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

[kimmar067]

...you MOST DEFINITELY are important!! (you're a teacher, 'member??)

 

[Mouseteacher]

kimmar ~ Weeeeeeeeelll - important??? maybe not - but touching the lives of our future? YES!!!! that's what we do!

disbug ~ NO NO NO your reports are not too long! It is so much fun reading the wonderfully descriptive narratives - it allows me to use my imagination and picture being there right with you. I will follow you over to the WL thread when you begin your posts there.

BTW, I have visited the WL and saw it on "Great Hotels" and I must say I would like to try staying there. DH is not convinced - he is a die hard CR fan and now a convert to the S/D. Don't think I can budge him - but I'm trying to use the tactic of a split stay.

I took a vacation day to do housework (ugh) and all I've done is DIS (my addiction) - I'd better get moving since it's a rainy, muggy day here and a perfect day to clean.

On a side note, DS got his dorm assignment yesterday (he was on a wait list) - he is very happy b/c he was placed in a suite! Now, the shopping begins for dorm supplies.

 

[splashfamily]

Disbug~ Your trip reports are great. Your picutres are terrific and make me wish I was there too. We will not be visiting this month but still hoping for a trip by years end. I love this thread and the reports make me feel like I have been there too. Still hoping! Keep the stories coming.

 

[joshua4]

Disbug - those reports are outstanding. Even if I don't get to go on my trip in September, I know that at some point I will get there and get to see those things for myself. The pictures are great and your narrative always makes me smile. In the words of my seven year old "You rock"

Can't wait to read your WL report.

Lauren (aka Joshua 4)

 

[RAV]

Lauren,

I've been away from the boards for a while and just want to wish you and your family well. Good luck to your mom with her fight and I hope that you and your family have the opportunity to enjoy a lovely vacation.

 

[KelliR]

I love reading your reports and seeing your photos! Please keep them coming!!! Your DD2 is beautiful ... what a sweetie!

I just accumulated some more SPG points by celebrating my 20th anniversary at the Sheraton Fallsview in Niagara Falls, Ontario. My DH surprised me by booking the Royal Suite ... and it was fantastic! I could live there! A gorgeous view of the Horseshoe Falls from a 2 story room ... the windows went from floor to ceiling. It had a kitchenette, dining room, living room, fireplace, and bathroom downstairs and a beautiful loft with the Sweet Sleeper King and bathroom. A great way to celebrate and rack up points for my visits to the Dolphin.

We leave in a few days for WDW ... not staying at the Dolphin this time but my DD5 wants to go to Club Dolphin, so I will have to force myself to visit Shula's!

Will anybody from this thread be in WDW August 16-30? I will try to remember my green ribbon

 

[ozziewags]

I have not been getting notices of postings, so I got a bit behind on reading!

DF.....we are so glad you are back! We (I) have been wondering about you, worrying that maybe you had computer problems! I want to know about the Sheraton you stayed at in KW. Were you happy with it? Then, again, there is not much you are not happy with! lol Anxious to hear all your details. I would also like to hear your recommendations for a trip to Maui(which I am planning for next summer)!

mouseteacher...get that dog spiffed up, so we can see her! I just spiffed mine up yesterday! Now I need to do that to my house, as you are!

disbug......we all enjoy your posts AND your pics....so keep them coming. You might have to pop in here and remind us when you post on the WL thread. BTW, we sort of felt the same way about O'Hana's food the last time we were there. In fact, my dh and ds do not want to go there again! Our new fav is Boma! Can't wait to hear your impressions! And that is tonight!

Have a great weekend, everyone.....especially if you are in the Magic!

 

[judirain]

Disbug~ you said to pm you if your trip reports are too long well if it is pm's you are looking for ask us if we want a LONGER trip report. I guarentee (sp?) your mailbox will be filled ... Keep them coming. I love reading them and just for the record they are NOT too LONG. I love the picture of your DD she is a cutiepie.

KelliR~ Happy Anniversary! We will be in wdw 16-30 too.

Mouseteacher~ I am glad you DS got a dorm room suite. He must be excited.

Hockeymom~ Any definate word yet? I am still praying for you.

DF~ I am happy you had such a great time on the cruise. We will be at the Dolphin soon. I will be pushing the stroller swap stroller. (boy that was a mouth full)

 

[#1hockeymom]

I honestly don't know where to begin so I'll keep this post short! Keep those stories coming, everyone! I love the stories and pictures! I am glad that everyone is accounted for still having a great time!

I haven't heard anything new on the job/school front. I am more hopeful though since I talked to the school secretary the other day! DH is still not convinced, but I am slowly showing him that things aren't done the same way in a big city school district compared to what he's used to in the real world or our small town.

Noon for a wake up? Isn't that early? LOL Its 1:30 and Sleeping Beauty just rose from her slumber!

*room wave to everyone* I don't know what I would do without this board now! I love the information, the sharing and the camaraderie! You "guys" are great!

Debbie

 

[TinkOhio]

Disbug--WOW! Great reports! Not too long at all. I really appreciate your postings. If our future stay at the Swan is even half as fun as yours, we'll be thrilled!

Could you help me with a couple of things you mentioned earlier? First, where/what is "the marinas" at WL? Also, could you tell me about "connection vouchers"?

Thanks!
Karin

PS-DD2 is adorable!

 

[TinkOhio]

MOM POPPINS--

I have a son with a high-functioning form of Autism on an IEP and also have taken him out of school at vacation-time and wouldn't hesitate to do it again. We did tell the staff ahead of time and also asked for make-up work, etc. so that he wouldn't come back "behind." (Ryan, like your Rachel, is an excellent student.)
Not only were his teachers O.K. about this, but they even tied his vacation into the assigned work. (We went to Boca Raton, so his lessons centered around the Everglades and it's environmental/social impacts.)

Given that you are concerned about how the time off will be received, be sure to tell them that you appreciate their help and will work with them as a team in your daughter's education. Aslo know that you don't need their permission to take time off from school because of an IEP. As long as you are't nearing the limit for days missed from school, you should be fine.

You seem to have alot going on, so try to rest easy knowing that most educators love having involded parents who work with them to better educate their children.

****sending pixie dust****

Karin

 

[disnurse]

Love reading the posts from the world, no post is ever too long in my opinion.
I've been diligently searching for good airfare for our april trip, this year its the dolphin and hardrock if things go well. So far the flights are really expensive and ong layovers, good thing I have 3 more weeks off so i can keep looking.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Thanks for all the suggestions about our DD Rachel. I will let you know how it all turns out. We have never had a problem in the past, its just with the new principal and all .... I hope she is just as understanding. We live in a VERY small town pop. 663... everybody knows everybody. As a matter of fact my DD Rachel's 2nd. grade teacher is going to be the same teacher my DH had and my little Monica who will be going to Kindergarten (yikes) her teacher was also my DH's teacher. Thaniks again for your comments

I have booked 2 nights at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Destin, Florida http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=DESHIHF for on our way back home. Has anyone ever stayed here ? I am thinking of maybe adding another night to this ressie. I was going to add another night to our Dolphin ressie instead of 9 making it 10 but the website shows sold out. I wonder how that can be already ???? Any thoughts or suggestions ???

Happy Friday Everyone

We missed you DF welcome "Home" to the Dolphin

 

[Mouseteacher]

Kelli ~ Happy Anniversary - sounds like you had a "royal" anniversary trip.

disnurse ~ No good fares -nonstop- out of Providence on SWA? They usually are pretty good. We are sold on SWA after this trip -our first on SWA. Decent roominess - I didn't feel claustrophobic at all. I even sat in the middle seat coming home and felt no discomfort.

hockeymom ~ noon time is the minimum getting up time - a place to start. LOL But, you're right, it can go much later.

Disbug ~ I, too, think your DDs are cutie patooties! Ahh, to have my children that age again - they grow up so fast. I, also, think it is wonderful that Disney does so well for guests of all ages with disabilities. When we were on the Jungle Cruise, we had to wait a bit while the CMs were loading some adults in wheelchairs onto the boat. I certainly don't mind waiting while the guests are assisted. It's when rude, pushy people cause delays that I get mildly irritated.

 

[disfanRN]

HI everyone!! Although I haven't been posting much lately I have been trying to keep up with everyone's adventures!! This is the sweetest and most pleasant place anywhere

As some of you may remember I had some confusion upgrading to CL at Swan in June. I tried ahead of time, but was told not avail. At checkin, the front desk charged 1500 pts/night despite my insistance it was only 1,000. SPG states it is only 1,000/night and that I was overcharged by the hotel. SPG asked the hotel to refund my overcharged pts, but they would not, stating I was correctly charged. I tried calling the front desk mgr several times and he returned my call once when i was not home, I tried calling several more times with no return calls.

Needless to say I am concerned with my upcoming trip 60 days away, for 12 nights. If I cannot upgrade ahead of time, I will be spending many more pts at the check in desk. So I was wondering if anyone had done it lately and what the charge at the desk was????

We are so excited!! It is fun to read all of the reports

 

[madge]

tell me what you think....this is what I sent to the S/D for our requests:

Reservation number: xxxxxxxxxxx (my name)
Please change Starwood number to Gxxxxxxx
Request SPG Gold upgrade to Club Level access, if available.
We are celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary (9/23) and our youngest daughter's 2nd birthday (10/1). Looking forward to another magical stay!

I'm sure I will get the canned response, but I am pretty pleased with my request. I also left a similar request on www.spg.com

Request SPG Gold upgrade to club level access, if available. We also need a crib. Thanks!

Other that earning points, I guess that's all I can do with 7 weeks to go

7 weeks, yay! it won't be long now.....

 

[Mouseteacher]

disFanRN ~ Our trip to the Swan was at the end of July. Our comp upgrade - asked for a balcony room and got a Jr. Suite. The CM offered us CL access (we were on the 6th floor east wing) for $50 a day. We turned it down.

madge ~ Your request looked good to me! You will get the canned response from Melissa or Michelle (can't remember). However, ask again at check-in. When we checked in, the CM read my original ressie - standard King room- despite my sending an e mail request and calling to see if my request was attached to my reservation 3 days before arriving. If I hadn't said anything that's what we would have gotten. By asking at check-in we got the Jr. Suite. Last summer, my comp upgrade to CL showed up on the spg website about a week before we checked in. Ya never know!

 

[madge]

madge ~ Your request looked good to me! You will get the canned response from Melissa or Michelle (can't remember). However, ask again at check-in.

I know....I e-mailed about the crib earlier in the year and got that no-emotion reply. I wasn't going to e-mail again, but I noticed today that my starwood status is listed wrong on the reservation :::gasp::: my number started with an A and it should read G so, I figured it couldn't hurt to send a nice little note, LOL.

we'll see.....

 

[Disbug]

~TinkOhio, Splashfamily, Joshua 4 (Lauren), KelliR, Mouseteacher, Judirain.....!

Thank you one and all for the special comments about our darling Phoebe! She is a great little girl! I am fixing to fireup the saga again after refueling with pizza and buffalo wings! (Got to keep up my strength!)

~ madge: you're request looks great to me as well. I was pleased with every room we received and have faith that the faxed/emailed requests were worth it! Those CM's really know how to make your day! (Thanks, Andrew wherever you are!)

~TinkOhio! I will PM the info about the Connections vouchers since it's really a "Budget Board" kind of subject. If anyone else wants this info, let me know and I will be glad either to post on the Budget Board or PM you! I will also do the same about the WL marinas, which is over on the WL FAQ thread for the Disney Resort Board (right, Kimmar?)

 

[lovingthemouse]

Boy, being away from the boards for a few days put me 5 pages behind - so much reading that it took me two sittings to get it all read.

To you teachers, administrators - our school year begins (with kids) the day after Labor Day. Our professional development begins the week before.
#1Hockeymom- i know that things will work out- there have been many layoff, pink slip notices here too and most of the teachers have been called back - the exception being those not certified. You know we're pulling for you!!!
Mouseteacher and Kimmar when do you all begin? I do love 6th grade,so i always look forward to meeting new kids.
DisBugI have read all your posts - you have a gift for details that makes many of us feel like we were there with you - thanks. I am really enjoying them.
MomPoppinsI just realized that my school has more students than your entire town - we have over 1150.
Welcome to the new post members- you 're right - this is the best board going - friendly and make you feel comfortable when posting.
DF - sounds like the cruise was wonderful- tell us more!!!
Take care everyone. Caroline