Anyone else doing Once Upon a Fairytale?

[trampslady]

We are booked for the September 26, 2008 Adults only trip (only becuase the dates worked to coinside with the end of Oktoberfest in Munich).

Anyone else?

 

[CastMemberTinkerbell]

I would love to go on this trip....maybe someday. I Love GERMANY
I lived in Heidelberg when I was a teenager and loved it!

It looks like such a great trip

 

[eva]

We lived in Germany for three years while DH was in the military. You will love Germany! Rothenberg is wonderful. The Christmas Shop there is amazing. I'll try not to disappoint you too much, but Oktoberfest was definitely not our cup of tea. It is like the runway of a state fair with drunken people sleeping all over the place. It pretty much consisted of a bunch of carnival rides and beer tents. We love German beer and were very excited to go to Oktoberfest. But once we got there we found out that the seats in the beer tents are reserved sometimes years in advance. And by the time that we arrived at noon most everyone was completely blasted. I did talk to our landlords about it and they said the only time you will see the folk costumes and German dancing are the first couple of days. But they also said it is nearly impossible to get in those days unless you camp out like for tickets at a rock concert. I hope things have changed over the years. But our landlords said that most sane Germans avoid Oktoberfest like the plague.

 

[amsae]

Yes, a group of us are taking this trip from July 12 to the 20. This will be our third AVBD trip. The new DVD shows this one on it!

 

[trampslady]

Eva----you didn't disappoint at all-I appreciate any and all feedback! The funny thing is that I don't even drink beer. My hubby is a beer fan, and he and my brother even brew their own. I figured a couple of days in Munich along with a visit to Oktoberfest can't be all that bad since the chances of us returning during that time are minimal. However, I have several friends at work that LUV Oktoberfest and make a habit of going at least every other year (I work for an airline). I am so excited about visiting Germany for the first time that the drunkfest probably won't bother me too much, and, if it does, I'll make hubby take me somewhere else historic and fascinating in the region!

 

[Flossbolna]

Hi there, being German, I recently had a look at what Disney is doing for this new German adventure and I think it sounds really interesting! The thing I like about it is that seems to be a well balanced mixture of highlights and hidden treasures.

I used to live in Munich just next to the "Theresienwiese" the area where the Oktoberfest is being held at. I am sure that there are a million of different opinions about the event and while some Germans would never think about about going there, many people from Munich make it a point to go there and enjoy it. Some of the beer tents are really impressive, they actually take several months to construct. And a large number of Germans actually wear traditional Bavarian dress (or some modern version of it). So I am sure it is worth a look, at least to get a gingerbread heart and a giant pretzel! I am not sure which days of the week you will be in Munich, but if you have an option, better go there on a weekday than Friday or Saturday. And also, if you think about extending your stay in Munich after the trip, better book a hotel room now. They are expensive and difficult to get during the Oktoberfest.

Have a great trip!!

 

[eva]

Flossbolna, maybe that was the problem, I believe that we did go on a Saturday. As you said, the tents are very impressive. But there was nowhere for anyone to sit. We stood inside to watch the crowd and listen to the music a bit. You might want to think twice before taking your kids in the tents. We did see a bit of nudity and sexual high-jinx going on. I should also say that this was a number of years ago. So things may have changed since then.

Warning: Bring some TP for the bathroom. There was none in the stalls and they were selling it by the sheet at the door.

Now, other than the Oktoberfest, we absolutely loved Germany. We were stationed in Wurzburg and spent a lot of time traveling all over southern Germany and Austria. Some of the loveliest countryside I have every seen. And the food and beer are second to none, in my humble opinion. Watch out for the desserts. They aren't as sweet as they look.

 

[carebear95]

We were stationed in Mannheim when I was in high school, and I can't wait to go back with my family! We are trying to do this in 2009 as I figured out how much I'd have to save between now and this coming summer and there just isn't any way possible.

I was excited to see Heidelberg starts it off as we spent a lot of time there and I know my husband will absolutely love it.

You are completely right about the food/desserts. You will not find better food anywhere than in Germany! The desserts look absolutely stunning...until you eat it. They don't use much (if any) sugar!

I can't wait for the first round of people who go on this trip so we can get trip reports!

Also, re: Oktoberfest. Yes, it was a huge drinking fest (of course, being a high schooler in Germany this was a very exciting opportunity! lol) but it was still a lot of fun. It is something you need to at least experience once in your life.

 

[Flossbolna]

Flossbolna, maybe that was the problem, I believe that we did go on a Saturday. As you said, the tents are very impressive. But there was nowhere for anyone to sit. We stood inside to watch the crowd and listen to the music a bit. You might want to think twice before taking your kids in the tents. We did see a bit of nudity and sexual high-jinx going on. I should also say that this was a number of years ago. So things may have changed since then.

Warning: Bring some TP for the bathroom. There was none in the stalls and they were selling it by the sheet at the door.

Now, other than the Oktoberfest, we absolutely loved Germany. We were stationed in Wurzburg and spent a lot of time traveling all over southern Germany and Austria. Some of the loveliest countryside I have every seen. And the food and beer are second to none, in my humble opinion. Watch out for the desserts. They aren't as sweet as they look.

Good to hear that you had a great time living in Germany! Wurzburg is actually very close to Nuremberg where I live.

There really is a huge difference between Saturday at the Oktoberfest and other days. And I agree that the tent's are not really the place for kids to be in. There are a lot of rides which can be fun for kids, but expect to pay a lot for them (I have read that you have to expect to spend about 140 $ for a family with two adults and two kids for food, drink and entertainment!!! ). But I think the ABD trips during Oktoberfest are adult only, for a good reason obviously!

 

[JsMom2]

My DD9 and I are booked for the July 25th trip!!

 

[vvblue]

I look forward to reading the trip reports - We are planning this trip in 2009! We took the Southwest in 2007 and loved it!

Did anyone get the early booking discount or use DVC points???

 

[MJGirl]

I look forward to reading the trip reports - We are planning this trip in 2009! We took the Southwest in 2007 and loved it!

Did anyone get the early booking discount or use DVC points???

Hi ... I'm not going on the Germany adventure (would love to some day), but I used DVC points for my Backstage Magic tour. I just joined DVC and used my signing bonus points for my adventure! I got the early booking discount as well!

 

[trampslady]

This trip seems like such a long way off, but I need to start looking at air fare prices--yikes! I work for an airline and could nonrev at around $300 rt per person, but I don't think I want to take my chances standby on such an important trip! Of course, I might change my mind when I start shopping fares!!

We did get the early booking discount on our trip!

 

[krdisneybound]

I am doing the Once Upon a Fairytale one on June 21st and got early booking.

I studied and studied whether I would use points or pay.

I ended up pay and letting ABD do the airfare for me also.

Even tho I had the points, I figured the $$ figure was much better than using so many points.

I've been to Germany many time and lived there when I was in elementary school. Been to the Castle many times and can't wait to go back.



Anyone else going this time??

 

[st141414]

Hello,
We are considering a family trip with teen and like the looks of the Fairytale tour, but are unsure if it will be "too young" for a teen? Any thoughts?
Thanks!