August 13, 2011 Med - Mickey's Marauding Mates

[Kels Sem]

If anyone is up for it we could share a private transfer from the Novotel to the port. It might work out a bit cheaper than us all getting individual cabs.
I'm definitely thinking of organising a private transfer from the Port to the Novotel. i think Jeff said that he would do this the next time as waiting on cabs was a nightmare!

 

[Anal Annie]

Hi Jeff, Are we not in La Spezia on Monday and not Sunday?? We leave Barcelona on Saturday, Sunday will then be Villefranche and then Monday will be La Spezia. I hope I have this right.

Enjoy your daddy/daughter trip. I did this with my Dad before I got married. it was great! He took me away to see his favourite football team play!

What a GREAT detective you are!! You are absolutely correct!! We're at LaSpezia on Monday!! I haven't been keeping up with adding & deleting peeps on the website but the itinerary is definitely Villefranche on Sunday!!

 

[Anal Annie]

If anyone is up for it we could share a private transfer from the Novotel to the port. It might work out a bit cheaper than us all getting individual cabs.
I'm definitely thinking of organising a private transfer from the Port to the Novotel. i think Jeff said that he would do this the next time as waiting on cabs was a nightmare!

We are up for sharing (if there's room). Not sure how those private transfers work (cars / vans)?! We're also up for sharing private tours with someone in Rome, Naples & possibly LaSpezia (with romeinlimo.com) if anyone is interested in jam packed full day tours.

 

[Kels Sem]

We are up for sharing (if there's room). Not sure how those private transfers work (cars / vans)?! We're also up for sharing private tours with someone in Rome, Naples & possibly LaSpezia (with romeinlimo.com) if anyone is interested in jam packed full day tours.

I had a quick look on one site and for a minivan they are quoting 66 euro. This price is the same whether you have 4 or 7 passengers. If Jeff and his family came along to then a minivan for 11 people is 80 euro.

 

[Anal Annie]

I had a quick look on one site and for a minivan they are quoting 66 euro. This price is the same whether you have 4 or 7 passengers. If Jeff and his family came along to then a minivan for 11 people is 80 euro.

We're game if you're game!! (I'm assuming we'll all be wanting to go to the port fairly early?!)

DS got up this morning & said he could try going to school. His temp was just 99.3 which wasn't too bad I thought. I didn't rush him - just let him take his time then I drove him. Didn't want to stress him out by yelling at him to hurry. He just got home from school a little while ago...checked his temp FIRST THING and it was totally normal!! I am sooooo relieved!! WHEW!! I went thru the house last night with Lysol wipes and the Lysol spray. I wiped all the remotes & the light switches & keyboards & banisters & sprayed the sofas & his chairs where he was sitting! I want this bug GONE!! Still paranoid that DH & I will get it so will pack a box of meds to take skiing this weekend.

It is going to be downright FRIGID in the mountains this weekend (high on Saturday of 17 degrees - I guess that's around -5 C to you guys in the UK). I am making dinner for Saturday night...we have some other friends going up too, staying in other houses who are coming to dinner too...we're estimating between 36-40 people. I am NOT used to cooking for that many...decided on making pulled pork BBQ. I mix up a dry rub to put on it & cook it in the crock-pot all day (I will use 2 or 3 crocks). I was planning on making about 15 Lbs. and buying 6 or 7 doz. buns. Will also have coleslaw to put on top and am making "cheesy potatoes" and baked beans...do you think 15 Lbs is enough?!

 

[jd99]

Hi Jeff, Are we not in La Spezia on Monday and not Sunday?? We leave Barcelona on Saturday, Sunday will then be Villefranche and then Monday will be La Spezia. I hope I have this right.

Enjoy your daddy/daughter trip. I did this with my Dad before I got married. it was great! He took me away to see his favourite football team play!

Maybe I read that they are closed on Monday. Now I'm very confused. I have to go back to the threads I was looking at (or the site on the DCL shore excursions....)

 

[jd99]

If anyone is up for it we could share a private transfer from the Novotel to the port. It might work out a bit cheaper than us all getting individual cabs.
I'm definitely thinking of organising a private transfer from the Port to the Novotel. i think Jeff said that he would do this the next time as waiting on cabs was a nightmare!

Don't Don't Don't wait for a cab from the port to the hotel. No way. No how. We won't be able to share that ride, however, as we are heading to the airport upon disembarking for an early flight home. Not staying over in BCN after the cruise.

 

[jd99]

Unfortunately we are all "right." I was just mixed up on days - I knew that the museums were closed on the day we were there. Yes, we are in La Spezia on Monday. But at least some of the museums (including the important one where David is located) are closed on Mondays. Just pulled this off the port adventures website.


This tour is not available for the Disney Magic 7 Night Mediterranean cruises as the Academia Museum is closed on Mondays.

 

[Anal Annie]

Awww...sorry Jeff. I thought Kelly was onto something for ya! I have been VERY busy trying to get ready for this ski trip & I am about to head off to bed as I am pooped...DH had to get up at 5:00 this morning (read: I HAD TO GET HIM UP!) Hope you have a good trip to FL with DD!!

Kelly - thanks for giving that transfer info. on that other thread! I think it sounds like a plan to me!! I am so glad to have settled on our Barcelona hotels. And no backing out!! I booked non-refundable rates!

Been trying to figure out what to book for Paris. I didn't really want to mess with moving too much BUT we have 3 options. Anybody have any opinions on these (esp. our UK peeps who have BEEN to DLP before)!? I just don't know how much time we really need for DLP...don't want to cut ourselves short...price is not a determining factor AT ALL. If one option was significantly cheaper that would probably be the deciding factor but they're all the same.

1) Book a 1 night / 2 day pkg at the Hotel l'Elysee Val d'Europe and 3 nights in the city (probably at the Hotel du Pantheon). This would give us 2 days for DLP and we could store our luggage at the hotel on day 2 & go into the city that evening. Then we'd have 2 full days for Paris too and wouldn't be wasting any park days off the pkg. Price works out to $1,186 USD

2) Book 2 nights / 3 days at Val d'Europe and 2 nights in the city, moving first thing in the morning on day 3. This would bite into our Paris sightseeing time a little bit...and we would be wasting that 3rd day of tix but we'd have the whole evening at DLP too. Price works out to $1,184 USD

3) Book all 4 nights in the city and take 1 day to ride out to DLP and buy hoppers for both parks & try to do them in 1 day. Price works out to $1,182 USD


Also, any opinions on this Val d'Europe hotel? It is cheaper than the Cheyenne...but only by $58 per night.

(PS) Where's Karen been lately??

 

[Anal Annie]

OK peeps - the truck is LOADED & we're outta here for the weekend....DH is taking his laptop & it's supposed to be -6 degrees F with the wind chill up there so not sure how much skiing we'll actually do!! May be hanging out on the DIS!!

 

[Kels Sem]

Awww...sorry Jeff. I thought Kelly was onto something for ya! I have been VERY busy trying to get ready for this ski trip & I am about to head off to bed as I am pooped...DH had to get up at 5:00 this morning (read: I HAD TO GET HIM UP!) Hope you have a good trip to FL with DD!!

Kelly - thanks for giving that transfer info. on that other thread! I think it sounds like a plan to me!! I am so glad to have settled on our Barcelona hotels. And no backing out!! I booked non-refundable rates!

Been trying to figure out what to book for Paris. I didn't really want to mess with moving too much BUT we have 3 options. Anybody have any opinions on these (esp. our UK peeps who have BEEN to DLP before)!? I just don't know how much time we really need for DLP...don't want to cut ourselves short...price is not a determining factor AT ALL. If one option was significantly cheaper that would probably be the deciding factor but they're all the same.

1) Book a 1 night / 2 day pkg at the Hotel l'Elysee Val d'Europe and 3 nights in the city (probably at the Hotel du Pantheon). This would give us 2 days for DLP and we could store our luggage at the hotel on day 2 & go into the city that evening. Then we'd have 2 full days for Paris too and wouldn't be wasting any park days off the pkg. Price works out to $1,186 USD

2) Book 2 nights / 3 days at Val d'Europe and 2 nights in the city, moving first thing in the morning on day 3. This would bite into our Paris sightseeing time a little bit...and we would be wasting that 3rd day of tix but we'd have the whole evening at DLP too. Price works out to $1,184 USD

3) Book all 4 nights in the city and take 1 day to ride out to DLP and buy hoppers for both parks & try to do them in 1 day. Price works out to $1,182 USD


Also, any opinions on this Val d'Europe hotel? It is cheaper than the Cheyenne...but only by $58 per night.

(PS) Where's Karen been lately??

Hey Annie,

We're on for the transfers so we can sort that out in due course and yes we would like to head to the port early!

Right Paris, I really think it depends on how much you really want to "do" DLP vs the city. Are you only wanting to do the headline attractions at DLP or do it in depth?? I reckon you could do most of it 2 days as it will be very busy. Disneyland park is not as big as Magic Kingdom and a lot of the attractions/rides are similar if not the same. Holywood studios - the last time I was there there wasn't much in it but now Tower of terror is there and also the toy story area which will probably not interest you that much given the age of your DS. If Luke is about maybe he could guide you better than me.

The other thing that you have to allow for is JETLAG!! If you are coming off a flight and going straight to DLP for 2 days I would say it would be hard going. Jetlag from going east bound it a lot harder to get over than west bound imo. You will be very tired the first couple of days. When we came home from Florida last year we arrive home at about 9am and I managed to stay up all day. Me & the kids went to bed at 7pm and slept for 14hrs!

I don't really know anything about the hotels so sorry I can't help any there.

I hope you have a great ski trip. I'm very jealous.

 

[Anal Annie]

Well, the ski trip is a total BUST!! DS had a relapse last night! He hacked & coughed the whole ride up ('bout 3 hours). As soon as we got to the house he just wanted to lay down & nap...he eventually ate a piece of pizza for dinner (in bed) but then a little later he said he couldn't breathe & that it hurt really bad...so around 10pm we decided to take him to the closest hospital (about 30 minutes away). The ER ran tests & swabbed & Xray'd & drew blood & even did a CT scan until like 3:00 am. Finally they admitted him around 4:00 am. He's in ICU - would you believe they've decided he has the CROUP of all things?! He never even had that when he was little. But they said it's troubling that he got it at this age. SOOO he's on oxygen & steroids & codiene (sp) and I don't know what all. Not sure if he'll get out today or not. His cough is getting better but he's still not breathing the way they want so they won't release him 'cuz they can't take him off the oxygen. This realllllly sucks!! He feels like crap & is actually happy to stay in the hospital 'cuz he wants to get better THAT bad!! So looks like no skiing or hot tubbing for us this weekend, only naps in the ICU!!

 

[Kels Sem]

Well, the ski trip is a total BUST!! DS had a relapse last night! He hacked & coughed the whole ride up ('bout 3 hours). As soon as we got to the house he just wanted to lay down & nap...he eventually ate a piece of pizza for dinner (in bed) but then a little later he said he couldn't breathe & that it hurt really bad...so around 10pm we decided to take him to the closest hospital (about 30 minutes away). The ER ran tests & swabbed & Xray'd & drew blood & even did a CT scan until like 3:00 am. Finally they admitted him around 4:00 am. He's in ICU - would you believe they've decided he has the CROUP of all things?! He never even had that when he was little. But they said it's troubling that he got it at this age. SOOO he's on oxygen & steroids & codiene (sp) and I don't know what all. Not sure if he'll get out today or not. His cough is getting better but he's still not breathing the way they want so they won't release him 'cuz they can't take him off the oxygen. This realllllly sucks!! He feels like crap & is actually happy to stay in the hospital 'cuz he wants to get better THAT bad!! So looks like no skiing or hot tubbing for us this weekend, only naps in the ICU!!

Ah that's awful! I really hope he gets better soon and gets out of hospital today. I didn't even know you could still get croup at his age! I thought it was only small children that got it. It just shows you. There's nothing worse then being sick when you're away from home especially if you're missing out on a holiday.

 

[west&east]

(PS) Where's Karen been lately??

:He feels like crap & is actually happy to stay in the hospital 'cuz he wants to get better THAT bad!! So looks like no skiing or hot tubbing for us this weekend, only naps in the ICU!!

Just got caught up on about 3 pages of posts! OMG, Annie! I hope everything is okay with your DS. Please update us asap.

Things have been strange here. Last week, we had four straight snow days after getting about 5 inches of snow on Monday followed by some ice. I honestly can't believe how overly cautious they are. So no school for 4 days and Friday was a 2 hour delayed start! As a result, we had MLK day off this Monday 1/17 but will have no other days off until Spring Break starts April 15th! It will be a loooong winter. If we have any other snow days, we will make them up on Saturdays (although they will be half days)!

After four days at home, I was happy to have my mom's getaway trip to Vegas over MLK weekend. It was pure bliss. We stayed at the Palazzo (the new part of the Venetian) and spent about 7 hours on Saturday in the Canyon Ranch Spa. Words really can't describe how wonderful it was. I have been trying to get back in the work groove but life keeps getting in the way. My son has been complaining of headache and eyes hurting and after going to the pediatrician on Thursday, we ended up rushing him to the pediatric opthamologist Friday. They found nothing wrong, thankfully, but we're still concerned...

I have had my flights book (via frequent flier miles) to BCN for some time. Now need to find a hotel for 2 nights precruise and 1 night post cruise. Hoping to find someplace that sleeps 4 in a good location. Have to coordinate with our friends, another family of 4 who maybe will eventually join our roll call. Need to start planning for ports,etc.

Our summer is turning out to be busy. The tentative plan is a week in Seattle in June, four days or so at in-laws for the 4th of July in Arkansas on the lake, sleep away camp for DD for 12 nights end of July then the Magic! Also need to get planing on our Washington DC trip for spring break!

Take care and stay healthy everyone!

Karen

 

[west&east]

No posts from Annie today. That has me really concerned... Please update us as soon as you are able. Hope all is okay.

 

[Kels Sem]

No posts from Annie today. That has me really concerned... Please update us as soon as you are able. Hope all is okay.

Yeah me too. I hope all is well.

 

[Anal Annie]

Hey ya'll....sorry to have been MIA...internet connection was very spotty up in the mountains! DH was trying to find a "hotspot" or something with his phone then trying to connect the laptop from that...when it worked it was VERY slow and then it usually crashed quickly. Got to be frustrating so we stopped trying.

ANYWAY, we drove home last night then DS had a follow-up doc. appt. this morning with his pediatrician. He got released from the hospital on Sunday afternoon & then we spent like 2 hours trying to get RX's filled. So we spent 2 nights of our long weekend in the hosp. in ICU. Cannot believe this happened!! Anyway, so we stayed up there thru Monday & came back last night - there were some people in our house not skiing yesterday (1 was a former nurse) so we left him at the house for awhile so DH & I could go skiing for about 3 hours. He didn't like being left behind but he understood - we'd bought our lift tickets back in November!! He is doing MUCH better but still has a horrific cough - but his lungs are clear which was a plus I guess! They still don't know what CAUSED it...but his airway was like the size of a pencil due to swelling. He is still on steroids, an antibiotic, cough meds and an inhaler. He is allowed to return to school on Thurs. after another couple days of rest. He can't swim again until the cough subsides substantially. Hopefully by the weekend maybe. That remains to be seen. He was never sick like this when he was younger...payback I guess?! NONE of the docs had ever seen this in a kid his age...they said it's always in younger kids. Leave it to us to be the odd ones!!

Karen - glad you're back... we've never been to Vegas...ONE DAY maybe. Glad you've been having a good time... Remember if you get any free time while in DC we could have a DIS meet maybe!?

 

[Kels Sem]

Hey Annie, Glad to hear all is well and your DS is on the mend.

 

[Anal Annie]

My son has been complaining of headache and eyes hurting and after going to the pediatrician on Thursday, we ended up rushing him to the pediatric opthamologist Friday. They found nothing wrong, thankfully, but we're still concerned...

I have had my flights book (via frequent flier miles) to BCN for some time. Now need to find a hotel for 2 nights precruise and 1 night post cruise. Hoping to find someplace that sleeps 4 in a good location. Have to coordinate with our friends, another family of 4 who maybe will eventually join our roll call. Need to start planning for ports,etc.

Karen

I know how worrisome headaches can be in your kids...they conjure up terrible thoughts! DS started getting migranes last year...took him in after 2 or 3 of them & the doc said that can happen with puberty. But I was starting to freak out for a bit...hope your sons improve soon & that it's nothing to be concerned about.

RE: places to stay for larger groups...have you considered a short-term apartment rental? I have heard that there are some LOVELY apartments to rent in Barcelona - very cheap for larger families / groups. More economical than multiple hotel rooms sometimes. But I think they may have a 3 night minimum. If your friends don't have their flights yet perhaps they could go a day before you and you could get a place that would hold all of you for your pre-cruise stay & that way you could visit with them more?! Here's a link to one rental agency that looks like they have availability for the 3 nights pre-cruise: http://www.habitatapartments.com/en/barcelona/apartment/find?arrivalDate=10%2F08%2F2011&departureDate=13%2F08%2F2011&n_bedrooms=&n_adults=4&n_children=4&n_babies=0&area=0&orderBy=user

Just a thought.....

 

[luke]

Right Paris, I really think it depends on how much you really want to "do" DLP vs the city. Are you only wanting to do the headline attractions at DLP or do it in depth?? I reckon you could do most of it 2 days as it will be very busy. Disneyland park is not as big as Magic Kingdom and a lot of the attractions/rides are similar if not the same. Holywood studios - the last time I was there there wasn't much in it but now Tower of terror is there and also the toy story area which will probably not interest you that much given the age of your DS. If Luke is about maybe he could guide you better than me.

.

Howdy! Think you're right about two days, although you probably won't see everything and as it's school holidays (especially uk holidays) it will be pretty busy but also should have long opening hours and possibly fireworks (DLP doesn't have nightly fireworks all year round like wdw).
Disneyland Park is actually bigger than Magic Kingdom (I think it's the biggest of all the 'Magic Kingdoms' if you know what I mean) but it doesn't seem as big if you know what I mean. A lot of the attractions are similar there to wdw but IMO rides such as Buzz and Pirates are better and Space Mountain is totally different and has loops etc.
Walt Disney Studios is a pretty tiny park to be honest, but is so much better than when it first opened when we would spend a morning there and have done everything!! Last time we went we spent almost a full day there and there's some great attractions which are unique like Cinemagique. Also Crushs Coaster (which is kind of like Primeival Whirl in theory except with great theming) has not fast pass (what a mistake) and breaks down regularly so expect queues of about an hour at least, even at rope drop!!

But overall I don't think 'only' spending two days there would be too little and you'll get a good flavour of the place!
We've only ever stayed onsite there but Val D'Europe is one (or two?) stops away on the RER so is ok for getting there.

Still not decided on our Barcelona hotel yet but paid off another chunk of our cruise yesterday so should probably hurry up and find one