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

[madge]

Originally posted by marymrg

As far as the SOG, (Madge - correct me if I'm wrong) you need to be active mililtary or retired military. My dad is a WWII and Korean War Navy Vet. but not retired military. I keep telling him to have one of his reunions at Disney but so far he hasn't obliged! Maybe he'll change his mind after the great time we will show him in the next few weeks.

active & retired military, widows, medal of honor recipients, and Dept of Defense civilian employees (that's us )

www.shadesofgreen.org is the website

 

[Piglette]

Well, we're back from our trip and had a *wonderful* time. We all loved the Dolphin. Definitely the best we've stayed at. The rooms were large, with much storage. And of course, you can't beat the location. We'll definitely stay there again next time, and the next, and the next, ...
Anyhow, thanks to all of you for all of your help. You can definitely add me to the S/D fan club!

 

[TraderAsh]

Hi folks... I think ive finaly decided that we'll stay at the Dolphin this summer for five nights. Im taking my grandother (whom I lie with) , brother, cusin, and best friend. Mygrandmother applies forthe teacher discount because she is a preschool teacher. Im SOO excited cause I have been dieig to get back todisney fr several years and the place has some great memories of us with our parents. We have never stayed at a disney hotel so I am very excited to do this. Now ll I have to do is find enough time to work for te cash! ... I have some qustions though.. Are the rooms at the dolphin renovated with the new beds yet? How soon do you have to reserve a room? Will there be enough of a wow factor to impress my best friend? What are some realynice things to do to waste a little time on our first dayas we settle in? all questions that need answers and opinions... let me know! thanks! - Ashton

 

[paras4ri]

What a glorious Dolphin balcony photo!!!!!!! It certainly made me feel warm this cold, March night in New England.

I was going through paperwork earlier and noticed several notations on our confirmation that intrigued me. One note was "long stay (7 or more)". I'm thrilled that we get to stay there 8 nights and am wondering what, if anything this means. The confirmation also states "turndown service" - also fine with me - I've just never seen it on a confirmation before.

Oddly enough, the thing that I did request, a balcony if available, doesn't appear anywhere on this slip. When I look at my confirmation on the spg website it does note the balcony request and also my spg number.

Wishing everyone a good week!

 

[marymrg]

Madge - thanks for the SOG clarification. I will pass that along to a friend who I think would qualify.

DolphinBoy - great pics!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Dreamflight ~ I will add my 2 cents on the vouchers as well. We love using them. They also take the Q&Casual vouchers at Beaches and Cream which as you know is very close to the Dolphin. The Vacation Kingdom lunch vouchers were also a good value at Brown Derby (which I know you like). There are so many good deals with these vouchers.


Waving to the room... Oh Baby Kirk stood up in his bed last night....pulling up now... I can hear the pitter patter of those little feet already...

 

[marymrg]

MomPoppins.........do you know what the "lunch hours" are for RFC? (in order to use the vouchers) thanks.


Congrats to big boy baby Kirk!

 

[madge]

I was going through paperwork earlier and noticed several notations on our confirmation that intrigued me. One note was "long stay (7 or more)". I'm thrilled that we get to stay there 8 nights and am wondering what, if anything this means. The confirmation also states "turndown service" - also fine with me - I've just never seen it on a confirmation before.

LOL, my reservation had the long stay notation, too. It is't a long stay, either (6 nights, split on 2 reservations). It also has the turndown remarks...whatever, LOL. I have no idea what the long stay means. Probably some quirky starwood thing

 

[MOM POPPINS]

marymrg ~ The menu is the same at lunch and dinner so you can use the vouchers at either one.

 

[marymrg]

I was afraid they'd say............."sorry mam, lunch ended at 3" (or something like that) Thanks for the info.

 

[jmcross]

Hello to the Sorority,

I have been enjoying just lurking and looking at photos and reading events from everyone's recent trips. My DH and I just returned from skiing in Vermont while the kids spent the weekend with grandparents. We had a blast and the skiing was fabulous but we kept commenting how we'd rather be at the S/D at WDW! We are completely hooked!!!

I do have a question for all of you expert sorority people out there. I just received my SPG Amex and it says platinum on it. That is a good thing, right? Any special perks with being platinum? I'm trying to understand all of this point stuff. Is it better to try and use points for upgrades or free nights? Do you try to turn in points ahead of time or just wait until you get there and hope that luck is on your side for upgrades, etc? (I know that Mom Poppins just got free nights and that Mouseteacher has received great upgrades.)

I have already visited the SPG Website and I'm still not clear on the best use of points. I will have about 1000 points per night available for our upcoming stay. HELP!!

Thanks,
Joanne

 

[madge]

Originally posted by jmcross
Hello to the Sorority,

I have been enjoying just lurking and looking at photos and reading events from everyone's recent trips. My DH and I just returned from skiing in Vermont while the kids spent the weekend with grandparents. We had a blast and the skiing was fabulous but we kept commenting how we'd rather be at the S/D at WDW! We are completely hooked!!!

I do have a question for all of you expert sorority people out there. I just received my SPG Amex and it says platinum on it. That is a good thing, right? Any special perks with being platinum? I'm trying to understand all of this point stuff. Is it better to try and use points for upgrades or free nights? Do you try to turn in points ahead of time or just wait until you get there and hope that luck is on your side for upgrades, etc? (I know that Mom Poppins just got free nights and that Mouseteacher has received great upgrades.)

I have already visited the SPG Website and I'm still not clear on the best use of points. I will have about 1000 points per night available for our upcoming stay. HELP!!

Thanks,
Joanne

your starwood amex should get you SPG gold status (it might take a couple of tries to get that accomplished), that's about it. I think the point use is entirely up to you. if you are eligible for a discount, I'd save the points for upgrades. seems like a better use of points to me. what is your room now? do you have a balcony? would you like one?

I know DF will have more complete answers than this, but it's a start

 

[dreamflight99]

MOM POPPINS~Thanks! I am going to buy some of these for our upcoming visit. I LOVE the BD, and look forward to using these for a lunch stop!

LONG STAY~reference is a POSITIVE thing~! This usually reflects you are a "leisure" guest, and staying longer than the average patron. This information actually will be retained in a long-term memory file associated with your name, and other pertinent information. Believe me...it's something they *(resort & corp) SMILE upon!

joanne~Your SPG PLAT card, is different from the SPG membership. BUT, as madge pointed out...your AMEX makes you eligible for the GOLD level of membership. Follow these instructions CAREFULLY:

Call SPG customer service and inform them you wish to be upgraded to the GOLD level of membership based upon your AMEX platinum credit card status. DO NOT, I repeat...DO NOT "OFFER" them any additional information regarding the TYPE of AMEX card. Merely say PLATINUM AMERICAN EXPRESS.

Please, keep me apprised of your progress with this matter.

TTFN...DF99

 

[jgates]

TraderAsh - get your rooms booked as soon as possible as discounts are always limited for each date. You will want to make sure you get a slot and also can still adjust dates if needed.

Quite a few of the rooms are renovated, but I don't know what % right now.

Time wasters on your first day? Maybe mini-golf (you can walk to the one - go out past the pool and across the road. Spend some time lounging at the pool. Go to the ESPN club on the Boardwalk-if you sit in the bar area at a booth, you can get video game controllers so you can play video games in the booth. (have to leave your Drivers License as deposit in the store part). Go to a movie at DownTown Disney. Go to DisneyQuest (not sure on admission price there though).

 

[jgates]

I emailed the Swan & Dolphin to see if there are any dining discounts presently and currently there are no dining discounts to replace the 20% with Disney Club. (per Rebecca)

 

[paras4ri]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
LONG STAY~reference is a POSITIVE thing~! This usually reflects you are a "leisure" guest, and staying longer than the average patron. This information actually will be retained in a long-term memory file associated with your name, and other pertinent information. Believe me...it's something they *(resort & corp) SMILE upon!

I like being positive!

 

[sarahsmom73]

Trying to catch up with you all... I have had the stomach bug since Friday night... I still have it!!!! It better get through my house soon... I am too darn lcose to fruity drinks by the pool!

 

[madge]

Originally posted by paras4ri
I like being positive!

LOL, me too!

this time next week, I'll be at the Dolphin

actually I'll probably be at the Magic Kingdom.....yay!

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Madge ~ Our schedule included a Tuesday at MK because it was the day of our Princess breakfast. I thought it would work out fine and we would see Spectromagic. I was mistaken to think this was a good day for MK. It was a "zoo", the lines were so crowded by 10:30 we had to leave the park. The wait even for Pirates of Carribean was way outside...that is when we decided it was enough for the day and move on to a different park. It's just my 2 cents and my experience. If Tuesday and Saturday are still the only days for Spectromagic, you might want to consider going somewhere else during the day and go to Spectromagic Tuesday night. I had read on disboards that Tuesday was a bad day for MK currently, but I thought I cannot be that bad..but it was... Just my 2 cents and thought I would give you a "heads up"... I can't believe its time for you to go back already... lucky you ... have a great trip....

 

[madge]

Originally posted by MOM POPPINS
Madge ~ Our schedule included a Tuesday at MK because it was the day of our Princess breakfast. I thought it would work out fine and we would see Spectromagic. I was mistaken to think this was a good day for MK. It was a "zoo", the lines were so crowded by 10:30 we had to leave the park. The wait even for Pirates of Carribean was way outside...that is when we decided it was enough for the day and move on to a different park. It's just my 2 cents and my experience. If Tuesday and Saturday are still the only days for Spectromagic, you might want to consider going somewhere else during the day and go to Spectromagic Tuesday night. I had read on disboards that Tuesday was a bad day for MK currently, but I thought I cannot be that bad..but it was... Just my 2 cents and thought I would give you a "heads up"... I can't believe its time for you to go back already... lucky you ... have a great trip....

I have a feeling we are going to be frustrated by these crowds. we have been at spring break before, but it was 3 years ago. I need to check and see when my character breakfast at the crystal palace. it might be wednesday.

I think the crwds might be a little better next week--they didn't extend the hours the way they did with the rest of March and early April. Maybe it's a lull.....

we plan on lots of pool time, renting mouseboats, mini golf, etc. Just a fun getaway! as long as I see off kilter, it's all good