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

[Mouseteacher]

Debbie ~ Nope, no way, no amount of bribing would part him from his beloved laptop. It is his command central for all things social! Where, oh, where would his life be without IMs?

 

[#1hockeymom]

Before I could log on to dis at the Swan, DD was downloading AIM onto my school-used laptop. You would have thought she was going to die w/o it! I understand totally!

Debbie

 

[Mouseteacher]

Wry grin... Living with teens (although he turned 20 this past March - still close enough).

 

[needabreak]

We're back from a wonderful time at PBH and the Swan!Great trip both ways on SWA from Manchester-
Mouseteacher-will pm the details about SWA
PBH and Universal were FANTASTIC! Loved the Swan CL-although not a green ribbon to be seen-I'm sure I was there with Ozzie at some point! WDW was a bit disappointing-have never seen crowds like this-imagine a 40 minute wait for SW! E night ran from 11pm-2am and there were still some lengthy lines although we did every ride many times!

 

[#1hockeymom]

*in perfect third grade chanting voice*
Details, details, we want DETAILS!

Glad you had a safe and happy trip! I confer with you on those crowds! I am used to traveling in the summer with everyone else, but the crowds at MK seemed heavier than usual.

Looking forward to your trip reports! Forget about the laundry! It can wait!

Debbie

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Where are you Dreamflight??? I know she is out there somewhere. I received a card from her today for Baby Kirk Jr. and the return address was listed as "Somewhere in Orlando" LoL! Thanks Lisa

I love reading the post from inside WDW, I wished my turn was coming sooner. By the way our trip is leaving Feb. 27th. and returning on March 14th. Some of that time will be driving, DD with the progressive hearing loss is no longer allowed to fly .... So 9 of those nights will be at the Dolphin on CL in a Junior Suite

Calling Ozzie and Dreamflight...............

 

[needabreak]

We arrived at the Swan on the 7th at 10:30 am and our 2 cl rooms were ready-rooms were fine-on 12th floor-Beds were "heavenly"! Met Mama T and Thabo the next morning-they are both very friendly and Thabo goes out of his way to make the kids feel welcome-he spent a lot of time talking to them and playing brain teaser type games with them-that was however the only day we saw Mama t-I think she was out sick the rest of our stay-the others were friendly but Thabo was great!We went to Epcot that afternoon and did just about all the rides in future world (including "mission space"--FANTASTIC! ) Ate at ESPN then on to MGM! A lot accomplished on our first day! A convention of 700 employees of Monsanto checked in 15 minutes after we did! Glad i was early!

Going to put clothes in dryer!--BRB!!!

 

[RAV]

Needabreak- I would love to hear more details regarding your stay. We are less than a week away from our trip and the excitement is building. We are very hopeful that we may have the chance to ride Mission Space too. Hope you had a great stay!

Mouseteacher- I'm still ironing and organizing but the anticipation is great- how about you?


Enjoy the weekend everyone!!!!!!!!!

 

[stal]

this is a webcam from the top of the S&D. what hotel is the buildings you can see? http://www.aws.com/wxcomm/commercial/ccam.asp?sid=LKBNV

 

[Mouseteacher]

stal ~ that's the Beach / Yacht Club buildings.

RAV ~ organizing - yes. Ironing yet -no... that will be next week or even a few days before leaving!

needabreak~ so good to hear your trip was magical. Were the crowds unbearable? I pm'd you, too. I agree with Debbie - we need details!!!

 

[disnurse]

OK whats going on, dreamflight and ozzie seem to have vanished!!!!! I guess they're having too much fun. I'm sure once DF is tucked into the dolphin for her extended stay she'll be giving us a minute by minute report.

 

[Mouseteacher]

DF and ozzie -------- have you deserted us????

 

[needabreak]

We had a great time at the swan-For those who question if the extra $ are worth Club Level-here are my 2 cents!!!CL was definitely worth it for us!I had 2 CL rooms and they cost approximatly $65 more each per day. Dh is an early riser-He enjoyed going there at 7 and having coffee and reading the paper until the rest of us rolled in. We had plenty to eat and relaxed there before heading out! I had no intention of being there for the afternoon offerings, but we were there each day!We found it so hot and crowded, kids wanted to go back to swim!We would be at the pool about 3 each afternoon, stay until about 4:30 and then head up to the room to shower and change before heading to another park! We stopped at the Club for snacks and drinks before we left and enjoyed it thoroughly!!!
Although we walked to Epcot a few times, the boat service there was great. The boat service was also fine for MGM..The bus service to Animal Kingdom however, was horrible!It was so hot and we waited a long time for that bus! When it finally arrived it made so many stops along the way. i think we were on the bus about 35 minutes. This was also our first visit to the Animal Kingdom and we were all disappointed. That day was the hottest of our stay, Animal Kingdom was mobbed and Fast Passes were gone for the day at all of the rides when we got there! TTFN!More Laundry to do!will tell more later!

 

[Disbug]

Have been lurking lately, instead of posting! It looks like we will be staying at the S/D at the same time. I have my lime green! We will be at the Swan CL from Sat until Wed of the last week of July, before moving to BWV then WL. I am getting really excited!

Here are some of the things I've done to get my group of 15 excited, too!

1) Starting one month before we arrive, I mailed postcards to each family with the text and address in Walt Disney Script (so the kids would think it was from Mickey!) *I'm mailing one each week until we leave!

2) I have made "Welcome to the Wilderness Lodge (Family Names)!" signs in the shape of totem poles (complete with feathers) and inserted in a bucket of real looking silk flowers, pine cones and pine needles included. At the top of the totem pole I've stuck a Mickey Head antenna ball!

3) Labeled individual "Sheriff's Name Badges" for the Hoop de Doo (mine is "Dodge City Denise"!)

4) Made colorful Mickey Head name tags, place holders, that can be converted to luggage tags later as they are laminated to wear at O'Hana's for our first family meal.

My daughters think I am nuts (LOL!) but they "Get IT!" Maybe I'll return to my ozziewags photo posting info and send pictures.

Hope to meet you at the Swan MOUSETEACHER

 

[Mouseteacher]

disbug~ Would I think you are nuts?! I don't think so. In '99 my family - 14 strong- all went to WDW for the week of Thanksgiving. Prior to going I did similar things for my kids and my nieces and nephews. I was mailing and e mailing stuff like crazy! Fortunately, my family "gets it" too and they all know that I am the "leader of the club". Hmmmm... sounds like the MM Club song!

We check in on Thursday through Monday. I did not book CL this trip since we are there such a short time and it's just the 2 of us but I am hoping for an upgrade. DH prefers a balcony room. I'd go along with that.

I have my green ribbon on my hot pink fanny pack already! Quite a color combination... think strawberry soda with pistachio ice cream. I know I'll be at the pool most afternoons while DH takes his beauty siesta.

Happy planning - going with extended family builds memories that last a lifetime.

 

[Disbug]

Pool that is! I will probably be between the slide (watching DD8) and wherever I can "wade" in with baby Phoebe (DD2). My youngest has CP and we are going to try some new flotation bathing suits to see if she can at least float (on her back or like a cork, one!) I'll try to remember to bring my lime green towel or something like that!

The important thing is.......


WE'RE GOING, WE'RE GOING!

*Back to packing! (Yes, it begins...)

 

[Mouseteacher]

 

[Mouseteacher]

And... the leader of the club!

 

[RAV]

Just had to pop in and check out my countdown clock. My 14 year old son just told me how excited he is about our trip. I'm so glad he isn't worried about Disney not being cool. Knowing that we are all excited makes it even more special.

I am somewhat concerned about the crowds as we have never visited WDW in July but I know there is lots to do even outside of the parks. When my son was young, we always visited in May. That was when it was easy to miss a week of school. As he got older we began going the last few weeks of August into Labor Day. He's entering highschool and highschool sports begin practicing in August so it had to be July. We just had to take advantage of the free time and go. Crowds or not, we will make the most of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Tinkbell]

Checking in here for the first time. I'm considering the Swan or Dolphin for next summer's vacation. Does anyone know if the teacher rate has been available for most dates in June/July? (Still trying to figure out dates).