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

[lonegungirl]

How do you manage to post the pictures? Do you have to have them already posted to a website to link in?

How funny--in one of the pictures, you can almost see our room on the West wing...

 

[susie2]

hi i have been reading all your reports for weeks now, and after showing dh all your reports and pictures have managed to convince him to change from the wyndham palace to the dolphin for our next trip, thank you all for your wonderful stories and tips, cant wait for our trip but we have a bit of a wait yet as we dont go till dec 04, which gives me plenty off time to read more of your tips, we will be there for xmas and new year so any help will be greatly appreciated, thanks again susie

 

[Disbug]

How to post a photograph link from Tech Board

lonegungirl: That is the link with a brief explanation of how to post pictures. If you need more help, PM me and I will give you more details. (It's pretty easy once you get the hang of it, and yes, you do have to upload your pictures to a website before linking them to the post!) I learned how on this thread, also! Thanks, ozziewags, #1hockeymom, DF, mouseteacher, jgates!


Welcome, susie2! I have stayed at the Wyndham DTD and the Swan. You will not regret your choice. I believe your vacation will be much more magical! (And we enjoyed a suite at the Wyndham, so I loved staying there as well!) You just can't beat what the S/D offers, and you'll find out when YOU are there! Have a good morning...

 

[Mouseteacher]

Good morning! Up early enjoying last night's posts. I headed to bed early b/c I have had a pesky summer cold for the last week and it just won't go away.

hockeymom~ I'm glad you are back to "normal" in your area. Was it frightening to go through? Did you have supplies stored in your house or did you have to go out to a store that might have been still open? I remember the northeast blackout of November 1965. I was a teenager so I thought it was cool and didn't think of the serious ramifications of the event.

LOL - my Airedale certainly does looked "stuffed" or an audioanimatronic from Disney - the dog in CoP maybe?. But believe me she is a bundle of energy. Poor ozzie thought she offended me b/c I worded my post wrong. It is just so funny b/c everyone says the same thing.

susie~ I assure you you won't regret your decision. Staying IN WDW is the BEST! I love staying at a deluxe and the S/D makes it so affordable and the location and amenities and upgrades are terrific. I stayed off-property once many,many years ago - never again if I can help it. I would stay at a Value resort before staying at a deluxe off-property. BTW, the pools are never crowded and finding a lounge chair is not a stressful event.
Have a great year planning and anticipating. Join us on this thread - we love to help those going to the S/D.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Welcome Susie2! You will not regret your decision to stay onsite and at the Swan/Dolphin! I also will never stay offsite again!

Mouseteacher and Disbug>> I was at a distinct advantage being that I came from where there was power at work. (granted no AC but we do survive LOL) Our power at work had flashed a few times, but we never thought anything of it. My first inkling was upon hearing the car radio, then I immediately switched to an AM Detroit station. I had lots of news (and panic time alone in the car), before I got home. Our power at home happened to be on when I walked in the door, which allowed me to watch the national news/Detroit news for even more information which allowed me to realize that NO, this probably wasn't the end of the world I could breath now! Cell phones were just about impossible to use, thus I didn't know where DH was for awhile, but I was confident that everything would be fine. When our power went out, I knew why. When it came on earlier than everyone elses, we cheered! Being in the sticks does have its advantages!

Since we do have power problems time to time anyways living out here, we already had candles and flashlights in cupboards. Power outages are nothing new to us, just not fun. Water wasn't a problem here at home, since we have our own town well, (and the power to use it!) (Growing up I was on a personal well and no power meant no water since the pump would be out!) 126 other communities aren't so lucky and are off Detroit City Water. Although most people have power at the moment, there is a very big boil water statement being issued due to water contamination. Detroit serves a vast area with water. Everything south and east of me use Detroit water, and quite a few communites north of me are also Detroit water.

I am babbling on, sorry! I am really glad that everything is fine, that people responded well in adverse conditions, and that the people hit the hardest are doing fine now! Like I have said before, we were the lucky ones with power on and off! I felt really bad for the people still without it.

Debbie
PS I still need to book that vacation!

 

[splashfamily]

#1hockeymom~ what time did your power go out? Here in NY the entire island and city went out about 4:11ish. But I know how you felt wondering if this "was it". I got a bit concerned when the cell phones were out and the phone lines worked on or off. I had a portable radio which I took outside to listen to the news. I wanted to know what was going on with out the kids around. Plus my Dh was driving home along I-95 in New london. We could not contact each other for a bit. He made it home but most people in NYC didn't.
Glad to hear you have power. Babbling is not a bad thing

 

[dreamflight99]

Mouseteacher!!

I'll post more later.

 

[pandora174]

Sorry if this is posted before & I'm sure it has but we're staying first time at the Swan ! 12/9- 12/16 for our son's 1rst b-day ! We got the AP rate of $139 /night with a lakeview room. We requested a king size bed & a balcony. My questions are :
- Does the Swan decorate for Christmas ?
- What exactly is a lakeview room ? How are the balconies & what are my chances of getting one ?
- Can you see the fireworks from the Swan ?
- I picked the Swan because I was told the Dolphin renovations wouldn't be ready & with a 1 year old thought the Swan was a better choice for our family. Was I right ?
- How's the bus transportation to MK & AK, is it the regular Disney busses ?
- Do you get early entrance & E ride tickets ?
- Will I feel the Disney magic ?

As you can see I need major reassuance I made the right choice. I just want this to be such a special magical vacation for my family since it's the holidays & our little angel's 1rst birthday


Any suggestions are MOST welcome !! Thanks & sorry it's so long.

 

[#1hockeymom]

You're going to love your vacation choice!

Yes, the Swan decorates at Christmas. I have never been there during that time so others will have to help you with more specific information.

A lakeview room doesn't necessarily mean balcony, but it could! Put your requests in order of preference if you want a complimentary upgrade, or you can always pay for a balcony room if that is important to you.

From my side of the Swan, I could see illuminations. I know others have seen fantasmic from the other side. It all depends on where you are located. This is another choice you could put down in your room request.

The Swan is all renovated with new decor and the heavenly beds. The Dolphin is in the middle of renovations. The Dolphin is bigger and houses the 24 hour Tubbi's. It is steps closer to the grotto pool. The Swan is smaller, but that also has its advantages. With a one year old I think a choice is purely adult preference. I don't think you can go wrong though with either one!

MK and AK transportation is by regular Disney bus service. We never had a problem leaving the Swan, and the only time we waited was at MK at the end of Enight when everyone else was waiting, too.

You can purchase Enight tickets at the Disney ticket main desk in both the Swan and Dolphin. You also participate in EEmornings should you wish to take advantage of that.

You won't get mickey soap, but the oatmeal soap is better! You will get a better bed and a gorgeous view/location. You won't get a Mickey wake-up call, but you also won't fight for a chair at the grotto pool! Disney magic? shhhhhhhh don't tell anyone else but we thought there was more there than at other locations!

You'll have a great first birthday celebration in the world! You'll be in Mickey's back yard; what better place is there than that?

Hope this helped,
Debbie

 

[Mouseteacher]

pandora~ A heavenly bed for you

You will LOVE the Swan, I' sure. I visited the Dolphin when I was in the World a few years ago and they had the red poinsetta tree in the lobby. It soared quite high in that awesome lobby. I'm sure the Swan decorates, too.

DF ~

 

[Disbug]

Laughing at the rooster picture from DF! Wakes you right up...Been practicing my picture taking technique, ozzie! Put a photo on "Disbugs Grand Adventures" thread! Also, took a pic of one of the flower arrangements I made for WL family. I'll post it here briefly... I am improving! LOL! (I won't say, I couldn't get any worse, cause, that could backfire!)

Night, all!

 

[pandora174]

Thanks so much for the replies. I keep getting more & more excited !! Can't wait.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Disbug ~ Cool arrangement! You made such wonderful stuff for your family to make the trip even more special.

Your picture-taking skills look fine to me.

 

[Disbug]

mouseteaher!.... I definitely changed some settings on my camera to improve the quality... and most importantly, I am forever "still" until that picture "takes"...

At our get-together, I brought part of my costume for the MNSSHP and now, my DSis, BIL, and DNeph13 are coming for the weekend, my parents are going for the week, and my youngest DSis who couldn't come to the first vacation is coming for the week. (Her children are all pre-school age.) Ooh! This should be fun!

 

[Muffy]

Disbug, Great news that your family will be joining you for MNSSHP! Only 44 days to go! Yes, bring your laptop! Yes, bring your digital camera! You are our connection to the magic!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
Mouseteacher!!

I'll post more later.

Just took this little guys pic in front of the post office in KEY WEST, where they run FREE everywhere. He ate until his crop was ready to burst~! DD adored him, as he literally "ran" over to our vehicle as we approached the parking lot. So much personality in such a little bird. Precious and Priceless. More to come.

Raining cats & dogs around here. Nice T-Storms.

TTFN...DF

 

[Shelly]

Just double checking, any ap discounts at S/D for 2004 yet?
I did check Glo's post, but wasn't sure if that is up to date.

 

[Disbug]

I will bring the camera (with a bigger smart media card)! But, alas no laptop! I don't know how I have managed without one, but that is still on my "Santa" list... I will have to be an extra good girl this year!

Shelly: Haven't heard of any AP discounts that far out... Anybody else?

Dreamflight: I was wondering where you found that rooster on your journey! The picture was good enough to be a post card!

 

[Mouseteacher]

DF~ I believe I remember seeing travel documentaries of Key West and they show the roosters roaming around! What a hoot! Thanks for the picture but I prefer the inanimate kind myself.

Has it been steady rain and not the normal afternoon storms? How much longer do you have to savor your time in the World?

Disbug~ I'm counting on you to post trip reports and pictures. How can I survive without getting a Disney fix through others. I need to live closer to Florida! I would love to convince DH to consider a place in Florida when we retire. He is not a hot weather person. Perhaps, the winter months will work?! It is well known among my family and friends that I always wanted to work in Disney - somehow in a professional capacity using my teaching skills if there is such a position. A fun dream!

 

[Disbug]

mouseteacher! It seemed like I took a lot of pictures, but now that I'm seeing others from my family... I know I missed a lot! I will have fewer distractions for our next trip...

Now if we can only get Dreamflight to drop in and enchant us with more tales, our cup would truly be overflowing!! HINT! HINT!