A Birthday Trip without a Birthday - 2/16: Conclusion and Bonus Birthday Tea

[tiggrbaby]

Wonderful pics, as usual! Have a lovely holiday!

 

[Poolrat]

That Skull rock looks scary. Wonderful pictures. It is great to be able to see DLP.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[englishrose47]

Katharina I too hate flip flops with the toe thingie I can't stand it between my toes !!!!If I ever get any free time between now and the 18th I need to check what shoes I will wear and take with me , I will take what is comfy even if they are old and worn , comfort comes first !!!

 

[lovealldisney]

Thanks for sharing Magdalene very nice pictures! Have a great trip! Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[jenb1023]

Have a great trip!

Love the new photos from DLP! Skull Rock is scary cool. I love that there is a restaurant named Hakuna Matata! The Arabic theming is very interesting and gives it a different feel than WDW's Adventureland.

 

[brookelizabeth]

You will also see quite a few pictures of a restaurant called "Pizza Outpost" - this was original the "Explorer's Club" a table service restaurant very much like the Adventurer's Club at Pleasure Island at WDW which is closed now as well. However, it did not survive the crisis of the first years of DLP and now is a boring counter service restaurant. But very lavishly themed inside.

Very interesting! I believe I remember reading something about this-but didn't exactly understand the history. Thank you! Too bad it didn't survive the first years.

Skull rock and Captain Hook's ship are VERY cool. Wow!

 

[Flossbolna]

I really like both pairs of your shoes, both of them are very cute.

Enjoy your break from work.

Thanks! I think it was Brook who originally got me to buy my first pair of Teva Mushs.

I find this very interesting. When I went with my sister to Russia when she adopted all the host family could talk about is there visit to the US and seeing the southwest. Personally it really doesn't interest me (shame on me) I'm sure we'll visit someday but I'm not in any rush. I would rather come to Europe for all the great architechture, art and muesums!

I love your shoe choice! I love wearing flip flops but I have more of a flat foot so I most likely wouldn't wear them in the park. Let us know how they work out.

This is so funny I thought everyone knew of Dr. Suess. You chose the right ones to read they are the more well know ones of his. My DS loved Dr. Suess as a little boy. His favorite is Fox in Sox! What a tongue twister! Of coures we had to read this every night before bed.

Here is is.

(found on the Web)

And here is someone reading it on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3LXSnCROtI

Oh and have FUN on your trip to Finland.... and all I can say is please post pictures when you get back!!! PLEASE........

I think most of us love to explore something which is really different from what we see in our daily lives when on vacation - so while for you that might be a medieval town, for people like me who live in them it might be the spectacular scenery of the southwest!

I don't think I will wear the flip flops to the park, they really aren't that great to walk in a lot in my opinion. But I will use them when we go to the pool etc...

Thanks for the youtube link, I still need to check that out. I love reading green eggs and ham out loud to myself...

Pictures from Helsinki will (hopefully) come very soon to a PTR near you!

Great photos! I also did not realize that Western things were popular in Eurpore. It is really interesting to see the similarities and differences in the parks. The lunch and surprise character appearances look like fun!

My DH loves his Teva flip flops!

Seuss Landing is so well-themed. Being familiar with the books will definitely help with your appreciation of the details in the area. I just assumed he was a popular children's author everywhere.

Have a wonderful vacation in Finland! Hope the weather is great!

I think Seuss' books only work so well in the original language. I can however see them very well to be used for teaching English to elementary school kids, but when I was young English lessons only started when we were 10, now they start much younger. So perhaps the younger generations might know those books...

 

[Flossbolna]

Wow! I didn't realize that the Western theme was so popular! The Phantom Manor looks cool! Is the inside of the ride more similar to WDW's Haunted Mansion, or is the storyline different?!

Corn bread is exotic food?!?! Wow! Next time I eat it, I will have to make sure not to take it for granted!

Nice shoe selections for WDW. We have to do the same thing up here in the Northeast. Back to school is already starting, so all the warm weather/summery clothes go on clearance!

Phantom Manor has a different storyline. The graveyard scene at the end for example is instead a Western ghost town - with real ghosts in it.

Yes, corn isn't a real staple here in Germany. It's a bit different in Southern Europe, for example Italian cuisine uses corn - think polenta.

Count me in on loving all the DLP pictures. BTM sounds great being on an island and having a tunnel.

Too funny about Dr. Suess. My son's favorite was Go Dog Go.

Another recommendation, thanks!

BTM is so great at DLP, I think it may very well be one of my overall top three favourite rides in the Disney universe!

Yes, we definitely will have to have a meet, either here or there-or maybe BOTH! If I have it my way, we'll becoming to Germany as well. I cannot even imagine traveling to Europe and NOT going! I'll make the budget work to allow for it.


Wonderful pictures Katharina of Paris and Brittany. And good news on your DH possibly checking out a Disney park!

And, as always, loved all the pictures from DLP. How very cool that Big Thunder Mountain is on an island!!!

Henry just recently got into Dr. Suess...those books are tongue twisters! Green Eggs and Ham is his favorite so far.

Henry has great taste, I love Green Eggs and Ham as well!

And we will stay in touch about 2014 - whether it is France or Germany! And even if you don't make it to Germany then, you might get into a habit of visiting Europe regularly...

 

[Flossbolna]

Once again it is time for a real pre-trip update!!

Katharina and I have started to work on a list of things we want to experience at WDW. It is separated into parks - quite a logical way to do it, isn't it? And then into two categories: new stuff and things we know already.

When you have several trips to WDW behind you, it becomes more and more difficult to find new stuff. But then, there are several things which I have been meaning to catch for quite some time and never managed to see... Of course Katharina has seen even less of WDW than me... Well, I think we managed to cover most of the real highlights on our last trip, but still.

This update will cover the "new things" we want to see at WDW in October, so let's get started:

Magic Kingdom:

1. Splash Mountain - new for Katharina - this was under refurb during our last trip and she has only ever experienced the one at DL in 1992, where both of us were frightened to death by the big drop!
2. Tom Sawyer Island - new for both of us - maybe we will even find a paint brush?
3. Tiki Room - new for everyone - since this is under refurbishment at the moment and will open with a new show (rumored to be more or less the original from 1971) on August 15, this will be new for both of us.
4. walk through Cinderella's Castle - new for Katharina, somehow we did not manage to walk through the castle once on our last trip

Epcot:

1. Tequila Bar in Mexico - both of us - we really need to make sure to get a drink here!!
2. Film in Canada - both of us - I have been wanting to see this film for years and never make time for it!!
3. China - both of us - not only the film and the exhibition there, but I have also read that the shop has gotten a refurbishment, so we are looking forward to seeing this as well!
4. Innovention East, especially StormStruck - new for Katharina - I thought it was a cute little show and Katharina wants to see it...
5. The American Adventure Pavillion - new for Katharina - we did not have the time on our last trip and we want to make sure to take in the exhibition there as well
6. Film in France - both of us - another one of the Epcot films I still haven't seen
7. Energy Pavilion - both of us
8. Kim Possible - new for Katharina - I think we will try to catch one or two games while we are in Epcot...
9. Turtle Talk with Crush (K)
10. Karmell Küche - both of us - I really don't like the idea of this shop because nearly everything being sold there is stuff which you would not be able to buy in Germany, but I really need to check it out in person...

Animal Kingdom:

We could not find anything new to do there at all, we were really thorough with our touring there! But that does not mean that we won't spend much time there, I think it is still our favourite park, so we are really looking forward to experience old favourites there again!

Disney Hollywood Studios:

1. Star Tours II - new for both of us - since this opened this May, of course it will be new for us! I am very much looking forward to an update on one of my oldtime favourites
2. Animation Academy - both of us - I hope we will find the time to try drawing a character
3. Voyage of the Little Mermaid - both of us - not sure we will really make it there since we aren't that big on shows, so other things will be more important...
4. Walt Disney's One Man Dream - kind of new for both of us - as far as I know they have changed the exhibition quite a bit since our last visit, so it will be interesting to see how much is new...

As you see, most of the new stuff is at Epcot. I think it is very good that we will be so close to that park on this trip and I am really looking forward to spending a lot of time there - not only for the new things, but they might be conveniently be combined with a snack or a drink here and there....

 

[glennbo123]

Great list Magdalene. I have a few of those on my "must do" items for our next trip also. But you reminded me that I need to add the American Adventure pavilion at Epcot to mine. We've seen Voices of Liberty, but have never made it further inside to the show.

 

[Millie12591]

I'm signing in. I'm so bad about getting to people's reports. But I usually make it at some point or another. I'm horrible about posting, so don't take it as a sign I'm not interested, please?

Now I have some reading to do.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Great list! I have had the Canada film on my list for many trips as well - I hope to make it this time.

It's too bad Karmell Küche is not authentic...it's SO yummy!

 

[englishrose47]

Love the idea of a list !!!I had made notes for Judy and the kids for new things !!I had forgotten it till you posted yours !!!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Magic Kingdom:

1. Splash Mountain - new for Katharina - this was under refurb during our last trip and she has only ever experienced the one at DL in 1992, where both of us were frightened to death by the big drop!
2. Tom Sawyer Island - new for both of us - maybe we will even find a paint brush?
3. Tiki Room - new for everyone - since this is under refurbishment at the moment and will open with a new show (rumored to be more or less the original from 1971) on August 15, this will be new for both of us.
4. walk through Cinderella's Castle - new for Katharina, somehow we did not manage to walk through the castle once on our last trip

I can't imagine anyone being frightened by a big drop! Seriously?

I think you'll love Tom Sawyer's Island just for its lack of "busy-ness". Go when you need a break from running for FastPasses.

[*]Energy Pavilion - both of us
[*]Kim Possible - new for Katharina - I think we will try to catch one or two games while we are in Epcot...

Go to the Energy Pavilion when you need a break from the heat...45 minutes in air conditioning! And you know I love the spy missions.

1. Star Tours II - new for both of us - since this opened this May, of course it will be new for us! I am very much looking forward to an update on one of my oldtime favourites

Can't wait for the report on Star Tours II!

 

[Flossbolna]

Great list Magdalene. I have a few of those on my "must do" items for our next trip also. But you reminded me that I need to add the American Adventure pavilion at Epcot to mine. We've seen Voices of Liberty, but have never made it further inside to the show.

You have not seen the American Adventure!! I am shocked!!!

Isn't it funny how we go so often but end up seeing the same stuff again and again. I am really looking forward to new things this trip!!

And congratulations on the new ticker!! Very extravagant!! I hope you will enjoy Vero Beach, it looks like a wonderful place and I am sure that I will make it there one day as well.

I'm signing in. I'm so bad about getting to people's reports. But I usually make it at some point or another. I'm horrible about posting, so don't take it as a sign I'm not interested, please?

Now I have some reading to do.

Camille, great to have you along!! I am not good at following others' reports at the moment either, but I am very happy that you chose to pop in here!

Great list! I have had the Canada film on my list for many trips as well - I hope to make it this time.

It's too bad Karmell Küche is not authentic...it's SO yummy!

I guess I will need to buy stuff from that unauthentic shop... They sell exactly the kind of candy which I love buying in the US because I can't get it at home.

Hope you make it Canada before me!

 

[Flossbolna]

Love the idea of a list !!!I had made notes for Judy and the kids for new things !!I had forgotten it till you posted yours !!!

I am glad that I reminded you of something for your own trip!

I can't imagine anyone being frightened by a big drop! Seriously?

I think you'll love Tom Sawyer's Island just for its lack of "busy-ness". Go when you need a break from running for FastPasses.

well, some people have overcome their fear by now...

And we are looking forward to TSI. I hope it will be a great place to get away from the masses (of course I really hope that October won't be too terribly busy anyway...).

Go to the Energy Pavilion when you need a break from the heat...45 minutes in air conditioning! And you know I love the spy missions.

Yes, I heard that the Energy Pavillion is also a good place to rest your eyes for a while... But I really hope to keep awake!!

Can't wait for the report on Star Tours II!

I am looking forward to it! I wonder how it will work out with the different destinations... And I will report back!

 

[Flossbolna]

Hi everyone!

In two months from now Katharina and I will be somewhere in the air just off the American East Coast - most likely somewhere around NYC, so we might be waving to Brook and family. And will be landing in Orlando soon!

In order to celebrate this important milestone in our countdown, I have prepared a small slide show with pictures from my recent trip to Helsinki. I hope you will enjoy the pictures (I added descriptions to explain what you are seeing). They are here and the password is Helsinki.

 

[jenbear123]

TWO MONTHS!!!!!!

Wow, beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

 

[glennbo123]

You have not seen the American Adventure!! I am shocked!!!

I don't have to see it 'cause I'm living it baybee!

And congratulations on the new ticker!! Very extravagant!! I hope you will enjoy Vero Beach, it looks like a wonderful place and I am sure that I will make it there one day as well.

Well, I haven't actually booked that one yet, because I have to wait until the 7-month window....but that's the plan, and I'm fairly confident that I won't have any trouble getting it.

In order to celebrate this important milestone in our countdown, I have prepared a small slide show with pictures from my recent trip to Helsinki.

I'm so glad you added the "sinki" to it! Without it, it wouldn't be quite so nice.

The pictures are great! Gets me singing a Monty Python tune -- "Finland, Finland, Finland. Finland has it all!" Thanks for sharing your trip to Helsinki and back.

 

[nodnol]

2 months
I'm so glad you enjoyed Helsinki as much as I did!

Info for our readers: I'm heading to Nuremberg tonight for a long weekend with Magdelene and our parents. There will be definitely some plannung and stuff for some new trip related updates.