*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* - From Spain to Space Mountain - Part 6

[LindaBabe]

Our last name is Sheaves - you know like the old Babtist hymn 'Bringing in the sheaves' ask for us. Jean

You are toooo funny Jean Since I was raised in Arkansas, a Southern Baptist, I know the song well. My last name is Wingo rhymes with Bingo. So we should be able to find each other.

Evelyn

You guys are certainly memorable I will NEVER forget either one of you!

Good night, all!

 

[GA-yaya]

Has anyone got any experiences with the different hop on hop off buses in Barcelona? Searching online I see there are a few of them to pick between

And are anyone else staying at the Le Meridian? We're arriving on the 8th, and spending two nights there on my starwood points (yay for free hotel)

I have an additional question about the HOHO buses in Barcelona - do you buy your ticket when you get onboard, or is there a place to buy them?

And Yay! for free hotel stay We're doing the same thing at the Hilton Diagonal Mar.

 

[Beauty & the Best]

It looks so clean. Now I want to visit Madrid!

It is quite clean & after having stayed in both at least twice (Barcelona 4 times now I think), we prefer the feel of Madrid to Barcelona - its a bit more like Paris or Vienna, I think it has to do w/ the style of the buildings that are there. Barcelona is an older city and the styles of architecture are all mixed.

The city seems less hustle bustle and a little safer than Barcelona (also less pickpocketing horror stories), and I like how Madrid has many pedestrian by-ways and they take the time to plant greenery to beautify the city. Of course, this is totally opinion b/c my sister who recently traveled with us to both liked the feel of Barcelona better, so go figure!

Anyhow, I would recommend it - plus you can do an easy train ride to Toledo which is also very nice.

 

[TheViking]

And Yay! for free hotel stay We're doing the same thing at the Hilton Diagonal Mar.

Hilton was my second option, I am equal opportunity point earner on Hilton and Starwood I just really liked the location of Le Meridian so it won out.

 

[JessicasMom]

Has anyone got any experiences with the different hop on hop off buses in Barcelona? Searching online I see there are a few of them to pick between

I have an additional question about the HOHO buses in Barcelona - do you buy your ticket when you get onboard, or is there a place to buy them?

Look for the bus with the big eye on the side (Barcelona Bus Turistic)...they have a website with the costs, routes, etc. You can buy the tickets online in advance or from the drivers/support staff at the stops. They offer a 10% discount for advance purchase.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

I tried to get a room at Le Meridien months ago using my points and they said they were completely sold out!! No rooms at all left. Then I tried again a few weeks later and they said they had rooms available, but were sold out of rooms I could use points on. (They say no "blackout" date but that is such BS because once a few other people book with points they shut it down!). I have a theory that the first time I called that maybe DCL had booked up all the rooms since that is one of the hotels they put people up at. Or else I just got a crappy phone rep.

Anyway, worked out well because I ended up using my Marriott points at the Renaissance airport, and we're going to be too jet lagged Friday night to do anything anyway...

Sorry, just venting!

Has anyone got any experiences with the different hop on hop off buses in Barcelona? Searching online I see there are a few of them to pick between

And are anyone else staying at the Le Meridian? We're arriving on the 8th, and spending two nights there on my starwood points (yay for free hotel)

 

[heatherLOVESmickey]

ok with all this talk of packing, i'm wondering if i'm the only one (or are there others like me) who won't start packing til the 8th, possibly the 9th?

Oooh Karen, I'm not packing yet, just organising things. I am a last minute packer. Though we might just try and do the garment bag this weekend and see how things are going.

I'm mostly a last minute packer. I don't have enough of most stuff to pack plus use. So all my clothes and stuff have to wait for the last minute. I am starting to figure out what I'm bringing a how I'm going to pack it but no real packing for me yet. However, I can start to pack my Secret Mickey, FE, scrapbook and candy exchange stuff which will all go in my carry on. I find that packing (especially clothes) doesn't seem to take too long so I probably won't pack until just before we leave.

The "what if's" started in my head this AM - and all things that are stupid. Example: "what if another hurricane moves up the east coast and impacts NY on the 8th and we can't get in to NYC for our flight?"

They rarely move up the coast (like Irene is expected to) so I don't know what I'm even thinking. Just been planning this one for so long I am not in the mood to deal with something screwing it up after all of this waiting!

SAD!!! don't worry about the "what ifs" there isn't anything you can do about it. Just keep reading the DIS boards to keep your mind of things. We'll entertain you!!!

Has anyone got any experiences with the different hop on hop off buses in Barcelona? Searching online I see there are a few of them to pick between

And are anyone else staying at the Le Meridian? We're arriving on the 8th, and spending two nights there on my starwood points (yay for free hotel)

Hey... me tooo!!!

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

SAD!!! don't worry about the "what ifs" there isn't anything you can do about it. Just keep reading the DIS boards to keep your mind of things. We'll entertain you!!!

Worrier by nature I guess. All the hurricane talk I've been saying, oh the ship will go around it. Then for some crazy reason this morning the thought popped into my head - well what about NYC?

Stupid, I tell you.

 

[RubyBlue]

Wow !! Finished the FE's tonight. DH used the trusty Sharpie pen to label and we had a fun time deciding who got what. Fun because we can't wait to meet the personalities behind the names

Now to get everything ELSE done. . .

 

[pkicinski]

Has anyone got any experiences with the different hop on hop off buses in Barcelona? Searching online I see there are a few of them to pick between

And are anyone else staying at the Le Meridian? We're arriving on the 8th, and spending two nights there on my starwood points (yay for free hotel)

We used the hop on, hop off bus last year and really thought it gave us a great over view of the city. You can switch from the red to the blue line and see even more because they overlap in some places. We didn't have enough time to get off and see some of the places, but this year, we know where to go back to see!
It takes several hours just to make the circuit.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Okay, I'm sure any of you who are staying at WDW post cruise have your accommodations already lined up, but I wanted to share this LivingSocial offer I got today - a 3 night stay for up to 4 people in a 1 bedroom at the Cypress Pointe Grand Villas for $135 in September ($195 from October - December).

http://livingsocial.com/escapes/106443-orlando-resort-suite?msdc_id=75

 

[pkicinski]

I have an additional question about the HOHO buses in Barcelona - do you buy your ticket when you get onboard, or is there a place to buy them?

And Yay! for free hotel stay We're doing the same thing at the Hilton Diagonal Mar.

You can buy them right on the bus.

 

[squitty]

Good Morning cruisers

Have a little update on the Mixology and Mojito tastings:

Hopefully we should hear something on Friday as the CM is still dealing with August Functions.

Fingers crossed

 

[Pinky166]

Lol Michelle....I was just about to post the same thing about the Champagne Girls!!!!

I guess we both got the same email from Dorothy. At least she has acknowledged our existence. Fingers crossed we finally get some info tomorrow!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Okay, I'm sure any of you who are staying at WDW post cruise have your accommodations already lined up, but I wanted to share this LivingSocial offer I got today - a 3 night stay for up to 4 people in a 1 bedroom at the Cypress Pointe Grand Villas for $135 in September ($195 from October - December).

http://livingsocial.com/escapes/106443-orlando-resort-suite?msdc_id=75

I have stayed there .... it is very nice and in a great location. Great deal.

Good Morning cruisers

Have a little update on the Mixology and Mojito tastings:

Hopefully we should hear something on Friday as the CM is still dealing with August Functions.

Fingers crossed

Lol Michelle....I was just about to post the same thing about the Champagne Girls!!!!

I guess we both got the same email from Dorothy. At least she has acknowledged our existence. Fingers crossed we finally get some info tomorrow!

Oooohhhhh .... exciting! Hopefully we will be able to pencil in some dates tomorrow

Thanks to Claire and Michelle for all your patience in organising these events

 

[Dgentrysim]

Good Morning cruisers

Have a little update on the Mixology and Mojito tastings:

Hopefully we should hear something on Friday as the CM is still dealing with August Functions.

Fingers crossed

Lol Michelle....I was just about to post the same thing about the Champagne Girls!!!!

I guess we both got the same email from Dorothy. At least she has acknowledged our existence. Fingers crossed we finally get some info tomorrow!

So glad to hear this news! Sure are waiting til the last minute before DCL are dealing with some of these issues. Great job ladies!

 

[LindaBabe]

Good Morning, Happy Cruisers!

Two weeks from now, we will be out for a day of sightseeing in Barcelona!

I have an additional question about the HOHO buses in Barcelona - do you buy your ticket when you get onboard, or is there a place to buy them?

http://www.viator.com/tours/Barcelona/Barcelona-Hop-on-Hop-Off-Tour-North-to-South-Route/d562-2512BBUS?pref=02&gclid=CP6G5bCS95MCFR30IgodTFcQWQ&aid=g1856

If you buy on line, apparently it is necessary to exchange your online voucher for a ticket at a tourist office, of which there is one in the airport, as well as other locations. According to Cruise Critic, this website allows purchase in dollars, but I haven't tried it yet. Otherwise, tickets can be bought on the bus, but you don't get the discount.

Worrier by nature I guess. All the hurricane talk I've been saying, oh the ship will go around it. Then for some crazy reason this morning the thought popped into my head - well what about NYC?

Stupid, I tell you.

You are not alone, being a worrier. I figure if I face the worst possible scenario in advance, I can be prepared for it, and happy if it doesn't occur.

Okay, I'm sure any of you who are staying at WDW post cruise have your accommodations already lined up. . .

BLT!

Happy Day, all!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Thought I would post some photos from our WBTA 2010 reunion:

At our meal in TGI Fridays ...

Having lunch in the sun:

and me getting a bit of practice in :

We had a great weekend .... it was wonderful to see everyone again

 

[karentan]

I'm mostly a last minute packer. I don't have enough of most stuff to pack plus use. So all my clothes and stuff have to wait for the last minute.

glad i'm not the only one

Wow !! Finished the FE's tonight. DH used the trusty Sharpie pen to label and we had a fun time deciding who got what. Fun because we can't wait to meet the personalities behind the names

sounds intruiging!
cant wait to see what everyone's made on here

Hopefully we should hear something on Friday as the CM is still dealing with August Functions.

august functions? there's only 6 days of august left! talk about leaving it to the last minute

and me getting a bit of practice in :

well we don't want you getting a cocktail injury onboard - need to work up slowly to all the heavy lifting we'll be doing on board

(what is the green stuff on the top? looks like someone's put a broad bean in your drink?!)

 

[TotallyAngelic]

(what is the green stuff on the top? looks like someone's put a broad bean in your drink?!)

Coconut palm leaves I believe ... very pretty, except they kept sticking up my nose when trying to sip elegantly from the straw.