August 13, 2011 Med - Mickey's Marauding Mates

[Kels Sem]

Cheers will check prices on Balloon. Annie its in Disney village
It will be my 3rd visit to DLP and the 1st time we never saw the Dragon and last year we went and it was a bit scary at first as didnot know what to expect lol
They have built Toystory land so thats why we are returning this year as Aaron is a big fan, we loved woodys round up village as you got time to have photo shoots with all the characters and it was really quiet this time of year and not so expensive.
Must check the weather in Paris
would love to go to WDW and castaway cay

Hope you have a fab time in DLP. Report back on your trip when you return

 

[Joanne Hollyoak]

Hope you have a fab time in DLP. Report back on your trip when you return

Thankyou will do, just wish the weather would make its mind up freezing, raining and sunny where are my sunglasses still packing and unpacking lol

 

[Joanne Hollyoak]

Annie re pond - seriously impressed, we struggle with one goldfish in a tank

Quick question to you all, do many people stay on board when the ship docks, especially the La Spezia dock. Originally we fancied Florence but it seemed a long journey with the kids then we thought pizzas in Pisa overlooking the leaning tower of. Finally about to settle on Cinque Terre but now may stay on board especially as planning "longish" days on shore before and after

Thanks

Jon

Hi Jon, Amanda & Girls welcome aboard, its our first trip on the DCL and were just going to explore the ship and do as many activities onboard. Looking forward to the shows. Our son Aaron is 4 in july.
Where about are you in the UK?

 

[Anal Annie]

Joanne - 1 more sleep?! How exciting! I hope the weather straightens out for you so you don't get wet or cold!!

We don't stay on the ship - we like to go, go, go...even at Disney as often as we've gone we still go, go, go!! This is SUCH a far trip for us - and very likely a once in a lifetime event so we're not planning to miss ANYTHING! I wish we had more time on the ship but oh well...the ship is not our final destination it is a floating hotel for us. Although SOME look at it the other way around.

I am still pondering what to do about Palo. Most mornings we rush thru the buffet before our excursions but I really like to have at least one nice sit-down breakfast in Lumiere's as a family one morning. Dilema is that Palo brunch will only be offered on our sea day (we've only done Palo dinner before so I wanted to try the brunch). The other problem is that with only 1 sea day I want to hit the pool EARLY and brunch doesn't even start until 10:30. Not sure if we should do 1 dinner AND the brunch?! Decisions, decisions! Need to discuss this dilema with DH I suppose...I don't want to overpack because of Palo. For brunch I will re-wear a pair of my capris that I am bringing for dinner one night. For dinner I suppose I COULD re-wear the dress I am bringing for Formal Night... I am getting nervous about my packing abilities! I looked again today at those tiny little suitcases I bought for each of us in order to meet the Air France luggage rules. They are sooo much smaller than our domestic carry-ons!!

 

[MallenBeadle]

Joanne - we live in Durham

Annie - It's interesting how different people are perceiving this cruise. For us (and I would assume a number of other Eurpoeans) it's an opportunity to go on a Disney cruise rather than like for your goodself whereby it's a trip to Europe that includes the cruise.

As the Disney addicts (and a family who have always found more value in going to Disney / USA on holiday - although I do worry that my kids think that USA = Disney ) it's the cruise that's the attraction rather than the places the cruise visits.

In the UK you can (usually) get cheap flights to Europe with a number of low cost airlines that make going to Europe a relatively cheap option. For example at Easter we are paying £100 for the four of us to fly to Majorca for a week.

Anyway back to planning our trip - opps I mean work

 

[Anal Annie]

Joanne - we live in Durham

Hey, so out of curiosity do any of our UK peeps know where Cumbria, England is? My Mother's family comes from this area...the name is Lowther and there is a park & castle and a church all named Lowther. I guess it all dates back to the 1200's... I think my ancestor came to the US in the 1600's. I have an aunt who went over to visit the area about 10 years ago. I suppose we probably should've gone THERE instead of to Paris before our cruise huh?! Shame on me!!

Annie - It's interesting how different people are perceiving this cruise. For us (and I would assume a number of other Eurpoeans) it's an opportunity to go on a Disney cruise rather than like for your goodself whereby it's a trip to Europe that includes the cruise.

Yes, for us Europe iIS THE destination...we certainly enjoy the ship too and have loved all of our DCL's...but this seemed like a good way to include a place to stay in Europe along with our transportation & most meals. I really didn't think we'd ever do a DCL to Europe as in the past they were a lot more expensive...but this years seemed to be priced better. I had thought if we ever did a Med cruise it would have to be on a cheaper cruiseline. Now of course the prices have gone up significantly since we first booked but I still think for DCL prices they're reasonable.

As the Disney addicts (and a family who have always found more value in going to Disney / USA on holiday - although I do worry that my kids think that USA = Disney ) it's the cruise that's the attraction rather than the places the cruise visits.

In the UK you can (usually) get cheap flights to Europe with a number of low cost airlines that make going to Europe a relatively cheap option. For example at Easter we are paying £100 for the four of us to fly to Majorca for a week.

Anyway back to planning our trip - opps I mean work

WHOA!! You're going to Majorca this spring?! OH! OH!! OH!!! Now you have to be our scout!!! Have you been there before??? We just want to do a beach day there I think but I'd rather arrange our own thing than pay DCL to ride their bus!! I guess there are some caves there too of some sort so that could be cool...I would like to figure out if there is a way to visit the caves AND spend the afternoon on a nice beach!! If that's too much for 1 day then I'm good with a nice beach for the day!!! I'm afraid that DCL has picked THE BUSIEST beach to go to (Palma Nova). I have not found a good Majorca tourism website yet that is of much help. But so I don't know the best way to get around. I am afraid to take a taxi to a beach and then what if they don't come back to pick you up?! Do you think you could keep your eyes open for activities, tours & brochures while you are there?? Usually here in the US there will be a stand of some sort in the hotel lobby that offers an assortment of brochures & stuff so you can find things to do. Would you be willing to report back to us what you find while you're there????? Kelly has a cousin who lives there but I think my questions may be too much for her. We have scared her off!!

 

[Kels Sem]

Joanne - we live in Durham

Annie - It's interesting how different people are perceiving this cruise. For us (and I would assume a number of other Eurpoeans) it's an opportunity to go on a Disney cruise rather than like for your goodself whereby it's a trip to Europe that includes the cruise.

As the Disney addicts (and a family who have always found more value in going to Disney / USA on holiday - although I do worry that my kids think that USA = Disney ) it's the cruise that's the attraction rather than the places the cruise visits.

In the UK you can (usually) get cheap flights to Europe with a number of low cost airlines that make going to Europe a relatively cheap option. For example at Easter we are paying £100 for the four of us to fly to Majorca for a week.

Anyway back to planning our trip - opps I mean work

Totally agree

 

[luke]

Totally agree

Yep, same here. I guess Europe is nothing really for us. I've been on day trips to both Barcelona and Rome simply to watch a football match!!
This gives us the chance to do a Disney cruise without the huge airfare that comes with flying to America

 

[west&east]

So interesting to hear the European viewpoint on the cruise as opposed to the Americans. For us, it is definitely a chance to see some of Europe although we know it will only be a taste. The Disney ship is a bonus. I wonder what the nationality mix will be on the ship.

Today I am feeling better than I have in over four weeks. I'm still not quite 100% but I am happy to be feeling mostly well finally.

We are finally telling the kids this week about the cruise! The other family we are traveling with will also tell their kids. Our daughters will definitely have a lot to discuss when they have their next phone call between Charlotte and Istanbul!

 

[luke]

For us, it is definitely a chance to see some of Europe although we know it will only be a taste.

Oh don't get me wrong, I feel like that too. Despite Europe being on our doorstep there's so much stuff I haven't seen, mainly Italy so I'm really looking forward to it.

Mallorca is the place I wasn't so fussed about, having never particularly wanted to visit it and not being a fan of those kind of resort holidays. I guess Mallorca for us Europeans is kind of like the Bahamas for you guys.
That said, I think the whole part of me not having wanted to go on holiday to Mallorca is kind of making me start to look forward to the port more, just to give it a look, as Palma is meant to be quite nice and it will be a nice bit of downtime and relaxation after the hecticness of the other ports

 

[west&east]

Oh don't get me wrong, I feel like that too. Despite Europe being on our doorstep there's so much stuff I haven't seen, mainly Italy so I'm really looking forward to it.

Mallorca is the place I wasn't so fussed about, having never particularly wanted to visit it and not being a fan of those kind of resort holidays. I guess Mallorca for us Europeans is kind of like the Bahamas for you guys.
That said, I think the whole part of me not having wanted to go on holiday to Mallorca is kind of making me start to look forward to the port more, just to give it a look, as Palma is meant to be quite nice and it will be a nice bit of downtime and relaxation after the hecticness of the other ports

I agree- sea day and Mallorca will end the cruise on a nice relaxing note after the intense port days in Italy!

 

[MallenBeadle]

Annie – we’ll do our best to get as much useful info as possible! We haven’t been to many European beach resorts – mainly France, especially Cannes area but a few of DD’s friends have holiday homes in Majorca and highly recommended it. We’re planning to organise private transfers in April rather than taxis so will see how that goes.

If you mean the Dragon Caves, they are near Porto Cristo on the east of the island, about 1.5hrs from Palma. Maybe if you want to team that with the beach, you could try one of the resorts on the eastern side though they may be crowded in August. The quieter part of Majorca is apparently the North (somewhere like Alcudia) but again about 1.5hrs transfer time. There is a website we used but not sure if I’m allowed to post links here.

I can understand why Disney go to Palma Nova as its only 15 mins transfer from the port. I’m sure Kelly’s cousin will have lots more inside info about where to go!

Checked out Lowther – not been there but only about 75 miles from us! Found an interesting website about the estate and the name.

Luke – we’ve also heard that Palma is worth a visit – the cathedral is meant to be spectacular.

 

[Anal Annie]

Annie – we’ll do our best to get as much useful info as possible! We haven’t been to many European beach resorts – mainly France, especially Cannes area but a few of DD’s friends have holiday homes in Majorca and highly recommended it. We’re planning to organise private transfers in April rather than taxis so will see how that goes.

If you mean the Dragon Caves, they are near Porto Cristo on the east of the island, about 1.5hrs from Palma. Maybe if you want to team that with the beach, you could try one of the resorts on the eastern side though they may be crowded in August. The quieter part of Majorca is apparently the North (somewhere like Alcudia) but again about 1.5hrs transfer time. There is a website we used but not sure if I’m allowed to post links here.

I can understand why Disney go to Palma Nova as its only 15 mins transfer from the port. I’m sure Kelly’s cousin will have lots more inside info about where to go!

Checked out Lowther – not been there but only about 75 miles from us! Found an interesting website about the estate and the name.

Luke – we’ve also heard that Palma is worth a visit – the cathedral is meant to be spectacular.

Jon - so you mean we're not long lost cousins?!

Yes, I guess it's the Drach Caves - DCL offers an excursion there for $59 pp and it's 4.5-5 hours long. Kinda unnecessary I suppose as there are caverns in Virginia with stalactites and stalagmites that we've never taken DS to....we COULD always take him to those. I'm sure they must be similar and ummm....on this side of the ocean so a bit cheaper to visit!! I definitely want some beach time. Just please do report back with what you find when you go!!!!!! We'll take all the planning info. we can get!!! Especially about private transfers!!!!

I am not looking to visit any more cathedrals I don't think. I have heard this one in Majorca is NICE but let's face it...it is NOT what our DS14 is going to be looking to do!! I think he will be "over it" by then!!

 

[Anal Annie]

So interesting to hear the European viewpoint on the cruise as opposed to the Americans. For us, it is definitely a chance to see some of Europe although we know it will only be a taste. The Disney ship is a bonus. I wonder what the nationality mix will be on the ship.

Today I am feeling better than I have in over four weeks. I'm still not quite 100% but I am happy to be feeling mostly well finally.

We are finally telling the kids this week about the cruise! The other family we are traveling with will also tell their kids. Our daughters will definitely have a lot to discuss when they have their next phone call between Charlotte and Istanbul!

Sooo glad you're feeling better now!! That is GOOD NEWS!! Be sure to tell us how the kids took the news!! Not too sad I am sure!! How did you do it??

 

[west&east]

Sooo glad you're feeling better now!! That is GOOD NEWS!! Be sure to tell us how the kids took the news!! Not too sad I am sure!! How did you do it??

Although I have been creative with past Disney trips (scavenger hunts, etc.) this time, I simply told them. My daughter screamed and shrieked and ran around the room sending the dog into a tizzy. My son smiled and was his more laid back self. They both have been pouring over the cruise book and asking a ton of questions. I am trying to explain to my son especially that it will be different then our Caribbean cruise from last spring but that will probably be what he envisions. I tried to explain to both that it will be more sightseeing then beach/pool but that we will get some beach and relaxing time in too.

 

[Anal Annie]

Although I have been creative with past Disney trips (scavenger hunts, etc.) this time, I simply told them. My daughter screamed and shrieked and ran around the room sending the dog into a tizzy. My son smiled and was his more laid back self. They both have been pouring over the cruise book and asking a ton of questions. I am trying to explain to my son especially that it will be different then our Caribbean cruise from last spring but that will probably be what he envisions. I tried to explain to both that it will be more sightseeing then beach/pool but that we will get some beach and relaxing time in too.

Glad they are excited! My DS has been very laid back about all of it...I am constantly pointing out places on TV and saying things like "We're gonna BE there" or "We're gonna SEE THAT" and so far he's been unimpressed. But he DID say something last night about being excited to go on another Disney cruise. "I like them" he said! I don't even remember now what prompted him to say it. I was making dinner & he came into the kitchen & just said it.

There is an active thread right now about Pisa and now I am second guessing my plan to take the train to Pisa on our own & then take the train to Monterosso to see some of Cinque Terre. Somebody said I was being too ambitious. Apparently since it's a tender port they won't let us off the boat on the first couple of tenders. Concierge & DCL tours will go first & we'll have to wait for an "open" tender. This will likely mess up my hopes of getting onto the 8:20 train. The next train isn't until 9:00 but I think we will still need to get up early & go to the theater or wherever to get our tickets for the tender - so it sounds like there will be a lot of wasted morning going on before we can get started. The 9:00 train doesn't get to Pisa until 10:17 and I wanted to buy our tickets for the tower at 10:40. It's a 20-25 min. walk to the tower from the train & you have to redeem your voucher first or something. So that's really not much time. We'd have to take a taxi. I want to catch the 11:44 train back so I really didn't want to do the 11:00 tower. Either way it looks like we're gonna be cutting the time close on the trains.

Hope the weather has straightened out for Joanne's trip to DLP.

 

[Goofygoof]

west&east glad u feeling better and the kids are happy , my ds(4) found the dcl brochure and was looking at it with an open mouth he asked dh if we can go there and we said maybe on your birthday as he will be 5 on the 11th Aug.
weather here is lovely today about 60F same for Paris so hope Joanne is enjoying the sun
Annie : Omg iam well impressed with yr planning down to the minute I have'nt even started looking at excursions

 

[mikki.young]

We are now leaning towards the disney transport to Florence and then do it yourself. Feeling nervous about missing boat otherwise! So next to decide about Pompeii and if we want to do any other sightseeing round there. Meantime I have also booked flights to go back to Florida in January and escape the winter weather!

 

[Anal Annie]

west&east glad u feeling better and the kids are happy , my ds(4) found the dcl brochure and was looking at it with an open mouth he asked dh if we can go there and we said maybe on your birthday as he will be 5 on the 11th Aug.

Oh that's cute - he will be sooo excited!!

weather here is lovely today about 60F same for Paris so hope Joanne is enjoying the sun

GOOD!!

Annie : Omg iam well impressed with yr planning down to the minute I have'nt even started looking at excursions

And THAT my friend is why I go by Anal Annie!! These obsessive planning tendencies I have can drive anyone to drink!!

So I bought DS a few shirts 40% off yesterday at Kohls for the cruise casual dinners along with a black jacket. I THINK we can get by with him wearing the jacket with his nice black slacks that he wears for his band concerts. The fabric on the jacket is of course different than his black slacks but the blacks are the same black (if that makes sense). He cannot grow tho! It's a size 18 and the sleeves on the jacket fit on the length right now! He will only ever wear it for formal night so I reallllly didn't want to sink a lot of money into it. I found it at Wal-Mart for $20 and so I went ahead & got it because it's a seasonal thing for Easter - they won't have them for long! Shhhh! Wal-Mart clothes for DS! I made him try all this stuff on last night & I think I am going to exchange 3 of the shirts for the next size up. They fit now but they are not overly BIG I don't think. I tend to buy his stuff on the larger side so he can wear it longer. I suppose I'm just not used to seeing him in things that actually FIT!! But I'd rather he be able to wear the stuff a little longer.

 

[Anal Annie]

We are now leaning towards the disney transport to Florence and then do it yourself. Feeling nervous about missing boat otherwise! So next to decide about Pompeii and if we want to do any other sightseeing round there. Meantime I have also booked flights to go back to Florida in January and escape the winter weather!

YAY! FL in January!! We went down once in January a few years ago - it's a fantastic winter get-a-way! Where will you stay???