What would you do? Looking for you good folks' opinions!

[sayhello]

So I'm signed up for the DIS exclusive Spirit of America ABD in May. I just got notice from DU that they didn't get enough people signed up to make it an exclusive trip. So I have some options.

I can still go on the trip, but it will just be a normal trip, opened up to other people. I'm not sure yet if it will be Adults Only or not. I'm also not sure yet if any other DISers who signed up will still be on the trip.

Or, I could go on another trip. I'd been thinking about going to Greece or checking out the new Scotland itinerary. The sad thing about that is, the trip I would have signed up for to Scotland would have been the May 26th trip that just got cancelled! Don't know if one more person would have made a difference there (I doubt it) but you never know.

Anywho, I've just started contemplating this, and I'm looking for you guys' opinions. What would you do? I was kind of looking forward to no international flights, no jet lag, no time change, no currency exchange, no power adapters. But I'm not sure that it's a trip I'd've signed up for if it wasn't a DIS exclusive trip. The prospect of not going is not killing me. I haven't purchased airfare yet.

I was seriously considering Greece for 2014 so could now move that up a year. But the Scotland trip sounds really nice. Scotland is at least $1000 more than Greece, and a day shorter. And we've (obviously) had no reports back yet. But it's English speaking and it's much easier to find flights to the UK than to Greece. But OMG, the airfare for either is going to be awful!

It's funny that I should be so torn. I guess, normally, we know the trips are coming out ahead of time, and get in the mindframe of booking trips in advance. This just suddenly came up, and I'm not sure yet how much time I have to make up my mind. A part of my brain says "Be spontaneous! Just go to Greece! Or just go to Scotland!" and another part of my brain is kind of freaked out at the process of suddenly having to plan an international trip at such a late date. And maybe there's just a touch of Guilt over not wanting to stay with the Spirit of America trip just because it's not an exclusive trip any more. It's not like it got *cancelled*! ETA: One of the main reasons I signed up for this trip is because of how fun it is to plan & do these trips with other DISers. That's one of the things I really loved about the DIS Knights & Lights trips I took. There's only one DISer (besides the DU folks) that I know of on this trip. I do adore Mary Jo, and that's one of the reasons I feel a bit guilty. End ETA

You guys know me by now; you've seen the trips I take & the opinions I have. Let me know what you think.

And anyone who cares to chime in on your experience with the Greece trip (or Spirit of America) feel free!

Sayhello

 

[sarahgirl]

Is Pete, Walter, Kevin and John going to still make the trip or have they decided not to go as well? That would be a reason for me to go if they were still going to make the trip-- LOVE the podcasts. If they arent I would switch.

If I were in you shoes I would choose an international destination but then I lived in DC for a month so I've seen all the sites. I havent checked out airfare to the UK yet but I bet you can get it for alot less than you can Greece, but then again I think it is probably easier to get around in Scotland on your own rather than Greece.

So I dont think Ive been much help But whatever you decide I'm sure you'll come up with a great trip report.

 

[sayhello]

Is Pete, Walter, Kevin and John going to still make the trip or have they decided not to go as well? That would be a reason for me to go if they were still going to make the trip-- LOVE the podcasts. If they arent I would switch.

Pete & Walter (& Pete's Mom) were scheduled to be on this trip. Kevin and John were not. I don't know yet if Pete/Walter/Mom are still going or not. I got the email late last night, and haven't had a chance to reply to John's email with any questions yet. I'll do that when I get home this evening. But yes, them being on the trip was one of the reasons I signed up (I've traveled with Pete & Walter before, and definitely enjoyed it. I met Pete's Mom on Podcast Cruise 4.0 and she seems like a real sweetie). The other reason was the other DISers who I thought would be on the trip.

If I were in you shoes I would choose an international destination but then I lived in DC for a month so I've seen all the sites. I havent checked out airfare to the UK yet but I bet you can get it for alot less than you can Greece, but then again I think it is probably easier to get around in Scotland on your own rather than Greece.

So far, with a few quick checks, it looks like if I flew round-trip to London & then took the train to/from Edinburgh, it would be about $300 cheaper to fly to the UK than Greece. But then I'd have to pay for the train. Flying directly to Edinburgh would be about $100 less than Greece.

So I dont think Ive been much help But whatever you decide I'm sure you'll come up with a great trip report.

It's all food for thought. And yes, I'll do my best with the Trip Report no matter where I go!

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[Bobo912]

I think the universe is telling you to do what you've wanted to do for so long: go to Greece!

 

[sayhello]

I think the universe is telling you to do what you've wanted to do for so long: go to Greece!

Yes, well, that had occurred to me also!

Sayhello

 

[Bobo912]

The universe has spoken again. Disney Visa has an offer for $300 on Greek Odyssey and Esprit de France. If you don't have a Disney Visa, Tobi, it might be time to get one.

 

[sayhello]

The universe has spoken again. Disney Visa has an offer for $300 on Greek Odyssey and Esprit de France. If you don't have a Disney Visa, Tobi, it might be time to get one.

Ooo! I *do* have a Disney Visa! Where is the offer? Must go check that out. Thanks!!

ETA: Oh! I just checked my email, and there the offer was. It does seem sort of Kismet-y, doesn't it? Hopefully I would qualify, since it says "new bookings only". I would hope they'd honor it under these circumstances... I'll find out!

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[tracyz]

Yes, well, that had occurred to me also!

Sayhello

Seems like you have your answer!
The other thing about that really stood out to me in your first post was this: "The prospect of not going is not killing me." It sounds to me like the thought of these other trips excites you more. You don't get to do one of these every day, so spend your money wisely and go on a trip that excites you so much you lose sleep thinking about how great it's going to be!

 

[sayhello]

Seems like you have your answer!
The other thing about that really stood out to me in your first post was this: "The prospect of not going is not killing me." It sounds to me like the thought of these other trips excites you more. You don't get to do one of these every day, so spend your money wisely and go on a trip that excites you so much you lose sleep thinking about how great it's going to be!

Oh, that's a really good observation! Thanks for the perspective!

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[Sarabi's Cubs]

Go to Greece, Tobi!!! You've been talking about it for awhile now. You can hop in your car and head to DC for a weekend, and you can do Scotland in 2014 when there's more feedback on that trips and any kinks have been ironed out. Think of the baklava and spanikopita!

Laurie

 

[sayhello]

Go to Greece, Tobi!!! You've been talking about it for awhile now. You can hop in your car and head to DC for a weekend, and you can do Scotland in 2014 when there's more feedback on that trips and any kinks have been ironed out. Think of the baklava and spanikopita!

Laurie

Thanks, Laurie! I think I'm about 95% sure I'm going to Greece! Just a few more answers to get from Kevin before I pull the trigger.

I adore baklava. But what is spanikopita?

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

OK. I've been re-reading the Trip Reports from last summer's Greek Odyssey ABD. And I'm now 99.9% sure I'm switching to the Greece trip for this May. Thanks everyone for your input; I *really* appreciate it!

I just have a few outstanding questions that I put to Kevin, and once I have his answers (probably Monday or Tuesday, I think) I'm probably going to go for it. With less than 4 months to plan!

Thanks again! I'll let you know when the deed is done!

(And boy, I sure hope the airfare to Athens goes down a bit! It's not pretty! )

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[SingingMom]

OK. I've been reading the Trip Reports from last summer's Greek Odyssey ABD. And I'm now 99.9% sure I'm switching to the Greece trip for this May. Thanks everyone for your input; I *really* appreciate it!

I just have a few outstanding questions that I put to Kevin, and once I have his answers (probably Monday or Tuesday, I think) I'm probably going to go for it. With less than 4 months to plan!

Thanks again! I'll let you know when the deed is done!

(And boy, I sure hope the airfare to Athens goes down a bit! It's not pretty! )

Sayhello

Sounds great! We planned our Knights & Lights in two months! You will do just fine!

We also were disappointed about the Scotland cancellation because tat would have been our preferred date, too!

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[Sarabi's Cubs]

Great Tobi! And spanIkopita is a phyllo triangle with spinach and cheese. I singlehandedly devoured an embarrassing number of them at Food and Wine.

Laurie

 

[sayhello]

Great Tobi! And spanIkopita is a phyllo triangle with spinach and cheese. I singlehandedly devoured an embarrassing number of them at Food and Wine.

Laurie

Ooo, yumm! I'll definitely have to look out for those.

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