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

[Piper]

Super pictures! Thanks for sharing!

 

[dreamflight99]

Thanks for sharing the link! The beds *(heavenly) look luscious~!
You are adorable with the characters! (Chef-Mickey...that's a cutie patutie picture).

I absolutely ADORE the GROTTO POOL PIC. & The topiaries are INCREDIBLE!

The fantasmic and Star Wars Photos are also fab. Thanks again...for sharing all the snaps with us. Looks like you had a PERFECT time in the MAGIC.

 

[jgates]

DF- Love the photos of your quacker!

We may not have any new babies this year - a racoon was in the pen last night and snatched some of the eggs before they were locked up for the evening.........

 

[ozziewags]

Great pics.......thanks for sharing. Epcot must have been beautiful! Looked like you didn't miss a thing!

 

[2002Disneybride]

DF Those heavenly beds were awesome!!!!!
I can't wait to return in December!!!
Thanks to everyone who looked at my pics! I took more scenery than usual because with 90+ temps, my DH and DB were not interested in smiling for my camera!!!! But I got a few!

 

[happytrails2u]

...Florida that is.

Ah, grazie dreamflight bello di verse!

Your photo is exactly what the sky looked like as we made our final approach to MCO yesterday. The weather is Florida perfect - - sunny, blue skies, and warm - low 90's, but sure feels good, compared to the Boston climate of late, as Mouseteacher will attest.

This morning, the temp is 70 something and the villa pool (just over the piazza and hedges) is begging our arrival. We reserved a cabana today ($45.00 for the whole day) a steal compared to the cost of these in Vegas.

We were also upgraded to a hospitality suite at PBH for a std. room rate and it is huge (complete with piano - LOL). If anybody plays, c'mon down and give 'er a whirl!!!

I'll post some photos of the suite and property next time around...

Arrivederci for now.

 

[ozziewags]

happytrails.........good to hear from you.......we love to hear from the MAGIC(no matter where it is). Sounds like your trip got off to a great start with a wonderful upgrade. Keep those posts coming! Take a ride on The Hulk for me!

 

[dreamflight99]

BONJOURNO PAISANO! That'a what I call an UPGRADE...LOL. Loews treats PLAT. members quite well. I enjoy the Cabana as well, and am looking forward to enjoying a massage in the spa too (Have you used the health club? It's WONDROUS!)
Enjoy! Ciao.


jgates...how sad. Thank goodness we do not have the little four-legged bandits around here. We have had Opossum in our yard, and they are known for the same behaviour (scavengers/rascals). I just adore ALL creatures too much to ever be upset with them. They are also trying to survive, all equal in the circle of life.

Does anyone know about the NEW HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE RIDES (in the buggy with the retractable canopy) leaving from POFQ? You may take an evening horse and carriage ride through the French Quarter and Riverside regions of Disney's Port Orleans Resort. The 30-minute carriage rides start in front of Boatwright's Dining Hall nightly. The first ride departs at 6 p.m., and the last ride departs at 9:30 p.m. Each carriage can accommodate as many as four adults or two adults and two or three children. Each ride costs $30 including tax. Cash and Walt Disney World resort guest room charges will be accepted. Early reservations are recommended, make them at the Riverside Marina near the main building. Carriage rides may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
*I may have to TRY THIS ONE!

*happytrails...take a spin on Spidey for moi!

 

[disnurse]

Well dreamflight you certainly make me envious, warm and sunny whats that?It has been cool(50's) and raining forabout 2 weeks and its not letting up till this friday. My ds's parade was cancelled but he can't play his sax with a broken arm anyways.

happy trails if you get too warm you can always take a splash on ripsaw falls!!!

 

[NancyIL]

Happy Memorial Day to all! I got back from my little weekend trip to Disneyland two weeks ago today, and it was a wonderful way to satisfy my Disney craving! Dreamflight - now I'm more envious than ever of you lucky Californians! Your weather is fantastic, and the mountains and the ocean are so pretty. I love WDW, but I'll take California weather any day over Florida's!

I just checked the date, and Thanksgiving is 6 months from tomorrow. That is when I will begin my next journey to Orlando. I'll visit my Mom for a few days, then spend 8 nights at the Swan during my favorite time of year at WDW!

 

[Mouseteacher]

happytrails2u ~ Wow what an upgrade!! I'd love to come and tickle the keys on the piano (that's if I could even play! ). Just so you know - weather today was in mid 50s and pouring rain all day. Many Memorial Day parades were cancelled. The good news is the Red Sox are playing the Yankees in NYC and the rain has stopped there. 3-0 in the fourth - Sox winning.

 

[Disbug]

Appreciate that info.... as you can tell, I don't get out much! We are starting to get excited about our trip as well. Nothing like the counter counting down! Another question... our DD2 cannot walk and we were thinking of taking her in the pool. (With swimmie diapers of course!) Is the Grotto pool appropriate or a quiet pool better? I would think a children's pool wouldn't work since she can't sit by herself... whereas, we could hold her in a pool that's not too deep.

 

[dreamflight99]

So...LIFE'S A BEACH out here in So. Cali. The weather is TOO PERFECT right now to complain (and pretty much always the same). I do love it here...and as I wrote previously, visiting Orlando...makes me APPRECIATE Cali all the more.

Here's a little "strip" of the Strand in Malibu (beach).

Manhatten Beach Pier...

Real...genuine...CALI LIFEGUARD SHACK (Worked as one in College, Malibu & Zuma)...

La Jolla (LA HOYA) beach point...

TIDE POOLS in Malibu...

Lifeguard Dory...

Finally...a Malibu Sunset....

Nancy...so happy to hear from you! I'm glad you enjoyed Disneyland, and the California weather. I must agree...the mountains (something we miss in Fla) are "stunning" out here (as well as the beach). Only 6 mos., and you are OFF again!

Mouseteacher...what a lovely presentation on PBS last eve (90 minutes) on the West lawn of the Capital. I adored the images which were displayed as some sang, etc. Very moving tribute to our Country's finest. Thanks again, for reminding me. We all watched together...and enjoyed every moment.

Hope all of you are having a GREAT DAY! It's time for me to head-out with the Cole-slaw and Watermelon (seedless and SWEET!), Strawberries, Ribs & chicken (par-boiled...then grilled), sweet corn and all the other sides and yummies! Brownies too! LOL. It's the BIG KICK-OFF for SUMMER! Time to hit the surf...TTFN.

 

[disnurse]

Mouseteacher, we have gotten 1.51 inches of wet, ycky rain today!!! but the good news is the SOX won!!!!!

for all you fenway fans:

 

[ozziewags]

DF.....It was exactly 1 year ago when we went to The Bacara Resort in Santa Barbara and I keep thinking about it because it was soooo beautiful. We had such a wonderful time, and yes, the weather was wonderful. We could open the double doors of our room and listen to the waves of the Pacific and never see a bug! Ahhh.

On the beaches of the Pacific!

A most lovely resort in Santa Barbara!

 

[disneymom57]

We are leaving this week for the Swan (1st time). We've also joined SPG and was considering transferring Amex points until I found out from Swan there would be no upgrades available for our stay. I was told the only way we would get upgraded was if it was complimentary, upon checkin. Today I received a phone call from someone at Starwood's vacation ownership club and was asked to take the tour to receive 10,000 Starwood points. Has anyone done this? Is it really worth it? They said it would only be 90 minutes and we would also receive a coupon for 50% off next stay up to 5 days. I was disappointed to find out I would not have been able to use my points even if I had had them transferred to Starwood. What do you think my chances are of getting upgraded to a room with a view or club level upon checkin?

 

[lonegungirl]

Another question...

I read that there is free parking at the Swan--does this refer to parking at the hotel, or at the Disney resorts? Is there a fee to park at the individual resorts?

Thanks again!

 

[jaygatz]

If you are staying onsite, parking is free at all resorts unless you use valet. However, I am unsure as to how long you are allowed to park at resorts at which you are not staying.

 

[hookedup]

disneymom57 - that's a bummer about not being able to upgrade - maybe you will get lucky at check-in. As far as the vacation ownership tour/points - there are some others here who have done this and maybe able to give you some firsthand scoop.
I was wondering do you get the 10,000 points just for taking the tour or is it if you join you get the 10,000?

For me it would be a lot about how much time you have at WDW and if it is worth it to give up a half day for it. I personally hate those sorts of deals but for 10,000 points I would consider it seriously. I am not a huge fan of the 50% deals because it has to be 50% off the rack rate and so often there are better rates (AAA) available. So if 10,000 points is highly motivating you I would look into it further.

 

[dreamflight99]

I'm already signed-up to take the Vistana tour this summer (late August), w/DH! DD does not wish to go...she would rather "sleep-in" (precious summer PERK!). So, the L. Town car will pick us up in front of the Dolphin, drive us to Vistana...where we will enjoy a breakfast (of sorts), and the 90 minute tour/sales presentation. The 10K points are the GIFT for taking the tour! YAHOO!! After the tour is completed...we are chauffered back to the Dolphin via the L.T.C. NOT BAD...for 10,000 points. Muffy took this tour, and said it was pretty "painless"...that's good enough for moi. Also, we will be on our sojourn for more than 7 weeks this summer...giving us ample time to take this tour. For those of you with limited time, I would seriously weigh the pros/cons for each situation.

disneymom57...arrive early (as early as possible). Your chance of an upgrade is based upon availability, how many other persons have "asked", the associate you speak with at check-in, etc. There are SO many variables...it's difficult to assess. But, I know if you check-in early...you usually have a better chance. This is NOT to say you would not receive an upgrade if you checked-in later. You just never know until you arrive/ask. Good luck!

Ozzie...My DH grew-up (sounds odd...as if her were all done! He's still learning and growing...LOL ) in Santa Barbara. We have loads of friends/family there, and moved to our present location (a bit more south) FROM Santa Barbara. We have stayed at the Montecito Inn, which is incredible, as well as other places in Santa Ynez (one of our fav locales). At one time, they were going to "sell" the places in Bacara as townhomes/condos (Oh, how I WISH Disney would do this with VERO Beach!), but they were prevented from doing so by the City. It is indeed...a most LOVELY resort. My DH's parents have a home in a private association canyon area, overlooking the ocean. They also have a place in Punta Gorda, Fla. (on the water). His older DB lives in Ojai (beautiful), another in NY, and a DS resides in Bali. His DS beckons us to visit her in Indonesia...but my DH is reluctant (too many snakes, etc.). Perhaps someday.

disnurse...GO SOX!!

happytrails...Hope you're having a GREAT TIME! Did you visit the SPA? Have a massage?! Enjoy!