*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* From Spain to Space Mountain - Part 3

[Tod&Copper]

Except for me .. who has an ex-royal navy DH

The farewell lunch was open to all DISers, plus there were other non-DIS cruisers ( they do exist )in Parrot Cay at the the same time but we all sat in one area.

I didn't know Tony was ex-forces too, sorry!! How long was he in for? X

 

[LindaBabe]

After months of to-ing and fro-ing about whether we can actually afford this cruise, we're ready to book airfare! Just waiting to get confirmation from people we're staying with after the cruise, then hopefully we'll have airfare by the end of tonight!
Has anyone used either cheapoair or travelpapa before? The latter one has been recommended by someone on here, they're both coming up at least £1000 cheaper for the one way flight home than booking direct with the airline. As usual there's some horrific reviews on the net but there always are for moat companies, would much rather have first hand recommendations from people on here if poss.
Anyone used them before?

Before you book, try pricing a round trip ticket. It may actually be cheaper than a one way fare - as one of my room mates can attest.

Hi

For what it's worth here is our experience.

Yvonne and the kids were very keen to see the monkeys so we decided to go up on the cable car to see them.

Yvonne is not scared of heights but did not like the cable cars one bit.

The cost for us was approx £70 and the visit broke down as follows.

Cable car up 5 mins

3 minutes Photographing monkeys from a far after one went crazy for a bag of cheese puffs a mother thought would be the ideal time and location to give to her toddler(seriously they warn you a million times from the minute you join the q in every possible language)

2 minutes trying to see Africa from the viewing point through the mist (we didn't see it)

5 minutes photographing the ship (the most fun bit)

5 minutes trying to coax my daughter past a big bad monkey on the wall so we could get to the exit she wouldn't go past it and we were not going back for her

10 seconds pondering if we should stay longer to get our money's worth

2 minutes plucking up the courage to get back on cable car or to just jump down the rock instead

5 minutes in cable car back down.

Honestly that is about how long we spent an how it actually went, if it is something you have long wanted to do then you should go and do it and will love it, if only doing it as something to do while in port I cannot honestly recommend it from our experience.

One thing for sure though it's dolphins all the way for us this time

Col

Hysterical! I stand by my decision to stay on the ground.

On the EB, there were also a few prizes, although I can't remember what the categories were (except for best decorated door). It seemed like a lot of bother to organize and judge , but I'm sure it was enjoyed by those most involved. It appeared most of the Dissers were just having fun being together and meeting their SMs ; not too many really cared about prizes. Of course, we were all becoming quite depressed about, well, you know......

I have seen some AMAZing doors - and FE's . The best FE I ever saw was Valbob's on the WBPC this spring - with gold cord mariners knots and beautiful fabric. The best door I've ever seen was a 3 dimensional quilted seascape with mermaids and other creatures among the waves - on the 2008 5 night double dip (that wasn't).

 

[karentan]

ok, much more relaxed about the whole flight booking thing now, got my cheapoair confirmation, and confirmed the flight through iberian's website too. so it is there and everything is ok

 

[middleofamerica]

ok, much more relaxed about the whole flight booking thing now, got my cheapoair confirmation, and confirmed the flight through iberian's website too. so it is there and everything is ok

Just curious why Raleigh-Durham? That's a long way from Cape Canaveral! Are you touring the Southeast, too?

 

[karentan]

We're doing three nights in WDW after the cruise then flying up to north Carolina to stay with some friends we met on our last cruise. Staying there for two nights then flying home from Raleigh

 

[middleofamerica]

We're doing three nights in WDW after the cruise then flying up to north Carolina to stay with some friends we met on our last cruise. Staying there for two nights then flying home from Raleigh

That makes more sense. I figured you had checked into that. The US is a lot larger than some people realize and I've seen some find "nearby" airports that are nowhere near where they want to be! As one who lives in the "middleofamerica"...trust me, it's a long way across. Sounds like you'll have a good stay after the cruise, too.

 

[Pinky166]

Ah I thought so. I'm quite happy with my stateroom, we're #1054 which is midship which I've heard is a good place to be if the ship goes a rockin' and a rollin'

I was just looking to have a nose around and see what's available.

Midship is definately the best place to be if we hit choppy seas.

ok, much more relaxed about the whole flight booking thing now, got my cheapoair confirmation, and confirmed the flight through iberian's website too. so it is there and everything is ok

It's all official now.

 

[karentan]

The US is a lot larger than some people realize and I've seen some find "nearby" airports that are nowhere near where they want to be!

Yeah we have that problem with some of the airlines over here too. Ryanair is famed for flying into places that are miles and miles away from where they claim to be!

Really looking forward to the post cruise stay too, never seen any of the non tourist areas of the USA, and we're staying with two of our tablemates from out last cruise. We had such a great time with them on the cruise, so we're really looking forward to staying with them

 

[steamboat will]

That is our plan for Gib too.




Ohhh Sarah you are in for a treat, Tangled is AMAZING! Now one of my favourite Disney films.

oh Tangled is SO SO SO good, think it's my favourite Disney film since Beauty and the Beast, hope it's being shown in 3D on the ship I'd love to see it again on the big screen,

Think i'll wait till the ship to see Pirates 4, as I thought Pirates 3 was a bit off a mess

We just changed our room number because a secret veranda cabin opened up So now we're in room 6634.

Now I just have to get over my irrational fear that my son will climb the veranda and fall over board

Christina

I think I've heard of some folks of having the furniture removed from their veranda which helps to put their minds at rest regarding children climbing all over them.....

SW

 

[poohluv2u]

ours was kinda similar:
cable car up - 5 mins
walking round building up top trying to figure out how to get onto the actual rock - 10 minutes
looking at monkeys - 5 mins
looking at ship - 2 mins
hanging around looking around trying to figure out if theres anything to do or whether we just wasted a whole lot of money - 2 minutes.

ended up walking the whole way down just to pass more time, otherwise we'd have ended up back on the ship by about 11am.
ended up going into morrisons, didnt want anything just thought we needed to go in and buy a steak bake just for a laugh, kinda like those naff holiday t-shirts "i went all the way to gibraltar and all i got was a lousy steak bake!"

Ok , I'll bite what is a steak bake, and do they really have t-shirts that say that

The best door I've ever seen was a 3 dimensional quilted seascape with mermaids and other creatures among the waves - on the 2008 5 night double dip (that wasn't).

Linda we were also on the Double dip in 08, and sat with a family from NY at dinner, was that you? They had two sons, who were the most polite boys I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Colin loved your report of Gibraltar, too funny What was scary about the cable cars?

Sarah congrats on booking your fare at a great price

 

[auntlynne]

I don't seem to be that interested in Gibralter The only thing I'm looking forward to is Morrisons

I'm not sure about the cable car, I don't do heights And the mountainous roads aren't floating my boat either

I feel that I SHOULD go and have a look but I'm not that enthusiastic about it.

Actually feel the same about Madeira too

Welcome to the new guys

Mel x

Check out Noel's tour of Madeira from last year - she's organizing again this year.

I understand your apathy toward Gib - been there, done that. However, you may want to check out a taxi tour for the afternoon after we've watched dolphins. Then stop at Morrison's on the way home for Sea Day supplies.

I see that some of you guys have changed staterooms. Can I ask how you do that? I can see my booking with Disney but I can't view available staterooms. Is this only available if booked direct with Disney? I booked with Virgin.

However, you can check the DCL website to see what's available - if you find something you think you'd like better, contact Virgin and see if you can change.

I am in a restricted GTY room, so no changing anything for me.

...but great news, just bit the bullet and booked our return flights

managed to get raleigh durham to heathrow (direct!!!) for $1010 for both of us va cheapoair. ...

 

[Dgentrysim]

We're doing three nights in WDW after the cruise then flying up to north Carolina to stay with some friends we met on our last cruise. Staying there for two nights then flying home from Raleigh

Karen....hope you have a great time in Raleigh. That's where we are coming from. We live just outside of Raleigh, NC. I'm partial....but I love North Carolina!

 

[JessicasMom]

Has anyone used either cheapoair or travelpapa before? The latter one has been recommended by someone on here, they're both coming up at least £1000 cheaper for the one way flight home than booking direct with the airline. As usual there's some horrific reviews on the net but there always are for moat companies, would much rather have first hand recommendations from people on here if poss.
Anyone used them before?

We also booked through Cheapoair for a great rate, too hard to pass up. I then suggested the site to a friend who booked last-minute for a trip to Costa Rica; she had no problems with their flights at all and has been recommending cheapo to others since. So, fingers crossed....

I have seen some AMAZing doors - and FE's . The best FE I ever saw was Valbob's on the WBPC this spring - with gold cord mariners knots and beautiful fabric. The best door I've ever seen was a 3 dimensional quilted seascape with mermaids and other creatures among the waves - on the 2008 5 night double dip (that wasn't).

I know what you mean! We had a door full of magnets and thoroughly enjoyed the process of planning/prepping, but some of the other doors were decorated by incredibly creative, artistic people! I can only wish I had their talent . Sadly, I can barely draw a tree . I hope my comments weren't misinterpreted...I'm just not into competition on vacation . But it's a blast seeing what others come up with.

 

[auntlynne]

...and we didn't do door or FE competitions on the EBTA - or did we? I think there may have been a form - I know I didn't take the time to vote. We did have some awards for who came the farthest - who was the newest married, ...

and we had our Secret Mickey reveal on the last Sea Day in Lumiere's, every invited whether doing SM or not. Learned a lesson there - don't try going through shoreside DCL to arrange for a group space at lunch - just notify the dining room manager once onboard so they can save the tables.

 

[JessicasMom]

...and we didn't do door or FE competitions on the EBTA - or did we? I think there may have been a form - I know I didn't take the time to vote. We did have some awards for who came the farthest - who was the newest married, ...

and we had our Secret Mickey reveal on the last Sea Day in Lumiere's, every invited whether doing SM or not. Learned a lesson there - don't try going through shoreside DCL to arrange for a group space at lunch - just notify the dining room manager once onboard so they can save the tables.

Door, yes, FE, no...and I had forgotten the other categories . After 50....oh, well, some of us know how that goes! Anyway, the lunch was very enjoyable but the servers were probably not overjoyed with our large group. Maybe PC buffet would be better .

 

[karentan]

Ok , I'll bite what is a steak bake, and do they really have t-shirts that say that

a steak bake is kinda like a puff pastry slice with minced beef in gravy in it. that'd be funny if they did t-shirts like that, but i was more going for the "my friend went on holiday and all i got was this lousy t-shirt" vibe!

Karen....hope you have a great time in Raleigh. That's where we are coming from. We live just outside of Raleigh, NC. I'm partial....but I love North Carolina!

cool whereabouts are you from? we're actually heading up to edenton

We also booked through Cheapoair for a great rate, too hard to pass up. I then suggested the site to a friend who booked last-minute for a trip to Costa Rica; she had no problems with their flights at all and has been recommending cheapo to others since. So, fingers crossed.

fingers crossed

Door, yes, FE, no...and I had forgotten the other categories . After 50....oh, well, some of us know how that goes! Anyway, the lunch was very enjoyable but the servers were probably not overjoyed with our large group. Maybe PC buffet would be better .

yeah i can imagine the look on their faces when 50 of you turned up!

 

[middleofamerica]

We live just outside of Raleigh, NC. I'm partial....but I love North Carolina!

Did you make it through all the tornadoes this weekend without damage there? We dodged them as the storms were forming here in Kansas this time. Just finished putting up some shingles after the week before's storms. I'm a meteorologist so I can't actually complain about the weather...it's job security the way I see it.

 

[middleofamerica]

Yeah we have that problem with some of the airlines over here too. Ryanair is famed for flying into places that are miles and miles away from where they claim to be!

Really looking forward to the post cruise stay too, never seen any of the non tourist areas of the USA, and we're staying with two of our tablemates from out last cruise. We had such a great time with them on the cruise, so we're really looking forward to staying with them

You'll love North Carolina. If you can take a side trip up into the mountains of western NC, it's worth it.

Glad to hear you found good rates on the flights. We had really good luck with 1800flyeurope.com if you ever need to go one-way again (or round trip). I assume you could do either direction. It's a US company for flights to Europe, but I'm sure they sell the other way around. We got flights from Kansas City to Barcelona for $490 adult and $380 kids. 5 of us for $2200 is a steal. Even was able to allow an 8 hour layover in London to make a quick run down to the city to see a few sights.

 

[Dgentrysim]

cool whereabouts are you from? we're actually heading up to edenton



We are about 25 minutes north of Raleigh in a town called Louisburg. Went to high school in Raleigh and lived there a total of 14 years. Lived in several other cities in North Carolina before high school. Edenton is about 2 1/2 hrs from Raleigh and right on the coastal area. You will have a wonderful time there!

 

[Dgentrysim]

Did you make it through all the tornadoes this weekend without damage there? We dodged them as the storms were forming here in Kansas this time. Just finished putting up some shingles after the week before's storms. I'm a meteorologist so I can't actually complain about the weather...it's job security the way I see it.

It was pretty rough but we were thankfully lucky to be spared. Five miles up the road, a tornedo touched down. Amazing the number of huge trees just uprooted just like pulling a carrot out of the ground! Also a lot trees snapped in two, tin roofs on buildings just peeled back, sheds and barns just wiped out, etc. My son is a police officer in Wilson, NC and they were really hard hit. A bunch of officers had to go over last night and help a fellow officer whose house was severely hit board up some of his windows, throw a tarp over an area of his roof that was missing, and cut away broken trees. Several businesses just destroyed, cars overturned, mobile homes just tossed round, etc. They had on the news an aerial view and you could just see where the tornedo would touch down, skip over an area, and touch down again.
So far about 24 deaths have been reported and 130 missing. The news said there were 8 tornedoes in that short period of time. We are just so thankful that we weren't hit but so sad for the ones that were. So many people (especially the ones in mobile homes) didn't have insurance and they were wiped out. Can't even imagine how devastating that must be!