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

[lovealldisney]

Yeah for two months! You two must be getting excited!

WOW Magdalene thank you so much for the Helsinki pictures! I loved them they were so beautiful....

I so can't wait to come back to Europe there is so much beauty...

Have a great time visiting with Katharina and tell her I say hi,

I owe you two a nice long email so much going on right now with kids and life in general... It's been a little crazy.

Have a great weekend....

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

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.

Great pictures! The churches looked beautiful, the fortress was interesting, and the train station looked like a very cool building!

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

I'll be looking foward to your impressions of the Vero Beach Resort!

 

[englishrose47]

Loved the pix of Helsinki !!I was intrigued by the storage house up on a pole !!!

 

[glennbo123]

I'll be looking foward to your impressions of the Vero Beach Resort!

I'm sorry, I don't do impressions...my training is in psychiatry.

 

[englishrose47]

I'm sorry, I don't do impressions...my training is in psychiatry.

Some people would say you are full of ****! Others would think you were a psychiatrist!!!

 

[glennbo123]

Some people would say you are full of ****! Others would think you were a psychiatrist!!!

 

[Poolrat]

Magic Kingdom:

1. 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.

I am looking forward to this as well.

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...

Hopefully you will get to cross off many if not all of those things in EPCOT.

Ellen is cute but great for a little "down time"

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!

I think AK is a little different every time I go. Maybe try for the AM at Conservation station to see any vet procedures if any of that interests you and Katharina.

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. 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...

I am looking forward to these 2 new refurbs too.

 

[vamassey1]

I was pretty far behind, but really enjoyed catching back up.

First off I absolutely enjoyed all the different photo you both have posted. So many pretty places.

You trip is getting so much closer. I hope you had a great family visit and did lots of trip planning.

 

[mom3sonstt]

I knocked a couple "new" things off my list this trip. Mostly restaurants we had never eaten at before. But a couple other things too.... If I ever get caught up I will get back to going on my report

 

[jenb1023]

Great Helsinki photos! What a scenic city and country!

As for your new things list, ! We tried to do a lot of new things on our last trip too. We found a paintbrush! I was going to post a photo but photobucket is being annoying!

 

[marvali]

Finally all caught up! Love the additional pictures from DLP! It is always interesting to see the differences, and similarities, at the different parks. Looks like a really great place to visit one day!

As usual your pictures from Helsinki are fantastic as all of your "travel" pictures always are! Some fantastic choices of scenery and architecture! Very interesting! Enjoyed them very much!

Your trip will be here soon. I know you and Katharina are getting so excited. Interesting list of "must do" items. I hope you get them all done. Can't wait to hear all about the trip.........

 

[eandesmom]

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...

I love your list!!!!!!!!!!!!! And agree about the karamel kluche though I did enjoy watching them drizzle it on the cookies! Love the fact that you can't think of anything new at AK but it's still your fav.

 

[Flossbolna]

TWO MONTHS!!!!!!

Wow, beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, I am glad everyone enjoyed the pictures!

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

Well, of course that is something I just can't do - due to geography!

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.

Sounds like a great plan! I hope you let us know when you start your PTR!! There will be a PTR, I hope?

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.

I am glad you enjoyed the pictures!

 

[Flossbolna]

Yeah for two months! You two must be getting excited!

WOW Magdalene thank you so much for the Helsinki pictures! I loved them they were so beautiful....

I so can't wait to come back to Europe there is so much beauty...

Have a great time visiting with Katharina and tell her I say hi,

I owe you two a nice long email so much going on right now with kids and life in general... It's been a little crazy.

Have a great weekend....

Time is really flying, soon Mickey will enter the final panel on our ticker!!

Helsinki was a very pretty place - and the sunshine helped a lot!

Great pictures! The churches looked beautiful, the fortress was interesting, and the train station looked like a very cool building!

I am sure one could have found a lot of obscure places as well - and unfortunately I had forgotten to bring my camera when I visited the place which most likely was most interesting from an engineer's point of view: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temppeliaukio_Church

Loved the pix of Helsinki !!I was intrigued by the storage house up on a pole !!!

Yes, I thought that was pretty interesting, too. At first I thought it was a bird house...

 

[Flossbolna]

I am looking forward to this as well.

Ideally, I wish they would have brought us a brilliant and new Tiki Room. But I really did not like the Under New Management version, so I think this will be better.

Hopefully you will get to cross off many if not all of those things in EPCOT.

Ellen is cute but great for a little "down time"

Yes, we have the best intentions for Epcot! And Ellen is already earmarked for when we feel hot and tired...

I think AK is a little different every time I go. Maybe try for the AM at Conservation station to see any vet procedures if any of that interests you and Katharina.

I tend to rush between Asia and Africa too much at the AK, but I think Katharina will slow me down and we will just do whatever we are in the mood for!

I am looking forward to these 2 new refurbs too.

 

[Flossbolna]

I was pretty far behind, but really enjoyed catching back up.

First off I absolutely enjoyed all the different photo you both have posted. So many pretty places.

You trip is getting so much closer. I hope you had a great family visit and did lots of trip planning.

I know what it feels like to be behind on threads...

Yes, somehow this PTR has turned more into a travel report about where Katharina and I go besides WDW. I just talked to Katharina today that this time round we are feeling like there is less planning to report...

I knocked a couple "new" things off my list this trip. Mostly restaurants we had never eaten at before. But a couple other things too.... If I ever get caught up I will get back to going on my report

I am amazed that an oldtimer like you can still knock of new things. But trying new restaurants is always great!

Great Helsinki photos! What a scenic city and country!

As for your new things list, ! We tried to do a lot of new things on our last trip too. We found a paintbrush! I was going to post a photo but photobucket is being annoying!

Glad you liked the pictures!

Wow, a paintbrush!! I am kind of thinking that Katharina and I might to try TSI in the morning to have a chance at finding a paint brush - or I should better say to give Katharina the chance to find one, I never would see it... I can tell you, it was not fun to go on an easter egg hunt together with her....

 

[Flossbolna]

Finally all caught up! Love the additional pictures from DLP! It is always interesting to see the differences, and similarities, at the different parks. Looks like a really great place to visit one day!

As usual your pictures from Helsinki are fantastic as all of your "travel" pictures always are! Some fantastic choices of scenery and architecture! Very interesting! Enjoyed them very much!

Your trip will be here soon. I know you and Katharina are getting so excited. Interesting list of "must do" items. I hope you get them all done. Can't wait to hear all about the trip.........

I really should try to get some more DLP pictures uploaded on photbucket this weekend... It is such a pretty place! And I am glad that you enjoyed the Helsinki pictures as well!

Yes, the trip is approaching extremely fast! Only another 6 weeks at work for me!!

And we do have some traditional "must dos" as well, the repeat ones. Perhaps I should post that list as well, but it seems so "normal"...

I love your list!!!!!!!!!!!!! And agree about the karamel kluche though I did enjoy watching them drizzle it on the cookies! Love the fact that you can't think of anything new at AK but it's still your fav.

I am definitely going to buy the caramel corn they sell there, it sounds delicious. I just wish they would have built such a candy store in the American pavilion where it belongs!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Our trip preparations are coming along and one important step was to acquire some very useful travel documents.

The first one was a real new passport for me. I had to get a go to the city's office, get my fingerprints scanned and had to provide an ugly picture (well, you aren't allowed any real smile, so everyone looks like a criminal on them). 4 weeks later I was able to pick up my brand new passport, so now I will be able to actually go on that trip! Katharina was very relieved when I told her that I had it, she was afraid that I would miss the deadline to apply for one!!!

With the new passport I could also register for ESTA - which is some online process by the US government which you have to go through in order to get cleared for actually travelling to the US. Without this the airlines have to pay a fine if they let you on the air plane to the US. It still isn't the decision to actually let me enter the country, this will be decided by the immigration officer in Orlando. But everything went fine (including the payment of the $14 fee for it), so I have that cleared out of the way as well. Katharina can still use the ESTA registration from our last trip.

And the other "passports" we got are our tickets for WDW! All in all, we are at WDW for 11 days - one day longer than the longest duration for the tickets Disney sellls. Or better: Disney USA sells. There are different tickets available for the UK market, and Disney UK sells 14 day and even 21 day tickets, all of them include hoppers and water parks. And thanks to the UK and Germany both being in the European Union we were able to book our park tickets through Disney UK!

I was all excited that they would mail those tickets to me!! BUT: instead I got a confirmation with a bar code and a message that I can pick the tickets up at guest relations at the park entrance. So no interesting picture of UK tickets - sorry! Since we now have three days too many on our tickets, we are thinking that if our plane arrives early enough and ME goes smoothly, we might be able to even nip into Epcot for a snack and Illuminations on our arrival day. I even verified over on the Theme Park board the opening hours for the ticket booth at the International Gateway and it is even open until one hour after park close, so I think Katharina and I will take a stroll over there anyway and pick up the tickets. Will be nice to stretch the legs after such a long flight!!

 

[glennbo123]

I'm glad to see you're getting those important things done, like passports and park tickets.

 

[jenb1023]

Sounds like everything is falling into place!