The MAGIC is Back!!! ~ WBTA 2014 ~ Come & join the fun!

[wayneg]

We are watching also. I like the song from Denmark.

Yeah, I picked the winner.

 

[gpb_1]

Yeah, I picked the winner.

In Eurovision are there really any winners ;-)

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Cruise prep weekend for us. Lots to organise and a very little time to do it in. And some sunshine would be a nice touch to the weekend as well please as it is May!

Enjoy your cruise prep ... not long now

No sunshine here ... miserable day again weather-wise so no car boot selling for us. Hopefully next week.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

If you fly with EasyJet, think of your bagage allowance. You have to pay for your luggage and you have to book it before you check inn. Look good at the terms.

Thank you for the tip about EasyJet. Looked a little more and you are correct, they add a ton of fees. Looked at fares from Paris to Barcelona on Kayak for roughly the same timeframe this year and there were several choices on other airlines like AirFrance, Delta, etc.

Baggage will be something I need to think about. I'm going to be gone for at least three weeks and don't want to have to do laundry several times. So will have to figure out how and what to pack to keep it reasonable. I had figured I'd take a carry-on and two bags.

For those who have done long trips like this before - what did you end up taking for baggage in terms of number of bags? (and I don't EVEN want to hear from those who manage with a backpack for the whole thing! )

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Thank you for the tip about EasyJet. Looked a little more and you are correct, they add a ton of fees. Looked at fares from Paris to Barcelona on Kayak for roughly the same timeframe this year and there were several choices on other airlines like AirFrance, Delta, etc.

Baggage will be something I need to think about. I'm going to be gone for at least three weeks and don't want to have to do laundry several times. So will have to figure out how and what to pack to keep it reasonable. I had figured I'd take a carry-on and two bags.

For those who have done long trips like this before - what did you end up taking for baggage in terms of number of bags? (and I don't EVEN want to hear from those who manage with a backpack for the whole thing! )

We tend to take a 20kg bag each, plus a carry on filled with heavier stuff like shoes. We have to fly budget airlines from our local airport to get to and from Barcelona so we will be stung with baggage fees otherwise, so one bag each it is, and we have managed ok on 2 transatlantic cruises so far. I tend to do one set of laundry half way through the cruise.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Okay, I can see I'm really going to have to look at packing methods. Actually I should just pay my best friend to teach me how she does it. She can go on a 7 night cruise with just a carry-on and she still has plenty of stuff! I know she does the bundle method, but I'm also going to look at the packing cubes.

For me, this is likely to be at least a 3 week (or more) trip. Looking at spending three days in Paris, three days in Barcelona, and then the 14 day cruise. A possibility of a couple of days in San Juan. Guess doing some laundry on the ship is in the cards.

Maybe the key is to watch the extras? (i.e. shampoos, toiletry items, etc.) So my question is: In Barcelona are there places like a CVS or a reasonable retail store where one could get toiletry items at a reasonable price?

So trips or tricks for us newbie long-trip travelers? Looks like the European airlines are much stricter on the carry-on allowance size and weight than in the US!

 

[MedicGoofy]

Welcome to all the cruisers!! It will be great to get to know all of you through here and the FB group over the next bunch of months

Hazel and Annie, hope you guys have a fantastic upcoming cruise! And, that your weather starts to brighten. It has been beautiful here for the last couple of days. Hitting around 75 during the day, and then dropping to about 50 at night. Not so bad, unless you work nights

I'm with Holly on the whole flying and weight limits for luggage. Im Canadian but will be flying both out and back into the US. Much much cheaper and easier for me. Any tips on how to pack semi-lightly would be greatly appreciated BUT, I know I'm going to end up with 2 pieces plus a carry on.

Anybody have any insight on Aer Lingus? That's who I will be flying out of NY with, most likely.

This is shaping up to be the most fantastic trip....can't wait

Jenn

 

[karrit2000]

Hey Karyn,
Where on Long Island are you from?
I grew up in Deer Park and DH grew up in Central Islip. Combined,we've lived on Fire Island,Bayport/Bluepoint, Syosset and Hampton Bays for the last 15 years(we're putting that house up for sale if anyone is interested!!!!!).

We'll be full timers in Key West as of the Fall,so we're even looking into not only more cruises-4 on DCL so far-but maybe even getting annual passes to WDW.

We're doing the Wine/Dine 5k this November-still breaking in my two new feet(multiple surgeries are now done!)

I live in Hicksville. Been here most of my 50+ years. I'm planning to be at WDW for the last 2 weeks of F & W so we may have to plan to meet up while I'm there. I've had AP's for many years now being a DVC Member & all.

I'm in the planning stages with another cruiser to come into Paris for a few days and then go to Barcelona for three days before the cruise. What we haven't decided yet is how long in Paris, and whether we will stay near Disneyland Paris or in Paris itself. Then we'll take a plane to Barcelona. I think we'll use EasyJet.

As for the flight from the US, I am looking at booking a one way ticket using either 800FlyEurope or utilizing the SkyScanner site. One ways are not necessarily as much as round trips. You do need to have proof you are leaving the country (such as your cruise documents, etc.) when booking a one way.

Not sure about what to expect going from one European country to another. However, I suspect as long as you have the proper documentation it's pretty straightforward?

Cristi & I are planning to Fly in to Paris to do DLP for a couple of days. We will probably fly out of NYC on Saturday night & arrive in Paris on Sunday. Stay awake on Sunday for as long as we can before we crash. I'm planning to use some of my DVC points to book one of the DLP hotels. Right now I'm thing of the one that looks similar to the Yacht Club at WDW. Spending Monday & Tuesday seeing DLP then on Wednesday fly from Paris to Barcelona. So we'll have all day Thursday & Friday to see the sights in Barcelona before the cruise.

Welcome to all the cruisers!! It will be great to get to know all of you through here and the FB group over the next bunch of months

I'm with Holly on the whole flying and weight limits for luggage. Im Canadian but will be flying both out and back into the US. Much much cheaper and easier for me. Any tips on how to pack semi-lightly would be greatly appreciated BUT, I know I'm going to end up with 2 pieces plus a carry on.

Anybody have any insight on Aer Lingus? That's who I will be flying out of NY with, most likely.

This is shaping up to be the most fantastic trip....can't wait

Jenn

I'm not good at the whole packing lightly thing and neither is Cristi. I'll definitely have two bags & a carry-on. But my biggest bag is currently a 25 inch one. If I go bigger they end up being overweight so I find it easier to limit the overall size. Right now we are planning to use FF Miles to get to Paris via American Airlines.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Cristi & I are planning to Fly in to Paris to do DLP for a couple of days. We will probably fly out of NYC on Saturday night & arrive in Paris on Sunday. Stay awake on Sunday for as long as we can before we crash. I'm planning t use some of my DVC points to book one of the DLP hotels. Right now I'm thing of the one that looks similar to the Yacht Club at WDW. Spending Monday & Tuesday seeing DLP then on Wednesday fly from Paris to Barcelona. So we'll have all day Thursday & Friday to see the sights in Barcelona before the cruise.

That's pretty much the same time frame that Jenn and I are looking at. We already have Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights booked in Barcelona. We're talking about how long and where to stay in DLP. We have been thinking of three nights. Although we do want to go into Paris itself to see the Eiffel Tower and maybe experience one of the outdoor cafes.

 

[hazelandannie]

Well it's gone midnight here and I can't sleep. I'm so excited that I can now say (as it's Monday now) that were gonna see the magic next week.
Poor Annie has been waiting for me to get excited as I'm one of those people who have to keep it contained otherwise I peak to early.
It's my birthday on Tuesday and my mums at the end of the week so a few things to keep me distracted.
I love Duffy bear and Annmarie has made me a Fab Duffy bear fleece and got also made me a T-shirt and I'm chuffed to bits.

I'm going to miss you lot my friends and will surely be looking for Mel near the Mickey pool and Paul into the smoking area,Claire/Sarah /Mary sitting up in the seating area drinking champers of an evening, Karen coming from a quiz,sarah/mandy/dawn/Paul with their amazzing families and my fabulous table mates..if I missed you out it's because it's late and besides I'm almost another year older and I lost another brain cell lol.

Also I'm looking forwaed to meeting all you new people (new to me) x x x

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Have a great cruise, and Happy Birthday!

Take lots of photos!

 

[nannylori]

I live in Hicksville. Been here most of my 50+ years. I'm planning to be at WDW for the last 2 weeks of F & W so we may have to plan to meet up while I'm there. I've had AP's for many years now being a DVC Member & all.



Cristi & I are planning to Fly in to Paris to do DLP for a couple of days. We will probably fly out of NYC on Saturday night & arrive in Paris on Sunday. Stay awake on Sunday for as long as we can before we crash. I'm planning to use some of my DVC points to book one of the DLP hotels. Right now I'm thing of the one that looks similar to the Yacht Club at WDW. Spending Monday & Tuesday seeing DLP then on Wednesday fly from Paris to Barcelona. So we'll have all day Thursday & Friday to see the sights in Barcelona before the cruise.





I'm not good at the whole packing lightly thing and neither is Cristi. I'll definitely have two bags & a carry-on. But my biggest bag is currently a 25 inch one. If I go bigger they end up being overweight so I find it easier to limit the overall size. Right now we are planning to use FF Miles to get to Paris via American Airlines.

We'll definitely have to meet up.
DH & I haven't been to WDW in about 12 years,so November will be extra exciting for us.

After writing out an entire page of various scenerios,it looks like getting AP's makes alot of sense.Seems like making at least two visits a year makes it very worthwhile.

Also,DH & I haven't flown overseas for 13 years & it was always chaperoning students. We have NO IDEA of luggage weight rules and everything else that goes along with packing for Europe. I'm feeling so out of the loop!!! I've got alot of studying up to do!!!!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Okay, I can see I'm really going to have to look at packing methods. Actually I should just pay my best friend to teach me how she does it. She can go on a 7 night cruise with just a carry-on and she still has plenty of stuff! I know she does the bundle method, but I'm also going to look at the packing cubes.

For me, this is likely to be at least a 3 week (or more) trip. Looking at spending three days in Paris, three days in Barcelona, and then the 14 day cruise. A possibility of a couple of days in San Juan. Guess doing some laundry on the ship is in the cards.

Maybe the key is to watch the extras? (i.e. shampoos, toiletry items, etc.) So my question is: In Barcelona are there places like a CVS or a reasonable retail store where one could get toiletry items at a reasonable price?

So trips or tricks for us newbie long-trip travelers? Looks like the European airlines are much stricter on the carry-on allowance size and weight than in the US!

I always restrict the toiletries as they can be heavy items and they can't go in carry on luggage. In the past I have bought tolietries in barcelona in El Corte Ingles supermarket on Placa Catalunya and then stocked up on most of the stuff I need at Morrisons in Gibraltar. This time we won't have the benefit of Morrisons, but hopefully will be able to pick up stuff in Tenerife as they cater for a lot of UK travellers. Otherwise I will just be using travel size toiletries and hoping they last out !!

Well it's gone midnight here and I can't sleep. I'm so excited that I can now say (as it's Monday now) that were gonna see the magic next week.
Poor Annie has been waiting for me to get excited as I'm one of those people who have to keep it contained otherwise I peak to early.
It's my birthday on Tuesday and my mums at the end of the week so a few things to keep me distracted.
I love Duffy bear and Annmarie has made me a Fab Duffy bear fleece and got also made me a T-shirt and I'm chuffed to bits.

I'm going to miss you lot my friends and will surely be looking for Mel near the Mickey pool and Paul into the smoking area,Claire/Sarah /Mary sitting up in the seating area drinking champers of an evening, Karen coming from a quiz,sarah/mandy/dawn/Paul with their amazzing families and my fabulous table mates..if I missed you out it's because it's late and besides I'm almost another year older and I lost another brain cell lol.

Also I'm looking forwaed to meeting all you new people (new to me) x x x

Pleased to hear you are excited
I will miss being in my usual spot drinking champers aswell ... at least Mary and Claire will be out there the week after you guys. Have a lovely birthday and a very exciting cruise build up week

 

[PFlamingo]

Haven't been here in a while. Wow, everyone got chatty!

Welcome to all the new cruisers! We're going to have a blast on this trip!

As for packing... I didn't even try to travel light. With two formal nights, one semi-formal, one Pirate night, and a husband who actually enjoys dressing up, I was absolutely *not* giving up my pretty dresses and cute shoes. I got a super-cheap airfare (under $600, one way, Orlando to Barca) that allowed one 50lb bag and one carry-on. I paid $50 to bring an extra bag and it was absolutely worth it to me. My carry-on was the maximum size I could bring and my "purse" was almost as big as my carry-on. I used packing cubes to organize, but had to be careful to stay under the weight limit. When we weighed our bags at the airport, they were just under 50 lbs. Like, 49.5 lbs.

As for toiletries, I brought some travel-size shampoo and lotion, because the hotel and the ship supplied everything I needed. So I had room for toothpaste and make-up (the really important stuff) and anything the ship didn't supply.

So there you go. I'd rather pay extra for a bag than leave all my stuff behind. I'm not sure how I'll do it this time, since we'll have the added flight home from San Juan. We drove to Orlando last time, let the car at my parents' house and had them pick us up at PC. But, I'll think of something!

 

[babydiver]

SAW THIS ON THE FB PAGE FOR THE CRUISE AFTER THIS AND THOUGHT I WOULD COPY AND PASTE THIS ON HERE - IT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULD ALL BE AWARE OF COMING BACK FROM PUERTO RICO.

Since we are talking about San Juan airport, just a reminder that bags need to go through Agriculture Inspection at the airport when you are flying back home (for US destinations anyway, I'm not sure about other destinations) . I would recommend you do this before getting in line to check in for your airline on your flight back home. If you check-in first, you won't be able to give them your bags without the Ag inspection stickers on them. The airline will tell you that you have to have your bags inspected before they can check them. Much better to inspect them first, then check in. The Ag Inspection area is usually marked pretty well.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

I had already figured on paying an extra bag charge from Orlando. Figured it'd be worth it. Since I'll likely be able to fly Southwest back from San Juan, at the moment they still allow two checked bags per ticket.

It's the Paris to Barcelona stretch that has me thinking as it seems European airlines are stricter. Still, I think I'm going to just figure on budgeting it in for two bags, just will try to make sure they are not heavy. I think it's 50 pounds for US, but only 46 for European. I think carry-on size is smaller European too...

 

[TotallyAngelic]

I had already figured on paying an extra bag charge from Orlando. Figured it'd be worth it. Since I'll likely be able to fly Southwest back from San Juan, at the moment they still allow two checked bags per ticket.

It's the Paris to Barcelona stretch that has me thinking as it seems European airlines are stricter. Still, I think I'm going to just figure on budgeting it in for two bags, just will try to make sure they are not heavy. I think it's 50 pounds for US, but only 46 for European. I think carry-on size is smaller European too...

We tend to work in kilos over here and in most budget airlines they allow 20 kg per bag. I have the biggest allowable carry on size and I make sure I use every inch

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

We tend to work in kilos over here and in most budget airlines they allow 20 kg per bag. I have the biggest allowable carry on size and I make sure I use every inch

Yeah, I did the conversion from Kilo to pounds and 20 K = 44.0925 - so actually less than I quoted. 44 pounds...

I'll have to figure out in inches that they allow in carry-on. I THINK that it equates to about a 24 inch carry-on which is pretty normal sized for the US. Canada is probably pretty close to the US limits.

 

[Shazzie B]

Just booked, just DH & myself travelling - 1st trip in 21 years without the kids. DH's 50th birthday treat. This will be our 1st cruise so I'll be looking for lots of helpful tips please.

We booked after reading Wayneg's thread on the UK forum - I'm not a stalker honest Wayne Look forward to meeting you all

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Just booked, just DH & myself travelling - 1st trip in 21 years without the kids. DH's 50th birthday treat. This will be our 1st cruise so I'll be looking for lots of helpful tips please.

We booked after reading Wayneg's thread on the UK forum - I'm not a stalker honest Wayne Look forward to meeting you all

Welcome aboard .... look forward to meeting you It is my 50th birthday cruise too