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

[Disbug]

TinkOhio~ I too was anticipating problems with the temp. The first night I thought it was a little warm, so I adjusted the thermostat down to about 70 and we also folded down the duvet cover to decrease being overly covered! I asked how the system works and was told the sensor never completely shuts off the AC, it just slows the fan speed down. I did notice when we came back from the parks that the temp in the room was not really hot and it cooled down fast after we came back into the room. And no, we did not wake up and wave our arms!

 

[ozziewags]

mouseteacher.....if you haven't seen this thread, check it out!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=385337&perpage=15&pagenumber=75[/URL

 

[Mouseteacher]

Thanks, ozzie! That was a surprise - took me a minute to figure out what I was seeing - thought it was an ad for Annalee dolls - DUH!

 

[ozziewags]

I should have prepared you better! LOL....you should check out some of the other pages. There are a couple very creative people doing the DIS yearbook, finding pictures that portray our handles! Some are hilarious.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Sounds like you had a great vacation! Can't wait to hear your trip reports!

Debbie

 

[Mouseteacher]

ozzie ~ I did take some time to read other DIS Yearbook posts - they are, indeed, incredibly creative and fun to read. I highly recommend others visit this thread - entertaining. Now, I'm flattered that I am in the DIS Yearbook!

 

[Debbie7452]

Hey Mike.

Just wanted to let you know that S/D are again available on SPG's Cash & Points through the end of November. If you wanted to save some points you could add a night for $60 and 4000 pts.

I have just booked my next Cash & Points stay for New Orleans next month at the W-French Quarter(Anniversary trip)...can't wait!

Also, anyone who is a AAA member can register for bonus pts. SPG will even apply them retroactively for stays back in June/July. It seems like a very good promotion.

 

[diathoney]

How do I do this? I was at the SPG site Friday and didn't notice anything.

Thanks!

 

[madge]

http://www.starwood.com/preferredguest/starpoints/cash_points_proplist.html?region=NAD

see if that works

 

[Mouseteacher]

Before my trip, I was asking about the charm bracelets. I didn't understand about these Italian charm bracelets so I got great info on them here. I bought one on this trip and put a Mickey head charm on it - it is white crystal outlined in gold. I love the bracelet. Now, I must return to the World to add more charms! Any excuse to go back !

 

[firstmickey]

Hi all,
After lurking on this thread for a while, and looking at all the pictures of the Swan/Dolphin that i could find, I went ahead and booked the Dolphin for my trip in November. I was able to get the nurse rate. And my room is less than the room I had booked at Carribbean Beach. (i was waiting for AP rates to come out).

I love the thought of staying right near the boardwalk.

you all have me so excited about staying here!

I joined the SPG, but of course I don't have any points yet.

Do you think I can still try to ask for an upgrade at checkin? We will be getting in late due to a late flight (like 11:30 PM).

Can you fax room requests ahead of time like at the Disney resorts?

I only booked a standard room. Is there a specific floor I should ask for? DD and I are having a mother-daughter trip. She is 9. And we are both really excited!!!!!!!!

thanks for all the help!
Donna

 

[#1hockeymom]

Donna,
You and your daughter are going to love your vacation at the Dolphin! Location, Location, Location, and always a chair at the grotto pool!

I would send your room requests via www.swandolphin.com, I believe the auto email is under reservations for room requests. I have not stayed at the Dolphin, only the Swan, but due to the fact it is under renovation I would request a renovated room as the top priorty, followed by whatever your other choices might be. Note your reservation number and your spg number on your email.

It can never hurt to ask for a room upgrade at check in! Mouseteacher seems to be our resident pro at this!

Have a wonderful trip!
Debbie

 

[Mouseteacher]

Welcome, Donna! I agree wholeheartedly with hockeymom - you will love the Dolphin. The location is the best!

Re: upgrades - Last summer, we stayed at the Dolphin - I was a new spg member (followed advice on this thread) and had no points, booked a standard room/limited view on the teacher rate -e mailed a request for an upgrade - I wasn't specific about the kind...just didn't want to look pushy! We were upgraded to Club Level! Now, our room did not have a great view - it was definitely "limited". LOL However, it didn't bother us - we had never done CL before so we were so happy and on the go so much that looking out the window wasn't a priority.

So... PLEASE DO ask for an upgrade - the worst that can happen is they'll say no - but the chances are it will! It all depends on how booked the resort is.

Good Luck and here's some PD for you ************ Now go on and e mail the Dolphin and ask again upon check-in.

 

[disnurse]

Mouseteacher- we will be up your way next week. We are using cash/points promo and staying at the westin in waltham on our way back from watercountry and then staying at the sheraton at the prudential the next night for a quick get-a way.

 

[Mouseteacher]

disnurse~ I hope the weather front moves on and you have nice weather next week. The Waltham Westin is very nice! I have been to a conference there. It is about 20 minutes away from me on Rte 128. Have a great time.

I will get a chance to stay at the Westin or Sheraton in Boston next April when our national education convention comes to Boston. Those hotels along with Copley Place are where the convention visitors stay. I have stayed at the Westin before but never the Sheraton.

Please post upon your return about your visit.

 

[jmcross]

Both hotels in Boston are very nice!

Okay, I've got a question for all of the helpful peole here about the Swan CL offerings. I've read a lot about the breakfast but I was wondering more about the evening offerings. Some info has suggested hot appetizers but I haven't heard any mention of this from recent visitors.

Please note that I am NOT planning to make this a meal. I know that is not the intention of this but I am just curious as to what I can expect to plan accordingly for dinner seating times.

Did I read recently that the food is not replenished in the evening and is gone rather quickly?

Thanks,

Joanne

 

[KelliR]

I, too, love those Italian charm bracelets! Since I am somewhat difficult to buy gifts for, I receive many charms as gifts. I have 7 bracelets now. (Isn't that ridiculous?) My most recent additions were from my baton students ... a Michigan State and a Notre Dame charm. I love my NY Yankees and Buffalo Bills charms as well! ANd I have a WDW bracelet.

I wanted to mention that I have had great luck on e-bay purchasing some charms. You need to know what you are looking for and what the regular price would be so you don't over bid. Just wanted to make this suggestion ... I have had great fun looking on e-bay!

 

[hookedup]

We made it!!!
Our train trip across the US was amazing. I have never seen so much contrasting landscapes. Really a great experience.

We checked in this afternoon. Just in time to head to the CL lounge for the evening appetizers! Tonight there was fruit (melon, grapes, berries, etc) and rolls and butter, a nice cheese and cracker plate and a hot plate with jalepeno cheese poppers and an artichoke cheese dumpling. I enjoyed a glass of champagne to celebrate our arrival.
Oh and I met Thabo - what a sweetie! Oh and Debbie he showed me "your table" which I will make a point of using for you! LOL!

Our room is great - it is a king room on the 12th floor with a balcony.

Then we went out and walked all around the Swan and Dolpin to familiarize ourselves with it. It was so beautiful out. The rainy afternoon had cleared and it was balmly and lovely. It was just picture perfect. Then we walked over to the Boardwalk, but ds was getting a little tired and grumpy so we went back to the room for room service and a hot bath (which after 5 days on the train was great too) the bed feels wonderful. Ds is asleep and so I signed on to say hi!

I will try to post more later. Dh is drooling over the computer!

 

[Disbug]

Okay Ozzie ... I've been trying for 2 days to upload my pictures to my PC but no go. I can only assume that with Windows updates my drivers were out of date. Well before my computer used to recognize my camera as a Fuji USB 2600, now it is just looking for a USB device driver. When it tries to install with the wizard, it then tells me to stop since the driver is not digitally signed to be compatible with Windows XP! This used to be easy, how did it get so complicated. Nevertheless, I was going to try to upload from my camera to imagestation. Is that possible? I cannot seem to get it to go to my PC.

 

[ozziewags]

Wow....okay, you two, in order!
hookedup.........I didn't know there were balconys on the 12th floor! You must be in one of the parlour rooms that is part of the presidents or governor's suites? See if you can find out! It must face the Dolphin, right?(or are you in the Dolphin?) Sorry, I can't remember!

disbug.....oh,no. I think you have a problem that I cannot solve! I do, however, think that you can upload your pics right onto imagestation. Try that next. You might go over to the tech board and post your problem there, as there are 'real techies' there! I also think it may have something to do with XP, since I have heard about some problems with it. But I do not have XP, I have ME, so I am no help...so sorry. I can only help you post after they are on your pc. One other thought....in your camera box, is there a cd that might help you out? Mine has software for uploading help, as well as a photo image workshop.