November/December 2012?

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

OK after being sick all week with shingles, I'm back! I can't remember if I've updated everyone on our trip details which has changed over the past couple of months but I'll do it anyway!

Paris - 6 days
Disneyland - 4 days - we plan on using one of those days to hire a car and visit Fountainebleu and surrounds, as well as going to the outlets at La Vallee Marne
Carcassonne - 1 night - we'll catch the train to Montpellier, pick up a car and drive to Carcassonne, just because we love the boardgame that was named after the walled city...
Montpellier - 1 night - heading east towards Provence
Arles - 5 nights - our base for exploring Provence, details to be finalised. Will very much be weather dependent.
Valmorel - 7 nights - skiing at the new club med ski resort. very much looking forward to the all inclusive break.
Venice - 3 nights - driving from the Alps to Geneva then catching a flight to Venice where DH's parents will join us
Bologna - 2 nights
Florence - 6 nights - my parents, brother, aunt and cousin will be joining us in Florence. We're planning on a day trip to Lucca and Pisa and we didn't visit them on our cruise last time.
Rome - 2 nights - we've booked a private transfer for the whole tribe which includes a tour of Siena and San Gimignano on the way from Florence to Rome. Also planning to book gladiator school. Should be fun!
NCL Jade Holy Land cruise- 11 nights. Very special for the children to be on a cruise with both sets of grandparents. We'll be visiting Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt and Israel. Shore excursions organised for Turkey and Cyprus so far. Very much looking forward to Israel and visiting the towns and places associated with the early years of Jesus.
Post cruise - We've booked a private transfer from the port to the airport with a tour of Orvieto and Civita di Bagnoregio in between. Then sadly its time to fly home...Our parents, however, will both be kicking on. One set will head to the middle east whilst the other set will go to Asia. Darn those people!

As for Disneyland Paris, I'm both excited and apprehensive. I know its a beautiful park but I am aware of the reports of smoking and poor crowd control (queue jumping and character mobs). We're booked in at the Disneyland Hotel. Its a dream for me so I am eternally grateful to DH for agreeing to fund it! Even at 50% off, it is ridiculously expensive.

We've decided to do Buffalo Bill's wild west show, and a character dinner at Inventions. Also on the list are to dine at Walt's and Annette's. I also want to do the tour of the park. I've a got a list of the "must-do"s at DLP, but will play it by ear as we're visiting in low season and will have 3 days too do it in. So it appears that once again, I will be visiting a Disney park with no touring plan! I am getting slack in my old age...

What an absolutely amazing itinerary. Once you start breaking down the itinerary into daily activities I'd love to see the plans in more detail.

As for DLP, I can't wait to hear about the Buffalo Bill show and the character dinner at Inventions. I think these are things we would want to do also.

 

[dabecs]

Shushh - that is going to be an amazing trip!

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

As was always going to be the case, New York is turning into the most expensive leg of our trip due to "activities". My husband loves all the new york teams so if possible wants to see his sporting events here so we've bought NY Knicks tickets for December 23, about to buy NY Rangers tickets for December 22, unfortunately or fortunately, I can't decide, we miss the Grin Iron season.

We have tickets to see Grinch on December 24 and tickets to see the Christmas spectacular on December 25. And I still would like to see a broadway show. Ouch. We might be on bread and water for the remainder of the trip hahaha.

And god help me if a singer or band my husband likes gets announced for while we are in the US, he won't be able to resist.

Good to get these things booked and we aren't planning on doing anything like this in any of the other cities at this time, but hey, never say never.

 

[Aussie Wendy]

So so so so jealous of Shushh -though after a bout of shingles you deserve a big treat!! Hope you are all better now. So looking forward to the trip report!

We have almost decided on a trip to the UK (to see friends and rellies) late next year with a side trip to DLP and around 2 weeks in southern Spain and Barcelona so will be following TR with even more care-noting what to do and not to do and where to eat at DLP. At this stage in my reading I share reservations about the negatives (also the comments on the amount of breakdowns, dilapidated nature of attractions inside, animatronics not working etc) but also looking forward to exploring all the walk-throughs and detail as seems lots of differences in this regard and the castle looks stunning - to actually stay at DH -in my dreams! I am trying to decide which hotel sounds the best as lots of negative press on the Paris Boards on many and the close, off site ones seem to get better reviews...but on-site is so much better! The cruise sounds amazing too and such a treat for the children to travel with both sets of grandparents. Did I say I was jealous (and I know, I am lucky I am still planning another amazing OS trip for ourselves for next year but there is always so many more destinations I would love to see!)

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Shushh after looking at your cruise I'm all loving the cruises and can't stop looking at Santorini photos along with all of the other stops a Mediterranean cruise would include. Sigh. So many trips, so little time, so little money .

I have no time to be thinking about my Italy Spain Greece Turkey trip of 2014 but I just can't keep looking to the future .

It will be great that you are blazing a trail for us all Shushh and Wendy, you can blaze the Spain trail for me late next year. Nice.

 

[shushh]

Shushh - that is going to be an amazing trip!

Thanks dabecs! It took some time putting it all together but we're very excited about it!

So so so so jealous of Shushh -though after a bout of shingles you deserve a big treat!! Hope you are all better now. So looking forward to the trip report!

We have almost decided on a trip to the UK (to see friends and rellies) late next year with a side trip to DLP and around 2 weeks in southern Spain and Barcelona so will be following TR with even more care-noting what to do and not to do and where to eat at DLP. At this stage in my reading I share reservations about the negatives (also the comments on the amount of breakdowns, dilapidated nature of attractions inside, animatronics not working etc) but also looking forward to exploring all the walk-throughs and detail as seems lots of differences in this regard and the castle looks stunning - to actually stay at DH -in my dreams! I am trying to decide which hotel sounds the best as lots of negative press on the Paris Boards on many and the close, off site ones seem to get better reviews...but on-site is so much better! The cruise sounds amazing too and such a treat for the children to travel with both sets of grandparents. Did I say I was jealous (and I know, I am lucky I am still planning another amazing OS trip for ourselves for next year but there is always so many more destinations I would love to see!)

No need to be jealous! Spain and the UK will be awesome. We loved Barcelona and have been yearning to go back to see the rest of the country. I am following Ms Shuttergirls trip planning to the UK very closely and will be doing the same with yours. My MIL is from England and she has been pestering us to go back with her for years. We thought about doing it this year but had difficulty squeezing it in. Its high on our wishlist. And I still clearly remember when I was reading your TR how I WISHED I was back in NY! I think that's half the problem being on these boards, there's always someone going somewhere special! It makes it even harder when you personally don't have a trip in the near future. As hard as most of us try not to, its difficult to avoid "trip envy"! And yes I do agree with the part about so many destinations to see...sigh

Shushh after looking at your cruise I'm all loving the cruises and can't stop looking at Santorini photos along with all of the other stops a Mediterranean cruise would include. Sigh. So many trips, so little time, so little money .

I have no time to be thinking about my Italy Spain Greece Turkey trip of 2014 but I just can't keep looking to the future .

It will be great that you are blazing a trail for us all Shushh and Wendy, you can blaze the Spain trail for me late next year. Nice.

Hehehe, it sounds like me planning my Dec 2013 USA roadtrip with this current trip not fully organised yet...

Yeah, cruises always suck me in without fail! So MANY cruises I want to go on!!!!

As was always going to be the case, New York is turning into the most expensive leg of our trip due to "activities". My husband loves all the new york teams so if possible wants to see his sporting events here so we've bought NY Knicks tickets for December 23, about to buy NY Rangers tickets for December 22, unfortunately or fortunately, I can't decide, we miss the Grin Iron season.

We have tickets to see Grinch on December 24 and tickets to see the Christmas spectacular on December 25. And I still would like to see a broadway show. Ouch. We might be on bread and water for the remainder of the trip hahaha.

And god help me if a singer or band my husband likes gets announced for while we are in the US, he won't be able to resist.

Good to get these things booked and we aren't planning on doing anything like this in any of the other cities at this time, but hey, never say never.

That's a full on schedule! Good for you, I expected nothing less! It sounds like a lot of fun. If you're not going to treat yourself while in NY at Christmas then when are you going to do it

 

[queenie82]

I'm still trying to work out WHERE you book it and dates and all that (useful) information

But shushh are you considering doing the meal package with Dreams?
Just wondering if you think it is worthwhile?

It isn't seating it is a roped off area to watch the night time castle show but reports are a bit hit and miss as to the value. From what I've seen it includes restaurants like Walts and California Grill (which are the $$$ ones...so "better" food) but that the food choices aren't their best stuff.

This is the show -
http://www.dlrpmagic.com/20th/disney-dreams/

Anyway. Just wondering if you know WHERE the info is for it (I have asked on the DLP forum) and if you're considering it.

Ta

 

[shushh]

I'm still trying to work out WHERE you book it and dates and all that (useful) information

But shushh are you considering doing the meal package with Dreams?
Just wondering if you think it is worthwhile?

It isn't seating it is a roped off area to watch the night time castle show but reports are a bit hit and miss as to the value. From what I've seen it includes restaurants like Walts and California Grill (which are the $$$ ones...so "better" food) but that the food choices aren't their best stuff.

This is the show -
http://www.dlrpmagic.com/20th/disney-dreams/

Anyway. Just wondering if you know WHERE the info is for it (I have asked on the DLP forum) and if you're considering it.

Ta

Last I looked into it appeared that the dreams dining package wasn't going to extend into December so I didn't go any further!

But I agree in that the reviews are hit and miss. It frustrates me that information about DLP seems so hard to find. I was almost glad that the Dreams dining package wasn't even a choice for me! Sorry that's probably not helpful to you!

 

[queenie82]

Last I looked into it appeared that the dreams dining package wasn't going to extend into December so I didn't go any further!

But I agree in that the reviews are hit and miss. It frustrates me that information about DLP seems so hard to find. I was almost glad that the Dreams dining package wasn't even a choice for me! Sorry that's probably not helpful to you!

Na that's fine. Just thought I'd ask in case you'd seen something I hadn't.
People have started talking about November and October...so I thought maybe I'd missed something. The original plan had only gone until Sept 30th.

DBF just brought up having always wanted going to California Grill
stepping in their front door will rule out Bill's budget wise but I gotta say I do like a good steak and I just thought maybe this would get him a (reasonable) steak and me a nice spot for the show

Back to regular planning Me like being tall

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

New Fantasyland expansion at WDW opens on 6 December. Woohoo, we get there on 9 December. Can't wait to see it.

 

[dabecs]

New Fantasyland expansion at WDW opens on 6 December. Woohoo, we get there on 9 December. Can't wait to see it.

Woohoo! I'm sure you will love it Ms Shuttergirl! Your trip report will be even more awaited now!

Previews start on Nov 19th and we leave on the 18th

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Woohoo! I'm sure you will love it Ms Shuttergirl! Your trip report will be even more awaited now!

Previews start on Nov 19th and we leave on the 18th

Oh no, well that is annoying.

I'm hoping to get an ADR at Be Our Guest. My US travel agent told me today they are checking twice a day but at the moment WDW are saying not until late August will the dates open up.

 

[dabecs]

I'm looking on the bright side - the whole place is new to us! And it might reduce the crowds because people might delay their trip to see it open

Hope you get an ADR for BOG (unfortunate acronym!) - the photos of the interior look amazing

 

[JessNewbs]

Oh no, well that is annoying.

I'm hoping to get an ADR at Be Our Guest. My US travel agent told me today they are checking twice a day but at the moment WDW are saying not until late August will the dates open up.

Wow! I had no idea this restaurant was coming. My DD is the BIGGEST Belle fan and this is going to just make her holiday!!

 

[Royal Consort]

Wow! I had no idea this restaurant was coming. My DD is the BIGGEST Belle fan and this is going to just make her holiday!!

haha. So am I!!



I wish the character dresses looked decent though.

 

[queenie82]

Last I looked into it appeared that the dreams dining package wasn't going to extend into December so I didn't go any further!

But I agree in that the reviews are hit and miss. It frustrates me that information about DLP seems so hard to find. I was almost glad that the Dreams dining package wasn't even a choice for me! Sorry that's probably not helpful to you!

Looks like they are progressing into October with the Dreams package so DBF and I are looking at Walts. There now have 4 mains to choose from with them which is ok so given you're only paying about 6Euro to gain access to the VIP area pp (minus the AP/shareholder discount) it's looking pretty good.
Will keep an eye out for if it continues further or if they announce a new end date.

 

[JessNewbs]

haha. So am I!!



I wish the character dresses looked decent though.

Oh I haven't seen them do they not look good? Do you know which characters are meant to be there?

 

[Sugarglider]

This is where I get to brag - I'm in WDW from 28 Nov - 12 Dec!

I'll make a booking to eat at BOG - not sure if I am willing to brave the crowds on the 6th. And earlier that week will be the filming of the Christmas Day Parade

EVERYTHING is happening

 

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

That filming would definitely be wonderful to see, you lucky thing.

 

[Royal Consort]

Oh I haven't seen them do they not look good? Do you know which characters are meant to be there?

Kids won't worry or notice.

I just would prefer something more like this:

Than this:

Ballgown = cheap fabric = cheap costs = no one else cares but me since in my imagination the dresses are elegant. Ignore me

Of course I'm not suggesting that Disney invest as much in Belle's dress as they did for the musical - that's too expensive. But perhaps a cheaper alternative? Again, no one cares and it doesn't REALLY matter.