August 13, 2011 Med - Mickey's Marauding Mates

[Anal Annie]

OK now peeps, peepettes and peeplets...we're back to page 3 again!! I hope ya'll were doing some serious cruise planning this weekend!

I have been piddling around with the website this afternoon...it is coming along...I had some computer problems slow me down...I am doing a temporary run-around fix until DH has more time to fiddle with the computer. It needs some updates loaded & they won't load so I don't know what's going on. My internet browser keeps shutting me down. Those instances provoke a big "DOH!" from me along with a few other choice words that I can't repeat on the DIS!!

Hope everyone is having a splendid weekend!

 

[Kels Sem]

I've been looking at accomodation options in Barcelona but haven't really gotten very far. I'm probably a bit like yourself A Annie and will change my mind everyday between now and when I book.

To get back to Easyjet you probably would get hammered in excess baggage charges. 20Kgs allowance is approx 42lbs. You can buy extra kilos but it works out about 9 euro per Kilo.

Hope you enjoyed your "christmas dinner" with your family

 

[Anal Annie]

Hey ya'll!! SOOOO, the website is not nearly done yet - it will always be a work in progress but I am going to go ahead & post a link for it just to get some feedback. Do you think that to make it easy to find I should go ahead & put it into our first post on the thread with the roll call info? I mean we can bookmark it or add it to our favorites but if I put it up front in the first post potential new cruisers could check it out too.

I have plans in my mind for adding a lot more pages and I am only getting started with adding stuff to the ones I HAVE created so far. Like the hotels page. OH MY will that one take a long time to complete!! I have 3 guide books + the DIS + websites like Conde Nast & Trip Advisor that I am gathering info. from so it's gonna take a long time to compile it all. I just wanted to give ya an idea of the direction that the website is heading in so far. As our merry group grows and we get to know each other I am sure I'll re-do the "Cruisers" page & spiff it up a bit.

As it grows ya'll will have to help me edit and proofread things. Also, let me know if you have any ideas of things you'd like to see... It's a real work in progress yet though...

http://mickeysmaraudingmates.weebly.com

Let me know if you see anything I need to fix!!! I'll be working on it steadily from now on!

 

[MRAven]

Hey ya'll!! SOOOO, the website is not nearly done yet - it will always be a work in progress but I am going to go ahead & post a link for it just to get some feedback. Do you think that to make it easy to find I should go ahead & put it into our first post on the thread with the roll call info? I mean we can bookmark it or add it to our favorites but if I put it up front in the first post potential new cruisers could check it out too.

I have plans in my mind for adding a lot more pages and I am only getting started with adding stuff to the ones I HAVE created so far. Like the hotels page. OH MY will that one take a long time to complete!! I have 3 guide books + the DIS + websites like Conde Nast & Trip Advisor that I am gathering info. from so it's gonna take a long time to compile it all. I just wanted to give ya an idea of the direction that the website is heading in so far. As our merry group grows and we get to know each other I am sure I'll re-do the "Cruisers" page & spiff it up a bit.

As it grows ya'll will have to help me edit and proofread things. Also, let me know if you have any ideas of things you'd like to see... It's a real work in progress yet though...

http://mickeysmaraudingmates.weebly.com

Let me know if you see anything I need to fix!!! I'll be working on it steadily from now on!

Very nice A Annie. The design, the colors, and the presentation of the info just invites you to take a cruise in the Mediterranean !

 

[veludo]

Thats excellent Annie!!

I wouldnt know where to start!! I shall have a good look when I get in from work tonight

Justine

 

[Kels Sem]

Looks great so far, will have a better look later tonight when I get the kids to bed. Off to do the school run now.

Kelly

 

[Kels Sem]

Hi, I've had a look good look at the website and it's looking good I presume that you will be looking to add details/suggestions for shore excursions (DCL & private), things to do in Barcelona and activities on board? Wow if you are planning all this I am really impressed and appreciate all the time and effort you are putting into this. I have been reading a few threads on here and the shear amount of information is vast.

If I can be of any help researching let me know

Kelly

 

[Anal Annie]

Oh yes, you can presume I will be adding a lot more pages...probably eventually one for each of our ports. Right now I am consumed with the ENORMOUS amount of information on Barcelona itself! I think there will ultimately be a lot of people who add pre- and post- cruise days there and who will opt to do it outside of DCL because it will be more affordable. The hotel options there alone are STAGGERING!!

I am glad I started this wesite though! I was collecting SOOO much info. and bookmarking threads & writing stuff in notebooks and copying stuff into Word documents... This thing is essentially turning into a fancy spreadsheet!! Perfect for OCD people like myself!! I hope everyone finds it helpful as it grows!

 

[Floridasunshine]

Hope everyone is doing well. I am headed up to Epcot later today. My youngest daughter and I are running in the 5k Princess race at Epcot in the morning. Just found out we are suppose to wear crowns when we do this - (it is hard enough to run let along have a crown on your head) and yes they are available when we pick up our race packets today. It will be fun and we can't wait. Weather alittle cool at the moment unlike Florida weather and the schools are starting to official recognize spring break! Wish us luck as we will need it.

 

[Anal Annie]

Hope everyone is doing well. I am headed up to Epcot later today. My youngest daughter and I are running in the 5k Princess race at Epcot in the morning. Just found out we are suppose to wear crowns when we do this - (it is hard enough to run let along have a crown on your head) and yes they are available when we pick up our race packets today. It will be fun and we can't wait. Weather alittle cool at the moment unlike Florida weather and the schools are starting to official recognize spring break! Wish us luck as we will need it.

Yay FLsunshine! Go! Go! Go! Good to hear you're still around - good luck! Pop back in & let us know how it goes! Post some pics!! I sure hope it warms up down there before we come down on the 26th!!

 

[Floridasunshine]

Yes we have survived and had a wonderful time! The 5k was around EPCOT and there were Disney characters located everywhere for you to stop and take photos. We have decided to go ahead and start training for the 1/2 marathon fr the next Disney race- There were over 14,000 females who participated in at least one of the 3 runs according to the DJ who was great at 5:30 in the morning. I can't wait to go again.

I am so looking forward to a vacation. Keep tracking the days on my computer at work to keep focused. Hope everyone is starting to get nicer weather at least, I know this has been a difficult season.

 

[Anal Annie]

Yes we have survived and had a wonderful time! The 5k was around EPCOT and there were Disney characters located everywhere for you to stop and take photos. We have decided to go ahead and start training for the 1/2 marathon fr the next Disney race- There were over 14,000 females who participated in at least one of the 3 runs according to the DJ who was great at 5:30 in the morning. I can't wait to go again.

I am so looking forward to a vacation. Keep tracking the days on my computer at work to keep focused. Hope everyone is starting to get nicer weather at least, I know this has been a difficult season.

I saw some great pictures posted over on the DVC boards by DVCMike. He started a trip report for AKV Kidani and was at Epcot for the race. He caught one racer in a pic that was a princess of another gender! Pretty funny. Looks like ya'll had GREAT weather for it!

I cannot wait - just under 3 weeks and counting until our spring break trip. This will be our 2nd time to catch the Flower & Garden Festival... It has been SUCH a nasty winter up here this year - we STILL have snow in our front yard (which faces the north so we don't get any sun there). We got a notice from our sprinkler company that they'd scheduled our spring start-up for Monday, March 8 and I had to call them up & say UMMM....no can do yet!! They were laughing too. I guess they usually start turning the systems back on in March & this is the first time it's been a problem to still have snow covered yards. (Don't know about down there but up here we have to get the systems shut down for the winter & get air blown through the lines so they don't freeze.) But I guess it's a sign that spring will EVENTUALLY get here. I am ready to pack but need to get a better forecast so I can pack the right layers. I am crossing my fingers for AT LEAST 78 degrees while we are there!

So I keep toodling around with the website a little here, a little there. Trying to add something every day or so. Do we not have any Hidden Mickey Hunters amoungst us? No guesses yet for any those or were they too easy? I think I will go ahead & put the link for the website in the first post. I think it's time we find some more peeps for our cruise doncha think? Where is everyone? I see that we have well over 850 views so far on our thread so SOMEONE is spying on us!!

 

[Anal Annie]

Just a bump up from page 3!!

I haven't had time to mess with the website in a couple of days...hope to toodle some more later today or tomorrow.

I found a new handbag (or purse or pocketbook - whatever ya'll want to call it) this week with our cruise in mind...now not to ruin it before next year! It's a neutral color, a good size and has several pockets & zippers and a nice long shoulder strap so I can wear it across my body from one shoulder...I was thinking of pickpockets & having free hands when we're in Europe. I've read that tourists can be easy marks in some of these cities we're visiting so I will want to take extra precautions with whatever bag I carry.

I have started looking at luggage restrictions on some of the airlines. Air France says they have a maximum of 21.7"x13.8"x9.8" (including wheels & handles) on their carryon bags. Our most FAVORITE carryon bag (with the spinner wheels) says it is 22"x14x10.5 but when I measure it to the top of the handle it is 23" so if they are really super strict they would make us check it I guess. Anybody know how strict Air France really is with the carryon bag sizes? Air France pops up with some of the cheapest flights but they may not be worth it in the end. Oh, and they charge $100 to check a 2nd bag!!! I am in deep guacamole here with that! It may be worth it to just book one of our domestic US carriers that I think will let that carryon bag slide thru. Guess I will have to spend some more time on the Transportation Board!!!

No, I am not anxious at all.

 

[MRAven]

Just a bump up from page 3!!

I haven't had time to mess with the website in a couple of days...hope to toodle some more later today or tomorrow.

I found a new handbag (or purse or pocketbook - whatever ya'll want to call it) this week with our cruise in mind...now not to ruin it before next year! It's a neutral color, a good size and has several pockets & zippers and a nice long shoulder strap so I can wear it across my body from one shoulder...I was thinking of pickpockets & having free hands when we're in Europe. I've read that tourists can be easy marks in some of these cities we're visiting so I will want to take extra precautions with whatever bag I carry.

I have started looking at luggage restrictions on some of the airlines. Air France says they have a maximum of 21.7"x13.8"x9.8" (including wheels & handles) on their carryon bags. Our most FAVORITE carryon bag (with the spinner wheels) says it is 22"x14x10.5 but when I measure it to the top of the handle it is 23" so if they are really super strict they would make us check it I guess. Anybody know how strict Air France really is with the carryon bag sizes? Air France pops up with some of the cheapest flights but they may not be worth it in the end. Oh, and they charge $100 to check a 2nd bag!!! I am in deep guacamole here with that! It may be worth it to just book one of our domestic US carriers that I think will let that carryon bag slide thru. Guess I will have to spend some more time on the Transportation Board!!!

No, I am not anxious at all.

Hi A Annie , here's a few comments on you post:


1.- I've wanted to ask you, what does the word "Marauding" mean ? Do excuse my english.

2.- On your handbag (or purse or pocketbook - whatever ya'll want to call it) just dodn't forget the matching shoes !

3.- August 2011 cruse itineraries are starting to appear on different web pages; so we can expect some more cruisers to come along.

4.- Luggage restrictions are getting really bad, mostly because of the plane's fuel. The more it weighs the more fuel it consumes; also they can have more space for courrier services, etc. This might really impact activities like Fish Extenders; I think you mentined it before: What to do ? What's the alternative ?

5.- Anxios ! Your not alone.

 

[Anal Annie]

Hey there MrA!! What's up!?

Let's see if this makes sense for you. To maraud means "to rove in search of booty; raid for plunder. To invade for loot." I felt like I was sort of a vagabond (which is a person without a permanent home who wanders)! Since I bounced around by originally booking the August 10th 10-night cruise which was subsequently cancelled and moved then to the July 20 10-night cruise (until DH's car blew up). THEN we moved back to August 13 for the 7-night I figured I was doing a lot of roaming and since pirates were marauders in search of loot that description fit!!

I'm already freaking out over these luggage restrictions! I just spent the afternoon measuring and weighing all of our old luggage!! And we have a LOT of it. We have an old set that is really well made & holds a TON however it's made TOO well and is very heavy. The largest case weighs 16 Lbs EMPTY!! If we're only alloted 50 Lbs that only gives me 34 Lbs of STUFF. The last time I packed all of us in regular suitcases (in 2006) we went to Hawaii for 10 days and were SOO over weight!! They made me repack in the security line. NOT fun!! So then I started switching to rolling duffles because they weigh less and I honestly think they may hold more...but so I bought 2 nice ones but the larger one is 30" and it never fails that I hit that 50 Lbs...the other one we have is 28" and that one I can keep under the 50 Lb limit...but on the cruise I'm also going to probably want a garment bag and another bag of JUST SHOES!! We have a garment bag AND 2 old traditional style suitcases that are called "suiters" because they have a small amount of hanging garment capabilities built into them...but THEY'RE HEAVY BAGS. I couldn't believe it - our rolling garment bag weighs 15 Lbs EMPTY! I am also very confused about the dimensions given on the tags which DON'T include wheels, feet & handles. That usually puts them outside the limits. I am just trying to assess what luggage we may have that we can use & how much new I may need to buy. It will depend on the airline we end up booking I suppose. I purchased a number of sets of packing cubes and a packing folder last year which have helped me A LOT when I pack. I want to get a couple more of the folders too so that we each have one of those. They are really neat, neat, neat things. Check this out: http://www.ebags.com/travel_accessories/packing_folders_cubes/category_search/index.cfm?seeall=true&N=20014520 I absolutely LOVE them. They have really made me a more efficient packer - even though I still do over pack a little...they've helped me a LOT. PLUS I love that you can just set them into your hotel / cabin drawers rather than unpacking. The trick to this trip is going to be how to leave enough empty space GOING over to be able to bring souvenirs & stuff HOME!!

 

[MRAven]

Hey there MrA!! What's up!?

Let's see if this makes sense for you. To maraud means "to rove in search of booty; raid for plunder. To invade for loot." I felt like I was sort of a vagabond (which is a person without a permanent home who wanders)! Since I bounced around by originally booking the August 10th 10-night cruise which was subsequently cancelled and moved then to the July 20 10-night cruise (until DH's car blew up). THEN we moved back to August 13 for the 7-night I figured I was doing a lot of roaming and since pirates were marauders in search of loot that description fit!!

I'm already freaking out over these luggage restrictions! I just spent the afternoon measuring and weighing all of our old luggage!! And we have a LOT of it. We have an old set that is really well made & holds a TON however it's made TOO well and is very heavy. The largest case weighs 16 Lbs EMPTY!! If we're only alloted 50 Lbs that only gives me 34 Lbs of STUFF. The last time I packed all of us in regular suitcases (in 2006) we went to Hawaii for 10 days and were SOO over weight!! They made me repack in the security line. NOT fun!! So then I started switching to rolling duffles because they weigh less and I honestly think they may hold more...but so I bought 2 nice ones but the larger one is 30" and it never fails that I hit that 50 Lbs...the other one we have is 28" and that one I can keep under the 50 Lb limit...but on the cruise I'm also going to probably want a garment bag and another bag of JUST SHOES!! We have a garment bag AND 2 old traditional style suitcases that are called "suiters" because they have a small amount of hanging garment capabilities built into them...but THEY'RE HEAVY BAGS. I couldn't believe it - our rolling garment bag weighs 15 Lbs EMPTY! I am also very confused about the dimensions given on the tags which DON'T include wheels, feet & handles. That usually puts them outside the limits. I am just trying to assess what luggage we may have that we can use & how much new I may need to buy. It will depend on the airline we end up booking I suppose. I purchased a number of sets of packing cubes and a packing folder last year which have helped me A LOT when I pack. I want to get a couple more of the folders too so that we each have one of those. They are really neat, neat, neat things. Check this out: http://www.ebags.com/travel_accessories/packing_folders_cubes/category_search/index.cfm?seeall=true&N=20014520 I absolutely LOVE them. They have really made me a more efficient packer - even though I still do over pack a little...they've helped me a LOT. PLUS I love that you can just set them into your hotel / cabin drawers rather than unpacking. The trick to this trip is going to be how to leave enough empty space GOING over to be able to bring souvenirs & stuff HOME!!

It looks like you need a garage sale with an offer on suitcases.

On our last trip DW and I (always over packed) decided to recicle a little more. That is more washing on the ship, less volume to take in order to make up space to bring back mostly DCL stuff. We did two washing cicles in one week cruise, really late at night while we were partiying. Took turns, she washed, I dried. It wasn't that bad, considering that it only took me 15 minutes away from the Rockin' Bar D; 14 minutes to figure out how the dryers worked, 1 minute to go from deck 6 to deck 3. If any ironing was required it was done as needed.

On our flight back: Delta airlines flying Orlando --> Atlanta --> Venezuela, we had 5 bigg ones with two suitcases over the limit. I ended up paying $ 120 addicionally with a major fuss of repacking (weigh balancing the suitcases) at security. But there's a benefit on this; apparently when you pay luggage fees there's some kind of insurance on that luggage, so we received all of it really fast on the luggage claim belt. Lot's of other passenger where very upset because their's didn't arrive. I remenber saying to DW that at least our suitcases traveled in 1st Class ! Now this was on December 29th, all airports where totally packed. Do note, Delta airplanes are sooo much confortable than American Ailines planes; at least the ones I've been on.

Hey, here's an expensive idea ! If you book 1st class you don't have to worry about any luggage, you can carry all you want. But it will probably cost you more than the Roy Disney Suit.

 

[Anal Annie]

It looks like you need a garage sale with an offer on suitcases.

On our last trip DW and I (always over packed) decided to recicle a little more. That is more washing on the ship, less volume to take in order to make up space to bring back mostly DCL stuff. We did two washing cicles in one week cruise, really late at night while we were partiying. Took turns, she washed, I dried. It wasn't that bad, considering that it only took me 15 minutes away from the Rockin' Bar D; 14 minutes to figure out how the dryers worked, 1 minute to go from deck 6 to deck 3. If any ironing was required it was done as needed.

On our flight back: Delta airlines flying Orlando --> Atlanta --> Venezuela, we had 5 bigg ones with two suitcases over the limit. I ended up paying $ 120 addicionally with a major fuss of repacking (weigh balancing the suitcases) at security. But there's a benefit on this; apparently when you pay luggage fees there's some kind of insurance on that luggage, so we received all of it really fast on the luggage claim belt. Lot's of other passenger where very upset because their's didn't arrive. I remenber saying to DW that at least our suitcases traveled in 1st Class ! Now this was on December 29th, all airports where totally packed. Do note, Delta airplanes are sooo much confortable than American Ailines planes; at least the ones I've been on.

Hey, here's an expensive idea ! If you book 1st class you don't have to worry about any luggage, you can carry all you want. But it will probably cost you more than the Roy Disney Suit.

Oh very funny!! First class!! ROFL!! One 1st class round trip ticket probably does cost as much as the cruise itself in our measley Cat 10!! Not quite the Roy Suite...but significant expense yes!! I really should try to get rid of some of our old luggage...but I'm a pack rat!! I keep everything....

 

[Anal Annie]

OK, this was weird... I was just popping in to give us our daily bump back to page 1... I glanced at the first post on our thread & didn't see the cruise website link. I am SURE I added that a few days ago but it was GONE! Hummm...mystery at sea!! I guess I will have to check on that little detail sometimes 'eh?

Meanwhile, we are being stalked! Our view count is closing in on 1,000 but we haven't picked up any more peeps so I don't know who's reading our thread!! Come talk to us whoever you are!! I get lonely out here!!!

 

[MRAven]

OK, this was weird... I was just popping in to give us our daily bump back to page 1... I glanced at the first post on our thread & didn't see the cruise website link. I am SURE I added that a few days ago but it was GONE! Hummm...mystery at sea!! I guess I will have to check on that little detail sometimes 'eh?

Meanwhile, we are being stalked! Our view count is closing in on 1,000 but we haven't picked up any more peeps so I don't know who's reading our thread!! Come talk to us whoever you are!! I get lonely out here!!!

I do see your link on the first post. So as of now you can be sure that it is there.

 

[Kels Sem]

I can also confirm it is there.

I can't even begin to think about packing yet! On our 1st cruise it was for 14 days and I was well over the luggage limit so got stung for excess baggage. I'm kinda thinking that the kids will each have their own luggage allowance and their clothes are small and don't weigh much and also they don't need loads of different styles of shoes which means that
there is more weight free for me! I've also got used to packing lighter over the years! I used to pack loads and then not wear half of it. I think I will also do laundry on the ship if necessary.

At the moment I am just thinking of our upcoming trip to Legoland Windsor which is outside London. DS loves lego and is very excited We have never been before so we're all looking forward to it. We will then have to pay a visit to the new Legoland which is being built at Cypress Gardens and see how it compares!

I must go and start printing of all our booking confirmations for this trip and then when we get back I will be on the countdown to our trip to WDW

Kelly