August 13, 2011 Med - Mickey's Marauding Mates

[Anal Annie]

WHEW!! I am sooo glad to hear you liked the packing cubes!! I just love them. I am glad you had a great time on your trip - and EEEK - still snowing where you live!! I imagine Legoland was a blast!!

We just got home last night and I am trying to play catch up on the DIS etc. Having withdraws from not having been on here much for the past week!! I need to go to the grocery store too...YUCK. Back to reality. That is the worst thing about returning from vacation (besides ). Having to cook for myself again!! And with this being Easter this weekend I suppose I really should plan to make a nice dinner on Sunday too. I will pick up a ham. Those are easy...I just hate the thought of going & doing it!!

Our trip was great as well. Cooler than I'd hoped for & not as much pool time as I wanted (LOL...I wanted to come home with a tan!) Weather at home is actually very nice this week - just as warm as FL now!! Unusually warm. No complaints from me though!! I love it except for the pollen getting bad!! WDW was PACKED - the MK reached capacity every day starting on Monday!! We had never been when it was so busy before. I will try to post some pics EVENTUALLY. We were feeling sorry for all of the first timers who didn't have a clue which way to go & how to navigate the parks. We're lucky that we KNOW what we want to ride & what we can skip and the best way to use the FP's...Standby wait times were over 100 minutes for almost EVERYTHING by lunchtime every day!! We felt lucky if we decided to ride something that was only a 60 minute wait!! Now that's scary 'eh?!

Well, need to move on to get some stuff done around here. Like maybe some laundry.

Glad to hear our little group is doing well.... Now where is that Justine these days?! And FLSunshine?! MrA?! Where are you? Hope - I am off to update the first post on page 1...probably will do the website this weekend sometime....

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Yeah your back Annie!!!! I have soooo manyyyyy questions, but I want to give you time to enjoy your WDW high right now! I love your website! And we must hear about Kidani (my trip is in August at value studio in Jambo H.). Sanaa? I just changed my ressie to eat there! Ok, glad your back!!!

WHEW!! I am sooo glad to hear you liked the packing cubes!! I just love them. I am glad you had a great time on your trip - and EEEK - still snowing where you live!! I imagine Legoland was a blast!!

We just got home last night and I am trying to play catch up on the DIS etc. Having withdraws from not having been on here much for the past week!! I need to go to the grocery store too...YUCK. Back to reality. That is the worst thing about returning from vacation (besides ). Having to cook for myself again!! And with this being Easter this weekend I suppose I really should plan to make a nice dinner on Sunday too. I will pick up a ham. Those are easy...I just hate the thought of going & doing it!!

Our trip was great as well. Cooler than I'd hoped for & not as much pool time as I wanted (LOL...I wanted to come home with a tan!) Weather at home is actually very nice this week - just as warm as FL now!! Unusually warm. No complaints from me though!! I love it except for the pollen getting bad!! WDW was PACKED - the MK reached capacity every day starting on Monday!! We had never been when it was so busy before. I will try to post some pics EVENTUALLY. We were feeling sorry for all of the first timers who didn't have a clue which way to go & how to navigate the parks. We're lucky that we KNOW what we want to ride & what we can skip and the best way to use the FP's...Standby wait times were over 100 minutes for almost EVERYTHING by lunchtime every day!! We felt lucky if we decided to ride something that was only a 60 minute wait!! Now that's scary 'eh?!

Well, need to move on to get some stuff done around here. Like maybe some laundry.

Glad to hear our little group is doing well.... Now where is that Justine these days?! And FLSunshine?! MrA?! Where are you? Hope - I am off to update the first post on page 1...probably will do the website this weekend sometime....

 

[Anal Annie]

Yeah your back Annie!!!! I have soooo manyyyyy questions, but I want to give you time to enjoy your WDW high right now! I love your website! And we must hear about Kidani (my trip is in August at value studio in Jambo H.). Sanaa? I just changed my ressie to eat there! Ok, glad your back!!!

Hey there...we have done the value studio at Jambo House and this time was a Std. studio at Kidani (WONDERFUL view of the parking lot!) OVERALL we liked Jambo better 'cuz we felt it was more impressive in appearance...but there's definitely pluses and minsues for both. The lighting is better in Kidani and the pool slide is better and the buses stop there first which is good. Even though the lighting was better at Kidani I didn't like the bathroom layout. There was a large room JUST for the toilet but so then the bathtub/shower was in the main room with the sink. The counter was quite large which was nice but it was awkward to have 2 people getting ready at once. At Jambo, the toilet is in with the shower... BOTH places have a TON of pillows that you have to move out of the way. If it's just you and your DH you'll be fine but our DS uses the sleep sofa...BIG pain to make up, esp. with all the pillows. The kitchenette area is small at both places...wish they'd give it just even 6 more inches would be helpful to be able to make coffee AND toast bagels at the same time! The counter space is no where near the same was what Vero has... Don't know about your BWV as we haven't had the chance to try it yet.

We have now eaten at all 3 AKV TS restaurants. We still prefer Boma as our favorite - the buffet is just SOOO good and there are so many choices. Sanaa is in 2nd place for us. I thought it was reasonably priced for the most part - our server was FABULOUS and I had a really good "slightly dirty martini". The Tandoori Chicken was quite good as was the green curry shrimp. Jiko IMHO is very overpriced - I didn't get what the fuss is about with Jiko and I can't even remember what I ordered there. I didn't think the food was any better there to be honest and you can really drop a bundle there as it's a signature restaurant. You will have a great time though - the architecture is wonderful as is the atmosphere.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Ok, I have to ask this question. Are there any formal nights or semi-formal nights? The cruise is so port intensive, I don't know if I would make any of these. Looking at the itinerary I don't see any mentioned. There is only one sea day. What are my options if I want to skip them?

 

[Anal Annie]

Ok, I have to ask this question. Are there any formal nights or semi-formal nights? The cruise is so port intensive, I don't know if I would make any of these. Looking at the itinerary I don't see any mentioned. There is only one sea day. What are my options if I want to skip them?

I am guessing it's too early to find out much about what's going on on what nights...I'll bet we won't be able to confirm anything until next spring. I think typically on the Magic 7 night cruises there is one "formal" night and 1 semi-formal night. I am just hoping that neither are on the Naples or Rome ports where the onboard time is at 9:00 because we DO like to dress up for dinner a couple of times. The rest of the nights will be "cruise casual" where you dress nicely but not shorts & stuff - more of a business casual look. (The Magic is dressier than the Wonder BTW.) Now if you don't want to go to the dining rooms on either of these nights you can book Palo (provided we can find out which night will be which but you'd still have to dress up some) or you could go to Topsiders (the buffet) or you could order room service OR grab a burger or pizza by the pools. I am hoping we can make it back to the ship by 7:00 or so on those longer days so that we have an hour to shower real quick & dress.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I am guessing it's too early to find out much about what's going on on what nights...I'll bet we won't be able to confirm anything until next spring. I think typically on the Magic 7 night cruises there is one "formal" night and 1 semi-formal night. I am just hoping that neither are on the Naples or Rome ports where the onboard time is at 9:00 because we DO like to dress up for dinner a couple of times. The rest of the nights will be "cruise casual" where you dress nicely but not shorts & stuff - more of a business casual look. (The Magic is dressier than the Wonder BTW.) Now if you don't want to go to the dining rooms on either of these nights you can book Palo (provided we can find out which night will be which but you'd still have to dress up some) or you could go to Topsiders (the buffet) or you could order room service OR grab a burger or pizza by the pools. I am hoping we can make it back to the ship by 7:00 or so on those longer days so that we have an hour to shower real quick & dress.

I have to buy a dress for my son's wedding which is this October. It's in California so it can be spring or early fall type of dress. If I do the formal I would hope to be able to wear this dress on the cruise. DH has a ton of suits so he's not the problem! That was my concern, if its during a late night port that I know we will be too tired to attend after a loooonnnggg day in Rome. Ok, well that's why I'm not seeing any dates, cause there aren't any posted yet! Hey group, we've got the best planner for our trip!!!

 

[Kels Sem]

I would have thought that the formal night will most likely fall on the sea day. I had a look at the planning information here on the DIS and on the 7 night carribean itinery's the formal night and semi -formal nights are on sea days. As we only have one sea day my money is on formal night being on that.
It would be very unfair if they did the formal nights on Rome or Florence days as these will be very long if you're going to see them.

Does anyone know anybody doing the med this year? We may get a rough idea from that.
A friend of mine is sailing on one in May so I can ask her when I see her.

I have a dress which I bought for a wedding and I intend to wear it as for any other night I don't have a clue yet. it is so hard to pack clothes for all occasions when you are tied to the airlines luggage limits!

 

[MRAven]

WHEW!! I am sooo glad to hear you liked the packing cubes!! I just love them. I am glad you had a great time on your trip - and EEEK - still snowing where you live!! I imagine Legoland was a blast!!

We just got home last night and I am trying to play catch up on the DIS etc. Having withdraws from not having been on here much for the past week!! I need to go to the grocery store too...YUCK. Back to reality. That is the worst thing about returning from vacation (besides ). Having to cook for myself again!! And with this being Easter this weekend I suppose I really should plan to make a nice dinner on Sunday too. I will pick up a ham. Those are easy...I just hate the thought of going & doing it!!

Our trip was great as well. Cooler than I'd hoped for & not as much pool time as I wanted (LOL...I wanted to come home with a tan!) Weather at home is actually very nice this week - just as warm as FL now!! Unusually warm. No complaints from me though!! I love it except for the pollen getting bad!! WDW was PACKED - the MK reached capacity every day starting on Monday!! We had never been when it was so busy before. I will try to post some pics EVENTUALLY. We were feeling sorry for all of the first timers who didn't have a clue which way to go & how to navigate the parks. We're lucky that we KNOW what we want to ride & what we can skip and the best way to use the FP's...Standby wait times were over 100 minutes for almost EVERYTHING by lunchtime every day!! We felt lucky if we decided to ride something that was only a 60 minute wait!! Now that's scary 'eh?!

Well, need to move on to get some stuff done around here. Like maybe some laundry.

Glad to hear our little group is doing well.... Now where is that Justine these days?! And FLSunshine?! MrA?! Where are you? Hope - I am off to update the first post on page 1...probably will do the website this weekend sometime....

Glad your back and hopefully RELAXED You really deserve it after all that snow shuveling, and then all of that garden building and speacilly (to all of our benefit) all of that web page creating It's really good/nice/easy to read/easy to surf/etc So for you on this Spring I offer you

 

[Anal Annie]

AAACCKKK!! I hate packing dress clothes. DH does NOT currently have a good suit that fits him. He has only 1 sport coat as he works for a lumber yard (ie casual dress even in the offices). The last time we did a 7 night we rented the tux, shirts and black dress shoes via cruiselineformal.com so that all I had to pack for him was black socks!! That may be an option for us to consider again for this cruise too just to save packing. Then I can just bring his sport coat & 1 dress shirt & tie for the semi-formal night / Palo. I have a black almost ankle length dress - plain & simple but which can be dressed up with accessories that I will likely bring for formal night (if it still fits). It also has a sheer scarf that can be either thrown around the neck (I sometimes wear in front to back so it dangles down my back) and sometimes I use it more like a wrap, which is handy in those freezing cold dining rooms. I've had it for YEARS, leftover from a Holiday Party but it WORKS. I mean, simple black dresses are always "in" right?! I have a pair of heels that are a mix of black patent & clear straps that also go with a lot of things so I will try to bring other items to wear with those (ie dressy black capris for cruise casual nights etc). I have another dress that I bought for a "destination wedding" on St. John a few years ago...it's very flowy & does not wrinkle badly so I may possibly bring that too...then I also have a strapless cocktail dress (animal print) that I wore for Palo the last time that goes with those same strapy shoes... IF I can contain myself and resist buying anything new I will bring these.... BUT if I run into a bargain at TJMaxx I may have to snag something new...but ONLY IF it's a steal!! But I agree that the sea day will likely be the formal night...that makes the most sense.

Sorry, I still haven't touched the website since I've been back nor have I uploaded any pics from vacation...between Easter and this nice above normal weather here this week I am ummm...shall we say "distracted". DS is still off from school until Wednesday...he has an orthodontist appt. this afternoon and swim practice starts back up this evening...meanwhile I still have a lot of gardening to finish... Oh and I still have a mountain of laundry to finish too...

 

[Anal Annie]

Well, I just got Hope added to the roll call on the website...that's all I've done with it for now. I want to add more DCL excursion info. but that's very time consuming so it will have to wait for the weather to turn crappy again!! I am just not in the mood to fiddle with it right now. I guess vacation broke my concentration on it?!

So I got a job...well, sort of. A temporary, part-time one... Going to work for the US Census Bureau!! I went & took the aptitude test back in like February...I knew what I scored but wasn't sure if I scored high enough to actually get a position and hadn't heard anything from them since I took it. Anyway, they called yesterday afternoon. I will have 4 days of 9-5:00 training the very last week of April then will be given work "as available" for 6-10 weeks, minimum 20 hrs. a week going door to door - looking for the deadbeats that don't return their forms. I will probably have to work mostly evenings & weekends to try to find people at home. I guess it will be different 'eh?! I would love to find a "real" part-time job but I haven't been looking too hard! Nobody to blame but myself for that one. Anyway, this will get me through at least June probably...and the extra money will certainly come in handy - DH and I BOTH need new tires SOON and DS's swim club gets more expensive next year as he moves up an age group into a different program. Hopefully I will make enough to buy 2 sets of tires and pay for DS's swim session that will start next Sept.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Well, I just got Hope added to the roll call on the website...that's all I've done with it for now. I want to add more DCL excursion info. but that's very time consuming so it will have to wait for the weather to turn crappy again!! I am just not in the mood to fiddle with it right now. I guess vacation broke my concentration on it?!

So I got a job...well, sort of. A temporary, part-time one... Going to work for the US Census Bureau!! I went & took the aptitude test back in like February...I knew what I scored but wasn't sure if I scored high enough to actually get a position and hadn't heard anything from them since I took it. Anyway, they called yesterday afternoon. I will have 4 days of 9-5:00 training the very last week of April then will be given work "as available" for 6-10 weeks, minimum 20 hrs. a week going door to door - looking for the deadbeats that don't return their forms. I will probably have to work mostly evenings & weekends to try to find people at home. I guess it will be different 'eh?! I would love to find a "real" part-time job but I haven't been looking too hard! Nobody to blame but myself for that one. Anyway, this will get me through at least June probably...and the extra money will certainly come in handy - DH and I BOTH need new tires SOON and DS's swim club gets more expensive next year as he moves up an age group into a different program. Hopefully I will make enough to buy 2 sets of tires and pay for DS's swim session that will start next Sept.

Hi Annie! I have been peroosing the Med threads. I have more questions also. One, is it really anymore expensive booking air through Disney? They will pay the cost for inadvertent changes in flights (hotel room, transfers, etc.) I can get my whole trip insured, including airfare, if I use DCL insurance with their air. I wonder if they can find me airfare later in the day on that Saturday so I don't have to stay over an extra day, since I want to go out two days early. I've been looking at some of the private tours. Looks like its a better deal if you can get 4-6 people on tours. I'm alittle scared to be taking the train all over and finding my way around to save some $$. About Palo, can I book that on any night I want (if available?) I want to do it on my AP night as I really don't like that dining.

 

[Anal Annie]

Hi Annie! I have been peroosing the Med threads. I have more questions also. One, is it really anymore expensive booking air through Disney? They will pay the cost for inadvertent changes in flights (hotel room, transfers, etc.) I can get my whole trip insured, including airfare, if I use DCL insurance with their air. I wonder if they can find me airfare later in the day on that Saturday so I don't have to stay over an extra day, since I want to go out two days early. I've been looking at some of the private tours. Looks like its a better deal if you can get 4-6 people on tours. I'm alittle scared to be taking the train all over and finding my way around to save some $$. About Palo, can I book that on any night I want (if available?) I want to do it on my AP night as I really don't like that dining.

YES if you book the "cruise air" thru DCL it will cost you more! And you will have no choice in the flights or airline they use or how long or how many connections you have!! All you'll be able to do is tell them which airport you want to fly in & out of. EXAMPLE - last month I priced the DCL air for our cruise from just about every major east coast city. Here's what I found: From BWI it was running $1,832.69 pp. / from Dulles $2,055.53 / from JFK $1,683.19 / from Boston $1,700.03 / Pittsburgh $1,785.03 / Atlanta $ 1,862.69 / Philadelphia $1,803.07 and finally for some reason from Raleigh it was only $902.69!!! So I was considering driving down to NC as I think that's about 5 or 6 hrs drive....I also priced flights on Air Tran & SW to Raleigh too - I think they were running between $69 & $99 each way or $138 - $200 round trip. I tried to price flights myself out of Raleigh for this summer but got nowhere close to that price so I thought that was pretty weird. Gotta wonder where they're going thru. But I will definitely price compare Raleigh again when it's actually time to book. I don't know what time DCL will book your flight home but from what I've seen most of them are pretty early - which is why I've decided to just add our extra days in Barcelona AFTER the cruise rather than before.

Anyway, I have had fare alerts set up on kayak.com that I've been watching since last fall. I think on our own I will be able to find air somewhere between $950 - $1,200 pp. (Ours is more complicated though because we want to go to Paris first and then leave out of Barcelona.) I am also very picky about how long it will take and about connections. The more connections you have the more your odds are of lost luggage. And I think IF I have to transfer someplace I'd rather do it on THIS SIDE of the ocean. You will not know anything about what they book you on until about 3 mo. before. But I am more irritated with that mark-up they put on it!! I will be happy if I can find air for somewhere between $1,000-$1,050 pp. That's really where I need the price to fall 'cuz I am trying to cover at least 2 of us with credit card miles and that's about all I can cover. If I book thru DCL then I can't cover ANY of us.

I am not adding trip insurance until I have our hotels & flights figured out etc. and will book it on my own thru insuremytrip.com or someplace like that so I can include everything.

Private tours are definitely cheaper if you have a full van full. I believe 'cuz it goes per car / van not per person. So if it's $600 Euros for example, it would be cheaper to split it between 2 families than to go alone 1 family at a time. Same price but for less people = more per person.

Yes, you can book dinner at Palo on any night you want but we likely won't know what our dinner rotation is going to be until we get on the ship so you won't know which night to book if you want to avoid a particular venue. I like the Parrot Cay menu the least so I would choose that night if I could choose one. You could always call and put a request on your ressie for one of the 3 rotations and that may help (you would have to ask on the cruise board the exact order but I do know they have 3 distinct orders they use). I don't know if it's APLLAPP or PAALPPA or what, but someone will know. Of course there is no guarantee that's what you will get (sort of like a DVC room request) but then you could always try to switch it once you get onboard if you don't get your request.

(PS) you can always call & have them add the DCL "cruise air" to your reservation and then shop it yourself. If you find a better deal on your own you can call & have them drop it from your reservation as long as you do it before the final balance is due. But if you'd sleep better knowing you have it then add it and think it over later. You can price the air out on the website...

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I priced airfare from BWI having one layover, either Canada or London, and the airfare thru Orbitz was like $1000.00 round trip into Barcelona. That was for this August. So that's the price I'm trying to keep to. Also, I will probably go thru insuremytrip.com because they will include air you book on your own. Its looking like two days before and one day after the cruise in Barcelona. That still puts us about 10 days for the trip. That is great about your job!! Any money right now is a good thing!! I can't believe how much more Disney wants for their excursions than a private company!!

YES if you book the "cruise air" thru DCL it will cost you more! And you will have no choice in the flights or airline they use or how long or how many connections you have!! All you'll be able to do is tell them which airport you want to fly in & out of. EXAMPLE - last month I priced the DCL air for our cruise from just about every major east coast city. Here's what I found: From BWI it was running $1,832.69 pp. / from Dulles $2,055.53 / from JFK $1,683.19 / from Boston $1,700.03 / Pittsburgh $1,785.03 / Atlanta $ 1,862.69 / Philadelphia $1,803.07 and finally for some reason from Raleigh it was only $902.69!!! So I was considering driving down to NC as I think that's about 5 or 6 hrs drive....I also priced flights on Air Tran & SW to Raleigh too - I think they were running between $69 & $99 each way or $138 - $200 round trip. I tried to price flights myself out of Raleigh for this summer but got nowhere close to that price so I thought that was pretty weird. Gotta wonder where they're going thru. But I will definitely price compare Raleigh again when it's actually time to book. I don't know what time DCL will book your flight home but from what I've seen most of them are pretty early - which is why I've decided to just add our extra days in Barcelona AFTER the cruise rather than before.

Anyway, I have had fare alerts set up on kayak.com that I've been watching since last fall. I think on our own I will be able to find air somewhere between $950 - $1,200 pp. (Ours is more complicated though because we want to go to Paris first and then leave out of Barcelona.) I am also very picky about how long it will take and about connections. The more connections you have the more your odds are of lost luggage. And I think IF I have to transfer someplace I'd rather do it on THIS SIDE of the ocean. You will not know anything about what they book you on until about 3 mo. before. But I am more irritated with that mark-up they put on it!! I will be happy if I can find air for somewhere between $1,000-$1,050 pp. That's really where I need the price to fall 'cuz I am trying to cover at least 2 of us with credit card miles and that's about all I can cover. If I book thru DCL then I can't cover ANY of us.

I am not adding trip insurance until I have our hotels & flights figured out etc. and will book it on my own thru insuremytrip.com or someplace like that so I can include everything.

Private tours are definitely cheaper if you have a full van full. I believe 'cuz it goes per car / van not per person. So if it's $600 Euros for example, it would be cheaper to split it between 2 families than to go alone 1 family at a time. Same price but for less people = more per person.

Yes, you can book dinner at Palo on any night you want but we likely won't know what our dinner rotation is going to be until we get on the ship so you won't know which night to book if you want to avoid a particular venue. I like the Parrot Cay menu the least so I would choose that night if I could choose one. You could always call and put a request on your ressie for one of the 3 rotations and that may help (you would have to ask on the cruise board the exact order but I do know they have 3 distinct orders they use). I don't know if it's APLLAPP or PAALPPA or what, but someone will know. Of course there is no guarantee that's what you will get (sort of like a DVC room request) but then you could always try to switch it once you get onboard if you don't get your request.

(PS) you can always call & have them add the DCL "cruise air" to your reservation and then shop it yourself. If you find a better deal on your own you can call & have them drop it from your reservation as long as you do it before the final balance is due. But if you'd sleep better knowing you have it then add it and think it over later. You can price the air out on the website...

 

[Anal Annie]

I am going to try REALLY HARD to book direct to Paris and direct home from BCN as a multi-city flight. I'll most likely figure out the Paris to Barcelona part separately - unless I book on Air France and find a deal to do them all in one booking. Problem with Air France is I can't get direct flight home - would have to go back thru Paris...I guess coming home is not quite as critical as GOING maybe. I am just really paranoid about lost luggage in Europe. Not having clothes to wear to dinner etc. Be careful of the flight restrictions if you go thru London. My neighbor is from India and on one of their trips home they transferred there. I don't know what airline but once they got there they were no longer allowed 1 carry-on and 1 personal item - it was one or the other and they had to check their 2nd items! Then they had to PAY for them 'cuz they were over their luggage allowance... That's one reason I'd rather avoid all that if there's any way I can.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Oh geez!!! How can I check out Disney's air prices? Thru the DCL website?

I am going to try REALLY HARD to book direct to Paris and direct home from BCN as a multi-city flight. I'll most likely figure out the Paris to Barcelona part separately - unless I book on Air France and find a deal to do them all in one booking. Problem with Air France is I can't get direct flight home - would have to go back thru Paris...I guess coming home is not quite as critical as GOING maybe. I am just really paranoid about lost luggage in Europe. Not having clothes to wear to dinner etc. Be careful of the flight restrictions if you go thru London. My neighbor is from India and on one of their trips home they transferred there. I don't know what airline but once they got there they were no longer allowed 1 carry-on and 1 personal item - it was one or the other and they had to check their 2nd items! Then they had to PAY for them 'cuz they were over their luggage allowance... That's one reason I'd rather avoid all that if there's any way I can.

 

[Anal Annie]

Oh geez!!! How can I check out Disney's air prices? Thru the DCL website?

Just remember that you have no control over where they book you thru...
Anyway, you add / price the air on the "customize" tab. You can check to / from just about any airport.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/reservations/customize?execution=e1s8#page=AirTravel

BWI air:
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/reservations/customize?execution=e1s8#page=AirTravel

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Another question. Have you found out what Disney's pre-cruise hotel stays cost? I was wondering if they were comparable to those hotels you posted on your website. I looove your website. I also need the names of some books your reading. I need to take one on my August Jambo H trip!

 

[Anal Annie]

Another question. Have you found out what Disney's pre-cruise hotel stays cost? I was wondering if they were comparable to those hotels you posted on your website. I looove your website. I also need the names of some books your reading. I need to take one on my August Jambo H trip!

I currently see at least 4 properties being offered thru DCL for pre & post cruise stays. It looks like they've sold out of a couple of them for pre- stays so if you decide to eventually book thru them don't delay adding it to your ressie. The prices are shown in USD. This is again found under the "customize your cruise" tab. This is also the same area where you would add ground transfers or any other add-ons. Pretty much anything that you book thru DCL will be at a premium price.

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/reservations/customize?execution=e2s6#page=Resorts

The cheapest one listed on DCL's site is the AC Diplomatic for $244 / night plus tax. I have that one already linked on our website...just re-checked it....it is going for between $100-$115 Euros per night (looks like a 2 n minimum for a weekend). That converts to $134 - $154 USD per night. So it appears that DCL is charging approx. $100 more per night on that one over booking direct. The priciest one on DCL's list is LeMeridian at $524 / night. That one is also already on our website...pricing it directly for 2 adults starts at 169 Euros ($226 USD) for a std. King room (this is for a fully prepaid rate) and goes up from there to approx. 500 Euros / night. Rooms that sleep more than 2 start at 249 Euros ($333 USD). The type of room that DCL is booking for that price is not provided on the website. There are many diff. types available. (Note that this is a Starwood property and may be available to book on Starwood points.)

I plan to add more hotels - eventually. I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Right now, the one I think I am most interested in for us post-cruise is the new Novotel Barcelona that just opened last month. I am waiting to get some reviews by some of the 2010 cruisers...It runs approx. $135 - $150 USD / night for 3 people. Kids under 16 are free and that price includes breakfast for the kids. It is BRAND NEW and has a rooftop pool (something our DS will definitely want / like).

Books. Ahhh my travel books that I am referencing. I am starting quite a collection!! I have hit Borders Books more than once! I have 2 regular full-size books - one on European cruises (Fodor's) and one on Italy (Eyewitness Travel). Then I have 3 smaller (more like purse-size) books just on the city of Barcelona. One by Eyewitness Travel, one by Frommer's and one by Fodor's. I figure I will pick up more books as time goes on...I will probably get one on Paris too. I like these smaller ones - they will be easy to bring along. Some have pull-out maps, useful phrases, they review dining / restaurants and they cover the touristy things to do and tours and review hotels etc. I think I am partial to the Frommer's & Fodor's guides. PLUS the smaller books are more affordable so I can have 2 for the price of 1.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I asked my TA about Disney Air...she said they do not book air for Disney. She said I would have to do that thru DCL but would then lose the reservation thru them (Small World Vacations) and lose my OBC!!! Uhhh, I don't think so! So I'm booking my own air and getting trip insurance thru insuremytrip.com to cover both the cruise, air, expenses.

I was looking at your hotels on your website. The moderate ones look pretty good, there is one there with a roof top pool. Looks like we will be staying one night after the cruise, two days before. I was going to try and use my Disney rewards points towards transfers, but I think the cruiseline bus only goes from the ship to the airport, not like to another hotel. I don't need a 5 star hotel, just clean, convient location, and a pool would be nice!!

Frommer's is good. My son went to Paris last year, we have some of those books. Maybe we can meet for lunch sometime and I can give you them.

I am just tooo excited tooo early for this trip. I hope the other posters don't get tired of my newbie questions!!!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Ok, I just read on DCL website that if you book the hotel thru DCL I can get transfer thru Disney to pick us up at the hotel via the cruiseline bus. That way I can use my disney rewards points to pay for the transfers. It might be better to book thru DCL for those hotels. Which ones did you say were also on your website?