July 6, 2010 - 7/6/2010 ~ Pounds to Rubles ~ Mickey invades the Baltic Sea

[nzdisneymom]

Our London map arrived yesterday, and our hotel is marked on it! So yay! It's good to get my bearings for where things are from the hotel. I'm also looking at the bus tour (HOHO) for both the Original Bus tour and Big Bus and seeing where / how they go. We did one in Barcelona and it was fine for our purposes, so I want to get an idea of the stops / locations for each of these options to know what will likely suit us. I also am looking at tube options - it looks like most of the places we want to go have a convenient tube stop - and our map has the tube lines laid out for us, too, so that will be nice to refer to should we need it.

Not much else for us to do besides pile up cash until we can book excursions on April 7th.

 

[slg]

Fivepin:

Eddie Manning has prices right on the website and they are listed as 195 pounds from Gatwick to Dover, whereas Silverline is 105. That is quite a bit of difference in price. Silverline only takes cash, but I don't have to prepay so I'm fine with that.I'm probably going to stick with Silverline from Gatwick to Dover. They were recommended by someone on these boards, and also by the hotel they were staying at. I just don't feel comfortable booking with someone that at I haven't heard a recommendation from.

I might just wait until I get to London to book my hotel back to the airport...but I'm not sure yet. I don't know how essential it is to book that yet. The hotel we are staying at in London said they could book us a transfer for 100 pounds, so I might just let them do it.

As for Port to London, I am hoping to book the Leeds excursion so that should resolve that issue. We'll take a taxi from a disney hotel back to ours which is about 5 minutes away.If the Leeds excursion doesn't pan out, then we will take the National Express to Victoria station and then a taxi.

Let me know what you end up doing though. I'm always open to change!

The July 18 cruise has a person who lives in London who has chartered a bus for all the transfers for about 10 pounds a person and they pick up at everyone's hotel. Lucky lucky them!

 

[CarolAnnC]

Eddie Manning was actually referred by a few people who have used them on the Baltic 2010 Tips thread on the main Cruise Board. We know NancyIL from meets here in Chicago and trusted her recommendation. They will charge our credit card just a few days before we travel and there is no extra fee charge to do this. Here is their breakdown on their quote:

The total fares for a full size luxury passenger van are as follows:
1) Heathrow to London = 79 GB Pounds
2) London to Dover = 195 GB Pounds
3) Dover to Heathrow = 195 GB Pounds

This is a firm quote (not an estimate!) and includes *ALL* costs for airport parking/waiting, on airport pick-up. This rate is for cash to driver or advance credit card payment and all applicable charges/taxes are included. Gratuity is not included and the amount is at client discretion. This rate is per vehicle and not per person!

Silverline had quoted us 100 pounds each leg for a total of 300 pounds. I think it was the fees that made me go with Eddie Manning though as they are all inclusive and wait if we are delayed at any point in pickup with no additional charge.

 

[APinCA]

For all who has sent me PM's and notices for the website... Thanks! I'm a bit swamped right now and will get them added to the site as soon as I can.

Keep em coming. The more the better.l

Jeff

Hi Jeff,
I think I sent you a PM, but not sure where it will end up. We were interested in the four Palo seats that you have left.

Thanks,
Kathy

 

[slg]

Silverline said that they will not charge us for the wait-time at the airport either. They will monitor the flights and arrive at the appropriate time. Their fee was 105 from Gatwick to Dover, and that was all inclusive of taxes, etc (tip is not included and is optional).

They don't ask for a credit card number up front, and we pay when we arrive at Dover.

They were recommended by someone on the baltic thread and also by someone on cruise critic.

I heard that Eddie Manning was very good also, but I guess the difference between 105 and 195 was significant enough for me. Plus no 4% extra for credit card as I'm paying up front.

Silverline is based out of Kent Country (which is where Dover is) so I expect that is why they are cheaper.

They told me that I could get a better price out of London to Gatwick as they are far out. Perhaps I'll use Eddie Manning on that leg...

I'm surprised that I haven't found a single person who is interested in the Leeds excursion on debarkation. I wonder why DCL makes us book it on the boat. I would think they would get a better idea of the numbers if the allowed us to prebook.

 

[denise]

Hi Jeff,
I think I sent you a PM, but not sure where it will end up. We were interested in the four Palo seats that you have left.

Thanks,
Kathy

Kathy and Vance,
Cool glad you are joining us!!
denise

 

[goingsouth]

London plans:

This was hard! Originally, we had planned 3 nights in London, 2 in York (side trip Edinburgh), 1 night Dover and then cruise. After much thought, we scrapped York (too challenging with all the luggage and no easy way from York to Dover (except driving )so, we added 2 more nights in London. What we have now is: (accepting all comments on this, please)

Day 1 (June 30) arrive London 7am, car transfer to Marriott County Hall
10:30 London Duck Tour http://www.londonducktours.co.uk/
-noon lunch
1:30 Harry Potter film tour http://britmovietours.com/bookings/harry-potter-london-tour/

Day 2 (July 1) walk to Westminster Abbey, Churchill Museum & Cabinet War
rooms, National gallery, covent garden
7:30pm Ghost bus tour http://www.theghostbustours.com/

Day 3( July 2) British Museum, St Paul's, Tate Modern
7:30pm Wicked at Apollo Victoria Theatre

Day 4( July 3) 6:55am Eurostar train to Paris!
RER B to Notre Dame then exterior visit Eiffel Twr, Bateaux
Parisien cruise and Louvre
8:15pm return train to London

Day 5( July 4) light rail to Greenwich for sightseeing, then boat to Tower of
London for afternoon visit -special event "Tower Prisoners &
Beat the Block"
(?) movie tonight at the BFI Imax (minutes from hotel)

Day 6( July 5) morning laudrette near hotel- 1pm- either car service or
train waterloo east to dover priory (haven't decided)
Hubert House in Dover- DisBoard Dinner meet!

Day 7( July 6) 9:30am Dover Castle -(book secret tunnel time slot)
afternoon taxi to the Magic!!

Sorry so long---what do you think???


joanne

 

[slg]

Hubert House is where our dismeet dinner in Dover is? I didn't have any idea! Has it been posted previously?

We were going to stay there, but got cheap and stayed at the place next door. Its not far for us to walk!

What time is the dinner at?

 

[goingsouth]

Hubert House is where our dismeet dinner in Dover is? I didn't have any idea! Has it been posted previously?

We were going to stay there, but got cheap and stayed at the place next door. Its not far for us to walk!

What time is the dinner at?

no, no ! I wasn't saying that. It's only where we are staying. Beth is arranging the location of the dinner. I'm not sure where it will be!

joanne

 

[sharper_fin]

London plans:

...What we have now is: (accepting all comments on this, please)...---what do you think???

joanne

Wow Joanne, you're certainly trying to fit a lot in! It's possible if you take a 'hit and run' approach though. Good luck!

I'd say that some of the museums you've picked (example the Louvre, the British Museum) are very big - they could take well over half a day each unless you just wanted to see a handful of specific items in each?

And while the Louvre and Notre Dame cathedral are pretty close together (about a twenty minute walk apart), the Eiffel Tower is at the other side of Paris. We went on our first day trip to Paris on Eurostar recently and only had time to visit the Louvre and Notre Dame before we had to return to the Gare du Nord train station - and we didn't go on a Saturday at the height of tourist season as you are planning.

Also, on your first day you're assuming that you'll be able to get out of the airport, into central London, checked into your hotel and back out for the Duck Tour (which you may have to get tickets for in advance - it's pretty popular) all in three and a half hours? That might be difficult, especially as you'll presumably be jet-lagged? It's possible, but by no means guarenteed.

I love your choice of theatre show though - Wicked is one of the best productions in the West End at the moment.

For transport to Dover, have you considered National Express coaches? They're our main long distance bus operator, and that's how we're getting from our home in the north of England down to the south coast. I might be worth considering?

Shaun

 

[sharper_fin]

Cindy, would you please add Jill (Babybear42) to the main list, in with me at 2070?

Thanks

Shaun

 

[goingsouth]

Wow Joanne, you're certainly trying to fit a lot in! It's possible if you take a 'hit and run' approach though. Good luck!

I'd say that some of the museums you've picked (example the Louvre, the British Museum) are very big - they could take well over half a day each unless you just wanted to see a handful of specific items in each?

And while the Louvre and Notre Dame cathedral are pretty close together (about a twenty minute walk apart), the Eiffel Tower is at the other side of Paris. We went on our first day trip to Paris on Eurostar recently and only had time to visit the Louvre and Notre Dame before we had to return to the Gare du Nord train station - and we didn't go on a Saturday at the height of tourist season as you are planning.

Also, on your first day you're assuming that you'll be able to get out of the airport, into central London, checked into your hotel and back out for the Duck Tour (which you may have to get tickets for in advance - it's pretty popular) all in three and a half hours? That might be difficult, especially as you'll presumably be jet-lagged? It's possible, but by no means guarenteed.

I love your choice of theatre show though - Wicked is one of the best productions in the West End at the moment.

For transport to Dover, have you considered National Express coaches? They're our main long distance bus operator, and that's how we're getting from our home in the north of England down to the south coast. I might be worth considering?

Shaun

Shaun,

Thanks so much for your very thoughtful comments! I do recognize my itinerary is ambitious, perhaps impossible. I know I won't be able to do the Louvre or British Museum much justice. I have seen them both before. My children have not. I want them to have exposure to these magnificent museums without overload. So, yes, these will be "highlights" visits. I think I can fit in Notre Dame, a quick visit to the Louve and the Seine boat in the 9 hours. (tickets in advance) We can try, anyway. If we see the Eiffel Tower from a distance, it still would be wonderful.
As for our arrival day, I don't expect to get into the hotel, just show up and dump the luggage. The "ducks" leave from very close by. Yes, we will be jet lagged, which is why I chose that tour. It's a high energy experience without much walking. I think it might keep us awake! Perhaps we should take the HEX from Heathrow to ensure a prompt arrival?
I had not considered National Express for Dover. I'll look into it.

Again, I truly appreciate your good advice.

joanne

 

[scottishwee35]

Hi

Look like everyone get on organising etc etc

I look forward if anyone write a trip report about it... I know Cindy will do it

Have a fun

Scottishwee35

 

[sshaw10060]

I thought that I would post website information for the various HOHO bus and city card options for each of the ports that I have found so far (there may be others):

Oslo:
HOHO: www.citysightseeing.no
City card: www.visitoslo.com/en/oslo-pass-prices.97622.en.html

Copenhagen:
HOHO: www.viator.com/Copenhagen-tours/Tours-and-Sightseeing/d463-g12?pref=02&aid=g3671
City card: http://online.citybreak.com/Search/Other/SearchOther.aspx?pdid=4525&onlineid=1459618727&culture=en

Berlin:
HOHO: www.viator.com/Berlin-tours/Hop-on-Hop-off-Tours/d488-g12-c97?pref=02&aid=g3664
City card: www.citytourcard.com/english/berlin/starting-page.html

Helsinki:
HOHO: www.stromma.se/en/Sightseeing/Helsinki/
City card: www.helsinkicard.fi/

Stockholm:
HOHO: www.stromma.se/en/Sightseeing/Stockholm/Land-tours/Hop-on-Hop-of-bus---Combi/
City card: www.stockholmpass.com/

Hope this is helpful.

Does anyone know if you can prepurchase any of these cards? We plan on getting passes for Oslo and Stockholm and I would just assume have them in hand before leaving to save time if possible.

 

[Monstro]

Hi Jeff,
I think I sent you a PM, but not sure where it will end up. We were interested in the four Palo seats that you have left.

Thanks,
Kathy

Great! You are in. It's going to be fun. We've got a good group. I'll add it to the website and send you a PM.

Jeff

 

[denise]

we will be a good group.
...let us know what day it will be....
Thanks Jeff for all your work

 

[caseyk20]

Does anybody have any kids that are 13 my DD is kinda shy but once you get to know her she is very fun. If you could pm or vm me that would be great!

 

[DisneyRedHeadPirate]

Does anybody have any kids that are 13 my DD is kinda shy but once you get to know her she is very fun. If you could pm or vm me that would be great!

My DD will be 13 in June, just prior to the cruise. We are brining her friend on the cruise who is 13. So there's at least two 13 year-old girls for your daughter to meet.

 

[DisneyRedHeadPirate]

My birthday is on July 12. I always try to plan our summer trips so that my birthday falls somewhere in the middle. Much better than being in the office!

Thistle's wedding anniversary is July 10th.

My 51st Birthday is July 11th.

We'll be spending our wedding anniversary (15 years) in Paris July 1st. Cruise itinerary just didn't cooperate.

 

[DisneyRedHeadPirate]

Hi!

So glad you are participating. I'll add your name to the list. Can you please let me know how many in your cabin and ages (if kids) and your cabin number if you have one? As far as the number, there are currently 9 families signed up. We should have a better idea about numbers in a couple of months.

Anyone else??

joanne

There are 5 in our cabin. We don't have a cabin number yet. Myself, DH, DS 13, DD 13, her friend 13.