May 18, 2013 Magic EBTA Part Two - From Tejas to España

[bobbiwoz]

We are using Barcelona Day tours for out trip from the ship to the Hesperia Tower Hotel.

On Viator, it is the North-South route.

We are contacting Barcelona Day Tours. Do you plan to use them for any car touring?

 

[p17blo]

Unfortunately, some folks book them as they are a bit larger to accommodate a wheelchair . This is a pet peeve of mine. I have zero issue with DCL using them at the last minute and assigning them to folks, but I think it's unconscionable that some people book them w/o needing them.

I booked my mom into one for the Med portion of our trip. She's just finished up a heavy series of cancer treatments and we were worried she'd be in a wheelchair. I was shocked that they didn't need any doctor's note for it (which I would gladly provide).

Definitely sounds like Disney Customer Service allowing people to take advantage - Hmm, that makes me a little mad also - I am sure we could abuse that service and hospitality if we put our minds to it.

It would seem to make more sense to release them after PIF around the time that IGT, OGT and VGT cabins go on sale, potentially selling them higher than ticket price for those just wanted a bigger room.

 

[MandyGirl]

What's the deal with booking HA rooms? I was tabled with a couple on their honeymoon who had a HA room, but without any need for such a room. I know there is a note on the site about possibly having to prove you need such a room, but I just get the feeling it's a free for all.

Some are folks that are assigned HA when booking gty rooms and dcl does cabin assignments closer to sail date. Even some will call and say they would rather have a non HA cabin to save for someone in need... DCL has been known to leave them in the ha cabin. At a certain point DCL assumes they won't be booked but can always move the gty bookings.

Others are folks who book HA anyway for the larger balcony or space... With no physical or mental need. A doctors note is no longer required. I think around 2009 and privacy act? Same thing with asking for pre boarding on an airline. Anyone can legally ask and not be denied. It all comes down to the individual integrity of passengers making the booking... Some just have no regard for the people who truly need a HA cabin. someone on our 2014 WBTA is hoping for a ha cabin to open up.... Over a year in advance. Only concierge level left.

And then there are those with a true need.

 

[birkner]

We are contacting Barcelona Day Tours. Do you plan to use them for any car touring?

We used them in 2010 for car service and a flamenco dinner. This time we are doing a photography class, a cooking class and the hop/on hop off bus before we go to DLP on Sunday night.

 

[MandyGirl]

Should clarify the above post - the lady on our WBTA 2014 that mentioned needing a HA cabin is because her daughter needs it. Can't book regular (non HA) cabins. No HA cabins are available for that sailing except for concierge level... over a year in advance (she mentioned this in April 2013 and cruise is September 2014). So either we have lots doing the crossing from Barcelona to San Juan have a true legitimate need for a HA room, or they have booked them for the additional space or larger balconies.

 

[birkner]

Should clarify the above post - the lady on our WBTA 2014 that mentioned needing a HA cabin is because her daughter needs it. Can't book regular (non HA) cabins. No HA cabins are available for that sailing except for concierge level... over a year in advance (she mentioned this in April 2013 and cruise is September 2014). So either we have lots doing the crossing from Barcelona to San Juan have a true legitimate need for a HA room, or they have booked them for the additional space or larger balconies.

John and I were assigned a HA room from GTY. When I called DCL to inquire, I was told if I wanted to cancel and rebook the room, I could but if not, this is my room assignment. We did not ask for or need a HA room.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We used them in 2010 for car service and a flamenco dinner. This time we are doing a photography class, a cooking class and the hop/on hop off bus before we go to DLP on Sunday night.

Did you enjoy the dinner? I see it is an option.
Thank you,
Bobbi

 

[birkner]

Did you enjoy the dinner? I see it is an option.
Thank you,
Bobbi

Yes, very much. We did it with three other DIS couples. Food was good, show and seating were excellent.

I will look to see if I have an pics and post them.

 

[birkner]

Calling all Champagne Girls

I have sent off an addendum to the final list to see if we could add one more person which brings us to 31.

Does anyone need tiaras or pink feather boas? I have a few extra that I will bring if people let me know either here or by PM.

I will also post this on the DIS Board.

 

[twopeasonepod]

Calling all Champagne Girls

I have sent off an addendum to the final list to see if we could add one more person which brings us to 31.

Does anyone need tiaras or pink feather boas? I have a few extra that I will bring if people let me know either here or by PM.

I will also post this on the DIS Board.

Hi Noel!

I don't have a tiara or boa, just a pink t-shirt. I don't *need* them, but if you are bringing them anyway, I'd be happy to wear one for the celebration!

 

[twopeasonepod]

Some are folks that are assigned HA when booking gty rooms and dcl does cabin assignments closer to sail date. Even some will call and say they would rather have a non HA cabin to save for someone in need... DCL has been known to leave them in the ha cabin. At a certain point DCL assumes they won't be booked but can always move the gty bookings.

Others are folks who book HA anyway for the larger balcony or space... With no physical or mental need. A doctors note is no longer required. I think around 2009 and privacy act? Same thing with asking for pre boarding on an airline. Anyone can legally ask and not be denied. It all comes down to the individual integrity of passengers making the booking... Some just have no regard for the people who truly need a HA cabin. someone on our 2014 WBTA is hoping for a ha cabin to open up.... Over a year in advance. Only concierge level left.

And then there are those with a true need.

This part is why I can truly say that I love my job, because I (mostly) work with kids and they are way way way way less self-serving and jaded than those adults who cannot put others' true needs before theirs.

I hope your fellow WBTA traveler gets one!

 

[hmhaase]

Calling all Champagne Girls

I have sent off an addendum to the final list to see if we could add one more person which brings us to 31.

Does anyone need tiaras or pink feather boas? I have a few extra that I will bring if people let me know either here or by PM.

I will also post this on the DIS Board.

I would definitely wear one if you are bringing extras!! Thanks!

 

[MandyGirl]

John and I were assigned a HA room from GTY. When I called DCL to inquire, I was told if I wanted to cancel and rebook the room, I could but if not, this is my room assignment. We did not ask for or need a HA room.

I remember you sharing that previously. That would be the scenario in a prior post I made above:

Some are folks that are assigned HA when booking gty rooms and dcl does cabin assignments closer to sail date. Even some will call and say they would rather have a non HA cabin to save for someone in need... DCL has been known to leave them in the ha cabin. At a certain point DCL assumes they won't be booked but can always move the gty bookings.

 

[birkner]

Hi Noel!

I don't have a tiara or boa, just a pink t-shirt. I don't *need* them, but if you are bringing them anyway, I'd be happy to wear one for the celebration!

I will be sure to bring them!

 

[Kirbo]

I hope your fellow WBTA traveler gets one!

Agreed

 

[bobbiwoz]

Yes, very much. We did it with three other DIS couples. Food was good, show and seating were excellent.

I will look to see if I have an pics and post them.

That's great!

Are there any Dis'ers out there who would like to do the dinner? I am thinking June 1, but would also consider June 2?

http://www.barcelonadaytours.com/best-flamenco-in-barcelona/

Bobbi

 

[MandyGirl]

Just a reminder with packing... most people signing up for name badges clicked "no pouch needed, only the printed badge". Please be sure you are bringing your badge holder if so (or using the one DCL is providing). If you have any extras, we might be five short of the box of 50 I purchased if my counting is right.

My plan is to tear apart the names Beverly printed, and place each "group" into a ziploc baggie to distribute. If denoted a badge holder is needed, then badge holder will be included. If denoted NO badge holder is needed, then only your front/back name tags for your group will be in the ziploc baggie.

These will be distributed on embarkation date at 3:00 meet-and-greet in Promenade Lounge. For anyone running late, I will have them with me again at PJ Breakfast the following morning.

I will have:
60 baggies
50 pouches (need 5 more if anyone has extras to bring please)

 

[MissAndrea]

Just a reminder with packing... most people signing up for name badges clicked "no pouch needed, only the printed badge". Please be sure you are bringing your badge holder if so (or using the one DCL is providing). If you have any extras, we might be five short of the box of 50 I purchased if my counting is right.

My plan is to tear apart the names Beverly printed, and place each "group" into a ziploc baggie to distribute. If denoted a badge holder is needed, then badge holder will be included. If denoted NO badge holder is needed, then only your front/back name tags for your group will be in the ziploc baggie.

These will be distributed on embarkation date at 3:00 meet-and-greet in Promenade Lounge. For anyone running late, I will have them with me again at PJ Breakfast the following morning.

I will have:
60 baggies
50 pouches (need 5 more if anyone has extras to bring please)

Do you have me down for pouches? I was going to try to find zippered ones but never found any. Ebay had them for $4.95 each! No way at that price. So I just want to make sure we are still on the list. Should just be for DD and me.

 

[MandyGirl]

Do you have me down for pouches? I was going to try to find zippered ones but never found any. Ebay had them for $4.95 each! No way at that price. So I just want to make sure we are still on the list. Should just be for DD and me.

Plain unzippered pouches - yes - you and DD I had to buy a box of 50 so that's why it is tight on the count.

 

[gonecrusin]

Just a reminder with packing... most people signing up for name badges clicked "no pouch needed, only the printed badge". Please be sure you are bringing your badge holder if so (or using the one DCL is providing). If you have any extras, we might be five short of the box of 50 I purchased if my counting is right.

My plan is to tear apart the names Beverly printed, and place each "group" into a ziploc baggie to distribute. If denoted a badge holder is needed, then badge holder will be included. If denoted NO badge holder is needed, then only your front/back name tags for your group will be in the ziploc baggie.

These will be distributed on embarkation date at 3:00 meet-and-greet in Promenade Lounge. For anyone running late, I will have them with me again at PJ Breakfast the following morning.

I will have:
60 baggies
50 pouches (need 5 more if anyone has extras to bring please)

Don't know if I told you or not but I have pouches for the three of us and can probably be able to find extras.