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

[dreamflight99]

mouseteacher~The Airedale Terrior...Such a LOYAL and LOVING breed of canine (can be FIERCE/PROTECTIVE as well). One of my all~time FAVS!

*We watched "Creature from the Black Lagoon", and Lon Chaney as the "Werewolf"! We also had "The Shining", and the "Night of the living dead" (old). So much fun and laughs...as these are "campy", but also a bit scary! DD enjoys all the old Hollywood musicals and movies. We have a lot of fun watching these together.

I'm going to take a break and lay in the pool, listening to DISNEY tunes/C.D.'s~! Thanks for the reminder.

You have worked hard and raised your two sons well. I'm sure they are fabulous young men, and reflect the values and character you have instilled in their very fiber/being. You should be proud!

P.S. MY DH loves "S.W." attraction too. I guess, for nostalgia...as it's one of the original/Walt's FAVS.

Ozzie...YUMM!!! Drinks look delicious & refreshing!

As for the music...I love the "Do you remember..." (Time to remember the Magic) song, from the 25th anniversary CD. It makes for MAGICAL background music, and great memories.
There are SO many songs to choose from, some actually make me CRY!

#1hockeymom~Thansk for the congrats for DD (scholarship). As for the Swim suit...the material is "STRETCH DENIM" (ahem)...a MIRACLE FABRIC of the New Millennium!! (LOL) I'm sure you would be comfy.

I LOVE your "PACKING" strategy!! DD also packs fine, yet sometimes has trouble "leaving" shoes (she would prefer a pair w/each outfit). I STILL have not cracked a suitcase...and am not even stressed. I'll toss in the clothes, and buy what's missing/omitted when I reach the destination. No biggie. I REFUSE to let packing STRESS-ME-OUT! (LOL...a little bit of tightening in my stomach as I write this...).

Have a GREAT TIME in the MAGIC ~DEBBIE! I'm following right behind you.

 

[Mouseteacher]

DF ~ Thanks for the Airedale pix - Loyal...yes, fierce.. ah no, she's a pansy! Ahhh... laying in the pool sounds wonderful-- rain has moved in again. My DDad has opened his pool but we have not had pool weather - next week, they tell us, summer will be here.

I forgot about "Remember the Magic" it makes me cry and get all goosebumpy. That's a good one.

Okay, Debbie - I'm cuttin' (as the kids say) ozzie to get in your suitcase first. Oops - I'll be polite and patient and step back because I'll be heading to the Swan right behind you and DF! Yippee

ozzie ~ I'll have one of those, too - pick one for me.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Its only been one day since I've been in a classroom, and yet I still hear "me first!, she's cuttin'," LMAO Atleast I am not hearing any verb problems! *be instead of am, was instead of is*. Ok, Ok, you call can come! Hide in the room until about 3. DH will take a nap. At first snore, you're all free! You could break glasses in the bathroom and I guarantee he won't move! Meet me down at the pool bar. First round is on me!

I haven't even cracked a suitcase yet. About to head off to the mall for some last minute clothes items for dd, and of course: MY NAILS! They're a week late seeing the manicurist and since I was packing my room during that time, they're a mess! I'll get the suitcase out tomorrow afternoon, add to it all day, and close it at night. Think of all the extra souvenirs I have; sunglasses from around the US and world!

Debbie
(this countdown has a weird am/pm part to it. We leave for the airport at 5:15 am, Monday morning. )

 

[disnurse]

Hey 4.57 inches of rain this month , i can't take it any longer. Oh yeah and rain again tomorrow, go figure.

DF glad to hear your not stressing over packing, i'm not the type to get stressed over it either, they do have shops in disney don't they.

 

[ozziewags]

mouseteacher.....okay, this one is for you:

And we both get to go in Debbie's suitcase! Yea!

DF...thanks for the suggestion......I will have to get out my 25th anniv. cd....I know I have it! I can't recall the song. I play so much music for the kids at school, they sort of all run together! We move to music on a daily basis! I also have to think of something for the Universal portion....need more ideas...?...or just use the one song, over and over...I have lots of pics!

Debbie....I can't remember, are you staying at the Swan? How long?

 

[#1hockeymom]

music and disney:
We have an AM radio station that plays disney radio from 11-2 each day. From 12:30-2 you can usually hear it on every day! The only time it isn't on, is for story time. Believe it or not, it makes the kids nervous and they can't work anymore! have always started the day with a darkened room, the overhead on with their journal topic, DOL, daily math, etc on it, and classical *calm* music in the background. It is amazing watching their morning stress quickly leave and they are ready to begin their day.

We'll be at the Swan for six days. I wish it could be longer! DH doesn't get that much vacation, and he is an avid outdoorsman. You can guess where the other two weeks end up! He always takes a week for a fly in fishing trip to northern Canada. The rest, he scatters into three and four day weekends for hunting/fishing/four wheeling.

Off to the mall!
Debbie

 

[Mouseteacher]

ozzie ~ mmm-- Pina Colada a fav! How about Hooray for Hollywood for US. Having different songs, IMHO, really makes the presentation special and adds to the feeling of the pictures.

Many, many years ago (hehehe - I'm dating myself), my best friend and I went on a 3 week trip to California - started out in SF and drove down the state with many stops on the way with the last stop being LA. She put together a great video of our trip which included DL and US Hollywood and the different music added to the video. It's such a great memento - we love watching it all these many years later.

 

[RAV]

Just had the opportunity to check the boards after a very busy week and I must say that Baby Kirk is just beautiful. To everyone heading to WDW- have a wonderful vacation.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by disnurse
DF glad to hear your not stressing over packing, i'm not the type to get stressed over it either, they do have shops in disney don't they.

ROTFL~YES, they certainly DO!...I think I've "mellowed" with age. I seem to remember being MUCH more "anxious" many, many years ago (when it came to packing/traveling). Once I realized I could simply "buy" anything I forgot to pack...I began to RELAX a lot more! No more "END OF THE WORLD" scenes..LOL.

mouseteacher~You'll be at the SWAN before you're able to enjoy your DD's pool! Yes...I love that "Remember the Magic", and played that video today. I'm a sap for those videos. When you drove down from S.F., did you travel PC1? What a great route...we drive it a few times per year. Lots of VISTA POINTS and stunning views of the Pacific Coast.

Ozzie~I'll have what Mouseteacher is drinking! That one looks DREAMY. For the UNIVERSAL PORTION, I'd use some of the music from the PBH CD I received from room service, with some huge fresh cookies on a silver platter and a glass pitcher of ICY COLD milk! (Plat. Loews Perk). The music was delivered with some choc. dipped fruit, cheese and crackers late in the eve (yes, a split of champagne and chilled flutes too!). The music is beautiful, reminds me of IOA & US.

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SUMMER...and SUMMER SOLSTICE! The LONGEST DAY of the YEAR.

 

[hookedup]

It may be the first day of summer somewhere but here in rural San Diego it is 55 degrees! We are in the hot tub!!
I had to get ds's winter jammies out! I guess I shouldn't complain you guys back east have been soggy for weeks huh?

Hockeymom Debbie - have a safe and relaxing trip! Can't wait to hear about it as we are looking forward to our Swan stay in August.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone!

 

[Mouseteacher]

DF ~ Yes, we did drive the PC1 - one of our great memories and chuckles is driving Big Sur on a foggy morning - we never saw the view. I remember particularly enjoyed the 17 mile drive/Pebble Beach/Monterey. We were young women (mid 20s) then on such a great adventure. It was a great trip and one Id love to repeat.

hookedup ~A visit to the Swan in August - excellent. Is is late in August? We went the last week last year and the crowds were very light - it was awesome. I wish we could have gone again at that time but I'm using cash and points which needed to be booked by 7/31.

Guess what? It's raaaaaaaaaining again here in Boston!!!

 

[disfanRN]

HI everyone- we were down for days, felt like weeks and I couldn't access the Dis- I thought the world must be coming to an end!!! Luckily we are all still here!

Baby Kirk is darling- enjoy him family Poppins!!!

As some of you know- my DD is going to camp today and we were trying to decide a while back whethero or not to go for a quick trip somewhere while she was gone. Last night we decided to go to WDW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I booked my airfare and we leave tomorrow at 7 AM!!!!!! My onlt concern is hotel- we have Bob from DU working on gettting the Swan, and we'll know by noon if we need to hunt for another hotel, there are openings at the GF, and YC, and WL, so we have options if the Swan doesn't work

I feel somewhat guilty- we are telling DD we are going to Vegas we don't want to upset her. My MIL convinced me to go, she said that we have devoted our entire lives to our DD and now it is time for us to spend some time alone, while she is off having fun.
I pray she does ok at camp.

We are dropping her off at 3 pm, then home to pack, and bed at 7 pm so we can get up at 3am! Yikes!

Hockeymom, DF and everyone else- have FUN!!!!! I'll think of you !!

Everyone cross your fingers we get the Swan!!! I'll update later. BTW, Dolphin completely booked

 

[Mouseteacher]

disfanRN ~ for you!! How exciting. My DH and I are going on our first adult only trip to WDW and the Swan at the end of July. Here's some PD ************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Please do let us know how you fare.

 

[#1hockeymom]

I can see the headline now! We're arriving to Orlando about 930, non stop from Flint Bishop. I hope to see you there, disrn!

We have always told our kids that when the last one leaves for college, we are leaving for Disney World! Of course we hear a lot about "no fair!" I am so glad I have that commercial to point to and say, THEY DID IT! I can picture our dd being the guy at work begging his mom and dad to take him to disney with them, though! LOL

Good luck with your plans, disrn! See you at Disney! Thank you to all the well-wishers! You will all be here before you know it! I need to go find suitcases. Yes, haven't even found them!

Debbie

 

[disfanRN]

Hey hockeymom... I think we are on the same flight!!! We too are non stop from Flint at 7:15-Airttran airways. We have never flown out of flint before and hoping it will be smooth, any tips?

Haven't heard yet from DU, I will call at 12:30 for the answer, otherwise, on to CRO to find a room at a very undiscount price I am sure!

 

[#1hockeymom]

My number one tip.. take every problem you've ever had at metro and THROW IT OUT THE WINDOW! You're going to love Bishop!! One terminal airport, short lines. Check in and you go upstairs to wait. The only problem we have ever ran into was needing a cup of coffee early in the morning, and nothing was open yet! Grab a "gas station" version on your way up. 75 north to bristol road west (can't remember if that is a "Michigan left" or not, I think it is a normal curved left)... less than a mile down:airport on the left, parking on the right. The parking bus is always ready and waiting. I get spoiled by Bishop, then end up on my next trip being at Metro at the international terminal and just hate it! Metro's international terminal should be banned for ugliness and uselessness! I am sure it helps me to love Bishop for the fact that it is only a half hour or so from my house!

OH! Important airtran tip. There is NO FOOD on the flight! Pack some granola bars. They do still serve the bad coffee/pop during the trip. For the cheap price of the flight, I'll bring my own food for my kids!

The non stop is the best! NO stopping in Atlanta! We're on the nonstop back on Saturday night. Which flight/day will you be on?

If you need more precise tips, email or pm me and I'll get right back to you!

Debbie

 

[dreamflight99]

[disnurse~I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time! I hope you are able to stay at the Swan, but if not....no biggie! It's ALL WDW and you'll have fun wherever you stay. I'm sure DD will have a great experience at camp.

Vegas, eh? (LOL). That one would not work for us...as DD LOVES the MGM Grand and the Penthouse "C" Concierge suite we always reserve. She's gone every time with us (Vegas), and DH & her always win a grotto of stuffed/plush creatures/characters by visiting the Excalibur arcade (entire floor of fun/games).

Debbie~I have not even "touched" a suitcase yet!!! ROTFL....and will TRY to get a bit closer today. We have friends coming over this afternoon...so packing is out of the question! (Excuses, Excuses!).

Would that be "Flint" Mich? Near Muskegon? Ever heard of Deer Park, Twin Lakes, Torch Lake, Petosky stones? We used to skip these over the surface of the water on Torch Lake. I have LOTS of relatives/family in Michigan.

 

[hookedup]

Mouseteacher - we are going the first week of August. I know it will be HOT but dh is a teacher so he has to be back at school mid-August so our vacation times are always during the holiday madness.
We went last year at the same time and did a similar trip - we take the train across the US from LA to Orlando. That is quite an adventure. Three nights in a sleeper car on Amtrak is really something. This time we are flying home though.

Traveling via train adds a challenging aspect to preparing for the trip. It is essential to travel EXTRA LIGHT. Traveling with a 3 yr old also makes is extra interesting too - LOL!!

I have never stayed at the Swan or Dolphin - we have always stayed at MK resorts. I am really looking forward to it. Due to this forum (really this thread) I joined SPG and got the AMEX and have used it a lot since last year. We earned enough points to stay at the St Regis for FREE for our upcoming anniversary weekend.

I had booked the teacher rate at the Dolphin but when I got the recipe club e-mail I switched to the Swan. Wish I could be staying there all summer like DF, but unlike my dh I don't have all summer off - I only get 2 weeks!

Oh, if only teachers were paid what they should be - we could afford to stay a month at WDW!

 

[#1hockeymom]

Every Michigander has at least one petosky stone hand picked from Lake Michigan! Mine, and most others, are stuffed in the junk drawer with all that other stuff you can't live w/o but don't know what to do with! LOL

Yes, that would be Flint, Michigan. though the airport is south west of the city, just enough to be in a completely safe area. I work north east of there. I will NOT work late for ANY REASON! I have probably already mentioned that I teach in the 'hood, but after being there for two years, I love it there and the fact that I believe I am "saving" kids and showing them that there is life outside of Flint and they need to go see it for themselves! I live in a very small village south of there. Detroit is still an hour 15 south of our house.

Torch lake>> Have spent early year summers there! along with spider lake. Our favorite spot now on the sunset side is Ludington. We fish out of St. Joes, south side of the coast as his brother lives there. We tend to vacation down the center of michigan, lately, due to buying land in the UP. Mackinac is where you can usually find us if we're on a three day weekend and not at the cabin. We live off I75, so our joke is if it isn't off I75, it really doesn't exist! (throw this out the window, too, when it comes to hockey tournaments. We are all over the Detroit area and northern Michigan for hockey tournaments. (those are usually over three days)

Still haven't found those suitcases, would help if I looked! I have been enjoying my coffee on the patio, watching the auto pool cleaner do its job, and reading the paper from cover to cover. The world is still out there, if anyone wanted to know...LOL

Debbie

 

[#1hockeymom]

It should say 20 hours.. not a day and 20! We're leaving in 20 hours! WOOO HOOOOOO!!!