Cruising, Wining, and Disney Dining - Two 2012 PTRs in One! **TR LINK UP**

[jenny105]

Hi everyone!

I'm back from Scotland! I had an amazing time and met some awesome people. Scotland is so beautiful. I fell in love with it and already I want to go back. My sister is trying to talk me into a combined Ireland & Scotland trip for next year. She's obsessed with U2 so I think she wants to Bono hunt!

The only place I wasn't impressed with was Glasgow. I don't know if it was because we didn't spend a lot of time there or the jetlag but I was like 'this is Scotland?' It reminded me of Philadelphia. Others in my tour group felt the same way. Then we saw the Scottish highlands and countryside - WOW! That is exactly what I pictured Scotland to be. And Edinburgh is fantastic. THAT is what I picture when I think of European cities. Not Glasgow.

No pictures as of right now - I'll probably start posting some on Thursday. I'm off that day so it will give me a chance to catch up on everything. I've been SO tired. I fell asleep during the Ranger game last night - that's unheard of! I guess my body is still adjusting to the time change & the punishment I put it through. Those Scots can drink!

I forgot to mention this yesterday but 5 months til Disney World! I can't believe it's May already! I can say my cruise is next month!

That's all for now!

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

Welcome home!!! I can't wait to see pictures and hear stories from Scotland. I went there when I was in high school and absolutely loved it! We only went to Edinburgh but I thought it was the coolest city! Hopefully I'll get to back someday. And Ireland wouldn't be bad either...

I can't believe you guys are thisclose to your cruise!! And next you know it'll be time for Disney!!! So excited for y'all!!

 

[klacey1]

The Euro countryside really is amazing, isn't it?? I've been to Ireland a bunch of times and those perfectly green hills dotted with white puffs take my breath away every time! Glad you had such a great time!!
Ahh, didn't miss much by falling asleep last night Pulling for them tomorrow-- I'll die if the Capitals knock them out AGAIN. I HATE Ovechkin!
Both of your trips are coming up so soon!! The cruise will be here before you know it!

 

[Joyciemc]

Welcome back! Glad to hear the trip was great!

Woah... I remember when I started reading your PTR and June felt so far away- can't believe it's next month!

 

[Imagineer5]

Aw so glad to hear Scotland was wonderful! I've never been to Glasgow but it sounds like I wouldn't like it either. Loved Edinborough though, glad you liked it too! The countryside is definitely what you think of when you think Scotland though - can't wait to see your pictures!

 

[Enchanted88]

I'm so glad you had a great trip!!! I can't wait to see pictures!

 

[jenny105]

Welcome home!!! I can't wait to see pictures and hear stories from Scotland. I went there when I was in high school and absolutely loved it! We only went to Edinburgh but I thought it was the coolest city! Hopefully I'll get to back someday. And Ireland wouldn't be bad either...

I can't believe you guys are thisclose to your cruise!! And next you know it'll be time for Disney!!! So excited for y'all!!

Pictures coming soon Edinburgh is amazing. I fell in love with it! Care to join me and my sister in a trip to Ireland? LOL

Cruise is next month! I can't believe it!

The Euro countryside really is amazing, isn't it?? I've been to Ireland a bunch of times and those perfectly green hills dotted with white puffs take my breath away every time! Glad you had such a great time!!
Ahh, didn't miss much by falling asleep last night Pulling for them tomorrow-- I'll die if the Capitals knock them out AGAIN. I HATE Ovechkin!
Both of your trips are coming up so soon!! The cruise will be here before you know it!

It's beautiful. It's so picturesque and quaint. I was blown away.

3OT GABBY IS OUR GUY! It's about time he did something...

Welcome back! Glad to hear the trip was great!

Woah... I remember when I started reading your PTR and June felt so far away- can't believe it's next month!

Thanks! I know, I started this PTR so long ago and it's almost here!

Aw so glad to hear Scotland was wonderful! I've never been to Glasgow but it sounds like I wouldn't like it either. Loved Edinborough though, glad you liked it too! The countryside is definitely what you think of when you think Scotland though - can't wait to see your pictures!

Glasgow wasn't all that. Maybe if we spent more time there, I would have a different opinion but I guess there's a reason we only spent a day there!

I'm so glad you had a great trip!!! I can't wait to see pictures!

Thanks! Pictures coming up soon

 

[jenny105]

Hi all!

Scotland TR ready to go! Here we go! The first post is about traveling over there so it won't be very picture heavy!

The day I had to leave, I had to work My flight wasn't until 7:40PM and I was useless while I was in the office. All I could think about was any last minute things I had to pack, who I was going to meet, where I was supposed to go. I left work at 3, hurried home to put last minute items in my suitcase, showered, changed, and Kris & I were off to the airport around 5. The security line was lengthy but moved quickly & before I knew it I was waiting to board. I took a trip to Hudson News & bought a copy of people and some gum for the plane - my ears always pop. I also had a bite at Smashburger which was yummo! I wasn't sure what they were going to serve us on the plane so better safe than sorry! Pretty soon they were calling my boarding group and I was on the plane!

The flight was uneventful albeit annoying. I had an aisle seat so my elbow was bashed quite a few times by the serving cart but at least the people next to me weren't constantly getting up. They were two girls who were studying abroad in Scotland. They kept to themselves mostly. There was some turbulence so we didn't get our dinner til late. I think it was supposed to be chicken stir fry. It didn't look like it. No kidding about two hours later we were served breakfast! I tried to sleep on the flight but I have trouble falling asleep on planes so I watched a lot of tv. Before I knew it we were landing!

It was then that I noticed there were a lot of people with the same CIE backpack as me. I followed them LOL. I met two women - Gretchen and Frieda & made my way through customs with them. The first thing the customs agent said to me? "Oh you're from New Jersey? Are you like those people we see on tv?" My response? "Does my hair look that big to you?" That was the first of many Jersey shore experiences in Scotland

Our CIE reps Roger and Karin met us in the arrivals hall. There were about 25-30 us in total. They showed us to the coach and after a loop around the airport three times due to road closures, we were off to the Menzies Hotel in Glasgow! By this time it was about 8:30AM. To me 3:30AM. Ugh.

Lucky for us, they had blocked rooms especially for our group and they were ready! My roommate was Kelli (you'll meet her later!) and I found her in the lobby when they passed around our keys. We headed up to our room and this is one of the first pictures I took in Scotland.

Here is our room. Look how close those beds are! I jokingly told Kelli we'd be BFF by the end of the trip.

Notice the tea pot in the corner. Tea is a very big deal over there!

We would only be here a night and there was no use in unpacking. We laid out our clothes for later and settled in for a nap. We were meeting the rest of the group at 12:45 for lunch and a tour of Glasgow.

More to come...

 

[klacey1]

Augh, that Euro time difference is a killer! At least they still serve food on international flights, though!

I've been waiting and waiting for Gabby! Sooooo glad he pulled through. I cannot imagine how Hank felt at the end of that-- 114 mins on the ice?! I read an interview that said he just wanted to lie down and relax and get a massage after the game. I totally would have volunteered for that

 

[jenny105]

Augh, that Euro time difference is a killer! At least they still serve food on international flights, though!

I've been waiting and waiting for Gabby! Sooooo glad he pulled through. I cannot imagine how Hank felt at the end of that-- 114 mins on the ice?! I read an interview that said he just wanted to lie down and relax and get a massage after the game. I totally would have volunteered for that

I was happy we got something on the flight even though I wasn't sure exactly what it was LOL. The flight to CA is only 2 hours shorter and we didn't get anything!

You and me both would've volunteered. I fell asleep after 2OT. I woke up in the middle of the night and I checked the score. I thought I woke Kris up cause I screamed when I saw they won. He sleeps like a rock though.

 

[jenny105]

Just a quick update to say that I moved the time of our Crystal Palace ADR. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to experience a walk down Main Street with no one around. So we now have an 8:35AM ADR. Happy now?

Also, I was heartbroken yesterday to learn that Adam Yauch aka MCA passed away. The Beastie Boys are one of my favorite groups and MCA was my number one Beastie. I loved his voice. I was lucky enough to see them twice in concert and wanted to see them again down the line. I figured they'd always be around. Sad news. RIP MCA.

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

Can't wait to read more about your Scotland trip!!! So sad about MCA....I remember the first time I heard the Beastie Boys. They were such a new sound and such a phenomenon...we all fell in love with that music right away! So sad...

 

[Enchanted88]

Hey girl! Just dropping by the say "hi"! Even though I'm not going in Oct anymore, I'm still reading along and enjoy counting down your trip with you!!! I'm finally back in the 100's for my countdown! lol It went up to 205 days when I changed dates,and it was a little depressing! haha

 

[jenny105]

Can't wait to read more about your Scotland trip!!! So sad about MCA....I remember the first time I heard the Beastie Boys. They were such a new sound and such a phenomenon...we all fell in love with that music right away! So sad...

I was speechless when I found out about it. One of the Beastie Boys? Really? I always thought they'd be around forever, that they'd be onstage when they were 80 years old still doing this because they're kids at heart. So sad

Hey girl! Just dropping by the say "hi"! Even though I'm not going in Oct anymore, I'm still reading along and enjoy counting down your trip with you!!! I'm finally back in the 100's for my countdown! lol It went up to 205 days when I changed dates,and it was a little depressing! haha

Hi! At least you're still going and you didn't have to cancel the trip completely. What's one more month??

 

[Imagineer5]

Loving hearing about Scotland! Hope you were able to rest a bit and jump right in! Sleeping on planes is never easy for me either, stinks when you have the overnight flight.

So glad you got the earlier CP breakfast! I'm surprised you went for it with the early time and all! It is awesome being in the parks before the masses though. Our time is 8:25 and I'm sooo hoping to be able to get to rope drop, but we'll see about that with a little one...it'll probably be 10am and I'll still be cleaning up haha.

 

[jenny105]

Loving hearing about Scotland! Hope you were able to rest a bit and jump right in! Sleeping on planes is never easy for me either, stinks when you have the overnight flight.

So glad you got the earlier CP breakfast! I'm surprised you went for it with the early time and all! It is awesome being in the parks before the masses though. Our time is 8:25 and I'm sooo hoping to be able to get to rope drop, but we'll see about that with a little one...it'll probably be 10am and I'll still be cleaning up haha.

I went for it! They had us up in Scotland eating breakfast at 7:30 AM so I figured I could deal with it for a day in Disney. When do you think I should get on the bus from AK?? Like 7:45ish??

 

[jenny105]

So after we napped and showered, I swear I felt even more tired. My best advice to you is if you ever travel overseas just keep going until you can't go anymore! Anyway, Kelli and I met our group in the lobby and we all headed over to tour the Glasgow Marriott Hotel which was right across the street. It looks like your typical Marriott:

The guy in the chair is one of our tour directors, Roger.

After we had a quick tour of the hotel, Marriott provided us with a buffet lunch. This was my first encounter with haggis. I was talked into trying it by one of the servers. It was a small portion and I didn't think it was terrible. Not much taste and weird consistency but it was only two bites worth so I couldn't really form much of an opinion. More to come about haggis later...

After lunch they loaded us on our coach for a city tour and stop at the Kelvingrove museum. We saw so much, I can't even tell you what half of this stuff is and a lot of it was taken through the coach's windows. Here's Glasgow!

I believe this is George Square

A really old creepy cemetary that I thought was cool looking.

I forget what this area is called (sorry! I was jetlagged!) but it was beautiful.

In this area, they had an art exhibit: a bouncy Stone Henge. Someone had hosted a foam party there right before we rolled in!

After we walked around a bit, we were dropped off at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery. Art galleries & museums are not really my thing but Kelli & I had fun walking around and looking at all the exhibits.

This is the most famous painting the gallery houses:

These reminded me of the Haunted Mansion busts!

Random Elvis?!?

Sir William Wallace aka Braveheart. Scots think the movie is rubbish!

After the museum, we were taking back to the hotel. We had a short break, about 90 minutes or so, before we were supposed to head down to dinner. I tried to take another nap but we ended up watching Family Feud Scotland style and a funny home video show. We met the rest of the group in the bar of the Menzies where our tour guides bought the first round and headed over to the hotel restaurant for dinner. Haggis free! I believe I had tomato soup and steak pie. The steak pie was excellent but very heavy.

Group shot!

The girl across from me is my roommate Kelli and the girl behind her is Sarah & her roomie Lynne. We ended up sitting with them for every meal. Great people!

After dinner, we were wiped so we went straight to bed. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. We had an early morning & long day ahead of us tomorrow!

My overall impression of Glasgow? Not impressed. I don't know if it was because I was jetlagged or what but that is not what I picture when I picture Scotland or European cities in general. Sure, there are certain parts of the city that are beautiful, but for the most part it reminded me of Philadelphia which is 90 minutes away. And the street where our hotel was located was downright scary. I wouldn't have felt safe walking around there at night. Maybe that's why they start the tour there and you only stay one night? I wasn't the only one in the group who felt this way.

More of Scotland to come!

 

[khertz]

Loving the Scotland pics! I can't even imagine how exhausting it is to travel to Europe from the States (though hopefully I will have that experience some time in my life!). I can see what you mean about the city not being too exciting when you have been to other big cities. It is when you get into what is unique about the country that seems to be most interesting. I look forward to more updates!

 

[klacey1]

That fountain is gorgeous! Great pics! Sorry you didn't love Glasgow-- that bouncy Stone Henge does look like it would be fun for the inner child, though!

 

[Imagineer5]

Hmm for an 8:35 ADR at CP, I'd be at the AK bus stop by 7:30. Even if you get a bus right away, you won't be at the bus stop at MK until like 8:05, get in line for the early ADR times, and be on main street by 8:15-8:20 best case. So you'd have a little time to take pics before breakfast. But you might also have to wait 15 minutes or so for a bus. ETA: also, you can check in to CP if you get there early, because there will undoubtedly be quite the line and you won't be seated on time anyway...haha

Pics from Glasgow were actually really neat! The cemetary was cool, as was the fountain. Art gallery was weird, those heads are freaky. Glad you had a nice group on the trip - they were all travel agents right? Or was this a mixed group?

That foam party must have been so freaking awesome. Holy crap that looks like fun!

Loving the Scotland pics! I can't even imagine how exhausting it is to travel to Europe from the States (though hopefully I will have that experience some time in my life!). I can see what you mean about the city not being too exciting when you have been to other big cities. It is when you get into what is unique about the country that seems to be most interesting. I look forward to more updates!

I am going to brag for a moment when we went to Italy in 2010 (wow was it that long ago??) for 18 nights, we flew non-stop Boston-Rome, getting there around 7:30. We got into Rome, our room was ready so we took a quick shower, then proceeded to walk around Rome alllll day. We saw the Coliseum, Roman Forum, a couple museums, and ended up on a walking tour of Rome from like 5:30-10PM. I look back and have no idea how we did it (mind you, I don't sleep on planes either). But it was one of those surreal, amazing days that I will always remember.