Just found out we qualify for teacher discount

[lisajl]

Now...what do we do? That is a great discount at The Swan or Dolphin.
My DH works for a school, and we would qualify for that discount.

I love that price, but there are five of us in the family!!

Could someone give me some idea on what would be the best option....

1. Use that discount and request two rooms, adjoining.

2. Stay at a Value resort and request two rooms, adjoining.

3. Cram all of us in the POR...we were comfortable last Dec, but my boys are growing!!!

HELP!

Lisajl

 

[RescueRanger]

You are allowed 5 in a room at the Swan/Dolphin but you would probably need a rollaway.

 

[lisajl]

Thanks Rescue Ranger...
Have you stayed there before?

If you have do you know about the $10 fee?

I never thought about staying at either hotel, but with the discount it sounds pretty good.

 

[Bojangles]

be sure you double check about the teacher discount. I was told they require a teaching certificate at check in.

 

[RescueRanger]

We will be staying there in March for the first time but we have friends who have stayed there and love it. I too think you should double check about the discount to make sure your husband qualifies. You should call the hotel directly and get it clarified. If they tell you that you qualify, I would get their name just in case there is a problem at check in. It is a great rate. My wife is a teacher and I work for the Police Dept so I booked under the govt rate which is the same amount as the teacher rate, but it is easier to prove with my work ID. Good luck.

 

[Geoff_M]

I second the "call to hotel" comment to verify. "Working for a school" doesn't automatically qualify for the discount. If your husband is part of the administrative or support staff, that doesn't qualify for the teacher's discount. However, if the school is a public school and your husband isn't a teacher, he could still qualify for a government discount.

 

[lisajl]

Thanks for the info. I was checking it on the Dreams Unlimited site. The criteria has been changed and it allows administrative staff also. I would definately book through them.

Do you think I still need to call the hotel anyway? These rates are suppose to be through Aug.

Thanks.
Lisa

Here's the info

Teacher and Education Support Staff Discount
All teachers and educational facility administrative personnel (includes colleges and universities) can take advantage of the TEACHER discounts. If you are a teacher with a certified teaching certificate, or you are employed in a school as an educational facility administrator you can take advantage of the TEACHER discounts.This would include teachers aides, substitute teachers, and administrative staff. These job types will require a Work ID or letter from supervisor on company letterhead stating employment or a recent Pay Stub.
These awesome discounts must be booked through our DreamsRES system located here.

 

[RescueRanger]

Since the information you are relying on is from a second party (DU), I would still call and get official guidelines from the hotel. It sounds as though ya'll are OK but to get there and then to have to pay rack rate would be a bad situation.

 

[Bojangles]

I think you should call the hotel. I also read that information here at this site but when I called the hotel, I was informed that the discount was only for certified teachers and not support staff and administration. The AP rate we got was better than the AP rate quoted on this site plus we got a free upgrade to lake view.

 

[swilphil]

Lisa--To answer your question about a party of five, I would definitely stay at the Swan or Dolphin. Two rooms at the S/D is much preferable to 2 rooms at a Value. You could cram 5 into a room with a roll away. That might not be bad if you really aren't to be in the room that much. My inlaws did that this summer, and it wasn't bad.

The best scenario would be to stay in a Junior Suite at the Dolphin or one of the suites (can't remember what they are called) at the Swan. These will be more expensive than the standard room obviously, but your teacher discount should still apply. I don't know if it will be less money than two adjoining rooms. The junior suite does have a separate bedroom. The suite at the Swan is one big room, but spacious.

My sister in law stayed at the Swan this past summer on the teacher discount and showed a pay stub from the school district. She works as an occupational therapist in the schools. I'm a teacher too, but currently on a leave of absence, and we used my husband's govt. discount. As a teacher, I really don't like to carry around my teaching certificate. I'd hate to lose it, and it's a pain to replace.

Dreams Unlimited is pretty reliable, in my opinion. If they tell you a pay stub or ID is all you need, I would believe them.

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

I also work for a school system but not as a teacher. I just called their reservation number and was told the discounts are for teachers only.

 

[lisajl]

OK...I just called them. They do only the teacher discount, but through Dreams Unlimited they have special deals.

So, I am going to contact Dreams Unlimited and see how they handle this situation.

Thanks for the help everyone!

There is so much stuff out there to sort through, I appreciate your help.

Lisa

 

[Jasminesmommy]

I work at a school and was curious what the cost of the room would be with the discount.

 

[lisajl]

Hey everyone!
Just got confirmation from Bob at Dreams Unlimited.
He said we would qualify for that discount!

This is what a portion of the email said...

We have been authorized to extend the teacher discount to others that work in the education system. You need to bring a letter from your school on their letterhead that shows you are working in the school system. He is also working as a government employee if he is working in a school district for a town or city.

Jasminesmommy...check out the DU site...it says the prices are good until 8/30/04 for the Dolphin it is $129 a night, for the Swan, I believe it is $144.

Thanks everyone!!!
Lisa

 

[SueM in MN]

Originally posted by lisajl

Could someone give me some idea on what would be the best option....

1. Use that discount and request two rooms, adjoining.

2. Stay at a Value resort and request two rooms, adjoining.

I wanted to clarify something for you.
Adjoining rooms are just rooms that are next to each other. They usually share a wall, but adjoining rooms might even be directly across the hall from each other.
It sounds like what you want are Connecting Rooms. These are the rooms that have a door inside the room that allows someone to go from one room to the other without going out in the hallway.

 

[lisajl]

Sue,
Yes! Thanks so much for correcting me on that one!

We just stayed in one room at POR last time. I want CONNECTING rooms...

Thanks.

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes, I hope you get CONNECTING ROOMS.
It is confusing to most people. Ive seen quite a few posts from people who were upset that they thought their request was not met when they got adjoining rooms - just like they asked.

 

[mousefansmom]

Hi-
We stayed at the Swan with a teacher's discount. They did take a photocopy of my license at check-in (Glad to hear the DU has a special arrangement for you). Also at check-in, we looked at a book of room arrangements. Although we had a regular room reserved, we were given a jr. suite at no extra charge. It had a murphy bed and a pull out couch. It was huge, actually the size of two rooms. You would still need a rollaway or an airbed (from home), but at least you would have plenty of room, and it is cheaper than two separate rooms. It also had a frig with extra storage and a breakfast bar area.
Good Luck!

Wendi S.

 

[lisajl]

Wendi,

Hi! Thanks for the info. Did they charge you extra even though you brought your own air mattress?

Thanks.
Lisa

 

[mousefansmom]

We only had four at that time, but I do not believe there is an extra person charge (unless it is an adult) charge to bring your own air mattress. Better check! The jr. suite was a great room though. I would go for that again in an instant. I guess a lot of people don't like the Murphy bed though, so they try to fill those rooms at check-in.

Wendi