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

[Donaldcp98]

Glad Curt has a confirmed seat... I am starting to stress! All this weather is sure hurting my standby plans!



Standby is getting stressful this time around for sure!

Looks like we will get some relief here in Texas next week... After I am gone! Hoping for some nice cool days on the cruise... cool = less than 100 degrees!

Amen to the standby part getting stressful. But as I try to keep reminding myself...it's an adventure....

come on claire, you're really not helping yourself with the no-clothes ribbing are you?!?!

Looks like I may have to fly into Madrid. Does anyone have any suggestions getting to Barcelona from there? Thinking maybe a train as I will have several pieces of luggage. Any suggestions would be appreciated... Or possibly flights if not too hard on luggage allowances..lol

We looked into Renfe www.renfe.com. It has several trains a day and it was about 117 Euros per person. What airline are you flying standby on? We are flying standby on Delta and so we are flying to Cinncinati and then to Paris and taking the overnight sleeper train to Barcelona. It was a little more but there were still 30 standby seats as of Sunday and so we decided that was the best risk. Plus we get to spend 12 hours in Paris. Good luck on your standby

Standby was starting to stress him. He had a friend look up the Delta flight, and coach is overbooked by 20. Then the AA flight was also having more standbys than seats - a full week out. He came home last night at 11:00 and said he almost booked JFK-BCN on "mystery airline" for about $500 (which was now $650 when he got home), and then I told him I had gotten that extra 75k AA miles for some credit card offer, let's look at that... so we were able to book DFW-JFK / stopover / JFK-BCN for the 60k miles. Hated spending those miles (yes, I already had plans...) but now we can enjoy the trip and not stress. Had he missed standby, we figured NYC could get expensive in a hurry. At least now he doesn't have to dress up to try to jumpseat on either flight. And on the long flight, I can go have a FAB with Pat a few rows up and let Curt watch the girls.

I am glad you were able to cash those in so you can all travel together. I am sure it would have been more stressful for you not knowing where he was going to go to get there.

One week from now we will be on a plane on our way to Cinnci.

 

[MandyGirl]

Okay - Checking Orbitz - Cabins left for occupancy of two:

10B: 2105
10A: 7501, 7001
VGT
9A: GTY
7A: GTY
5A: GTY
4A: 8542, 8540, 8054, 8052, 8042, 8040
1-bedroom suite: 8602, 8102

Cabins left for occupancy of four:

10B: 2105
10A: nothing
VGT
9A: GTY
7A: nothing
5A: nothing
4A: 8542, 8540, 8054, 8052, 8042, 8040
1-bedroom suite: 8602, 8102

 

[magic123]

Hello everyone, it's great that people now have room assignments, and some of you got pixe dust
Just makes it seem so real now

just sending pixe dust to all those who have and are ill at the moment.... just get it all out of the way now is what I say. Although I am a bit worried about the picking something up on the plane, when we go to Florida alaways seem to pick up something, but it's only a short two hour flight, maybe I can hold my breath

I would like to echo this statement. Since we booked this cruise (only at the end of June!) we have both had so much fun gettin to know everyone day by day and you have all been so helpful with odd questions from us first time cruisers.

It is actually a little sad that this part of the pre cruise is coming to an end

Yes I echo that, even though I've not posted much, I feel like I know people already. It seems a really strange concept to speak and meet people before you take the holiday but I have to say it's a really nice one. And being first timers, when we board the magic, we will be armed with so much information that we won't have to waste precious time finding out so thank you to everyone for making this a real family experience.

And however and whenever your trip to the magic starts, I hope it's enjoyable. we will be one of the few leaving home the morning of the cruise, it will seem really strange if the dis board goes quiet leading up to the cruise, but I know people will be off having fun

I for one am hoping this thread will continue after the cruise so will can all stay in touch.




No I suppose i'm not!!! I've packed my booze though.

No clothes claire but booze I take it you won't be going to morrisons with the rest of us then

So what normally happens to a thread after a cruise ?


margaret

 

[MandyGirl]

This made me relax a bit on your behalf! Whew! It will be nice to all fly together as one big happy.

Tell me about it! You know when you make a big purchase, then second guess yourself the next day?? Neither of us have had those feelings, and know we did the right thing. Good feeling. Plus we can now check another bag.... hmmmm.... I see those Princess shoes making the trip now!!

 

[magic123]

Originally Posted by karentan
come on claire, you're really not helping yourself with the no-clothes ribbing are you?!?!

Is that no clothes or just pants !!!

 

[Beauty & the Best]

We do not leave until Sept 7th, so I'll be on the thread for the next week. I am wrapping up work this week so over the weekend and Mon/Tues next week I can focus on packing and cleaning the house.

Well wishes to all of those who are sick right now.

And to those who aren't sick, take those vitamin C's! It seems like something it going around.

LYNNE - How was your journey?

I literally just finished getting Curt an airline ticket. Standby numbers were increasing, and he was starting to stress (and watching that hurricane as well), so we cashed in 60k AA miles (and an extra $75 fee). So... I now will have my hubby with us on all flights, and actually seated with us as well! No more hitch-hiking this trip for him to get to the cruise.

Whew, what a relief that must be! Now the whole family can fly together - yay!!

Good news (not sure if this has been posted yet)...if the source is correct, the current Dream sailing has switched their sea and Castaway Cay days around, but should be going to Castaway Cay, which means only one cruise missed out. Let's hope this is right.

Irene didn't hit the island directly and it was to the west of the eyewall so it shouldn't have been that bad there. 12-15 foot waves wouldn't have done too much damage other than messing up the beach, so everything sounds about right with that report. I'll be interested to see if it's true. I haven't really thought we'd miss going on ours anyway, but glad to hear the current cruisers don't have to either.

See comment posed on this topic: http://disneycruiseblog.net/news/2011/08/27/disney-dream-skips-castaway-cay-due-hurricane-irene

That would be great!

Hi All,

Seems they did the GTYs. I sent an email last night asking specifically about our room. We are in 5142. It is a slight upgrade, I think based on category, since we paid for a 7A and are now in a 6A--not a completely closed balcony, but a metal one, which is fine--close to the back of the ship.

This has been an interesting experience for us GTY and location wise. This is the first time we will be on a deck with "stuff" and not just rooms. Any experience with the noise level here? Also we usually have better luck with upgrades in GTY than this time, but that is the risk and we still have a balcony, so worth it.

The movers are coming today to pack our stuff up to ship back to America. Going to be a long 2-3 days. We will now be living in an empty house for the next week and out of suitcases! Let's hope that not as much stuff is damaged going back as it was coming over!

Glad to have my room before we leave so I can update the list.

Amanda

Good luck on your move! Moving can be so stressful, but at least you have the vacation to look forward to. Are you sad to leave Macedonia?

Good morning everyone hope all the sickies are feeling a bit better today

For the people asking what a Pooh Stick is I have copied a description , hope it makes sense

Poohsticks was invented by English author A. A. Milne for his son Christopher Robin Milne. The game first came to prominence when it was described in the author's book The House at Pooh Corner as well as in the Disney animated featurette Winnie the Pooh and a Day for Eeyore. Winnie-the-Pooh, the protagonist of the book, accidentally drops a pine cone into a river from a bridge and devises the rules for Poohsticks. Pooh continues to play the game with the other characters, Christopher Robin, Tigger and Eeyore.

The game was first played at a bridge located in Ashdown Forest, close to the village of Upper Hartfield, East Sussex, England. Built in 1907 and originally called Posingford Bridge, it is considered to be the bridge on which Milne and his son first played the game. The bridge maintained the public's interest and a campaign to rebuild it in the late seventies was considered important enough to feature on the BBC Nine*O'Clock News. The bridge was subsequently reopened by Christopher Robin Milne and officially renamed as Poohsticks Bridge.

The site was so popular that in 1999 the East Sussex county council made an appeal to Disney as the old wooden bridge had been worn down by an overwhelming number of visitors.The company provided a substantial donation towards the estimated £30,000 needed to replace the bridge.

So it is a game? That is very cute. Thanks for explaining

Just enough time to catch up on all the pages before I say goodbye for the moment and will see you all on board the Magic.

I managed to get the packing down to 1 case and 1 carry-on, so not allowed to buy anything on this holiday unless I can convince Dad that can fit in his suitcase

See you all real soon......

Burnice

See you onboard Burnice! I hope you have safe travels

Looks like I may have to fly into Madrid. Does anyone have any suggestions getting to Barcelona from there? Thinking maybe a train as I will have several pieces of luggage. Any suggestions would be appreciated... Or possibly flights if not too hard on luggage allowances..lol

We did this on the last EBTA and also on a cruise we took in May. We took the train b/c we wanted to spend time in Madrid. But for the sake of ease, if you aren't spending any time in Madrid, try to fly. There are LOTS of flights between the two cities.

 

[MandyGirl]

Amen to the standby part getting stressful. But as I try to keep reminding myself...it's an adventure....


I am glad you were able to cash those in so you can all travel together. I am sure it would have been more stressful for you not knowing where he was going to go to get there.

One week from now we will be on a plane on our way to Cinnci.

MUCH less stressful! Especially since I was going to be flying with two under the age of five across the big pond by myself! (With all the luggage!) But we have definitely had plenty of adventures, mainly prior to having children. He was talking to someone yesterday at work, also with cockpit privileges, and they literally had to stay home from their vacation. Tried for days getting to the destination with no avail. I think that really scared Curt. Nobody is supposed to be flying midweek after Labor Day - don't get this! We had to bid vacation for this last July, and he was just afraid of something messing up.

Now coming home from Florida... yep... that will be a standby adventure for all four of us.

 

[Beauty & the Best]

Okay - Checking Orbitz - Cabins left for occupancy of two:

10B: 2105
10A: 7501, 7001
VGT
9A: GTY
7A: GTY
5A: GTY
4A: 8542, 8540, 8054, 8052, 8042, 8040
1-bedroom suite: 8602, 8102

Cabins left for occupancy of four:

10B: 2105
10A: nothing
VGT
9A: GTY
7A: nothing
5A: nothing
4A: 8542, 8540, 8054, 8052, 8042, 8040
1-bedroom suite: 8602, 8102

Maybe some will be pixied at the terminal!

 

[giraffe104]

Oh goodness it is too early for me and my pain meds are having an effect, I read that as Hades Underwear. Should be a fun deck!!!

Do you think he's a boxer or briefs kinda God?

When I read this, I thought, there aren't mirrors ABOVE the bed - this is not that kind of ship. Then I realized you meant on the wall.

What kind of ship does have those? I'm pretty sure I never want to see my self in a mirror anytime in bed. And why do you know about those mirrors?!?

Me too!

I need to be more descriptive!

Yep!! And hopefully if we DO get into rocky waves, being lower down will help those of us prone to seasickness. I have never been this low before!

Yeah I've never been that low either. We'll never have trouble getting a free elevator to the top!

 

[Pinky166]

No clothes claire but booze I take it you won't be going to morrisons with the rest of us then

So what normally happens to a thread after a cruise ?


margaret

I most certainly am going to Morrisons!!!! I will be stocking up on more in Barcelona aswell.

Some people disappear but others continue chatting and keeping in touch with the new friends they made onboard.

 

[IansGran]

I am so torn about this I have a headache. What do you suggest? Either way I still have to get back to the airport. By the way I emailed the Renassance and they were of no help as to how I should call the hotel for airport pick up.

the address for the concierge is: rhi.bcnbr.gm@renaissancehotels.com. they have a set schedule for airport pickups at both terminal 1 and 2. I also have the following addresses: rhi.bcnbr.concierge@renaissancehotels.com or www.renaissancebarcelonaairport.com Hope this helps. Jean

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

I am going to hack into your computer so that you can not read any more weather websites!!! We definitely need the rain here though, especially with the fires popping up west of Fort Worth again. I really will feel better when we are in Barcelona so that I know we are AT the embarkation port!

I've become kind of obsessive about it, can you tell? I'm just worried about something screwing up this vacation that I have looked forward to for so long!

 

[IansGran]

WoooHoooo!!!!
We finally have a room assignment!!!!

Our VGT is room # 6624!
Now I need to go see where it is...Yippee!!!!

So, everyone that is waiting on their - go check!

BooHooI got so excited! I thought finally! But no such luck. Congratulations to you, though. Jean

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

The moment has arrived; the first of you are starting to begin travelling and everybody has started packing. Or should really, really start doing that!

All have a safe trip above all. For those not used to it; have fun with the jetlag. And then; let the fun begin! Please let's keep the Magic in one piece so those of us that want to have any hope of enjoying her on a later date can continue to hope and daydream. Enjoy folks, have a blast!!!!!!



Had some questions, so reckoned I'ld explain a wee bit in public. Haven't been much on here. Don't have that much time to DIS yet but when I do I've found myself avoiding this thread. Has nothing to do with any of you on here, or at least not in a negative view. Reading on here, getting so close to the 10th and reading all the excitement and plans going on........ I've found it to be counterproductive for me. Like rubbing it in what I'll be missing, realising that I will not get to meet some amazing people IRL after spending so much time together etc. It only gets me down and dwelling over something that simply isn't ment to be for now. So I avoided the thread. Don't get me wrong; I am truely happy for all of you and will be reading up on trip reports and enjoy them! It's just that for now it's bittersweet timing and I refuse to give into the darn-I-should've-been-packing-now-sorrow. The sooner we get the 10th over with, the better if you ask me! And probably a lot of you too.

Enjoy folks! Enjoy eachother, all of the special moments that will be celebrated on board, all of the fun before and after the trip and the simple but oh so precious time "just being" with loved ones.

 

[Pinky166]

Jacqueline I totally understand! I would be avoiding it like the plague too.

I hope you are getting better and enjoying planning your next trip, is is still likely to be December? When we get back from the cruise you can come and make us all jealous with your fabulous plans.

Take care & we will raise a glass to you at the Deck 10 Sailaway party.

 

[jking514]

Speaking of jetlag...We've never travel overseas before...so I'm wondering what the 7 or 8 hr time difference from here in the Midwest is going to feel like...when we land in Barcelona Thursday morning at 9:15...our bodies are going to be saying its only 2 AM...LOL!!! Any of you experienced long distance travelers have any advice????

 

[Dgentrysim]

Deb - I was trying to remember: are you the one who is on our flight next Thursday night? I am so confused anymore!

Yes, we are. It gets so confusing remember disnames & real names! No problem!

 

[giraffe104]

Speaking of jetlag...We've never travel overseas before...so I'm wondering what the 7 or 8 hr time difference from here in the Midwest is going to feel like...when we land in Barcelona Thursday morning at 9:15...our bodies are going to be saying its only 2 AM...LOL!!! Any of you experienced long distance travelers have any advice????

Try to offset your sleep habit before so you sleep on the plane across the pond... Usually once you land you get a major adrenaline rush that will keep you going til the night.

 

[Chris&Jeremy]

Speaking of jetlag...We've never travel overseas before...so I'm wondering what the 7 or 8 hr time difference from here in the Midwest is going to feel like...when we land in Barcelona Thursday morning at 9:15...our bodies are going to be saying its only 2 AM...LOL!!! Any of you experienced long distance travelers have any advice????

I am a big fan of taking Sonata to help me sleep on the ride over. After the meal I pop one and it's sleepy time. It only lasts 4-5 hours so you start to wake around the time it's time for breakfast!

Try to stay up as long as possible the first day you are there - NO NAPS! - and try to stay outside in the sun if possible. I usually head to bed around 8pm local time the first night and then the next day find that I have virtually no lag.

To me the jet lag is worse when flying back home westward than it is going east.

 

[goofieslonglostsis]

Claire, you're a doll. Hmm plague is still a bit strong for me. Luckily, I guess.

December is all planned, will be going 1-17th. It'll be a challenge recovery-wise (even as recent as last week I learned there are still more problems and deficiencies found as a result of this all), but it will and shall happen.



JKing; jetlags from west to east tend to be the hardest on the human body. How to deal with it? Get into the timing of your destination ASAP! it can be difficult, but the sooner you are into a new timepattern the easier it is. If you have any room for it; get yourself into Barca-timing even before arriving in Spain. Go to sleep on the plane when it's night time in Spain. Even if you don't sleep well or only do some twilight; it's better then nothing and is a first step getting into a new normal. Not many have the luxery I have, but I tend to transfer my timing an hour at a day starting about 3 days prior to a trip. That way, it is a lot smaller difference to overcome. I keep myself awake the last night prior to flying out and go to sleep inflight IF that is around nighttime for my destination. My body is in a constant state of tiredness and is very intolerant to changes in that, but when doing the above I counter the jetlag pretty succesfully. My parents no longer really have a jetlag by doing this, only deal with it for the max. first 24 hours after a flight (fly to Thailand at least twice a year which is 6 or 7 hours time difference). Same goes for other family members during vacations or coming back home (those that have emigrated abroad).


Oh and bad news for many on here ; alcohol will make it harder on the body to deal with a jetlag. Staying sober around travel can make it a lot easier to deal with, allthough some find taking one drink to help them fall asleep during the flight (if nighttime at destination) is the best way to go.