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McDonalds in the Wal-Mart Supercenter on HWY 64

February 1st, 2010

McDonald’s

3820 Hwy 64 West
Tyler, TX 75704

McDonald’s is able to maintain a standard nationwide. In fact, I know that McDonald’s in Chiang Mai, Thailand is almost exactly like McDonald’s here in the United States. So, if you’ve been to one McDonald’s restaurant, then you pretty much know what they are like everywhere.

This restaurant branch is a little different only because of its location. The busiest fast food restaurant is located in the busiest retail super store. So there are a few things to know about this location before you decide to take your girlfriend out on a date to it. The high business traffic leads to a couple of issues. The first is that the seating area tends to be messy beyond all reason. I basically don’t want to touch any of the surfaces near the soda machines and ketchup station, due to the straw wrappers, ketchup smears and high volumes of salt poured everywhere.

This mess continues on to the tables which happen to be very comfortable booths with ergonomically designed back supports. The same stuff makes the tables a little unappealing. There will often be leftover napkins, ketchup smears and salt hiding all over the table waiting to stick to your arm when you finally relax and get ready to eat. This all may because of the weird hours in which my life and schedule find me eating. Nevertheless, it does not make me want to sit and relax over a wonderful fast food meal.

Another lame thing about this McDonald’s is that there are always so many people standing around the register. I’m not claustrophobic, but I always feel crowded and awkward waiting in line. One problem that adds to this is the high number of Wal-Mart employees who are trying to squeeze in a whole meal during their short break from their shift. I had one very awkward time about a year ago, when a cashier waiting in line behind me was in a hurry and letting me know with huffs, forced laughs and comments about how far back I was standing from the register. This extreme only happened once, though.

The restaurant is located right after the busiest entrance of this Wal-Mart Super Center near the deli and produce section. This leads to another awkward experience. It feels like the whole world sees what you are ordering and that you are doing a poor job juggling the groceries you just bought from Wal-Mart.

As for the good things about this store: it is a full fledged McDonald’s. That should be enough said. There is a reason McDonald’s has stood the test of time and maintained their status as the most popular fast food chain. The food is so good and almost addictive. The thing that makes this McDonald’s have some negatives is also a positive. It is in Wal-Mart. When I am in a hurry running errands, I couldn’t ask for a more convenient location for a quick and very affordable meal. The employees are all nice enough and very efficient and timely. It is a well-oiled machine.

Santa Land, A Great Christmas Destination!

January 13th, 2010

santaSanta Land is located off Hwy 20 going towards Dallas. Santa Land opens up November 1 every year and stays open during the Holiday Season until January 4th. Cost $25 per car and $35 per 15 passenger van. I have been there several times so far and the waiting period has been around one hour or so depending on the time you arrive there. The sooner you get there, the less you have to wait. It is an excellent thing to do for your children and your family during Christmas.

You might think that going around and looking at the Christmas lights around Tyler might be cheaper and less of a waiting period. I guarantee you it won’t be as fun as going at least once through Santa Land. You can go run by a fast food place and eat it in the car while you wait in line. While you are waiting in line you can use that time to listen to music or talk to your children or you can just be silent. There are people that walk around your cars and try to sell you all kinds of stuff that lights up and it costs $5 dollars per item (These people are not with Santa Land or a part of the park. Santa Land only sells things within their gate).

Beyond just the light show display there is The 4000 sq ft gift shop filled with ornaments of all varieties.

There is a Snack shack where you can buy some really delicious hot chocolate, homemade treats, fudge, cookies, and much more.

They have tractor drawn trailer rides and a real live Santa Claus to meet and take pictures with that starts Thanksgiving and runs until Christmas.

I know you are probably thinking you can do without spending all this time on something that will only last for a little while. You are right, you can do without it but your children will love it. We even broke down and bought a sword that lights up and my 22 month old loved it. It was worth it just to see how excited she was to play with the toy and spending time with mommy and daddy while looking at the awesome lights. You only get to come here once a year so I think you can spare $25 dollars a year to go and have some fun with your friends and family and if you really don’t have $25 dollars to spend then borrow a 15 passenger van and get some of your friends together and split the cost. That will be even cheaper than $25 dollar.

Either way you do it I think it will be worth your time and money. I know you are waiting to hear what goes on around Santa Land for that much money? When you enter Santa Land they tell you the music radio station that you need to turn to while you are there. The whole place is filled with lights of all types and shapes and is synced with the radio channel that plays Christmas music. They have the Santa Wish shop and his little elves helping Santa. Also they have scenes depicting Jesus, all kinds of flowers and so many other lights. My words really don’t do justice to the place and no matter how hard I try to describe the place you will have to go see it for yourself as to what Santa Land has to offer.

After you are done watching all the lights they have, then you can stop and go look at all the things they have to sell. They have some really neat stuff actually and the price is probably around the same as other places. While I was there I saw an item that was $12 dollars and it was three crosses made out of metal. The item was real nice looking metal made to represent the crucifixion of Jesus. I thought that paying $12 for something like that was not too bad if you like or collect crosses. You will mainly find a galore of different Christmas related items for sale and most of the items are a splendid display of ornaments of all kinds.

The Santa Land Wish Shop has a little something for everyone’s liking but it’s mainly about the kids.  After all that shopping you will probably have worked up an appetite and be hungry. They have an area where you can order something to eat but I would drive up I20 to Bodacious barbecue for some real food. The owner, Cindy has done a wonderful job in making this a family experience sure to leave lasting memories for everyone. Well, I hope I convinced you to go visit Santa Land come this next holiday season.