They’ve been keeping a tight lid on this, I tell you!
One more awesome reason to visit The Great Smoky Mountain~Synchronous Fireflies! We live a hop and skip from the Smoky Mountais (well a 2 hour hop and a skip, but you know what I mean) and visit Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and/or the Smoky Mountain at least once, twice or more times a year and have never heard about this phenomenon until I happened across it when I was researching another thing on my Bucket List: The Sisters On The Fly!
Synchronous Fireflies can only be seen in two parts of the world The Great Smoky Mountains and somewhere in Asia. ( I am shooting for the Smoky Mountains, how ’bout you). These fireflies synchronize their flashing as a part of their mating ritual. This spectacular event takes place during two weeks in June each year. The fireflies are found in the area of Elkmont Campground, due to the increase in traffic to the area the campground area Park Rangers are assisting to manage traffic and now trolley service between Sugarlands Visitor Center and Elkmont operates during the first part of June each year. Advance reservations are required for the trolley. The reservation system begins accepting reservations for the year in April. Source. You also need to reserve your camping spot at Elmont pretty early if you want to get a good spot during this event.
From what I have read due to the early warmth we have had this Spring the fireflies mating season began early this year, so there just may be a lot of disappointed people trying to check off their bucket list….but there is always next year!
I missed it this year but I will get there one day and check this off my Bucket List!
What’s on your bucket list? Let us know we may want to add it to ours!
Tagged as:
Bucket List,
Family Fun,
Must do,
Synchronous Fireflies,
Travel
When thinking about Disney you have to figure out how you will get there~driving or flying?
With the price of gas flying seems cheaper and faster at times then when you throw in the new charges for baggage and seating arrangements it can be pricey!
Flying:There are a lot of things to consider.
Car Rental /Transportation: if you are staying onsite you more than likely will not need a vehicle. Disney has transportation to and from the airport via Disney’s Magic Express as long as fly in and out of Orlando International. If you fly into the Orlando/Sanford airport you will have to find and pay for your own transportation to and from the Disney Resorts. Flying into Orlando/Sanford tickets are usually cheaper but when you calculate in the cost of transportation once you arrive flying into Orlando International may be a better deal. Also, unless you have someone to drop you off at the departing airport you will need to calculate parking while you are away as well, that adds up fast.
Time: Driving certainly takes longer but I live 9 hours away. The best price on flight was from an airport 2 hours away. By the time we drove to the airport, got there 2 hours early , arrived at Orlando International, boarded the Magic Express and arrived at the resort we may have saved 2 hours. Though the flight was only a little over an hour the process was around 7 hours, so it cost more for 4 of us and only saved us 2 hours. I will probably drive from now on.
Driving: The cost of gas keeps going up and down but regardless it is up! Calculate the cost it may be a cost effective way to travel verses flying but that is all based on the number of people traveling and what airport you are flying into. If you have a dependable vehicle and plenty of time make it a road trip for your family and make some stops along the way. There are toll roads in Florida so have some change handy.
Just take these things into consideration and calculate what would work for you best, time wise and dollar wise.
Unless you are South of Tennessee you will probably be passing through Chattanooga. Click on over and read more about my hometown, Chattanoga and make that a stop along the way.
Pin It Tagged as:
Disney,
Travel
