gtrist4life
Choose wisely
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2003
- Messages
- 787
This last minute trip was enjoyed by all. We booked the Recipe Club deal through swandolphin.com and paid $139 a night (b4 taxes and charges ) and got a heavenly bed, and $50 meal credit for staying at least two nights. We're going again in December with alot of folks, so this was a trip for us. Plus other reasons, the rest of the summer is super busy and I start my MBA in the fall which will take up more time than I have.
Cast
Me 38
Wife 39
DD 15
DS 8
Day 1 Sun June 29, 2003 Travel and Explore Swan-Dolphin & BoardWalk
Wake up way too early 3:30 am to catch our AirTran 6:00 a.m. flight
Arrive at Orlando 9:35 a.m. and met by Sonny from FL Tours, very pleasant and prompt. After getting our luggage, stop at Publix for about 15 minutes to stock up on bottled water, pop tarts, snacks, and a disposable camera (couldnt talk the wife into bringing our digital, maybe next time )
Ariive at the Swan at about 11:00 a.m. check in is smooth, but the gal at the desk was a little curt. I had asked for an east facing window, our room was east facing, but in the west wing, 4th floor. Not a great view, but not hideous either. At 11:30 decide to walk down, explore the hotel, pool, and then eat. Lap pool at the Swan looked dirty (bottom needed cleaning ), Grotto pool is very nice, walked back across the Dolphin, then towards Swan, then towards the Boardwalk, were really getting hungry now and DD always wanted to eat at Spoodles. It just closed from Breakfast/Brunch so we head back to Big River Brew Grille. Excellent crab/cheese dip; can't comment on the brews, but they sounded good.
Our early wake up is starting to catch up to us, so we head back for a nap, end up sleeping for two hours. wake up at 3:30 and get the swimsuits on and head to the Grotto. swim for about an hour and hear thunder, gather up our gear and head back and just as we hit the lobby, the downpour starts. Head up to the room, shower, change, and get ready to try Spoodles for dinner. When we start to walk over, most of the rain has stopped, and get there about 6:00. Get seated right away, Loved the not so hidden Mickey above the kitchen. Our meal and service is very good, Scallops a gratin, grilled chicken breast delicious, spinach salad ok. We found that on this trip getting an appetizer or salad and one entrée was plenty for two people to share. We finished most items and were not overly stuffed, plus kept costs down. After we finished the downpour started again. Waited most of it out in the sweet shop next to Spoodles then hopping to the bike shelter, and souvenier shops. On our way back stopped at the DVC open house and made an appt. for Wed. (free lunch vouchers at Beaches and Cream sealed the appt.)
Before retiring to the hotel room, toured the Dolphin lobby (Wow!) and shops. Got back to the room at about 9:30, lights out soon after so we could hit Early Entry hour at Animal Kingdom the next day.
Peace
G4L
Cast
Me 38
Wife 39
DD 15
DS 8
Day 1 Sun June 29, 2003 Travel and Explore Swan-Dolphin & BoardWalk
Wake up way too early 3:30 am to catch our AirTran 6:00 a.m. flight
Arrive at Orlando 9:35 a.m. and met by Sonny from FL Tours, very pleasant and prompt. After getting our luggage, stop at Publix for about 15 minutes to stock up on bottled water, pop tarts, snacks, and a disposable camera (couldnt talk the wife into bringing our digital, maybe next time )
Ariive at the Swan at about 11:00 a.m. check in is smooth, but the gal at the desk was a little curt. I had asked for an east facing window, our room was east facing, but in the west wing, 4th floor. Not a great view, but not hideous either. At 11:30 decide to walk down, explore the hotel, pool, and then eat. Lap pool at the Swan looked dirty (bottom needed cleaning ), Grotto pool is very nice, walked back across the Dolphin, then towards Swan, then towards the Boardwalk, were really getting hungry now and DD always wanted to eat at Spoodles. It just closed from Breakfast/Brunch so we head back to Big River Brew Grille. Excellent crab/cheese dip; can't comment on the brews, but they sounded good.
Our early wake up is starting to catch up to us, so we head back for a nap, end up sleeping for two hours. wake up at 3:30 and get the swimsuits on and head to the Grotto. swim for about an hour and hear thunder, gather up our gear and head back and just as we hit the lobby, the downpour starts. Head up to the room, shower, change, and get ready to try Spoodles for dinner. When we start to walk over, most of the rain has stopped, and get there about 6:00. Get seated right away, Loved the not so hidden Mickey above the kitchen. Our meal and service is very good, Scallops a gratin, grilled chicken breast delicious, spinach salad ok. We found that on this trip getting an appetizer or salad and one entrée was plenty for two people to share. We finished most items and were not overly stuffed, plus kept costs down. After we finished the downpour started again. Waited most of it out in the sweet shop next to Spoodles then hopping to the bike shelter, and souvenier shops. On our way back stopped at the DVC open house and made an appt. for Wed. (free lunch vouchers at Beaches and Cream sealed the appt.)
Before retiring to the hotel room, toured the Dolphin lobby (Wow!) and shops. Got back to the room at about 9:30, lights out soon after so we could hit Early Entry hour at Animal Kingdom the next day.
Peace
G4L
