Homeschooler Eligible for Swan Dolphin Disc?

[sanibelover]

I called the Swan and Dolphin reservation line and asked, and was told yes, I could get the $99 rate. I have a teacher ID from Home School legal defense. I would hate to get there and find out that they won't honor this rate for homeschoolers. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!!

 

[jjarman]

Gee whiz. How can I get one of those IDs?

 

[blessdmommy]

I called the Swan and Dolphin reservation line and asked, and was told yes, I could get the $99 rate. I have a teacher ID from Home School legal defense. I would hate to get there and find out that they won't honor this rate for homeschoolers. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!!

I was wondering this exact same question. I guess if the person who took your reservation said it was true then you are good to go. But we aren't members of HSLDA at this time. Might be time to join, eh???

 

[mousefansmom]

I called the Swan and Dolphin reservation line and asked, and was told yes, I could get the $99 rate. I have a teacher ID from Home School legal defense. I would hate to get there and find out that they won't honor this rate for homeschoolers. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks!!

When we went to the Swan and used the discount, I needed my current state license and college diploma. They photocopied them before they checked me in. I was told that I needed them prior to arriving, so I was prepared, but the first time I asked, they said all I needed was my pay stub. Since I teach in a facility that doesn't sound like a school, the second time I asked they said to bring the other two forms of verification in lieu of a pay stub.

HTH-
Mousefansmom

 

[sanibelover]

Any homeschoolers get the discount? Thanks!

 

[The6ofUs]

You wouldn't need to have an HSLDA card, any ID card showing you're a homeschooler (an association, group, or state-issued ID card) would do.

 

[Kapp]

you would have to show a state teaching certificate. This is what my wife had to show and they actually looked it over. I believe the point of the discount is to reward those (Nurses and teachers) that help the public and not just assisting/teaching one family. I am sorry but I don't think it should be for homeschoolers.

We wrote the Dolphin manager after out stay to thank them for this discount and his response was that is was a small gift to those that serve the community. Sorry but I agree too. JMHO

 

[Lisa3]

Please don't get me wrong because I think teachers have one of the most influential and difficult jobs of all. I truly cherish the teachers my children have had and do not begrudge them a discount especially since they have limited time in which to travel. I do have to wonder though why teachers and nurses are selected for this special priviledge. Many of us volunteer more hours in a week than your average job as Sunday School Teachers, Scout Leaders, School Representatives, Program Coordinators, Coaches etc. all which benefit the community and receive no pay for these jobs. We also don't get discounts because of the things we do (and no I don't do these things expecting something in return). I certainly could use a discount since I do not bring in a second income into my house but have chosen use my time to benefit the children of those who do. Please don't flame me - just another point of view.

 

[Nik's Mom]

Uh oh. This thread may be heating up now.
Anyway, I was going to say to the op that she (or he?) should try to get that in writing. This way, there aren't any problems at check in.
And nicely put, Lisa.

 

[Lisa3]

Sorry, didn't mean to heat things up. Actually, the things I do pale in comparison to our Volunteer First Aid and Fire Departments who are always there when we really need them. Maybe they are the ones who should also be looked at as serving their communities.

 

[Suzanne74]

I do have to wonder though why teachers and nurses are selected for this special priviledge. Many of us volunteer more hours in a week than your average job as Sunday School Teachers, Scout Leaders, School Representatives, Program Coordinators, Coaches etc. all which benefit the community and receive no pay for these jobs.

Because Teachers and Nurses are the most overworked but underpaid and undervalued of professions. This is something to say thank you as their annual salaries may not cover the expenses it would cost. Yes, I know - there are many other jobs out there that are underpaid but these two proffessions stand out as very low paying for the amount of time and effort put into them. Comparing volunteer work to them doesn't even cut it. I am a nurse and I volunteer as a Camp Nurse, Coach, Web Site Director for a preschool, and work a homeless clinic bus 4x a year. I would NEVER expect to receive anything from these jobs as I volunteer my extra time but I will tell you, the amount of patients I have received and the amount of 14hr shifts I have worked with no OT pay - leaves me a little less enthaused about my RN status. This is a nice perk and I am thankful to the Swan/Dolphin, even if I don't utilize. I would be no less thankful if they offered it to Police Officers, Firemen etc... and I also think Military discounts should be steeper for Disney across the board. I wouldn't sit here and wonder why not me - I would just be thankful that some undervalued professions are getting recognized.

So I guess I am a little confused why you would consider your volunteer work to be a reason for a discount while others who have worked hard thru school to work their FT job EVERYDAY helping the community for little pay - doesn't deserve it.

 

[Lisa3]

Suzanne74 - I am sorry you took offense to my post. I never said teachers or nurses and especially the military did not deserve discounts or that they should be discontinued and I am certainly not sitting around everyday wondering "why not me?". Before you go off on someone though please have all your facts. I also worked hard to put myself through college. I worked FT at a job EVERYDAY until child care costs made it impossible to break even. I now work hard EVERYDAY at raising a family, contributing to my community and doing alot of creative financing. I do not wish to sit here and list who does more. It is really very unimportant how much one does but that they do something. The post was about teachers who home school their own children. I simply was pointing out that others (not necessarily myself) also contribute to the community with no pay stub at all and that vacations are a luxury many of those families cannot afford (and yes, that is their choice too). When one decides to go into public service such as a teacher or nurse you know up front what the pay scale and work schedule is like. Most people I know who are in these professions are not there because of the money. They truly love their work. As far as being professionals who are underpaid - I couldn't agree more. However, I also know teachers in my area who are making close to $100,000.00! I can see and appreciate your side of the coin but please don't be so belittling to the volunteers of the community. You may never know when you will need one of us! I hope the poster can get her discount.

 

[HaleyB]

I was told you need to show a valid state teaching certificate, and think that is the way it should be. To the OP, I would get that discount in writing before you go.

 

[sanibelover]

Yeah, I think this post is getting OT. I did call back and talked to someone else at the Swan and she said I would need a paystub, teaching certificate, etc. (no paystub for the homeschooler, that's for sure!!!) so I decided on the BW instead with AAA discount. (Maybe we will luck into some general codes!!!) I certainly don't want trouble at check-in to put a damper on the whole vacation!!

Anyway, thanks for the input. Hope everyone has a magical time the next time you are in the World!!

 

[aubriee]

When I checked into the discount for nurses for our trip last January I was told I would need to bring a pay stub. Nothing was said about bringing my RN license. I'm a RN, who just happens to work for the state, so I quess I would qualify under both programs.

For us getting one AP was a better deal, by the way (since I used it in January, and again in May and will be using it again in Sept and Dec). With the room discounts it paid for itself with the January trip (45% off WL and AKL). For the May trip I used an AP discount for four days at POP, then rented DVC points for BWV. In Sept the free dining was a better deal, even though I considered the $99.00 rate at Swan and Dolphin that's going on during that time. In Dec I'll be using the AP discount for rooms again or else rent DVC points again. I would like to take advantage of the teacher/nurses discount at the Swan/Dolphin, but so far have found better deals elsewhere.

 

[susy]

I just completed a VERY rigorous masters in elementary education program - 65 credit hrs of coursework, thesis, 3 state certification exams, 207 inservice hours-not observation, ACTUAL working where I was observed, critiqued and graded, and I still have an entire semester of an internship coming up- I will start with my masters degree (for which I earned a 4.0) at a whopping 37K a year. That's actually high for the state of FL (I'm in south FL-feeling Dennis right now). FYI-teachers do not "get summers off"-there are inservice hours that must be completed, conferences, meetings, and workshops to attend and college courses still to be taken ( for endorsements and such), in addition to preparation for the next school year-two months is hardly time for all that.

The REALLY low pay is my guess as to why the S/D offers discounts.
I CHOSE to be a teacher because that is my calling. I don't care about the money and will never complain about it (especially not in front of the kids), but I think that's why they offer the discount.

 

[Suzanne74]

Suzanne74 - I am sorry you took offense to my post. I never said teachers or nurses and especially the military did not deserve discounts or that they should be discontinued and I am certainly not sitting around everyday wondering "why not me?". Before you go off on someone though please have all your facts. I also worked hard to put myself through college. I worked FT at a job EVERYDAY until child care costs made it impossible to break even. I now work hard EVERYDAY at raising a family, contributing to my community and doing alot of creative financing. I do not wish to sit here and list who does more. It is really very unimportant how much one does but that they do something. The post was about teachers who home school their own children. I simply was pointing out that others (not necessarily myself) also contribute to the community with no pay stub at all and that vacations are a luxury many of those families cannot afford (and yes, that is their choice too). When one decides to go into public service such as a teacher or nurse you know up front what the pay scale and work schedule is like. Most people I know who are in these professions are not there because of the money. They truly love their work. As far as being professionals who are underpaid - I couldn't agree more. However, I also know teachers in my area who are making close to $100,000.00! I can see and appreciate your side of the coin but please don't be so belittling to the volunteers of the community. You may never know when you will need one of us! I hope the poster can get her discount.

I didn't take offense to your post or go off on you at all . I was just pointing out that many people volunteer for their community, even teachers and nurses - like myself. It wasn't a "who did more" contest - it was just saying that all kinds of professions and stay at home moms volunteer - the Swan/Dolphin was giving a discount on 2 professions - not for volunteers. You said you didn't understand why teachers or nurses deserved this discount over others, and I was giving you some of my opinions why I thought they did. I also think if they offered it to anyone else say, firemen, police, whatever, I would be fine with that too, actually happy for them and not question "why not me?" like you did. No flames - I never flame

 

[katallo]

It's pretty easy to solve. Every year offer discounts to other groups. Employees of non-profits, medical assistants, etc. There are so many deserving hard working employees out there!

 

[rkmassa]

Suzanne74 - I am sorry you took offense to my post. I never said teachers or nurses and especially the military did not deserve discounts or that they should be discontinued and I am certainly not sitting around everyday wondering "why not me?". Before you go off on someone though please have all your facts. I also worked hard to put myself through college. I worked FT at a job EVERYDAY until child care costs made it impossible to break even. I now work hard EVERYDAY at raising a family, contributing to my community and doing alot of creative financing. I do not wish to sit here and list who does more. It is really very unimportant how much one does but that they do something. The post was about teachers who home school their own children. I simply was pointing out that others (not necessarily myself) also contribute to the community with no pay stub at all and that vacations are a luxury many of those families cannot afford (and yes, that is their choice too). When one decides to go into public service such as a teacher or nurse you know up front what the pay scale and work schedule is like. Most people I know who are in these professions are not there because of the money. They truly love their work. As far as being professionals who are underpaid - I couldn't agree more. However, I also know teachers in my area who are making close to $100,000.00! I can see and appreciate your side of the coin but please don't be so belittling to the volunteers of the community. You may never know when you will need one of us! I hope the poster can get her discount.

My DH is teaching in the wrong area of the country. I can tell you he doesn't make $100,000 or any thing close to that. Not even in the ball park. You must have bumped your head...teachers do not make $100,000. Administrators yes, but teachers no. Most pay scales max out waaay before $100,000. I have never seen a pay scale close to $100,000 max. Where do you live?

 

[snoopy5386]

she lives in NJ as do I. My district's pay scale tops out at about 85,000 and yes, there are districts here where teachers make close to or above 100,000. This is of course only for teachers who have taught for at least 30 years. Keep in mind the teachers who are making 100,000 are teaching in towns where the houses start at around 400,000-500,000 and property taxes are in the 15,000-25,000 range, so it is all relative.