Hello all -- no longer LIVE FROM THE SWAN -- but rather, live from desk at work in Chicago surrounded by piles of work and the constant sound of phone ringing with needy clients on the line. Sigh.
Here is the last installment of our report:
Got out of our room by 9 and wandered over to Spoodles. Had a wonderful breakfast -- shared the rotollo and the breakfast pizza. Amazing coffee in huge mugs. Sat and relaxed and chatted away. Shopped a bit on the Boardwalk and realized that we needed more advanced shopping options. Hopped on the bus to DD. Great shopping trip! Let's see, got a set of great mickey shaped egg formers (2 come in a package for only $5) that can also be used to make mickey pancakes, mickey hamburgers, mickey cookies, well you get the idea. They were by the register at the Disney Home Store. Got DD and DS guest of honor badges. The place to get those now is at the back of the Christmas store btw. I am putting those away until our next trip which will most likely not be until January 2005 or August 2005 (too many other trips already planned to other places!). Next, went to the candy store to get the obligatory candy for the folks back at the office being careful to avoid chocolate as it was pretty warm outside.
Then it happened, went innocently into Once Upon a Toy and saw that their potato head display had many pieces that they did not have at the AK - important pieces like the teacup ride piece, numerous hats, etc. My sister and I looked at each other horrified -- we needed those pieces. We knew what we had to do --spend another $16 to get a box filled with two of each of the pieces we did not have and then jammed full of whatever other pieces would fit in there. I have to say, my sister is pretty amazing at this jamming things into a box task. Originally at the AK she managed to fit 74 pieces in the box (I am embarrassed to say that I only fit 64 pieces in the box). Her second try did not yield as many pieces because the ones we were missing were larger pieces, but she did manage to cram an amazing amount in the box. The box actually did not close, but the cm took pity on her and let her get away with it. I will not admit to my husband, however, that I really did not spend $16, but rather $24 on a potato head set. (but boy do we have a lot of pieces!)
After the Toy Store we headed over to the main disney store for misc. stuff that we had to have. Finally, time to go back to the hotel. Went down to the pool and enjoyed the sunshine. It was already 2 pm and we really were not that hungry for the lamb rolls and we knew if we ate the lamb rolls we would not be able to eat the icecream. One has to have priorities, so we skipped the lamb rolls and proceeded directly to the Dolphin Fountain. Started our "meal" with some vegetables -- onion rings. Proceeded on to the Dolphin Splash sundae -- 7 scoops plus all of the toppings and sauces. We actually told them no pineapple sauce, no sticky bun sauce, and put the strawberry and raspberrry sauce on the side. They brought our concoction to the table and it was quite a sight to see -- whipped cream with sprinkles billowing over the sides of the bowl with at least 7 cherries on the top. Each bite was different and we dove right in. Heath bar pieces, snickers, reeses pieces, m & M's, nuts, hot fudge, caramel, marshmallow, etc, etc, etc. Vanilla, chocolate, rocky road, double chocolate, mint chip, strawberry, choc chip icecream scoops. Delicious and we managed to finish most of it. The trick is to eat fairly quickly so that it doesn't all melt down to become icecream soup. In retrospect, I might have requested the hot fudge separately as well because that would have slowed some of the melting. Also, ask them to give you extra cups and then you can serve your self a bit and then eat out of your cup so that you are not all eating out of the giant bowl at the same time. What fun and all for $11.50. Would recommend it highly.
After our little snack, we waddled out of the dolphin back to the hotel. A few last minute purchases at the Swan gift store and then we hauled our bags out to meet Andy from FL Tours. He was there early, got us all loaded up and to the airport on time. Our flight was delayed about 45 minutes, but overall, the trip back went smoothly.
The kids loved their gifts this morning, my 3 year old DD was quite taken with the potato head and ran to get the potato that we already had (goodness knows that I now have enough pieces to "clothe" about 8 potatoes!). She was still playing with it when I left for work this morning. DS loved his new pressed pennies and pins. Everyone loved Pal Mickey. DS (7) is already trying to pin me down on when I am taking him back. Too soon to really think about that right now.
As I sit here reflecting on the pros and cons of the trip:
PROS
1. The Swan was in a great location which made all of our travels very easy. We usually stay by the MK, but this location was perfect for an adult trip. I would even consider staying at the S or D for trip with the kids in the future, but I would need adjoining rooms because I think I would get a bit claustrophobic with my kids running around a swan room. The $99 rate was a bargain and it even came with 4 pm checkout. Wonder if they will ever offer that sort of deal again.
2. Celebrating "birthday" at WDW. That was the best! CM's are typically so nice all the time anyway, but they really go out of their way when you have on that button, as do the characters.
3. Eating grown up food like Kimonos, Boma, Whispering Canyon and Spoodles. Our trip in June with the kids was a parade from one chicken nugget to the next. This was a refreshing change.
4. Proceeding at a somewhat leisurely pace and enjoying adult time.
5. Loved those beds!
6. Swan CM's -- very accommodating. When we needed an allen wrench to fix our wheel chair, they sent someone right up with what we needed. Requested that room be made up by noon each day and it always was. Turn down service was always provided when we requested it as well.
CONS
1. Really don't like lovebugs. Good thing that my DD (3) was not there because I would have had to hear her shriek all day long about those bugs. They were mostly obvious when we where waiting for a boat or bus. I don't think they bit at all - but they were just sort of gross to be around.
2. Would have liked to meet Mama T and Thabo -- but that really wasn't that much of a con. It certainly was not worth $50 a day to add CL. Maybe next time we will have enough points to get that upgrade.
This was the first time we went in September and I would consider going again at this time of year. There were no crowds at all. The only problem is the weather, we ended up dodging a tropical storm bullet and only had our rain ponchos on for five minutes the whole trip, but we know it easily could have gone the other way. Still, I really love going in January when I can leave freezing cold Chicago to go somewhere warmer - even if it is only 60 degrees out in Floriday.
So that's about it. Thanks for taking the trip with us. Checking this thread each night from the room was a lot of fun for my sister and I. We loved having all of you out there to give us advice, etc.
Can't wait to hear about Madge's adventures.
Lauren
Here is the last installment of our report:
Got out of our room by 9 and wandered over to Spoodles. Had a wonderful breakfast -- shared the rotollo and the breakfast pizza. Amazing coffee in huge mugs. Sat and relaxed and chatted away. Shopped a bit on the Boardwalk and realized that we needed more advanced shopping options. Hopped on the bus to DD. Great shopping trip! Let's see, got a set of great mickey shaped egg formers (2 come in a package for only $5) that can also be used to make mickey pancakes, mickey hamburgers, mickey cookies, well you get the idea. They were by the register at the Disney Home Store. Got DD and DS guest of honor badges. The place to get those now is at the back of the Christmas store btw. I am putting those away until our next trip which will most likely not be until January 2005 or August 2005 (too many other trips already planned to other places!). Next, went to the candy store to get the obligatory candy for the folks back at the office being careful to avoid chocolate as it was pretty warm outside.
Then it happened, went innocently into Once Upon a Toy and saw that their potato head display had many pieces that they did not have at the AK - important pieces like the teacup ride piece, numerous hats, etc. My sister and I looked at each other horrified -- we needed those pieces. We knew what we had to do --spend another $16 to get a box filled with two of each of the pieces we did not have and then jammed full of whatever other pieces would fit in there. I have to say, my sister is pretty amazing at this jamming things into a box task. Originally at the AK she managed to fit 74 pieces in the box (I am embarrassed to say that I only fit 64 pieces in the box). Her second try did not yield as many pieces because the ones we were missing were larger pieces, but she did manage to cram an amazing amount in the box. The box actually did not close, but the cm took pity on her and let her get away with it. I will not admit to my husband, however, that I really did not spend $16, but rather $24 on a potato head set. (but boy do we have a lot of pieces!)
After the Toy Store we headed over to the main disney store for misc. stuff that we had to have. Finally, time to go back to the hotel. Went down to the pool and enjoyed the sunshine. It was already 2 pm and we really were not that hungry for the lamb rolls and we knew if we ate the lamb rolls we would not be able to eat the icecream. One has to have priorities, so we skipped the lamb rolls and proceeded directly to the Dolphin Fountain. Started our "meal" with some vegetables -- onion rings. Proceeded on to the Dolphin Splash sundae -- 7 scoops plus all of the toppings and sauces. We actually told them no pineapple sauce, no sticky bun sauce, and put the strawberry and raspberrry sauce on the side. They brought our concoction to the table and it was quite a sight to see -- whipped cream with sprinkles billowing over the sides of the bowl with at least 7 cherries on the top. Each bite was different and we dove right in. Heath bar pieces, snickers, reeses pieces, m & M's, nuts, hot fudge, caramel, marshmallow, etc, etc, etc. Vanilla, chocolate, rocky road, double chocolate, mint chip, strawberry, choc chip icecream scoops. Delicious and we managed to finish most of it. The trick is to eat fairly quickly so that it doesn't all melt down to become icecream soup. In retrospect, I might have requested the hot fudge separately as well because that would have slowed some of the melting. Also, ask them to give you extra cups and then you can serve your self a bit and then eat out of your cup so that you are not all eating out of the giant bowl at the same time. What fun and all for $11.50. Would recommend it highly.
After our little snack, we waddled out of the dolphin back to the hotel. A few last minute purchases at the Swan gift store and then we hauled our bags out to meet Andy from FL Tours. He was there early, got us all loaded up and to the airport on time. Our flight was delayed about 45 minutes, but overall, the trip back went smoothly.
The kids loved their gifts this morning, my 3 year old DD was quite taken with the potato head and ran to get the potato that we already had (goodness knows that I now have enough pieces to "clothe" about 8 potatoes!). She was still playing with it when I left for work this morning. DS loved his new pressed pennies and pins. Everyone loved Pal Mickey. DS (7) is already trying to pin me down on when I am taking him back. Too soon to really think about that right now.
As I sit here reflecting on the pros and cons of the trip:
PROS
1. The Swan was in a great location which made all of our travels very easy. We usually stay by the MK, but this location was perfect for an adult trip. I would even consider staying at the S or D for trip with the kids in the future, but I would need adjoining rooms because I think I would get a bit claustrophobic with my kids running around a swan room. The $99 rate was a bargain and it even came with 4 pm checkout. Wonder if they will ever offer that sort of deal again.
2. Celebrating "birthday" at WDW. That was the best! CM's are typically so nice all the time anyway, but they really go out of their way when you have on that button, as do the characters.
3. Eating grown up food like Kimonos, Boma, Whispering Canyon and Spoodles. Our trip in June with the kids was a parade from one chicken nugget to the next. This was a refreshing change.
4. Proceeding at a somewhat leisurely pace and enjoying adult time.
5. Loved those beds!
6. Swan CM's -- very accommodating. When we needed an allen wrench to fix our wheel chair, they sent someone right up with what we needed. Requested that room be made up by noon each day and it always was. Turn down service was always provided when we requested it as well.
CONS
1. Really don't like lovebugs. Good thing that my DD (3) was not there because I would have had to hear her shriek all day long about those bugs. They were mostly obvious when we where waiting for a boat or bus. I don't think they bit at all - but they were just sort of gross to be around.
2. Would have liked to meet Mama T and Thabo -- but that really wasn't that much of a con. It certainly was not worth $50 a day to add CL. Maybe next time we will have enough points to get that upgrade.
This was the first time we went in September and I would consider going again at this time of year. There were no crowds at all. The only problem is the weather, we ended up dodging a tropical storm bullet and only had our rain ponchos on for five minutes the whole trip, but we know it easily could have gone the other way. Still, I really love going in January when I can leave freezing cold Chicago to go somewhere warmer - even if it is only 60 degrees out in Floriday.
So that's about it. Thanks for taking the trip with us. Checking this thread each night from the room was a lot of fun for my sister and I. We loved having all of you out there to give us advice, etc.
Can't wait to hear about Madge's adventures.
Lauren
SO we are officially 6 nights at the Dolphin and 3 nights at the Contemporary, I'm not changing my mind again. 
That's what I get for planning a vacation at the end of the fiscal year, LOL
But we brought it to the attend of the bar tender that had brought the food over to us pool side and he was very apoligic and went back and got a fresh set up which ended up being very good. Did I say how much I like the Lava Flows
before our evening meetings.
Welcome kidk to a fellow MA resident. I agree about the S/D giving us discounts for being their biggest fans and sending people their way. Heck, we even have a sorority named for them! Right, Disbug?! 
Do you know what the record is for how much you can squeeze in to a Potato Head???
Anna (the toddler) keeps popping in the vacation planning video, which I have decided is a good thing. hopefully some of it will sink in before we go. my oldest thinks he can/should plan the whole trip and gets in a typical adolescent mood when we tell him isn't in charge
it really is quite magical, because I have NO idea where they came from. No one here has my address, they aren't "official" from WDW (handwritten, not Mickey's handwriting), but they are postmarked from Orlando. The last people I know of that went to WDW were some friends of ours around July 4. A mystery, indeed 
