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

[dreamflight99]

It is a luxury..indeed. And like a cellphone, it can be a nuisance too. Enjoy your stay...and write when you return (I'll be anxiously awaiting your posts!). Tell your wife there are PLENTY of hangers available through housekeeping. If she needs/requires more than are in the closet...have her phone HK to bring some more (it's a little-known fact!). Yes...there is also a hairdryer on the wall, and if it is not sufficient enough to dry your hair...call housekeeping and they will bring another (independent) product! Everything you desire is at your fingertips (phone) so DO NOT FORGET to ASK/CALL! Platinum Status should land you a Jr. Suite upgrade with a Theme park view (I prefer Epcot), and all the extra perks! This includes the resort fee WAIVED, Free Club Level, and a bunch of other things (like your choice of a check-in reward...if not offered...PLEASE ASK!). Enjoy this trip...we'll be here when you return.

Thanks, Mouseteacher. Your kind words are greatly appreciated. I'm so happy to read you found my tidbits of advice/info to be helpful/useful. It's my pleasure to offer any/all assistance to make anyone's journey/stay a memorable and pleasurable occasion. Thank you, again.

JODI...there is no RHYME or REASON to the schedule. Yes, there are rooms on these floors...but why they selected the third to begin is anyone's guess!

Disnurse...HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU...and EVERYONE!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Happy New Year and health and happiness to all!

What a wonderful thing we have in common - our love of Disney..."where magic lives". (I love the new WDW commercials!)

 

[dreamflight99]

FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR to ALL! Hope TROYFUS had a smooth check-in last eve, too.

Yes, mouseteacher...I have to agree! We all share the common-bond and LOVE for Disney. I too, love the commercials...but have you played the new VIDEO?! It is on the same theme...."Where MAGIC lives". You MUST order this one if you have not, (as of yet). I order them EACH year, even though much of the material is repeated. I particularly LOVE the 1996 tape, when the Castle was a CAKE, and the DOLPHIN was a featured resort in the film. All the others omit the Swan/Dolphin, as they are not Disney-Owned. The one in 1996 INCLUDED these two props! These videos always make me smile...

Enjoy the NEW DAY...January 1, 2003!

 

[ozziewags]

Hi all and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! We got in last night about 6pm, just in time for my son to don his suit and go out for his New Year's Eve 21st birthday!
We had a lovely time.......thanks to all the tips from this board. We spent the first two days at the Hard Rock Hotel and Universal. Had a great time there, and received a CL upgrade for $25 because they were so full that they couldn't give us a deluxe or suite upgrade(I am platinum) for $35, which they advertise. It thought the CL was nice, until I got to the Swan, where the CL was much nicer. (and was included with our room fee)
We had a 12th floor MGM view in a jr. suite. It was the only jr. suite on the 12th floor. It had not been renovated, but the space was great. It was not like the L shaped jr. suites on lower floors. It was one large room with a wet bar across the back wall, a K bed, a sofa bed next to the window. We also got a roll away. It had a large table and four chairs and a large closet in the hallway between the room and the huge bathroom with two sinks. We could also see the Boardwalk and World Showcase.
Mama T was lovely and became a grandma a few days ago. Our bathroom was so large, we actually talked about putting dh in there on the roll away because of his snoring! We didn't because we were afraid someone may need to use the br during the night!!!
The only glitch was that on Christmas eve our candlelight processional got rained out and we missed it. We stood in the rain, waiting to get in. Seemed like everyone there had the dinner pkg. We sat inside for about 20 min. before it was cancelled, then they just said we hope you can come back to another performance. I called several places to see if we had to get in the 'wait' line and no one seemed to know anything. When I finally got back to Epcot a few days later and inquired at the Amer. Adventure booth, I was told I should have made another reservation! I didn't want to do that, so we just didn't go back. By then the specialness of it being Christmas eve was gone. We still had a good time. We did so many other neat things.
Oh yea, one more glitch. We used Yourride and had a very nice driver, but never got his name. Well, he didn't show up to take us to the airport yesterday and I was in such a panic I couldn't find the phone number(which was in my bag and on my cell phone) that a car was sitting there from Sunshine and he offered to take us in gratis. He also called Yourride for us and found out that our driver was stuck in traffic somewhere. It was also prepaid. I called them from the van to the airport and left a message that I hoped they would take care of the cost, since we had prepaid. Needless to say, we gave the guy a nice tip.
Sorry to go on, but if anyone has any questions, just ask. We really did have a wonderful trip......so many things to do and so much good food. I sure know why DF spends so much time there in the summer. Relax and enjoy!!

Carol

 

[Mouseteacher]

DF ~ Yes, I usually order the videos, too. I need to order this new one. I know what you mean about the Cake/Castle video showing the S/D. At that time, I never even thought of staying at either one (but I wasn't armed with the knowledge of these boards at the time). We went to Disney for the "birthday" celebration and stayed at the Contemporary tower that year. Thank goodness, the castle is no longer a cake - definitely did not like going in to MK and not seeing the majesty of the castle which always makes be smile and sigh every time I see it.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Carol ~ I'm glad you had a magical trip. Was it your first stay at the Swan? It was our first time at the Dolphin this past August - we're hooked - particularly to CL!

 

[ozziewags]

mouseteacher
Yes, it was our first time at the Swan. What a great deal for teachers and nurses and govt. employees. And if you can upgrade your SPG card, it is priceless! (to steal a phrase!) I just couldn't believe we got a jr. suite, and CL for $129! My kids got back from Epcot one night before we did, because they walked and sat in the window and saw all of Fantasmic! Our room looked right down into the arena. It's always the little things that make your stay so magical.

Carol

 

[ozziewags]

mouseteacher
Yes, it was our first time at the Swan. What a great deal for teachers and nurses and govt. employees. And if you can upgrade your SPG card, it is priceless! (to steal a phrase!) I just couldn't believe we got a jr. suite, and CL for $129! My kids got back from Epcot one night before we did, because they walked and sat in the window and saw all of Fantasmic! Our room looked right down into the arena. It's always the little things that make your stay so magical.

Carol

 

[Mouseteacher]

WOW, Carol, you were lucky - CL and a jr suite! I felt really lucky to get the CL comp upgrade since I had no spg points. Still, my family and I agree that even without the upgrade we still enjoyed the resort - a deluxe for $129!!! Let's hope that that the S/D doesn't keep increasing this rate. It is this rate that makes me choose S/D over a Disney deluxe or a mod. A higher rate may make me return to Disney resorts.

 

[sm4987]

I am doing research for myself for the future and my friend who will be going soon. Who has the best views, the Swan or the Dolphin. I would love a view of MGM. Which hotel has the views and what floor should this be on?

 

[ozziewags]

mouseteacher
I should have told you that I was platinum spg. Platinum will get you a jr. suite and CL. I was matched with my other hotel cards. It was a great deal, and I agree, a deluxe for $129 is wonderful.

sm
I have only been to the Swan once, but I think you can get Epcot views and MGM views from both hotels. The higher the better, for the view. Our room looked out over the front of the Swan and we could see for miles. We could see downtown disney, all of MGM, world showcase and trees everywhere.

 

[dreamflight99]

OZZIEWAGS(Carol)! WELCOME BACK~GLAD TO READ YOUR POST AND KNOW YOU ENJOYED YOUR TIME IN THE KINGDOM OF HAPPINESS! I thoroughly enjoyed your post, and the details of your stay (DH snores....LOL, mine too! ), and the wonderment you experienced on this journey. Happy *21* to your DS! We love the U-S props, and the NEXT time you MUST TRY the PORTOFINO BAY HOTEL. The suites are to-die-for, and the amenities for plat. are wonderful. It is the most expensive of the three, but the most exclusive and quiet without a doubt. You would LOVE it.

The SWAN suite must have been heaven for you...and gave you the perspective of "my EXTENDED stays" during the summer. Looking for the miles and miles over the tops of the GREEN trees reminds me of the Lion King, and the quote " Everything the sun touches is yours" (as everything you see from your window is DISNEY!). Sorry to hear about the CP, being rained-out. Yet, I was thrilled to read it did not manage to dampen your Disney Spirit! It's quite easy to relax and enjoy the place for 5 weeks, from the perspective of an exec. suite equipped with a convection oven and fridge. It's like a penthouse apt. in the big apple...only in the midst of a kingdom! I know you must be thinking of returning already. As soon as I'm home from WDW...my mind begins to churn and LONG for the land of dreams. Happy dreaming/planning....

Mouseteacher....Get the video asap! You'll LOVE the opening on this one. I had to LOL when I read you were familiar w/the Birthday cake celebration (& video!). I loved the cake on the castle, but not for longer than the celebration. I was enthralled with the extensive details put into the "cake", and even bought the limoge of this work at the Disney Studios in the DTD marketplace. I also have the framed poster and artwork commemorating this festivity. I'm a sucker for ANYTHING Disney, and fall in love with every celebration they plan/orchestrate. I must say, I too sigh and LOVE the castle, with a "love, that is more than love" (Dream....castles in the sky)!

TTFN....moi

 

[mom23guys2]

The Swan has great views of MGM. I'm not sure about the Dolphin but I think the Swan would get in the way of views of MGM unless you are on one of the higher floors.

Does anyone know how many points it would take to upgrade to a jr. suite? I am SPG Gold.(as of today)
Are all jr. suites CL?

 

[ozziewags]

Thanks DF....for all your tips and for the kind words.

mom23
Not sure about the points, but the spg site says 10,000 points for a suite upgrade at the S/D. Not every jr. suite is on CL. There was only one on the 12th floor(or so they told me). There are jr. suites on almost every corner. They are L shaped, with the dining area in the corner and the bed/sofas in the larger room. I also know that many people on floors other than the CL floor (11 and 12 of the Swan) got CL privies. It really spoiled us! My dh is diabetic and having that breakfast in the morning was perfect for his needs. I loved it too. Fresh fruit, bagels, pastries, juice, coffee, milk, water, toast, cereals..........and real plates and silverware!

We are going to be at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City this weekend and am looking forward to another nice hotel!

Carol

 

[dreamflight99]

Ozziewags! Also, which check-in option did you select (w/plat)? I always love the 500 pts! I'm point-crazy, and just switched to AT&T for the SPG points (plus 6000 skymiles!). LOL. I'm getting homesick for my vacation...lots of work/planning yet. But...it's a total LABOR of LOVE!

 

[ozziewags]

I took the 500 points too! They are already posted as are the points for my stay. My AMEX charges are also posted on my online bill........they waste no time in getting paid! LOL

We came home Dec. 31 because I had to go back to school Th and F, but we got 7 in. of snow here and school is cancelled Th and F. Yea! Gives me some rest up and laundry time!

Carol

 

[dreamflight99]

As for the school...ugh. Thank goodness for the SNOW! It's just too early to return to the GRIND yet! DD emailed a friend in Philly, and she is already back to school as well. DD's school break is from December 20-January 6! YEA!! It's been a wonderful break, and lots of fun to have her home. Hope you have a great time with the laundry...it's one of my main nemesis's! LOL! (Windows...toilets...etc.!) Perhaps because it's never-ending! HeHe...a task which can NEVER be completed!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Back at school, too! I took a few quiet minutes at my desk to check here and see what's happening. We had snow/freezing rain yesterday but school wasn't even delayed! We are expecting 4-8" this afternoon into tomorrow. I guess it has been okay coming back for 2 days - kind of easing in you might say. Also, if we have a bad winter and need to take snow days, we'll have two days under belt. I hate it when school gets out late in June. Everyone is ready by the second week of June to pack it in and take a much needed break.

 

[dreamflight99]

Ditto on the "LATE JUNE" school dismissal! I was raised on the East Coast, and recall school ending around the 28-30 of June for me. We always began classes after Labor Day.

DD begins school the LAST week of August, this year the 26th was her first day. She will be dismissed from all classes on June 4th! I LOVE this schedule. We do not have snow days, only FOG delays (2 hours). Her school day is from 8:00 am to 2:42 pm. No recess or breaks, and her lunch is 20 minutes long. She has 7 classes during this time. I'm not exactly sure of the process, but it seems to work very well. I believe you teach at a similar school (Catholic College-prep)? It's a small school (for Calif), only 691 students in the entire school (9-12). The public schools in the area have over 1000 students PER GRADE in H.S.

Enjoy the New Year...

 

[Mouseteacher]

We are a small Catholic elementary school (Prek through Grade 8). The Middle School level has only a 30 min. lunch break with 15 min. of that time to take a recess break. The younger children have a morning recess and lunch time with another recess. Our school day is 8:20-2:30. It is a pretty stringent academic program. Our 8th graders apply to local private as well as Catholic high schools. It is competitive for them. However, I am proud to say we have an excellent reputation for academic excellence!