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

[kimmar067]

...for the link! Glad you had such a WONDERFUL time!!
(**sigh** I should be there RIGHT NOW!! )

 

[Disbug]

As, I finish up looking at my pictures and posting my final trip report, I raise a glass of champagne (~see mouseteacher, I do like white wine!) to you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart for making me feel the "magic" all over again!

Good night, everyone! Sleep tight!

 

[kimmar067]

White zinfandel R-U-L-E-S!!!

 

[Disbug]

I think every post I sound like a lush, because I am mentioning red wine (esp. merlot) with all the meals I describe. I should also say that for MOST of my meals I drank water!! But, I confess.. I am partial to those REDS!

 

[lovingthemouse]

#1Hockeymom- please don't make us truck all that pixie dust back to Massachusetts!!!

Congratulations!!!!!! Fantastic news - 5th grade too and people who are anxious to have you on their team. Can't get much better. Now, we want to hear all about it.

Caroline

 

[TinkOhio]

~ #1 Hockeymom-

We're dancing for you in Ohio! CONGRATS!

 

[jmcross]

Does anyone know if the Swan will waive the $10 resort fee if you are staying at CL? I have read conflicting reports on this although my confirmation letter does say that the resort fee will be added.

Thanks,
Joanne

 

[joshua4]

Was very excited to read about your good news. That is fantastic.

Best wishes for a fun school year.

Lauren

PS. Only about 3 weeks to go until our trip to the Swan. So far, Mom is hanging in there and is ready to get on that plane and wheel through WDW. Hopefully all of the good karma from these boards will help!

 

[kimmar067]

...Congrats on the NEW TAG!! PM your way.... !

 

[ww52]

jmcross -
I don't believe the resort fee is waived for CL; it was on our bill. The newspaper, health club, free local phone, and high speed internet is not included in CL - the only thing CL gives you redundant with the resort fee is coffee - and that is only from 7-10 anyway.

Since it is mandatory, I wish they'd roll it into the room rate so it doesn't stick out so much. But I understand that it is taxed differently (it is actuallly $9.xx with some tax lower than the room tax, and it shows on the bill that way also).

 

[jmcross]

Thanks for the info, ww52!
Joanne

 

[zurgswife]

We are a family of 6 have a 2bdrm Exec Suite at the Dolphin reserved for Dec 26, 27, 28 ....the pictures look wonderful and large...

My question is that would you give up a 2 bdrm Suite for to Regular rooms on the CL at the Dolphin???

Swandolphin reservationist swear there aren't any Exec Suites 2 bdrm on CL...would you give up the space to be able to use the CL....

We are paying for with points so there would be no difference in points from switchin from suite to 2 hotel rooms....

 

[Mouseteacher]

zurgswife ~ Hmmm... I guess I would keep the Exec suite. Going to the Club Room from another floor may not be too inconvenient. I'd prefer the extra space and I like us all being together. I think staying in such a wonderful suite would make the trip extra special. But, it's JMHO.

hockeymom~ Are you busy getting ready in your school?

 

[#1hockeymom]

Lauren>sending all the P and PD your way for you and your mothers safe journey to the Swan!

zurgswife>> You can have a room anywhere you want and still have CL. I paid for CL and requested a room on a different floor, as I didn't know until disbug's and hookedup's great vacations that there were balconies on CL! It is a quick ride up the elevator, and the lounge is just a few steps, literally, around the corner.

to EVERYONE!>> THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I packed the explorer last night with load one, unloading it this afternoon after our inservice which was at 7:30 this morning. I do have fifth grade, with the teachers who were begging to have me. Found out there was a third grade position still open/up for grabs but my principal insists that this group needs me again and I will do great there! *hope he's correct!* I will be team teaching, covering language arts and writing on my own, and teaming for ss/math/science with me taking on the social studies component. YEAH! I LOVE social studies! I also feel I have a ton to add to this subject due to my travels now and as a child. This will work out well! At 3:00 I suddenly had my old room back, too!!! All that PD and P just kept on working! I was moved to a room without a door, but after my team teachers both had "the talk" with my principal, I once again had one of the few doored rooms.

ww52>> Couldn't have said that better myself! But I agree, its one thing everyone focuses on, and the fee shouldn't be that way. Roll it in and lets forget about it!

Hookedup>> Thank you for sharing your trip report and comparisons with us! Glad you had a wonderful time on your vacation, too!!

Off to football practice......

I HAVE MY JOB BACK! WOOO HOOOOOOO! *stillhappydancingeventhoughIamexhausted!* Tomorrow I drag the fan into my room! Its hot in there!

Thank you again!
Debbie

 

[Mouseteacher]

hooked-up ~ In catching up with posts yesterdays, I somehow didn't go back far enough, so I missed your post. Just caught up with it now. I am so glad your vacation was a happy one and that you enjoyed the Swan. Please do post more of your thoughts and opinions, I know I would be interested in reading them. Oh, and those pix, too.

 

[marymrg]

Does the exec. suite have 2 bathrooms? Is there a mini-frig there? Would the other rooms be connecting? Would CL privileges have to be added for the exec. suite?(either through an upgrade or points) How much time will you be in the room? Are you staying at a DVC resort after your stay there?

I think I would rather have the 2 bedroom suite without CL privileges. If it's a matter of staying on a different floor, Dh and I did and it was no big deal to go up to the lounge. If our whole family was there (3 kids) we would probably only use the lounge for a quick breakfast and most likely wouldn't be around for the afternoon appetizers.

 

[zurgswife]

I was under the impression you had to have a room on the floor to be able to use CL. Since that apears possibly not to be the case. How does one go about requesting CL privlages for an exec suite??

 

[Disbug]

~zurgswife! Just call the front desk and ask for CL privileges to be added to your reservation. I don't know if you want to pay for them with cash, points, or just ask for a complimentary upgrade? It is nice though to have it arranged up front in case CL gets filled up. This does happen during busy times of year.

I know you can have CL privileges from another floor, since they just imprint it on your room key (CL) which you show at the sign in desk... when you go into the CL lounge. *They don't know which room you are in or floor you are on since it is not on your room key for security reasons.


Hope your stay is as magical as ours was!

 

[dreamflight99]

HELLO to ALL!

Things are REALLY much quieter around here since school began on Monday. We have been on the go, and seeing/doing things we missed earlier. Our sojourn is slowly "winding-down", and none of us is eager to leave. We could live here all year long...and never tire of the people, experiences or the scenery.

The weather is cooler than it has been in years. Monday afternoon, there was a freakish FOG rolling in over New Smyrna Beach, and the water temp was a frosty 50 degrees! Sounds more like CALI to moi. Even the sea turtles are affected. The adults are not beaching to nest in the sand, and the hatchlings are "sanding" to the waters edge...only to turn around in confusion (refusing to enter the chilly H2o...sad). It's a Bio-Dilemma).

We, on the other hand, have RELISHED the cooler temps. This weekend, it rained all day on Sat/Sun. So..on saturday, we went to the MK...where the lines were minimal. We rode Peter Pan's Flight (one of my all time FAVS!) and Winnie the Pooh. We also took a spin in the tea cups and the carousel. Onto the other BIG E-Ticket attractions, and a stop at Cinderella's castle for dinner before exiting. We always request "Krisz" as our wait person. She's been there forever...and knows us from all the years we've frequented the park/restaurant. She's a Doll, and a FABULOUS server. We all ordered the beef barley soup, and the Prime Rib. Dessert there is also an event. Everything was incredible...per usual. When we left the park, we walked to the CR for some ARCADE action! We expended more than $70 on the games...and anyone watching would have thought we were in VEGAS...LOL. DD scored BIG with the tickets...and exchanged them for some memorable grotto. Another perfect day in the MAGIC.

We had "movie-day" (at Pleasure Island AMC 24) on Sun, and saw "Seabiscuit, S.W.A.T. and freaky friday"! What fun we all had munching popcorn, slush, hotdogs and nachos. We shopped at the Magnetron store, and bought some souvies. We then dined at RED LOBSTER afterward, enjoying the all-you-can-eat snow crab. Again, a wonderful day in WDW.

Monday we went to Celebration and shopped the downtown area. The sun came out after a brief sprinkle...and the place was surreal. It's so quaint and clean...truly a marvel to see/experience. We viewed some model homes and townhomes. They are all so lovely, we ponder the thought of "living" there...always surrounded by the MAGIC. DD always asserts it would be less-magical if we LIVED it every day. Perhaps so. YET...If they ever built a monorail/people mover...we'd be there in a N.Y. minute! We just love the "fairytale" appeal of the environment...and the elevations of the homes. It looks so fresh and appealing. If you have not visited this area...make sure to schedule a trip.

We drove (we've had a Jeep Grand Cherokee since disembarking the Wonder) to DTD and shopped the area (again), buying some more pins, and making a few cute ones as well. We rode Mission space (also...again), and bought a special pin commemorating the opening of this attraction. It's so realistic, very wild. We then drove to the CR to dine in the CALI Grill. We LOVE this place, and always ask for the same table (near the window). The food and service is astonishing, and never disappointing. The fireworks show, as well as the parade of characters on the lake is truly spectacular when seen from the top of this resort. We spoke with the server about "George" (former chef), and of his new venture as the chef of the trendy SEASON'S 52 restaurant. He always had such a way with the cuisine, extremely talented. We also recalled the wonderful moments we shared on the 14th floor, just a month prior. The concierge are SO thoughtful, and made DD's birthday surprise extra-special. She enjoyed sitting on the expansive balcony and viewing the MK Late in the eve/early am (1-2 am). These are the reasons we are driven to experience these things. She thanked DH and I, again & again for the surprises (CR & CRUISE). Her appreciation and love, makes it all worth while.

Tonight we are visiting the rainforest again. We spent the morning in the AK park, and then will return to have dinner. I'm looking forward to a "panama punch", some of the chimi cha cha apps, safari soup, & pastalaya over rice! We also dined last week at the Teppan grill (5th time) friday eve. It has become one of our fav restaurants in Epcot. We dined in Le Cellier Thursday...but it was only "okay". Service and food was a trite bit under par.

We had a fab time last week in MGM. We played in the arcade near the muppet theater, and visited the old standards (Great movie ride, TOT, RR, etc.). We had a late seating (10 pm) in the Sci Fi restaurant. Food, car and server were all wonderful. I enjoyed the tomatoes with mozz and vinegrette dressing. DD had soup, DH tried a salad. Entrees included the penne shrimp pasta, full rack of ribs and steak. Everything was fab. Dessert came in the form of a cookies & cream milkshake "to-go" for all of us. ^_^

We have dined at nearly EVERY place here on this visit. The crystal palace is beautifully renovated, and still offers the best breakfast in the place (next to Cindy's). The Garden Grill and Liberty Tree Tavern are still our fav. character "family-style" dining locations. Tony's prevails for PASTA in the MK. The ice cream is still the creamiest...the turkey legs remain a staple/tradition, and casey's corner still has the best Cheese fries on property.

For the first time...we also visited the ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE. We will be staying there a few nights next summer, and we wished to speak with the front desk about accomodations. We were actually desiring "concierge", yet were cautioned...actually turned away from it. The associates candidly explained it is NOT worth the extra $$. The offerings are "paltry at best" (exact words). We were shown a standard room, and a suite. We made notes, room #'s and specific "YES/NO" markings on a map of the resort. We walked the viewing area in the eve, and sat in rockers by the fire. We dined in BOMA'S, and enjoyed all the varieties of food available. We also shopped in the gift shop, where DD made a necklace and keychain using ZEBRA beads (& colors). It was a notable visit.

We checked on the CB resort, and the newly renovated food court. "Beautiful" is the most appropriate adjective. We still love the FEEL of this place, the music...the selection of foods, and the friendly faces we always encounter. We lunched there during an afternoon last week, and reminisced about the times (twice) we stayed there. We have the most wonderful recollections of these places, with events which mark our lives. DD went down a slide for the VERY FIRST TIME @ CBR. She was 4 at the time, and a bit afraid. She insisted DH wait for her at the bottom, and recounts her "long" journey down the watery tube to the end, where she plunged into the deep water and stayed under for what seemed like an eternity before DH grabbed her and pulled her to the surface. She could see the pool light and bubbles under the water (her eyes were open), and the feeling of accomplishment and exhileration when it was over! She also went in a boat on the lake, fed turtles bread at the shores edge, and remembers the birds on the island.

Our very lives are marked by the times and experiences we have shared. For us, the most memorable have seemingly taken place in the midst of the magic. So much changes in WDW from year to year. Yet...the more things change, the more they stay the same. There is a "comfort" in the knowing (the MAGIC never, ever, ends).

I hope this is not too lengthy or mundane. I get "carried-away" when I have time to relax & look back at the past few weeks...months...years.

I'll post the events of the CRUISE & KEY WEST & VISTANA on my next visit.

Debbie~GREAT NEWS!! I'm THRILLED for you.

Mom Poppins~Happy 2-month anni for BABY KIRK! This summer has truly FLOWN past. So glad to hear everything is going well for you.

zurgswife~Are you plat? CL is available on any floor by request. Plat. SPG gets CL where ever they stay in the resort, and also the R. fee is automatically waived.

Disbug~moi aussi! I love a nice fu-fu bev, or a glass of vino now & again, but I'm mostly a WATER GIRL (no relation to Adam Sandler). LOL. On vacation...I tend to splurge and try some new things. Like in Mexico...I tried those Margaritas this trip. WOW...they are STRONG. I enjoyed the regular, as well as the multi-flavored (lime/mango/strawberry). Very refreshing as we strolled the WORLD.

KIMMAR~what's up?! Please PM me about your vac. plans, etc. TTYL.

TTFN...DF99

P.S. MAMA T is doing much better. She has a new grand baby, and is enjoying her role. Thabo sends his regards to everyone.

 

[Disbug]

Welcome back! It is so nice to read your excellent passages related in your own very special way! I love the way you live the words! I am back in the World whenever I read your posts! Looking forward to the rest! A bientot!