July 30, 2010 Mickey's Adventures England to Espana Cruise

[scottishwee35]

16 WEEKS TO GO

UNTIL THE ENGLAND TO ESPANA CRUISE

DCL HERE WE COME!!!

​

The weeks are going down fast now! The time is sure to fly past. Those of us in the UK have had \ are having the school Easter break and after that the summer term flies by so in no time at all we will all be heading to Dover to board the Magic!

for those looking to get to Dover i would also go with the trains. A car or bus transfer would be ok (and we are going by car) but if you are flying in to Gatwick it is so easy to hop on the Gatwich Express into London and then Victoria to Dover. It doesn't happen too often but when the French go on strike and the lorries can't get through the tunnel or over on the ferries they block some of the routes in to Dover with "Operation Stack" which turns some of themotorway into a lorry car park which might be a bit alarming if you were going by yourselves in a hire car!!!!

Got to go, we are hosting our scrapbooking retreat weekend and it starts TODAY, my delegates arrive at lunch time and although we are on top of things I mustn't get side tracked here, just wanted to post todays countdown of the weeks as I won't have time later!

Mel
x

Scottishwee35

 

[Piggy and Bear]

16 WEEKS TO GO

UNTIL THE ENGLAND TO ESPANA CRUISE

DCL HERE WE COME!!!

​

 

[ScubaMickey]

Wow, all in one day, my kids would not be impressed. If I remember correctly you are travelling with your mom , so I am sure you will not get the "are we there yet". We are flying Tuesday night and then spending Wednesday in London and the train Thursday. I think we will aim for mid morning so we have the afternoon to head to Dover Castle.

I went and checked the National Express website and I do see direct trains from Victoria station now, so I will aim to book soon. When I first started looking at this cruise, 1 pound was almost $2 CAD, and today the rate was 1 pound is 1.57 CAD, so that should allow for more shopping

Mom is a great travler. Our original plan was to fly in to London and allow us some time to tour the city. Instead, we are going to stay two extra days in Barcelona since we did not have quality time to visit the area in 2007. The luggage hunt took up our time. Our flight lands at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday and we will head immediately to the Gatwick Express to travel to Victoria Station. Let me know which train time you select to Dover mid morning. I just love Victoria Station....This will be the REALLY BEGINNING of the trip.

Shopping Love to Shop!!!

ScubaMickey

 

[scottishwee35]

Hello

For train to Dover

http://www.gner.railsaver.co.uk/indexMPPC.shtml

can look at it...

book it 3 months advance, get cheaper...

Scottishwee35

 

[ScubaMickey]

Hello

For train to Dover

http://www.gner.railsaver.co.uk/indexMPPC.shtml

can look at it...

book it 3 months advance, get cheaper...

Scottishwee35

Thank you, Scottishwee for posting the web site. Booking the train is our final planning piece of the trip.

ScubaMickey

 

[mkmommy]

The girls watched the Disney Channel Movie, Cheetah Girls 2 which was filmed in Barcelona last night and are excited to be going to Barcelona, sure looks beautiful.

For those of you that have been to Barcelona, there was one street scene with all these people dressed up at as statues, would that be somewhere on LaRambla? The girls would love to see that.



Scottishwee thanks for the train links. Does it matter who you buy the tickets from as I have seen a few different website that sell train tickets?

Lisa

 

[jdybnsn]

.

For those of you that have been to Barcelona, there was one street scene with all these people dressed up at as statues, would that be somewhere on LaRambla? The girls would love to see that.

Lisa

Yes, that's exactly where they are ....but do be very wary of pick pockets, bag theives etc in this area .....its just as well known for that too !!

 

[Piggy and Bear]

For those of you that have been to Barcelona, there was one street scene with all these people dressed up at as statues, would that be somewhere on LaRambla? The girls would love to see that.



Scottishwee thanks for the train links. Does it matter who you buy the tickets from as I have seen a few different website that sell train tickets?

Lisa

Lisa the statue people are on Las Ramblas. Very good to watch but watch your bag/purse! No bad story but notorious for pickpockets.

Plenty of train websites. Check for hidden costs eg booking fees but we use

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
You can pick the tickets up in station or they E-mail them to you. Use them quite regularly for journeys to Birmingham to see DH (he works there ).

Viccie

 

[mkmommy]

Lisa the statue people are on Las Ramblas. Very good to watch but watch your bag/purse! No bad story but notorious for pickpockets.

Plenty of train websites. Check for hidden costs eg booking fees but we use

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
You can pick the tickets up in station or they E-mail them to you. Use them quite regularly for journeys to Birmingham to see DH (he works there ).


Viccie

What are the normal fees for booking train travel on line?

Mom is a great travler. Our original plan was to fly in to London and allow us some time to tour the city. Instead, we are going to stay two extra days in Barcelona since we did not have quality time to visit the area in 2007. The luggage hunt took up our time. Our flight lands at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday and we will head immediately to the Gatwick Express to travel to Victoria Station. Let me know which train time you select to Dover mid morning. I just love Victoria Station....This will be the REALLY BEGINNING of the trip.

Shopping Love to Shop!!!

ScubaMickey

I am having a hard time trying to come up with a plan. I have no idea how the girls will be moving with the time change and an overnight flight. We have only done one overnight flight and both girls were sound asleep before we got up in the air, and were great all day, but it was us parents who did not get any sleep and were not moving too well.

I am leaning towards the 10:52 train that gets to Dover at 1:00, but if we do that I am not sure we will have time to visit Dover Castle. It is open till 6:00 but I imagine in the summer it is busy, might have to skip Dover Castle and do St Georges Castle in Lisbon.

Lisa

 

[ScubaMickey]

MKMommy,

I will have to take a look at all the times available to Dover. I don't want to rush because of jet lag, but I want to limit the lay over too. I don't vision us seeing much of Dover the first day. We may venture out a little if we have time before we board the Magic. Any idea what time that might be?

ScubaMickey

 

[mkmommy]

MKMommy,

I will have to take a look at all the times available to Dover. I don't want to rush because of jet lag, but I want to limit the lay over too. I don't vision us seeing much of Dover the first day. We may venture out a little if we have time before we board the Magic. Any idea what time that might be?

ScubaMickey

The million dollar question, how long will it take to get luggage, through customs, and then to Victoria Station, I am glad that I have a day in between.

I think boarding will be similar to Cape Canaveal, around noon.

Lisa

 

[Piggy and Bear]

What are the normal fees for booking train travel on line?



I am having a hard time trying to come up with a plan. I have no idea how the girls will be moving with the time change and an overnight flight. We have only done one overnight flight and both girls were sound asleep before we got up in the air, and were great all day, but it was us parents who did not get any sleep and were not moving too well.

I am leaning towards the 10:52 train that gets to Dover at 1:00, but if we do that I am not sure we will have time to visit Dover Castle. It is open till 6:00 but I imagine in the summer it is busy, might have to skip Dover Castle and do St Georges Castle in Lisbon.

Lisa

Lisa
The website I quoted doesn't charge if you collect tickets in the station-( you just put your cc in a machine) or if you hae them e-mailed to you.

Yor timing sounds very similar to ours. We are still planning to do Dover Castle but we're a bit picky on what we want to do. We're going to do the Henry 1 exhibition in the keep and we're not too bothered for the WW2 stuff. We recon that 3 hours will be way enough and if your staying at the Travelodge its about 10 min walk up hill to the castle. St georges castle in Lisbon sounds interesting but I think we're just going to see as much as possible that day!

Your jet lag problems sound just like us. DH and DD don't do too bad. I'm shocking! I would just play it by ear just like your planning to do. If your good then do a little more.

Happy Planning!
Viccie

 

[Dylcal]

Hi all. Made my final payment last week as I can book my excursions on Friday. Will be up at mid-night to ensure we get what we want. As for Dylan and I we will be doing Disney excursions. I am not brave enough to try on our own, expecially since it is just me and my son. We are doing the whole touristy things, Rock of Gilbralter (and the apes), Normandy beach, and my favorite Fatima. Being Portugese and Catholic, I used to watch the movie every year when I was young!! This was the one excursion my son did not pick. We are riding bikes and doing the river rafting (although my son asked if I was too old to bike and raft!!!) Wonderful kid! We got our plan reservations also and we do get a free bag a piece which I will only have to pay for 1, ok it will be 2 additional bags!

Someone asked the number of cruises, this will be our 6th! My seventh! Actually my son's also as he announced in a crowded elevator on our first cruise when he was 4! Someone asked him if this was his first and in a loud voice he said-- actually this is my second -- I was conceived on a cruise!!! I was mortified -- I never knew he listened.

By the way the Magic has started it's transatlantic voyage. There is a thread on it. Should be fun to read. Take care.

Sheryl

 

[mkmommy]

Hi all. Made my final payment last week as I can book my excursions on Friday. Will be up at mid-night to ensure we get what we want. As for Dylan and I we will be doing Disney excursions. I am not brave enough to try on our own, expecially since it is just me and my son. We are doing the whole touristy things, Rock of Gilbralter (and the apes), Normandy beach, and my favorite Fatima. Being Portugese and Catholic, I used to watch the movie every year when I was young!! This was the one excursion my son did not pick. We are riding bikes and doing the river rafting (although my son asked if I was too old to bike and raft!!!) Wonderful kid! We got our plan reservations also and we do get a free bag a piece which I will only have to pay for 1, ok it will be 2 additional bags!

Someone asked the number of cruises, this will be our 6th! My seventh! Actually my son's also as he announced in a crowded elevator on our first cruise when he was 4! Someone asked him if this was his first and in a loud voice he said-- actually this is my second -- I was conceived on a cruise!!! I was mortified -- I never knew he listened.

By the way the Magic has started it's transatlantic voyage. There is a thread on it. Should be fun to read. Take care.

Sheryl

Glad to hear I am not the only one travelling alone with their kids, people think I am crazy when I say that I am taking the girls alone, but we always have so much fun. My husband was talking about coming last week, but he said something about ruining or traditions so I don't think he is coming.(he better not come now as airfair is more than twice what I paid)

Kids do say the funniest things and mine think I am too old too. I always have to play the grandmother when we play dolls, as they both want to be the mom.


Glad also that I am not the only one looking forward to the trip reports from the first Med trips.

Lisa

 

[neenslovesdisney]

I'm hoping someone who lives in England can help me out. We are arriving at Heathrow July 28th at around 8 a.m. Looking into booking the heathrow hilton on points for 2 nights and taking trains into the city for sightseeing. On the 30th morning, would like to hire a private car to Dover but not sure if that is risky with traffic. If I do opt for this, can anyone suggest a reputable company and how much time should I give myself to arrive at the port?

What is the best way to get around London with 2 kids ages 4 and 6? I'm not looking to spend too much because I want to save it for the excursions on the ship but any suggestions would be appreciated. I do want to see the main tourist attractions though. Never traveled to Europe before so many questions!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Melcatfish]

I'm hoping someone who lives in England can help me out. We are arriving at Heathrow July 28th at around 8 a.m. Looking into booking the heathrow hilton on points for 2 nights and taking trains into the city for sightseeing. On the 30th morning, would like to hire a private car to Dover but not sure if that is risky with traffic. If I do opt for this, can anyone suggest a reputable company and how much time should I give myself to arrive at the port?

What is the best way to get around London with 2 kids ages 4 and 6? I'm not looking to spend too much because I want to save it for the excursions on the ship but any suggestions would be appreciated. I do want to see the main tourist attractions though. Never traveled to Europe before so many questions!

Thanks in advance.

When you say hire a private car do you mean with driver or do you mean a rental car? Here in the UK car rental is not as common as in the USAand although there are rental desks at Heathrow and various rental locations it is not as straight forward and common place as in the USA so you would need to do some research first. If you mean book a car with driver to transfer you to Dover then I would google and also check if any of the Baltic DCL cruisers have any recommendations. It isn't risky as such as it would be reasonable run down from London to Dover the only problem is if the French implement strike action then there is a traffic management system called operation stack which effectively turns part of the motorway into a car park for lorries who are waiting to go through the tunnel or on the ferry to France but are unable to during a strike. It won't make Dover inaccessible by car, just a little more complicated. A taxi with driver will know the diversion and get you there no problem but I probably wouldn't want to be driving a rental car, possibly for the first time in the UK and trying to follow an alternative route!

Regarding sightseeing in London a travelcard on the Tube is relatively inexpensive and very convenient. I am sorry, I forget if you are travelling alon with your two kids in which case it will depend how confident you (and they) are at scooting on and off trains making sure your kids are both in tow, always harder with one adult two kids I find!

There are bus routes that offer HOHO tickets if you prefer to travel overground. I am not 100% but I think the HOHO bus tickets are separate from the regular travel cards (and more expensive) my friend has a list of bus routes on the normal buses that take in the same sights, I will ask her for it and post it here!

Mel
x

 

[mkmommy]

I'm hoping someone who lives in England can help me out. We are arriving at Heathrow July 28th at around 8 a.m. Looking into booking the heathrow hilton on points for 2 nights and taking trains into the city for sightseeing. On the 30th morning, would like to hire a private car to Dover but not sure if that is risky with traffic. If I do opt for this, can anyone suggest a reputable company and how much time should I give myself to arrive at the port?

What is the best way to get around London with 2 kids ages 4 and 6? I'm not looking to spend too much because I want to save it for the excursions on the ship but any suggestions would be appreciated. I do want to see the main tourist attractions though. Never traveled to Europe before so many questions!

Thanks in advance.

If you are staying at Heathrow, I would think the tube is going to be the easiest way to get into London. Never been to London with kids, but other cities we have been that have subways I have never had a problem travelling with kids, I would just avoid rush hours so it is easier to keep together. My girls at 4 and 6 loved taking the subway.

We are arriving just after you on the 28, but we are staying in London near Victoria Station 1 night then going to Dover on the 29. Thought about staying near the airport, but figure it is almost an hour into the city on the tube, so that is 2 hours return, and then we still need to get to Victoria Station to take the train to Dover.



I have taken the tube in London without kids and it is easy, just check out the website before you leave you can get really detailed info on how to get from place to place.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/modalpages/2625.aspx

If you have an Ipod there are some free Apps for the London tube that give you directions also.

We are taking the train to Dover so I can't really help on the limo/car hire options.

Lisa
Lisa

 

[jdybnsn]

I'm hoping someone who lives in England can help me out. We are arriving at Heathrow July 28th at around 8 a.m. Looking into booking the heathrow hilton on points for 2 nights and taking trains into the city for sightseeing. On the 30th morning, would like to hire a private car to Dover but not sure if that is risky with traffic. If I do opt for this, can anyone suggest a reputable company and how much time should I give myself to arrive at the port?

Thanks in advance.

If you are going to hire a rental car then I would not be too concerned about the traffic if you are a reasonably confident driver, as the M25 motorway (highway/interstate whatever you call them !) takes you round the outside of London not through it..... and Heathrow is right on the M25. The rush hour should have finished by the time you get on the road to Dover (approx 2.5 hrs drive ?)

You need to watch for one way rental charges, which are often not invoiced until you pick up the car locally ie . on collection, and can therefore be "hidden".

I am using these guys as they guarentee no hidden extras, and car hire appears to be placed with the familiar international companies, rather than unknown locals;

http://www.car-rental-hire.co.uk/

I got a very good deal; £63 for an estate car for the day - I am renting it from the North of England so costs may vary...I could have got a cheaper, smaller, car but I wanted plenty of room.

I suggest if you go down this route, you try & rent an estate car that should give you more trunk (boot) space than your average car without the expense of renting a SUV or minivan.

Question for you people living in the south of England...when was the last French strike out of interest ? ...I have not heard of one for a few years ......are they still common place ?...just wondering if we perhaps do not get to hear of them living up in the North

 

[ScubaMickey]

I'm hoping someone who lives in England can help me out. We are arriving at Heathrow July 28th at around 8 a.m. Looking into booking the heathrow hilton on points for 2 nights and taking trains into the city for sightseeing. On the 30th morning, would like to hire a private car to Dover but not sure if that is risky with traffic. If I do opt for this, can anyone suggest a reputable company and how much time should I give myself to arrive at the port?

What is the best way to get around London with 2 kids ages 4 and 6? I'm not looking to spend too much because I want to save it for the excursions on the ship but any suggestions would be appreciated. I do want to see the main tourist attractions though. Never traveled to Europe before so many questions!

Thanks in advance.

Hi neenslovesdisney,

Mom and I visited London a few years ago. Used the Travelcard that Melcatfish mentioned and it worked great. Riding the tube was fun and hassle free with the cards. We also enjoyed the hop-on-off bus. We were in London a week and still only explored a small portion of the city. The bus hits all the highlights and provides an excellent overview to London. We also enjoyed spending time in London's beautiful parks. If your children like to play outdoors, they will love the parks. Before we went, I printed the tube map off the internet for reference and bought a small folding map of the city to carry. We only got turned around once or twice. Locals are helpful with directions. Ask away on questions. I have learned a lot from reading responses on the Boards.

Can't help with the hired car question

ScubaMickey

 

[neenslovesdisney]

Thank you all sooo much for your responses. I really appreciate it. It is so overwhelming to try to plan this trip, esp since my accountant is still asking for papers and april 15 is 2 days away! ugh! anyways, see you all in July!