contingency plans - not pessimistic, just realistic!

[karentan]

we're going down to barcelona in just under 4 weeks to bring the disney magic back to the UK and are flying down friday, the ship sails on saturday.
just in case (given recent problems with that darn volcano), does anyone know the best way to get overland from france to barcelona? if it gets to a couple of days before and its still causing trouble i'll probably book a ferry over to calais then try and get a train down.
i think corinna had to do this recently, does anyone have any idea of how i can get there?

 

[scottishgirl87]

Try Rail Europe to see which trains are available from France to Barcelona.

I'm not really sure further than that I'm afraid

Good luck!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

We are thinking about this for September for the WBTA if the cloud is still causing trouble. We plan to get train to Paris and then Paris to Barcelona.

 

[Jule]

Were going to Barcelona on Friday, I'm really hoping it will be sorted by then. I really dont fancy a train ride to London, then to France and then on to Barcelona. Fingers crossed

 

[mark&sue]

we drive once a year to torrevieja and pass Barcelona on the way. We had to get a lift off someone a few weeks ago when the planes were grounded. with the tolls and petrol it can be expensive, but you can do it in less than 24hours.

It looks really scarey all summer with this ash. fingers crossed we will all be alright. off to WDW in 8 weeks


susan

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Good luck and hope the ash stays away.

Will any of you guys be doing a trip report when back?

I have put on hold the barcelona to barcelona cruise for next august.

Did you guys book through disney direct or dreams unlimited?

Disney are saying for next year they want $600 dollars per person deposit!!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Good luck and hope the ash stays away.

Will any of you guys be doing a trip report when back?

I have put on hold the barcelona to barcelona cruise for next august.

Did you guys book through disney direct or dreams unlimited?

Disney are saying for next year they want $600 dollars per person deposit!!

I usually book through Dreams Unlimited .... got a really good deal through them for WBTA .... cheaper than booking on board with the 10% discount.

I hope to do a trip report.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

I usually book through Dreams Unlimited .... got a really good deal through them for WBTA .... cheaper than booking on board with the 10% discount.

I hope to do a trip report.

As I say I have got one on hold with disney direct .... is it ok to email dreams unlimited to check their price as well before book???

 

[dolphingirl47]

We ended up doing Portsmouth Le Havre on the highspeed ferry, Le Havre to Paris, Paris to Port Bou (overnight) and then Port Bou to Barcelona and this worked like a charm. There is also an overnight train from Paris to Barcelona, but that is significantly more expensive than the Paris Port Bou option and the train from there to Barcelona was dirt cheap. We just opted for the reclining seat on the overnight train, but they also have sleeper compartments. The seats were pretty comfy though.

Our original plan was Portsmouth Santander, Santander Madrid and Madrid Barcelona, but that would have been a bit more expensive.

Corinna

 

[karentan]

corinna, if its not too cheeky, do you mind letting me know roughly how much the train journey cost you and who you booked it through? and did you have a good cruise?

 

[mandymouse]

we're going down to barcelona in just under 4 weeks to bring the disney magic back to the UK and are flying down friday, the ship sails on saturday.
just in case (given recent problems with that darn volcano), does anyone know the best way to get overland from france to barcelona? if it gets to a couple of days before and its still causing trouble i'll probably book a ferry over to calais then try and get a train down.
i think corinna had to do this recently, does anyone have any idea of how i can get there?

I really hope the ash cloud doesn't affect your holiday Karen

I usually book through Dreams Unlimited .... got a really good deal through them for WBTA .... cheaper than booking on board with the 10% discount.

I hope to do a trip report.

I look forward to reading your trip report Sarah

 

[natalielongstaff]

here's hoping you dont need those contingency plans

 

[dolphingirl47]

corinna, if its not too cheeky, do you mind letting me know roughly how much the train journey cost you and who you booked it through? and did you have a good cruise?

Sure, no problem. Le Havre Paris was proportionally the highest fare based on cost and distance travelled with EUR30 per person. Paris Port Bou was EUR82.50 per person and Port Bou Barcelona EUR10.60. All the trains were comfortable and reliable and the whole journey was good fun. We also had to get the Metro in Paris as the train from Le Havre arrives at Paris St. Lazare, but the train to Port Bou leaves from Gare D'Austerlitz. This was straightforward even though we had to change once and inexpensive.

The cruise was fantastic. I had every intention to start posting my trip report today, but I am still uploading the photos. With nearly 700 photos, this takes a while.

Corinna

 

[TotallyAngelic]

As I say I have got one on hold with disney direct .... is it ok to email dreams unlimited to check their price as well before book???

definitely .... get the price and factor on the OBC and then book the best deal.

 

[disneyangel]

It may be worth exploring buses too Karen.

We did the opposite journey on our return from Salou which is very close to Barcelona (due to the volcano ) and looked into a number of routes -

National express do a bus from London ( I think Victora bus station)to Barcelona including your ferry crossing of £69 single.

Asla and Eurolines are other companies that may be of use. We could find a bus from London to Vittoria in Spain and then a connecting train from there to Barcelona via Renfe.

Hope you don't need this plan as both journey's are really long (about 27 hours ) but I'm sure it will be great to step on that boat at the end

Good Luck