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

[lonegungirl]

Originally posted by Tiffany
Did you book through Dreams Unlimited lonegungirl?

No--I booked under the recipe card deal.

Gosh, just looked at the counters--everyone's getting close, aren't they! How exciting!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Blondie


Is it raining that often?

A little shower here and there...it just stopped raining today. The sky is clearing...and we'll head out again around 6 (or so...). I slept until 1:29pm....LOL!
I'm STILL on CALIFORNIA time....so it was only 10:30am. We were up until 4:00am last eve....swimming late and reading. We wnt to watch the Buc's practice yesterday. We obtained some signatures....and dined in the ALL STARS cafe. Wow...the penne pasta with fresh veggies and grilled chicken in an alfredo sauce is incredible for $11.99. We used the Entertainment card....and obtained a $12.00 dish for free! The Rib Eye is very flavorful and tender too (DH). DD opted for soup and an app of potato skins. Everything was fresh and hot. Better than ESPN.

We went to the Swan to sit in the lobby and watch the FIRST ever convention attendees all dressed in HARRY POTTER garb! There are more than 300 of them here...and they have made the news: (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/news/wire/sns-ap-harry-potter-convention.story)...and are all the TALK around here!

Later, we all took turns reading Cornwell's POST MORTEM aloud. It's a FAB book...difficult to put down. DH is currently in the GYM, and returning to take a 3-5 mile run w/moi. The weather is beautiful. As those timers count-down....See you all in the MAGIC!

TTFN.....DF99

 

[Mouseteacher]

We'll be there shortly - keep the good weather going! How have the pools been - any problems getting a chair? How long are the Bucs at Disney? I was telling DS about your post and he was very intrigued and wondered if DH and I would go and get some autographs. How do you get to the Sports Complex?

 

[marymrg]

DF - how cool is that? (Harry Potter) My DD and her friends used to have Harry Potter Sleepovers and redecorate their rooms and basements as classrooms. (they'd all wear robes and bring Rubbermaid bins full of HP paraphanalia........ummmmmmmmm junk - I know I can't spell that right) I will tell her about the convention when she gets home from Basketball Camp.

I'm enjoying your posts and have decided that all of my trips must be at least as long as yours. If only I could get dh to agree!

I'm glad you are having a great time!

 

[GoofyinNY]

Wow, I really have catching up to do. I just realized that Dreamflight is there! Mouseteacher, Lonegungirl, Disbug and others - I envy your countdown clocks. I'm starting to think about changing my plans from April 2004 to December 2003.

 

[Disbug]

Well, I've got both vans all spiffed up, inside and out. (With that daylight savings time, was able to keep on going until it was done!) I'm going to pay for all that manual labor tomorrow! We are taking two vans because we can't fit all our stuff and people, too!

I think we'll be sleeping in the living room tonight since there are piles of clothes all over our bed! I would go ahead and put them in the suitcase, but want to make sure everything is matched up first... Nothing quite like opening up that suitcase to realize all those shirts are going to look strange without any shorts to go with them.

Night all! I'll be there a day early Mouseteacher... going to come in on Saturday.

 

[jgates]

Originally posted by lonegungirl
Gosh, just looked at the counters--everyone's getting close, aren't they! How exciting!

Well...........not all of us, but I'm now down to a year!!!! That is at least reachable! Now it's time to start serious saving!


Ozzie- Yup - I'm the bargain hunting queen here. I'm sitting with my other window open on ebay trying to find a cheap SD card for that camera since it doesn't take the compactflash cards I have for the old camera! The 3rd window is filling out a form for a free mug from Carnation Instant Breakfast................

Any recommendations on brand name for SD cards or are they pretty much all alike?

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Mouseteacher
We'll be there shortly - keep the good weather going! How have the pools been - any problems getting a chair? How long are the Bucs at Disney? I was telling DS about your post and he was very intrigued and wondered if DH and I would go and get some autographs. How do you get to the Sports Complex?

The BUCS are here through Sunday...before heading to Tokoyo. Even the coach is signing autographs!! To get there...take the boat to MGM, then take the bus to the far left as you approach the bus area (walking directly from the boat dock). It takes you to the sports center. Our PAP grants access to this park. I know this weekend was FREE to the general public...so it was a ZOO! Yet...wild/fun anyway.

Complete FLORIDA TODAY coverage
Jul 19, 8:22 PM

Fan frenzy welcomes champions at Disney

By Glenn Miller
FLORIDA TODAY



LAKE BUENA VISTA -- Monte Kiffin soaked up the moment, reveling in the sun and the humidity, the presence of talented football players and about 2,500 enthused fans.

It was 8:40 a.m. Saturday. Kiffin, the defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Bucs, walked between players as they limbered up for the first workout of camp. He glanced at the packed bleachers at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

"Let's hear it!" Kiffin yelled to the fans.

He heard. The fans roared. Kiffin thrust his fists into the summer sky.

This is what Kiffin enjoys. Football. Anytime. Any place. He sensed that Friday driving to the team hotel in Celebration.

"It was the best day I had all summer when I came down I-4 and saw that exit that said Celebration," Kiffin said.

The Bucs made noise last year, a thunderous racket heard throughout the NFL. They won their first Super Bowl.

"I turned in there and I was back home," Kiffin said of Celebration. "I'm serious. I'm not just talking."

Now, the Bucs are back where it all began -- at Disney, in the broiling July weather in central Florida.

Also back is Pro Bowl defensive tackle Warren Sapp. He's back for his ninth year with the Bucs. It's the final year of his current six-year contract. He hasn't been traded. He hasn't left the team as a free agent. He hasn't stormed out of camp in search of more money.

"I've never held out in nine years and I wasn't planning on it this time," Sapp said. "This is what I do. This is what I enjoy. Wild dogs can't drag me away."

Jul 19, 9:44 PM

Bucs, fans feel Super as camp opens

Defending champs happy with Disney training facility

By Carl Kotala
FLORIDA TODAY

LAKE BUENA VISTA -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were between practices, but Titusville's Gillian Gilkes wasn't about to move from her spot under the cover of the bleachers at Disney's Wide World of Sports.

"We're going to be here until the end, until there's not another player in sight," said the 24-year-old, who was all decked out in a No. 97 Simeon Rice jersey. Gilkes arrived at the facility at 8 a.m. for the two-a-day practices, which are free to the public and run from 8:35 to 10:45 a.m. and 2:45 to 4:45 p.m.

The defending Super Bowl champions, decked out in new practice uniforms, went through their first official workouts of the 2003 season Saturday. And when fans weren't begging for autographs, you got the occasional oohs and ahhs as plays were being made.

Or not being made.

"There were a lot of comments out there. They got excited when we just snapped the ball," quarterback Brad Johnson said. "I think the fans, they feel like it's been a long time since the Super Bowl and they're excited to get back and see the Bucs get back to work and have something to do on Sundays.

"It's great for the fans to come out here and support us like they have. They don't want to see any dropped balls. They don't want to see any bad plays or any interceptions. They're hard out there, too. It kind of gets you ready for the year."

Unlike last season, when fans had to walk from the baseball field to the other side of the Disney complex to watch the offense or the defense work out, the Bucs have centralized their workouts this year, making it easier for spectators to go from one field to the other.

This marks the second consecutive year the Bucs have trained at Disney World and so far, both sides seem to be happy with the arrangement. With the configuration of the fields, fans can get a much closer view of the action than when the team trained at the University of Tampa.

And Central Florida fans will be quick to point out the team didn't win its first Super Bowl until it came here to train.

"I can't imagine a better training camp facility in football," coach Jon Gruden said. "The fields are like putting greens. The hotel is phenomenal. We share our daily routine with our fans. They fire us up. And they let us know when we make a bad play. They keep us humble."


We're heading over there again this week!! The pools are QUIET....chairs are in abundance! COME ON DOWN!

TTFN....

 

[Mouseteacher]

quote : Come on down!

LOL --- okay, DF, I think I will!
Thanks for the info on the Bucs. If time permits we may just head on over to check out the excitement.

disbug ~ we arrive on Thursday - our plane is scheduled to arrive at MCO at noon. We should be checking in by 1:00. I hope we "bump" into each other sometime during the weekend.

We hope to head out for a light lunch at the R&C. It has become a tradition for us on each trip to head to "England". We have PS for the Yachtsman Steakhouse on Thursday evening. We plan on going back into Epcot after dinner.

 

[ozziewags]

jgates...you are so funny! I have a CF card, actually two. One came with my camera and I bought a large one, that I never have to change because it holds so many pics. There is some debate about that on the Dis; some people think that several small ones are better, in case you lose it or want to keep pics separate, etc. Too much trouble for me. I think you can even download your pics to a cd in two different places on property if you need the space on your card. Sorry I can't help you with the SD card. I got mine at Best Buy! We should have stock in that place!

mouseteacher and disbug.....have a wonderful trip....can't believe how close it is to your trips. Say hi to mama t and thabo for us, if you get CL!

Happy Monday everyone!

 

[nisiemouse]

DF:
Do you know how much admission is to see the Bucs?
Dh would love to go to a practice.
Thanks.

 

[dreamflight99]

...Hi Nisie!

A ticket for admission is $ FREE!!

They'll be there july 19-aug 15 (excluding july 29-aug 3...in Tokoyo).

Practices are all FREE!!!!!!!

PAP's include admission to the ENTIRE complex..so we are included in everything! It's a GREAT way to enjoy the BUCS. Have a FAB time.

TTFN...heading for DTD & DQ!!

Having a WORLD of FUN in WDW!!

TTFN.....

 

[kimmar067]

Both of you, have a wonderful vaca....disbug, can't wait to hear all about WL!!

DF99 ~
Did ya check out my countdown thingie?? Last night, I thought of a great idea: since we ARE goin' to WDW after all, my DH said we aren't doing the 20-yr anniversary 3-day weekend thing in Sept. Sooooo, I thought I might surprise him by booking ONE NIGHT at S/D while we are at Ft W - just he and I - NO KIDS!! well, either S/D or WL, not sure yet !)

 

[Mouseteacher]

I am concerned about the weather. I have checked the Orlando Sentinel website and it looks like rain due to the tropical depression - I hope not.

 

[Mouseteacher]

I just saw my post count - I am over 1000 posts!!! Am I addicted or what?! LOL

 

[Disbug]

Well as luck would have it I'm stuck working overtime (at work, not at home!)

I, too, am hoping we don't get the "monsoon effect", Mouseteacher! It has rained twice today....

Sounds like fun going to the R&C... I used to LOVE their chicken-leek pie. Now I think it is part of a sampler. Delish! My DH once tried the 1/2 yard of ale... it was so funny watching him drink once he was nearing the end. I was sure it was going to go up his nose!

BTW, CONGRATULATIONS! on reaching your 1000th post! Impressive!

I'm bringing DD14 with, on Sat to help set up... run the treats and surprise baskets to everyone's hotel and just enjoy some "older girl" time before everyone gets there. First "scheduled" plan is for O'Hana's Monday night for dinner.

~Thanks ozziewags and kimmar! We plan on having a super time!

BTW, I will be posting on the Budget Board but we are going to be releasing a Fireworks cruise for Monday, July 28th from the Polynesian if anyone is interested on this board (and possibly an Illuminations Cruise from the YC on Wed, July 31.)

See you soon, everyone!

 

[Emme]

OK need some help all you experts...We stayed at the Swan last April and LOVED it! We got the government rate of 129, I see the price has increased and we are thinking of the Dolphin. Are any of the rooms renovated yet there? If so where are they? Also, I know how huge the Dolphin is, what area or room can I request that would not put us in the middle of nowhere wandering aimlessly through halls !

Thanks for the input.

I see we can make our ressies already for next April through Dream Res !

I hope we like it as much as the Swan!

Blessings!

Emmy

 

[jgates]

Ah, Oz - great minds think alike. I am watching a couple on e-bay, but may just order the 128mb one that best buy has for $49.99 this week. It has a $10 rebate. After all, I wouldn't want the balance on my best buy card to get toooooo low! And I do have a little stock in the place! (I love to play on Sharebuilder $50 at a time, lol).

Geez Mouseteacher, I have been over 1000 - TWICE. Then something screws up on the boards and wham! there goes the count! I lost about 275 posts last time!

Disbug, you are wonderful! I looked high and low last year for a fireworks cruise or illum. cruise to no avail. An angel from the boards here did give me a PS for Cindy's though!!!!!!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by kimmar067
Both of you, have a wonderful vaca....disbug, can't wait to hear all about WL!!

DF99 ~
Did ya check out my countdown thingie?? Last night, I thought of a great idea: since we ARE goin' to WDW after all, my DH said we aren't doing the 20-yr anniversary 3-day weekend thing in Sept. Sooooo, I thought I might surprise him by booking ONE NIGHT at S/D while we are at Ft W - just he and I - NO KIDS!! well, either S/D or WL, not sure yet !)

Oh...KIMMAR~you are almost here! I vote for the 1-night away....ALONE! Try the SWAN (heavenly beds!). Whew...you two DESERVE some alone-time. So...SURPRISE HIM!

Mouseteacher...do not fret about the weather, today just a few sprinkles. The skies are BLUE, with huge white billowy clouds...and the most penetrating sunshine you've ever felt! You'll be in heaven...or at least, the next best thing.
*CONGRATS on your 1000th post!! We are LIFERS...you & I, and the rest of this gang! LOL.

Dbug...have a GREAT trip!! I KNOW you'll have a blast once here!

Emme...up to the 5th floor, the Dolphin is completely renovated! it's the BEST around here. Even after touring a BWI Garden Villa suite yesterday (the two-story deal), we still prefer the Dolphin!
Enjoy!

jgates...good luck with the auctions...someone ALWAYS outbids me in the final SECOND! I need to enter HIGHER bid amounts.

Bought a whole "slew" of pins today (more than 20...), and two more lanyards. One of the lanyards has TINK on the end! I'm buying the sorcerer later in the week (trying to PACE myself)...LOL.

Also, played at Disney Quest this eve. Made a "KITTYROO" toy with DD (we bought it...part kitty, part kangaroo). Also made and purchased our own music CD! What a great time we shared. DH bought a giant superball in the MAGNETRON store. We all enjoyed dinner at the Cheesecake factory inside DQ. We all ordered varied WRAPS, soup and the legendary CHEESECAKE!
It was wonderful folly.

Tomorrow....a water park & E-Night!! More than a month remains on this trip, We're just beginning to RELAX.

TTFN...."we are such things as dreams are made of..."

 

[Disbug]

They did it again! I was just checking my reservation and somebody changed my $60 per night rate to $120 per night! Ozziewags, what do you think of this? I printed out the changed back reservation showing 16,000 starpoints plus $60 and have that. But now, it is showing 16,000 starpoints plus $120 per night for one room!! OMG! HELP AGAIN EVERYBODY!