Bound for Barcelona - April 10, 2010 EB TA - Part 4

[rtobe]

Hi fellow cruisers - just wanted to update the FE Group #3 list. Below is all the names I have received as of 9PM EST on March 11. If I left anyone off please PM or e-mail.

rtobe
Susanowen27
disdel
KrisannB

 

[auntlynne]

FE GROUP 2

We went over our planned 12 family limit - if this is affecting anybody, I'll jump over to Group 3 - just let me know soon so I can get in before they hit their limit.

Lynne

 

[Mrs. Gumdrop]

Hi, I think I may be on the same flight. Does anyone have hotel idea? THANKS

We are staying at the Renaissance Barcelona Airport Hotel

Pl. Volateria, 3 - Poligono Mas Blau,
El Prat de Llobregat, 08820 Spain
Phone: 34-93-378 32 00 Fax: 34-93-378 98 00
website

 

[thossink]

Just get to the park for rope drop - they do a really cute pre-opening show at around 8:40, definitely worth seeing

Definitely a treat to see.
My Daughter was chosen to open the park a few years ago. She still talks about it.

T

 

[auntlynne]

Don't know if any of our group is from Louisiana, but I made my very first seafood gumbo tonight!!! We used to live in Texas and my BIL lives in Lafayette, LA so we love cajun food. Happy to say that I didn't burn the roux and the gumbo is delish!
...
Just get to the park for rope drop - they do a really cute pre-opening show at around 8:40, definitely worth seeing - do FPs and have fun. ...

Lori1035 is from LA.

I spent 45 minutes stirring a roux to achieve that caramel-colored peanut butter consistency and NOT burn it, but, man, that's a lot of work. Makes you appreciate a good gumbo. Congrats on expanding your culinary repertoire


A helpful hint I just learned about Magic Kingdom (and probably everything else in life) - Go Left. Most people are right handed and go right when entering the park. If you go left, you'll have Adventureland (and probably Frontierland) with fewer crowds. (I went on a tour when I was there last week).

And I wish I had been a little earlier to the park - I caught the end of the CMs singing, dancing and otherwise welcoming people into the park from the top of the train station at the entrance to the park (seen from the outside).

Watch for Tinkerbell during Wishes fireworks - that is a live person flying through the air - oh, I mean Tinkerbell actually flies from Cinderella's castle during the show. Work your way into a spot in front of the castle, not too close, for some spectacular fireworks.

- Lynne

 

[realfam]

I'm pleased to announce that this Canadian Dis family got there documents today
So its official, you'll all have to put up with us for 2 weeks on the Magic.

 

[stlkeeler]

Here's some clarification regarding dress code at Palo's for Brunch. There's some personalities here that would like to bring up heated discussion about dress codes, and here are the facts, plain and simple.

From Disney's Website (http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/magic/dining/palo/)

At brunch and high tea, attire is cruise casual, meaning no shorts, jeans, swimwear or tank tops.

That doesn't say "YOU NEED A TIE" or "POLOS NOT ALLOWED". The dress code for brunch clearly indicates what is not allowed; therefore, what's not on the list would be inferred as allowed by definition.

Enjoy your group dining.

-Steve

Thanks for the clarification.

.
It does not have to be fancy. It just needs to be a hanging pocket to collect gifts. On one cruise a friend hung a plastic bag from the grocery store. You could hang a little tote bag, a DCL plastic bag from Mickey's Mates--anything. The point is to have fun, not stress.
.

On one of my cruises I saw someone use a bicycle basket. They were a last minute addition to the list so probably didn't have time to get one. It was used but it worked!

Seriously, I was trying to be helpful and convey information I received from DCL regarding Palo brunch, in their own words. The tone of discussions on this thread is becoming very discouraging to me lately.

I'm sorry if I made anyone uncomfortable but I was so hurt (still am)!

THANKS SO MUCH! I had a great time looking at all the others on her site. WOW~!

I was kinda hoping people would look around. I just love her pics!

I am thinking that 1:00pm on Sea Day 5 might be a good time to play. But if Ducky Williams is talking, that would take precedence.

- Lynne

I definitely agree with this! Don't want to miss any of Ducky!

Just checked on line and DCL hasn't moved our Palo reservations yet, so if you are looking to pick up any cancelled ones, they haven't happened yet. Keep checking!

.

I just checked my ressie and my linked ressies with Dee are gone. Don't know when it happened, though.

There's a party with the captain in the atrium before dinner(s) and they serve drinks there.

.

Good to know! I wanted to ask but kept forgetting.

Still no docs for me. Maybe tomorrow - that's what I tell myself everyday! Plenty of time left. Besides, I can get on the ship without them.

 

[realfam]

Awwwww! Thanks for the welcomes! You may not want me to come out of my shell... IRL I'll talk to a tree or a potted plant. It's just online that I turn into a wallflower.

We'd love nametags - I'll try to update our info on the spreadsheet tonight. We are super excited about the cruise. We booked on the first day and it seems hard to believe that it's right around the corner. I'm spending way too much time online, doing everything from reading menus to lurking here. My DD even told me the other day that I'm thinking way too much about the Mickey Cruise and that I should focus on work more.

We're trying to figure out excursions and the like now (and what the kids will deal with versus melt down on). This will be our first trip to Europe since 2002 and our first trip abroad since we had our twins, but somehow I think our past MO of church tours and museums will not amuse the under-five set.

I am definitely planning on doing the Castaway 5K (and have been lurking on all those threads on the main board). I was thinking of doing my longer runs on the ship only so that I didn't lose a couple of hours of "tush-in-lounge-chair-with-pina-colada-in-hand" time that day (trust me, I'm FAR lazier than my running would imply ).

Did I read somewhere that there's going to be a Bunco game one day?????!!!!

Erin
(Who needs to figure out how to make a signature)

MissErin, I'll be joining you on that 5k run at Castaway. I'm hoping to run most days but on my last few cruises I have brought my gear and have never put it on. I founding eating all the great food made me lose all interest in running. So hopefully this cruise I can be strong enough and get past day 3 still running. Unforetunately, I cannot do the distances your doing but I'm good for 5-7km and then lay me in a lounge

Alex

 

[JLSE50]

: Do you want people who are not part of the Secret Mickey, Fish Extender gifts, Stateroom Door Magnet contest, etc to include information on the FAVORITES tab of the Google spread sheet?


Jan

 

[TheCruisers]

.
We had Disney book our air and we are flying out Friday. We are staying at All Star Music Friday night--booked by DCL and will take the DCL bus to the port on Saturday. It was reasonably priced and relieved our anxiety about missing the ship due to an airplane delay.
.

We are arriving Friday as well, but staying at the All Star Sports Resort. Guess that makes us neighbours!

We are also taking the DCL bus on Saturday. I do not have any papers yet, do you by chance know what time the DCL bus leaves the general area of the WDW hotels?

Thanks!
Eleasa

 

[TheCruisers]

I'm pleased to announce that this Canadian Dis family got there documents today
So its official, you'll all have to put up with us for 2 weeks on the Magic.

Hmmmm, does this make me the official "last Canadian" to get papers? Nothing here yet.

Glad you got yours Alex!

Eleasa

 

[sdlong329]

Here's some clarification regarding dress code at Palo's for Brunch. There's some personalities here that would like to bring up heated discussion about dress codes, and here are the facts, plain and simple.

From Disney's Website (http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/magic/dining/palo/)

At brunch and high tea, attire is cruise casual, meaning no shorts, jeans, swimwear or tank tops.

That doesn't say "YOU NEED A TIE" or "POLOS NOT ALLOWED". The dress code for brunch clearly indicates what is not allowed; therefore, what's not on the list would be inferred as allowed by definition.

Enjoy your group dining.

-Steve

--No Steve, nobody is stirring up anything, and nobody inferred that. So, are you saying the fax Dee received is bogus? It says what it says! When was the last time you were in Palo's? As I have said (previously), the information I provided is based upon 12/09 sailing (as well as 4/09 sailing), whereas someone else was trying to correct me, based upon their 1/09 sailing. It's not my ship ... I don't set the rules ... I am just pasing along the information shared with me by Marco (formerly Magic Palo's MGR, now on the Wonder) and PJ (current Palo's MGR). I understand that you may not have reason to believe me. If that is the case, feel free to contact DCL with your queries ... or ask PJ when you see him in a month! If PJ is still onboard, I am sure he will be leaving a reminder voice mail as always. Then again, why believe me?

The people who update websites are not necessarily the same people on the ship. For that matter ... it would appear as though the portion of the website you are referencing is out-dated (by at least six months), since it references ...

Online reservations are available at the following times:
Category 1, 2, 3: 105 days in advance
Castaway Club Member: 90 days in advance
First Time Cruiser: 75 days in advance

Please do not infer that I am setting or trying to set any rules ... I am just passing along the information previously supplied to me. Feel free to ignore whatever you desire ... including the fax as sent to the group organizer, by DCL.

For those who have never been to Palo's, "Palo is the preeminent venue for Disney dining on the high seas. Boasting elegant Venetian glass, inlaid wood paneling and sweeping 270-degree panoramic ocean views thanks to the restaurant's elegant floor-to-ceiling windows and semi-circular layout, Palo is the perfect setting ... for a more intimate—and more romantic—dining experience. Venetian masks adorning the walls, a backlit bar at the restaurant's center and an open kitchen only add to the Magic."

On a side note (not related to this thread or Palo's), I find it ironic (no emoticon required) that some cruisers read the words CRUISE CASUAL, and assume it means CASUAL. There IS a difference!

 

[TheCruisers]

Oh my!

I did up a personal calendar to track activities/excursions/times etc. DH comes in and starts reading it and says "What's Palo dinner? Is that on the ship?" I guess the great big SEA DAY on the calendar didn't register. I sure hope he isn't planning on leaving the ship in between Madeira and Cadiz!!!

THEN! He asks me to print him out an itinerary, because although he loves telling every person he meets (friend, stranger or otherwise) about this great B2B cruise we are taking, when asked where we are going his only answer is "I dunno". SHEESH!

 

[JLSE50]

We are arriving Friday as well, but staying at the All Star Sports Resort. Guess that makes us neighbours!

We are also taking the DCL bus on Saturday. I do not have any papers yet, do you by chance know what time the DCL bus leaves the general area of the WDW hotels?

Thanks!
Eleasa

Our past experience is that the bus picks us up at WDW hotels about "noon-ish"

We have decided to be OK with that. We will get there, they are taking us so the ship will not leave without us and we consider the bus to be a part of our vacation. The timing lets us sleep in, eat a leisurely breakfast and, when we get there, walk into a nearly empty terminal. Check in is quite quick and we walk through the MICKEY EARS without a crowd.
.

 

[JLSE50]

Hmmmm, does this make me the official "last Canadian" to get papers? Nothing here yet.

Glad you got yours Alex!

Eleasa

No documents in Indianapolis either.

 

[katypop]

Group 1: Confirmed 4/14 10:30 AM
Dee
Linda
Lynne
PrincessMonkey and Dr. Dave
Kathryn
Kristi
Glenn and Krisann
Yvette and Emiel
John & Charlotte
Carla (pending)

Group 2: Confirmed 4/16 10:30 AM
Kim and Mark
Barbara
Scott and Susan
Jacqueline
Pamela
Monica
Randy and Ann
Donald E. and Katrina

Bekaah, I should have confirmation for you and DH tomorrow for group 2. Stay tuned.

Great news Dee Thank you

 

[realfam]

Hmmmm, does this make me the official "last Canadian" to get papers? Nothing here yet.

Glad you got yours Alex!

Eleasa

Eleasa, I'm sure yours will be there tomorrow

 

[TheCruisers]

Our past experience is that the bus picks us up at WDW hotels about "noon-ish"

We have decided to be OK with that. We will get there, they are taking us so the ship will not leave without us and we consider the bus to be a part of our vacation. The timing lets us sleep in, eat a leisurely breakfast and, when we get there, walk into a nearly empty terminal. Check in is quite quick and we walk through the MICKEY EARS without a crowd.
.

Noonish doesn't sound too bad! As you say, sleep in, leisurely breakfast etc. If we don't meet before, see ya on the bus!

Thanks for the info!

Eleasa

 

[JLSE50]

Noonish doesn't sound too bad! As you say, sleep in, leisurely breakfast etc. If we don't meet before, see ya on the bus!

Thanks for the info!

Eleasa

See you there!

Ottawa! I just noticed! Ottawa was the last day of the canoe trips our church youth group took each summer through the Rideau Route. We pulled the canoes out at Smiths Falls, camped in a public park there by the canal and drove to Ottawa for the day before returning to our homes in upstate New York near Utica. Ottawa is where I learned that fried fish and potatoes SHOULD be seasoned with malt vinegar and salt. I love it! YAY FISH AND CHIPS!
.

 

[JLSE50]

Annt Lynne,
List of cruisers on your wonderful website does not have my DIS name lined up with our real names and stateroom number.
JLSE50 Jan and Tom 5632
thanks