Value Resorts and Inside Staterooms? Bah Humbug! 30 days of Disney fun! 02/10 Day 30

[dizneeat]

Last week of school, Part 2

After I tried to catch up on housework over the weekend it was time to start our class project on Monday.
Every year every teacher of our school has to come up with a project for the last week of school. The pupils then choose what they want to do, but this year my class asked if we could do a "class project". Who am I to deny them a week of fun with their teacher!
So we came up with the following activities.

Monday - hike to the next village and do some knights' games
Wednesday - do some climbing in a rope garden, spend the night at school
Thursday - have breakfast at school and go swimming

If you ask yourself what about Tuesday and Friday - well, here goes. Tuesday our whole school drove to Linz to celebrate the end of the "Year of Music" we had at all our schools in Upper Austria.
And Friday was the time for report cards!

So let's start with Monday.
As I said we hiked to the next village and fortunately for us it was nice and cool in the morning, so hiking was fun.

Once we arrived at "Ruin Waxenberg" the kids were divided into three groups of knights and fair maidens.

Fair Maiden Natalie's (the one with the blue jacket) group

Knight Pius (in a green sweater) and his brave followers

Princess Sarah (all in pink) and her fellow friends

We have a knighthood in Waxenberg and one of its knights introduced us to the games.

Hitting the target was one of them!

Medieval curling

Let the games begin!

And we could not pass these without a few fun pix of some of my "best" pupils!

By 12pm we had to walk back (last week we always go home at 1pm! ) and when we started walking we saw some dark clouds roll in. Needless to say that the clouds moved faster than we did and about 2/3 down the road the heaven opened up and we had a LOADS of liquid sunshine (Disney's term for heavy rain! ) Well, we all got wet to our skin, but since we were back at the school within 20 minutes we all just laughed it off.

By one they were all gone and I was on my way home too!

 

[tinacaplan]

Hi, Karin! Welcome back. You've been missed. And congratulations on the end of the year and the start of your summer break!



I know how good it feels when you're finally DONE! Sounds like you and your students had a great end of the year. Medieval games at a real castle? How cool. How...European!


And now you can just...relax and get ready for your BIG trip. :

 

[klacey1]

Awesome update!! That knights and maidens thing looks really cool!

 

[DaveInTN]

Congrats on hitting the summer recess. Gee, I can't imagine what you will be doing to pass these next two months? If only there were a nice vacation spot you enjoy that you could travel to...

 

[dizneeat]

It took forever yesterday to upload photos to photobucket. It would only allow me to upload two photos and then shut down - no fun at all. I gave up close to midnight. So today I thought it will be a good start to my day to reply to your comments!

Great pictures :thumbsup

It's such a shame that everything was so busy, but thumbs up for getting on the Snow White ride

Thanks! We were real lucky with the SnowWhite ride as it is usually very crowded, but this time we were on it in about 5 minutes!

Wow, the entrance to Snow White is BEAUTIFUL! Blows WDW away!!

They have great attention to detail. We did a tour some time ago and they pointed out the stained glass window with the wicked queen and some of the roof tiles actually have the names of the imagineers who planned the attraction on it. Now, every time we walk past we make it a point to point out the tiles to each other so others can see it as well.

Oooh, that pizzaria had the guy from Fantasia! And I love the ceiling. Very cool.

Wow...shopping.....I would like a 20% discount for disney stores too. I would need to bring 2 extra suitcases with the stuff I could buy

I thought the ceiling was pretty amazing too! As for the discount and the two suitcases - we ALWAYS travel with an empty suitcase of two to take home some of our loot!

WOW...DLRP looks so pretty! Nice update!

Thanks Tina!

I love the pizzaria and Snow White, they have incredible detail!!!

I saw planet Hollywood in the background of one of your pictures too!!! I never knew that DLRP had a globe shaped one too. That was a good restaraunt...

The pizzaria is a fun place to be. Unfortunately all the pizza sold at DLRP isn't really very good.

The globe shaped Planet Hollywood has been there ever since they opened DLRP and the Disney Village. We never even considered dining there, but last year we actually did and found it quite nice - nothing outstanding, but nice!

 

[dizneeat]

I'll join the Stitch thread!! I love, love, love him!!!

This might sound silly, but I do want to eventually make it to Disneyland Paris. Will we have any idea of what is going on? We don't speak French, at all. I took classes in high school, but it is LONG gone!

Yeah for the Stitch thread!

You won't have ANY trouble understanding what is going on! Most signs are in several languages - most people speak English more or less fluently! And the CMs who do not speak at least English (most speak 2 or 3 foreign languages, coming from neighbouring countries) are far and few inbetween.
I did French when I was in school, and while I still understand a lot of what is said and can still "guess" from reading, my spoken French is kind of NON existant any more. And if I try it comes out a mix of several language.
So, to put it in a nutshell - you will be just fine with English!

Love the entryway to Snow White -- absolutely beautiful. Do I get banned from your thread since I am definitely NOT a Stitch fan?

I'm sure you are counting the days until school is out. We are at 75 days until Florida. I cannot wait.

Yes, SnowWhite is one of the rides they took extra attention to detail. There are lots of little detail on the outside of the building - we learned that during the tour.
We will still allow you on the Stitch thread - even if you are not a fan!
I kind of love the blue litte troublemaker myself! Reminds me of some of my pupils - only difference, they are not blue!!!!

Can you believe it that we only have 33 more days until we leave for Disney? And this summer we get to stay with Mickey for the whole 30 days - no other sightseeing like Key West last year and no Universal! I am SO looking forward to it!

Awww, there's my sweetie! Looks like it's a nicer ride than the Scary Adventures at WDW.

We just had to take a few photos of her just for YOU, Dave!
The ride itself is similar to the one in WDW, kinda scary for smaller kids! But I love the mural at the end - the one Tom took this photo of!

Looks like I will defo have to start a Stitch Appreciation Thread

Lol Kathy, I am sure you will be fine, as long as you don't say mean things about him

Count me in on the Stitch lover thread!

Someone should deffinetly start a Stitch Appreciation thread, I'm sure a lot of people would join!!! Didn't they use to have a stitch jumping emoticon? I was just about to put it up but I can't find it

This one?

I promise you I will not say anything mean about him (I just try not to talk or think about him lol).

 

[dizneeat]

Hi Karin, I'm back again, and I've just spent the last hour catching up, I'm so enjoying your PTR!

Firstly, huge congratulations to the family on the arrival of George, what a cutie

Second, I think I've timed this to coincide to your 9 week vacation, so YAY for that

Third, DLRP.

Well, those Mickey pizzas look so cool, but I guess they taste vile, huh?

but the baguettes, cheese, salads, pastries, my oh my, now we're talking I'd much rather eat that, any day of the week.

Now I have a confession to make, we have never been to the DLRP, despite it being so close. I know it's our European castle, but the weather etc doesn't cut it...although it looks like you were so very lucky on that front.

Looking forward to reading more, farewell from a heatwave London

Welcome back!

Thanks for your comments on little George and the start of my holiday!

You have NEVER been to DLRP?????? Guess a visit there is a must SOON!
I know what you mean about the weather - we were VERY lucky in May! The weather was just gorgeous! But Halloween can be a mixed bag! We've had it so warm that we needed to stock up on T-shirts as we only brought pullovers or it was so cold we had to buy scarves and gloves because we were freezing so much - but even though we quite often experience grey skies here in Paris the pink of the castle and hotel make it an inviting and nice backdrop.
I think you might like to look into it and give it a try - it is so much like WDW and DL and then so different! Come and see for yourself!

More coming up soon!

Fingers crossed for 2012 - will definitely let you know if we make it to your lovely area!
Yes, I love Europe and began visiting in 1988; have now visited Britain a few times, Portugal a few times (LOVE Portugal), Italy 3 times, Austria once so far, France, but not Paris, Holland and Belgium and Spain. Germany only for flight connections, but hope to change that...also want to visit Poland.
We visit without a tour group except my first trip to Portugal in 1988 was a pilgrimage as was the first trip to Italy in 2003 - then we went back on our own.

Today was your last day of school!!! Hope it was fun..now you are free for the summer!!

Wow! You did a lot of travelling in Europe already! And it's great that you visit without a tour group. We used to travel with tour groups when I was a child and I hated it then - very often we would just stop for an hour or so and you never got a real impression of the place.
So Tom and I travel without a tour group as well. I do all the planning and reservations and so far it worked out well. We have travelled quite a few states in the US and all over Europe so far.
For our first tour of California we had the help of a TA and she sent us through several National Parks, San Francisco to San Diego, Phoenix, Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Yosemite - all in 18 days, including two travel days. I felt like sleep - drive - sightseeing - sleep - drive - sightseeing. We swore - NEVER again. Now we travel for longer periods of time and stay longer whereever we want to.
Back to your travel plans! Sorry, I got carried away! If you come to our area or at least plan to come close to here, PLEASE let me know - I'd love to help with pointing out some of the less known places and sights around here.

It feels wonderful to be on holiday! Now all I have to do is count down to WDW and get everything ready! Yeah!

Karin, it looks like such a fun day with your kids. And you are NEVER too old for a playground, just like you are NEVER too old for Disney World. So glad you now have your 60+ days of holiday.

We did have a blast that day - even though hiking uphill with 13 year olds was a struggle for both Heidi and me!
We really enjoyed our time together and I had a lot of fun chats with the kids.

I still can't believe that I am now officially on holiday! It feels SO good! Only 33 more days until WDW!!! I cannot wait!!!

 

[dizneeat]

Hi, Karin! Welcome back. You've been missed. And congratulations on the end of the year and the start of your summer break!



I know how good it feels when you're finally DONE! Sounds like you and your students had a great end of the year. Medieval games at a real castle? How cool. How...European!


And now you can just...relax and get ready for your BIG trip. :

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I don't know how, but no matter how much I prepare myself for the end of the school year, there is always so much work left - so many administrative things to do. Even though we are only at school until lunch break it takes me until the night to get everything done!

But now it feels so good to be done with everything and the only thing I need to concentrate on is finishing off the planning of my WDW trip!

The games at the castle were so much fun - and especially since we had that "knight guide" who pointed out the history of "Burg Waxenberg".

Awesome update!! That knights and maidens thing looks really cool!

It really was a fun thing to do! I tried some of the things too, but I was not very good at all!

Congrats on hitting the summer recess. Gee, I can't imagine what you will be doing to pass these next two months? If only there were a nice vacation spot you enjoy that you could travel to...

Any recommendations on where to spend a little time?

 

[OhioDisneyLover]

It looks like you had a great time with your pupils!

I'm hoping there was more than just that fence separating you from that lion though! It didn't look like it was all that heavy.

 

[jenseib]

You are such a fun teacher. What gorgeous country side! Thanks for sharing with us. It was really neat to see. And your students look just like American ones. Same styles, and same wants to go on a playground they are too old for. LOL!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

What a wonderful last week for everyone! Love all the pics -thanks so much for letting us share in the fun! Your class is so active! Most schools in the US go an amusement park for one day near the end of the school year - many no longer even do that - maybe have some games at school. Nothing as wonderful as your adventures!

Congratulations on another successful school year!! Your students sure are lucky to have you, Karin!

Now you are free to get ready for your next exciting adventure! You've sure seen a lot of the US already - it is more fun to plan it rather than depend on a TA. I do the planning too when i have a friend/friends who want to travel to Europe. I promise to keep in touch and will do my best to try to visit Upper Austria - have lots to learn about that area, so please do not hesitate with any suggestions or advice!

Back to Disney planning!!!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

How fun for you and the kids! What are those 'ski' looking things that are striped and a couple of kids are on them at once???

 

[dizneeat]

It looks like you had a great time with your pupils!

I'm hoping there was more than just that fence separating you from that lion though! It didn't look like it was all that heavy.

We had a wonderful time! Thanks!

To be honest, now that you pointed it out - but there was only that fence, but it was like a cage! I was honestly surprised they had a lion and an elephant and some other bigger cats!

 

[dizneeat]

You are such a fun teacher. What gorgeous country side! Thanks for sharing with us. It was really neat to see. And your students look just like American ones. Same styles, and same wants to go on a playground they are too old for. LOL!

Thank you!
Yes, that's my class - if there is a playground they are on it!

What a wonderful last week for everyone! Love all the pics -thanks so much for letting us share in the fun! Your class is so active! Most schools in the US go an amusement park for one day near the end of the school year - many no longer even do that - maybe have some games at school. Nothing as wonderful as your adventures!

Congratulations on another successful school year!! Your students sure are lucky to have you, Karin!

Now you are free to get ready for your next exciting adventure! You've sure seen a lot of the US already - it is more fun to plan it rather than depend on a TA. I do the planning too when i have a friend/friends who want to travel to Europe. I promise to keep in touch and will do my best to try to visit Upper Austria - have lots to learn about that area, so please do not hesitate with any suggestions or advice!

Back to Disney planning!!!

I wish we would be able to go to an amusement park now and then, but no such thing here, let alone anything Disney!

You are so right about planning yourself - it's half the fun!! I am working on an itinerary for my class trip to Vienna in November. We go for a week and usually take the offer of the city of Vienna, where everything is organized for you, but then I need to take what they put together for me, so since this is MY class I am doing all the planning and organizing myself and I am loving it.
And planning a Disney trip is even more exciting!

I need to get a few photos of Upper Austria for you - to "lure" you here!

How fun for you and the kids! What are those 'ski' looking things that are striped and a couple of kids are on them at once???

We did have a great time!

Those ski looking things are wooden logs. There are ropes fixed to them and the kids stand on them, hold on to the ropes and try to walk while "standing" on the wooden logs. Takes a lot of "working together" to get them moving and more so to get them moving in the right direction.
It's fun!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Those ski looking things are wooden logs. There are ropes fixed to them and the kids stand on them, hold on to the ropes and try to walk while "standing" on the wooden logs. Takes a lot of "working together" to get them moving and more so to get them moving in the right direction.
It's fun!

That looks like one SERIOUS work out

 

[YukiPhnx]

WOW, what a week you had! My gr.8 class took a week long trip to a camp and I remember walking on those giant chopsticks!

Huh...it sure is strange for me to see no coloured children in your class. I went to school with a pretty diverse bunch.

 

[dizneeat]

That looks like one SERIOUS work out

WOW, what a week you had! My gr.8 class took a week long trip to a camp and I remember walking on those giant chopsticks!

Huh...it sure is strange for me to see no coloured children in your class. I went to school with a pretty diverse bunch.

It WAS a fun week!

I like it that you called the "logs" chopsticks! Guess I am gonna stick with that!

 

[dizneeat]

Tuesday, last week of school!

Okay, I feel the need to fill you in on the rest of our pre holiday activities at school!

So, on Tuesday we had a big event in Linz, to celebrate the end of the "Year of Music". (For the last few years we had a theme to our school years - sports, reading - this year it was music)
More than 100 choires filled the city with music at different places and there was a big event on the bank of the River Danube, where they expected around 8000 pupils!!
On Tuesday we all boarded some buses, drove to Linz and then we went to listen to some choires at the Ars Electronica Center.

Our view of the choires from where we sat!

Our school choir! Needless to say it got lots of applause and standing ovations!

And some of my boys being hot and bored after about an hour! These kids have no attention span in the hot sun!

Our view of the city with the castle overlooking the Danube. Not as fancy as the Disney castles, but it served its purpose!

The final event - there were not just 8000, but 10000 pupils singing and dancing and cheering and enjoying the sun!

Once the event was over we did have some time left, so I invited my class to an ice-cream cone, to cool them down from the inside!

I spent my afternoon, doing report cards and trying to get the register up to par! NO fun whatsoever!

 

[dizneeat]

Wednesday, last week of school!

Our project for Wednesday was climbing at a rope garden. We only got an appointment for the afternoon, so our headmistress (principal??) Bruni allowed us to switch the morning to the afternoon and we all had the morning off!! Yeah! We got to sleep in!!

There was NO school bus in the afternoon (the rest of the pupils of our school was off by 1pm!) so they all came in on bikes or their parents brought them or I picked them up! I picked up three girls who live close to my way to school so being a good teacher I promised to give them a lift!

At 2pm we all got on a bus and started our trip to the rope garden, which was about an hours drive away.

We all really enjoyed the trip there and had LOTS of fun, even on the bus.

Our bus did not have a GPS device , so we had to take a u-turn and arrived about 10 minutes late. Everything was already waiting for us!

The kids got into their gear and off we went!

Here's one of them getting stuck on the rope slide. It happened a few times!

 

[dizneeat]

Rope garden Part 2

Magdalena at her very BEST!!!

In no time more than 3 hours had passed and we had to make our way back to school. We had decided to stay at school for the night and we had to prepare dinner!

Up next - dinner and the night on the floor!