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

[KrisannB]

Krisann - I was in Amsterdam at 9yo....we did the Anne Frank House, Delft (where the china is made) & Madorodam (http://www.madurodam.nl/?lang=1). We also walked thru the Red Light District (Mom RUSHED us through) lol!

A river/canal cruise is a must IMO

Oh I did not know about the Delft - I would love to go there as I love the blue and white things - I have been collecting the KLM Delft houses when hubby is fortunate enough to be upgraded to 1st class when he comes home.


I was thinking a Canal Cruise! So I will put it on top of the list - will work the Anne Frank diary into our reading list for the summer and put that on the possible list.

Thanks!

Krisann

 

[dster113]

Since I see quite a few people on line. I have a question.
What are people doing in Maderia? Are you doing a DCL excursion? Or if you're doing your own thing, what sugestions do you have? I'd like to see the island and yet get back for the flower parade.
Thanks for the imput,
Jennifer

I would like to take the kids to the parade and still looking fir things to do but there weren't any kid friendly DCL excursions for both my children.

 

[tjbole71]

Start packing? I am almost done packing! Though it does help I do not need any nice summer clothes when bombarded with snow in New Hampshire. We have had a rough year of weather and medical issues and we are soooo looking forward to a 14 day cruise with a couple of days in london after

 

[mommyto3princesses]

We will be packing a princess outfit for our DD5. You are right in that they grow out of the princess phase so quickly so this will likely be sort of a last hurrah. I don't think we'll be able to get our DD7 in a princess outfit, but may bring an outfit just in case.

My dd3, dd5, and dd7 will want to wear princess dresses. DD7 loves to dress up so she'll have no problem wearing a princess dress.

What are people doing in Maderia?

We booked a private tour with http://www.danielmadeirataxis.com/index.php

 

[Donaldcp98]

THOUGHTS ON CADIZ ... a compilation of beach information compiled by a DISer ... and I think it located in Aunt Lynne's book of knowledge (in her signature).



Do Cougars know Tae Kwon Do?

Ok. I had not been to the Aunt Lynne's Book of Knowledge but all I have to say is Wow!!! That is an awesome list of everything anyone would ever want to know. That is amazing for everyone that has contributed!!!! You all are amazing!!!!!!!

And sdlong I think you are in trouble (as far as the Tae Kwon Do!

 

[tjbole71]

I am flying BA as well, though I heard they had plenty of "volunteers" to cover the striking flight attendants. I think I would be more concerned if it were the pilots striking!

 

[KrisannB]

We did a whirlwind tour a few years ago - it was a stop on our Renaissance Cruise. We went to Kuekenhof Gardens and they were THE MOST beautiful sight that I have ever seen. HOWEVER we were lucky enough to be there the 1st week of May and I think that was toward the end of the blooming season but you could go online and check it out. It was an easy place to get to via a short bus ride.

We also did the Anne Frank House - that was really interesting and emotional.I think it's a great spot to see with kids ( have them read Diary first ).

We were able to fit in a quick walk, via the Red Lamp District scared1 on the way back to the boat.

I wish we'd had time for a canal cruise and a trip to the Heineken Plant!!!

Of course they also have fabulous museums.

You will really enjoy your time there!!

thanks for the info! We will be there in september so I am sure the flowers are a no go but I would really like to do a canal tour - I will put it on top of the list.

Krisann

 

[tjbole71]

Disney has phenomenal children's programming and they NEVER cancel. My 13 year old daughter has been cruising with us on Disney since she was 3 (at least once a year) and we often travel off season with less kids. She actually liked it better with less kids because she had more access to characters, computers and cookies.... LOL. My daughter used to cry when we would pick her up at the oceaneer club and now that she is a teenager spends all of her time in the stack having a blast with kids her own age. No worries... there will be plenty for them to do!

 

[bound2travel]

SM People -- please fill in your favorites in the all-mighty spreadsheet, or else you will be getting coals and chopped liver for gifts!

Seriously, some people asked me to issue this plea so they don't have to rush around the airport thinking of what to get for you

Ugh, please no chopped liver. Yuck Yuck Yuck!!! I'll go make sure I've filled everything out, but I believe I have.

Kristi

 

[Yvet]

that is it - all my plane reservaions are made and confirmed! Last one was BCN to Paris. When I did this one, our return for the EB cruise we will have a 20 hour layover in Amsterdam (I did this on purpose so we could see at least a little of amsterdam). We managed to find a 2 bedroom hotel room for a good price but I will still have to figure out what are the "must do's" are for amsterdam but that can wait till this summer. I also went shopping ad bought some more new clothes so that I can pack more things and people quit asking to wear them!

Krisann

Be sure to mention this again on the cruise, i live in The Netherlands so i'm more then willing to help you out with some suggestions and tips!!!

We did a whirlwind tour a few years ago - it was a stop on our Renaissance Cruise. We went to Kuekenhof Gardens and they were THE MOST beautiful sight that I have ever seen. HOWEVER we were lucky enough to be there the 1st week of May and I think that was toward the end of the blooming season but you could go online and check it out. It was an easy place to get to via a short bus ride.

We also did the Anne Frank House - that was really interesting and emotional.I think it's a great spot to see with kids ( have them read Diary first ).

We were able to fit in a quick walk, via the Red Lamp District scared1 on the way back to the boat.

I wish we'd had time for a canal cruise and a trip to the Heineken Plant!!!

Of course they also have fabulous museums.

You will really enjoy your time there!!

The Keukenhof is closed i believe in that time of year, if it's open there are no flowers anyway...
The blooming season is April.
The Anne Frank museum is very nice and almost a must see.
The other museums are great if you like it, i'm not a painting kind of person so for me it isn't my type of thing...
The red lights district is something that is nice to see for once but it isn't that special...

Krisann - I was in Amsterdam at 9yo....we did the Anne Frank House, Delft (where the china is made) & Madorodam (http://www.madurodam.nl/?lang=1). We also walked thru the Red Light District (Mom RUSHED us through) lol!

A river/canal cruise is a must IMO

As i said the Anne Frank museum is almost a must do.
Delft is where i live so i've seen it all.
Madurodam is very nice but more for a longer visit then a 20 hour layover just because the fact that there is so many other things to see.

Oh I did not know about the Delft - I would love to go there as I love the blue and white things - I have been collecting the KLM Delft houses when hubby is fortunate enough to be upgraded to 1st class when he comes home.

I was thinking a Canal Cruise! So I will put it on top of the list - will work the Anne Frank diary into our reading list for the summer and put that on the possible list.

Thanks!

Krisann

As i said i live in Delft so i'm willing to tour you around.
It depends on what day you are here because i work 2 days.
In Delft you can visit the Delft Blue Pottery museum and you can do a canal boat tour also in Delft (there is even a stop at the pottery museum).
I believe that the combination of Delft and the Anne Frank museum is to much for one day, so you have to make some decisions here.
If you decide for going to Delft maybe it's better to arrange a hotel in Delft instead of Amsterdam.

As i said, i'm/we are more then willing to give you some tips and tell stories about The Netherlands on the cruise.

 

[Tinked]

Back in 2008, we got to the airport around 8 am. We were staying near the airport so it was a 5 minute shuttle ride. Much to our surprise, the DCL desk was checking us in complete with KTTW cards and boarding numbers (our friends got #2 and we got #3). It was such an easy process. Apparently they only do this for a limited amount of time. We were on the bus by 9ish (when they are full, they move um) and were delighted to get to the port in time to take pictures with Mickey and gang.

Last year we went to Port Canveral the night before so don't know if they are still doing this early airport checkin. Just wanted to put it out there and see if anyone has done this before.

Where is the DCL desk at the airport? I never noticed it before.

 

[woody73]

Woody,
For those wanting to leave surprises in your Fish extender for the son of your friends, where do we find said fish extender?
Jan

Jan,

The fish extender will be at our cabin, which will be listed in the Mini-Navigator. Thanks.

Woody

 

[tjbole71]

I was on BA website. New update at 3 PM today. They are chartering flights on other airlines to cover strike from March 20-23. Currently, they are planning for the strike through March 31, but say flights at end of March are operating normally. Also, they offer the following if the flight gets canceled:

If your flight has been cancelled due to strike action you can:

Rebook onto another British Airways flight within 355 days of the original date of travel at no extra charge, subject to availability
OR

Rebook onto another British Airways flight to/from the nearest alternative airport (for example, if booked to/from Boston you could rebook to/from Philadelphia or New York) at no extra charge, subject to availability. Any additional costs to get to/from the alternative airport is at your own expense.
OR

Cancel your booking and obtain a refund to the original form of payment

 

[scottjm]

IMHO....Launches...my poor sister...who lives in ft lauderdale has gotten up at 2 am and driven to many (at least 4 or 5) "planned" shuttle launches...only to be told at the last minute it was cancelled, because of wind, errors, funny readings, clouds, a rain drop etc..etc.. I would personally never make specific plans that surround the launch alone.... now a plan to extend the vacay just because you can ? Why not!

We went to one a couple of years ago. July 2, delayed. Went back on July 4 and it launched. Worth all of the inconvenience though. It was amazing, even form 7 miles away. But even more impressive was seeing one launch at night while we were having dinner at the Caribbean Beach resort. It lit up the whole sky and from 60-70 miles away. Absolutely stunning!

With only a few shuttle launches left, if I had not seen one, I would try to before they are gone for good.

 

[disdel]

I was beginning to wonder if my formal dress for Princess night was going to be too formal. It's poofy and fantastic. Dan says there is no such thing as being overdressed. It would be okay on HAL, but I haven't seen too many poofy dresses in formal pictures on the DISboards. But if there are tiaras, my dress is perfect. I don't think I'll bring a tiara, but I might bring my vine head piece.
~Melissa

Listen to your husband - enjoy your Princess time. I'll have to make sure my DW brings her tiara

 

[sdlong329]

This Cougar does, and is well on her way to her Black Belt. I'm just saying...

---NOTE TO SELF: Watch the sites from far above ... behind the security of the bullet-proof glass at Outlook Bar!

 

[sdlong329]

New incentive offers free Disney Dream cruise
http://www.dvcnews.com/index.php/news-program-information-93/1206

Written by Tim Krasniewski: March 09, 2010

Disney Vacation Club has unveiled a new round of incentives which include free Disney Cruise Line voyages on the forthcoming Disney Dream cruise ship! The duration of the cruise increases with the number of points purchased, all the way up to a 7-night voyage in an ocean view stateroom with a veranda.

The incentives are available with purchases at all 4 resorts in active sales: Bay Lake Tower, Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel. Thresholds vary for current DVC members and prospects:

Current Member Add-On
100-124 points: 3-Night cruise in Ocean View cabin
125-159 points: 4-Night cruise in Ocean View cabin
160-199 points: 4-Night cruise in Veranda cabin
200-249 points: 7-Night cruise in Ocean View cabin
250+ points: 7-Night cruise in Veranda cabin


New Member Purchase
160-219 points: 3-Night cruise in Ocean View cabin
220-269 points: 4-Night cruise in Ocean View cabin
270-319 points: 7-Night cruise in Ocean View cabin
320+ points: 7-Night cruise in Veranda cabin

The cruise is valid for up to 4 guests. Taxes and port fees are included. Gratuities are NOT included in this incentive.

Sailing dates vary but are all within 2011. Disney Vacation Club Member Service will begin taking reservations for the incentive cruises on 4/1/10. The DVC purchase must close before the buyer will be permitted to make reservations. An email will be sent to the member when booking can commence.

Additionally, buyers who finance through DVC must reach a point where their downpayment plus monthly payments equal approximately 30% of the total purchase price before the sailing date of the incentive cruise. Those who pay cash for the new or add-on purchase will be permitted to sail sooner than those who finance.

Not all incentive cruises are available on the Disney Wonder.

The free cruise is offered in lieu of any cash incentive on the DVC purchase. Buyers electing the complimentary cruise will pay the full retail price of $120 per point for the Bay Lake Tower and $112 per point for Animal Kingdom Villas, Saratoga Springs or Grand Californian.

Other terms and conditions may apply. It is recommended that interested parties contact a Disney Vacation Club sales representative for details.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Start packing? I am almost done packing! Though it does help I do not need any nice summer clothes when bombarded with snow in New Hampshire. We have had a rough year of weather and medical issues and we are soooo looking forward to a 14 day cruise with a couple of days in london after

Hmmmm...will we be on the same plane to London? BA 0479 departs 11AM.


What I would do in Amsterdam....STALK RUTGER HAUER!

.

 

[thossink]

Sorry to off topic BUT,
I just found out I am going to be a Grandpa again :
o.k. we can go back to the trip talk



T

 

[thossink]

---NOTE TO SELF: Watch the sites from far above ... behind the security of the bullet-proof glass at Outlook Bar!

Shuffle board pushers and Black belts, Boy are you in trouble