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

[zurgswife]

Good Morning to all...

The first 24 hrs being home alone with needles and testing equipment has gone quite smoothly...very proud of all of us...

Mouseteacher Our evening was also in the 70's for the very first time...it was a wonderful evening...after taking the young ones (dd6 and her best friend) around for about an hour...my best friend had an outside party set up (beer, wine, food, fire, chairs) the kids played flashlight freezed tag or played inside and the adults had great conversation; it was a most memorable Halloween night.

Muffy Connor very much enjoyed his Halloween, though he did not trick or treat for a long time as his stamina is not quite up to par. And I can not wait until my trip in Dec it's a mere 48 days 49 mins. and 47 secs away..

DF Thanks for the link for the ordering the travel planning video...we needed to add to our collection I think we are up to about 7 (5 WDW and 2 DCL) I love to watch them...

disnurse

Make sure you have a meeting with connors school nurse and teachers and explain everything that needs to be done to ensure a healthy school environment.

Lucky for us we all live in the same small town..I'm planning on calling his teacher today to see if I can drop by and show him the blood testing stuff. We have already set up a inservice for the kids in his grade, so they will know what's going on. We don't have a school nurse but everybody is very aware what's going on....and I'll be filling them in on Monday on the blood testing and what to do if an emergency arises..

aesalsa What a wonderful thing to do for your sister. I bet she will be soo surprised next year...

I can't wait for my days at the Dolphin....you guys have told me so many great things I'm not sure I will remember them all but I'll try....

 

[Mouseteacher]

ZW~ I'm so glad Connor is adjusting and doing well as are the rest of you. Kids are so resilient and take their emtional cues from their parents. Your Halloween evening sounded fun.

I'm sure you will enjoy your Dolphin stay. If you go with magic in your heart and sharing a dream come true with your family, wherever you stay will be magical.

I am always soooo grateful to be in WDW that I am happy and joyful no matter where we stay. We are such a Disney-addicted family, with me being the worst of the bunch!

 

[zurgswife]

We are such a Disney-addicted family, with me being the worst of the bunch!

Sounds exactly like the Zurg family....

 

[Scoob]

Hi everyone...

I'm planning another getaway to the Swan (I'm loyal to them for life) - this time in March, and I'm taking a friend of mine down with me.

I've decided to try a Suite at the Swan and was able to reserve one online for a decent rate... however, I'm not sure if this is a Jr. Suite, Exec Suite... or what kind of suite it really is...

I've read through the threads and would love to get a suite with a balcony... but since the descrip doesn't mention one... I'm not really sure what I've got here. I was only able to get one type of Suite to show up via reserving online... so maybe there are others I'm missing some other way?

Can anyone help me decode? This is the descrip straight for the SPG.com site....

L Shaped Room With Dining Area. This Room Contains A King Bed And Sofa Sleeper. Limited Lake View. Mini Bar. Wall Safe

Thanks in advance for any help!!

Scoob

 

[Disbug]

That is a jr. suite! Mouseteacher stayed in one this past July. Maybe she can re-post the pics!

Have a nice Sunday!

 

[msim]

Does the Dolphin still have the straight A's club that is listed on Glo's thread? Can anyone please tell me about the Club Level at the Dolphin? We'll be there in February and have only done concierge at WL and AKL. What should I expect? Thanks!!!!!

 

[dreamflight99]

aesalsa~I don't know how you are able to contain yourself and keep the "secret" from these kids! What a blessing you are in their lives. If you need any help planning, feel free to ask!


Mouseteacher~Be sure to think some thoughts of me when you see the leaves falling off the trees (cascading to the grown in that gentle flowing spiral). Autumn is my FAVORITE season, especially in the EAST! Let me know when your video arrives, and you have taken the pleasure of viewing it. You will LOVE this one, I'm sure.

Gotta run & De-Halloween the yard decos. The weather has changed for the better. Now, we await the mudslides!

TTFN...DF99

 

[Mouseteacher]

Scoob~ That is a jr. suite from your description. We had a balcony, too. It was in the east wing. When you check in ask if a jr. suite with balcony is available for a comp upgrade. If you would like to see pictures, just PM me. I loved the suite and our view was fabulous - being at the end of the wing we had what I call a panoramic view.

"Loyal for life"...you need to join our sorority - we're loyal for lifers, too!



DF~ the leaves are falling from the trees quite rapidly now and the streets and lawns are covered - a blanket of brown, yellow and russet leaves. Sadly, I know this signals the leafless trees and drab, gray, cold days to come of mid-late November. Then, the warmth of the Christmas season brightens the month of December.

 

[jgates]

Hello guys, sorry I'm late. Had to stop and read the last of Del'sWife's trip reports. I'm really going to miss those!!!! It is so nice to know there are other people out there with totally disfunctional families!!!!!

Not sure about the Straight A Club - we forgot K's reportcard anyway.

The Club Level in S/D consists of morning continental breakfast (although my kids were so impressed it was on real plates rather than the Fairfield Inn styrofoam we are used to!). Fruit, yogurt, cereals, juices, pastries, coffee, tea, milk, etc.

Evenings consist of one hot munchie (a few nights that we made it they were spicier items), fruits, cheese/crackers, ?veggies??, cookies, soda, coffee.

We only made it to evening about 4 of our 10 nites. We did actually have just cheese etc for a supper one evening - too tired for anything else. Another time or two we had a pizza from Tubbi's and had some fruit and soda and cookies for desert. And once we had some fruit and cheese and then later on walked to Boardwalk to have Nachos at ESPN. A couple of evenings later on DS would walk down to get a soda - we would swap the warm ones left out for a chilled one from the fridge. I don't know if they still leave soda and cookies out afterwards, but that was 8 or 9 pm. Ours were all at the Swan, but should be similar at either location.

 

[susie2]

hi, please need help, have just returned from doctors and not good news, medication is not working and my epilepsy is still not under control, now the bad news!! he doesnt think i will be able to go back to work for a long time yet, so it looks like our long awaited trip to the dolphin will not be, while we will be still able to go to disney, will will have to move to a moderate resort and save some money, so please help we have never stayed on site before and fell in love with the dolphin and now dont know where to start looking to find out which moderate to choose as there have been many different things said on each off them, has any one got any suggestions on which to choose please, any ideas will be gratefully excepted thanks susie

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Susie ~ I am sorry to here the news about your medicine. I hope they can find something to help you soon. Don't worry about having to change resorts... We have stayed at a few others and they all have there own special atmosphere. We stayed at the moderate resort "Dixie landings" on our first trip to WDW. It will always be our sentimental favorite. The grounds are lovely and the buildings that house the rooms are beautiful. I am sure others will have more opinions for you. Dixie landings is now called Port Orleans Resort. It used to be 2 resrots until they combined and made one. You will not be disappointed here its a lovely resort. If I remember correctly, this is also a favorite moderate resort of Dreamflight. You will have a wonderful time wherever you stay you will be at DISNEYWORLD

Hello to all the brothers and sisters out there

 

[Loubon]

Originally posted by susie2
we have never stayed on site before and fell in love with the dolphin and now dont know where to start looking to find out which moderate to choose as there have been many different things said on each off them, has any one got any suggestions on which to choose please, any ideas will be gratefully excepted thanks susie

Susie,

We have stayed at the Port Orleans and Dixie Landings (before they were offically combined) and the Coronado. The only other moderate is the Carribean Beach Resort and I hear that is equally as nice. You can't go wrong with any of them but we liked the Coronado the best (possibly because it just opened). All are easily accessible to the parks by bus and all have a nice selection of food options and gift shops.

You may also want to check the point rental board. Sometimes you will find Vacation Club members who are 'renting" their points. The going rate is usually about $10 a point so depending on the size of room and time of year it could cost the same as a moderate for deluxe accomadations. And you may get to stay at either the Boardwalk or Beach Club which would put you in the same vicinity as the S&D. If you are interested let me know the exact dates and the size of room (studio, 1BR,2BR or 3BR) and I can tell you the points for each resort. It will make it easier for you to search if you go this route.

I FINALLY had a positive contribution on this board!!!!

 

[hookedup]

Hello S/D friends,
I have not been posting a lot but I have been lurking. That was until a week ago when the So Cal fires forced us from our home. We live in rural eastern San Diego county. We have had such a terrible week. We just got back to our house and finally got some power. We are so lucky to have our house - I almost feel guilty.
A lot of my family and many, many friends lost EVERYTHING. Their houses are just piles of burned up rubble. It is horrible. We can't believe we were so lucky to have no real damage.
We lived in our cars with our dog and 2 cats for 2 days and went to a Red Cross Shelter with our friends. It was an unbelievable experience. Returning home to see it there was amazing. It was hard to celebrate though as there are so many who are not as fortunate.
I have a whole new respect for being forced from my home, being without the necessities, and dealing with trauma. Wow - it was something.

Well, just thought I check in.

Disbug - I got your PM - the avatar I created I made it in that size, so it is the size it is. I can see if I can enlarge it and how it looks. I may be able to recreate it in a larger size. It will be a few days before I can work on it. I'll keep you posted.

Take care all.
C.J.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Hooked up ~ Wow! What a week you had. I am glad you and your family are safe and sound. It must be so tough seeing so much loss all around you. My prayers go out to all of you

 

[Debbie7452]

Wow, hookedup's experience sounds soo scary. Not knowing if your home is possibly not going to be there on your return...? I was so busy worrying about Dreamflight's home that I forgot there might be other DISers in jeopardy.

I'll take our gulf coast flooding any day. It's a nuisance but fixable kind of damage.

I extended our small Spring Break stay yesterday by adding a free night on points(10,000). I had them link the two reservations together and am hoping to stay in the same Exec. suite rooms but it is a gamble. It will be fine if we have to switch rooms at least my confirmation shows it is Lake view which is an upgrade from standard. I did this through the Plat. concierge and he said something interesting I thought I must share.

He told me I could reserve a Club Level award night for 11,000 or a Swan Studio (swan's version of Jr. Suite) for 11,500. That seems like a really good deal to me. I just took the standard award room since I am hoping to spend it in our same Exec suite.

No San Antonio get away for me! Grandma was busy. It is for the best anyway because I just committed the majority of points we have to our Swan trip. All I need now is Disney tickets! I wish I could convince my relatives I REALLY do want these for Christmas gifts!

 

[marymrg]

Hookedup - I am very relieved to read that you are safe but am very sorry for your friends and family who lost so much. I will keep all of you in my prayers.

Maryg

 

[marymrg]

Susie - sorry your plans have changed due to your meds but like the others have said, hopefully they'll find something that will work soon.

On our very first trip, we stayed at Port Orleans (now called French Quarter) in a river view room. My kids loved the serpent slide there and the boat launch was very close by but a relatively short walk to the front of the resort(buses).

We have also stayed 2x at Coronado (once on business and once for pleasure) It is very spread out but some rooms are better than others, depending on where your interests are. We stayed in Casitas - which is a nice stroll to the restaurants/check-in but the furthest from the Digsite pool. (we never even went to the Digsite because we were at the parks but did use the quiet pool - 5 -6 feet deep lap pool). The other visit we stayed in Ranchos which has a really nice, quiet pool and is pretty close to the Digsite. The optimal room would be in Cabanas but everyone requests that.

We've never stayed at Carib. Beach but have scoped it out for some future weekend stay. (we are also DVC members)

I agree with Loubon. You might be able to find a member to rent points from. (mine are already in the borrowed category so I can't help you out) I have done one rental transaction to stay at the Poly and it worked out great. It was cheaper to use DVC points for when I was going than using CRO without a discount. However, this would probably not be the case for a moderate resort and your best bet would be to check out one of the many DVC properties. I have stayed at both Beach Club and Boardwalk and both are great for the Epcot Access.

Whatever you decide, imho, any accomodations at WDW are better than not going at all!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Debbie7452
All I need now is Disney tickets! I wish I could convince my relatives I REALLY do want these for Christmas gifts!

LOL....YOU & ME BOTH!!~We need to buy PAP's again this summer, to the tune of more than $1500! Ouch, but well worth the pain.

We get two-years out of one pass, and about 2 full months of use! It's a LOT more feasible than any other pass, for our circumstance. I nearly choked once, when I asked the cost of the LOS pass for four weeks!!

LOU~ I KNEW we had a lot in common! I LOVE the old DL (before they combined and renamed it). Where did you used to stay, in the mansions or Bayou? It's still one of my favs (of the mods), and I miss the times we shared together. We even saw the MK fireworks from our front balcony/walkway at night. Pure magic, at a great price.

hookedup~So glad to read you are okay. We have friends scattered through the area, some in Carlsbad by the sea, whom were affected by these fires. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

marymrg~one of our earliest stays was at the CB resort. Then, we tried the DL resort, and used the pool at POR. We also loved walking down in the mornings to the POR food court...for some Beignets! Mmmmm, almost as good as Cafe Du Monde! These mods are such great places. We have stayed at all the mods with the exception of the CSR. We have also stayed at all the DELUXE resorts with the exception of the AKL. We have never tried a value resort.

Hope all of you have enjoyed the weekend. Have a GREAT WEEK!

TTFN...DF99

 

[RobMax]

Is anyone else not getting the posting updates???

 

[marymrg]

DF Lisa - I didn't renew my and DS's AP in September but I did utilize it for four trips(DS only 3) over a calendar year. How did you get two years with your extended sojourns? We timed our last trip to coincide with the expiration of the AP's. We went a week earlier than last year and only stayed 5 days. But, it was my understanding that they would expire 1 year after first use. Depending on when Easter 2005 falls (or if we decide to go in Feb 2005 instead), I might buy them again when we go in April 2004. Otherwise, I have a whole stash of park hoppers in our Safety Deposit box with various days and plus options left on them that we might use. That might be a better use if we end up going to that "other" park for a few days.