VWL Lovers & Groupies thread: It all started with a Moose

[cheer4bison]

Oh Cheer4, your pictures are wonderful. I loved Germany, such a beautiful country.
By any chance, did you get to the Passion Play in Oberammergau?

That castle is beautiful.

We didn't get to the Passion Play but one of the families in our tour group did! They planned an extra day in Munich at the end of the excursion and then hired a car to drive down to Oberammergau.

 

[cheer4bison]

Nice pics, cheer4bison!

Welcome back Cheer4bison! Good to have you back. I for one don't mind the pics & would love to see more! Are you planning on doing a TR? I would love to hear all about an ABD trip 1st hand.

Love the pics Jill!!

Very cool photos!

Thanks for the feedback groupies! Glad you enjoyed the photos.

I hadn't planned on doing a TR for this adventure because of the many surprises along the way (even though I kept a very detailed journal over the course of the ten days we were there.) I was really glad I hadn't read a TR for this excursion beforehand because then every day we were delighted by the unexpected treats the adventure guides had in store for us. But if you have any questions, fire away! I'd be happy to tell you anything you want to know.

I will say, though, that this trip was well-attended by Disney fans from all over the US. We met lovely families from Texas, Washington (state), California, Indiana, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. The age range was 6-70 and we really enjoyed traveling together. It was something akin to the good vibes we share here on our Groupies thread.

Thanks for your interest in the trip!

 

[franandaj]

Thanks for the feedback groupies! Glad you enjoyed the photos.

I hadn't planned on doing a TR for this adventure because of the many surprises along the way (even though I kept a very detailed journal over the course of the ten days we were there.) I was really glad I hadn't read a TR for this excursion beforehand because then every day we were delighted by the unexpected treats the adventure guides had in store for us. But if you have any questions, fire away! I'd be happy to tell you anything you want to know.

I will say, though, that this trip was well-attended by Disney fans from all over the US. We met lovely families from Texas, Washington (state), California, Indiana, Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. The age range was 6-70 and we really enjoyed traveling together. It was something akin to the good vibes we share here on our Groupies thread.

Thanks for your interest in the trip!

These ABD trips sound like so much fun, but I'm afraid that they wouldn't be accessible for disabled people. Europe isn't very accessible, so that makes it tough from the start. How fit does one need to be to do this particular trip?

 

[cheer4bison]

These ABD trips sound like so much fun, but I'm afraid that they wouldn't be accessible for disabled people. Europe isn't very accessible, so that makes it tough from the start. How fit does one need to be to do this particular trip?

My family noticed that many of the destinations were clearly NOT accessible for those with physical challenges. Lots of long walks on uneven cobblestone paths. I can't count the number of spiral staircases we did. While in Trendelberg, we did an 8 mile bike ride. (I was pleased to survive that one!) There were a number of grandparents on the trip who were keeping up beautifully, but I often wondered if my mom (with persistent knee problems) could have done some of the activities. In true Disney form, however, the guides are very accommodating. If someone didn't feel up to the bike ride, they arranged a shopping excursion instead. But there isn't much they could do about making the castle tours accessible. American destinations are much more accessible than many of those in Europe.

 

[Granny]

Jill...thanks for the ABD explanation. I really should have known that one! Sounds like they have some great trips.

 

[Muushka]

So this is WAY off topic but I figured cat lovers like Muushka and anyone who could just use a good laugh would appreciate it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTcz-etqwKg&feature=related

LOLCats! Ha! Too funny

We didn't get to the Passion Play but one of the families in our tour group did! They planned an extra day in Munich at the end of the excursion and then hired a car to drive down to Oberammergau.

I think I only have 1 more try for the Passion Plays. 2020 sounds good! Mr Muush promised me that we would go in 2000, but we realized by 1993 that he was not a airplane person.

Your trip sounds wonderful. If you are feeling brave, will you post your report? I would love to read it.

 

[DiznyDi]

Nice to have you back, cheer4bison! So happy to hear you enjoyed your time in Germany. Oberammergau was on our list for this year until DS announced his wedding plans, then Hawaii had preferential status. Hopefully we'll make the Passion Play in 2020.
Would love to read a TR. Thanks for sharing your photos!

Dory - isn't your sons wedding this week-end? Tearing your hair out yet?

 

[stopher1]

Hello Groupies!

I finally got my laptop back from the folks in I.T. and am slowly getting back into the groove of things. I spent part of the afternoon going through the thread and trying to catch any and all trips that were listed within the thread, but only got through pages 4 - 19. I'll get to read through the rest tomorrow - and then should be able to get page 1 updated and jump back in. I've missed being on here, and chatting with you all. I've seen a few things to comment on in my perusal earlier, and can't wait to see what the rest of the pages hold.

DiznyDi and I are now Facebook friends as well , and so I got to see some lovely pictures of theirs, including a couple from their trip to Hawaii. That was fun.

I had a GREAT time at Summer Camp, and this past weekend had another GREAT time with "Ritual" campout for an Scout honor camping society (here in Indiana) where I was intiated into the group, and next month I get to watch my son go through the same kind of weekend and be inducted as well. I didn't get to go through the Boy Scout program as a youth - but I'm sure loving it as an adult. It's a lot of fun to get to "be" a boy once more.

And I'm currently at 53 til I'm back at WDW. So I can't wait for that.

More later.

 

[franandaj]

My family noticed that many of the destinations were clearly NOT accessible for those with physical challenges. Lots of long walks on uneven cobblestone paths. I can't count the number of spiral staircases we did. While in Trendelberg, we did an 8 mile bike ride. (I was pleased to survive that one!) There were a number of grandparents on the trip who were keeping up beautifully, but I often wondered if my mom (with persistent knee problems) could have done some of the activities. In true Disney form, however, the guides are very accommodating. If someone didn't feel up to the bike ride, they arranged a shopping excursion instead. But there isn't much they could do about making the castle tours accessible. American destinations are much more accessible than many of those in Europe.

That's what I was afraid of. When we went to New Zealand 10 years ago we were more mobile and what they called handicapped accessible was laughable. We'll see what the new knees do for mobility. The first one was replaced yesterday, so we'll have to see how things go! I'd love to do an ABD tour and hopefully we could work things out at least on a US trip.

 

[wildernessDad]

145. The updates will come more infrequently to save page count.

 

[stopher1]

cheer4bison - what wonderful pics! Thanks for sharing.

My DW and I would love to go on an ABD tour, but at this point she wants to do the Yosemite one or the Yellowstone one, and I'm interested in a European one or the Alaska one... so it'll probably be a while before we're able to come to a conclusion on that. But we are both interested in the Machu Picchu one, if that's still offered when we're actually ready to do it. At this point it probably won't be for a few years though, so it will be interesting to see which will be offered at that time. I have a friend from my DL days who works for ABD. He does the Northern Cal (Yosemite) trip, as well as the Mediterranean cruise trip (it was Spain previously, but that one isn't on the current roster).

 

[lisah0711]

That's what I was afraid of. When we went to New Zealand 10 years ago we were more mobile and what they called handicapped accessible was laughable. We'll see what the new knees do for mobility. The first one was replaced yesterday, so we'll have to see how things go! I'd love to do an ABD tour and hopefully we could work things out at least on a US trip.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

 

[stopher1]

The first one was replaced yesterday, so we'll have to see how things go!

Oh Alison, wow - praying your recovery is good and as quick as possible.

 

[sleepydog25]

cheer4bison - what wonderful pics! Thanks for sharing.

My DW and I would love to go on an ABD tour, but at this point she wants to do the Yosemite one or the Yellowstone one, and I'm interested in a European one or the Alaska one... so it'll probably be a while before we're able to come to a conclusion on that. But we are both interested in the Machu Picchu one, if that's still offered when we're actually ready to do it. At this point it probably won't be for a few years though, so it will be interesting to see which will be offered at that time. I have a friend from my DL days who works for ABD. He does the Northern Cal (Yosemite) trip, as well as the Mediterranean cruise trip (it was Spain previously, but that one isn't on the current roster).

Add my thanks for the nice pics. Also wanted to mention that of your choices above, I'd choose Alaska. I lived there for four years, and it is one amazing place. I couldn't stay, and now I can't afford to go back to live, but it will always hold a special place in my memory banks.

 

[horselover]

That's what I was afraid of. When we went to New Zealand 10 years ago we were more mobile and what they called handicapped accessible was laughable. We'll see what the new knees do for mobility. The first one was replaced yesterday, so we'll have to see how things go! I'd love to do an ABD tour and hopefully we could work things out at least on a US trip.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

 

[stopher1]

Add my thanks for the nice pics. Also wanted to mention that of your choices above, I'd choose Alaska. I lived there for four years, and it is one amazing place. I couldn't stay, and now I can't afford to go back to live, but it will always hold a special place in my memory banks.

I've wanted to go to Alaska ever since I was a kid. Actually for dual reasons. 1) it's just a gorgeous place that needs to be experienced, and 2) my paternal grandparents were teachers all their lives and in retirement would go off and work for several months in various missionary schools around the world, 5-6 mos at a time. My grandfather died of a massive heart attack while on one of those trips while living in Alaska. The stories, letters & phonecalls prior to that event were so special, and the various local items they would mail to us were so neat it just always made me want to see it for myself. Someday I hope to. I'd like to go and see what the town they were living in is like, and just experience it a bit for myself. They were in Unalakleet, which is on the coast in the Norton Sound, about half up up the state by the Bering Sea.

My brother and a buddy took a road trip up there several years back starting in Montana and working their way northwest until they reached Fairbanks and its environs. He had a fabulous time. And I have a cousin who flies helicopters both there (6 mos) and Hawaii (6 mos) - so it would be great to see him again and get another ride in one of his whirlybirds like I used to when I was a kid. Lots of reasons really.

 

[sleepydog25]

I've wanted to go to Alaska ever since I was a kid. Actually for dual reasons. 1) it's just a gorgeous place that needs to be experienced, and 2) my paternal grandparents were teachers all their lives and in retirement would go off and work for several months in various missionary schools around the world, 5-6 mos at a time. My grandfather died of a massive heart attack while on one of those trips while living in Alaska. The stories, letters & phonecalls prior to that event were so special, and the various local items they would mail to us were so neat it just always made me want to see it for myself. Someday I hope to. I'd like to go and see what the town they were living in is like, and just experience it a bit for myself. They were in Unalakleet, which is on the coast in the Norton Sound, about half up up the state by the Bering Sea.

My brother and a buddy took a road trip up there several years back starting in Montana and working their way northwest until they reached Fairbanks and its environs. He had a fabulous time. And I have a cousin who flies helicopters both there (6 mos) and Hawaii (6 mos) - so it would be great to see him again and get another ride in one of his whirlybirds like I used to when I was a kid. Lots of reasons really.

When I stepped off the plane to find a house in Anchorage, I distinctly remember thinking, "this is home." I wound up in Eagle River, about 10 minutes outside Anchorage. . .a suburb, really. Superb hikes within a 10-minute drive, many more within half an hour. In my subdivision, I could walk out of my back fence to a bike/running path that doubled as a cross-country ski trail in the winter. Anchorage itself has over 120 miles of paved, maintained bike trails that crisscross throughout the city (and one stretch heads out to Eagle River and beyond).

The cultural events, both local and national touring companies, were superb, and naturally, the cuisine scene in Alaska is exceptional. My first experience with king crab came there, and there are several microbreweries in the area, too. And, it's drop dead gorgeous there, even when it's cold, wet, windy, and/or snowy. . .which it often is one or more of those. lol You definitely should go given all the ties to the state that you have.

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

That's what I was afraid of. When we went to New Zealand 10 years ago we were more mobile and what they called handicapped accessible was laughable. We'll see what the new knees do for mobility. The first one was replaced yesterday, so we'll have to see how things go! I'd love to do an ABD tour and hopefully we could work things out at least on a US trip.

I hope you are back on your feet quickly!!!


So we got some sad news today. I had told you guys before about DH's cousin having cancer. Unfortunatly he died this morning. He had lung cancer and was down to 75 pounds. Poor guy. Just glad he went pretty quickly and didn't have to suffer for too long.

 

[Muushka]

franandaj, I hope your recovery is a quick one.

I hope you are back on your feet quickly!!!


So we got some sad news today. I had told you guys before about DH's cousin having cancer. Unfortunatly he died this morning. He had lung cancer and was down to 75 pounds. Poor guy. Just glad he went pretty quickly and didn't have to suffer for too long.

I am so sorry.

 

[stopher1]

I hope you are back on your feet quickly!!!


So we got some sad news today. I had told you guys before about DH's cousin having cancer. Unfortunatly he died this morning. He had lung cancer and was down to 75 pounds. Poor guy. Just glad he went pretty quickly and didn't have to suffer for too long.

So sorry about your family's loss DLI