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

[Michelle2]

I have been reading alot of the trip reports from DISers that went last year, and none of them said when the terminal opened. Does anyone know who was on the WBTA last year remember? I need to know what time to head to the port! Assuming I can get to Barcelona with all of these flight scares.

Anyone remember what time the terminal opened? Thanks!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Sarah,

I'm sorry that I never got to meet Taryn. I did stop by the Studios, but she wasn't working. Everyone there seemed to like her a lot when I asked if she was around, so I hope she was well treated.

I am having a hard time deciding what clothes stay home--14 days is a lot of planning. I'm sure I have too much, as usual, but I always think "Hmmm, I'm sure I need that." I hope I don't regret leaving pirate gear at home, but we've decided just to wear pirate tees. Kevin arrives late tomorrow from California, so he'll probably be packed and ready in a flash. He is a much more experienced traveler than I am.

Looking forward to seeing everyone in person,
Karen

No worries Karen and thanks for trying to see her ... a lot of people had the same problem, she was very elusive, even though she worked really long hours. She really enjoyed her time there, but was extremely tired at the
end. She is now in Seattle with friends and will return home at the end of the month. It has been a fantatsic experience for her. Looking forward to seeing you next week

All of you from outside the US - please send plenty of to those of us here in the states.

Many of us will be dealing with one or more tropical storms/hurricanes this week as we try to make our way to Barcelona.

One hit the gulf coast today but it seems to be having little effect on air travel - just a lot of rain.

A bigger one is approaching the east coast now but it is expected to turn back out to sea - however when and where is up in the air currently, so some of the winds could effect travel later this week when we're all trying to get out.

Sending all the I possess plus that which I have in reserve to help all of you US folks fly out safely this week.

Packed, bags all zipped, vehicle loaded, girls asleep and me WIRED!!! Rolling out at 4:30 AM in the morning to fly to NYC. Should have internet access until Wednesday when we leave NYC.

Safe travels everyone! I am super excited to meet everyone, either at Hard Rock Friday night or onboard!

WOW Mandy you must be so excited .... safe travels. Take care and see you on Friday !!

I have been reading alot of the trip reports from DISers that went last year, and none of them said when the terminal opened. Does anyone know who was on the WBTA last year remember? I need to know what time to head to the port! Assuming I can get to Barcelona with all of these flight scares.

Anyone remember what time the terminal opened? Thanks!

I can't remember exactly as I was way too excited to take proper note of times, but I think we got there at about 10am and we were waiting outside for a while. I am guessing a bit that we were let into the terminal between 11 and 11:30. Maybe one of the others will know exactly !!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Well I now have 4 very busy days in work as I try and sort out my caseloads ready for my absence ... I am already dreading the amount of catching up I will have on my return but I will shove that thought into the back of my mind come 5pm on Thursday

Still have a lot to do in preparation for this cruise but hopefully will get it all done before we leave

Anyone else just a little bit excited that we are going on a Disney Cruise

THIS WEEK !!!!

 

[PFlamingo]

Yes, the good news is I'm mostly packed. There are still a few things (shoes) that I need to throw in, and I'll probably have to rearranged some of it, but I'm pretty much done.

The bad news is I will absolutely be checking that second bag. I also have to convince the airline people that the ginormous bag I'll be shlepping along is actually a "personal item" and not a second bona fide "carry on." My "carry on" is pretty much my shoe bag.

Thank goodness for packing cubes! I can't believe how much stuff I got into those, and how organized my bags are. I'm absolutely giddy.

So tomorrow I have to help Dennis pack (thinking he might need a second bag, too), finish getting the dogs' stuff together for "doggy camp," rearrange my bags, dye - er, I mean do - my hair, get our snacks together for the flight and our lunches made for the drive to Florida. Good thing tomorrow is a holiday! (Oops, today is a holiday. Just noticed how late it is.)

I will definitely have internet access til Wednesday morning, and possibly at the hotel in Barca. I will try to check in periodically tomorrow to see if anyone has any last-minute FE issues.

Hope everyone has safe, uneventful travels to Barca and to the cruise. I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Those coming to the Hard Rock Cafe on Friday ... the plan is to meet up outside the building at 6:30pm. I will try and get there for 6:15pm to sort out the wristbands and I am planning to wear a black maxi dress and a green cardigan ( weather dependent ) so you sould be able to recognise me.

If anyone arrives later, then we should be in the downstairs room and just tell the person on the door that you are with the group in the downstairs room.

The Hard Rock cafe is on Placa Catalunya and as that is the main square in the Ramblas area of Barcelona it should be quite easy to find. Here is the link to google maps:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=har...ent=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl

Really excited to meet up with you all

 

[3canadianslovedisney]

Do we have a link to the navigator yet? I'm traveling and don't have internet regularly. I just drove in to the local Barnes and noble in hopes it would be up but haven't been able to find the link. If it's NOT up yet, could someone download it and EMAIL it to me? O heck. that isn't going to work either because email won't work without internet either I hope I've got everything I need to know tranfered to my spreadsheet because it looks like the nav isn't in the cards for me.

On a happy note, I found my one sole shoes yesterday. VERY limited selection of tops, but the sole and fitting was the critical part. I can order tops on line later.

Hope everyone's packing goes well and I'll see you in Barca

You'll have to let me know if they are comfortable. I would love a pair, but DH thinks they might not be comfy, so it will be interesting to get an opinion of someone who has them.

 

[3canadianslovedisney]

You are going to let him pack his own stuff so you aren't over tired, right?

Ken is the master packer, so I just gather everything together and he has to fit it ALL in! He packs so well, that we always do our packing that way!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Laura has made it to Brussels

 

[Pinky166]

2 more sleeps!!!!!



I'm really excited, just got a few last minute things to sort out & pack but most of it's done. I'm off to get my manicure & pedicure this morning.


Lots of pixie dust for those travelling stand by. See you all soon!!!

 

[granmaz]

Phew about Laura!!

Funny thing, I'm not feeling 100% today. I woke up w/ a sore throat and assumed it was allergies but I feel tired - like that sick kind of tired. I had something like this for 24 hours back in May so I'm hoping its the same & tomorrow I will wake up feeling fabulous.

I wasn't too good yesterday either and found it hard to get things done. Feeling better today so hopefully will have a productive one. Maybe even get the rest of the packing done. I want to when I look in my spare room and see what I have yet to try to pack.

I have been reading alot of the trip reports from DISers that went last year, and none of them said when the terminal opened. Does anyone know who was on the WBTA last year remember? I need to know what time to head to the port! Assuming I can get to Barcelona with all of these flight scares.

Anyone remember what time the terminal opened? Thanks!

I would say not to bother getting there before 10am but they don't open the terminal at that time. Last year they were late letting us in and it was some time after 11am I think so there was a long line outside. Nice atmosphere but it did feel a long wait. Once checked through there is a large empty warehouse to wait in and they started boarding sometime around noon. It would be much quieter later on and you will get through quicker too. But some people like to be there in good time. You have to be aboard for 4pm so plenty of time.

 

[hazelandannie]

Happy Monday everyone !!

I have woken up with the biggest butterflies this morning. A mixture of excitement and nervousness as 5 full work days and only the evenings to get everything done and ready

Lots of pixie dust going to all In US about to set off on their travels see you all on Saturday.

 

[karentan]

i'm in the same situation hazel, i've got two closing shifts, 2 middles, and one early, so realistically the only time i've got to pack is after 4pm friday. talk about leaving it til the last minute!

 

[Fontabel]

Good luck to everyone flying--regardless of from where! Everything is gone from our house. We are living out of two suitcases and two carry-ons. No more stuff allowed. Two more days at the Embassy and then off to Barcelona on Friday (early) morning. Will be online here until Wed, but wanted to wish everyone happy travels. We may be at the Hard Rock, depends on how the day goes.

See you all soon.

Amanda

 

[squitty]

Just a quick reminder that I have to send the final list to DCL today regarding the tastings.

Please check the first page of this thread for the list as that is the list I shall be sending and no further changes will be allowed.

Thanks.

 

[MandyGirl]

I woke up realizing I had not packed a jacket for ME! One more thing to throw into the bags, especially since Tuesday in NYC it is 90% chance of rain and high of 69.

Just locked down Facebook. I think only Family will see my posts and mobile uploads of pics, and nobody can write on wall. Would you be surprised that very few know we are taking this vacation?!?!? Mainly just close neighbors, family, Sunday School class, and my clients. I had a friend return from the Magic in November... to find her home had been robbed while she was away. It was traced back to a 'friend' on Facebook, and she had been doing status updates about the upcoming trip along with a few pics of the trip while away. So those of you with FB, you may want to go to your account/privacy settings for while you are away. I have started getting into that habit for when we are out of town. When Curt is still home, I keep posting like normal, but always lock it down for the days we are all away.

Six more minutes until the alarm goes off. Typing quietly in bed, but I know Curt can hear these keys pecking

Y

The bad news is I will absolutely be checking that second bag. I also have to convince the airline people that the ginormous bag I'll be shlepping along is actually a "personal item" and not a second bona fide "carry on." My "carry on" is pretty much my shoe bag.

We looked up carryon restrictions yesterday. 45 inches total L+W+H, so we are bringing an extra roller bag that meets that exactly. If you make it through MCO okay but have issues with gate agents in JFK, we can take one of your carryons if need be.

Those coming to the Hard Rock Cafe on Friday ... the plan is to meet up outside the building at 6:30pm. I will try and get there for 6:15pm to sort out the wristbands and I am planning to wear a black maxi dress and a green cardigan ( weather dependent ) so you sould be able to recognise me.

Thanks!

 

[karentan]

mum's been asking where she can find out where we are on what days, so been making bookmarks on my laptop so she can find stuff. just checked the marine traffic website and the magic is currently in la spezia, only 5 days til she's ours!!!
hope that private charter is taking good care of her!

 

[granmaz]

Mandy, do you leave tomorrow? We leave Thursday. We should see you at the hotel - waiting for a taxi on Saturday if not before.

 

[auntlynne]

...But I let pack it himself. If he forget something it is his own fault and not mine....

...Which hotel are you in? Its always good to have a list of recommended places here and there. ....

The Syon Park London/A Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. It is west of London, perhaps 15-30 minutes by car from Kensington, and east of Heathrow. It opened in March and is located on the 400 acre estate of the Duke of Northumberland. The reviews are correct - the outside could be any motel; red brick and architecturally dull. However, the inside is lovely; the room is about the size of 2 DCL staterooms (about 400-500 sf). Bath, separate shower, TV over the tub. Nice firm beds. Excellent soundproofing - have not heard one plane, although we can look out and see the every-30-seconds plane in the Heathrow flight path. The Great Getaway package I booked was GBP 149 including breakfast (parking is free in front of the hotel - flat lot)

Ken is the master packer, so I just gather everything together and he has to fit it ALL in! He packs so well, that we always do our packing that way!

That's nice to have a handy partner in life.

 

[IansGran]

Now that THE WEEK has arrived, just wanted to wish all those travelling a safe jouney. Fair winds and following seas. Charlie and Jean

 

[Donaldcp98]

Delta, right? We found out that the JFK-BCN flight on Wednesday is overbooked by 20, and that was eight days prior to the flight. That is when Curt started getting worried. We really did not expect flights to be packed during this timeframe! What other routings are you looking at?

Oh crikey ... you poor things Just take care and keep calm and hopefully you will ge tsome flights sorted as soon as possible. Sending for safe travels

I hope everything works out for you

I just looked at the www.1800flyeurope.com site and you could get one way tickets on either Wed or Thurs for $650 pp to BCN from Orlando with one stop. You do have to change airports in London, but maybe take advantage of a little sightseeing there. I booked thru them and was pleased with my price.

Oh no! I hope you can find something else - what are your other options? You could also take the train from Milan or perhaps Lisbon?? Or fly out of Tampa, Miami or Fort Myers?

Thank you for all of your kind words. After a good nights sleep several prayers and several deep breaths I have decided not to panic. It is out of our control anyway. If God doesn't want us on this trip we won't go, if he does something will work out.

Right now we have two options Boston and Pittsburg. Had do some deep searching to find those. Our problem is that because we are flying buddy passes we have to fly on Delta planes only not planes operated by Air France or anything like that so it really limits our choices. I would hate to have to buy a full fare ticket now but if we have no choice then we will.

Keep in mind one thing (One of my friends called on this) what you guys see when you go to sites like Expedia, 1800flyeurope or anything like that is you are seeing availability on what they are trying to sell and they always try to oversell. When our flight attendant friend looks on her site she see what is really there and how many standby are already on the list. So like the flight from Cinci is not technically oversold as of Saturday it still had like 5 seats to sell but there were 13 of us on the standby list and we were like number 11 and 12. So very little chance of getting on that flight that day.

On the plus side. We got all of our packing done yesterday except for a few last minute items. I get through today and tomorrow and then let the adventures begin.