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

[Pkdcoastrs]

Just in case everyone missed it, a few pages back I wrote a little review of our check-in at the Dolphin. I'm still a little dissapointed in our view, but in the end it didn't matter. 2001 we were upgraded to a EPCOT view w/balcony by only mentioning nicely at check-in, 2002 we used points to upgrade to Club Level, and this year we weren't so lucky. I wish I had known that Club Level was so popular and booked solid in advance because my parents/sister were looking so foward to having those nice little snacks for breakfast/dinner. We asked if like last year we could have a room that wasn't on Club Level floor then and still use point to have access to the food, but they told us that was discontinued two weeks ago.

Well I don't want that coming off as sounding greedy when it comes to upgrades/views, etc... The Dolphin is still top notch and everything was perfect during our stay. Next time we go, hopefully we can have the refurbished rooms with a nice balcony/EPCOT view again (for free, lol....or with points because we have so much to use and don't use them anytime else other than WDW!!!)

 

[luvdisney14]

How many points do you need to upgrade to club level per night.

 

[Disbug]

luvdisney14~ This is supposed to be 1000 pt. per night. We've had some posters who were charged 1250...

 

[dreamflight99]

Disbug...he was in front of the Post Office in Key West. He would rapidly approach ANY vehicle and stand on the sidewalk awaiting some food! He was a HOOT!

As Mouseteacher proclaimed, they are indeed EVERYWHERE. They are in the TREES too! LOL. We visited the chicken store (www.thechickenstore.com), and bought some goodies. We also "held" some of the sweetest roosters in the world. What a feeling. But...I'll save this for the Key West post.

I'm sorry I've been vacant. We are running around playing and doing things we did not do before...but wanted to. We played Fantasia Golf last eve (after the rain passed). It's been raining a little more frequently the past few days, and seems to last longer. Yet, we've been here SO long now..It all seems "natural" to us.

We also went to Citywalk Friday eve, and took in another flick. We took a few more snaps of the Portofino, and recalled our vacation BEGINNING there in JUNE! (It's sentimental~time). We have another week remaining, and will try to get in some more playing and fun before we wrap this one up for the summer. Here's a couple of snaps from Friday eve....

Florida is BEAUTIFUL!

Here's a picture of the STORM over the boardwalk as it descended. I can't remember seeing a storm like this...and it looks more ominous than it actually was (thankfully)!

Here's the GATOR I snapped the other day...ON PROPERTY! Can you see him? Amazing little guy (5-6 feet in length), very concerned by my presence.

We visited FAO Schwarz, and stopped by the Peabody for the 11:00 am MARCH into the elevator earlier today. This eve...DTD and Bongo's or perhaps P. Hollywood and then DISNEYQUEST!! We rented the little water sprites (mouse boats DD refers to these as being) after lunch...and chased each other around the lake. Great Folly for a relaxing day in the MAGIC! Awakening here...just seems SO COMFY & NATURAL. Truly...we could LIVE here 365. The only REAL reason we're able to leave this week...is we all KNOW we'll be returning next summer. How comforting this is, as I'd be a wreck w/o it!

I'll check in later, and recant the CRUISE, Vistana Tour, and Key West!!! Wish you were all here with us...but you are, IN SPIRIT!

TTFN....DF99

 

[Disbug]

Enjoyed your pictures and post, DF!

The chicken store? They've actually got a chicken STORE? There must be a lot of "chickens" down there!! We went to Key West for our honeymoon 20 yrs. back and I don't know why I can't remember the roosters??

The storm pictures are awe inspiring! We witnessed the most wicked Thunder Storm from our room at the SWAN... the lightning was so impressive, we turned out the lights and watched Mother Natures Illuminations!

Good night all, looking forward to more posts about our Magical Place!

 

[jgates]

Hi guys....Not trying to ignore everyone - just bad connection problems. The trees are interfering with our satellite internet and DH won't cut the tree down. So I'm still on dial-up and it is SLOW. I am loading a page about every 5 minutes so I'll probably be kind of quiet for a bit!

Glad everyone is having great trips - I'm TOTALLY jealous!

DS is home for 6 more days then back off to UW-Madison for year 2 (civil engineering).

 

[Mouseteacher]

Hi, jgates.

DF ~ Thanks for the updates and the beautiful pictures. One week left!?! - my how time DOES fly when you're in the World!

Yes, indeed, keeping the magic alive is anticipating and planning the next trip! I will keep my dream alive of going back again next summer. We can't make definite plans until late next spring to be sure its affordable (DSs have stated that they gave us this year's trip but next year we are NOT to go without them!). In the meantime, I'll keep building my spg points.

I was just thinking this morning that it has been a year since I discovered this Board (I lurked July 02 - Sept.02) that our magical S/D trips would never have happened if not for all the info and tips I received from the wonderful people here.

I learned of the teacher rate from my DSiL's friend last July - we booked our trip. Then, I hit the internet to find more info on the S/D b/c I was concerned it wasn't a Disney resort (I visited the Dolphin in 1991). The posts here reassured me that we would not be disappointed and we weren't. Two stays and 2 wonderful comp upgrades - CL in 2002 and a Jr. Suite in 2003.

The rest is history! - we are confirmed S/D fanatics! This July trip would never have happened if not for the great spg program and the cash and points program. Talk about staying at a deluxe in a Jr. Suite for bargain basement prices!!! A dream come true!

Thanks again everyone - you're the best!

 

[ww52]

We've been back almost two weeks, but I just got around to watching our videos yesterday. I was struck by how quiet it was around the grounds of the S/D - and how great the Grotto pool was - not at all crowded. As we watched the videos and looked at our pictures again, we all agreed we made a great choice staying at the Swan. If anyone reading this thread has any doubts (and I know a lot of AP holders are considering S/D because of the lack of room only discounts), you will be pleasantly surprised with the S/D. We had our doubts - having done GF three times and BC twice - but we would never pay that amount again when such a great hotel with a great location is available at a much lower price. A deluxe hotel for the price of a moderate - can't beat it!

 

[ozziewags]

WELL SAID...ww52!

DF....you have one more week? I have one more week, then back to school! It is very hot here this week.....90's. My ds and his friends are in Las Vegas this week, where the temp is about 105 all week! Your pictures are awesome! I think storm pictures are so amazing.

Mouseteacher....have a good year.

disbug....have fun on your next trip. You are amazing, providing all the goodies for the kids.

jgates...good to hear from you! Mizzou starts Aug 25. My ds is a senior this year! They grow up soooo fast.

 

[Disbug]

are made by everyone for staying at the S/D! I have never had anything but good experiences when we stayed at the Swan. I am looking forward to trying the Dolphin next. I am always tempted by BC/YC because of SAB... Maybe we'll try the BCV just to see if it is "ALL THAT"!

I have seen some recent photos of the CR which also look fantastic... but, once again the AP or FL Res rates dictate if we will book there.

Overall, the S/D seems a perfect marriage of location, luxury, magic, and VALUE!

Good morning everyone! Good to hear from you jgates... hope that tree gets "relocated" soon!

Welcome back, ww52! If you have a trip report and pictures, please post soon! We are all having withdrawal symptoms...!

Oh, HI, ozzie! You and I must have posted at the same time... so I'll just edit this quickly... Good to hear from you!

 

[ww52]

Disbug - thanks. I'd really like to do a trip report, but I just don't have the time. Same with posting pictures - though my daughter and I are going to try our hand at editing the video (used our digital video camera for the first time on a vacation). I did post some general thoughts about a week ago, and I did sketch out what we did each day so I wouldn't forget. Maybe when I'll do a belated trip report when I start feeling the same withdrawal symptoms.

My brother-in-law and oldest son are seriously planning a short trip back in January. Seems my BIL regrets not going on RnRC, and my son regrets not seeing Fantasmic (after seeing our video - which my daughter did a great job on). They would definitely stay at the Swan or Dolphin - but couldn't get the teacher discount since it's my wife who qualifies for that.

If I do a report - should it go on the trip report board, and reference it here?

 

[Disbug]

ww52~ That is probably the correct way to do it. Being inexperienced with where to post, I started mine on the S/D thread and then moved over to the Trip Report board when we changed hotels.

It is nice to be able to look back on your trip... helps keep it alive by telling others, who "understand" the magic!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Talking about growing up fast..... We sent our Baby Monica to Kindergarten this morning... the Mom's were crying more than the kiddos I thought it would be easier this time around, since she is child #3, but.... the feelings about them leaving the nest for the first time are always the same....

Dreamflight: Glad to hear your having a fab time.... take in every minute of the magic during your last week...

I am already planning out our trip for February. I have asked the kids to all pick a favorite restaurant and I will start trying to get a schedule together. Monica has picked a "Pooh" character meal, Rachel "Rainforest Cafe or Garden Grill" and Ashley "Chef Mickey's" (we have never eaten here) Sarah wants to see the princesses... so at least I have an idea of where to start

I called the Dolphin over the weekend just to double check the ressies and all is still set. Club level, Junior suite with Epcot view and 2 cribs, so hopefully all will work out GREAT. We are thinking about staying at the CR for our last night, the Dolphin is sold out on March 9. So unless it opens up I need to find another night somewhere and we love CR. Who can resist going to bed looking at the castle out the window...

Happy Monday all, I will be looking out the window for the school bus soon, yes, she even wanted to be a big girl and ride the bus

 

[Disbug]

Your vacation plans sound like fun! Looking at your countdown clock, you have time to bring it all together and after all, planning is a major part of the fun! (Anticipation!)

I was thinking about the crib we had in our room (along with everything else)... I can't imagine 2 cribs! But, of course you are going to be in a suite, so that gives you much more room! (I had a minds eye view of a double-decker, bunk-bed type of crib... to save space!) LOL!

Dry your eyes, mom! It is hard having to be the "tough" one. I don't think the dad's or the kid's have it as hard as we do, letting them grow up! Before you know it, she'll be bouncing in with all her great adventure stories of her "first" day!

Have a great Monday..!

 

[dreamflight99]

Good morning everyone!

I love reading all the posts, and keeping up on everyone's plans and lives. Mom Poppins...my heart goes out to you. I recall with vivid detail the anguish I felt as I "left" DD at kindergarten. I felt the pangs of "separation anxiety" and even trickles of guilt as I watched her sad & fearful face through the window as I passed to leave. These feelings never lesson with each child, as my close GF attests! Hope you made it through okay, and she has adjusted well. XO

Mouseteacher~HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! It's an absolute joy having you here on this thread with us.

Here's a couple of more pics...beginning with our initial stay at the Portofino. I just realized, I never took a pic. at the Peabody! DD took some, with the regular cam...LOL. Hope you all enjoy.


Here's the foyer of the suite, with my comp. station/fax, etc. all set and ready to GO!

Here's our living/dining room at night!

Another view of the dining/living room...

View looking from the living room to the Bedroom, pantry to the right.

Dining table looking out to the patio/balcony...

The dining/living room during the day...views of the separate balconies for each one...

A view of the balconies for these two areas~

Next post will have the rest....stay~tuned!

 

[dreamflight99]

And...some more pics as promised!

The bedroom, and the balcony....

The view from the covered balcony off the bedroom...

The exterior of our suite...(three covered arches is the bedroom, and the two balconies to the right are the dining and living rooms respectively)...

The view of the boat launch and the rest of the resort from the balcony~

Here comes the boat to whisk us off to U.S. & I.O.A.~

We'll pass under the bridge to arrive at our destination. We pass the HRH...seen in this photo~

AND STILL...MORE TO COME in the NEXT POST!!

:

 

[dreamflight99]

As promised....

The HULK awaits outside the I.O.A. park! We took in this flick on our third night in Orlando @ Universal Citywalk!

The interior of the whimsical restaurant we dine in each year in the Seuss Landing area of I.O.A.~

Random picture of the Caro-seuss-o-sel in Seuss Landing I.O.A.~

One fish, two fish...red fish, blue fish~attraction in Suess Landing!

AND...still more to come....in the following post (are you still with me?!) LOL...

 

[dreamflight99]

Now...for the others...and we're DONE for the day! LOL....

One of my FAVS....can you guess?

JAWS....

I left the light on for us!

Someone else...left ALL the lights on!

These pictures bring back great memories from the beginning of this journey. I wish I could just close my eyes and be back in JUNE. It always seems to go by too quickly.

Enjoy the Day! I'll write more later....DF99

 

[Mouseteacher]

DF ~ Am I still with you??? You bet! I love all the pictures - thanks. PFB looks exquisite. The suite looks so cozy and home-like. Pictures say so much - what is the saying... pictures are worth a 1000 words.
Love the JAWS scenes - I remember that from my visit to US in LA.

Mom Poppins ~ We'll be taking our DS 20 to his dorm on 8/31(he commuted his first 2 years of college). I'm feeling just like you only 15 years difference.
It doesn't matter what the age, what the milestone - it is hard to see our children take those steps toward independence and flying the nest.

ozzie ~ I wish you a great school year, too.

 

[#1hockeymom]

I LOVE the pictures!!! They are beautiful and really do tell a story! I was laughing at the rooster a day ago. Reminded me so much of DH's and my trip to the Key West during our cruise, ALONE! We were only there for a day. I would have rather stayed there and explored more! Thank you for also sharing the PBH pictures. We haven't been to US since DS was in a carriage!

*grabbing kleenux for mompoppins and others*. My oldest is a senior this year! I swear it was only yesterday that she had perfectly matched ribbons in her hair and her back to school dress for her first day of kdg! Where does the time fly? Youngest is going into fifth grade; last year of elementary! They grow up so quickly. Isn't it ironic that they never do it when we say "why won't you grow up?" but instead chose to do it silently..... then we look and POOF, they've grown up!

First day of students went off without a hitch! No safe drinking water in the school, but as of late this afternoon the water ban is lifted! YEAH! I have 30 on my roster, 15 who decided to show up today. We start earlier than the regular district, so we hope to have all by next Monday.

*waving to the room* Good luck to those sending kids off to college! Have safe trips to everyone about to leave. Take lots of pictures! I have enjoyed everyone's pictures and points of view on the different resorts!

Debbie