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

[Dan Murphy]

Subscribe to Mary's newsletter here for great ticket discounts...

http://www.mousesavers.com/wdwtixdiscounts.html#online

I always have an AP so have never purchased 'regular' tickets. But I have read here on the DIS, MANY times (as Ozzie said above), how Undercover has been great, even better with the newsletter discount.

 

[TinkOhio]

Ozziewags is SO right about the tip to photocopy your tickets! We ordered from Undercover Tourist last Dec. to save a few bucks. They were wonderful to work with! We made copies of our tickets when we received them.

Three months later we were at DTD and decided to add the waterparks feature to our tickets. The cm messed up one of the tickets, and our copy of the originals later saved the day!

We will use Undercover Tourist for our upcoming stay and save time at the Swan for fun!

 

[debsays]

We have annual passes and I copy the front and the back of the passes. I keep the copy separate from the tickets and ususally leave it in the vault in the room just because you never know. Best to be safe.

 

[SingingMom]

This is who we used last year... had no problems. We also photocopied - kept one copy home for "future reference" and brought along another copy to keep in the room "just in case".

http://officialticketcenter.com/

 

[RachelTori]

We have annual passes and I copy the front and the back of the passes. I keep the copy separate from the tickets and ususally leave it in the vault in the room just because you never know. Best to be safe.

Having the #'s written down works just as well! So if you don't have time to photocopy, just make a list of the #'s on the back of each MYW ticket or AP and you're good to go!!

 

[Colleen27]

I would assume it is a health issue. One of the tubs in particular seemed very hot.

Of course, I don't know how "inforced" these rules are, as there were many children jumping in and out of them - some with parents no where to be found, and others with parents sitting right there and allowing them to jump and splash everyone in sight.

I would think if it was a health issue, age restrictions would be industry standard - a hot tub at the Dolphin shouldn't be any more of a health hazard than the hot tub we enjoyed at POR on our last trip, you know? I figured it probably had more to do with satisfying the preferences of the convention crowd, who might not be altogether thrilled about being surrounded by kids in every public space.

I'm not usually one to ignore posted rules, but this is one that I'm hoping isn't well enforced. You won't find my kids jumping in and out of any hot tub anywhere, but I'm hoping that we'll be able to get away with enjoying a quiet "girl time" soak while DS & DH hit the main pool or arcade.

 

[yankeepenny]

we will be newbies for dolphin. where do you eat breakfast?
i am a coffee/ toast sometimes a full meal kinda person.
any suggestions in S/D???

Thanks!

 

[RachelTori]

we will be newbies for dolphin. where do you eat breakfast?
i am a coffee/ toast sometimes a full meal kinda person.
any suggestions in S/D???

Thanks!

Picabu - the 24 hour quick service restaurant might be your best bet. You can get anything from toast & coffee to a full bacon and eggs-type breakfast. It's on the 1st floor of the Dolphin.

 

[toledo13]

Does the Swalphin offer transportation to/from the airport or to the nearby shopping center? Is it complimentary?

 

[SingingMom]

I figured it probably had more to do with satisfying the preferences of the convention crowd, who might not be altogether thrilled about being surrounded by kids in every public space.

I'm not usually one to ignore posted rules, but this is one that I'm hoping isn't well enforced. You won't find my kids jumping in and out of any hot tub anywhere, but I'm hoping that we'll be able to get away with enjoying a quiet "girl time" soak while DS & DH hit the main pool or arcade.

I doubt it is the "convention crowd". Most of the convention attendees have no time for the pool. They are in seminiars, and then in the lobby during "happy hour". (my, they were LOUD! What great acoustics! )

I will say, however, that speaking as a parent, I was very annoyed with the rambuctious 5 to 12 year olds literally jumping in and out of the hot tub, swimming UNDER WATER, and splashing, while the clueless parents thought they were "cute".

 

[Mouseteacher]

we will be newbies for dolphin. where do you eat breakfast?
i am a coffee/ toast sometimes a full meal kinda person.
any suggestions in S/D???

Thanks!

Another suggestion if you just want a continental type breakfast:
We used the lobby bar where you can purchase coffee and assorted pastries, etc. I purchased coffees and croissants to bring back to our room before heading out to the parks or to eat at small sitting areas in the lobby.
This saved us time in the morning as we are always excited to start our day in the parks!

 

[Keikai]

The parking was $9 per day and the parks shuttle service was over 20 minutes wait each time to MK; the boat to MGM and Epcot was also longer than a 20 minute wait. We should have simply driven and parked!.

thats a bit misleading, we were there for the last 2 weeks, only on 2 occasions did we have to wait more than 20 mins for a bus, most of the time is was about 5, times vary but never a long time, the Disney transportation is a great FREE addition to your holiday, for those who want to whinge, get a car but donr be ungrateful. As for the boats, you can walk quicker but its nice sometimes to just sit there and relax.

 

[Keikai]

We had a HUGE pharmacutical convention check in on Monday and leave on Friday... aside from a VERY LOUD "happy hour" in the lobby, we were not inconvenienced in the least. And, we were more amused by the noise than bothered - we were discussing how the architects might not have realized the acoustical value of the lobby - I wanted to belt into song when I heard that echo!

The south american kidney convention i think if i remember!!

The conventions were not a problem, in fact the busier it seemed the more impressive it seemed, i loved the vibe of a busy hotel, would worry me if it was quiet, i would want to know why people dont use the facilites!!

 

[Keikai]

If you had to pick a floor at the Dolphin which would it be? Also do they have Miami Dolphins merchandise available for purchase there?

room 3029 which we were in had a great view of Epcot and the fireworks

 

[Keikai]

This is who we used last year... had no problems. We also photocopied - kept one copy home for "future reference" and brought along another copy to keep in the room "just in case".

We didnt..........and i lost one!!

My wife wanted me lynched until the women at the Dolphin saved our skins by telling us what to do, i was about to spend anothe $300 on another, if you see Mabel tell her thanks from room 3029, hope she liked the flowers we sent her!!

 

[Keikai]

Another suggestion if you just want a continental type breakfast:
We used the lobby bar where you can purchase coffee and assorted pastries, etc. I purchased coffees and croissants to bring back to our room before heading out to the parks or to eat at small sitting areas in the lobby.
This saved us time in the morning as we are always excited to start our day in the parks!

Also if you use the Fresh, check the amount you are charged, they charged us 6 different prices for breakfast although we had the same thing every day, that was the only thing that peeved me off, the attitude of the restaurant manager when we questioned it.

 

[CindeBella]

we will be newbies for dolphin. where do you eat breakfast?
i am a coffee/ toast sometimes a full meal kinda person.
any suggestions in S/D???

Thanks!

I'm like you, I don't eat very much but DH likes a full breakfast and we encourge our children to do the same so they're not hungry in an hour. While at Disney I try to eat a little more since we will be busy and it may be hours before we eat again.

for breakfast we like Fresh, not sure if you can get an a la carte, but I have at the Garden Grove at the Swan.
Also, there is the Java Bar where you can get espresso, coffee and pastries.
I've never been to Picabu.

Hope this helps!

 

[CindeBella]

thats a bit misleading, we were there for the last 2 weeks, only on 2 occasions did we have to wait more than 20 mins for a bus, most of the time is was about 5, times vary but never a long time, the Disney transportation is a great FREE addition to your holiday, for those who want to whinge, get a car but donr be ungrateful. As for the boats, you can walk quicker but its nice sometimes to just sit there and relax.

I agree, we have never waited very long for a bus/boat/monorail. We typically walk to MGM or Epcot but, as you mentioned, it is nice to relax on the boats.
The free shuttle service is a wonderful addition to the many other services offered. I couldn't imagine driving to every location, finding a parking spot and the hike to the entrance on top of it ~ all with children. I am grateful for this service!

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

This may be a dumb question but I'm putting it out here...

We were able to snag the great $125 rate for a few days in August. I'm considering bringing my DSs girlfriend with us. Will I just have to pay the additional $25/night for her or will it mess up my good rate?

 

[Blondie]

we will be newbies for dolphin. where do you eat breakfast?
i am a coffee/ toast sometimes a full meal kinda person.
any suggestions in S/D???

Thanks!

Here's what they were serving for breakfast at Picabu in May. Picabu is located on the lower level of the Dolphin, not too far from Fresh and the Dolphin Fountain.