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

[tink44]

Was feeling kind of sorry for myself: Only a few people remembered my b'day (11/19), DD9 was sick with a stomach virus that mascaraded as appendicitis over Thanksgiving (sitting at a childs hospital bed has to be the alltime worst- my prayers for Disbug and others with sick children), turned out to be gastroenteritis (source unknown), she got better in time to go to school and catch a bad cold for the Christmas holiday. And DH grant funded social work position ran out so he's working part time, so I have to down grade my Disney trip (maybe a moderate instead of the AKL). Then got the news that DH has a possible new job starting this month but the possiblity of his getting a time for a week's spring break vacation is pretty much nil so DD and I will have to go alone (driving, hate to fly, not terrorism but hydraulic system failure, windshear and incidents a plenty ). Didn't even feel like lurking (inspite of Lou always being good for a chuckle).

Then I came back to this board and started reading some of the posts and I had to ask myself what's the big deal? Everyone's going through something- it's called LIFE. I remember some years ago Rev. Robert Schuller used to say something that I (in my youth) found somewhat trite but now I understand- tough times don't last-tough people do. That's what we have to be mentally to withstand the assault of hard times. That doesn't mean of course that we have to all steel. It's that fuzzy teddy bear cover that allows us to have fun, planning trips, hoping for upgrades (way to go Muffy!), thinking about the distance from the Dolphin (expressway back on topic) to my fav Epcot ride-Spaceship Earth (I can see DD rolling her eyes) and what to snack on to shorten the walk.

Thanks for listening. Sorry for the lengthy rant but I'm feeling better now. I'm in the double digits and counting. I'm going to try to use the new code for maybe POR or CBR for my first 3 days then enjoy the Dolphin for the next 3.

Any ideas for eating food at the Dolphin when you're being a little careful? I've read about Tubbi's.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Ok, I feel better now!

Happy late birthday Tink!
You didn't rant... I enjoyed your quote! Did you see that there was an "anyone" code in addition to the AP code? Keep calling! Even if you don't get anything right away... keep calling! Eventually I think a lot of people drop their reservations and then you get to "find" theirs in the computer system at a later date!

Also anxious to hear about the Blue Zoo!

Disbug>> I hope your DD is better soon! Poor baby! I do have a question though. Is there a box at both desks? or just the Dolphin desk? (and you did mean the main floor concierge desks, yes?)

Thanks for the well wishes, Caroline! We're both totally excited about this and keep changing our commando plans on a daily basis.

I think I remember actually seeing PARK buses in addition to the resort buses at the MK main bus stop. This would have been in November. Perhaps a quick letter to TYLER who I think can be found on the PC board. I know he'd know for sure!

Big wave to all!
Debbie

 

[kctinkerbell]

Thank-you Mouseteacher and #1 Hockeymom for the great advice!

I'm trying to plan all of our dinner PS's and it's hard when you don't know how long it takes to get everywhere!!!!


kctinkerbell

 

[#1hockeymom]

Remember you can use the regular (any hotel guest there can use) Swan/Dolphin hotel concierge desk(s) to make, remake, and change again your reservations for any Disney PS or their own dining. I don't think there was one PS we actually kept intact without at least one change! They were very quick, efficient, and NEVER laughed LOL at my repeat changes!

Debbie

 

[Debbie7452]

So sorry to have read about all the sick family members! Our family got the flu back in October, yuck...however, that flu medicine shortened our illnesses dramatically.

Tink44...we are driving from Houston for our trip in March. I think we are leaving directly from Houston Raceway Park after a race (race car and all)! Maybe we are going at the same time? Hopefully your DH will be able to go but if not, think of it as a special adventure for the two of you.

I just returned from a road trip visiting relatives with my three kids (alone). I was trying to ignore the light on the dash flashing "service engine soon" the whole time!! In spite of the car, we had a safe, enjoyable trip. We are taking our truck to Florida thank goodness....Pixie dust to all of us that need it and more!

 

[jgates]

Evening! I am getting kicked off the computer by DS - but arrived home safely - had a flat tire 5 miles from home!!! After driving all the way back from Nashville!

Best wishes to those still sick ones!

Hopefully photos tomorrow....

 

[ozziewags]

Hi all....DS is home and on the road to recovery. "Tamiflu" helped tremendously. Sorry, Disbug, about dd2. Sending more p and pd your way.

Debbie7452....good to hear from you again. Have a great trip in March.

jgates...glad you had a good trip (except for the tire and the outcome of the game)

Only two days left and then reality hits again. Despite all the illnesses and recoveries, I have enjoyed this vacation time and being home with the whole family. Have a healthy New Year, everyone.

Okay, Muffy....waiting to hear from you again. Ahhh, what a life...at the Swan/Dolphin!

 

[Disbug]

DD2 STILL in hospital! Getting a little worn out... Home for a nap, since she was up all night. Her platelet count is low, as well as her white count and they are worried about internal bleeding and or infections. About all we can do is rock her, give her little body massages and try to make her comfortable. Got the nurses to put her on top of a couple of soft pillows to make her more comfy. Brought her Winnie the Pooh mobile to attach to the hospital crib. She seemed to like that. And brought a Baby Mozart tape and some muscial mozart/lullabies. DGM is coming by to take the older girls to a movie.
Almost forgot! I kept smelling cigarette smoke in her room and thought I was crazy. I finally mentioned it to DH and he said he had been smelling it, too. When I mentioned it to a technician she also smelled it and said there was a smoking section one floor down!! Her response? She brought an AirWick deodorizer and set it by the window!! I immediately went downstairs and sure enough, a group of people were sitting on a bench and smoking directly under her window, one floor down! I asked them politely to move until I could get my daughter out of that room... Needless to say, I went right to the nurses' station and said if she wasn't moved immediately I was calling Security. I was very upset that they would allow a smoking area so close to where sick children are trying to recuperate. A team of nurses had her moved in less than 10 minutes.

ozzie, glad to hear your DS is on the mend. No matter how old they get, when they are sick they are especially "still our babies"!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Disbug ~ I am sorry to hear DD is still not out of the hospital... I will continue to keep you in our thoughts and prayers... I hope she feels better soon.... Thanks for keeping us updated....

I booked the AKL for the last night of our trip to WDW... I am hoping to make this a non-park day and spend the day enjoying the resort... Any tips on AKL ??? Buffet dinner ??? By the way would have booked the S/D but it is booked for our last night...

 

[Disbug]

About AKL! We love Boma's! All of our kids seem to enjoy it as well. I have never done breakfast there, but my mother and sister both enjoyed it. Glad your trip is so close!

 

[Kaycee]

(((Disbug and DD)))

I'm so sorry to hear you are both still going through such a rough time. It's hard on everyone when a child is in the hospital. I know you must be completely worn out by now.

We are all sending pixie dust and prayers for both of you!

 

[Loubon]

In case any of you missed this on the Community Board.....


MamaT says Thanks!


PS Disbug hang in there......

 

[Disbug]

obviouslyididn'tstashenoughcashfromourlatestcapertopayformedicineandotherunexpectedemergiences!willhavetostartthecapandtshirtventuresoontohaveanewslushfundtodrawfrom!

Seriously, though! Thank you for the link to Mama T's post! I would have missed it otherwise! Like she says, "You kidz are all THE BEST!"

 

[#1hockeymom]

First off.. more prayers and PD! I do hope your youngest is out of the hospital ASAP!

I haven't had breakfast at Boma, but we did have dinner there. Dinner was fantastic! We just tried a spoonful of this, a spoonful off that and went back for our favorites! Many times I have to admit I didn't think I'd like something but due to the seasonings I ended up loving it!
For one day at AKL I would say just enjoy the lodge and don't make it a park day. There is so much to do and so many areas to explore. They have a lot learning/activities for kids during the day, also! For one example: The CMs were having the kids scoop different types of food using different instruments to show the different types of beaks on the birds. This was right before they actually fed the flamingoes and the "birds next door"... don't remember what they were! My mom really enjoyed watching the children, plus I was able to show her some of the things that I have done with my classroom since I've done *as I am sure many other teachers have* that exact same experiment *minus the REAL birds, of course!*
There are CMs everywhere who are there to answer questions about the animals and the lodge. I also know there is free cookie decorating, daily at Boma. I think your kids will have a blast there!

To keep this on topic.... DS is afraid he's going to miss his heavenly bed on this trip! Great.. I've created a hotel snob! LOL He asked me last night after the hockey game *My defenseman shot two goals and had three assists!* whether or not Thabo was at the Dolphin or the Swan. He's really looking forward to part/all of his stay at the Dolphin during Easter. Is Thabo still going between the two resorts? Still can't get DD to say whether she is traveling with us or not for Easter vacation. I haven't booked airfare yet so she still has a chance to decide.

Everyone please stay healthy!
Debbie

 

[Disbug]

 

[Mouseteacher]

Thanks for the photos, Disbug. My thoughts are still with you.

Thanks, Lou, for letting us know about MamaT's post.

 

[Disbug]

 

[Mouseteacher]

Oh, Denise, your DD looks like you (from pictures I have seen of you, of course!). She looks like a real sweetie - I hope she gets well soon.

 

[ozziewags]

Thanks, Lou. I would have missed it too.

Loved Boma's for dinner. Hey, Deb, I created a hotel snob too! And Disbug.....your pictures are fantastic! How did you get your night pictures to come out so clearly?!

 

[#1hockeymom]

Great pictures! I concur with Mouseteacher. She does look like you! What a sweetie! I pray she gets home quickly! I love the picture of EPCOT at night!

Thank you Lou for the post from MommaT!

Ozzie>> They lead such rough lives, eh? Yet I am sure you do the same thing I do..."We're not eating there.. so and so has a special/coupon right now!"

Debbie