Barcelona ABD

[glassslipper2004]

Has anyone done the Barcelona ABD add-on to a Disney cruise leaving from Barcelona? Apparently they have a three-night pre-stay ABD; quite pricey (as always) but very tempting. They have a Madrid one as well, but it looks like that one is only offered with 4 night cruises (and I definitely want a longer cruise if we go that route next summer).

 

[wishiwasindisneyjen]

I am interested to know if anyone has done this as well. We are booked on the Barcelona Escape ABD before our June 1 Med Cruise. So excited!

 

[tufbuf]

Has anyone done the Barcelona ABD add-on to a Disney cruise leaving from Barcelona? Apparently they have a three-night pre-stay ABD; quite pricey (as always) but very tempting. They have a Madrid one as well, but it looks like that one is only offered with 4 night cruises (and I definitely want a longer cruise if we go that route next summer).

We did not do the Barcelona escape but if you are looking at doing the 3-night, you can easily do all that on your own, if cost is a factor. We visited La Sagrada, Parc Guell and Montserrat on our own and we did not spend over a thousand dollars for the three of us. We didn't see Montjuic but we plan to do so next year. You can also book flamenco shows on your own. BUT if you are looking for an ABD experience, the fun little things they do to make it extra special, and willing to spend the bucks, then go for it.

 

[sayhello]

Pete, Walter & Teresa from the Podcast Team did it last year. There's a podcast about it here: (June 1, 2011). It's the "Part 2: Update from the Mediterranean".

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-podcast/archives-2011.htm

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[WebmasterMaryJo]

Just another note that if you do do this and have extra time, there is a great segway tour there that we took, and the guide speaks English very well. I recommend going on this tour.

 

[glassslipper2004]

Thanks everyone. Tufbuf - and others who have stayed in Barcelona - any hotel recommendations?

 

[sayhello]

Thanks everyone. Tufbuf - and others who have stayed in Barcelona - any hotel recommendations?

Well, I stayed at the Hotel Eurostars Grand Marina. It's a beautiful, modern hotel, with very large rooms (especially by European standards). It's a 5 minute walk to the Columbus statue (at the base of Las Ramblas) and right next to the Hop On/Hop Off bus route. I could see the ships (including the Magic) from a courtyard off the breakfast area (so pretty close to the port -- although in no way, shape or form walkable!)

It's right on the water, so you either have an ocean view or a city view. I had a city view, and it was very nice (floor to ceiling window!)

I got a great deal on it through http://www.travelzoo.com/. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.

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[glassslipper2004]

Sayhello - thanks for the recommendation and the pictures! I always worry about selecting a hotel. On the one hand, it doesn't necessarily matter, since you might not spend that much time in it. On the other hand, a really nice hotel (or really unpleasant hotel) can make a big difference in how your trip goes.

How did you get from the hotel to the port on the day the cruise left? Taxi? I know I read all of this in your trip report a while back (and I will definitely re-read it before I make our plans) - and I so appreciate it!

 

[tufbuf]

This might help too.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2870617&highlight=barcelona+hotel

 

[tracyz]

We did the Barcelona Escape last August prior to our cruise, and had a fantastic time! Yes it was pricey, but considering we don't speak the language for us it was totally worth it to have ABD take care of everything. We definitely saw more than we would have if we were on our own, and everything was seamless. They really do provide the best of everything. Feel free to ask if you have specific questions. It looks like the hotel has changed (which is a shame because the hotel we stayed in was FABULOUS) but other than that everything looks the same. Worth it...I love being well taken care of!

 

[sayhello]

Sayhello - thanks for the recommendation and the pictures! I always worry about selecting a hotel. On the one hand, it doesn't necessarily matter, since you might not spend that much time in it. On the other hand, a really nice hotel (or really unpleasant hotel) can make a big difference in how your trip goes.

How did you get from the hotel to the port on the day the cruise left? Taxi? I know I read all of this in your trip report a while back (and I will definitely re-read it before I make our plans) - and I so appreciate it!

I definitely took a chance with the Eurostars, but it got great reviews on Tripadvisor, and the deal I got was fabulous. But that's why I included the pictures. I think they say a lot! I can load up some of the exterior of the hotel if you'd like.

Based on the recommendations of folks on my Meets Thread, I walked to the circle around the Columbus monument to catch the "Blue Bus" to the port. It was a mistake, as there were like 4 or 5 ships in port, and one bus running. So it took a VERY long time for me to get on the bus. I was very fortunate in that it was a SPECTACULARLY GORGEOUS morning, and I didn't really mind standing out there, chatting with the folks in line for an hour and a half. But it wasn't really the best option, as I missed a lot of the embarkation stuff going on at the port. I should have just caught a cab at the Eurostars (there was a line of them outside the lobby). It would have been much quicker, and couldn't have been that expensive.

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[glassslipper2004]

Thanks everyone. Tracy, what was the hotel that you stayed at that Disney no longer uses? Maybe if we don't do the ABD we'll look into staying there on our own.

I'm up in the air about the ABD, since both DD14 and I speak Spanish, and the cost for my family of 4 (all paying adult prices) to do the ABD is a bit crazy. But my experiences with ABD's have been so very, very good, that I am definitely considering it.

 

[abdgeek]

I didn't do the Barcelona ABD, but I did do the ABD add on for the Mediterranean Cruise in 2011. I came in a day early to Barcelona and stayed a day later to do sightseeing and get used to the time difference. I stayed at the disney pre/post hotel option of the AC Diplomatic. It is now called the Renaissance Hotel because it has been bought again. I'm booked there again for my pre/post hotel stays for the 2013 Disney med cruise.

I liked this hotel because it was in the middle of everything and I could either walk or take the metro to the sights. Anton Gaudi's Casa Mila and La Predera are a block away. You're a block away from one of the swankiest shopping streets and there's a McDonald's(if you want something safe) a block away. Lots of restaurants nearby also. I took a cab to the Picasso Museum which was 5 euro. I also did a tour of Monsterrat on debarkation day through Disney. Our ship had an extra day in Barcelona because one of our ports was cancelled so I also got to do La Sagrada Familia with Disney.

Last year, I waited too late to get my pre-hotel and Disney was sold out so I booked the AC Diplomatic on my own and paid for the Disney transfer to the port. I took a taxi from the airport to the hotel and it cost about 30 euros. They charge about 1 or 2 euro for each piece of luggage in the trunk and I think that they will only allow a maximum of 4 people in a taxi.

A lot of people took taxis to the pier, but I'm not sure how much it cost. There were about 4 ships in port when I went and traffic was very slow.

I hope this information helps you decide what you want to do. Yes ABD is expensive, but it is soon worth it! I don't think I would have seen as much as I did in each port if I hadn't done the ABD add on.