May 18, 2013 MAGIC EBTA - Who is with us?

[padalyn]

Unfortunately it could happen with any airline. Are you able to take an earlier flight so there are backup flights later just in case? Any flight attendant, pilot or dispatcher could give you more scenarios than you want to hear about the possible "what-ifs" they have encountered. Not just plane maintenance, but weather (spring thunderstorms), other passenger medical emergencies, waiting on a group of connecting passengers who had weather in their area, etc - and waiting too long or a diversion could put a flight crew too long to be legal to fly, then looking for a replacement crew per FAA guidelines.

Just some of the delays I have been on as a passenger include: a man complaining of tightness in chest (diverted takeoff, return to terminal, then coerce the man off the plane... and he had previously had a heart attack and didn't want to get off yet had no clue medical care is much better at ground level versus 35,000 feet in the air), some jerk in a business suit who refused to get off his cell phone (return to terminal from end of runway and deplane the idiot who became hostile), a plane that looked nice to a flock of birds... one getting sucked up in the engine so when we landed it had to go for maintenance (that wasn't a nice smell...), a faulty light on an airplane in air (we had to turn around to DFW after already being around our destination because AA had no maintenance facility where we were landing - that 45 minute flight arrived 6 hours later... which we ended up having an emergency landing at DFW complete with fire trucks waiting on us - my first flight with my 2 year old by myself of course), a luggage bin latch that would no close correctly because a passenger used a fist to "help" it close by pounding it (so bags had to be offloaded for that bin), and don't even get me started on the Aloha Air flight that was 8 hours late to go from Maui to Kaui (and our luggage arrived over 24 hours later - that we got to drive 45 min back to LIH to pick up ourselves just sitting there in the terminal). None of these were weather related or planned delays. Those are just some of the delays I have experienced (granted out of hundreds of flights, so still a small percentage). Not to scare you, but some things that are completely unplanned can wreak havoc on a schedule. That's why I suggested considering an earlier flight if possible.

Ugh, just thinking through some of my delays - coming home from the Virgin Islands this Spring the girls and I got stranded in Miami on AA. Finally got out of there and overnighted at Orlando, but of course we arrived after every restaurant had closed. Another one of those I was thankful for whatever snacks I had stuffed in my bag. (one of those trips where it was cheaper to buy a ticket to Orlando vs Miami although the plane had a connection in Miami - that was over a 2 hour delay)

Mandy - I am very well aware of what can happen with flights. Trust me on that one! I dated a flight attendent for a few years...so I heard all the horror stories. As well as my own horror stories - I have traveled quite a bit. Ask me about my planes, trains, and autos story some time!

That being said - no, there really aren't any earlier flights that we can afford. They all are over 700 for the two of us, and we are stretched as tight as we can go. This new booking cost us our onboard DVD most likely. We had booked the Jet Blue flight on rewards points - now we had to pay over 450 for the airfare. I am graduating that morning - the ceremony is from 8am to 2pm - there is just no way we can make any of the afternoon flights. We have looked at this for months - even after we booked the Jet Blue flight (we were on the 245 flight - had to move it an hour later when my school announced the graduation date and time - 5/17!) Jet Blue lost the bid for the 9pm route completely - not reassigned - just lost the bid.

You're connecting through O'Hare? Are you changing planes or just stopping in Chicago? It can be a mess for connections, I don't believe you will be stuck in Chicago... too many options for that but I do think you could be delayed which could throw off your already tight schedule.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause any stress. I just wanted you be prepared.

We are connecting through Midway (I think that is O'Hare - right?) we are not changing planes - we are on the ground for about an hour I think. Air Tran isn't telling us the time exactly - I figured it out from the times of the other flight (I can find the Southwest flight from Chicago to Hobby as a solo flight - but not the PHL to Chicago - go figure).

I realize no one is trying to cause stress - it happens. This just all happened so fast, I was sitting in an orientation lecture for a new job - just found out I won't be scheduled to work for a month (ouch...lost shifts = lost money) and then the Jet Blue email hits my phone. I spent my lunch hour on the phone with Cathy (my wonderful, amazing fiance) who managed to calm me down, locate a flight and book it. She is new to travel and the websites...me? I live for Kayak and Orbitz...

All is good on the stress level. I am just not familiar with Southwest as a carrier. I have used them once in 20 years...and that was a bit of a mess (not with the airline - all the connections I had arranged fell apart and I ate a Taxi ride from Port of LA to Long Beach Airport - not cheap!).

So, I am going to roll with it - worse case? We have to fly in that morning and beat feet to the port! Been there, done that...really didn't want a t-Shirt!

I should have put mine that way - not meaning to cause stress. Just be prepared for whatever could happen.

I have Spirit Air booked this Spring, and I know they are not that good, but they were half the price of anyone else for our routing (international). Dreading that flight for sure.

I can imagine...good luck with that one. We are doing the Icelandic Air - new airline to me also.

If I can warn anyone - please be careful booking on SAS - the seats are VERY small. I am not huge, but I was sitting on one cheek for the whole flight. I think the heaviest person that could fit in those seats wears a size 12. Not a fun 7 hour flight. In the AirBus 370 the configuration was 3 - 5 - 3...ouch!

Cayla

 

[binkytell]

If this is the right Sarah. She's a big dork on her first forum. I just signed up under thread tools today. Otherwise, I have been scrolling through here in the mornings ere my youngest wakes up.

I am not ignoring posts, but I am not seeing all of them either. I am on the FB site if that helps. I am hoping to be better at this with practice. Thanks for your patience.

This is a big step for us, and it is so great to meet all of you in advance.

Not getting the "big dork" quote??

 

[MandyGirl]

To the person considering flying in the day of the cruise: DON'T! There is only one port stop between Galveston and Madeira (on Day 11 of the cruise), and that is at Castaway Cay - with no commercial airport. If you should "miss the boat" out of Galveston - you will miss over half the cruise.

Good point. Not to mention if you have additional plans in Europe afterwards and don't want to fork out one-way airfare at the last minute after the ship has left the port...

 

[MandyGirl]

Not getting the "big dork" quote??

I think it ended up being a different Sarah. Unless they were on the WBTA with you and you had a hidden personality I missed

 

[MandyGirl]

So, I am going to roll with it - worse case? We have to fly in that morning and beat feet to the port! Been there, done that...really didn't want a t-Shirt!

Good plan! I knew you had such a tight timeframe with 12:15am arrival time and 1:00 rental car pickup. If you are flexible and can go with the flow of something happening, then go with it. You still have the morning's worth of flights. Plus with Southwest recently buying Airtran, that should give you other options should something happen to your flight.

Heck, hubby and I have slept overnight at the airport outside gate C19 in Vegas, and it was one of our most memorable trips ever.

 

[Tink1987]

REALLY????? So you are implying that we might be stuck in Chicago? That would more than suck. So, let me get this - if we do get out of Chicago, we could arrive in Hobby up to 3 hours late?

Way too much stress for me now...I was so stressed yesterday just because of Jet Blue - now this?

I finally managed to get a rental car so we can drive from home to Philadelphia to get on the first leg of the journey - this trip is becoming a trains, planes, and autos trip - I did this a couple of years ago - I really don't want to do it again...please, some reassurance would be appreciated.

Cayla

I feel for you - I am starting to get more and more annoyed at Disney for going from Galveston! Hope you get it sorted.

 

[MandyGirl]

So I am now a changed person and when I travel, I go with the flow and hope it works out and if it doesn't, I will make do.

Wow, what a story! So glad it worked out for you.

 

[Cabinfever2013]

Not getting the "big dork" quote??

LOL!
I meant me!

 

[binkytell]

the is the up to date list of those that of pm'd to sign up for fish extender.

Sonjaleigh 3a sonja, DS 23, DD19
Binkytell 2a 2c sarah, DH brian, DD 11, DD 2
Kris3kid 2a Kris, DMum Jackie
Padalyn 2a Cayla, DP Cathy
Tink1987 2a Collette, DH mark
HeatherB819 2a 1c heather, DH Pat, DD 10
wickesy 2a David, DDad Ray
AashleySEG 2a Andrea, DH Jeremy
Missandrea 2a 1c Andrea, Eddie DH, DD 12
Twopeasonepod 2a 2c Lauren, DH Tony, DS 7, DS 7
Cheflawrence 2a 1c Lawrence, DW mary, DS 13
"Yorkshire 3a Eric, DW Kathryn, DD Katrina
Disney fan"
Ladyshopper 1a 2c Jody, DS 15, DD 14
Goofy39.3 2a 1c Adam, DW Heather, DS 5
Squirrel956 2a Dave, DW Diane
RDDoll 2a Rick, DW Tami
FarnMor 2a Vicky, DH Jimmy
Mboekhoff 2a 2c Missy, DH Ross, DD13, DS 11
Rayofredondo 2a Ray, DFriend Jonathon
Margaretstahl 2a Margaret, DH Jack
Thepedersonfamily 2a 2c Melissa, DH Jeff, DD 11, DD 6
Gotomu212 2a 1c Deann, DH Carlos, DS 5
Mandygirl 2a 2c Mandy, DH Curt, DD 6, DD 3
Sumeto 3a Suzan, Dmom Bonnie, Tony
Wildl1021 2a Ellen, DH Mike
Maza 2a Marilyn ?, DH
OKrayslovedisney 2a Sue, DH Tom
Msammon 2a 2c DW, DH, DD, DD
Tigger2on 1a 3c Suzanne, DD 8, DS 6, DS 4
Saracat 2a Sara, DH Terry
cabinfever2013 1a 3c Sarah, DD 8, DS 6, DD 3
Belle2011 Elodie, DH Franck, DD 5, DD2
snowhite7 Loretta


[/COLOR]31 cabins in total with 62 adults and 25 children, im sure this number will rise.




would be so much easier if we could have a new thread with all this info on the first pages for group activities,we
would then just be able to go on edit/update.

sarah

 

[Yvet]

Is it possible to take the train? I was hoping they could see some of the countryside. I would like to avoid Paris, and see the Alps. Not looking for the fastest route.

Thanks, again.
Sarah

The train is possible, but going thru the Alpes would make it probably at least a 4-5 day train trip.
From Barcelona to Amsterdam by train will go thru Paris.

The costs of a trainticket (not the alphes route but straight) would be around ¬300-¬350 per person while a flight costs you about ¬100 per person...

 

[Yvet]

My kids are small. The oldest under 50lbs. We have both height and wieght restrictions, here. Is Europe just a height restriction?

America is 65lbs. and 4'5". I tell my DD(8) that she will take her drivers test in her booster, lol.

I will have to find a way to transport them from Barcelona to Amsterdam, and then around town.

Thanks in advance for your help.

There is only the lenght restiction the weight isn't mentioned. I checked the goverment website about the law because there are a lot of different sites that say different things.

Around town in Amsterdam is public transportation the best way to go, bus/tram/subway.
Cost effective a flight to Amsterdam is the best way to go.

But if you want to know more about the trainride straight or thru the Alphes let me know and i will check it for you!!

 

[kcashner]

I hadn't checked in for a while, so just stopped by to say hello....and I'm totally lost reading the last few pages of this thread. DD and I are still planning to be on board.

My only comment--do not fly in on the day of the cruise if you have ANY other options. On a "normal" cruise, it makes for a very hectic, crazy morning at best. On this cruise, there is no way. Even if it means the last flight in the evening before, you'll be thankful in the morning that you did it!

 

[WVURunner]

If I can warn anyone - please be careful booking on SAS - the seats are VERY small. I am not huge, but I was sitting on one cheek for the whole flight. I think the heaviest person that could fit in those seats wears a size 12. Not a fun 7 hour flight. In the AirBus 370 the configuration was 3 - 5 - 3...ouch!

Cayla

Small seats are the worst! I flew a domestic flight (in China) on ChinaAir once and it was HORRIBLE. I couldn’t even get into the seat. I am tall for a female (6’) and while I am not huge, I am an engineer and not a model for a reason! I couldn’t get into the seat in either direction. Worst two hour flight ever. The seats were just not meant for someone my size. Lesson learned, the rest of my flights, I flew first class. I could not have survived that way on an international flight. Thanks for the tip, I will try and avoid SAS.

Wow, what a story! So glad it worked out for you.

It was just crazy! Nothing you can do when a natural disaster hits, so you might as well laugh. During our rehersal dinner (for which there was no rehersal) the groomsmen hemed their suit pants so that they hit their calves and were "prepared for the flood with their flood pants" When our bridesmaids/groomsmen were introduced to the reception, they came out wearing hip waiters. It worked out but it still upsets me sometimes to look at the pictures.

 

[Tink1987]

the is the up to date list of those that of pm'd to sign up for fish extender.

Sonjaleigh 3a
Binkytell 2a 2c
Kris3kid 2a
Padalyn 2a
Tink1987 2a
HeatherB819 2a 1c
wickesy 2a
AashleySEG 2a
Missandrea 2a 1c
Twopeasonepod 2a 2c
Cheflawrence 2a 1c
"Yorkshire 3a
Disney fan"
Ladyshopper 1a 2c
Goofy39.3 2a 1c
Squirrel956 2a
RDDoll 2a
FarnMor 2a
Mboekhoff 2a 2c
Rayofredondo 2a
Margaretstahl 2a
Thepedersonfamily 2a 2c
Gotomu212 2a 1c
Mandygirl 2a 2c
Sumeto 3a
Wildl1021 2a
Maza 2a
OKrayslovedisney 2a
Msammon 2a 2c
Tigger2on 1a 3c
Saracat 2a
cabinfever2013 1a 3c

31 cabins in total with 62 adults and 25 children, im sure this number will rise.

how about cut-off time for signing up, 18th april does that sound reasonable?

would be so much easier if we could have a new thread with all this info on the first pages for group activities,we
would then just be able to go on edit/update.

sarah

Please excuse my ignorance on this as this is our first DCL cruise. Will this list be split into smaller groups? I'm just thinking that there is no way I can lug that many gifts over the Atlantic on our flight out to Houston

 

[kaseyC]

Don't stress! It will all work out in the end and if it makes you feel any better, hopefully, we will be with you on that flight so we would be in the same boast (or should I say ship?)


If it is the flight I think it is, It is Midway, stop over with no plane change.

So I use to be a huge stresser-I stressed about everything all the time, as a kid, my stress gave me the shingles all the time. I also happen to be a very detail oriented. So fast forward, to my wedding, I had planned a huge, black-tie affair a year in advance down to every small detail. I had it planned so that there would be no chance of drinking and driving, everything (hotel, church, reception, rehersal dinner place, bridesmaid luncheon) was all within a block of each other, one block off the river. Three days before my wedding, Tropical Storm Lee rains on New York and floods the Susquehanna River causing a manatory evac of the city of Wilkes Barre, leaving me two days to plan a whole new wedding. Everyone thought I was going to lose it but instead of stressing, I went with whatever happens, happens and shocked everyone! I got married in front of family and friends and that was all that mattered. Not one of my plans worked out, the flowers couldn't be delivered, the tux shop was flooded, our priest couldn't come (he was to busy trying to save the church), the squash which our soup was supose to be served in, wasn't delivered, we did have the table clothes, chair covers, shashes we picked out but in the end it all worked out. And I can say I got married in a church with standing room only (our 150 guests had to fit into a church that sat 40) with a priest who didn't know our names.

So I am now a changed person and when I travel, I go with the flow and hope it works out and if it doesn't, I will make do.

Wow!! That's quite an experience.

Good to know it's Midway and not O'Hare.

 

[binkytell]

Yes it will be split into groups, some people may want to participate in all groups, I will divide into groups after cutoff date

Sarah x

Please excuse my ignorance on this as this is our first DCL cruise. Will this list be split into smaller groups? I'm just thinking that there is no way I can lug that many gifts over the Atlantic on our flight out to Houston

 

[Tink1987]

Yes it will be split into groups, some people may want to participate in all groups, I will divide into groups after cutoff date

Sarah x

Thanks very much

I just couldn't stop thinking about packing that many presents - I know they won't be that big but they would take up so much space

 

[Kirbo]

Airtran connects at Chicago Midway, not O'Hare. I've never flown into or out of Midway, but I imagine it has fewer problems with delays than O'Hare.

To the person considering flying in the day of the cruise: DON'T! There is only one port stop between Galveston and Madeira (on Day 11 of the cruise), and that is at Castaway Cay - with no commercial airport. If you should "miss the boat" out of Galveston - you will miss over half the cruise.

I hadn't checked in for a while, so just stopped by to say hello....and I'm totally lost reading the last few pages of this thread. DD and I are still planning to be on board.

My only comment--do not fly in on the day of the cruise if you have ANY other options. On a "normal" cruise, it makes for a very hectic, crazy morning at best. On this cruise, there is no way. Even if it means the last flight in the evening before, you'll be thankful in the morning that you did it!

This makes me totally nervous. We booked Disney Air and now I'm worried as I'm pretty sure they'll fly us in the day of. Does anyone know what they'll do if our flight is late/cancelled?

 

[MandyGirl]

Thanks very much

I just couldn't stop thinking about packing that many presents - I know they won't be that big but they would take up so much space

Same thing for those of us post-cruise... you never know what to expect to receive, so it's hard to plan luggage space for the unknown. Especially if spending some time after the cruise on planes, trains, and other ships

I think we ended up with 6 or 7 groups of about 15ish cabins per group last on our WBTA 2011. Quite manageable then, and could participate in one or multiple groups. Super fun!

 

[Yvet]

This makes me totally nervous. We booked Disney Air and now I'm worried as I'm pretty sure they'll fly us in the day of. Does anyone know what they'll do if our flight is late/cancelled?

You will be fine!!
When booked Disney airfare then the ship waits for you like they do when an excursion is running late!!!!