Hi,
My kids have also been to Disney several times, but it is their "foreign trips" that have had the most lasting impact. (Japan, Germany, London, Paris)
My daughter's teachers have always commented on how much her travel has helped her in school. That she was so much more knowledgable of the things that they were studying, because of it. And both of my kids have loved every bit of it! Yes they enjoyed Disney, but it is not what they talk about when we talk about travel.

Yet another vote for England.

Dent my credibility? My credibility on this board at times is as dented as a wadded up peice of tin foil.

The poster before me stated that England will always be there. True, but I blew of Europe 4 different times over more than a decade under the premise that it would always be there which is why it took me so long to get there.

Melissa said she would like to take dad and family to England but was afraid her son would be bored. In my opinion, London has more to do for kids and adults than Disney and Universal combined 10 times over.

She also stated the family has been to Disney twice.

Does my post make more sense and where is this Dr. Phil nonsense coming from?

>In my opinion, London has more to do for kids and adults than Disney and Universal combined 10 times over.<

GoT, I agree coming and going. Just think there's no need to label Orlando stupid to punctuate your point.

I'm not getting the Dr. Phil thing either.

..."I know one poster thinks too many Dr. Phil like answers are given,..."

I took this to mean that a poster on Fodors has remarked on Too many Dr Phil-like answers are given on Fodors..
Or maybe I am just as confused as others seem to be here ~

thanks for all of your answers.

my son today answered the question because a make believe situation came up that involved going to England and right away he said that he would love to go

so Now I have another trip to plan

Melissa

Mellissa, don't confine your trip to London. or for that matter to England. Wales is within very easy reach of Heathrow (3-4 Hours) and is truely wonderful. You should perhaps save Scotland and Ireland for your next trip, but do get to see the cotswolds, the peak district and the lake district...oh and don't forget the west county...I could go on and on. Come to the UK and enjoy every minute of your stay.

Hi Melissa

I live in London so I agree with all of the posts telling you to come here. Yes there is lots of history and culture but may I add there are also theme parks !! Thorpe Park is a 40 min drive from the center of London and Alton towers is 3hr drive - both have great rides !!
So you do not need to compomise , come here !! x

Glad to see you decided on England, Melissa. I took my niece over to London as a graduation present when she was 12 and she just loved it. At the end of the trip, when I asked her what we could have done to make the trip better, she said we should have stayed longer. What she enjoyed most was a day trip we took to Salisbury Castle and Stonehenge, stopping on the way back to see some crop circles. She was fascinated with the history and even bought a couple of books to find out more on her own.

Just keep in mind that just about ALL the restaurants are closed on Xmas day and the day after is BOXING DAY, a national holiday..on those days you would have to eat in a hotel dining room and on Boxing day, most of the stores are closed....GO on the EUROPE BOARD and post this question about England during Christmas..they are extrememely knowledgeable..

One thing that is open on Xmas day is the walking tours in London..those are fun for all ages...Here is the link:

http://london.walks.com/

"The Dickens Christmas Festival Explorer Day in 2004...

If you can't make it this year (December 6th and 7th, 2003)...well, there's always next year.

I'm talking of course about the Dicken's Christmas Festival Explorer Day...one of the great seasonal highlights of the early winter.

The Festival takes place every winter on one of the earlyish weekends in December. And - as a matter of fact - our Explorer Day goes down there both Festival days - Saturday and Sunday.
"
Fri 24 Dec Christmas Eve

Shops, transport and most companies start to close down in the afternoon.

Not a good time to travel - trains and buses will be very busy and there are only limited train services in the evening. Plan or book in advance any train travel after 4pm. It is best to book any coach travel in advance. For information about travel services, see the websites or telephone lines in the Travel sections of this website.
For details of the Transport for London services on Christmas Eve, see: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/seasonal/241203.shtml.

At 3pm at King's College Chapel in Cambridge is a traditional carol service called "A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols": the carols are sung by the famous King's College choir. You can listen to the service live from 3:00-4:30pm on BBC Radio 4. Alternatively, you can watch "Carols from Kings" on television on BBC2.
Many Christians go to a midnight service in churches to celebrate the start of Christmas Day.


"Christmas Day

For photos and information about typical Christmas celebrations in the UK, see: Ideas/Album/Christmas.

This is a public holiday in the UK. Most people stay at home with their families, and some people go to local church services. Many pubs are open in the afternoon. Most shops and restaurants are closed (some Indian restaurants may be open).

Most public transport services do not operate (apart from the Gatwick Express and Heathrow Express train services). For details of the Transport for London services on Christmas Day, see: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl.

If you are not staying with a family in the UK it can be a lonely time: arrange to get together with some other friends who don't have a family here and live within walking distance, or stay at home and watch TV.

The Queen's Christmas Message is at 3.00-3.10pm on BBC1/ITV1 - it is a tradition for many British people to watch this each year."


Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree
In the Second World War Norway was occupied by the Nazis. The King of Norway escaped to Britain and set up an alternative government in London for 5 years until the war was over. The Norwegian resistance secretly sent a tree from Norway each year to make the King feel closer to his homeland. After the war, the Norwegian government decided to offer a large Norwegian tree to Britain each year, as a symbol of friendship and to thank the nation for helping the Norwegian people. This fir tree, which is about 75 feet (26 metres) high, is put up in Trafalgar Square, London (map; nearest Tube: Charing Cross). Between about 6pm and 6.30pm there is a ceremony in Trafalgar Square. Some Christmas music will be played by a band, short speeches will be made by representatives of Westminster and of Norway, the lights on the tree will be turned on, and some carols will be sung by a choir. The tree is decorated in a traditional Norwegian style with 500 white lights: these lights will be lit from noon until midnight each day during the Christmas period (until 6th January). There will be carol singing next to the tree on most evenings until 24th December (between 5pm and 9pm).

And I threw in New Years Eve in case you will be there then also...

"Sun 26 Dec Boxing Day
A public holiday in the UK. Most shops are shut, but some department stores start their sales. Most transport services are working, but have a reduced service and may start later in the day than normal (for example, after 9am). For details of the Transport for London services on Boxing Day, see: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl.
Mon 27 Dec Bank holiday
A public holiday in the UK (because Christmas Day was during the weekend).
Tue 28 Dec Bank holiday
A public holiday in the UK (because Boxing Day was during the weekend).
Wed 29 Dec Christmas sales
Most shops are open and travel is a normal service. Many start their New Years sales now: these sales last until mid-January.

Fri 31 Dec New Year's Eve
Many people in the UK stay up until midnight on New Year's Eve so that they can celebrate the start of the New Year. As midnight approaches, British people traditionally watch Big Ben (the bell in the Houses of Parliament), and celebrate after it strikes for the 12th time. This is shown on television. It is traditional to make a New Year's Resolution (a promise to start doing something in the new year). You may be invited to someone's New Year party. Check what transport is available in the area where you live.

In London, people often gather in the area around Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Parliament Square from about 10pm until the early hours of the morning. If the central area becomes overcrowded, Westminster, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square underground stations may be closed for safety reasons.

For details of the Transport for London services on New Year's Eve, see: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl."

I agree with most others posters on this board. England

I hightly doubt you son would be bored. there is so much to see and it is quite an experiance for a young person. I think age 9-12 is the perfect age for Europe, they are old enough to learn from the expereance and not old enough to be complaining about girlfriends and boyfreinds back home they are missing (see Nat lampoons Euro vacation).

I would suggesst going to London and somehwhere else possibly scotland or Wales OR possibly paris(you can take to EuroStar) ( as an added bonus - paris actually has a disney world, which I would probably skip)

it would be a great exprieance for you family

If you do decide to take the Eurostar to Paris, I would recommend not doing the day tour. We did that on our trip and my 12-year-old niece felt it was the worst part of our trip. She would rather have spent more time in England. We had to get up really early to catch the train and we got back really late at night, making us both tired and irritable. It was too rushed and the train ride was long and boring. If I were to do it over again, I would fly to Paris (there are very cheap flights available) and stay overnight, maybe even do a couple of nights. We felt the Eurostar was way overrated--it's just a train and not even that fast.

i live in London but am just back from FLorida where we had a wonderful holiday. I am not being biased but would need to say visit London, the experience of world travel is just to good to miss, also when in London visit the Imperial War Museum if you like the Air Museum you will love this and the Blitx epxperience will move you more than any ride at Disney

I have rethought out this situation and we have decided to got to WDW. I feel, with my dad's handicappedness that getting around in a city would be a problem. thanks anyway

Melissa

Now, I have another question.

where can I find info on tours in england ?
maybe that is a better way to go as they would be handicapped accessible

melissa,

I wish I could help you - Why don't you post this question on the Europe Board.
(Post something like 'London w/ handicapped Senior')
there is a ton of traffic there with lots of smart people that could help.

Melissa--I have never done a tour, so can't help with that. But I have a relative who over 30 years ago was in a wheelchair permanently and travled all over Europe for 2 years, including England.