August 18, 2010...Can't wait for the MAGICal Mediterranean!!!

[jstin]

Anyone prebook tickets to the Colleseum? I am going to do mine tonight, I believe it means you can go at any time during the day and jump the queues. When we went last year, although we saw the outside (again!!!), we didn't go in as the queues were huge! DD is a bit older now to understsand the Gladiators - especially about them fighting the lions!, so it is one of our few 'must sees'.

Kate

We prebooked ours a few weeks back and it was super easy.

Back to the flight info, what do you all think of us switching our tickets to the 17th which means we would need to book a hotel in Spain for the night. The cost to change would be $675 plus the cost of hotel. Do you think it would be worth it or do you think that the 17th is just as risky?

 

[Vicky29]

Hi All,

We've decided to book flights for the 17th. Which hotels are you all staying in? Any recommendations glady recieved

Thanks
Vicky

 

[Vicky29]

The latest:

Air traffic controllers in Spain say their planned strike will not be before August 16.

Union leaders whose members have voted for the action said they hope negotiations with the government will allow them to call it off.

Daniel Zamit, of the controllers' union USCA, said that no date has been set yet but if a strike is held it will be after August 16.

The dispute centres on a recent government order that increases the hours controllers work and shortens their rest breaks during shifts.

The changes are the latest chapter of a row that began in February when the government slashed overtime hours, cutting controllers' pay that was as high as £290,000 a year - four times what the prime minister earns.

The government aviation authority AENA was meeting the union on Wednesday.

Mr Zamit said Spain's 2,000 air traffic controllers are overworked and understaffed.

He has demanded a meeting with development minister Jose Blanco, who he accused of imposing the changes in a heavy-handed fashion.

Copyright © 2010 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

 

[jel0511]

The latest:

Air traffic controllers in Spain say their planned strike will not be before August 16.

Union leaders whose members have voted for the action said they hope negotiations with the government will allow them to call it off.

Daniel Zamit, of the controllers' union USCA, said that no date has been set yet but if a strike is held it will be after August 16.

The dispute centres on a recent government order that increases the hours controllers work and shortens their rest breaks during shifts.

The changes are the latest chapter of a row that began in February when the government slashed overtime hours, cutting controllers' pay that was as high as £290,000 a year - four times what the prime minister earns.

The government aviation authority AENA was meeting the union on Wednesday.

Mr Zamit said Spain's 2,000 air traffic controllers are overworked and understaffed.

He has demanded a meeting with development minister Jose Blanco, who he accused of imposing the changes in a heavy-handed fashion.

Copyright © 2010 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

That doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling......

 

[mindelmouse]

That doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling......

Me either!

 

[mindelmouse]

Hi All,

We've decided to book flights for the 17th. Which hotels are you all staying in? Any recommendations glady recieved

Thanks
Vicky

We're staying at the Apsis Porta Marina...It's a bit closer to the port than the Novotel, but it's in the same general vicinity...they have really good prices, are a relatively new hotel also and have family rooms that sleep more than 2.

 

[Vicky29]

Just booked an additional flight (we're keeping hold of our original ones for the 18th as a fall back plan), for the 16th with Monarch. Next stop hotels!

 

[jel0511]

I really wish the Elipsos had a refund policy. I can't find one anywhere!!! Then I could book the overnight train from Paris to Barcelona and IF my flight is going, I could cancel. The train is SO expensive, 1000 for the 4 of us!!! YIKES!!! I'll also get dinged for my hotel in Barcelona that night as we have to cancel by 6PM on the 16th, so that's an additional 450 EUR on top of the 1000. So this strikes could end up costing me almost 1600!!!!!!!

 

[mindelmouse]

I really wish the Elipsos had a refund policy. I can't find one anywhere!!! Then I could book the overnight train from Paris to Barcelona and IF my flight is going, I could cancel. The train is SO expensive, 1000 for the 4 of us!!! YIKES!!! I'll also get dinged for my hotel in Barcelona that night as we have to cancel by 6PM on the 16th, so that's an additional 450 EUR on top of the 1000. So this strikes could end up costing me almost 1600!!!!!!!

I would think at the very least that you would know by 6 pm on the 16th whether or not your flight is leaving the next day.

 

[jel0511]

I would think at the very least that you would know by 6 pm on the 16th whether or not your flight is leaving the next day.

I would hope, but with these European Strikes, they just decide to walk and don't announce it!!!!!!

 

[Goofy559]

I really wish the Elipsos had a refund policy. I can't find one anywhere!!! Then I could book the overnight train from Paris to Barcelona and IF my flight is going, I could cancel. T!

From what I could see, the special fares are non-refundable. Others seem to be cancel-able (is that even a word?????) 3 days prior. Doesn't look like any of the fares can be cancelled last minute.....This latest info has me wondering what to do as well....we fly from Toronto on the 16th, on to Barcelona on the 17th. I think I'll give Air France a call and see what they say......maybe I can leave early and join Shawn at the LV store in Paris

 

[mindelmouse]

To help everyone think happier thoughts....here's the menu for the Villians dinner.

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=36493863&postcount=38

 

[crzy4dals]

From what I could see, the special fares are non-refundable. Others seem to be cancel-able (is that even a word?????) 3 days prior. Doesn't look like any of the fares can be cancelled last minute.....This latest info has me wondering what to do as well....we fly from Toronto on the 16th, on to Barcelona on the 17th. I think I'll give Air France a call and see what they say......maybe I can leave early and join Shawn at the LV store in Paris

YIKES!!!!!! I do not need to be reading this today!!!!
Maybe we can rent a BUS from Paris to Barcelona! We fly into Paris as well on the mornign of the 17th to connect... Delta/Air France!

 

[jstin]

I have rebooked our flight for the 17th. I do feel better now I need to contact Disney to change our pick up on the 18th.

 

[Vicky29]

If anyone else is flying in earlier than planned and looking for a reasonably priced hotel without occuring extra travel costs within Barcelona, we're planning on staying at the Barcelona Renaissance by the airport (4*) - it's costing £150 in total (arond $225) for the three of us for two nights. There is a free shuttle between the hotel and airport so we're planning to shuttle back to the airport to pick up our original Disney transfer. There's also a bus stop outside the hotel to use to get into town for a bit of exploring. It's probably not the most exciting plan but it seems to be the cheapest option - and given the amount spent on extra flights that seems like a good idea a the moment.

 

[jstin]

If anyone else is flying in earlier than planned and looking for a reasonably priced hotel without occuring extra travel costs within Barcelona, we're planning on staying at the Barcelona Renaissance by the airport (4*) - it's costing £150 in total (arond $225) for the three of us for two nights. There is a free shuttle between the hotel and airport so we're planning to shuttle back to the airport to pick up our original Disney transfer. There's also a bus stop outside the hotel to use to get into town for a bit of exploring. It's probably not the most exciting plan but it seems to be the cheapest option - and given the amount spent on extra flights that seems like a good idea a the moment.

We booked there too see you there

 

[GratefulDad]

Just a bit shorter than ours (30hrs)!!

Everyone by now should have the FE List who wants one.

Smores and Goofy559 if you want a copy of the FE, with deck plans, PM me with your email address.

Shawn, well done on the run, 20 mins in one go is a huge achievement. I didn't run this morning, it was throwing down rain, I have run in the rain before, no problem, but this was like drenching in a few seconds. I waited half an hour, but it didn't stop, so will try and do my WK7D2 tonight, I usually run in the morning, so it will be intresting to see if I can do it at the end of the day too!!

Anyone prebook tickets to the Colleseum? I am going to do mine tonight, I believe it means you can go at any time during the day and jump the queues. When we went last year, although we saw the outside (again!!!), we didn't go in as the queues were huge! DD is a bit older now to understsand the Gladiators - especially about them fighting the lions!, so it is one of our few 'must sees'.

Off to the Drs. now, hopefully DD will have the cast off. Wish us luck!

Kate

Hi Kate,
Which site are you booking the Colosseum tickets from? If your kids are into Gladiators, I'll mention to you that we booked the "Roman Gladiator School" it's a 2 hour lesson that lets them/you dress up in period garb, and learn to fight etc... It seems like it'll be a lot of fun. We also booked the "Rome Time Elevator" which is a movie/ride near the Trevi Fountain. It's a 45 minute movie that tells the story of Rome from it's earliest days on up.


Mike

 

[Vicky29]

We booked there too see you there

Fantastic It will be good to see a friendly face - we'll be the ones with the red and white spotty pram. Are you getting a disney transfer from the airport on the 18th?

 

[mindelmouse]

Boy this board is hopping today. Everytime I close it down I get an email alert that there's been more activity...hopefully all this worry will be for nothing.!!!

 

[jstin]

Fantastic It will be good to see a friendly face - we'll be the ones with the red and white spotty pram. Are you getting a disney transfer from the airport on the 18th?

Yes we have a Disney transfere. I have to call them tomorrow to change our plans. BTW what is a pram? LOL