*Sept 10th 2011 WB Transatlantic* From Spain to Space Mountain-Taking the Magic Home

[Chirpee]

As I'm trying to figure out what hotel to stay in a thought has occured to me. Would it make it easier/more fun if we knew where everyone was staying? I'd be willing to organize a list of what people are staying in which hotel if everyone wants me too. Just PM me with your disname and hotel. If it's ok maybe we could post it on the first page.

Thanks for organizing this! Have sent you a PM.

 

[MandyGirl]

What are people doing in St. Marten? Only thing on DH's list is to see the planes take off (no fence hanging, though...don't have extreme sport coverage on our travel insurance). We'll watch from the beach bar!

Thanks to all of you organizers...the rest of us really do appreciate your time and effort .

I think that is our shopping day. We have been to that beach (Maho) and it is GREAT! The sand really pelts you, so beware. Sunset Beach Bar is a great place to hang out and watch the planes from - that is where we hung out. Pretty much zero shade though...

Honestly, one of the most fun activities was doing the FE/Secret Mickey exchange on last year's EBTA (plenty of time to do this on a 14-day cruise). But our favorite was the spa's Exotic Rasul (definitely great for a couple ). The game shows were also a riot, definitely good for a few .

We did the Exotic Rasul on Celebrity several years ago. I loved it (totally into spas) but it COMPLETELY wiped Curt out! Heat, mud, steam. Still want to coerce him into it again. Maybe I can tell him it would be cheaper than a mud wrap of me going by myself....

 

[JessicasMom]

When we get to St Maarten, I am heading to the shop of the Yoda Guy. Nick Maley is the creator of the YODA character in the "Star Wars" movies. He has an incredible shop and gallery, where you can look/purchase lithos signed by him. He is often in the shop and takes the time to greet guests.

Five yrs ago, we purchased a litho for one of our dd,who loves all things Star Wars. He was in England at the time for a funeral, but we left our dd name and address, and 3 weeks later she received a note from him to her personally. If you enjoy Star Wars, this might be a St Maarten consideration. Caroline

Oh my goodness, you've just made my DD extremely happy (she just doesn't know it yet). She's been a SW fan seemingly forever and will be thrilled about this. I've always said I had a son and a daughter all in one...she's a total geek (I say that lovingly) who works for an online videogame company but also loves girlie-girl things like sewing, decorating, and fashion. She'd kill me if she knew I was talking about her ! But you truly couldn't have given me a better piece of info .

 

[PFlamingo]

I can hardly believe that's the same person! What a great costume and make-up. Yes, that scavenger hunt (a part of the nighttime adult cabaret in Rockin' Bar D) is fun. So is match your mate (especially when you get a DISboard couple up there so you feel a connection) and just the general comedy acts.

Thanks! Dennis and I love to do theatre - in fact, we met when we were in a play at our community theatre. Give me an excuse to put on a costume and makeup and act crazy, and I'll take it!

At MNSSHP, I was "looking for my next late husband" and Dennis was my caterer. He works part time for a caterer in town, so he just wore his "sous chef gear" for his costume. I bought my dress online and added the other bits from the local party stores.

 

[JessicasMom]

I think that is our shopping day. We have been to that beach (Maho) and it is GREAT! The sand really pelts you, so beware. Sunset Beach Bar is a great place to hang out and watch the planes from - that is where we hung out. Pretty much zero shade though...

Thanks for the info...sounds fun (but sunny).

We did the Exotic Rasul on Celebrity several years ago. I loved it (totally into spas) but it COMPLETELY wiped Curt out! Heat, mud, steam. Still want to coerce him into it again. Maybe I can tell him it would be cheaper than a mud wrap of me going by myself....

It seems the Rasul is different on each line. Disney's has separate spaces; the small steamroom is hot (temp. can be adjusted a bit) and the other space is a tiled area with open shower and a bench where the various products and towels are laid out...much more comfortable temp. I'm not a spa person at all, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves (and our skin felt soft for days). I surprised Larry with this, not telling him until the day we sailed; he had no idea what to expect (and wasn't crazy about the idea of mud, scrubs, etc, until we used them!) but now he's already talking about how many times we'll book on this sailing.

 

[squitty]

When we get to St Maarten, I am heading to the shop of the Yoda Guy. Nick Maley is the creator of the YODA character in the "Star Wars" movies. He has an incredible shop and gallery, where you can look/purchase lithos signed by him. He is often in the shop and takes the time to greet guests.

Five yrs ago, we purchased a litho for one of our dd,who loves all things Star Wars. He was in England at the time for a funeral, but we left our dd name and address, and 3 weeks later she received a note from him to her personally. If you enjoy Star Wars, this might be a St Maarten consideration. Caroline

You've just made another very happy with this info. DH is a massive Star Wars fan and would love to visit this shop.

Things we enjoyed on our cruises? Um, everything?

(this was at MNSSHP)

I really love doing crazy things like that. I'm not shy - or proud.

And of course, we loved, loved, loved Castaway Cay, and sitting on our veranda drinking champagne in the evenings and coffee in the mornings! Those things never get old. I can't believe we get 14 days of that!

Costumes are fab Pat
I really wish we'd booked a cabin with a verandah now

(2) There are treats in Cove Cafe (scones, cakes, olives, crackers, sometimes chocolate-covered strawberries) that are free. Just walk in and serve yourself (this is an 18+ area)

(3) Nighttime watching anything on the Ariel jumbotron.

(4) making ice cream sodas with soft-serve and Hershey's syrup from the station next to Goofy's Galley (starboard, aft, just forward of Topsiders/Beach Blanket) and the cream and soda water from the drink station

These are all on the 'to do' list

 

[Tod&Copper]

What are people doing in St. Marten? Only thing on DH's list is to see the planes take off (no fence hanging, though...don't have extreme sport coverage on our travel insurance). We'll watch from the beach bar!

Thanks to all of you organizers...the rest of us really do appreciate your time and effort .

We hired a car last year and went to Maho Beach to watch the aircraft. It was great fun. We didn't get involved in the whole getting blown across the beach and hanging onto the fence, but sat at the Sunset Bar and got loads of great photos.

It really was a fun day out, it is amazing seeing the aircraft flying so low.

We just wandered up the town in the afternoon, with the compulsory trip to Diamonds International how much do I love my DH lol

You have to be careful if you go across to Maho Beach as apparently the bridge opens in the afternoon to let the shipping traffic through and holds up all the vehicles in the process. All the websites warn you to get back across to the main town as early as possible in the afternoon so that you don't get stuck in the traffic and miss ship boarding time... apparently its happened before

We had no trouble, we waited until we saw a 747 and then left to be on the safe side.

All in all a fantastic day

 

[granmaz]

Good morning all.

 

[squitty]

We hired a car last year and went to Maho Beach to watch the aircraft. It was great fun. We didn't get involved in the whole getting blown across the beach and hanging onto the fence, but sat at the Sunset Bar and got loads of great photos.

It really was a fun day out, it is amazing seeing the aircraft flying so low.

We just wandered up the town in the afternoon, with the compulsory trip to Diamonds International how much do I love my DH lol

You have to be careful if you go across to Maho Beach as apparently the bridge opens in the afternoon to let the shipping traffic through and holds up all the vehicles in the process. All the websites warn you to get back across to the main town as early as possible in the afternoon so that you don't get stuck in the traffic and miss ship boarding time... apparently its happened before

We had no trouble, we waited until we saw a 747 and then left to be on the safe side.

All in all a fantastic day

You did exactly what we want to do at St Marteen Mary, well all except hiring a car

 

[Tod&Copper]

Just for enjoyment reading......for all you fellow cruisers.....what would you say was your most enjoyable memory/activity you did on previous Disney cruises? Was there a little known joy you discovered on the trip that you could share with everyone? Like maybe a "sleeper" event that most people would bypass thinking it wasn't worth trying or a place on the ship that you think everyone should try at least once.

I'm just curious because I have found some of the most special/enjoyable things I have done in the past were based on what other people recommended that maybe wasn't in a tour book or talked about a lot. The little things in life can wind up being the most pleasureable!

The entertainment we had on the last WBTA blew us away, we thought it was amazing. Bumping into celebrities whilst buying a t-shirt in treasure ketch and chatting to Paige Hemmis was wonderful. I have never seen Stevie starstruck before lol.

When I heard Jodi Benson singing "Part of your World" I had tears in my eyes and goosebumps listening to the song it was absolutely astounding and I will never forget it. Little Mermaid was one of my DD's favourite classics and we watched it so many times together whilst she was growing up, I was really sad she wasn't there to hear it herself, which was probably another reason why I choked up so much.

Again, meeting Don Ducky Williams was amazing, what a lovely man.

I hope this year's WBTA bring as many special moments

Gosh, the photos remind me of how the clothes were all groaning by the end of last year's WBTA memo to me - remember to lose a stone before going on the cruise this year !!

 

[Tod&Copper]

You did exactly what we want to do at St Marteen Mary, well all except hiring a car

Some pictures from Maho Beach

You can see Lynne (Orlandothebeagle) lying on the sand. She got blown across the sand and just gave up and took cover! The photos really do not do it justice, it is really an hilarious must see for yourself !!

St Maarten was a scorching hot day last year

 

[squitty]

Some pictures from Maho Beach

You can see Lynne (Orlandothebeagle) lying on the sand. She got blown across the sand and just gave up and took cover! The photos really do not do it justice, it is really an hilarious must see for yourself !!

St Maarten was a scorching hot day last year

Fantastic Thank you so much for sharing. I am so excited.

 

[Tod&Copper]

Fantastic Thank you so much for sharing. I am so excited.

I know and my ticker factory app says we still have 5 months 2 weeks and 2 days to wait

 

[karentan]

trying to get the new thread sorted, i've PM'd people organising the activities/various lists going on. have i missed anyone?
pflamingo - FE
pinky166 - scrapbooking exchange, champagne girls, ladies palo tea
totallyangelic - gibraltar dolphin excursion
namsupak - list of who's staying where in barcelona
birkner - lanyards, pins, madiera tour
cliffy97 - linked dining
goofieslonglostsis - candy swap
mandygirl - tortola excursion, pyjama breakfast
pixiedustforme - t shirts

is that everyone?

 

[karentan]

I know and my ticker factory app says we still have 5 months 2 weeks and 2 days to wait

man, that still seems ages away!

 

[karentan]

just been looking at the FE list, and realise delivery is going to be pretty easy:
8 cabins on deck 6 - most of which are grouped into two small areas
4 cabins on deck 5 so far - 3 within about 50 yards of each other!
4 cabins on deck 7 - again 3 within about 50 yards!
2 cabins on deck 1 - about ten cabins away from each other

 

[melonz]

Wow, plane spotting looks amazing. That is definitely going on my list of things to do

Can I ask...is there free WIFI on the cruise or should I just leave laptop at home?

Also, do you have to pay for water on board?

 

[Tod&Copper]

Wow, plane spotting looks amazing. That is definitely going on my list of things to do

Can I ask...is there free WIFI on the cruise or should I just leave laptop at home?

Also, do you have to pay for water on board?

There is a charge for wifi onboard. We don't usually take ours, as it's more weight. Someone might be able to post the costs for you. You can do it by the minute or buy a package that is a bit better value.

If you check out the first page it let's you know the port free wifi spots. There is an Internet cafe onboard you can use too, which is the same charge as using your own laptop.

Water is available from the free drinks station, but you can buy a bottled water package if you would prefer that

 

[Dgentrysim]

Honestly, one of the most fun activities was doing the FE/Secret Mickey exchange on last year's EBTA (plenty of time to do this on a 14-day cruise). But our favorite was the spa's Exotic Rasul (definitely great for a couple ). The game shows were also a riot, definitely good for a few .

We enjoyed the games shows too at Rockin D Bar! We went there just about every night after dinner.

We also will be watching the planes land too......watching from the bar sounds like an excellent choice!

 

[csgraves]

Honestly, one of the most fun activities was doing the FE/Secret Mickey exchange on last year's EBTA (plenty of time to do this on a 14-day cruise). But our favorite was the spa's Exotic Rasul (definitely great for a couple ). The game shows were also a riot, definitely good for a few .

Can you explain what the spa "Exotic Rasul" is?