A Birthday Trip without a Birthday - 2/16: Conclusion and Bonus Birthday Tea

[Flossbolna]

Ooooh, love your new ticker Magdalene. And you're only two weeks from ADR's? Lucky!!

Thanks!! It's only ten days to ADR-Day today!! April 14 is the day!!

I still need to figure out a few things (when does the online booking open, how do I get the +10 window with my DVC reservation), might have to include that into the next update...

As far as Oct. weather goes, we've only been once which was in 2010, the last week of October. It was fairly humid but sunny and gorgeous every single day! Come on, there's no way you're going to get stuck with another deluge like you did last January!

I think we might be in for some heavy rain, BUT I am sure it won't be cold rain!! And I am very confident that it won't as freezing as in January 2010.

Plus, all of the MK was decorated for Halloween! It was so pretty, the fall colors look so lovely there. Are you planning to do the MNSSHP then? We absolutely loved it. Being there after hours when the park is closed to regular guests made us feel like vips!

I am really looking forward to the decorations! We were in DLP in October 2007 and thought the decorations there were a lot of fun.

(and don't tell anyone yet: there will be more about MNSSHP in an upcoming update...)

Waiting patiently (or at least trying to appear so) for the DLP report. I hope it was a wonderful trip for you and Katharina.

It was really great! I meant to get started on that report yesterday, but then some nasty virus decided to make feel lousy - so nothing got done...

Love your Ticker !!I have tried many times and can't get the hang of it !!!

Thanks Rosie! I find it rather challanging to get my signature formatted in the way I want it as well... The more things you put into it, the more complicated it gets.

 

[englishrose47]

Thanks Rosie! I find it rather challanging to get my signature formatted in the way I want it as well... The more things you put into it, the more complicated it gets.

And for the Technically Challenged it is a Nightmare

 

[Flossbolna]

And for the Technically Challenged it is a Nightmare

Hey, but you are supposedly a Computor Whiz!!

I still owe you an email with the spring decorations!! I meant to send that ages ago... Sorry!

 

[englishrose47]

Hey, but you are supposedly a Computor Whiz!!

I still owe you an email with the spring decorations!! I meant to send that ages ago... Sorry!

Yes the Tag Computor Whiz was given to me by my proof of my lack of computor skills, which have improvd slightly I look forward to the email!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I just finished reading your TR and now am finally caught up here too!

From your TR:

I am sure that the combination of turkey leg and popcorn is very historically authentic.

This made me laugh out loud!!! Quite authentic.

Something really beautiful to get you all in the mood for Katharina's and mine trip to Disneyland Paris:

A Magical Day at Disneyland Paris

It's one of the tilt-shift videos they have been doing of some of the parks. And this one is truly beautiful!

LOVED THIS! Thank you for sharing it! The post card you sent has been laying on a shelf, waiting to be hung on the refrigerator with all our other Disney postcards, but I had run out of tape. Tonight I was finally able to hang it and Henry was once again memorized by it. Thinking about going there, along with this video, makes me REALLY want to go someday! I haven't done much research on it, nor have I read any reports about it (hint, hint! ). I need to find out more, it looks like an incredible place!

I finally got around to make a new ticker for our trip! We liked the style of the DLP one so much that we kept it - just got different pictures from previous trips. A big thanks to Brook who provided the wonderful Boardwalk picture!!

And I am very pround that this is not only a custom ticker, but I also finally mastered the art to make it a direct link to this PTR!!

Love the ticker!!!! I'm excited about your trip and can't wait to read all the plans.

 

[All7OfUs]

Getting caught up after a rather exciting and fun-filled weekend. I do have to say, WOW! Lovely ticker!! I definitely need a tutorial for that when the time comes. :yes:

 

[marvali]

The marathon was not a marathon, but a 5k! I did ok, I was training to get a time under 30 minutes, but did not make it, I got in at 31:47... But at least I went out and did it!! I am thinking about training for a 10k in June now again. I reall need to get in shape for that, June will be around soon!!

Went back to get caught up a little. Congrats on the 5k! I know it wasn't quite your goal, but still a very respectable finish! Good luck training for the 10k!

Sorry, I still haven't gotten used to different types of rooms being available: we got a studio. I briefly thought about a one bedroom, but since that would not give us a second bed and would still mean that Katharina has to sleep on a pull out couch, I did not see the real benefit of it.

The biggest benefits of the 1-bedroom is the full kitchen (which might not be a biggie for you ladies since you really enjoy your dining out). We tend to cut down on the snacks in the parks (quick breakfast of toast, cereal, fruit, etc. and sandwiches and things like that when we take that afternoon break). The really huge thing is the washer/dryer in the room. Cuts down on how much we have to pack and bring with us on our trips, and we can throw a load in the washer before we leave for the park and not have to worry about sitting with it until it is done, or at night while we sleep.

Hi Captain, I had been wondering this morning what might have happened to you... We already seem to have lost Marvin to his work load and computer trouble... Good to see you back!

Not totally lost! I still check in, even when I don't have time to respond and only get to lurk!

And thanks again to you ladies for my mail!! It was super de duper fantastic!!!

 

[englishrose47]

I see we lured Marv out of Lurkdom

 

[marvali]

I see we lured Marv out of Lurkdom

A virtual GARDEN of Venus Fly Traps!!!

 

[englishrose47]

A virtual GARDEN of Venus Fly Traps!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Yes the Tag Computor Whiz was given to me by my proof of my lack of computor skills, which have improvd slightly I look forward to the email!!

That makes a lot of sense then!!

I just finished reading your TR and now am finally caught up here too!

From your TR:


This made me laugh out loud!!! Quite authentic.

Did you read the comments about it? I think it was Marvin who actually pointed out how truly American turkey and corn are so it is authentic!

LOVED THIS! Thank you for sharing it! The post card you sent has been laying on a shelf, waiting to be hung on the refrigerator with all our other Disney postcards, but I had run out of tape. Tonight I was finally able to hang it and Henry was once again memorized by it. Thinking about going there, along with this video, makes me REALLY want to go someday! I haven't done much research on it, nor have I read any reports about it (hint, hint! ). I need to find out more, it looks like an incredible place!

So, did Henry recognize it as a Disney castle? Is he confused why Mickey's House looks so different in Paris?

I think DLP is generally acknowledged as the prettiest of all Magic Kingdom type parks. The one where they did everything right and because Eisner wanted to impress Europeans they had the budget to do everything the right way: real stones, no fiberglass.

But then, if you make it to Europe (and you know I think it is much easier than a lot of American people seem to think), wouldn't you rather want to see the real stuff?? I have been wanting to go to Japan for such a long time (nearly started to plan for a trip in late March 2011, but am quite glad that I didn't) and the one thing I have always been wondering was wether I would want to take some of my time there to spend at Tokyo Disney Resort? Most likely I would, but it is a tough decision I think...

Love the ticker!!!! I'm excited about your trip and can't wait to read all the plans.

Thanks! I am pretty excited about sharing our plans as well... Next update will be ADRs, only 9 days until we get to make them!!

Getting caught up after a rather exciting and fun-filled weekend. I do have to say, WOW! Lovely ticker!! I definitely need a tutorial for that when the time comes. :yes:

Thanks!! I am pretty happy with the ticker myself. It is pretty easy to make, there is a function on photobucket which lets you make collages. But then I did not like the font types that were available for the text on photobucket, so I looked around and found picnik which had more fonts available. The great thing is that picnik lets you access your photobucket pictures, modify them and then safe them back onto photobucket.

 

[Flossbolna]

Went back to get caught up a little. Congrats on the 5k! I know it wasn't quite your goal, but still a very respectable finish! Good luck training for the 10k!

Thanks! I hope to start training for the 10k soon, but at the moment I am battling a nasty cough which made me feel really lousy all Sunday. But I really want to take out my new running shoes which I finally got last week!!

The biggest benefits of the 1-bedroom is the full kitchen (which might not be a biggie for you ladies since you really enjoy your dining out). We tend to cut down on the snacks in the parks (quick breakfast of toast, cereal, fruit, etc. and sandwiches and things like that when we take that afternoon break). The really huge thing is the washer/dryer in the room. Cuts down on how much we have to pack and bring with us on our trips, and we can throw a load in the washer before we leave for the park and not have to worry about sitting with it until it is done, or at night while we sleep.

I can see the value of a kitchen and think that maybe in the future I might want one as well if trips become a bit more relaxed. But as you said, we both enjoy eating out and if you don't have to pay for a whole family, it is easier affordable. And the washer/dryer would be appreciated as well. I am kind of planning to make use of the free laundry room for DVC studio guests, will be easier if you don't have to get coins etc. But then I have heard that the BWV room gets rather congested at times. We will see how that works out.

Not totally lost! I still check in, even when I don't have time to respond and only get to lurk!

I have had times when I was lurking as well...

And thanks again to you ladies for my mail!! It was super de duper fantastic!!!

You are welcome!

I see we lured Marv out of Lurkdom

A virtual GARDEN of Venus Fly Traps!!!

 

[marvali]

This is a carryover from Rosie's PTR! You'll have to head over and go back a couple of pages and then it will all make sense to you (or maybe not)!

Edited:
(It was actually a conversation between your post on page 49 and your subsequent post on page 50.)

 

[mom3sonstt]

I can see the value of a kitchen and think that maybe in the future I might want one as well if trips become a bit more relaxed. But as you said, we both enjoy eating out and if you don't have to pay for a whole family, it is easier affordable. And the washer/dryer would be appreciated as well. I am kind of planning to make use of the free laundry room for DVC studio guests, will be easier if you don't have to get coins etc. But then I have heard that the BWV room gets rather congested at times. We will see how that works out.

:

Danny & I stayed in a boardwalk studio a couple years ago. The DVc member laundry room had 2 hi efficiency washers and 3 dryers. At the time we had never used a hi efficiency washer before and couldn't believe how long it took to wash. It was pouring that evening and another family came in and threw some socks and jackets in one of the dryers. I spent a couple hours down there reading a paperback and watching Hannah Montana. The next year we got a 1br.....there were no studios available....but bit was handier having the washer in the room.

 

[Flossbolna]

This is a carryover from Rosie's PTR! You'll have to head over and go back a couple of pages and then it will all make sense to you (or maybe not)!

Edited:
(It was actually a conversation between your post on page 49 and your subsequent post on page 50.)

Oh, thanks for the info! Will check it out!

Danny & I stayed in a boardwalk studio a couple years ago. The DVc member laundry room had 2 hi efficiency washers and 3 dryers. At the time we had never used a hi efficiency washer before and couldn't believe how long it took to wash. It was pouring that evening and another family came in and threw some socks and jackets in one of the dryers. I spent a couple hours down there reading a paperback and watching Hannah Montana. The next year we got a 1br.....there were no studios available....but bit was handier having the washer in the room.

Ok, I had to look it up what a hi efficiency washer is: It is a normal German washing machine!!! I always hated those things that I encountered in my English university dorm and in hotels in the US!! This is the type of washing machine I grew up with and am comfortable with. So this is very good news to me!! But I understand that it might cause a problem if it takes hours to wash things... Mine here at home (a Siemens model, but it does not look like Space Ship Earth. ) has several programms, but the shortest normal one takes about 50 minutes, I have a 15 minutes programm, but it does not really do something for me... Now I am thinking that I should have asked Brook about a picture of the washer...

 

[marvali]

Oh, thanks for the info! Will check it out!



Ok, I had to look it up what a hi efficiency washer is: It is a normal German washing machine!!! I always hated those things that I encountered in my English university dorm and in hotels in the US!! This is the type of washing machine I grew up with and am comfortable with. So this is very good news to me!! But I understand that it might cause a problem if it takes hours to wash things... Mine here at home (a Siemens model, but it does not look like Space Ship Earth. ) has several programms, but the shortest normal one takes about 50 minutes, I have a 15 minutes programm, but it does not really do something for me... Now I am thinking that I should have asked Brook about a picture of the washer...

Since we stayed in a studio at Kidani on our last trip, we got a chance to use the Laundry Room for the first time. I don't know about BWV, but at Kidani (if I remember correctly) they had one of the High Efficiency type washers, and the rest (3 maybe) were top loaders.

 

[Flossbolna]

Here it is - the first DLP update! However, I won't take you to a park yet...

As mentioned before, I am planning to sort my pictures by theme and put them into seperate albums on Photobucket. I will then post a few introductory remarks to the album here and add a link to the slideshow of my pictures. I will add titles to some pictures if necessary. I hope you will enjoy this! Feel free to ask any questions, I will try my best to answer them.

The first album is about arriving at Disneyland Paris. But let's begin with some basic facts about the whole resort. Disneyland Paris started its life in 1992 as EuroDisney Resort, after a few name changes (it was called Disneyland Resort Paris for some time, that's why you sometimes see DLRP as an abbreviation), the whole resort is now just called Disneyland Paris.

It consists of two theme parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios, a shopping/entertainment/restaurant complex called Disney Village and several hotels in different price categories: one right at the entrance to Disneyland Park, three around a lake and two a bit further off. It is connected to Paris via railway, commuter trains as well as high-speed trains stop there.

The great thing is that all the elements mentioned above are within walking distance from each other and there are really nice walkways. From our hotel to the entrance of Disneyland Park it was about 15 minutes around the lake, through Disney Village. You don't encounter any traffic along the way at all. I think it was all planned at the same time as the Epcot resorts and it is a similar concept.

The first bunch of pictures will show you what you see when you walk towards Disneyland Park, it starts with me and Katharina in front of the baggage check point. Then you don't see anything of the park, you just see the Disneyland Hotel. You have to pass underneath the hotel where the ticket windows are located to get to the turnstiles and then into the park. The reason for this design is that the imagineers wanted to have the ticket window area and the turnstiles covered due to the weather in Paris which sometimes isn't so nice. The way to "pay" for the roof was the idea to add a hotel under that roof as well.

The Disneyland Hotel is the flagship hotel and very elegant. It reminds me of the Grand Floridian, but is a bit less airy and light. We did some exploring inside and I added pictures from the lobby to this album as well.

So, now click on this link and enter the password Flossbolna (case sensitive!!) to see the pictures!

 

[Flossbolna]

Since we stayed in a studio at Kidani on our last trip, we got a chance to use the Laundry Room for the first time. I don't know about BWV, but at Kidani (if I remember correctly) they had one of the High Efficiency type washers, and the rest (3 maybe) were top loaders.

Thanks for the info! I have read a few complaints about the BWV laundry room, supposedly the Inn guests like to use it as well, since it is free and they would have to pay in their non-DVC room. So it appears to be very busy...

 

[jenjolt]

Great Update!! Love the slideshow concept!! VERY COOL!!! I so want to visit DLP someday!!

 

[Poolrat]

Nice Slideshow. Looks like great weather!

How cool that the ticket window in under the hotel.