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

[kimmar067]

...to say "HI!"

lovingthemouse ~
Did you get my check yet??!?!?

DF99 ~
I MAY be going to WDW for our 20th Anniv (in Sept) and I'm really considering S/D (OR, AKL concierge )

Have a great day, all!

(Edit: after seeing happytrails2u's pix, I maight change my mind and consider PBH!!)

 

[happytrails2u]

DF, Ozziewags, Mousetacher, Disnurse, et all. Thanks for all the well wishes and suggestions for thrill rides, etc. Lol. YES TO ALL!!!!!! Especially the water rides!!!

Spent most of the day at the villa pool yesterday and enjoyed the cabana and accompanying service. This is a great deal and highly worth the few extra $$. Thery also have a message therapist at poolside which we both took advantage of! Nothing like a message under the palm trees - - the pinnacle of la dolce vita.

Sometime in the mid-afternoon, I "snuck" (LOL) back to the room to take a peek at the Sox/Yankees game! Yes, the world always stops when these two teams meet! Sorry Roger, but you'll get your 300 soon enough!

We had dinner at Mama Della's at PBH and it was wonderful. Mama came over and spent a few minutes with us, as she tries to with most guests. Then the accordian and guitar player came over to croon a song or two - - very cozy atmosphere and good food.

We walked over to the dock after dinner and took the shuttle over to City Walk. The warm breezes were refreshing and it was a beautiful night. What a fun place! After shopping for a bit, we meandered into the Motown Club and found ourselves cutting the rug to the Temps, Jackson Five, etc. Great fun and worked off the dinner too.

A few pics...

This is the Villa Pool, one of three pools at PBH. You can see a few of the cabanas in the background.

This is the open living/dining room of the suite. There are four separate french doors leading out to private patios. The view is of the grounds and villa piazza (not bay side) but quiet, serene and beautiful grounds.

Off to play again - more to come!

 

[lonegungirl]

Thanks for the parking fee info! I am currently trying to decide about having a car for the week v. taking the Disney transportation. I remember having to wait a considerable time our last trip for the bus to come, and so was thinking maybe the car would help conserve time. If it was like Disneyland, however, and each park charged $7 for each visit, I don't think it would be worth it...

 

[Mouseteacher]

happytrails - great pictures!

 

[dreamflight99]

"Now I have Visions of the secret agent (aka: happytrails) sneaking up to the suite to catch the ballgame!" LOL. The SHOW MUST GO ON! Your day was idyllic, from the cabana's & massage to the Citywalk & dancing. Any Bocce Ball? I LOVE this game, and we always play by the Villa pool.
Thanks for the beautiful snap (old Boston lingo for "picture"). Does your suite have "2" sitting/LR areas? Enjoy a little la Vida Loca while at the PBH!

Kimmar...I just noticed your thread (WL thread) has also started anew! Oh...an anniversary trip? You KNOW I have not stayed in the AKL as of yet, but would ONLY stay there Concierge! Is there any way to "split" the trip? You could have the BEST of both worlds. Consider it...if you have the time.

lonegungirl...since I use Disney transportation most of the time, I never really give this much thought. Also, as an PAP holder...parking in the parks is always complimentary. I do, however, recall reading somewhere about a parking pass from Swan/Dolphin. If you are a "guest" of either resort, you may obtain a pass of some kind which enables you to park "free" in the parks (parking lots). Does anyone recall/remember this feature?

 

[disneymom57]

Thanks for the advice, CJ and Dreamflight. We only have 6 days to spend there and we are lucky if we get down there once every year. If I really loved the Swan and thought I would be going back in a year's time I might consider making the appt. She insisted it was only 2 hrs. out of the day and we could go as early as 7:20 a.m.

Does anyone have any advice on which restaurant is best; also is it a very long walk to Tubbi's from the Swan? We are leaving Thurs. morning, and am so excited and can't wait to get away from this horrible, rainy, cold weather!

 

[dreamflight99]

Restaurant....hmm. My favs are Palios and Shula's. Palio's is Italian (excellent Pasta!), and Shula's is a BONAFIDE STEAKHOUSE! We usually dine at least once in each place. We also visit all the other retaurants in the Dolphin/Swan.

I Know you must be excited! Sweet dreams...and happy wishes/plans. Have fun.

 

[jetsetter90]

Hi all,

We just got back late last night. We had a wonderful time!!! The weather was unbelievable, coming from NY the heat was much needed for us.

We arrived around 6:30 at the Dolphin and we already had an upgrade to club level but then we also received a lakeview upgrade. We had room 12-095. It was very nice to have breakfast every morning. The afternoon spread was also nice but I wish they would have changed it up once in awhile. The rooms were not renovated yet.

Next time though I will stay at the Swan since the beds were Queen size and oohh those heavenly beds.

If there are any questions please ask.


TTFN,

jetsetter90

 

[kimmar067]

...I'd do a split stay in a heartbeat if I could, but it's gonna be a 3-day weekend kinda thing!

 

[marymrg]

DF - do you take a friend for your daughter or meet up with anyone there? I just wonder how my teens (13 & 14) would do with a 7 week absence from those all so important "friends". If I could afford it, I would go for that long.........well maybe just in the Winter. I would truly miss the only nice weather we have here. (Mid June - Mid August) It's the only thing that gets me through the long winters - that and our annual trek to Disney.

Re: VB - they might be for sale in the year 4042. I get first dibs though.......since that is my DVC home resort. I hope I'm still around!


Happytrails......what a suite! After seeing/reading all of the great things on here about the various hotels at Universal, I could see us spending a few days there. Maybe if I let the front desk know that dh and ds both play the piano.........we could get an upgrade!

 

[Mouseteacher]

jetsetter ~ so glad you had a magical time at the Dolphin. I wholeheartedly agree about needing sunshine and warmth. I can't take much more of our dismal Boston weather.

I, too, love the Dolphin. However, the next stay for us will be the Swan - need to try those heavenly beds.

 

[The Pluto People]

Hi All!!! Can anyone tell me who to get in touch with to do the timeshare tour for 10000 points? Thanks so much!

 

[happytrails2u]

...but how sweet it is.

Hi gang! Well, we haven't seen a drop of rain yet (knock on wood), though yesterday's high was 93 w/high humidity, dew point. We've quickly learned to adjust our park/pool times. Tonight we're heading over to MGM for dinner at the Brown Derby and a few hours of play in the park.

DF, the hospitality suite does not have an additional sitting area, it's just longer than the villa suite with an extended kitchen area. The suite is more geared for large groups. i.e., wedding parties, corporate functions, etc.

In fact, we asked to see a villa suite with a bay view just for the heck of it, and have to say we liked them better than the hospitality suite. The one they showed us had two balconies (one off the bedroom and another off the parlor - approx 20-25 ft. long) overlooking the bay on the west wing. The associate said there were a few available like this (as occupancy is down this week) and would be happy to change us if we wanted. So we did! I'll post a few more "snaps" (hehe) of this one as well, but this darn dial-up is sooooo slow. High speed connections coming in July here. Oh and yes, we played Bocce ball today @ poolside and DW kicked my #&@*!!

You bet, Mayrmrg. Go for it! You will love it here - first class all the way and a staff that can't be beat! PS. DW got tired of hearing chopsticks - LOL, so an accomplished pianist is needed in this suite for sure!

So long for now kids...

 

[Mouseteacher]

happytrails ~ hmmmmm yum --- the Brown Derby- one of my fav restaurants. I can taste the grapefruit cake as I write this!

Pluto People ~ I believe you can arrange the Vistana tour through spg - just give starwood a call and I'm sure they will conncect you. We received 2 phone calls last summer inviting us on the tour. However, our time was very precious and I didn't want to give up any of it - even for 10,000 points.

 

[dreamflight99]

The pluto people... I PM'D you with the # and info!

happytrails...GIVE DW some KUDOS (For kicking your %&*#! in Bocce Ball)! Us women have the BEST visual/spatial Intelligence. I have to attest...the Villa Suite overlooking the Bay View (& YOU KNOW THE ROOM # too), is by far one of the SWEETEST Villa's @ the PBH. I have seen the larger suites, but they all offer vistas of the courtyard (very nice, but still NOT the BAY VIEW!). When I learned none of these offered the Bay View...that was IT for moi. I prefer the Bay View over the Pool View as well. It's private, romantic and exclusive...just my style!

Our Villa suite (sounds as if I OWN it...LOL) has three balconies. It has the beautiful "covered" piazza off the bedroom (w/three arched openings), and two separate balconies off the Dining/parlor via French Doors. It was actually a "butler" suite upon the resorts' opening. It's "splendid".

One thing we have learned about the PBH...is the rooms are ALL different. Not just the location, but the decor/design & style of each is very unique. This is a great feature, and offers repeat guests a "fresh" perspective each visit. Unless, like us, you "prefer" to stay in the SAME room #...LOL!

I'm tickled to read you and "M" have switched. You'll be MUCH happier in the Villa. (There's a specific reason these suites are priced only $60 apart!). The Villa is $799 per eve, the Hosp. is $859. Another one for the "bigger is not always better" column!Please, Send pics...I'd love to see it.

Oh...the B. Derby! I LOVE the Filet Mignon, and the Original COBB salad app., tossed tableside (dressing). They have an oriental shrimp app which is pretty delectible too. Also, the MUDSLIDES are to DIE FOR! Yummy...I can taste it now.

chopsticks...LOL. No "Smoke on the water?" Perhaps that's reserved only for guitars. TTFN Kidz (*Kids*...another beloved Eastern term. I refer to everyone as KID...ie: "He's such a good kid", and HE could be 70!)...


Mouseteacher...Grapefruit cake? Yummm! Another "to do" for my LIST. I never make it to dessert in most places, unless I order/eat it FIRST! LOL. (Which is not a BAD thing to do).
I'll be sure to report to you after I've enjoyed some this summer.

 

[Disbug]

Dreamflight would you PM me also with the Vistana resort tour info? 10,000 pts would look nice in my account as well!

It sounds like everyone is practically giddy living vicariously through happy trails' adventures at the PBH! Being treated like royalty can have that effect! That and anticipating our own sojourns back to "the world"!

Have a happy everyone..

 

[disfanRN]

Calling all Dolphin experts! Does anyone know of a cigar event held at the Dolphin in the fall, and what are the dates?? I have even tried calling the Dolphin directly to no avail.
My DH would love to be able to do this while we are there! Thanks for any info.

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

Hey!

We took the Vistana tour last year and I was wondering if you have to wait a year to do it again? I was thinking to maybe try to get my parents signed up to take it in August, but after the 10th which I believe is when we took it last year. Do you still get that 5 night offer of $299? Or do you just get points?

Oh yea, :::calling Dreamflight:::: lol! We have 16,000 SPG points to use and was wondering how much it is to upgrade for 5 nights to the smallest suite at the Dolphin and Swan? Is 16,000 even enough for view/balcony..?

Thanks in advance!

 

[luckytso]

DF99, can you pm me the contact information to do the vistana tour for the 10,000 pts? Thanks so much.

 

[jgates]

Disneymom57 - it is a very easy walk from the Swan to Tubbi's. I sent my son over often to refill our mugs. When we were there they had the mugs up by the check-out so I had to go up and ask to buy them - if I hadn't known I would have already filled up the disposable glasses. My DS with his long legs could walk over and back in about 5 minutes easily. It takes me a little longer......... But a very easy walk. DD & I walked over to do laundry a few times also.