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

[Mouseteacher]

Hi, I'm here! Working hard, too...but I am on the last stretch. I have the luxury of taking the month of July as vacation time.

KIS~ shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!! it's okay that you didn't play up the S/D in your trip report. Wedon'twanttoletoursecretoutandthentherewon'tberoomforus. You're part of the sorority now so you can read the secret code. Re: affording trips - the spg rate helps and we (unfortunately) can only afford to go for 5 days/ 4 nights. I suppose we could stay longer if we chose a value resort but I do love staying at a deluxe. So, I am willing to make the sacrifice by staying for a shorter time. Also, getting a rock bottom airfare helps. I save all year long even if it's a few dollars a week - it's amazing how it can add up...and tax returns helps, too.

Debbie~ thanks for the update on DSIL. I hope that all continues on the path of a good and speedy recovery.

 

[madge]

Originally posted by dreamflight99


#1Hockeymom~Wow...we may have quite a GATHERING at the S/D this July! Thanks for the update on your DSIL. I keep her in my prayers.

*School's out for summer! LOVE that tune...LOL.

TTFN...DF99

BIG WAVE to everyone else in the room!

speaking of gatherings....is anyone going to still be around 25-27 July, or am I missing it all?

 

[Mouseteacher]

madge~ I think Disbug is still there on the 25th. Unfortunately, I'll miss you by 3 days. Perhaps DF will be checking in.

 

[madge]

I forgot to mention....if you are a member of SPG program, check your e-mail. There's a promo going on this summer (you have to have the e-mail, the details are at www.flyertalk.com) that if you stay 3 nights, you get 3000 bonus points. woo hoo!

 

[paras4ri]

Originally posted by madge
I forgot to mention....if you are a member of SPG program, check your e-mail. There's a promo going on this summer (you have to have the e-mail, the details are at www.flyertalk.com) that if you stay 3 nights, you get 3000 bonus points. woo hoo!

I just looked but I couldn't find the info on flyertalk!!! I did just get an e-mail offer from spg but it was for a free year of Zagats!

 

[Lisa BC]

Hello everyone!

I've reading this thread for a long time, and you've all convinced me that there's no better place to stay on site than the S-D. Thanks so much for all of your advice, tips, and encouragement!

However, I'm worried that we may not be able to stay at the S-D for our upcoming trip in Nov 29 - Dec 6. I've been regulary checking the Dream RES page for rates... still $239 per night. On the Dreams website, they have dates listed when discounts are available. What's weird is that discounts are available 11/18/04 - 11/27/04 and 12/12/04 - 12/23/04. But not for the week we're traveling. Any ideas if discounts might still come out... or should I just start looking at other options. Our buget can only tolerate about $169 per night.

We may have to look closer at the Celebration Hotel or the Sherton Safari.

 

[232271]

lisa, you should call the hotel direct and see if you get a different answer.

good luck

 

[Lisa BC]

232271,

Thanks for the advice! I was so sad that I wasn't thinking clearly enough to consider calling the hotel directly myself.

I just called the S-D reservations line, and spoke with Melissa. She confirmed that the teacher rate is currently not available for our dates, but that they expect to open more dates for the fall and winter by mid-June. So maybe we'll get to stay at the S-D yet....
I purchased our MMVCP tickets this week and got a quote for our train tickets. It is starting to feel "real". Yippee!

Again many thanks!

Lisa

 

[KIS]

Lisa BC,

What's the current teacher's rate, anyway?

KIS

 

[sarahsmom73]

That is good to know about more dates opening up! Good luck to you!

It looks more and more that we will be returning from
Nov 10th - 14th!!! DH can get preapproval for grant $$ this year before school gets out!!! I am just trying to keep it cool!

(Nevermind that the flights are $79 each way..... the earliest flight leaves at 6:25 am..... Land by 10.... Dolphin by 11.... )

Come on pixie dust!

A big wave all around the room to you all!

 

[Mouseteacher]

Teacher rate is now at $149 a night at both resorts not including tax and resort fee.

 

[madge]

Originally posted by paras4ri
I just looked but I couldn't find the info on flyertalk!!! I did just get an e-mail offer from spg but it was for a free year of Zagats!

try this link and see what you come up with
https://www.lg0.net/starwood/midyear/5nightpts_em.cfm


that link is for a 5 night promo. when I tried to sign up for it, I was offered the 3 night/3000 point offer....

 

[dreamflight99]

Originally posted by madge
try this link and see what you come up with
https://www.lg0.net/starwood/midyear/5nightpts_em.cfm


that link is for a 5 night promo. when I tried to sign up for it, I was offered the 3 night/3000 point offer....

I tried it...but I do not "qualify" ~ Argh!! I also will not be checking into the Dolphin until the end of the month...sorry. Any chance you can travel earlier?

Thanks for the info/link anyway!

TTFN...DF99

 

[madge]

Originally posted by dreamflight99
I tried it...but I do not "qualify" ~ Argh!! I also will not be checking into the Dolphin until the end of the month...sorry. Any chance you can travel earlier?

Thanks for the info/link anyway!

TTFN...DF99

I know it's a "targetted" promotion, whatever that means I know that the promo ends on July 31, I don't know when it starts, though.

 

[Mouseteacher]

Same here, DF. I, quote unfortunately do not qualify unquote.

I have a 4 night stay fom April and another 4 night stay at the Dolphin in July. I would have loved some additional points.

 

[paras4ri]

I didn't qualify either but I'm still going to Disney World....
<font size=5 color=navy font face="Comic Sans MS">in just 7 weeks!!!

 

[sarahsmom73]

Good Morning all!

Dh called yesterday to get the conference pricing and they have cancelled the convention....No Nov trip for us! I was so bummed out.. Still am... He said "Don't be sad.. start saving again (I already am) and we can go for Christmas 2005! So I guess that will the plan!

 

[fam4jc]

Hi Everyone! I'm going to WL in 21 days but am trying to plan a trip for early December. I've been lurking crazy: ) through the S/D posts and it has intrigued me. My DH is a cop, so we can get a good rate (I think). So my question is which resort to choose for 2 adults and 2 DD's (5&7)? The current plan is a four night stay.
(Our 10th anniversary is Dec 05 and we are going alone to AKL then so we have to make this trip rather short)

How much would this trip cost us? We could use ph plus tickets or even just park hopper.

I wonder if room availability will be a problem? I am spg with very few points. I could transfer some from american express, but I've used most of those for flights.

Thanks to all you wonderful people.

 

[KIS]

The staff at the Dolphin did not tell me about how they could use the nearby resorts. I was going on to them how they might enjoy working for the Dolphin if they were allowed to use the pools and so on. I wonder why they did not offer that. May be they were afraid, I'd start complaining about not being able to go to some of those resorts to play.

It's a mystery to me when they let out those teacher rates and when they do not. My guess is that there are not teacher rates for peak seasons and that they put those rates out once they know they will not fill up.

Mouseteacher, I can see your point about 4-5 days of luxury versus 7-8 days value. While I've never been in a value, my guess is that I'd be so unrested and crabby without some creature comforts that it would not be a very fun trip. If we had gone for 4-5 days this time, the first time, I think we would have enjoyed it less because it look us a few days to get acclimated to park hopping, to how to work together, etc. May be, if we're on the brink of a decision to go or not to go, given our finances, it will help to think about a shorter visit since we know the general lay out now.

KIS

 

[bard721]

Well all you Starwood members here is some good news for a Friday! Like many of you that posted I clicked on the link to register for the five nights 5000 points promo and got the screen that said I did not qualify. I am a philosophy prof and today put some of those critical thinking skills to work. I clicked on the terms and conditions on the registration page and found a toll free number that claimed by calling and asking for a specific promortion code I would be registered. I called a few minutes ago gave the code and I am registered. Don't always assume that getting one no answer is the end of the situation.
Call 1-888-625-4988
Ask for registration code 213
As if this is not enough to make Friday great, I turn in my final grades for the semester at noon! Summer vacation here I come.