Central Europe: Austria, Germany & Czech Rep. Meets Thread

[SingingMom]

It's one of if not the oldest zoos in the world. Established in 1752. It is gorgeous and my husband and I adore it and have since we were kids (it is also the only zoo to get the WWF seal of approval. They work closely with Jane Goodal too and have successfully bred many animals including pandas and elephants. The animals are as happy as they can be considering. Rumor is that Kaiser Franz Josef had it expanded and properly set up for his wife, Empress Elisabeth (she was always called Sissi) because she loved animals. She rode horses all the time. At least this is what they told me when I toured the summer palace, where the zoo is, as a kid. My husband took me on the night tour the night he proposed. It was amazing! You share night vision goggles and some animals are just super active at night. It's really worth a trip by day too though! The palace as well. You kind of miss out if you only see it at night. It is so nice. We love it so much we got married there.

Oh Sissi!! We loved hearing all about her on our Germany ABD! Bought a book about her at Neuschwanstein and her movie when we got home!!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[mgsquared]

NOW I REALLY want to see it!!!!!!!!!!!! Your story gave me chills!

We feel the same about WDW...look in my Signature...we got married there!

So cool! It's a dream of mine to get married at WDW! Hubby and I decided that on our 10 year anniversary- we are doing a vow renewal in WDW!

 

[sayhello]

Hey, guys! So I got a message from the ABD "Resident expert of Central Europe" who is on this trip as we speak!

She wanted me to pass on a message about the Ice Cave activity:

We spend 60 minutes inside the cave. There is a short hike to a gondola .. 3 minute enclosed gondola ride .. and then another 20 minute walk to the entrance of the cave. We spend 60 minutes on a guided tour inside. It's the summer .. so it's warm. The cave obviously is cold. Because it's hot, people work up a little bit of a sweat. Only the initial entry to the cave is cold (think wind tunnel) .. but then you get acclimated. Fleece is enough. No more than that .. or you are hot and dragging things around that you wish you would have left on the bus.

Sayhello

 

[Calfan]

Hey, guys! So I got a message from the ABD "Resident expert of Central Europe" who is on this trip as we speak!

She wanted me to pass on a message about the Ice Cave activity:

Sayhello

Very helpful!

 

[kristilew]

Kristilew

I just confirmed with the Vacationista who got the info straight from the guide in-country. None of these sites will be explored while on our guided tours. We will have to get there somehow during the little time we have in the city. We are definitely skipping the Marionette Making Workshop since we aren't traveling with the kids.

Pixie I just saw this and you may have already left...

But info for others: The cathedral on the palace grounds is free to go in and stand in the main area. From there you can see the whole thing generally and get an idea of the scale of it, but you do miss the audio tour with all the cool little niches and stories. When I was there, the for-a-price admission was a timed ticket that had to be purchased at the ticket office. It could be purchased by itself or as part of admission to "everything."

I was alone and had a whole day to kill, so I did the "everything" and took my time, including a nice lunch on the grounds. I think I was still done around 3 pm, having started at rope drop (Disney girl that I am) and having listened to every single entry on the audio tours. I also watched the changing of the guard. The whole thing was fascinating. I went back and did Lobkowicz Palace another morning.

However, if your guides are giving you info and walking you around the main areas, you will probably get a pretty good windshield tour without doing the in-depth stuff, and that could be fine too. It depends on how you want to spend your time.

 

[Woodview]

To Sayhello & Calfan


Well I am pleased that my Knowledge of caves as I pointed out

in Post 150 ( 05-30-2014 ) this thread


has been proved correct.

now Relax and enjoy your trip to Europe .. Have a good one .

And " Down " a few Decent Beers without driving

 

[mgsquared]

I guess I get cold easily!

 

[ivrier]

In case anyone else is wondering, I called ABD to ask whether warm jackets would be provided for the ice caves tour since temps are below freezing. I received a return call after research was done indicating that no warm clothing would be provided and guests are encouraged to dress in layers with maybe a fleece on top. I obviously don't want to pack my parka for this trip!

HI Calfan. Looks like my family including my wife, 2 daughters age 8 and 17 years will be joining your ABD tour this July. How old are your kids? It also looks like we will be seeing you on the Dover Magic Baltic cruise on July 2015 too!!! How exciting. This is our first ABD as I was convinced by my twin brother who has 10 ABD trips under his belt to try it out! I hope it will meet our expectations as Disney has always have.

 

[Calfan]

HI Calfan. Looks like my family including my wife, 2 daughters age 8 and 17 years will be joining your ABD tour this July. How old are your kids? It also looks like we will be seeing you on the Dover Magic Baltic cruise on July 2015 too!!! How exciting. This is our first ABD as I was convinced by my twin brother who has 10 ABD trips under his belt to try it out! I hope it will meet our expectations as Disney has always have.

Hi, Ivrier. I have a son who turns 10 in July (after the ABD) and a daugther who turns 12 in August. This will be our second ABD. We did the Scotland trip last summer and loved it. I think you will like the ABD experience. Jealous of your brother who has done 10!! I'm trying to focus on this trip first, but I am also VERY excited about the Baltics cruise next summer. It will be fun to get to meet a family ahead of time that will be on the same cruise.

 

[sayhello]

HI Calfan. Looks like my family including my wife, 2 daughters age 8 and 17 years will be joining your ABD tour this July. How old are your kids? It also looks like we will be seeing you on the Dover Magic Baltic cruise on July 2015 too!!! How exciting. This is our first ABD as I was convinced by my twin brother who has 10 ABD trips under his belt to try it out! I hope it will meet our expectations as Disney has always have.

Hi, ivrier, and welcome to the ABD Forum! I also think you're going to love ABD! As you can tell from your brother, they are highly addictive!

I've added you to the Roll Call on the first post of this thread. There are several DISers on that departure! I'm signed up for this trip in 2015, so I'm really looking forward to the reports from this summer!

Sayhello

 

[ivrier]

Hi, Ivrier. I have a son who turns 10 in July (after the ABD) and a daugther who turns 12 in August. This will be our second ABD. We did the Scotland trip last summer and loved it. I think you will like the ABD experience. Jealous of your brother who has done 10!! I'm trying to focus on this trip first, but I am also VERY excited about the Baltics cruise next summer. It will be fun to get to meet a family ahead of time that will be on the same cruise.

My brother will be at the Scotland/Ireland back to back ABD next week. I have high regards to Disney and what they offer. I have been in 8 cruises all of which is with DCL and I am very excited with this trip. I REALLY got excited when we received our box last week and got to review the itinerary.

 

[ivrier]

I've been reading other threads about what others received prior to their trip. Our box arrived a week ago and it contained a brown pull bag with booklets and an ipad-like zip bag. Others seemed to have also received either a duffle bag or back pack. Am I missing something or are they limited those who have done other ABDs in the past?

 

[Calfan]

I've been reading other threads about what others received prior to their trip. Our box arrived a week ago and it contained a brown pull bag with booklets and an ipad-like zip bag. Others seemed to have also received either a duffle bag or back pack. Am I missing something or are they limited those who have done other ABDs in the past?

The backpacks were from prior years. This year's tote bag is the equivalent, I guess. The duffel bags are actually distributed upon your arrival at the ABD.

 

[hilarys]

HI Calfan. Looks like my family including my wife, 2 daughters age 8 and 17 years will be joining your ABD tour this July. How old are your kids? It also looks like we will be seeing you on the Dover Magic Baltic cruise on July 2015 too!!! How exciting. This is our first ABD as I was convinced by my twin brother who has 10 ABD trips under his belt to try it out! I hope it will meet our expectations as Disney has always have.

Hi there, my family is on this departure too. Me, DH, daughter 9 and son 11. I called ABD to get the break down of ages and there are lots of girls between 8 and 11. There seem to be only 3 boys in the same age group: my son, CalFan's son and East&West (Karen)'s son. I think they will be the three musketeer's with all those girls.

This will be our first ABD, but we are huge Disney freaks.

Looking forward to meeting you.

Hilary

 

[ivrier]

Hi there, my family is on this departure too. Me, DH, daughter 9 and son 11. I called ABD to get the break down of ages and there are lots of girls between 8 and 11. There seem to be only 3 boys in the same age group: my son, CalFan's son and East&West (Karen)'s son. I think they will be the three musketeer's with all those girls.

This will be our first ABD, but we are huge Disney freaks.

Looking forward to meeting you.

Hilary

Yay! At least we won't be the only first timers. My wife and I are looking forward to this particular vacation because EVERYTHING will be through the assistance of the vacatioistas. I just recently traveled with my Mom and older brother to Rome, Florence and Venice last May and we did everything on our own - taking public transportation including buses and trains, cooking and purchasing tickets for museums etc. I can tell you for a fact that I will not want to do that again. Those luggage through the cobblestone took a lot of beating and it wasn't easy.

We will be arriving on the 10th of July 2 days prior to the ABD tour and we will be spending our pre-tour days at the Marriot Prague. Will the Vacationistas/guides be meeting us in the airport knowing that the vacation starts on the 12th? If not who and how will we be approached on the 12th? I am assuming that the guides will not be the same as the one prior to us.

 

[tufbuf]

Yay! At least we won't be the only first timers. My wife and I are looking forward to this particular vacation because EVERYTHING will be through the assistance of the vacatioistas. I just recently traveled with my Mom and older brother to Rome, Florence and Venice last May and we did everything on our own - taking public transportation including buses and trains, cooking and purchasing tickets for museums etc. I can tell you for a fact that I will not want to do that again. Those luggage through the cobblestone took a lot of beating and it wasn't easy. We will be arriving on the 10th of July 2 days prior to the ABD tour and we will be spending our pre-tour days at the Marriot Prague. Will the Vacationistas/guides be meeting us in the airport knowing that the vacation starts on the 12th? If not who and how will we be approached on the 12th? I am assuming that the guides will not be the same as the one prior to us.

Vacationistas are usually referred to the ABD people at the other end of the phone line when you book an ABD. The good folks who will be traveling with you are the ABD guides. Just a clarification. The guides assigned to your trip will set up a table in your hotel lobby, usually late morning through the early afternoon. All these will be detailed to you as you check in. There will be someone on the airport (not your guides) holding an ABD sign whom you will approach to let them know you arrived and will take you to the hotel. The pre-nights should have been booked through ABD and not through your own to avail this perk.

 

[sayhello]

Yay! At least we won't be the only first timers. My wife and I are looking forward to this particular vacation because EVERYTHING will be through the assistance of the vacatioistas. I just recently traveled with my Mom and older brother to Rome, Florence and Venice last May and we did everything on our own - taking public transportation including buses and trains, cooking and purchasing tickets for museums etc. I can tell you for a fact that I will not want to do that again. Those luggage through the cobblestone took a lot of beating and it wasn't easy.

We will be arriving on the 10th of July 2 days prior to the ABD tour and we will be spending our pre-tour days at the Marriot Prague. Will the Vacationistas/guides be meeting us in the airport knowing that the vacation starts on the 12th? If not who and how will we be approached on the 12th? I am assuming that the guides will not be the same as the one prior to us.

As tufbuf said, the Vacationistas are the phone folks who help you plan prior to leaving on your trip. The folks who will be taking you through the trip are the Adventure Guides, and they are ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! The way they handle all the logistics is definitely one of the great perks of taking an ABD! They really *make* the ABD's for me. Having your luggage magically disappear from one hotel room and appear in your next one is a great way to travel!

Did you book your pre-days through ABD? Again, as tufbut said, if you *did* book through ABD, then they will provide your transportation from the airport to the hotel. Someone will be waiting for you at the airport as you exit, and will help get you and your luggage to whatever transport is provided. Generally, the Adventure Guides won't show up until the actual start day of the trip (July 12 in your case). You'll find them set up in the lobby early that day. And yes, since the trip just before yours does not end until July 13, you won't be having the same Guides as that trip. (A lot of the trips seem to overlap, so it looks like they'll have at least 2 sets of Adventure Guides doing this trip).

If you did not book your pre-days through ABD, then it's your own responsibility to get to the hotel when you arrive on July 10. And you'll still meet up with your Guides on the 12th in the Hotel lobby.

I think you're going to love ABD! I'm looking forward to hearing all about your trip when you return!

Sayhello

 

[west&east]

Yay! At least we won't be the only first timers. My wife and I are looking forward to this particular vacation because EVERYTHING will be through the assistance of the vacatioistas. I just recently traveled with my Mom and older brother to Rome, Florence and Venice last May and we did everything on our own - taking public transportation including buses and trains, cooking and purchasing tickets for museums etc. I can tell you for a fact that I will not want to do that again. Those luggage through the cobblestone took a lot of beating and it wasn't easy.

We will be arriving on the 10th of July 2 days prior to the ABD tour and we will be spending our pre-tour days at the Marriot Prague. Will the Vacationistas/guides be meeting us in the airport knowing that the vacation starts on the 12th? If not who and how will we be approached on the 12th? I am assuming that the guides will not be the same as the one prior to us.

So I think you are on the Adventure after the one that me, HilaryS and Calfan are on? We are on the July 5th.

 

[ivrier]

So I think you are on the Adventure after the one that me, HilaryS and Calfan are on? We are on the July 5th.

Oh yeah you are right. I thought that they were on the 12th of July tour. And I was already excited to meet Calfan and Hilary. I am not sure how I was listed for the 5th but my family is on the 12th tour.

Jul 5 - 13, 2014
- Calfan, DH, DD (11) & DS (9)
- west&east (Karen), DH, DD(15), DS(11), & MIL & FIL
- hilarys (Hilary), DH, DS (11) & DD (9)
- disneyphx, DH & DD (9)
- ivrier, wife, daughter (8) & daughter (17)
Jul 12 -20, 2014
- jcarlstrom (Jennifer), husband, son (11, turning 12 on the trip), son (9) & daughter (7)
- Currahee, wife, daughter (17) & daughter (7)
- Kim (chanibustie), DH Pradeep, DS Deven (8), DD Nora (7)
- Marthasor, DH, DMIL & DS6 (almost 7)

 

[sayhello]

Oh yeah you are right. I thought that they were on the 12th of July tour. And I was already excited to meet Calfan and Hilary. I am not sure how I was listed for the 5th but my family is on the 12th tour.

I've updated the Roll Call to put you under the July 12th trip. When you introduced yourself, you said you were on the same trip as Calfan, so I assumed you were on the July 5th trip. I really do know better than to assume, but oh well!

Sayhello