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

[Loubon]

to the whole Zurg family.

 

[Disbug]

You poor dear... this is too much. Many times I've heard there is no rhyme or reason when such tragedy befalls someone. But your family has had more than it's share in such a short period of time. God Bless you all.

 

[paras4ri]

I'm so very sorry ZW.

 

[#1hockeymom]

Many prayers out to your entire family, ZW.

Debbie

 

[KIS]

Hey you all --

You were right the Dolphin is a wonderful hotel. It was our first time in WDW and I was glad we ended up with the Dolphin. We checked out the GF, which was lovely, and Polynesian, and the Fort Wilderness area as well as the Boardwalk and Beach Hotel. We really liked being able to unwind out of WDW, but in it as well. The building is so nicely done inside. There was plenty of restaurants to choose from. We tried many of them -- Fresh, the Fountain, Tubbies, Shula's. My daughter did Camp Dolphin. I got a massage. We loved the pools. The slide was fun. My daughter required assistance the first several times. She ended up going dozens of times on it.

While we were there, there was a Pfizer convention of 3500 people. I guess that's what pays the bill there. I reminded myself when they flocked around that they may well be part of the economic balance of that business that gave me that great teacher discount.

I used the SPG status to upgrade to a fireworks view. Room 8029 had a stunning view. Have any of you seen it? It was mid-lagoon, bridge view. With the Boardwalk and Beach Club in sight and the Spaceship Earth off in the background. Really beautiful. We watched some fireworks from there. I just loved to see the view when we were in and out of the room.

The service was impressive. Honestly, we don't vacation that often and I really don't have much to compare it to. Still, I felt like an indulged patron. My daughter received a "straight A" hat and a couple of free icecream cone passports.

The service folks were very responsive to us.

I would not hesitate to go there again. Hopefully, there would be a rate that we could afford. This was beyond our limit.

We used a fridge this time along with a grocery shop. I'm going to have to rethink that because outside of bringing some park snacks and some cereals, there was very little interest in room food. Pricewise, costing out the refillable mug and Tubbies and comparing it with how we did it, I'm not too sure that we need the fridge. A bucket of ice with the milk might have done.

Mouseteacher, we had little trouble finding the bus stops. We tried the strategy of walking over to the Swan in the am for the bus, but there really were not all that many people. Still, we kept it up, sort of as an excuse to go into that hotel, which was equally lovely.

We all loved the Heavenly beds. That are aptly named.

Anyway, we were all sold on the hotel. I appreciated all you support.

I will be writing up my trip report for others, so if you are interested, you can find more about it there.

Let me know if you want any updates as I'm just back.

KIS

ps Mouseteacher, I recognized your plight with the students and parents. It's hard to focus on teaching when it's all the stuff emotional that has not been responsibly handled. My husband is a teacher and I do psychotherapy. I don't think it's fair to expect teachers to run interference, diagnose misbehavior, manage classrooms to the extent that teachers do these days. How can anyone learn or teach in such an environment? May be that's extreme, but I think teachers may understand my point. My husband is passionate about teaching social science and about helping children learn. He's not a socialization therapy programmer.

Dreamflight, it was nice to see those pictures. It made me a little meloncholy about ending our vacation today.

 

[sarahsmom73]

Many Many prayers to you and your family...

 

[disfanRN]

So sorry to you and your family ZW..prayers for strength to you all

 

[madge]

zurgswife....you are in my prayers {{hugs}}

 

[KelliR]

Many, many prayers to you and your family. My thoughts are with you and yours ...

 

[RobMax]

That is terrible, but he will be remembered - especially by those who he gives life. We had a homecoming queen graduate from highschool here and now is off to college. If wouldn't have been possible if she hadn't received a donor heart. He is a wonderful man for that if nothing else...

Wishes and prayers for the family...

 

[MOM POPPINS]

to the Zurg family... My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...

 

[BambiTamby]

You're in my thoughts and prayers!

 

[dreamflight99]

There are simply not enough words to express the grief & sympathy I feel for your Aunt and her family. There are never explanations for something like this, and the questions are endless, puzzling and painful. Faith is the only thing, which can carry all of you through. May your faith be strong enough to comfort and sustain all of you...through this very troubling time. Know always, you are loved, and in my thoughts and prayers.
DF99

 

[dreamflight99]

Since we live so DARNED FAR AWAY from our beloved WDW & DOLPHIN resort...we HAD no other choice... BUT to VISIT DISNEYLAND this past weekend! As AP holders, we really should be there more often. The REAL REASON we wanted to go? TO try~out the NEW TOWER of TERROR attraction~! Okay...it is, umm, very DIFFERENT! It is not as "ominous" looking as ToT in MGM. It also is too BRIGHT inside (Somebody...turn down the lights!). It lacks a few cobwebs and the musty/DANK odor which overwhelms my olfactory senses when I walk into the WDW location! BUT...with no wait, we rode it a FEW TIMES! It was pretty cool. There are three elevators on the bottom floor (fast-pass) and three on the top. Both take you up a floor, where you see yourself in a mirror. The mirror images all disappear...and GHOSTS/SKELETONS replace your image! Pretty cool. Then, a quick jump up to another floor (so, we're on about the third/fourth floor) and the doors open again. There, we see the family and the tragedy which occurs (in the elevator). They reappear at the end of the hall...beckoning to us. The doors close, and it DROPS...down about 3-4 floors. Then, it shoots up to the top...doors are open, then down, up again, down...one more time, then it stops. The seat belts work well...and there seems to be a feeling of "more air time" than the one in MGM. BUT...overall...it was NOT as scary. Maybe we're just partial to the one in MGM...or this one is just too new. We'll keep visiting, and checking for any changes.

THE TEMPERATURE in DISNEYLAND YESTERDAY WAS a RECORD-BREAKING 103 DEGREES! It was sweltering! Of course, zero humidity...but still. It is NEVER this hot in So. Cali...until the Santa Ana winds blow`in from the dessert. Whew... the Powerade and water were free-flowing!

Here's a couple of pics from the day. I would have taken more...but I was too busy looking for SHADE between attractions!

My sentiments precisely! Thanks, Walt.

Our train has arrived!

The ORIGINAL...

103 degrees...but still SNOW on the Matterhorn!

Someday...coming to WDW...

DUMBO...in the concrete in front of "OFF THE PAGE"...

The ALL~IMPORTANT "FEATHER"...

DD's Balloon...(Oh, Bother!)

PINK...or BLUE? Definitely...not lo-carb!

New Key Chain!

Fluffy DUMBO with Feather...

It's really a little PURSE! DD loves it!

MORE, on FOLLOWING POST!...

 

[dreamflight99]

More of DISNEYLAND...

Great DUMBO pins...

Another DUMBO pin...

Some of the "GROTTO" DD purchased!

TURKEY~LEG anyone?!? Mmmmm...

The TOP of the Tower, as seen from the front of the park.

Not bad...definitely DIFFERENT from the MGM design!

Now...you can clearly SEE the differences!

Our FAVORITE of this park!

TTFN...DF99

 

[RobMax]

I loved soaring!!! Can't wait till the one at Epcot!!!

 

[dreamflight99]

Did you say...EPCOT?!

AWESOME! Because...Epcot is RIGHT NEXT to my #1 FAVORITE RESORT on Disney Property!! The WDW DOLPHIN/SWAN!
Staying in these resorts...offers the advantage of being nearly ON TOP OF Epcot (my favorite park!). Have you heard of any projections for exactly "WHEN" they are bringing "Soaring" to Epcot? Don't you just LOVE the "smell" of the orange blossoms as you SAIL over the groves? And the golf ball coming RIGHT at you? The oceans...the ships, the coastline, all that is CALI!? It's truly incredible.

TTFN...DF99

 

[dreamflight99]

Just wish it was opening in time for my SUMMER 2005 trip!! :happy2: :happy2:

 

[Disbug]

You were so excited you double posted! The California Experience is being built even as we speak. WE've all seen the cranes in action over by The Land pavilion. We are eagerly awaiting another NEW ATTRACTION!

Back to working on the Magical Gatherings Planner!

 

[jgates]

KIS - I am soooo glad you had a great time and hope we were all of help to you for your trip. Just ingore the conventioneers - they are all jealous of you!!!

ZW - Words cannot even begin to express my sorrow for you and your family. I don't even really know what to say. Hopefully others can rejoice as his gifts of life can mean the world to others awaiting transplants or sight. My DF's brother was the recipient of a liver transplant this past year. A priceless gift for him - they didn't know how much more time he had!

I wish Soarin' was opening this year. But that would be too much to ask. I guess I should just be happy that the Mummy is now open at Universal - one new experience!!!

DF - That tray with the goodies & the strawberries - is that something we can order for room service? (It would probably cost more than my room for the night!!! )

Business trip the last half of the week! Looking forward to evenings at Rainforest Cafe and Bubba Gumps at Mall of America! Course that screws up the low-carb deal.......