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

[SherGoof]

Won a 4n trip to S&D through Orlando Visitors Bureau.

We've already planned a trip in August for off-site and Univ. Hardrock. Hubby doesn't want to extend the stay any longer, but want's to go just ourselves before August without the kiddies.

We've never been to S&D before. Which would be better? We're in our mid 30's and hubby wants to relax.

PS I love this post so much valuable information and nice posters!

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by Mouseteacher
Now, that you've made your decision, bballmom, I, too, say you made a good one!!! I believe you will love Swan. As I post this, Swan memories are swirling through me - *********coming down the elevator to pick up some croissants and coffee at the Lobby Bar for breakfast in our room ***** shopping in the Disney gift shop located in the Swan lobby*********my daily walk to the Swan quiet pool for my afternoon of lounging, reading and a virgin Pina Colada while DH takes his afternoon siesta in the heavenly bed******sitting on the balcony as the sun is setting and the Dolphin lights are glittering - how lucky can you get!

Wonderful memories! The elevators are by far the most efficient and fast/smooth I've ever had the pleasure to use...the gift shop is so quaint and cozy....the "quiet pool" by the Swan is one of the BEST KEPT SECRETS of the resort....V. Pina Colada (mmmmm)....Gazing at the sparkling lights of the Dolphin with the Pink & purple hues of the sky in the background...ohhh...I remember this well. :

Twinkling Lights beckon...as I stroll around the path in front of the Beach Club...

MAGICAL Blue Skies...and Billowy WHITE clouds! "Climb aboard a butterfly & take-off on a breeze...let your worries flutterby & do the things you please"....Ahhh, endless summer...take me away~!

A view worth DREAMING about...365 days each year!

TROPICAL PARADISE, Mickey~Style! Again...the VISTA from my window...

A true SIGHT FOR SORE EYES...as we walk back from a fun-filled eve in MGM...(amidst the soft & glowing lights, a plump & feathery Heavenly bed is gently turned down, & the minty-meltaway indulgently gold-wrapped chocolates are delicately placed upon the welcoming white pillows, as the T.V. hums softly with the SPG promo channel...all anxiously awaiting my return)...

DonnaLeah~WECOME! Just a couple of months, and you'll be IN the middle of the most magical place on earth. Have you visited the FUN WEBSITE? I enjoy "mousing-around" with the little Dolphin as the page loads! www.swandolphin.com

tink44~Oh...beauty in upstate is nearly indescribable! One of my FAV films always reminds me of the area...."The last of the Mohicans." What scenery. Geneva? It's a small world...indeed.

SherGoof~ A FREE S/D trip?!? I've never known anyone to win one of these! Congratulations!! Either resort is relaxing and fabulous, although the Swan is more "intimate" (especially with regards to size). You would see less people, and less children too. The setting is elegant and understated. You should both enjoy this visit tremendously.

TTFN...DF99

 

[log]

Swan - april 3-10th:

What rooms have the best view, ie what part of hotel - East or West? above what floors?

Which rooms has view of fireworks?????

Also, as a Preferred Plus member that entitles you to complimentary room upgrade, what kind of room do you think they will offer? Should we request a room with a view? Should we email Swan directly before coming? or Starwood? (that's who we booked room through)

what are our chances of getting 'complimentary' room w/ views of fireworks?

 

[KelliR]

Congratulations on your free trip! Wonderful! The Dolphin is my fav of the 2 resorts ... but without children along, you may just prefer the Swan. You may want to make your decision on what rooms are available ... I would recommend a King room with a balcony. That is what I would want to have if it was just the hubby and me.

Either way ... Swan or Dolphin ... I am quite confident you will love it. You are so close to enjoy the benfits of both resorts no matter where you stay. Enjoy your trip!

 

[bballmom56]

DF - thanks for the wonderful pictures! Grand Floridian? What Grand Floridian? I can't wait to go !

I hope someone addresses log's questions because I am SPG preferred plus also and was wondering those same things. Anyone?

 

[zurgswife]

SherGoof...Congrats on the winnings...I keep trying to win any Disney trip with no luck....great to here people actually win these things...

I've been trying to plan a quick trip for Easter....but could get a Jr Suite for 6....I'm sure Mom Poppins said that was what I should get but they Marie Can't figure out how it could sleep six.... but I think instead of a quick Disney fix...I might just take the kids to NC to see my Step mom....She is almost a radiation treatment 17...she thought she only had 3 to go but they added 2 more ...so next friday the 12th should be the end....That would give her 4 weeks to try to recuperate from the radiation before we arrive. She has requested to see the kids one more time...(very sad thing to have to request).....

Any how.....If I could only sell something on ebay maybe I could earn money for a summer trip....I'm trying to get the hang of it...it just seems all the ebay stuff is new and not used any more...

I digress..

An evening jump in the Grotto pool would be nice...

 

[Muffy]

Yes, you can fit 6 people in a Jr. Suite. There are 2 king beds and a queen fold out couch. You would need to put 2 people in ea bed though. Sometimes that won't work with boy/girl families. In that case you could get a rollaway. Plenty of room for a rollaway. Hurry up and sell something on Ebay! All kidding aside, I hope you can fit in another trip! Sending PD and P's to your stepmom.

Waving to everyone!

Muffy

 

[lovingthemouse]

Our yearly student trip begins Monday...
and I have some very thrilled kids. Only two have been before, so i have many Disney rookies. I think I can handle them... they all have pins and lanyards (thanks to some pretty wonderful people), a great logo tag and hearts that are ready to burst with excitement! This year, most of them are my own sixth graders ( gee, that means i can't scream on the thrill rides that offer pictures afterward), and if i break my diet, they'll probably react - they have been so encouraging all this year. We have done so much funddraising and some awesome people have sponsored one student. I will take lots of pictures and try to post them upon return. We'll be at Disneyquest Monday, MGM on Tues, MK for our Education program on Wed, Epcot on Thurs and AK on Fri. If anyone is there - please say hi if you see us with our lanyards and Disney tags. We'll be the ones with the biggest smiles!!!

On topic- we are staying at an All Stars- wish i could afford the Dolphin for them all.

Caroline

 

[Dismom63]

greetings
Whew...what a week, those third graders are taking it out of me!
Or maybe I'm just out of practice having to put in a full week (we are near that snowbelt Tink44 .

Well actually much of the white stuff is brownish and disappearing!

DF: I am right out side of Saratoga Springs - not sure where Horsehead is , but sounds southwest of me. This whole area is gorgeous!

Looking forward to my "end of winter" pedicure in anticipation of WDW!!!


Good evening to all!
Dismom

 

[dreamflight99]

Caroline!~You are such an ANGEL to take all your charges on such an excursion![/b] I LOVED the photos you posted from the past trip. I also vividly recall you describing the "feeling" you get by watching their faces/eyes...as they see the Castle in the MAGIC KINGDOM for the very first time. This was your biggest reward...and sense of fulfillment. You are a VERY SPECIAL woman, and I am BLESSED to know you on this forum. "Clouds may come, but clouds must go, And they have a silver lining, For beyond them all, you always know, the SUN or MOON is shining!"

bballmom56~You are welcome! So happy you enjoyed the little "infusion" of DOLPHIN-ITIS! Makes me happy to see them too.

Dismom63~Beautiful in S.S., NY! The Spa, the Resort...the area! Yes, little Horseheads in next to Elmira, Corning and Watkins Glen. It's nestled in the little VALLEY there. Very beautiful.

Pedicure...ahhh. Just the SOUND of it is rejuvenating.

TTFN...DF99

 

[DonnaLeah]

Dreamflight99--Oh, yes have been to the Swan/Dolphin site MANY times. (Visited it again since you had the link posted. Thank You!!)

Nothing like a dreary rainy day to get those Disney Dreams in full swing!! And yes--a pedicure sounds terrific.

Bye for now!!
Donna

 

[paras4ri]

Originally posted by DonnaLeah
Nothing like a dreary rainy day to get those Disney Dreams in full swing!! And yes--a pedicure sounds terrific.

I agree!!!!!
I'm sitting here thinking that in just 4 months it will but July 4th...and I'll be at the Dolphin. I'm thinking that hanging at the pool that evening while there are fireworks all around sounds just perfect!

 

[lat]

I just checked my spg account and realized that I was DOWNGRADED from gold to nobody. It says that I need 10 stays or 25 nights to become gold again.

Did this happen to others too? Anyway to restore the gold status?!!!!


Thanks!!!!!!!!!

 

[BambiTamby]

SherGoof...Congrats on winnning a free trip to S/D!!!!
I'm like zurgswife.....glad to see people actually win these trips!

dreamflight99....wanna know something else about me?
I worked for 10 years in NY for several large chains and lived in upstate NY around Rochester, in Canandaigua!
DS was born in Rochester, in fact, so he's my "little Yankee"!

And....love your pics! Just making us all homesick again, I see!

Just can NOT believe how many things we all have in common!
DS been in Catholic schooling since pre-K, and I have the greatest respect for teachers and principals!
My dad always told me there's no education, like a "Catholic education"!

You know, back in the ol' DIS days, I remember one of the reasons we have a nurse and teacher discount was because we had a nurse and a teacher in our first little S/D cheerleader group!
SD, such a sweetie! Wanting to help everyone to be able to afford a NICE deluxe resort at WDW!

lat...How awful! That hasn't happened to me. How many times did you stay this last year in Starwood properties?
Hope you can work it out!

Ya'll have a wonderful night and Friday!

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

Originally posted by lat
I just checked my spg account and realized that I was DOWNGRADED from gold to nobody. It says that I need 10 stays or 25 nights to become gold again.

Did this happen to others too? Anyway to restore the gold status?!!!!


Thanks!!!!!!!!!

It happened to me too lat!! I had checked earlier tonight for something and saw that!

The thing that I can not stand is that your room nights are on a calendar year. The majority of my stays at S/D are in December. My 16 days in December were washed away10 days after I earned them

What should we do?!?

Debbie

 

[jgates]

Doris - we never received any Towel Animals at the Swan. I just don't believe it happens at either of the resorts, but I could be wrong!

Debbie - I thought XX stays in a calendar year took care of you through the next full year - a phone call should be able to correct this I would think.

Can someone help Log out? I don't see any responses to their question on room view & upgrades. We were club already so I didn't have to try for an upgrade. I was a happy little camper. A view of the 'parking lot' at the swan should also help you see towards Epcot. My DS went down to the 10th or 11th floor on the end of the Swan to the small balcony and watched from there. I never made it down there but its on my agenda this time.

DF - you really must have had that on zoom for that Epcot ball!

 

[Dismom63]

Yes I would call because I am a nobody spg status and was inquiring about what it took to get a status and I thought it was pretty clear it was xx number of stays (I think she said it was 10 more for gold for me) in one year.

All my dear sweet neices and nephew were born in Rochester, NY! (Strong Memorial?) Alas, my sis lives in Illinois and I miss her soooooooooo much!

Congrats! to our Dolphin trip winner

TGIF
Dismom

 

[sarahsmom73]

Almost to 30 days until I am basking in the wonder of the Dolphin!!! I can't wait! Has anyone arrived really late at the Dolphin? Our flight doesn't arrive until 11:45 and we do have a town car. I had the late arrive noted on our ressie, but I plan to call on 4/7 before we leave to reconfirm!

And yes all of you teachers, this week has been a humdinger up here in northern NY!!! It must be the FULL MOON approaching!!!

 

[bballmom56]

Does anyone have any experience with the spg preferred plus program and its perks? I have read about comp. upgrade and late check-out. Any recent experience with that?

Dismom - wow you mentioned Strong Memorial. My mother (83) still talks about working there about 60 years ago! She grew up in Brockport, just outside of Rochester. She's in the stage right now of where the way back past is clearer than yesterday or even an hour ago! Also, from Saratoga Springs, you must be familiar with Siena College. We were there for DD about 2 years ago. I was really impressed. It ended up being second on her list, and she went to her first choice school, but I really thought it would be a good fit for DS15, so we will probably visit again in 2 years!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Originally posted by BambiTamby
SherGoof...Congrats on winnning a free trip to S/D!!!!
I'm like zurgswife.....glad to see people actually win these trips!

dreamflight99....wanna know something else about me?
I worked for 10 years in NY for several large chains and lived in upstate NY around Rochester, in Canandaigua!
DS was born in Rochester, in fact, so he's my "little Yankee"!

And....love your pics! Just making us all homesick again, I see!

Just can NOT believe how many things we all have in common!
DS been in Catholic schooling since pre-K, and I have the greatest respect for teachers and principals!
My dad always told me there's no education, like a "Catholic education"!

You know, back in the ol' DIS days, I remember one of the reasons we have a nurse and teacher discount was because we had a nurse and a teacher in our first little S/D cheerleader group!
SD, such a sweetie! Wanting to help everyone to be able to afford a NICE deluxe resort at WDW!

lat...How awful! That hasn't happened to me. How many times did you stay this last year in Starwood properties?
Hope you can work it out!

Ya'll have a wonderful night and Friday!

Thanks, BT, for the vote of confidence in teachers and principals and for the wonderful compliment about Catholic education.

lat, I was about to lose my Gold status due to an end of Februray 04 expiration date. I called spg and asked if I could keep my Gold status as I have 2 upcoming ressies - one in Boston and one in WDW. The CM had extended my Gold staus to Feb. 05.