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

[MOM POPPINS]

Madge ~ I know you will have a great time! We found by using early entry and fast passes we were able to navigate around just fine. We only used the early entry at Magic Kingdom, but it was worth getting up for. It really made our MK days go so much better. We missed off kilter on our trip but have seen them in the past and loved them.

 

[AimeeM]

Hi all you S/D experts! We are planning on a Thanksgiving trip and a first time stay at Swan. We were quoted a price with the government rate for November 24 - December 1 of 139 a night. BUT.. when we went to finalize the deal, we were told ( by our travel agent) that the govt rate is only good thru Nov. 28th. after that there are NO discounts. The rate then jumps to 275 a night. We booked it anyway in hopes that there will be some kind of discount for our last 3 days. Does anyone know if there will be an AP rate for the end of November & early December? Has anyone else ran into this same problem? HelP!! hehe

 

[jmcross]

Aimee-I think that they only plan the government rate for a certain time in advance. Hopefully, they will continue it. I think you did the right thing by booking for the dates you want. Just call back periodically to check on availability for the government rates for you dates.

DF-I followed your instructions to the letter. I called SPG and told them that I had a Plat Amex and that I wanted to be upgraded to gold. I went into panic mode for a moment when she asked me for the special code. I told her that I didn't have any code so she put me on hold. She went to the Internet herself to get the code I would need and came back and asked if the offer was for preferred plus or gold. I'm still not sure what she meant by "the offer" but I responded "gold."
The end result is that my gold SPG card is now in the mail!!
Thanks a bunch to you and to anyone that has helped me on this!! Gold status should result in an automatic upgrade pending availability and a late check out, right? Any other perks I should know about? Should I request anything in advance or just wait until check in?

Thanks again for everyone's help and patience with my MANY questions!!

Joanne

 

[madge]

Gold status should result in an automatic upgrade pending availability and a late check out, right?

that's always the way I've understood it!

yay Gold!

 

[#1hockeymom]

Madge! Two days! Oh you must be excited! Remember, no need to pack until hours before that plane leaves!

Ok, everyone, I forgot the dates of the Swan/Dolphin Sorority meet! Airtran just released their summer fares... if I book now I can have two bookings at once! *and no one say "divorce preceedings later!* I was half looking at 19-26 of July. The Swan is available during that time frame, although the price seems to jump on the 27th for no apparent reason. I didn't check the Dolphin, yet.

Bon Voyage to those about to leave!
Debbie

 

[Mouseteacher]

Debbie~ We are booked at the Dolphin for July 16-21. The meet does extend on to July 26 or 27th. Disbug can confirm. Here's hoping you can come!

joanne~ Yippee - GOLD! My gold status has always gotten me wonderful comp upgrades - however, I do go during the summer when the resort may experience a slower time.

Aimee~ I would call the resort directly and keep calling, your rate just might open up. Don't give up!

madge~ 2 days - Lucky you!

 

[zumbergc]

HI All,

We have stayed at both the dolphin & swan, and we absolutely love the heavenly beds. So soft and comfy just like at home. This time we are planning on the Wilderness Lodge to do something different. I think the top of the heavenly bed has some sort of temperpedic, or something similiar. We have a temporpedic at home.

I have bursitus and hip problems which means that
the heavenly beds are just perfect. Anyone know what kind of beds are at WL. Its been over 2 years since we stayed at a disney hotel and since then I got the bursitus. I'm wondering if I need to rethink the choice.
I attempted to take a nap on our old bed the other day, and I didn't even get to sleep, just achy, and achy when I got up.

Anyone with hip/knee tendernous issues got any comments?

Thanks,
Connie

 

[madge]

Originally posted by Mouseteacher
Debbie~ We are booked at the Dolphin for July 16-21. The meet does extend on to July 26 or 27th. Disbug can confirm. Here's hoping you can come!

madge~ 2 days - Lucky you!

would you believe that everything that can be packed, is packed? makes it easy when it's 40 degrees outside no need for summer clothes, LOL....

Debbie--I am booked at the Dolphin starting July 25....we are there through that week. I'm hoping that someone is still around!

 

[madge]

Originally posted by MOM POPPINS
Madge ~ 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....

ok, I just checked....Spectro is running every night next week, with the exception of Monday and Wednesday. Our breakfast at the Crystal Palace is on Tuesday morning, at 10:30am. If it's too crowded we can eat and leave....LOL

 

[#1hockeymom]

Connie>> I am assuming that AKL and WL have the same bedding, which means it is the basic resort Disney bedding. I hated it during our AKL stays, infact my son (10) even made a comment about the beds being bad!

In my perfect world, AKL and the Swan are attached, with the Swan bedding being in all of the rooms! *and the toiletries!*

Madge>> You're my hero! I have ot say our last trip was harder to pack than any other due to the fact we needed three seasons of clothing. I did remember my sunglasses, though! I have started to pack up the Disney only items and put them in one location.

Madge and Mouseteacher>>Thank you for the reminders!

Debbie

 

[DolphinBoy]

I just got back from and I was unable to get an upgrade when trying to use my SPG Gold. I tried multiple times during my stay. My impression was that they were following the letter of the rules. It may have been because they were pretty well booked up at the time. Also, teh CL buffet appears to have been moved down to the first floor between the West and Central Elevators to accomodate more people.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

Madge ~ That sounds like a good plan We also had a 10:30 breakfast seating for Crystal Palace. We took our time and at the end around 11:30, they starting taking pictures with ALL the characters with families.. It was a great photo opp. The CM said they usually do it when breakfast is over to get the people on out and get the lunch people in....so you might hang around and see what happens... They take the pictures in the middle of the restaurant. Have a great trip... I cannot wait to here about your trip and the new lounge etc... Have fun!

 

[madge]

Originally posted by DolphinBoy
I just got back from and I was unable to get an upgrade when trying to use my SPG Gold. I tried multiple times during my stay. My impression was that they were following the letter of the rules. It may have been because they were pretty well booked up at the time. Also, teh CL buffet appears to have been moved down to the first floor between the West and Central Elevators to accomodate more people.

are you talking about an upgrade to CL, DolphinBoy? I think that only Platinum SPG get the CL privileges, it's been that way for a while. I am gold and used points to upgrade last fall, without any problem at all and the hotel was close to full.

the CL lounge is being renovated, it moves back upstairs next week.

 

[DolphinBoy]

Technically (letter of the law) Platinum only gets CL. However, in the past I have been able to use Gold to get CL access (last April) for no points. However, this trip I was not able to do that. Also, for everyone wondering how many points are required to upgrade, multiple people at the front desk told me 1000 points per night. Where as if you call SPG, I believe that they will tell you 1500/night. It may be worth waiting till check in at the hotel.

 

[madge]

We also had a 10:30 breakfast seating for Crystal Palace. We took our time and at the end around 11:30, they starting taking pictures with ALL the characters with families.. It was a great photo opp. The CM said they usually do it when breakfast is over to get the people on out and get the lunch people in....so you might hang around and see what happens...

thanks for the tip!

I bought a new book to read by the grotto pool.....looking forward to getting out of town for a bit

 

[madge]

page THREE??

that isn't good at all.......

I have nothing on topic to add to that.

 

[dreamflight99]

jmcross!~~ I am SO happy you are now GOLD!
I had to LOL... ...when I read the part where you went into "PANIC MODE" as she asked for the SPECIAL CODE!! I'm so glad you kept your cool...and it all worked out perfectly! YOU ARE GOLD, BABY!!

Aimee~As all others have urged you on this thread...I too will follow. Please, do not give up hope. The Gov't rate will most likely "open-up" for the dates you need. Since you only have to pay one night's stay to reserve your dates, (the first eve, @$139), then just KEEP TRYING! I'll send some extra PD & P for you!

zumbergc~ Hello, Connie. You are WISE to rethink this decision, as the Temperpedic beds are indeed at the Swan/Dolphin, manufactured by SERTA SLEEPER (for the BEST nights sleep in the industry). The beds at the WL are the standard hotel industry beds, nothing fancy. I LOVE the WL, and do not experience problems with sleeping. Yet, I know MANY persons with shoulder, hip and knee problems. They are ALWAYS more concerned with the BED accomodations at a resort than anything else! Oh Connie, I would hate for you to check-in to the WL, only to find you were unable to sleep comfortably/restfully. Remember, you could always STAY at the SWAN/DOLPHIN...and VISIT the WL (dining, shopping and sight-seeing). Give this issue some serious thought. Comfort and rest are VITAL to enjoyment.

madge~Have a WONDERFUL & MAGICAL trip!! :

*Note: I must take a rest now, and some meds. Yesterday, I was admitted to the hosp. and underwent emergency surgery. I was released today, and am supposed to be in bed...resting. I had to check-in, and let everyone know where I will be if I'm not around as often over the next week. It will take me 6-weeks to recoup the blood loss, and the severe anemic state has left me "weak" (something very unfamiliar to me!). Please...no worries. I'm FINE!
I'll be back to "normal" soon. Love to you all.

Time for sleep....before I and get "caught" out of BED!

TTFN...always, DF99

 

[Muffy]

Wow DF! That doesn't sound fine at all! I'm so sorry to hear about your sudden hospitalization. Take it easy and get well soon! Hug!

Muffy

 

[KelliR]

I won't worry because you say not to ... but I do send good wishes and tons of Pixie Dust for a very speedy and full recovery! It won't be the same around here without you ... and I look forward to your return to this thread in the best of health!

 

[paras4ri]

Sending some ~pd~ for a speedy recovery DF!