A Birthday Trip without a Birthday - 2/16: Conclusion and Bonus Birthday Tea - The DIS Discussion Forums

Flossbolna · 03-19-2011, 06:29 AM

Hi and to our trip report!

This thread was started as our pre-trip report, but I have decided to just keep it going as the trip report. You can jump directly to the beginning of the trip report by using this link.

All updates for the TR can also be found via the table of contents which is in the next post.

But you can also start with reading the introduction to the pre-trip report which follows now and which will tell you who is writing this trip report!!

We are two sisters from Germany who are planning a trip to WDW together for October 2011. Let's start with some introductions and the story of the trip (and hence the title of this PTR).

Introductions:

Flossbolna: Magdalene in real life, 39 years old, the bigger Disney fan of the two of us. I am the one with the blue t-shirt in the pictures. I have been to WDW for the first time in 2004 and then annually since 2007. Last fall I realized that I really like those annual trips and that it would make sense for me to actually become a member of the Disney Vacation Club. Since November 2010 I am now the proud owner of DVC points at the Boardwalk Villas.

nodnol: Katharina in real life, 36 years old, and the one who is very happy to be taken along. I have been to WDW only once in 2010. This was a trip where I didn’t really know what to expect and therefore didn’t always know what I wanted. I’m looking forward to some visit my favorite places again as well as experiencing new things.

Katharina and I share quite a lot of „Disney history“. Our first visit to a Disney park was in 1992: two days at Disneyland when we visited our aunt in California. Since then we have been to Disneyland Paris a few times together. And I was very excited when I could take Katharina along to WDW for her first trip there in January 2010. The trip was so great that we really hoped to get the opportunity for another sisters' trip! And here we are planning it...

As you can see above, we will both be contributing to this PTR, Magdalene writes in Royal Blue and Katharina in Dark Red.

In case your are interested to read about our previous trip, the pre-trip report can be found here and the trip-report is here.

The Story of the Trip:

A few years ago I realized that the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 just a few weeks before I was born. I really liked that bit of trivia. And I had the idea that it would be a lot of fun to celebrate my 40th birthday together with the Magic Kingdom. What other place could make you feel so young when you are starting to belong to the „old people“? So for a few years I have been telling everyone that I will spend November 6, 2011 at Walt Disney World.

Then, after our trip in January 2010, Katharina and I thought it would be wonderful if she could be there to celebrate with me and we thought that Katharina might join me for part of the trip (not spending all her vacation days on me, but keeping enough for a nice vacation with her DH, we call him Remy on the Disboards) in November 2011. And then it turned out that while Katharina would be able to afford to come along (with a little help from our parents), her work suddenly had two huge projects in the first two weeks of November which would make it very difficult to take time off around my birthday. But October would work for her.

It really wasn't much of a question: Birthdays can be celebrated a month early and a trip with my sister is so many times better than a trip without her, that we changed our dates to October 11-22, 2011. It will still be my 40th birthday present to myself and I intend to celebrate my birthday, but there won't be any actual birthday during our trip... Oh, and we miss the real WDW birthday as well, which is October 1. But I am sure we will make up for that anyway!!

What to expect from this TR?

We had a lot of fun with our PTR for the last trip and are looking forward to share all kind of planning issues with you – from air travel, ADRs, bags and shoes to possible special excursions.

But we will also add a few bonus updates into the mix... Those will most likely start with some reports about our trip to Disneyland Paris. We are leaving tomorrow! But we will also include some bits and pieces about life in Germany since those seemed to find some interest in the previous reports.

Flossbolna · 03-19-2011, 06:30 AM

Table of Contents for the Trip Report:

Trip Report Introduction
Meets
Introduction to Thoughts on the Parks
Thoughts on Animal Kingdom
Thoughts on Epcot Part 1
Thoughts on Epcot Part 2
Thoughts on Epcot Food & Wine Festival
Thoughts on the Magic Kingdom
Thoughts on Disney Hollywood Studios
Trip Special Feature #1: Water Parks
Trip Special Feature #2: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Trip Special Feature #3: Universal Studios:

Part 1: How to get there...
Part 2: Starting the Day with a Bonus Hour
Part 3: An early Morning in Hogsmead
Part 4: On to other Islands and Adventures
Part 5: Two Parks in one Day?! Part 1 Part 2
Part 6: More of the Studios
Part 7: Back to the Islands and the Adventures
Part 8: Lunch a mythical one?
Part 9: Do we want to get wet?
Part 10: Another Butter Beer? Of course!
Part 11: And the Rain finally finds us
Part 12: Royal Pacific Resort and Tchoup Chop
Part 13: Final Thoughts about Universal

Thoughts on the Boardwalk
Thoughts on Dining Signature Restaurants Part 1
Thoughts on Dining Signature Restaurants Part 2
Thoughts on Dining Table Service Restaurants Part 1
Thoughts on Dining Table Service Restaurants Part 2
Conclusions and Outlook

Table of Contents for the Pre-Trip Report:

Update 3/28: Where to Stay?
Update 3/31: How to Get There?
Update 4/9: Where to Eat?
Update 4/14: Successful ADR Day!!!
Update 4/27: Trip Special Feature #1
Update 5/4: Trip Special Feature #2
Update 5/24: Trip Special Feature #3
Update 7/11: 3 Months!
Update 7/27: Shoes and Books
Update 8/7: New Things at WDW
Update 8/26: All Kind of "Passports"
Update 9/1: Plans for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure
Update 9/11: One Month!
Update 9/22: Interim Update
Update 10/2: Single Digit Dancing!
Update 10/6: 5 Days!!
Update 10/10: Everything is Packed

Bonus Updates:

Disneyland Paris Picture Trip Report:
Part 1: Arriving at Disneyland Paris
Part 2: Main Street I
Part 3: Main Street II
Part 4: DLP Frontierland
Part 5: DLP Adventureland
Part 6: DLP Fantasyland
Part 7: DLP Discoveryland
Part 7: Hotel Newport Bay Club

Others:
History Field Trip
Nuremberg's Blue Night
Berlin Soap Box Derby
Coburg
An Evening in Paris
Britanny
Helsinki
Mini-TR: Paris
Katharina's Birthday Tea

Flo's Mum · 03-19-2011, 06:38 AM

Hi, I turn 40 just before you and had played with the idea of having my birthday at WDW butcould not wait and went in Feb instead. I will have to satisfy myself by following you!Have a great time in Paris!!

tiggrbaby · 03-19-2011, 07:02 AM

Hooray! Another PTR!

My first trip to Disney was in August 1972, so I am a bit older than you, but I can totally agree that the magic is fab!

Sorry to hear that your trip was moved back to October as I just booked two nights postcruise in November, but it doesn't matter when you go, you'll be at Disney!

Magical and safe travels to DLP; looking forward to the TR!

jedijill · 03-19-2011, 08:22 AM

Guten Morgen!

Can't wait for another trip report!

Jill inCO

Poolrat · 03-19-2011, 08:34 AM

Along for the ride.

Safe travels to DLP and I will "see you" when you get back.

jenjolt · 03-19-2011, 08:59 AM

I'm in!!! WOOT WOOT...love October Trips!! I celebrate my bday on October 2nd and actually I am a day younger than EPCOT, so I'm hoping to celebrate my 30th bday with EPCOT in 2012 along with my 10th wedding anniversary!!

I can't wait to hear all about your wonderful plans!!!

glennbo123 · 03-19-2011, 09:11 AM

Count me in!

John's Mom · 03-19-2011, 09:23 AM

I'm joining in! Love all your trip reports--Disney and great history lessons.

Kathy

manntra · 03-19-2011, 10:53 AM

I'm here too!!!

I can't wait to meet you in October!!!

I almost forgot to tell you that I called Member Services and was able to change to Beach Club.

It is for the first 5 days and I am waitlisted for the other two

I will be able to wave to you from across the lake!!

I celebrated my 40th

birthday last October and my birthday was in September...wonderful way to celebrate!!

Have a fabulous time at DLP tomorrow!!! Can't wait to hear all about that trip too!!!!

Tracy

englishrose47 · 03-19-2011, 11:08 AM

Subbing wil go back and read

englishrose47 · 03-19-2011, 11:12 AM

Magdalene !!If all goes as planned I will in Disney with consumers October 13th thru 19th!!!Do I smell a Meet!!!!!

eandesmom · 03-19-2011, 11:25 AM

I'm here!

jenbear123 · 03-19-2011, 11:27 AM

I'm in

All7OfUs · 03-19-2011, 12:13 PM

Wonderful introduction! I still reall like your balloon picture!

03-19-2011, 07:02 AM	#4
tiggrbaby We must work harder to stay under the radar for this oneWe always bring our own inflatable noodle Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 3,194	Hooray! Another PTR! My first trip to Disney was in August 1972, so I am a bit older than you, but I can totally agree that the magic is fab! Sorry to hear that your trip was moved back to October as I just booked two nights postcruise in November, but it doesn't matter when you go, you'll be at Disney! Magical and safe travels to DLP; looking forward to the TR! __________________ DISboards 2013 Book Challenge: 11/25

03-19-2011, 08:22 AM	#5
jedijill Chiefs fan living in Bronco country Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 3,248	Guten Morgen! Can't wait for another trip report! Jill inCO __________________

03-19-2011, 08:34 AM	#6
Poolrat DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 7,204	Along for the ride. Safe travels to DLP and I will "see you" when you get back. __________________ POOLRAT PATI am a Disney Dork. 75- Contemporary,77- offsite Hyatt,86- offsite 1 day trip,88- offsite 1 day trip,98- Contemporary w/kids,01- All Stars Movies,05- Boardwalk,06- Coronado,07- Carribbean Beach,08- Beach Club,Oct 09 - POP/Coronado, Dec09/Jan 10 ASMu/ CSR , July '10-POP, Sept '10 POFQ,Oct '10 2X for F&W @ POP Oct'11-ASSp Dec '11-DVC SSR/AKL July '12- BCV, Sept '12- DL, Oct '12- BCV, Dec'12-POP Jan '13- OKW May '13-BWV Oct '13- BCV DEC '13- BCV Oct '14-DL?Can't wait to go backOh What a horrible trip..NEW When in doubt, feed the bear....but not that!!!Eat, Run and Celebrate The Side Effect of the Annual Pass

03-19-2011, 08:59 AM	#7
jenjolt Loves All Things Disney! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Home in Florida and Texas Posts: 8,157	I'm in!!! WOOT WOOT...love October Trips!! I celebrate my bday on October 2nd and actually I am a day younger than EPCOT, so I'm hoping to celebrate my 30th bday with EPCOT in 2012 along with my 10th wedding anniversary!! I can't wait to hear all about your wonderful plans!!! __________________ *My Magical Trips to Disney:*6/2012,1/2012,10/2011, 6/2011, 5/2011, 1/2011, 5/2010, 1/2010, 10/2009, 5/2009, 1/2009, 3/2007, 5/2005 , 10/1992: First Trip to Disney (Thanks Dad!)

03-19-2011, 09:11 AM	#8
glennbo123 DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 8,369	Count me in! __________________ City, Sand, and Savanna - the TR - June 2012 Trip Report Glennbo’s City, Sand, and Savanna PTR - June 2012 Pre-Trip Report The Moist Exhausting Free Trip Ever - June 2010 Trip Report - Part II The Moist Exhausting Free Trip Ever - June 2010 Trip Report - Part I The Most Expensive Free Trip Ever - June 2010 Pre-Trip Report I Paid Someone $5 for a Catchy Trip Report Title, and This is All I Got - June/July 2009 Trip Report

03-19-2011, 06:29 AM	#1
Flossbolna DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nuremberg, Germany Posts: 5,699	A Birthday Trip without a Birthday - 2/16: Conclusion and Bonus Birthday Tea Hi and to our trip report! This thread was started as our pre-trip report, but I have decided to just keep it going as the trip report. You can jump directly to the beginning of the trip report by using this link. All updates for the TR can also be found via the table of contents which is in the next post. But you can also start with reading the introduction to the pre-trip report which follows now and which will tell you who is writing this trip report!! We are two sisters from Germany who are planning a trip to WDW together for October 2011. Let's start with some introductions and the story of the trip (and hence the title of this PTR). Introductions: Flossbolna: Magdalene in real life, 39 years old, the bigger Disney fan of the two of us. I am the one with the blue t-shirt in the pictures. I have been to WDW for the first time in 2004 and then annually since 2007. Last fall I realized that I really like those annual trips and that it would make sense for me to actually become a member of the Disney Vacation Club. Since November 2010 I am now the proud owner of DVC points at the Boardwalk Villas. nodnol: Katharina in real life, 36 years old, and the one who is very happy to be taken along. I have been to WDW only once in 2010. This was a trip where I didn’t really know what to expect and therefore didn’t always know what I wanted. I’m looking forward to some visit my favorite places again as well as experiencing new things. Katharina and I share quite a lot of „Disney history“. Our first visit to a Disney park was in 1992: two days at Disneyland when we visited our aunt in California. Since then we have been to Disneyland Paris a few times together. And I was very excited when I could take Katharina along to WDW for her first trip there in January 2010. The trip was so great that we really hoped to get the opportunity for another sisters' trip! And here we are planning it... As you can see above, we will both be contributing to this PTR, Magdalene writes in Royal Blue and Katharina in Dark Red. In case your are interested to read about our previous trip, the pre-trip report can be found here and the trip-report is here. The Story of the Trip: A few years ago I realized that the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 just a few weeks before I was born. I really liked that bit of trivia. And I had the idea that it would be a lot of fun to celebrate my 40th birthday together with the Magic Kingdom. What other place could make you feel so young when you are starting to belong to the „old people“? So for a few years I have been telling everyone that I will spend November 6, 2011 at Walt Disney World. Then, after our trip in January 2010, Katharina and I thought it would be wonderful if she could be there to celebrate with me and we thought that Katharina might join me for part of the trip (not spending all her vacation days on me, but keeping enough for a nice vacation with her DH, we call him Remy on the Disboards) in November 2011. And then it turned out that while Katharina would be able to afford to come along (with a little help from our parents), her work suddenly had two huge projects in the first two weeks of November which would make it very difficult to take time off around my birthday. But October would work for her. It really wasn't much of a question: Birthdays can be celebrated a month early and a trip with my sister is so many times better than a trip without her, that we changed our dates to October 11-22, 2011. It will still be my 40th birthday present to myself and I intend to celebrate my birthday, but there won't be any actual birthday during our trip... Oh, and we miss the real WDW birthday as well, which is October 1. But I am sure we will make up for that anyway!! What to expect from this TR? We had a lot of fun with our PTR for the last trip and are looking forward to share all kind of planning issues with you – from air travel, ADRs, bags and shoes to possible special excursions. But we will also add a few bonus updates into the mix... Those will most likely start with some reports about our trip to Disneyland Paris. We are leaving tomorrow! But we will also include some bits and pieces about life in Germany since those seemed to find some interest in the previous reports. __________________ Disneyland 1992, 2005 Disneyland Paris 1995, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2x2012 Walt Disney World 2004 POR, 2007 AKL, 2008 AKL, 2009 Poly, 2010 AKL, October 2011 BWV 2010 TR 2010 PTR Dining Reviews:2009 2008 2007 October 2011 Trip Report: A Birthday Trip without a Birthday Last edited by Flossbolna; 02-16-2013 at 10:10 AM. Reason: New Update!

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03-19-2011, 06:30 AM	#2
Flossbolna DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Nuremberg, Germany Posts: 5,699	Table of contents Table of Contents for the Trip Report: Trip Report Introduction Meets Introduction to Thoughts on the Parks Thoughts on Animal Kingdom Thoughts on Epcot Part 1 Thoughts on Epcot Part 2 Thoughts on Epcot Food & Wine Festival Thoughts on the Magic Kingdom Thoughts on Disney Hollywood Studios Trip Special Feature #1: Water Parks Trip Special Feature #2: Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Trip Special Feature #3: Universal Studios: Part 1: How to get there... Part 2: Starting the Day with a Bonus Hour Part 3: An early Morning in Hogsmead Part 4: On to other Islands and Adventures Part 5: Two Parks in one Day?! Part 1 Part 2 Part 6: More of the Studios Part 7: Back to the Islands and the Adventures Part 8: Lunch a mythical one? Part 9: Do we want to get wet? Part 10: Another Butter Beer? Of course! Part 11: And the Rain finally finds us Part 12: Royal Pacific Resort and Tchoup Chop Part 13: Final Thoughts about Universal Thoughts on the Boardwalk Thoughts on Dining Signature Restaurants Part 1 Thoughts on Dining Signature Restaurants Part 2 Thoughts on Dining Table Service Restaurants Part 1 Thoughts on Dining Table Service Restaurants Part 2 Conclusions and Outlook Table of Contents for the Pre-Trip Report: Update 3/28: Where to Stay? Update 3/31: How to Get There? Update 4/9: Where to Eat? Update 4/14: Successful ADR Day!!! Update 4/27: Trip Special Feature #1 Update 5/4: Trip Special Feature #2 Update 5/24: Trip Special Feature #3 Update 7/11: 3 Months! Update 7/27: Shoes and Books Update 8/7: New Things at WDW Update 8/26: All Kind of "Passports" Update 9/1: Plans for Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure Update 9/11: One Month! Update 9/22: Interim Update Update 10/2: Single Digit Dancing! Update 10/6: 5 Days!! Update 10/10: Everything is Packed Bonus Updates: Disneyland Paris Picture Trip Report: Part 1: Arriving at Disneyland Paris Part 2: Main Street I Part 3: Main Street II Part 4: DLP Frontierland Part 5: DLP Adventureland Part 6: DLP Fantasyland Part 7: DLP Discoveryland Part 7: Hotel Newport Bay Club Others: History Field Trip Nuremberg's Blue Night Berlin Soap Box Derby Coburg An Evening in Paris Britanny Helsinki Mini-TR: Paris Katharina's Birthday Tea __________________ Disneyland 1992, 2005 Disneyland Paris 1995, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2x2012 Walt Disney World 2004 POR, 2007 AKL, 2008 AKL, 2009 Poly, 2010 AKL, October 2011 BWV 2010 TR 2010 PTR Dining Reviews:2009 2008 2007 October 2011 Trip Report: A Birthday Trip without a Birthday Last edited by Flossbolna; 02-16-2013 at 10:14 AM. Reason: new update!

03-19-2011, 06:38 AM	#3
Flo's Mum Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Belfast, N.Ireland Posts: 113	Hi, I turn 40 just before you and had played with the idea of having my birthday at WDW butcould not wait and went in Feb instead. I will have to satisfy myself by following you!Have a great time in Paris!!

03-19-2011, 09:23 AM	#9
John's Mom Jambo Wildbunch Gang AKL Lover Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,696	I'm joining in! Love all your trip reports--Disney and great history lessons. Kathy __________________ Kathy

03-19-2011, 10:53 AM	#10
manntra DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,397	I'm here too!!! I can't wait to meet you in October!!! I almost forgot to tell you that I called Member Services and was able to change to Beach Club. It is for the first 5 days and I am waitlisted for the other two I will be able to wave to you from across the lake!! I celebrated my 40th birthday last October and my birthday was in September...wonderful way to celebrate!! Have a fabulous time at DLP tomorrow!!! Can't wait to hear all about that trip too!!!! Tracy __________________ DVC Member 2007 Tracy Ziggy http://

03-19-2011, 11:08 AM	#11
englishrose47 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Niagara Falls N.Y. Posts: 25,393	Subbing wil go back and read __________________ Self Appointed Team Focker Watch Computor Whiz Lady Dole Duchess of Whippington April/May 07 Pop Feb 08 Pop May09 POP Sept 09 POP Feb 10 Pop Oct 10 PopAug 11 Pop Oct 11 A PTR: DIS NEWS FLASH ... GRANNY TRIP POSTPONED ... MEDICARE Snafu DIScovered … Stay Tuned http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3051652Where will Rosie Roam in 2013 http://www.disboards.com/showthread....7#post48102507It's 5o'clock somewhere ? http://www.disboards.com/showthread....6#post48398326 Lucy I'm Home

03-19-2011, 11:12 AM	#12
englishrose47 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Niagara Falls N.Y. Posts: 25,393	Magdalene !!If all goes as planned I will in Disney with consumers October 13th thru 19th!!!Do I smell a Meet!!!!! __________________ Self Appointed Team Focker Watch Computor Whiz Lady Dole Duchess of Whippington April/May 07 Pop Feb 08 Pop May09 POP Sept 09 POP Feb 10 Pop Oct 10 PopAug 11 Pop Oct 11 A PTR: DIS NEWS FLASH ... GRANNY TRIP POSTPONED ... MEDICARE Snafu DIScovered … Stay Tuned http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3051652Where will Rosie Roam in 2013 http://www.disboards.com/showthread....7#post48102507It's 5o'clock somewhere ? http://www.disboards.com/showthread....6#post48398326 Lucy I'm Home

03-19-2011, 11:25 AM	#13
eandesmom I'm with Beast Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 11,266	I'm here! __________________ Cynthia, Jeff, DSS20, DSD16, DS13, DS12 Coffee on the Verandah - A Trip Report \| Sorry Gaston, They are MUCH More Interesting Than You! - An MEK/eandesmom TR Book it. Buy it. BELIEVE it! - A PTR\|You'll never get me on a cruise. Unless it's to ALASKA!- A TR \| The Adventures of Dr. Jones and the Spitting Camel - A Trip Report How Do You Think We Stay So Happy? A TR \| Life is too short...to never sleep in a treehouse. A Grand Gathering PTR So many flowers, So little time - an east/west PTR \| How EMH Saved our Trip! A Trip Report

03-19-2011, 11:27 AM	#14
jenbear123 Disney Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Great White North Posts: 2,396	I'm in __________________ 05 CBR Feb 08 WL Sept 08 Pop Mar 09 Off site April 09 POFQ Jul 09 CSR Nov 09 WLV/ASMu/AKL Feb 10 Pop/Kidani April 10 Pop/Poly Oct 10 CBR Aug 11 CSR Nov 11 POR Feb 12 ASMo/POR In Progress-A Semi-Solo President's Day Extravaganza-The Lesser Known Eighth Dwarf, Dumpy, Comes to Disney Aug 2011-Don't touch that! I need a picture first! - The Hurry up and Wait Oct TR-The End of an Era - Where Dreams Come True at Pop and Kidani-Speed Walkin', Triple Split Stay, Holly Jolly Holiday

03-19-2011, 12:13 PM	#15
All7OfUs We too are so very NOT into traipsing through the dark when a bucket will do just great What a fun way to meet new folks and say howdy Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Salem, OR; formerly from Crapistan- Really!! Posts: 13,089	Wonderful introduction! I still reall like your balloon picture! __________________

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