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

[gramfrog]

Question: Do you think a day trip to DLRP would be doable? We want to take the girls because we will be so close but we also really want to enjoy our days in Paris. I was thinking about taking the RER from Paris one morning and coming back to the city around dinner time. What do you think?

We have been to DLRP each of our three trips to Paris in the past few years, and it's REALLY easy to get there (under an hour each way on the RER train to Marne La Valee) and a great way to spend a day. They now have two parks, so if you want to "do it on the cheap"-er, choose the Main Park only, rather than Studios. Plenty to see and do. Remember, though, that it is set up much like the US parks (only prettier in a park setting), and therefore the charm, IMHO, is the signage in French and the "Disneyland Paris" mementos. (If I can figure out how to post a pic, I will). Plenty of time afterwards to take the excellent Seine tour boat at the tip of Ile de la Cite to tour Paris at night in the lights!(fantastic bridges).

 

[gramfrog]

anyone know how to post a picture from the computer's library (mac)? I don't have a url to have it search for....

 

[kaseyC]

No such luck! The W in Barcelona requires 25,000 Starwood points/night for a free stay vs. 3,000 (weekend) or 4,000 (weekday) points at the Four Points Sheraton! 25K points = a free domestic plane ticket on American Airlines, and I won't use that many points for a hotel room.


You're welcome, and I'm glad you found an apartment in Paris that will work for you.

I did a day trip to Disneyland Paris via the RER in 2002, but I was in Paris for a week. If you decide to go there for the day, I would personally stay as long as possible, rather than try to get back in time for dinner.

If you don't already have it, I highly recommend getting Rick Steves' Paris 2013 guide book, available soon: http://www.amazon.com/Rick-Steves-P...144802&sr=8-1&keywords=rick+steves+paris+2013

Got the Paris 2012 on my iPad.

We have been to DLRP each of our three trips to Paris in the past few years, and it's REALLY easy to get there (under an hour each way on the RER train to Marne La Valee) and a great way to spend a day. They now have two parks, so if you want to "do it on the cheap"-er, choose the Main Park only, rather than Studios. Plenty to see and do. Remember, though, that it is set up much like the US parks (only prettier in a park setting), and therefore the charm, IMHO, is the signage in French and the "Disneyland Paris" mementos. (If I can figure out how to post a pic, I will). Plenty of time afterwards to take the excellent Seine tour boat at the tip of Ile de la Cite to tour Paris at night in the lights!(fantastic bridges).

Thanks for your advice. We are a Disney family and I know we would regret not visiting DLRP. I will plan my itinerary to include it because I'm sure this will not be our only visit to Paris.

 

[gramfrog]

You're welcome, Kasey! Incidentally, we have three princesses, too, although they are most likely decades older that yours We have a Casey, and we apparently live relatively close to you, in Barrington. If you have any questions about DLP I'll be glad to help.

 

[twopeasonepod]

I wouldn't worry about running in Barcelona - I walked around at 2am alone without worry. I found the city to be safe and comfortable. I did make sure I stayed in well lit areas of course (I am not foolish, maybe crazy!)

We are at the Hotel Gaudi, right near the Gaudi houses. We got a good rate (my wonderful fiance found this one!) We used TripAdvisor and were happy with the location, rate, and pictures.

Hahaha I meant because I'll get lost, not because I'm worried about "bad" people in Barcelona. I loved it so much when I was there for school (a long time ago haha).

Try Casp74, it's an Apartment style hotel. We stayed in a 2 bedroom 3 bath unit in 2011. It's in a great neighborhood close to a metro stop and a quick walk to Placa Catalunya. They offer a 3 bedroom unit that I believes sleeps 8 but you may need to email and check.

http://www.apartmentscasp74.com/apartaments.php?idm=3

I was wondering why I didn't know Casp74. It's because there's no pool

No such luck! The W in Barcelona requires 25,000 Starwood points/night for a free stay vs. 3,000 (weekend) or 4,000 (weekday) points at the Four Points Sheraton! 25K points = a free domestic plane ticket on American Airlines, and I won't use that many points for a hotel room.

Holy crap, 25,000? A night??? Wow, that isn't even close to what I'd pay for!

Okay so after some additional emailing, we are down to three: Grand Central Hotel, Suites Avenue, and Catalonia Port (but that is really a stretch because we would have to get three rooms -- but one of them is spectacular with it's own terrace on the whole entire floor and it's own hot tub). I have one more day off to research!

 

[Tink1987]

okay - I'm really into this planning mode - any suggestions for hotels in Barcelona? I'm staying the day we disembark then flying the next day to Italy. When I was in Barcelona in 2007 I stayed on the ship and went sight seeing prior to sailing - no hotel experience.

And anyone in the London area - I'm looking at the Comfort Hotel near Heathrow to stay for a couple of days before we head back to the USA. Last time I was in London we stayed in central London and I don't anything about this place.

Thanks !! Don't know what I'd do without checking here - so much expertise and so helpful !!

I personally wouldn't stay at Heathrow if you want to spend a couple of days exploring London. You would spend extra £/$ getting back and forth to your hotel then you probably would to upgrade to a central London hotel. Also, if you are going to be there in the week and want full days in London, you would be fighting rush hour traffic getting into London early because you are so far out. Whereas if you are staying in London, you could get up a little later when everyone is in work

I only live 2 hours from London and visit around 15 times a year, if anyone wants tips on restaurants, sights you can't miss etc, let me know

 

[Tink1987]

Nancy, I just wanted thank you for your recommendation for a Paris Apartment rental company. We found a great apartment through Vacations in Paris for 4 nights after our Baltic cruise much less expensive than a hotel for our family of 5. They've been easy to work with and I love that they are located in the U.S. Very excited about exploring Paris.

Question: Do you think a day trip to DLRP would be doable? We want to take the girls because we will be so close but we also really want to enjoy our days in Paris. I was thinking about taking the RER from Paris one morning and coming back to the city around dinner time. What do you think?

A day trip to DLP would be more then doable, as others have said its really easy to get there from central Paris. If you are visiting during a weekday normally it is super quiet and you could even get both parks done at a stretch. Unfortunately though, I've checked the school holidays for you and whilst the French, Spanish and German schools are in attendance, it's a half term week for the British school calendar. Therefore it may be a little busier then normal....with using Fastpass though and a little forward planning you should be fine

For anyone going to Paris, again I am more then happy to help with planning and advice for you all. The website link I've added below as well is the most helpful DLP site to use as well. Unfortunately there's no such thing as crowd calendars etc :-(

I've also added my Flickr link to my Paris and DLP set, gives you an idea of what it all looks like - Gosh, sorry I will do anything to push my photos out

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markcollettephotos/collections/72157629774672267/


http://www.dlrpmagic.com/

Have a great day all

 

[kaseyC]

A day trip to DLP would be more then doable, as others have said its really easy to get there from central Paris. If you are visiting during a weekday normally it is super quiet and you could even get both parks done at a stretch. Unfortunately though, I've checked the school holidays for you and whilst the French, Spanish and German schools are in attendance, it's a half term week for the British school calendar. Therefore it may be a little busier then normal....with using Fastpass though and a little forward planning you should be fine

For anyone going to Paris, again I am more then happy to help with planning and advice for you all. The website link I've added below as well is the most helpful DLP site to use as well. Unfortunately there's no such thing as crowd calendars etc :-(

I've also added my Flickr link to my Paris and DLP set, gives you an idea of what it all looks like - Gosh, sorry I will do anything to push my photos out

http://www.flickr.com/photos/markcollettephotos/collections/72157629774672267/


http://www.dlrpmagic.com/

Have a great day all

So June 12-16 is a British school break? I will have to keep that in mind as I plan. Thank you for that information.

 

[valbob89]

Here are the most current shirt design images, with the updates recommended. Also a model of how they would be positioned on a shirt.

 

[bobbiwoz]

What a great souvenir that will be!

Bobbi

 

[Tink1987]

So June 12-16 is a British school break? I will have to keep that in mind as I plan. Thank you for that information.

Ah no sorry the week after the cruise is! So if you aren't getting there until the week after you will be A-OK!

Sorry for the mis-information

 

[binkytell]

So June 12-16 is a British school break? I will have to keep that in mind as I plan. Thank you for that information.

It's not a British school holiday, the schools in England maybe off but in Scotland there is no school holidays in June, not sure about in Wales

 

[cheflawrence]

So we have finalized our plans for our European Vacation after the cruise.

We have booked an apartment in Barcelona for 3 days on a website called House Trip. For those with larger groups you can just input your parameters and it will give you a list. We got ours for 195 Euros for the 3 nights. It is right near the Church and close to the metro.

From there, we are flying on Vueling to Croatia for 6 days. We got an apartment overlooking the Adriatic on the same website for 250 Euros.

Then we fly Aer Lingus to Dublin and then Dublin to JFK and then on to Buffalo. That flight was suprisingly inexpensive only 2300 Canadian for the 3 of us.

This will definitely be the trip of a lifetime!


Lawrence

 

[Tink1987]

So we have finalized our plans for our European Vacation after the cruise.

We have booked an apartment in Barcelona for 3 days on a website called House Trip. For those with larger groups you can just input your parameters and it will give you a list. We got ours for 195 Euros for the 3 nights. It is right near the Church and close to the metro.

From there, we are flying on Vueling to Croatia for 6 days. We got an apartment overlooking the Adriatic on the same website for 250 Euros.

Then we fly Aer Lingus to Dublin and then Dublin to JFK and then on to Buffalo. That flight was suprisingly inexpensive only 2300 Canadian for the 3 of us.

This will definitely be the trip of a lifetime!

Lawrence

Fantastic plans! Especially jealous of the Croatia part. I really want to go to Dubrovnik and Split, it's very high up on my list

 

[cheflawrence]

Hi Tink

My wife's family is from Croatia, so the end of this trip had to end up in Dubrovnik. It looks beautiful and we can't wait to get there.

 

[kaseyC]

Ah no sorry the week after the cruise is! So if you aren't getting there until the week after you will be A-OK!

Sorry for the mis-information

No problem. I appreciate your help. We are doing a 9 night Baltic cruise out of Copenhagen after the TA and then 4 nights in Paris. Thank you for the links.

 

[Tink1987]

No problem. I appreciate your help. We are doing a 9 night Baltic cruise out of Copenhagen after the TA and then 4 nights in Paris. Thank you for the links.

Ah I'm so jealous! Baltics cruise is definitely the next cruising holiday we want to do after this EBTA!

 

[Tink1987]

I'm getting panicked about all the rumours for major changes in 2013 - you don't think they are planning on scrapping the Med altogether do you?? :-(

 

[Ladyshopper]

Still can't confirm whether I am joining you, arghhhhhhhhhh!!

Having a nightmare trying to get flights booked, have been trying to book some since Saturday with my avios points, but they've had systems down and all sorts, and result is I still don't know whether the flight is confirmed, and until this one is sorted I don't want to book the flight to Houston or move cruises.

So annoying.

 

[krispykreme97]

I'm getting panicked about all the rumours for major changes in 2013 - you don't think they are planning on scrapping the Med altogether do you?? :-(

What rumors? My flights are already booked! Do tell!