*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* From Spain to Space Mountain - Part 4

[sue l]

Well the weekend I am dreading has arrived ... DD leaves for Florida on Sunday morning Still got a lot to do.
We are having a surprise BBQ this evening which I don't think she has sussed out, and she is working all day so we can get on with everything behind her back Tomorrow will be packing, shopping, panicking in no particular order, and then a meal out at Hickorys ( American smokehouse ... just to get her in the mood ) and finally Sunday morning an early start to the airport where we say goodbye. ( ok .... don't feel too sorry for me ... we are going to Orlando in 2 weeks so we will see her real soon )

I hope she enjoys every second of this opportunity of a lifetime. I wished I could have done it. Say Hi to Mickey for me when you go.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Happy belated birthday, Claire!

I was thinking that I should get a conversion kit for the plugs for my electronics that I am bringing on the trip (CPAP machine, cell phone charger, dvd player, laptop, etc), but then I realized that the Magic must have "normal" (i.e., American, no offense to Europeans) outlets. So if I can just do without using those things for the one night at the hotel in Barcelona, I should be okay for the trip, right?

Actually a little less known thing; there are both standard USA outlets and a few EU outlets in each stateroom but the EU ones are hidden behind a nightstand apparently.

As far as using it at your hotel goes; most hotels will have adapters for the plug so you can simply plug it into the outlet. All you now need to check is if your CPAP (rest should be able to do without if need be) can handle both 110 and 220 volt. You can do this in about 1 minute. Just look at your plug, there should be a label/sticker on there that lists the types of voltage it can handle. If it just says 110; don't plug it in!!!!!!!! You run a real risk of blowing it up when using 220 on anything that can not handle it. If is says 110, 220 or 110- 220 (can also be a rounded - ) you can simply plug it in and use the worldadapter for the plug. With these types of things I never run the risk of a hotel running out though and just take along my own adapter. They are like $5,- to buy, small and don't weight much. If you can get it arranged without needing a big voltage converser; do yourself a favor and use the CPAP in the hotel! You do not have it for having smelly feet, as we'ld say in Dutch. You might be able to do without one night, but remember how that impacts your feeling of unrestedness. Combine that with the jetlag and wanting to have fun as soon as you hit the Magic.

As far as distilled water; you can arrange it through the special needs department. The form is online under your booking, if you want the phonenumber and/or mailadres, sent me a PM and I'll gladly help (not sure if Im allowed to post those online). Having said that, the water onboard that comes out of the tap is a lot cleaner than any water on land. It gets purified onboard before being put into the system for onboard usage. I've found it even cleaner than our Dutch tapwater which is a very clean water without any funky tastes.


Carol, welcome aboard!

Lauren; congrats on passing!

Bev; welcome aboard!

Does DCL check in your luggage and take it to the airport like they do at the resorts?

As long as you book their transfer to MCO; yes, when flying on participating airlines. However, you are now looking into spending some time at WDW prior to the flight. While you could book DCL transport to WDW, that does come with them no longer offering onboard check in for your luggage. A very few airlines have a location at DTD where this can be done, but as far as I know these are only a few UK airlines? If I were you I'ld contact DCL to find out what is and isn't possible. I'm pretty sure you'll be "on your own" with regards to luggage and transportation from WDW to the airport when wanting to follow this route.


Sarah, it won't be your easiest time to come. For now; just enjoy every second you've got left with Taryn so close to you. Don't think about next week, it's soon enough to face that when it comes. Don't let it cast a shadow over these precious moments together. Try to get into a mood where that day will never come and you are "just" enjoying time spent together. It'll be hard enough when you'll say goodbye and deal with it then.


Well I'm off, got to answer a few PM's and mails. Only a couple of more hours before it's officially weekend here. Not that such a thing is so much of the "importance" when doesn't work anymore, but still.

 

[squitty]

Myself and DD are doing a double - Only did it once before and ended up falling off at a fair speed so hopefully will manage to stay on a bit longer

That's we've gone for the double...I don't think I would like to be on one myself.

Do they go that fast?

What time are you booked for yours?

 

[jinxleprechaun]

That's we've gone for the double...I don't think I would like to be on one myself.

Do they go that fast?

What time are you booked for yours?

we have 12.30 - 1.30 booked.

Last time we were in Bulgaria on vacation and decided to book a jetski for a laugh - sooo the 3 of us (i know) went off into the sea slowly at first then increased speed. As I did the jetski started to lean and i could not compensate and we eventually tipped off into the water.

We were totally overweight and had absolutely no training so this is not a typical scenario - needless to say lessons learned Mind you with the flotation vests there was no real danger and we recovered eventually with the help of a coast guard" dude .

They are sometimes limited to what speed they can go , otherwise its up to your throttle hand

Falling off is one of the worst things that can happen and its not too bad once you have experienced that fun AND there is a class so its not like we will be on our own .

Feeling any better ????

 

[Disneynut64]

Today I am leaving to board the Disney Dream. I am a nurse and have volunteered to accompany a child that has been granted a make a wish cruise. I can only imagine how many pages of reading I will have to catch up on when I return on Tuesday. Have a great weekend everyone.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Today I am leaving to board the Disney Dream. I am a nurse and have volunteered to accompany a child that has been granted a make a wish cruise. I can only imagine how many pages of reading I will have to catch up on when I return on Tuesday. Have a great weekend everyone.

You'll have an amazing time, both from a personal and professional perspective. Enjoy! And allthough hopefully you'll be hearing it a LOT more; thanks for doing this!

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

As long as you book their transfer to MCO; yes, when flying on participating airlines. However, you are now looking into spending some time at WDW prior to the flight. While you could book DCL transport to WDW, that does come with them no longer offering onboard check in for your luggage. A very few airlines have a location at DTD where this can be done, but as far as I know these are only a few UK airlines? If I were you I'ld contact DCL to find out what is and isn't possible. I'm pretty sure you'll be "on your own" with regards to luggage and transportation from WDW to the airport when wanting to follow this route.

We may end up taking the route of taking DCL transpo to the airport (which means we don't have to deal with our luggage as it will be pre-checked) and *maybe* renting a car to hit DTD.

Our TA says that even though we dock at 7:30 that we would not be off the ship until like 9:30 anyway?

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

We may end up taking the route of taking DCL transpo to the airport (which means we don't have to deal with our luggage as it will be pre-checked) and *maybe* renting a car to hit WDW.

Think that would be the easiest way in both luggage and getting back to MCO, indeed.

Our TA says that even though we dock at 7:30 that we would not be off the ship until like 9:30 anyway?

That's the standard spiel given all the time. And it should be, as you never really know how quickly port authorities give the OK for debarkation. I could see we might probably take up some more time with customs for this cruise being a TA one (any experience here from previous WBTA goers??), but honestly? That really seems to happen very little. Most of the times it will be a lot sooner that you'll be able to get off. Thing just is that it is CROWDED with folks wanting to get off when the doors open and you might feel a bit (much) claustrofobic if waiting in that crowd for doors to open. DCL had us waiting in that crowd, not my idea of fun. If you wait out the rush, what will it be. Half an hour later or so when you get off?

Last cruise friend and I were aiming on going stand by for an earlier flight from MCO then scheduled to have a better connection time at EWR. We ended up getting ONTO a 9.40 am flight from MCO. It was a very tight one where we were the last one getting on and them waiting for us, but doesn't that says it all? We were aiming for 10.40 ourselves but CO already knew that one was overbooked and the 11.40 having a huge risk of us arriving at EWR too late for our transatlanic flight (which indeed was the case). Because of that CO basically rushed us through the airport like mad men and the flight got pushed back at 9.42 about 2 second after we hit the seats. Still amazed with them getting 2 gate checked wheelchairs and a regular checked powerchair onto that flight in such a short time. We hit the airport somewhere around 9.15 am or so. (used DCL transport)

 

[granmaz]

Today I am leaving to board the Disney Dream. I am a nurse and have volunteered to accompany a child that has been granted a make a wish cruise. I can only imagine how many pages of reading I will have to catch up on when I return on Tuesday. Have a great weekend everyone.

What a lovely thing to do. I hope you have a great cruise and enjoy helping to make this child's wish come true.

 

[birkner]

Today I am leaving to board the Disney Dream. I am a nurse and have volunteered to accompany a child that has been granted a make a wish cruise. I can only imagine how many pages of reading I will have to catch up on when I return on Tuesday. Have a great weekend everyone.

What a lovely and thoughtful thing for you to do. Hope you and the child have a magical cruise!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

I love going to plays too! I've seen Phantom of the Opera twice and worn out my cd listening to the music! Even got a speeding ticket while belting out "The Music of the Night" (didn't sing to the officer because then he would have given me another ticket for disturbing the peace!). I also love Cats. I just watched Phantom on the TV a couple of weeks ago and drooled over Gerard Butler! Raoul wouldn't stand a chance beside that Phantom! I keep missing Les Mis....that's next on my "to do" list!

You should see Ramin Karimloo who plays the phantom in Love Never Dies ( and who played the phantom previously in Phantom of the Opera. Raoul wouldn't stand a chance there either .... he is leaving Love Never Dies at the end of the summer which is yet another good reason for me to see it again in July

 

[PFlamingo]

Ah, theatre in London! I've seen Phantom, Cats twice, and a couple of other shows there. But that was a looooong time ago. I know tickets in London used to be much less expensive than New York. We paid around $100 per ticket in NYC. Part of the reason we haven't been back there. Although, I'd love to go and see some of the current shows on Broadway.

I need to take Dennis to London someday. But I don't think he'd really want to do England and Scotland the way I did in my younger days - a backpack, a BritRail pass, and a hostel card, and I was all set!

Okay, time for a

FE UPDATE!!​

I've got the list divided up. I've got 20 spaces in each group, but I've left a couple blank on each, to add in people who are still signing up.

I have two questions:

1) Would everyone like their group now, to see who you will be giving to? They include all the info about who's who, kids, ages (kids only), and genders. Please be aware, I will be adding people to each group as they sign up (up to 20 cabins per group, until the August 1 cut off), so you will likely get a couple of cabins added to your group yet.

2) What should we name the groups? I noticed that one cruise named theirs after tropical fruit. I've tentatively named them after our ports of call (we have 6 groups and 6 ports, not including Port Canaveral), but if someone has something more interesting, creative, or memorable, I'm open. Let's hear some ideas!

Okay, I have three questions ("No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!"):

3) How should I post these? I tried creating a document on our Facebook page, but I couldn't get it to work in the table format I used. Same with posting it here. Noel - I was wondering if I could send the file to you to post on the website. I used Word to create the tables. I guess I could post here, but I'll need to reformat everything so the lines aren't all running into each other. Unless someone can tell me what I'm doing wrong!

Now I need to get going on making my gifts! I'm waaaay behind schedule!

 

[Pinky166]

Ah, theatre in London! I've seen Phantom, Cats twice, and a couple of other shows there. But that was a looooong time ago. I know tickets in London used to be much less expensive than New York. We paid around $100 per ticket in NYC. Part of the reason we haven't been back there. Although, I'd love to go and see some of the current shows on Broadway.

The average price of a good seat in the west end is £65-70 ($100-110) but I have recently paid $150 per ticket for my mum's birthday treat.


Well done on the FE lists!!! Thank you!!!

I would like mine sooner rather than later please as I need to personalize my gifts. As for the group names, Port names sound good to me. The only alternative I can think of is Disney characters.

I have no idea how you could get the document on here so i'll leave that to someone else....

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

FE UPDATE!!​

I've got the list divided up. I've got 20 spaces in each group, but I've left a couple blank on each, to add in people who are still signing up.

I have two questions:

1) Would everyone like their group now, to see who you will be giving to? They include all the info about who's who, kids, ages (kids only), and genders. Please be aware, I will be adding people to each group as they sign up (up to 20 cabins per group, until the August 1 cut off), so you will likely get a couple of cabins added to your group yet.

Better watch out you don't give us room to complain about "not liking that person and not being in the same group as my friendy" *insert kindergarten whiny tone*

2) What should we name the groups? I noticed that one cruise named theirs after tropical fruit. I've tentatively named them after our ports of call (we have 6 groups and 6 ports, not including Port Canaveral), but if someone has something more interesting, creative, or memorable, I'm open. Let's hear some ideas!

I'ld personally go with either the ports or Disney caracters. I prefer first somehow, allthough risk of coming up short if you get too much folks signing up before August and you'ld need a 7th group.

Okay, I have three questions ("No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!"):

3) How should I post these? I tried creating a document on our Facebook page, but I couldn't get it to work in the table format I used. Same with posting it here. Noel - I was wondering if I could send the file to you to post on the website. I used Word to create the tables. I guess I could post here, but I'll need to reformat everything so the lines aren't all running into each other. Unless someone can tell me what I'm doing wrong!

I wouldn't post this online. While pretty secluded, the ship still is a public space and you need to be a bit carefull with info online. Even if it's just for instance specific info about youngsters being in which stateroom and what they like. Parents posting that themselves is one thing, but I'ld personally stay out of that can of worms if I were in your shoes.

You can easily upload files onto Gmail. You could make a special gmail account for this and give participants the username and password. It's easy, safe and doesn't cost anything.

Also there are other websites designed for these things, like sites where you can "draw" names for christmas online etcetc. Apparently some are pretty easy to use. Only familiar with dutch sites like this and that would be too much of a task as it's not understandable for most, but could be worth a google for a search?

Or option 3; ask John and Noel kindly if there is an option to have this (perhaps as an extra secured page) uploaded to the websites they've made for this cruise? Looks like John is great with these things and it would be easiest for all to have most info on one place.

 

[Rasmus Faber]

3) How should I post these? I tried creating a document on our Facebook page, but I couldn't get it to work in the table format I used. Same with posting it here.

One easy option is to use Google Docs. You can upload the Word file directly, then just press the arrow next to the "Share"-button, select "Publish as web page" and press the "Publish document" button. You then get a link to the document that you can post here.

 

[birkner]

Ah, theatre in London! I've seen Phantom, Cats twice, and a couple of other shows there. But that was a looooong time ago. I know tickets in London used to be much less expensive than New York. We paid around $100 per ticket in NYC. Part of the reason we haven't been back there. Although, I'd love to go and see some of the current shows on Broadway.

I need to take Dennis to London someday. But I don't think he'd really want to do England and Scotland the way I did in my younger days - a backpack, a BritRail pass, and a hostel card, and I was all set!

Okay, time for a

FE UPDATE!!​

I've got the list divided up. I've got 20 spaces in each group, but I've left a couple blank on each, to add in people who are still signing up.

I have two questions:

1) Would everyone like their group now, to see who you will be giving to? They include all the info about who's who, kids, ages (kids only), and genders. Please be aware, I will be adding people to each group as they sign up (up to 20 cabins per group, until the August 1 cut off), so you will likely get a couple of cabins added to your group yet.


I think you might want to put for kids boy or girl and their ages as some parents may not be comfortable with you putting names online.

2) What should we name the groups? I noticed that one cruise named theirs after tropical fruit. I've tentatively named them after our ports of call (we have 6 groups and 6 ports, not including Port Canaveral), but if someone has something more interesting, creative, or memorable, I'm open. Let's hear some ideas!

I like the idea of Port names!!

Okay, I have three questions ("No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!"):

3) How should I post these? I tried creating a document on our Facebook page, but I couldn't get it to work in the table format I used. Same with posting it here. Noel - I was wondering if I could send the file to you to post on the website. I used Word to create the tables. I guess I could post here, but I'll need to reformat everything so the lines aren't all running into each other. Unless someone can tell me what I'm doing wrong!

Now I need to get going on making my gifts! I'm waaaay behind schedule!

I will be happy to post them on the website. Just send me the document and I can convert to Excel which is easier to post.

 

[birkner]

One easy option is to use Google Docs. You can upload the Word file directly, then just press the arrow next to the "Share"-button, select "Publish as web page" and press the "Publish document" button. You then get a link to the documetn that you can post here.

An excellent suggestion. We used Google Docs to create the website. However, it is easier to post an Excel spread sheet here on the DIS or on our website.

 

[Dgentrysim]

Ah, theatre in London! I've seen Phantom, Cats twice, and a couple of other shows there. But that was a looooong time ago. I know tickets in London used to be much less expensive than New York. We paid around $100 per ticket in NYC. Part of the reason we haven't been back there. Although, I'd love to go and see some of the current shows on Broadway.

I need to take Dennis to London someday. But I don't think he'd really want to do England and Scotland the way I did in my younger days - a backpack, a BritRail pass, and a hostel card, and I was all set!

Okay, time for a

FE UPDATE!!​

I've got the list divided up. I've got 20 spaces in each group, but I've left a couple blank on each, to add in people who are still signing up.

I have two questions:

1) Would everyone like their group now, to see who you will be giving to? They include all the info about who's who, kids, ages (kids only), and genders. Please be aware, I will be adding people to each group as they sign up (up to 20 cabins per group, until the August 1 cut off), so you will likely get a couple of cabins added to your group yet.

2) What should we name the groups? I noticed that one cruise named theirs after tropical fruit. I've tentatively named them after our ports of call (we have 6 groups and 6 ports, not including Port Canaveral), but if someone has something more interesting, creative, or memorable, I'm open. Let's hear some ideas!

Okay, I have three questions ("No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!"):

3) How should I post these? I tried creating a document on our Facebook page, but I couldn't get it to work in the table format I used. Same with posting it here. Noel - I was wondering if I could send the file to you to post on the website. I used Word to create the tables. I guess I could post here, but I'll need to reformat everything so the lines aren't all running into each other. Unless someone can tell me what I'm doing wrong!

Now I need to get going on making my gifts! I'm waaaay behind schedule!

I can go either way.....now or later. Thanks so much for all your hard work!!! Name of ports is fine with me or Disney characters which has been suggested. Whatever makes it easier for you!!!

 

[birkner]

Better watch out you don't give us room to complain about "not liking that person and not being in the same group as my friendy" *insert kindergarten whiny tone*



I'ld personally go with either the ports or Disney caracters. I prefer first somehow, allthough risk of coming up short if you get too much folks signing up before August and you'ld need a 7th group.



I wouldn't post this online. While pretty secluded, the ship still is a public space and you need to be a bit carefull with info online. Even if it's just for instance specific info about youngsters being in which stateroom and what they like. Parents posting that themselves is one thing, but I'ld personally stay out of that can of worms if I were in your shoes.

You can easily upload files onto Gmail. You could make a special gmail account for this and give participants the username and password. It's easy, safe and doesn't cost anything.

Also there are other websites designed for these things, like sites where you can "draw" names for christmas online etcetc. Apparently some are pretty easy to use. Only familiar with dutch sites like this and that would be too much of a task as it's not understandable for most, but could be worth a google for a search?

Or option 3; ask John and Noel kindly if there is an option to have this (perhaps as an extra secured page) uploaded to the websites they've made for this cruise? Looks like John is great with these things and it would be easiest for all to have most info on one place.

Our website is not discoverable on the net so it is fairly secure. If people want to just post boy or girl and their ages, it is fine with us. If I post an Excel spread sheet, then no one can edit except me.

Last WBTA, we had everyone's name including the kids names and ages on the first page. Since I don't have young children this is a moot point for me. If people are uncomfortable with posting children's names and SR numbers, I understand. Do remember, we are not posting last names so even if people have your SR number, they DO NOT have your last name unless you post it.

Just my thoughts....

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Thanks for the info! I have some other things to call DCL about before the cruise so I will order the distilled water then.

Happy belated birthday, Claire!



Actually a little less known thing; there are both standard USA outlets and a few EU outlets in each stateroom but the EU ones are hidden behind a nightstand apparently.

As far as using it at your hotel goes; most hotels will have adapters for the plug so you can simply plug it into the outlet. All you now need to check is if your CPAP (rest should be able to do without if need be) can handle both 110 and 220 volt. You can do this in about 1 minute. Just look at your plug, there should be a label/sticker on there that lists the types of voltage it can handle. If it just says 110; don't plug it in!!!!!!!! You run a real risk of blowing it up when using 220 on anything that can not handle it. If is says 110, 220 or 110- 220 (can also be a rounded - ) you can simply plug it in and use the worldadapter for the plug. With these types of things I never run the risk of a hotel running out though and just take along my own adapter. They are like $5,- to buy, small and don't weight much. If you can get it arranged without needing a big voltage converser; do yourself a favor and use the CPAP in the hotel! You do not have it for having smelly feet, as we'ld say in Dutch. You might be able to do without one night, but remember how that impacts your feeling of unrestedness. Combine that with the jetlag and wanting to have fun as soon as you hit the Magic.

As far as distilled water; you can arrange it through the special needs department. The form is online under your booking, if you want the phonenumber and/or mailadres, sent me a PM and I'll gladly help (not sure if Im allowed to post those online). Having said that, the water onboard that comes out of the tap is a lot cleaner than any water on land. It gets purified onboard before being put into the system for onboard usage. I've found it even cleaner than our Dutch tapwater which is a very clean water without any funky tastes.