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

[kaseyC]

Happy Friday!! I hope everyone has a great weekend. It's going to be a hot one here.

 

[MandyGirl]

Happy Friday!! I hope everyone has a great weekend. It's going to be a hot one here.

Ditto on the "Happy Friday"!! It is our last day of Vacation Bible School. We've been having a cool front - only 95 for the high today here.

And for anyone who works shift work, like my hubby, today is "Happy Day 2 of 6" for him! <insert groan!>

 

[padalyn]

Hi guys,

For we live in the Netherlands and go to DLP often, I might have some tips for those of you who're looking for a stay at DLP afterwards.

The most important one might be this: If you're looking for a stay of more than 2 days, it might already be cheaper to buy an anual pass than per day-tickets. There are two types of passes available for people who live outside France:

Fantasy (€139.-) - 65 Blockout dates, 10% disc on Hotels, Souvernirs & Food + Free parking (and some minor stuff)

Dream (€199.-) - No Blockout dates, up to 40% disc on Hotels, 20% on Souvernirs, 10% on Food, Free parking, Free Stroller & Weelchair rental, One-hour early entry to the parks (and some minor stuff)

Both passes are valid for both parks in Paris and depending on the amount of money you'll be spending on souvernirs, Disney hotels and whether or not you want this early entry, you can choose whichever fits you. On dlp.info (sorry, can't post direct links yet because of my post count) you can find more information about this!

great information, but how does this work when staying at one of the park hotels? I used my DVC the first time I went, and was told I HAD to purchase park tickets when staying at a Disney resort. Can I opt for these tickets instead of a regular ticket?

 

[padalyn]

Ditto on the "Happy Friday"!! It is our last day of Vacation Bible School. We've been having a cool front - only 95 for the high today here.

And for anyone who works shift work, like my hubby, today is "Happy Day 2 of 6" for him! <insert groan!>

I hear you...I just finished 3 of 7 - and I have to be up early for a staff meeting at 1pm...don't the managers realize that we night folk are ASLEEP during the day...sigh. Both bosses were my partner at one time and worked nights. go figure.

Sigh - off to sleep for 4 hours,

TTYL

 

[MandyGirl]

I hear you...I just finished 3 of 7 - and I have to be up early for a staff meeting at 1pm...don't the managers realize that we night folk are ASLEEP during the day...sigh. Both bosses were my partner at one time and worked nights. go figure.

Sigh - off to sleep for 4 hours,

TTYL

Ugh - no fun! Especially 7 in a row. Hope you have a great eye mask (or sleep in the closet!!)

Hubby is guaranteed at least 8.5 hours between shifts and no required meetings outside of work, plus can't be assigned more than 6 in a row unless he trades into longer (which he has done). He gets a bid for a certain shift for the entire year, and can do trades, such as making longer vacations or whatever, but he is required to have 8.5 hours of rest between shifts (can't work, even if he wants to). This summer he traded for a lot of morning shifts to help some people out, so we we have had the 3:30AM or 4:30AM alarm clock, or have him driving into the garage at 11:00 PM (which is fine with me during the schoolyear - I usually work evenings during the schoolyear). I have to look every day to see what he's working because of all his trades, plus my schedule is all over the board too for tutoring. Thank goodness I'm a nerd with calendars - and thank goodness I love the company he works for!!

 

[ThaMartin]

great information, but how does this work when staying at one of the park hotels? I used my DVC the first time I went, and was told I HAD to purchase park tickets when staying at a Disney resort. Can I opt for these tickets instead of a regular ticket?

Yes of course, otherwise it would be no use for them to give Disney Hotel discount with the passes! Maybe it's different when you try to book via DVC because they use special packages or something, but I'd recommend booking the Hotel your self via this telephone number: +33/1 60 30 60 69 . It's a special reservation number for people with annual passes.

Maybe another tip: We often don't even make reservations for the Hotels. There are 7 Disney Hotels near the parks and when you show up there with your annual passes and ask for a last-minute discount, you get even more discount! However, you'd have to take the chance of inavailability but that has never happened to us so far and the first week of June aren't high season yet so I think you'd be rather safe there

 

[padalyn]

Ugh - no fun! Especially 7 in a row. Hope you have a great eye mask (or sleep in the closet!!)

Hubby is guaranteed at least 8.5 hours between shifts and no required meetings outside of work, plus can't be assigned more than 6 in a row unless he trades into longer (which he has done). He gets a bid for a certain shift for the entire year, and can do trades, such as making longer vacations or whatever, but he is required to have 8.5 hours of rest between shifts (can't work, even if he wants to). This summer he traded for a lot of morning shifts to help some people out, so we we have had the 3:30AM or 4:30AM alarm clock, or have him driving into the garage at 11:00 PM (which is fine with me during the schoolyear - I usually work evenings during the schoolyear). I have to look every day to see what he's working because of all his trades, plus my schedule is all over the board too for tutoring. Thank goodness I'm a nerd with calendars - and thank goodness I love the company he works for!!

I actually have worked nights for 20+ years, I sleep better when the sun (that evil day moon!) is up. I can flip for a couple of weeks, but usually be the end of a vacation I am sliding back to my night schedule. I am one of those folks that doesn't suffer jet lag- in the past, I have flown home from Paris overnight and worked THAT night here, with only 10 hrs on the ground. Never even noticed the time change. Same thing happens going the other way - Calif to NJ?? no worries! I get home and hit the ground running. Last time I flew to Barcelona, I arrived at 8am local (after an "all nght" flight) spent the day hiking Park Guell and wandering around the city. When it got to be midnight I finally was ready for bed...the issue isn't the 7 in a row - it is that I haven't gotten out on time YET! Plus today I had to be back into work at 1pm for a staff meeting...sigh....in the middle of the night no less.

Yes of course, otherwise it would be no use for them to give Disney Hotel discount with the passes! Maybe it's different when you try to book via DVC because they use special packages or something, but I'd recommend booking the Hotel your self via this telephone number: +33/1 60 30 60 69 . It's a special reservation number for people with annual passes.

Maybe another tip: We often don't even make reservations for the Hotels. There are 7 Disney Hotels near the parks and when you show up there with your annual passes and ask for a last-minute discount, you get even more discount! However, you'd have to take the chance of inavailability but that has never happened to us so far and the first week of June aren't high season yet so I think you'd be rather safe there

so, if I understand this right - you don't book the hotel, you simply show up and hope there is a room. Ok, I get it.

I have to call DVC to find out what the rules are, since we do not want to spend the cash for the hotel that is the best option for us. However, I am not sure how it would work for the annual pass. You listed the cost for the pass - is there a way to find out the "black out" dates? We are planning on going after Barcelona so around June 4 to 8. Mid week planning on leaving Friday night to avoid the higher "point" cost night at the hotel.

I will check the cash cost of rooms as well - but I think DVC will be the best bet for us - I really would like to stay in the Disneyland Hotel this time -I was in New York lst time - very nice.

Cayla

 

[ThaMartin]

so, if I understand this right - you don't book the hotel, you simply show up and hope there is a room. Ok, I get it.

Yes, correct!

I have to call DVC to find out what the rules are, since we do not want to spend the cash for the hotel that is the best option for us. However, I am not sure how it would work for the annual pass. You listed the cost for the pass - is there a way to find out the "black out" dates? We are planning on going after Barcelona so around June 4 to 8. Mid week planning on leaving Friday night to avoid the higher "point" cost night at the hotel.

Yes, there's a list on dlrpmagic.com . In June the only blockout date will be the 29th.

I will check the cash cost of rooms as well - but I think DVC will be the best bet for us - I really would like to stay in the Disneyland Hotel this time -I was in New York lst time - very nice.
Cayla

You'll have to search the internet and official site for individual room prices, or make a reservation at the telephone number I mentioned and ask for the prices WITH your annual pass discount. The discount is up to 40%, depending on the crowd level at your time of attendance.

 

[padalyn]

Yes, correct!



Yes, there's a list on dlrpmagic.com . In June the only blockout date will be the 29th.



You'll have to search the internet and official site for individual room prices, or make a reservation at the telephone number I mentioned and ask for the prices WITH your annual pass discount. The discount is up to 40%, depending on the crowd level at your time of attendance.

wow - 40%...ok, time to do some research! Thank you VERY much for the information!!

 

[ThaMartin]

You're welcome! For the max 40% you'll need the Dream Passport, the Fantasy Passport comes with only 10% on Hotels

 

[woody73]

wow - 40%...ok, time to do some research!

We've had annual passes to Disneyland Resort Paris. As I recall, one had to purchase and activate the annual pass in order to access the discounts.

YMMV

Woody

 

[txSleepingBeauty]

I actually have worked nights for 20+ years, I sleep better when the sun (that evil day moon!) is up. I can flip for a couple of weeks, but usually be the end of a vacation I am sliding back to my night schedule. I am one of those folks that doesn't suffer jet lag- in the past, I have flown home from Paris overnight and worked THAT night here, with only 10 hrs on the ground. Never even noticed the time change. Same thing happens going the other way - Calif to NJ?? no worries! I get home and hit the ground running. Last time I flew to Barcelona, I arrived at 8am local (after an "all nght" flight) spent the day hiking Park Guell and wandering around the city. When it got to be midnight I finally was ready for bed...the issue isn't the 7 in a row - it is that I haven't gotten out on time YET! Plus today I had to be back into work at 1pm for a staff meeting...sigh....in the middle of the night no less.




so, if I understand this right - you don't book the hotel, you simply show up and hope there is a room. Ok, I get it.

I have to call DVC to find out what the rules are, since we do not want to spend the cash for the hotel that is the best option for us. However, I am not sure how it would work for the annual pass. You listed the cost for the pass - is there a way to find out the "black out" dates? We are planning on going after Barcelona so around June 4 to 8. Mid week planning on leaving Friday night to avoid the higher "point" cost night at the hotel.

I will check the cash cost of rooms as well - but I think DVC will be the best bet for us - I really would like to stay in the Disneyland Hotel this time -I was in New York lst time - very nice.

Cayla

oooh, I might need some advice from you! I'm a nurse, going to be starting in August at a new job on nights. I'd love any words of wisdom

 

[kaseyC]

Good Morning!! Had to bump us up, we were on page 3! LOL

 

[GoofyNewfie]

I also just added the following on the Facebook Pre-Cruise document. I know the thread I quoted previously was from several hundred posts ago in a series of responses to someone asking what to do with extended time in seeing Texas, and I know others are looking at being in Texas for 1-2 weeks pre-cruise 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.

Val / Chris -- Maybe this info could be added as Pre-Cruise info or Websites?


Tourism Websites for links with Attractions:

Near the Port of Galveston:
Houston Visitor Website: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/
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/

Thanks for the great information MandyGirl. It's added to the website in such a way that if you change that post, it will auto-update on the website. Because the website is just including the Dis page.

https://sites.google.com/site/onama...o/mandygirl-s-tourism-info-for-galveston-area

 

[MandyGirl]

Thanks for the great information MandyGirl. It's added to the website in such a way that if you change that post, it will auto-update on the website. Because the website is just including the Dis page.

https://sites.google.com/site/onama...o/mandygirl-s-tourism-info-for-galveston-area

Awesome! That is FANTABULOUS!!

Great job, Chris!

 

[duckman17]

Hey everyone! Haven't really posted much, sorry in advance if I don't use an acronym right but I'm a DS (19) and I've been on 8 cruises with my DM and DD and DB (14). My DM and I are booking on the TA Cruise for the first time and I'm really excited. It's going to be really cool talking to people before the cruise! So excited!

 

[MandyGirl]

Hey everyone! Haven't really posted much, sorry in advance if I don't use an acronym right but I'm a DS (19) and I've been on 8 cruises with my DM and DD and DB (14). My DM and I are booking on the TA Cruise for the first time and I'm really excited. It's going to be really cool talking to people before the cruise! So excited!

Welcome aboard!! It really is a great cruise.

 

[padalyn]

Hey everyone! Haven't really posted much, sorry in advance if I don't use an acronym right but I'm a DS (19) and I've been on 8 cruises with my DM and DD and DB (14). My DM and I are booking on the TA Cruise for the first time and I'm really excited. It's going to be really cool talking to people before the cruise! So excited!

welcome aboard...you and your DM!!

 

[padalyn]

Am I missing something...I don't see ANY excursions for Funchal (Madeira)
Portugal. Anyone who has been on a TA that had this port - any words of wisdom???

I did the EBTA in 2007, we didn't stop at Funchal, we stopped at Tennerife. I know for Gibralter we are just walking around - so any suggestions would be appreciated. I bookmarked a page earlier about hiring a taxi (love the idea - will be seriously considering it!)

Thanks in advance...Cayla

 

[heatherb819]

We did a tour in Madiera last year but I don't remember the name it was thru DCL and it was a really good tour. We took the cable cars up to the top, rode the toboggans, had lunch and had extra time to shop and walk around. Instead of taking the bus back to the ship we walked since we had the extra time. I'm sure they'll offer up tours when it gets closer.