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

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Well I called this morning. And yes the expiration on my account was February 2004. But I am an Amex SPG card holder. They did not have my card number on the account, so that is why I expired. I was just shy of the number of nights to keep it on my own. Now, if they added the amount of nights in a 12 month period, I would be Platinum!! :)

Thanks for listening, and if you are gold due to your Amex cardm make sure they have your card number on file.

Debbie
 
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?

I have taken advantage of the 4pm checkout as SPG Gold...it is great! Just call the desk the day before checkout to confirm that it is available. At some resort properties, at busy times, it isn't. (says so at www.spg.com)

I don't know a thing about upgrades, we have either been on the CL or had a resort view with a balcony. I hope someone has an answer for you!
 
Originally posted by EpcotKilterFan
Well I called this morning. And yes the expiration on my account was February 2004. But I am an Amex SPG card holder. They did not have my card number on the account, so that is why I expired. I was just shy of the number of nights to keep it on my own. Now, if they added the amount of nights in a 12 month period, I would be Platinum!!

Thanks for listening, and if you are gold due to your Amex cardm make sure they have your card number on file.

Debbie
Hopefully...this means they have RESTORED you to GOLD!!~Correct?! I was going to post and inform you how to do this, as they are very nice about correcting such errors. Congrats on your upgrade! I would suggest you call again, about the # of eves you have in the 12-month period. Ask them for a "complimentary" upgrade to Platinum SPG. It NEVER hurts to ask! The worst thing they can say is "no", and then you are where you were in the first place...GOLD! So, give it a try.

DonnaLeah~What a nice idea! Wish I were at the Dolphin for the entire sorority meet...we could all have SPA-DAY together!Nothing like a massage/pedicure to form some nice bonds. :goodvibes:

paras4ri~My trip is very close as well! In four months and a week...I'll be at the PBH relaxing in the sunshine! :sunny: Oh, I definitely LIVE for these adventures.

lat~Did you call the folks at SPG? You should be able to reinstate your GOLD status with an AMEX card. Good Luck! ::yes::

BambiTamby~Is it a SMALL WORLD, or WHAT?! :teeth: Wow...another Upstate NYer. Canandaigua ("The Chosen Spot" in Iroquois)...brings back fond memories. I ponied horses with a dear GF in the summer there (at the Race Track), and at the "BIG-A" in Queens too! Exciting and entertaining means to some extra income as a young teen. What a beautiful lake (Squaw Island) one of the prettiest of the "fingers," and quaint place to reside.
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I must agree with you in regard to your comments on Catholic schools/education. DD's educational process in the Catholic system has proved phenomenal. It has been the BEST investment we ever made. ::yes::
She is now looking at Colleges, and receiving material daily from different institutions. Yesterday, she received information from the admissions office of Yale, NYU, Brown and Vanderbilt. Each day, brings a new round. They obtain her info from different sources, (Who's who of America's HS students, NHS, NMS, and many others). She was previously only entertaining the Ivy's and challenging privates, but lately is also including (drum roll)...the private CATHOLIC Colleges & U's too! (Hooray!) Notre Dame, Sisters of the Holy Cross, Fordham and even the University of San Francisco:

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(latter two being Jesuit R. Catholic trad.). I could not be happier. :cool1:
Since she LOVES San Francisco, we are planning to visit USF soon. She has already visited Berkeley, and Stanford. Both are great schools, and appealed to her. It's ultimately her choice, as she is the one attending the school. ^_^

**Yes, SD is indeed a sweetie! :hug:

jgates~That's the ZOOM on my trusty Mavica disc cam (16x). Sure takes a nice picture! I could almost "touch" the spaceship earth through the lens. It certainly gives a great perspective on the VIEW from the windows and balconies of the far East Wing in the Dolphin. ;)

Dismom63~Strong Memorial...another trip back down memory lane! We are all connected through these little threads of life. Amazing to know, as once we begin to share our past experiences...we can see how all of our lives are intertwined in some manner.

sarahsmom73~WOW, about a month out!! :hyper: Are you packing yet?!? Great idea to reconfirm your late arrival. We always arrive late, but as PLAT. SPG our suite is always waiting. You should have no problem. Sometimes, the best rooms are available later in the afternoon (due to the late check-out of the Gold/Plat SPG members). You will be fine, and have a wonderful time! :teacher:

bballmom63~Wow...Brockport is so familiar for me! Siena college too. Ithaca College is listed in DD's top private schools roster. It's a great place, just across from Cornell. So many wonderful schools in the East.

*I'm unsure about the recent perks through the SPG preferred status. Anyone?

my DM & DF are leaving Melbourne this weekend. They have been vacationing there since Jan 20! They are true snowbirds. :teeth: Unfortunately, they became very ill (Flu) while there, and even had to visit the Hosp. for some antibiotics, etc. Yes, they had their annual FLU shots prior to the winter...but this strain was apparently not affected by the preventive innoculation. My sister just wrote me an email to inform me the Docs wanted to "operate" on my DF while he was there (?). She explained it was to remove his gallbladder. Ugh. I'm glad he is waiting until he gets home. His own Docs know him better, and he'll be able to recoup at home. :goodvibes:

*Is MOM POPPINS (Robin & Family) still in the MAGIC? Anyone know? :confused: Hope she has had a wonderful time, and took lots of pics to share with all of us! :hug:

Enjoy the day!! TGIF!

TTFN...DF99 :wave2:
 

Will having our SPG gold status also help since we are having a late arrival?

I have started packing.. but shhhhhhhhhhh.. Don't tell DH! I think he thinks I am already NUTS! I can't wait!
 
Do those of you who stay at S/D usually rent a car or do you use one of the towncar or limo services, and if so, which one do you prefer? If the Disney transportation system (buses, I guess) to AK, DTD, etc. is adequate, we may not rent a car. It seems silly to have it just sit there. We can do the grocery stop with the limo, so that should be fine. I'm also getting tired of plugging in all the different codes for all the different rental companies and still coming up with a very big number to rent a car!

Hey DF - another Fordham alum here - my DH - got his masters there. He got his PhD elsewhere and has always said his Fordham education was the best. It has paid off big time as DD attends a Jesuit university (Fordham's new pres. came from her school. We were sorry to see him leave - he is an wonderful person and should do great things for Fordham.) DH is the only one who can help her with her Philosophy and Religion courses. The Jesuits are amazing teachers and she really loves it there - even though they work her to death:crazy:! She is getting an outstanding liberal arts education.
 
Our first family Disney vacation starts next week!!!! I can't believe it is finally here:) A HUGE thank-you to all of you who have answered my questions over the past few months!

We are going to Mass on Sat. even. at the Shrine---------,(can't remember the rest of it) we will have a car, about how long does it take to get there from the Dolphin?

On a side note, one of my DD's is on medication that needs to be refrigerated. Does this mean we will get a "free" refrigerator? Do I need to call before I get there or just ask at the front dest? Also what is it's size? Can I also fit milk, water, or beer into it???

Thank-you, Thank-you
You guys are the best!

:wave2: :wave2:
kctinkerbell
 
Do those of you who stay at S/D usually rent a car or do you use one of the towncar or limo services, and if so, which one do you prefer? If the Disney transportation system (buses, I guess) to AK, DTD, etc. is adequate, we may not rent a car. It seems silly to have it just sit there. We can do the grocery stop with the limo, so that should be fine. I'm also getting tired of plugging in all the different codes for all the different rental companies and still coming up with a very big number to rent a car!

what we usually do is rent a car from National from the airport and drop it off at the Dolphin. I have an entertainment book, so I try to combine codes and coupons to get as cheap a rate as possible. One of our traditions in on our arrival night, we eat at Pizzeria Uno at the Crossroads, hit the Character Warehouse outlet and then go to Publix (there is a brand new one near the outlet mall :)) for drinks and a few snacks. We return the car the next day. We usually pick up the car the day before departure at the Dolphin and then return it at MCO.

Occasionally, we will get a rate low enough to keep the car for the whole week...that doesn't happen very often, LOL.

Hope this helps!
 
We finally stopped renting a car and I swear life seems happier once we are there! Sure, sometimes trips are creative to get from here to there, but sometimes the journey is half the fun! We have used happy limo twice and I have been "happy" both times!

lovingthemouse is in the world, a bunch of you are about to be! I feel so out of it this week! TGIF!

Have a "Disney" weekend!
Debbie
 
We have not rented a car - we prefer a vacation that eliminates any driving or feeling the need to drive somewhere b/c we have a rental. :p I agree with HM in that not having a rental seems to simplify life. On our last 2 trips, we have used Tiffany Town Car Service and were very pleased with the service...fast, punctual and pleasant drivers.

sarahsmom73~ I, too, take out the suitcases early - put them in the guest room and start to organize the packing. It makes me feel the trip is really approaching. DH would wait until the morning we were leaving to pack if it were up to him --- which of course it most certainly is NOT! :teeth:

DF~ Wonderful choices for your DD!

kctinkerbelle~ Have a magical trip!

Disbug~ Where are you???? Missing you! :wave2:
 
:wave2: Good evening to all!!

bballmom, we use Tiffany Towne Car and never have rented. We really enjoy the break from chauffering around!::yes::

sarahsmom, if you are going to pack, I am too:Pinkbounc
We won't speak of it arounf the DH's lest they have us committed!:crazy:

Dh and I are thinking we will do a grown up date dinner at Blue Zoo. Anyone been there? It looks yummy:earseek:
I also wonder how far out I need a PS? Am I too Late?:(


:wave2: Dismom
 
sarahsmom, if you are going to pack, I am too

well, if you all are packing, then I guess I can at least think about it, LOL.....I'm trying to get organized so my kids don't suspect anything :) we'll see how that goes....

at what point do I ask about emptying the minibar for the week? at check in? The thought of not fooling with a cooler is heavenly ::yes::

heavenly? get it? :yo-yo: I crack myself up this early in the day.....
 
I am reading about everyone who is at the world or is going and I just want to go again!! Am I nuts? I can see why people go more than once a year. It becomes addictive!!

Happy Saturday everyone!

Joanne
:earsgirl:
 
Originally posted by madge
At what point do I ask about emptying the minibar for the week? at check in? The thought of not fooling with a cooler is heavenly ::yes::
I'm wondering the same thing myself.

I think it's a wee bit early for me to start packing....so I'll just think of what we'll be doing in just 4 short months!!!

Enjoy your weekend everyone! :D
 
Could anyone tell me about the Entertainment Book discounts for the Swan and Dolphin. I heard that they are 50% off rack rate. Is this true? And what would I expect to pay for the first week of December in a standard room? Any info is appreciated. Thanks
 
We are going for an anniversary trip in December. There is a meeting that I can sign up for that gives a rate of (base) $129. Is this a good rate? I have AP and have thought about getting the entertainment book. Would either of these give us a better rate. I have signed up for the SPG program. What are the chances of an upgrade. We are gong the 3rd of December.

Will our chances of an upgrade increase if I tell them it is our 10th anniversary, I guess it really couldn't hurt. :Pinkbounc

Ought to get something for putting up with one another for 10years!!!!!!!!!!!!;) ;)

Just curious, any input would be appreciated!

Kayla
 
I think $129 is the best you will be able to do... the teacher/nurse gov't rates have gone up now and are more than that, AP rates are occasionally $129 but more often $139 or more... I would book at the $129 rate and if you find a better one later you can always change. The SPG is a good idea, don't always get an upgrade but it would certainly improve your chances... The first week of December is likely to be slow unless there is a huge convention there so you stand a pretty good chance of landing an upgrade I would think.

Happy Anniversary (a little early)!!
 
Thanks, SB, that is really what I thought. And thanks for the Happy Annv. wishes. This will be our first long trip without the kids. We are taking them to wdw in Sept, so this will be a relax for us.

Kayla
 
on topic>> Just remove the items from the minibar and put a note on it as to where you put everything. This should appease the minibar personnel. :)

129 is a fantastic rate! Take it and enjoy!

Happy Saturday! *room wave*
Debbie
 
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