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

[Lady from NYC]

We are staying at the Swan for the first time in a few days. We are longtime YC lovers, but the AP special at the S/D was too good to beat. I joined the Starwood guest program and send a email request from the S/D website asking for a really nice view (the AP rate includes a one-step upgrade from a standard view to a water view) and not to be too far from the lobby (we don't mind being high up, but last time we were at the YC, we were at the very end of the resort so far from the lobby that we were actually closer to the S/D than to the YC lobby!!). I sent this request for a really nice waterview w/ a King-size bed that isn't too far a hike from the lobby, but never having stayed at the Swan I didn't know exactly what part of the hotel or floor, etc. to ask for. Can anyone help?

Can anyone help me out with a waterview location that is nice and doesn't face a rooftop or anything icky and isn't too far from everything? Does anyone have a particular section of the Swan or a floor, etc. that is reccommended??

Thanks so much!!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Lady~ Floors 6 or 7 in the east wing on the side that faces the Boardwalk or the side that faces the S/D beach area is nice. The walk to the elevator is not too far.

 

[ozziewags]

Found you on page 2! Have not received any notices for posts for three days! Happens sometimes.
jgates....your pics are great. Saw them later that day. So unusual how those freaky things happen in cyberspace. Looks like you had a wonderful time.
Swan view: We have stayed on floor 11 and 12 in the 'front' (MGM side) of the hotel. Even though we could see rooftops, you didn't notice because of the great view in the distance. I will post our view for you:
This is the Boardwalk:

The back of the hotel you see the Dolphin, then if you get on the sides(east and west) you can see Epcot, MGM, Grotto pool. Great views everywhere. From our room we could see Fantasmic AND Illuminations(just the fireworks from it).

 

[Lady from NYC]

Thanks for the location info. Your pics are great. It looks like you had windows in both directions--BW/lagoon & MGM. So you were on the front side of the building (facing MGM) and the "back" of the building faces Dolphin. That's a good reference to know when asking for a room/view. Did you have a lakeview room or a standard view?

Thanks.

 

[ozziewags]

Good question! I am not sure, as that is totally confusing to me. The CM I talked to just asked if we would like that room and described the view and amenities and I took it. I looked it up on the SPG site, but I can't remember what the description said. The regular room, I got when I wasn't pleased with my location of the balcony view room. So I did that at the front desk. Remember that if you want an east, Epcot, balcony room, there are many trees blocking those rooms in floors below 6. We were on Club Level, once in a jr. suite, once in a regular room. There are no balconies on that side, just fyi. We only had one large window in both rooms, but you are so high up that the view is amazing. Hope this helps, with little confusion. Many people here will provide info with their experiences, I am sure. Keep checking back.

Where is everybody????

 

[Loubon]

Present! Oops, sorry! With all the teachers here I thought I was back in class....

Well you knew I had to get in on the latest rage on the DIS boards: Delswife's Trip Report Meets The Dis Class Yearbook. Also added Lady from NYC to the regular Yearbook.


On Topic: The Swan & Dolphin are STILL located down the lake a bit from the BW & BC/YC (hey, I'm trying!!!!!)

 

[#1hockeymom]

I will be going to the Edison leadership conference in mid-November as the SS coordinater/curr. person. I finally found out where we are staying, and yes it is a Westin property! November 12-16th are the dates for the conference, and I am flying back the 17th in the evening.

Does anyone know anything about the Westin Innisbrook Palm Harbor? Does anyone have advice on how to get my stay counted on my card, even though someone else is paying? Do I reserve my room for the last day now? when I arrive? I know I will be rooming with someone, I just hope it is with someone I actually know. What is the protocol if they put me with a stranger? I really don't like the idea of sharing a room with a complete stranger, but it could happen.

The conference actually gets over on Saturday evening, though our room is ours till Sunday checkout. I am debating spending an extra day there (Sunday night), or getting a rental and going to see my Mother, or having her come up to me. There is also the big "I could drive all the way to Disney!" idea, and it would be a possibility since my flight leaves Tampa around dinner-time on Monday.

HELP! So many ideas, so clueless to the entire conference protocol!

Love ya, mean it!
Debbie

 

[#1hockeymom]

Hey Lou! I need a sub Nov 12-15th and November 17th. They know you! Want the job?

Debbie

 

[Loubon]

I don't know. Here are some former students of mine....

<IMG width="175" SRC="http://www.beaumontpressroom.com/pls/pportal30/docs/FOLDER/NEWS_AUG01/TURNBACKTHECLOCK/CHILD+YAWNING.JPG"><IMG width="175" SRC="http://www.rictus.com/viz/photos/seattle-2001/3074-yawning-monkey.jpg"><IMG width="200" SRC="http://www.familynyou.com/admin/images/237/yawning%20baby.jpg">
<IMG width="200" SRC="http://www.happytailstoyoudogtraining.com/images/yawning.jpg"><IMG width="200" SRC="http://www.dgp.toronto.edu/~masha/photos/Andrey/yawning.gif"><IMG width="200" SRC="http://lemils.alldogsonline.com/images/gallery/g-vadar-sleep-1.jpg">

I think they were trying to tell me something.......

 

[Loubon]

BTW, I called ahead to the conference to see if I could get a picture of your cell mate, er I mean roommate.

No problem. At least he's not a Rangers fan....

On topic: You can tell the difference between the S&D by the statues on top.

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Loubon
I don't know. Here are some former students of mine....

<IMG width="175" SRC="http://www.beaumontpressroom.com/pls/pportal30/docs/FOLDER/NEWS_AUG01/TURNBACKTHECLOCK/CHILD+YAWNING.JPG"><IMG width="175" SRC="http://www.rictus.com/viz/photos/seattle-2001/3074-yawning-monkey.jpg"><IMG width="200" SRC="http://www.familynyou.com/admin/images/237/yawning%20baby.jpg">
<IMG width="200" SRC="http://www.happytailstoyoudogtraining.com/images/yawning.jpg"><IMG width="200" SRC="http://www.dgp.toronto.edu/~masha/photos/Andrey/yawning.gif"><IMG width="200" SRC="http://lemils.alldogsonline.com/images/gallery/g-vadar-sleep-1.jpg">

I think they were trying to tell me something.......

I CAN'T STOP YAWNING!! (LOL) I began the moment I saw these photos!!

*Nice Roomie, too! Friendly~looking Fella. ^_^

HELLO EVERYONE!!! Everything's FINE here...just BUSY. I'll post more later.

TTFN... DF99

 

[Mouseteacher]

I'm here ozzie!

Lou, your posts always bring the biggest to my face!

Debbie~ I was able to book my room at our conference in Boston -staying at the Sheraton - on my cc and will have the school reimburse me. I know the principal who is rooming with me... and, no, she does not look like Lou's post... and she will reimburse me for her portion of the bill. I want credit/ponts for the stay and managed it that way.

DF~ I hope the wild fires are no where near you. Stay safe.


I was at a great reunion party last evening. The people in the neighborhood where I grew up get together every other year. This is our second reunion party and it was just as much fun as the first. There were 125 attending - sharing life stories, memories of the old neighborhood and what we did as kids, as well as dancing to music of the 50's and 60's (oops --- dating myself again). Good time, Great fun!

ozzie ~ Great views from that side of the Swan. I agree about being careful in the wings and trees obscuring the view. If you stay on the sides of the wings that overlooks the Swan's entrance from / to walkway that connects to the Dolphin / boat dock, you can stay on lower floors with no obstructions.

 

[#1hockeymom]

ACK! I knew it! I can just picture him saying "dead men tell no tales", too!

Thanks for the info, Mouseteacher!

Sorority wave to all!
Debbie

 

[Kaycee]

Zurgswife

I just got back from the Trip Reports board and reading Delswife's saga. Thanks for letting us know about these awesome trip reports - I'm now as addicted as all of Delswife's other many fans here! Can't wait til the next installment...

Love ya, mean it!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Mouseteacher

DF~ I hope the wild fires are no where near you. Stay safe.

No...thank goodness. Thank you for thinking of me. My heart goes out to the folks who lost their homes.

I'm so excited about my DOLPHIN plans, and the prospect of staying in a NEWLY REFURBISHED SUITE this summer! I was informed (by a little house-mouse), the renovations are UP to the 7th floor currently! HOORAY!!

:happy1: :happy1:

I'm looking forward to all the other "planning" aspects of this sojourn. I'll be at the Dolphin w/family from the end of July through the end of August. Prior to this, we'll be at the same ole' haunts...(PBH, VBR, etc.). I LOVE the pictures of the Swan. The images bring back all the fabulous memories of our times in the Epcot resort area.

I still LOVE the secret area on the 25th floor of the Dolphin, where you are able to stand in the little covered stairway/balcony/alcove...and look over the horizon of Orlando. It ALWAYS reminds me of the memorable quote in the Lion King, where Mufasa informs his little cub Simba as they stand together atop Pride Rock, "Look, Simba. Everything the light touches is our kingdom." I love that movie, and will miss the attraction in the MK.

I have LOTS of secret views...and places which I LONG to see/experience again. These are the many reasons I RETURN to the Dolphin & WDW each summer. At the MK, I LOVE the view of the castle when seen from the PM, SM, and AO....especially at night. In MGM, I LOVE the trees down the main blvd., the views over the park from the front of the car in the ToT, and the soothing sounds of the sound booth. At Epcot...there are too many to list. Views of the majestic Dolphin/Swan over the Lake at dusk, the Spaceship earth...and the CLOUDS which always seem to hover and take~on mysterious DISNEY-LIKE shapes above the park.

The magic transcends to the Dolphin, where the spaceship earth and fireworks of Epcot are visible from the window of our suite. At night, these vistas take-on mystical powers, alleviating any "REAL WORLD" stress with a mere "glance" out the window. If I close my eyes~I can SEE it all...anytime I wish. Returning every year insures the safety/security of these mental images. It's like a special "Recharging" process. I NEVER tire of the scenes which fill my eyes and awaken my senses. They are never truly the "same", (trees grow, park expands, etc.). My passion for these parks and resorts will never diminish. I am truly blessed to be a part of it, and even more so to be aware of the MAGIC I've discovered within the confines of this little Utopia. Thanks again, Walt.

TTFN...DF99

 

[madge]

I'm looking forward to all the other "planning" aspects of this sojourn. I'll be at the Dolphin w/family from the end of July through the end of August. Prior to this, we'll be at the same ole' haunts...(PBH, VBR, etc.). I LOVE the pictures of the Swan. The images bring back all the fabulous memories of our times in the Epcot resort area

really? the end of July? I'm pretty sure we will be at the Dolphin then, too our plans won't be set in stone for a while yet, but DH has to re-certify for some work related training in Orlando on July 26...we will likely be at the Dolphin 27-30 July. We'll see!

 

[Muffy]

DD and I plan to be at the Dolphin then too! Looks like Disbugs dismeet is really going to happen! Madge and DF, thanks for posting your dates!

Hockeymom, your school trip to FL sounds great. I hope you can get your SPG membership number on the reservation. You are going to beat us all back to FL?! Tampa is only 1 hour from WDW. It would be GREAT if you could take a day trip while there. Sending pixie dust!

disbug, are you back from PA yet?

Muffy

 

[#1hockeymom]

*homesick for Disney* WOW DF, you put all of my thoughts into words! Thank you for sharing! On the Lion King attraction, during DS's first trip to the world we went in there very worried that we would be walking out as soon as "the toddler"*similar to JoeDisney's Octopus* awoke from his slumber. We sat near the back, knowing we were going to have to leave quickly! Danny did wake up, but didn't scream/run/ or any of those other great toddler acts. He watched with great fascination, and when the lights came up, he walked into the aisle *we got up last since he was being so GOOD!* and started clapping to the CM and said thank you!

I am going back soonest!? Never thought of it that way! Disbug, I need your advice! How is Disney w/o your family and on your own? I keep thinking I should/could go for Saturday night-Monday afternoon, but at the same time I wonder if I will just hate it since Disney has "family" memories for me and not individual memories. I have done the drive many times as my mother lives in Venice and in 97 DH flew back sooner than we did, leaving me to do the drive more than once to get our "Disney" days in and our flight back out from Orlando! Is the construction done on I-4?

Happy Sunday to all!
Debbie

 

[Muffy]

Debbie, Checkout the WDW solo forum for suggestions about going solo. I think you would have a fabulous time! You could look into a few new things to explore with your family at Easter! I hope all your plans come together for you. I'm sure Disbug will have more suggestions/ideas. Happy planning!

Muffy

 

[Mouseteacher]

DF, Muffy - if, and it's a big if, we can swing a summer trip our targeted time to go would be the last week of July, too!

Disbug - looks like a time frame is revealing itself.

Debbie~ I know how you feel about going to Disney w/o family and will the magic be there. Probably a different kind of magic. I wouldn't give up an opportunity to visit. I feel that wherever I might be in FLA, it means a trip to Disney even if the drive is 4 hours.