From Europe to Africa in America - A Sisters' Expedition

[Flossbolna]

YAY!! A great big cupcake for a second breakfast- dining like champs!

yes, I saw that others had this idea as well!

 

[Flossbolna]

I am glad I have time today to Dis !!! I had Our Management Christmas Party today !!I made Sausage Rolls instead of my Sherry Trifle Cuz someone told me to many desserts !! All I heard was where;s the Trifle !!Anyway we had a real feast as always !!! We had a Gift exchange for which we each brought a gift that was for either male or female as we did not pick names !!It was a lot of fun !!I got a gift certificate to a Local Supermarket which is MUCH appreciated !! I gave a gift of a Dozen Wine glasses and a gift card to a Liquor store ! The Gal who got it kept saying she got the best gift of all !!So I was very happy!! So it was a good day !!

that's great! giftexchanges are always difficult! but it sounds like you are really good at it!

 

[Flossbolna]

Great job staying toward the front during your TSM dash.

I just read about the Butterfinger cupcake for the first time about a week ago. It looks completely over-the-top, ridiculously huge, way too sweet, and therefore I must try it!

I love your umbrella pictures, with actual umbrellas.

I was really proud of our success at TSM! That cup cake is quite the talk on the restaurants board, I would suggest to split it between the five of you, though.

Weren't the umbrella ics a smart idea?!

 

[Flossbolna]

WOW Katharina you do have a lot going on! We still want to see the Dirndl!

I loved the pictures the one of you with the sad expression under the umbrella and the chip picture! It had me laughing out loud. Does Magdalene let you see what pictures she's posting of you?

yes, Katharina always gets the full update with all the pics and she could veto any pic - but so far never has done it. There are a few really horrible pics of us and those are already eliminated by me.

 

[Flossbolna]

Magdalene,

Loved the update and all the pictures. Sounds like you didn't let a little rain get in the way of your touring. Days like that make for nice low crowds in the parks.

Thank you again for you help with the other matter I emailed you about yesterday.

Have a wonderful weekend. I was looking at the calendar and Christmas is 2 weeks away! I got to get a move on with shopping, cookies ect.... Time has really flown by!

only 5 more days until Christmas!! I hope you had a successful weekend!

low crowds were really wonderful that day, but TSM was still 50 minutes in the standy line!! I think DHS really needs a ride to compete with TSM.

 

[Flossbolna]

I am LOVING your TR! I found it last night and have read all of the updates. My family and I are going nearly the exact same time this January. I was etremely pleased to see how low the crowds were from your pictures but I can certainly do without the rain! I hope that trend didn't continue for you on your trip! The cold I can do without as well.

You and your sister look very sweet! I would love to take a sister trip with mine but alas, she does not share my love of Disney. Isn't that awful? Anyhow, I am thoroughly enjoying reading all the updates here and appreciate your side notes on German pronunciations/culture.

Looking forward to the rest! Are you planning another trip?

I am glad that you enjoy our TR!

january is great for the crowds and in previous years tge weather had been much nicer! all the CM were commenting on how uncommon the weather was. I even have been to the waterparks twice in January.

I am sorry tgat your sister does not share your love of Disney, I am really glad that mine does! But I think whatever the destination a trip with just your sibling would always be a treat if you do enjoy each others company.

 

[englishrose47]

Good Morning !!!Just checking in!!!

 

[Flossbolna]

I hope you feel better soon!

Heather

Magdalene, take care of yourself and get better! We'll all still be here when you feel up to joining us again! Hope you are feeling super duper soon!!!

Magdalene

Feel better

Get some rest.

I hope you feel better soon.

Feel Better soon!!!

I sure hope you're feeling 100% very soon, Magdalene!! NOT fun to be sick during a what should be festive time of year! I imagine Nuremberg is all decked out, and very beautiful right now! Post a picture, when you're feeling better!

I hope you feel better soon!

Hi Magdalene!

Feel better soon We'll be here, just take care of yourself.

Thank you all for your thoughts! It really cheered me up to read your posts!

 

[Flossbolna]

So glad you are feeling better and back at work! I remember after being away from work for even a short while, coming back to stacks of paper and hundreds of emails.

Looking forward to the updates and the Christmas Market pictures whenever you are able!

So glad you're feeling better. My family and I always end up sick about 2 weeks before Christmas! Honestly, I could set my calendar by it! It's so strange. Christmas is a mere 12 days away and I don't feel prepared at all this year. Maybe it's all the time I spend on the disboards?

Great to hear you are back to work and a bit better!! I totally am looking forward to the Christmas market pictures!! I have some of the Lebkuchen too, but need to get them uploaded.

Magdalene, I am sorry you've not been feeling well. Hope by the weekend you'll be much better.

The pictures of the Christmas Market sound wonderful - will look forward to seeing those when you are feeling better and time allows.

Take good care!

Take care of yourself! It's so easy to overdo this time of year.

Yes Magdalena Feel better soon !!!

Glad you're feeling better! No one should be sick over Christmas.

Hi everyone, I am up to date at work again, but now there are a million of things to do before Christmas. I have no idea why it is so much more stressful than other years... But I am still very much looking forward to Christmas and the market pictures will come soon! But first I have another TR update and some news to post about!

 

[Flossbolna]

I like to be in the parks on rainy days because, as you said, the crowds are low. Love the expression on Katharina's face as she is eating the chips. Yummmm.

Kate

I think it was the joy of having something not sweet to eat! The rain really wasn't to bad on that day because it was not cold as compared to the previous days.

Good Morning !!!Just checking in!!!

Hi Rosie!!

 

[Flossbolna]

We quickly continued on to our lunch ADR. We had a reservation at the SciFi Dine-In at 12 pm. We checked in and were told to wait briefly. The waiting area here is not large at all, so we were glad that we got a seat. I think waiting here can be rather uncomfortable. We really only waited a few minutes, but in the mean time they seated a few parties who did not have any ADRs. I was really surprised about how easy it was to get a walk-up at SciFi that day. I think it might have been the rain? We saw one party of seven walk in and they were seated immediately.

Then it was our turn. We got a nice seat in a car and I really enjoyed the atmosphere around us:

I had a Vanilla diet coke, Katharina had a cherry coke. I did not really like the vanilla taste in my coke, but I think Katharina really enjoyed hers?

Oh yesssss! I finally got it, what is so special about cherry coke. At least served this way. And I told you – it was the diet not the vanilla...

Katharina thought she could take the easy route and just order something. But no, once you tell Disney about some dietary restrictions you are not allowed to order food before you haven't spoken to a chef. I think it is actually a good procedure and I guess it is in place in order to cover them from liability.We decided to share the onion rings and the turkey sandwich. We wanted to be healthy and therefore ordered it with the black been relish.

These are the onion rings:

They were warm and fresh and crispy. The batter was tasty, not at all bland. We really enjoyed them.

And this was our sandwich (Smoked Turkey Sandwich - smoked turkey, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato with an avocado mayonnaise on multigrain bread served with vegetable black bean relish):

Unfortunately this was rather boring. We thought the avocado mayonnaise would add some flavour, but it did not. It wasn't as bland as the turkey sandwich Katharina had had the day before at Port Orleans, but it wasn't anything special either. And those black beans were just horrible. And I normally don't say that any dish is really bad. Often it is not to my liking, but I can still appreciate that it is a well-executed dish. But these beans were cold, in some vinegar, they were still very crunchy and there was no taste at all in this side dish. I have seen other bad reviews on these beans, so I would recommend to stay away from them!

Our server was really nice and friendly and we were amused by the trailers. Actually, I preferred the short films about “The Future” much more than the movie trailers. They were telling us what kind of bright future we could expect! These films reminded me of the video you get at the end of Spaceship Earth – I guess it really is the other way around.

All in all, I am really glad that I finally got to eat at SciFi, but I am not in a hurry to return. I think the quality was not much better than a CS meal and I rather would not spend so much time on my lunch... But it is a very well themed restaurant and I think it is definitely worth the experience at least once.

Nothing left for me to add. I’m happy we went there, but it would not make it on my list for the next trip.


Go To: DLP Pre-Trip Update

Next: Chapter 28: A DHS Afternoon – With a Break

 

[podsnel]

That's how I feel about Sci Fi, too- no rush to go back. And we didn't even sit in a car when we went! But I keep hearing they have really good burgers- I don't know. Maybe I will give it anothertry someday....

I am so happy you posted an update!

 

[Flossbolna]

That's how I feel about Sci Fi, too- no rush to go back. And we didn't even sit in a car when we went! But I keep hearing they have really good burgers- I don't know. Maybe I will give it anothertry someday....

I am so happy you posted an update!

What a shame that they did not give you a car!! I think Sci Fi is something you have to try at least once and if I was able to get a walk up to get a burger, I might go for it. But as you say: no rush to go back. I am not so sure about the burgers even. I rather like the WDW fast food burgers, the only TS burger which was so good that I want to eat it again, is the one they have on the lunch menu at Le Cellier. This was a really tasty burger!!!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Great update! I agree, Sci-Fi is more about the atmosphere and I love the film clips! My DD's were fascinated by them! The food is just ok but we love it inside so we'll be eating there again for our trip.

I absolutely prefer Cherry Coke to Vanilla Coke, the vanilla tastes strange to me in combination with the soda. I agree too that the waiting area is tiny compared to other Disney restaurants. We were a party of 7 last trip and basically just lined the wall leading up to the bathrooms since there wasn't anywhere else! The smell of a bathroom right before you sit down to eat isn't terribly appetizing!

Glad you're feeling better! Being ill around the holidays isn't fun. At least you'll be healthy for Christmas though. I hope both you and your sister have a wonderful holiday!

 

[Flossbolna]

Less than 3 months until our trip to Disneyland Paris and some exciting news as well, so we will interrupt this trip report with a pretrip update!

Last week our friend, who has already been to DLP and many other places with us and with whom I shared a desk at school for seven years, decided to accept our invitation and to join us on this trip!!! We are very excited, as we haven’t traveled together for three years. Our friend did not have an easy year and I’m sure we will enjoy each other’s company a lot. She lives in the Southwest of Germany, About one hour travel time west of Nuremberg, so she will fly with Magdalene from there. She has already booked the flight and is happy about traveling with her tour guide ;-)

I sent her a link to our TR, so maybe she will join in. But I’m not sure, whether the Disboards are her cup of tea... we’ll see.


I am really excited that she is coming along as well! In 2003 she was rather into meeting the characters, so I am looking forward to have someone along who will enjoy that with me. Katharina doesn't really the point of meeting characters that much...

We are also debating wether we should change our hotel reservation...

So far we are booked into Newport Bay Club - more info here in this wonderful blog on Allears.net.

Or look at the official website.

We are thinking about upgrading to Hotel New York - covered in another blog post.

Or look at the official website here.

It is only slightly more expensive, but both hotels have some advantages and disadvantages... So we thought if we list the pros and cons here, maybe you would be able to give us some input!

Newport Bay Club:

pros:

• décor – we love the theme! It is light and nautical, very much our taste!
• cheaper
• possibility to eat breakfast in the Disneyland park during EMH (usually every day from 8 to 10 am, the park does not open until 10 am) subject to availability
• stayed there in 1997 and have very fond memories of that trip

cons:

• large hotel with long hallways
• quite a few reports about bad state of the rooms (a real problem at DLP, they can't afford the urgently needed refurbishments)
• further away from the parks, most direct path currently closed due to construction, so about a 15 minute walk to park entrances
• general breakfast chaos (all hotels include complimentary continental breakfast, the restaurants are horribly crowded for that)

Hotel New York:

pros:

• close to parks (8 minutes walk)
• reports about state of rooms much better
• new hotel for us
• better breakfast offerings, less chaotic restaurants during breakfast

cons:

• ugly rooms
• more expensive
• no breakfast in the parks option

So, if you feel like it, any input would be very much appreciated!!!

Next: Chapter 28: A DHS Afternoon – With a Break

 

[Flossbolna]

Great update! I agree, Sci-Fi is more about the atmosphere and I love the film clips! My DD's were fascinated by them! The food is just ok but we love it inside so we'll be eating there again for our trip.

I absolutely prefer Cherry Coke to Vanilla Coke, the vanilla tastes strange to me in combination with the soda. I agree too that the waiting area is tiny compared to other Disney restaurants. We were a party of 7 last trip and basically just lined the wall leading up to the bathrooms since there wasn't anywhere else! The smell of a bathroom right before you sit down to eat isn't terribly appetizing!

Glad you're feeling better! Being ill around the holidays isn't fun. At least you'll be healthy for Christmas though. I hope both you and your sister have a wonderful holiday!

I hope you will all stay healthy for Christmas as well - would be a nice change from your family's tradition!

Waiting next to the bathroom does not sound like a good start for the meal. But I can understand that you return for the atmosphere.

Good to know hat vanilla coke is just strange and it wasn't me! I really need to try an ice cream float at one point. I never had one (we don't have them here) and they sound strange to me, I rather would want to get milk shake which seems more logical to me. But I am still intrigued by the combination of soda and icecream... Well, something to put on the list for next trip!!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I hope you will all stay healthy for Christmas as well - would be a nice change from your family's tradition!

Waiting next to the bathroom does not sound like a good start for the meal. But I can understand that you return for the atmosphere.

Good to know hat vanilla coke is just strange and it wasn't me! I really need to try an ice cream float at one point. I never had one (we don't have them here) and they sound strange to me, I rather would want to get milk shake which seems more logical to me. But I am still intrigued by the combination of soda and icecream... Well, something to put on the list for next trip!!

No, you're not alone with your thinking the vanilla coke strange! DH loves them but I can't stomach the flavor at all. Have you tried the cherry coke? Now that's delicioius, especially if you make it yourself!

Ice cream floats are very, very good. You can make them with various sodas like rootbeer, coke, ginger-ale etc. Usually they're made with vanilla ice cream. My favorite is a rootbeer float! It tastes like a creamy milkshake but with a tad of that rootbeer flavor. Much better than a vanilla coke!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Here's my thoughts about the hotels. I would rather have a room that was in better repair even if it was ugly. That's why I'm going to try to switch from POR which is both ugly and in need of a refurb to OWK which isn't my taste decor wise but is newly refurbed. I don't like to start my day with a hectic breakfast, sets a bad tone for the rest of the day. So I guess I would go with Hotel New York.

 

[glennbo123]

And this was our sandwich (Smoked Turkey Sandwich - smoked turkey, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato with an avocado mayonnaise on multigrain bread served with vegetable black bean relish):

Unfortunately this was rather boring. We thought the avocado mayonnaise would add some flavour, but it did not. It wasn't as bland as the turkey sandwich Katharina had had the day before at Port Orleans, but it wasn't anything special either. And those black beans were just horrible. And I normally don't say that any dish is really bad. Often it is not to my liking, but I can still appreciate that it is a well-executed dish. But these beans were cold, in some vinegar, they were still very crunchy and there was no taste at all in this side dish. I have seen other bad reviews on these beans, so I would recommend to stay away from them!

That is so funny....we ordered the exact same thing (thought I'd go with the "healthy choice" too) and had the exact same reaction. In my TR I said that the sandwich was just "okay". And those beans! I tried....I really tried. I took a 2nd and 3rd bite, thinking they just needed a chance. But they were not good. Why didn't you warn me?!

Next time, it's an Angus Burger for me!

 

[All7OfUs]

Dang! I lost my post I tried earlier...

I had said that this one is a tough toss up. Unlike Heidi, I'd go for the better theming, but then again, I don't usually eat a big breakfast, so that wouldn't factor in for me. Hmmm... what to do? what to do?

Do LOVE that your friend gets to go along with you, though. What a nice addition to your party!