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

[jgates]

Evening guys..........Another busy week. Borrowing money is the most popular activity this summer with cheap interest rates! Business is booming......

Took awhile to get caught up on a weeks worth of missed posts!

Ozzie - Glad you had a wonderful time. I am worried now about connecting my laptop, but I will wait until closer to my trip. I don't think my countdown clock is moving at all!

DF - Another wonderful vacation!!!!!

Oz - I did purchase a new digital - it was kind of an accident. Its an HP320 which isn't really very fancy but I am VERY impressed so far with it. We were at Target last weekend when we went to another car show. They had a HP320 for $149 but had a combo with the HP320 and a HP ?5555 printer on clearance for $139. So now I have a spare printer!! Only bad thing is that it doesn't take the same manner of flash card that I currently have so I need to deal hunt. But it does take rechargeable batteries which my old one wouldn't! It also 'snaps' the photo sooooooo much faster than the old one. So for the small amount invested, I am very impressed! I think I will wait now on that new 35mm!

DD in a practice shot on the new camera - sorry for the red eye!

 

[needabreak]

Mouseteacher--I'm ready-wont take up too much space in suitcase, I promise--jk--wish you and dh a wonderful trip--Last time dh and i were at WDW by ourselves was almost 23 years ago for the second week of our honeymoon!O God , we are really getting old!!! I'll just stay here in town and keep an eye on things! You know teens and parties!!!!!

Ozzie--We had 4 adult and 3 teens, were usually sitting at the round table in the middle of the room--I know now that you were there when we were!!Sorry we didn't get to talk!

As hockeymom said--don't forget the bandaids and moleskin, wear your sunscreen and have a great time!

There were plenty of lounges available at the grotto in the afternoon and the bartender was not very busy mouseteacher--sounds like a perfect vacation to me!!

Damn, My feet are starting to stamp all by themselves!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dreamflight99]

WOW....I'll tell you all, things have CHANGED around here!

*First of all...the housekeepers are the SAME we've had for years, yet they SMILE more!

*No more tapping on the doors in the am, followed by a very audible "MINI-BAR?", and then a "BANG-BANG-BANG" as the door slammed and bounced against the thrown latch/lock! Now...PEACE & QUIET.

*DND signs are RESPECTED!! NO ERRANT KNOCKING.

*66 is SERVICE EXPRESS...and now FABULOUS. Every desire or expressed wish is immediately attended to, and a follow-up phone call is customary.

Yesterday, after calling for service prior to leaving for the LUAU, we returned to an unkempt room which had NOT received service. Being 11:30 pm...we decided to skip the cleaning. After all, we do make the beds and clean prior to leaving. Yet, trash was not removed, and fresh towels were not placed in the baths.

I called the service express to make them aware of the oversight. The associate apologized emphatically, and shocked me with a $50 credit to our account. She expressed embarrassment, and informed me the NEW service standard for Sheraton makes such an oversight completely unacceptble.

You will notice the service changes, if you have ever been here in the past. NOW....tell me, please, which DISNEY-OWNED property would OFFER a $50 credit for failing to clean your room? (LOL)

LUAU....last eve, absolutely GREAT! We took the boat to MGM, and the bus to POLY. The show at 8pm is the best (coolest too). I still miss the mahi mahi, and the shrimp rice, but the fare isn't shabby. I did not, however, enjoy the new dessert. It was a flan-type of dessert, either stawberry/choc. IT was not better than the old Upside down pineapple cake. As we strolled around after the show, I thought of TIKIMAN! DD bought some POI BALLS to practice the dance...etc.(LOL). The show alone was definitely worth the $$$. We rode in the front of the monorail to the MK, then hopped the bus to the Dolphin. Great fun!

*Today...we went to EPCOT. PINS....and TOYS....and "MISSION SPACE"!!! We rode it 3 times in a row...with NO WAIT! IT's fabulous, yet brief. The mission ends (mission accomplished) when we land on MARS. I think it should return to earth. I was the commander on all three missions! They are still in the TESTING PHASE. Cute gift-shop/gifts....TONS of FUN!

We played in both innoventions...and then had PS for Coral Reef. Both DH & I had the Lobster Bisque (now called "creamy Lobster soup"), and DD ordered the Shrimp Cocktail (Three Jumbo Shrimp). For the main selection...we ordered: blackened catfish with mashed potatoes (very spicy) for DH. DD selected the NY Strip (as she had shrimp for her app), with roasted quartered potatoes and shi-take (otherwise editing inserts **** in place of the expletive, leaving ****ake in it's place!!!) mushrooms. I ordered the Mahi Mahi (astoundingly fresh and flavorful), with dijon mashed and leeks. It has an oriental ginger-soy sauce poured over it, and is served in a shallow bowl. Everything was delicious! For dessert we ordered the Chocolate wave (warm flour-less chocolate cake with a hot gooey chocolate center..served with vanilla ice cream and a chocolate decorative piece), strawberry cheesecake (tart....in a little crusted pie...with a scoop of cheesecake with a large berry in the center, with a chunk of almond toffee-brittle), and lost in the sea (carmelized blue sugar base, with strawberry, pineapple and orange sorbets...with a seahorse cookie).

Ask for JACK (been there 13 years), or his wife SHERRY (been there 20 years). They have been married 10 years...and work the same days/hours. They are off each TUES/WED. Wonderful people. Her BIL (Billy Ray) works in the CALI GRILL (only silver-haired fellow there), and his fiance Lisa R. works at the FLYING FISH. What a SMALL WORLD it is here!

Tomorrow...we are heading to the SPORTS complex for some Tampa Bay autographs! The team is here...and staying in Celebration. Then, to the MK for some old-fashioned fun. Tonight was a heck of a Lightning storm...a DELUGE of sorts. The wildest since we've been here.

Hope all of you are having a GREAT SUMMER! For those preparing to visit...KEEP PACKING, and GRAB the PONCHOS!

TTFN....DF99

 

[KelliR]

I've been traveling all summer and I have missed so much on this thread! Just returned from Daytona Beach and I leave again tomorrow for South Bend.

I am behind on reading this thread ... don't know if I'll ever catch up! DF... love reeading about your trip ... I experienced some of those lightening and rain storms in Daytona! Whew ... I am going to bring a poncho on my next Florida trip.

Enjoy your summer everyone ... it is nice to be home for a day or two and check in here to read about everyone's adventures ...

 

[Mouseteacher]

moleskin --- check
bandaids --- check
needabreak ~ thanks for keeping an eye on the old home town while we're gome!

DF ~ dinner sounded scrumptious! We, too, have always enjoyed the Coral Reef.

GoofinNY ~ welcome back - stay on board with us - we are a respectful, helpful and just plain fun group of S/D lovers as well as all things Disney!

jgates ~ a cutie patootie!

gofenmon ~ welcome. I hope you have a magical stay - btw, where are you staying?

 

[jmcross]

I have a reservation for the Swan at CL next February. I just called to request a lower floor(for the balcony) and was told that I would get none of the ammenities, i.e.-robes, turndown, breakfast, snacks, etc! This does not sound right since I know so many of you have requested lower floors before. Does anyone know if their policies have or are changing?
Also, I asked about the studio to have more room and it is the same rate I am currently paying. Again I was told that since it is not on the CL floor, I would be denied all CL privileges!
Does anyone have any input on this???
Thanks!
Joanne

 

[Disbug]

to do the single digit dance! I am packing with one hand and hot glue-ing jewels & glitter to the "Temporary Ruler of the Realm" crowns I'm finishing for all the "kids"! This is way fun.
DH and DD's are all still snoozing.... I love a quiet morning!

Does anyone think it would be "too much" to fax a room request after getting complimentary CL priveledges? I guess about the only thing I could think of to ask for would be, not too far away from the CL lounge! (I imagine all the views are great on that floor anyway!)

~Hi, Mouseteacher! Won't be long!~

~Hi, DF! Thanks for all the wonderful posts. We are all READY!

Time to go inventory the meds before packing.
See you everyone!

 

[ozziewags]

Good morning everyone...
DF....I noticed the service also. Our first day, I went to put some things in the safe and it was closed and I couldn't open it, so I called downstairs and they apologized and sent someone right up. Then they called to be sure he got there AND gave me the choice of some things for the inconvenience. I took 500 extra spg points!(of which all were posted when I returned home)
Glad you are having a great time.

needabreak..I sort of remember a family with some teens hanging out around the couch! I should have asked everyday if needabreak was in there!

disbug....it is so good to see how happy you are about your upcoming trip. Have a wonderful time.

Joanne...I haven't done this, but I think others have. Be sure to request exactly what you want/have. If you are entitled to the amenities of CL, I would think you would get all of them. Hockeymom...you should know!

jgates....congrats on your 'deal'. Sounds like me, always looking for a deal! You will have so much fun playing with your camera at WDW. Read your book and play with the settings. It probably can take out those red eyes.

Kelli....good to hear from the US traveler. Wish I were with you(and DF, of course)!

mouseteacher.....you are so funny! Don't forget your Thorlos! You are also so organized that I know you won't forget anything.

Well, we are off to Columbia, MO to see DS today, and of course take him out to dinner. I think all college kids look forward to that, plus the money we slip him while we are there!
Later.

 

[#1hockeymom]

jmcross>> absolutely! You can pay for club level and be on a different floor! I just did this the end of June. We had turn down every night (which my kids loved, one for the towels, one for the weather report), and it was just a short walk(very short) to the elevator to reach club level. We didn't have the robes in our room, but it took me until Friday to realize we didn't have them. It would have been no problem to call down and have them delivered had I wanted them.

It will say CL right on your room key card. You also sign in at the lounge when you walk in. I loved having a balcony to sit out on to escape from the children. Perhaps they didn't understand what you were requesting? I wonder if maybe club level sold out for some days during your stay. Call again and state that you want club level, but you dont want to be on that floor. People do it all the time. I learned from everyone here that it was a valid option! Say hello to Thabo and MommaT for us! *and by us I men the "collective" us here on this thread!

DF>> good news on the minibar people! I wrote my *3 great things one improvement please* letter to the Swan, and stated almost exactly what you just said. Our problem was mostly of a "we'll be gone in 25 minutes" request, only to have the door being knocked on in 5 more, AGAIN.

jmcross/gofenmom Welcome to the best thread on the planet! I just started posting recently and it feels like home here! Everyone here is such a wealth of information and is willing to share it with a smile! WB to a bunch of others!

Disbug>> I love the crown idea!
Ozzie>> I have been trying for years to figure out a way to become a permanant tourist. Maybe you and I should share ideas and form our own company? LOL
Mouseteacher>> You're going to have a fabulous time!

Have a lovely Saturday everyone!

Debbie

 

[Mouseteacher]

Disbug ~ a caution - we received a comp CL room on the 12th floor last August. Our view was not that great - I didn't push the issue because I felt we received the best perk - club room and that was for 8 of us / 2 rooms and I was a newbie at this - didn't wnat to seem greedy! So, not all club level floor rooms have great views. Go ahead and make your specific request.

 

[hookedup]

Good morning!
I am starting to get really excited reading everyone's posts who are getting ready to go. Of course reading DF's first-hand daily transcript is pretty awesome too.
I just found my poncho last night! LOL!!
I received our documents yesterday for the GF portion of our stay. That really got me fired up too!!!
Can't wait to hear how disbug and mouseteacher and everyone elses trips are... it makes it seem like we are all on one big long summer vacation together doesn't it?

 

[Blondie]

GRAB the PONCHOS!

Is it raining that often?

 

[#1hockeymom]

DD asked me last night why I was still on the boards. Hookedup just hit the nail on the head! I've been on vacation in the world since I started posting! It is so nice to hear about everyone's vacations and living vicariously through them!

Debbie

 

[Tiffany]

Hi,

Due to the possible Verizon strike we might be spending our upcoming trip at the Dolphin. We stayed at the Dolphin in Aug of 2002 in a standard view room with a AAA discount and due to a leak in our room was moved to a room that had a view of the canal that runs from the YC over to the S/D area and part of the Boardwalk. Great view but no balcony. Not a big deal since it was a free upgrade because of the leak in our original standard view room which had a view of the loading dock area for the Dolphin. We assumed the room we ended up in was a "Lake View" Room.

Due to the possible Verizon Strike we booked a "Lake View" room through Dreams Unlimited at a great rate of $149 a night plus tax. We have an SPG Gold card. So I looked up our reservation on the Starwood site. And it looks like we were upgraded to a "Resort View with Balcony" view room free of charge. So can anyone tell me where these rooms are? Has anyone else gotten this type of free upgrade before even they even arrived?

 

[lonegungirl]

Nooo...I'm gold also, but my reservation still says limited view...

 

[Mouseteacher]

Good morning everyone! Just checking in and looking at my countdown clock .

lonegungirl ~ don't give up hope - if it doesn't show up on the website - you may get upgraded at check-in PD coming your way **************************************************

 

[Disbug]

Just waking up to do the same, Mouseteacher! Making a pot of coffee and starting off with some cheery news from our friends at the DIS!

Talked to my SIL about packing yesterday. (She is leaving in 3 days because she is driving down...) I have already packed about 4 suitcases, and she was going "why are you packing a week early"! My reply was, "if you're leaving in 3 days sister, I think you must pack like lightning! (She has to pack for 5, also!)

This will probably be the first trip to WDW that I feel completely prepared for...

Life is good As DreamFlight would say, "TTFN!"

 

[Mouseteacher]

disbug ~ Life is GREAT!!! I have begun to pack things like bathing suits, sleep wear, etc. It is just DH and I so the packing is not as stressful as when I need to check on DSs packing needs. While grocery shopping this morning, I bought water, snacks and magazines for the plane trip. We're almost there, disbug!!!

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by lonegungirl
Nooo...I'm gold also, but my reservation still says limited view...

Did you book through Dreams Unlimited lonegungirl?

 

[#1hockeymom]

I received in yesterday's mail (the real mail) a very lovely card from Thabo thanking me for the kind comments I gave him on the disboards! When dh was passing out the mail he said, "This looks like it is for you" with the Swan/Dolphin address on it. I expected it to be a comeback rate or the "thank you for your stay" canned computer response. I did not expect a personal letter from Thabo! This gesture has completely made my day, probably my week! To those that argue that the Swan/Dolphin isn't Disney, I say they haven't seen the pixie dust falling in my mailbox, or the smile on my face thinking about my stay that was over three weeks ago!

Thank you again Thabo!
Debbie

P.S. I am so happy for all of you about to leave on your trips!