4/10/2010 eb ta "bound for barcelona"

[Dishy24]

My DB and DSIL got married there. It's their favorite place. (I didn't get invited)

They didn't invite you? So what does the "D" stand for for them?

 

[kumquat88]

Thanks to everyone for sharing your past TA experiences with regards to dealing (or not, in some cases) with the change in time zones. I think I've been convinced to change our dining from MAIN to LATE.

Kumquat88, we are in the same "boat" as you! We had hoped this would overlap spring break when we booked it. Unfortunately, it doesn't. So, our 8 y.o. will miss 2 weeks of 3rd grade. We figure this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience (except for brooklyn and others here, for which it is a once-in-a-lifetime-at that age experience... <g>). And we know he will learn a lot from the trip -- and have fun!

Yup, we will be instituting "homework/study" time on the cruise for the kids so they can keep up their school work. Totally agree that this is a great opportunity for the kids to open their eyes and experience some new, exotic locations, sights and culture.

Hey, they might even be able to meet and befriend some current/future Ivy Leaguers on the cruise!

 

[emma'smom]

Ok...for those of you with children who are planning on making this voyage a learning experience (and hence a very good reason to be missing school--just like my dd7 and dd5 =)--- I've started looking for a few good books that will be relevant.

This is vacation---so I'm mostly all about a fun family time, but still a good time to learn---so maybe we can think of fun learning opportunities that our kids might be working on. My dd7 will be keeping a journal and working on a photo journal. Also, I'd like to think about some fun language and geography activities (that might also incorporate math skills). I figure with temperature/time changes we can think about some basic concepts---but something more engaging related to ocean travel would be neat too.

I did a Barnes and Noble Search and found some interesting books. I've noted their recommended age ranges. I might order a few from our library to see if they are interesting.

Here they are:
Salvador Dali by Adam Klein (4-8)

Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudí by Rachel Victoria Rodriguez (5-8)

Isabel Saves the Prince: Based on a True Story of Isabel I of Spain by Joan Holub (6-8)

Diego VeláZquez (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists Series) by Mike Venezia (8-9)

Spain or Shine (S.A.S.S. Series #3) by Michelle Jellen (Pre-Teen)

Kids During the Age of Exploration by Cynthia MacGregor, C. MacGregor (8-11)

Let's Visit Spain by Susie Brooks (8-12)

Shadow of a Bull by Maia Wojciechowska (young adult-seems like a classic)

Little Matador by Julian Hector, Julian Hector (Illustrator) (4-8)

Tapicero Tap Tap by Warabe Aska (6-8)

Three Golden Oranges by Alma Flor Ada (5-8)

You Wouldn't Want to Sail in the Spanish Armada!: An Invasion You'd Rather Not Launch by John Malam (7-10)

 

[disneymum2201]

Any suggestions for 1st time WDW visitors during one of the busiest times of the year.

 

[stlkeeler]

They didn't invite you? So what does the "D" stand for for them?

Dumb? Dizzy? Dopey? any others?

 

[goofprincess]

Glad I'll have my itouch ipod with me on the cruise. I am so addicted to the farming games on FB. At least I'll have some different types of games on my ipod. I'm going to have to time out my crops when it gets closer so that I can leave my farms fallow and sell all my fish before the cruise. I spend WAY too much time on FB.

Kristi

Oh DH and I FB alot. I farm and he cooks. We are on vacation now in Maui and we gave the laptop. Planting three day crops etc. Internet so so slow


Looking forward to meeting you.

WELCOME to new cruisers!!

 

[goofprincess]

Play Bejeweled 2 and Book Worm nearly every night before bed.

And here I am on vacation in Paradise and am checking in on the cruises before bed.

Glad to have new folks - WELCOME

and glad the rest of you haven't gotten mad and left us.

Went for a 2-hour ATV ride today at Kualoa Ranch on the Windward side of Oahu; so much fun. Saw filming locations and beautiful mountain and ocean views. Looking forward to DCL coming here after the new DVC opens. Waves on the North Shore were foamy white.

Lynne I'm here on Maui doing same thing. Now I've got Tony is playing bejeweled 2!!!! Saw whales from afar today. Internet slow but still can't live without it.

 

[Beauty & the Best]

The only real complaint I would tell someone about the EB TA is the time changes. They really take a toll on you. Each day just starts later and later. A part of me wishes DCL just did the 6 hours on the 1st sea and then be done with time changes but I know that can't happen.

You know, I haven't really thought about that - maybe I'll just start getting up earlier for a few days to have like 2 days where I'm feeling tired so I can catch up.

I am a little stiff this morning. The deer did not make it. The average cost for a car - deer crash in Michigan is $2900.00 Mine was almost double that.
T

Oh my gosh! That's terrible. I'm glad you are okay.

OK...here's my first stab at a tentative clothing packing list. Any suggestions? Any glaring things missing? Note-- I did not put in a dress (maybe I should). I'm not really a very "dressy" person (I teach at a college, so even my "work" wardrobe is somewhat casual). Also, I was trying to think of the mix/match options and thought a dressy skirt would give me more options than a dress. I also left out the underwear and night clothes because they are just a given.

2 Pairs of Casual Pants
2 Capris
1 Dressy Pants
1 Formal Skirt
1 Casual Skirt
1 Shorts
4 Short Sleeve T-Shirt
4 Long Sleeve T-Shirts
2 Formal tops
1 Bathing Suit
1 Light Jacket
1 Sweater/Sweatshirt
1 Walking Shoes
1 Flip Flops
1 Dress Shoes
1 Casual Shoes

I would bring another sweater but that's all. Maybe you could just wear/bring it on the plane so you don't have to pack it.

Lynne - I am glad you are having a great time in Hawaii. We went there on our Honeymoon 43 years ago! We are hoping Disney will do the islands because we want to go back.

We had our honeymoon there too!

Any suggestions for 1st time WDW visitors during one of the busiest times of the year.

Try to get up early & make it to the parks for rope drop/park opening. If you're not doing Extra Magic Hours, avoid the EMH parks. Use fastpasses whenever you can. And if you want to eat in the sit-down restaurants, make advance reservations (they are available now.)
There is also a lot of great advice on the Theme Park Attractions & Strategies page

 

[grlzmom]

Ok...for those of you with children who are planning on making this voyage a learning experience (and hence a very good reason to be missing school--just like my dd7 and dd5 =)--- I've started looking for a few good books that will be relevant.

This is vacation---so I'm mostly all about a fun family time, but still a good time to learn---so maybe we can think of fun learning opportunities that our kids might be working on. My dd7 will be keeping a journal and working on a photo journal. Also, I'd like to think about some fun language and geography activities (that might also incorporate math skills). I figure with temperature/time changes we can think about some basic concepts---but something more engaging related to ocean travel would be neat too.

I did a Barnes and Noble Search and found some interesting books. I've noted their recommended age ranges. I might order a few from our library to see if they are interesting.

Thanks for the book list! My kids schools said no makeup work, but dd8, dd7 and ds7 will be journaling so they can reflect on it later The books look interesting and we will check them out!

 

[dee47]

FYI Aer Lingus emailed me that the 10:45 flight now leaves at 10:50.

 

[Michelle2]

Went for a 2-hour ATV ride today at Kualoa Ranch on the Windward side of Oahu; so much fun. Saw filming locations and beautiful mountain and ocean views. Looking forward to DCL coming here after the new DVC opens. Waves on the North Shore were foamy white.

I did that! It was way back in 2000 or 2001, but we did that exact same tour....loved it!!! Probably one of my favorite memories of Oahu!

P.S. Michelle, I ~love~ your trip reports from the last EB TA!!

I was looking back through it and realized that I hadn't added as many pictures to it that I meant to afterwards.... Thanks so much, it was fun to do, and is a good momento to look back on.

 

[bound2travel]

Hi there---So I spoke with concierge again and have pulled our reservation...
I'm sorry but this is taking up more time than I currently have. My 3 year old is begging for attention as I type this...

Anyway, if someone from the Palo Pals group would like to be in charge and rebook this for a table in the dining room, please PM me. I will send you the list of those interested in dining together.

I'm sorry that I don't have extra time right now for rescheduling this if there are any more cancellations/changes.

Thanks!

Off to play with my 3 year old....

I may end up regretting putting something else on my plate, but as I am using a TA, I'll make her do the work -

Send me the information and I'll have my TA get us a table. Is this the brunch or dinner group?

So if there is ANYONE else who would like to join in that hasn't already - please let me know asap.

Kristi

 

[Brooklyn]

I may end up regretting putting something else on my plate, but as I am using a TA, I'll make her do the work -

Send me the information and I'll have my TA get us a table. Is this the brunch or dinner group?

So if there is ANYONE else who would like to join in that hasn't already - please let me know asap.

Kristi

Not sure if travel agent would help with this. BUT it is super simple. All you have to do is fax a form to inventory control with names and reservation #'s. Closer to the cruise someone will call or email you to confirm. Then on the first day you reconfirm at Rockin Bar D.

 

[thossink]

.

Went for a 2-hour ATV ride today at Kualoa Ranch on the Windward side of Oahu; so much fun. Saw filming locations and beautiful mountain and ocean views. Looking forward to DCL coming here after the new DVC opens. Waves on the North Shore were foamy white.

Our favorite was renting mopeds and spending the day driving around Honolulu and the hills to the north.

T

 

[mommyto3princesses]

I may end up regretting putting something else on my plate, but as I am using a TA, I'll make her do the work -

Send me the information and I'll have my TA get us a table. Is this the brunch or dinner group?

So if there is ANYONE else who would like to join in that hasn't already - please let me know asap.

Kristi

Thanks, Kristi! You Rock! I was starting to worry and feel bad for this group...

I will forward the info as soon as I get back from pick up.

 

[bound2travel]

Not sure if travel agent would help with this. BUT it is super simple. All you have to do is fax a form to inventory control with names and reservation #'s. Closer to the cruise someone will call or email you to confirm. Then on the first day you reconfirm at Rockin Bar D.

Where do I get this form to fax to inventory control?

Kristi

 

[disneymum2201]

joius24, We're on a 9:20 BA flight on the 24th...we'll be up and out early.

Well be on the same BA flight as you. Our flight for Sydney doesnt leave till 10pm from Heathrow so we are going to get the heathrow express train to London and have fun on the hop on and off bus

 

[dee47]

Where do I get this form to fax to inventory control?

Kristi

Kristi, I can PM you the info or I can just do it. I did it for brunch so dinner is not a problem. Let me know.

 

[sdlong329]

Any suggestions for 1st time WDW visitors during one of the busiest times of the year.

Stay within WDW. Each park will either open early or close late for those that stay within WDW. This is called extended hours and guest services can give you the calander which will show which park is open when. The other suggestion would be to utilize the Fast Pass system when possible if the lines are too long stand in one and by the time you are done you go right through on the ride that you Fast Passed. Enjoy and have fun!

 

[mommyto3princesses]

Well be on the same BA flight as you. Our flight for Sydney doesnt leave till 10pm from Heathrow so we are going to get the heathrow express train to London and have fun on the hop on and off bus

How fun that you get some time in London. It's nice to know that we're not the only ones on that early flight.