Cool! I will post "quicky" insights as I see fit.... thanks you!
We met the DCL reps right outside baggage claim. They have their "paddle of power" in the air and we greeted them and they immediately took care of us.... can't say enough about those people! We boarded the bus (I'm guessing) around 11am local time. We had plenty of time to get to the port, board the ship, have a nice lunch in Cabanas and walk around the ship to take photos of the scenery... we we're beat needless to say.
We flew to Philadelphia due to no connections via JFK from Bradley (Hartford, CT). We booked this trip in Feb. and had few choices on flights. There is an Air Lingus flight that leaves Bradley and goes to Dublin, but then all the other connections we would have to make..... we weren't into it. So with just one connection in Philly.... it made sense for us...... BTW, not driving to NY. You guys are brave!!
Great start! Looking forward to reading about your cruise. :
Great beginning. Looking forward to your report.
When we were planning this outbound leg I was a bit Leary about driving into the JFK area. The saving grace was knowing there would be optimum traffic conditions so early in the morning. It went very well but I wouldn't do it any other time of day.
We are also doing our first Disney Cruise and first trip to Europe this September. You are right, booking the cruise was the easy part. If all goes well, we will consider a British Isles cruise in the future. These cruises, with the airfare, hotels, excursions can get a little pricey. Just wondering if you have a final total for what the whole adventure cost?
Bucket list here too
following
Great start-I'd love to go on this cruise but DH is sticking with "7 days or less" until he isn't working full time anymore. Boo. We got on the ship at Dover after you left so thanks for leaving it in such good shape Really loved the Magic!
Awesome! We were on this cruise too and LOVED it! Flew British Airways as well for a great price for a direct flight from Ft. Lauderdale to Gatwick in London. We did the red eye, but arrived two days before the cruise on the 7th. Planned a light day for the first day since we knew we would be groggy. But caught up by the 8th and were feeling fantastic by the time of embarkation on the 9th! I'm so excited to read about your impressions! I wish we were just starting this trip all over again!
Clayton was a fantastic cruise director! I just finished the west-med cruise and had a fabulous time.
This is where you present your passport, customs form and passport control receipt to an agent. Be prepared to answer a few candid questions: What brings you to London? Are you headed anywhere else? Where are you staying? How long do you plan to be in the country?
Love that the Disney reps are there to greet you right at baggage claim with their paddles in the air! Can't miss them which is awesome. Do they collect your luggage from you right at the conveyor belts and proceed with you through customs?
We weren't sure if the Sofitel was bussing just its hotel guests or grouping us with same day airport arrivals. (we had 3 full bus loads that morning)
From what you're describing, it appears the DCL works two separate Dover transfer operations out of Heathrow - one inside the terminals for same day arrivals and one exclusive to the guests staying at the Sofitel.
Same here in LA - i will book 6a.m. Flights to avoid the major traffic mess going to or by LAX as soon as the sun comes up.When we were planning this outbound leg I was a bit Leary about driving into the JFK area. The saving grace was knowing there would be optimum traffic conditions so early in the morning. It went very well but I wouldn't do it any other time of day.
I'm so sorry, but this post has me laughing so hard I'm crying. Oh my, what an adventure to start your London visit. Can't wait to read the next one to see how this ends LOLTravel Day 1 continues - July 7, 2017
Heathrow Arrival / Sofitel London Heathrow Hotel (2nt. stay)
Navigating Heathrow was a complete mystery and somehow we quickly got separated from the pack. (typical) Not everyone was at their final destination and quite a few disappeared toward their connections.
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So we walked
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and walked
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following yellow signs in hopes of reconnecting with our luggage.
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We took the lift down
We rode an empty shuttle. “I hope we’re going the right way”
We went up escalators
Continued again…………….
We stayed at The Thistle in Trafalgar Square. It was a great hotel and very centrally located (although the streets around the hotel were closed to traffic for much of our 2 days, first for the Pride celebration, and then for the Marathon, but we picked it because we could walk everywhere anyways)! But as you said, and as we expected, our room was not ready when we arrived at 8am on the 7th. We tired and a little light headed, so I planned for us to walk to Hyde Park, which we did. We walked around there, then shopped a little on Oxford Street, got brunch, and then got back to our hotel at 2pm. To be honest, we were a little light headed and felt rough around the edges, but we pushed through. No one was really grumpy and we were running on adrenaline. Our room was ready by 2pm and we took showers and slept for 2 hours (I set the alarm). This nap greatly refreshed us ... we could have slept more, but I wouldn't let us so we could get on London time. We went out that evening for a quick dinner and the London Eye, then to bed before 8pm! By the next morning, we were feeling good and well rested!
I think your schedule sounds good as well!