May 18, 2013 Magic EBTA Part Two - From Tejas to España

[woody73]

I have never packed two different sized, just stuff that will stretch! I usually don't gain a whole lot on a cruise since we don't take the stairs unless we are in killer heals. That seems to help a lot, as well as being faster than waiting for the elevators.

Ouch. Perhaps you meant "elevators."

Woody

 

[padalyn]

Ouch. Perhaps you meant "elevators."

Woody

LOL - you are correct!! I will edit this...took me a second to catch the error as well. I should never post right after waking up!

 

[gramfrog]

If you go to pixelofink dot com you can sign up to receive an email of free e-books. They send out a daily email and there's usually a selection of several books to download. I've gotten quite a few from there and free is even better!!!

You are an ABSOLUTE DOLL-- thanks! Signed onto the site yesterday and already downloaded two books! If I keep this up, I'll have to cancel all my activities I've signed onto on this DIS site because I won't have any time to play AND read!!!

 

[gramfrog]

There are many members of the Running Club that are walkers, not runners! We are open to both and I am sure you will find a friend or two or three to walk with!

Merci, Madame! I just returned with an AWESOME pair of new running/walking shoes. Ryka --a brand made for women by women. Wow. Do they feel good. Now-- to brave the chill outside and start dedicated walking every day....

 

[gramfrog]

I will be walking I think - I was hoping to master the running in time for the cruise but ended up hurting my knee in the process. I appear to be more suited to walking!

Poor baby! I will be honored to walk with you.

 

[gramfrog]

I'm a walker And so is mother-in-law traveling with us (in the mid-60 category). We are hoping to both be up in the mornings.

Yay!!! Maybe we can walk in the opposite direction so that we can see when the runners are coming so we don't get trampled!!!

 

[p17blo]

I think people have mentioned (speculated) that there maybe some 'special' offerings (merch/shows/dinners/events etc) as part of this being an EBTA - I think I remember someone saying that there is some kind on DCL anniversary whilst we are onboard also?

So, how about a round up of either what you hope/expect or for those who have done similar before, what you experienced?

 

[p17blo]

Is anyone flying out of Heathrow, still in need of parking and staying the night before the flight?

I just booked my parking with Meteor Meet and Greet and they have an offer of a night in the T5 5 star Sofitel along with the parking.

Whilst it was quite expensive at £260, the Sofitel is a really nice hotel and in those terms is a bit of a bargain - Anyway I would thought I'd treat myself so I am now all booked - Nice way to start the trip off.

Bonus with Meteor is no shuttle to/from off site parking - I use them a lot and have always had great service from them.

If anyone just wants parking alone, use the discount code TWITL13 for 20% discount - Unfortunately the discount doesn't work on the hotel package.

 

[heatherb819]

You are an ABSOLUTE DOLL-- thanks! Signed onto the site yesterday and already downloaded two books! If I keep this up, I'll have to cancel all my activities I've signed onto on this DIS site because I won't have any time to play AND read!!!

Glad to help!! It's great to get it for free, if you don't enjoy the book, delete it and move to the next. I however have found some wonderful books on there.

 

[kris3kid]

So we went to Chase bank today to order euros using or Disney Rewards card. We were told that we would be charged a cash advance fee and would not get points for using the card. We decided to just get them from my bank. So we are wondering how others got the points with no fees, are we doing something wrong?

 

[WVURunner]

Yay!!! Maybe we can walk in the opposite direction so that we can see when the runners are coming so we don't get trampled!!!

Please don't! Walking the opposite way is a sure bet on getting trampled! There are directions on the track for a reason.

The bow and stern of the ship are exteremly tight and you can not see when coming around the corners (though they tried to fix this with mirrors).

On two seperate cruises, my DH and I have each run into someone walking the wrong way on the turn. When I did it, it was quite a larger gentleman and I bounced off of him and fell backwards (it hurt!) I don't think he moved an inch and then he yelled at me! Umm excuse me, you are the one going the wrong way!

My husband completely ran and knocked over an older lady. He felt horrible but she wasn't suppose to be there and by the time you make the turn and see the person, it is to late to stop and you can't go anywhere. Since he is so fast, he has quite the momentem going.

A few things we have learned from running on deck 4:

~Don't run or walk more than 2 people wide.
~Beware of the shuffle board pucks that are left out, you will slide on them and bust your butt.
~Run/walk in the correct direction
~Call out when passing, even if it scares people
~The bow closes 30 minutes before arrival at a port
~The track is no as slippery as it might appear to be

And as a warning and hopefully doesn't offend anyone:
My DH runs shirt less (we fight about it every cruise). He wears a shirt down to the track and then takes it off to run then puts it back on when he is done. His theory is that it is what everyone is wearing on deck 9 so why can't he do it outside on deck 4?

 

[WVURunner]

Merci, Madame! I just returned with an AWESOME pair of new running/walking shoes. Ryka --a brand made for women by women. Wow. Do they feel good. Now-- to brave the chill outside and start dedicated walking every day....

I just got new shoes and I HATE them. I was running in and loved the saucony omni 9, so much so that I stockpiled a few shoes. Well I ran out of my stockpile and bought the saucony omni 11. You would think they would be somewhat the same but they re-designed the whole shoe and it is making my right knee hurt. So I am again in the market for new shoes, there goes $150....

 

[woody73]

. . . A few things we have learned from running on deck 4:

~Call out when passing, even if it scares people

I'm curious. What are your thoughts about walking or running while listening to an iPod?

Woody

 

[Kirbo]

In addition to the quite daunting group of runners each morning tearing up the promenade deck (and I am quite jealous of your stamina and energy), are there any of you willing to WALK the three laps to make a mile each morning? I would love some company ( and prodding). At 60+ (but still wildly chasing little kids around the house, shrieking ) the running stages of exercise are quite a bit behind me now. But I don't have room in my suitcase for two sizes of clothing....

I'm a walker! I walk fast, but I definitely don't run.

For those staying at the IAH Marriott what are your plans for Friday night? It seems very costly to rent a car to go into town, a cab sounds expensive as well. The restaurant does not seem like a family place so we are debating what to do.

I think we're staying in and going to try to just rest up.

I have never packed two different sized, just stuff that will stretch! I usually don't gain a whole lot on a cruise since we don't take the elevators unless we are in killer heals. That seems to help a lot, as well as being faster than waiting for the elevators.

Cayla

We are going to be on the boat for three weeks and I'm a bit worried, but we're going to do like you and just take the stairs all the time. On our past cruises it seemed to do the trick for us and this time we're down on deck 1, so I'm hopeful that all of my coffee runs keep me in one size for the whole trip!

So we went to Chase bank today to order euros using or Disney Rewards card. We were told that we would be charged a cash advance fee and would not get points for using the card. We decided to just get them from my bank. So we are wondering how others got the points with no fees, are we doing something wrong?

Most credit cards treat buying Euros as any other cash advance. I haven't heard about others getting to get points buying Euros on their Disney Rewards cards, so now I'm interested as I didn't think you could. We were also told by them that any purchases made in Europe would get hit with a foreign transaction fee! Ugh. We'll likely bring cash and change it on board or at our bank.

 

[WVURunner]

I'm curious. What are your thoughts about walking or running while listening to an iPod?

Woody

My DH and I have very different opnions on this matter!

I personally can not run without an IPod, I need to get lost in the music and feel a beat. When I am running on a track or outside, I try and set the volume so that I can still hear my surrounding. Music is my modivator and without it, I am always looking at my watch, checking my pace and thinking about quitting.

My DH has never run with music and refues to run with it. He feels it takes away from "being in tune" with your body while running. This comes from him running NCAA D1 track where music is not allowed and therefore not allowed at practices, etc. Major races will disqulify you if you listened to music. My DH also refuses to wear a garmin or any form of GPS. It is to bulky and he "can tell what pace I am running from my body and how far I have gone based on my stopwatch and pace"

This isn't an issue for slow people like me who have never placed in a road race before and run just so they can have an extra mickey ice cream bar, but for runners who are running to "win", it is a no-no.

 

[WVURunner]

on the Gib Tour from:
Tink1987 (Collette)
Binkytell (Sarah)

Please confirm when you get a second.

Thanks everyone!

 

[kaseyC]

Most credit cards treat buying Euros as any other cash advance. I haven't heard about others getting to get points buying Euros on their Disney Rewards cards, so now I'm interested as I didn't think you could. We were also told by them that any purchases made in Europe would get hit with a foreign transaction fee! Ugh. We'll likely bring cash and change it on board or at our bank.

I used my Chase Disney Visa to purchase a variety of currency from Wells Fargo online and it was treated as a regular charge. I know NancyIL used another bank's card at Wells Fargo(can't recall which one) and it was treated as a cash advance.

 

[Kirbo]

I used my Chase Disney Visa to purchase a variety of currency from Wells Fargo online and it was treated as a regular charge. I know NancyIL used another bank's card at Wells Fargo(can't recall which one) and it was treated as a cash advance.

Hmm. Maybe I should call them again and ask. We have the premier one. I don't know if they have different rules for different folks (which wouldn't surprise me). Thanks for letting me know it worked for you.

 

[EjeG]

It's those tidbits like that from others who have done a longer cruise that really helped me prior to our WBTA Love the helpful feedback these boards can give!

I probably should say but I wear the same size as I did 20 some years ago when I graduated highschool ..

That was pretty cruel wasn't it

 

[woody73]

My DH and I have very different opnions on this matter!

I like listening to an iPod. My DW doesn't.

I should probably turn it down to be more aware of my surroundings. I wouldn't want to get run down.

Woody