Originally posted by jgates
Dreamflight - love those photos. They took awhile to load on this awful connection but boy were they worth it!
Believe it or not I actually have been pricing my flight for next summer. I don't dare book yet as I may have to shift my dates slightly. But it looks to be about $251 per person on Northwest non-stop from Minneapolis to Orlando. I would be happy with that. Since it is just myself and DD going I hesitate to rent a car - may just do it for a day if I change my mind. I can do that at the Swan can't I, if I remember correctly?
We may spend a couple of nites at Universal - what is the best way to transport from Universal to Swan? Call Mears at the Swan? Any guesses on cost?
Originally posted by jgates
Dreamflight - love those photos. They took awhile to load on this awful connection but boy were they worth it!
Believe it or not I actually have been pricing my flight for next summer. I don't dare book yet as I may have to shift my dates slightly. But it looks to be about $251 per person on Northwest non-stop from Minneapolis to Orlando. I would be happy with that. Since it is just myself and DD going I hesitate to rent a car - may just do it for a day if I change my mind. I can do that at the Swan can't I, if I remember correctly?
We may spend a couple of nites at Universal - what is the best way to transport from Universal to Swan? Call Mears at the Swan? Any guesses on cost?
WOW...I'd TAKE the flight at that price! If you book it online, using electronic ticketing...if the price goes DOWN...you can easily obtain a credit by calling the customer service department. If you use paper ticketing, you will have to physically go to the ticket counter for a refund of the difference. Book that SOON!
If you have Emerald Aisle (National), you can rent a full size car for as little as $28 from MCO to the Swan. You may drop it off at the Dolphin valet anytime before your rental is due back. They will bring it to the counter for processing. Very...VERY convenient. Also, the best way to transport from Universal to the Swan would either be via cab (Very reasonable), or rental car at the resort (Portofino has
Avis...just rent the car for your transport and call them to COME and PICK IT UP at the Swan. Free service). Again, these options are MUCH less than Mears.
Also, there's one other way. The Universal resorts offer very inexpensive transportation to the theme parks. If you only have a carry-on and a shoulder bag, etc., you could EASILY take this to the park...and hop on the SWAN bus when you arrive! I saw folks coming on the Dolphin bus weeks back from the Magic Kingdom, with luggage! They informed us they came on the transport from U. Studios to check into the Dolphin! LOL...the father said it was much less expensive than a direct transfer, and MORE of an ADVENTURE!
Went to Sea World...and enjoyed the park. It's one of our FAVS, as there are always seemingly few persons visiting this late in August. It's such a tiny/quaint park, where we always recall the times we have shared in the past. We lunched there, in a location similar to the Coral Reef (yet with mostly sharks). The food was "good", but not on par with most WDW restaurants. For dinner, (LATE), we stopped by the Outback Restaurant in the Wyndham resort. Table 38, w/Rashid. It was, as always, phenomenal. The gator chowder and app are the two items my DH yearns for all year. The steaks are incredible, as is the lobster.
ladyjayhawk~as most here already know, we have visited nearly every resort on property (w/exception of the AK lodge). Yet, we choose the Swan/Dolphin over all of these. There are too many reasons to list...but mainly:
1. SPG program
2. 24-hour POOL
3. LATE check-out
4. Incredible service
5. heavenly accomodations
6. conveniently located
7. fine restaurants
8. regular associates (10+years for most)
9. 20% discount on food w/Disney Club
10. Overall...BEST BANG for your BUCK!
The differences between the resorts are subtle, but include:
1. Swan has Queens/Dolphin has Doubles (Beds)
2. Swan has exterior "Hollywood Bath"
3. Dolphin Jr. suite is 2-rooms, vs. Swan "efficiency" type (1-room)
4. Dolphin is larger, more whimsical/Swan is more refined-quaint
5. Both are "sisters" and share all privs (including charging).
6. Swan has THABO and MAMA T in the CL lounge. Occasionally, they grace the Dolphin (which are my FAV days!).
I hope you have a wonderful time, no matter WHERE in the WORLD you decide to stay!
Mouseteacher~Awesome pic! I love returning each eve to the weather card, T.V. tuned to the Starwood or Disney channel, lights on...and the "chocolates"! My favorite "touches" of these fine resorts.
Debbie7452~Grocery store ALONE! Yes, I recall when the concept of that was FRESH & NEW! Almost seemed "odd", in a wierd sense. Yet, I quickly grew accustomed to the idea. Now, with DD nearly driving on her own, I'll soon be able to ASK her to "run to the store" for me! Ahhh...such are the things which define our lives (and age!).
Disbug...Thank you, for the nice compliment...and for contributing SO much here yourself. What a GREAT idea for anyone with younger children. You are indeed very creative and innovative. Your DD need not know you are "winging" it. She only needs to FEEL the amount of LOVE which goes into such planning and preparation (which I'm sure she does!). Kudos to you, for being such a nurturing & caring mom. Happy B.D. to your DD...may she enjoy the camp-out and time with her friends. My DD's B.D. is tomorrow. She turns Sweet 16. Where....oh WHERE...has the time gone?
TinkOhio...
HELLO! Glad to read the power is all restored in your neck of the woods. I've got friends residing in Akron...and wondered how they fared in the midst of this crisis. Happy to read your post...and hope you "stop by" more often! ^_^
Mom Poppins...THANKS for all the info on the tickets, etc. Since we have friends planning a week (overlapping our stay) next summer, we were looking for the best prices for tickets. I emailed Rosa, and she told me as soon as the prices are available for next summer, she'll let me know. The deals are the best, especially with the breakfast. As for Connections, I loved using them during our last visit. I passed this option on our current sojourn, (too busy...forgot about this one!). Does L. Vernon offer these through her site? I LOVE getting all this info from you! Thanks for making my planning/life THAT much easier. Take care, and hug/kiss baby Kirk for moi. XO
TTFN....DF99
I have so much going on in the next week.........the time will fly. I probably won't really begin to pack until early next week. Yikes!
ROFLOL - hockeymom - Oh, how I wish some special power (s)came with my job description! 
