| Rating |
Date Attended |
Reviewer |
Gender [v] |
Age |
Where From? |
Group Type? |
|
Goodness and Light
|
| Sat, Dec 22, 07 7:00 PM |
khassall |
Unspecified |
Unspecified |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| The lights are astonishing for exuberance and profusion. Winter-bare trees with every branch wrapped in light are hung with lighted ornaments. At some homes every shrub, every tree in the yard, every step, every door, every window, rail, ledge, bench on the porch--everything capable of supporting a light is lit. All this light is reflected, and answered, in the faces of grown-ups as well as children.
Tony Muia, whose invention this tour is, is its soul and its greatest asset, a man remarkable for kindness, apparently unflappable good humor, and active concern for all those in his charge. |
|
Just OK!
|
| Sat, Dec 27, 08 7:00 PM |
atlgeoff |
Male |
40-49 |
Combination |
Couple on a Date |
| It was a side of Brooklyn that I had never seen before so, that was interesting. But, as a whole, the lights were just ok for me. I do not think the trip was worth $55. |
|
|
Like Tony says, "Rockefeller Center? FUHGETTABOUDI
|
| Fri, Dec 26, 08 7:00 PM |
jsalino |
Male |
40-49 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Individual |
| This tour was fantastic! I’ve taken Tony’s pizza tour, but this time he was joined by Big Rick, another tried and true Brooklynite. Both he and Tony are as Brooklyn as it gets. The bus was a large, comfortable coach bus. As the tour starts, Tony gives a brief overview of the Dyker Heights area that you're about to visit, as well as a short clip from the PBS documentary about the area so you can familiarize yourself with what you're going to see. On the way into Brooklyn, Tony and Rick point things out from the bus as well review the history of the areas. I loved seeing the Brooklyn Bridge lit up at at night! The Christmas music that's played on the bus is awesome. Tony has managed to pick songs from the 1940's, 1950's and on that aren't the usual songs you hear on the radio every year. Songs by Kay Starr, Peggy Lee, the Salsoul Orchestra and even theme songs from Chrsitmas TV shows like Charlie Brown and Rudolph. I and a few others asked Tony if he sells the cds, which he doesn't...but he should. They're that good! We also visited the Bay Ridge section where we saw Sam Maloof's(sp?) house. WOW! I can honestly say it's one of the most spectacularly decorated homes anywhere! The family who owns the house actually came out and greeted us and were so nice. They answered all our questions like how long it took to decorate, how many lights, etc. Whenever we got off the bus, Tony and Rick escorted us around and continued explaning and answering questions. Then it was on to Dyker Heights where we got off the bus once again and walked around for about 45 minutes in an area that can only be described as a true Winter Wonderland. An area made up of incredibly large homes trying to outdo each other in a friendly holiday competition. We had plenty of opportunities in both areas to take lots of photos by the way. We then headed over to Mona Lisa Bakery where we sat down and had pastries and cappuccinos. It was the perfect stop after walking around in the cold weather seeing the lights. After reading some of the other reviews on here before posting mine, I think there must have been some real "Scrooges" who took the tour because I loved Mona Lisa and so did the people all around me. Sure, it took a little while to get served, but we arrived with about 50 people! The staff was friendly and we never felt rushed. The place even had a brick oven, so some people ordered brick oven pizzas which they said were fantastic! On the way back to Manhattan after Mona Lisa, we got to watch parts of old Christmas TV specials from throughout the decades on the monitors like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Sonny & Cher. I felt like a little kid again seeing these vintage specials and reminiscing of Christmases past. All in all a magical night and a tour that I will recommend to all my friends and family and quite possibly take again next year. Thanks again Tony and Rick...great job you guys! |
|
Enjoyed this tour; would recommend.
|
| Fri, Dec 26, 08 7:00 PM |
MikeCaputo |
Male |
40-49 |
Local |
Group of Friends |
| The Christmas light displays were awesome - not only in Dyker Heights, but in Bay Ridge, also. I saw a lot of red lights in Bay Ridge (my favorite color). It was also nice stopping off in the Mona Lisa Pastry Shop. I would recommend this tour. |
|
|
Christmas Light Extravaganza
|
| Fri, Dec 26, 08 7:00 PM |
wmforsyth |
Male |
60-69 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| My wife and I heartly recommend this tour. The lights and home decorations were excellent and the backgroung and history of the more interestingly decorated homes made the tour even more interesting. Bring your camera as you will have a chance to get out and walk around the areas of two of the best examples of Christmas Lights of Brooklyn. |
|
|
A Magical Night
|
| Sat, Dec 20, 08 7:00 PM |
RobertDonlan |
Male |
50-59 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| Oh boy!! It was cold. The night sky was heavy with impending snow. The waiting bus was clean, warm, and welcoming. The hosts were personable, enthusiastic , and overflowing with Christmas spirit. The decorated homes set a tone of over the top cheer and bright, positive feeling. In a phrase- it was a wonderful night. Whoever put in the order for snow to accompany the walking segment should be awarded a holiday award for atmosphere. We loved the trip! |
|
|
great lites tour and evening
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 08 7:00 PM |
johnmoore |
Male |
60-69 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| The Brooklyn Lites Tour was very enjoyable. The neigborhood descriptions and personal stories were great and provided a wondeful context for the presentation of the residential lite displays. Would recommend the tour to others who enjoy learning about community and neighborhood leaders and histories. |
|
|
SO THIS IS BROOKLYN!!!
|
| Sun, Dec 14, 08 7:00 PM |
1newyorkman |
Male |
30-39 |
Local |
Other |
| I had a wonderful time on the tour-as a Queens native-I must say that I felt like I was in Queens and not Brooklyn. If I was to compare my block to the blocks I saw in Brooklyn-it was like comparing a full symphony orchestra to a kid banging on the drum. The homeowners are sure making Con Edison rich!!!
This is a great seasonal tour that is highly recommended for anyone who would like to add a Magnificent Christmas memory. I can't wait to go on the Brooklyn neighborhood tour and get to know another part of Brooklyn, U.S.A. |
|
|
Cold enough, but no snow
|
| Fri, Dec 12, 08 7:00 PM |
dickc240 |
Male |
70+ |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| My wife and I took this tour December 12, 2008. It was cold ! If only it had snowed. On this night Tony was filming with Samantha Brown for the travel channel so we started out with Uncle Louie. It was my wifes birthday and the entire crew of the bus knew that ahead of time. Made her feel great.
Tony was able to join us about half way through the tour in Bay Ridge. We then went on to Dyker Heights. The light were "over the top"
This is something everyone should do. It is hard to believe that so many people could get involved with decorating their homes to the degree we saw.
We took the Pizza tour and the Lights tour on the same day. That's a whole day and an evening spent in Brooklyn. We feel like natives.
Thanks Tony !
Dick and Vera Compton
Walnut Creek, CA |
|
|
EXCELLENT-ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECOMMEND
|
| Fri, Dec 5, 08 7:00 PM |
Kleeberg8 |
Male |
60-69 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| The tour guide, Tony, was excellent. The tour was well organized, on time, and more than met our expectations. We visit New York twice a year and take several tours each time. The Christmas Lights Tour was more beautiful than one would expect , and we were given the opportunity to walk through several neighborhoods and meet several of the home owners who had decorated. Also, we stopped at a local family run restaurant which gave us opportunity to experience the local fare.
Being from out of town, it is important to us that we always know exactly where and when the tour starts and ends so we can get transportation to our next destination. I was impressed that at the end of the tour Tony asked all of us if we knew exactly where we were and if anyone needed help with instructions for transportation. We have ended other tours in the middle of nowhere which is quite disconcerting to those not familiar with New York.
Our best rating goes to Tony and the Christmas Lights Tour. |
