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

[Mouseteacher]

Welcome, crz4mm2, to our sorority. Just to clarify - we are not nesessarily of sound mind we are just crazy about all things Disney and staying at the S/D resorts!

 

[ozziewags]

So sorry you didn't get your mug. I was sure it would come today. Must be a lot of mail going to Boston!

 

[Disbug]

No mug! This is sure "bugging" me! I was assured Saturday at the LATEST! Boy... oh, boy!

But anticipation can be FUN! Right, everyone? Everyone? Anyone? Someone?

 

[#1hockeymom]

The wait will be worth it! I bet the mug is late because the publisher's clearing house winning entry is going to Mouseteacher's house! They probably have a "one special thing a day" USPS rule, so the sweepstakes and the mug are coming on separate days.

Keep going with this, sisters... if Mouseteacher wins you know that she'll treat us all to a S/D vacation! While there we can all have coffee in our lovely mugs while chatting about all things Disney!

Debbie

 

[crz4mm2]

Whew, for a minute I thought you meant it! LOL. I don't think sound mind and body would be used to describe me!!! I am crazy about Disney though. And from the looks of the S/D posts, I will be able to promise to be nuts about the S/D too! I'd like a mug too... Can you still order them? Can't wait to get there. So glad that there is ethernet plug. My laptop has that so shouldn't be a problem hooking up. May have to try out that "free AOL" deal though. My server is direcway here at home so won't have that option there.
THanks for the warm welcome!

 

[#1hockeymom]

They have their own server! All you do is plug in, and your computer will go directly to the S/D site! It configures everything for you and you are quickly surfing away! Remember, your resort fee includes unlimited internet access, which I proudly put to the test along with my teenage DD aim lover, my must havehis email DH and DS who got bored waiting for DD to get ready in the mornings. You're all set and you don't need any AOL CDs! You WILL be able to finish your AOL CD sculpture!(I just love that commercial!)

Debbie

 

[Mouseteacher]

You betcha - if I win --->>>>
We're All Going to Disney World ...and staying at the Swan or Dolphin - your choice- CL / Executive Suites for everyone.

Well, I'm hoping my mug arrives Monday - perhaps the holiday mail is slowing things done in good ole MA. Or... do ya think Lou kidnapped my mug and is holding it hostage until we 'fess up about our sorority scam?

 

[Disbug]

"Just hand over the mug ma'am and no one will get hurt..."

 

[Loubon]

I don't have her's and I don't have mine.....


This just confirms my belief that living in NJ may as well be like living in Alaska......

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Hi All

Just returned from my 12 day stay at the Swan

Signing in to the internet is very easy! I was soooo excited to be able to use it every night.

I was able to take pictures of what the new hallways will look like at the Swan. And hope to get those posted in the next day or so. The halls will be started in the next quarter (I think that is what the bellman told me).

We had a 10th floor room in the east wing. Did not get a balcony, but had a nice view of the docks and Magic Kingdom in the distance. We watched the Wishes fireworks from there and it is amazing.

Did not have an Epcot view, but we would go down to the 9th floor and watch Illuminations from the end of the hall with the big round windows.

Todd English's Blue Zoo restaurant is opening on Sunday, Dec 21. It looks really neat. Did not have my camera with me when it was open for a private party.

Just had a little problem with check-out. We used points for the first 5 nights. Well, anytime we have used points for part of our stay, something gets messed up. And every time, Graydon at the front desk fixes it for us. They did not apply the deposit. Instead it was hiding in the folio for the points, and it should not have. So always be sure to check your bill before checkout.

As always it was a great trip and hope to be able to stay at S/D again in the future if we can get a good deal.

Debbie

 

[Mouseteacher]

Disbug~ ROTFLOL

Lou~ Living in MA must be the same as NJ.

EpcotKilterFan~ I am glad you had a great Swan stay.

 

[scrappermcl]

Hurray!! I just checked my Dolphin ressies on the SPG site and we have an upgrade from standard view to resort view/view of crescent lake!! My request was for a renovated room with a view of Epcot... so I hope we get the renovation, too!

I have been "lurking" on this site for a few months and want to thank everyone for the fantastic info here. I found out about the teacher's rate here and all the tips on how to get the upgrade.

One question... Should I still ask for the upgrade at check-in?

Thanks again for all the help!
Mary in NJ

 

[Disbug]

scrappermcl, it never hurts to ask! But oh, so nicely! And have a big smile ready!

 

[crz4mm2]

When would you ask for upgrade? two weeks before? a month before? days before? ANd what about the busy busy time (like easter. WOuld you even try? I would sure like to have a good view. THis is a really special trip for my daughter and I am trying to make it even more special with things like surprise dinners, maybe a limo from the airport, things like that.
Sure am looking forward to it.
Congrats Scrapper!
Cathy

 

[Mouseteacher]

Congrats, scrapper - good for you!

Cathy - as Disbug said it doesn't hurt to try. E mail a request for an upgrade through www.swandolphin.com -click on reservations then on special requests. My first time I didn't ask for any specific type of upgrade, I just asked for any upgrade and I would be thrilled. About a week before arrival, I saw on the spg website that we were upgrade to CL!

You can call about 5 days before check-in and repeat your request. And, if nothing happens on the spg website to show an upgrade has been given, do ask upon check-in. On our second trip, that's what happened for us. I asked at check-in for a balcony room if possible and VOILA -- a balcony attached to a Jr. Suite!

Go for it, Cathy --- all they can do is say sorry can't be done. After all, you will still be staying at a great resort at a great rate and YOU"RE IN WDW!!!

 

[crz4mm2]

Ok, SO I will send a little request. Might just mention how it is a special graduation trip for the daughter. Now, I made my ressie thru Dream Res. Have the confirmation number from the hotel (via dream res). I went to the SPG site and it says no ressie exists.... hummm. It is in the dream res system. I have checked many times. SO how do I know they even have it??? I sent dream res an email this am asking the same question.
I have always done ressies myself up til this trip, but thought the service provided by dreams unlimited sounded so fantastic and I was ready to give up control this time THanks for all the help. I will send an email just as soon as I can find out if they even have my ressie.....
ANd what DO You SAY in the email??? Just "I would like an upgrade if available?" Or what???
Cathy

 

[#1hockeymom]

My reservation through DU has usually been listed under "other reservations" but not on the main reservation page. Have you tried that? You could also try to call spg and confirm with them directly.

To everyone asking about special limo rides. I used happy limo last year and did the "so many dollars" (I think it was fifty?) extra for the one way upgrade from town car to limo when purchasing the round trip town car pick up. My kids loved being picked up at MCO in a limo and taken to the Swan! I know others on this board have used other limo companies and have also had good results.

Debbie

PS Gevalia coffee tastes even better in a Swan and Dolphin sorority mug!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Cathy - definitely have DU attach your spg # and your request to their ressie. Since DU made the reservation, you won't see an uograde on the spg website. So, definitely ask at check-in for that upgrade.

 

[Loubon]

Originally posted by #1hockeymom
PS Gevalia coffee tastes even better in a Swan and Dolphin sorority mug!

Grrrrrrrrrrr.............

 

[Mouseteacher]

Lou - double and more ferocious from me, too GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR