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Living again with dinosaurs

22nd May 202522nd May 2025 funtime65

They came, they saw, they brontosaurus then up and left… but now they’re back and we’re living again with dinosaurs.

It doesn’t take the release of Walking With Dinosaurs on Sunday, May 25 (BBC, 6.25pm) to release our inner Ross Geller… but it helps.

Ross, of course, plies his palaeontology out of the world-renowned American Museum of Natural History.

And devouring everything prehistoric (but not Ross’s sandwich) should be on your itinerary in New York.

Particularly when you need to occupy your overactive kids on a rainy (or sweltering) day in the Big Apple.

When you don’t even have to go overland, just hop out at the Subway Station and the doors are wide open for you.

A day and night at the museum

The Museum of Natural History (yes, that one out of Night At The Museum) is pay-what-you-want and you’ll want to big.

Now America’s rich prehistoric past is a counter to Yankaphobes who love falsely to point to the continent’s lack of history.

Despite dinosaur fans being able to walk in their footsteps coast to coast and everywhere in between.

Yale to Universal

We got a behind-the-scenes look at the free Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven, Connecticut.

Which dinosaur fans know was where the velociraptor from Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park was born.

And where they are brought back to life through the wizardry of Universal in Orlando and Hollywood.

And you can get up close and personal to Dino.

A Dino’s graveyard

Feeding time: Universal Studios Hollywood

Of course, here on this British island of ours we pride ourselves on our BBC being free too, apart from the £174.50 licence fee.

And while you’re waiting to get out to Dinoworld you can travel to the four corners of the earth while not leaving your sofa.

Such as Pipestone Creek in Alberta, Canada, featured on the prog.

Nicknamed the ‘River of Death’, Pipestone Creek is home to a mass grave.

Thousands of Pachyrhinosaurus, each the size of an elephant, were buried here, killed in one day.

The Calgary is here

See the discoveries first hand at Philip J Currie Dinosaur Museum in Grande Prairie, where the bones are cleaned and analysed.

Tickets for adults (18+) cost from $15 CAD / £8.

Return flights (London to Calgary) cost from £570 pp with Delta.

Canadian Affair offers tailor-made trips to Grande Prairie and the rest of Alberta.
Alberta.

And a Dublin Zoorasic Party

While nearer to home our pals at Dublin Zoo are planning a Zoorasic Party takeover.

Hosted by Jurassic Park science advisor Dino Don Lessem.

The exclusive Zoorasic Trail Takeover ticketed events runs from June 26-29, on sale from tomorrow, May 23.

Countries, UK

Magic up family fun on the English summer holidays

18th August 202418th August 2024 funtime65

Of course no parents ever get it right which is why it’s best to leave it up to the likes of Merlin Entertainments to magic up family fun on the English summer holidays.

Our English neighbours have their little darlings that little bit longer than parents further north.

Whose kids are back at school this week.

Or west, on my other island of Ireland.

Of course, hotfooting it to the airport or the boats and Chunnel is an option.

England’s attractions

He nose you know: With Shrek in Universal Hollywood

But easier still is to explore the country around you.

And we know too that the English have been shouting all summer about getting their country back.

So with only English kids still being on holiday this is your chance.

Particularly with the added benefit for parents of 50% off for kids for star attractions.

At Madame Tussauds London, Shrek’s Adventure! London, Sea Life London, The London Dungeon and lastminute.com London Eye.

Waxing lyrical

A word to the wise though when you do make it through the queues to get face to face with the lifelike waxworks.

Because amid the famous and the freaky exhibits the cheeky curators at the museum have dotted around everyday statues.

So that you can have some randommer sitting on a bench reading a newspaper.

Or an inscrutable Chinese man in the Dungeons.

Only he was real much to my embarrassment when I tapped him on the shoulder to satisfy my curiosity.

And we all jumped out of our skin.

Ogre the moon

No danger of that at the new Shrek attraction… that’s enough Donkey!

The attraction is sited at County Hall alongside Merlin’s other leading attractions in the South Bank cluster.

The 2,000sqm experience is based on a brand new adventure written by the DreamWorks team.

It also features a Shrek interactive walkthrough adventure, a character courtyard.

Where visitors will be able to meet Shrek and his swamp friends.

Along with characters from Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon.

Played in England

Of course, as much as London likes to project that nothing ever happens anywhere else Merlin casts his wand far and wide.

So as well as Sea Lifes in the major towns and cities.

Every parent who wants to occupy their kiddies’ attention should visit Cadbury World in Birmingham.

Or you could be in with the bricks with Legoland in England’s Second City or Manchester.

Of the LEGOLAND Windsor resort where kids’ tickets come in at £19.

As is the case with Alton Towers Resort, Chessington World of Adventures, Thorpe Park and Warwick Castle.

Phew… that should tire them out. And we’re just happy it’s all behind us.

And yes you’re welcome that we’ve been able to magic up family fun on the English summer holidays.

America, Countries

LA is my train day

24th July 202324th July 2023 funtime65

And if getting stuck on a multi-lane freeway isn’t your idea of a holiday then make sure LA is my train day.

Because while the City of Angels is oft billed as the City of Cars, LA has rebranded itself as a train-friendly destination.

Where you can get around all the hotspots without getting into one gas-guzzler.

Network LA

66 and all that: Route 66 and Santa Monica

Our friends in Tinseltown are happy to share that they have added to the network that is changing our perception and our accessibility around LA.

The Regional Connector transit project has two new routes from Azusa to Long Beach and from East Los Angeles to Santa Monica.

They highlight the Little Tokyo/Arts District Station where riders will have easy access to historically rich and vibrant neighbourhoods and cultural institutions.

While the historic Broadway Station features two nationally registered districts: the Broadway Theater District with 12 original theatres within seven blocks.

And Old Spring Street, known as the original Financial District of Downtown Los Angeles.

And Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill Station connects riders to downtown’s performing arts institutions, museums, fine dining experiences and more.

TAP into this

Now for those who struggle daily around Britain with their inner city train system then look away now.

Because LA’s Metro system boasts an all-singin’ all-dancin’ TAP Card.

And earn free rides with Fare Capping, a new programme introduced by Metro this month which rewards you with the more you ride, the more you save.

You will never pay more than $5 in a day or $18 within seven days. Once you reach the 1-Day or 7-Day fare cap, rides are FREE!

Visitors can connect to major attractions like the Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad, Museum of Contemporary Art, Little Tokyo, Arts District, Colburn School, Million Dollar Theater and more.

And tourists can also save money by making the most of affordable Metro fares at just $1.75 (£1.35) for a ride, $5 (£3.90) for a day pass or $18 (£14) for a week.

Now those attractions are new on us and we know ours after availing of Attractions Tickets‘ offerings the last time around in Los Angeles.

LA-OK

Now boasting that the Metro A line is now the longest light-rail line in the world some

Spanning nearly 50 miles from Azusa to Long Beach, the A Line opened as the Blue Line in 1990 and is the oldest line in the system. Following the completion of the Regional Connector project, the Metro A Line is now the longest light-rail line in the world.

Taking over the northern end of the L Line out of Union Station, the extended A Line starts in Azusa and has the hip Highland Park on the route (mine’s a whisky).

From A to B and a bit on the B line too.

It begins at the galleries of the NoHo Arts District, found at the North Hollywood Station.

LA rail story

Dinosaur: And special effects at Universal

Next, you’ll take in our faves, Universal Studios Hollywood.

A nd the shopping, dining and entertainment venues at Universal CityWalk Hollywood await visitors at the Universal City station.

The Hollywood/Highland Station drops you off in the heart of Tinseltown.

Where the Hollywood Bowl, TCL Chinese Theatre, Madame Tussauds Hollywood, the Walk of Fame and many more attractions are all within walking distance.

A mecca for movie fans around the world who know the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood as the home of the Oscars.

While A DASH bus runs daily from the Vermont/Sunset Station and takes you directly to the wonders of the Griffith Observatory.

All of which means that when you get to Tinseltown then you don’t have to hire a car.

Instead make sure LA is your train day.

America, Countries

Holy Hollywood Batman

23rd April 202323rd April 2023 funtime65

Holy Hollywood Batman, shine the Bat Signal on that sign… there’s something happening this year.

Well, a lot actually, as Hollywood marks 100 years of its iconic sign.

Our friends from LA, who clearly hang with the Caped Crusader, have brought us up to date with the celebrations.

And pointed us in the direction of Batman’s Cave which Batfans will tell you he carved out in Batman Begins.

And which LA tells us is one of the best vistas to see the Hollywood sign.

It’s a sign

Now those of you who follow my meanderings, you loyal Bandanini and Bandanettes, will already know how close I got to the sign.

From my Starline Tours bus on my Weekend with Marilyn.

Missing out on our party’s hike up to the Griffith Observatory because of a 24-hour bug.

But availing of the hospitality of the Kimpton La Peer Hotel in West Hollywood and binge watching Golden Girls.

Star status

Bandanaman… The star and the duck in Hollywood

Starline have the inside story on Hollywood, Santa Monica and Venice Beach and it’s all light.

With their mantra ‘Starline doesn’t do politics’.

They do do one-hour Hollywood Sign tour, with views of Lake Hollywood.

The vista of Downtown LA and the tinsel town glamour of Hollywood Boulevard.

Walking or bussing it aren’t the only way of getting within sight of the Hollywood sign, of course.

Get there how you can

With Bikes and Hikes doing what they say on the tin.

And Sunset Ranch Hollywood offer guided horseback riding tours with spectacular views of the Sign day and night.

While if you want to go all action you can always take a helicopter over the hills.

The Group 3 Aviation will see you flying out of Van Nuys Airport on a 35-minute Hooray for Hollywood Tour.

While Orbic Air takes to the skies from Hollywood Burbsnk Airport on a ten-minute tour.

And that includes bird’s eye views of Universal Studios Hollywood and the Griffith Observatory.

Bat crazy

And, of course, if you want to see Batman himself and join in his adventures then you’re only a stone’s throw away.

From Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood.

Where every September 17 they hold an annual Batman Day.

And who knows you could even mock yourself up in a scene.

With a Hollywood sign background and a bubble quote: Holy Hollywood Batman.

CalAerfornia Dreamin’

Of course you need to know how best to get there and where to stay.

And we always recommend availing of Aer Lingus’s pre-clearance through Dublin.

We’re advised too of the best hotels to stay at from which to get the money shots of the Hollywood Sign.

And often the best place to start is at boutique hotel specialists Kimpton.

Hotel signs

The Kimpton Everly Hotel: Right in the heart of Hollywood glitz and glamour the Everly offers views from the rooftop and select guest rooms.

Thompson Hollywood: The chic rooftop pool, dining experiences and event spaces at the laid back, yet refined Thompson Hollywood offer impressive vistas.

Loews Hollywood: An urban oasis at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, Loews Hollywood a collection of guest rooms and meeting spaces offer the best observations.

W Hollywood: On Hollywood Boulevard, W Hollywood offers expansive vistas from their rooftop pool and lounge, guest rooms and suites, and event venues.

Countries

A big bang in Hollywood

20th February 202320th February 2023 funtime65

It all started with a big bang in Hollywood… and ended with sitting in Sheldon’s spot.

But as ever it’s the bit in between which would be worthy of a sitcom misadventure.

Where our party spent the designated afternoon at Warner Studios while the biggest Big Bang fan was back at base.

Watching reruns of The Golden Girls between visits to the rest room with a bug I’d caught helping a sick passenger on the plane.

And so I could only live the Warner experience vicariously the next day through their stories.

Move over Sheldon

Don’t sit here: Sheldon knows what I want

Until that is we got to Anaheim and they had only recreated Sheldon and Leonard’s front room, just for me in the mall outside our hotel!

This being Hollywood studio tours are a must on your LA LA land odyssey.

Warner (and Disney) are celebrating their centennial anniversary this year.

With the new slogan ‘100 Years of Storytelling.’

The tour allows guests to wander the Gilmore Girls’ hometown of Stars Hollow, Big Bang’s San Diego.

We’re all Friends here

Your cup of tea (or cwaffee): Central Perk

Central Perk, locales that double for Casablanca and, of course, Sheldon, Penny, Leonard and Big Bang.

Over to Disney Tours and it being the Happiest Place on Earth everyone wants to have it all to themselves.

For those who want to walk these hallowed grounds away from the public.

Then private tours are available through D23 Events, Disney Movie Insider Awards and Adventures by Disney.

Or visit your favourite blogger here who brings you all the news from the American travel world, the travel fair IPW.

The Universal

Hello Dino: Universal Hollywood Studio Tour

Of course you can’t keep a good man down for too long and your Bandanaman was back lighter after his 24-hour bug for the the Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour.

When another Jimmy (Fallon) hosted us, on video, around four acres of the sprawling studio lot.

Including the largest set construction project in studio history built with creative consultation from Steven Spielberg.

The tour took us to the sets, including the plane crash from War of the Worlds, Desperate Housewives’ Wisteria Lane, Bates Motel of Psycho fame, and the set of Jaws.

And some ancient inhabitants of this planet were introduced to us dinosaurs.

Of Paramount importance

Of course, we’re not finished there and you can walk in the footsteps of De Mille, Hope, Crosby, Dietrich, Cooper, West, the Marx Bros and Elvis at Paramount Pictures Studio Tours.

On Melrose Avenue (yes, it exists) Available daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

It is also home to an elaborate New York Street backlot that can transform into 10 different NYC neighbourhoods.

Sony days are here again

If you’ve still got feeling left in your legs and the adrenaline will be pumping then head to Sony Pictures Studio Tours in Culver City.

Dance down the Yellowbrick Road of Wizard of Oz, get futuristic with Men in Black and Spider-Man and check out the studio museum which permanently homes the Breaking Bad RV.

While if you want to be on TV (in the audience) then beloved game shows Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune are currently taped here.

Because remember this is where film and TV entertainment got started.

It all started with a big bang in Hollywood.