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

[woody73]

So even though it says 7:15 you think DCL is just going to hang out off shore to do the fireworks? The party does not start for at least 3 hours after that.

The Magic did exactly that at Curacao on the 2005 WB PC.

We sailed a short distance from the port (international waters?). We could still see the town and its lights. The Magic had its fireworks show, and the port town had a firework show in response. Very cool!

Woody

 

[dizneyfan23]

We booked the last TA in 2007 with only 5 days to spare! You can do it!!!



Yes...as per DCL

4/12: Formal Night - Prince and Princess Theme
4/16: Villain’s Menu -- perhaps new show that night??
4/17: Transatlantic Formal Night
4/18: Pirate Night
4/22: Semi-Formal Captain’s Gala
tentative dates for Character Breakfast: 14, 15 or 16th

Ok, thank you very much.

 

[Brooklyn]

The Magic did exactly that at Curacao on the 2005 WB PC.

We sailed a short distance from the port (international waters?). We could still see the town and its lights. The Magic had its fireworks show, and the port town had a firework show in response. Very cool!

Woody

I would rather just keep sailing. I like not seeing land. I can see fireworks from land every day at Disneyland. I would rather just be further out at sea. I was never one who cared about good PR though, LOL I would also just rather it on a sea because the port days are long in themselves!

 

[bound2travel]

We booked the last TA in 2007 with only 5 days to spare! You can do it!!!



Yes...as per DCL

4/12: Formal Night - Prince and Princess Theme
4/16: Villain’s Menu -- perhaps new show that night??
4/17: Transatlantic Formal Night
4/18: Pirate Night
4/22: Semi-Formal Captain’s Gala
tentative dates for Character Breakfast: 14, 15 or 16th

Do we still want to do the dinner on the 16th as it is the Villain's Menu? Should we try for the 15th or 17th?

I've agreed to take over getting the dinner booked, but I don't know how to contact inventory control.

Kristi

 

[Brooklyn]

Do we still want to do the dinner on the 16th as it is the Villain's Menu? Should we try for the 15th or 17th?

I've agreed to take over getting the dinner booked, but I don't know how to contact inventory control.

Kristi

I would skip asking for the 16th bc of that. Most people probably want to see the new show. But if you have an early dinner then everyone can go see the late show. We are not going the group dinner anymore BUT if we were then I would prefer it not to be on a night with a show. When we do Palo dinner we always go early and then pick up the kids and head to the regular dinner with them. We usually don't order anything but just enjoy being with tablemates and our servers. So we would have to either skip the family dinner or the show if it was on a night with a show. I hope that is making sense. I feel like I am confusing myself right now! LOL

 

[dee47]

Do we still want to do the dinner on the 16th as it is the Villain's Menu? Should we try for the 15th or 17th?

I've agreed to take over getting the dinner booked, but I don't know how to contact inventory control.

Kristi

PMing you the info now. I'm out of town so falling behind on everything.

 

[woody73]

I was never one who cared about good PR though, LOL

Another thing DCL did was have Mickey visit local Childrens Hospitals. This was covered by the local media.

Part PR, part goodwill.

Woody

 

[Brooklyn]

Another thing DCL did was have Mickey visit local Childrens Hospitals. This was covered by the local media.

Part PR, part goodwill.

Woody

Disney does that a lot. They did that throughout the TA too.

 

[woody73]

I would also just rather it on a sea because the port days are long in themselves!

I heard that on prior Med cruises, the port days were particularly long, with 10 and 11 hour excursions. Ouch!

Woody

 

[dizmomof2]

Hi there everyone,
Our concern is direct flights. We know our Toronto to Orlando will be direct, but our concern is Barcelona to Toronto. Its my gut feeling that there is no direct flights and that we will be connecting. Thats OK, but when travelling with a 2 year old we would like to know where and how long of a stop over we'll have?

Alex

So far I have not found any airline that flies directly to Toronto from Barcelona at that time of year. I've checked all the biggies and a few charters and we always have a stop over. Some aren't long though (a couple of hours for the most part) but there are a couple with as little as one hour. One hour is good. Last time we had 40 minutes the plane was right on time but we still ended up running through the terminal as they were calling that they were closing the doors to our next flight!

I hope you get lucky and they find a direct flight for you!

 

[katypop]

Hi there everyone,
Were starting getting everything in order for this cruise. DW (Michelle) took in our passport renewals yesterday. Next is getting money! We've been watching the Euro lately and it seems to be dropping We just cannot decide how much we should bring (like its free).
Were a little frustrated with our TA and DCL though, we cannot seem to get any info regarding our flights. We keep getting the standard answer of they do not release that info until 45 days out. Our concern is direct flights. We know our Toronto to Orlando will be direct, but our concern is Barcelona to Toronto. Its my gut feeling that there is no direct flights and that we will be connecting. Thats OK, but when travelling with a 2 year old we would like to know where and how long of a stop over we'll have?
I'm trying to stay more connect with this thread now that were getting closer. Hope your all having a great weekend

Alex

I'm also flying out of TO and feeling a little frustrated I'm flying home on the 24th though.First time I haven't booked the flights myself, wondering if I'm going to pay for that awesome rate I got when there was a glitch the first day of booking

 

[woody73]

I'm also flying out of TO and feeling a little frustrated. I'm flying home on the 24th though.First time I haven't booked the flights myself, wondering if I'm going to pay for that awesome rate I got when there was a glitch the first day of booking

I doubt that the people arranging flights care what someone paid.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Woody

 

[katypop]

I doubt that the people arranging flights care what someone paid.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

Woody

I hope you're right! Thanks Woody

 

[annekevdbroek]

Howdy - Just dropping in to introduce myself. We just booked for the TA in April. I have to work on the logisitics of our flights into MCO and then out of Barcelona to Seville so we can fly home.

Can anyone tell me what time boarding starts and ends on the first day, and approximately how long it takes to get from the airport to the port? I have the choice of a few flight times and would like to possibly avoid the 5:30am flight in favor of one a bit later in the morning....

Any idea how much a taxi costs to the port? I checked on car services and they seem to run around $115 or so. We won't be using a rental car as we don't want to mess with lugging carseats with us on this trip. Any other recommedations or tips on handling that aspect of transportation?

Why do people bring bottled water on board? Is it hard to get water? Is the tap water in the rooms not safe to drink? Just curious because we've never done a cruise before and it would never have occured to me to bring water.

Our 3 year old is close to potty training (3 pees in the potty today!). As I understand it, if kids are still in daipers they ahve to go to Flounder's Nursery, rather than the other kids club. Is this correct? How much does Flounder's cost. (I am really hoping this is a non-issue by April.)

We are:
Anneke
Jeff
Spencer (6 1/2)
Emmett (3)

We spent 3 weeks in Southern Spain this August - including Cadiz, Seville, and Gibralter. If you have any questions about things to do I am happy to try to answer questions.

Is it too late to sign - up for FE and lanyards? Secret Mickey?

 

[woody73]

We just booked for the TA in April.

Welcome.

Woody

 

[Brooklyn]

annekevdbroek

 

[kcashner]

Welcome!

I'll work on some of your questions....
The port area opens at 10 to incoming traffic, the terminal opens for check in about 15 minutes later. This depends on the disembarkation from the previous cruise going smoothly. Boarding the ship starts about 11:45, and you MUST be on board by 3:45. The standard taxi rate to the port is about $150 although I've known of some cabs going the other direction to negotiate for a fixed fare of $80. You are right that a towncar service is about $100-$120. A rental car about $40-50 for a full size vehicle. Car seats are $12 each from Budget. So...you're looking at $140 for DCL transfers, $120 for a towncar service, or about $75+ tolls and gas for a one way rental.

The drive from MCO to the port is about 45 minutes. Of course you need to factor in getting luggage, getting rental car (or meeting car service driver), dropping off car, etc. If you do rent a car, sign up for the "frequent renter" program for the company--it will save you a lot of time!

You are correct that a child must be fully potty trained to participate in the Oceaneer's Club. This means that they can handle the going as well as the clothes and hand washing. Children who are not trained may play there with parents, but can only be left in the nursery. It was $6 per hour the last time I checked, and you can reserve 35 hours in advance....possibly add more after boarding if desired. Suggestion--DS MUST use the potty before you drop him off at the Oceaneer's Club. About 90 minutes later, you go down to see how he's doing and take him to the potty again. Repeat as needed. Thus, YOU are helping him to succeed. Kids are allowed to wear pull ups late at night, but not during the day.

IMHO, people bring water on board because they like to spend money or are fixated on bottled water. The ship's water is both distilled and then filtered. It tastes good. I bring one empty water bottle and refill it from the ship's taps for excursions.

To answer the question of a few pages back, I've been to Europe a couple times, but never to Spain. I finished my graduation requirements a couple months early, so did an 11 week backpack/hostel/Eurail pass trip many many years ago....then a trip to Amsterdam with DD a couple years ago. I'm sailing solo as DD is now in college. What else was I supposed to answer?

I'll be out of town for a week in February, THEN I can start thinking about April...well, not totally. I've done the hotel/plane/etc. stuff already. I just can't get too into it till I get the February school finished.

 

[mommyto3princesses]

wondering if I'm going to pay for that awesome rate I got when there was a glitch the first day of booking

Was there a glitch on the first day of booking? I vaguely remember being quoted a rate that I thought was too good to be true, but I didn't book it because we were considering going to Paris.

Brooklyn, thanks for the Delta tip. I know there are a lot of great rates for LAX, so I'll just have to shop around.

Welcome to all who have joined!

QOTD: Have you been to Europe or is this your first time?

I've been to France, Italy, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and Monaco.

 

[Brooklyn]

IMHO, people bring water on board because they like to spend money or are fixated on bottled water.

Why would you say that? I know you are quick to give your opinion but why would you call people out like that??? Not that I feel like I have to defend my decision on bringing bottled water but I will...

I choose to bring bottled water because it is more convient for us. I also prefer the taste. The main reason however is because we have a daughter who has problems with her immune system. Especially in ports we can't wait the chance of her drinking anything that could be a problem.

I also don't think that the WHOLE $4 I spend on a case of water qualifies as "liking to spend money".

 

[Dishy24]

Why would you say that? I know you are quick to give your opinion but why would you call people out like that??? Not that I feel like I have to defend my decision on bringing bottled water but I will...

I choose to bring bottled water because it is more convient for us. I also prefer the taste. The main reason however is because we have a daughter who has problems with her immune system. Especially in ports we can't wait the chance of her drinking anything that could be a problem.

I also don't think that the WHOLE $4 I spend on a case of water qualifies as "liking to spend money".

Plus, a case of water on the ship is like $25 if not more... I'd rather spend that money on other stuff... not bottled water!