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

[marymrg]

The "from the World" posts are great. Keep 'em coming.

Lisa - have a great trip and Happy Birthday.

Baby Kirk - glad you are home!


MaryG

 

[Mouseteacher]

ozzie ~ I believe my socks were the culprit. Do you have suggestions on what socks to buy? I have read good things about the New Balance sneakers. Maybe, I should go out and try them on - my problem is a narrow width foot that makes fit difficult to find.

DF ~ less than 24 hours for you!

 

[ozziewags]

Yes, I have suggestions for socks too! I wear Thorlo tennis socks. They are about $9.00 A PAIR, but it is all I wear. I teach PE and am on my feet all day and active, so I treat my feet well! You can get them in crew, or shorter styles. Also, try to keep your feet dry....a bit of powder in your socks or on your feet before you hit the parks. Someone suggested in Deb's newletter that he sprays his feet with antiperspirant! Hard to stay dry in 90' humid weather!

I have another laptop question.....where do you keep it when you are in the parks? I am worried about theft. Had that happen once(not at disney).

 

[Mouseteacher]

ozzie~ My DBro brought his laptop with him last summer @ our Dolphin stay. I believe he just put in a locked suitcase - out of sight. He had no problem.

Sock clarification - I have never heard of that brand - where to purchase?

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by ozziewags
Wow DF....not much time left. I have a question for you, although I know how busy you are. What is the best time to go to MK and get in line for the wristband for a Tues. enight? It runs from 10-1am. What do you ususally do? Looking forward to this....hope I can get tickets for Tues., as you suggested.

First off, Tuesday eve is the BEST day to go for E-Night. I go about 9:30 and just walk through the parade crowd over to the Arcade by Space Mountain. It's the easiest place to get a wrist band, with NO LINES! Just waltz inside and get the band at the counter. Enjoy!!

*Tip: to avoid the lines and LONG wait for the bus at the end of e-night, simply burn some time at CASEY'S CORNER at the top of Main Street. Sit and relax for about 30-60 minutes after the park closes. Trust me...security will insure you have transportation to your resort (we love sitting and relaxing while looking at the Castle...as everyone else is stressing and waiting in line for a bus...LOL!) and they will call the bus for you..and you'll have it ALL to yourself. ^_^ It's always fun, and relaxing.

marymrg~thank you!

Ozzie...I've never had a problem with theft (anywhere...knock on wood). I leave my laptop on the desk...the entire time I'm there. In fact, I do this at every resort we stay. It's too time consuming and stressful to keep moving it, etc.

 

[Muffy]

DF, Happy to hear everything is in place for your trip! Have a safe trip to FL with your family! Nice to hear how well your DD is doing.

Mouseteacher, I agree with Ozzie about the Thorlo socks. They are great, very comfortable. I run 5 miles every morning and would not be w/o these socks! I also wear New Balance sneakers. I have 2 pairs, an old pair and a new pair. I love them both for different reasons! I also LOVE Teva sandals for WDW in the summer. Try www.sierratradingpost.com for bargain prices on Tevas. Only 28 more days to go!

Ozzie, I'm so glad you can fit in a trip to WDW with your DD! Are you going to be there at the same time as Mouseteacher and DF? If so, how wonderful! Please let me know how you make out with your laptop at the Dolphin! Do you have windows 98 on yours? I'm concerned that it requires some extra something to hook up?!

Happy traveling to all folks headed to WDW and the S/D!

Muffy

 

[ozziewags]

mouseteacher.......I buy my Thorlos at Sports Authority. You can find them at most sporting goods stores or at FootLocker, Athlete's Foot, etc. You might go to Google and type in Thorlo. I think I will try that, maybe I can find a bargain!
Hey Muffy, my dd and I are leaving July 6, so will be back before m. and df get there. DF is going all over the place, as you know! That's one lucky family! As for laptop, it is dd's and has Windows 2000. We want to take it so she can keep up with her email and job hunt.

DF....thank you so much for the info. That is just what I wanted to know. I didn't want to go to enight early just to get a wristband. You are so full of great tips! Even the best place to pick it up. You are leaving so soon. If you don't get back here much before you leave, have an absolute SUPER trip and keep us posted when you can. Bon Voyage!

 

[disnurse]

Funny you should mention moleskin, I just found mine that i bought a few years back anticipating blister. Mouseteacher I highly rec. Tevas, I wear mine all day in the parks and love it, no sweaty feet and my feet don't get all that dirty either.
RE: high speed I hooked my laptop right up without any difficulties, I have windows XP and it did all the configuring

 

[Mouseteacher]

Thanks, ozzie and disnurse for the footwear tips. Sports Authority is close by and I will definitely buy a couple of pairs (at $9 a pair I'll stick with 2). I do believe it was the socks because the socks I had were cheapies. I love the sneakers I wear and they have always been comfortable. I will put the moleskin on the place where I had trouble last summer to avoid problems this summer.

DF ~ I wish you Godspeed and a heavenly trip with your family. I will be anticipating your posts from inside FLA and inside the magic.

ozzie ~ you really only have a little over a week to go! Will you be posting, too? I hope so. How long are you and DD staying?

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by ozziewags

DF....thank you so much for the info. That is just what I wanted to know. I didn't want to go to enight early just to get a wristband. You are so full of great tips! Even the best place to pick it up. You are leaving so soon. If you don't get back here much before you leave, have an absolute SUPER trip and keep us posted when you can. Bon Voyage!

Ozzie...YOU ARE A DOLL! HOW SWEET of YOU to post the pictures of everyplace we'll be traveling/staying during our nearly two months. Thank you, a Zillion times for all the PICS...I'll DREAM of THESE tonight (especially the CRUISE picture...it looks HEAVENLY!

Muffy~Thank you! It's remarkable what the RIGHT medication can do for a person (LOL)! I must PACK this eve. Got tons more completed today...just a few more things.

Mouseteacher~IT's definitely the SOCKS! They have "done me in" or more than one occasion until I switched to Thorlo (use them for running too!). They are AWESOME, and you will never wish to wear anything else. The moleskin is a fab idea too. It's AMAZING how educational this thread can be...especially with regards to trekking around WDW & Swan/Dolphin! Thank you, I'll post as soon as we're settled!

 

[jgates]

Ozziewags!!!!! CROSS YOUR FINGERS- If this works, add me to your demon list! Bought Microsoft Picture It tonite - cheap - with a rebate and VERY easy to use already. I know my aunt liked it so I went with her instincts. READY TO POST A PHOTO!!!!

Hey! I can see it - can anyone else? Now the problem is getting a decent digital camera......This HP PhotoSmart210 works great but it sucks batteries horribly so I normally use 35mm. It CAN'T take recharable batteries or it will burn out the camera. So I really need a new one!

 

[disfanRN]

HI everyone!!! Just back from our quick 3 days around the World that was so relaxing it felt like a week!!

Hockeymom- you were right, Bishop airport was fabulous!! Where were you? I spent the whole pre flight time searching for someone who might be wearing Red Wing clothing!! I didn't want to stand up an announce " IS HOCKEYMOM HERE??" I thought I may be looked at strangely, but I was thinking of you none the less!! Sounds as though you are having a great time.

We had a wonderful time, the Swan was so beautiful, and with the exception of check in staff member Graydon, everything went well. We went to check in and had already tried to upgrade 2 days before and the day before to CL using pts and was nothing was available. At check-in, Graydon, who I found snooty and not friendly at all, we asked if CL was available, he said well you already got a blacony room. We said we would glady give up the balcony room for CL, he said, no one but Platinum members ( we are Gold) gets CL without paying for it. We said fine we would pay with points, so he sat there looking all over this card for the amount of points it would cost and finally said 1500/night. I explained that I had contacted Starwoods and was under the impression it was only 1000/night. He just stood there with the "do you want it or not" look. So we took it, I did not want to start out our short trip fighting with the front desk. Perhaps I will call Starwoods, but I see they already deducted my 3,000 pts.

The room was 604, nice view of the Swan/Dolphin walkway. The bed was heavenly, and the room nice overall. I love the oatmeal soap!!! I had called the day before we left and explained I needed medication refrigerated immed upon arrival as it was in an ice pak during travel. The first person I spoke to said to put it in the mini bar, I explained this was not proper temp, and she said it would be 12 dollars/day. I asked to speak to a manager, and was assured a fridge for the meds would be there and free of charge. It was not there when we arrived, but one call to the desk and it arrived shortly, with a follow up phone call to make sure which I appreciated.

The CL staff Thabo and MamaT were engaging and sweet!! The food was delicious, and we enjoyed ourselves tremendously.

WDW is quite crowded now, much more than we are used to always going in fall, but was great anyway. We went to all 4 parks, and saw Spectro, FITS, Illuminations and Fantasmic , all in just 2 nights!! My legs are killing me form all the walking!!

After going, I am so looking forward to fall at the Dolphin!! WHat a great hotel and amenities.

Got a letter from DD from camp, that says she does not miss us!!!I will take that as she is having a good time, and is doing well. I hope she is keeping cool as it is hotter here in MI that it was in FL!!

Have fun Dreamflight-looking forward to your posts! Hockeymom, hope the good weather we brought down to FL lasts for you!!

 

[disnurse]

disfanrn glad you had a great time. There have been too many complaints re checkin staff at the swan lately, its probally that same guy with an attitude!! The checkin staff at the dolphin was incredible, they searched for a great room for us (free upgrade ) and then asked if we minded waiting as this room was wortrh the wait but wasn't ready yet.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Yes, last night I just had to do it. Found my scissors, bit on my lip not to scream. I can now walk on the bottom of my feet, though. I wish I would have grabbed that moleskin when I was at the store at home!

I was looking for two smiling adults with no children, disfanrn! Sorry we didn't manage to find each other. I am glad you liked Bishop. We work hard to try to use Bishop Airport as much as possible.

Coral Reef>> wow! Don't let the bad reviews make you not come here. Loved the food, had a glass front seat! DS had pizza and the blue whale lighted ice cube drink, loved both. DD had the tuscan salad and a strawberry something or another. I had the rosemary shrimp and an "octopus juice". Both were great! DHs meal, though, was the very best. He had the mahi. The glaze was just fantastic! Our server was one of the best we've ever had at wdw.

San Angel Inn>> The kids had nachos and chicken fingers, we split the cheese and chorizo appetizer. Everything was fantastic, including service. Needed another margarita as soon as we walked out, for our trip around the world.

Forgot to eat dinner again, ended up sending the kids down to Tubbi's for two cheeseburger meals to split up at the room.

Every night the kids went swimming and it was never a problem, despite the signs saying that the pool was closed.

I need to find the source for the oatmeal soap! The light-weight blanket/comforter: what is it? I NEED ONE at home! We sleep in a cool room at home, so just left the duvet at the bottom of the bed and slept with the sheets and the light-weight version. I will check out the spiegel catalog later and see if I can locate it if no one has any ideas on a buying location.

Having a blast at the world,
Debbie

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by #1hockeymom
The light-weight blanket/comforter: what is it? I NEED ONE at home! We sleep in a cool room at home, so just left the duvet at the bottom of the bed and slept with the sheets and the light-weight version. I will check out the spiegel catalog later and see if I can locate it if no one has any ideas on a buying location.

Having a blast at the world,
Debbie

Hi, Deb! Please, go to the Concierge (or front desk) and request the "Ordering/Price sheet" for the Heavenly Bed & BEDDING from Starwood. These items are available for purchase "directly" through a special number, etc. I'll admit...it's WONDERFUL stuff (but not available at Spiegel).

Glad to read you're having a wonderful time. I'll post more later...have to RUN!

 

[hookedup]

Debbie - Glad you are having fun - despite the blisters - ouch!! No fun!
My sister ordered some Heavenly Bed stuff from Westin.com - they had a link on their homepage for all the Heavenly Bed & Bath stuff.


Lisa - Have a safe & smooth flight!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I love reading the post from the "World" keep them coming

Lisa you and your family have a safe and wonderful trip. We are looking foward to reading your post.

Baby Kirk Jr. is 2 weeks old today All is going GREAT! I cannot wait to head back to WDW with our family of 7, I hope I have enough stroller pushers Lol!

 

[bravestwj]

Hey guys,
DH remembers you all being very helpful and 'the authority" on all things Swan/Dolphin, so I'm posting with a few questions. I haven't read back very far, apologize in advance if these questions have been answered over and over. Just booked Dolphin Dec. 23-26 at teacher rate (me!), and DH is SPG Gold. What's the chances of an upgrade to Club level? We were there spring 02 and DH was platinum then, and the CL was wonderful! We were also on teacher rate then, but still got upgraded. Do I dare hope????

Any good deals going to 5 day park hoppers? Any suggestions for Christmas Dining that I need to get an early hop on for a PS? We know we don't want to do Albert and Victoria's~just too much for us. We did WDW well in Spring 02, staying a week. We haven't ever been at Christmas, so don't know what to expect, except bigger crowds. There are 3 of us, DH Tim, DD Alexandra and me, Debbie. Any comments will be appreciated.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Hi, bravestwj, we stayed at the Dolphin late August 02 - teacher rate, 2 rooms (one for DBr and family), I am Gold spg - we were comp'ed to CL both rooms. But... I wonder if that was because it was a slow time at the resort. Christmas could be tricky because it is the busiest time of the year. Perhaps, others will have an opinion.

 

[dreamflight99]

Hello everyone!

bravestwj...I must agree w/Mouseteacher. It all depends upon "availability", and the time of year you travel. Do not be discouraged, though. I would still send an email request and also "ask" at check-in. Dreams come true every day at the WDW Swan and Dolphin!

Thank you, all, for the kind wishes for a great trip! Things are getting SERIOUS around here, as I actually "cracked open" the 29" check-on bags! Nothing is IN them yet, as the packing has not really commenced. I'll toss things in this eve, and get them into the Rental (Navigator) vehicle. I shopped this am, for a few last minute things. Yesterday, I obtained the AMEX trav. checks...and today will visit the Vault (S.D. Box) to place some valuables there. We have a nice safe/vault here in the house, but prefer the bank for some items.

I'll be taking all of your HOPES...WISHES...VISIONS...AND DREAMS with me to THE MAGIC! Toss me some good thoughts tomorrow am, as we GO FORWARD into the land of "FUN, CAREFREE PLAY & IMAGINATION!" WDW is our Utopia, Zanadu....our little Paradise on earth. TTFN....

*I may check-in again one more time (later). I'll try...