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

[joshua4]

Wow - you guys are a really chatty group. I just logged in for the first time since Friday afternoon and you have filled up four pages! How fun. Thanks to everyone who sent PD to my mom - we are still hoping and praying the trip will be on. Just a couple of questions.

Mouseteacher - I emailed the Swan from the swandolphin site but never even got a form email back. Should I be concerned? Is my best bet to just call the swan the day before I leave or should I wait until we check in to make the request again? Right now we have a lake view room and I am assuming that since the SPG Gold card gets us one upgrade we will either be offered cl level or a balcony. Is that right?

Disbug - Silly question, do you give the waitress your dining card (or AP in my case) when you order at Boma or do you wait until they bring the bill and then make them recalculate. It seems like it might be awkward in timing with a buffet situation? By the way, loved your Boma report. I have put it on my list of places for dinner. We won't have a car with us though so I am thinking we will need to get a bus there from a park and then take a cab back to the Swan. Anyone know about how much a cab from the AKL to the Swan costs?

Happy Saturday.

Lauren

 

[Disbug]

Depending on the situation I've done it both ways. When the server comes to you for your drink order you can mention it then. Or you can present your card when it is time for the bill. Either way seems to work!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Lauren ~ It takes a while to get the canned e mail. But do call about 3 days before check-in and then ask again at check-in.

We took a cab to the Cali Grille from the Swan - Mears Towncars are queued up at the front entrance- it was $16.00 plus tip one way.

 

[splashfamily]

I know I should just pull my kids out of school and go that 1st week in December. However, my Ds14 is starting High School and I don't think they'll be to thrilled if I pull him out. They do have off on the Monday 12/8 for Feast of Ithe Immaculate Conception. Maybe I could swing one "sick" day without getting my ds in too much hot water. My DS and DD can miss school-- no problem.

What season am I in then?-- regular or value.

I do like the idea of going during the Christmas season. We've never done it before -- nice change!

 

[Mouseteacher]

splash ~ we had the same dilemma a few years ago when my dad had the whole family come to Disney for Thanksgiving week and he was paying - now, we couldn't turn that down. Oldest DS was a junior in HS. We flew out on the Sat. before Thanksgiving so he missed 2 and half days of school. We had never done this before and haven't since. This was a dream for the entire family to be in Disney - something I did not want my children to miss. So, we did it and took them out of school - youngest DS was in Middle School. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do!

Can you plan days leading into December 8 - I don't know what day of the week it is - but could you make it an extended weekend?

oops - just reread your post - Monday is Dec.8 - could you do Thursday through Monday, Dec 6?

 

[madge]

*They bring a form with them, count the luggage pieces and you get a copy. "Your luggage will arrive by 3 PM" states the Bellman. And out the door we go, "Goodbye room 1256...you were the best!"

cool, then you CAN transfer bags from the S/D to the Disney resorts...that's great news!

"almost" as great as the news DH shared with me this afternoon....he has to go back to Orlando in June or July (our pick) 2004 for recertification training that they "only" offer in Orlando. We had planned on getting 7 day PHP for this trip, but I think we are going to go ahead and get APs...yay I have a credit with SWA burning a hole in my pocket....we already have this years tickets....so I will be planning another trip after this ine. woo hoo!

add me to the list of Christmas lovers....simply amazing, if you can go, you should!

 

[#1hockeymom]

OH madge, that's so sad to hear that DH will have to go back to Orlando, with you, for training! I mean, what will you do? *cracking up laughing* Have fun planning!!

Joshua4>> You could also take the bus from AKL back to MGM or Epcot, then walk or take the boats back to the Swan/Dolphin if you didn't want to take a cab.

Christmas at Disney sounds great! Thank you everyone for sharing your feelings on that subject!

Just back from an air show down near Detroit. DH was in heaven! WHY? He found turkey legs! He said they weren't as good as Disney's, but he had been craving them for a week now so he wasn't going to be picky! LOL DS and I both told him that we would be happy to go down to Disney, if only for turkey legs! We met my father and my brother down there. A few times I kept on babbling on about our Disney trip. Neither of them get "it"! How was I raised in that household? While we were visiting museums and battlefields growing up I WAS dragging winnie the pooh everywhere.... I guess NONE of that rubbed off on them! LOL C'est la vie! I enjoyed my first trip more than anything. DH took DD (three at the time) and me for our first visit, and he got to watch our reactions to the Mickey ears popping up slowly behind the signs!

Room wave to everyone! Have a great weekend!
Debbie

 

[madge]

OH madge, that's so sad to hear that DH will have to go back to Orlando, with you, for training! I mean, what will you do? *cracking up laughing* Have fun planning!!

:::sigh::: it's a tough job, planning another trip before we have even taken this year's big one, LOL! I actually have our name on the list for a room at the "new" Shades of Green--we can't wait to see all the work they have done over there! I am sure we will end up at the Dolphin, too...we just LOVE it there

what I am crossing my fingers for is discounted airfare on SWA sometime in early December, for a long weekend. We would LOVE to take the kids down to see the decorations......

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I would also agree Christmas time is a great time to visit. We went the first week of Christmas in 2001 and had a wonderful trip. The weather was wonderful and the decorations are spectacular. I would love to plan another trip for that time of year. The parade at MK is a special treat as well as all the Christmas trees at all the parks. We went to the Candlelight processional and loved it. Wayne Brady was our commentator for the everning and the snowfall at the end was a special treat. Our Christmas trip to WDW was one of our favorite trips yet.

 

[joshua4]

The tip to take a bus to Epcot or MGM and then walk back to the hotel -- from what I have read of everyone's dinner reports from Boma it sounds like a long walk would be in order anyway.

Mouseteacher - Thanks for the insight. I will give them a call a few days before and ask as sweetly as possible. Normally, the weekend after Labor Day is pretty dead at most hotels, but my fear is that because AP rates have not come out a lot of us that may not have normally stayed at the Swan are staying there due to the $99 rate and that the hotel will be busier than normal. If that happens, I worry that the hotel will not be able to accomodate my request. Oh well, fretting about it won't help.

Anyway, back to my kids. Haven't told them yet that Mom is going to WDW without them in September. That is going to go over like a lead balloon. They just went last June so I am thinking that it isn't so horrible to leave them behind on just this one trip.

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

Well in less than 12 hours we will be flying out of LaGuardia to Walt Disney World!

This trip was last minute and I can't believe I'll be in Florida this time tommorow. We are flying Delta from LaGuardia because of the INSANE rates from Newark to Orlando. It will be weird flying from somewhere else, this is only my familes third flight (Well they flew before I was born...19 years ago lol). All I keep thinking of is WATER (if you know what I mean)!!!

I'd like to thank whoever made that $65 Hotwire post because if it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be going!

We called up and the reservationist noted we were SPG members and that we wanted a "refurbished" room if possible!

I doubt I"ll be getting any sleep tonight, I never do before a trip/flight!

 

[firstmickey]

Lauren: we stayed at AKL and took a bus to Epcot and walked to boardwalk one night. It took forever to get there especially with 2 kids. On the way home, we took a cab back to AKL and it was only $12. Worth every penny since it was late and kids were crabby!

Splash: the first week of December is value season. My DD (age 9) and I are going the day after Thanksgiving until Dec 3rd. She is off the Monday after so she will only miss 2 days of school. I debated about keeping her out (because she missed a week last year in Sept so we could go) but she is only in 4th grade, so we figured we would go for it!

Pkd: I never sleep before a trip either: Here is some sleep ***pixie dust****. Have a great time!

Mom Poppins: did you do the Candlelight Processional dinner package? If not, how early did you need to go to get a seat?

Thanks to all of the rest of you for your great info!
This is the nicest thread on the DIS!

Donna

 

[Disbug]

~pkdcoastrs! Have a great trip if you get this before you leave!

I've been busy posting over on the Trip Report Forum and started a new thread as a continuation of the SWAN epic... to finish out my trip. Here is a link if anyone is interested!

Disbugs SWAN epic continues over to the BWV!

 

[laurabelle]

First time @ Dolphin, we did sign up for the Starwood points membership, but don't having any as of yet. What kind of room should I request? I'm not looking for a free upgrade or anything like that, but just wondering what's good to ask for. It's me, hubby and my two princesses, 7&9. Thanks!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Mike and laurabelle ~ have a magical time. If the S/D can give you an upgrade, I know they will. The magic has worked for us each time - with and without points!

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

I can't believe I slept as well as I did last night. Usually the night before a flight/vacation, I barely sleep but somehow I ended up going to sleep around 2:30 and waking up at 8! Well in only two hours we will be at LaGuardia, I can't wait! While this trip is 5 nights, much shorter than our past stays, I am just as excited and grateful to be able to go at all.

See you all Friday!

Mike
Pkdcoastrs@aol.com

 

[judirain]

Laurebelle~I would a the least ask for a renovated room. Have a great trip!!!!

Pdcoastrs~ Woohoo you are on your way!!!

Disbug~ I am heading over to the tripreport boards thanks for the link.

 

[Tiffany]

Hi,

We will be at the Dolphin from Aug 29th through Sept 8th and even though we stayed there last August I cannot remember if I was able to get tea in my refillable mug or not. So can I get tea in the refillable mug? If not does anyone know how to use the in room coffee maker to make tea?

Also, we are booked with the $99 special and we are SPG Gold members so how hard do you think it is going to be to get them to honor the 4pm checkout time stated in the promotion of the $99 special and stated as a benifit of being an SPG Gold memeber? Our confirm sheet indicates an 11am checkout time but when I spoke to the reservation woman she confirmed that the promotion did come with a 4pm checkout. My plan was when we were checking in to make sure that we got the 4pm checkout confirmed.

Also, we have a lake view room booked. Does anyone know where they are located? West wing or East wing?

 

[#1hockeymom]

PKDcoasters>> Have a wonderful time!

Disbug>> Followed your thread... GREAT!!! Thank you for the link! Your stories are wonderful!

Tiffany>> I am not sure on the refillable mug question, but as far as making tea in your room, just add the water and make a pot of hot water to pour into your cup with the teabag in it. I do this all the time during hockey season with spiced cider and hot chocolate which I bring with us.

Lauren>> You're welcome! I think the shorter walk would be to take the bus to MGM and then just walk to the boat dock. The Swan/Dolphin is the first boat stop from there.

Laurabelle>>I would ask for a renovated room as your top priority, then go from there!

Have we had a current report from hookedup? How are you doing hookedup?

*room wave to everyone*
Happy Sunday!
Debbie

 

[Disbug]

Happy Sunday, Everyone!

I'm enjoying everyone's talk about the Labor Day rates at the S/D. Am so tempted to do a long weekend... would I dare ask DH since we are going for a long weekend the first of October?? I really enjoy a nice long weekend to weekend trip, but those don't happen often, with the realites of school and work!


Good to hear from you #1hockeymom and Mouseteacher (awaiting the posting of your pictures)!

Looking forward to Dreamflight's amazing encounters and the rest of what is happening to hookedup!