June 5, 2016 - Magic Goes to England, Ireland, Scotland and France

[hygienist999]

Just a short 17 weeks until we are cruising on the Magic!

For those who have cruised on the Magic, what is your favorite part or thing to do?

My DH and I love the Magic. One of my favorite things to do is watch the children as they have their photo op with the characters. So sweet.
We like to get ice cream before bed time.

 

[nzdisneymom]

We are flying out Friday, June 3rd at 7:50pm. We should arrive in Gatwick at 9:05am on June 4th. We are going to take a taxi all the way to Dover and spend the night at a Bed and Breakfast. Then take taxi to port the next am. I think we are on the same flight coming home on the 18th. We are going to try to drive home once we deplane. Not looking forward to driving to Middle Georgia after that flight. But hopefully one of us can get some sleep and be up for the task. If not, then we will get a room somewhere to crash and head out the next morning.

Yeah, we are really traveling at a good time for us - DH will have retired May 31st so he doesn't have to get back to work. Nathan will be on summer break between college semesters, and Zachary is graduating high school on May 25th. I'm the only one with a schedule to get back to in June. We're staying at Old Key West for a night pre-flight and then at Wilderness Lodge for a night when we get back. I figure we'll do the laundry while we're at WL so we won't have to do it when we get home the next day. We own at SSR but usually stay elsewhere. We have just recovered from using points for B2B in 2013 Med cruises to Greece and to Venice.

 

[nzdisneymom]

For those who have cruised on the Magic, what is your favorite part or thing to do?

We love the Magic - one of our favorite things is to listen to the performers in the Promenade Lounge before dinner and have a snack of chips and salsa. Particularly on nights we aren't going to the dining room since we always have main seating and don't want to spoil our dinner.

We haven't been on the Magic since 2013 so I know they have renamed some locations and rehabbed a lot of the ship - can't wait to see her.

 

[hygienist999]

Yeah, we are really traveling at a good time for us - DH will have retired May 31st so he doesn't have to get back to work. Nathan will be on summer break between college semesters, and Zachary is graduating high school on May 25th. I'm the only one with a schedule to get back to in June. We're staying at Old Key West for a night pre-flight and then at Wilderness Lodge for a night when we get back. I figure we'll do the laundry while we're at WL so we won't have to do it when we get home the next day. We own at SSR but usually stay elsewhere. We have just recovered from using points for B2B in 2013 Med cruises to Greece and to Venice.

We have stayed at OKW many times and always loved it. Awesome on your DH retirement and Zachary's upcoming Graduation. We did a Med cruise in June of 2011 when our youngest Austin, graduated from high school. We used points for that as well. We loved, loved that cruise. So far that was our favorite cruise we have done with Disney. We are so looking forward to this cruise. I have been wanting to go over to England for a long time now, so I'm ready to get there. I'm most looking forward to seeing the countryside and castles.

 

[Leslie Hand]

Just a short 17 weeks until we are cruising on the Magic!

For those who have cruised on the Magic, what is your favorite part or thing to do?

My favourite thing about The Magic is the rainforest room, it's my special place. This is my 9th Disney cruise. Our favourite ship is the magic. More close connection with crew and cast members.

 

[scgustafson]

Hello all, late to join this group, but might know a lot of you from another source. Cruising with my wife, Donna, and 11-year old daughter, Kenzie. We live in Chandler, Arizona, and this is our third European cruise on Disney Magic, and our 7th Disney cruise.

 

[nzdisneymom]

Hello all, late to join this group, but might know a lot of you from another source. Cruising with my wife, Donna, and 11-year old daughter, Kenzie. We live in Chandler, Arizona, and this is our third European cruise on Disney Magic, and our 7th Disney cruise.

Welcome scgustafson! I am Cindy D., traveling with DH Gary and two sons Nathan and Zachary. I will add you to the who's sailing list in the second post of the thread.

 

[Alohagirl73]

Just 16 weeks left until we set sail.

 

[nzdisneymom]

We're working on shore excursions this week. I'm going through the DCL ones and sending the more promising ones to my family members for them to Yay or Nay. So far there aren't any that I am super excited about but then I've only looked at Kirkwall and Invergordon. We're doing Newcastle on our own. For Invergordon, I do want to visit Loch Ness - I did a report on the Loch Ness Monster in the 7th grade (now 40 years ago!) and even then I vowed I would one day visit Loch Ness to see for myself.

 

[MelissaIsalene]

Hello everyone! I've been trying to look up which ports are close to town, have shuttles, etc to determine whether or not we should book some of the excursions we are on the fence about. As much research as I've done, I'm having some trouble getting straight answers. I know Liverpool was just mentioned to have activities close to port, but if you have came across any other helpful information, I'd love to hear it! Thanks everyone! Can't wait until June!

 

[hygienist999]

I too am trying to decide on shore excursions. Hoping to be able to book everything we want on the 21st. I hope we will be able to book Palo's for brunch and dinner.

 

[scgustafson]

Welcome scgustafson! I am Cindy D., traveling with DH Gary and two sons Nathan and Zachary. I will add you to the who's sailing list in the second post of the thread.

Please feel free to add us.

 

[nzdisneymom]

I too am trying to decide on shore excursions. Hoping to be able to book everything we want on the 21st. I hope we will be able to book Palo's for brunch and dinner.

We get to book this weekend, too. I think we're going to do private excursions for Newcastle and Liverpool as well as Le Havre. Considering private at Kirkwall if we hear back from the person we've contacted, although we might go ahead and book something with DCL as a placeholder. One thing I do like about DCL compared to other lines is that you don't have to pay for excursions up front when you book them - that gives some decision time - although it also makes it frustrating for those trying to get in when places are held up by others - of course that's why we prioritize our excursions in terms of importance and we always check back if we don't get in what we want the first try.

 

[MandJHuff]

We are also booking this weekend, mainly shooting for Palo dinner and hopefully brunch. I already have a Kirkwall booked, and did have to pay for that one up front. I also have Le Havre and Invergordon booked, but only put a credit card down as a guarantee on those two. And then I am working with BadPinkTink for Dublin ...so that just leaves a few others to book via DCL. Figure Newcastle we will do on our own as DCL only has a few for that area, and none really interests us.

 

[Alohagirl73]

Good luck on booking this weekend! So exciting. We don't book until beginning of March.

Newcastle is only port that have nothing planned. What DCL has so far is nothing that interests us. May end up being another day to help fight jet lag and do laundry!

Still deciding on Liverpool.

 

[MandJHuff]

We are actually flying over 3 days early..to try to fight the jetlag and be ready for the ship, but there is just nothing that looks interesting at Newcastle..at least from what Disney is offering.

 

[GreenDress]

I'm not on this one, I'm sailing the week before but I'm from Liverpool and I'm more than happy to try and help anyone looking for ideas for there. Few suggestions for you:
Go exploring the city, it's easy walking distance and there is loads to do. We have 3 museums! You could jump the train to Chester - there is a castle there.
Erm just depends on what type of things you want to do

 

[hygienist999]

I'm not on this one, I'm sailing the week before but I'm from Liverpool and I'm more than happy to try and help anyone looking for ideas for there. Few suggestions for you:
Go exploring the city, it's easy walking distance and there is loads to do. We have 3 museums! You could jump the train to Chester - there is a castle there.
Erm just depends on what type of things you want to do

I've read several trip reports about Liverpool and everyone was surprised at how much they enjoyed it. So, I'm now looking forward to spending time in your city. I was afraid it would be all about the Beatles, and I'm not a huge Beatles fan. From what I gathered from the trip reports Liverpool is a great city for walking and is a great city to do on your own. These are the places I read that are must do's, please let me and everyone else know if something else should be added.
1 - St. John's Gardens - and make sure to see the back side of St. George's Hall.
2 - Mathew Street - home of the Beatles
3 - Albert Dock - Merseyside Maritime Museum
4 - Anglican Cathedral - take lift to top of tower for awesome views of Liverpool
5 - Try to visit Penny St. and Strawberry Fields. (Not sure what the Penny St. thing is, I guess refers to the Beatles. What can I say, I'm a child of the 80's)
6 - Look for the Superlambanana's - one is outside of Boodles, a jewelers.

Would love anything else you could add.

 

[hygienist999]

We are also booking this weekend, mainly shooting for Palo dinner and hopefully brunch. I already have a Kirkwall booked, and did have to pay for that one up front. I also have Le Havre and Invergordon booked, but only put a credit card down as a guarantee on those two. And then I am working with BadPinkTink for Dublin ...so that just leaves a few others to book via DCL. Figure Newcastle we will do on our own as DCL only has a few for that area, and none really interests us.

Newcastle I believe we will do on our own as well. Seems like a filler port. Can't wait for our Normandy Tour. As for Invergordon, I like several the DCL is offering. I think I might be most interested in the Wild West Highlands and Romantic Eilean Donan Castle. I love that it is on an island.

 

[chip&dale&fun]

Just wanted to say anyone looking at the Liverpool excursions you are only about a 10-15 minute walk from the Albert Dock where there are loads of museums (these only ask for a donation to visit, there is no set entrance fee) and a lot of the Beatles stuff there. If you want to go to Matthew street it's maybe another 10 minutes from there.

Thanks. We were looking at the Cathedral. Is it within walking distance or a cab ride!