We'’re out of it! A summer 14 “MAGICal” Med adventure Day 14/Aug 05 updated 05/05

[KatMark]

More beautiful pictures of the ruins and glad you got the add on of the hillside houses. Stunning, Karin.

 

[Leshaface]

I know I read your past few updates and even took notes on it but don't see my reply? I'll try again!

That is really cool! Did it take long to get into the house? The line looks pretty long.

Are those pieces of fabric that hold the notes? Such a cool idea.

Woah, that coffee looks STRONG! Is it as strong as it looks? I'd definitely need some cream with that.

The price for all of this was UNDER 4 Euros.

Score! And for such yummy treats too

Yikes it looks packed!

We've come a long way haven't we

freshly excavated sights were just stunning

Very stunning, my goodness.

 

[Poolrat]

Needless to say that we had to take photos of those first public toilets as well.

Awesome.

All caught up and I have to say you are on a roll with 2 good tours and no drips from the AC.

 

[Flossbolna]

It certainly makes it easier to consider alternate trips to other non-Disney destinations.

Yes, like to Austria and Germany!!! I am sure that Karin will agree that you already have two fabulous tour guides lined up in both of these countries! You could even throw in a visit to DLP - no FP+ there (as of yet...)

 

[adc]

Just caught up! Amazing! Thank you for sharing. I'm sorry for all the disappointments, but it doesn't seem to ruin your good time.

That black cat at Ephesus...I wouldn't mess with her!

 

[jenseib]

Love the potty shots! lol!!!!!!

 

[perfectmatch300]

Karin, I haven't been here uch lately, but I had to see when you would be sailing for Tom's birthday cruise. I'm not sure if I will be waving at you via the webcam or if we will make it a Jetty Park beach day. One way or the other, I do not want to miss your sailaway!

My desktop is down right now and I am still having trouble getting a readable size font on my tablet so I will catch up on your TR's when I can use my desktop again. This squinting at my tablet simply isn't working for me, but I haven't forgotten about you. I will catch up when I can.

 

[dizneeat]

I can assure you the dates are set Approved by my boss and my DHs ....the resort I am trying ...

Great news!!!!!!!
Once we get closer to our trip we need to make arrangements to meet! Well, at the moment I am still putting finishing touches on Tom's birthday trip in two weeks. Should become a nice one.

Great update!! I think I'll keep my bathroom that is in serious need of cleaning instead of a public one.Now that I said that...I guess it is time to get to cleaning!!

Aren't those public toilets so interesting? - We had to take a photo, our guide was so proud pointing them out.

Okay, tried this new supposedly wonderful Multiquote function but like everything else in this new improved upgrade, it is a royal PITA!

Marv, it is pretty easy to multiquote - use the +quote on the right hand side, or highlight the part you want to quote and keep your mouse on it for a second - a window will pop up and you just select +quote. Then, at the end of the thread click the "Insert quotes" button and they will magically appear in a new window - accept that and you are done. Very easy.

Karin, I'll just say you had lots more wonderful and beautiful pics of places I would really like to visit one day!

RGirl, I couldn't agree more with your comments about prices, FP+, and the constant reduction in benefits and discounts for the huge number of people who have been loyal in choosing to spend their $$$ over the years on Disney trips. It certainly makes it easier to consider alternate trips to other non-Disney destinations.

All the ports were truly stunning and we were so lucky with our guide in Ephesus. He was awesome and pointed out every little detail.

Hm, alternative non Disney destinations - let's start the list with A - which country do I know that starts with A - oh Austria! Welcome and let us be your tourguides!

More beautiful pictures of the ruins and glad you got the add on of the hillside houses. Stunning, Karin.

Thank you, Kathy. It was a great day and we were so happy that we did make a point of visiting the houses as well. It was so interesting to see the excavation in process.

 

[podsnel]

We really love sea days, so relaxing and time to just enjoy the ship ..... and some tastings.



Somehow I cannot drink red wine at all any more. It never was my favourite, but I was able to drink it. Now it really makes my throat close up and it makes me pull funny faces.



There was something new they ran out of about every day ..... on a 12 night cruise.
And I am sure, it had to do with being in Europe. We talked to the bar tender in Keys and he said that they order "too late" and it takes ages for things to arrive and then they need to go through customs, which slows the process again. You would think they know when to order to restock.

Would we ever cruise on the Magic again?

Yes, we actually will return to the Magic in a little over 8 weeks. We have another stateroom and I hope NO issues with smells and they should be well stocked since we sail from their home port of PC.

Would I ever cruise on the Magic in the Med?

I do NOT think so. It was SO expensive and not only were they out of most of the stuff we liked, service was below "Disney" in several aspects.
Plus, there are lots of other lines who do the same ports.

Well, good- I am glad to hear you are giving her another shot! I am booked on her twice in the upcoming months- On Mother's Day for 5 nights, and then next February on a 4 night. I am very much hoping that everything you encountered being out of IS due to the Med. Although you WOULD think they would have the ordering thing figured out by now. I WILL say, the Moet Ice was done very differently on the Wonder last summer, and they told me that is how it is on the Magic, too- only by the bottle, never by the glass. But none at all? I think Joan and I would have to jump ship!

And where are YOUR funny face pics Miss Karin?? HMMMM?????

 

[podsnel]

I had no idea you could see Mary's house- that is absolutely fascinating!Your snack looked really good- was the Turkish bread like a bagel? It kind of looks like one.

I was unaware of the AP FP+ limit! Another thing that makes no sense!!! Who is making all of these horrible decisions? I guess because all of my upcoming trips are only 2 or 3 days each, I am ok- my August would open in June, after my May trip. But the powers that be are REALLY not thinking things through. Shame on them for not looking at the big picture. I hope they figure out how ignorant they are before you sell your OKW. Ugh.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Austria and Germany were two countries I always wanted to visit one day, even before I knew potential tour guides who live there.....

 

[dizneeat]

That is really cool! Did it take long to get into the house? The line looks pretty long.

Not at all. The line was constantly moving, slowly but surely. It is pretty narrow in there and you just walk through.

Are those pieces of fabric that hold the notes? Such a cool idea.

They are actually kleenex. There is a well, where you can wash your hands and face and when you dry them you make a wish and put the kleenex up on the wall to represent your wish.

Woah, that coffee looks STRONG! Is it as strong as it looks? I'd definitely need some cream with that.

It was strong coffee, but we are used to it. Our kind of coffee is far stronger than the US version.

Yikes it looks packed!

It was! That was one of the reasons I was happy not to have booked a regular tour. It was much easier to have the guide to ourselves.

We've come a long way haven't we

We certainly have. But I thought some of you might get a laugh out of it.

Awesome.

All caught up and I have to say you are on a roll with 2 good tours and no drips from the AC.

Yes, those two tours were some definite highlight. And a non "raining" AC was an added bonus. I really need to get a move on here, but we are leaving in a little over a week for our next adventure and there are so many still unfinished bits and pieces to put together. But I hope to update SOON!

Just caught up! Amazing! Thank you for sharing. I'm sorry for all the disappointments, but it doesn't seem to ruin your good time.

That black cat at Ephesus...I wouldn't mess with her!

We had a great time off the ship. When on board we braced ourselves for what they were "out off" now. But all in all it was a good vacation.
There were so many cats around Ephesus and they just could not care less about the people walking by, but I am not sure many people dared to pet them.

Love the potty shots! lol!!!!!!

I KNEW you would get a kick out of seeing those photos.

 

[scottny]

It looks amazing and beautiful.


The views are amazing.


Crazy Americans wanting to go back. Buy some water. LOL. The views are so amazing.


Looks like a lovely lunch.


That walk up was worth it. Beautiful.


The food looked good. I had octopus 2 weeks ago and it was so good. The first time I tried it I found it rubbery but I am hooked now.


I would love to see Turkey.


Looked like a nice first stop.


The ruins are pretty and such cute kitties. LOL.


The toilets made me laugh.


All caught up again.

 

[dizneeat]

I have not done many updates here lately and I have not even finished replies, but we are preparing to leave for

So, with the promise of an update to the regular trip report and replies at the weekend at the latest I wanted to fill you in on what's ahead for us for this new adventure.



Day 1, travel day and MK

We will leave Austria on Saturday next week at quarter to 7am and fly to Frankfurt. In Frankfurt we will have a nice breakfast, as we have 5 hours of a layover to kill.

After wandering around the airport for quite some time we will finally board a plane to Orlando at quarter to two. Then it will be time to turn back our watches and try to enjoy the flight.

We will arrive at 10 past 7 EST and hit immigration and customs, before getting in line for our rental car.

After that we will be on our way to our home for the night.

Yes, we are going to stay at BLT again. I have been so lucky to score a standard view room for the one night we will spend there.

And after checking in and picking up our Magic Bands we will check out the room and have a restroom break before heading over to the Magic Kingdom which will be open until midnight with EMH until 2am.

I actually made FP+ for that day. I guess we will not be able to make it to the first one, which is Jungle Cruise until 9.30, so I guess we will just cancel it when we know.

Next one we should catch - BTMR

and finally

the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train! A first for us.

After using up our FP+ we will wander the park, ride what has a short line - the People Mover comes to mind,

and stick it out as long as we can. Once we are all tired we will walk back to BLT and enjoy a few hours of sleep.

​

 

[dizneeat]

Day 2, MK and Disney Magic

Today is Tom's birthday


Guess we will be up early again as we will still suffer from jet lag. Once we get ready we will head right over to the MK, as it has EMHs from 7 until 8. And at 8.15 we will head to the

Be Our Guest for breakfast. When they opened up reservations for breakfast I was lucky enough to score a reservation.

(both photos borrowed from the internet)

After we have stuffed ourselves we will use up our FP+

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Jungle Cruise

Again, I am not sure we will stick around for the third FP, but we will cancel it, if needed.

Once we are done with the rides we will walk over to BLT and pick up our car and start our drive towards Port Canaveral.

Once there, we will drop off our luggage, park the car (yip, we are keeping the rental, even if it just sits in the parking garage for a week) and walk through security and check in. Thankfully we can use the Concierge desk to do so and do not have to wait for a boarding time.

On board we will head straight to Carioca's for lunch

and by the time we are done with it, we should not have much time left until we can get into our stateroom.

Next stop DVC meet

and DISboards cruise thread meet.

Safety drill and then it will be time for the sailaway party.

And then we will set sail!

I guess we will get a drink somewhere to celebrate the birthday boy!

Guess we will spend some time in the room as I am sure we are going to skip the Welcome show, but we will be browsing the shops before dinner.

before we will just chill in our room and have a good night's sleep.

​

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Karin Your next trip will be here before you know it. About your JC FP -- I have read you should not cancel or you lose your others Just change it or let it ride. I haven't used it yet so I have no real experience with it yet.

 

[RGirl]

Hi Karin!

Loved all the excavation photos! So cool.

Oh my goodness! I can’t believe you are off to Florida again. So exciting!!!!

 

[dizneeat]

Hi Karin Your next trip will be here before you know it. About your JC FP -- I have read you should not cancel or you lose your others Just change it or let it ride. I haven't used it yet so I have no real experience with it yet.

It sure will. At this time in a week's time we will already be in Frankfurt waiting for our flight to Orlando.
Tammie, thanks for your concern about cancelling the FP+ for JC. I can tell you though, cancelling one will not automatically cancel any others you have. When I first made those FP+ I immediately cancelled one, as I thought we would not be going to have enough time. Then Disney changed the schedule for the day again and it will now be open until midnight. So I tried to add another FP+ again and it will not let you make another one. In order to get all three once you cancelled one, you need to cancel all of them and start fresh. That's what I did. No problem at all.

Hi Karin!

Loved all the excavation photos! So cool.

Oh my goodness! I can’t believe you are off to Florida again. So exciting!!!!

It was such an awesome day and to walk through so much history was just awesome. Stay tuned ....... lots more to come.

Can't believe the time to go back to Florida is already almost here. It's been over a year and we cannot wait.

 

[MEK]

Yay for an upcoming trip and a birthday cruise. I am sure you are going to have a wonderful time and your arrival plans look wonderful. Yay for scoring a standard view for the first night. That's awesome! Looking forward to hearing more about your upcoming trip.

 

[jenseib]

Your trip is coming up so fast....I wish I could just do a last minute cruise and join you!!!