May 18, 2013 MAGIC EBTA - Who is with us?

[heatherb819]

I have the Navagators scanned what's the best way to put them on here?

 

[MandyGirl]

I have the Navagators scanned what's the best way to put them on here?

Maybe email them to Chris since that is where all the event details are being hosted for this cruise? He has a page for "Useful Documents" set up:

https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/useful-documents

 

[heatherb819]

I did that already they are also on FB if anyone is interested.

 

[MandyGirl]

Yay! I know when uploading things here on DIS previously, it wasn't as "easy" as other platforms I have used. It got to where it was just easier to do it elsewhere and point people to the right direction.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

The navigators are up on the Useful Documents page.

Thanks Heatherb819!

https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/useful-documents

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Someone sent me a question via the Contact the Webmaster link on the website that is better answered by the group.

Hi Does anyone know if it is possible to buy a return airfare ticket and only use it one way? We are looking flights to Galveston from Uk and single is almost double the price of a single!!!!! crazy!!! Has anyone from the uk found cheap flights yet?

I do know, for us Canadians, my wife spent quite a bit of time talking to Air Canada vacations people. In the end they said they were stuck giving us "rack" prices for the one-ways. They suggested we try an American airline...

 

[valbob89]

Someone sent me a question via the Contact the Webmaster link on the website that is better answered by the group.



I do know, for us Canadians, my wife spent quite a bit of time talking to Air Canada vacations people. In the end they said they were stuck giving us "rack" prices for the one-ways. They suggested we try an American airline...

By sister, a TA in the states, says she frequently buys round-trip tickets for people who are only going to only use one way. She does call and cancel the second portion. Sometimes you can even use that portion of the flight at a later date, with a change fee.

 

[kris3kid]

Chris, great job on the website. I just spent some time looking at all the information and am very excited.
My TA was able to book a room in barcelona after the cruise with Disney. Does anyone know if Disney takes care of your bags from the ship to the room and then to the airport after your stay if you book with them? I am trying to see if it is better to book on our own or if the perks with Disney are worth the price. For those who have done this cruise before did you do an after cruise tour of Barcelona with Disney? Do you feel it was worth the price or is the hop on hop off bus a better choice? I have done the bus in the US and like it but am not sure if it works as well and is as easy as I have found.

Thanks for any help.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Chris, great job on the website. I just spent some time looking at all the information and am very excited.

Thanks, but it's very much a team effort. I'm mostly just crawling through Facebook and Dis looking for information to collect. And taking direction from all the fine folks here.

In case I haven't said it yet, thanks to all that provide pictures, links, etc on FB, Dis, or direct to me. I'm not always getting a chance to thank you specifically. There's a lot of information to gather.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

I've added a bunch more polls to the website to gauge interest and potentially get an organizer. Please have a look and express your interest. Even a "No" or a "Maybe" gives people an idea of whether the event should proceed.

Some of the events may still be light on an explanation. If anyone would like to give me something, I'd appreciate it.

Jelly Bracelets
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/jelly-bracelets

Jewelry Making
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/jewelry-making

Linked Dining
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/linked-dining

Mickey Mouse Club Night
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/mickey-mouse-club-night

Scrap Booking
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/scrap-booking

Secret Mickey
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/secret-mickey

Villain's Night
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/villian-s-night

 

[MandyGirl]

Group Activities

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The DISboard groups have organized a number of activities, especially on the longer cruises. Most in the group participate in some of them, few join all. Others decide to enjoy only in the cruise planning portion. Whatever works for you is fine. Here is a list of the activities I recall. Some I have organized, others I have participated in.

If you are willing to take the lead on any of them, let us know. If you would like to add an activity to the list, that would be great too. If you are willing to take the lead but would like help or input from past organizers, just let us know.

All Aboard Meet and Greet

Book Exchange

Candy Swap - Tubbsteruk

Champagne Girls Gala

Face Book Link - Heatherb819

Fish Extender Exchange - binkytel

Flicker Graphics - ValBob89

Hotel Info, Pre & Post cruise

Jelly Bracelets

Jewelry Making

Lanyards - MandyGirl

Linked Dining

Mickey Mouse Club Night

Palo Group Brunch

Personal Group Navagator

PJ Breakfast - Tink1987 - MandyGirl / Day 2 At Sea DIS PJ Breakfast 8:45 Lumiere's

Postcard Exchange - LySand

Pre-Cruise Meets

Private Tastings - DISNEYMOUSEHOUSE

Pub Crawl - bradbrad25

Roll Call - GoofyNewfie

Room Tour - LySand

Scrap Booking

Secret Mickey

Shirts - ValBob89

'Until We Meet Again' Luncheon

Villian's Night

Web-site - GoofyNewfie

White Board

Val - I will be happy to organize the following:

• All Aboard Meet and Greet
• 'Until We Meet Again' Luncheon

And I am already down for:

• Lanyards
• Helping Tink1987 with Pajama Breakfast

We can add an event for Toddler Meet-and-Greet as well, no organizer needed.

Here are descriptions, dates, times, and locations for each to add to a calendar:

All Aboard Meet-and-Greet onboard -
There will be a brief get together in the Promenade Lounge (deck 3) at 3pm on embarkation day. It will be a great opportunity to put faces to DIS usernames, pick up your lanyards from the Lanyard TEAM, as well as letting us all know of any room changes for those participating in exchanges and events (such as Fish Extenders and Secret Mickey - if anyone upgraded at embarkation).

DIS Pajama Breakfast -
Meet for pictures at 8:45 the first sea day followed by breakfast in Lumiere's wearing your G-rated PAJAMAS! This is not a private function but Lumiere's will be notified in advance of our group attending so staffing/table arrangements can be made based on how many sign up prior to May 15. No charge!
(NOTE: Tink1987 may tweak this, but this was my suggestion as we knew that there most likely would not be a Character Breakfast or Princess Tea the very first breakfast. This is also an ideal date for anyone to pick up lanyards who for some reason did not get them at the previous day's event. It has not been decided how people will sign-up for this event yet - either by PM or if Chris can add a sign-up feature on website.)

DIS Toddler Meet-and-Greet -
No charge! An informal "toddler meet-n-greet" for the kiddos too young for Kids Club (under age three) on the first sea day from 11:00-11:30. That way they get a chance to meet, Moms get a chance to meet (and/or Dads), etc. Planning on the area in the shade by the toddler splash area on deck 9. No sign-up necessary - just a place so that we can meet before lunch/naps/cranky time. This will help us recognize one another the remainder of the cruise as well.

Until We Meet Again Luncheon -
Come & join us for a farewell lunch on the last sea day at 12:15 at Lumiere's. This is not a private function but Lumiere's will be notified in advance of our group attending so staffing/table arrangements can be made based on the number of guests who sign up prior to May 15. No charge!
(NOTE: This was also when the Secret Mickey Reveal has been done previously - during the luncheon. People may attend the luncheon who were not a part of Secret Mickey. It has not been decided how people will sign-up for this event yet - either by PM or if Chris can add a sign-up feature on website.)

Placing them on a calendar, it would look like this:

Day 1 Galveston, Texas DIS Meet-and-Greet 3:00
Day 2 At Sea DIS PJ Breakfast 8:45 Lumiere's Toddler Meet-and-Greet Splash Pool 11:00
Day 3 At Sea
Day 4 Castaway Cay, Bahamas 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Day 5 At Sea
Day 6 At Sea
Day 7 At Sea
Day 8 At Sea
Day 9 At Sea
Day 10 At Sea
Day 11 Funchal, Madeira, Portugal 10:30 a.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Day 12 At Sea
Day 13 Gibraltar, United Kingdom 7:30 am - 6:00 pm
Day 14 At Sea DIS Until We Meet Again Lunch 12:15 (and possible Secret Mickey Reveal during lunch if that organizer wishes)
Day 15 Barcelona, Spain

 

[MandyGirl]

I've added a bunch more polls to the website to gauge interest and potentially get an organizer. Please have a look and express your interest. Even a "No" or a "Maybe" gives people an idea of whether the event should proceed.

Some of the events may still be light on an explanation. If anyone would like to give me something, I'd appreciate it.

Jelly Bracelets
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/jelly-bracelets

Jewelry Making
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/jewelry-making

Linked Dining
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/linked-dining

Mickey Mouse Club Night
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/mickey-mouse-club-night

Scrap Booking
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/scrap-booking

Secret Mickey
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/secret-mickey

Villain's Night
https://sites.google.com/site/onamagicaltransatlanticjourney/home/villian-s-night

My $0.02 Tweak as needed!

Jelly Bracelets
Hopefully padalyn will see this to add a description -- this was a possibility in addition to or in place of doing lanyards earlier in the thread.
"Another idea is the jelly bracelets - I had 300 made (all at my own cost as my FE gifts) for the Repo and first Alaska cruise...they were very well received. I have a collection of each and really like the looks folks give my carryon luggage when they see the bracelets and luggage tags all hanging off of it!
Cayla"


Jewelry Making
Not sure on this one - I think in the past someone (or people) brought jewelry supplies, picked a date/location in advance of the cruise, and they met at that location to mingle and make jewelry.

Linked Dining
(This would need an organizer)
Interested in having your evening dining rotation with other DIS members in the same general area of the restaurant? This works for Main and Late dining, and is a great way to say "hi" to one another each evening! This will be completed at least 30 days prior to embarkation, and the event organizer will need the Guest Name, DCL Reservation number, and Main/Late denotation that matches your reservation to compile when submitting to DCL. It is a request but not a guarantee we will be seated near each other. (You cannot additionally request a specific serving team with this, but can see your table assignment on embarkation day.)
Note: Be aware that once reservations are linked for dining purposes, if you are sharing a table with someone that you intentionally linked, you can also see their nursery/spa reservations - so be careful the month prior to the cruise when booking those events that you are booking for YOU and not your tablemates.

Mickey Mouse Club Night
(No organizer necessary - but best to pre-plan a date on the calendar after we know when formal and theme nights are - DCL has supplied them 4-6 weeks in advance in the past. Last year it happened to fall on the same night we were offered pics with the Fab Five -- so we could just take shirts and plan on watching the Navigators for that night. If for some reason that is never offered, then just wear them the last day of the cruise - Until We Meet Again Luncheon would be on that day. Or... just wear them twice - once the night we are offered pics with the Fab Five and again the final sea day - nobody will say anything about you wearing the same shirt twice!! Been there done that!)
Description:
Wear your favorite Mickey Mouse Club Tshirt with other DIS members! Imagine the ship being taken by surprise when 200+ folks are walking around with these tshirts. You can purchase these on your own or make them from graphics available online. We will also meet for a quick picture prior to the first dining.

Scrap Booking
Not sure on this one - I think in the past people brought scrapbooking supplies, someone picked a date/location in advance of the cruise, and they met at that location to mingle and scrapbook. (Think one of the coffee areas?)

Secret Mickey
(Need an organizer who is either not participating in this or who is participating and doesn't mind knowing who they are receiving their Secret Mickey from. This is planned well in advance of the cruise so people have time to purchase/order those special gifts. Last year, I had a toddler and we gave him an embroidered blanket from the Disney store with his name on it, among other gifts, so time was needed after we were matched up to make/order gifts prior to heading out on vacation. Since many people spend a week or two pre-cruise, this one will want to be decided by March 1 so people have time to purchase gifts.)
Description:
Somewhat like a "Secret Santa" where you will spend $25-$30 USD on a gift or gifts throughout the cruise for a pre-determined DIS member, with a "reveal" at Lumiere's during the DIS Farewell Lunch (no charge for lunch).

Villain's Night
(No organizer necessary)
In the past, DIS members would wear Purple and Black in honor of Villain's Night, which is usually a "theme night" onboard by DCL. This coincides with the Villain's show onboard, a party of various Villain's in the lobby area, and shipboard activities during the day that include making masquerade masks to wear that evening. There is no cost for this, just simply watch your Navigator supplied in your stateroom each day, and wear your purple and black that evening!

 

[dee slack]

thanks for posting all this info - it's really useful.

 

[MandyGirl]

For those curious what the "Personal DIS Navigator" is, which we need someone to take on, you basically create a document that people can print on their own prior to the cruise. Since we share the same ports, you could probably do it with minimal effort by using this as a template,

Here is the link to the one we had on WBTA 2011:

https://sites.google.com/site/wbtasep2011/downloads

Edited to add: I am hoping you can download from here - we did have one Google site up that we had to get permission for (so we could keep some info private, like stateroom numbers). And believe it or not... I am out of hard drive space on my computer right now and need to back up on my external drive, or I would download it again! LOL.

 

[MandyGirl]

thanks for posting all this info - it's really useful.

No problem! And if you also look on the FB page, I went back on our pictures and added more detailed descriptions about the events they were taken at. Just click on PHOTOS on FB and click through those.

 

[dee slack]

I'm looking to book our flights from Barcelona, but wanted to check what time to go for as we'll be using Disney transfers. What time do the transfers start, and do you have a specific time reserved or is it just wait for the next available coach if one is full? Thanks!

 

[MandyGirl]

I'm looking to book our flights from Barcelona, but wanted to check what time to go for as we'll be using Disney transfers. What time do the transfers start, and do you have a specific time reserved or is it just wait for the next available coach if one is full? Thanks!

Sorry... I'm of no help on this one. I think we used cruiseline transport our very first cruise 12 years ago and that was it -- in Miami with a different cruiseline.

I just have to share... it is 73F degrees right now in Texas... and the rain and cooler weather almost make me feel like we are back in Bar Harbor, Maine from our vacation two weeks ago! Kinda nice to escape the 100+ degree Texas heat for the day... and upcoming several days according to the forecast! Makes me re-think what I wear to church in the morning!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I like the idea of the postcard exchange.

This is a very active thread.

Bobbi

 

[MandyGirl]

I know I have replied with my personal interpretation of descriptions of various events when it was posted here on the board asking for input, such as here and here. I am curious exactly what the "book exchange" and "white board" are as events.

From my one and only DCL cruise (WBTA 2011), this is what I interpreted:

Book Exchange - A set person/stateroom would place a box outside their door for people to swap books to read on the cruise. No sign-up necessary, no lists to make, no money to exchange, and it was honor code. No other work was required of the Book Exchange event organizer than to place a box outside their room during pre-set hours and share their cabin number on DIS in advance of the cruise.

White Board - A set person/stateroom would place a whiteboard (such as a Dollar Store whiteboard) on their magnetized stateroom door and leave it there for the duration of the cruise. If a DIS member who is participating in an event, such as Fish Extender, Secret Mickey, etc - that requires people knowing their stateroom number changed staterooms upon embarkation (upgrade, mechanical failure in room, etc) --- then that person would write their old/new stateroom number on the whiteboard. Before participants delivered gifts, they would check the whiteboard to make sure none of their gifts had a new cabin number, which helped ensure gifts made it to their correct cabins. No other work was required of the White Board event organizer than to place a whiteboard outside their room and share their cabin number on DIS in advance of the cruise. (No pre-cruise sign-up, no money to exchange --- simply bring a whiteboard and place it on your door, sharing your cabin number in advance.)

Can some of the more experienced DCL cruisers share feedback if I am way off base here? Or is there a different expectation for this cruise? I did not see descriptions on the webpage, and am just asking a question for my own understanding of the events. Thank you in advance for anyone who can clarify what these events might be. I have been posting on this thread since January, but don't think I have seen a description of these for EBTA, or I may have overlooked descriptions. THANKS!

 

[valbob89]

I'm looking to book our flights from Barcelona, but wanted to check what time to go for as we'll be using Disney transfers. What time do the transfers start, and do you have a specific time reserved or is it just wait for the next available coach if one is full? Thanks!

My experience has been they put you on the next available coach as you come out the door through customs. We did not have a specific coach assigned, nor a specific time. Sometimes they did cross our names off a list, anothers they have taken a "ticket" from us and others they seemed to just assume we paid for the transfer.

However, they may do it different this time. On other cruises, when I completed the on-line check-in, and I put in my flight time, a popup told me if the time of my departure was earlier then the recommended time. Then when I got my departure assignment the night before our departure from the ship, it was based on how early our flight was.