NEW...DOLPHIN/SWAN..."questions and answers"...tips and hints!

[Iowan]

I still haven't heard about my AmEx Plat card yet so I can upgrade to Gold :-(

Is is best to wait until I do that to ask for any type of complimentary upgrade?

All of this makes my head spin

Has anyone used Quick Transportation to and from MCO?

What drinks are available to use in the mug system at the Dolphin?

Is internet access available, might want to take my laptop.

Is it best to purchase park passes at the Dolphin or somewhere else?

Sorry I have so many questions!

We are down to less than 13 days until arrival.

 

[jgates]

Mugs: Soda & Coffee. Slushies not included (DD wanted those!). Am I covering it?

 

[adisneyfan2]

Really? They are included at other Disney resorts... Either that, or we've always been lucky. Oh well. At least it should be a little cooler this visit...

 

[Bimmy56]

When we were there in June, the frozen cokes were included for the mugs. Has this changed?

 

[KelliR]

I'm back from the Swan and DISCON II! It was a great time ... the DISers are a fun loving and very friendly group of people!!! We had a wonderful time. One day was cold and there was a little rain, but most days were in the 70's.

I liked the Swan. The balcony in room 604 had a great view of the Dolphin. And Mama T was fantastic. Having Club level was a true convenience. The Heavenly Beds were a big hit with my husband. (I prefer thinner pillows). I now know I have a definite preference for the Dolphin. I realize this is a personal choice ... I met many folks who say the Swan is their favorite.

I didn't have time to eat at any of the Swan/Dolphin restaurants because we spent so much time with DISCON activities. The "Illuminations Dessert Party" at EPCOT was wonderful. It was a real treat to watch Illuminations from a different vantage point with such fun people. It was a cold night and the hot chocolate was a welcome warm up. I'd love to do it again!

Now I'm back in the cold, nursing a little cold of my own. It must be because I'm missing the Florida sunshine.

Happy Holidays to everyone!!!

 

[dreamflight99]

Mouseteacher...DD also has "double-duty", and in the midst of learning, studying & testing, she is also preparing to assist families during the Holidays. Her H.S. adopts "numerous" less-fortunate familes, (French club has three, religious studies/forensics has four, etc.) to fill the "wish lists" of needs for the Season of giving. I enjoy seeing her so pleased and excited, filled to the brim with altruistic desires.

We also assist the Parish and her old Parochial School (St. Francis) by delivering Baskets and Christmas trees to pre-selected families. This is SUCH a satisfying family venture, which actually brings me to tears many times throughout the day. DD has a huge philanthropic side, and always wishes to GIVE them more. God Bless her generous heart.

I too...seem a bit "out of sorts" this year. I was WAY AHEAD last season. Could be the late Thanksgiving holiday. We are "completing" all the decorating tomorrow (after acquiring our live tree). I still need to wrap the gifts I have, and prepare the gifts for others (friends, teachers, etc.).

My Frango mints are here (dark choc., creme brulee, double choc., coconut dreams) and everyone whom enters the home indulges! They also go for the 2-lb. ballotin of Godiva, or the SEE'S! My Honeybaked Ham Dinner items are being delivered today! so...I'm trying to get it all together.

Iowan...YES...Frozen Cokes are included in the MUG refills. (Jgates...did someone refuse you these bevs?). Any Beverage is elegible.

Quick Transportation...do you mean TOWN CAR/LIMO? Yes, and they are all comparable and reliable. Some are better than others, and offer different perks and more personal service. It is not far from the AP (MCO) to the Resort.

Internet access is availble in the room (data port phone), and with the daily resort fee, you will be able to use up to 60 minutes for a very nominal amount (.50 or $1). If you wish to stay on longer, merely disconnect and then reconnect for another hour. This is the same for phone calls, including calls you receive.

It's best to Purchase your parks passes right inside the Dolphin. It's convenient, hassle-free, relaxing, and you don't feel rushed. Ask as many questions as you like, the associates are very informative and will assist you with all your pass needs. Ask at the Front Desk (upon check-in) for the location of the Disney Ticket counter. It's just around the bend, opposing the check-in desk, (across from the National Car Rental counter).

ENJOY your stay! Are you all packed and ready to leave? Hope these answers assist you in your preparation. If not, please "ask away" and we'll do our best to help.

*** KELLI...So GLAD to have you back safe & sound. It appears you definitely enjoyed the DC festivities (Did you see Nancy?). I'll have to join you some year and partake of the fun! Sure hope the cold vanishes soon, and the symptoms do not keep you down for long. Take care!

 

[KelliR]

Yes ... I did meet Nancy. I met her the first day I went to CL for breakfast. She is a sweetheart. We would bump into each other periodically at the other events. I thought of her as a kindred spirit ... we both have very curly hair. As other's hair would droop in the rain ... ours would go the other way!

I, too, ordered Frango chocolates this year. I have been saving them...I guess it's time to get them out!

 

[happytrails2u]

I WANT A FRANGO CHOCOLATE TOO!



I've been very good this year...

 

[Mouseteacher]

Kelli ~ I'm so glad you had a good time. I, too, prefer the Dolphin. I have no particular reason, just a preference.

DF~ Mmmmmmm... See's candies. I remember it from two trips I have taken to San Fran - delicious!
The true spirit of giving is alive and well in my school (BTW, it is a Catholic school) and it is truly heart-warming to see hundreds of people involved. I have had conversations with the moms whom we are adopting. They're stories are heart-breaking and all they care about is their children. They want nothing for themselves which, of course, we will ignore. One of the teachers collected money from the staff and went shopping at Kohl's for clothing items them and we will give them gift certificates to supermarkets, CVS and malls.

Today we had close to 100 stockings filled to overflowing to deliver to the agency that works with teenagers in DSS care.

 

[disnurse]

OK someone please fill me in on the frozen cokes. When did they start serving them. I don't remember ever seeing those anywhere

 

[MOM POPPINS]

My DD was not allowed to refill with the frozen drinks. There is also a sign by the register thats states what drinks are allowed in the mugs and the frozen drinks are NOT on the list....

Happy Holidays Everyone!

 

[dreamflight99]

Gotta LOVE THEM FRANGO CHOCOLATES! Stop on ove HT...you can sample all the flavors!

Kelli...I always knew Nancy was a sweetheart! She is so kind and thoughtful, too. Wish I could have been there with you two. Although my hair is looong and straight (thick). I LOVE curly hair...my DD has it! My daughter's hair forms "ringlets" in the rain...LOL. So happy you had a great time!Now, break-out the Frango chocs!

Mouseteacher...Yes, mmmmm SEE'S! It's one of our favs, and we ship it to all our family and friends. It's one of my tops. How nice to GIVE this time of year, and the C.S.'s seem to instill this sense in children at a young age. DD used to decorate lunch bags for the weekly "homeless lunch" program. Every parent would make a nutritious lunch for a homeless person to enjoy. DD even wrote little "happy" notes to place in hers. A homeless gentleman called the school to report how "pleased and moved" he was by her note and little drawing (not to mention delicious lunch). Truly made her day. Keep up the good work.

Alright you two! (Disnurse & Mom Poppins)...as for the FROZEN COKES. There was no LIST by the register when we filled our mugs, and no one ever said NO to the frozen cokes. Sorry for the trouble you experienced Mom Poppins. Certainly, this policy needs to change. CR permits frozen drink refills in the mugs, and all others should too. I'll make a note to contact guest services at the Dolphin and see if we can't amend this matter. I LOVE the frozen cokes...and would have been upset if they attempted to deny me a free refill this summer. *BTW...How are you feeling, Mom Poppins? No morning sickness, etc.? Hope all is going well...and you are taking your vitamins! TTFN...

 

[ozziewags]

Got a call from Starwood tonight, asking if I had any questions or requests about the Swan. Made me feel soooo special. I asked if there was a platinum desk for check in or just a front desk and he said just a front desk. Is that right, DF? I thought I saw a posting that there was a platinum desk so maybe the line would be shorter?

 

[jgates]

My dd wanted the red frozen soda (if I remember right) but the gal at the register said it wasn't included. (I had to ask - you know I work in a bank so I couldn't afford to assume and have someone coming after me and charging me with theft or I wouldn't have a job any longer). I didn't question it with anyone else.

The one nite I told her I would just pay for it the machine was broken!!!! So we didn't bat very well in that ballpark. But those mugs are going back with us in the suitcase next time. (At least the 2 I can find - one is MIA).

My Christmas depression is starting to set in. Nothing wrapped - only half done shopping - out of money - no tree up yet - its 40 degrees (which I love) but still it doesn't feel like Xmas weather so I can't get into the shopping mood.

Plus the next semesters tuition bill is now on the website and a new housing bill was just delivered according to DS. (And he's too busy studying for finals to talk to mom).

 

[disnurse]

want to bring laptop but do not have a dail-up internet. Use high speed digital. Whats the solution for this as we aren't able to bring along the digital modem,etc. I saw a disk at walmart with 20 hours or something, I know even with aol the free hours cost to initially hook up with

 

[dreamflight99]

Okay~Ozzie! There is a SEPARATE DESK in the lobby located just to the side of the check-in area. It is not specifically for Plat. but for SPG's. USE IT...if someone is there. It is much faster, and they are more helpful with queries and upgrades.

So sorry jgates (for the frozen coke trouble). I'm with you on the "asking" part, and would also never "presume" intentionally. Honesty and integrity are ALWAYS the best policy (especially in the presence of children!). We are the teachers, we ARE the Example. Anything less than asking, would be theft. The associate SAW the frozen coke in our cups, as we could not close the tops (yes...very full!). I told her we had "two refills", and the other items we purchased. She said to be careful with the "slush" (to my DD), as it's VERY STICKY! This was LATE in the eve...so perhaps it's just different associates, etc. Try again, next time. You may get a different response. I'm always prepared to pay anyway...so if they say no, I drop the $. Yet, I never had to...and they continued to refill the mugs with free slush. It was normally the same associates, very nice folks.

Well, we got our TREE today (LIVE). It's about 14+ feet tall. So beautiful & deep green. It will be up tomorrow morning in the open area in the spiral staircase. It's easier to decorate this way, and smells so good both upstairs and down. The faux tree in the formal LR is nearly completed with all the Disney Decorations. The exterior of the home is fully decorated, and looks astonishing. A ten foot tall Frosty is on the second story roof (with lights and fan). There are Giant lighted soldiers on the eves, and over the huge archway near the front doors. The herd of white wooden deer are grazing on the dark green winter rye...and the icicles covering the eves are double-draped with white/blue lights. There are lighted jumbo wreaths in every window, and a huge festive garland draped over the double doors. The wreath on the front door has a porcelain girl holding a light, and when you approach...she lights the candle in her hand and sings "we wish you a merry christmas"! LOL. Our giant Queen palms (Magnolias too) are all "wrapped" with lights and giant bows. Each shrub is saturated in separate colors. I still have to wrap gifts...and make tamales (tomorrow!). SO...Put on some Christmas music, grab some eggnog and get into the Spirit...the seaon is almost here. We also celebrate epiphany on Jan. 6, so we have a little bit of an extension.

disnurse...grab a FREE TRIAL AOL CD at the local post office, bank or store. It does not cost anything, and some do not take a CC in the beginning. You will get 45 days of the FREE TRIAL, and then you may call the number listed to CANCEL. This is the easiest way for you to use the laptop. I have used this in the past, when I used another ISP and my DD wished to use AOL. Now, we also have the HSD...and will just plop in an AOL FREE TRIAL for the vacation time. They can/will not charge you for the initial connection/trial. IF they do...just be sure to call and dispute this with your CC company asap. Then contact AOL, and they should amend the trouble. They are a reputable company, and offer a new 8.0 program cd. Give it a try.

 

[disnurse]

Can't wait to try those frozen cokes, I don't suppose they will have frozen diet vanilla cokes by april!!!!!!! Not sure how we missed that machine on our last trip but I be looking for it this trip.
Any idea is the refillable mugs will change designs, I use mine as my take to the bus stop coffee everyday.

 

[ozziewags]

DF.....thank you for the info on the spg desk; just what I was hoping to hear.
Great idea about the aol cds. You can find them everywhere and there is always a free trial.
DF......would love to see some pictures......your house sounds lovely. Can you upload/download some shots for us? I just got a new Canon S30(with help from friends on this board). I am just learning to use it, but can't wait to use it on our trip. Expect to see some pictures of the Swan (and other places) in the not too distant future.

 

[minniemmom]

I have a ? on tip envelopes. I have made-up "Mousekeeping" envelopes for the AKL & GF portion of our trip. However, I'm not sure what to print for our Dolphin stay. They're not called "Mousekeepers", are they? I could print out Disney holiday envelopes and take off the "Mousekeeping". Any suggestions/ideas for you DS experts? Thanks in advance for your help! We're only a few days away for our 1st Christmas in the World!

 

[lvs_eeyore]

Can anyone suggest a great place to view the NYE fireworks besides the parks?? We are staying at the Swan in a resort view room with a possible view of cresent lake and a balcony. I wasnt sure if you could see any of the parks from those rooms. We dont want to go into the parks because they will be super crowded and we want to be able to go back to the room if the kids get way too tired to make it through to midnight. Any help would be appreciated.