Germany August 2010 Anyone? Suggestions?

[abdalums]

Just checking in again to see if anyone on the board will be joining us in Germany on August 16. My kids (DD13 and DS11) want to know if there will be other kids their ages on the trip.

Also, I just booked a pre-night in Heidelberg. This is our fourth ABD trip and the first time I booked the pre-night through Disney. FYI By booking through ABD, they will still cover our incoming transfer. As it is about an hour drive from the airport, this is a big plus. I had found cheaper rooms at the Crowne Plaza online, but we would need to change rooms when the tour began and our transfer wouldn't be covered. Anyway, I thought it was interesting that the transfer was covered as the contract said it wouldn't be if we arrived early. I was happily surprised. Another plus: I like the idea of a German-speaking ABD guide meeting us. My luggage was missing upon our arrival in Ireland 3 years ago (and remained amongst the missing for 4 days) and it was very helpful to have ABD on it. I wouldn't be happy trying to locate luggage using my very broken German.

Anyone done this trip with an extra day in Heidelberg. What did you do during the extra day? I don't want to duplicate anything from the tour. Any other things to consider during the trip? Any "must pack" items?

ABDALUMS
2009 Viva Italia
2008 Wyoming
2007 Ireland

 

[cheer4bison]

Hi ABDalums,

You will LOVE this adventure! We just returned from the June 18-26 trip and savored every moment.

We, too, booked a pre-trip day in Heidelberg. We were worried that we wouldn't know what to do, but there is plenty. Just head down the Hauptstrasse and there is abundant history and shopping to be found! And by all means, take your digital cameras. This is one of the most picturesque cities I have ever seen!

If you like German food, I have a suggestion for you. We ate the first night at a restaurant called Spreisel. It is in the same block as the prominent bridge that crosses the Neckar river. Ask at the desk of the Crowne Plaza for the exact address and directions. The bellman was the one who suggested this restaurant and it was the BEST meal we had on the whole trip. It is a pleasant walk there, and if you like German food, this is where you want to go!

Also, make sure you take Euros with you on this trip. You will get to travel a number of places that have cash-only payment options (like the funicular up the mountain beside Heidelberg castle, for instance). We were glad we had some currency changed before we left.

Have a spectacular time!!!!! This was the best vacation we ever took. Bon voyage.

Just checking in again to see if anyone on the board will be joining us in Germany on August 16. My kids (DD13 and DS11) want to know if there will be other kids their ages on the trip.

Also, I just booked a pre-night in Heidelberg. This is our fourth ABD trip and the first time I booked the pre-night through Disney. FYI By booking through ABD, they will still cover our incoming transfer. As it is about an hour drive from the airport, this is a big plus. I had found cheaper rooms at the Crowne Plaza online, but we would need to change rooms when the tour began and our transfer wouldn't be covered. Anyway, I thought it was interesting that the transfer was covered as the contract said it wouldn't be if we arrived early. I was happily surprised. Another plus: I like the idea of a German-speaking ABD guide meeting us. My luggage was missing upon our arrival in Ireland 3 years ago (and remained amongst the missing for 4 days) and it was very helpful to have ABD on it. I wouldn't be happy trying to locate luggage using my very broken German.

Anyone done this trip with an extra day in Heidelberg. What did you do during the extra day? I don't want to duplicate anything from the tour. Any other things to consider during the trip? Any "must pack" items?

ABDALUMS
2009 Viva Italia
2008 Wyoming
2007 Ireland

 

[WeLoveABD]

Just checking in again to see if anyone on the board will be joining us in Germany on August 16. My kids (DD13 and DS11) want to know if there will be other kids their ages on the trip.

Also, I just booked a pre-night in Heidelberg. This is our fourth ABD trip and the first time I booked the pre-night through Disney. FYI By booking through ABD, they will still cover our incoming transfer. As it is about an hour drive from the airport, this is a big plus. I had found cheaper rooms at the Crowne Plaza online, but we would need to change rooms when the tour began and our transfer wouldn't be covered. Anyway, I thought it was interesting that the transfer was covered as the contract said it wouldn't be if we arrived early. I was happily surprised. Another plus: I like the idea of a German-speaking ABD guide meeting us. My luggage was missing upon our arrival in Ireland 3 years ago (and remained amongst the missing for 4 days) and it was very helpful to have ABD on it. I wouldn't be happy trying to locate luggage using my very broken German.

Anyone done this trip with an extra day in Heidelberg. What did you do during the extra day? I don't want to duplicate anything from the tour. Any other things to consider during the trip? Any "must pack" items?

ABDALUMS
2009 Viva Italia
2008 Wyoming
2007 Ireland

We did the pre-night with transfer for the same reason--plus we like to arrive a day or more early to adjust to the time and recover from the flight. We loved Heidelberg--even in the snow (maybe more so!--we went xmas 09)--I went across the bridge to check out the hillside path, and would definately do that walk in the summer. Go to the top of the church and check out the view--and take the funicular up to the top as well (restaurant up there). The pool area of the hotel is interesting--cavern like, and there is a back area that is a nude sauna area, so advise the kids accordingly!

 

[eak22270]

We will be on the Germany trip too. My children are younger than yours - 8 and 6. Looking forward to meeting you and your family.

 

[abdalums]

Yipee! We look forward to meeting you too "eak." I heard from ABD that there are a dozen kids (I think.) Lots of young ones--even a 4 year old. Your kids will have lots of buddies. I totally missed the post about the bats. Yikes! The good news is that the weather has been milder and looks to be in to 70s and 80s during our trip according to Google Weather. I have to believe that Disney has worked with the hotel to address the bat problem. Germany is one of their most popular trips, and I can't imagine that the hotel would risk losing Disney business. I am not surprised that Disney doesn't cover medical expenses. It wouldn't be an adventure if there wasn't any risk involved. (Kidding.) This is our fourth adventure and there have been accomodations on each that didn't have AC (I think.) You survive. I wouldn't plan to take a fan...Really is anyone going to pack a fan? But it might be worth a call to ABD and request a fan at that hotel in light of the bat issue. Maybe if a few of us call, Disney will magically provide fans. (But don't count on it.) If this is your first adventure, consider packing two pairs of sneakers for your kids and maybe you, too. If we have rain, it is no fun walking long distances in wet and muddy sneakers. This saved us in Ireland after the trip to the sheep farm. We ditched the sneakers covered in sheep poop. So gross. Anyway, I'm going to call Disney tomorrow and check into the hotel providing fans. And sleep with one eye open!

 

[eak22270]

We'll try calling too. Thanks for the tips. Frankly, I'm more worried about my kids on an 8 hour flight from detroit to frankfurt!

 

[eak22270]

Can someone clarify if the castle we're staying at is the Waldeck or Trendelburg? I received conflicting info from an ABD rep. I'm trying to find out if these places have laudry services. Thanks.

 

[Skatetigger]

I believe the 2010 trips are Trendleberg, I know we're doing the Sept one and all the info I received says Trendleberg. I believe they ahve changed the location for the 2011 trips to Waldeck. I'll give them a call as well and see if I get the same confusion cause I woudl actually like to know for our Sept trip.

 

[campbyers]

We just returned from the Germany trip Aug 8th. We stayed at Trendelburg Castle. However, they may have made a change to a different castle. I had read the comments about the bat in the room and that was at Trendelburg. Although it wasn't mentioned to me by any Disney guide, I asked about it. It does appear to be an isolated incident and although we kept our windows closed most of the time, (no airconditioning) i did not feel threatened.

We stayed in the tower and I actually had some of my best nights' sleep there. (maybe it was the bike ride that exhausted me - the ride is not easy, but worth the effort!) However, I know that other members of our group had horrible sleep - with the small rooms and uncomfortable beds and made their experience known to the guides.

I also took 2 pairs of tennis shoes and threw one out after a very rainy day going to Neuschwanstein castle. BE PREPARED for varied weather! I had heard there was a heat wave, but it was cold- and we took mostly shorts and light t-shirts. I would have packed more actually. And Disney gives you a small duffle that held alot of my purchases for our return!

My advice is to enjoy the enchantment! It really is a fairytale

 

[abdalums]

Thanks for an encouraging and helpful post. I had to believe the bat was an isolated incident or Disney would have made a change to avoid further problems. We leave on Saturday. I've been following the weather, and it looks like we are in for lots of rain. And it looks like it will be colder, too. Besides warmer clothes and the extra sneakers, do you have any additional must-packs? Is a rain poncho enough or should I pack real rain jackets? We have been blessed on our last three adventures with perfect (although hot) weather. Well, at least if it is chilly, keeping the windows shut in the castle won't be an issue. Any last minute tips are welcome.

 

[disneytraveler]

I went on the tour last summer in September. Weather was only rainy once and that was the the day to castle outside of Munich.The one Cindrellas Castle resembles. I wore a poncho and it was ok. It was a short thunder storm.

 

[campbyers]

Have fun! You may not receive this bf you leave tomorrow but>>>>

Laundry - available at most hotels except castle. And by the way, the castle is enchanting and the views are spectacular! We used laundry at the last hotel in Munich - so expensive!!! I'd advise to bring more and not wash at all. The rain wasn't so much a problem, but a mess with wet clothes and shoes. The castles are beautiful even in the rain! Disney provides great ponchos that cover you enough - including cameras. But shoes do get wet (soaked!) and hard to dry. Remember to wear layers under the poncho bc it is can be cold!

If you are staying an extra night in Munich, as we did, the transport to airport was included, but the bus dropped us off outside of air terminal - a ways from our checkin. We didn't have any change left and needed to get a cart- so don't use all your change up, you might need it. One of our party left one of his bags on the bus! But the driver brought it back for us!!

The bike ride was really fun, just don't the camera if it is big bc you will need both hands!!

Can't really think of anything else, except engage the guides, make them share their experiences with you (from Germany). They are young and may seem a little distance, but they have a wealth of knowledge about the country. You will love Michael, who will guide you in Munich!