Scotland Meets Thread (formerly Scotland: A Brave Adventure)

[calypso726]

Thanks for the warm welcome, Terrie.

I have to say this thread has quite exceptional planners -- I am most impressed with the details of pre-trip tours, getting the absolute most out of this incredible experience!

I have been to Scotland many times as both my parents were born and raised there. This trip however, is a first for my family. My husband and i toured almost this very itinerary with my parents on our "second honeymoon" 24 years ago. Now we will finally get to retrace those steps with our 4 kids.

Disneydeb that is wonderful to be able to share that special memory with your children Scotland is a first for both DH and I and of course we are trying to make the most of it. Honestly, I have to credit the DISboards when it comes to planning to make the most of an experience. Several years of reading the trip reports of others on these forums showed me the way

 

[disneydeb8]

I have to say Terrie you have done your homework on all things Scotland --
do you mind if i ask you what inspired Scotland to be your ABD destination choice??

For us, it's obvious. Infact when we first purchased our DVC membership in 2008, our kids were more excited seeing Scotland on the dvc world map as a destination possibilty than owning BLT!

So our Scotland trip has been a longtime in the making -- we had planned to use our points for an RCI exchange in 2011 but that didn't work out --- just as well since we would have been forced to cancel.

When Disney sent the announcement invitation last May, and the sounds of bagpipes played as the highlands were perfectly pictured, I can only tell you how thrilled we were.

 

[calypso726]

I have to say Terrie you have done your homework on all things Scotland --
do you mind if i ask you what inspired Scotland to be your ABD destination choice??

For us, it's obvious. Infact when we first purchased our DVC membership in 2008, our kids were more excited seeing Scotland on the dvc world map as a destination possibilty than owning BLT!

So our Scotland trip has been a longtime in the making -- we had planned to use our points for an RCI exchange in 2011 but that didn't work out --- just as well since we would have been forced to cancel.

When Disney sent the announcement invitation last May, and the sounds of bagpipes played as the highlands were perfectly pictured, I can only tell you how thrilled we were.

Don't mind at all. We've always wanted to do ABD but did not think it would be anytime soon. Scotland wasn't even on my radar until I discovered, read and became madly obsessed with author, Diana Gabaldon's, Outlander series. Although I am an avid reader, I resisted reading this series for over 20 years, despite the glowing recommendations. It simply did not sound like something I would like.

A friend I met here on the DIS in the cruise meets thread finally convinced me to read it as we had the exact same tastes in just about everything. She literally said, "You will thank me later." Then she actually gave me a copy of the first book as a gift in our "fish extender" exchange (that's a Disney Cruise thing). Suffice it to say, it is the best series I have ever read or listened to. I am listening to it again on Audible. The story takes place in Scotland. The author has an amazing talent for placing you "right there." After reading the books I felt like I had already been to Scotland in my mind and simpy just had to see it in person.

By the time the new ABD Scotland trip was announced last year I already had my husband hooked on the series and he wanted to visit Scotland as well. However, we had not budgeted for this type of trip and he adamantly refused to just slap it on a credit card and figure it out later. I was determined to make it happen and flat out said I will find a way. Several days of creative financial finagling to figure out how to pay for this and I came up with a plan and here we are

My mother is now hooked on the series and we are booked for ABD London/Paris trip next year with my parents. I promised her we would start our trip early just so she could visit Scotland beforehand. I already have us scheduled to do a "Diana Gabaldon Outlander" day tour in Inverness next year too LOL

Add to all of this the fact the Princess Merida from Brave is my favorite princess of them all. So basically, this Scotland trip is in large part due to my very non-fictional feelings for fictional characters

 

[Jack'sGirl5]

Hi!
Frequent WDW and DL visitor and sometimes cruiser -- just booked our first ever ABD trips, so excited! Also just posted on Ireland board.

It will be me and my DD15. I used to travel internationally for business and have been to much of Europe but it will be my first trip for fun -- for her it is the very first European trip ever.

We are going to London for a few days first -- big Dr Who and Harry Potter fans so must do appropriate tours and then also want to see a couple of plays. Then train to Edinburgh and the Scotland ABD starting June 21, 2014. We have an extra day in Scotland and then fly to Ireland for an extra day in Dublin before joining our Ireland ABD on July 1st.

So much wonderful information on this thread; I'm really looking forward to reading some of your trip reports!

 

[Calfan]

Hi!
Frequent WDW and DL visitor and sometimes cruiser -- just booked our first ever ABD trips, so excited! Also just posted on Ireland board.

It will be me and my DD15. I used to travel internationally for business and have been to much of Europe but it will be my first trip for fun -- for her it is the very first European trip ever.

We are going to London for a few days first -- big Dr Who and Harry Potter fans so must do appropriate tours and then also want to see a couple of plays. Then train to Edinburgh and the Scotland ABD starting June 21, 2014. We have an extra day in Scotland and then fly to Ireland for an extra day in Dublin before joining our Ireland ABD on July 1st.

So much wonderful information on this thread; I'm really looking forward to reading some of your trip reports!

That sounds awesome! So much fun for you and your DD. If I had more vacation time from work, I would LOVE to do what you are doing and combine the Scotland and Ireland ABDs. Ireland is definitely on my nearer-term to do list. But I surprised myself by falling in love with the new Central Europe itinerary that ABD just released for 2014. We ended up booking that one as our second ABD.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

We are going to London for a few days first -- big Dr Who and Harry Potter fans so must do appropriate tours and then also want to see a couple of plays. Then train to Edinburgh and the Scotland ABD starting June 21, 2014. We have an extra day in Scotland and then fly to Ireland for an extra day in Dublin before joining our Ireland ABD on July 1st.

What a wonderful trip! Our first ABD was in 2007 in Ireland and we are doing Scotland in August. We visited the HP studio in London last November and it was awesome--you will love it.

 

[Jack'sGirl5]

That sounds awesome! So much fun for you and your DD. If I had more vacation time from work, I would LOVE to do what you are doing and combine the Scotland and Ireland ABDs. Ireland is definitely on my nearer-term to do list. But I surprised myself by falling in love with the new Central Europe itinerary that ABD just released for 2014. We ended up booking that one as our second ABD.

Thanks so much! This will definitely be the longest vacation I have ever taken but I have convinced myself that nothing will explode while I am away. Crosses fingers and toes.

I did have a really difficult time deciding which trips to go with -- they all sound so wonderful. The Central Europe itinerary almost derailed my plans too! That sounds like an awesome trip. I was thinking of trying to pair Italy and Switzerland with something in 2015 and that may be it -- would love to hear how you liked it when you return.

Oh dear, I think I have opened the ABD floodgates for us and created a monster -- I can see us now, planning out our ABD trips for the next ten years . . .

 

[Jack'sGirl5]

By the way Calfan, looks like you were on the Wonder to Alaska the week before we were --- totally LOVED that cruise!

 

[Jack'sGirl5]

What a wonderful trip! Our first ABD was in 2007 in Ireland and we are doing Scotland in August. We visited the HP studio in London last November and it was awesome--you will love it.

It sounds like we are on the same vacation wavelength! Would love to hear about Scotland when you return. Are you doing any pre or post days? I think that we are going to take a trip to Stirling castle on our post day. Believe it or not that castle is in our genealogy -- the oldest child in our family gets Stirling for a middle name as far back as I can remember. Thought I'd pick up a souvenir.

So glad to hear that you liked the Harry Potter studio, you are the first I've run into that has gone. DD grew up with that series and going to the studio is very high on the list. It is high on my London list too, along with seeing "Billy Elliott".

Now we have a whole year to plan -- love that.

 

[calypso726]

Hi!
Frequent WDW and DL visitor and sometimes cruiser -- just booked our first ever ABD trips, so excited! Also just posted on Ireland board.

It will be me and my DD15. I used to travel internationally for business and have been to much of Europe but it will be my first trip for fun -- for her it is the very first European trip ever.

We are going to London for a few days first -- big Dr Who and Harry Potter fans so must do appropriate tours and then also want to see a couple of plays. Then train to Edinburgh and the Scotland ABD starting June 21, 2014. We have an extra day in Scotland and then fly to Ireland for an extra day in Dublin before joining our Ireland ABD on July 1st.

So much wonderful information on this thread; I'm really looking forward to reading some of your trip reports!

That sounds like an exciting vacation plan! We booked for the ABD London/Paris for next year and are planning to fly in a few days early. First stop in Inverness for a tour then London for HP tours. We also plan to stay an extra couple of days at the end to visit the Disneyland Paris parks. I will definitely post a trip report when we get back from Scotland in August.

What a wonderful trip! Our first ABD was in 2007 in Ireland and we are doing Scotland in August. We visited the HP studio in London last November and it was awesome--you will love it.

I've heard great reviews on the HP studio. I am looking forward to seeing it next year!

By the way Calfan, looks like you were on the Wonder to Alaska the week before we were --- totally LOVED that cruise!

We are also booked for Alaska next year on the Wonder. I am happy to hear that so many have loved it. We weren't sure if we should go on DCL or try a different cruise line for Alaska. In the end we decided to stick with DCL.

 

[Calfan]

By the way Calfan, looks like you were on the Wonder to Alaska the week before we were --- totally LOVED that cruise!

Yes, Alaska was fantastic. We actually did that cruise with CaliforniaGirl09 and her family, and we are also doing the Scotland ABD together. I would love to go back to Alaska, either a repeat of the cruise or, more likely, a land-based tour (or maybe a combination of the two!). Such stunning scenery, especially the glaciers.

 

[carpenta]

Yes, Alaska was fantastic. We actually did that cruise with CaliforniaGirl09 and her family, and we are also doing the Scotland ABD together. I would love to go back to Alaska, either a repeat of the cruise or, more likely, a land-based tour (or maybe a combination of the two!). Such stunning scenery, especially the glaciers.

We did the ABD tour in2010 and it was fantastic. If you want to see the real Alaska go....life is much different than on the coast.:

 

[Calfan]

We did the ABD tour in2010 and it was fantastic. If you want to see the real Alaska go....life is much different than on the coast.:

Good to know about the Alaska ABD. It is on our list.

 

[calypso726]

Good to know about the Alaska ABD. It is on our list.

Is the Alaska ABD still being offered as a cruise add on???

 

[Calfan]

Is the Alaska ABD still being offered as a cruise add on???

It does not look like it. I think they were cancelled before the 2013 Alaska season.

 

[lkkinghorn]

We received our DD's new passport in the mail. Hurray! Anyone been on the trip yet? How was it? High and low please tell us.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Anyone been on the trip yet? How was it? High and low please tell us.

I'm dying to hear from the early travelers as well. Hopefully a DISer will chime in soon.

 

[2BNDisney]

I'm dying to hear from the early travelers as well. Hopefully a DISer will chime in soon.

Leaving soon

 

[SleepingPrincess]

So excited! We leave next Friday!

 

[tufbuf]

Exciting!!! We are going next year and our travel date is $1000 more already than the original price!!!