May Med Magic - May 15 2010 - Meet thread

[jedijill]

Congrats, and welcome home! DVC is great.

Hopefully we'll have a welcome home magnet too, but we paid cash for the cruise, so I don't know if they will know we are members. Anyone had this experience?

Welcome Home from me as well. I don't hold out much hope for the magnets....In my previous 2 Disney cruises as a member they always forget me. I've been told that DVC looks at the manifest for any members so they can recognize them but they keep missing me.

Jill in CO

 

[ICollectBelle]

At the end of the cruise, we are heading to the Barcelona airport to head to Moscow. We have a party of five, and are not signed up for any Disney ground transportation. Any suggestions for the best way to get a party of five from the dock to the airport? Are there any mini-van taxis like we have in the states? Can we arrange transportation via Disney to teh airport, and at what cost? Any tips/guidance appreciated.

We have a party of 7 as my daughter (Pixiedust) stated. We have prearranged a van for transfers from the airport to our hotel and then from the port back to the airport. We are using Suntransfers. Total for all 56 Euros each way. suntransfers.com

 

[ICollectBelle]

It looks like Genna and I will be celebrating on the ship. We just got an email from the Timeshare Store and Disney have waived the ROFR for our 200pt contract at SSR . It looks like we will be DVC owners in time for the cruise, hopefully we will be able to get a 'welcome home' magnet on our door

Congratulations!! We LOVE being members!

 

[ICollectBelle]

Welcome Home from me as well. I don't hold out much hope for the magnets....In my previous 2 Disney cruises as a member they always forget me. I've been told that DVC looks at the manifest for any members so they can recognize them but they keep missing me.

Jill in CO

Come on Jill you were from "The Show Me State" Tell Disney to Show you your magnet! By the way, we had OK Joe's for dinner Thursday, best fries & BBQ in the world!

 

[jedijill]

Come on Jill you were from "The Show Me State" Tell Disney to Show you your magnet! By the way, we had OK Joe's for dinner Thursday, best fries & BBQ in the world!

I told the guy on my last cruise and still didn't get one!

Ok, now i'm just jealous...I love me some OK Joe's! Those fries are killer!

Jill

 

[jedijill]

It looks like Genna and I will be celebrating on the ship. We just got an email from the Timeshare Store and Disney have waived the ROFR for our 200pt contract at SSR . It looks like we will be DVC owners in time for the cruise, hopefully we will be able to get a 'welcome home' magnet on our door

Forgot to mention, if you are in Orlando stop by The Timeshare Store's office and pick up one of their gift baskets for buying through them. (My first trip was almost a year after I purchased.) Full of really cool stuff!

Jill in CO

 

[rashdecision]

Our thoughts exactly!! By the time we get to the hotel it will probably be close to noon once we head into the city so we figure we only really have half a day to sightsee in Barcelona. Metro seems pretty easy so we will be using that for the day. Plus our Holiday Inn is just a couple blocks from the nearest station.

We are a group of 7 and pre-arranged large vans in Barcelona from the Irport to hotel and port to airport. I'm not sure of the company right now but I'll check with my mom.

We fly from Boston on May 11th and arriving in Barcelona on may 12th (change planes in Madrid). We are staying at the Eurostar Grand Marina.
Are plans are to visit Proble Espanyol on May 12th (already purchased tickets). Then we have a private Barcelona City tour (4 hours) for May 13th. Then we are going to The Tablao De Carmen to see a Flamenco show.
May 14th, is Montserrat private tour (5 hours).

Cannot wait for the trip!!!!

From what I have read on cruise critic, Barcelona is well worth ariving early for. Anyone have suggestions on the must see parts of Barcelona with a 7 and 9 year old.
I also asked in the cruise critic forum but does anyone know who the cruise director is going to be? We had Christian last year and he was fantastic. He was like a jacked up Howie Mandel.

 

[llkoolj40]

Are plans are to visit Proble Espanyol on May 12th (already purchased tickets). Then we have a private Barcelona City tour (4 hours) for May 13th. Then we are going to The Tablao De Carmen to see a Flamenco show.
May 14th, is Montserrat private tour (5 hours).

Cannot wait for the trip!!!!

Can I ask What company you are using for the Montserrat Tour?

 

[pixiedust519]

From what I have read on cruise critic, Barcelona is well worth ariving early for. Anyone have suggestions on the must see parts of Barcelona with a 7 and 9 year old.
I also asked in the cruise critic forum but does anyone know who the cruise director is going to be? We had Christian last year and he was fantastic. He was like a jacked up Howie Mandel.

I heard our Cruise Director will be Brent! We've cruised with him many times and love his accent (he's from Australia). He has also been featured on several of the DCL specials on the Travel Channel. Christiaan is on the Wonder right now.

For Barcelona, here is the information I have gathered from websites, travel books, etc and compiled into my family's itinerary. For your kids, I think the main highlights will be Las Ramblas, Sagrada Familia, some of Gaudi's works (they may have fun running around Parc Guell or looking at the home Casa Battlo that looks like a dragon!), and the Magic Fountains. Hope you find this information useful!

•Purchase a T10 card for the Metro (10 rides for €7.85 and it is shareable). The rule for turnstile Metro entrances is Ticket through the left, pass through on the right.
•Most stores are open from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and then from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Some of the larger department stores do not observe Siesta and remain open all day.
•Taxis are black and yellow in color and have the letters ‘SP’ on the cars. You will know that a taxi is available by a green light on the roof and the sign will display, “LIBRE”. Tipping taxi drivers is not customary.
•Many free Wi-Fi hot spots around Barcelona offered by City Council. Password is “Barcelona WiFi”.
•Cathedral of Barcelona: free to enter from 8:00 – 12:45 and 17:15 – 19:30. You must pay €5 to enter between 12:45 – 17:15. Explore the Cathedral and surrounding area of Barri Gòtic.
•Choose to walk through the Barri Gòtic by using Rick Steves book
•Start at Plaça de Catalunya and walk down Las Ramblas (one mile stretch).
oEl Corte Inglés: large department store
oMain Tourist Information center: pick up map of Barcelona, metro map, See Barcelona guide
oWalk down Las Ramblas and reference Rick Steves book
oLa Boquería: large produce market. For a quick bite, visit Pinotxo Bar.
•Block of *******: walk in the Eixample neighborhood and see Gaudi’s Casa Milà (La Pedrera) and Casa Battllò. Take Metro station Passeig de Gracia, Green Line (be sure to take the exit called Calle Aragó-Rambla Catalunya when leaving the metro and it will only be a 30-second walk to Casa Battló). Casa Mila is found near Metro station Diagonal, Green Line L3.
•Sagrada Família: Metro Station Sagrada Familia, Blue Line L5 or Sagrada Familia, Purple Line L2. Exit toward Pl. de la Sagrada Familia.
oOpen 9am – 8pm. Admission is €12. Admission plus 45-minute guided tour in English is €16 (11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm). Audio guides are €4. Lifts to the Navity Tower or the Passion Tower are €2.50.
•Parc Güell: open 10am – 8pm, free. Gaudí’s colorful park. Metro Station Lesseps (Green Line, L3) drops you off and there is still a 20-minute uphill walk. Or take Bus 24 from Placa de Catalunya which will drop you off right at the main entrance.
•Montjuïc: Magic Fountains are 20-minute shows on the half hour from 9pm – 11:30pm. From the Espanya Metro station (Green Line L3 or Red Line L1), walk toward the towering National Palace.

 

[jedijill]

I heard our Cruise Director will be Brent! We've cruised with him many times and love his accent (he's from Australia). He has also been featured on several of the DCL specials on the Travel Channel. Christiaan is on the Wonder right now.

For Barcelona, here is the information I have gathered from websites, travel books, etc and compiled into my family's itinerary. For your kids, I think the main highlights will be Las Ramblas, Sagrada Familia, some of Gaudi's works (they may have fun running around Parc Guell or looking at the home Casa Battlo that looks like a dragon!), and the Magic Fountains. Hope you find this information useful!

•Purchase a T10 card for the Metro (10 rides for €7.85 and it is shareable). The rule for turnstile Metro entrances is Ticket through the left, pass through on the right.
•Most stores are open from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and then from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Some of the larger department stores do not observe Siesta and remain open all day.
•Taxis are black and yellow in color and have the letters ‘SP’ on the cars. You will know that a taxi is available by a green light on the roof and the sign will display, “LIBRE”. Tipping taxi drivers is not customary.
•Many free Wi-Fi hot spots around Barcelona offered by City Council. Password is “Barcelona WiFi”.
•Cathedral of Barcelona: free to enter from 8:00 – 12:45 and 17:15 – 19:30. You must pay €5 to enter between 12:45 – 17:15. Explore the Cathedral and surrounding area of Barri Gòtic.
•Choose to walk through the Barri Gòtic by using Rick Steves book
•Start at Plaça de Catalunya and walk down Las Ramblas (one mile stretch).
oEl Corte Inglés: large department store
oMain Tourist Information center: pick up map of Barcelona, metro map, See Barcelona guide
oWalk down Las Ramblas and reference Rick Steves book
oLa Boquería: large produce market. For a quick bite, visit Pinotxo Bar.
•Block of *******: walk in the Eixample neighborhood and see Gaudi’s Casa Milà (La Pedrera) and Casa Battllò. Take Metro station Passeig de Gracia, Green Line (be sure to take the exit called Calle Aragó-Rambla Catalunya when leaving the metro and it will only be a 30-second walk to Casa Battló). Casa Mila is found near Metro station Diagonal, Green Line L3.
•Sagrada Família: Metro Station Sagrada Familia, Blue Line L5 or Sagrada Familia, Purple Line L2. Exit toward Pl. de la Sagrada Familia.
oOpen 9am – 8pm. Admission is €12. Admission plus 45-minute guided tour in English is €16 (11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm). Audio guides are €4. Lifts to the Navity Tower or the Passion Tower are €2.50.
•Parc Güell: open 10am – 8pm, free. Gaudí’s colorful park. Metro Station Lesseps (Green Line, L3) drops you off and there is still a 20-minute uphill walk. Or take Bus 24 from Placa de Catalunya which will drop you off right at the main entrance.
•Montjuïc: Magic Fountains are 20-minute shows on the half hour from 9pm – 11:30pm. From the Espanya Metro station (Green Line L3 or Red Line L1), walk toward the towering National Palace.

OMG, I get to wake up to Brent every day? This is a dream vacation!!!!! I heart Brent


Jill in CO

 

[pixiedust519]

OMG, I get to wake up to Brent every day? This is a dream vacation!!!!! I heart Brent


Jill in CO

My thoughts exactly. : hearing that voice for 11 nights will make me swoon!! *sigh*

 

[nursemanager]

Thank You so much Pixie Dust for all of your suggestions for Barcelona and such great directions. Appreciate it!

 

[abird]

Honestly, yes i would be worried. Atlanta is huge and not sure where your arriving gate will be. I would honestly be worried about my luggage making the connecting flight as well. Is 53 minutes even a legal connection? If it is not, then the airline should rebook you with a better connection.

Jill in CO

I am getting worried, but I just got off the phone with Delta and they said it was a "legal" connection (they had to explain what that meant). They told me to call the day before or the morning of our flight and ask what the gate assignments are and look them up online at the airport to be ready to move once we hit the ground. Next worry....when we arrive in Madrid...don't we have to go through customs before we can board our connecting flight on Spanair? Could that take long? We have a 70 minute layover .
We have hardly ever flown and never out of the country.....I should have looked more into it before buying tickets online. Anne

 

[moneyhappy]

I am getting worried, but I just got off the phone with Delta and they said it was a "legal" connection (they had to explain what that meant). They told me to call the day before or the morning of our flight and ask what the gate assignments are and look them up online at the airport to be ready to move once we hit the ground. Next worry....when we arrive in Madrid...don't we have to go through customs before we can board our connecting flight on Spanair? Could that take long? We have a 70 minute layover .
We have hardly ever flown and never out of the country.....I should have looked more into it before buying tickets online. Anne

I think if your bags are checked all the way through to Barcelona then you go through customs in Barcelona. Then if that is the case 70 minutes should be OK. They only problem - can the airline get the luggage on the plane on time?

We are in a similar situation. We are planning on having the luggage go straight to Barcelona. We change planes in Madrid and have a 2 hour layover.

Coming home we should go through US customs when we get home, but our layover is only 1 hour 25 minutes.

When are you flying into Barcelona?

 

[andgon]

Thanks. I think you probably have enough posts to send PM's now (i think it is 10). So ironically by posting the info you became eligible to send a PM.

Oh well, thanks for posting it.

Jane

Jane, please let me know if you received my PM, I have re-sent it three times!!!

 

[abird]

I think if your bags are checked all the way through to Barcelona then you go through customs in Barcelona. Then if that is the case 70 minutes should be OK. They only problem - can the airline get the luggage on the plane on time?

We are in a similar situation. We are planning on having the luggage go straight to Barcelona. We change planes in Madrid and have a 2 hour layover.

Coming home we should go through US customs when we get home, but our layover is only 1 hour 25 minutes.

When are you flying into Barcelona?

We are arriving in Barcelona at 12:00 noon on May 13th (Spanair #452). I'm glad to hear that we might not go through customs until we reach Barcelona. Thanks for the info

 

[Jeff Spencer]

I am getting worried, but I just got off the phone with Delta and they said it was a "legal" connection (they had to explain what that meant). They told me to call the day before or the morning of our flight and ask what the gate assignments are and look them up online at the airport to be ready to move once we hit the ground. Next worry....when we arrive in Madrid...don't we have to go through customs before we can board our connecting flight on Spanair? Could that take long? We have a 70 minute layover .
We have hardly ever flown and never out of the country.....I should have looked more into it before buying tickets online. Anne

Atlanta is a very easy airport to navigate. I fly through it probably a dozen times a year. The chances of the tram breaking down are not worth worrying about. Atlanta baggage handlers work what we think are tight connections routinely. Bottom line, I'd be more worried about he Madrid piece of your flight.

 

[MPS516]

Mini van taxis seem pretty rare in Europe - unless you book in advance. I don't have any recommendations sorry as i am planning on jumping in a regular cab (there's only 2 of us)

You'll definately need a minivan or two taxis with 5 people and luggage.

DCL transport can be booked one way - cost is about $35-40 per person i think -so even two taxis will probably work out cheaper

I didn't think that Disney would provide travel from the airport to the hotel unless you book the hotel through them. They will do hotel to port if it is one of their partner hotels.

 

[MPS516]

Jeff,

Did your office do anything to mark the 40th anniversary of Apollo 13 today ?

 

[Jeff Spencer]

I've updated the website to add photos for andgon and some of the ldssinglegirls and ldssingleguys. Keep those photos coming. I enjoy being able to put a face(s) to names and I'm sure others do as well. Send me an email with your photo attached or point to a link on Facebook if you've joined the group there. Thanks!