Blondie
~*~*~*~<br><font color=blue>This TF always enjoys
- Joined
- Aug 18, 1999
- Messages
- 17,306
Day 6, Saturday April 21st--staying at The Swan
As I previously posted on Day 5, we decided not to stay another day, and use our Universal Studios tickets, and just hold onto our one unused day left on our Disney park hoppers!
Even though the night before I had the fever, I was actually not feeling too bad this morning! Oh yeah, now I start feeling better! It's our last day!
We made it over to Universal by 10AM! Lots of people were just arriving too. They Universal Studios parking attendants had all of us parking on the top level of the parking garage! We never could figure out why, because as we were leaving for the day, we noticed all the closed off sections and empty parking spaces!
We chose to do Universal Studios over IOA because during our last IOA visit in August 1999, our boys were not tall enough to ride most of the thrill rides that they said they wanted to ride by a good 3-4 inches! The Hulk, Dueling Dragons, (just to name a few) all had tall height requirements. We didn't want to take that chance again! Plus, we hadn't been to Universal since November 1998 and hadn't been on E.T. since July of 1994!
Today was the least crowded park day yet! There must have been a mass exodus of people returning home today (Saturday.) We got on all the main rides by 2PM! We never had to wait longer than 15 minutes and that was for Men In Black--which in our opinion is better than Buzz Lightyears Ranger Spin! I wasn't aware of the U.S. new Express Pass either--which is like Disney's Fast Pass. We didn't need them though!
For lunch, I can't for the life of me remember where we ate! Isn't that terrible!? It's a complete blank!
We left U.S. about 5:15 and thoroughly enjoyed our time here.
Maybe it was just me, but I definitely noticed a difference in the crowd at U.S. Disney seems to attract more families with children, and well, just nicer people! Nothing personal against U.S., it's just, well, for lack of a better word, a different bunch of people! Not that they weren't nice, just different! Not that there's anything wrong with that!
Another thing I noticed was the smell of cigarette smoke! I hadn't realized it until we were at U.S.! I don't remember smelling one single cigarette at the Disney parks. But here, it seemed like I walked behind every cigarette smoking person that was there!
We returned to the Swan and let the boys have one last swim in the Grotto Pool. We didn't leave until around 7:00. We walked over to the Dolphin and had dinner at Tubbi's Buffeteria. Pizza AGAIN for DS#2, DS#1, who doesn't like pizza had a hot dog and french fries. I had a salad and DH also had pizza.
We took one last look at the Dolphin lobby (don't know why, I just wanted to see it again!) and left for the Swan! I made sure I looked back at the Dolphin and got a good visual of it. I AM COMING BACK!!
Once we got into our room at the Swan, I started the dreaded pack up! Holy cow there were so many dirty clothes! This is the first time I didn't do laundry, mainly because it's located in the Dolphin, and I didn't want to lug a bag of dirty laundry all the way over there! Plus, I just wasn't feeling well enough to go through the bother!
Final Thoughts and Opinions
The Swan and Dolphin resorts are absolutely beautiful! For those of you who are worried about them not being "Disney resorts", rest easy!! They are both themed to the hilt, with larger than life fountains, beautiful landscaping and friendly staff. We stayed on a Shades Of Green overflow rate of $115.00 per night, not a bad deal for a deluxe resort! We are also Starwood Preferred members (although I don't think our upgrade to a balcony room had anything to do with being members--it was a special favor of a certain someone who visits these boards!)
We had bought 5 day park hopper plus passes which included the water parks. We never ended up going to the water parks. We just didn't have the time. We could've bought a park hopper without the water parks for much cheaper; w/o the water park the adult ticket cost $194.75 each. WITH the water parks it cost $223.00 each. These were discounted tickets purchased at the gov't. facility where DH works. We definitely lost money, but it was our own fault.
The water taxi transportation to Epcot from the Swan or Dolphin is a nice ride, but it feels like it takes forever, what with all the stops in between to the other Epcot resorts, (Boardwalk and Yacht & Beach Clubs.) The bus service to AK and MK took a long time too. I don't know if it's the location of the resorts, or all the stops in between.
Take advantage of being able to enjoy some of what the Boardwalk has to offer! It's basically at the Swan and Dolphin's back door and seems to be a nice way to enjoy your evening, without going too far. We never got to do this, and I regret it!
I also regret never hooking up with SwanDolphin. Maybe it's just as well, I may've passed on the flu to him, or worse yet, my DS's stomach virus!
If you're looking for some time alone with your significant other, Camp Dolphin is the place! Thelma, one of the childcare specialists is super! She has a wonderful personality, like someone you've known forever! I highly recommend it!
If you have trouble finding a chaise lounge at the pools, ask the people who are at the Cabana (handing out towels and floaties) to find you one.
There are no vending machines in the Swan. None! If you want a quick bag of chips, pretzels, or a can of soda etc., you'll have to open the mini-bar, or walk over to the Dolphin and get something at Tubbi's. You can also get a soda at the bar in the lobby, but it'll set you back $2.50.
Even if you get sick at WDW, make the best of it! What else can you do, go home? I think not! Even though some days it felt like I was wearing a lead suit, I kept on going. Beats sitting in the room all day! I must admit though, I feel cheated. I was looking forward to this vacation since I made the reservations last August. I've been counting down the days since January 1st! Then to go and get sick while we were there really broke my spirit!
Make time for Illuminations! I had forgotten how much I really enjoyed it!
Don't ge afraid to go off your schedule. Some of the best things in life aren't planned!
Thanks for reading!
As I previously posted on Day 5, we decided not to stay another day, and use our Universal Studios tickets, and just hold onto our one unused day left on our Disney park hoppers!
Even though the night before I had the fever, I was actually not feeling too bad this morning! Oh yeah, now I start feeling better! It's our last day!
We made it over to Universal by 10AM! Lots of people were just arriving too. They Universal Studios parking attendants had all of us parking on the top level of the parking garage! We never could figure out why, because as we were leaving for the day, we noticed all the closed off sections and empty parking spaces!
We chose to do Universal Studios over IOA because during our last IOA visit in August 1999, our boys were not tall enough to ride most of the thrill rides that they said they wanted to ride by a good 3-4 inches! The Hulk, Dueling Dragons, (just to name a few) all had tall height requirements. We didn't want to take that chance again! Plus, we hadn't been to Universal since November 1998 and hadn't been on E.T. since July of 1994!
Today was the least crowded park day yet! There must have been a mass exodus of people returning home today (Saturday.) We got on all the main rides by 2PM! We never had to wait longer than 15 minutes and that was for Men In Black--which in our opinion is better than Buzz Lightyears Ranger Spin! I wasn't aware of the U.S. new Express Pass either--which is like Disney's Fast Pass. We didn't need them though!
For lunch, I can't for the life of me remember where we ate! Isn't that terrible!? It's a complete blank!
We left U.S. about 5:15 and thoroughly enjoyed our time here.
Maybe it was just me, but I definitely noticed a difference in the crowd at U.S. Disney seems to attract more families with children, and well, just nicer people! Nothing personal against U.S., it's just, well, for lack of a better word, a different bunch of people! Not that they weren't nice, just different! Not that there's anything wrong with that!
Another thing I noticed was the smell of cigarette smoke! I hadn't realized it until we were at U.S.! I don't remember smelling one single cigarette at the Disney parks. But here, it seemed like I walked behind every cigarette smoking person that was there!
We returned to the Swan and let the boys have one last swim in the Grotto Pool. We didn't leave until around 7:00. We walked over to the Dolphin and had dinner at Tubbi's Buffeteria. Pizza AGAIN for DS#2, DS#1, who doesn't like pizza had a hot dog and french fries. I had a salad and DH also had pizza.
We took one last look at the Dolphin lobby (don't know why, I just wanted to see it again!) and left for the Swan! I made sure I looked back at the Dolphin and got a good visual of it. I AM COMING BACK!!
Once we got into our room at the Swan, I started the dreaded pack up! Holy cow there were so many dirty clothes! This is the first time I didn't do laundry, mainly because it's located in the Dolphin, and I didn't want to lug a bag of dirty laundry all the way over there! Plus, I just wasn't feeling well enough to go through the bother!
Final Thoughts and Opinions
The Swan and Dolphin resorts are absolutely beautiful! For those of you who are worried about them not being "Disney resorts", rest easy!! They are both themed to the hilt, with larger than life fountains, beautiful landscaping and friendly staff. We stayed on a Shades Of Green overflow rate of $115.00 per night, not a bad deal for a deluxe resort! We are also Starwood Preferred members (although I don't think our upgrade to a balcony room had anything to do with being members--it was a special favor of a certain someone who visits these boards!)
We had bought 5 day park hopper plus passes which included the water parks. We never ended up going to the water parks. We just didn't have the time. We could've bought a park hopper without the water parks for much cheaper; w/o the water park the adult ticket cost $194.75 each. WITH the water parks it cost $223.00 each. These were discounted tickets purchased at the gov't. facility where DH works. We definitely lost money, but it was our own fault.
The water taxi transportation to Epcot from the Swan or Dolphin is a nice ride, but it feels like it takes forever, what with all the stops in between to the other Epcot resorts, (Boardwalk and Yacht & Beach Clubs.) The bus service to AK and MK took a long time too. I don't know if it's the location of the resorts, or all the stops in between.
Take advantage of being able to enjoy some of what the Boardwalk has to offer! It's basically at the Swan and Dolphin's back door and seems to be a nice way to enjoy your evening, without going too far. We never got to do this, and I regret it!
I also regret never hooking up with SwanDolphin. Maybe it's just as well, I may've passed on the flu to him, or worse yet, my DS's stomach virus!
If you're looking for some time alone with your significant other, Camp Dolphin is the place! Thelma, one of the childcare specialists is super! She has a wonderful personality, like someone you've known forever! I highly recommend it!
If you have trouble finding a chaise lounge at the pools, ask the people who are at the Cabana (handing out towels and floaties) to find you one.
There are no vending machines in the Swan. None! If you want a quick bag of chips, pretzels, or a can of soda etc., you'll have to open the mini-bar, or walk over to the Dolphin and get something at Tubbi's. You can also get a soda at the bar in the lobby, but it'll set you back $2.50.
Even if you get sick at WDW, make the best of it! What else can you do, go home? I think not! Even though some days it felt like I was wearing a lead suit, I kept on going. Beats sitting in the room all day! I must admit though, I feel cheated. I was looking forward to this vacation since I made the reservations last August. I've been counting down the days since January 1st! Then to go and get sick while we were there really broke my spirit!
Make time for Illuminations! I had forgotten how much I really enjoyed it!
Don't ge afraid to go off your schedule. Some of the best things in life aren't planned!
Thanks for reading!
inkbounc
