The MAGIC is Back!!! - 6th Sept 2014 WBTA - Come & join the fun! - PART 2

[liesbeth1012]

Hi we are also flying the same day we are arriving in san juan but will love to show my kids the old town, have you find a place to leave the luggage?
or you know how far the airport is so i can dispatch and then return?
thank you!!

Hi,
I just saw your post. I don't know yet where we can store our luggage. Someone (don't know who) said that there were possibilities. Airport is not far from harbour, but I found a double taxi drive too much. Hope to see the old town too.
I know there are a lot more that have the evening flight back to Frankfurt.

 

[CDNDisneyMom]

Just letting everyone know that I have taken over the FE. If you would like to join the FE or the Secret Mickey please pm me.

 

[NHPixidust]

Just letting everyone know that I have taken over the FE. If you would like to join the FE or the Secret Mickey please pm me.

Hi CDNDisneyMom-
Do we know yet how the FE will be done. Will it broken up into smaller groups? I haven't signed up just yet but considering it.
Thanks!
Renee'

 

[CDNDisneyMom]

Hi CDNDisneyMom-
Do we know yet how the FE will be done. Will it broken up into smaller groups? I haven't signed up just yet but considering it.
Thanks!
Renee'

Yes it will be broken down into groups of approx. 18-20 staterooms per group and people will have the option of being in more than one group.

 

[Namsupak]

Paid in full, airfare booked, now just deciding on a pre-cruise hotel. Hopefully for some beach time.

 

[Wedgeh]

Do people arrange group excursion bookings independantly on the DIS? The markup on the Disney ones seems pretty large, at least for some.

 

[annichan]

Do people arrange group excursion bookings independantly on the DIS? The markup on the Disney ones seems pretty large, at least for some.

DH and I will do Malaga and Santa Cruz de Tenerife on our own without any excursions, and have booked with Bernards Tours for St Maarten ... but I am anxiously waiting for DCL to post their Antigua and St Kitts excursions!

 

[NJA]

We be flying the day of the cruise.

 

[MandyGirl]

Yes it will be broken down into groups of approx. 18-20 staterooms per group and people will have the option of being in more than one group.

Do you plan to post an updated list so we can make sure we are on it and didn't just dream we signed up a while back? Or is PM'ing you to ask the best plan? Thank you!

Do people arrange group excursion bookings independantly on the DIS? The markup on the Disney ones seems pretty large, at least for some.

I have coordinated on past cruises as it worked out to be a much better rate per person. I had not seen anyone expressing any interest this time until your post (and I've been on this thread since day one). One transatlantic we had 75 people broken into three groups for a port for a DIS excursion. Med cruises with a port-intensive itinerary were definitely utilized for group excursions and cost savings. So far I am only coordinating the Palo Group brunch on page one of this thread - just had not seen anyone posting interest in group excursions with this WBTA.

DH and I will do Malaga and Santa Cruz de Tenerife on our own without any excursions, and have booked with Bernards Tours for St Maarten ... but I am anxiously waiting for DCL to post their Antigua and St Kitts excursions!

You will like Bernards Tours. We have been to St Maarten several times but for the first time we actually did his tour on the last WBTA. Learned a lot about the island. Had some beach time at Orient, sightseeing, lunch time on the French side, then time at Maho Beach to watch planes landing at SXM.

 

[Claire4dpins]

Do people arrange group excursion bookings independantly on the DIS? The markup on the Disney ones seems pretty large, at least for some.

We are thinking about excursions too -- we plan to do at least one with Disney -- perhaps a couple -- not sure yet -- we have never been on a cruise -- so feel we should give the organized excursions at least one try. For Tenerife, we are thinking of getting a car to drive to Mount Tide ourselves -- not sure. Otherwise, no idea -- I thought we had Malaga sorted as I love historical things and wanted to go to see the Roman theatre , Alcazaba & Castle Gilbrafaro -- most of which seemed walkable from the pier -- that was before I realized that they are CLOSED ON MONDAYS = a disappointed me and not sure what to do now.
No idea on the Caribbean at all -- we are not really beach people.

I have coordinated on past cruises as it worked out to be a much better rate per person. I had not seen anyone expressing any interest this time until your post (and I've been on this thread since day one). One transatlantic we had 75 people broken into three groups for a port for a DIS excursion. Med cruises with a port-intensive itinerary were definitely utilized for group excursions and cost savings. So far I am only coordinating the Palo Group brunch on page one of this thread - just had not seen anyone posting interest in group excursions with this WBTA.

I had assumed that with this being such a long standing thread (or threads) -- plus with loads of people who had cruised together in the past -- that some private groups might have been sorted out long before we booked. We are interested if anyone does start planning a couple of group things -- though perhaps that will not happen at this 'late' stage. It must be quite a bit of co-coordinating for who ever is the organizer.

DH and I will do Malaga and Santa Cruz de Tenerife on our own without any excursions, and have booked with Bernards Tours for St Maarten ... but I am anxiously waiting for DCL to post their Antigua and St Kitts excursions!

I had seen that Bernards was well-regarded on Trip Advisor -- what tour did you decide to go with annichan? Do you know if just two people can book with them -- (perhaps they add you to a bigger party) or does it need to be a bigger group than that?

So much to plan -- so little time -- it is 5 months today that we fly into Barcelona for a couple of nights before the cruise -- I imagine plenty of others must be the same. Exciting countdown!

 

[MandyGirl]

I had assumed that with this being such a long standing thread (or threads) -- plus with loads of people who had cruised together in the past -- that some private groups might have been sorted out long before we booked. We are interested if anyone does start planning a couple of group things -- though perhaps that will not happen at this 'late' stage. It must be quite a bit of co-coordinating for who ever is the organizer.

It is definitely not too late at all! Definitely very do-able. This has been quite the unique thread to say the least. I was away for a 5-week trip last year (was not online here) and came back to find crazy drama had been going on. Anyway, I think it has all since settled, but also many have since left DISboards, cancelled the cruise, gone into lurking-mode, started new groups in other forums, etc. This is a very quiet rollcall compared to the other two Disney transatlantics I have been on. I would so love to have a unified DIS group again - they have been spectacular on our previous DCL cruises. I do pray our Palo brunch that is on page one works out as what I learned during that drama someone had said they were starting their own Palo brunch groups to beat us to the punch in making the private room request, so all my work for that (since Feb 2013) may be for nothing anyway (which is why we each still snag our own Palo brunch times when that opens because DCL won't do group room requests until 30 days prior). It's just super hard work for organizers to put something together, then someone (without every saying one single word to the organizer) turn around and undermine them. We have had spectacular DIS group excursions in the past and I would love to help get something like that going here if there was interest. It is easy to coordinate if in one venue for organizing.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

I haven't really done much planning yet, but I would love to do some sort of private van or car tour of Tenerife. I don't want to drive on my own because I'm not familiar with the island and I don't want to risk missing the ship.

I will be traveling with my 81 yr old mother and 2 sons ages 7 and 10, so if my mom is going with us (which she will in Tenerife and Malaga, most likely) I need to do things with the option, at least, to just sit and wait for everyone if there is walking involved. That is why I like the idea of getting with another family and doing a private tour. You can choose where you want to go, and my mom can always just stay in the van and read a book if she can't handle the climb/walk.

Last WBTA we teamed up with Namsupak and her family and did a 1/2 day van tour of Barcelona the morning of the cruise. We got in late Friday, so we had limited time to see the city and I wanted to get a quick tour of all the sights. It was really great because my kids loved spending time with her DD Lorelei and we could choose where we wanted to go and stay as long or as little as we liked. It was very relaxing. The other great thing is that we had them pick us up at the hotel and drop us off at the port, so we saved money on transfers that we put towards the tour. They also took us to a market and a liquor store to load up before getting on the ship. I believe I have that company's contact information if anyone wants it - they came highly recommended and they did a great job.

For Barcelona this time I am going to go back to a few of the places we saw that we didn't have time to explore and spend more time.

For Malaga I am not sure - either a van tour or pick one spot. Maybe go to Alhambra, but if I did that I would do it with DCL because I hear it is a long drive and I don't want to be left behind!

Tenerife, like I said, I haven't looked into it, but I would love to do a private van or small bus tour that takes us to the volcano but also gets us to spend some time just relaxing and soaking up the local flavors. Chances I will return to Tenerife are slim, so I am really willing to splurge to get to see and do as much as possible.

For all the Caribbean islands, I haven't really looked into those yet. Probably at least one just get to a beach and hang out, and then maybe do something more adventuresome (with just the boys) like snorkeling.

If anyone else sounds like they might want to do some similar things, and especially if you have kids or don't mind being around kids, let me know, maybe we can share a van and save some money.

 

[MagicMe]

I do pray our Palo brunch that is on page one works out as what I learned during that drama someone had said they were starting their own Palo brunch groups to beat us to the punch in making the private room request, so all my work for that (since Feb 2013) may be for nothing anyway (which is why we each still snag our own Palo brunch times when that opens because DCL won't do group room requests until 30 days prior). It's just super hard work for organizers to put something together, then someone (without every saying one single word to the organizer) turn around and undermine them. We have had spectacular DIS group excursions in the past and I would love to help get something like that going here if there was interest. It is easy to coordinate if in one venue for organizing.

Wow! I wasn't aware of someone forming their own Palo lunch group. That would really be rotten as you've put so much work into organizing all of us. I too had a fabulously organized experience on our 2010 WBTA with everyone getting along and we were on our 10th thread before sailing. Of course, that was prior to FB being so prevalent. Still, I find myself always migrating back to the DIS.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Wow! I wasn't aware of someone forming their own Palo lunch group. That would really be rotten as you've put so much work into organizing all of us. I too had a fabulously organized experience on our 2010 WBTA with everyone getting along and we were on our 10th thread before sailing. Of course, that was prior to FB being so prevalent. Still, I find myself always migrating back to the DIS.

Yeah, there was some drama here for a while, but fortunately it seems to have died down. If I don't say it enough, just want to be clear, I am really grateful to everyone who is organizing all these activities!!! Thanks!!!!

 

[annichan]

You will like Bernards Tours. We have been to St Maarten several times but for the first time we actually did his tour on the last WBTA. Learned a lot about the island. Had some beach time at Orient, sightseeing, lunch time on the French side, then time at Maho Beach to watch planes landing at SXM.

I am glad to hear that! This will be our first time on St Maarten, and I wanted a tour that gives us a little bit of everything, sightseeing, plane watching, and beach time (on a plane-free beach, that is )

I had seen that Bernards was well-regarded on Trip Advisor -- what tour did you decide to go with annichan? Do you know if just two people can book with them -- (perhaps they add you to a bigger party) or does it need to be a bigger group than that?

Yes, I have seen the good reviews on Trip Advisor too by now, but I first learned about Bernards by searching for "St Maarten tours" right here on the Dis
We are booked on their "Island Tour 2", with a drive round the island and stops both at Maho and Orient Beach. They do offer private tours for larger groups too, but this one can be booked by anybody (we're also just two people) and they will group everyone together.

Yeah, there was some drama here for a while, but fortunately it seems to have died down. If I don't say it enough, just want to be clear, I am really grateful to everyone who is organizing all these activities!!! Thanks!!!!

Absolutely! I would like to join in and also say thank you to all you organizers!!

 

[CDNDisneyMom]

Do you plan to post an updated list so we can make sure we are on it and didn't just dream we signed up a while back? Or is PM'ing you to ask the best plan? Thank you!

I will post an updated list on the 1st page once I receive the list from Pat.

 

[MandyGirl]

I will be traveling with my 81 yr old mother and 2 sons ages 7 and 10

Curt's mom just decided to join us about two weeks ago (mid 60s) so we are looking at what to do having the five of us now. At least our little one is going to be 4 for this WBTA and not 15 months old like last time Older one turns 8 two days prior to embarkation.

Wow! I wasn't aware of someone forming their own Palo lunch group. That would really be rotten as you've put so much work into organizing all of us. I too had a fabulously organized experience on our 2010 WBTA with everyone getting along and we were on our 10th thread before sailing. Of course, that was prior to FB being so prevalent. Still, I find myself always migrating back to the DIS.

I was following your 2010 thread in anticipation of our 2011 sailing! I was pregnant and due in June 2010... no way could we have done a cruise that close after birth (although I may have tried talking hubby into it! But obviously our daughter would not have been allowed to sail being under 3 months old so we pushed it to 2011). I learned a lot from your sailing to prepare for our's a year later. But yes - someone sent me a PM to let me know what she was doing. I believe she has since cancelled this cruise, but it just goes to show what some will stoop to. And that was a DIS person that knew very well our groups were already in the works and had been since about a day after opening booking day. Just things you never think would happen in such a happy place.

I will post an updated list on the 1st page once I receive the list from Pat.

Thank you very much!

If I don't say it enough, just want to be clear, I am really grateful to everyone who is organizing all these activities!!! Thanks!!!!

 

[offtoseemickey]

I love that we're chatting about port plans now.
I'm not really decided on anything in any of our ports. There's things that sound appealing, but not set on anything yet. I need more ideas and opinions

Michala

 

[WDW Princess 71]

I have private tours booked for Barcelona and Malaga, as well as a small group snorkeling trip in St. Maarten but haven't had any luck with st. Kitts and Antigua so far. Some of the operators I've contacted have said they are booked due to disney and other cruise ships in port already reserving them for excursions. So, although we normally stay away from cruise ship excursions we may have no choice for some of these islands. We shall see. I will keep researching and if all else fails will go with DCL.

 

[BearFan]

Hi everyone!

Just checking in after a long while away from the boards. DH Paul and I are so looking forward to meeting you all onboard. We'll be flying in from Chicago to Barcelona and will be arriving on Friday morning. We'll be staying at the Doubletree Barcelona and hopefully meeting up at the Hard Rock with many of you.
As far as t-shirts go, this WBTA doesn't seem to have anyone with the printing connections as the previous two we've been on ('07 and '10) but that's okay. If no one objects, I think that I may just grab the graphic from Page 1 and make my own shirts using a website like Zazzle.com. I'll try and do it soon so I can post pics on the thread for all to see the results. We still wear our past shirts and continually get positive comments on them with people even stopping up in the MK and asking us where they could buy them!

Lisa Marie