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

[marvali]

Oh, that's an interesting piece of information!! And wonderful news that you get to go again! I am really looking forward to the party - especially to all the candy!

We are really looking forward to the Halloween Party! I have been to one Pirate and Princess Party which was fun, but we did not get any candy then... So Halloween is new to us. When we were at DLP in 2007 they had started putting up their Halloween decorations and they were a lot of fun and I am looking forward to seeing the MK's.

Hey, do I get an invite? Sounds like a really great opportunity for a solo trip, and going when all the fall/halloween decorations are out is on my list of times to visit sometime! As for the candy.......

Have a look at our ticker!! In less than 5 months we will be on our way!

​

Hey, your ticker is at 4 months 30 days as well! What a coincidence!

And on less than five months!!!

Sorry I haven't posted many comments lately, but I have been following along in ninja mode. Just not a lot of time lately for posting, especially when I get behind and there is so much to comment on. Still, I have been loving the TR updates and all the pictures of DLP! It is interesting to see the comparisons and can't wait to see all the pictures to come!

BTW, I found out recently that the big project that is taking all my time right now the company we are getting the equipment from is in Germany, and the closest big city is Nuremberg! I think I am going to have to find a way to be one of the people who attends a factory acceptance test in Germany for the next system.......

 

[englishrose47]

Marv you do realise , Carol, Moi, Dan and Cathleen will also be there the same time !!!

 

[PennyLane1084]

Hi Madgelena & Katharina!!

I just noticed that your dates are over lapping the dates I'll be in WDW and thought I'd check out your PTR. I love you read TRs from people outside the US. I love seeing the US from a different perspective. I read through your last TR, Katherina's first trip to Disney World and enjoyed it very much, so I was excited to see you started a new PTR.

I will be in The World during the trail end of your trip on the 20, 21, 22 of October. Maybe we'll bump into each other.

Pictures from DLP are lovely. I really like the ones of the hotel. It's so pretty.

Good choices on the ADRs. I'm also eating at Kona Cafe for breakfast. It will be my first breakfast at WDW in 12 years. Tonga Toast here I come!

Halloween is my favorite holiday, you ladies are going to have a blast at MNSSHP. Bring bags for Trick-or-Treating, I've heard they give out LOTS of candy.

I really want to attend the party but I wrestling with spending the extra money. If I do end up going, I'd be going on a Sunday also.

Can't wait to hear more of your plans.

 

[Flossbolna]

The big hurdle is that we do start with the face in the water. we spend so much time on bubbles and floating face down it is sometimes discouraging.

To break it up we also teach backfloating at the same time but that has it own hurdles.

Bubbles, floating, arms and legs and then breathing.

When I teach special needs or Adults as I have said before, I dont follow that path. I figure out what works best for my student.

Interesting, I wonder what the reason for those different approaches are? I think yours makes a lot of sense to me. I know so many people who can "swim", but only with their head above water. It kind of works and it will help them to survive in water, but it isn't real swimming.

T minus 5 months!!! Getting closer!!

I am getting pretty excited and already have plenty ideas for future planning updates. I just need to find the time to do them...

Hey Magdalene, I have finally found my way over here to your PTR and still have about 15 pages to catch up to. Really looking forward to reading about all you have planned (especially since I am seriously thinking about spending my 40th birthday at WDW as well, even though I still have two and a half years to go until then), and also about your visit to DLP.
Until then, however, I shall content myself with picturing our president as the Queen .

Hi Annichan, great to have you here! DLP was really great this time and I am already thinking about a return trip... I finally figured out that with an annual pass you can get EMH priviledges there as well, so maybe that might be an option to combine an AP with a cheaper hotel. I find the DLP hotel prices a bit too high.

And about Mr Wulf as Queen: But I think Mr Herzog would have made a very dignified King.

 

[Flossbolna]

Hey, do I get an invite? Sounds like a really great opportunity for a solo trip, and going when all the fall/halloween decorations are out is on my list of times to visit sometime! As for the candy.......

Marv you do realise , Carol, Moi, Dan and Cathleen will also be there the same time !!!

There are a lot of DISers at WDW in our time frame. Marv, I hope you know that Katharina and I would love to meet you!

The great thing about the candy is not only that it is candy, but it is all "exotic" stuff for us.

And on less than five months!!!

Sorry I haven't posted many comments lately, but I have been following along in ninja mode. Just not a lot of time lately for posting, especially when I get behind and there is so much to comment on. Still, I have been loving the TR updates and all the pictures of DLP! It is interesting to see the comparisons and can't wait to see all the pictures to come!

BTW, I found out recently that the big project that is taking all my time right now the company we are getting the equipment from is in Germany, and the closest big city is Nuremberg! I think I am going to have to find a way to be one of the people who attends a factory acceptance test in Germany for the next system.......

Don't worry about ninja DISing... I do it at the moment as well. I hope to get the next set of DLP pictures posted soon.

That's interesting that you are getting equipment from Germany and even from a place near Nuremberg! I have one very big company in mind, but I know that there are plenty of medium sized, privately owned manufacturers in Germany which are highly specialised and are leaders in their field, but nobody knows about them unless they need that product. Those companies are considered the backbone of German's economy, they are called "Mittelstand" and I have recently found out that this term is even used in English to describe those companies since they are typical for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. So chances are that I have never heard of the company you are talking about. And yes, you definitely need to come here for those tests!

Hi Madgelena & Katharina!!

I just noticed that your dates are over lapping the dates I'll be in WDW and thought I'd check out your PTR. I love you read TRs from people outside the US. I love seeing the US from a different perspective. I read through your last TR, Katherina's first trip to Disney World and enjoyed it very much, so I was excited to see you started a new PTR.

I will be in The World during the trail end of your trip on the 20, 21, 22 of October. Maybe we'll bump into each other.

Pictures from DLP are lovely. I really like the ones of the hotel. It's so pretty.

Good choices on the ADRs. I'm also eating at Kona Cafe for breakfast. It will be my first breakfast at WDW in 12 years. Tonga Toast here I come!

Halloween is my favorite holiday, you ladies are going to have a blast at MNSSHP. Bring bags for Trick-or-Treating, I've heard they give out LOTS of candy.

I really want to attend the party but I wrestling with spending the extra money. If I do end up going, I'd be going on a Sunday also.

Can't wait to hear more of your plans.

PennyLane! Thanks for the nice comment about our previous TR. We had a lot of fun writing it, but it is great to know that people enjoy it.

I get the impression that October is a popular months for DISers to travel to WDW. I can absolutely understand that you are hesitating about paying the price for the Halloween party. I think it is very expensive for what it offers. But Halloween for us is that new experience that makes it worth it. I am not sure wether I would want to pay for it every year. I am not so much into meeting the characters nor a fan of parades and shows. So it is mainly just a fun evening at the MK with special atmosphere and candy. I definitely want to experience it once, but might rather allocate that money to another experience in future trips.

 

[marvali]

Marv you do realise , Carol, Moi, Dan and Cathleen will also be there the same time !!!

Well Rosie, going to Disney is never Nirvana.......although some visits have more trials to go through than others!!!

There are a lot of DISers at WDW in our time frame. Marv, I hope you know that Katharina and I would love to meet you!

The great thing about the candy is not only that it is candy, but it is all "exotic" stuff for us.

It is always a good time to visit Disney, but I think making a trip when so many of my DISfriends (yes, even you Rosie) are there would be a fantastic time!!!

Don't worry about ninja DISing... I do it at the moment as well. I hope to get the next set of DLP pictures posted soon.

Looking forward to more, more, more!!!

That's interesting that you are getting equipment from Germany and even from a place near Nuremberg! I have one very big company in mind, but I know that there are plenty of medium sized, privately owned manufacturers in Germany which are highly specialised and are leaders in their field, but nobody knows about them unless they need that product. Those companies are considered the backbone of German's economy, they are called "Mittelstand" and I have recently found out that this term is even used in English to describe those companies since they are typical for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. So chances are that I have never heard of the company you are talking about. And yes, you definitely need to come here for those tests!

I'm guessing it is probably the one you have in mind, I just don't want to mention them by name here. They are a rather large company so I doubt they are one of the Mittelstand you mention.

Not sure I could work my way into being one of the International travellers, but you never know......and it would be great for multiple reasons for sure!

 

[annichan]

I get the impression that October is a popular months for DISers to travel to WDW.

Just wanting to throw in my two cents even though they are pretty much the same that's been said before and thus potentially horribly boring:
We also loved WDW in October! We were there last year from October 23rd to November 3rd, and we thought that was a great time for traveling to WDW: relatively uncrowded parks and restaurants, warm and sunny but not blazingly hot weather, plus the opportunity to attend MNSSHP (and for those that aren't such ninnies as I am, also Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios - arrgh!).

 

[Kleese]

A quick before I go back to catch up. Hope everyone is doing great and enjoying the warm weather. I wish the Mississippi would go down but other then that it's been great weather with little or no humidity which for us is very rare so we've been out and about soaking it up. Hoping to go to the zoo soon before DH shuts himself inside because of the heat.

 

[Flossbolna]

It is always a good time to visit Disney, but I think making a trip when so many of my DISfriends (yes, even you Rosie) are there would be a fantastic time!!!

indeed!

I'm guessing it is probably the one you have in mind, I just don't want to mention them by name here. They are a rather large company so I doubt they are one of the Mittelstand you mention.

Not sure I could work my way into being one of the International travellers, but you never know......and it would be great for multiple reasons for sure!

Ok, won't say anything anymore, I was so vague because I suspected that you did not want to mention the company's name. But I think we both know what we are talking about... It would be so cool to have the fourth DISer come and meet me in Nuremberg within one year! It was last August that Liesa came and started the game, followed by Wendy and Cynthia.

Just wanting to throw in my two cents even though they are pretty much the same that's been said before and thus potentially horribly boring:
We also loved WDW in October! We were there last year from October 23rd to November 3rd, and we thought that was a great time for traveling to WDW: relatively uncrowded parks and restaurants, warm and sunny but not blazingly hot weather, plus the opportunity to attend MNSSHP (and for those that aren't such ninnies as I am, also Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios - arrgh!).

Thanks! That's very reassuring. I have high hopes. I am just not so sure about wether I will like the Food and Wine Festival. It was going on during my first trip in 2004 and it really took a bit away from the WS experience, I found the booths were cluttering that part of the park a bit. We will see. I guess with Katharina's many food intolerances we won't be making that much use of it for meals anyway, but we have some time planned there for exploring.

And nothing would ever get me to attend Halloween Horror Nights - that would be torture for me!!

A quick before I go back to catch up. Hope everyone is doing great and enjoying the warm weather. I wish the Mississippi would go down but other then that it's been great weather with little or no humidity which for us is very rare so we've been out and about soaking it up. Hoping to go to the zoo soon before DH shuts himself inside because of the heat.

Hi there! I had heard about the Mississippi, I hope it hasn't affected you? Spring here has been fantastic, so sunny and warm and the weekend is supposed to be really warm. I hope you get to go to the zoo!

 

[Flossbolna]

Let's walk inside the shops now! And not only inside the shops - DLP has a very special feature on its Main Street: the arcades. Those are covered walkways along the back of the shops on Main street. At WDW there are backstage areas, but at DLP you can enter a shop from Main Street walk straight through it and then exit into the arcade. The arcades are not only extremely practical, they offer a dry walk way during the rain, the diminish congestion on Main Street and they can be used during the parade. They start at Town Square and continue all the way to the Central Plaza, there is one on each side. Looking towards the castle from Town Square the one on your left side is Liberty Arcade and the one on the right side is Discovery Arcade.

Both are much more than just covered walkways, they are heavily themed and decorated like old fashioned shopping arcades would have been, you can still see wonderful examples in many European cities, I would assume they als existed in the US?

Liberty Arcade is about the Statue of Liberty - a gift from the French people to the American people (well, the Americans still had to finance the base for the statue). About midway down the arcade there is a small room with a display commemorating the dedication cerenomy, you can listen to the speeches and hear people cheering. There are several showcases whith exhibits about the history of the Statue of Liberty.

Discovery Arcade is themed to Victorian inventors. It works perfectly with Discoveryland - which is the land it leads towards to. Discoveryland replaces Tomorrowland and is not about the tomorrow we imagine today, but about the tomorrow that was imagined in the past and specifically by Jules Verne. There are showcases about actual inventions made around 1900 and a lot of interesting posters.

The shops of Main Street were extremely heavily themed. However, when DLP opened, the Europeans did not buy as much merchandise as Disney had expected they would. Some people said that people did not buy anything because they were too distracted by all the theming. So a lot disappeared, but you can still notice some of it in the shops and I include some pictures about that as well.

And finally there are pictures of Salon Mickey. This is a private lounge which you can enter from outside the turnstiles. You need to be a member of the Shareholders' Club. DLP is not owned by the Walt Disney Company, but by a company called Euro Disney SCA - a French public traded share company (actually a limited partnership if anyone out there is interested in company law). The Walt Disney Company owns a large amount of shares (not all) and then there are numerous normal shareholders - like you and me, or as I should say as you and Katharina. Since she is the one who actually bought some Euro Disney SCA shares so that she could become a member of the Shareholders' Club. As a member she was allowed to take up to three guests with her into Salon Mickey. It is a wonderful treat! And they take your park tickets, swipe them and then you get to enter Main Street through your private entrance!

Ok, enough text, you want to see pictures? They can be found here - as always the password is Flossbolna.

 

[marvali]

Wow, some really cool pics!!! Love the idea of the arcade and touring it looks really interesting. Quite the concept of the "future" for some of the cities. The Statue of Liberty section would be really interesting I think.

DS14 leaves this evening on his school class trip to New York City and Philadelphia, so he should be seeing the Statue of Liberty up close and personal for the first time. The buses will be driving through all night (with a few rest stops along the way) and arrive around lunchtime tomorrow. He is very excited about the trip and I was hoping to go with him as one of the chaperones but work interferes this time.

Salon Mickey looks really nice too, and the free snacks and hot drinks is a pretty good benefit. That croissant (I assume it is) in the picture looks really good! I love almond croissants and had one often on some of my business trips to Boston years ago.

 

[glennbo123]

Great update as usual Magdalene....very informative.

In those pictures of what they thought cities would look like in the future, they really thought that blimps would be widely used, didn't they.

 

[marvali]

Great update as usual Magdalene....very informative.

In those pictures of what they thought cities would look like in the future, they really thought that blimps would be widely used, didn't they.

I noticed the same thing about the blimps! I guess it would be really hard to imagine some of the methods of travel we have today.

Just imagine if you could go back in time to that era with your laptop or cell phone to show them........

 

[glennbo123]

Just imagine if you could go back in time to that era with your laptop or cell phone to show them........

Sorcerer! Burn him!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Wow, wow, wow! Lovely pictures Magdalene! I am really enjoying this tour through DLP. It's simply gorgeous and the theming is amazing! Oh, I really want to visit now. Is it just me or does DLP look more charming than Orlando??

So the arcades line the backsides of Main Street then? Genius idea, so clever. I'm really fond of excellently themed areas so these look incredible. There's such a Victorian feel to them, isn't there? The Salon looks so inviting, I'd love to be a shareholder just so that I could go inside.

 

[marvali]

Sorcerer! Burn him!

 

[tiggrbaby]

Those shops are amazing! I like the idea of the arcades.

 

[Poolrat]

Interesting, I wonder what the reason for those different approaches are? I think yours makes a lot of sense to me. I know so many people who can "swim", but only with their head above water. It kind of works and it will help them to survive in water, but it isn't real swimming.

I never really found out why it is done that way. The only reason i can come up with is breaststroke is more for leisure swimming where Front crawl is for distance and competition.

There are a lot of DISers at WDW in our time frame. Marv, I hope you know that Katharina and I would love to meet you!

I get the impression that October is a popular months for DISers to travel to WDW. I can absolutely understand that you are hesitating about paying the price for the Halloween party. I think it is very expensive for what it offers. But Halloween for us is that new experience that makes it worth it. I am not sure wether I would want to pay for it every year. I am not so much into meeting the characters nor a fan of parades and shows. So it is mainly just a fun evening at the MK with special atmosphere and candy. I definitely want to experience it once, but might rather allocate that money to another experience in future trips.

I am think Oct is busy for Disers too. I have a theroy when I get that part in my TR.

 

[eandesmom]

lovely lovely pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Wow, some really cool pics!!! Love the idea of the arcade and touring it looks really interesting. Quite the concept of the "future" for some of the cities. The Statue of Liberty section would be really interesting I think.

DS14 leaves this evening on his school class trip to New York City and Philadelphia, so he should be seeing the Statue of Liberty up close and personal for the first time. The buses will be driving through all night (with a few rest stops along the way) and arrive around lunchtime tomorrow. He is very excited about the trip and I was hoping to go with him as one of the chaperones but work interferes this time.

Salon Mickey looks really nice too, and the free snacks and hot drinks is a pretty good benefit. That croissant (I assume it is) in the picture looks really good! I love almond croissants and had one often on some of my business trips to Boston years ago.

I hope Drew has a wonderful trip! I was very impressed with the Statue of Liberty when I visited New York. But I don't envy him being on a bus all night.

Hmm, I don't think it is a croissant as in France those are always plain and in the crescent moon shape. This one was a pastry made from the same dough but filled with ground hazelnuts mixed with sugar. It was absolutely delicious. There will be some more food updates, we had some pretty tasty meals there...

Great update as usual Magdalene....very informative.

In those pictures of what they thought cities would look like in the future, they really thought that blimps would be widely used, didn't they.

I noticed the same thing about the blimps! I guess it would be really hard to imagine some of the methods of travel we have today.

Just imagine if you could go back in time to that era with your laptop or cell phone to show them........

Ok, I had to look up "blimps" and found out that most likely those aren't blimps, but airships (according to Wikipedia blimps are non-rigid, but those would have been rigid airships), in German they are called "Zeppelin". And arund 1900 they had their golden age, so this is very appropriate for that time period. BUT, I have to point out: these poster were designed by imagineers in the late 1980s when they built DLP. So it is a 1980s view of what the 1900s view of the 2000s would have been.

And the aspect of someone of that time being confused about today was actually the theme of the DLP attraction called Le Visionarium (known to WDW guests as the Timekeeper). More info about that on Wikipedia and video of the attraction can be found here.

And just another random fact about airships: Ther was a concept to revive airships to use them to transport very large objects, the airship was supposed to be called Cargo Lifter and they built a very large building to construct them inside. The whole project went bust and now this building has Germany's largest indoor water park inside called Tropical Islands, it is outside Berlin.