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

[dizneeat]

Mmmm, that toffee nut latte looks really good! My favourite drink of the Holiday season is their Peppermind Mocha. It's the one thing I like about winter. The season, not the holiday season, cause I love holidays.

That coach bus looks so cute and tiny! I'm not used to seeing those. How long was the train ride?

Any pictures of your hostel?

That opera house looks gorgeous. I wonder what it's like to sit in one of those private booths.

What's the 5D movie about?

We don't have Starbucks around here , so whenever I get to go somewhere, where there is one .......... I need one and that one was so good! Lots of toffee flavour

Yip, the bus is cute! I was lucky to find one that fitted our needs. This one sits 26, so it was perfect for the 25 of us!

Unfortunately NO pictures of the hostel, even though it was really nice. It is an old building, but the rooms are comfortable and you have all the amenities you need - no frills though!

Yes, the opera house is VERY beautiful. The private booths are rented out for the opera ball and cost a fortune for that one evening!

And the 5D movie was called "Haunted House". It had lots of "scary" effects but it was all about a cat in the haunted house. I did not "see" much of the movie as I kept watching the kids, who were jumping in their seats and trying to "grab" stuff!

Oh gosh, you updated before my last post! Double post right now perhaps? Dunno until I hit send....

Your parliament building is absolutely beautiful. I love the gold details on the exterior and that there are statues INSIDE the discussion room!!! To be fair, I've never been inside the parliament building in Canada, but I doubt it's as impressive.

A chairoplane? Is that what they're called? I love that ride! It's the best on a hot day cause the breeze is just lovely.

When I visit Vienna one day, that ferris wheel is going to be the first thing I go to. It's just so cool!

It's too bad one of your students lost her purse. I hope it wasn't something she liked TOO much. If it were me....I'd be devastated. I love my bags.

I had to "cut" the last update in half as there were too many photos in it.

I really like our Parliament building - it is very beautiful, inside and out and they used lots of marble in there. Very cool!

To be honest I had no idea it was called a chairoplane, either! I looked it up in the dictionary as I had no idea WHAT it was called!

The ferris wheel is one of Vienna's landmarks! It's over a hundred years old and so much fun to ride in.

The pupil who lost her purse didn't mind the loss so much. She was just upset that she had lost her pass for transport. All she was worried about was, how she was going to get back to the hostel!

 

[dizneeat]

Extra Bonus Mini Trip Report inside the Mini Trip Report

Vienna

Day 3, Nov 17

Vienna Airport, the Technical Museum and a visit to an indoor swimming pool

Today we got to sleep in a little, but just a little. We had our breakfast at 8am and then headed out to explore Austria's largest airport, the airport in Vienna.
It took us about an hour and using public transport. Once we had reached our destination we explored the departure and arrivals halls of the airport. Many of my students had never been to an airport before, so this was really interesting to them.

Once we had seen the tourist side of the airport we signed up for another tour of the working side of the airport.

We got on a bus and were able to see the a cargo plane being loaded.

The tour took about an hour and then we bought some lunch and ate it on the way back to the city.
Most of the kids were still hungry, so we made another stop at a shopping mall, where they had some time to have more lunch and to do some shopping.

Heidi and I had some pizza before we got on another tram to go to the Technical Museum. This is a hands-on museum and we had prepared work-sheets for the kids.
So, once we had them all handed out, they were on their way around the several exhibits.

Time just flew by and in no time we had to go back to the hostel to have our dinner.
That day we had decided to take the kids to an indoor swimming pool, that offers both a water-slide (one that has jets that push you "up stream") and a wave pool.
While Heidi and I were tired and just sat at the side, the kids really enjoyed the pool!

We got back to the hostel a little after 10pm and the kids were really tired and off to dreamland in no time.

 

[jenseib]

What a fun week. Your kids are so lucky.

What is a 5D movie?

 

[Teri1]

I enjoyed the pictures of Vienna, and that pool and water slide sure looked fun!!

 

[tinacaplan]

NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am sure most of you know that we are going back to WDW in 89 days!
So far we were booked at Pop Century, hoping for an AP discount to upgrade to a moderate resort - preferably CSR!

Well, the wishing and hoping is over! The AP discounts are out and I was able to score a good discount. So for what we were supposed to pay at Pop Century we are now staying at CSR in a waterview room!

Tina, we WILL stay at the same resort!

I also started a new pre-trip report - Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho, it's off to the CSR we go! A February 2011 PTR

..... as if I wouldn't have my hands full with my dining review and trip report on our summer vacation!

So, that's the NEWS for today!

Short report on my week in Vienna to follow soon!

YAY! I am so excited!!!! This is great news. I had a feeling it was going to happen. I also took advantage of a discount today. I am getting so excited, I can barely stand it! While I am trying to enjoy all of the upcoming holiday fun and savor each and every moment, I have to say that I'm super excited about how quickly I know the next few months are going to go!

 

[dizneeat]

What a fun week. Your kids are so lucky.

What is a 5D movie?

Thank you, Jen! We really enjoyed our week together, even though I was SO tired the weekend after - I blame it on my age!

The 5 D movie is like Philharmagic - 3D with moving chairs, water in your face, wind blowing, smells aso.
The kids were SO excited and loved it!

I enjoyed the pictures of Vienna, and that pool and water slide sure looked fun!!

We were real lucky with the weather and saw a lot of the city.
The pool was a lot of fun and it was hard getting the kids out of the water in the end!
BUT ...... it made them VERY tired and there were no complaints when we sent them to bed!

YAY! I am so excited!!!! This is great news. I had a feeling it was going to happen. I also took advantage of a discount today. I am getting so excited, I can barely stand it! While I am trying to enjoy all of the upcoming holiday fun and savor each and every moment, I have to say that I'm super excited about how quickly I know the next few months are going to go!

We are so excited too! Now finally everything fell into place and now the REAL planning can begin!

So glad you got a discount too! Not that the money we all saved won't go to Disney in the end!
And I am with you that the time is just going to fly by! It feels like yesterday that I posted my double digit dance and now we are down to 88 days! By the end of the week we will be down to 12 weeks!

 

[dizneeat]

Extra Bonus Mini Trip Report inside the Mini Trip Report

Vienna

Day 4, Nov 18

Hitradio OE3, Scavenger Hunt and The Blue Man Group

We were up again bright and early, had some breakfast and hopped onto the underground and a bus to go to our national radio station - hitradio oe3!

We arrived a little early, but we were soon asked to come upstairs for our tour. First we got a little insight in the events the radio station organizes, then we were asked to explore the studios. We saw all the different divisions before we were asked to have a go ourselves.

Helena got to read the news.

Marlies got to do the weather.

And Dominik got to do the traffic announcements.

Then we were led into a working studio and met one of the presenters. We were able to watch her work and she was very nice answering all our questions.

Unfortunately our tour came to end soon after and everyone was given a group photo before we left.

We drove back to the city center and had our lunch break at the "Naschmarkt", a farmers market right in the middle of the town surrounded by lots of small eateries all around the fruit and veggie stands.

Heidi and I found a crepe restaurant! And here is what I had for lunch!

A crepe filled with chestnut puree, homemade chocolate sauce and freshly whipped cream!

Once we had all had a snack we walked back to St. Stephen's square to meet with a guy who organizes a scavenger hunt all around the inner city.

We soon found him, he explained the rules, handed out maps and folders and off the pupils went for the next two hours.

While the kids were trying to follow the clues Heidi and I had the time off! Well, what do you do in a town like Vienna if you have two hours to yourself?
First we went a little shopping - I actually found a Disney Christmas Countdown Calendar! Once I had done my "Disney" shopping we headed for a coffee shop to have even more sweet treats.

This is the world famous Sachertorte! Very nice and moist chocolate cake, filled with apricot jam and chocolate iceing.

I actually had ordered coffee with milk foam, but it came out with a huge helping of whipped cream. As much as I like a little whipped cream, but that was too much. I ended up scooping it off!

In no time the two hours were over and we walked back to our meeting place. The kids were finishing off the last few questions and handing in their finished worksheets.

They really had lots of fun trying to find all the clues and doing all the little tasks that were asked for!

Now, there was one more thing to get out of the way. I had three pupils who had their birthdays during the week. So I took them all to a very upscale coffee shop for a little treat. There were two more kids who deserved that treat too. Moritz who is the speaker of the class and had to thank every guide during the week and Sebastian who had pulled a little boy, who had had trouble getting out and was in danger of going under, out of one of the pools the day before.

Here they are enjoying their treats.

 

[dizneeat]

continued ............

After that we needed to get back to the hostel and pack up as we had to leave very early the next morning. Once we had packed everything we had dinner and then got ready to see the Blue Man Group.

Needless to say the kids got all dressed for the occasion.

Once we had reached the theatre we needed a few more photos before the show!

The show was breathtaking and we all enjoyed it very much. After the show the "Blue Men" actually came out to have photos taken!

It was sad to see our last evening come to an end, but we walked back to the hostel and tried to catch up on a little sleep!

 

[dizneeat]

Extra Bonus Mini Trip Report inside the Mini Trip Report

Vienna

Day 5, Nov 19

Austrian TV Company, and the trip back home

We had to get up extra early today as we needed to get the rooms cleared by 8am to make our final appointment at the ORF, the Austrian TV Company. So after we had had breakfast at 7am we took our luggage to the luggage room, checked the rooms for forgotten items and off we went.

The ORF is a bit out of the way and it took a long underground ride and a long bus ride to get there, but we made it in time.

About 5 minutes after we had arrived our guide picked us up and told us about what was in store for us this morning.

First off a visit to a small studio where we could experience first hand what life is like at a broadcasting company.

Carina and Markus were behind the cameras.

Helena tried to give us the weather.

Moritz wanted to be like Arnold, hm, or maybe a Teletubby was more like him.

Magdalena and Thomas trying out the new flying carpet.

Dominik, what do YOU think you are doing?

And in the bluebox "disco".

Then we went into more and bigger working studios.

There needed to be some fun photos as well.

And one last group photo!

After 90 minutes we said goodbye to our guide and started our long way back to the hostel. Since we had a little time left we all went to a mall to have some lunch.

They had some pre-set menus and I chose this option. Minestrone soup

and gnocci in blue cheese sauce. Very nice, very filling.

We finally picked up our luggage and made our way back to the airport. We had to wait a little for our train to arrive, but then we got to settle into our reserved seats and soon we were on our way back to Linz. The train ride took about an hour and 45 minutes and once we had gotten off the train we went outside and were again picked up by our little bus, which took us back home to the little village where I teach.
Most of the parents were already waiting when we arrived and it was time for myself to get into Tom's car and drive back home!

And in the end this week brought Tom and myself a week closer to our next trip to WDW - only 88 more days to count down!

 

[cbg1027]

Thanks for sharing the Vienna trip! That's definitely on my list of places to visit. How can you not want to visit the country where Mozart, the waltz, Sachertorte and Wolfgang Puck come from?

 

[tinacaplan]

Ah...middle schoolers, they look the same the world over. So much fun, though. I'm happy that you enjoyed your class trip. Did I mention that our big trip this year is to California? From Connecticut? That's a pretty big deal for all of us.

Thanks for sharing the pictures of your kids.

 

[YukiPhnx]

Wow....your kids sure are lucky. This was such an awesome school trip! Is this an annual overnight trip for this class?

The airport offers tours?? Wow...I wonder if the Toronto airport does too....

That indoor pool looks like so much fun! I haven't been to a pool in a long time.

Can't wait for you to resume your regular TR!

 

[Stefy]

Thank you, Stefy! We had a wonderful time.

As for EMH at DLRP - all I would do is, be there early enough to get a head start when the park actually opens!
Like being there half an hour early. You might be able to squeeze in a ride on Dumbo and Peter Pan before you head to the bigger rides.
Once they open the park get a FP for BTM (they are always gone first!) and if the line is still short, get in line. After that walk over to Indy - it usually has a really short line in the morning - we have been able to walk on it 2 - 3 times in the morning. Pick up another FP before riding BTM! If the crowds are high they usually open the passageway between Discoveryland and Fantasyland - it's a perfect shortcut!
Better stop myself here - let me know if you need any more tips!

Thanks for that, we might try and get there a bit earlier, only because it would be nice to take pictures before it gets too busy Will make a note of your tips though and will bug you for me at some point

Looks like you had a great time in Vienna, some great photos and awesome that you got to see Blue Man Group

Coolbeans about changing to CSR too

 

[dizneeat]

Thanks for sharing the Vienna trip! That's definitely on my list of places to visit. How can you not want to visit the country where Mozart, the waltz, Sachertorte and Wolfgang Puck come from?

I am so glad you like my little side tracked trip report.
Vienna and to be honest, all of Austria is well worth visiting! All our 8th graders go to Vienna to get to know the nation's capital. It's the only time for quite a few of them!
I am glad you named Mozart and Wolfgang Puck in one sentence! Not to forget our present to America - Arnold Schwarzenegger!

Ah...middle schoolers, they look the same the world over. So much fun, though. I'm happy that you enjoyed your class trip. Did I mention that our big trip this year is to California? From Connecticut? That's a pretty big deal for all of us.

Thanks for sharing the pictures of your kids.

I really like my class - they are really sweet kids.
Wow! A trip to California! Lucky you!!! I REALLY envy you!!!

Wow....your kids sure are lucky. This was such an awesome school trip! Is this an annual overnight trip for this class?

The airport offers tours?? Wow...I wonder if the Toronto airport does too....

That indoor pool looks like so much fun! I haven't been to a pool in a long time.

Can't wait for you to resume your regular TR!

The kids are at our school for 4 years, from 10 years old to 14 years old. During the first year they go to the Salzburg region for a week with lots of swimming and hiking. During the second year they go skiing for a week. During the third year they have a sports week, with climbing, boating and learning how to use a bow and arrow. During the 4th year we take them to Vienna for a week.

All the mayor airports we have travelled to have offered tours so far. I don't know about Toronto as we have never travelled there.

I hope to finish my Paris trip report soon, so I can get back to my regular trip report.

Thanks for that, we might try and get there a bit earlier, only because it would be nice to take pictures before it gets too busy Will make a note of your tips though and will bug you for me at some point

Looks like you had a great time in Vienna, some great photos and awesome that you got to see Blue Man Group

Coolbeans about changing to CSR too

Actually it is not worth it for the rides in Fantasyland, but it makes for great photo ops and you will get a head start if you walk over from Le Chalet des Marionette to BTM! Let me know what you need to know, so I can give you a bit of a touringplan!

The Blue Man Group was really something! The kids were so excited and loved it!

We were so happy to score CSR too! I would not have minded to stay at Pop, but if I can stay at CSR for the same amount of money and that is even much better!

 

[KatMark]

I want to know WHY I never had school trips like that???? I am so jealous of all the wonderful things your students get to do with you.

It looks like they all had an amazing time at their various stops, and I'm so glad you included food porn and did some "Disney" shopping too.

 

[dizneeat]

Bonus Mini Trip Report

Halloween Fun at Disneyland Resort Paris

Day 2, October 31

Happy Halloweeeeeeeeeeeen!!! - Part 1

We slept in a little, had showers, got ready to go breakfast shopping, and drove over to the bakery to buy some fresh baguette and some pastries for breakfast.

We both didn’t feel like a hot beverage, so we just had some coke and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at home. There were still lots of leftovers from the feast we had had the day before and after finishing off most of the baguette we still had our pastries to look forward to. Tom had an Almond Pastry and I had a Coffee Religieus.

Once we had cleaned up the kitchen and eating area we headed out to the parks.

Since we had discovered the discount at the car park we went there without hesitation. Parked the car, grabbed the receipt and on to the booth to have it exchanged. But nope, no such thing on a Sunday. Well, at least we had tried. So we headed for the Walt Disney Studios part of the parks this time. There were already lots of people at the turnstiles and once we were inside we were stunned at how crowded the place was. We walked straight over to the Tower of Terror to get a fast pass, but they were for around mid afternoon so that was way too late for us. We then went into the Tower of Terror store to pick up a Stitch for our friend Dave and to our shock and horror we found out that they had stopped selling them. Not sure what to do we walked towards the stunt show. We had just missed the first stunt show, and didn’t fancy a 25 minute wait for Rock’n’Rollercoaster, so we walked all the way back to the new Toystory Playland.

It was packed with people. The lines were long and wait times of way over an hour were in order. So we decided to just have a good look at the different rides. First up was the Parachute drop. The line was 90 minutes and it was a VERY slow moving ride queue.

We stood and watched while they pulled up the parachutes, then dropped them halfway and pulled them up again. The ride itself took about 2 minutes, but loading took about 5! It looked fun, but not worth the long wait. Next up was the Slinky Dog Spin.

It actually is your regular fairground ride, but looked real fun to sit in the dog’s “spring”. This is where Disney theming comes in, even the security markings were fun to look at!

Again, the ride loaded very slowly and we did not fancy the 50 minute wait. So our next stop were the RC Racers. A huge U shaped track with an oversized toy racer running back and forth. It really looked fun, but not fun enough to wait for 90 minutes.

So we watched and took lots of photos and took in being “shrunk” to toy size!

Maybe one day, when the hype has died down a bit we will get in line and try these new rides. We walked past the Cars Spin and Crush’s coaster and wondered what to do next when we saw that they had just opened the doors to Animagique.

 

[dizneeat]

I want to know WHY I never had school trips like that???? I am so jealous of all the wonderful things your students get to do with you.

It looks like they all had an amazing time at their various stops, and I'm so glad you included food porn and did some "Disney" shopping too.

Maybe you went to school on the wrong continent? We have all been on those school trips one time or another and now I get to go even more often! Now, if I could just convince them, that we need to do a trip to Disney!

They really enjoyed their time in Vienna, esp. since there were lots of things they could actually get their hands on and try something.
Not much Disney shopping but at least I got something!

 

[Stefy]

Great update The Playland looks awesome!!! Can't wait to check it out next month

 

[dizneeat]

Great update The Playland looks awesome!!! Can't wait to check it out next month

The Toystory Playland looked like a lot of fun and once you walk past Buzz you really FEEL like you have shrunk to toy size! It was just that the lines were insane and I didn't see myself lining up for a 1 minute ride for more than 90 minutes!
Guess we'll have to go back to WDW in the "near" future to try those rides!

 

[Stefy]

Yes 90mins is crazy to queue for a ride, but then there are crazy people out there

Next year might not be as crazy, one would hope