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

[Aunt Gram]

well this is really bazaar but ..

has anyone done a tour in Barcelona with runnerbean?? I am looking at a few tours in Barcelona..remember I have done the HOHO last time..so what is your opinion??

I am thinking 2 days in Barcelona proper, 1 day Girona and Figues and 1 day Wine and Cava tour.. what do you think?? any recommendations??

Try the Travel Bar for free walking tours (you pay a gratuity if you enjoyed the tour). We did a tour of the Gothic area and a cooking tour with them last spring and were delighted. The Travel Bar is an easy walk from La Rambla and has a restaurant with a great courtyard in the back. www.travelbar.com/es

This year we are doing the Runner Bean tour for families with kids. Our grandson (8) is with us, so we are looking for things that cater to kids.

 

[MandyGirl]

Want to Watch the Magic Sail Into Port?

Having been in Galveston in September to watch the Magic sail in the first time, I want to be there again on May 18. When I went in November for our cruise, we arrived after she had docked (7:10am) before going to the terminal at 11:00 to park/board the ship. So I don't want to miss it again this time, especially being just a couple blocks away from where we are sleeping. I cannot explain the chills through my body watching her slowly creek her way around the jetties in the early morning sun, gently pass us by, and then begin throwing the lines. This time will be even more amazing -- knowing we are getting onboard to let her leave Texas for the last time and cross the Atlantic Ocean.

I just got off the phone with Galveston Port Operations. The schedule is for the Magic to be at the dock throwing the lines at 7:00 am, weather permitting.

Here is my plan:
5:50 am - meet in lobby of Tremont
5:55 am - head out the doors towards the pier via Starbucks (map of Starbucks)
6:00 am - should be able to see where she is in case anyone needs to make a dash into Starbucks
6:15 am - be down behind the Harbor House / Willie G's area to watch the Magic 'round the jetties to the right in our view.
7:00 am - pending weather, the Magic should be docked

If she comes in forward (like she did in November) then she may also do a 180-degree turn in that small area in front of the pier (just to the left of Harbor House area). In September she backed in the entire way.
The first terminal is the "other" cruiseline terminal but the Magic has been docking at the second terminal to the left.

I'd like to keep a list of who else will venture down with me so I know who to keep an eye out for. Just let me know and I will keep it updated!

 

[MandyGirl]

Want to Watch the Magic Sail Into Port?

Having been in Galveston in September to watch the Magic sail in the first time, I want to be there again on May 18. When I went in November for our cruise, we arrived after she had docked (7:10am) before going to the terminal at 11:00 to park/board the ship. So I don't want to miss it again this time, especially being just a couple blocks away from where we are sleeping. I cannot explain the chills through my body watching her slowly creek her way around the jetties in the early morning sun, gently pass us by, and then begin throwing the lines. This time will be even more amazing -- knowing we are getting onboard to let her leave Texas for the last time and cross the Atlantic Ocean.

I just got off the phone with Galveston Port Operations. The schedule is for the Magic to be at the dock throwing the lines at 7:00 am, weather permitting.

Here is my plan:
5:50 am - meet in lobby of Tremont
5:55 am - head out the doors towards the pier via Starbucks (map of Starbucks)
6:00 am - should be able to see where she is in case anyone needs to make a dash into Starbucks
6:15 am - be down behind the Harbor House / Willie G's area to watch the Magic 'round the jetties to the right in our view.
7:00 am - pending weather, the Magic should be docked

If she comes in forward (like she did in November) then she may also do a 180-degree turn in that small area in front of the pier (just to the left of Harbor House area). In September she backed in the entire way.
The first terminal is the "other" cruiseline terminal but the Magic has been docking at the second terminal to the left.

I'd like to keep a list of who else will venture down with me so I know who to keep an eye out for. Just let me know and I will keep it updated!

 

[birkner]

Champagne Girls Update

I was asked to post the list thus far for Champagne Girls. Please check to see if is correct.

 

[MandyGirl]

This is for the Rent a Princess. From what I understand you can request 2 tickets per child. Not sure about the ages but if you have a child that does not want to go and can get tickets, please let me know. If you have extra tickets due to either having kids that aren't going or parents that aren't going please let me know. They are some adults that would like to attend. I will match up the unused tickets with those who need them. We are not sure what day it is on or what time. Evidently they assign that when on board based on how many kids are on board. If I have left anything out please let me know! Thanks!

I need to add that an adult must accompany a child. Mandy said she was pretty sure the person who gets the tickets will have to enter with the "princess" she is accompanying, and many devise a meeting time and place prior to the event. They also exchange cabin numbers to call one another once the ticket date/time has been announced as we had two teas last time. Usually at Lumiere's. HTH.

Hi there! Are you still keeping a list for this? Someone on the facebook page asked so I did a quick search here (asked her to check DIS).

 

[Kirbo]

Just got a call from the Shoreside Concierge team. Both of our requested Palo Private Room Brunch dates have been confirmed! Both Brunches will be at 10:00 am.

Event Organizers -- Thank you so much for all you have been doing with all of the events! With us in the one-month countdown, and me putting together a DIS Navigator (hopefully after the first weekend of May to capture most current info) -- can you please check your posts on page 1 to make sure everything is updated? I know several deadlines have passed with some coming up. Please feel free to put out any "last call" posts for signing up!

My brain is entering "oh my goodness!!" mode as we enter the one-month countdown!!!

I am so excited


ETA This was my 1000th post!

 

[Kirbo]

I asked a while back but don't think anyone responded.

Anyone going on the EBTA and then the first Med? I haven't kept up with the Med thread and I can't remember who I've seen posting there. We're going to be on that cruise but are meeting up with more family on it. Just wondering which of the EBTA crew will be joining us on the next cruise.

 

[WVURunner]

So on past TA cruises, was there any organized stargaing at night? The conditions should be ideal in the middle of the Atlantic (if they turn down the lights on deck) Any chance there is a telescope on board? No way I can pack mine!

 

[heatherb819]

Yes the captain actually would meet on the sports deck at a certain time with a laser pointer and was very knowledgable about the stars and constellations. Unfortunately we only remembered to go up the one night but I want to be sure to go more this cruise. As far as a telescope, I don't remember seeing one, but **** so incredibly clear out there!

 

[Kirbo]

I want to do the stargazing!

 

[kris3kid]

So on past TA cruises, was there any organized stargaing at night? The conditions should be ideal in the middle of the Atlantic (if they turn down the lights on deck) Any chance there is a telescope on board? No way I can pack mine!

Why not? Who needs clothes?
I saw that they had done this before and am hoping for it on our cruise.

 

[EjeG]

I asked a while back but don't think anyone responded.

Anyone going on the EBTA and then the first Med? I haven't kept up with the Med thread and I can't remember who I've seen posting there. We're going to be on that cruise but are meeting up with more family on it. Just wondering which of the EBTA crew will be joining us on the next cruise.

Me and my DW (DisneyMouseHouse) and our DS and DD are doing both the EBTA and the First Med cruise after the TA..

There are a few others as well..

 

[EjeG]

So on past TA cruises, was there any organized stargaing at night? The conditions should be ideal in the middle of the Atlantic (if they turn down the lights on deck) Any chance there is a telescope on board? No way I can pack mine!

I was briefly considering doing some astrophotography but that thought didn't last long, lights on deck and the motion of the ship would mess with it too much. If the shipped stopped it would be "ok" but I don't think that chance is slim. But stargazing is a bit different than astrophotography as well it going to depend on how strong telescope you have.

I will try when we are middle of the ocean on a moonless night and get some nice photos of the milky way. Would be awesome with minimal to no light polution (we live in BFE almost but still enough light polution to be noticable)


Milky Way by Eje Gustafsson, on Flickr

 

[Carys]

I was briefly considering doing some astrophotography but that thought didn't last long, lights on deck and the motion of the ship would mess with it too much. If the shipped stopped it would be "ok" but I don't think that chance is slim. But stargazing is a bit different than astrophotography as well it going to depend on how strong telescope you have.

On the 2011 PC cruise we did, they switched off the front deck lights for stargazing as a special one-off. It was a really neat experience

 

[WonderTwinsMom]

Awesome pic!

 

[binkytell]

Just got a call from the Shoreside Concierge team. Both of our requested Palo Private Room Brunch dates have been confirmed! Both Brunches will be at 10:00 am.

Wahoo thank you for organising this for us all

Want to Watch the Magic Sail Into Port?

Having been in Galveston in September to watch the Magic sail in the first time, I want to be there again on May 18. When I went in November for our cruise, we arrived after she had docked (7:10am) before going to the terminal at 11:00 to park/board the ship. So I don't want to miss it again this time, especially being just a couple blocks away from where we are sleeping. I cannot explain the chills through my body watching her slowly creek her way around the jetties in the early morning sun, gently pass us by, and then begin throwing the lines. This time will be even more amazing -- knowing we are getting onboard to let her leave Texas for the last time and cross the Atlantic Ocean. :

As much as I would love to join you ill be the one waving and jumping crazily to you all

I mentioned it to brian and said are you going to come and wave me and Beth in? He just laughed, no way I'm not getting up at that time !! Really, you won't have seen us for 10 days, MEN!!

So on past TA cruises, was there any organized stargaing at night? The conditions should be ideal in the middle of the Atlantic (if they turn down the lights on deck) Any chance there is a telescope on board? No way I can pack mine!

Emily some one did mention organising this a while back, will do a search see if I can find it.

 

[p17blo]

I was briefly considering doing some astrophotography but that thought didn't last long, lights on deck and the motion of the ship would mess with it too much. If the shipped stopped it would be "ok" but I don't think that chance is slim. But stargazing is a bit different than astrophotography as well it going to depend on how strong telescope you have.

I will try when we are middle of the ocean on a moonless night and get some nice photos of the milky way. Would be awesome with minimal to no light polution (we live in BFE almost but still enough light polution to be noticable)


Milky Way by Eje Gustafsson, on Flickr

Always wanted to do this but can never get far enough away from the light pollution - I'd be up for giving it a go - You never know, on a really still wave night we might be lucky with the motion.

 

[MandyGirl]

I will try when we are middle of the ocean on a moonless night and get some nice photos of the milky way. Would be awesome with minimal to no light polution (we live in BFE almost but still enough light polution to be noticable)

Amazing photo, Eje!! That's what I am hoping to see. I'm clueless with all the photography language you guys have been speaking, but I might just have to be the fly on the wall tagging along here and there to absorb some of your tidbits! I'm usually the one behind the camera in our family.

As much as I would love to join you ill be the one waving and jumping crazily to you all

I mentioned it to brian and said are you going to come and wave me and Beth in? He just laughed, no way I'm not getting up at that time !! Really, you won't have seen us for 10 days, MEN!!

LOL! I'll put the guilt trip on him when I see him So do you think you will stay onboard / in-terminal for the B2B? Or walk to the hotel (w/o luggage?)? No cabin assignments yet since you are *GTY right? I'm just all giddy with excitement!!! Oh - tell Brian that Ellie can stay with my girls during the Tremont meet-and-greet so he can enjoy the rooftop bar. Curt's mom will hang out with them in our room (or Curt - they may switch out - but I imagine his mom will hang back - and she has taught 3/4 year olds for years so a great supervisor for a "play date" for them!). And our plan is to be arriving in Houston by 7:30am Friday so we will be there by lunch assuming flights work as planned.

This candy story is one block over from the hotel if he needs incentives for Ellie!

ETA This was my 1000th post!

WooHoo!!

 

[Kirbo]

Me and my DW (DisneyMouseHouse) and our DS and DD are doing both the EBTA and the First Med cruise after the TA..

There are a few others as well..

I was briefly considering doing some astrophotography but that thought didn't last long, lights on deck and the motion of the ship would mess with it too much. If the shipped stopped it would be "ok" but I don't think that chance is slim. But stargazing is a bit different than astrophotography as well it going to depend on how strong telescope you have.

I will try when we are middle of the ocean on a moonless night and get some nice photos of the milky way. Would be awesome with minimal to no light polution (we live in BFE almost but still enough light polution to be noticable)


Milky Way by Eje Gustafsson, on Flickr

That picture, wow, wow, wow!

 

[kaseyC]

I was briefly considering doing some astrophotography but that thought didn't last long, lights on deck and the motion of the ship would mess with it too much. If the shipped stopped it would be "ok" but I don't think that chance is slim. But stargazing is a bit different than astrophotography as well it going to depend on how strong telescope you have.

I will try when we are middle of the ocean on a moonless night and get some nice photos of the milky way. Would be awesome with minimal to no light polution (we live in BFE almost but still enough light polution to be noticable)


Milky Way by Eje Gustafsson, on Flickr

Eje, that photo is breathtaking. Wow!