THE DREAM FINALLY BECOMES REALITY

HI GUY'S, I'M FINALLY COMMITING TO THE DREAM AND MAKING THE PILLGRAMAGE TO MEMPHIS. ALTHOUGH IT IS LOOKING LIKE IT WILL BE CHRISTMAS TIME NEXT YEAR. THE REASONS FOR THIS BEING I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE GRACELAND DECKED OUT IN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND DECORATIONS AND ALSO I THINK IT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO PLAN AND SAVE FOR AS THERES SO MUCH TO SEE AND BUY

BUT WHERE DO I START, TO PLAN MY LIFES AMBITION

ANY HELP AND ADVISE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

I.E.
HOW TO BOOK ( THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENT HIGH STREET SHOP OR OVER TINTERNET AND IF SO HOW.??? )
HOW LONG IS NEEDED TO REALLY APPRECIATE THE EXPERIENCE.???
WHAT TIME OF DAY IS BEST TO VISIT GRACELAND AND IS ONCE ENOUGH.???
WHAT ARE THE MUST SEE AND DO TRIPS.???
WHATS THE MUST DO NIGHTLIFE ( I.E. B B KINGS )
WHERE TO STAY (I.E. HEARTBREAK HOTEL OR SOMEWHERE ELSE )
HOW MUCH SPENDING MONEY FOR SOUVENIERS.???

AM I MISSING ANYTHING

PLEASE HELP......?????????????????????????????????????????????

Hi Gary forget travel agents there to expensive ....

What we did was buy our tickets from KLM then we jsut booked the hotel over the internet , been told if you go in january for elvis's birthday the lights are still up and celebrations are on a high , and you can get return flights for around £350.

Paul.

HI PAUL, THANKS FOR INFO,YEAH I THINK JANUARY WOULD BE GOOD BUT IM ENTERED INTO THE WALK A GOLDEN MILE/ EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS IN BLACKPOOL IN JANUARY. WHICH HOTEL DID YOU AND LORNA STAY AT..???

How brill it would be to go in Jan! I know Sean has been in Jan. Im sure he will be able to tell you what its like round that time. But yes it is sooooo much cheaper cutting out the middle man.

When we went to Memphis last Sept it was my first time and I found this website absolutley awsome for advise as these guys live there and will be able to give you the lowdown of what things are going on round that time: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g55197-i210-Memphis_Tennessee.html

Please keep us posted, am so excited for you and feeling very christmasy

And just to wet your apetite a lil bit more....

I will have to check the hotel details the name escapes me but i know sean on here has stayed at one just a few yards up from graceland and is better than heartbreak hotel and cheaper as well. Not sure of flight prices in december but you never know they could be cheap lol , when we went in september we went for 2 weeks and the flight was 550 return but in July we needed another ticket and for the same flight and days etc it had gone up to 850

Paul.

Hi Gary,

I should be able to answer all your questions.

As Paul said, stay away from travel agents and book the trip yourself.

I was in Memphis last January and flew out with American Airlines which were brilliant and ive heard KLM are good as well.

As for the hotel, the Days Inn is the ideal hotel you want.

The Ramada is too far away from Graceland and the 'Heartbreak Hotel' is a rip-off.The Days Inn has everything you need and its nearer to Graceland than the 'Heartbreak Hotel'.
(I got talking to a woman on the flight home and she stayed at the Heartbreak Hotel and booked her trip up with the Official Fan Club and it cost her 4 times as much!!!)


January 2010( 75th Birthday celebrations) is an ideal time to go cause there will be so many Elvis-related things going on and people connected to Elvis will be there around that time which is why im gonna be out there for that.

There are many options to choose from when going to visit Graceland but the prices proberly will change by January 2010.
For the week i went for in January, i went into the mansion everyday.
They open the gates around 7am for a few hours so fans can walk upto the Meditation Gardens for free.
They dont allow any cameras with flash inside the mansion or video cameras allowed.

As for the trips well there are so many places in Memphis to visit but its essential you go to Tupelo and Nashville which both take up a day each.

The nightlife is very lively in Memphis but i dont want to put you off it can be a dangerous place at night near Beale St which is where BB Kings bar is.

Any other info you need just ask, no problem.

Sean

Garry John wrote:

HI GUY'S, I'M FINALLY COMMITING TO THE DREAM AND MAKING THE PILLGRAMAGE TO MEMPHIS. ALTHOUGH IT IS LOOKING LIKE IT WILL BE CHRISTMAS TIME NEXT YEAR. THE REASONS FOR THIS BEING I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE GRACELAND DECKED OUT IN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND DECORATIONS AND ALSO I THINK IT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO PLAN AND SAVE FOR AS THERES SO MUCH TO SEE AND BUY

BUT WHERE DO I START, TO PLAN MY LIFES AMBITION

ANY HELP AND ADVISE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

I.E.
HOW TO BOOK ( THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENT HIGH STREET SHOP OR OVER TINTERNET AND IF SO HOW.??? )
HOW LONG IS NEEDED TO REALLY APPRECIATE THE EXPERIENCE.???
WHAT TIME OF DAY IS BEST TO VISIT GRACELAND AND IS ONCE ENOUGH.???
WHAT ARE THE MUST SEE AND DO TRIPS.???
WHATS THE MUST DO NIGHTLIFE ( I.E. B B KINGS )
WHERE TO STAY (I.E. HEARTBREAK HOTEL OR SOMEWHERE ELSE )
HOW MUCH SPENDING MONEY FOR SOUVENIERS.???

AM I MISSING ANYTHING

PLEASE HELP......?????????????????????????????????????????????

Garry John,

Get in touch with me by phone before you head to Memphis okay....
I have a friend that will drive you to different places instead of using a cab service for a good price okay.
I will get in touch with him, and get you set up with him. His name is Jim Browder...
I will give you my phone number by private email... Charmaine

PSSS

There are tons of different places that are a must

1. Mansion Tour
2. Sun Studios.
3. Audubon (although there is no tours at the moment, at least you can seen the house from outside)
4. Lauderdale Courts (they have a tour)
5. Walk around Beale Street
6. STAX MUSEUM (is a MUST see - it is the home of RHYTHM AND BLUES and you will see Elvis in there)
7. High School (Elvis formerly went too (Humes High - under a different name now and I am most certain it will be closed over the holidays, however if there is a cleaner in the school and you tell them you are in from the UK and a huge fan of Elvis' he will show you part of the school or a hotspot in the school that was popular to Elvis)

I will talk to some of my American Friends and get a longer list for you of some HOTSPOTS and places to eat.. and etc..

Huuugs Charmaine

Garry John wrote:

HI PAUL, THANKS FOR INFO,YEAH I THINK JANUARY WOULD BE GOOD BUT IM ENTERED INTO THE WALK A GOLDEN MILE/ EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS IN BLACKPOOL IN JANUARY. WHICH HOTEL DID YOU AND LORNA STAY AT..???

Depending on whether or not you want to stay close to the airport or if you like to be closer to the Mansion.

A friend of mine that often goes around Christmas time ....

Stays at

Scottish Inn
3524 Elvis Presley Blvd
Memphis Tn
901-507-7630

and you can book them online www.bookroomsnow.com
bare in mind if you book them online, there is more than one Scottish Inn and if you want
this one, you have to specify this one when you book it.

Hugs Charmaine

Sean wrote:

Hi Gary,

I should be able to answer all your questions.

As Paul said, stay away from travel agents and book the trip yourself.

I was in Memphis last January and flew out with American Airlines which were brilliant and ive heard KLM are good as well.

As for the hotel, the Days Inn is the ideal hotel you want.

The Ramada is too far away from Graceland and the 'Heartbreak Hotel' is a rip-off.The Days Inn has everything you need and its nearer to Graceland than the 'Heartbreak Hotel'.
(I got talking to a woman on the flight home and she stayed at the Heartbreak Hotel and booked her trip up with the Official Fan Club and it cost her 4 times as much!!!)


January 2010( 75th Birthday celebrations) is an ideal time to go cause there will be so many Elvis-related things going on and people connected to Elvis will be there around that time which is why im gonna be out there for that.

There are many options to choose from when going to visit Graceland but the prices proberly will change by January 2010.
For the week i went for in January, i went into the mansion everyday.
They open the gates around 7am for a few hours so fans can walk upto the Meditation Gardens for free.
They dont allow any cameras with flash inside the mansion or video cameras allowed.

As for the trips well there are so many places in Memphis to visit but its essential you go to Tupelo and Nashville which both take up a day each.

The nightlife is very lively in Memphis but i dont want to put you off it can be a dangerous place at night near Beale St which is where BB Kings bar is.

Any other info you need just ask, no problem.

Sean

Sean,

you said when you went in the month of January to Memphis -

That you went into the Mansion every day? Did you have to pay to go in everyday?

Hugs Charmaine

Gracepines Bed and Breakfast and organised tour's run by an English couple
http://www.gracepines.com/

charmainejensenvoisine wrote:

Sean wrote:

Hi Gary,

I should be able to answer all your questions.

As Paul said, stay away from travel agents and book the trip yourself.

I was in Memphis last January and flew out with American Airlines which were brilliant and ive heard KLM are good as well.

As for the hotel, the Days Inn is the ideal hotel you want.

The Ramada is too far away from Graceland and the 'Heartbreak Hotel' is a rip-off.The Days Inn has everything you need and its nearer to Graceland than the 'Heartbreak Hotel'.
(I got talking to a woman on the flight home and she stayed at the Heartbreak Hotel and booked her trip up with the Official Fan Club and it cost her 4 times as much!!!)


January 2010( 75th Birthday celebrations) is an ideal time to go cause there will be so many Elvis-related things going on and people connected to Elvis will be there around that time which is why im gonna be out there for that.

There are many options to choose from when going to visit Graceland but the prices proberly will change by January 2010.
For the week i went for in January, i went into the mansion everyday.
They open the gates around 7am for a few hours so fans can walk upto the Meditation Gardens for free.
They dont allow any cameras with flash inside the mansion or video cameras allowed.

As for the trips well there are so many places in Memphis to visit but its essential you go to Tupelo and Nashville which both take up a day each.

The nightlife is very lively in Memphis but i dont want to put you off it can be a dangerous place at night near Beale St which is where BB Kings bar is.

Any other info you need just ask, no problem.

Sean

Sean,

you said when you went in the month of January to Memphis -

That you went into the Mansion every day? Did you have to pay to go in everyday?

Hugs Charmaine

Yep, they dont do weekly tickets.
They do a thing called the VIP Tour but all that does is let you go into the mansion as many times as you want throughout the day but to me, its a waste of time cause you can spend as long as you want in the mansion anyway.
Charmaine,
I think my friends and i used Jim Browder's cab service when we were out there to take us to a few events.

the vip tour now enables you to go into the annex which used to be on the main tour also you get to go around the back where all the tractors that elvis owned are.

the clarion is also a well situated hotel with a free shuttle to graceland also very cheap.

charmainejensenvoisine wrote:

Garry John wrote:

HI GUY'S, I'M FINALLY COMMITING TO THE DREAM AND MAKING THE PILLGRAMAGE TO MEMPHIS. ALTHOUGH IT IS LOOKING LIKE IT WILL BE CHRISTMAS TIME NEXT YEAR. THE REASONS FOR THIS BEING I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE GRACELAND DECKED OUT IN CHRISTMAS LIGHTS AND DECORATIONS AND ALSO I THINK IT WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO PLAN AND SAVE FOR AS THERES SO MUCH TO SEE AND BUY

BUT WHERE DO I START, TO PLAN MY LIFES AMBITION

ANY HELP AND ADVISE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

I.E.
HOW TO BOOK ( THROUGH A TRAVEL AGENT HIGH STREET SHOP OR OVER TINTERNET AND IF SO HOW.??? )
HOW LONG IS NEEDED TO REALLY APPRECIATE THE EXPERIENCE.???
WHAT TIME OF DAY IS BEST TO VISIT GRACELAND AND IS ONCE ENOUGH.???
WHAT ARE THE MUST SEE AND DO TRIPS.???
WHATS THE MUST DO NIGHTLIFE ( I.E. B B KINGS )
WHERE TO STAY (I.E. HEARTBREAK HOTEL OR SOMEWHERE ELSE )
HOW MUCH SPENDING MONEY FOR SOUVENIERS.???

AM I MISSING ANYTHING

PLEASE HELP......?????????????????????????????????????????????

Garry John,

Get in touch with me by phone before you head to Memphis okay....
I have a friend that will drive you to different places instead of using a cab service for a good price okay.
I will get in touch with him, and get you set up with him. His name is Jim Browder...
I will give you my phone number by private email... Charmaine

PSSS

There are tons of different places that are a must

1. Mansion Tour
2. Sun Studios.
3. Audubon (although there is no tours at the moment, at least you can seen the house from outside)
4. Lauderdale Courts (they have a tour)
5. Walk around Beale Street
6. STAX MUSEUM (is a MUST see - it is the home of RHYTHM AND BLUES and you will see Elvis in there)
7. High School (Elvis formerly went too (Humes High - under a different name now and I am most certain it will be closed over the holidays, however if there is a cleaner in the school and you tell them you are in from the UK and a huge fan of Elvis' he will show you part of the school or a hotspot in the school that was popular to Elvis)

I will talk to some of my American Friends and get a longer list for you of some HOTSPOTS and places to eat.. and etc..

Huuugs Charmaine

Wow Charmaine,
I hope to go out again next year can I call too????

How many times have you been at Graceland??

Rob

memphisking@elvis1988.plu wrote:

the vip tour now enables you to go into the annex which used to be on the main tour also you get to go around the back where all the tractors that elvis owned are.

the clarion is also a well situated hotel with a free shuttle to graceland also very cheap.

The Days Inn is the best hotel and the nearest to Graceland and you dont need to get the shuttle cause its just a walk over the road.

Ahh thats the place where we stayed the Clarion , the staff bend over backwards for ya , and the shuttle service is well good appart from on my wedding day lol. They took the girls down to graceland , he was supposed to pick all us guys up but decided to go to maccdonalds instead for a big mac and coke. Needless to say it wasn't the bride late for the wedding LMAO we made it just in time ...

Paul

>>Charmaine,
I think my friends and i used Jim Browder's cab service when we were out there to take us to a few events.[/quote]


Jim Browder,
will only charge approximately $8-10USD to pick up and drop off from one destination to another...
and that is pretty good. So when I arrive at the airport, I will be giving him my agenda in advance, so
that he will be there to meet me... and will be arranging for him to pretty much be my chaffeur per se!

Have known him for years vie email contact.

Hugs Charmaine

Sean wrote:

Hi Gary,

I should be able to answer all your questions.

As Paul said, stay away from travel agents and book the trip yourself.

I was in Memphis last January and flew out with American Airlines which were brilliant and ive heard KLM are good as well.

As for the hotel, the Days Inn is the ideal hotel you want.

The Ramada is too far away from Graceland and the 'Heartbreak Hotel' is a rip-off.The Days Inn has everything you need and its nearer to Graceland than the 'Heartbreak Hotel'.
(I got talking to a woman on the flight home and she stayed at the Heartbreak Hotel and booked her trip up with the Official Fan Club and it cost her 4 times as much!!!)


January 2010( 75th Birthday celebrations) is an ideal time to go cause there will be so many Elvis-related things going on and people connected to Elvis will be there around that time which is why im gonna be out there for that.

There are many options to choose from when going to visit Graceland but the prices proberly will change by January 2010.
For the week i went for in January, i went into the mansion everyday.
They open the gates around 7am for a few hours so fans can walk upto the Meditation Gardens for free.
They dont allow any cameras with flash inside the mansion or video cameras allowed.

As for the trips well there are so many places in Memphis to visit but its essential you go to Tupelo and Nashville which both take up a day each.

The nightlife is very lively in Memphis but i dont want to put you off it can be a dangerous place at night near Beale St which is where BB Kings bar is.

Any other info you need just ask, no problem.

Sean

Hi mate, r u saying dont go out at night or just be careful..??? did u go out at night..???

i have done i little browsing re/flights. would i be right in saying there isnt a direct flight, say from manchester to memphis..???

does it take connecting flights i.e. manchester to chicago. chicago to memphis and vice/versa for the trip home..???????

afriad so there's 2 possiblity's fly to europe then straight to memphis or like you said chigargo then memphis ... Well Worth it in the end.

Paul.

Gary,

Im saying just be careful, especially at night.

When you get to Memphis, make sure you get a shuttle/taxi to where your going and make sure you get one back to the hotel.

If you want a hotel thats basic and near to Graceland i would pick the Days Inn over all of them.

Here's a link.
http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=04767&brandInfo=DI

Yeh Id be careful of a night, dont veer off beale street but just us girls went out for the night in Beale street for my hen night (though the boys were in other bars in Beale street) and we were ok and felt quiet safe. They have Cops there who baricade the street off so people can walk without fear of getting run over and they are really friendly, we got our pic taken with them and they put their lights on for us. Lol!
It is just a different culture out there. Just be on your guard but you should be fine. Its a strange but phenomenal place.

Yes, there where police everywhere, there wasnt a moment i felt insecure.

There is a very nice karaoke bar at Beale street, the people where very enthousiastic when Johnny was singing America the beautifull.

Essie
What has Johnny done his vocals are just mind blowing them notes he bangs out right on the money and i tell you something Essie he is sounding a lot more like Elvis now i am very impressed with Johnny and his vocals he has always been good but now he is just so awesome i swear the next Elvis show i do then Johnny you will be in it without a doubt i am so impressed WOW Thanks Essie for sharing that with us

Oooo, i thought you may had seen it befor...
I just wanted to show the karaoke bar and the song that Johnny was singing. haha
Thank you so much Mark!!
I think he improved a lot too.
Aaaawww, that would be so very nice!!!
I am sure Johnny would just looooove to perform in youre next show!!

Sean wrote:

Gary,

Im saying just be careful, especially at night.

When you get to Memphis, make sure you get a shuttle/taxi to where your going and make sure you get one back to the hotel.

If you want a hotel thats basic and near to Graceland i would pick the Days Inn over all of them.

Here's a link.
[url=http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=04767&brandInfo=DI

http://www.daysinn.com/DaysInn/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=04767&brandInfo=DI[/quote[/url]]

cheers for info sean, me and the wife did a christmas shopping trip to new york just after 9/11 and we were o.k. there so dont think it will be any diffrent in memphis. i've checked out the website for daysinn and think well defo be staying there..!!