Scotland Meets Thread (formerly Scotland: A Brave Adventure)

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Did anyone else receive the offer from Disney Visa for 4 complimentary tickets to an advance screening of BRAVE? We are going to see it in San Francisco on June 18. I'm embarrassed to admit how excited I am to see this movie due to having booked this trip.

That is so cool. I have a Disney Visa and didn't get it, but as I mentioned I'm seeing it Sunday night (10th) at Pixar studios. I'm right there with you on excitement for this movie.

 

[jjb52]

Hi Paddles. Addicted to Outlander here and completely in love with a fictional character Jamie of course Fortunately DH doesn't mind and thinks Jamie is

The Outlander day tour is actually in Inverness <CLICKY HERE> Diana has several links to Outlander tours on her web site <CLICKY HERE>

I am not doing the Outlander tour this trip. We are coming in early for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and whatever else we can squeeze in. I plan to do the Outlander tour in 2014. That's when we will be doing ABD London/Paris with my parents. My mom is hooked on the series now too. 2014will be her first and probably only time she goes to Europe so I promised to take her on a pre ABD Outlander tour.

Hope this helps

Thanks for the tip on the Outlander Tour-I put it in my favorite places for future reference. I want to go to Scotland in 2014 and hopefully w/ABD and would love to do this tour as a pre or post trip. I am just starting the 4th book in the Outlander series-all I want to do is read!! Would love to hear more on this trip if anyone adds it to their itinerary this year.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Saw a special screening of BRAVE last night at PIXAR, and it was amazing! Found out that we were the first group outside of PIXAR to see it, which was pretty cool. You guys are going to be so anxious to go on this trip when you see it. Visually stunning. Had a chance to talk to the director for a while, and he was excited to hear that I was doing the ABD Scotland trip. Many of the location inspirations for the film were taken from his honeymoon trip to Scotland years ago. Is it August 2013 yet?

 

[Calfan]

Saw a special screening of BRAVE last night at PIXAR, and it was amazing! Found out that we were the first group outside of PIXAR to see it, which was pretty cool. You guys are going to be so anxious to go on this trip when you see it. Visually stunning. Had a chance to talk to the director for a while, and he was excited to hear that I was doing the ABD Scotland trip. Many of the location inspirations for the film were taken from his honeymoon trip to Scotland years ago. Is it August 2013 yet?

So glad you liked it, and how cool to be able to chat with the director! So excited to see it and even more excited for our trip.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

So glad you liked it, and how cool to be able to chat with the director! So excited to see it and even more excited for our trip.

It will definitely get you in the mood for the trip! BTW, Calfan pointed out that the trip prices have gone up yet again! Some are nearly $1000 more than opening day. So glad we jumped quickly!

 

[calypso726]

Saw a special screening of BRAVE last night at PIXAR, and it was amazing! Found out that we were the first group outside of PIXAR to see it, which was pretty cool. You guys are going to be so anxious to go on this trip when you see it. Visually stunning. Had a chance to talk to the director for a while, and he was excited to hear that I was doing the ABD Scotland trip. Many of the location inspirations for the film were taken from his honeymoon trip to Scotland years ago. Is it August 2013 yet?

That is so cool! I am dying to see this movie! I have been chomping at the bit over it since it was revealed as the next Pixar project at a D23 event a couple of years ago.

It will definitely get you in the mood for the trip! BTW, Calfan pointed out that the trip prices have gone up yet again! Some are nearly $1000 more than opening day. So glad we jumped quickly!

I saw that! For us, it is now $500 more than when we booked We weren't as quick on it as some of you but happy we got in when we did

 

[bobrex]

DW (Sandy) and I are booked on the June 30 trip. This is out third ABD trip; we did the Yosemite trip a few years ago and the Germany trip last year. We are also DVC, but not using our points for this trip - it's just too many points.

I can understand the price increasing as time goes on, but the trip dates were announced in mid May, less than a month ago. That's jumping the prices a little too early, no?

 

[sayhello]

DW (Sandy) and I are booked on the June 30 trip. This is out third ABD trip; we did the Yosemite trip a few years ago and the Germany trip last year. We are also DVC, but not using our points for this trip - it's just too many points.

I can understand the price increasing as time goes on, but the trip dates were announced in mid May, less than a month ago. That's jumping the prices a little too early, no?

I agree with you. But apparently the trips are filling up REALLY quickly, and ABD generally increases the prices as the trips fill up. I've seen this sort of thing with DCL, but never seen it with ABD before. It's just a REALLY popular trip, but doesn't have a lot of departures.

(And it's actually only been 3 weeks! Crazy!)

Sayhello

 

[Miss SD]

DW (Sandy) and I are booked on the June 30 trip. This is out third ABD trip; we did the Yosemite trip a few years ago and the Germany trip last year. We are also DVC, but not using our points for this trip - it's just too many points.

I can understand the price increasing as time goes on, but the trip dates were announced in mid May, less than a month ago. That's jumping the prices a little too early, no?

Wow, that's strange. My DH and I (and DD) will be on the June 30 trip. My name is Sandy and we took the Germany trip last year.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

We weren't as quick on it as some of you but happy we got in when we did

I think this trip and the recent DVC cruise special are the fastest I've ever moved on anything.

Wow, that's strange. My DH and I (and DD) will be on the June 30 trip. My name is Sandy and we took the Germany trip last year.

Wow, that is strange! Cool.

 

[calypso726]

DW (Sandy) and I are booked on the June 30 trip. This is out third ABD trip; we did the Yosemite trip a few years ago and the Germany trip last year. We are also DVC, but not using our points for this trip - it's just too many points.

I can understand the price increasing as time goes on, but the trip dates were announced in mid May, less than a month ago. That's jumping the prices a little too early, no?

Hello! Welcome to the thread! Germany looks like a really fun trip. It's on the short list so hopefully we will get to do it down the line.

I think this trip and the recent DVC cruise special are the fastest I've ever moved on anything.

The fastest for us would be our 2 DVC cruises, started dialing right when the phones lines opened to book. Then the Maiden Voyage of the Fantasy we booked on day 1. Thank goodness too because those prices doubled

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Then the Maiden Voyage of the Fantasy we booked on day 1. Thank goodness too because those prices doubled

Lucky you to be on the maiden voyage. I'll be taking my first Fantasy cruise in 11 days . . . I can't wait!

 

[calypso726]

Lucky you to be on the maiden voyage. I'll be taking my first Fantasy cruise in 11 days . . . I can't wait!

Oh you will have so much fun! It is a lovely ship and I like it even better than the Dream.

 

[calypso726]

Hi everybody! Like some of you we are coming in a few days early. I was looking around at places to eat and or stay that might be somewhat unique and came across The Witchery by the Castle CLICKY HERE which I have heard mentioned several times while reading trip reports online. There are 2 restaurants, The Witchery and The Secret Garden. Andrew Lloyd Webber is quoted saying, "Is this the prettiest restaurant ever? I think so."

I figured if it was popular it would require reservations so I checked out he web site and discovered they have 8 (only 8) dramatically decadent, opulent over the top suites. I read one person's trip report that said Catherine Zeta Jones was staying there during their stay there. Anyhow, it is totaly up my alley with regards to being out of the ordinary and campy So we made reservations for the 2nd and 3rd of August in the Inner Sanctum suite and dinner at The Witchery on Friday and The Secret Garden on Saturday.

I thought I'd share with the group in case someone else might find it to their liking

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Hi everybody! Like some of you we are coming in a few days early. I was looking around at places to eat and or stay that might be somewhat unique and came across The Witchery by the Castle CLICKY HERE which I have heard mentioned several times while reading trip reports online. There are 2 restaurants, The Witchery and The Secret Garden. Andrew Lloyd Webber is quoted saying, "Is this the prettiest restaurant ever? I think so."

I figured if it was popular it would require reservations so I checked out he web site and discovered they have 8 (only 8) dramatically decadent, opulent over the top suites. I read one person's trip report that said Catherine Zeta Jones was staying there during their stay there. Anyhow, it is totaly up my alley with regards to being out of the ordinary and campy So we made reservations for the 2nd and 3rd of August in the Inner Sanctum suite and dinner at The Witchery on Friday and The Secret Garden on Saturday.

I thought I'd share with the group in case someone else might find it to their liking

Very cool place! I've seen it before but had never checked it out. Thanks for the info. With the kids, I suspect we'll either try to stay at the Balmoral (so we don't have to move) or one of the bigger chains with family rooms, but this place looks awesome. Up my alley, too

 

[2BNDisney]

Looks like I am set for June 9 also ..... going solo. First time ABD and first time to Scotland. Considering taking a pre-trip to Italy/Ireland and maybe some Scotland places so guess I may need a guide book for all three

 

[calypso726]

Very cool place! I've seen it before but had never checked it out. Thanks for the info. With the kids, I suspect we'll either try to stay at the Balmoral (so we don't have to move) or one of the bigger chains with family rooms, but this place looks awesome. Up my alley, too

The Balmoral looks awesome. I am so glad we get to stay there with ABD. I read it was named one of the top 10 Luxury Hotels in the UK on Trip Advisor and top 500 world's best hotels in Travel & Leisure! The other one I would love to stay at in Edinburgh is Prestonfield. Maybe the NEXT time we go to Scotland

I'm happy to know I won't be the only one on this trip with tastes that run towards the theatrical and dramatic

Looks like I am set for June 9 also ..... going solo. First time ABD and first time to Scotland. Considering taking a pre-trip to Italy/Ireland and maybe some Scotland places so guess I may need a guide book for all three

Hi and to the group! I'm a first timer for both too. Your pre-trip sounds fun! We will be going to Italy in October but not with ABD. It will be our first time there so please share your experiences here. I will probably be lurking on the Italy meet threads to see if I learn any tips for the people who are going or getting back. I would love to go to Ireland! It's not in the cards just yet but defintely someday!

It's not exactly a guide book, but I picked up a book about Scotland that is a fun little read called Scottish Miscellany Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Scotland the Brave. I also picked up a pocket guidebook called Edinburgh Encounter. Oh and there is a free App called Welcome to Scotland Scot Guide that you can download. It's loaded with info on where to go, what to do, discounts, interactive maps that locate your position using GPS. It works for iPhones and Android phones < CLICKY HERE >

 

[Calfan]

The Balmoral looks awesome. I am so glad we get to stay there with ABD. I read it was named one of the top 10 Luxury Hotels in the UK on Trip Advisor and top 500 world's best hotels in Travel & Leisure! The other one I would love to stay at in Edinburgh is Prestonfield. Maybe the NEXT time we go to Scotland

The only other time I have been to Scotland was in high school on a trip with my parents. We ate dinner at Prestonfield House for my father's birthday. A great experience.

We are seeing BRAVE tonight. Can't wait!

 

[sayhello]

Looks like I am set for June 9 also ..... going solo. First time ABD and first time to Scotland. Considering taking a pre-trip to Italy/Ireland and maybe some Scotland places so guess I may need a guide book for all three

Congrats, Blake! I'm sure you're going to love this trip, love Scotland and love ABD!!! You'll be going on one of the first trips, so I'll really be looking forward to your report!

Sayhello

 

[wld]

DH and I are going on the Sept trip. Booked today and they said we got the last room with Debs group. This is our first ABD and we are very excited. We are also thinking about adding on a couple of days. Or maybe flying into London and taking the train to Edinburg for a little more adventure. Since I'm not planning most of this trip, I got to have something to plan!