7/18/2010 Mickey's Baltic Ballyhoo!! Part 4

[Andrew DEREK UK]

If wanting to do London cheap, think of staying just outside the capital, the prices are high in the west end etc, but places that are only 15 mins by train will be cheaper.

Any example 'Croydon' its just up from Gatwick, on the train, there is a fast service to London that takes 17 mins every 10 mins. but the hotels will be cheaper and its safe. And for sightseeing you would get a oyster travelcard so if purchased at Cryodon that jouney into the city is included,

That also connects to London bridge or victoria for Dover, or cheaper via M25 M20 to drive or get a private transfer.

Other places such as Finchley Woodford, etc have good safe bed and breakfasts, but you would have to use the tube, worth doing your homework

 

[MrsScooby]

There are a few places that will accomodate 5...I have been researching like mad and found a budget b+b for 70 pounds a night for a family room. There are others as well,ranging from budget to luxury. I posted a link a few posts back about the London toolkit. It has lots of information about hotels, busses, transfers, the tube everything. Just click around the site.

If you are looking for a cheap, clean place that is well situated and has decent reviews, we are staying at the Kensington Court Hotel Bayswater. I have it booked for 7 nights July 18-25, so it won't conflict with you guys! There are also other places around that are slightly nicer.

You don't have to have 2 hotel rooms if you do some research and book far out. Then check reviews online, google maps to see how you like the location.

I like the one I booked because its really close to the tube. Also, check out Dot to Dot, which is a airport to hotel transfer service that is quite economical for larger groups. It operates sort of like the disney shuttles, hotel to hotel in a small bus.

You guys are a great group...I wish I was on this cruise, but I'll be getting off as you are getting on!

Lurking on your site for info...

Thanks for the info
If you get a chance to post on the DIS while on the Magic that would be great

This is most likely where we will be staying: http://www.parkplaza.com/londonuk_victoria
On their website right now you can only book thru the end of May 2010.

We had a superior room with a king bed and rollaway and there was plenty of room for all of us. It was the biggest hotel room we've staying in in London and that included a suite at one of the Marriott's a few years ago.

It looks and sounds wonderful
Just trying to talk DH into spending the money there is not easy-he wants to wait and see what airfare is going to cost us. Right now airfare is very low, but it could change very quickly. How fast do these hotels book up ?
Can we wait to see what airfare is going to cost before booking ?
For us we have at most 2 days to see London so spending more to stay closer may be the best for us (Plus only 2 nights to pay for)

 

[MrsScooby]

If wanting to do London cheap, think of staying just outside the capital, the prices are high in the west end etc, but places that are only 15 mins by train will be cheaper.

Any example 'Croydon' its just up from Gatwick, on the train, there is a fast service to London that takes 17 mins every 10 mins. but the hotels will be cheaper and its safe. And for sightseeing you would get a oyster travelcard so if purchased at Cryodon that jouney into the city is included,

That also connects to London bridge or victoria for Dover, or cheaper via M25 M20 to drive or get a private transfer.

Other places such as Finchley Woodford, etc have good safe bed and breakfasts, but you would have to use the tube, worth doing your homework

My DH says he wants to do London cheap, but he hates planning vacations and leaves the decisions to me-plus I get his critique during the trip
I have heard that your public transport is much easier than ours and I am looking forward to see as much of the highlights (typical tourist spots) as possible

 

[jilljill]

It looks and sounds wonderful
Just trying to talk DH into spending the money there is not easy-he wants to wait and see what airfare is going to cost us. Right now airfare is very low, but it could change very quickly. How fast do these hotels book up ?
Can we wait to see what airfare is going to cost before booking ?
For us we have at most 2 days to see London so spending more to stay closer may be the best for us (Plus only 2 nights to pay for)

Laurie, I booked our hotel out pretty far, but knowing that I could cancel at any time. I know the rates did go up the closer it got to being there. Plus London in July is pretty popular and places will book up, especially is you just want to nites in the city that will be Fri & Sat night.
I think we paid £115 for the night and that included VAT (tax) and breakfast.


I had also booked a room in Dover almost a year out and by the time I cancelled the room the price had doubled. We weren't sure where we wanted to stay so I booked both places knowing full well I could cancel with no penalty.

 

[RJAYL]

Oh my. We can't afford the Park Plaza, but it looks nice. For a 2 bedroom suite in November the cost is 430 pounds.

Sigh. Wish we could! But we need the London part as cheap as possible so we can afford all the excursions. Looking at some pricing from NCL, looks like we need at least $1000 a port.

How did you get the rate for the suite?

If you are a AAA member put it in the price code as it came in cheaper than the lowest rate.

 

[RJAYL]

Happy Saturday

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

My DH says he wants to do London cheap, but he hates planning vacations and leaves the decisions to me-plus I get his critique during the trip
I have heard that your public transport is much easier than ours and I am looking forward to see as much of the highlights (typical tourist spots) as possible

Whilst we might knock it a bit our public transport is very very good indeed, with buses, tube, trains and even boats included, you can use the oyster card ot get aorund and buy a day travelcard or weekly travelcard, that covers nearly everything, from a long way out on zone 6 cards.

Worth considering what you want to do, money could be saved on hotel costs if you stay out a little and commute in on fast trains, its up to you and your budget.

 

[jilljill]

Andrew we love the public transit system in London. We've always done the travel cards, since that's what we are used to. I think that using an Oyster card for some of us might be confusing, me included. At the end of your visit can't you turn your Oyster card back in to get a deposit refunded to you, or am I not remembering that part correctly?

 

[jilljill]

Happy Saturday

Last Saturday before school is out.

 

[MrsScooby]

Laurie, I booked our hotel out pretty far, but knowing that I could cancel at any time. I know the rates did go up the closer it got to being there. Plus London in July is pretty popular and places will book up, especially is you just want to nites in the city that will be Fri & Sat night.
I think we paid £115 for the night and that included VAT (tax) and breakfast.


I had also booked a room in Dover almost a year out and by the time I cancelled the room the price had doubled. We weren't sure where we wanted to stay so I booked both places knowing full well I could cancel with no penalty.

Thanks, I was looking through their website trying to find their cancelation policy-but my computer keeps freezing up on me
If we can cancel with no penalty we will book as soon as available.
Darren found airfare to Heathrow for $400 roundtrip for this July-hope it stays that low.

How did you get the rate for the suite?

If you are a AAA member put it in the price code as it came in cheaper than the lowest rate.

ooh, forgot about AAA rates
Thanks

Whilst we might knock it a bit our public transport is very very good indeed, with buses, tube, trains and even boats included, you can use the oyster card ot get aorund and buy a day travelcard or weekly travelcard, that covers nearly everything, from a long way out on zone 6 cards.

Worth considering what you want to do, money could be saved on hotel costs if you stay out a little and commute in on fast trains, its up to you and your budget.

Yes, my DH would prefer to spend as little as possible
We will probably be looking at a range of hotels and then researching until we find something we are both comfortable with

Really appreciate all the info and advice

 

[jilljill]

Thanks, I was looking through their website trying to find their cancelation policy-but my computer keeps freezing up on me
If we can cancel with no penalty we will book as soon as available.
Darren found airfare to Heathrow for $400 roundtrip for this July-hope it stays that low.

I really have to question that airfare he found, did it include all taxes and fees? We've never paid a fare that low to London, even when flying in the winter. I keep getting emails for low fares, until you look at it and add in the taxes and fees it can take it to well over $700/person.

 

[MrsScooby]

I really have to question that airfare he found, did it include all taxes and fees? We've never paid a fare that low to London, even when flying in the winter. I keep getting emails for low fares, until you look at it and add in the taxes and fees it can take it to well over $700/person.

Ooops, just asked him and he said no, it didn't include taxes and that it was $600 total

He was just making a big deal yesterday how it was only $400- I just assumed he meant total price

It was Virgin Atlantic airlines- we used Virgin America last August and liked it alot, so will probably fly with them again if we can.

 

[jilljill]

Ooops, just asked him and he said no, it didn't include taxes and that it was $600 total

He was just making a big deal yesterday how it was only $400- I just assumed he meant total price

It was Virgin Atlantic airlines- we used Virgin America last August and liked it alot, so will probably fly with them again if we can.

Leave it to a man to make a mistake like that. (Robert, you knew that comment was coming.)
For right now that's a great price. We haven't paid that rate for July in a long time. Last summer we paid $1000/ticket, fortunately we only had to pay out of pocket for 1 ticket the other 2 tickets were 'bought' using our timeshare points. But then Philly is usually higher than NYC or Washington areas. I'm also picky on my flight times and always take the early flight over and late flight back. USAirways has a flight to London but it got in too late for me, didn't want to arrive at 10:30am when we could get there at 6am - it's worth the price difference for me to get the extra hours when only spending a day or 2 in the city. We were checked into our hotel and in our room at 9am and out the door touring at 10:15am.

 

[RJAYL]

Last Saturday before school is out.

You would have to mention that!

 

[MrsScooby]

Leave it to a man to make a mistake like that. (Robert, you knew that comment was coming.)
For right now that's a great price. We haven't paid that rate for July in a long time. Last summer we paid $1000/ticket, fortunately we only had to pay out of pocket for 1 ticket the other 2 tickets were 'bought' using our timeshare points. But then Philly is usually higher than NYC or Washington areas. I'm also picky on my flight times and always take the early flight over and late flight back. USAirways has a flight to London but it got in too late for me, didn't want to arrive at 10:30am when we could get there at 6am - it's worth the price difference for me to get the extra hours when only spending a day or 2 in the city. We were checked into our hotel and in our room at 9am and out the door touring at 10:15am.

I was wondering how early you could check in
You weren't tired from jetlag
I remember reading about someone who thought they could get by with sleeping on the plane and wound up nodding off in a theatre the first day in London.
I figured we would play it by ear for the first day and leave the majority of the walking for our second

 

[RJAYL]

I was wondering how early you could check in
You weren't tired from jetlag
I remember reading about someone who thought they could get by with sleeping on the plane and wound up nodding off in a theatre the first day in London.
I figured we would play it by ear for the first day and leave the majority of the walking for our second

When we flew over for the Med cruise in 2007 to Paris I did not sleep a wink on the red eye & neither did my DW or 2 youngest!

We checked in at DLP for 5 day's in the Castle Club & the room was not ready untill 4!

We walke around DLP like zombies for the day untill the room was ready! It was not fun especially with my kids!

I am planning on taking the morning (7AM out of Boston) flight to London I would rather stay up late the first day then be a Zombie!

 

[Celestine]

OK, so having gone thorough the posts we have enough for one coach already!!! Not a problem for anyone else or late comers to the board/cruise - we can always lay on another coach or a mini coach dependent on numbers. We also have sufficient numbers for organised transport from the port back to Heathrow. If anyone is flying out of Gatwick it wouldn't be difficult to drop them off either. I've kept a list of names & will contact you all closer to the time for confirmation you still want the place & to find out where we need to collect you from! In the mean time, please PM me with any changes so I can keep up to date (ish).

Had a great (but damp) day with my sister 7 her kids at Drayton Manor Park which is Staffordshire way. The little ones had plenty of Thomas the Tank Engine related rides whilst me, my sister & BIL rode the 2 coasters & apocalypse. Paul & Lauren rode the Kali river rapid imitation & got stuck in some sort of basin area! Longest wait was 20 mins, but I'd hate to be there when it is a scorching day - they were not as slick as the US parks at crowd management on the rides, e.g. no single rider queues.

Celestine

 

[Celestine]

I was wondering how early you could check in
You weren't tired from jetlag

I figured we would play it by ear for the first day and leave the majority of the walking for our second

I know it's a bit different as there isn't the element of excitement etc. but when we return from Florida, the flight usually lands around 7am so we're home by about 10am. We then hit the sack for 2 hours & get up - this tends to get us back on to UK time straight off. I must add we generally sleep little (if any) on the flight back. We then have an early night & are usually OK for back to work/school the next day.

I definitely would go for a mellow day with little walking or something relaxing like the London Eye so you can "see the lay of the land" and it builds anticipation for the next day as you've already seen it mapped out as such. Also, you can prebook London Eye tickets so you know you can turn up & will get on. There used to be a combined ticket so you got off the eye & hopped on a boat for a cruise down to the Tower of London which we enjoyed when did it 6 or so years ago.

Celestine

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

On Jet lag

I always find going West for us is best, going east, (for us home form USA), is the worst.

When we go we switch our clocks and watches to USA time as soon as we get on the flight and eat and work to that, drink light even though they give booze for free on Virgin, and when we get there we go straight through to night without sleep, so only gonig to the hotel at sun set.


Coming back for us (IE East) is worst, if its a night flight and often it is, we eat at the airport, at check in, and then do not eat on the plane, maybe drink a little water, but basically 'starve' on the flight, set our watchs to UK, time so if its a 7pm flight thats midnight, and try to sleep.


Eat as soon as you get off the flight, ie breakfast, to reset your body clock,

as posted before if you have to sleep, only do a couple of hours before mid day then get out and about in the sun, its always sunny here in London, and stay up till its night and dark.

If you do not do that you stay on USA time and will be up in the middle of the night.

 

[danfromca]

On Jet lag

I always find going West for us is best, going east, (for us home form USA), is the worst.

When we go we switch our clocks and watches to USA time as soon as we get on the flight and eat and work to that, drink light even though they give booze for free on Virgin, and when we get there we go straight through to night without sleep, so only gonig to the hotel at sun set.


Coming back for us (IE East) is worst, if its a night flight and often it is, we eat at the airport, at check in, and then do not eat on the plane, maybe drink a little water, but basically 'starve' on the flight, set our watchs to UK, time so if its a 7pm flight thats midnight, and try to sleep.


Eat as soon as you get off the flight, ie breakfast, to reset your body clock,

as posted before if you have to sleep, only do a couple of hours before mid day then get out and about in the sun, its always sunny here in London, and stay up till its night and dark.

If you do not do that you stay on USA time and will be up in the middle of the night.

Amen to the East vs. West. I think it's true for most people. When you go East, you're have to force yourself to sleep earlier to adjust. Going West is just a matter of staying up later - which is easier for most people.

I've also used Melatonin with great success to help reset my body clock - especially going East.

Have you ever noticed how badly timed flights are to Orlando from the West Coast? Either you take a red-eye, in which case you arrive early in the morning and are a zombie during the day while waiting for your room to be ready at 4pm so you can finally nap. Or you arrive late at night, starving, but all of the restaurants are closed so you're forced to eat at some awful Dennys or pay for overpriced room-service?