May 12, 2007 -- Taking the Magic to the Mediterranean -- 14 day Repo Cruise!

[eller]

I agree. Maybe we should suggest to Disney they let us move in to the Castle, or we could take up squaters rights!

Oh! I like that idea! Do you think we would all fit?

Lori

 

[iluvdisney]

Suze - I'm heading out that way in November and Karen is too so maybe we can meet up at DL!

 

[padalyn]

well, here I sit in NJ...sorting through 325emails that I couldn't be bothered to look at while away. (amazing how much spam accumulates!)

Erik - I use Jet Blue into Long Beach. Super Shuttle costs about 45 each way which isn't too bad if split a few ways. Since we are usually 3 this works out really well. They send a big van!

I can give you a report on the Grand Californian in 5 weeks - we will be there July 11th. We are staying at Conceriege level...I think it was around 300 points, check the charts - since there are a couple of levels.

Be sure to do POC, it is twice as long as WDW. Also eat at Blue Bayoo <sp??>

Kelly would be the best to give you a blow by blow of the rides I am sure - we did it in 3 days the first time - and felt it wasn't enough to really enjoy the parks fully. We are staying for 5 days this time.

My report about getting home won't read as badly as some - but still annoying to say the least!

we were picked up on time at 4am BCN time today...got to the airport without trouble, I wish someone had mentioned the walk from hell. Seems we walked almost a mile to get to the gate.

After sitting around for an hour, we noticed our flight was not showing as boarding or anything. I asked to find out - "something fell off the plane - we are waiting for the part" after an hour of waiting, they boarded us. To sit on the plane for another 90 minutes.

So much for shopping in duty free. our layover is almost over and we are still in BCN.

We arrived in Madrid 15 minutes after boarding was started for the connections flight. Another walk from hell (I wish I could keep up with Eiropeans...they was SO fast) we were the last to board as they were closing the cabin doors. (there were 15 people on that flight - no other Disney folk tho).

The flight was actually fine - nice crew, good captain even got a little nap in!

We landed to find out not all our luggage made it to the plane - we may have the missing pieces in a couple of days. After customs goes through them and releases them to Continental. Who will then deliver it to me...ugh. All my stuff from the cruise was in that bag...I am upset and worried.

I got the bag with the dirty clothes - that one they could have kept!!!

Cayla

 

[wrabitdad]

Hi Everyone,

We made it home from the B2B without any major hassles, except trying to adjust to the time difference after almost 3 weeks on Barcelona time.

We want to thank all our DIS friends for making the trip even more special than it was already going to be. Does anyone know what happened to the 6 sea days?, they disappeared so fast with so many things to do.

The 1st Med went even faster than the transatlantic due to all the ports. We don't know how those on the 10 night will do with 7 ports in row. We were exhausted after 4, thank goodness for the sea day inbetween.

Thanks to all and we'll see you on a future cruise.

Dale, Bob and Gordy

 

[Hygiene99]

We did the DCL Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius tour, the hike to the top is not for the faint of heart. overall worth the money!
Lunch was great!
Guide was Good!!!!


Yes it was a little rainy.

That is all the photos we took on the trip!
Camera malfunction, not to worry we Had a photographer for the rest of the trip.. She takes great photo's Winotracy..

See the photo's Here http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2091131556

The Lanyard MAN



And one Question - What the Heck is this???

Linda, I think it is great you had about 60 people at Scrapbooking!!!

 

[BobandLee]

And one Question - What the Heck is this???

Linda, I think it is great you had about 60 people at Scrapbooking!!!

Was fun Peter. Too bad you missed it. Nyah Nyah Nyah.

Sorry we missed ya on the LaRambla. Got late and needed to make it back for dinner.

 

[Hoagie Pie]

Excellent idea Lori. I think that would help me feel better too.

So, when I had my hair trimmed this morning my haridresser asked me the same question I must have been asked at least a half dozen times in the past week. What was the ONE best thing about the trip? Yeegads, I can't even narrow it down to 10! I went into the cruise so excited and with so many hopes I had this nagging feeling in the back of my mind that I would surely end up dissapointed as nothing could live up to such ridiculously high expectations. And yet this cruise not only met my expectations but exceeded them. There were big, overarching great things like all of the wonderfull friends I made through the DIS and found I truly connected with onboard and the crew that was superb even by Disny standards. And there are all the moments (short though they were) that just added up to make for one amazing journey: watching Rio getting to let his inner star out (over and over and . . .) and MARIKA my reserved kid letting loose and singing and dancing in HSM karoke with her brother; the best dinner I have ever had at Palos (not because of the food or service but because of the awesome group of people I shared it with); dancing night after night away with so many of you at Rockin' Bar D, hearing John Charles play some John Charles; finally being on board with Ducky (and winning two prints!); playing Pictioanry with people who "get" why we love it the way we do; dancing more nights away at the deck parties (especailly sail away and Pirates), the fireworks in Barcelona, "Fins" with friends, munching churros and wathcing the world go by in Cadiz, quiet moments (few thougth those were) with friends in the lounges or by the pools (and at the late night dessert buffet), etc. etc. So MUCH goes instantly through my mind when anyone asks about what made this trip great (forget life flashing before my eyes, the trip does ).

I do want to say, we have lived in a lot of places. We have gotten pretty good at making friends quickly. And we do make friends and meet people we like. However, I find many of our relationships are based more on geogrpahy and a common need to be somewhere (work friends, other parents also waiting on their kids at one activity or another, etc.). The result is many of these relationaships are somewhat superficial and do not have staying power once we relocate to another area. I know I only spent 2 weeks with this great group, but I feel many of us have deeper and truer conncections than the run of the mill acquaintenceses that often pass for friends. The sheer fact that we are all the types who not only to take a Disney Cruise, but to take one for 2 solid weeks ups the odds that we have some true possiblity of connecting. I felt we really did do just that with many from this board and I want to thank you all for sharing your time and your lives with us and continuing to do so on this thread even now that the trip is over.

Amen, I couldn't have said it better! Last night Darrell and I were talking about what a great dinner we would have had with Hadley and all our friends if the US was just a little smaller. Kaptain Jack, you are too kind. I just mailed you a little note - much appreciated. Someone asked if I have more papers, yes and PM me with your address and I will get it in the mail right away. MISS YOU ALL and hope we can meet again soon and for all the people we didn't meet - I wish we would have. Lori Eller, I would have loved to spend more time chatting - 2 weeks actually flew by. Elizabeth, enjoyed our chat in the Quiet Cove, wish we were there again!

 

[seaulater]

We did the DCL Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius tour, the hike to the top is not for the faint of heart. overall worth the money!
Lunch was great!
Guide was Good!!!!


Yes it was a little rainy.

That is all the photos we took on the trip!
Camera malfunction, not to worry we Had a photographer for the rest of the trip.. She takes great photo's Winotracy..

See the photo's Here http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2091131556

The Lanyard MAN



And one Question - What the Heck is this???

Linda, I think it is great you had about 60 people at Scrapbooking!!!

And in Animator's Palate!!!

Peter it never ceases to amaze me the photos you get ahold of! I don't even have any (yet) of the scrapbooking!

Glad you made it home okay. Can't wait to cruise with you guys in 08!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hello all we are back from the dance recital. It was nice--Creative Steps always puts on a good show. Of course Rio loved being on stage in FOUR numebrs (this is the largest number classes he has ever conned us into paying and chueffering for).

David got quite a few of our photos uploaded.

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2091177203

As I said before, MANY of them are of our own family (sharing this with family also so it made no sense to just upload those of you great people), but there are soem good shots of many of you as well if anyone wants to sift through the sldieshow.


Glad to see more of you B2Bers (And Peter) home safe and sound.

 

[DizzneyDAnn]

Cayla, sorry about your bags. That stinks!

Hadley, well said. I think you speak for most of us.

Chris and Rob, since you work in a spa, did youdo spa treatments on the ship? Just curious if you would just want to be entirely away or endulge yourselves.

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Hadley the pictures are great!!!!

Thanks for sharing them!

Debbie

 

[NHdisneylover]

Thanks Debbie If you (or anyone else) want any of them just PM which ones and I'll try to send them on over to you.

 

[gismo1554]

Oh! I like that idea! Do you think we would all fit?

Lori

Hey we could give it a try! At least a few of us would fit!

 

[Scoobypop]

Chris and Rob, since you work in a spa, did youdo spa treatments on the ship? Just curious if you would just want to be entirely away or endulge yourselves.

Yep, we sure did get massages on the ship! We always do when we go on vacation. Sadly, sometimes life gets so busy, that about the ONLY time we get a chance to get massages is when we go away.

 

[eller]

Amen, I couldn't have said it better! Last night Darrell and I were talking about what a great dinner we would have had with Hadley and all our friends if the US was just a little smaller. Kaptain Jack, you are too kind. I just mailed you a little note - much appreciated. Someone asked if I have more papers, yes and PM me with your address and I will get it in the mail right away. MISS YOU ALL and hope we can meet again soon and for all the people we didn't meet - I wish we would have. Lori Eller, I would have loved to spend more time chatting - 2 weeks actually flew by. Elizabeth, enjoyed our chat in the Quiet Cove, wish we were there again!

I know what you mean. Where did everyone end up hanging out? I must have missed that. I never did any of my quilting. I read most of the time. I don't get to do that around the house as much, so it was very nice.

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for the double dip. I would be great to see everyone again.

Nice pictures, Hadley!

Lori

 

[mom_rules]

Hello all we are back from the dance recital. It was nice--Creative Steps always puts on a good show. Of course Rio loved being on stage in FOUR numebrs (this is the largest number classes he has ever conned us into paying and chueffering for).

David got quite a few of our photos uploaded.

http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2091177203

As I said before, MANY of them are of our own family (sharing this with family also so it made no sense to just upload those of you great people), but there are soem good shots of many of you as well if anyone wants to sift through the sldieshow.


Glad to see more of you B2Bers (And Peter) home safe and sound.

Hadley-great photos=thanks for sharing!

Wanted to say hi and big thanks to Marika-without her help it would have taken us so much longer that morning. You have a lovely family!
Glad to have worked (if you can call it that) with you all.

 

[ssnyder]

Suze - I'm heading out that way in November and Karen is too so maybe we can meet up at DL!

That would be great! Just let us know.

 

[tig82174]

Ok our dates are set in stone. We'll be at DisneyLand checking in on Saturday Nov. 3rd and checking out on Tuesday Nov. 6th. The only bummer is that DVC could not get us into the Grand Californian unless we were willing to take a concierge level room...which is totally unnecessary for Jason and I. The concierge room was coing to cost us 171 points and a "premium" view room at DisneyLand hotel for the same nights was only 76 points....and nearly 100 DVC points isn't something you spend/waste without a real good reason!! (Especially when you're hoping to do a 3 or 4 night Wonder cruise in the Spring on points! )

So we'll be there then. I think we're going to buy 4 day passes so we can go in and out of the parks all 4 days we're there (it's looking like we can get a flight that lands in Orange County in the afternoon...so assuming the parks stay open until 9 or 10 on a Saturday it seems still worth our while to have a park admission for that day to go in and see fantasmic or a fireworks show and hit a few attractions, as well). DVC also gave me the number for super shuttle to get to and from the airport and the number for dining reservations....although we won't make dining reservations for a little bit until we work out better who we'll see and if anyone wants to meet us for dinner or anything.

So anyone who's going to be in the area we'd love to see you!

 

[Hoagie Pie]

Ok our dates are set in stone. We'll be at DisneyLand checking in on Saturday Nov. 3rd and checking out on Tuesday Nov. 6th. The only bummer is that DVC could not get us into the Grand Californian unless we were willing to take a concierge level room...which is totally unnecessary for Jason and I. The concierge room was coing to cost us 171 points and a "premium" view room at DisneyLand hotel for the same nights was only 76 points....and nearly 100 DVC points isn't something you spend/waste without a real good reason!! (Especially when you're hoping to do a 3 or 4 night Wonder cruise in the Spring on points! )

So we'll be there then. I think we're going to buy 4 day passes so we can go in and out of the parks all 4 days we're there (it's looking like we can get a flight that lands in Orange County in the afternoon...so assuming the parks stay open until 9 or 10 on a Saturday it seems still worth our while to have a park admission for that day to go in and see fantasmic or a fireworks show and hit a few attractions, as well). DVC also gave me the number for super shuttle to get to and from the airport and the number for dining reservations....although we won't make dining reservations for a little bit until we work out better who we'll see and if anyone wants to meet us for dinner or anything.

So anyone who's going to be in the area we'd love to see you!

My recommendation for dinner would be Goofy's Kitchen! Love that place and we usually spend Father's Day there, but this year we are skipping it and last night we were talking about how much we are going to miss it! The best PB&J pizza EVER!!!

 

[tig82174]

My recommendation for dinner would be Goofy's Kitchen! Love that place and we usually spend Father's Day there, but this year we are skipping it and last night we were talking about how much we are going to miss it! The best PB&J pizza EVER!!!

Great, thanks!

WEll I'm definitely taking tips from you DisneyLand experts....and I'm anxiously awaiting the return of Kelly/milestogo! Where is that woman anyway? Did she decide to just never get off the Magic?!?!?!

I'm also going to be going through all the information on allearsnet.com about DisneyLand, hotels, attractions, and restaurants, too.