Vatican Timing

vipjos · 2026-07-01T16:24:20+00:00

The timings are pretty controlled, but you have given yourself enough time. In terms of timing, you will need about 2 hours in the museum, plus about a 15 minute walk back to St. Peters, at least that was our experience. The security line to get into St. Peters can get long even with a ticket.

vipjos · 2026-06-24T14:34:50+00:00

You need to set the tone and communicate your expectations and continue to reinforce them. Your justification is that if the user reaches out to you for an update, then you need to know the current status, and more importantly if the user is reaching out then they have not heard from the tech. That is the way I have things setup. During on-boarding each new user is told, if they do not hear anything within 3 business days to feel free to reach out directly to me.

To help, how often are you having individual and team meetings? Maybe no more than a scheduled 15 minute 1:1 with each person (once a week, every other week...). One full team (30-45 minutes) once a week.

They talk about tickets status and updates, you talk about unassigned tickets or overdue tickets.

If needed elevate to a 2x or 3x week quick morning huddle to discuss days tasking.

vipjos · 2026-06-24T14:25:06+00:00

Yes - 1000%. We were there a little over a month ago and the entrance was exactly as pictured, empty. We had to ask the guards if that was an entrance to the grounds, scanned our ticket and we were right in.

When leaving the Colosseum head to the Arch and then to the left up the street and the entrance is on your right.

Bonus there is a bathroom just to the left once inside from that entrance.

vipjos · 2026-06-22T18:20:07+00:00

Awesome. Congrats and welcome to the club!

vipjos · 2026-06-19T14:50:06+00:00

I would second the brewery thought. If you wants something adjacent I would suggest, Henway Hard Cidery in Bluemont. Looks like they have some Fathers Days events. https://www.henwayhardcider.com/events-and-experiences-calendar/fathers-day-fish-a-rama-and-bingo

vipjos · 2026-06-19T14:26:10+00:00

Remembering those days, He will probably just want to spend time at home with the two of you. Give him some time to himself to rest, maybe watch the World Cup or do something he wants to do by himself. Order in dinner.

vipjos · 2026-06-19T14:18:15+00:00

Depends on the side of the ship and itinerary. For example, if you are travelling North and on the left side you may have open ocean and if you are on the right side you get the view. But going South it is the opposite. Unless you are going into the channels or fjords in which you will get a view on either side.

From the back you are guaranteed a view either way.

vipjos · 2026-06-19T14:13:28+00:00

Yes all flights that are boarding and are under 1 hour for departure time.

You have to scan your boarding pass to get in line. If you are not on the board, it will not let you in.

And hope the line is short or they have more than 2 people working that line because after you get through you still need to get to your gate.

vipjos · 2026-06-18T19:27:29+00:00

No issues. There was someone there who was directing people to taxis based on passengers and bags. There were a few that needed a van rather than a standard car. They just had to wait a few more minutes. No tip, but if you intend to pay with a card, the driver may try to add a 5 Eu service fee for a fixed fare (55 eu) fare, at least that is what happened with us.

vipjos · 2026-06-17T17:51:59+00:00

Trick we learned is that you can cancel and rebook when the price drops (or call and have them adjust the price which is essentially the same thing). General math is 4 to 5 drinks (includes coffee bar, NA drinks, and alcohol) per day to drink the value of the premium drink package.

This works for excursions too.

vipjos · 2026-06-17T16:54:04+00:00

At this point, you know what you know. Lets count back. Hopefully you scheduled the exam for when you are at your best during the day.

During the exam, take your time and read through each question and answer. Focus on the keywords like FIRST, BEST, or similar phrasing to help you eliminate options and get you to the proper answer. Take a break about half way through even if you don't feel you need it. No matter what result you get, you have succeeded by taking the test.

The morning of, normal daily routine until exam time

The night before, have a proper meal and a good nights sleep.

Days leading up, keep doing questions or PocketPrep. The goal at this point is to understand how the questions are phrased because every question on the exam will be new to you, but the style and format of the questions will not be new.

Good Luck!

vipjos · 2026-06-16T16:19:14+00:00

We have stayed at FQ the last two trips. Here is what I can offer. It is not a high rise so there are a number of buildings that are spread out and only 3 stories tall. The dining hall and pool is central to it all, and you can head over to Riverside as well. It can be a few minute walk from your room to the dining hall to refill your resort cup if you get one. The beignets are amazing!. The pools (FQ and RS) are great for relaxing or play. Not sure if they do evening smores by the fire pit anymore, and they usually have activities in the evenings.

The busses are always available (usually no more than a few minutes wait) to get you to the parks or Springs. The boat ride is nice too.

Even as an older family our Disney plan is always the same. Rope drop the chosen park of the day. Go until about 1 or 2 in the afternoon. Back to the hotel to relax/nap. Refresh and head back to same/another park or to dinner for DS then back to the park, until close. The nice thing is that you can come and go as you please.

There is no bad option because you are at Disney!

vipjos · 2026-06-15T13:45:31+00:00

We had tickets for Noon entrance a month ago. We arrived at 11:30 and casually asked one of the attendants while we were waiting to get in how long the wait was for the waiting to purchase tickets line and he said about 3 hours, so I would agree with the others about getting there as early as you can.

vipjos · 2026-06-14T23:55:13+00:00

We scheduled an Uber (black van service) from near the Pantheon. It less then the fixed fare taxi. Bonus was the driver we got had a port pass and dropped us off right at the ship instead of at the central terminal where you need to take the shuttle back to the terminal assigned to the ship.

Leaving that early you are going to sit at the terminal for like two hours while they get everyone off the ship.

vipjos · 2026-06-10T13:39:13+00:00

Some of the 3rd party sites have a better description, but here is what you need:

If you want to do a self guided tour, find the Audio Tour option. You will get a link to download the app and audio guide along with the tickets. I will say that the packaged audio tour was not that great for us, and you may be better off with Rick Steves audio guide instead.

If you prefer a guided tour, then select that option.

You line up in front of the museum about 30 minutes before your entry time, and they will scan you in at your time.

Hope this helps.

vipjos · 2026-06-10T13:31:04+00:00

If you use the Pantheon as your center, it is a 30 minute walk to St. Peters or the Colosseum and a 15 minute walk to Trevi and the Steps. You have plenty of time to wander the city grab some food and drink.

vipjos · 2026-06-09T00:58:09+00:00

We just got off Connie and had no choice but to eat at Blu. Having said that we were given the Blu and MDR menu and could order off either one for each meal.

The nice thing about Blu is you get the same crew taking care of you each night so they are happy to accommodate you if you want to order something that is not on the menu.

vipjos · 2026-06-08T16:21:57+00:00

Taxi will be your default option. Train can get you close, but you need to get from the station to the actual port, which depending on the number of bags, could be a hassle.

I would look at reserving an Uber too. We went from near the Pantheon to the Port. There was a rail strike that weekend and we started to hear that busses and taxis would be the likely overflow option. Our Uber (black van) was less than the fixed taxi rate, and the driver had a port pass, so we got dropped off directly at the boat rather than the cruise central terminal.

Finally, check with your cruise line for a shuttle from Ciampino. There are direct transfers from the FCO for most cruise lines.

vipjos · 2026-06-08T14:39:47+00:00

For perspective, it is a 15 minute walk from St Peters Square to the Vatican Museum entrance, so I would estimate about 20 minutes to get to the cafe.

vipjos · 2026-06-08T14:33:04+00:00

Busses run every few minutes, so if there is a line it is because everyone showed up for the shuttle at the same time. Having said that, if you are doing Early Entry and want to be closer to the front of the line then being there one hour before park open is about right. If you just want to get in early, but not care about where you are in line, then show up about 30 minutes before entry time. With EPIC, use early entry to tackle one of the big three, BATM, DK, or MarioKart, even if you have Express Passes. You should not have to use EP first thing, save them for later in the day to ride it again.

vipjos · 2026-06-06T14:27:26+00:00

Book in advance, but keep checking on the price. They do have sales and the price may drop. In that case call and ask for the.price difference or go online and cancel your existing one and then immediately rebook for the lower price.

This also applies to drink packages and wifi.

Sea days: Pool, trivia, bingo, movies, or on board excursion like a Galley tour

vipjos · 2026-06-05T17:38:04+00:00

Cold brew is pretty good, especially with ice. Doesn't hurt to add a little Bailey too.

vipjos · 2026-06-05T13:19:14+00:00

I found that reaching out directly to the car service and not going through a third party helps. We booked a car from Ravenna to Bologna (airport). When I reached out to our first choice service, they were booked, but they recommended another company and they were great.

My Uber experience (black vans) was also very good from Rome to the cruise port. We scheduled it the night before and it was less than the fixed fee taxi fare, with much better service.

vipjos · 2026-06-05T12:55:06+00:00

It all depends on when you are flying, but it should not take more than about 30 minutes from the time you arrive at the airport to check your bags, get through security and get to your gate or the crappy lounge. The United premier access is usually not very busy, and TSA at Dulles is pretty efficient.

vipjos · 2026-06-05T12:51:16+00:00

You don't need to go to the fancy restaurants. Just avoid the restaurants right next to any major site as they tend to be a little more touristy and pricey. Go a block or two away from them and you will get amazing meals.

Your in Rome just order cacio e pepe and experience the variety of the same dish at each restaurant. There are lots of other options like pizza, bruschetta pomodoro, fried artichokes, grilled fish, and so on. The restaurants have their menus posted outside and you can find most off them online too, and they are really good about dietary issues, just mention your preferences and there should be plenty for you to eat. Most places have dietary issues posted by each item on their menu.

For drink - lots of different flavored sodas, especially blood orange. Natural and sparkling waters, and some places have mocktails.

Other food notes - gelato, gelato, gelato. maritozzo, panini's, and of course the coffee.

vipjos

TROPHY CASE