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

[MandyGirl]

Thank you, that's very helpful. I like to see the 'real' place that I'm visiting, not too keen on big sprawling cities that could be anywhere. I also have a bit of a thing for the stereo-typical cowboy too

No problem!!

And although I have lived here 38 years, sad to say I have never owned a cowboy hat or cowboy boots. And there's not a horse in my backyard (or any of my friends'). I've only been to Billy Bob's once in Fort Worth to see Willie Nelson, and admit I've only had two sips of beer in my life.

Now that "Dallas" has resurfaced from the 70s/80s on TV, it has been fun to watch (and follow their Facebook page - it also has pics and videos from back during it's original showing). And I have YET to visit Southfork Ranch.... But seeing the sterotypical stuff IS kinda fun. You do see it more out of the big cities though.

 

[txSleepingBeauty]

"Thank you, think we will definitely look into getting the car then.

I know Houston is one of the largest cities, is it that scary to drive in??

Thanks"



it's not too bad, just be prepared for traffic!

BTW, Houston has lots of great stuff to see too, it's just not quite a picturesque as San Antonio and Austin
We have Space Center Houston, a great zoo, one of the best children's museum's in the country, lots of little interesting art pieces/museums--The Orange Show, The Art car museum, The beer can house, the funeral museum. Lots of shopping in the Galleria(including Cheesecake Factory). In Galveston, there's the Strand, Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn

 

[binkytell]

Also, there is a mega outlet shopping center in San Marcos. This is on the interstate between San Antonio and Austin and is very accessible. There is actually more than one outlet mall but they are right by each other. You can EASILY spend a day in this area - lots of stores.

Here are two links depicting the stores:

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/store_listing.asp?id=88
(140 stores)

http://www.tangeroutlet.com/sanmarcos/directory/
(this one has a Disney store - total of 38 stores here)

And if you dare reveal to your husbands I told you about this oasis, I will just have to say I have NO CLUE what the heck you are talking about. I have not been to the Disney store there, so can't tell you anything about it.

Sales tax in Texas varies, but it is around 8.25%. Not like the shopping I did in New Hampshire a few weeks ago with NO sales tax. That was so nice! But many of these are outlet stores, hence often much cheaper than their normal stores (just still have to watch prices).

Now can you give me somewhere to send Brian and girls while I'm busy.

Can you add them somewhere on website Mandy so nearer the time I know where to get info, otherwise I will be searching for this nearer the time.

Any tips on where to stay in San Antonio too?

 

[binkytell]

No problem!!

And although I have lived here 38 years, sad to say I have never owned a cowboy hat or cowboy boots. And there's not a horse in my backyard (or any of my friends'). I've only been to Billy Bob's once in Fort Worth to see Willie Nelson, and admit I've only had two sips of beer in my life.

Now that "Dallas" has resurfaced from the 70s/80s on TV, it has been fun to watch (and follow their Facebook page - it also has pics and videos from back during it's original showing). And I have YET to visit Southfork Ranch.... But seeing the sterotypical stuff IS kinda fun. You do see it more out of the big cities though.

You mean not everyone wears a cowboy hat I'll be so disappointed

It's like if your from Scotland, they think everyone's ginger and the guys wear skirts

 

[binkytell]

Yeah, that was our P&O cruise to the Norwegian Fjords at the beginning of June. Was our first cruise, we loved every second of it!

The wbta 2011 was our 1st cruise too, I was a little worried it would be too long being our 1st but we loved it. Will maybe branch off to other cruise lines without the kids as Disney does a wonderful job of keeping them entertained and at a reasonable price for nursery.

 

[MandyGirl]

Now can you give me somewhere to send Brian and girls while I'm busy.

Can you add them somewhere on website Mandy so nearer the time I know where to get info, otherwise I will be searching for this nearer the time.

Any tips on where to stay in San Antonio too?

I created a FILE on the Facebook page with the Pre-Cruise Texas ideas and a link that brings one of the posts back to the DIS post I made on that. Info in this thread and on Facebook now.

You could literally spend a week in Houston/Galveston alone, but I know this is your first time to Texas and are looking at seeing as much as you can. I figured everyone had already researched the heck out of Houston and Galveston since that is where most are flying into. People who are here 1-2 weeks may be looking for other activities to add on.

San Antonio -- anything on the Riverwalk is good - have stayed a few places there. No problem with rooms for four. Unless you want to be out by Sea World --- then the Hyatt properties out there are good. For the experience though, I'd say to stay on the Riverwalk. We were just there in December and I have attended several conferences on the Riverwalk over the years. Boudro's is my favorite (affordable) restaurant for lunch - can't afford dinner. Take a boat ride, shopping at RiverCenter (yes, a Disney store). And Starbucks is there as well if you need a fix.

You mean not everyone wears a cowboy hat I'll be so disappointed

It's like if your from Scotland, they think everyone's ginger and the guys wear skirts

If I take you to my Granny's house, yep, you see lots more cowboy hats and boots. And shotguns in the pickups. That video clip I posted really depicts it well, especially "life behind the pine curtain". But Brian would have to wear his kilt and play a bagpipe!!

Yes -- when Curt and I were in Scotland, I got so excited every time we saw a kilt or heard a bagpipe playing!!! And a family at our church is from Scotland, but he doesn't wear his kilt to church.

 

[MandyGirl]

I know I shared previously (several hundred posts ago) in a series of responses to someone asking what to do with extended time in visiting Texas pre-cruise, and I know others are looking at being in Texas for 1-2 weeks in May and wanting to see a lot it. That was after the zoo question was answered. Hopefully a list like this will help those who are flying in the day before, or spending 1-2 weeks wanting to see more of Texas. And of course I know Disney literature should have a lot about Houston/Galveston since they offer transportation from the two major airports there. Hopefully this will help someone!

Tourism Websites for links with Attractions:

Galveston Maps:
http://www.galveston.com/maps/

Port cameras:
http://www.galveston.com/cruisecam/
http://www.galveston.com/harborcam/

Near the Port of Galveston:
Houston Visitor Website: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/
Downtown Houston Map: http://www.houstonconventionctr.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=Rw9IgV1SveM=&tabid=62
Galveston Visitor Website: http://www.galveston.com/default.asp

Airports with DCL Transportation to Port:
Houston Intercontinental IAH: http://www.fly2houston.com/IAH
Houston Hobby HOU: http://www.fly2houston.com/hobby

Other major cities:
San Antonio: http://www.visitsanantonio.com/index.aspx
Austin: http://www.austintexas.org/visit/plan-your-trip/itinerary-ideas/
Fort Worth: http://www.fortworth.com/
Dallas: http://www.visitdallas.com/

Smaller cities in Hill Country:
Gruene: http://www.gruenetexas.com/
Fredericksburg: http://www.fredericksburg-texas.com/
San Marcos (on interstate): http://www.toursanmarcos.com/

Main TEXAS Tourism Website: http://www.traveltex.com/

-------------------------

Pre-Cruise in Texas - SHOPPING!!

Between Houston Hobby Airport and Galveston, there is a brand new Tanger Outlet on the right hand side going southbound I-45 near League City.

http://www.tangeroutlet.com/houston/directory

Also, there is a mega outlet shopping center in San Marcos for any of you doing a roadtrip to the Austin/San Antonio area. This is on the interstate between San Antonio and Austin and is very accessible. There is actually more than one outlet mall, but they are right by each other. You can EASILY spend a day in this area - lots of stores.

Here are two links depicting the stores:

http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet...ting.asp?id=88(140 stores)

http://www.tangeroutlet.com/sanmarcos/directory/ (this one has a Disney store - total of 38 stores here)

And if you dare reveal to your husbands I told you about this oasis, I will just have to say I have NO CLUE what the heck you are talking about. I have not been to the Disney store there, so can't tell you anything about it.

 

[dee slack]

No problem!!

And although I have lived here 38 years, sad to say I have never owned a cowboy hat or cowboy boots.

looks like I'd better bring my own cowboy hat then, luckily we picked one up in Wyoming a few years back

seriously tho', your information is very useful for anyone arriving in Texas pre cruise - thanks.

 

[MandyGirl]

looks like I'd better bring my own cowboy hat then, luckily we picked one up in Wyoming a few years back

seriously tho', your information is very useful for anyone arriving in Texas pre cruise - thanks.

No problem!! Glad to help! I knew we had several posts about what to do pre-cruise months ago, and it is hard to go back and find them, so I compiled the info into that one post with embedded links. Listing above, hopefully people have a one-stop resource if they are in Texas one day or ten days. I know a few families from the UK are looking at being here 1-2 weeks, and one had asked me via Facebook about the Hill Country area several months ago. There is just so much to see!! But you could literally spend a week in Galveston alone, and more than that in Houston. Some are wanting to hit more of the geographical sites in addition to Houston/Galveston. It would be like us going to England and seeing only London - tons to see in London, but cool things to see outside London as well.

We *did* have a cowboy hat... that we got in Amarillo at the Big Texan restaurant for our oldest child when she was almost 3. When they had "rodeo day" at preschool this year, she left it downstairs and someone picked it up. Broke her heart. (And NO, we didn't attempt the 72 ounce steak there!) Nothing wrong with bringing your hat!!

 

[MandyGirl]

AWESOME JOB on the organizers who have submitted info to the website!! I know when we were originally asked for 2-3 line descriptions of events, it was super hard to compress it all down into just such a few lines to convey the event. Glad to see the longer descriptions available now!!

 

[MandyGirl]

We are looking at two possible trips to WDW in the fall. A friend on Facebook who sells Disney trips posted the following, but I am not seeing anything on DIS:

"If you are considering a fall trip to Disney, contact me! Great special coming out Thursday!"

Anyone know what the great special is that may be coming out? Or is there a DIS thread about it already? I have not been able to locate one yet.

 

[Berries97]

If you are looking for something to do in Barcelona, DS really enjoyed the aquarium last year. We stayed at the Renaissance Hotel by the Airport. While it was a really nice room and very clean. I probably would not stay there again. It was too far from the city and the food left alot to be desired. Poor planning on my part but as I was by myself with Royce... I wanted something easy!

@MandyGirl... you can put me down for the lanyard team, if we do them. It was a lifesaver last year.

What is everyone doing after the cruise?

 

[MandyGirl]

For anyone looking for ideas in Madeira, this is who we used last year:

http://www.danielmadeirataxis.com/cruise-ship-excursions.shtml

We did the 4 hour 30 minute tour, and the toboggan ride was extra (payable in cash to the toboggan people) but the taxi met us at the end to continue the tour.

I'm afraid to do the longer tour this year, and we saw so many things "in town" on the way back that I think we may stick around that area this time.

There was also a DIS tour in Madeira for a larger group, but since we had a 15-month old, we didn't want to take the chance of her getting fussy and ruining the tour for others, so we just did the 4-person tour. It was a VERY good tour, and after seeing huge tour buses making some of those tight turns on steep drop-offs, I knew I would be completely sick to my stomach on a bus!! (Yes, I am a weenie...)

Anyway, we emailed for reservations, had a prompt reply, and were very pleased. Just thought I would pass this along if it might help anyone.

 

[txSleepingBeauty]

You mean not everyone wears a cowboy hat I'll be so disappointed

It's like if your from Scotland, they think everyone's ginger and the guys wear skirts

I've lived in Houston for 25 years, since 2nd grade. It's more of a southern city than a western city, so not too many cowboy hats, unless you're here during rodeo time! Then we get trailriders with boots and hats galore.


Mandy, great job with the Texas info! I wish I was that organized! what part of the state are you in?

 

[MandyGirl]

I've lived in Houston for 25 years, since 2nd grade. It's more of a southern city than a western city, so not too many cowboy hats, unless you're here during rodeo time! Then we get trailriders with boots and hats galore.


Mandy, great job with the Texas info! I wish I was that organized! what part of the state are you in?

Well said describing Houston! Currently we are in the Dallas area, but I was born/raised in east Texas and spent some time teaching in Brenham (made that drive down 290 to Houston a lot!). Grad school was at Sam Houston just north of ya. But from growing up in east Texas, that's why I can relate to the movie "Bernie". LOL! But a lot of my relatives live in the Conroe area. I also have a cousin in Houston, Curt has relatives in Alvin, and my college roommate is in the Fort Bend area now. The rest of our relatives are sprinkled around the country.

Thanks for the compliment. Yes, I am a planning guru. A good thing and a bad thing at the same time. Plus, I'm trying to get as much laid out now for this trip as I can before school starts. Time will be very constrained then. We're hoping to tack on a cruise after this one, which is port-intensive, so I have to plan now. This one will be my relaxing cruise.

 

[padalyn]

How about a magazine? They could be exchanged as well.

I am in - I actually have over a year's worth of Wired and Marie Claire to wade through...I can't ever seem to keep caught up...dis threads, school, magazines...oh yea - and taking care of patients (pesky work)

I don't think he would ever ever contemplate driving in NY lol, I'll never forget my first experience getting out of a taxi in that wonderful city.

I think he is most scared of LA next year hehe.

You're craving Cheesecake Factory?! I haven't had that wonderful cake since NYE 2009 :-( lol

NYC is easy...I will NEVER drive in Curacao...OMG...talk about scary!?!?! All over the road, cars of all sizes flying along...kinda sounds like the road to Hana on Maui - that was safer than Curacao. NYC? not so bad...just remember that the taxi's don't look!

Seriously - I drive for a living...Houston was not so bad as I recall from many years ago. Just be aware of traffic, have your passenger watch the signs - driver watch the cars!! GPS are helpful, but you should consult paper or electronic maps (mapquest etc) PRIOR to leaving the rental agency. Most folks are like the commercials (seen the ones with "mayhem"? esp the one with the GPS???) that is SO true. Folks will listen to the GPS at the last minute and swerve suddenly - so read the text file first, have a vague idea of where you want to go and be careful!

 

[MandyGirl]

We are looking at two possible trips to WDW in the fall. A friend on Facebook who sells Disney trips posted the following, but I am not seeing anything on DIS:

"If you are considering a fall trip to Disney, contact me! Great special coming out Thursday!"

Anyone know what the great special is that may be coming out? Or is there a DIS thread about it already? I have not been able to locate one yet.

Ahhh... my Facebook buddy just replied...

free dining with arrivals on certain nights with at least a 7 day 6 night stay. Free quick service on the value resorts and basic dining on moderate and above. --- which is basically what I had heard from elsewhere.

ETA: Now that I finish checking all of my email accounts, found the offer:
http://disneyrewards.com/offers/wdwfreedinejuly12?CMP=drv_EMC_WDWFreeDineJuly12_Clickhere_intl

 

[Tink1987]

I am in - I actually have over a year's worth of Wired and Marie Claire to wade through...I can't ever seem to keep caught up...dis threads, school, magazines...oh yea - and taking care of patients (pesky work)

NYC is easy...I will NEVER drive in Curacao...OMG...talk about scary!?!?! All over the road, cars of all sizes flying along...kinda sounds like the road to Hana on Maui - that was safer than Curacao. NYC? not so bad...just remember that the taxi's don't look!

Seriously - I drive for a living...Houston was not so bad as I recall from many years ago. Just be aware of traffic, have your passenger watch the signs - driver watch the cars!! GPS are helpful, but you should consult paper or electronic maps (mapquest etc) PRIOR to leaving the rental agency. Most folks are like the commercials (seen the ones with "mayhem"? esp the one with the GPS???) that is SO true. Folks will listen to the GPS at the last minute and swerve suddenly - so read the text file first, have a vague idea of where you want to go and be careful!

Thank you, we are really looking forward to our road trip even though it's a while away yet!

Thanks for all the help Mandy, we will have to have a think about what we want to do! Haven't really got the holiday days to have another few days over there pre-cruise but I know we plan to do Route 66 in the next few years so I am sure we will deviate into Texas then as well

 

[padalyn]

I have my travel agent looking for a room for the night before we all leave. I have been told that we do not want to stay in Houston, but the agent says we will be fine...so - to that end - are there any areas that we want to stay clear of?

Also - we will need to get to a Walmart and a liquor store to buy wine and hard liquor.

I am not thinking of taking a GPS with us - should I?

Cayla

 

[binkytell]

I have my travel agent looking for a room for the night before we all leave. I have been told that we do not want to stay in Houston, but the agent says we will be fine...so - to that end - are there any areas that we want to stay clear of?

Also - we will need to get to a Walmart and a liquor store to buy wine and hard liquor.

I am not thinking of taking a GPS with us - should I?

Cayla

I'll be right behind you at liquor store Cayla

On the wbta a lot of us stocked up at local supermarket in Gibraltar, what a sight, we were taking our suitcases off ship to fill up

At night those of us who had kids and couldn't access adult only areas would bring a bottle up to deck 9 then it was just share galore, good times