Hi Mo ... in addition to the various topics here in this forum, please note that we also have an extensive discussion topic on Barcelona in our City Breaks forum.

David

thank david, ive never looked at city breaks,i tend to look at ibiza,diy,airlines,and if i get time anything else that takes my fancy,but thankks,i will have a look.mo

p.s david when did i becom e a 2 star member?and does it depend on how many posts you send thanks mo (ps i realise its a bit off topic)mo.

Yes Mo ... post counts and stars are related to your posts on the holiday forums only (not Chat). But when we are in a bad mood, we could remove your stars for going so watch out !!

David

aaaaaaarrrggggghhhhh now im panicking mo

Hi Mo. My family stayed in El Paso for a week last October so any questions about the hotel please ask. I think the best rooms are the ones with a pool view (as these have balcony and are quieter). The whole place is nicely laid out in blocks rather than high rise. The hotel is great and we found October a good time to visit at it was not too busy. Food buffet style - plenty choice every night. Major Halloween theme in Hotel (& Theme Park) in October. Great fun. Hotel "key" acts at express pass at Theme Park - really useful sometimes. We did not go into Barcelona ourselves but the small train station is just a couple of minutes walk from Hotel and you can get train to Barcelona fairly easily. Aquapolis was not open when we were there, and only inside bit of Costa Caribe water park was open so a bit disappointed with that. But we had a great time and our kids absolutely loved it. We hope to go again next year.

:)hi skygal,thanks for your reply,what was the weather like when you went? also i have read in the reviews that you are given a time slot for breakfast etc.how easy is it to change? i dont do crack of dawn when on holiday :yikes.another quick question,my daughter wants to know if in the theme park they have stalls where you can win cuddly toys etc.thanks mo

yes, if you mean port aventura. they have stalls in each themed 'land' where you can win small toys up to the massive size, which are surely too big to get home in your luggage!

Hi Mo. The weather when we were there last October was really good. Hot enough to sunbathe by the Pool in the morning (warning: pool absolutely freezing - think it is like this all the time) and then shorts & t-shirt at the theme park for the afternoon (it shuts at 8.00 pm in October). Bit cooler in the evening but still able to sit outside having a glass of beer and watching the shows. They do give to you a time slot for breakfast when you arrive but if you want to change this just let them know. We had one of the earlier time slots (think it was 8.30 am) but a couple of mornings we didn't go till after 9.00 and there was no problem - Probably because the hotel is quieter in October. Think they enforce it more in Summer when really busy. Would not leave it too late to go for Dinner though or else you end up queuing for ages. See drobuk has replied to your query re stalls. My sons both won a couple of cuddly toys - managed to fit them in our suitcases and they are on their beds at home now. A nice reminder of the holiday. Saw some people coming away with huge toys they must surely have had to leave them behind. How old is your daughter? My boys were five & three when we were there. There was plenty for them to do but a lot they couldn't due to height restrictions (which are strictly enforced). So when we go back again, they will be older and taller and will have a totally different experience at the theme park. If you fancy a change of eating place in the evening you can ask at the El Paso Reception and they will arrange for you to eat at one of the restaurants at the Port Aventura hotel which has a few restaurants to choose from. El Paso will give you a voucher up to a certain amount and then you just pay the difference. Get them to order a taxi to take you round as it is a long walk in the dark if you don't. Feel free to ask any other questions.

hi skyegal,thanks for your reply,lots of usefull info.my kids will be 14,11,9 and 4 when we go,my daughter is the 11 year old.my 4 year old is quiet small for his age,but usually his sister will go on things with him,i was hoping that we could go on the water rides as a family,what do you think? mo

HI mo

Re water rides. There is one in the Wild West section which your son can go on - sit in a boat and go through rapids etc. But don't think he will be able to go on the one in Polynesia section as there is a height restriction. They do enforce these rigidly. Best to measure everyone before you go so that you know heights in cm in advance. A sign at the entrance to each ride tells you height restrictions, whether kids have to be accompanied by adults etc. If under height don't bother queing thinking you might get through - all the ride operators have a special measuring device and will not let you on if under height (even by a cm). My sons couldn't go on that one either. But to keep them occupied there are water cannons above the ride which you can use to soak everyone coming down in the boats. He will really enjoy firing them at his sister etc!!! There are a couple of roller coasters he will be able to go on accompanied by adults. He should enjoy the Sea Oddysey too - it is hard to explain but good fun. Other than that there are lots of other rides, shows etc. The bird show is amazing and my boys really enjoyed the Wild West Show. A cowboy show but it had Halloween influences too!! The thing with the park is that there is something for all ages to enjoy. So all your kids will have a different experience. You should probably warn them - especially the youngest that there will be people in fancy dress etc as some of them can be a bit scary - Freddy Krugger etc. But it is all done in good fun and the place is brilliantly decorated with pumpkins etc. At the weekend there is a Halloween Parade in the theme park and a laser show. My 5 year old was crying when we had to come home because he didn't want to leave and he still talks about what a great time he had. We will definitely return there next year.

thanks skyegal,now im really looking forward to the holiday.i booked it last august,but now it seems more real mo

hi its only 4 and a bit weeks to the holiday and im panicking a bit,we usually go to ibiza and ive heard mixed reports from the costa dorada,aparantly salou is a bit like blackpool,but thats ok i like blackpool,but my husband insists on spain anyway any last bits of advice on hotel elpaso and port aventura mo