the lottery for tickets? - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll How do you enter the lottery for tickets? How many do you win if you are picked? Do you know anyone that has won tickets this way? How many times can you try to win tickets? NJ MOM |
| 10th March 2009 BBinDC | Thanks - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Thanks for the info. I work near the White House and we were planning to camp out so if I find out any info I will share with you. Your blog is great! |
| 7th March 2009 anonymous | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Thank you so much for sharing this information. I have not been able to get any definitive ans fr anyone, so your sharing spirit is truly appreciated. If I, by chance, should get any extras I will let you know. |
| 5th March 2009 john | Lottery - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I called NPS last week about the date they would release tickets. He was cryptic in his reply. "IF they do it like they have in the past, tix will be distributed the Saturday before Easter", etc. Guess he knew something. |
| 4th March 2009 anonymous | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I am planning on getting tickets, but does anyone know for sure if it will be a lottery or a waiting in line process this year? |
| 3rd March 2009 P05 | Try this - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll http://www.nps.gov/whho/white_house_easter_egg_roll.htm |
| 3rd March 2009 tjzkorner | website no longer works - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll the website for the Easter Egg roll no longer works when I tried to search the new whitehouse website I didn't find anything. any ideas? |
| 1st March 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll The rule has always been 5 tickets per person, and only two of those tickets could be for adults. One ticket had to be for a child 7 or under. |
| 1st March 2009 Caring Cousin | Hoping for the best - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll As a child I attended the Roll once, and although I have no children, decided this year to get tickets for cousins who have young children. I live and work near the White House and was wondering how far in advance the line began. With Obama in office I anticipate monumental interest in obtaining tickets, and perhaps....more adults than usual in attendance. More than likely the Obamas will take the approach of making the process fairer to a larger group of people. I only hope that the process will not be like the inauguration, where they distribute more tickets than they could accommodate guests. Thanks for the informant and I hope dh is successful this year. One question, should interested parties begin to petition those in charge, to keep things as they've been? Is it too early to begin writing, calling, emailing, etc...? |
| 1st March 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Hmm, I'm thinking that lottery has really put a damper on our chances for this year. :( President Obama, you wouldn't mind personally inviting a nice family of five from Buffalo, NY to the Easter Egg Roll would you? My boys would love to meet you! |
| 1st March 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I wonder how they will handle the people who win the lottery but don't have any intention of showing up? Signing up online is pretty easy to do. If they win and don't go, it would be a shame for all the people who really wanted to attend. At least with camping out, you know the people who got tickets were really motivated to be there. Bummer, we never get picked in lotteries. :( |
| 28th February 2009 ktracek | Tickets via Internet this year? - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I just read in today's A-section of the Washington Post (A15), "Managing the Highest-Profile Social Scene", that Desiree Rogers, the new social secretary for the White House is "planning for the first time to ask the public to sign up on the Internet for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll instead of forcing 36,000 people to wait in line". Anyone hear this as well? How possible is this? And, now there is no chance to get tickets, if it's a lottery of millions of people. At least you knew you had a chance, and some control over getting tickets if you stood in line, by choice. |
| 28th February 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll We live out of town too, but we still go. You can rent a hotel room to come back to, but plan to spend the night on the Ellipse waiting for tickets. |
| 26th February 2009 Nina | Easter Egg Roll - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll What if you live out of town, we live in Romulus Mi. |
| 26th February 2009 P05 | Nope. - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll You don't need to bring the kids to wait for the tickets. |
| 26th February 2009 Brie | kids - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I know they are always saying you need a 7 or under year old to get tickets, but do you need to drag the kids with you just to get the tickets? Or can they stay at home? |
| 20th February 2009 Deb | great posting - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Thanks for blogging about this...I was trying to figure out the best way to plan for this, and you definitely helped! |
| 29th January 2009 KJENKINS | EXCITED. - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll tHANKS for the info. I was wondering how everything had went in the past. I will be coming from arkansas and I plan to be ready to get tickets for my kids, I look foward to this event |
| 18th January 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll It's not uncommon for people to camp overnight with friends for that exact reason. Although, the years my husband went alone, he was able to get back in line after making a bathroom run b/c he got to know the people around him in line. I also remember him saying that there were port-a-potties set up not too far away. |
| 17th January 2009 Suzaane | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll So, I am wondering whether or not it's "kosher" to bring friends to share a tent with, so that one person can rotate out every now and then for potty breaks and food, getting back in line without any problems from other people. For security reasons, I wouldn't want to be in a tent 10+ hours alone! |
| 15th January 2009 "Matoo" | Wow! - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Wow! Thanks for the well and informed info. God willing and weather permit we will be there and for the first time! Soo excited, can't wait!! Thanks!!!!! =) |
| 13th January 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll The White House Easter Egg Roll takes place every year on the Monday after Easter. |
| 11th January 2009 CHRISTINE BAUER | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Do you know when the Easter Roll is for 2009? |
| 4th January 2009 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll My husband thinks I should take this entry down b/c I'm giving away all of our trade secrets. LOL. It's gotten a lot of hits since Election Day. It would be a dream come true for us to get there one more time (and early enough for our kids to actually see President Obama). So we'll be trying it again this year. |
| 3rd January 2009 Cindy | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll Terrific info! Can you IMAGINE how it's going to be with Obama this year? Whoa! I told my husband to shine up his camping gear :) |
| 12th December 2008 Bob C. | Great Review! - From: Niagara Falls: The American Side We recently visited Niagara Falls in the winter for an 1.5 hours on our way home to Mass. Really want to return when its warmer. We thought the American side of the falls was really nice and have heard that the Canadian side is even better! Definately take the Maid of the Mist (cheaper than passports) and looks like a whole lot of fun!!! Love your review! thanks! Bob |
| 10th November 2008 gospelnews | great - From: Toronto with Kids- The Toronto Zoo i love to read this and i hope that i will get there too when i am married |
| 13th August 2008 Jane | Thanks! - From: Niagara Falls: The American Side Thanks for your site. We are going to Niagara for the first time next week and I was wondering about parking there. Your site was very helpful. It is nice to get someone's opinion of what the area is like and what to do before we go. Thanks! |
| 26th July 2008 Suzie Zoo | - From: Niagara Falls: The American Side I've been to Niagara Falls so many times and have never done Cave of the Winds and I haven't been on the Maid of the Mist since sixth grade!! Glad you all had a good time! Love all the photos on your blog!! |
| 22nd March 2008 P05 | - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll I'm not sure why everyone shows up earlier and earlier each year either?! I think you might still have a chance if you really want tickets to get some on Monday morning. They will give out a small number on that day. But honestly, to be positive you get some, I would get in line Easter morning or afternoon at the latest. |
| 22nd March 2008 Suzanna | So Sad Easter egg roll has turned into this... - From: Getting Tickets for the White House Easter Egg Roll My DH went to stand in line for the White House Easter egg roll tickets this year around 3am, because the National Park service recommended he should be there by 4am. At 5am he was informed that he was too late and there was no hope of getting a ticket. My DH is in the military fighting for our Country's freedom and we can't even get a ticket. We are moving this summer so this was our only chance to get tickets. After living in the Washington area for 2 years this event is a perfect of example of how crazy this area is. So sad that this American tradition has turned into a fiasco because of people trying to one up the next guy. Sad.... |
| 8th January 2008 Heather | Thanks! - From: Chicago on a Shoestring: We came in under budget! Thanks! I'm a DISer who happened upon your blog and wanted to thank you for the Hancock Tower tip! |
| 24th November 2007 P05 | re: Beautiful Family - From: A Day at the Beach in the Hamptons Thank you for your kind words! |
| 21st November 2007 KafiT | Beautiful family - From: A Day at the Beach in the Hamptons Hi I am a fellow Diser who followed over to your blog. Your post of your stay in West Hamptons was similar to what we just experienced burying my small niece who died suddenly. It was a bittersweet occasion and we too stayed on Virginia Beach with family that we dont see often enough. Beautiful family. I have four myself and know the joys and the complexity of traveling with such a bunch. Praying for you this Holiday it is so hard to loose a loved one. |
| 24th October 2007 P05 | Re: not going inside - From: The Statue of Liberty You're right, we still had a great time even though we didn't actually go inside. It was great to see her up close. |
| 24th October 2007 Carolyn | statue of liberty - From: The Statue of Liberty Hi-I followed your link through a Dis budget board thread. We visited NY/DC this past summer. We had tickets for the inside of the Statue of Liberty that I had reserved in advance but after finding out that the line was over an hour long, we gave them to the park ranger to give to someone else. I don't think not being able to go inside diminished our experience, and you can't go all the way up anymore. |
| 19th August 2007 P05 | McD's - From: Chicago on a Shoestring: We came in under budget! Well, we definitely can't eat like that everyday! But if it's a choice between going on vacation or not, I'll do it for a little while and enjoy myself. We usually have healthy snacks packed in a cooler to supplement the McD's. I have carrots, grapes, juices, etc. that I carry with me. |
| 19th August 2007 sherry | WOW! - From: Chicago on a Shoestring: We came in under budget! You had me hooked with the three McD's meals! I don't advocate it either, but my youngest adores McDonalds and the price can't be beat. We always eat for less than 15 bucks there, for five of us, and are full, too. It is the one place EVERYONE in the family can agree on, fast food wise. Can't wait to read all your reports! |
| 12th July 2007 Annie | Great Job!! - From: $1500 Cape Cod Challenge Day 8: Plimoth Plantation, Mayflower 2, and heading home I have just read your journals and want to thank you for sharing and giving me an insight into the Cape. My children are older teens but they are still coming with us this summer. So you have given us a lot of ideas and suggestions. Thank you for sharing!! You sounded like you had a lot of fun so I am getting excited about our holiday!!! |
| 7th July 2007 P05 | re: Martha's Vineyard History book - From: $1500 Cape Cod Challenge Day 5: Martha's Vineyard I'd love to know the title. If you find out, I can look for it at the library or on amazon. Thanks! |
| 7th July 2007 John | Thanks - From: $1500 Cape Cod Challenge Day 5: Martha's Vineyard I saw a link to your blog on one of your enlightening Dis posts, and thanks for the well written and insightful posts on both. Your family is just adorable; I just got back from Cape Cod with my family myself (not as long as you, just a couple of days). My wife's aunt and uncle live over in Oak Bluffs; they had one of those gingerbread cottages years ago, but moved down the street to someplace bigger. They were putting together a book on the African American history of the island a couple of years ago. I don't know if they had it finished, but if you'd like a copy as a souvenir, I can find out and get you one if they have it finished. Post back if you'd like one, I don't know how to leave an email on a blog. I'll check back every so often. Thanks |
| 7th July 2007 ~Sharon~ | Beautiful photo of your boys - From: $1500 Cape Cod Challenge Day 6: Shopping, JFK Museum (almost), and other indoor activities Aaaw, that is a wonderful photo of your boys, looking for shells on the beach. My favorite photo on this blog. :) |
| 7th July 2007 ~Sharon~ | Mmmm Baxter's sounds good! - From: $1500 Cape Cod Challenge Day 7: Kennedy Compound I love seafood & we will be staying in Hyannis next week, so going to have to try Baxter's now. You have my mouth watering already! |
| 28th June 2007 Mom | Great job with the blog - From: $1500 Cape Cod Challenge Day 5: Martha's Vineyard Feel as though I am taking the trip with you the descriptions and pictures are great... |
| 28th June 2007 Trish | Thank you! - From: $1500 Cape Cod Challenge Day 5: Martha's Vineyard I posted on the Dis asking for vacation ideas and you pointed me to your blog. Great job! Seriously, you don't know how much you've helped me get out of our vacation rut. I never would have imagined there would be enough to do in Cape Cod to keep little ones happy. I will continue to follow along on your family adventure, keep up the good work. |
| 27th June 2007 Mom | Loving this.... - From: $1500 Cape Cod Challenge Day 3: Whale Watching I can't wait for the next installments.... |
| 26th June 2007 Mom | Fascinating site.... - From: $1500 Cape Cod Challenge: One week in Cape Cod with a family of 5 This is so interesting.....I love being able to see what your vacation is like while you are still there. Love the pictures of the kids. Miss you guys but glad you are having so much fun. |
