Time in Salzburg - Central Europe ABD

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

For those of you who have done the ABD to Central Europe. For your free time in Salzburg, did Disney transport you from Hellbrunn Palace into Salzburg or did you have to make your way there on your own? We are trying to plan out a few things to do during the free time and one of the things we're looking at starts and stops in the centre of Salzburg, not too far from where dinner is taking place. Or are you expected to spend the afternoon at Hellbrunn and then everyone gets transported to the restaurant?

 

[Alacrity]

As I recall, and my pics seem to back it up, we rode the bus from Hellbrunn and into Salzburg. On our itinerary, we made a stop or two on the way and then a walk to our spot before we were let go for free time. After the free time we met back where were were let go and walked to the restaurant. It wasn't far away.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

As I recall, and my pics seem to back it up, we rode the bus from Hellbrunn and into Salzburg. On our itinerary, we made a stop or two on the way and then a walk to our spot before we were let go for free time. After the free time we met back where were were let go and walked to the restaurant. It wasn't far away.

Thanks. That's what I was hoping for.

 

[Alacrity]

I took a look at the official itinerary and I should mention that I think our itinerary was adjusted as we were able to add on the Eagles Nest in the morning. We did many of our Sound of Music stops after Hellbrunn while the itinerary lists that in the morning. I think that trimmed our "Afternoon on Your Own" time down a bit. Something to keep in mind if you are planning a set period of time in the afternoon.

 

[hilarys]

Yes, the free time was right in the city center. They walked us to where the restaurant was and told us to meet back there later in the afternoon. We had time to take a carriage ride and hit a few shops.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

Yes, the free time was right in the city center. They walked us to where the restaurant was and told us to meet back there later in the afternoon. We had time to take a carriage ride and hit a few shops.

This is exactly what we want to do. We are both horse people and love the idea of taking the carriage ride. Quite honestly if we could we'd skip the whole Sound of Music bit cause neither of us care for the movie. I just want to see the sites in Salzburg and hopefully take the carriage ride.

We're on the last trip of the season, which is an adults only trip, if it makes a difference.

 

[sayhello]

We're on the last trip of the season, which is an adults only trip, if it makes a difference.

What kind of a difference are you asking about?

Sayhello

 

[Alacrity]

We're on the last trip of the season, which is an adults only trip, if it makes a difference.

My wife and I did that very trip in 2015 (Sept 18-25). It was a great trip and I'm certain you'll enjoy it! The Spanish Riding School may be another place you'll want to linger.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

What kind of a difference are you asking about?

Sayhello

I don't know how adult exclusives differ from the family trips.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

My wife and I did that very trip in 2015 (Sept 18-25). It was a great trip and I'm certain you'll enjoy it! The Spanish Riding School may be another place you'll want to linger.

Trust me, we will. This is part of what sold my mom on this trip. We are both horse people and both rode for over 20 years so the Spanish Riding School is a definite plus for us.

 

[hilarys]

We are horse people too. In fact it was on this trip that my daughter solidified her decision to switch her activity from dance to riding. She went up to all the horses in every city. We also did a carriage ride in Vienna. We were so exhausted by the time we reached Vienna that she fell asleep on the carriage ride. I really liked the carriage ride in Salzburg as the best of the two- it did not go into quite as much traffic and the old town is so beautiful. The riding school was amazing and one of the things that sold me on the trip (having grown up reading Marguerite Henry books). We were there in July (we were on either the second or third departure of the trip I think) and the performing horses were at their summer pastures, but we did get to see the mares and foals and other younger horses. It was just a shame that we could not take pictures in the stables. Do the departures at other times of the year see a performance or just do the tour like we did? There actually was going to be some type of performance shortly after we left (again not the usual one since the horses were on vacation, but something with the younger horses). I would have so much rather have stayed and done that than the waltz lesson.

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

We are horse people too. In fact it was on this trip that my daughter solidified her decision to switch her activity from dance to riding. She went up to all the horses in every city. We also did a carriage ride in Vienna. We were so exhausted by the time we reached Vienna that she fell asleep on the carriage ride. I really liked the carriage ride in Salzburg as the best of the two- it did not go into quite as much traffic and the old town is so beautiful. The riding school was amazing and one of the things that sold me on the trip (having grown up reading Marguerite Henry books). We were there in July (we were on either the second or third departure of the trip I think) and the performing horses were at their summer pastures, but we did get to see the mares and foals and other younger horses. It was just a shame that we could not take pictures in the stables. Do the departures at other times of the year see a performance or just do the tour like we did? There actually was going to be some type of performance shortly after we left (again not the usual one since the horses were on vacation, but something with the younger horses). I would have so much rather have stayed and done that than the waltz lesson.

We plan on skipping the waltz lesson. I don't know how the itineraries differ throughout the year since Disney only posts a single itinerary. I know our hotel in Germany is not the same as the one used in the summer but other than that I don't know how they differ.

 

[carpenta]

The story behind that blood line of horses goes back hundreds of years. Disney did a movie in the 60's using those (their grandparents I guess) horse line. You should look into the story about General Patton who sent a platoon of solders just to rescue those horses before the Soviets would desimate them at the end of the war. A direct blood line used to summer in North Hero Vermont and put on shows. They were (the family) were with the horses when Patton saved the line and took some to the U.S.. Quite a story about the history in Europe in war and also after WWII.

 

[SingingMom]

We took this trip last summer - LOVED LOVED LOVED it!! But... there is not much free time in Salzburg. We walked around a bit, stopped in a few shops, and had dessert in a famous café. Would have loved more time to browse. And... remember to be flexible. ;-) Our DD is an equestrian and she was really looking forward to touring the Spanish Riding School, and unfortunately, we were unable to see it, due to a gala that weekend and it was closed to the public!

I think some day we would really love to visit Salzburg and Vienna again. It was a magical place!

 

[Artful Dodger]

did you have to make your way there on your own?

I haven't done the Disney trip however you can walk from city center to Hellbrun in ~1 hour. Its a straight shot (literally, it was a road built the Prince Archbishop so his guest could get from the city to his palace easily) down Hellbrunner Alee about 3 miles from Festung Hohensalzburg. About halfway through the walk you'll pass Schloss Frohnburg if you're a Sound of Music fan. However you can only look at it since its a private dormitory or something now. Or you can take bus 25 from the palace to the city center it takes about 20 minutes. Hellbrun was neat and historic but it was really only an hour or so worth of entertainment for us. If my time was limited I wouldn't suggest spending an afternoon there.

 

[sayhello]

I don't know how adult exclusives differ from the family trips.

Generally, they don't differ by much. They'll usually skip the Jr Adventurer's movie night, and the adults get to do some of the activities that would normally be done by the kids (like some of us got to run the race at the Olympic Stadium in Greece). But in general, the itinerary is the same. I've had them substitute restaurants (Anchorage), but I haven't seen that much difference in the ones I've done.

Sayhello

 

[Alacrity]

Regarding that movie: our guides had that movie on the bus to Vienna. A good show!

 

[Cinderella's Slipper 2015]

We took this trip last summer - LOVED LOVED LOVED it!! But... there is not much free time in Salzburg. We walked around a bit, stopped in a few shops, and had dessert in a famous café. Would have loved more time to browse. And... remember to be flexible. ;-) Our DD is an equestrian and she was really looking forward to touring the Spanish Riding School, and unfortunately, we were unable to see it, due to a gala that weekend and it was closed to the public!

I think some day we would really love to visit Salzburg and Vienna again. It was a magical place!

We are mainly looking to do the carriage ride in Salzburg and window shop. We are always flexible. We'd be happy just to see the stables at the Spanish Riding School. It wouldn't bother us if we couldn't see it or could only see a small portion of it. We've been around horses long enough to know that events/shows happen and certain areas may not be accessible.

 

[SingingMom]

We are mainly looking to do the carriage ride in Salzburg and window shop. We are always flexible. We'd be happy just to see the stables at the Spanish Riding School. It wouldn't bother us if we couldn't see it or could only see a small portion of it. We've been around horses long enough to know that events/shows happen and certain areas may not be accessible.

There's definitely enough free time in Salzburg for a carriage ride. We decided to shop & dessert instead. lol We did enjoy a lovely carriage ride in Prague on one of our first pre-day.

 

[wdwtheplacetobe]

We are mainly looking to do the carriage ride in Salzburg and window shop. We are always flexible. We'd be happy just to see the stables at the Spanish Riding School. It wouldn't bother us if we couldn't see it or could only see a small portion of it. We've been around horses long enough to know that events/shows happen and certain areas may not be accessible.

We had a private tour of the stables and got very close to the horses! You're going to love this trip! If you like chocolate...there is a really good shop right down from the meeting place in Salzburg...